Wishes for Safety and Good Health to Subscribers in the Deep SouthUS

That's probably an understatement. New Orleans is my second home, and I can't begin to count all the good friends I have down there. I have no way of contacting them now; the city is underwater and the prognosis is distressing.

One of my pals kept his wines at his studio on Canal Blvd, in the section of town that flooded when the 17th Street Canal levee busted through. I know at least three others who live within blocks of the levee. The water may be 12' deep or more in that part of town, and so far the Army Corps hasn't had any luck sealing the break. So much for any wine storage.

The levee has also broken through on the Metarie side. Martin Wine Cellar has a huge store on Veterans Blvd in Metarie, as does Dorignac's. I imagine Martin's Uptown store is also swamped.