The celebration on Saturday at the St. Rose Parish Center includes informative forums on health, education and politics led by professionals in each field.
 
Leading the Health Forum discussions will be Luella Williams, a nurse practitioner at Coastal Family Health in Pass Christian, and Marion Brewer, registered nurse – surgery at Ochsner Hancock.
 
The education issues forum participants will include Dr. Carla Evers, superintendent of the Pass Christian School District; Dr. Cherie Labat, superintendent of the Columbus Municipal School District, and Dr. Toy Watts, superintendent of the Laurel School District. Other speakers with connections to Bay St. Louis and St. Rose include former Bay High star Christa Reed, a professional basketball player with the Killester Basketball Club of Dublin, Ireland; Judge Ellen Hazeur-Colbert of Division A for the Civil District Court for Orleans Parish in New Orleans; Wendy McDonald, former Bay Council member and Democratic candidate for Mississippi House of Representatives; and Emleigh Mitchell, a Justice of the Peace court liaison in Houston, Texas.  
 

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Also on Saturday, the Book Review Forum will be led by Dorothy Wilson, Publisher and Editor of Gulf Coast Woman Magazine and co-founder of the Success Women’s Conference. She will be joined by locals Angelyn Truetel Zeringue, CPA, independent insurance agent and owner of SouthGroup Insurance Services and AST Solutions; Ellis Anderson, publisher of Shoofly Magazine and French Quarter Journal and author of the award winning Katrina book, ”Under Surge, Under Siege;” Holly Lemoine-Raymond, broker and owner of HL Properties and executive producer of the TV Series, “Inside Outside with HL Raymond Properties;” and Brandi Stage, portrait photographer and owner of Brandi Stage Portraiture.
 
The day will conclude with a reception for participants and presenters.
 
On Sunday, participants will be recognized at 9 am Mass at St. Rose, where the Women’s Mass Choir will be directed by Sherry Hill and the Liturgical Dance will be choreographed by Marion Brewer

We had lots of questions and wanted reliable answers - so we asked the folks who know.  Here's what we found out.

- story by Ellis Anderson 

Below is a compilation of the answers we received - along with some from other reliable scientific sources. ​

The organism that’s causing our problems is actually a bacteria – a cynanobacteria, to be specific. So technically, it’s not an algae bloom.  

​The proper terminology now, according the Liz Sharlot, Director of Communications at the Mississippi Department of Health is “Algal,” pronounced, “All-gul.”   
 
The University of California’s Museum of Paleontology says that:
 
Cyanobacteria are aquatic and photosynthetic, that is, they live in the water, and can manufacture their own food. Because they are bacteria, they are quite small and usually unicellular, though they often grow in colonies large enough to see. They have the distinction of being the oldest known fossils, more than 3.5 billion years old, in fact!

It may surprise you then to know that the cyanobacteria are still around; they are one of the largest and most important groups of bacteria on earth… 

The USGS says that "harmful algal blooms have affected every state in the nation. The timing, occurrence, and severity of blooms depends on a number of environmental factors (including physical, chemical, and biological conditions); some regions of the United States may experience more severe blooms than others at certain times depending on these conditions.”  

For example, Lake Erie, which is bordered by the states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York (and the Canadian province of Ontario), has been battling significant problems for years. ​

Water from the Mississippi River, laden with nitrogen and phosphorus, causes the "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico each year.  It's one of the largest dead zones in the world, since the Mississippi River drains America's agricultural heartland along the river's vast valley and watershed: Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.  

This article from Montana State University, explains that "nitrogen and phosphorous enter the river through upstream runoff of fertilizers, soil erosion, animal wastes, and sewage. In a natural system, these nutrients aren't significant factors in algae growth because they are depleted in the soil by plants.

"However, with anthropogenically increased nitrogen and phosphorus input, algae growth is no longer limited. Consequently, algal blooms develop, the food chain is altered, and dissolved oxygen in the area is depleted.

The size of the dead zone fluctuates seasonally, as it is exacerbated by farming practices. It is also affected by weather events such as flooding and hurricanes."

