re: .

Hi, all!

1. The WAFB story on the Bellemont is supposed to run tonight at 10. If you miss it, it'll be on their website tomorrow.

2. I set up a Facebook group for the Bellemont, for people who want to share pictures and stories, to ask questions, to research the mural and its artist, etc. I'm following active discussions about the B. in a couple of locations and thought that the folks talking here might want to talk to the folks over there. It's:

www.Facebook.com/TheBellemont

3. Does anyone know anyone who could potentially save the humongous Italian glass tile mural outside the Pan American Suite? (If it's still standing, that is... it was there Thursday but that doesn't mean anything today.) I'm thinking the Arts Council, or one of the historic preservation societies? It's built into a wall bordering the private pool, so I don't know if that's even possible to do, but the Abandoned Baton Rouge lady asked me to find out.

4. I also registered www.TheBellemont.com but am currently just redirecting it to the Flickr page. I'm working on a kind of memorial website with pictures, interviews with people who worked there or stayed there, etc., but that's going to take a while to develop.

These stories about people who got to meet Cary Grant, John Wayne, etc., or got to be extras in movies thanks to the B. -- I want to hear more!

Also, I came across a story from the early/mid 70s where The Bellemont was used as a regular meeting spot for the Teamsters, who eventually beat to death someone over a concrete contract...? If you have any scoop on this, I'd love to hear it!



Easiest way to find me is to go to the FB group and choose the Message option. I'll try to check back on this post, though.

Have really enjoyed reading this and the other posts here about the B.!