tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961756770093753632008-09-13T16:07:43.377-05:004516 Magazine Street - New Orleans LA 70115 - (504) 899-2975George Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15184811592186917050george@georgelong.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596175677009375363.post-18973025669017965262008-09-13T13:26:00.002-05:002008-09-13T16:07:43.389-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://georgelong.com/uploaded_images/Ruthie_Duck_Girl_photo-738430.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://georgelong.com/uploaded_images/Ruthie_Duck_Girl_photo-738411.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Our dear Ruthie died of cancer last week in Baton Rouge at the age of 74. She had evacuated there due to Hurricane Gustav.<br /><br />Here's a link to her obituary on <a href="http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/ruthie_the_duck_girl_dies_of_c.html">NOLA.com</a><br /><br />The funeral will be Monday. Details at the link above.<br /><br />Most assumed she was already deceased, which somehow seems appropriate for someone of her legendary status. But her spirit lives on in so many of us who enjoyed seeing her skating through the Quarter with her ducks following behind. Many stories will be told this week of her escapades.<br /><br />How is it that she, above all others, carried the magic of that time and place with her for decades? People who know nothing of her are always drawn to the images of her in my gallery. Her presence was and continues to be appreciated by so many, especially those of us who deeply love New Orleans.<br /><br />Peace be with you, dear Ruthie.<br /><br />GeorgeGeorge Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15184811592186917050george@georgelong.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596175677009375363.post-51744912520041088392008-07-17T18:31:00.002-05:002008-07-17T18:35:50.267-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://georgelong.com/uploaded_images/Linoleum_8471-715756.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://georgelong.com/uploaded_images/Linoleum_8471-715752.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />WWNO radio producer Diane Mack recorded a great interview that aired last week. Please take a listen:<br /><br /><a href="http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-729237.mp3">4 minute interview</a>George Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15184811592186917050george@georgelong.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596175677009375363.post-24916290883390045872008-07-17T15:09:00.000-05:002008-07-17T15:23:57.053-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://georgelong.com/uploaded_images/052-719961.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://georgelong.com/uploaded_images/052-718583.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I was touched by the spirit of Mildred Fossier, a 95-year-old retired civil servant and one of this year’s honorees at the <span style="font-style: italic;">New Orleans Magazine</span> Top Female Achievers luncheon. She brought the audience to its feet with her moving acceptance speech in which she praised New Orleans for its long history of diversity.<br /><br /><a href="http://georgelong.com/NOMag-FemaleAchievers">View more photographs</a><br /><br />The other top female achievers of 2008 were Valentine Bemiss-Williams, the director of Love Alive Fellowship Choir; Sheila Ealey, the founder of the Creative Learning Center for children with autism; Cathy Harris, the founder and president of C. Harris Cos. Inc.; Yvonne LaFleur, the owner of Yvonne LaFleur New Orleans; Barbara Motley, the proprietor of Le Chat Noir; Capt. April Overman, the commander of the Reserve Division of the New Orleans Police Department; Kathleen Sullivan Schiavi, an obstetrician/gynecologist at East Jefferson General Hospital; Melinda Sothern, a professor of research at Louisiana State University’s Health Sciences Center; and Ann Rogers Tuennerman, the founder of Tales of the Cocktail.George Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15184811592186917050george@georgelong.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596175677009375363.post-65425580458912873282008-07-05T12:12:00.000-05:002008-07-09T11:26:01.585-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://georgelong.com/book.htm"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://georgelong.com/uploaded_images/GeorgeLong-KatrinaDays-email-789360.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The long and winding journey of publishing my first book has reached its conclusion. <span style="font-style: italic;">Katrina Days</span> is now available for purchase on <a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://georgelong.com/book.htm">my website</a>.<br /><br />I am pleased with the result and reviews have been very positive. Here's what some have said:<br /><br />"Remarkable. awesome, sad. Thank you, George." <span style="font-style: italic;">-Celeste Judell</span><br /><br />"...the book...is wonderful." <span style="font-style: italic;">- Russel Honore´, Lt. General, US Army (Retired)</span><br /><br />"What an awesome depiction of such an unbelievable and destructive force of nature! Thanks for sharing your talent and vision of its effects on the lives of those in New Orleans with the world. The city, our state, and our country have been changed forever by this storm and your heartwarming work will help us to never forget.<br /><br />"I am truly proud of you and I will always value our friendship. Keep up the great work! You are a tribute to your profession." <span style="font-style: italic;">- Diane Sykora</span><br /><br />"...love the images you've chosen for your Katrina book! I, too shot a whole lot of Katrina damage images, but your story telling ability is incredible, and the personal way Katrina touched you shows through, humor and all. The melting candles - just awesome! Of course, we all regret the damage, suffering, economic impact and lost lives as a result of Katrina, but you have made lemonade out of lemons with this book. Congratulations!" <span style="font-style: italic;">- Phillip Colwart</span><br /><br />"I absolutely love it!!!!! I want to get a copy to Spike (Lee). The pictures left me speechless! Beauty in Sorrow is an amazing thing to capture and see. You have the vision that most people try for all their lives." <span style="font-style: italic;">-Phyllis Montana-Leblanc</span>George Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15184811592186917050george@georgelong.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596175677009375363.post-32280499365565447792008-05-27T21:47:00.000-05:002008-05-27T21:49:37.278-05:00My new book, "Katrina Days", is now available at my Magazine Street Gallery or online. Here's the link:<br /><br />http://georgelong.com/book.htm<br /><br />Please take a look.<br /><br />GeorgeGeorge Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15184811592186917050george@georgelong.com