Nola Boomers March/April 2019

MARCH/APRIL 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Authentic

John Boutté p. 6

Raising your Grandchildren p. 9

Back in the Mix Re-entering the workforce p. 11

Travel:

Fairhope is refreshed and ready p. 22

YOUR HERO

CARED FOR YOU.

NOW, YOU CARE FOR HER.

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Find the Care Guides you need to care for your loved one at

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aarp.org/caregiving 1-877-333-5885

publisher ann herren ann@nolaboomers.com managing editor tim meyer tim@nolaboomers.com executive editor laura claverie laura@nolaboomers.com office manager jenny ziglin jenny@nolaboomers.com advertising sales catherine sewell catherine@nolaboomers.com edit interns erin cohn chapelle johnson designer cat landrum 2nd story creative

FR OM L AU R A Two years ago, my husband Philip and I made our annual fun trek to Jazz Fest. We stopped at the WWOZ Jazz Tent to hear local favorite John Boutte, who capped off his fabulous performance with his rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” As he and his small chorus sang, I was brought to tears. They poured forth uncontrollably for quite some time and gave me an unforgettable Jazz Fest moment.

So I am especially pleased to welcome John Boutte to the Nola Boomers cover and to share his interesting life and career with our readers. He is a New Orleans classic who deserves all the accolades and honors that come his way.

In this issue, we are also proud to write about some unselfish and loving grandparents who are rearing their grandchildren. Did you know that more than 13 million children in America are being reared by an older generation, more than any other time in American history? Nearly three million grandparents assume this task nationwide. You’ll learn from the best – New Orleans grandmothers Pam and Ruby – who share their insights and wisdom as they navigate the ups and downs of parenting another generation.

ad production sara youngblood

Some Boomers are finding themselves going back to work, after a decade or two out of the workforce. What are the pitfalls along the way and how does a job hunter, over the age of 50, land a dream job? Writer Lee Cutrone will tell you how.

contributing photography twirl photography

I also want to welcome our new editor of Nola Boomers, Tim Meyer, who comes to the magazine with a wealth of niche magazine experience. Tim will be handling the dayto-day operations of Nola Boomers and our sister publication, Nola Family, and he wants to hear from you. Contact him at: tim@nolaboomers.com

info@nolaboomers.com or 504.866.0555

For reprint information, contact ann@nolaboomers.com Business office: 8131 Oak St., Ste. 100, New Orleans, La., 70118 504.866.0555 / 504.861.2229 fax A publication of

march/april 2019 volume 2, issue 2

And just maybe, you, too, will have a “Hallelujah” moment.

Fearlessly Yours,

Laura Claverie

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The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and/or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine or its advertisers.

Our city has just celebrated a long and joyous Mardi Gras season and now looks forward to another busy time with Hogs for the Cause, Lark in the Park, French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest, Zoo-to-Do, and many other festivals and worthy fundraisers. Life is never dull in New Orleans, and if you are bored, it’s your own darn fault. So pick your favorite Boomer night out, put on your dancing shoes, and have some fun.

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FR OM T H E EDI TOR Hello New Orleans Boomers. I’m your new full-time managing editor and I’m so excited to begin this journey with our readers.

Just to introduce myself – let’s get the most important detail out of the way – I’m a New Orleans native, born and raised. My family has deep roots in New Orleans East and the 7th Ward.

I’ve also written for two Greater New Orleans area newspapers and for a lifestyle blog and print magazine. But my most relevant experience with niche publications was as the editor of Play Meter, a 40-year-old nationally-subscribed B2B print magazine for the coin-operated amusement industry, until it ceased operations last year. That’s when I found NOLA Boomers.

Even though the March/April issue is only our fourth ever to be published, we’ve been building momentum, hoping that our readers are enjoying it so far. We have big plans for upcoming issues including new content, features, cover stories, and more that will hopefully inspire and inform the New Orleans Boomer generation.

In this issue, I think we’ve encapsulated the dynamic nature of our readers and we hope to continue this trend. One of our features focuses on grandparents raising their grandchildren, but we also understand that Boomers aren’t just frail homebodies.

We’ve included features about what’s it like getting back into the workplace, swimming as exercise, locally-centered ways to help our environment, and a piece about adult summer camps. Did you know that space camp isn’t just for kids?

MARCH/APRIL 2019 CONTRIBUTORS

Lee Cutrone Lee been a freelance writer for 26 years. She writes profiles of people, places, businesses, and trends, as well as home and garden articles, fashion features, shopping guides, health and wellness pieces and more.

Katherine Diliberto Katherine has lived, worked, and raised a family in New Orleans. She is a retired school teacher and administrator who enjoys traveling and exploring all the Crescent City has to offer.

Sarah Herndon Sarah is a local New Orleanian and freelance writer. She writes regularly for Nola Family magazine

Keith Marshall Keith began his writing career in 1973 as The Times-Picayune’s representative in Europe, and later served as the newspaper’s classical music writer. He has written travel, art and architecture, and feature articles for major newspapers and magazines.

John Swenson John has been a prolific music writer and editor since 1967. He’s worked for publications like Rolling Stone, OffBeat, and countless others. He was also a syndicated columnist for more than 20 years, and has written biographies of The Who, The Eagles, Stevie Wonder, and more.

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Valerie Andrews Valerie is a writer and communication strategist in the Greater New Orleans area. She has been published in the Journal for Minority Medical Students, the Nursing and Allied Health Journal, Ascension Parish magazine, and the Loyola Maroon, to name a few.

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CONTENTS M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 9

Cover Story John Boutte talks music, loss, and finding peace p. 6

REGULAR TOPICS

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Letter from Laura

14

Second Career

Dabney Jacob

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From the Editor

18

Fitness

Swimming for mental and physical strength

20

Freebies

FEATURES 9

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

When grandparents have to take over

11

Back to Work

Free and ‘almost free’ things to do

22

Travel

Tips for going back to work

25

On The Go

16

Summer Camps

Not just for kids anymore

24

Environment

10 local ways to do your part

Fairhope, AL

Where, when, and what to do around town

ON THE COVER John Boutte at his home in Lacombe.

Photo by Twirl Photography.

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A FEW WORDS

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A Well Tempered Boutte

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John Boutte hadn’t recorded a new album in a few years, but the passing of time and personal tragedies haven’t diminished his vision.

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New Orleans must be heaven because the city is filled with the voices of angels.

The leader of this choir would probably be the great John Boutte, a truly magnificent jazz, R&B, and gospel singer whose intimate performances at the d.b.a. club on Frenchman Street are the stuff of legend.

Boutte is also well known for his spectacular moments at Jazz Fest as part of the Gospel Traditions of Boutte set and most notably for his historic show at the Jazz Tent in 2006 when he voiced the anguish of the city when the waters of Katrina rose to the rooftops in a chilling interpretation of the Randy Newman classic “Louisiana.”

By John Swenson

Boutte also played a key role in the theatrical production “Nine Lives,” a song cycle written by Paul Sanchez and Colman DeKay based on Dan Baum’s story of nine New Orleanians who lived through hurricanes Betsy (1965) and Katrina (2005).

Boutte is best known outside New Orleans for his contributions to the HBO series “Treme,” which used his composition “Treme Song” as its theme song. Boutte has released numerous albums and written signature New Orleans songs like “At the Foot of Canal Street” and “Good Neighbor.”

His ability to capture the spirit of the city in his writing comes from a lifetime of hanging out with members of his musical family and soaking up all of the deep culture of New Orleans.

You can’t rush beauty Boutte was finishing work on a new album when we talked.

The freewheeling conversation went from joy to sorrow in the blink of an eye as he alternately laughed and cried while relating his experiences.

“I didn’t realize I hadn’t had a record in almost seven years,” he admitted. “Time flies. I just didn’t have time to record anything.

I didn’t do any originals. I did songs that I liked. I wanted to own the masters. I went in to Esplanade Studios with a trio, like Nat King Cole’s trio – piano, bass, and guitar. And I did that without horns because I didn’t want any distractions from my voice. I love the feel, the texture of it.”

“But I’m not living in New Orleans now. I’m across the lake in Lacombe. I’m 60 years old and I love the quiet now. I love the nature, the air quality, the rhythm of the cicadas. I love to hear the birds singing in my backyard every morning. I have 29 acres around me and a little bitty house, 800 square feet, and an artesian well so I have my own water. If I put up solar panels I’d be totally off the grid. There’s 19 acres of pristine hardwood forest, Louisiana pine wood, hickory, live oak, wild magnolias. I love it out here, it’s been so good for me.

