Dear DRS members,

I am writing this on a miserably cold January day in Wisconsin.  The one thing that is saving me from terminal cabin fever is the thought of being with all of you again in the balmier environs of the Big Easy.

Since my last letter, you were busy getting in abstracts (and by deadline!), which our Abstract Review Committee reviewed these carefully.  They had a challenging task, as we had nearly 150 abstract submissions.  This overwhelming response meant that, for the first time in the history of DRS, that we were in the enviable (or unenviable) position of having more submissions than we had space for presentation.  It is a sign of the maturity of the Society that we are becoming more competitive in abstract selection, which means that everyone needs to "up their game" for research submission to future meetings.

By now, those chosen to present have received their notification of their upcoming poster or oral presentations.  I want to highlight some changes this year.  Please note that the poster space is not the larger 4 by 8 foot space we have often had in the past, it is 4 ft. by 6 ft.  We don't want people to have to cut 2 feet off their poster when they get to New Orleans.  Those with a poster should also prepare a PowerPoint file on a CD or thumb drive that is a 1 slide summary of the research findings in their poster presentation.  This is in case your poster gets selected for the Poster Plenary Session on Saturday, March 7.

Our time in New Orleans is approaching faster than I believed possible.  Over 100 of us have now registered for the meeting, myself included.  Do not delay!!  The deadline for early registration is but a week away, and the hotel could fill up fast.  We're coming in right after Mardi Gras, and March is the best month for visiting New Orleans.  Yes, they had rare snow in December, but that never happens in March!  So reserve your space now!  I'd hate for you to have to hoof it in from a hotel by the airport each day.

Stephanie Daniels had some suggestions for things to do in New Orleans in our last newsletter.  For a celebratory dinner, here are the President's suggestions; divided into old line and new wave (my division is open to debate by foodies).  Reservations are strongly suggested and often available on-line.

Do your bit to help the local economy after each day of first-rate science.  I can hardly wait, so come on down, y'all!

In anticipation,
 
Benson T. Massey, MD, FACP
DRS, President




NOLA Corner

The first thing to ask yourself is: Can I get to New Orleans a week before DRS? If so, then you are in store for the biggest free show you have ever seen-MARDI GRAS! Yes, the main events of Carnival are occurring the week before the meeting. Starting Friday, February 19, through Fat Tuesday (February 24), you will witness non-stop parades and merry making. The music scene will be fantastic-that is, if you have the energy after all day parading. Mardi Gras is truly something everyone should experience. I will never, ever adjust to working on Fat Tuesday.

If your only chance to enjoy NOLA is during DRS, let me provide you with some additional eating, drinking, grooving, and playing information.

Eating in NOLA: It is oyster season and Casamento's is the place. It is located Uptown at 4330 Magazine Street (www.casamentosrestaurant.com). The coldest, freshest oysters on the half shell available. Their oyster loaf is not to be missed. You must also get a po-boy-the quintessential NOLA sandwich. It is served on French bread and is not to be beat. Favorites include fried oyster, fried shrimp, soft shell crab, and roast beef. Many places may serve po-boys, but the true winners are Domilise's (even Anthony Bordain loves this place)-Uptown at 5240 Annunciation Street, Parasol's in the Irish Channel at 2533 Constance Street (www.parasols.com). Parasol's is also a great local bar. Another great po-boy place is Mother's (www.mothersrestaurant.com), which is a few blocks from the hotel at 401 Poydras Street. Benson showed a picture of Mother's last year; however, he was shaking so much with anticipation, the picture was blurry.

Drinking in NOLA: The Delachaise at 3442 St. Charles Ave is great; the food is also great (www.thedelachaise.com). Another favorite is Mimi's in the Marigny at 2601 Royal Street; it is a 10 minute cab ride from the hotel (www.mimisinthemarigny.com). A couple of places to go in the French Quarter are Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop at 941 Bourbon Street-the less touristy part of Bourbon Street, and the Carousel Bar in the Monteleone Hotel at 214 Royal Street; the bar slowly turns so slowly but be careful after a few drinks (www.hotelmonteleone.com). Molly's at the Market is also a short walk from the hotel-very much a local watering hole (www.mollysatthemarket.net). It is at 1107 Decatur Street.

Music in NOLA: Snug Harbor (www.snugjazz.com) at 626 Frenchman is the place for jazz. I cannot say enough about this place and the great shows that I have seen. It is also connected to a wonderful restaurant. If you need a cocktail, try the monsoon; a classic NOLA drink and much better than a hurricane. Snug is a 10 minute cab ride from the hotel.

NOLA Vernacular: Yeah, ya right. Y'at. This is a conjunction for "you at" and is used in the question-"Where y'at". However, y'at is also used to refer to the individuals who would typically use this phrase. Y'ats typically resided in the "da parish" as in St. Bernard Parish and in the Ninth "nint" Ward; however, following Katrina, they have spread. When in NOLA and you hear someone with a New York Bronx sounding accent, this individual is a y'at.

To get you ready or for those of you who cannot join us this year, let me recommend the following books and music to help create a NOLA atmosphere:
Music: Dr. Michael White-Blue Crescent; Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen-Mo Hippa; Irma Thomas-After the Rain; Dirty Dozen Brass Band-What's Going On; the Meters and Dr. John-anything by them; Bonerama-Bringing It Home; New Orleans Nightcrawlers-Funknicity; Sonny Landreth-Levee Town; Pine Leaf Boys-La Musique; Cedric Watson-self-titled album; C.C. Adcock-Lafayette Marquis; Terence Blanchard-A Tale of God's Will; Subdudes-Annunciation Street

Books: A Confederacy of Dunces-John Kennedy Toole-the absolute best book ever, Ignatius and his troubled pyloric valve should be a hit with the GI docs; Songs for My Fathers-Tom Sancton; City of Refuge-Tom Piazza; The Good Pirates of the Forgotten Bayous-Ken Wells; New Orleans, Mon Amour -Andrei Codrescu; The Awakening-Kat Chopin; The Moviegoer-Walker Percy

Laissez les bon temps rouler-Let the good times roll!