Good News for Monday

Some crossover good news from my day job:

New Orleans colleges are reporting a surge in applications, with Katrina-related fears apparently diminishing, The Times-Picayune reported. Compared to last year, applications are up nearly 100 percent at Tulane University, 85 percent at the University of New Orleans, 43 percen t at Our Lady of Holy Cross College, 28 percent at Xavier University, and 24 percent at Loyola University. Officials told the newspaper that they are seeing a significant decline in “the mama factor,” the term used by Xavier President Norman Francis to describe the challenge of parents who post-Katrina discouraged their children from considering New Orleans institutions.

One of the most reassuring post-Katrina moments the cinetrix and I had was in August of 2006 -- we were on the New Jersey Turnpike, and in front of us was a late-model SUV, loaded to gills, with Jersey plates and a Tulane sticker. Make no mistake -- there are dozens of constituencies who felt Katrina's wrath more than kids from New Jersey from families who can afford both private tuition and payments on a 4Runner -- but as an indication of the viability of Tulane and the future of New Orleans, it was one of the more profound experiences I've had on that stretch of road.
And more good news -- this same day job is bringing me to New Orleans, which means that I will be filing a full report on the Cohon de Lait po' boy, featured here.
Lest we forget, the news is not all good.

Comments

[Marco]

If you get a chance, try The Delachaise.