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Comment by Tripatini on September 6, 2010 at 1:12pm

From Wall Street Journal, Sept. 4:

Oil Remains King at Cajun Festival
by Miguel Bustillo

"The 75th Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival, 'an event that proves that oil and water really do mix,' is carrying on as always this Labor Day weekend, despite the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history.

For fishermen and rig workers weary from natural and man-made disasters, it is an excuse to drink, eat and celebrate a humble way of life many hold dear, especially in times of trouble.

'The natural resources of south Louisiana, shrimp and oil, give us life, and we honor them,' said festival king Al Adams III, the owner of a local parts business that supplies shrimp boats as well as oil vessels. 'Accidents happen, but we overcome.'

There was anger and resentment to be found along the kiosks selling catfish po'boy sandwiches and deep-fried Oreo cookies—but it was all directed at President Barack Obama, whose moratorium on deepwater oil drilling many saw as punishing an entire region for the sins of a few. The ban was enacted in response to the April disaster.

...Less venom was aimed at BP PLC, the company responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded in April, killing 11 workers and triggering the enormous spill that has brought hardship to so many here. BP is a sponsor of the festival on the banks of the muddy Atchafalaya River.

...Locals said they were puzzled why websites such as the liberal Huffington Post questioned the tact of holding the Morgan City Festival this year, noting that the event had persevered through the strongest gales and economic crashes. They gleefully followed the signs to the festival, showing a beady-eyed shrimp beside an oil derrick, in search of open-air zydeco music and flavorful pots of file gumbo."

Comment by Tripatini on September 5, 2010 at 5:33pm

Comment by Tripatini on September 5, 2010 at 5:28pm

From WLOX.com (ABC 13, Biloxi/Gulfport, Mississippi), Sept. 5:

Fall Tourism Season Gets Boost From BP

" Labor Day weekend usually signals the end of tourism season for most beach communities. However on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that is not true. Especially this year, with three million dollars from BP that will be used by local festivals and tourism agencies to expand their advertising reach and grow their events.

Cruisin' the Coast has become a major tourist event in October. Some five thousand antique car enthusiasts take part. Another big draw, the Biloxi Seafood Festival with all of its tasty food and live entertainment. And the Peter Anderson Festival brings in thousands of tourists looking for art treasures the first weekend in November. In addition several major youth sporting events, like the soccer and fast pitch competition will draw families from throughout the region.

Because of the BP money, a new fall fishing rodeo is being planned. With some of the best weather of the year in the fall, a fishing rodeo in October or November sounds like a great idea."

Comment by Tripatini on September 5, 2010 at 3:16pm

From The Daily Comet (LaFourche Parish, Louisiana), Sept. 5:

Families Avoid Beaches This Labor Day
More staying at home, traveling north
by Kathrine Schmidt

"HOUMA — Though some beaches and most commercial fishing areas have been reopened, area families still appear to be steering clear of the coast when it comes to their vacation plans this Labor Day.

...In the region that includes Louisiana, AAA expects 8.9 percent more travelers than last year. But the oil spill and caution about the economy from the administration’s drilling ban has left local travelers hanging onto their money this time, local agents and tourism industry members say.

...The tourism industry was hoping that 2010 would be a rebound year after a soft economy limited travel last year, but the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and resulting spill changed that as oil washed up on beaches along the Gulf Coast and fouled coastal marshes for fishermen. From May to June, a study by Visa showed tourism spending dropped by 65 percent in Louisiana. Consumers have reacted with caution or directed their dollars elsewhere, says Don Redman, a spokesman with AAA of Louisiana.

...The tourism industry was hoping that 2010 would be a rebound year after a soft economy limited travel last year, but the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and resulting spill changed that as oil washed up on beaches along the Gulf Coast and fouled coastal marshes for fishermen. From May to June, a study by Visa showed tourism spending dropped by 65 percent in Louisiana. Consumers have reacted with caution or directed their dollars elsewhere, says Don Redman, a spokesman with AAA of Louisiana.

...Locally, tourist destinations down the bayou say cleanup workers are still filling many of rooms and other visitors are relatively scarce. At the Coco Marina in Cocodrie, BP workers are still occupying many of the rooms. Some interest has been rekindled as fishing areas have reopened, says Michael Glover, an owner. But it’s nothing like normal."

Comment by Tripatini on September 4, 2010 at 6:59pm

From Pensacola News-Journal, Sept. 4:

Fed Rules Limit Oil Dig on Pensacola Beach
Cleanup can't go deeper than 6 inches in sand
by Kimberly Blair

?BP is poised to begin deep cleaning of sandy beaches as it shifts from oil spill response to restoration and recovery, a BP spokesman said Friday.

[But] digging deeper than 6 inches to clean BP's oil out of the sand on Escambia County beaches won't happen until BP gets a federal waiver from the Department of Interior...

The cleanup might disturb cultural sites protected by the national historic preservation act...

...oil has been found as deep as 2 feet in some places..."

Comment by Tripatini on September 4, 2010 at 6:54pm

Comment by Tripatini on September 3, 2010 at 5:39pm

From Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB Facebook page, Sept. 2

"The Mississippi Gulf Coast is this week’s featured location on the “VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown.” The show will premiere on Saturday, September 4 from 8am to 10am (CST). The show will replay on Sunday, Sept. 5 & Tuesday, Sept 7."

Comment by Tripatini on September 3, 2010 at 5:18pm

From Pensacola News-Journal, Sept. 3:

Pensacola Beach Getting Back to Business
For first time since spill, visitors heading to shores, filling hotels for holiday
by Kimberly Blair

"Hotel rooms are nearly sold out on Pensacola Beach for the three-day Labor Day holiday weekend, bolstering expectations that this will be the busiest weekend on Pensacola Beach since the BP oil spill in April.


A forecast of near picture-perfect weather, reports of cleaner beaches and a BP-funded voucher program for beach lodging are fueling the surge, said Maureen LaMar, executive director of the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce."

Comment by Tripatini on September 3, 2010 at 5:14pm

Comment by Tripatini on September 3, 2010 at 5:12pm

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