Operation Southern Comfort - CNY

almette Chorus to Central New York for the first OSC Mardi Gras celebration in November 2007. This was followed by a visit by the Liverpool Jazz Ensemble to St. Bernard Parish in May 2008; a return trip by the Chalmette Chorus for the 2nd Mardi Gras in November 2008; and a trip by the Chalmette HS Band, which played at Liverpool High School and the Crawfish Festival in May 2009. Tree planting is a continuing focus. One of the reasons for the devastation of Katrina and her successors is the disappearance of the forest shield in Southeast Louisiana, which protected the New Orleans area from hurricane winds and water. With the assistance and direction of local tree experts, OSC volunteers have cultured nearly 6,000 ecologically valuable baldcypress and live oak seedlings. Recent evaluations onsite have found a high rate of tree survival, with nursery stock in excellent growth and health. We are also developing an art project; initially, we are painting individual roofing slates which were blown off during Katrina. This project, besides providing art lessons and skills, also encompasses culture and history, since the painters are concentrating on local themes for their work.