BIG EASY Spots Prove Resilient

(From The USA Today -- By Kitty Bean Yancey)

As KATRINA's FLOODWATERS recede and damage is assessed, many famed NEW ORLEANS attractions are in better shape than initially feared.

It could have been worse -- ONE EYED JACK'S BAR is one of at least two WATERING HOLES in THE FRENCH QUARTER open after KATRINA.

"It's like a big hand came down and protected HISTORIC BUILDINGS," says STEPHEN PERRY, President of THE NEW ORLEANS METROPOLITAN CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU.

While it may be months before city services are fully restored and
NEW ORLEANS is in shape for visitors, "the most popular and important TOURIST INFRASTRUCTURE survived and fared very well compared to other parts of the city," Perry says.

The picturesque FRENCH QUARTER is "almost completely preserved," Perry says. BOURBON STREET isn't swamped. PRESERVATION HALL,
a shrine for jazz fans, still stands, though it is closed indefinitely.

THE CAFE DU MONDE -- renowned for its CAFE AU LAIT and doughnut-like BEIGNETS -- rode out the storm. Famed BRENNAN'S RESTAURANT on ROYAL STREET "fared well," JIMMY BRENNAN told THE AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER.

JOHNNY WHITE'S SPORTS BAR, a neighborhood hangout, has been open for business since the hurricane hit. Other opened bars include
MOLLY'S AT THE MARKET.

Doors blew off at COMMANDER'S PALACE, and assessment of damage is incomplete. The eatery's owners -- another branch of the Brennan family -- plan to rebuild eventually, says a spokeswoman. The family has set up THE NEW ORLEANS HOSPITALITY WORKERS DISASTER RELIEF FUND to benefit hotel and restaurant staffers in need.

Some tourist magnets did suffer. ANTOINE'S RESTAURANT has structural damage. Chef EMERIL LAGASSE'S EMERIL'S was "trashed and looted," Perry says. HARRAH'S CASINO is boarded up indefinitely.

The city's GARDEN DISTRICT lost trees, but city streetcars were safely stored before KATRINA hit.

City hotels "came out well," Perry says. Power was back Wednesday at
THE HYATT REGENCY, JW MARRIOTT, W, and THE MARRIOTT ON CANAL STREET, he says.

The 15 NEW ORLEANS-AREA MARRIOTT LODGINGS, including
THE RITZ-CARLTON, suffered no major damage, the hotel chain reports. Like other lodgings, they'll house rescue workers, but "it's going to be awhile before rooms will be available again and the city can promote itself as a tourist destination," chairman J.W. "BILL" MARRIOTT JR. said at a Wednesday press teleconference.

THE HYATT REGENCY suffered structural damage but has continued to shelter guests, including the mayor.

Hotels and restaurants still are trying to learn how employees fared and facing the financial challenge of going months without tourists and conventioneers.

Citywide conventions are now canceled through March 31st.
THE CONVENTION CENTER is a headquarters for recovery operations. Perry says it could be early 2006 before the city's tourist infrastructure is up and running.

He issued a statement saying he and other officials are touched by the outpouring of sympathy and offers of aid -- "Your heartfelt expressions of eagerness to return to our city when we are on our feet has moved us beyond words."

An artist who lives near ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL, Perry says, has hung paintings on THE JACKSON SQUARE FENCE, once lined with art for sale. It's a symbolic gesture -- a sign that THE CULURE and COLOR of
NEW ORLEANS REFUSE TO BE WASHED AWAY.