Another message from our president

As fate would have it I was able to penetrate the city limits of New Orleans yesterday and get a look at our home and the neighborhood. We sustained some wind damage to the roof and gutters and to the garage, which we heard had been destroyed but fared better than we thought.

We also have two of our cars missing and had been broken into. Luckily, the only things missing that I could tell on our short visit were a t.v. and some clothing. It really appears that there were VERY FEW homes that were broken into however. I guess they were in desperate need of Harley t-shirts, underwaer and socks...lol.

I did take a tour of the neighborhood and found that most houses fared pretty well. Passing by a few houses of friends and a fellow Cav, I noticed some shingle damage but no major strucural stuff. I have called the guys whose houses I saw and was happy to report the news to them. I hope that in the end we can all report fairly similar circumstances.

The streets kind of look like a battle field in spots with debris but you can tell that they are starting to work on that. Lots of National Guard and other soldiers in the air and on the streets (ok, I gotta add a woof here...lol). It does seem a huge task for Entergy as well. Countless power lines and several poles are down. None of this to be unexpected but still an interesting sight.

If you haven't heard, Mayor Nagin is hoping to allow residents of a few neighborhoods, Uptown, CBD and the Quarter, to return possibly as early as Monday! My best to those of you who are in these areas.

Roofs and be repaired and replaced, as can windows, doors and more. I am thankful that we are all safe. You are all in my thoughts every day as we may be spread out around the country but we are in this together. Keep your heads up, get your work clothes ready and we'll get there.

Doug and Michael

A message from the Cavaliers president

Greetings Cavaliers.

To all of you: Hang in there. We are more than just members of a motorcycle club, WE ARE FAMILY (ok, sing a few bars here......). We are here for each other in many ways. We are also a tough old bunch of queers and no matter how strong Katrina was we are stronger. We'll show the little bitch that we have the stamina and fortitude to return and make our city and ourselves even better.

Stand tall my Brothers and Sisters! We will rule the streets of New Orleans again - and paint the lines lavender when we get there!

Doug Minich
CavalierMC
2005 President

Hurricane Updates

Most members of the Cavaliers evacuated New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina. In the days following the storm, there were urgent efforts to account for all of our members and our friends. This was hampered by unreliable cell phone service and limited Internet access, but eventually we were fortunate to find all of our friends were safe.

The email discussions beginning the day before Katrina hit can be read at our Yahoo Group at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/CavaliersMC/messages/2267.

We frequently updated a running list of where our members and friends landed after the storm:

SAFE
The following people have been reported as safe:

Poncho -- in Lafayette, LA
Doug and Mike -- in Krotz Springs, LA (will be heading to Baton Rouge)
Doc and Susan -- in Lafayette, LA
David and Michael W. -- in Houston, TX
Diane and Julie -- in Little Rock, AR
Matt -- in Alabama
Eric and Bubba -- Mobile, AL
Paul C. -- Mobile, AL
Guy -- in Alexandria, LA (heading to Slidell to work in tent hospital)
Alan -- in Atlanta (heading for Detroit)
Kelly and Natasha -- returned to Ohio
George T. -- in Alabama (heading for St. Louis?)
Jim J. -- in Monroe, LA
Mark and Collin -- in Houston, TX
Brian F. -- in Houston, TX
Heath and Scott -- in Ohio
Michael G. -- Jackson, MS
Adam S. -- in Lafayette (assisting French nationals)
Darryl -- in Norwood, LA (40 miles north of Baton Rouge)
DJ -- reported to be in Alexandria, LA
George H. (a founding member of Cavaliers) -- in Baton Rouge
Holly -- in Oregon
Michelle and Wanda -- Pearl River, MS
Mitch -- in Atlanta (has now returned to N.O.)
Dave D. (heading now for Florida)
Dolly -- in San Antonio, TX
Lance and Carl Ford -- Minneapolis, MN

Other club friends:
Wally Sherwood -- near Waco, TX
Mike M. (Bears) -- in Baton Rouge
Danny & Jeff (Bears?) -- in Alabama
Joe & Kent (Knights) -- in Pensacola
Dale & Dave (Bears) -- in Baton Rouge
John A. (Knights) -- Florence, AL
Denny (Knights?) -- Houston, TX
Tom S. (Outlaws) -- Houston, TX
Lance P. and Jim -- Beaumont, TX

Crescent City Outlaws report on their web site that all members evacuated and are safe http://www.crescentcityoutlaws.org/

Lords of Leather report on their web site that almost all members have been accounted for. Visit http://www.lordsofleather.com/ to see the list.

GLBT hurricane relief and resources

News and resources for leather folk
http://truetales.org/katrina/index.htm

National and local resources
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/08/083105hurricane.htm

MCC Church
http://www.mccchurch.org/katrina/index.html

Houston resources
http://www.houstonvoice.com/2005/9-2/news/localnews/helping.cfm