BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- The top beauty enforcement officer in this once idyllic beach town is driving around in a foul mood. You see, someone’s stealing pink flamingos -- in fact, he’s lost two from outside his FEMA trailer and wants them back.
People’s flamingos are coming up missing and they’re not showing up on anyone’s yard,” says Jimmy Loiacano, who really is in charge of beautification for Bay St. Louis.
His third and last flamingo is now on the grill of his pickup truck -- shielded with the protective forces of a zip tie, a Christmas wreath and mini-dolls.
“Somebody tried to poke his eye out,” he says as he takes a permanent marker to the bird’s face in a delicate surgery. “He’s got to see where he’s going.”
The last of Sylvia von Behren's three flamingos stares out toward the street in front of her home. (Jim Seida / MSNBC.com)
With little to beautify -- in fact, the town Christmas tree barely clears seven feet -- Loiacano has tried to keep up spirits with a best decorated FEMA trailer contest (stay tuned for MSNBC.com coverage of the winners) and sappy sagas like the flamingo heist.
Sure there are many, many pressing needs around here. But Loiacano defends his quirky antics as mental therapy. “Everyone is in a state of depressed mode,” he says
And so the flamingo mystery deepens.
Loiacano takes us to the home of Sylvia von Behren, who also lost two birds. “They took the breeders,” she says. “They left me with this one poor male. I’m going to put a leash on him and stake him deeper into the ground so no one will get him
Von Behren says she’s offering a $50 reward, but when she learns that Loiacano will pay $1,000 for his, she raises the stakes. “Oh well, $1,001 then,” she volunteers
Both warn anyone going after the rewards not to try to pull a fast one by bringing in ringers. “I can call them by name (fwiw: Gabriella and Gabriel) and know they’ll come to me if I see them,” Loiacano says
“I want them home for Christmas,” he adds. “I’ve got presents for them under the tree.”
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Did anyone stop two think that the Flamingo's deceided enough was enough, and migrated north?
Gene Davis, Fort Wayne, IN (Sent Dec 10, 2005 4:28:54 PM)
I can't believe someone stole flamingos! GAH!
Christopher Hazlitt, Winnipeg, Canada (Sent Dec 10, 2005 5:10:37 PM)
Yeah for these wonderful folks with an awesome sense of humor!!! Just when the events continue to sound overwhelming, they have focused on a truly important issue (Ha!) I am inspired by their comments ("the breeders"!, "presents waiting under the tree"!) Thank you to these nice people who have brought a ray of sunshine to me personally!
Anita, Birmingham, AL (Sent Dec 10, 2005 5:29:55 PM)
Pink flamingos are tacky. I'm sorry they were stollen, but they are best kept in the backyard (where they will neither offend the eye or be bird-napped).
Eindia Schmith (Sent Dec 10, 2005 6:16:45 PM)
Who would ever steal flimingos from peoples home should be beaten with a stick
Thet Williams (Sent Dec 10, 2005 6:51:37 PM)
My flamingo was taken this summer, but he was returned along with an album of his adventures. His name is Bob and Bob went from Tallahassee, Florida all the way to Canada and back. He camped out, ate out and had quite a good time. According to his album, he even met some 'chicks' along the way. I also was lucky enough to receive mail from Bob while he was gone.It made his absence easier to deal with knowing I was going to get a postcard from him.
Jennifer, Tallahassee, Florida (Sent Dec 10, 2005 6:51:52 PM)
What kind of world have we come to when pink flamingo's can't even play outside in the yard?! Get the FBI and the national guard NOW for cripes sake!
Maria- Illinois (Sent Dec 10, 2005 8:38:38 PM)
Jimmy – You should have called me. Allie would have (cheerfully) gone right to work on this case. After all, a golden RETRIEVER is a BIRD DOG!
Pam & Allie at the fire dept., BSL (Sent Dec 11, 2005 8:20:49 AM)
I have 38 in my front yard & over the past 5 or so years have lost about a dozen to FLAMINGO JACKERS!! Are you so low that you need to STEAL someone elses property?? THINK PINK!
Jack Mulder' Carlsbad, CA (Sent Dec 11, 2005 10:06:50 AM)
Maybe they migrated for the winter. I hope they don't land in my yard!
