Good afternoon everyone. As you probably have noticed if you’re a frequent visitor to the web site, I’ve been working hard on changing some things around as well as update the site with new material. I’ve added a couple more book reviews for the months of July and August, and as I have mentioned to members of my mailing list, I am in the process of reading two more books for reviews later in the season.

There are also some new links that I’ve added to the links page. Just go there, and scroll down to the end of the page to see the latest ones I’ve added. The Hurricaneville Almanac has also been updated with new info and corrections. Finally, before I move on to the crux of this post, I would like to make everyone aware of the various ways you can support the Hurricaneville web site. You can help by either making a donation through Amazon’s Honor System, purchasing a poster, video or DVD, book, or weather equipment via either AllPosters.com or Amazon.com.

Now, on to what I really want to talk about. For those of you, who have not been following the news. A Louisiana man, Rockey Vaccarella, from Meraux in St. Bernard’s Parish, one of the hardest hit areas by Hurricane Katrina drove across the country to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Bush, and to remind him that a lot more work needs to be done along the Gulf Coast, and not to forget those who are struggling down there.

Vaccarella, who originally intended to have President Bush sit down with him in his FEMA trailer, and have an old fashioned cajun meal, had to settle for Bush’s Gulf Coast Recovery Czar, Don Powell, who visited him for the special cajun and creole cookout, and discussed Rockey’s current plight. Despite the fact that Rockey didn’t get the President to sit down with him and have a meal, he still managed to get Bush to meet with him and talk about the situation down there. In addition, Vaccarella stayed positive and didn’t get upset about the President not having dinner with him. He understood in his words that the President was busy. The bayou resident was content with making sure his message got across.

And, it has gotten across alright. Not only has Rockey been successful with reminding the President, but also the entire country, which may have forgotten what happened along the Gulf Coast, and the fact that there are still a ton of problems there with the height of the current Atlantic Huricane season upon us. This along with the many special commemorative programs on Katrina this week will help reinforce this country’s determination to rebuild the Crescent City, and most importantly, help those who have been much less fortunate. It also serves as a reminder that we must deal with a growing hurricane problem along our coastlines.

Way to go Rockey! Thanks for making that trip. Not just for you, your friends, and fellow Gulf Coast residents, but also for all of us, who need to be reminded that there is still a lot of work to do, and that nothing should be taken for granted.