The last time Windy City Times heard from Doug Minich, president of the New Orleans-based, LGBT-inclusive Cavaliers Motorcycle Club, he and his partner ( Michael ) were living in a campground in Hammond, La., and thought it would be 2-3 months before they would see their house. However, in an e-mailed update, Minich indicated that their situation had improved.
According to Minich, both he and Michael are now working. He also commented that ' [ t ] he campground has worked out well and we have become good friends with several other evacuees there.'
However, going to see their home ( which took place much sooner than they had expected ) was considerably stressful. ( A co-worker went along for moral support. ) First, Minich learned from police that one of their cars had been stolen and that their house had been 'broken into and ransacked.' He described the scene as he approached his house to be like a 'war zone,' complete with soldiers; buildings with blown-out windows; and lots of debris—although Minich was impressed that the streets were clear.
When they got to the house, Minich noted that he breathed a 'huge sigh of relief.' The home turned out to be in relatively good shape. ' [ There are not ] many shingles and the fences are mangled a bit, but the house is still standing. Guess the 120-year-old gal is as tough as ever,' he wrote. Regarding the break-in, the back door was open and a few items were missing, including the television set and some clothing. Minich was simultaneously understanding and confused: 'I can't begrudge them the dry clothes but I still wonder what they were going to watch on TV; after all, we still don't have electricity.' Minich also noted that the military found no survivors or bodies in his neighborhood. He added that he has been back a second time to remove his refrigerator and freezer.
Despite everything, Minich still retains the same optimistic attitude he sported in his last missive. 'I am looking forward to getting back and starting the hard work in rebuilding. When we get there, I hope everyone in Chicago and vicinity get a chance to come down to the new, New Orleans,' he wrote.
( Note: The e-mail was sent before Hurricane Rita hit land on Saturday. Nothing has been sent since. )
Other hurricane-related news:
— Under One Roof, based in San Francisco, raised and distributed $5,000, according to an item in Southern Voice. The Baton Rouge AIDS Society and Mobile AIDS Support Services each received $2,000 while $1,000 was sent to Montgomery AIDS Outreach.
— Stars are taking part in the biggest online charity ever, with proceeds going to help the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Items up for grabs include having a walk-on role on The O.C. and co-directing a prank with Ashton Kutcher on Punk'd. For more info on the auction, which begins Oct. 15, see www.ubid.com .
— Fleet Feet Sports and the Share Your Soles organization are stepping up an emergency shoe drive for hurricane survivors. Stop by any of Fleet Feet's three Chicagoland stores to drop off new or gently used shoes. Call ( 708 ) 448-4469 or visit www.shareyoursoles.org for info.
— Star Gaze, at 5419 N. Clark, will be holding a Hurricane Katrina benefit on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. Famed recording artist Nedra Johnson and Kerri Grant, winner of the Windy City Gay Idol, will be playing. There will be New Orleans-style drink specials, raffles, and a concert. Tickets are $10. For more info, call ( 773 ) 561-7363.
— On Sept. 21, about 400 people and 50 dogs packed the House of Blues for Mardi Growl, a fundraiser to benefit animal victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Chicago Tribune reported. The event raised more than $20,000, which will go to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation and to the Louisiana SPCA for a new shelter.
