How The Romanov Jewels Were Smuggled Out Of Russia After 1917...

The Imperial family possessed incalculable treasures that remain highly desirable to this day... >>> The fact that female members of the last Russian Emperor’s family sewed diamonds into the corsets of their dresses became known after their execution: “The daughters… had beautifully-made bodices consisting entirely of diamonds and other precious jewels,” recalled Yakov Yurovsky, the chief executioner. Other Romanovs, however, were more fortunate and managed not only to escape with their lives themselves, but also clandestinely to smuggle their jewels, family gold and precious stones abroad. And sometimes this was done in the most ingenious manner. Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna (the spouse of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia, Nicholas II’s uncle) was one of the few members of the Tsarist family who managed both to escape abroad after the 1917 Revolution and also to take part of her jewelry collection with her, albeit not personally. She carried almost nothing with her: All her valuables remained at home, but it proved possible to smuggle some of them abroad later. She was helped in this by Albert Stopford, a family friend and British diplomat (who, according to some historians, was also a British intelligence agent). After the February Revolution, the Grand Duchess and her children (her husband had died a long time before, in 1909) left for Kislovodsk, having instructed the diplomat to find her jewels. There is only sketchy information about how he managed to do this. Maria Pavlovna allegedly told him about a “secret door” leading to her room in the Vladimir Palace in St. Petersburg. As the story goes, he got in by pretending to be a worker (according to another account - wearing a woman’s dress) and took out the jewelry wrapped in an old newspaper. After that, the diplomat went to Kislovodsk to hand the jewels to the Grand Duchess. But she took only a small part of her collection and asked Stopford to take the rest out of Russia to Britain and deposit it in a bank, details of which were to be known only by the two of them. It is known that in the fall of 1917, using his diplomatic immunity, Stopford left for London carrying 244 items of jewelry in his Gladstone bag. In 1920, Maria Pavlovna managed to leave Novorossiysk on an Italian ship bound for Venice, planning to then settle in France. However, she died soon afterwards and her jewels were inherited by her children. Her descendants sold many pieces from her jewelry collection in order to shore up their finances. Thus, the Vladimir Tiara now belongs to Queen Elizabeth II and her pearl-drop earrings to the spouse of Prince Michael of Kent. Jewels in pillowcases... A cigarette case showing the Grand Duchess and grandchildren is seen beside a pillowcase in which the lots were smuggled out of Russia, displayed during the preview of 'Romanov Heirlooms: The lost Inheritance of the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna' at Sotheby's, London. But the most interesting finds had to wait 90 years to be discovered! It emerged that, in November 1918, Maria Pavlovna, with the help of her friend, Professor of Painting Richard Bergholz managed to pass that part of her jewelry collection, which the trusted British diplomat had brought to Kislovodsk, and which she had held on to, to the Swedish mission in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). The Grand Duchess didn’t have time to tell her relatives about the cache before she died and two pillowcases containing about 60 items of jewelry - Fabergé cigarette cases, gold cufflinks adorned with precious stones and other items - were only discovered in the archives of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2009. The Swedes handed over the pillowcases to the descendants of Maria Pavlovna, who put them up for auction. Nowadays many of them are privately owned and turn up at auctions from time to time. Brought to heel... In addition to items taken out by representatives of the Tsarist family themselves, Romanov treasures were also taken out of the country with the permission of the Bolsheviks - the proceeds were supposed to pay for the needs of Communist movements in other countries. Foreign customs authorities repeatedly caught Comintern [Communist International] agents with suitcases full of jewelry. American journalist John Reed, who is buried by the Kremlin walls, witnessed the events of the Russian Revolution and wrote a book about them titled ‘Ten Days That Shook the World’. Furthermore, Vladimir Lenin personally wrote the book’s introduction. According to some historians, Reed was a Kremlin agent and, according to other accounts, he was a double agent. One way or the other, there is evidence that John Reed was more than just a journalist who sympathized with the Bolsheviks. In March 1920, Reed was caught by customs officials in the Finnish city of Turku with diamonds hidden in the heels of his shoes. He insisted that he had purchased them with his own money, but he was not believed and was arrested. He was only released from prison in June that year. Aino Kuusinen, the wife of Finnish communist Otto Kuusinen, tells another interesting story in her memoirs. Agent Salme Pekkala was going to Britain on a mission for the Executive Committee of the Comintern. She received money for her “travel expenses” from Otto, who had just returned from Petrograd. “He produced four yellowish diamonds from the lining of his waistcoat which were about the size of a little finger,” Aino recalled. Diamond chocolates... In 2009, British intelligence declassified an archive file linked to the Romanov jewelry. In 1920, Francis Meynell, a director of the Daily Herald, sent pearls and diamonds belonging to the Tsar’s family, which he had received from the Bolsheviks in Sweden to Britain. They were hidden inside chocolates and dispatched by post. Later Maynell said that, eventually, all the jewelry went back to the USSR. ~ From "Russia Beyond".

