I proudly return to New Orleans now that the restraining orders have expired. I have been told that I have had many amazing nights in the French Quarter but luckily there are no photos or videos that have been uncovered (however I do watch TMZ everyday with trepidation).
I live on the North Shore with my dog Layla. The transition to the neighborhood has been a little rocky. The people from the satellite company were convinced that I wanted the local stations from Salt Lake City, Utah on my dish. After much negotiation, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was finally replaced with Angela Hill. Getting garbage pick up was a treat as well. I swear the closing of the house was easier to pull off! A deposit on the cans that you don't offer any more? Huh? I am so going to pay for that comment, I just know it. The drive on the Causeway has been easier than I expected as I have a tendency to sweat and sob uncontrollably while driving over water. The fact that I drive it at 3:00 AM in the dark helps.
For fun I like to catch on the sleep that I miss out on during the week. I love living in a place that embraces great food and wine and more than tolerates my cigars, where my pick-up is okay with or without the gun rack and where people yawn when you say you are on the radio.
I started on the radio as a kid in Austin, Texas and worked most of my life in TV. The hardest part of moving back into radio was giving up the TV makeup. Well...let’s just say I am taking it one day at a time. I was once in the Hollywood Christmas Parade with Mario Lopez and Screech from Saved by the Bell. It could have been all the second hand smoke from being around Willie Nelson as a kid in Austin. Don't ask.
If I was stranded on Gilligan's Island and could have just one thing, it would be... my morning show partner Michael Castner. No actually, it would be coffee. I'm a java junkie as I've been waking up in the wee hours to cover news for you every day for the past 20 years. The truth is I took the job here at the new Rush Radio WRNO because of the buildings proximity to Café Du Monde on Decatur. So with all my natural energy and my caffeine high, I've been buzzing across the country and the Caribbean for the past few years for Fox News covering crime, terrorism, and missing or dead blondes. Interestingly my listeners tell me they really only remember my reporting on hard hitting meaningful stories like Punxsutawney Phil, the worlds most famous ground hog who hibernates 364 days of the year in Pennsylvania and comes out to make an all important weather prediction on February 2nd. Like Bill Murray, I keep dreaming of Phil seeing his shadow over and over and over again. Clearly you guys like to be entertained. And I have proof. Early in my career when I attended the "University of 1010 WINS Radio" in New York City, I covered "all crime all the time." But oddly enough the only story people seem to recall is my riveting play-by-play reporting on the Annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island where Weiner lovers spend their Fourth of July stuffing down dog after dog and then spend the Fifth of July in either the bathroom or the hospital. I'm a seafood lover myself so I prefer our oyster eating contests here in New Orleans and the fact we ring in the New Year by lowering a pot of Gumbo down a poll. As for my background I was born in the garden state (exit 130) so Bruce Springsteen would say I'm originally a "jersey girl" even though I've also lived in Washington D.C. For fun, I like to go to the U.S. Post Office, or the DMV, just to stand in line. Life's little annoyances irk me. Like when my car arrived in New Orleans, and less than one hour later, the city gave it a welcome wagon gift. a 20 dollar parking ticket, orange envelope included. So, stay tuned to segments of "Walensky's World" for all the juicy nuggets on the constant chaos in my world and brace yourself when you hear me say "Michael, WE have a problem!".
If you are home, welcome back! If you are not yet back, we hope you are making your way home soon.
Keep checking in with us for the latest updates, and fill us in on your good and bad Gustav experiences by calling us at 504-260-0995. We're relying on YOU for neighborhood news, whether it's where to buy ice or which favorite restaurant or hardware store has re-opened.
The Salvation Offering Meals, Hydration and Spiritual Support Across South Louisiana
The Salvation Army has begun serving hot meals, snacks, and cold water to residents in Orleans, Jefferson, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St, Mary, and St. Martin Parishes. The following is a list of the mobile feeding sites and their current locations. This list is subject to change.
Disaster Relief information may also be found on the internet at ww.SalvationArmyNOLA.org.
CANTEEN DISPOSITIONS FOR 09-4-08
New Orleans, Louisiana
Superdome: Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer
Convention Center: Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer
Lakeside Shop: Ctr. Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer
Williams Blvd North of I-10 Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer
(TJ Maxx Shopping Center)
Williams Blvd North of I-10: Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer
(TJ Maxx Shopping Center)
St. Bernard Parish: Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer
Judge Perez@Paris
Palmer Park: Water, Cold Drinks
Carollton@Claiborne
Warren Easton High: Water, Cold Drinks
3019 Canal Street
Perry Walker High School: Water, Cold Drinks
2832 General Meyer
Municipal Auditorium: Water, Cold Drinks
801 N. Rampart
Gentilly Mall: Water, Cold Drinks
(FedEx) Chef Menteur& Press Drive
Robyn with New Orleans Superintendent of Police Warren Riley- Convention Center- August 31, 2008
Keep us on your radio dial and your computer screen as we await Gustav. Send us your updates too at info@wrno.com.
An outrageous video
Saturday 08-30-2008 5:06pm CT
Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler and South Carolina Democratic Congressman Don Spratt are caught laughing about "how funny" it is that another hurricane is bearing down on New Orleans.
© 2008