M-O-L-D

Tuesday was Mold Removal Day for Jean, Amanda, Dana and me. These homes have been sitting for seven months so the mold is pretty pervasive as well as dangerous to breathe. That means we all look like sperm from a Woody Allen movie in our Tyvex suits. For some reason Dana and I ended up with 4XL size. There are several Missy Elliott jokes in there but I'll refrain.

Mold removal involves scraping every inch of wood in the house with a wire brush. The homes have already had all the contents, drywall, carpet and tile removed so wood is about the only thing left. The home we worked in was built in the 1920s and had seen better days. Dana is coming home with a lovely souvenir scar from falling through a floorboard. Once the whole has has been scrubbed it is left to sit for an hour. After lunch we went in two at a time to vacuum all horizontal surfaces to remove the mold spores that had been scraped off. Once vacuumed the entire area gets wiped down with a chemical solution to help prevent regrowth. The next step is to paint everything with a protective paint but that is a job for another day and another team.

At dinner we presented Hands On USA and Hands On Network with the donation checks ($1,100 each) that was the balance of the Rhino fundraising. Rhino Entertainment is also matching these funds. The Hands On people were very appreciative of the donation. These funds help keep this whole thing going. We were very proud to bring all of Rhino to Biloxi in this gesture and remind the people here that the West Coast has not forgotten them.

Rhino has also volunteered to cook breakfast on Wednesday morning for the whole crew so a trip to the Winn-Dixie is in order. On our shopping list is 180 eggs! Breakfast cooking starts at 5 am, do I hear any volunteers?

Interiors

Today, Dana, Peter and I signed up for the Interiors crew. The various work is divided into 5-6 different groups each day. Amanda and Jean did Electrical, James did Mold and Karen worked at the library today.

The home that Dana, Peter and I went to is in East Biloxi. It it probably at least a mile or so inland yet it was under water. Our job was to scrape up the tile from the cement floor in the brothel area. (the official story is that it was a boarding house for veterans behind a house, but we decided brothel sounded more interesting) Here's a word of advice for all you home remodeling DIY folks. DO NOT glue tile to a cement floor! And DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT put down a second layer of tile on top of that tile that you already glued to the cement floor. We spent all 8 hours continuously scraping and pounding the floor with hammers to break up and dislodge this stuff. And just because it came up once beware, it is still sticky and most likely has landed somewhere else in the room and adhered itself to the floor again. It was an very tedious day. The team leader did make a run to Wal Mart for a radio so we had Classic Rock blasting most of the day. You will all be sorry you missed Dana and I in our synchronized hammering to Bennie And The Jets! My arm is about to fall off so I will finish with some pictures and call it a night. Tomorrow we are on Mold duty.

Destruction

Sunday evening we all took a drive through the beach community of Biloxi to see the worst of the storm destruction. It is difficult to comprehend what it was like before. Most of the coastal homes are only foundations and front steps. The buildings that were left partly standing are more easily understood as you can imagine what was once there. Seven months after the storm and most homes and buildings are still boarded up and vacant; the FEMA X which counts the dead still visible. Words really can't describe the emotions.

some pictures

the schedule doesn't always allow for posting pics so these may be out of order.

the Rhino at the Humane Society

Hi, it's Jean...

After we finished the morning round of dog walking, which was as enjoyable for me if no more so than for the dogs, Karen and I were on laundry duty. We washed toys, collars, leashes, sheets, kitty beds, sheets, blankets, etc. As I was tossing a load into the washer, I couldn't believe my eyes...I saw a Rhino. I don't believe in accidents anyway and this was no exception. To be here, with my friends and to see a stuffed Rhino (come on, what were the chances?) I couldn't help but feel that at that moment I was exactly where I was supposed to be, doing exactly what I was meant to be doing.

Walkin' The Dog

Sunday is a day of rest for most of the volunteers but since we were new on the scene we went to the Humane Society to spend the day. So we all piled into the party van (picking up another stray on the way) I spent the morning scrubbing cat cages and making sure everyone was comfy. (all the cats, that is). Dana, James, Jean, Karen and Amanda started with walking the dogs. Each doggy gets 30 minutes outside to do whatever he wants. Usually that is trying to pee on James or chase the other dogs.

After our lunch we set about new tasks; cutting carpeting, "busting" newspapers and doing laundry. Some lucky dogs even got afternoon walks. In all it was a very fulfilling, productive and tiring day. Afterwards we took a quick driving tour of some of the coastal areas that sustained the most damage. That deserves it's own post.

What's that sound?

Before I talk about today I should finish with last night. After setting up our "camp" we all jumped in the party van and hit the town! We tore it up at the Winn-Dixie. We were on fire! Saturday night in the big city it was not. There was a bonfire in the back of the Hands On property which brought out the beer and stories. I cut out early but hopefully one of the other team members will fill in any important details.

Sleeping in a commune is interesting. Everyone has staked out their 8' x 3' area but some have collected more ammenities than others. Some people have fashioned makeshift walls by stringing blankets around their area, or large pieces of cardboard. Others have brought thier outside tents inside to use. If this is reminding you of the scenes on the Nickle/Skid Row, you aren't too far off. We have not-so-affectionately named one of our neighbors Weezer.