"Anastasia"...

What REALLY Happened To The Romanovs???...

Box Beds...

Darnell Benally 6 days ago ·

>>> In the cold winters of northern Europe, houses were difficult to heat, then some forgotten craftsman gave him a bed to build, almost like a closet, where to hide from the cold of the night, when the last chills of the family fire went out, real woodworking were these beds of one or two compartments, which from 16 for centuries protected non-claustrophobic Europeans from night ice. The box bed, which originated in the late medieval period, appeared in different forms throughout Europe: there are examples from Britain, Scotland, Austria, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. In some places they were used until the 20th century, which makes sense when you consider the cold European winters and houses where the warmth came only from a wood fire. And even before electricity, people simply didn't heat their homes that much, so being cold outside also meant being cold inside.

An Orange In The Christmas Stocking...

>>> In the early 1900s, receiving an orange in your stocking was considered a significant treat. Fresh fruit, particularly citrus, was a luxury item for many families, especially in colder regions where oranges were harder to come by. This simple tradition speaks to a time when gifts were practical and cherished for their rarity. Today, the thought of giving fruit as a gift might seem quaint, but back then, it symbolized prosperity and care.

Under The Mistletoe...

"Scrooge," ~ 1951...

Sleigh Ride...

A Sweet Card...

Queen Victoria's Christmas Feast...

Tonight IS Krampusnacht!!!... ;)

>>> Krampusnacht is celebrated every year on December 5, the night before the celebration of the Feast of St. Nicholas. This holiday is mostly celebrated in Germany, Austria, Croatia, and some other European countries. It is also popular in Australia, and over the years, Krampusnacht’s popularity has grown in North America as well. Krampusnacht is a celebration of the devil Krampus, who is believed to be a creature that is half-man, half-goat. He is depicted as being hairy with large horns, a goat’s cloven hooves, red eyes, and fangs. However, the depictions of the Krampus vary from region to region. In some depictions, the Krampus is shown wearing chains, and the people wearing Krampus costumes often thrash around in the chains for maximum effect. The chains are to represent the binding of the Devil by Jesus Christ, in Christian mythology. The Krampus carries bundles of ‘ruten’ or twigs he uses to swat misbehaving children. For the celebrations, these bundles are handed to families so children remember the threat of the Krampus throughout the year and behave themselves. In countries where Krampusnacht is celebrated, St. Nicholas gives gifts to the children, but if they misbehave, the Krampus arrives to take the gifts away and give the children coal and ruten instead. Throughout the night on December 5, men dress up as the Krampus, drink alcohol, and celebrate on the streets. While the origins of the Krampus are unclear, the idea of a horned demonic entity is pre-Christian. Such a pagan entity may have been absorbed into the seasonal traditions to become part of the celebrations leading up to Christmas. Krampuslaufs are Krampus Runs, where spectators are delighted by Krampus' wild antics, as they terrorize people with birch switches.