Boutte chose some of his favorite material from over the years for his new album.

“There’s a small golf course – three and a half acres,” he continued. “My father was an excellent golfer. Two things he did on weekends, he fished and he golfed. He would put golf on the TV and say to me, ‘See those people on the course? The only black people are carrying the bags. That’s gonna change.’ And I thought ‘Yeah, I ain’t carrying nobody’s bags’.”

“I picked one obscure song from Jabbo Smith, an old trumpet player from the 1920s, called ‘Must Be Right Can’t Be Wrong.’ I swang it out with the band. The lyrics are beautiful. I’ve got an Indian tune, I’ve got ‘Indian Red’ on there.

Like many New Orleans musicians, Boutte grew up in a musical household. His older sister, Lillian, took him on his first tour of Europe as part of her band. Lillian, now suffering from Alzheimer’s, can no longer sing.

“I did a few different things, ‘Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?’ I did that at the end of the ‘Treme’ HBO series,” he continued. “I’ve always done that song live, and WWOZ did a great studio recording of it. I did ‘Nature Boy,’ tipping my hat to Nat King Cole.”

“I wanted to say about Lillian – she’s safe and loved and she’s staying with my sister Lynette and my dear angel niece, Tanya.

Alzheimer’s is just such a horrible disease. It’s just horrible to see her in that position because she was a queen. I always see her on stage wowing people with so much confidence and such a powerful voice and presence. She can’t sing, she can’t communicate anymore. You lose all that.

I’m calling the record ‘A Well Tempered Boutte.’ I’ll tell you how I came to that conclusion. When we were rehearsing, I realized that every song was in a different key. The piano player said ‘Call it The Well Tempered Boutte,’ and I thought ‘That’s it!’”

But a loss to his musical family almost derailed the project.

“My guitar player, Todd Duke, passed at the end of January. He was my guitar player for 20 years.”

Duke’s playing on the record is superb, a gorgeous swan song of a performance that cradles Boutte’s voice lovingly throughout. Boutte was overcome with emotion as he talked about his friend and bandmate.

“I can hardly get through… (he started choking up)... I can hardly get through the mixes. He played so beautifully. And he knew… the sickness just took him. A young man. I was a wreck... Give me one minute…”

We sat in silence while he composed himself.

I ain’t carrying nobody’s bags Boutte has always been active in New Orleans cultural life, and he took time out from the recording process to celebrate Mardi Gras.

“I actually went to Krewe du Vieux the other day,” he said. “It was absolutely great. It’s disrespectful and decadent, what Mardi Gras is supposed to be. Tellin’ the truth. Time to take a few masks off. You think you’re putting a mask on, actually you’re taking a mask off.

“I don’t want to sound human.

I want to sound divine.”

“Sometimes she gets a smile,” he continued. “My oldest brother died last year. On the program, Lillian was listed as singing. I thought ‘This is a mistake.’ So when that moment came, my little nephew got up and he had his iPhone and he put the iPhone up to the microphone and Lillian was singing ‘My God is real.’ So Lillian is sitting with her caretaker and her sisters and in the middle of the song Lillian turned around and said ‘That’s me.’ Can you believe that?”

When all else fails, Boutte can depend on the music.

“This record is very calming,” he said. “ It’s a good listening record. I’m gonna dedicate this one to Todd. I produced it. I picked the tunes, directed the arrangements. I wanted the last word. I don’t want somebody saying ‘You’re missing the human element.’ I don’t want to sound human. I want to sound divine.”

Like an angel.

march/april 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

“It was rough. I didn’t want to change my configuration, and I didn’t want to throw him out because he was sick. There were difficulties. Some days he was well, some days he wasn’t. But he always did his best. I love this quote from him, he said, ‘You can’t rush beauty.’

“I’m very conscientious about getting my exercise, eating, and trying to stay healthy cause you never know what life has in store for you. Life ain’t easy. It’s filled with a lot of joy, but the pain is right there. Right after you’re finished laughing the tears are right at the back of your eyes waiting to come out.

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Grandparents.

They're not just sitting around.

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GR A ND SACRIFICES

By Sarah Herndon

New Orleans has not been spared the growing trend of grandparents raising their grandchildren and the challenges that come with this new family dynamic.

At 71, Ruby Smith hadn’t planned on raising her four great-grandchildren. Yet, when her granddaughter became pregnant at a young age, she saw a need and selflessly offered her help. Now at 84, Smith still cares for her two oldest great-grandchildren full-time, Kiya, 12, and Neshell, 10.

The youngest of the four, who are 7 and 8, only live with Smith for part of the week in her Columbia Parc apartment, a mixed-income complex in Gentilly.

Smith is a diabetic, a disease that claimed her younger sister’s life a year ago. Before she died, her sister was able to help Smith with her great-grandchildren, easing some of the physical and financial strain. Now she relies on several social workers around the city who provide uniforms and winter coats for the children.

Smith receives $15 a month in food stamps and five pounds of grits every three months. Good Samaritans from the community have stepped in and donated presents during Christmas. Still, the situation can be emotionally taxing on her.

A Growing Trend According to recent census research, there are 2.7 million grandparents nationwide raising their grandchildren with one-fifth of those falling below the poverty line. Louisiana is fourth in the nation. Jenni Evans, a parent educator with The Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, has been seeing this upward trend for many years.

“If grandparents are raising grandchildren, there has probably been some kind of stress or trauma in the family,” she says.

There are a host of reasons why this is happening, from incarceration to mental illness to death. There are close to one million children being raised by grandparents due to the opioid epidemic, Evans adds.

Regardless of the exact reasons, being the sole providers of their children’s children comes with its challenges across the board.

“There’s a huge demand on your energy,” Evans says. “Your routine and your schedule have to completely adjust to young children.”

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“I have realized that my age and my health is not number one,” she says. “I cannot take the responsibility of the other two because I don’t have the support.”

“I don’t worry about nothing for myself, but I do worry about the children,” Smith says.

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“They are struggling to pay their bills.

They are getting burned out.”

Additionally, parenting has changed over the years and there is a lot of new information on screen time, seat belt safety, and nutrition. Thinking back, Smith finds that things were a lot simpler when she was growing up and going to school.

“Things are just so different,” she says. “We were really happy to get an apple at recess and I thought it was such a treat to go to school and get an apple, and sometimes we got peanut butter.”

Now, Smith is barely able to pay for her own great-grandchildren’s school lunches.

By this point in her life, she had hoped to give Kiya and Neshell back to their mother. “The problem is, if I give them back, I know I would cry many days,” she says.

Smith realizes that the limitations from her age and finances have not made this a perfect home for the children, but she feels it is better than the alternative.

Andrea has multiple sclerosis and suffers from debilitating bouts of fatigue. This is when Ricciardi, who is 77, steps in and takes over the parenting duties. The oldest grandchild, Evan, is now attending LSU, but she stays busy with the two youngest, Jameson, 12, and Lillie, 6.

Ricciardi lost her husband a year and a half ago to Lewy body dementia, which essentially freezes the body. It was important to the family that he had his three grandchildren living with him, Ricciardi says, and the times that Lillie could sit in his lap were cherished.

“There was that support and me not being alone and dealing with losing the man who had been so vibrant, intelligent, and fun,” she says. “That man had disappeared, so it lessened that grief to have all of this joy.”

It wasn’t always smooth in the beginning. Ricciardi admits that she had to learn to bite her tongue and allow her daughter to be the primary parent. When it comes to newer parenting concepts that she is less knowledgeable about, such as screen time, she lets her daughter decide the rules.

Having her grandchildren live with her proved to be a blessing in disguise after Pam Ricciardi’s husband died.

Support for Grandparent Parents

Though in her 80s, Ruby Smith cares for two of her four great-grandchildren full-time.

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“The joy is that I feel like I have protected them from a lot.” she says. “I feel that I instill some good values in them and I am hoping and praying that I will be able to see them through the teenage years. God has blessed me.”

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Despite these hardships, there are benefits for both the grandparents and the grandchildren who live in the same household. Research has shown children to be less ageist and less likely to be depressed as adults. Grandparents experience longevity which can be attributed to them staying mentally stimulated.

“The experience and the world that opens up when kids spend time with their grandparents is a huge benefit,” Evans says. “It just makes their understanding more broad.”

Garden District resident Pam Ricciardi co-parents her three grandchildren with her daughter Andrea. Four years ago, Andrea became a single parent and the support money she was receiving was not enough for her to live independently. But this isn’t just a case of a child moving back in with her parents for financial support.

