A Report in the London Times 3rd January
New Orleans is still crushed, with revenue from tourism, the city's biggest earner, at just 2 per cent of pre-Hurricane Katrina levels. On the bright side, Kathleen Blanco, the Louisiana state governor, has found around 300,000 pounds Sterling (half a million dollars US, I believe) to renovate one floor of the undamaged state office complex. Naturally, it is just the essentials, including walnut panelling and Swedish granite work surfaaces.
Obviously essential work, maybe her mother is coming to dinner and she wants to put on a good show!! My wife just puts the vacuum round, a lot cheaper!