In today’s world, actually doing  something other than listening to their I-pod or playing on one of the many game gadgets is considered counterproductive by just about all  Central Louisiana youngster’s. 

For those of us older than 40, I think we remember when we would take great care and put a good bit of time into building a model car or airplane. It was a challenge that we tackled with great enthusiasm! 

Do any children do this today? I havent noticed any. Have you? 

While going through some old items a while back, I came across a faded program from 1945.  

Where I obtained it, I have no clue. I am bad about collecting stuff like this. 

I have boxes of old programs and folders…worth nothing, just fun to read. 

1945 Contest Program.

 I wonder if something like this would work today? Could you get enough entries to make it worth while? 

Powered flight entries.

 You may recognise a few of the names of the contestants in the list below. I knew a few of them and still do today. 

 All in all it looks like everyone had fun. Would anyone in Cenla be interested in starting it up again? 

Or do you think todays kid’s would think it beneath them to do some thing constructive like this? 

Is this young man alive today?

I just thought it was a fun post to do. I would be glad to put you in touch with someone who might sponsor it. 

But I am sure it is too low brow for todays high-tech teen world. 

Alex

Before the Bentley Hotel was built and with the original city hall built in the 1850’s

A one of a kind fantastic photo published by the Louisiana History Museum.

I have never seen a photo of the original look of the Alexandria City hall square till now.

Must have been taken from where Caplans is located today on 3rd Street.

I am linking to it with the Museum’s permission.

http://www.louisianahistorymuseum.org/picture-of-the-week.htm

WOW!

Alex

Hello out there!!

We loose 1.4 million dollars with just one event pulling out of using the Coliseum.

It would not take much more than that to bring the inside up to standards.

Why do you continue to just push the issue to the side?

 Is it just too  much of a  mental challenge for all of you?

Duh!

Alex

I am not one to just go bonkers every time someone acts or makes stupid. But with the latest antics of the City Council of our fair city, I feel that a dark veil of molasses is covering city hall and slowly choking it to death. Watching replays of the meetings and seeing how they are attacking our mayor, it reminds me of a group of Neanderthal’s coming upon a dead rotting saber tooth tiger. Prodding it with their clubs, they proceed to beat it to death once again, if that is possible. Screaming and beating their chest to prove their prowess. (Attacking a dead issue.)

Why can these gentlemen not stick to the job they were elected to do?  Why must they cause chaos and stagnation in the council chambers?

Do your job gentlemen! Forget about your endless political and self aggrandizement agenda.

 Work with the mayor.

  Account for your  lack of leadership.

 Own up to your reckless spending and quit trying to  act like complete and utter fools!

As I have said, there are two members that have been able to keep their senses about them.    The rest of you continue to be  utter clowns.

You remind me of a group of John K. Snyder’s.

(But wait, I knew John K.,   and he was basically an  honest man.)

Greed  with no concern for our city or  its operation,  what-so-ever.

There is more mischief afoot than meet’s the eye..

Alex

It seems lately I have been hooked on history. (I love it!!)

I came across this movie hidden amoung the many features of  The Louisiana History Museum”s web site. I contacted the director, who gave me permission to use any thing I wanted.   He also gives permission to any other local blogs to use it as they wish.

Email him at   lahistorymuseum@aol.com    for any questions about the museum site.

So watch this movie at the link below  and let me know what your memories are. I will relay all comments to the director.

http://www.louisianahistorymuseum.org/alexandria-gallery.htm

Enjoy!

Alex

I can not say enough good things about the local chapter of the Red Cross restoring the Cotton Brothers Bakery building on Bolton Avenue.

Here is what the Holsum Bakery looked like before they built that beautiful building that is being restored today.

This from 1926-27.

1926-27 view.

Enjoy!

Alex

Good planning sometime run’s amuck..

A 1927 painting of the future for Rapides Parish.

I just thought it was a fun thing to learn from.

No  matter what experts we put on the job, it just might not

happen like they plan. (A just for fun post)

Alex

Well the Town Talk…finally……..composed a story on “Food Gate”

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20091107/NEWS01/911070314&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Took them long enough…

 Investigative reporting is a thing of the past.

Like I have stated earlier, we need some real business men on the Alexandria City Council…

Economic Impact ???

How?????”

PLEASE, do not insult my feeble intelligence.

And please tell me  why is it when you bring absurd actions by a group or an individual to the publics attention..You have an  agenda against them??

I am very perplexed about that statement.

Way to go Greg!

Alex

We have seen the invoices. Read them. Talked about the issue.

Over $71,000 spent on food in one year….

Scratched our heads in wonderment.  Asked why?

To no avail.

After considering the events, backed by the invoices.

Reading comment’s by other interested parties.

Waiting for some type of explanation.  (any kind at all.)

I can come to only one conclusion.

I have said it before and I now say it with conviction.

I have watched City Council meetings play out on the public channel.

We are being governed by a troupe of absolute clowns.

What they seem to be.

(The tongue that is sticking out of the Clown’s mouth is being wagged at us, all of us!)

They have done this because they know they can get away with it.

They think , nothing at all will happen to them. They assume invincibility.

 They ignore the challenge made to them for accountability.

Just because some of them are lawyers, gives them no credentials to lead in any way what so ever.

Insurance agents and realtors are not necessarily able to handle the challenges of day-to-day city government.

Ex TV cameramen are also politically challenged.

The only person on the council that seems to have the ability and intelligence to handle the challenge’s is a business man.

He deals in printing and stationary and has a level business head.

The rest of them are too busy pontificating and posturing for their self aggrandisement to do the serious work that is their responsibility.

I sincerely hope that some responsible business men and women will challenge the clowns when election time rolls around.

And for God’s sake do not even begin to consider one of them to vote for ever again, (I shiver at the thought, if one runs for mayor!)

Lets put some real, honest diversity and intelligence in office next time the elections roll around.

Talk to people you know and respect, who would have nothing to gain but the satisfaction

of knowing everyone in Alexandria’s interest would be looked after. (Not just their vested interest.)

Lets get some fresh faces in city government without clown makeup on.

I feel like a poor small dog trying to bite  an elephants ass..

But that’s the way I feel.

Alex

House Minority Leader  Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, pictured standing, far  right, speaks while colleagues Rep. Barbara Lambert,  D-Milford and Rep. Jack F. Hennessy, D-Bridgeport, play solitaire Monday night as the House convened to vote on a  new budget. (AP)

The guy sitting in the row in front of these two…  he’s on Facebook, and the guy behind Hennessy is checking out the baseball scores.

Pretty well speaks for its self.

I do not have time to play solitaire in my normal day-to-day activities…

I am considering running for office…..(not)

Alex