There are resources out there to help support and guide those grandparents raising their grandchildren alone. The Parenting Center offers a Grandparenting 101 class through Touro Hospital.

While it is not designed specifically for grandparents raising their grandchildren, it is a good refresher course on developmental milestones and age-appropriate expectations of young children.

The center also has parent educators available by phone to give out practical tips that cover everything from potty training to snacks.

Kathy Coleman serves on the board of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana, an organization out of Baton Rouge. They provide assistance and resources to this underserved population, including state-wide support groups. Its Baton Rouge group hosts over 20 grandparents. The organization also provides legal workshops.

“We are finding that these grandparents are having a hard time,” Coleman says. “They are struggling to pay their bills. They are getting burned out.”

Ricciardi relies on her close network of friends and makes time to meditate every day. She jokes that while she could use an extra bedroom, she would most likely be a lonely, old widow without her family.

“I am so thankful that I am surrounded by such vitality and color and excitement,” she says.

Getting Back in the Game

Tips for re-entering the workforce.

By Lee Cutrone There are many reasons that men and women in their 50s and older return to the workforce after an absence: children leaving the nest, changes in finances, illness or death of a spouse, divorce, or just plain desire to go back to work. But going back into an evolving workplace requires thought and planning.

The following ten tips can help you make the return with greater ease.

Know Your Skills Knowing where your skills lie and where they are valuable is key to any job search. When Ann Clayton Chamberlain returned to work full-time in her 50s, she found a position that draws on both her career background in finance and her experience volunteering and serving on boards for nonprofits.

“Draw on all parts of your life, what you do in your work and your play time,” Chamberlain advises. “You want a fresh perspective about what gets you excited.”

Employee Experience Coordinator Taylor Schmidt Pospisil of Broadmoor LLC, a design/build construction company for commercial clients, which is a subsidiary of Boh Brothers, adds that recruiters look at both hard and

Renew Your Resume The immediacy of the internet has made the need for a stand-out resume greater than ever. Pospisil advises having a summary at the beginning of the resume that specifies what skills you bring to the specific job for which you are applying, followed by the traditional mix of sequential information and other skills.

For inspiration and ideas on how others market themselves digitally, check out their profiles on LinkedIn and on professional websites.

Position Your Age as a Plus “In the workforce today, we have about five different generations working with each other,” Pospisil says, noting that each of those generations brings its own experience, work ethic, and perspective to the table.

Boomers are known to be hard workers with long-term loyalty to their employers, so consider yourself an asset and don’t be afraid to capitalize on the things that are best about your age group. One way to do that: replace words like “older” with positive descriptions like “mature” and “experienced.”

“It’s scary as hell, but put yourself out there and take the risk.”

Ann Marie Gwyn, who went back to work after a 30-year hiatus to raise her children, sees wisdom, stability, and reliability as some of the bolstering attributes that boomers, now in their 50s and older, bring to the job.

“It’s scary as hell, but put yourself out there and take the risk,” she says.

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Now vice president of program management at Methodist Health Systems Foundation, a nonprofit that serves health related programs in New Orleans East, Gentilly, and St. Bernard Parish, she uses her talent as a self-described numbers person while engaging her passion for helping others.

soft skills. Hard skills include things like computer knowledge, while soft skills include communication, time management, leadership, and teamwork.

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Knowing how the workplace has changed can give Bommer job hunters an advantage.

Most recruiting happens online. Networking through friends and family is important, but searching online listings and marketing yourself online is a top priority.

Update Your Tech Know-How “You always have to have a good working knowledge of technology to be productive in the workplace,” says Pospisil, who suggests continuing education courses at technology centers like New Horizons as a way for prospective employees to bone up on essentials like the Microsoft Office Suite.

Most job listings specify what computer skills are needed. In many fields, a working knowledge of social media is required as well.

Serah Ridolfo, executive vice president of GetOnlineNOLA.com, which helps customers (mostly small business owners and entrepreneurs) build an online presence, suggests the following ways to improve your computer knowledge: free computer literacy classes at the public library, free workshops from online sources, and YouTube for tutorials.

For the over-50 market, she says Facebook and linkedin are the two most important social media platforms for connecting with others.

Network With Friends and Family

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According to Pospisil, “networking with friends and family is still the number one way to get connected.” This includes talking to people and using social media accounts like Facebook to get the word out.

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Chamberlain explored numerous options and interviews during her job search, but ultimately found the right fit through a friend.

Use the Internet Since most recruiting is done online, searching job sites, such as Monster. com and Craigslist, and marketing yourself online is essential. Professional organizations and university alumni pages are also great resources. Ridolfo also suggests Googling yourself to see what you find.

The workforce of today is more diverse than ever before. In addition to the fact that there are more generations in the workforce today, there are more women, working mothers, and households with two working parents.

Computer skills are a must. That means being or becoming comfortable and proficient in the technology skills needed for the job.

Today’s workplace offers greater flexibility. More companies are creating a family-first work culture, making things like working remotely or getting into a transition to retirement program more common.

“That is what potential employers are going to do so make sure the information is correct and that you want it to be seen,” she says.

Also, make a website using any one of the many free website-building services like WordPress and Wix. Upload your resume, a high-resolution professional photo, skills, experiences, and any related work samples.

This is a great way to introduce yourself to recruiters.

Consider an Alternative to the Traditional 9-5 If demands in your life require your time but you also need or want to work, try negotiating for flexibility -- working at home one day a week, for example.

Pospisil advises being upfront about your needs.

“More companies today are creating a culture of family first,” she says, and with that comes greater freedom with things like working remotely.

She adds that some companies offer transition-to-retirement programs, in which employees can work three to four days a week at a reduced rate. In addition to providing mature workers with flexibility, it allows them to train their successors and pass on their knowledge.

Try Volunteer Work or an Interim Job Getting involved in the community is a great way to find out where you excel and

what you care about while also building your resume. Pospisil notes that volunteer organizations such as the Junior League help build leadership skills, while an interim or temp job (recruiters can help with this) may lead to a permanent one.

During the years that Gwyn was a fulltime mom before returning to work, she volunteered as an advocate for children in the foster care system. Though it wasn’t a paying job, the work kept her people and communication skills, two of her strengths, in use.

She also worked part-time for a friend before finding her full-time job -- a peopleoriented sales position with the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group.

Try a New Path Starting from scratch may seem daunting, but you may already have skills that transition and some careers have built-in training. Real estate agents, for example, are required to go to school and pass a test a before becoming licensed. Going through training also can help you make contacts. Community involvement and volunteering are also ways to try something new.

Look at the Big Picture Determining what jobs are paying is easy enough. Pospisil advises talking to local recruiters and looking at listings. But she also recommends taking benefits such as medical plans and whether a company offers a 401K match, into account.

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SECOND CAREER

Katherine Diliberto

Dabney Jacob trained to be a life coach, but it was perhaps her own life experiences and an illness diagnosis that truly prepared her for her second career.

Dabney Jacob’s decision to be a life coach in her encore career was born from the wisdom gained during her past work and life experiences, as well as her passion to help others and a need to remain active after retirement.

Dabney’s first career was as an art history and Latin teacher at Isidore Newman School from 1976-1988. There she was able to expose young people to new liberal art ideas and concepts, as well as different cultures. She gained much satisfaction from seeing the varied ways her students learned, thought, and approached the world.

“Teaching is fundamental to any coaching or mentoring experience,” she says.

As a wife of over 45 years, Dabney and her husband have focused on employing positive proactive communication skills. They discovered these skills from participating in life skills courses together and with their two daughters. Today, Dabney has the pleasure to be a grandparent of three grandsons.

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“Over the years I have felt satisfaction and joy in using these assets and watching my children and grandchildren blossom,” she says. “They have learned many life skills, how to deal with obstacles both real and imagined, and how to have real selfconfidence.”

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A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

That was the birth of the Orient Expressed store on Magazine Street. As the co-owner of a business from 1978 to 2013, Dabney was able to travel extensively and work with over 10 factory owners and employ over 40 women, selling handmade items and artwork.

In addition to the day-to-day operations of running a business, Dabney gained a global perspective of the world through her travels.

“My travels and love of different cultures has grounded my appreciation and understanding of people,” said Dabney.

HEALING THROUGH EXPERIENCE Dabney looks forward to being a life coach for someone who is starting a new business. Dabney states, “In growing Orient Expressed we used many skills that I employ in life coaching to visualize what we wanted to create. We set goals to reach milestones as well as to overcome a multitude of obstacles. I would love to use that experience to help someone else create a successful business or to make a career change.”

