Nola Family July 2022

nola family Parent Fearlessly

July 2022

Family Road Trips Made Easy Cruisin' on a Budget Meet Mom About Town: Robin Barnes

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nola family

Founder ANN BOWER HERREN

CONTENTS

Publisher BRANDON FOREMAN

J U LY 2 0 2 2

Associate Publisher AMY L. FOREMAN Business Operations LAURIE ACOSTA Director of Operations

SARAH MILLER

Client Relations Coordinator

Editorial AMANDA MILLER Managing Editor

EMILY DREZ

ON THE COVER

Assistant Editor

SARAH BATROUS ANTHONY BUI

Keyle T. is three years old and attends Terry Parkway Learning Center.

Editorial Assistants

Art/Production MELODY TAUZIN

Photo by Twirl Photography

Senior Graphic Designer

ALEX HERRING Graphic Designer

TWIRL PHOTOGRAPHY Cover Photography

Advertising PATRICK PACHECO

Director of Business Development

CRYSTAL BARRETT CAMILLE CAVIN JENNIFER HOFFMANN RYN WHITESIDE

A FEW WORDS

EDUCATION & GUIDANCE

IN EACH ISSUE

6 From the

9 Parenting

8 From the

Marketing EMILY MANCUSO

18 Spotlight

MAGGIE SHARP

Publisher

Corner

FEATURES

10 Dear Frankie

15 Cruisin' on a Budget

16 Road Trippin'

12 Wiggle Room 14 Hip Grannie

with Kids

Bookshelf

19 Mom About

Town

20 Out & About

22 Gear to Get

Account Executives

Director of Marketing Marketing Assistant

Community Development TERI HODGES

Director of Community Partnerships

ROXANE VOORHIES Community Outreach

For reprint information, contact

editorial@nolafamily.com Business Office:

One Galleria Blvd., Ste. 1900 Metairie, LA 70001

( 504 ) 866 - 0555 A publication of

NOLA FAMILY is published monthly by FAMILY RESOURCE GROUP INC. and distributed free of charge.

Subscriptions accepted. Only authorized distributors may deliver and pick up the magazine. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or comment editorially on all materials contributed. We cannot be responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. NOLA FAMILY Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission prohibited.

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July 2022 Issue 134

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from the publisher

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD

I love to travel–whether it’s to the beach, an out-of-state football game, visiting with my family in the north, or a simple weekend getaway with my husband. I have had the opportunity to travel abroad when I was younger, to Caribbean islands with my husband, and chill on a cruise ship totally cut off from the hustle and bustle of my daily life. So, basically, what I am saying is, if you say the word "trip," I am 110 percent in!

My husband knows not to say anything about an out-of-town meeting before it is confirmed, as I am known to go book a room before the deal is even done. As he always says, he will never be able to stop working because he has to pay for vacations. Well, I think of them as memories we are making with our children, friends, and family. I love getting back from the vacay and flipping through all of the photos or group texts with random funny stuff.

Before the vacation is able to start, though, I am a crazy lady around my house. I have to have all of the clothes and towels washed. I want every room cleaned and picked up, and the backyard needs to be secured (you never know what storm is going to blow through here, and I don’t want to lose furniture or pool floats to the lake!). I have the kids packed up early; I have a system with my boys, so it is so easy. I should probably stop and let them pack, but my way is so much easier.

Since I am already washing everything, I just wash their stuff, count out the days, and stuff it in a bag. The last one ready is always my husband. We are literally ready to walk out the door and he decides it is shower time. So, I load the car, minus his stuff, and we wait. We never leave on time, but I do have to say we are getting out the door earlier and earlier each vacay we take!

One last thing, I am not sure about your littles, but mine drive me bonkers with the same question every single day: “how many more days until we leave?” Then, with technology, they don’t even have to add it up on a calendar. Every day they ask, “Alexa, how many days until July 26?” Well, the joke is on them this time. I have a surprise trip that we leave for in a few days. They have no idea about this one, but I still have to answer the question for our end-of-the-summer beach trip. I can promise you, they will not know about future trips until it’s time to pack! This will definitely help with my anxiety.

Safe travels,

Associate Publisher 6

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from the bookshelf

VACAY READS YOU CAN’T MISS Whether you are traveling far from home or staying local this year, the New Orleans Public Library has a whole world of resources to accompany you on your journey.

For kids and adults alike, make sure to take advantage of the Library’s digital resources: Libby, Hoopla, and CloudLibrary. Available as apps, these three e-resources allow users to check out e-books and e-audiobooks, making it easy to bring a stack of books along with you on your travels without taking up any extra space in the suitcase.

By setting the “audience” search filter to juvenile, young adult, or general content, it’s easy to find exactly the material you want.

For kids looking to explore the world around them, be sure to check out books from the Enchantment of the World series from our collection. With a different country featured in each book, this series contains clear text and gorgeous, full-color pictures. Simply search our online catalog (catalog. nolalibrary.org) for “Enchantment of the World,” and let the armchair travel begin.

Middle grade readers shouldn’t miss out on The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. Petra, the protagonist of this impossible-to-put-down sci-fi novel, doesn’t just travel on Earth: she travels to an entirely new planet.

