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New Orleans Celebrates Fat Tuesday As Six Month Katrina Anniversary Approaches

Aired February 27, 2006 - 14:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Tourists are back. The French Quarter is packed. The floats and bands and beads look a lot like every year. Of course, this isn't like every year in New Orleans. As Fat Tuesday approaches, so does the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Some say it shouldn't be observed like this with the city in ruins all around the parade routes. A lot of other people say the party is a natural way to help New Orleans get back to normal. Back in August, Katrina struck a blow against Mardi Gras damaging floats in that were stored in Mississippi. Folks in Waveland were determined to fight back. Kathleen Koch reports they are taking the bitter with the sweet during this year's celebrations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They sparkle in the mounds of broken debris, dangled like macabre decorations, Mardi Gras beads tossed by Katrina. The revelers who first threw those beads found the hurricane left their floats in ruins.

CINDY MEYER, WAVELAND NEREIDS MEMBER: There is a huge tin building. All the floats lived inside.

KOCH: But Waveland, Mississippi's all-female Mardi Gras crew called Nereids was determined.

MEYER: We all have boxers this year. We use paint scrapers and literally scraped all of the fabric that was left.

KOCH: Cindy Meyer and a dozen other women spent two months repairing the wood and fabric floats for last weekend's parade.

MEYER: I never thought for a minute we wouldn't be out there. We needed to be with our community. We needed to give them something besides FEMA and the battles that you do every day. You need to get away from that if it's just for an afternoon.

KOCH: There is a lot to escape from.

MEYER: This, like everybody in the crew, we have Mardi Gras rooms.

KOCH: Meyer had 10 feet of water in her house.

MEYER: It was like a snow globe inside my home, like someone picked up my house and shook it.

KOCH: Ruined in the process, her husband's Mardi Gras finery.

(on camera): This is a mess.

MEYER: Yes.

KOCH: These were what, feathers?

MEYER: Big, beautiful plumes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We didn't know we had anything left until we got over here to check this out.

KOCH (voice over): But the Nereids crew's Mardi Gras mementos are intact in at least one home.

Tommy and Melinda Cubes (ph) lower levels were ruined. But their Mardi Gras room made it through.

KOCH (on camera): You're probably one of the people in the crew who has this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I could well be.

KOCH (voice-over): The kids want to share their memorabilia hoping posters can be copied.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I believe what I'll do, I'll probably donate these.

KOCH: Turning over costumes to be preserved for posterity. For now, this Mardi Gras crew has nowhere to put anything.

MEYERS: Our insurance was not enough to rebuild our building. So the babies are going to have to be out here for a while. It is who we are. So it will be back.

KOCH: Kathleen Koch, CNN, Waveland, Mississippi.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: It's a bittersweet Mardi Gras for just about everybody in New Orleans, especially for members of an African-American social club keenly affected by Katrina. Joining me is Norman Francis, President of Xavier University, Chairman of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Great to see you, Norman.

NORMAN FRANCIS, PRES., XAVIER UNIVERSITY: Hi you doing, Kyra? Good to see you.

PHILLIPS: I tell you what. You're in a good spot just above Bourbon Street. We got into talking about The Bunch. We didn't get into detail. I want to explain to our viewers. I was reading about the bunch and that it didn't get to take place this year. Tell our viewers about how that started at Xavier and how it is a sign of the times that things are changing socially and economically there in New Orleans.

FRANCIS: Well, of course, New Orleans hit rock bottom after Katrina. We are coming back. Of course, at Xavier we are back full time. As you could imagine, the motorcycles are passing on Bourbon Street. I hope you can hear me.

We came back on campus on January the 17th. We were flooded, as you know, with about six feet of water. A lot of people worked hard. You wouldn't believe it if you walked on the campus now and saw the kids and the faculty walking around. It is a great feeling for all of them. Everybody is happy to be back.

PHILLIPS: Norman, you're happy to have the students back. Obviously a long way to go. We talked about The Bunch and history of The Bunch. This goes back decades where African-American leaders in that city came together to celebrate Mardi Gras and to dance and to think about carnival. That didn't happen this year. It was a big part of history and tradition. What happened?

FRANCIS: Well, the reason it didn't happen is, really, the members of the club just left New Orleans after the evacuation order. They are spread all over the country. Now, they're coming back little by little by little to rebuild their homes. It just wasn't enough in terms of membership to be back.