Ten years ago, Dabney discovered that she had a chronic health issue.

“Over the years, I have learned to see my body and its healing, as well as acceptance of a chronic condition in a new light,” Dabney says.

Dabney and a co-teacher, Bee Fitzpatrick, at Newman wanted to go to Hong Kong in 1978. They decided to make it a business trip in order to fund it, and took their husbands with them.

During that time, she was studying to be a life coach and learned to apply the same coaching principles to her own healing process, including goal setting, compassion, and self-love, as well as accepting responsibility for her choices.

While in Asia, they purchased a collection of beautiful antiques, linens, children’s clothes, and jewelry. Upon their return, they opened the first pop-up shop in New Orleans and sold all of their goods in three days.

Perhaps the most important influence on Dabney’s encore career was her participation in a local friends’ group of 30 years. This group consists of nine women who meet weekly to support each other in all of their life’s celebrations and challenges.

“Since our husbands’ food and bar bill was more than our discount airfare, our accountant told us if we didn’t take our husbands, we could probably create a nice business from our travels in the future,” Dabney says.

In her words, “Through the years we have been a mastermind support group for each other in raising our children, navigating marital conflicts, working through business problems, and watching our parents age and die.

“Over the years, I have learned to see my body and its healing, as well as acceptance of a chronic condition, in a new light.”

“Now in our late 60s and 70s we are confronting our own medical challenges, but more importantly celebrating the pleasures of grandchildren, travels, and friendships.

We have learned the power of open and unfearful communication as well as applying solid life skills, compassion, and love to living a vibrant life,” she says.

LIFE AFTER ORIENT EXPRESSED Dabney never imagined what life would be like when she no longer co-owned Orient Expressed because it was central to her world. Dabney and Fitzpatrick were approached in 2013 to sell the business.

After careful consideration, they decided that they were getting older and it was time to move into the next chapter of their lives.

After retiring from Orient Expressed, Dabney decided to pursue a life coach certification from the Mary Morrissey organization. From that extensive training and education, she learned that a major component of being a life coach is to teach a client to unlock both undiscovered strengths and talents as well as to teach new life skills. Then help the client use these to create a new direction in life that is fulfilling.

In addition, this career was also attractive to her because it is flexible enough that she can spend time with family and friends, tend to her personal needs, be actively involved in her grandchildren’s lives, and travel.

What is Dabney’s advice to a Boomer who is thinking about an encore career?

She says, “Try on many hats. Create a clear vision on where you want to go and what you are passionate about. If you have trouble deciding what that might be, get a life coach.”

march/april 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

Dabney feels that her varied life experiences position her to be able to help other people who may need assistance to clearly understand what they want and to resolve a variety of issues in their lives.

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P M A C MMER

SU

ISN’T JUST FOR KIDS ANYMORE

By Erin Cohn

www.nolaboomers.com

| march/april 2019

New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp (LA)

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Held in the French Quarter, the annual New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp for adults is the premier camp teaching the early style of New Orleans jazz to amateur and professional musicians. Campers should have a basic proficiency with their instrument, an understanding of chord structure, and a basic ability to read sheet music.

Jazz Camp offers one-of-akind experiences such as marching and playing in an authentic Second Line through the French Quarter, playing at the legendary Preservation Hall, and a final concert in the Bourbon Orleans Ballroom. A testament to its success, this June will be the camp’s 10th anniversary. Dates: June 23-28.

Cost: $2,200, and a $100 non-refundable deposit at registration.

Price includes accommodations at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, breakfast, and lunch. For more information, visit www.tradjazzcamp.com.

Now that you don’t have to worry about sending your own kids to summer camp, it’s your turn. But the best part about being an adult summer camper is that you don’t actually have to wait until summer vacation to get away.

Below is just a sampling of the summer-like fun your kids enjoyed, but tailored for you.

Adult Space Academy (AL) Adult Space Academy proves that some of us never lose the wonder of space exploration as we grow older. Astronaut aficionados head to Huntsville, Alabama, for the ultimate intergalactic weekend. There are approximately 65 campers each weekend who are put into teams of 16. Beam me up, Scotty!

Campers will participate in hands-on, interactive experiences on two different simulators, construct and launch model rockets, train for a mission to the International Space Station, and learn about current NASA and space exploration in one of the world’s largest spaceflight collections. Current openings: two weekends in July, one in August, and three in September. (Sessions continue yearround) Cost: $549/person for 3 days, includes $50 nonrefundable registration fee. On selected holiday weekends, there is a 4-day option for $649. Meals and lodging are included, transportation is not.

For more information, visit www.spacecamp.com/space/adult.

Band Camp at the Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI) Do you play a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument?

Recommended for musicians with a few years of study under their belt, the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Michigan, offers a supportive, fun, and friendly band camp for up to 70 adults.

Camp-life centers around daily master classes and chamber music sessions taught by a renowned instrumental faculty. Invite your friends and family to the culminating ensemble performance at the center. Dates: Aug. 6-10.

The Interlochen Center for the Arts also offers adult programs in choir, creative writing, visual arts, theater, media, and professional development.

Cost: $525. Does not include accommodations, meals, or transportation. Accommodations and meals available on and near campus. For more information, visit www.college.interlochen.org.

Grandparent/Grandchild Camp at Northern Pines Camp & Retreat Center (MN) Want to spend some quality time with the grandkids far away from their screens? Scoop up the grandchildren and head to the beautiful Northern Pines Camp & Retreat Center in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Grandparents and grandchildren will enjoy a long weekend of classic camp activities and make lasting memories as they craft, swim, and play together. Dates: June 14-16.

Cost: Adult (15 and up)/$155, children (4-14)/$139, family/$588. For more information, visit www.campminnesota.org.

Nature Camp Weekend at the Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies (WV) Longing for cool green foliage, watching the sunset from a mountaintop, sleeping to the sound of owls, or trying your hand at various (in)activities? The Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies near Capon Bridge, West Virginia, offers the Adult Nature Camp, a weekend full of all the classic camp goodness your heart desires.

With participants from ages 21-99, the Burgundy Center has something for everyone. Campers can choose to stay constantly active or opt for more low-key adventures, such as strolling along the pond. The staff is available for workshops and hikes but the entire schedule is optional for participants. The menu includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, specially planned to appeal to adult palates. Dates: July 26-28.

Cost: $235/person, $415/couple. Meals and lodging are included, transportation is not. For more information, visit www.burgundycenter.org/ programs.

CIA Boot Camp (NY, CA, TX)

More advanced participants can choose between a number of speciality boot camps such as Mediterranean, Farm to Table, Hors D’Oeuvre, Grilling and BBQ, Wine Lovers, or Pastry. All you need is a love of food and a desire to learn. Dates: Multiple dates are available at all locations throughout summer and beyond.

Cost: From $895 for Wine Lovers (two days) to $2,195 for Basic Training (four days).

Does not include accommodations or transportation, but meals are included, of course. For more information, visit www.ciafoodies.com.

march/april 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

No, not that CIA. The Culinary Institute of America’s learn-by-doing boot camp is designed to accommodate all levels of cooking expertise. Cook daily recipes under the direction of master chefs, both with a team and independently. For more novice chefs, the CIA offers a Basic Training camp.

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Oschner’s adult swimming classes combine social interaction and physical exercise.

Dive Into Fitness

By Valerie J. Andrews

Swimming isn’t just a fun summer activity. It can be a great exercise for both the mind and body of Boomers.

Swimming is often called the world’s perfect exercise. And why not? You don’t have to be a professional or need extensive training, a coach or expensive equipment. And it’s great for senior adults.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say water-based exercise improves quality of life and decreases disability among older adults and maintains bone health in postmenopausal women.

Engaging in 150 minutes of weekly aerobic activity decreases chronic illnesses. Swimming is also a great aerobic activity because it is less stressful on joints than other types of exercises.

Benefits

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Bonnie LeBlanc, manager of Health Programs at the Ochsner Fitness Center, says water fitness has many benefits for seniors. It works the heart muscle and improves circulation, aiding in weight loss. It helps build strength, which reduces the risk of injuries.

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It’s also beneficial in recovery after falls or rehab from operations, and the buoyancy of the water supports body weight, reducing the impact on hips, knees, ankles, and the back.

“There was a requirement that we be able to swim the width of the pool, which I couldn’t do,” she says. “So I was required to take low beginners swimming and have really never stopped swimming since then.”