For readers looking for something a little closer to home, Clean Getaway by Nic Stone is the tale of a road trip that

main character Scoob never expected to happen. When he’s grounded by his strict dad, and his grandma swings by in a brand-new RV to offer him a Spring Break vacation after all, he can’t say no.

But, what he gets when he says yes is more than Scoob bargained for.

Teen readers looking for realistic fiction might want to check out Elizabeth Acevedo’s novel in verse Clap When You Land. Set in both the Dominican Republic and New York, Clap When You Land tells the story of half-sisters Camino and Yahaira who are unexpectedly drawn together by tragedy, even as they’re separated by an ocean.

Fantasy-lovers can “check in” to Emily J. Taylor’s new novel Hotel Magnifique, which takes place in an enchanting hotel that is constantly on the move and, below its magical surface, full of treacherous secrets.

Finally, the Library’s Culture Pass program allows cardholders to reserve tickets to local attractions, including the Audubon Institute, the WWII Museum, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and many more, so that staying here in New Orleans can include just as much fun and exploration as heading out of town.

Visit culturepass.nolalibrary.org for details and to reserve your pass today.

August Smith is a youth services librarian at Robert E. Smith Library.

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parenting corner

Traveling the World Through Our Senses Traveling around the world can be a great experience for adults and children. However, for some parents, the idea of traveling with their child(ren) can be stressful and/or overwhelming. Luckily, parents can travel around the world with their children without all the stress by engaging their senses at home. Here are some ideas on how to travel around the globe through the senses.

puts pressure on the joints and muscles. The Cuban Salsa, on the other hand, is a dance that engages the vestibular sense because it involves spinning that changes the inner ear fluid. There are so many other cultural activities that can engage the internal senses. The caber toss is a Scottish sport that involves tossing 16- to 20-foot-long cabers or logs.

This will definitely get your proprioceptive sense engaged.

1. Explore a city by engaging the sense of taste. Food connects all humans because we all have to eat, and many times, it is a sign of love and comfort. Each country has its own unique take on food. For example, sandwiches are found in many countries, but how they are prepared varies and what is stuffed inside makes them unique. In Italy, paninis are crispy toasted sandwiches that have a variety of fillings like mozzarella and tomato or prosciutto and fontina cheese, while the Banh Mi Vietnamese sandwich is stuffed with pickled vegetables, grilled pork, and fresh herbs. Both can be made right at home so you and your family can explore the unique flavors of these two countries.

3. Use the sense of hearing to learn a new language. Children zero-three years old can pick up languages because their brains are soaking up everything that they hear. This is the ideal time to teach a new language. However, this does not mean that parents cannot learn languages too. Parents can learn right along with their children. Learning a new language can be overwhelming but just picking a few words like “yes,” “thank you,” and “goodbye” can be a great start. Another tactic to learn a new language is to use concepts that you are teaching your child at the time. For instance, if you are teaching your child about body parts, learn the names of each part in the new language. In no time, you and your child will be speaking like locals from around the world.

2. Engage the internal senses by doing cultural activities such as dancing or sports. Cultural activities can engage our two internal senses called proprioceptive (pressure when touched) and vestibular (change in the inner ear fluid). Take the Adumu dance of Kenya, it involves jumping, which engages the proprioceptive sense because it

The benefits of traveling are great, but realistically, it may not be feasible for every family. However, by using your senses, you and your family can travel the world without leaving the comfort of your home. Where will you and your family travel today?

Monet Somerville is a Parent Educator at The Parenting Center.

She is currently pursuing her PhD in Developmental Psychology with a Concentration in Child and Adolescent Development. She is also a licensed Trust Based Relational Intervention Practitioner.

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dear frankie

Vacationing with Your Pet

Dear Frankie,

This summer, my family is going on a road trip to the National Parks. They are renting a camper with beds for everyone, a living room, a table and chairs, and a kitchen. I have never traveled in a camper or been to the Grand Canyon, so I was really excited when I learned about the trip. The other night, I overheard my mom and dad discussing whether it was a good idea to leave me in the camper all day when they were out touring. My dad said he thought it would be fine since the camper had AC and a TV, and he would leave me water and a snack. My mom wasn’t convinced; she thought I might be scared and lonely being by myself every day. She said she called my Nana to ask if I could stay with her. Nana told her she would be pleased to have the company. Nana and I get along great. They decided they would discuss the options with me and let me decide what I wanted to do. I love being with my family and was psyched about going on a road trip, but being inside during the day, watching TV in an air-conditioned box doesn’t thrill me.

However, I will get to play with the sibs at night and eat s'mores on the nights we sit around the campfire. On the other paw, I also love my Nana. She lets me sit in the front seat next to her in the car when we go for a ride, choose what I want for a treat, and use the doggie door whenever I want to go out. However, she can’t throw or kick a ball when I’m outside because she uses a walker. Nana also goes to bed at 7 o’clock. So, that leaves me on my own for several hours before I call it a night. What do you think is the best option, Frankie?

