Jump-start the Big Blue House Rebuild
Donation protected
As many of you already know, there was a devastating fire at our New Orleans
house on the morning of October 20th. It started in a small bedroom upstairs
and spread to the attic. Thankfully, no one was killed or injured.
The rapid response and great work of the N.O.F.D likely saved the house from
complete destruction. As you can imagine, however, the first and second floors
sustained much damage---even worse than what we experienced with
Hurricane Katrina 15 years ago.
The second floor is uninhabitable and the entire interior needs to
be completely gutted. All of the major stand alone and smaller
appliances and most of the furniture and household items on the
second floor that were not burnt to a crisp were ruined from smoke,
soot and water damage. Water inundated several rooms on the first
floor and mold is quickly spreading throughout large portions of the
ceilings and walls.
Bill flew back to the house a few days after the fire and stayed for a month to clear
out debris and begin the gut demolition process. Progress in these initial weeks
has been cumbersome due to many factors including:
• No gas/electricity/heat/hot water — these were shut off by the utility companies
on the day of the fire.
• The challenge of obtaining the necessary building permits from the City of
New Orleans and the Historical Commission. Due to the pandemic,
City Hall offices have been closed and much of the staff has been cut.
Power cannot be restored and major work cannot begin until these
applications are reviewed and permits granted.
Fortunately, we do have homeowner’s insurance but we are still awaiting the receipt
of funds from our claim. In the meantime there is an immediate need for the following
items to help with the demo/clean-up:
• Mold/smoke removal products
• Cleaning products
• Sprayer
• Fans/heaters
• Contractor garbage bags
• Masks/Goggles/Plastic gloves
• Drop clothes/tarps
• Towels/rags
• Debris dump fees
• Brooms/Mops/Sponges
• Shop Vacuum
In addition to the aforementioned supplies, many of the stand
alone and small appliances (Ex: refrigerator/microwave/coffee
maker/toaster, etc.) are not covered by insurance.
Many of you---our family members and friends---suggested that we start this
GoFundMe drive. While we were initially hesitant to do so, we've relented
because we know that you share an affection for the house (some of you have
even stayed there).
We also know that many of you would come to the house to lend a hand
but cannot due to work/family/other commitments, not to mention the travel
risks and restrictions due to Covid-19. We understand that your heartfelt
offer to donate is how you want to help us out.
Like many of you, our businesses have taken a huge hit this year due to the
pandemic. Our available resources were already tight and the fire has
strained those further.
GoFundMe requires that we declare an amount that we're seeking to raise.
$2,500 would greatly assist us in jump-starting the rebuilding of the house.
Your donation, no matter the amount, will tremendously help and will be
greatly appreciated.
But please---if you are currently financially strained
due to the pandemic or any other reason do not feel pressure to donate.
Instead, send us the name of your favorite song that has the word "fire" in it.
(At times like this, a bit of dark humor comic relief is very therapeutic!)
Thanks to all of you for your love and support. We will keep you posted
as to our progress with the rebuilding of the Big Blue House.
(Big Blue House after the Hurricane Katrina re-build.)
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the history of the house,
there have been structures on theproperty since around the time
of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The first structure was a Creole
style cottage and remnants of that are hidden in nooks and crannies
of the current house. Beginning in the 1920's and into the 1960's the
first floor of the house was a pharmacy and neighborhood corner store.
A ground-up renovation of the house in the 1980's resulted
in its modern day form.
Thanks to all of you for submitting your favorite "Fire" song selections!
We have listed them all below like this:
First the "Title of Song" in quotes, then the Recording Artist
then the name of the friend/family member who shared the song in
parenthesis and then a link to
the song/video online.