Swimming helped her through cancer treatment: “I am a breast cancer survivor, and I continued to swim practically every day through four chemo infusions and 35 radiation treatments.”

Recently retired from Tulane where she taught French for 40 years and swam regularly at the Reily Center, Poe hits the water for 40 minutes every day at her new residence, Lambeth House.

Lambeth, an assisted living facility in New Orleans, offers an aqua fitness class, but Poe prefers to swim alone.

Suffering from a bad back, she says, “Swimming is better for me than some other forms of exercise.”

University of New Orleans hosts the Greater New Orleans Senior Olympic Games each spring. The swimming event at the UNO Lakefront Arena Aquatic Center attracts 25-30 participants, some of whom were high school or college swimmers.

Ellen Hall, event organizer, says, “Some fitness swimmers, like myself, just enjoy the camaraderie of being with other swimmers who very much enjoy the water and the sport.”

“Water fitness is an effective way for seniors to keep active, and aqua classes are especially useful for seniors who suffer from arthritis, joint issues, and circulation problems,” LeBlanc says. “The swimming exercises help not only with coordination and balance, but also improves muscle tone.”

Ochsner operates pools in Harahan and Metairie.

As might be expected in a city surrounded by water, New Orleans offers a myriad of opportunities for swimmers and water fitness enthusiasts.

One devotee, Dr. Elizabeth Poe, didn’t start swimming until she attended college.

Swimming has many benefits for older adults including improving circulation.

“Beyond the physical benefits, swimming is one key to combating depression.”

Swimming Around the City New Orleans is home to a number of United States Masters Swimming teams, such as the Riptide Masters, a USMS workout group at UNO that includes senior swimmers.

Boomers aren't just hanging around waiting for something to do.

Loyola’s University Sports Complex includes an indoor pool with daily open swim. Golden Wolves (alumni who graduated at least 50 years ago) pay a reduced membership rate.

The YMCA of Greater New Orleans offers Senior Water Aerobics and private lessons for seniors. The East Jefferson, Belle Chasse, and West St. Tammany Y locations have outdoor pools open April through October.

The Goldring-Woldenberg Jewish Community Center in Metairie offers a summer class called H2O Exercise for Arthritis at its outdoor pool, complete with range-of-motion and stretching exercises.

The New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) includes 19 parks with pools, four indoors. Gert Town Natatorium and Joe W. Brown Park offer low-impact water aerobics classes. Aqua fitness has been offered at the Behrman, Lyons, Stallings Gentilly, St. Bernard, Stallings St. Claude, Sanchez, Treme, and Whitney Young outdoor pools. (The 2019 schedule was not available at time of print.)

According to Ashlei Morrison, public outreach and communications director for NORD, their senior programming has high participation, with most classes and events full or heavily attended.

Beyond the physical benefits, swimming is one key to combating depression, helping seniors fight isolation and loneliness.

LeBlanc says, “The number one benefit is social interaction, which is so important.”

In addition to swimming laps, which is a great cardiovascular workout and good for strengthening muscles, you can try simple water aerobics exercises, recommended by Senior Lifestyle, a senior services company.

Flutter kicking can incorporate a kickboard, or you can use the side of the pool to anchor yourself as you flutter kick.

Leg lifts are just what they say: you lift your leg to the side and then back down. Repeat for improved balance and a stronger core.

Standing water push-ups are done while standing near the pool’s wall, placing your hands on the wall and pushing back and then leaning in. If you want to get fancy, you can acquire water weights and try arm curls, curling the weights up and down while you stand in place in the pool.

So advertise with us, and catch up to them.

504.866.0555 info@nolaboomers.com

march/april 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

Aqua jogging is jogging (or walking) from one side of the pool to the other or just marching in place.

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s e i b e e r F APPENING H S P E E K T A UFF TH AND COOL ST

Museums and Exhibits

Museum Highlights Tours

Trivia Night

New Orleans Museum of Art. NOMA docents guide visitors on hour-long tours of either the permanent collection or special exhibitions. Tours are free with NOMA admission. Every Tuesday-Saturday, 1-2 pm.

Flamingo A-Go-Go, 869 Magazine St. Join for Trivia Night every Tuesday hosted by Challenge Entertainment - Louisiana. Grab the flock and your knowledge of useless facts for a chance to win Flamingo A-Go-Go gift cards. 7:30-9:30 pm. Continues through August 2019.

Movies in the Courtyard Flamingo A-Go-Go, 869 Magazine St. Enjoy double-feature movie nights while you dine in Flamingo A-Go-Go’s beautiful courtyard. Visit their facebook page to find out what is playing tonight. Movies beginning at 7 and 9 pm. Continues every Wednesday through October 2019.

Free Sundays Contemporary Arts Center. Free admission to all Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. 11 am-5 pm.

Museum Partner Pass

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New Orleans Public Library. The Library has partnered with the National World War II Museum, Southern Food & Beverage Museum, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and Longue Vue House & Gardens to provide free admission for library cardholders who check out a Museum Partner Pass. Every library location has a pass for each of the participating museums. For more information, visit nolalibrary.org.

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Learning and Resources

Free Wednesdays New Orleans Botanical Garden. Free admission for Louisiana residents, courtesy of the Helis Foundation. 10 am-5 pm.

Free Wednesdays New Orleans Museum of Art. Free admission for Louisiana residents, courtesy of the Helis Foundation. 10 am-6 pm.

Free Thursdays Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Free admissions for Louisiana residents, courtesy of the Helis Foundation. 10 am-5 pm.

Ogden After Hours Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The weekly entertainment series is held every Thursday night. 6-8pm.

E-Resources Happy Hour Smith Library (Wednesdays, 10-11 am) and Latter Library (Sundays, 1-2 pm). Learn about the many electronic resources, including e-books and audiobooks, available through the library. Bring your laptop, smart phone, tablet, or e-reader with you, along with a valid library card.

Ranger Talk French Quarter Visitor Center. Join a ranger Tuesdays through Saturdays in the visitor center courtyard to discover New Orleans’ history and culture. No talk on federal holidays or on Mardi Gras when visitor center is closed. 9:30 am. Continues until April 30.

Wetlands Walk Barataria Preserve. Every Wednesday through Sunday, join a ranger for a guided walk on a boardwalk trail through wild Louisiana swamp and marsh. Stop by the visitor center or call 504-689-3690 ext. 10. for more information. No walk on federal holidays. 10 am.

Battle of New Orleans Ranger Talk Chalmette Battlefield. Daily at 10:45 am. and 2:45 pm. The visitor center is open and talks are given on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. On all other federal holidays and on Mardi Gras, the visitor center is closed and no talks are given.

Fitness Fun Zumba at City Park Join your friends for Zumba classes at the Peristyle in New Orleans City Park, rain or shine. New Orleans City Park and Ochsner are excited to bring the community yet another way to exercise in the Park. Saturdays. 8 am-8:45 am.

Yoga in the Sculpture Garden NOMA, in collaboration with the East Jefferson Wellness Center, offers wellness classes every Saturday morning.

Join us for yoga surrounded by NOMA’s permanent collection, or if weather permitting, in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Classes are $5; free for NOMA members and East Jefferson Wellness Center members. 8 am.

Tai Chi/Chi Kung NOMA, in collaboration with the East Jefferson Wellness Center, offers wellness classes every Monday evening. East Jefferson Wellness Center instructor Terry Rappold leads relaxing Tai Chi exercises in various art galleries at NOMA. Classes are $5; free for NOMA members and East Jefferson Wellness Center members.

Senior Walking Cut-Off Rec Center in New Orleans. A program designed to offer seniors an easy, pleasant, social walking experience to improve their quality of life by encouraging active and healthy lifestyles. Weekdays from 10 am-noon.

Restorative Candlelight Yoga Esplanade City Park, 3443 Esplanade Ave. A gentle-moving class to help tune in to the mind and spirit, while providing the body support in deep restorative poses. $8/person.

6-7:15 pm. Continues every Monday through April 2019.

Tuesday “It’s All About the Music” Bike Ride Congo Square in Armstrong Park. If music, casual cycling, and cool people are your thing, then meet this group every Tuesday at 6 pm.

Nola Happy’s Running Club Manning’s. Happy’s is your weekly, fun and relaxed social run through downtown, the French Quarter, the CBD, or the Riverfront. Route specifics are announced on the Happy’s Facebook page. Every Wednesday, 7:15-8 am.

The Tchoup Yard, 305 Third St. Enjoy 55-minutes of alllevels, pumped up yoga and create a fun-loving community of yogis. The all-levels yoga flow will begin at 6:30 pm.