Concerned,

Tobey Dear Tobey,

I say go to your Nana’s. Here’s why: Spending summer days cooped up in a camper will be stressful. Think about it; what’s your day going to be like? Waiting, pacing, and sniffing, when you are not wondering, “Is that their car? Could this be them?” It sounds like a canine nightmare. In contrast, you can go in and out at your Nana’s, have company during the day, and choose your treats. Look, I’m not saying it’s a dream summer vacation. I know you will miss your family and playing with your sibs, but it’s only for six weeks. Why not use this summer to do some of those things you have been meaning to do? Read dog adventure books, start a canine blog, or teach yourself Poker, and then teach Nana to play. In sum, make the best of it. You might ask your parents to provide you with a temporary phone. You might not use it, but it’s like money in the bank in that it’s nice to know it’s there. I would insist on a nightly call from the family; that’s the least they can do under the circumstances.

Best,

Frankie Frankie is a rescue and a service dog for Geneva Woodruff.

Together, they have traveled far and wide. Along the way, Frankie befriended dogs from all walks of life. She thought it would be remiss not to share the many lessons of life she learned from them.

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wiggle room

Traveling with Children with Disabilities

H

ave you been looking forward to summer vacation, but dreading the thought of traveling with your little ones? Traveling with children has its challenges, however, traveling with a child with any type of disability can be a great source of stress for the child and the family. Any type of transition, especially novel ones, can be difficult for many children, and traveling can add a more challenging dimension. Preparing before leaving the house can be the biggest key to success for traveling with any child Before your trip: Create a social story.

Social stories include placing the child in the novel situation. For example, if you are going to France, you can create a story where the child visits the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the bakery to purchase croissants. This can be easily accomplished with Google images, an uploaded picture of your child, and creating a story book on Google slides. The child can easily access it on an iPad, print it out, laminate it, and even be bound by a ribbon of their favorite color. Get creative, and don’t forget to include packing for the trip and how the destination will be reached.

a hidden disability such as autism, anxiety disorders, dementia, low vision, hearing loss, epilepsy, mobility issues, or various other issues.

Research where you are traveling.

Have the child explore the destination with books, travel websites, and brochures. Check online streaming services and search for the destination.

Pack early.

Have your child assist with packing, and provide them with a kid-friendly suitcase to pack. The suitcase can also be used as a transitional item, representing something from home that is “theirs” to bring along their travels.

Visit the airport.

The MSY airport has a Guest Pass Program that is available 7 days a week, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Any person over the age of 13 can obtain a guest pass, and anyone 12 years or younger, does not need one when accompanied by a parent with a Guest Pass. The Guest Pass allows individuals to go through TSA and explore the airport terminals and gates.

During your trip: Be sure to have these items packed while getting to and from the destination: -Visual schedule for day of activities -Change of clothes and socks -Chewy and crunchy snack foods -Headphones -Comfort item from home -Books, crayons, and paper -Blanket -Extra pacifiers -Water bottle -Movement provided before and throughout trip (explore around terminal before flight, strolls down the aisle of the plane, rest stops)

Check out MSY’s Hidden Disabilities Program.

The Hidden Disabilities Program is recognized by many airports worldwide and is a green lanyard with bright yellow sunflowers. It has become adopted as an international symbol for those who need a little extra assistance due to

Using these strategies can assist with many children for all different ages and abilities. Having a child be part of the process and informed about the destination and process can ensure a positive and successful experience for the family.

Kimberly Bradley, MS, LOTR, a pediatric occupational therapist, writes the “Wiggle Room” column. She owns Kim4Kids in Metairie and can be reached at kim4kidsnola.com.

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hip grannie

Driving In front of our house is a small park, more of an oversized neutral ground, where kids ride their bikes and draw with chalk on the bare concrete. In the early days of living here, Rylan and Amelia spent hours riding their Big Wheels up and down the block. From their Big Wheels, they graduated to tricycles, then bikes, like most kids. Pretty soon, Rylan will be moving onto the ultimate set of Big Wheels...he’s starting Driver’s Ed. OMG. How did this happen so quickly?

I’m starting to relive all the cliches I felt when Ry’s dad and Aunt Steph embarked on driving. “I’m not worried about him–he’s a responsible kid. I’m worried about the other guy on the road,” crossed my mind the other day.

“Keep up your grades, and you keep the keys, “ was another.

When our kids started driving, a loving, trusted neighbor (who had kids about 10 years older than ours) told me, “Make sure the first car your kids drive is a big, hulking car that he or she can’t speed in and is a little difficult to park,” she said. “Don’t make it easy for them.”

So, we handed Philip the keys to our ancient blue Plymouth mini-van that had about a gazillion miles on it and would forever smell like the middle school soccer team. He wasn’t thrilled and sarcastically called it a “Chick Magnet,” but it was freedom and got him from school to soccer practice to wherever. Until it died a natural death one day and had to be towed away. His next car was a used

Toyota Four Runner. It was big, macho, bright red, and safe. It was his dream car. He took care of it and tricked it out with a boombox (which could be heard for blocks away) and deer headlights. He drove that car to Pennsylvania for four years of college, to Colorado to work for a year and back to New Orleans for law school. Until it was totaled by an uninsured driver one day.