Brian, Hattiesburg, MS (Sent Dec 11, 2005 5:35:18 PM)
I was disappointed you did not include my take on gabriel & gabriella taking on a new persona-liberating themselves from the lawns of tackiness & katrina-ing out to the universe for purposes of elevating compassion-hope- freedom- fly! fly! fly! the air-the wind-the sunsets.the horizons....fly gab & fly gabirella!!!!-
wong gum ho-Sacramento, California (Sent Dec 12, 2005 1:18:04 AM)
Hey, I think I have seen your missing birds. One was on a red windstar in Chardon (snowville) Ohio - and the other on a silver caravan in Cincinnati - weird they were both parked at a "Steak and Lube"!!
Those birds should be free!
Darlene, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Dec 12, 2005 8:00:46 AM)
I sell pink flamingos on my website and would be happy to send a pair to both Jimmy and Sylvia. They have 2 different types of flamingos (from different manufacturers), but we'll be able to match them. Please email their addresses to me and I will be happy to ship them from Santa Claus, IN (yes, there really is a Santa Claus!)
Donna, Santa Claus, IN (Sent Dec 13, 2005 11:24:23 AM)
I would feel very sad if someone birdnapped my pink feathered friends. You birdnappers are bad bad people and may a flock of seagulls find you and your cars. Never ruffle the feathers of your friends!
Ronda Grazen, Marysville, Washington (Sent Dec 13, 2005 12:07:24 PM)
This was a nice time away from destruction, hope to see more stories like this. If possible I'd like to hear some happy news about he Hancock animal shelter (Bay/Waveland)! I saw an article in the Sun Herald that it was in miserable condition for employees and animals both, the SPCA in Diamondhead was hoping to get some help for them. Sure would be nice if all flamingo loving people could unite and do something for this animal shelter.
Lilian, Long Beach, MS (Sent Dec 13, 2005 1:43:05 PM)
I'm glad to hear that Mr. Jimmy still has his sense of humor. Waveland is my hometown (my family is still there), and I have so many wonderful memories of ballet classes, rehearsals, and performances under the guidance of Mr. Jimmy's wife. They are wonderful people! I hope that Gabriella and Gabriel make it home in time for Christmas, Mr. Jimmy!
Amanda, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Dec 13, 2005 3:00:07 PM)
As a member of a family whose family animal is the flamingo, my heart goes out to you. I'm sure there must be some 12 step self-help group out there to help with your loss.
Peggy Powers, Melrose, WI 54642 (Sent Dec 13, 2005 7:20:58 PM)
I think when "Art" (from the mail blog) made his rude comment about "rednecks" the flamingos thought he was talking about them. So they have flown off to set him straight and maybe even get a replacement for their for friend's missing eye. They were quite insulted after all they couldn't sleep at night if they drank.
Cathy Smith, Texas (Sent Dec 14, 2005 12:01:56 AM)
In my home state, Texas, you can be hung for rustling cattle or stealing a horse--what is the penalty in Ms for kidnapping a pink bird?
DD, Texas
D. Davis, Amarillo, Tx (Sent Dec 14, 2005 12:38:21 PM)
Penalty for napping the pink bird is a 30 day time out in Ohios snow belt!!
Marsha M Green,Ohio (Sent Dec 14, 2005 7:38:50 PM)
Great to see this. Glad that Jimmy and his family are okay. Hang in there buddy and Merry Christmas.
Kelly Blanchard, Florida (formerly Waveland) (Sent Dec 14, 2005 11:21:53 PM)
I think Tony Montana would say "Fly away, Pelicans".
Elizabeth B. (Sent Dec 18, 2005 5:31:07 AM)
I am so sorry for your loss. Our family animal is the pink flamingo, and I know how much we would miss our flamingos if they were stolen from us. I can only hope that your pink feathered friends will be returned to you soon.
Pat Marshall, Holmen, Wisconsin (Sent Dec 18, 2005 12:38:34 PM)
I am thinking those flamingos maybe have gotten their FEMA trailer and are enjoying being out of the cold and rainy weather right now. It is so sad to think someone would really stoop to stealing them.
Mayor (Sent Dec 29, 2005 10:53:31 PM)
OK ... Time has passed & we haven't heard anything about those poor, sweet missing birds. Have the poor little things found their way home yet? Did they bring friends home with them? Have they sent post cards saying where they were & what they've been doing? We need an update Y'all!!!!!
ALL HALE THE SACRED PINK FLAMINGO ;)
Nan, Lufkin, TX (Sent Aug 24, 2006 12:56:43 PM)
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