We made it!

I suppose it is too early to complain of being tired. Especially since we haven't even done anything yet. After landing in New Orleans we attempted to rent the largest vehicle we could find. What Alamo perceives as a "15 person van" is more likely comfortable for 8-10 adults. The first van they pulled up reaked of vomit. Sure, we are here to be of service and all but.....

After a 90 minute drive we arrived in Biloxi and our homebase for the trip, Beauvoir Methodist Church. Our perfect timing had us arriving right on time for dinner. After a quick tour of the place we set up camp in the loft area.

Preparations for the trip

Our departure date is rapidly approaching! We all fly out at 6 am on Saturday, April 8th from LAX. The first challenge will be to simply get to the plane on time. Carpooling seems to be the most popular method to keep each other in check but does anyone want to place a bet on who doesn't make it?

Speaking of not making it, we have unfortunately lost a team member due to work commitments. We will miss you Raena! We tried to fill her slot but on such short notice, and due to rigid airline rules, that was not possible.

I think I have everything needed...sleeping bag (thanks Sophia!), Therma-Rest pad (thanks Tanya!), workboots, grubby clothes, work gloves, eye protection, respirator mask, DEET, sunscreen, hat, camera... what am I forgetting?

The Rhino Team (left - right): Karen (seated), Amanda, Becky, Peter (seated), James, Jean, Raena and Dana.

Biloxi Clean Up Press Release

RHINO EMPLOYEE TAKES A “VACATION”
TO HELP EASE BILOXI’S BLUES

Rhino Entertainment Employee Brings Co-Workers
On Her Second Visit To Coastal City Decimated By Hurricane Katrina


LOS ANGELES — Forgoing the traditional Thanksgiving feast last fall, Rhino Entertainment’s Amanda Smith chose instead to volunteer in Biloxi, Mississippi, a coastal city of nearly 50,000 located just a few miles from where the eye of Hurricane Katrina made landfall. When the storm hit on August 29, it battered the city with a deadly 30-foot-high surge and 155-mph winds.

A Los Angeles resident today, Smith grew up just an hour east of Biloxi in Mobile, Alabama. Motivated partly by her local roots, Smith says she was also provoked by her frustration at the slow progress of the relief effort: “I knew I wasn’t going to change the world in four days, but I wanted to make some sort of contribution. I had to do something; anything.”

Smith, International Art Production Manager for Rhino Entertainment, will return to Biloxi in early April for a second altruistic vacation. This time, she’s bringing seven other volunteers, six of whom are Rhino employees. “When I got back to work I told everyone about my experience and showed them pictures of what I’d seen,” says Smith. “The company suggested that I give a presentation to all the employees about my trip, which started the ball rolling for this second visit. After a month of fundraising and a company-wide bake sale to pay for eight plane tickets, we leave on April 8. I still can’t believe the response.”

Rhino Records, a Burbank-based pop culture entertainment company, has a long history of supporting volunteerism among its employees, Smith says. To encourage community service, Rhino allows employees to earn extra vacation time by volunteering. “Rhino really makes it simple for employees to give their time,” she explains. “It’s nice to work for a company that supports giving back to the community in both words and deeds.”

When looking for a way to make a difference last Fall, Smith found the perfect fit with Hands On USA, a non-profit grassroots disaster relief group founded in 2004 in response to the tsunami that hit Thailand. Smith spent four days working with a group of 75 volunteers from different cities and walks of life who had gathered to rebuild Biloxi. “Hands On USA welcomed me with open arms from the start. They are very good at making it easy to volunteer. They offered to pick me up at the airport and gave me a place to stay and food to eat. They have a wonderful group of longtime and short-term volunteers who are really making a difference in a city that seems to have fallen off the media’s radar.”





Hands On USA offers an ever-evolving list of services to meet the needs of Biloxi’s low-income residents. The group of volunteers are currently gutting homes to prepare for rebuilding, offering mold abatement, roofing and tree removal, working with the Humane Society to care for the city’s stray and abandoned dogs and checking on residents, many of whom are living in tents and trailers on the lots where their homes once stood.

“We spent a day walking through East Biloxi, a poor neighborhood where the homes and businesses that hadn't been washed away will probably need to be bulldozed; almost complete devastation. We were there to make sure people had what they needed to survive and to provide some emotional support. Listening to survivors tell their stories was absolutely heartbreaking; one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But I found hope there too. People hadn’t given up. They were trying to put their lives back together even though the hurricane didn’t leave them many pieces.”

With her second trip only a few weeks away, Smith says she’s already considering a third stint volunteering with Hands On in Biloxi. “I went from sitting at home and feeling helpless to feeling empowered by joining a group of people that are working together to rebuild a city and community. This experience has made me realize that one person really can make a difference.”



For additional information regarding Amanda Smith’s Biloxi clean up trip, please contact Jeff White in Rhino Media Relations at (818) 238-6249 or jeff.white@wmg.com.