Aunt Steph went to boarding school, so she didn’t get her first car until she went to college. Like her brother, she got an SUV (perfect for packing it to the roof with clothes and girl stuff). Her college was in upstate New York, in an area that had piles of snow for months on end. It took us weeks to find a used Ford Explorer with four-wheel drive (a true gas guzzler, but perfect on icy roads).

She loved that car.

Each time my kids hit the roads to go back to school, I said lots of flying novenas for their safety. Actually, I still do.

I’m now thinking about Rylan and his soon-to-be newfound freedom. I suppose I won’t have the opportunity to pick him up at school or activities anymore and I’ll be more obsolete than ever. But I will be able to lend him my SUV when he’s in a pinch. Like the family SUVs of the past, it’s big and safe. It also has every conceivable accessory, except the boombox and deer headlights, which really don’t have much of a role in uptown New Orleans these days, do they?

Laura Claverie is Nola Family’s Hip Grannie.

She is a local mother, grandmother, and writer.

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Cruisin' on a Budget

By Emily Drez If you’re looking to do something a little different for your family vacation, you may want to consider going on a cruise. Cruises are a popular getaway option because, while you’re going between destinations, you get to relax and frequent the all-you-can-eat buffet instead of driving a car or sitting in a plane.

New Orleans is a prime location for cruises since it is near the Mississippi River, which dumps into the Gulf of Mexico and gives us access to an array of cruise destinations: Cozumel, Belize, the Bahamas, and more! If you prefer not to go out of the country, there are plenty of cruises that go north and take you to places such as Natchez, Memphis, and St. Louis. Cruises can be expensive, though, but not completely inaccessible–all you have to do is a little bit of budgeting and planning ahead of time to score an awesome trip with your family.

Choosing a Destination If you’re leaving from one of New Orleans’ ports, the most obvious choice of destination would be somewhere accessible via the Gulf of Mexico. Cruises that go to these places are typically cheaper than some cruises that explore the Pacific Coast or Europe. Depending on when you buy your tickets, plenty of European cruise lines will offer you discounts, such as free excursions, a certain percentage off the second guest’s ticket, and buy-one-get-one-free airfare. So, if you have a little more room in your budget, a family European cruise may not be as expensive as you think. The cost of your cruise is more or less dependent on other factors besides destination.

Type of Room Just like any hotel room, a smaller, less luxurious room will be less expensive

than a suite or a room with an ocean view. A cruise ship typically has four types of rooms: standard, ocean view, balcony, and suite. Your standard room will be the cheapest and the smallest, while your suite will be the roomiest and most expensive option. A family of four could divide themselves between two standard rooms for about the same price as one suite.

Length of Cruise A week-long cruise will definitely be more expensive than a cruise that only lasts for a few days. However, a week-long cruise in the Caribbean will be cheaper than a four or five-day cruise in Europe, and a two week-long cruise in the Caribbean will be more expensive than a week-long cruise in Europe.

A shorter cruise length means that you will not have as long of an itinerary as that of a longer cruise, meaning you won’t make as many stops. But, if you and your family only have the time and money for a long weekend vacation, there are plenty of cruises that last four-to-five days.

Time of the Year Another determining factor behind the price of your cruise is the time of year your family goes cruising. Of course, summertime is the ideal time to go on a cruise, since that’s when most families’ schedules allow for everyone to go on vacation. However, if possible, going on a cruise in the fall or the winter will be much more budget friendly than going in the spring or summer since warmer months are the most popular cruising months. The Gulf of Mexico is warm year-round, so you likely won’t have to worry about getting too cold during your winter cruise.

NOLAFAMILY.COM | JULY 2022

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Road Trippin' With Kids

R

By Anthony Bui

oad trips are a time where families get together to create memories that will last a lifetime. That is, if you are adequately prepared to spend an extended period of time in a car with children who have tiny bladders, argue, complain, spill things, and constantly wonder how much longer they have to endure the pain and suffering of simply sitting in a car. Happy memories can quickly turn sour, but you can help reduce these stresses by preparing beforehand in order to ensure that your family road trip is a great bonding experience for all.

Planning the Route This may sound as simple as punching the address into the GPS and driving straight there, but in reality, with children it is a lot more complicated. Though it may seem more efficient to limit stops, children need these stops in order to release pent up energy, relieve their bladders, and stretch their arms and legs.

Rest stops and gas stations are staple stops on road trips. They give children ample space to get out of the car and stretch, use the restroom, and load up on snacks for the next leg of the trip. Another great stop are restaurants or fast food restaurants if you want it to be a bit quicker. These stops create a moment that a typical gas station or rest stop can’t. It allows for the whole family to sit together, enjoy a meal, and have conversations with one another whether that be about the current trip, memories from a past trip, or just exciting things happening in one’s life. Sometimes, it isn’t always about the destination but more how you get there that leaves a lasting impression. So, when you are planning the route, give yourself freedom when selecting where you want to stop and how long you want to stop for.

