LAKEVIEW RESIDENTS KNOW LIFE IS HOPPING

Driving out to Lakeview, the first thing I noticed were roads bearing scars formed two and a half-years ago, evident even on a perfect spring evening in New Orleans. My destination this week was "Hoppin' on Harrison," the Easter-themed monthly marketplace in the 800 block of Harrison Avenue.

It's been a while since I covered an event in this part of town, so I was anxious to see the progress. As I emerged from City Park on Harrison Avenue and crossed the Orleans Canal, I was overwhelmed with joy by what I discovered. One of the city's neighborhoods is teaming with life, so much so that I found it challenging to score a parking place on the avenue, the neighborhood's major commercial corridor.

On my walk to the marketplace, I encountered lots of families with children in tow, all coming together to celebrate the rebirth of their neighborhood. I saw smoke rising and followed the smell of Drago's Oysters. I heard music in the distance and worked my way toward the parking lot that hosts the event.

Seeking out the organizers, I chatted with co-chairmen Mark Uddo and Celeste Anding.

"The first Lakeview Market was held on Aug. 15, 2007, and it attracted several hundred area residents," Uddo said. "Today, we celebrate the success of the seventh market and expect the turnout to be around 2,500 residents."

Harrison Avenue is boasting more than 50 merchants and businesses serving the Lakeview area post-Katrina. "The purpose of the market was help rebuild our main street," Anding said.

From what I could see, their efforts have paid off big time.

The market is much more than a place to spend an evening once a month. It's a meeting place that binds neighbors and reinforces who we are as residents of this wonderful city we call home.

Everywhere I turned and everyone I met reminded me that we are bound together by this journey to rebuild our lives. Our tenacity and passion to rebuild are paying off in more ways than we can measure. The act of working together as a community makes us stronger.

Beacon of Hope founder Denise Thornton knows this. She is a perfect example of what New Orleanians are all about.

"Fifty-two percent of Lakeview is back and that number is growing every day," Thornton said. "What we really see as the biggest impediment to making that number 100 percent is an effective policy in place to address blighted properties. Most Lakeview residents are committed to returning but can't commit to the investment if the house next door is left abandoned and unmitigated."

Louisiana Service Award winner Rita Legrand agrees. "We love our neighborhood and we are here to stay," she said.

The Lakeview Civic Improvement Association wants everyone to come out to their next event, "Swing Into Spring," April 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the 800 block of Harrison Avenue. I promise you a great time, wonderful music, fine food and a warm welcome.

For information, visit www.lakeviewcivic.org.

. . . . . . .

Scene and be Seen is a weekly peek into the vibrant and diverse New Orleans culture. Please e-mail information on your event to robertagrove@hotmail.com. Photos and text by Roberta Grove.