450
$
NORTHSHORE’S FINEST • HOLLYWOOD ON THE NORTHSHORE • NATCHEZ • RAISING THE ROOST
JULY-AUGUST 2014 VOL. 29, NO. 4
July-August 2014
Vol. 29, No. 4
The community magazine of the northshore, serving St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes. Publisher Lori Murphy –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Editor-in-Chief Poki Hampton Senior Editor Jan Murphy Associate Editor Lauren Parrish Associate Publisher Candice Laizer Editorial Assistant Leah Stogner Contributors are featured on page 18. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Art Director Brad Growden Graphic Designer Jennifer Starkey –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Business Manager Jane Quillin Advertising Account Executives Brenda Breck Poki Hampton Candice Laizer Barbara Roscoe Becky Schoen Sales Coordinator Rachel Mellen Interns Alex Brainard Olivia Rogers –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For advertising information phone (985) 626-9684 fax (985) 674-7721 email sales@insidenorthside.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Please send items for Inside Scoop to scoop@insidenorthside.com. Photos for Inside Peek, with captions, should be sent to peek@insidenorthside.com. Submit items for Inside Input or Dining Guide to editor@insidenorthside.com. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Contact Inside Northside P.O. Box 9148 Mandeville, LA 70470-9148 phone (985) 626-9684 fax (985) 674-7721 website www.insidenorthside.com Subscriptions 1 Year $18 2 Years $30 email subscriptions@insidenorthside.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
On the cover Artist Bernard Mattox –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– INSIDE NORTHSIDE MAGAZINE is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by M and L Publishing, LLC, PO Box 9148, Mandeville, LA 70470-9148 as a means of communication and information for St. Tam many and Tangipahoa Parishes, Louisiana. Bulk Postage paid at Mandeville, LA. Copyright ©2014 by M and L Publishing, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent of publisher. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and artwork. Inside Northside Magazine is created using the Adobe Creative Suite on Apple Macintosh computers.
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Inside Northside
page 38
Features 20 Between the Known and the Hidden Cover artist Bernard Mattox. 38 Summer Breezes Gulf getaway. 44 Northshore’s Finest Young professionals giving back. 48 Remember the Beatles! Come Together for this fun 50th anniversary tribute concert. 51 Traces Miles Pond: Champion Duck Caller. 52 Traces Bogalusa: 100 years of an iconic small town. 54
contents table of
Hollywood on the Northshore Rolling out the red carpet for the film indudtry.
67 Natchez “What you love about the South.” 74 John Chauvin Celebrating the legendary voice of the Lions. 78 Traces Bob Breck: Meteorologist par excellence! 80 Traces Mimi Greenwood Knight. 86 Raising the Roost The joys of raising chickens.
page 67
90 Generous Hearts From the Hearts of Babes. 112
Think Big Four homegrown companies are reaching far and wide.
44 Haute Dishes of 1 Summer 2014
Medical Profile 110 Ochsner Health System
IN Business & Leadership
following page 120
page 86 July-August 2014 11
page 82
contents table of
Departments 14 Publisher’s Note 17 Editor’s Note 18 Contributors page 102
24 INside Scoop 33 IN Other Words Second Time Around. 34 Points of INterest 36 IN Depth David L. Waltemath, Developer, Bedico Creek Preserve.
95 Flourishes Extraordinary gifts and home accents. 100 IN Love and Marriage Notable northshore weddings.
64 IN the Bookcase Summer Reads.
102 INside Look Colors of Summer.
72 IN Better Health Cheryl Guidoz.
133 IN the Spotlight Art in the Park.
82 Northshore Artisans Adam Sambola A RedBean in Every Pot.
134 IN the Spotlight Cinco de Mayo 2014. 135 INside Peek 136 IN the Spotlight Heart and Night of Fashion. 140 IN the Spotlight Crescent City Classic. 150 IN Great Taste Summer Shower. 152 INside Dining 158 Northshore Living Hurricane Preparedness. 161 Ad Directory