Packing Essentials When packing, it is important to prepare for the inevitable. As a parent, you understand your child and how an extended period of time seated in a car will affect them. You also understand how clumsy they can be at times and the messes that they are capable of making. When packing, prepare for the inevitable messes by bringing extra clothes outside of the already packed suitcase to ensure easy reach. You should also pack paper towels, wipes, hand sanitizer, and plenty of plastic bags or barf bags in case you have a child who gets car sick.

You should also pack a cooler filled with snacks and drinks. Traveling on the road can be unpredictable at times, so it will not hurt to pack a little extra in this area. When choosing snacks, make sure to pack car-friendly ones. You do not want to find yourself having to vacuum crumbs out of your car months later.

This includes things like dips, chocolate, powdered donuts, or anything jelly.

Instead, pack foods like celery, carrots, granola bars, grapes, fruit snacks, and

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beef jerky. When it comes to drinks, it is always a tricky thing as the more you drink, the more stops you have to make to use the restroom. When packing, keep in mind that caffeinated drinks do make you need to stop more.

When it comes to entertainment, make sure electronic devices like phones and tablets are fully charged before hitting the road. It will also be especially helpful to pack long charger cords to make recharging a lot easier. In addition to electronic devices, make sure to pack any toys or stuffed animals that your child often leans on for comfort. In doing this, it is important to use your discernment. Bringing a child-size plushie that takes up its very own car seat is unreasonable compared to say, a child’s blanket or a stuffed animal that they can carry themselves. Another fun and unique thing that you can do is bring a physical map with the route that you are taking highlighted. Not only will this come in handy if you were ever to lose Wi-Fi or GPS services, it will also actively engage and entertain children as they follow along the entire trip, able to note where they are and how close they are to the destination. This will help limit the number of “are we there yets” from your children as you can just tell them to refer to their map.

On the Road Once on the road, all of your preparation is now going to be put to the test.

If you can help it, try completing portions of the drive at night. Children tend to sleep through the night, so this would help alleviate some of the stress of entertaining them for a period of time. Once awake, keep a healthy balance of screen time and on-the-road games and activities like the map that you brought along. Long periods of screen time are generally bad for children, but a bunch of bored and restless children are worse for your sanity, so increasing their daily screen time for this special occasion would not be that detrimental to your children’s health.

Communication is Key If you don’t want your children asking every minute about the arrival time, be honest with them. Before you even hit the road, set the expectations and communicate them to your children. Tell them about the route and how long you expect it to take, but also explain that delays can happen. You can also let them know about how many times and where you will be stopping so that they can have something to look forward to. At the end of the day, it isn’t going to be a perfect ride where the children behave like angels and you get to your destination with time to spare. That is okay! It is important to allow yourselves the freedom to have fun and be spontaneous if you need to. It is okay to deviate from plans every once in a while. The only thing that matters is that it leads to moments together that you all can cherish as a family.

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spotlight

Going Green with Vintage Green Review

By Sarah Batrous

For Sarah Andert, sustainability is the name of the game at her store, Vintage Green Review (VGR). She seeks to be a beacon of health and education for the community by offering the New Orleans area a place to shop for “vintage-inspired sustainable, plastic free, eco friendly products for your low waste lifestyle”. So, how did we get this opportunity?

Andert is a Minnesota native who moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane back in 2001. She graduated before Hurricane Katrina but returned to finish her Master of Arts degree. While studying literature, she found that she had a passion for a variety of public health, environmental, and animal welfare issues which pushed her towards wanting to help. She took a job at Tulane's Center for Public Service which allowed her to go back to school and complete post-graduate environmental studies courses.

It wasn't until 2017 that she was introduced to the concept of life design, when she was given the opportunity to teach a class at Tulane through the Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking. This class, Taylor Your Life, was designed for undergraduate students who want changemaking careers but don't know how to get there.

After teaching this class for several semesters and equipping students with the tools to build their own career pathways, she was inspired to start Vintage Green Review, named after a blog she kept for researching and writing about life before plastic (which isn’t that far back in history!).

“I wanted more for myself and what I knew I could contribute to the world.

There's that quote from Mary Oliver that gives me goosebumps every time I read it, and I carried it around with me every day for almost two year before I was ready to take the leap: ‘Tell me, what is it you plan to do, with your one wild and precious life?’” reminisces Andert.

Fired up and ready to move forward, she started participating in markets and popups alongside doing research to teach Zero Waste for Beginners workshops. She figured her business would look more like a consulting and education company, but with all the advice she was giving about how to reduce waste and make swaps to more sustainable alternatives, she realized it was hard for people to actually implement these changes without any businesses that provided those options locally.

She began offering a limited number of sustainable items, like NOTpaper towels, facial squares, compostable toothbrushes, Swedish dishcloths, and so on at local markets. Once the pandemic hit and lockdown brought the world to grinding halt, she started building her online website and did virtual workshops instead.

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Eventually, with the support of her family, friends, and the community in addition to her hard work at art markets and popups, she was able to acquire Vintage Green Review’s first ever brick and mortar store. This big step forward was inspired by her customer’s interests and needs.