Rental mats are available for $3. Class is $5/person. 6:307:30 pm. Every Wednesday.

Open Canoeing & Open Fishing Joe W. Brown Rec Center. Enjoy free canoeing and fishing in the lagoon. All equipment is provided and no knowledge is necessary; just bring yourself and be ready to have fun!

Fishing instruction is offered to those who are new to fishing. Every Saturday, 10 am-noon.

march/april 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

Tribe Yard Yoga

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, The Grand Hotel has seen its share of renovations ry. centu 21st the into it brings t facelif but its latest

, y a B e th f o ck o D e th n o ’ in tt Si Fairhope Style

By Keith Marshall

A short drive from New Orleans is an old, but reinvigorated destination for weekend getaways.

In Fairhope, Alabama, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Well, sorta.

For almost two centuries, city dwellers have escaped to this picturesque town, site of the Civil War’s Battle of Mobile Bay, to vacation in breeze-swept cottages, or kick back at the landmark Grand Hotel in nearby Point Clear.

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In Fairhope, a three-hour drive from New Orleans via I-10, what you see from the street is not always what you get when inside its carefully maintained or cleverly repurposed historic buildings.

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Founded in 1894 as a single tax colony, Fairhope is the oldest such society in the U.S. The modest, eminently-practical founders selected the name Fairhope from a member’s comment that the plan had a “fair hope” of success.

“Way back when,” she jokes, “my cousin’s favorite description of the Grand and the whole area was that it was for newly weds and nearly deads.”

But things are different now, she adds.

Old Mainstays, Facelifts, and New Digs The corner of South Section Street and Fairhope Avenue is the town’s Hollywood and Vine, the crossroads of past and and present that makes Fairhope — known to locals as “the most hippy town in Alabama” — appealing to both young and old.

Fairhope Pharmacy was ahead of the curve when it began selling just about everything decades ago, and nearby Julwin’s remains the town favorite for breakfast, lunch, and takeaway.

A section of the exhibition-rich Fairhope Museum of History on North Section Street chronicles the early history of this utopian venture, in which land was owned by The Fairhope Industrial Association and leased to individuals for 99 years, an arrangement that still exists in the original settlement areas.

The town’s French heritage is on full display in The French Quarter, a rambling collection of boutique shops that includes chef Pete Blohme’s Panini Pete’s Cafe and Bakeshoppe, where patrons can dine on paninis and beignets, featured on the Food Network’s “Diner’s, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” in a Belle Époque glass pavilion.

For $200, one could join the association, lease land, and participate in governance of the community. Parklands, including the popular municipal pier, were created in perpetuity, and no-fee educational institutions established.

Nearby, Aubergine (antiques and upscale home decor), Southern Antiques and Accents, and Old South Antique Mart showcase everything from weathered butter churns to sophisticated French and English pieces.

New Orleanian Dessa Giffin’s family has been coming to Fairhope and along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay for almost five generations.

David Giffin recommends CK Collection Men’s apparel shop if you want to fit into the Fairhope scene. New kid on the block Suzy Q’s serves super-chilled “rolled ice cream” wrapped around dozens of sweet and savory fillings.

“New Orleanian Dessa Giffin’s family has been coming to Fairhope and along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay for almost five generations.”

Fairhope’s Municipal Pier offers views of sunsets over Mobile Bay and quiet walks after dinner with friends.

In the 1950s, the Grand added spiffy mid-century accents; and the new decor is a blend of traditional and 1950s retro ambiance, with splashes of bold contemporary color that could send returning guests reeling to the comfort of an old-fashioned fainting couch.

of old h Quarter is a mix Fairhope’s Frenc . ted da up armingly charm and the ch

From the street, the iconic Page and Palette looks the same as it has for 50 years, but inside it’s all grown up.

Stephanie Crowe, the store’s self-described “Book Addict and Event Manager” watched the focus change during 2016-17 renovations made by owners Karen — Fairhope’s mayor — and Kiefer Wilson who now live above the store that her mother, Betty Jo Wolff, founded.

From Military Green to Grand Gold A trip to the recently-renovated Grand Hotel has always been like a comforting visit to grandma’s, but the new grandma at the now ultra chic resort is the glamorous Cher of the Mama Mia sequel.

The three-year, $32-million facelift gets some mixed, though overwhelmingly positive, reviews.

During World War II, the top-secret Operation Ivory Soap, which trained recruits to service on-duty ships, was housed in the hotel.

Military desks and bunk beds replaced rustic furnishings, which were stored and later returned to hotel active duty status.

But relax, the upper lobby, with its massive, six-sided stone fireplace, remains a cozy, almost untouched, haven for guests on chilly mornings.

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay There’s no charge to walk along the bay from the Grand, passing sprawling 19th-century cottages and ending up at the Punta Clara Kitchen, spiritual home of sweets lovers, with The Wash House restaurant next door.

The town offers historic downtown walking tours each Saturday in April at 10 a.m., leaving from the Fairhope Welcome Center on North Section; and the Fairhope Outdoor Farmers Market is held Thursdays in May behind the Fairhope Public Library on Bancroft Street.

The 67th annual Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival will take place Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17.

You’ll feel the spirit of Otis Redding on the Municipal Pier, overlooking Mobile Bay at the end of Fairhope Avenue. Founded in 1894 as part of the original colony, it’s ideal for watching the sunset after a meal at Gambino’s Italian Grill, just sittin’ when the evenin’ comes.

march/april 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

“The shop’s Latte Da coffee shop was always at the corner,” Crowe confirmed, “but now it’s connected to the new bar and event space, Book Cellar.” Chats with authors, and music groups on Monday and Friday evenings, are featured in the space.

The hotel’s recently-minted historian, Susan Stein, chronicles the changes she’s seen in her 32 years in different jobs at the hotel.

Guest rooms, she says, have been updated with nautical touches; and the new main dining room, Southern Roots, sports a more eclectic menu beneath an immense chandelier of glistening gold leaves. Adjacent is the new 1847 Bar, referencing the date of construction of the first, 40-room hotel, and serving just about any trendy cocktail you can concoct.

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10

Local Ways to Better the

ENVIRONMENT

By Chappelle Johnson

We’ve all read about what we can do to help conserve and recycle to better the world for future generations, but what can you start doing right now, today? Below are ten ways New Orleanians can do their part.

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5

Buy local.

There are numerous farmers and flea markets in Louisiana that offer fresh local food and more. By buying locally, it not only boosts the local economy, but it also lessens the negative environmental impact that transporting goods long distances creates.

Scale back on your car usage.

With the recent addition of the Blue Bike rentals in the New Orleans area, there are more options to reduce one’s carbon footprint now. Take the bus, streetcar, or carpool in order to decrease emitting more toxic pollution in the air.

Donate to your local food kitchen.

Instead of throwing your food away, donate it to your local food pantry. There are plenty of people in need and it reduces food waste, which contributes to 21 percent of landfill volume.

Find a food kitchen and see what kind of food donations they accept.

Be conscious of what you eat while out.

Seaworthy, Willa Jean, Seed, and Cochon are just a few of the restaurants you can go for sustainable and/or vegan food options. Beef and dairy cattle contribute to a large portion of the methane emitted, which adds to global warming.

By giving up meat and cheese at least one day a week, you can help decrease methane emissions in a big way.

Participate in eco-friendly fashion.

Americans throw out 10.5 million tons of clothes annually and only donate or recycle 15 percent.

Even though Louisiana is not the most ecofriendly state there are some options available to reduce your textile waste. There are two ways to help: Donate or recycle your old clothes to your local textile recycler, charity, or thrift store and shop at stores that make sustainable clothing.

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Grow your own food.

Join a local community garden or start a garden in your own backyard. Growing your own food reduces plastic use (grocery bags), decreases environmental effect on goods transportation, and helps put healthy nutrients into the soil. Just don’t forget to incorporate environment-friendly gardening practices.

Buy used.

The Green Project salvage store helps divert two million pounds of usable materials from landfills annually. You can donate or purchase building materials or furniture for 30-50 percent less than the retail price. The Green Project also offers a paint recycling program that helps divert 40,000 gallons of paint from being improperly disposed of in local ecosystems. So instead of throwing away your half used can of paint, donate to a great cause.

Conserve electricity.

Green Light New Orleans assists New Orleans residents by installing free, energy efficient light bulbs, rain barrels, and backyard vegetable gardens to help the environment and community. By using more energy efficient materials you can save thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle.