Ho-ho-HO!!!... The Krampus!!!...

Children take care! Please be aware All that you've done Will come to bear! Have you been good? Behaved as you should? Those who have not It's understood Krampus will come Looking for some You are not safe Best that you run! You're on his list Not what you wished This Christmas time You will be missed! There is someone watching over all that you have done this year Every little boy and girl please listen... Keep Christmas spirit alive! If you believe Given reprieve Don't lose your faith Next Christmas Eve Christmas is real Show how you feel If you forget Your fate is sealed! As you grow old You have been told Stay warm of heart Keep out the cold Now that you know Reap what you sow You have been warned You have been warned! All of you naughty children best prepare for some yuletide fear This will be a very scary Christmas If he finds you on his list This will be a very scary Christmas Quiet now I think he's here!

Greetings From Krampus...

This is in Russia... :O

Oooo>>> FABULOUS!!!...

Women Have Always Been As Strong & As Smart As Men...

We got the vote in the early 1900s and we never went back!!!...

"Poke Salad Annie" & How To Prepare Poke Sallat Or Poke Salad......

I'm sure the Victorian times in the swamp were pretty scary...

"Poke Salad Annie, the gator's got your granny..." :O

Poke Salad >>> The dish is so-named because it is made with pokeweed, a pervasive green that can be toxic when ingested improperly. The recipe is also known as poke sallet (a French-derived word similar to salade) and polk salad (inspired by the country song “Polk Salad Annie”). Since pokeweed is especially prevalent in Southern Appalachia, the make-do recipe became a type of foraged staple for some, especially in rural and impoverished households. For those familiar with the popular Appalachian dish “killed lettuce,” poke salad is similar in theory. While killed lettuce merely refers to tossing greens in a piping-hot dressing to warm and wilt the lettuce, poke salad requires actual cooking to turn the leaves into an edible side dish. Another similarity between the two regional recipes is the common use of bacon grease to dress the greens with major flavor. Bonus points if the bacon grease was grabbed from an old Crisco can on the kitchen counter. Killed lettuce uses hot bacon grease along with other ingredients to create a dressing, while poke salad is typically sautéed in the bacon grease after being twice-boiled.>>> Pokeweed >>>

How To Make Poke Salad... Pokeweed can be foraged in many different places. Think beside the road, along ditches, surrounding fences, and basically anywhere where weeds tend to pop up. While the grown plant features maroon stems and berries (seen above), it’s advised to use the green leaves of a younger pokeweed during the spring when making poke salad. After being boiled (many swear by boiling the leaves twice), the toxicity is gone and the wilted leaves are drained of the water and ready to be combined with bacon grease in a skillet. They are then often finished with salt, pepper, crumbled bacon, and any other seasonings. The final dish tastes akin to sautéed spinach or mustard greens with a subtle touch of bitter earthiness. In some households, it was common to combine the sautéed greens with eggs to make a hearty scramble. If you don't have bacon grease on hand or don't eat pork, you can use olive oil or vegetable oil in the skillet step instead. Turning an unused weed into food on the table, poke salad can be considered amongst the ways that Southern home cooks once created sustenance out of cleverness, similar to the Depression pies that turned unexpected pantry staples into pies like Vinegar Pie and Soda Cracker Pie. Ingenuity that you can eat? The best kind. ~ From Southern Living.

Spanish Moss...

Chamber Pots ;) ...

Green Roses & Green Fairies...

Rock Candy Was Big In Victorian Times...

The Kooky Folks Of "Midnight In The Garden Of Good & Evil" And The Brid Girl Statue...

"Midnight In The Garden Of Good & Evil" (In Old Savannah) ...

Head & Brain Reading...

Peace Rose, ~ "Heirloom Roses"...

With beautiful, large, heavy cupped to high-centered, 6" blooms, Peace steals the show. Her golden, primrose-yellow petals with soft, rose-pink shadings emit an intense scent. Own-root roses ensure this strong, continually blooming bush with large, rich-green, leathery foliage will be more winter hardy year after year and more disease resistant.