page 95
page 150
12
Inside Northside
162 Last Bite Winos and Tacos.
Lights, camera, action! by Lori Murphy When Gretchen called to say she’d been hired to paint for a movie project, I had no idea we would still be watching her handiwork onscreen 23 years later! The film was He Said, She Said starring Kevin Bacon. She got the call from our old friend and classmate David Bomba, a film industry production designer. David needed a book of illustrations for a certain scene and Gretchen Armbruster got the gig. It was big time and very glamorous. Not only did I know someone on the “crew,” but now my best friend’s art would be on the big screen! Fast forward to our 50s, and it seems everyone knows someone who does something for the movie industry. This is largely due to an expansion of the industry in Louisiana and the creative and beautiful environment we live in, no doubt. That said, I must admit I am still star struck! When I see the crazy film crew signs, I always try to decipher what the letters might mean. (I haven’t been right yet, btw.) It is as if I am destined to be near but not film-famous. David Bomba, who grew up down the street and went to school with Gretchen and me, is just one example. When the credits play on Apollo 13, I am proud to see his name roll by. I wish he had needed some kind of help from me on that one, or maybe on Walk the Line, another of his projects. My husband and I had an apartment on Decatur in the French Quarter for a time, and Brangelina lived right in the next block. I would slowly stroll by, hoping to catch a glimpse. In a recent celebrity post, I read that Brad tossed Matthew McConaughey a beer from the porch of that same house. I am glad to know they still enjoy our city—I may have to put that block back in my walking route! For this issue, we talked to several locals who play a part in the industry that is thriving on the northshore and throughout the state. One of them is Inside Northside’s July-August 2010 cover artist Alexander Stolin. Maybe it is true that we all are just six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon!
ps: Check out page 79 for an announcement of our newest endeavor!
Editor’s note by Poki Hampton The dog days are upon us as we while away the summer. Whether you’re enjoying the sea, sand and breeze in the shade of a beach umbrella or simply resting with your feet up in air-conditioned coolness, this issue has many interesting articles for you to peruse as you relax. Gaining in popularity as a spectator sport on the northshore is the hunt for shooting locations and the actors and other participants who are involved in the rapidly growing northshore film-making industry. Hollywood on the Northshore (page 54) provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the action and an introduction to a few of the people who make it possible. Intrigued by this issue’s cover? Find out more about artist Bernard Mattox on page 20. For a great summer getaway, plan a weekend trip to Natchez (page 67) Soak up the area’s history and the beauty of the magnificent antebellum homes while enjoying great food and music. Learn how local favorites from smoothies to painting parties grew into franchises (page 112) that are now known throughout the United States and around the world. Summer is a time for weddings. See how our own Becky Schoen pulled off a beautiful second wedding (page 33). And if you’d like to throw a colorful shower for a special bride, get great ideas on page 150. Other not-to-miss stories cover topics that range from raising chickens to talking to kids about the value of giving, and from this year’s Cystic Fibrosis Northshore’s Finest honorees to celebrating Bogalusa’s 100th birthday! And after you’ve read this July-August issue from cover to cover, go to page 64 for a plethora of suggestions for great summer reads! Plenty to make you forget that before our next issue comes out, school will be back in session, and the summer will be winding down. Make the most of it while you can!
Contributors Our contributors give Inside Northside its voice, its personality and its feel. Here we highlight a few of them so that you can put a face with a name and get to know them.
Mindy Cordell-Martin Mindy Cordell-Martin is a freelance writer, marketing consultant and proud mother of Dylan, 11, and Ava, 7. After earning her MBA from St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas, Mindy returned to her home state of Louisiana to be near family. She finds inspiration in many things—the beauty of beaches and mountains, the vibe of urban coffee shops, people-watching at airports and festivals, and music and chocolate in nearly any form. In this issue, Mindy had the opportunity to write Think Big (page 112), a piece about four local companies that may be the only things growing faster than her children.
Kim Bergeron
Candra George
Terri Schlichenmeyer
Ashley Thompson
Painting with words and telling stories through pictures are two of Kim Bergeron’s passions. The advertising, public relations and event production specialist is also a fine-arts photographer and mixedmedia artist who views the world as her canvas. Kim is best known for her recent work as director of cultural and public affairs for the city of Slidell, which included a decade of arts advocacy efforts, dedication to bringing arts and culture to the area, and community service. In this issue, she writes about raising chickens (page 86) and Adam Sambola’s RedBean (page 82).