“I found that a lot of people had learned more about zero waste online in the meantime, and were now asking me if I had plans to offer bulk refill and expand my products locally. I just felt like there was no time better than the present to bring the idea into being,” she says.

Andert also found that the need for sustainable, green living is great, especially when it comes to the serious waste management problems in New Orleans. She also found that while recycling is meant to help, only 6 percent of plastic that is properly sorted is actually recycled. However, this isn’t the only alarming issue plastic waste raises, as the news in recent years has made it known that microplastics inside our bodies are more common. As Andert notes, plastic products contain carcinogens and endocrine disruptors that cause cancer and other complications.

VGR seeks to reduce plastic waste by offering ways to refill bulk items with more sustainable (and healthier) alternatives while also reusing the containers you have. As a store that doesn’t use single-use plastic, everything is reusable or compostable to benefit the environment. Additionally, all of the products in her store are cruelty-free, all-natural, non-toxic, and are ethically sourced from small, family-owned businesses and B Corporations.

So, what’s the best part? VGR has beat the assumption that living sustainably is too expensive or too difficult. With budget options, life hacks, and ways to make things last longer, this lifestyle change is much easier to make happen than you’d think.

While Andert’s focus right now is on growing the store to offer as many refill product options at affordable price points as she can, she also plans on building her own local delivery service, including bottle return to also reach homebound and rural communities in Southeast Louisiana.

Ultimately, yes, waste is becoming our problem as a community, and every step towards a cleaner planet begins with us making changes at home.

Andert herself believes that the key is to make sustainability sustainable in terms of time, money, and how we can share resources across our families, friends, and communities.

If you’re interested in making a difference, swing by Vintage Green Review or visit the website, vintagegreenreview.com.

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THINGS

mom about town

I’M LOVING RIGHT NOW

ROBIN BARNES

Born and raised in New Orleans, Robin Barnes has been singing since she was six years old. She grew up singing with her family’s band and in church, and after she graduated with her MBA, she began pursuing her music career. Today, she is famously known as the New Orleans Songbird. Her daughter, Riley Casey, is two years old and adorably referred to as Baby Bird NOLA. Music is in the family, as her husband, Pat Casey, is also a musician.

Together, this trio enjoys traveling and spending time together, especially soaking up the culture of our great city.

STAYCATION

PARADE

I LOVE the Muses parade, I usually sing their theme song to kick off the parade. I’m excited to bring Riley to see the lights, the beautiful floats, and of course, catch her a shoe.

The return of Mardi Gras and festival season were really special to share with Riley. I was Alice in the Mad Hatter parade in Metairie this year, and it was such an amazing experience. I love that we are introducing her to our culture and having so much fun.

We love to do staycations at the Windsor Court Hotel.

The spa is amazing and pool time is a must to beat the heat this time of year.

CITY LIFE

My husband and I are musicians, so starting on Thursday through the weekend is our “work week,” so we love being tourists and enjoying our city. We love Italian food, so our favorite restaurant is Gianna.

FITNESS

HIDDEN GEM If you’re wanting to try local NOLA fitness from run/walk, yoga or dance fitness, my fitness movement, Move Ya Brass, has classes throughout the week at City Park and Crescent Park. Our goal is to take you off the sideline and into a second line.

A fun date night is going to the Peacock Room.

It’s a gorgeous Parisian decor of rich teals and peacocks. My husband and I perform as a duo called “Da Lovebirds,” every Thursday from 8-10 p.m. We themed it to only perform 90s R&B love songs with a little NOLA flair.

NOLAFAMILY.COM | JULY 2022

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out & about

1 Friday BIG LAKE NATIVE PLANT TRAIL RESTORATION PROJECT

Big Lake at 9 a.m. City Park and The Native Plant Initiative (NPI) hosts a collaborative volunteer opportunity involving the continued renovation of multiple native plant beds along the Big Lake Native Plant Trail. neworleanscitypark.com

CHALMETTE BATTLEFIELD: BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS TALK

Chalmette Battlefield at 2:45 p.m. Learn about the Battle of New Orleans at the place where it happened. nps.gov

ESSENCE FESTIVAL OF CULTURE

Caesars Superdome. The 27th ESSENCE Festival of Culture will be a multi-generational experience entrenched in culture, equity, and celebration. caesarssuperdome.com

FIRST FRIDAYS AT NOMA

New Orleans Museum of Art at 6 p.m. The museum is open late night for an evening packed with musical performances, gallery tours, and pop-ups. noma.org

FIRST FRIDAY TOURS & TEA

Longue Vue House and Gardens at 12:30 p.m.

