For the past twelve months 88 rail cars filled with coal ash from the TVA coal ash spill in Kingston, Tennessee have traveled 300 miles to Uniontown, Alabama daily. The Arrowhead Landfill, once only used for household waste, is now the depository for material from a designated Super Fund site. Individuals, families, and the community of Uniontown have changed in the past year.
To hear their stories and see their pictures follow this link:
Woodland Plantation was built in the 1830's by one of America's first chief river pilots, Captain William Johnson. Captain Johnson and his partner, George Bradish, were sea captains/pirates from Nova Scotia who had come down to the Deep Delta in the late 1700's. Captain Johnson and his four sons built a thriving sugar cane plantation with one of the most modern mills of its time. Johnson was also in partnership with the famous pirate, Jean Lafitte.
Lafitte would bring slaves up Grand Bayou, which was a short cut to the Gulf of Mexico from Woodland, holding them at the slave quarters. From there Captains Johnson and Bradish would pick up the slaves and trade them up and down the river. Over the years, Woodland withstood the torment of several hurricanes and saw many changes, including serving as a haven for bootleggers during the prohibition.
Since 1934 Woodland Plantation has graced the label of Southern Comfort continuing it's early prohibition history.
In 1997 the Creppel family rescued this formerly neglected landmark. Woodland stands today as the only remaining plantation home in the Delta on the west bank of the Mississippi.
In Chaco Canyon, over one thousand years ago, there arose among the Pueblo People a great and culturally sophisticated civilization. On Fajada Butte the Chacoans created a site to record the importance of the solar cycles.
On the south side of Chaco Canyon a large kiva, Casa Rinconada, was constructed with a window which allows the light of the Summer Solstice Sun to pass through. At the exact moment the sun breaks the horizon on June 21st, its light is cast through the window upon the wall marking the seasonal change.
The Zuni are direct decedents of the People of Chaco. On the Summer Solstice the Zuni return to Chaco Canyon to bring life back into the canyon through their dances, songs, and ceremonies.
The Zuni beliefs are centered on Mother Earth, Sun Father, and Moonlight-Giving Mother. The Zuni words for daylight and life are the same word. The Sun is, therefore, seen as the giver of life. The beginning of the new season is the time to think of life. To see where we have come from. To see if our directions and intentions are correct and in harmony with Mother Earth. 
Many lessons have been left for us in Chaco Canyon by our ancestors. Summer Solstice...a new season...a time for clear vision...giver of life...a time to decide where we need to go from here...
be strong, be safe, Carlan
Along Louisiana Highway 1 a few miles from Grand Isle is the small town of Larose, Louisiana. Highway 1 makes a sharp ninety degree turn and located on the corner is Bobby Pitre's Southern Sting Tattoo Palor.
Bobby was born and raised in Larose and has been creating tattoo art for over fifteen years. His family for four generations has "lived" off the land, marshes, and bays in the Gulf. Bobby is French - Cajun.
Eric Guidru has been learning the "art" of tattoo from Bobby for the past three years. He is a young artist with a deep concern for what is happening to his home and culture.
Bobby and Eric brought their art together last week to share their concern and frustration on the Gulf oil spill. "I wanted to show BP as the "Grim Reaper" of the entire Gulf way of life" said Bobby. Eric added the iconic image of President Obama, this time with multiple question marks. "I not trying to make a political statement...just trying to raise the question...what do we do next".
Bobby added two figures holding a sign. A man holding a fish, and a small child covering her head in fear. "The child represents my little girl who lives down the street", Bobby replied with a sad expression in his eyes. "God Help Us All!"