Among The Most Haunted Places In the U.S.A., ~ By Lisa Poirot...

Bonaventure Cemetery Location: Savannah, Georgia Date founded: 1846 >>> Nestled beneath the moss-draped oaks of Savannah, Georgia, the Bonaventure Cemetery is a serene yet haunting masterpiece of history and art. With its elegantly weathered tombstones and ornate sculptures, this resting place is more than just a cemetery – it’s a journey through time. As you wander the winding paths, the stories of the departed come alive, from celebrated poets to soldiers of wars long past. The Southern Gothic beauty of the cemetery’s architecture is heightened by Spanish moss, creating an atmosphere that is both enchanting and chilling. For this reason, the cemetery has been featured in various films and literature, most notably the book and subsequent movie, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Playing a pivotal role in the story’s backdrop of mystery and intrigue, Bonaventure has quite a reputation as a haunting and enchanting place.

Little Victorian Dream House...

What's Going On, France? is with Sandra Guerrero Valles...

Hell's Half Acre, ~ The Brothels In Fort Worth...

I LOVE Ann Marie Eleazar's Dark & Elegant Poetry!!!...

New Orleans Voodoo Museum & Creepy-Cool Dolls...

Louis Armstrong: "Back O' Town Blues"...

A Fine Louisiana Gumbo!!!... (Maybe you could get this kind of thing at Lulu White's, if Juliette Jo was cooking!!! ;) )

Lulu White's Mahogany Hall...

Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo By Rian Handler and Justin SullivanUpdated: Jan 3, 2024 >>> Homemade Gumbo Is The Ultimate Comfort Food Dish... Yields: 4 serving(s) Prep Time: 20 mins Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Cal/Serv: 633 >>> Filled with shrimp, sausage, and the signature seasoning, hearty gumbo the true melting-pot dish that will transport you straight to New Orleans after just one bite. Originating in Louisiana, this dish combines the cuisines and ingredients of several cultures including West African, French, German, and Choctaw. It's a top-notch comfort food stew centered around a flavorful roux and the holy trinity of Southern cooking: aromatic onions, celery, and bell peppers. Our recipe draws inspiration from Cajun and Creole styles of gumbo, but mainly follows the Creole style with the inclusion of fire-roasted tomatoes and shrimp. If you're looking to perfect this classic dish, keep reading for all of our top tips on how to do it: What’s the difference between gumbo and jambalaya?... The difference in these two dishes comes down to two things: the roux and the role of the rice. Unlike jambalaya, gumbo builds its flavor upon a roux, which also thickens it to a stew-like texture. Gumbo is also served with rice on the side, while jambalaya simmers it in the dish. >>> The secret to the best gumbo: the roux... Every good gumbo starts with a mixture of butter and flour called a roux. In this case, we’re cooking the roux until it has a golden color, which can take about 10 minutes. Our top tip? During this time, you should be stirring almost constantly. It’s very easy to burn a roux, and if you do, then you have to start over. If that happens, that’s okay! It takes some practice if this is your first time making a roux, but stirring constantly will help prevent any burning from happening in the first place. >>> What meat or seafood is usually in gumbo?... The protein can vary in different gumbo recipes but for our recipe, we chose a mix of andouille sausage and shrimp. Some tips when it comes to these star ingredients: — The shrimp. It's really up to you if you prefer to keep your shrimp shells on or not. The shells add heaps of flavor, so oftentimes we prefer to keep them on, but if eating tail-on shrimp isn’t your thing, no worries! Leave 'em out. In terms of size, it doesn’t really matter how big your shrimp are, just make sure to keep a close eye on them as they cook. As soon as they turn opaque, they’re done. As always, make sure you're buying sustainably—the Monterey Bay Aquarium has an amazing guide that can walk you through purchasing shrimp ethically. Not feeling shrimp? Try our chicken and sausage gumbo instead. — The sausage. Trust us, for this recipe, it’s truly worth it to find andouille. It provides a very specific flavor associated with this dish, so it’s really worth hunting for. If you can’t find andouille anywhere, there are ways to substitute the flavor. Start with ground pork and mix in Cajun spices. Since andouille is double-smoked, try adding a little liquid smoke to the mix. We’d start small, 1/2 teaspoon should do it. >>> How to serve gumbo: Gumbo is often traditionally served spooned over rice, and we chose to top our bowls with our reserved scallions. If you’re looking for side ideas, you can’t go wrong with fried okra, collard greens, cheese grits, or sweet potato tots. >>> Storage and freezing: Since there is seafood in this dish, we don't recommend refrigerating gumbo for more than 2 days. You can also freeze your gumbo for up to 6 months. The cooked rice can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 2 days, and frozen separately for up to 1 month. >>> >>> Ingredients 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/4 c. all-purpose flour 1 small yellow onion, chopped 1 medium green bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, chopped 2 stalks celery, finely sliced 12 oz. andouille sausage, sliced into 1/2" rounds 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning (without salt) Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 4 c. low-sodium chicken broth 1 (15-oz.) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes 1 bay leaf 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled, deveined 3 scallions, sliced Cooked white rice, for serving >>> Directions... Step 1 ~ In a large, deep skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter, then add flour. Cook, stirring constantly, until roux is dark caramel colored, 12 to 15 minutes. Step ~ Add onions, peppers, and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in sausage, garlic, and Cajun seasoning; season with salt and pepper. Stir in broth, tomatoes, and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 1 hour. Step 3 ~ In the last 6 minutes of cooking, add shrimp. Once shrimp is pink and cooked through, taste and adjust seasonings. Stir in scallions, reserving some for serving. Step 4 ~ Divide rice among bowls. Spoon gumbo over. Top with reserved scallions.

