84. Interview with former Poet Laureate Darrell Bourque

84.  We interview poet Darrell Bourque, the former poet laureate of Louisiana.  He served as an English professor and department head at ULL and found time to write several books of poetry.  Since his time as poet laureate, he has traveled the state of Louisiana as a public intellectual, reading his own poems and supporting the work of other poets as well.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 28 1862 (Old) State Capitol burned by Union Soldier.
2. This week in New Orleans history. The Esplanade Avenue streetacar ran from June 1, 1861 until December 27, 1934.  It was the first streetcar line to traverse the "back-of-town" section of New Orleans, running all the way out Esplanade Ave. to Bayou St. John in its original routing. From 1901–1934 the Canal and Esplanade lines operated in a loop as the Canal-Esplanade Belt, until Esplanade Ave. went to buses in 1934.
   
3. This week in Louisiana. New Year's Eve Kids' Countdown Make a noisemaker and paper bag party hat to wear for the countdown to noon, culminating in a balloon release and confetti toss. Admission: 2014 pricing TBA. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St, New Orleans 504.523.1357.
   
4. Battle of New Orleans  December 29, 1814. NOS. XXVI-XXVII.
   I lament that I have not the means of carrying on more offensive operations. The Kentucky troops have not arrived, and my effective force at this point, does not exceed three thousand. Theirs must be at least double; both prisoners and deserters agreeing in the statement that seven thousand landed from their boats.

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