Newsletter

Sat. July 28 - Special guest at Superior Grill, in from Nashville -
Rhett Anthony!

Dog days of summer are here. Everyone I know is talking football, and we can’t wait. I’ve got LSU’s first game included on my web calendar for August! But, there is some time between now and then, and a few cool things will be going on. I’m sure everyone is gonna BBQ this weekend or next week, cooking for 4th of July parties. Be careful with those fireworks, kids! It’s been raining enough to freely fire them, though, so pop ‘em! Wow, I remember bottlerocket wars with my buddies - even from the roof of my house in Shenandoah, across the street to other rooftops. I also did one of the dumbest thing in my life with fireworks - I’ll keep that story to myself, for now, Bill Stafford. By the way, Bill, excellent job on TV, promoting all you guys have and do at the State Archives.

Here are some festivals:

New Orleans 4th of July Celebration - www.go4thontheriver.com

Seafood Festival in Mandeville, June 29 - July 1 - www.seafoodfest.com

Catfish Festival in Des Allemands, July 13 - 15

Swamp Pop Music Festival in Gonzales, July 20 - 21 - www.swamppopmusicfest.com

Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, July 18 - 21 - www.talesofthecocktail.com

I’m excited about a new gig this month - Monjuni’s Italian Café on Jefferson Hwy. @ Government Street. I’ll be there on the little patio on Friday, July 6. It’s a cool little place with great Italian food. I think that evening they will have $2 beer and $4 glasses of wine. They will have music on Thursdays and Fridays. Cody is a great host and good guy. I hope this works out well, and continues into the fall, when the patio will be super comfy.

For my friend Ron John at Southpaws Daiquiris, let me tell you about his big anniversary event on July 29. They are gonna do something similar to the Spanky’s Block Party, with live music on a big outdoor stage. Bands include Skip Painter with 5 Card Charlie, 440, Damon King Band, and Cam Pyle Band. It should be another great summertime event.

I hear so much, from inside and outside our nation, of how terrible, racist, uncaring, self-centered a nation we are - how unfairly we are treating illegal aliens. First of all, look at this article, you good Americans: http://newsbuckit.blogspot.com/2007/06/united-states-most-charitable-country.html

This article confirms that we are the most charitable country in the world! And, it also says 75% comes just from individuals, and 65% comes from households making less the $100,000/year. We are good people - don’t be fooled! This proves you don't have to be taxed to help out others, or be mandated.

Hey, have you ever had someone jump in line ahead of you? Isn’t it a shame when you follow the rules, but one person gets ahead of you because they didn’t. Isn’t it a drag that the middle class pays for almost everything in this country, follows all the rules, remains quiet but hopes for good leadership, yet all the leaders court is the rich and the poor. But, we are told we don’t pay enough taxes and don’t do enough to help others. All I want from all this immigration talk is for folks to follow the rules. You can be a citizen of this great country, if you get in line. This latest bill was going to give instant amnesty to millions of folks who didn’t follow the rules, and it probably was gonna give them free medical treatment. I’m tired of paying off all the law breakers. Not just aliens - all criminals. And, if you think this is insensitivity, look at this photo:

Find this in this article: http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/mexicoflag.asp

This was done at a rally last year, protesting immigration reform, in California. And it makes me mad. I’m sure it’s a small group, but it’s worth taking a second look at. I love how our country is a mixture of all nationalities. I welcome everyone who we can afford to take in, who will join us, help us pay the bills, and work to make the United States a great place. In the meantime, if a head of lettuce costs me more, so be it. Bring your culture, your history, your pride, and your work, but leave the soccer behind! Hehe.... America first! Anyway, sorry for the politics - it’s great debate fodder, no doubt.

OK, August is close, and there are cool concerts coming our way. Chris Isaak will be at the House of Blues in New Orleans. Marc Broussard will be at the Varsity. AND ELVIS AND JESSE ARE COMING!!!!

I’ll be pickin’ and singin’ at the usual watering holes, my friends. See you all out there.

Kirk