But First, Coffee... ;)

The Saucy Sweethearts Of Storyville: Prologue...

Charlezza loved the backwoods around Catfish Creek where she had grown up, romping like a little wild animal, among the trees, wearing only a coarse sack-like shift. But, she also loved the cypress shack with it's tin roof, where her mama Annie Lee and her Grand Tante Narcisse had raised her, raised her on lots of love and corn cakes, gravy, yams, grits, poke sallet greens and, of course, river catfish. Now, at seven years old, and already bright enough to be reading Grand Tante's notebooks where she recorded her hoodoo spells and potion recipes, Charlezza was playing with her ragdoll Sooky and her chubby puppy Lolly. Lolly was chasing her tail and that made Charlezza laugh and laugh and laugh. "That silly little dog gonna get dizzy and fall over her own ears!," Grand Tante Narcisse said. "No, she won't! She's too smart for that! I housebroke her in three days, remember!" "I remember. I tole you I wasn't gonna have no dog pissing all over my floor." Grand Tante Narcisse was tying bundles of mint and rosemary for drying. "Your mama be home soon. She works too much for that scum Edna Baylis. Edna can clean her own house, but she just likes yer mama doin' it, acting like her servant. I done tole your mama, and tole her, I gots plenty enough money to support us all, but your mama is proud like a goose, and won't hear of it!" "I know, I know, Grand Tante, but you say you got a lot of money, but where is it?" "Ain't nobody gonna find that out, Chile!" Grand Tante Narcisse laughed. When she laughed she sounded like a crow, Charlezza thought. The door opened and Annie Lee walked in. She looked tired, as usual, but on her sweet face was only a smile. Annie Lee's hair was yellow and even a bit nappy, which was strange since she was so light; Annie's eyes were even pale blue. Yet, her mixed blood showed in her other features too. Annie Lee was called "Angel Annie" by some in the Parish for her good works. Annie Lee was a soft touch for anyone. She couldn't bear the thought of old people starving to death or children crying because they didn't have enough blankets, or even stray dogs and cats suffering just a smidgen. She even fed scraps to raccoons and possums, saying they were God's furry kids. There was only Grand Tante Narcisse, Annie Lee and Charlezza living in Grand Tante's shack. Grand Tante Narcisse had been a great beauty in her youth, with her strange, yet fine silvery green eyes, and had had a "career" of some sorts. She wouldn't say what it was, naturally, but now, she was a hoodoo woman, a conjure woman. People came to see Mama Narcisse La Velle late at night, knocking softly on the back door. Grand Tante Narcisse would admit them. She would talk to these "customers" in a very soft voice, and the customers would answer back as if the devil was looking over their shoulders. Small cloth wrapped bundles and candles would hastily be exchanged for wads of crumpled bills, or precious old jewelry, or handfuls of coins. Then, the customers would scurry away... Charlezza had watched this happen many times, from her rickety cot made of live oak branches, with the covers pulled up almost to her wide eyes. And, she knew to never touch her grand tante's hoodoo altar with it's weird little statues and it's rocks and shells and bits of bones and feathers. Lazy days went on and on and on, and Charlezza grew into a very pretty girl with an active curiosity, almost as pretty a girl as Annie Lee and Grand Tante Narcisse had been. Then, one day, Charlezza decided to see the mysterious world out there, with her best friend Rae Mae Placer, who said with the right connections she and Charlezza could be queens! The right connections, ~ ha, two naive backwoods girls? That was a big, a very big mistake! ~ Copyright by Antoinette Beard, 2024.