By recycling half of your household waste can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. To register for the curbside recycling program, Orleans Parish residents can call 311.

Minimize single-use.

Plastic is a harsh material that takes 450 years to biodegrade. To help lessen the amount of plastic in landfills, use reusable water bottles instead of plastic water bottles. Use reusable bags when shopping, don’t use disposable cutlery and plates, or simply refuse plastic straws when eating out.

o G e h T n O IN NOLA MARCH 1 Fri

Krewe of Centurions Metairie, 6:30 pm.

Krewe of Hermes Uptown, 5:30 pm.

Mandeville Lions Car Show

Mandeville Lions Club. Last year, over 50 cars and trucks entered the show to compete for Best in Show along with other categories. Cold drinks, burgers, hot dogs, and more will be sold by Lion’s members. There will be raffles and door prizes along with music. Proceeds will benefit the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation and the summer Louisiana Lion’s Children’s Camp. Free.

Krewe of NOMTOC Westbank, 10:45 am.

Krewe of Endymion Mid-City, 4:15 pm.

Uptown, 6:30 pm.

3 SUN

Krewe of Isis

Krewe of Athena

Krewe of Selene

Krewe of Iris

Krewe of Pandora

Uptown, 11 am.

Metairie, 6:30 pm.

Krewe of Orpheus

Krewe of Tucks

Krewe of Okeanos

Krewe of Morpheus Uptown, 7 pm.

Slidell, 6:30 pm.

Mandeville, 7 pm.

Metairie, 6:30 pm.

Uptown, 11 am.

Metairie, 5:30 pm.

Uptown, 11 am.

march/april 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

2 SAT

Krewe d’Etat

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5 TUES

9 SAT

Total Lawn Care for the Deep South Krewe of Mid-City Uptown, 11:45 am.

Krewe of Thoth Uptown, 12 pm.

FAT TUESDAY Krewe of Argus

Krewe of Bacchus Uptown, 5:15 pm.

Metairie, 10:00am.

New Orleans Botanical Garden. Chris Dunaway with the LSU AgCenter will give a presentation on lawn care for the homeowner in the New Orleans area.

Topics will include site preparation, turf selection, maintenance, pest and disease control, and overcoming problem situations. $12/person. 10:30 am-1:14pm

12 TUES

Krewe of Elks Jefferson

Metairie, follows Krewe of Argus.

4 MON

Krewe of Jefferson

Metairie, follows Krewe of Elks Jefferson.

Krewe of Proteus Uptown, 5:15 pm.

Krewe of Zulu Uptown, 8 am.

Hamilton

Saenger Theatre. Hamilton is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War. Ticket prices vary. 7:30 pm. Continues through March 31, showtimes vary.

15 FRI

Krewe of Orpheus Uptown, 6 pm.

33rd Annual Lundi Gras

Krewe of Rex Uptown, 10 am.

Krewe of Elks Orleans

Uptown, follows Krewe of Rex.

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Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza. The 2019 celebration is particularly special as Lundi Gras also marks the official reopening of the renovated Spanish Plaza.

It features live music, local food and drink vendors, and a fireworks display.

The event culminates with the arrival of Rex, King of Carnival, and his entourage aboard elegantly decorated vintage railroad cars. Free. 12-6:30pm.

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Krewe of Crescent City

Uptown, follows Krewe of Elks Orleans

Krewe of Lyra Covington, 10 am.

7 THURS

Thursdays at Twilight Parade of Red Beans Marigny, New Orleans. Krewe of Red Beans struts the streets of the Marigny each year on Lundi Gras to pay homage to New Orleans’ Monday culinary tradition: red beans and rice. Free. 2 pm.

New Orleans Botanical Garden. Paul Sanchez transforms audiences with his unique blend of music and storytelling.

His songs are powerful, sad, humorous, entertaining, and hopeful. $10/person.

Thursdays. 6 pm-8 pm

Create Late at NOMA

New Orleans Museum of Art. Exclusively for adults, kick off your weekend with a glass of wine and a hands-on art project.

Unwind while enjoying Friday Nights at NOMA programming. $25/class for NOMA members and $30/class for non-members.

6:30 pm-8 pm.

16 SAT

March Plant Sale New Orleans Botanical Garden. The New Orleans Botanical Garden hosts plant sales with a wide variety of plants including annuals, perennials, roses, gingers, edibles, succulents, and native plants for sale to the public. Admission to the plant sale is free. 9 am-12 pm.

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ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Allstate Sugar Bowl St. Patrick’s Day Classic

Hosted by the Crescent City Classic, runners run down Metairie Rd. before the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The 2-mile course will finish at Frisco where a post-race party will take place. Kids are free under 3, $25/ general registration. 10 am-1 pm.

Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday City wide. The largest and most popular of the festivities is the procession staged by the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council in the Central City neighborhood beginning at A.L. Davis Park.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade The annual Metairie Rd. St. Patrick’s Day Parade will start in front of Rummel High School on Severn Avenue, then proceeds to Metairie Rd., and finishes at the parish line. Free. 12 pm.

20 WED

2019 New Orleans Bourbon Festival

Contemporary Arts Center and the Hilton Riverside. The third annual New Orleans Bourbon Festival will provide attendees with an opportunity to enjoy the finest bourbon distilleries and restaurants and provide the most experienced and relevant speakers. All proceeds of the festival will be donated to the general fund of Kids Can NOLA. Continues March 21, 22, and 23.

Wednesday at the Square Concert Series Lafayette Square Park, S Maestri St. A series of free outdoor concerts by well-known local artists, sponsored by the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans. Free. 5-8 pm. Continues every Wednesday through May 22.

21 THURS

2019 Louisiana Crawfish Festival

8245 W Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette. The Louisiana Crawfish Festival, originating in 1975, is located in beautiful and historical St. Bernard Parish. Enjoy authentic Cajun cuisine, boiled crawfish with all the fixins, music, arts and crafts, and carnival games. $5/person. 6-10 pm. Continues on March 22, 12-11:30 pm, and March 23, 12-9 pm.

23 SAT

Fete Francaisee Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans.

This annual outdoor fest celebrates French heritage and culture with food, music, art, and entertainment. For one day during the year, a portion of Uptown New Orleans transforms into a Parisian getaway. Free. 11 am-5 pm.

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27 WED

Tennessee Williams Literary Festival

938 Lafayette St., Suite 514, New Orleans.

The annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival is named after the world-famous playwright who made New Orleans his home during one of the most creative periods in his life. The event will take place at venues around the French Quarter featuring speakers, contests, and special celebratory events. Ticket prices vary. Continues March 28, 29, 30, and 31.

Art in Bloom - Illuminations: Looking Within and Beyond

New Orleans Museum of Art. One of the most anticipated springtime events in New Orleans, Art in Bloom showcases spectacular floral designs created by over 100 exhibitors that remain on display at NOMA for four days, from March 2831. Proceeds from Art in Bloom benefit education projects and exhibitions at NOMA and community projects of The Garden Study Club of New Orleans.

6 pm-10 pm.

29 FRI

Hogs for the Cause

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| march/april 2019

6801 Franklin Ave. This event is all about good BBQ, friendly competition, live music, and the cause: raising funds for families fighting pediatric brain cancer.

General admission tickets range from $30$100, early purchase discount available.

3:30 pm. Continues March 30 at 11 am.

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30 SAT

Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival Louis Armstrong Park. Presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation, the festival offers Mardi Gras Indians, African dance, brass bands, jazz, soul-funk, and Garifuna music from Honduras and West African highlife.

Free. 11 am-7 pm. Continues March 31.

Big Bass Fishing Rodeo and Fishtival

New Orleans City Park will host its 72nd annual Big Bass Rodeo, the oldest freshwater rodeo in the country. Be sure and visit the free Fishtival with exhibitors, vendors, raffles, fishing tackle for sale, and more. Entry Fees: Big Bass: adults: $10, kids (12 and under): $5, Boats on the Bayou: $15/ person pre-registration and $25/person day of registration. Battle for the Bass: $5/ person pre-registration and $10/person/ day of registration. 6 am-12 pm.

Family Day Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Explore the Ogden Museum’s Self-Taught exhibition, Vernacular Voices, with a day of art activities, music, food, and performances. Free and open to the public. 10 am-2 pm.

31 SUN

Louisiana Rainbow Iris Festival New Orleans Museum of Art. Horticulture lovers and gardening enthusiasts are invited to the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden for the annual Louisiana Rainbow Iris Festival, presented by NOMA and the Greater New Orleans Iris Society (GNOIS). Come view the newly-bloomed Louisiana irises in the lush sculpture garden. Free. 10 am-4 pm.