Our two favorite selections so far are:
1. "Fire" by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown (Marilyn / Anonymous / Donna Horton)
Here are two wild videos of this song. The first is the Crazy World
of Arthur Brown playing (Lip-synching) "Fire" live on TV and then a video
interpretation of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLUGsn-NOis
2. "Baby's on Fire" by Brian Eno (Tim Cramer / Elena Faro)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nItuhuY1U04
The rest of the selections---in no particular order---
"Fire" by the Ohio Players (Justine McLisky)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqsYNc_M988&pbjreload=101
"Burning Down the House" by the Talking Heads (Lou Morell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3eC35LoF4U
"Fire on the Bayou" by the Meters (Janene)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phUTCsVAKXA
"Is that all there is?" by Peggy Lee (Jenny Ward)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCRZZC-DH7M
"the Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash (Valerie Barnes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oayEnSA6V9g&pbjreload=101
"Burning Love" by Elvis Presley (Cynthia Bagwell)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SUC8sdP5eI
"Firestarter" by the Prodigy (Edward Stocks)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmin5WkOuPw&list=RDwmin5WkOuPw
"I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" by The Ink Spots (Nick McKinney)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l6vqPUM_FE
"St. Elmo's Fire" by Jack Parr (Maria Wls)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx7vNdAb5e4
"Disco Inferno" by the Tramps (Karen Hill)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_sY2rjxq6M
"Burning House of Love" by X (Karen Hill)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm6Z05bYj2Y
"I'm On Fire" by Bruce Springsteen (Karen Hill /Barry McCormick)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrpXArn3hII
"Cat People" by David Bowie (Karen Hill)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1O4iZOt23Q
"Fire" by the Pointer Sisters (Renee Atkin / Donna Horton)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9S5EZgIJck
"Firehouse" by Kiss (Renee Atkin)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO3K3dqaQQs
"Light My Fire" by the Doors (Renee Atkin)
https://vimeo.com/302608127
"Firefighter's Git Up Challenge for United Way (Marc Holmes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObTQmoVGtEM
"Fire Water Burn" by the Bloodhound Gang (Ciaran McAnimal)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adgx9wt63NY
"Keep the Fire Burnin'" by REO Speedwagon (Ngahuia Freed)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gY_SbSIG0U
"We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel (Jeff Louviere)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g
and finally....
"Jump into the Fire" by Harry Nilsson (Bill P.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfjNpgZ4C5Q
house on the morning of October 20th. It started in a small bedroom upstairs
and spread to the attic. Thankfully, no one was killed or injured.
The rapid response and great work of the N.O.F.D likely saved the house from
complete destruction. As you can imagine, however, the first and second floors
sustained much damage---even worse than what we experienced with
Hurricane Katrina 15 years ago.
The second floor is uninhabitable and the entire interior needs to
be completely gutted. All of the major stand alone and smaller
appliances and most of the furniture and household items on the
second floor that were not burnt to a crisp were ruined from smoke,
soot and water damage. Water inundated several rooms on the first
floor and mold is quickly spreading throughout large portions of the
ceilings and walls.
Bill flew back to the house a few days after the fire and stayed for a month to clear
out debris and begin the gut demolition process. Progress in these initial weeks
has been cumbersome due to many factors including:
• No gas/electricity/heat/hot water — these were shut off by the utility companies
on the day of the fire.
• The challenge of obtaining the necessary building permits from the City of
New Orleans and the Historical Commission. Due to the pandemic,
City Hall offices have been closed and much of the staff has been cut.
Power cannot be restored and major work cannot begin until these
applications are reviewed and permits granted.
Fortunately, we do have homeowner’s insurance but we are still awaiting the receipt
of funds from our claim. In the meantime there is an immediate need for the following
items to help with the demo/clean-up:
• Mold/smoke removal products
• Cleaning products
• Sprayer
• Fans/heaters
• Contractor garbage bags
• Masks/Goggles/Plastic gloves
• Drop clothes/tarps
• Towels/rags
• Debris dump fees
• Brooms/Mops/Sponges
• Shop Vacuum
In addition to the aforementioned supplies, many of the stand
alone and small appliances (Ex: refrigerator/microwave/coffee
maker/toaster, etc.) are not covered by insurance.
Many of you---our family members and friends---suggested that we start this
GoFundMe drive. While we were initially hesitant to do so, we've relented
because we know that you share an affection for the house (some of you have
even stayed there).