Storyville: From "Noir & NOLA"...

By Cierra Chenier, Mar 19, 2018 >>> "From Basin to Backatown: The Untold Story of Storyville"... In Storyville, New Orleans... Basin Street parallels Rampart Street and neighbors the historic French Quarter and St. Louis Cemetery #1. Before Hurricane Katrina, it was the site of the former Iberville Housing Projects (now mixed-income apartments) and carries an even deeper history as the site of New Orleans’ “red-light” district. Every area in New Orleans has a story, here is that of Storyville. >>> Background... After many failed attempts to eradicate prostitution and gambling within the city, the New Orleans City Council adopted an ordinance in 1897. Ordinance No. 13, 485 C.S. was introduced by Alderman Sidney Story and contained a list of guidelines to regulate prostitution and other illegal acts. It designated thirty-eight blocks where prostitution was technically tolerated, but illegal in any other part of the city. The area became known as the "red-light district" and "Storyville" after Sidney Story. It stretched throughout Basin Street, beginning at the former Basin Street Railroad. The district was located at the current site of the Iberville Housing Projects. Storyville employed over 2,000 prostitutes and generated millions of dollars in economic activity. It attracted people from all over the country and served as a playground for prostitution, gambling, segregation, music, drugs, alcohol, and racial and sexual exploitation. Storyville was New Orleans' attempt to contain crude and illegal activity into one area (making it easier for police to regulate) rather than trying to address these issues city-wide. It was lined with mansions, saloons, and brothels, in which these illicit activities would take place. Blue books, known as the "guidebooks to sin," were booklets that advertised the activity of Storyville and served as a directory for the prostitutes and "madames" of the district, many of whom were categorized by race.