To ease the threat of flooding along the lower Mississippi River this year, the Bonne Carre spillway was opened, allowing that nutrient-rich “fresh” water to pour into Lake Ponchartrain and directly out into the Mississippi Sound.  

​The river water changed the natural salinity of the lake and the Sound, providing a fertile environment for the cyanobacteria to grow.  This story by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (a branch of NOAA), published July 10th gives more info. ​

The short video below contains some excellent - and astonishing - animations. (there's no sound, but it's captioned). 

No one we asked would hazard a guess.  The USGS says “predicting the onset, duration, and decline of harmful algal blooms is currently an active area of research. It is difficult to say how long the bloom will last with any certainty. One of the controlling factors (such as influx of freshwater affecting salinity) likely will need to change before the bloom will dissipate.”  

While tropical surges might push in water with higher saline content, the rainfall from Tropical Storm Barry could add to the fresh water problem in the Sound.  

A spokesman for MDEQ said that "it is too soon for us to speculate given the uncertain characteristics and impacts of the storm at this time; however, our beach program will be monitoring along the coast as soon as possible after the storm passes. 

​"It is our understanding that algae that washes ashore would likely dehydrate and die.  We encourage everyone to be aware of their surroundings, and if they see a Harmful Algal Bloom after the storm passes to contact MDEQ and/or local emergency management officials."

The beaches aren't actually closed. MDEQ has issued a "Water Contact Warning" against swimming or wading. "The warnings refer to water contact and do not prohibit use of the sand portion of a beach."

The CDC offers this advice:  "People should stay out of waters that have an odd color (brown, red, turquoise, etc.), smell bad, or that have floating algal mats on them. People should also take extra care to keep dogs out of the blooms to prevent them from becoming sick."

The CDC weighed in on this one as well:  

Cyanobacterial toxins can be incorporated into airborne water droplets that people and animals can inhale.

People or animals can be directly exposed to cyanotoxins in freshwater during recreational activities or by breathing in aerosolized toxins (toxins in water turned into tiny airborne droplets or mist). People or animals exposed to cyanotoxins through direct skin contact or inhalation may experience the following symptoms:
 

• Skin irritation
• Eye irritation
• Nose irritation
• Throat irritation
• Respiratory irritation

 
There is still much to learn about the health effects of airborne exposure to chemicals and toxins released by cyanobacterial blooms.

CDC and partners previously conducted studies assessing the health effects from recreational exposure to cyanobacterial toxins in small lakes with ongoing blooms. After one hour of exposure to blooms, we found small amounts of microcystins on nasal swabs from study participants and microcystins in the water and in aerosols generated by the recreational activities. However, study participants did not report any symptoms after one hour of exposure.

The USGS has this to say:  "Understanding the actual harms of algal blooms also is an active area of research. Currently, the acute effects of blooms on water quality, aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and human health are better understood than the chronic effects but there is still a lot of research required to fully understand the effects of blooms."

The CDC points out that: "Cyanobacterial blooms might also be a problem as they die off. The rotting organic matter can give off hydrogen sulfide, which may cause respiratory irritation, especially in people with asthma." 
 

While physicians are not required to report illnesses from algal blooms, Liz Sharlot at the Mississippi Department of Health says, “we’d probably hear about it if there was an outbreak.” 

No. No. And No.*

Liz Sharlot says the two bacteria are “completely unrelated.” ​

However, while we’re on the subject:  Vibrio, sometimes known by the alarmist moniker, “flesh-eating-bacteria,” is present across the Gulf Coast.  Infections are required to be reported to the CDC and the Mississippi Department of Health.  

Mississippi has been keeping track of its own cases since 1998 and Sharlot says that "typically, we expect to see it every year, like the West Nile virus.”

In Mississippi, there's been a low of two reported Vibrio cases in 1999 and a high of 23 cases reported in 2005, (the year of Hurricane Katrina).  Vibrio can come from eating infected raw oysters and from exposure in water.  Statistics on the cause of the Mississippi cases weren’t immediately available, but nationally, the majority of Vibrio infections come from eating seafood, in most cases, raw oysters or clams.  In Mississippi, so far this year, three cases have been reported. 