Each tour will focus on exploring the connection between the house and garden designs. longuevue.com

FRENCH QUARTER HISTORY TALK

French Quarter Visitor Center of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve at 10 a.m. Join Rangers to learn about the rich cultural history that makes New Orleans the special place it is. nps.gov

HANDS-ON CREOLE NEW ORLEANS COOKING CLASS

Southern Food & Beverage Museum at 11 a.m. Explore the iconic dishes of New Orleans. southernfood.org

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT

Culinary Kids at 6 p.m. Drop off the kids for a threehour, movie themed dinner, dessert, and pajama party. Ages 5-12. culinarykidsns.com

2 Saturday ACADIAN CULTURAL CENTER DULCIMER JAM

Acadian Cultural Center at 10 a.m. Join the Cajun Dulcimer Society and its core group, the Lagniappe

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July Dulcimer Society from Baton Rouge, for dulcimer music. nps.gov

BARATARIA PRESERVE WETLANDS WALK

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Reserve Visitor Center at 10 a.m. Join a ranger for a guided walk on a trail through the Louisiana swamps and marshes of the Barataria Preserve. nps.gov

GRETNA FARMERS MARKET

Historic downtown Gretna from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Enjoy fresh local produce and crafts. gretnala.com

SPARKS IN THE PARK

Bogue Falaya Park at 6:30 p.m. gocovington.org

SPROUTS SUMMER RAIN

Longue Vue House and Gardens at 9:30 a.m.

Designed for children under five and their parents, Sprouts is a space for structured garden exploration, creativity, and free play. longuevue.com

VUE CREW KIDS GARDEN CLUB

Longue Vue House and Gardens at 1:30 p.m.

Students ages 5-10 can learn about gardening techniques, nature-inspired art, and their connection to the natural world. longuevue.com

WETLANDS ACADIAN CULTURAL CENTER BOAT TOUR

Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center at 10 a.m. Cruise into Louisiana's past on a boat tour of Bayou Lafourche with a National Park Service ranger. nps.gov

WETLANDS ACADIAN CULTURAL CENTER: MUSIC ON THE BAYOU

Wetlands Acadian Cultural at 2 p.m. Discover the wide range of south Louisiana's music. nps.gov

3 Sunday FREE FAMILY SUNDAY

Longue Vue House and Gardens at 1 p.m. Louisiana families are admitted free of charge. longuevue.com

5 Tuesday FRENCH QUARTER JAZZ CONCERT

New Orleans Jazz Museum at 2 p.m. The Down on Their Luck Orchestra brings together National Park Service rangers with local musicians to perform traditional New Orleans jazz, blues, gospel, and original compositions. nps.gov

6 Wednesday TWILIGHT AT LONGUE VUE: ANAïS ST. JOHN Longue Vue House and Gardens at 5 p.m. Bring drinks, snacks, picnic seating, or just your walking shoes to enjoy the cool hours of the day in the Longue Vue Gardens. longuevue.com

7 Thursday AN EVENING WITH NEFERTARI AT CAFÉ NOMA

Café NOMA at 5:30 p.m. Take a private tour of the exhibition and then enjoy a multi-course dinner at Café NOMA. noma.org

CULINARY KIDS SPECIAL NEEDS CLASS

Culinary Kids at 5:30 p.m. Students cook, assemble, and enjoy a different recipe at each class, and dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Ages 10 through adult. culinarykidsns.com

GARDEN VOLUNTEERS

Longue Vue House and Gardens at 8 a.m. Dig alongside a talented and knowledgeable garden team to experience Longue Vue’s eight acres of historic gardens firsthand. longuevue.com

9 Saturday ACADIAN CULTURAL CENTER FRONT PORCH SERIES

Acadian Cultural Center at noon. Performances by local musicians. nps.gov

ARTS MARKET PRESENTED

BY ART COUNCIL NEW ORLEANS

Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn at 10 a.m.

Take a stroll and discover a variety of works from jewelry and ceramics to paintings and woodworks. artsneworleans.org

CALMING YOUR NEW BABY

Zoom at 10 a.m. Learn what to expect during the first few months, also known as “the fourth trimester,” including techniques to quickly calm crying and boost infant sleep from the popular book, Happiest Baby on the Block, by Dr. Harvey Karp. chnola.org

KOKOMO STROLL 2022

Downtown Covington at 5 p.m. Taste several small plate tastings from local restaurants. gocovington.org

MONSTER JAM

Caesars Superdome at 7 p.m. Witness high-flying

stunts and fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship. caesarssuperdome.com

RUNNING OF THE BULLS

French Quarter. Each year, the Crescent City hosts its own version of Spain’s Encierro de Pamplona with Running of the Bulls. nolabulls.com

SENSORY FRIENDLY DRUM CIRCLE

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park at noon. nps.gov

11 Monday BEGINNER COOKING CLASS FOR KIDS

Culinary Kids at 5:30 p.m. Local chefs and cooking instructors take older kids through a detailed course of beginner culinary skills. culinarykidsns.com

HAMILTON

Saenger Theatre. Hamilton is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. saengernola.com

12 Tuesday SPEAK UP! LEAD UP!

Online at 6:30 p.m. Be ready to share your voice to make your Girl Scouting experience the best it can be. gsle.org

13 Wednesday ARTS MARKET PRESENTED

BY ART COUNCIL NEW ORLEANS

Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn at 10 a.m.