Candra George is a wife, mother, travel junkie and collector of all things vintage and shiny. She’s been a professional photographer since 2007 and has been blessed to work with some of the best in the industry. When Candra isn’t traveling and shooting, she spends her days at home in Covington, attempting to take photos of her messy toddler and stubborn French bulldog. In this issue, Candra’s photos accompany the Raising the Roost story on page 86.
Terri Schlichenmeyer, also known as The Bookworm, will read almost anything: websites, magazines, road signs, the backs of cereal boxes, clothing labels, secret notes, handbills, 19th-century German fairy tales, and (of course) books! She lives in a library of her very own, on a hill in Wisconsin, with two very pampered little fur-boys. In this issue, Terri reviewed the summer’s new releases. (page 64).
Born in Arkansas, Ashley Thompson received a bachelor’s degree in art history from San Francisco State University and now works as a freelance photographer shooting portraits, weddings, families and real estate throughout the Bay Area. For this issue, Ashley photographed our Villa Vici design house on page 38. She currently resides in San Francisco with her husband and their 7-year-old son.
Other Voices: Susan H. Bonnett, Alice Riley, Poki Hampton, Mimi Greenwood Knight, Becky Schoen, Jeff Strout and Eric Suhre.
18
Inside Northside
photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
by Poki Hampton
Between the Known and the Hidden Just as we are influenced by those who came before us, by our associations, our travels, our surroundings and our education, so is the mind of an artist. Art is a living, growing thing, and every artist is influenced by the past. Little did Bernard Mattox know when he was studying anthropology at Tulane University in the 1970s that he would evolve into one of the northshore’s best-known artists. Working in both ceramic and oil, Bernard uses imagery and techniques from the past and present as well as architecture, religion, nature and his dreams to conjure up his mixed-media projects. Close observation of his works shows that through the repetition of pattern and the placement of sculptural forms and figures he creates a feast for the eyes and the mind. “It is a hope and intention that some of these influences are easily discovered. It is my belief that other influences are ethereal and elusive. The line between the known and the hidden keeps pushing and pulling the work forward and backward,” says Bernard. >>
20
Inside Northside
photo: STEPHANIE SCHOEN
Cover Artist Bernard Mattox
Meet cover artist
Bernard Mattox and see some of his favorite works on display at the
East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce 1808 Front St., Slidell, LA
Thursday, July 17, 2014 5:30-7:00 p.m. For more information, call
626-9684 Music by Ronnie Kole and Christian Serpas and Ghost Town
Everyone’s Invited!
Gerri Hooks of Hooks-Epstein Galleries in Houston notes that Bernard’s work continuously pulls the viewer back to find something fresh and new. She adds, “It looks simple, but it is far from it.”
Potter and painter Much to his parent’s dismay, Bernard left Tulane to study pottery. In 1976, he accepted an apprenticeship to Big Creek Pottery School in Davenport, California. There he learned the wheel and other free-form methods of potting. His pottery matured and evolved; in the early ’80s, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts from Tulane. “I left New Orleans about 20 years ago to live in an ancient forest,” says Bernard. “What followed me was a deep well of memories, associations and visual and mental images along with recollections of a French Catholic upbringing. All of these associations have evolved as a result of living some 30 years in a city so entrenched in mystery, decadence, spiritual archeology and architectural exotica.” Fifteen years ago, he put aside pottery for a time and began painting. Bernard’s paintings display the same whimsical imagery as his ceramics. The graphic canvas is loaded with familiar forms, but they are folded together in unusual combinations. Using elements of abstraction and surrealism, Bernard calls on his subconscious to create highly individual art. His art is sometimes subtle or sometimes in bright colors, as though depicting his mood. The relationship of shape, color and texture keeps the observer’s attention. His work often incorporates found objects from the woods near his home or someone’s junk pile. He uses them to create puzzle-like pieces with compartments holding abstract objects 22
Inside Northside
photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
photo: STEPHANIE SCHOEN
that add to the composition. Many of Bernard’s paintings are three-dimensional, on oak board with constructed cubby holes to hold his ceramic treasures or found pieces. Frequently, people ask Bernard what his paintings mean. He says, “My paintings are not limited in the interpretation. They are whatever one sees in them, whatever one’s own experiences bring forth.” In fact, what comes forth may change even for the viewer. What seems commanding at one look slips behind other elements in another glance. It is the complexity of the presentation that allows the art to be appreciated in varying ways over time. Carol Robinson of the gallery by the same name says, “Bernard is a fascinating painter, sophisticated in his approach as well as playful. He is always inviting the viewer to ask ‘What is he saying?’ or ‘Who is this artist?’ I never grow tired of answering that question,” she says. After years of fighting rising water and storms that destroyed his work in his former home on the Bogue Falaya, Bernard has moved into a “tree house” in Folsom. His rustic, but well-equipped, home is built on pilings just in case there is a flood. He calls it a tree house because it is built so high you feel as though you are in the trees. Bernard is enclosing the part underneath the house to use as his studio and to teach his students painting and pottery. After fighting the elements for so long, he is confident that he and his art are now safe.
