Sept. 14, 2005

"My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people:
those who work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be
in the first group; there was less competition there."
Indira Gandhi
Indian politician (1917 - 1984)


Slowly but surely folks are creating new routines here in South
Louisiana. New Orleans Track Club staffer and event coordinator Chuck
George, who lived in Kenner, is doing great after retreating to
Lucedale, MS. He is already busy shuffling lots of events. "We are
more fortunate than many of our friends in New Orleans and some of
the surrounding areas, many of which may lose their entire home due
to the long duration of the flood waters. The water must be pumped
out, which may take quite a while. It is possible that
the water damage may make all of the homes unsafe and thus have to be
demolished. Some will return in a few weeks or months and some may
never return. We are very concerned for all of them. Looks to be a
day to day thing, " George noted in an email.

I"ve not yet heard from Metairie-based race director Bill Burke.
While his out-of-region events were not impacted, I am sure his staff
was impacted. It'll be interesting to see if he can proceed to
organize an Ironman-distance event in Louisiana after the storm.

I heard from Jairo Alvarez that the Louisiana Senior 2005 Olympics
Games -- scheduled for early next month -- was cancelled. But there
was a great high school cross country event last weekend in Baton
Rouge and no doubt lots of high schoolers got to vent some long pent-
up energy at the run. LSU has cancelled its Lake to Lake 10km set for
next weekend.

If anyone signed up for this event- they are giving a full refund.

Flint Creek Sprint Triathlon Cancelled in Mississippi
From Michelle VanPeski
I just updated our website with the cancellation info. We are so
sad -- for both the losses of our family, friends and athletes, but
also because we were so excited about getting this race off the
ground.

Please check www.TriMississippi.com periodically for updates
regarding the 2006 season. We're just going to skip to step two,
which is a season of races at Flint Creek, a Tri for Fun and USA
Triathlon-sanctioned sprint and Olympic distance races. We are also
planning a "Race to Rebuild", details yet to be determined, in which
all proceeds will be donated to the rebuilding effort.

Alternative Transportation Options Urged; Consider Bikes
From Tom Hanlan
(Editor's Note: With towns like Lafayette and Baton Rouge growing so
fast after the storm, lots of transportation options are being
considered. One option, of course, is helping folks safely ride bikes
in and through motor traffic. Word is there will be a special
legislative session to begin addressing some of the huge changesStorm
Katrina imposed on our region. There's been some internet chat as
noted below.)

I'd just add that contacting your local town/city council members,
state senators and representatives, federal Congressmen can only
help. I ready received a reply from one Congressional staffer that
his Congressman understood and was wading into the discussion/battle.
Several Council members are already advancing the same argument.

Best places to find who your elected representatives are and how to
contact them:
BR/local: www.brgov.com
State: http://www.legis.state.la.us/
And don't forget Gov. Kathleen Blanco made a written campaign promise
to "beef up public transit in Baton Rouge" now is the time to hold
her too it !
Federal: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/
Calls are good, personal e-mail is better, if you write, save it,
print it, fax it then use a stamp and mail it.

Please share your replies. FYI the Ascension Parish President already
spoke publicly that transit was the only viable solution to our
regions short term post Katrina congestion. There are some serious
discussions on moving some of New Orleans' RTA fleet to Baton Rouge.
There is also serious consideration to accelerating BR's
transportation 20-year plan and "skipping" BR Transit to concentrate
on a large bus fleet and a rail project.

FTA (Federal Transit Agency) has already circulated a memo saying some
transit could be 100 percent federally funded on an emergency basis.
I'd remind this group the FTA defines any sidewalk, bus shelter AND
bike path/trail within half- mile of a fixed transit route as a
transit improvement eligible for an 80 percent federal match.

From Meg Martens <margaretmartens@...>
I just got an e-mail from the editor at BR Business Report asking me
if my letter could be published in their letters section.
From Nancy Grush
You are on the right "track" both of you. A coordinated transit
system is the way to go. The "roads" only approach is short
sighted I think. If the city's planners do not consider transit and
focus only on roads, we will have missed a unique opportunity to get
a good, efficient transit system.

New Orleans Track Club Report; Members Asked to Email
From Chuck George
Many club members devastated from hurricane and flooding. It is
(estimated)that about 35 percent of our members (750 people) live in
the heavily flooded areas. Many may lose their entire home after the
flood waters are pumped out. Board members are scattered everywhere
as are our club members. More than likely, the club will not be able
to produce a road race until after the first of next year.

City and sponsor infrastructure rebuilding efforts is of more
importance, thus many of the services and support that we had grown
accustomed to will not be available for quite some time. The club
will survive as it is somewhat financially strong and will be here
for the long run. We are most concerned for our members and their
families.

I plan to send out letter to all members to announce a group meeting
about a month from now to see who is here, how each made out and
hopefully to know than none were victims of the storm or floodwaters.
Please feel free to e-mail the NOTC at NOTC@...
Or ChuckNOTC@... to let us know how you are, where you are (note
your full name with e-mail please). Info per each reply will be
posted on our website.