“[Infection from Vibrio] is preventable," says Sharlot.  “The main idea is to protect yourself.  If your immunity is low or you’re taking some types of medication, you shouldn’t go into warm, brackish water if you have a cut and your skin is exposed.”  

The CDC says the following people have a higher risk: 

Anyone can get sick from vibriosis, but you may be more likely to get an infection or severe complications if you:

• Have liver disease, alcoholism, cancer, diabetes, HIV, or the blood disorder thalassemia.
• Receive immune-suppressing therapy for the treatment of disease, such as cancer.
• Have an iron overload disease, such as hemochromatosis.
• Take medicine to lower stomach acid levels, such as Nexium and Pepcid.
• Have had recent stomach surgery.

​Sharlot advised people who aren’t high-risk to take precautions as well if they have a cut. ​

*Fox News 13 in Memphis actually published a piece pointing to Vibrio as the cause of Mississippi beach closures.  We encourage you to contact them, requesting that they remove the piece.  

From the USGS:  "No. No national agency currently calculates the economic impact of algal blooms, though smaller scale (local/regional) economic studies are being conducted by several agencies."  

A shady new location and a record number of sponsors promises to make this popular benefit the biggest and best yet. 

- story and photos by Ellis Anderson 

​Which is good, because according to Chauvin, the poker-run is shaping up to be the biggest yet. 

“We’ve surpassed our goals in terms of sponsorships,” she said, “and the response on social media has been very enthused.” 
 
The event coincides with Old Town’s popular Second Saturday Artwalk.  Each July, the Artwalk is dubbed “Frida Fest” because it celebrates the birthday of iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.  Frida Fest draws hundreds of visitors from across the region. 
 
“At Dan B.’s, we’ll be more visible to folks who’ve come for Frida Fest,” says Chauvin.  “And we’ll get a cooler breeze.”
 
One doesn’t need to be a gambler to participate in the benefit, or even be present on the day of the event to win one of the three prizes. 

​Poker hands cost $20 each. Hands (and event t-shirts) can be purchased in advance at the following times: 

• 
  
• Friday, July 19, 5pm – 7pm, downstairs at Dan B’s and in Diamondhead at the Lazy Gator (3410 Yacht Club Circle).  

 
Poker hand sales start at 10am the morning of July 20th at Dan B’s. 
 
Hands must be purchased in person.  If a purchaser can’t make the actual event, CASA tucks those hands into an envelope and the cards will be dealt at the culmination of the event.  
 
Poker “hands” are actually event cards that have to be physically punched at four of the twelve participating locations.  Players can use their preferred mode of transportation – boat, car, golf cart, or bicycle.  Since several of the locations are within a block of each other in Old Town, walkers will have it easy as well. 
 
“We listened to feedback from last year and reached out to more water stops this year,” said Chauvin. “The Lazy Gator in Diamondhead is one, and so is Hollywood Casino.  The casino will have beer and water right at the dock, along with someone to punch your card.”  
 
At the Bay St. Louis Harbor, players arriving by boat will have several more choices (see the full list of participating businesses below). 

​In mid-afternoon, players bring their punched cards back to Dan B’s.  Players must be in line to get their actual poker cards dealt by 4pm.  Chauvin says there’s no wiggle room on the deadline rule.  
 
Professional dealers from area casinos have volunteered to deal each player five cards.  For an extra $5 donation, players can purchase a sixth card before their hands are dealt.  
 
The three people with the top hands when the cards have all been dealt win an impressive array of prizes. The top prize is a condo stay in Gulf Shores, Alabama. 
 
People who aren’t actually playing will be welcome to support CASA by buying t-shirts and tickets for a 50-50 raffle.  There’ll also be a live and silent auction.  All day, a DJ at Dan B’s will be keeping the energy upbeat.   To cap off the day, beginning at 6pm, “The All-Nighters” band performs.
 
Chauvin says the event’s focus is squarely on community and charity - not on consumption of adult beverages. 

“The poker run is about spending time with friends and family and being out on the water for a great cause,” she said. 

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