I think that if they had been back in greater numbers, we would have had our social club dance. It is a great event where friends come from as far as California, all the way to the East Coast to come back and celebrate on the Friday night before Mardi Gras. It is a great time. People who meet each other. They have a time dancing and reminiscing about old times. We missed it this year. I can assure you The Bunch Club will be back next year. The major problem was they were gone.

PHILLIPS: Sure. Is that a reality check, Norman? This is something that has been a tradition every year. Is that telling us that there is a certain Black middle class that hasn't been able to come back and flourish like this city so needs?

FRANCIS: Well, you know, Katrina did not discriminate. It hit everybody in every social class, economic class and the like. And many people were able to come back, but a lot were not. When you think about it, New Orleans only has about 180,000 of the 450,000 it had before Katrina.

So when you look at in a way of African-Americans and professionals, in particular -- many of these Bunch members are professionals. They are doctors, they're lawyers. And their constituents are gone. And many are -- have relocated. And the question is, will they come back? And I think they will.

The question is when New Orleans gets back its housing stock, they'll be back. And that means more of their clients will have housing and that means that they'll be back. So it's a temporary matter, but it was a serious one. And I think we look for the future and it's going to be a great future. PHILLIPS: All right, let's talk about school again, Norman. I was talking with Senator David Vitter about the schools, the public school system, and asking him what he was going to do as a senator to get those schools up and running in a better way into all levels, economically, all kids being able to attend the public school system. Not like before, how it was segregated in many ways.

Looking at your university, Xavier University, are you getting the money you need to keep Xavier up and running and keeping those scholarships flowing to give students an opportunity to get an education that didn't get that opportunity in the past?

FRANCIS: We could use more scholarship money. We always need scholarship moneys, and we did very well at it. But because of Katrina, many of these young people have seen their fathers or mothers lose their jobs and lose their homes and the like. But we will make it. There's no question about it. The fact that we're back and the fact we've got support, got support through the transition. In fact, the federal government came through with more financial aid.

Of course, we need more, because we have only about 76 percent back. But that's about 25 percent more than we thought we'd have coming back so soon. But it is going to be difficult. But I can tell you the determination from every New Orleanian that I've talked to and of course all of the folks in the college area, we're going to make it. It may not be as quickly as most people had first thought, but we will be back. And those youngsters need the help. It's first-class education on the higher education level. No question about it.

But I must say to this audience that New Orleans has a task force on Bring Back New Orleans, and their educational task force has already submitted their recommendations for the recovery and the improvement of public schools in New Orleans. It's well done. It may need some tweaking here or there. But if we follow those recommendations, we'll be much better than we were before Katrina, believe me.

PHILLIPS: The governor has appointed you to chair that recovery authority. We'll follow it. Final -- just final thought, Norman. This Mardi Gras, I know it's been tough for you and the family. How does it feel to be able to get out and at least attempt to celebrate after everything you've been through?

FRANCIS: Well, you know, it's like all of the other New Orleanians. This is a tradition, and people have got some people to understand this. It's like we got used to eating red beans and rice on Monday. This is a social event, and I think it takes our minds and hearts off of the events that we suffered in Katrina.

But, you know, you need a pause. And I think this is a great pause, because I think we'll be energized to come back, and for all of us. You know, Mardi Gras is important for families. To see the babies in the strollers, on the ladders, and their families and the rest. I did that for umpteen years with my six children. And I think that's something that's not going to die, and I think it's going to be very important for the culture and for young people and it's not going to hurt the city in its fiscal matters right now.

So we look forward to it. And I tell you, being on Bourbon Street today, it's great just to see the spirit. But tomorrow, I don't think I'll find myself anywhere around Bourbon Street. I think I'll get closer to St. Peter and Decatur Street.

PHILLIPS: I don't blame you. And knowing you, you'll be eating your wife Blanche's beans and rice tonight. Norman Francis, thanks for your time. Great to see you. All right.

FRANCIS: Thank you and best wishes to you.

PHILLIPS: Thank you so much, Norman.

FRANCIS: They make the music that keeps Mardi Gras on its feet. Like high school football, the Texas marching bands are to Louisiana. We're talking about these marching bands. This is the Max band, and these high schoolers were not about to let a hurricane rain on their parade. We're going to hear from them. We're going to hear their story. But for now, let's hear some of their music.