“Bernard Mattox has the soul of a poet, the mind of a philosopher, the spirit of an inventor, the courage of a hermit, and as a gift to us all, the hands of an artist,” wrote Emery Clark for Red Dot Magazine in 2003. Today, Bernard studies philosophy with the monks at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Covington. He lives in harmony with nature and his surroundings in his tree house in the woods. Bernard has received many honors and awards and today shows his work at the Carol Robinson Gallery in New Orleans and at the Hooks-Epstein Galleries in Houston. His work is in permanent collections of the Ogden Museum of the South, New Orleans; the Department of Architecture and Design, The Pentagon, Washington; Treme Museum, New Orleans; the Center for Development and Learning, Covington; and the Lazarus House AIDS Hospice, New Orleans. July-August 2014 23
San Fermin en Nueva Orleans For an up-to-date listing of events, please check our website, insidenorthside.com.
INSIDE the definitive guide to northshore events and entertainment
24
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
1-31 Classes, workshops, retreats
Room, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd., Covington.
and space for women’s groups.
1-2pm. 867-3900.
Fosters personal growth and community
3 Light Up the Sky. Zemurray Park,
for women of all backgrounds and
400 S. Oak St., Hammond. 5-9pm. Rose
traditions. Women’s Center for Healing
Caprera, 277-5630. hammond.org.
& Transformation, 71667 Leveson
3 Sparks In the Park. City of Covington
St., Abita Springs. For schedule of
celebrates Independence Day. Bring
events and registration, call 892-8111.
picnic; concessions available. Bogue
womenscenterforhealing.org.
Falaya Park. 7pm.; fireworks at dusk.
2-30 Covington Farmers Market.
892-1873. covla.com.
Wed, Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New
4 Folsom First Friday Block Party.
Hampshire St., 10am-2pm; Sat, 609 N.
Djs, dancing and fun. Live music. Camp
Columbia St., 8am-noon. Free. 966-1786.
Street to Railroad Avenue to Highway 25.
covla.com.
6-10pm. 773-3390.
2, 16, 30 Total Joint Class. Interactive
4 Fourth of July Fireworks
class conducted by a physical therapist.
Spectacular. Fireworks and DJ music.
Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Pelican
Columbia Street Landing, Covington.
photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
July
July 10-13 San Fermin en Nueva Orleans. Annual Running of the Bulls Festival and more. The “bulls� are none other than the Big Easy Rollergirls and participants from other roller derby leagues across the country. San Fermin Spanish Wine Dinner, Thurs, Hotel Mazarin, 7pm. info@nolabulls.com. nolabulls.com.