"W" for white, "C" for colored, and "Oct." for octoroon, meaning one-eighth Black. Black women, especially those that were dark-skinned or visibly Black, were deemed as the least valuable women in Storyville. They often worked in deplorable conditions and were the subject of exploitation. Many light-skinned, mixed race, and/or Creole women worked at Lulu White's Mahogany Hall, a luxurious parlor occupied by rich, white men that (creepily) fetishized the racial ambiguity of these wome Segregation... Your race determined your positioning within Storyville. The white "parlors," were mansions known as the high-end brothels (Basin to S. Liberty Street). Lower-end brothels contained a mix of races (S. Liberty to N. Villere Street). The Black, "colored area" consisted of run-down brothels known as "cribs," and were located closer to the cemetery, away from the main action of the district. Although Black and white brothels coexisted in Storyville, Black prostitutes were not allowed in the predominately white sections unless they were working. Black men were not allowed in the white establishments unless they were musicians brought in to perform. In other words: if you were Black, you were only deemed useful if you were providing a form of service or entertainment. Basin Street lies just outside of the Tremé neighborhood, which is known as the birthplace of jazz. Consequently, it was common for Black jazz musicians to play in white brothels as a form of entertainment. While jazz did not originate in Storyville, Storyville certainly played a role in the development of jazz, since Black artists were not allowed to perform in other white clubs in the city. Many famous jazz players got their start in the brothels of Storyville, including Jelly Roll Morton, Joe "King" Oliver, Buddy Bolden, even a young Louis Armstrong made money by bringing coal to the brothels within the district. Backatown... Another ordinance was proposed, which required all Black prostitutes to move in a separate "vice" district across Canal Street. This red-light district became known as the "Black Storyville," what we know today as "Backatown." This area was just down the street from Storyville, right across Canal, near present-day City Hall. Louis Armstrong grew up in Backatown, or "Black Storyville," and ultimately became the most influential figure in jazz music. Black organizations grew upset that Fisk school was located in "Black Storyville." Louis Armstrong, a student at Fisk, expressed how the school was in the midst of saloons and brothels. In result, the school board decided to move the Black students of Fisk to McDonogh 13, an all-white school on the outskirts of the district, and convert it to a Black school. White parents were outraged, protests followed, but the school board followed through with the decision. The school was renamed McDonogh No. 35 and became the first Black high school in New Orleans. Farewell, Storyville... As years passed, many attempts were made to eliminate Storyville: a ban on musical instruments inside of saloons, on women in establishments that only sold alcohol, and on Black and white people drinking together. At the beginning of World War I, prostitution districts within five miles of an American military base were strictly prohibited, resulting in the complete shut down of Storyville. The jazz musicians made an exodus to Chicago, which became the next step in jazz evolution. Most of the former brothels, saloons, and parlors were torn down, and the Iberville Housing Projects were built in its place with federal funding from the Housing Act of 1937. This program was segregated, in which only white residents (families of military soldiers) were permitted to live in the Iberville... The Lafitte Projects, across Claiborne, were built in 1941 and only housed Black residents. At the time, the Lafitte is said to have been one of the best low-rent projects for Black people in the South. >>> The history Storyville is often brushed under the rug due to the behaviors associated with it. While it was obscene and technically illegal, the district generated much of the city's tourism revenue during the time period. Tourists flocked to the lewd streets of Storyville, just as they do today on Bourbon Street. Without Storyville, we may not have heard the names of those notable jazz musicians, and that young boy dropping off coal may not have ever met his mentor, Joe "King" Oliver, and grew up to become THE Louis Armstrong. The politics of Storyville parallels many of the issues we see today, whether we're talking racism, colorism, segregation, or the exploitation of Black women. The issues that plagued the Storyville district in the late 1800s continue to plague our communities in various forms today. From Basin, to Backatown–from the Iberville, to the Lafitte. To understand our history is to understand our connectedness to each other. New Orleans is close-knit, family-oriented, and whether we realize it or not, we move as a unit. We are fused in more ways than we are divided, and it's about time we start acting like it.... >>> "Farewell to Storyville" - by Billie Holiday & Louis Armstrong... "All, you old-time queens, from New Orleans, who lived in Storyville You sang the blues, try to amuse, here's how they pay the bill The law step-in and call it sin to have a little fun The police car has made a stop and Storyville is done [...] Just say farewell now and get your one last thrill Your one last thrill Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville."

The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake...

It was set in Savannah, Georgia, ~ that statue in the cemetary is surely very old...

LOVE this Johnny Mercer song, ~ "Skylark," sung exquisitely by K. D. Lang... (Supposedly, Johnny Mercer wrote the song because of his love for Judy Garland.)