We also know that many of you would come to the house to lend a hand
but cannot due to work/family/other commitments, not to mention the travel
risks and restrictions due to Covid-19. We understand that your heartfelt
offer to donate is how you want to help us out.
Like many of you, our businesses have taken a huge hit this year due to the
pandemic. Our available resources were already tight and the fire has
strained those further.
GoFundMe requires that we declare an amount that we're seeking to raise.
$2,500 would greatly assist us in jump-starting the rebuilding of the house.
Your donation, no matter the amount, will tremendously help and will be
greatly appreciated.
But please---if you are currently financially strained
due to the pandemic or any other reason do not feel pressure to donate.
Instead, send us the name of your favorite song that has the word "fire" in it.
(At times like this, a bit of dark humor comic relief is very therapeutic!)
Thanks to all of you for your love and support. We will keep you posted
as to our progress with the rebuilding of the Big Blue House.
(Big Blue House after the Hurricane Katrina re-build.)For those of you who are unfamiliar with the history of the house,
there have been structures on theproperty since around the time
of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The first structure was a Creole
style cottage and remnants of that are hidden in nooks and crannies
of the current house. Beginning in the 1920's and into the 1960's the
first floor of the house was a pharmacy and neighborhood corner store.
A ground-up renovation of the house in the 1980's resulted
in its modern day form.
Thanks to all of you for submitting your favorite "Fire" song selections!
We have listed them all below like this:
First the "Title of Song" in quotes, then the Recording Artist
then the name of the friend/family member who shared the song in
parenthesis and then a link to
the song/video online.
Our two favorite selections so far are:
1. "Fire" by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown (Marilyn / Anonymous / Donna Horton)
Here are two wild videos of this song. The first is the Crazy World
of Arthur Brown playing (Lip-synching) "Fire" live on TV and then a video
interpretation of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLUGsn-NOis
2. "Baby's on Fire" by Brian Eno (Tim Cramer / Elena Faro)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nItuhuY1U04
The rest of the selections---in no particular order---
"Fire" by the Ohio Players (Justine McLisky)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqsYNc_M988&pbjreload=101
"Burning Down the House" by the Talking Heads (Lou Morell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3eC35LoF4U
"Fire on the Bayou" by the Meters (Janene)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phUTCsVAKXA
"Is that all there is?" by Peggy Lee (Jenny Ward)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCRZZC-DH7M
"the Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash (Valerie Barnes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oayEnSA6V9g&pbjreload=101
"Burning Love" by Elvis Presley (Cynthia Bagwell)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SUC8sdP5eI
"Firestarter" by the Prodigy (Edward Stocks)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmin5WkOuPw&list=RDwmin5WkOuPw
"I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" by The Ink Spots (Nick McKinney)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l6vqPUM_FE
"St. Elmo's Fire" by Jack Parr (Maria Wls)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx7vNdAb5e4
"Disco Inferno" by the Tramps (Karen Hill)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_sY2rjxq6M
"Burning House of Love" by X (Karen Hill)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm6Z05bYj2Y
"I'm On Fire" by Bruce Springsteen (Karen Hill /Barry McCormick)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrpXArn3hII
"Cat People" by David Bowie (Karen Hill)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1O4iZOt23Q
"Fire" by the Pointer Sisters (Renee Atkin / Donna Horton)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9S5EZgIJck
"Firehouse" by Kiss (Renee Atkin)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO3K3dqaQQs
"Light My Fire" by the Doors (Renee Atkin)
https://vimeo.com/302608127
"Firefighter's Git Up Challenge for United Way (Marc Holmes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObTQmoVGtEM
"Fire Water Burn" by the Bloodhound Gang (Ciaran McAnimal)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adgx9wt63NY
"Keep the Fire Burnin'" by REO Speedwagon (Ngahuia Freed)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gY_SbSIG0U
"We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel (Jeff Louviere)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g
and finally....
"Jump into the Fire" by Harry Nilsson (Bill P.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfjNpgZ4C5Q
Organizer
Bill Poznanski
Organizer
New Orleans, LA