New Orleans Levee Reconstruction Progress
Topic: Government
I get press releases on a regular basis from the federal government. One of today's notices was about the Corps of Engineers' progress report on the reconstruction of New Orleans' levee damaged by hurricane Katrina.

"To date, 100 of the 169 damaged miles of levee have been repaired, and 85 percent of pumping capacity is restored, Lt. Gen. Carl Strock, commander and chief of engineers, Army Corps of Engineers, said at a White House news conference."

I thought you might want to read about their progress. Take a look at it here on the Corps of Engineers' web site. I wish New Orleans a speedy recovery. Until next time... I am and will always be Frank....

JROTC Rifle Team
Topic: Family News
Hello all!
It is time for me to brag about my youngest daughter again! She beat her last score in another rifle competion.
Victoria scored 246 points out of a possible 300 points at the rifle team match today.
She is on her way to becomming one of the top 10 shooters in the United States.
Let's all give her another round of applaudes for her!
Until next time... I am, and will always be Frank....

IRS Tax Credits
Topic: Government
Today I received a notice from the IRS about tax breaks for Contractors and Homeowners. When home builders and homeowners improve existing homes or build new homes with energy efficiency design factors, they will qualify for tax breaks. This is a great program. The IRS has downloadable pdf files that explain the requirements. I urge all homeowners and homebuilders to research these requirements. They can be found in publications IR-2006-032 Energey Policy Act of 2005 and IR-2006-034 Homeowners Energy Credits. Until next time... I am and will continue to be Frank....

National Rifle Team for JROTC Students
Topic: Family News
Hello all!
It is time for me to brag about my youngest daughter! She attends public school in Mobile County, Alabama and is a JROTC rifle team member at BC Rain High School.
Victoria scored 234 points out of a possible 300 points at the rifle team match at Theodore High School today.
Her JROTC Instructor, Retired U.S. Army Major Rodney Cromer told me that he expects her to be within the top 10 shooters in the nation by her Senior year.
He told me that they are always looking for students that have "the gift" and she has it.
Thanks for the round of applaudes for her!
Until next time... I am, and will always be Frank....

Tillman's Tricksters Mardi Gras Ball 2006
Topic: Entertainment
Hello everyone! My wife and I enjoyed a night of dancing and festivities at the Tillman's Tricksters Mardi Gras Ball in Mobile, Alabama tonight.

Mobile is where Mardi Gras got its start. New Orleans picked up on the idea and started their own Mardi Gras the very next year.

Because of New Orleans' horrible hurricane Katrina situation, I expect this year's Mardi Gras in Mobile to be bigger than usual.

In hopes of offering a pleasant escape from the past year's losses, The City of Mobile decided to advertise our festivities for the first time this year.

Mobile's Mardi Gras is geared towards family fun. However, it is the only time of the year where you can walk the streets a little tipsy without fear of being fined. (Unless of course you get out of control and need to be confined.)

My wife and I have been going to Tillman's Tricksters Balls for several years. We've enjoyed every ball enough to be sore from dancing for a day or two later.

Take a look at the photos we took tonight. I do not know the names of everyone in our pictures. So, let me know your name(s) if you want me to identify you in my blog.

Keep New Orleans in your prayers. Mobile wishes them a fast recovery and a better future.

In the meantime, enjoy the photographs. You will see that everyone had a good time!

The photographs start with my wife and I dropping by her parent's house before the ball.


2006 Tillmans Tricksters Mardi Gras Ball

I hope you enjoyed viewing the photographs. Until next time, I am and will always be Frank....

p.s. - Let me know any names I can put with the faces in the photos. Thanks - gfb3