Take a stroll and discover a variety of works from jewelry and ceramics to paintings and woodworks. artsneworleans.org

GRANDPARENTING 101

Zoom at 6 p.m. Learn the basics to best support your children as parents. chnola.org

PELICAN GREENHOUSE PLANT SALE

Pelican Greenhouse at 10 a.m. With hundreds of varieties of plants, there's something everyone will love. neworleanscitypark.com

PUBLIC TOUR OF QUEEN NEFERTARI’S EGYPT

New Orleans Museum of Art at 1 p.m. These tours are free with your admission. noma.org

RUN DRESS RUN

Crescent Park in the Bywater at 9 a.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. with live music to follow at noon. Spend the rest of the day exploring amongst the sea of red. noh3.com

14 Thursday BOOK CLUB: CURATORIAL PROGRAM WITH TRACY KENNAN

New Orleans Museum of Art at noon. Discuss fiction and nonfiction books related to art in NOMA’s collection and exhibitions. noma.org

DEALING WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR

healthy relationships. chnola.org

DISNEY’S MARY POPPINS

Steve Worley Hall at 6:30 p.m. American Heart Association’s “Family and Friends” non-certification class is back in person. chnola.org

Zoom at 8 p.m. Discuss problem behaviors, common causes, and strategies. chnola.org

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts.

Everyone's favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this musical adventure. rivertowntheaters.com

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CHILDREN AND TEENS

Zoom at noon. Consider your child’s development and your parenting style to develop communication strategies that encourage cooperation, avoid power struggles, and focus on strengths. chnola.org/theparentingcenter

15 Friday SUNSET AT THE LANDING CONCERT

Columbia Street Landing at 6 p.m. Enjoy a free concert on the banks of the Bogue Falaya River in downtown Covington. gocovington.org

16 Saturday CHALMETTE BATTLEFIELD SEWING CIRCLE

Chalmette Battlefield at noon. Beginners are welcome. nps.gov

PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLES OF GARDENING WORKSHOP

Longue Vue House and Gardens at 1 p.m. This garden tour and lecture with Director of Gardens Amy Graham highlights ways in which the Longue Vue garden team practices permaculture in their daily garden maintenance routine. longuevue.com

18 Monday ZOOMIN' WITH MR. FRED HAISE

Infinity Science Center at 6 p.m. During this twohour virtual talk with Mr. Haise, you’ll get the chance to hear about Mr. Haise’s career with NASA. visitinfinity.com

20 Wednesday DEALING WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR

Zoom at 8 p.m. Discuss problem behaviors, common causes, and effective strategies. chnola.org

THE ASKABLE PARENT

Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Discuss with other parents the ways you can build on important conversations that may come up. chnola.org

21 Thursday IMPACT OF THE PARENT/CHILD RELATIONSHIP

Zoom at noon. Learn about you and your child’s attachment styles, and develop strategies to build

INFANT AND CHILD CPR

26 Tuesday YELLING: WHAT TO DO INSTEAD

Steve Worley Hall at 6:30 p.m. Discuss less stressful alternatives to addressing challenging preschool behaviors. chnola.org

27 Wednesday EATING, SLEEPING AND OTHER ACTS OF INDEPENDENCE

Zoom at 8 p.m. Encourage healthy eating and sleeping without winding up in a power struggle. chnola.org

TEEN TALK: WHO AM I?

The Parenting Center at 6 p.m. A safe place for teens to have guided conversations with their peers about who they are. chnola.org

28 Thursday DUDE PERFECT

Smoothie King Center at 7 p.m. Tyler Toney, Cody Jones, Garrett Hilbert and twins Coby and Cory Cotton will bring their engaging and action-packed show to New Orleans. smoothiekingcenter.com

VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION: THE FLOWERING

Online at noon. noma.org

29 Friday COLUMBIA STREET BLOCK PARTY

Columbia Street at 6 p.m. Enjoy a free block party and classic car show. Live music, food, and drinks. gocovington.org

30 Saturday SENSORY FRIENDLY SATURDAYS

The Historic New Orleans Collection Museum. my.hnoc.org

WELLIVER PRODUCTIONS BRIDAL EXPO Lakeside Shopping Center Center Court at 10 a.m. Great for wedding planning, engaged couples, bridal parties, and family members. lakesideshopping.com

31 Sunday WELLIVER PRODUCTIONS BRIDAL EXPO Lakeside Shopping Center Center Court at noon. Great for wedding planning, engaged couples, bridal parties, and family members. lakesideshopping.com

NOLAFAMILY.COM | JULY 2022

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gear to get

Travel Essentials 1

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Portable Car Jump Starter

2

Quick portable car jump starter for gasoline engines and Diesel engines. worx.com, $99.99

2 Wash Me Travel Laundry Bag

This heavy duty laundry bag features a drawstring top with a cord lock closure to keep laundry bundled up during transportation, amazon.com, $10.99

3

3 Collapsible Water Bottle

4 5

This portable water bottle is easy to carry, and it’s made of BPA-free food-grade silicone. amazon.com, $12.99

4 Car Backseat Organizer Hold all of your road trip essentials with these organizers that feature nine compartments. amazon.com, $19.99

5 Would You Rather Road Trip Edition

Beat the boredom and have fun passing the time on your road trip with this game book. amazon.com, $6.99

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