Experience suggests that starting a day with John Coltrane is never, ever a bad thing to do. Here's a 1961 performance of "My Favorite Things."

Louisiana tourism officials today revealed the first 26 sites on their "African American Heritage Trail," which spans from New Orleans to the state's northern region. Travelers who follow the Trail will encounter notable locations in black history, including plantations and places integral in the creation of jazz. "The new trail makes the entire state a museum," Lt Governor Mitch Landrieu said. No word yet as to when the path will be extended to Houston…and Little Rock and…St Paul?

Today marks the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. As the city of New Orleans and surrounding areas still struggle to return to normalcy — despite the incompetency of the government and rampant civil rights violations and crime and poverty and etc — I thought we could all be cheered by the musical stylings of one of New Orleans' favorite sons, Louis Armstrong.