APRIL 2 TUES

Trivia Night

Flamingo A-Go-Go, 869 Magazine St. They’ve got questions... let’s see if you’ve got the answers Join for Trivia Night hosted by Challenge Entertainment - Louisiana. Grab the flock and your knowledge of useless facts for a chance to win Flamingo A-Go-Go gift cards.

Continues every Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 pm.

3 WED

Movies in the Courtyard

Flamingo A-Go-Go, 869 Magazine St. Grab your clock and enjoy a double-feature in the courtyard every Wednesday.

Showtimes are 7 pm and 9:30 pm.

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience

Various Locations. Save the date and enjoy over 1,000 international wines, tastings, culinary events and more.

Celebrate all week along with various food tastings, seminars, and more. Visit nowfe.com for a complete list of events, locations, times, and prices.

5 FRI

Senior Fest

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

The annual one-day event sponsored by the Social Work Program serves adults 55+ through enriching breakouts, engaging worship, and opportunities for fun and fellowship with other believers. 8-11 pm.

6 SAT

Spring Garden Show

New Orleans Botanical Garden. The annual Spring Garden Show invites visitors to explore the beautiful Botanical Garden, more than 50 horticultural exhibits, family friendly activities, and educational lectures. The festival includes plant sales, garden product sales, a Plant Health Clinic, a Children’s Discovery Zone, and live music. $10/person. 9 am-5 pm.

Continues April 7, 10 am-4 pm.

Walk With A Doc Audubon Park. Ochsner Medical Student Association hosts Walk with a Doc, a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. While you walk at your own pace, you’ll have the opportunity to have questions answered by local physicians. 9 am. Continues the first and third Saturday of every month.

Freret Street Festival Freret St. between Napoleon and Valmont.

Filled with local food, art, music, and fun, the annual Freret Street Festival celebrates one of New Orleans’ most beloved streets. A seven-block stretch spanning Freret Street from Valmont Street to Napoleon Avenue will be filled with food and craft vendors, live musical performances, and children’s activities. 11 am-6 pm. Free.

Howling Success

The New Orleans Advocate, 840 St. Charles Ave. The 40th Annual Howling Success Patron Party & Gala will celebrate Peace Love & Good Juju while supporting the life-saving mission of the Louisiana SPCA. Ticket prices vary.

Patron Party 7-8 pm; Gala 8-11 pm.

Bill Maher

Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. For the last 15 years, Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television. Tickets start at $45/person. 8 pm.

7 SUN

Saturday Afternoon Grand Tasting

The Sugar Mill, 1021 Convention Center Blvd. This event showcases wellknown and up-and-coming chefs and winemakers from around the world.

Chat with chefs and winemakers.

General admission $129/person. 2-5 pm.

Spring 2019 Reboot Retreat

Longue Vue House and Gardens. The Reboot Retreat is a one-day health and wellness retreat. The retreat includes meditation and mindfulness training with a trained meditation leader, yoga led by an expert yoga instructor, and a healthy and whole breakfast and lunch, with coffee, tea, and snacks. Ticket prices vary. 9 am-5 pm.

9 TUES

JCC Book Club New Orleans JCC, 5342 St. Charles Ave. The JCC Book Club offers engaging and insightful discussions in a laid back environment. April’s book will be “Asymmetry” by Lisa Halliday. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Judy Yaillen at 897-0143 or judy@nojcc. org. 1:30-2:30 pm. Free.

Willie Nelson & Family

The Fillmore New Orleans, 6 Canal St. With a six-decade career and 200 plus albums, this iconic Texan is the creative genius behind the historic recordings of “Crazy,” “Red Headed Stranger”, and “Stardust.” This event is for all ages.

General admission and reserved stadium seating are available. Tickets available at fillmorenola.com. 7 pm.

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11 THURS

FrenchQuarter Festival

French Quarter. No better way to celebrate all things New Orleans than attending French Quarter Fest! This fourday festival has the best of New Orleans music, food, and festival fun. Free.

Continues until April 14.

12 FRI

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Memorial Park, N 6th St., Ponchatoula.

The 48th annual festival is filled with lots of great food, strawberries, and entertainment. Free. Continues through April 14.

12th Annual Big Easy Blues Festival

UNO Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave. Enjoy the blues sounds of artists like Ronnie Bell, Tucka, Pokey Bear, Tyree Neal, Lenny Williams, and LeBrado.

Tickets starting at $52/person. 8 pm.

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Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

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Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations, and all the moments you love – the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball, and more – plus some surprising new twists. For more information, visit saengernola.com. Ticket prices vary.

Continues through April 14.

13 SAT

Tulane Football Spring Game

Yulman Stadium, Ben Weiner Dr. Come get a preview of what to look forward to during the 2019 season and stick around for post-game fun. 10 am-1:30 pm.

15 MON

TAX DAY Aging in America Conference

Hyatt Regency. Join American Society on Aging in New Orleans to learn best practices and gain insights from leaders in the field about the current state of aging in America. The 2019 conference will have a strong focus on critical and emergent topics facing the field of aging, as well as cutting-edge and responsive programmatic, research, policy, and advocacy efforts. Ticket prices vary.

Continues April 16, 17, and 18.

16 TUES

Earth Day 2019 New Orleans City Park, Botanical Garden.

Celebrate the earth and learn how we can build a healthier relationship with our natural spaces. Food trucks will be on hand serving food on compostable dishes.

Enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, and a free meditation class. Free. 4-6 pm.

Swing in the Oaks City Park. Bring your blankets, chairs, and picnic fare to this free annual concert on Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn presented by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and City Park. 6 pm-9 pm. Free.

Twilight Goat Yoga

Tulane Campus Recreation, 200 Reily Center, Berger Family Lawn. Renew your focus and recharge your brain while taking in the beauty of the outdoors with adorable baby goats. This is an all-levels yoga class and beginners are welcome.

Bring a yoga mat or towel for class. Don’t forget your phone for goat selfies. The class is weather dependent. For more information, visit campusrecreation. tulane.edu/content/twilight-goat-yoga.

Rain location: Diboll Studios. 6-7 pm.

20 SAT

AllState Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 1250 Poydras St. A 10k road race where both runners and walkers of all abilities are invited to participate. There will also be a two-day Health & Fitness Expo, which is free and open to the public, as well as throws one of the best post-race parties in road racing hosted by Michelob Ultra, and complete with live music and local creole cuisine. For more information, visit ccc10K.com. 8 am.

21 SUN

EASTER SUNDAY 25 THURS

18 THURS

2019 What’s Next Boomer Business Summit

Hyatt Regency. Join the nation’s leading companies, experts, and thought leaders in the boomer and senior space for the 16th Annual What’s Next Boomer Business Summit. The industry’s premier event for networking, launching products, and making deals. 8 am-6 pm.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Fairgrounds Race Course and Slots, 1751 Gentilly Blvd. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Celebrate with amazing cuisine, music, and the overall culture of New Orleans. In honor of their 50-

year milestone, Jazz Fest is celebrating with a special addition: an extra day.

Fest organizers have added “Locals Thursday” to the festival lineup this year, offering specially-priced tickets for locals with a valid Louisiana State ID. Prices start at $70. For two weekends, Apr. 25-28 and May 2-5.

2019 NFL Draft New Orleans Watch Party

The American Sports Saloon. Join the sports bar for the NFL Draft. Book early if you want to reserve an outside balcony table and watch while overlooking the French Quarter. Or enjoy the draft inside with sound on the big screens. 8-11 pm.

27 SAT

addition to the boil, there will be live music performances and competitions, including a crawfish cook-off and an eating competition. Prices start at $35.

3-10 pm. Continues until May 1.

16th Annual Crawfish Cook-off

Fritchie Park, Slidell. The Hospice Foundation of the South’s signature event.

Crawfish are boiled up by over 50 teams competing for the title of “Best Crawfish in St Tammany Parish.” Celebrity judges as well as the teams themselves decide the winners. Admission includes all the crawfish you can eat and the concert event. $30 in advance, $35 at the gate.

Children 12 and under are free. 11 am-6 pm.

29 MON

NOLA Crawfish Festival

Central City BBQ, 1201 S. Rampart St. The fourth annual NOLA Crawfish Fest has over 6,000 pounds of crawfish boiled on the spot by the Crawfish King. In

Cooler than avocado toast.

And busier.

march/april 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

To have your event listed here, contact us info@nolaboomers.com

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