More LIVE FROM right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, today we remember Don Knotts, best known for his embodiment of what may be the best TV character ever.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DON KNOTTS, ACTOR: Nip it! Nip it in the bud!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: With his bullet in his shirt pocket because Andy didn't trust him with a loaded gun, Mayberry deputy Barney Fife represented bumblers everywhere. Knotts' figure on "The Andy Griffith Show" was coming to an end while he started looking for other gigs and got a deal with Universal Pictures. He went to make a series of kid- friendly comedies such as "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken," and much later returned to TV In the sitcom "Three's Company."

Don Knotts died Friday in Los Angeles. He was 81 years old.

PHILLIPS: Another actor, another kind of role. Although Darren McGavin played hundreds of parts on stage, screen and television, there's one character that wins new fans every December when "A Christmas Story" goes into heavy rotation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DARREN MCGAVIN, ACTOR: Look, a lamp. Oh, wow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: By all accounts, McGavin was as colorful off-screen as on. He got his first job while painting a set at Columbia. When he found out that the movie needed actors for bit parts. He left his ladder and brush, cleaned up at a nearby gas station and came back for the audition. No one on the set recognized him except for the paint foreman who fired him. Luckily the director hired him.

Darren McGavin died this weekend in Los Angeles. He was 83.

One more show biz obit to report. News that Dennis Weaver died in Colorado this weekend of cancer. He was 81. Weaver may be best known for the TV drama "McCloud" fighting crime in the mean streets of Manhattan wearing a Stetson instead of a fedora. Weaver came by the persona honestly. He got his big acting break as Chester in "Gunsmoke."

Film buffs will also remember Weaver's role in the TV movie "Duel" made by a little-known director named Steven Speilberg in 1971.

Straight ahead some other entertainment news with Sibila Vargas. Sibila, what's on tap?

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: George Michael has been arrest again in London. We'll tell you why and give you the latest on Sheryl Crow's battle with breast cancer when LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: One pop star hit a sour note with police and another is dancing with the stars and a third is in the fight of her life. Sibila Vargas has the latest on all three.

VARGAS: Lots to tell you about. It's been nearly eight years since George Michael was arrested for lewd conduct in a Beverly Hills restroom. He may be in trouble with the law again, this time in London.

Police found the 42-year-old singer slumped over the wheel of his car and arrested him on suspicion of possessing Class C drugs. Those include cannabis, tranquilizers and some pain killers. Michael is out on bail. If convicted he could face up to two years in jail.

ANNOUNCER: We can now reveal the champions of "Dancing with the Stars." Drew and Cheryl.

VARGAS: Kyra, we have a winner. Last night on the live finale of "Dancing With the Stars," former 98 Degrees singer Drew Lachey outdanced pro wrestler Stacy Keibler to take the top prize. With his professional dance partner Cheryl Burke, Lachey wowed the audience with a freestyle routine set to the Elvis Presley classic "Hound Dog."

If you don't know, Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey are brothers. Nick Lachey, of course, was Jessica Simpson's husband.

PHILLIPS: I caught the end of this. Just as he won the award, got the trophy, which, by the way is that thing hideous looking or what? VARGAS: He said it, too.

PHILLIPS: He's, like, OK, where can I put this? They took a shot over to his wife. She's expecting a baby?

VARGAS: She is. She's pretty close. She was pretty big. He has two things to celebrate.

PHILLIPS: Exactly. Speaking of winners, NAACP Image Awards were held this weekend.

VARGAS: That's right. Terrence Howard was definitely the man. The Oscar nominee won two awards Best Actor in TV, Movie or Miniseries for "Lackawanna Blues" and Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for "Crash." That film about racial tensions in Los Angeles earned the top movie award.

It looks like Bernie Mac is still the king of comedy. The "Bernie Mac" show took top honors in three categories, including Best Actor in a Comedy Series and for its leading man. Lots to celebrate there.

PHILLIPS: A story we've been hearing over the weekend. Sheryl Crow and her best cancer surgery. Any word how she's doing?

VARGAS: The good news is that the surgery was minimally invasive. The doctors say her prognosis is excellent and she'll receive radiation treatment as a precaution. On "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" We'll have an inside look at her cancer battle and how her fight will save the lives of one in seven win. That's on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" at 7:00 and 11:00 eastern on CNN Headline News. Kyra, back you to.

PHILLIPS: I know you know your music. Have you ever heard of The Max Band?

VARGAS: No.

PHILLIPS: That's all right. Here you go. Just you for, Sibila Vargas. The Max Band. We'll explain why it is such a big deal they're playing in New Orleans and are going to role with the Rex Parade. Coming up live. You will meet them and you're going to hear them.

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