It may be just another Tuesday where you are, but in New Orleans, it's Mardi Gras! The cultural traditions surrounding Mardi Gras reach out all over the city. There are costumed revelers with no particular affiliation roaming the streets in bands, old-line Uptown parades that toss innumerable creative "throws" from huge rolling floats, and Zulu, a 100-year-old African American response to being unable to participate in mainstream Mardi Gras, featuring grass skirts and covete

Trash and tall grass and over-grown lots, OH MY If you've ever had the privilege of visiting the Lower 9th Ward, the first thing you'll notice as you come over the bridge is the Katrina Memorial - so we never forget- and the second, unfortunately, is overgrown lots. With only 39% of the neighborhood having been restored so far, many lots have been abandoned and therefore are unruly. But that's not the end of the story. The incredible residents of the Lower 9th Ward have nev