MS Tour for Cure Postponed
From Jessica Salter jessica.salter@...
During this time of confusion and devastation for the Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Alabama coasts, we here at the National MS Society
are focusing our efforts on providing services and support to all
those living with multiple sclerosis in our area. In light of the
damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, the MS 150 Tour for Cure
originally scheduled for Oct.1-2 has been postponed.

We are hoping to be able to reschedule the bike tour to the spring of
2006, at which time we hope that the infrastructure of Louisiana
will be better equipped to support the event.

At the current time we are devoted to ensuring that we continue to
provide necessary support and assistance to all those who are living
with the effects of MS, especially in the wake of the current
situation in South Louisiana.

We are happy to report that all members of our staff are safe and out
of the New Orleans area. Our thoughts are with all those who are
currently dealing with the ongoing effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Any of you who currently have donations you have received for the MS
150 Tour for Cure may mail those donations to:
MS 150 Tour for Cure Louisiana Chapter
5010 Mancuso Lane, #806
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

I pray that this email reaches each of you safe and recovering from
the recent and ongoing events. Our office will continue to work to
end the devastating effects of MS. Please refer anyone needing
assistance with MS treatment, medication, or other support to 1-800-
FIGHTMS.

CajunMan Tri Donations Appreciated for Hurricane Relief
From Rusty Bex, CajunMan Tri Race Director
Just a quick update to let you guys know what is going on. I have now
brought to the Cajundome three car loads of supplies. All items were
well received and by the last load - they were extremely well-
equipped with clothing and other items. Acadiana has been extremely
generous.

I spent time at Lafayette's Cajundome on Labor Day, about five hours
working in distribution and the special needs area. I have many
stories to tell -- but suffice it to say I was very proud to work and
help those in need. I saw many people with CajunMan or Cajun Country
Half Marathon shirts on. I was able to talk to a couple of them. A
great conversation piece is always the Saints - and of course -- this
is the YEAR! In addition, I dropped off at the Red Cross yesterday a
check for $5,0000 courtesy of the CajunMan Triathlon. The lady who
received my check was almost speechless. A guess they don't see such
big numbers from locals. It was gratifying.

In case you missed it -- in Lafayette's Daily Advertiser newspaper
there was a picture of a family of refugees departing Lafayette and
going to Arkansas. In the picture is a lady wearing a CajunMan t-
shirt. And if you look closely in the back -- you will see a second
person wearing a CajunMan t-shirt as well. Our shirts were definitely
put to good use!

I also wanted to let you all know that I have received nearly 50
emails from people telling me what a great thing we did by cancelling
the CajunMan and donating all items to the relief efforts. In
addition, many people have come up to me and patted me on the back
and thanked me (us) for doing what we did. I was happy people took
the time to do so. However, I must tell you that one person from
Shreveport did not appreciate my donating all the monies to this
cause. If anyone wants to email him, I have his email. Let
me know.

In addition, John Deshotel is spearheading a project to cook for some
local shelters here in Lafayette.

Arkansas Offering Alternative Bike Racing
From Heath Fontana
It appears the racing in Louisiana and Mississippi was washed away
with the hurricane, but some of us in north Louisiana still have an
itch to race.

Sept 24-25 is set for the Arkansas Crit Championships in Van Buren,
near Fort Smith. It is definitely a long drive for us all. However,
two days of criterium racing with over $16,000 in prize money might
be worth it. Check it out at
http://www.thecelebrityclassic.org/events/cycling/registration.html

I live in Monroe, but if anyone is interested in carpooling/rooming
together e-mail me at heathfontana@....

Bike Employment Opportunity Offered
Sent Via Will Cheramie
Bike Friday is a Eugene, OR manufacturer of high-end travel bicycles.
We export around the nation & around the world. What makes us
different is that the majority of our bikes are custom built for the
end user. Our full service customer service department is looking for
your help in taking exceptional care of our large community of Bike
Friday enthusiasts. This growing, highly dedicated team does anything
from picking up a customer at the airport, to doing emergency tig
weld repairs to a customer's bike. We are currently looking for a new
team member with a love for customers, and eye for detail, and a
willingness to improve on a daily basis. Bike experience is required,
but we'll train the right individual in brazing and welding.

We're offering the right, qualified individual who has been displaced
by Katrina, the opportunity to fill this position. We'll provide
relocation assistance, temporary housing until you get on your feet,
a living wage that starts at $11.50 with merit based increases,
health insurance, profit sharing, 401k and more.

Bike Friday loves diversity & encourages all interested, qualifying
parties to inquire. Please email resume & cover to
service@... or fax 541.687.0403. Visit www.bikefriday.com
to learn more.

++++++++++

That's it from here. Bless God America.

Kenny Dunaway
2325 Weymouth Drive #D
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-1481
USA
225/296-7496
Isaiah 40:31; John 3:16