6-9pm. Free. 892-6023. 4 Mandeville City Seafood Festival. Music by Jefferson Starship and the Grass Roots. Fontainebleau State Park, 62883 Hwy. 1089, Mandeville. Noon-midnight. mandevillecityseafoodfest.com. 4 Slidell Heritage Festival. Featured bands Voodoo Gumbo, Boogie Men and Molly Ringwalds. 4-11pm. Heritage Park, Slidell. slidellheritagefest.org. 5, 12, 19, 26 Camellia City Market. Local produce, prepared foods, arts and crafts. Live music. Griffith Park, 333 Erlanger St. Olde Towne Slidell. 8am-noon. Free. 640-7112. camelliacitymarket.org. 5, 12, 19, 26 Hammond Farmers Market. Downtown Hammond. 8am-noon.>>
Inside Scoop Downtown Development District, 277-
christepiscopalschool.org.
5680. dddhammond.com.
8, 15, 22 Ballet. Ages 2 and up. STPH
5, 12, 19, 26 Mandeville Trailhead
Parenting Center, 1505 N. Florida St.,
Community Market. Handmade crafts
Ste. B, Covington. $21, members; $30,
and prepared foods. Live music. 675
nonmembers. 898-4435. stph.org.
Lafitte St., Mandeville. 9am-1pm. Free.
10 Chamber After Hours. Networking.
624-7112. mandevilletrailhead.org.
Gabriel Building Supply, 501 W. Pine
7 SEAlebration. Live music, stage
St., Ponchatoula. With the Hammond
shows and more. Audubon Aquarium, 1
Chamber. 5-7pm. 386-2536.
Canal St., New Orleans. 5-8pm. Free for
ponchatoulachamber.com.
members. auduboninstitute.org.
12 Madisonville Art Market. Water
7-11 Kids Theater Camp. St. Tammany
Street. 10am-4pm. Free. 643-5340.
Art Association. Children ages 6-12 act
madisonvilleartmarket.com.
and work behind the scenes. Mandeville
12 Second Saturday Art Walk.
Trailhead, 675 Lafitte St. 9:30am-2:30pm.
Downtown Covington. 6-9pm. 892-1873.
$175, members; $185, nonmembers. 892-
covla.com.
8650. sttammanyartassociation.org.
12-13 Christmas in July Sale.
7-27 Northshore Summer
Downtown Ponchatoula.10am-5pm.
Intensive. Seussical Jr. Dr. Seuss
Ponchatoula Chamber, 386-2536.
characters onstage. Christ Episcopal
ponchatoulachamber.com.
School, 80 Christwood Blvd.,
12, 26 Folsom Village Market. Behind
Covington. Performances, July 25-27.
City Hall, 13401 June St. 9am-1pm. 796-
3533. villageoffolsom.com.
Doiron, 626-1568. lacombeartguild.com.
12, 26 Hammond Arts & Crafts
15-24
Market. Downtown Hammond. 9am-3pm.
Ramen Noodles! College students learn
Downtown Development District, 277-5680.
creative ways to cook in a dorm and
dddhammond.com.
more. Culinary Kids Northshore, 3441
13, 20, 27 Open House. For Beau
E. Causeway App., Ste. G, Mandeville.
Provence Memory Care Assisted Living.
Reservations required, 727-5553.
Beau Provence, 100 Beau West Dr.,
culinarykidsns.com.
Mandeville. 11am-3pm. 778-0755.
16 Northshore Rising Professionals
beauprovence.com.
Meeting. Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime
14 Culinary Arts Series. Chef Eric
Museum, 133 Mabel Dr., Mandeville.
Loos, La Provence. One of a series of five
11:30am-1pm. $12, members (before July
dinners and demonstrations sponsored
16; $14 after); $16, nonmembers. 273-3008.
by the Hammond Regional Arts Center.
16-20 Tales of the Cocktail. New Orleans
Alack Culinary Equipment Superstore,
cuisine and culture. Seminars, dinners,
17420 Hwy. 190, Hammond. Tickets, $65,
competitions, tastings, product launches and
members; $75, nonmembers. 542-7113.
more. Individual event tickets and special
hammondarts.org/culinary-art-series.
packages. Various locations, New Orleans.
14 Sculpture Workshop. Featuring
(504) 948-0511. talesofthecocktail.com.
Michael Reid. St. Michael’s Episcopal
17 Smart Women’s Day Out. Hosted by
Church and School, 4499 Sharp Rd.,
the Women of Infinite Possibilities. Speakers
Mandeville. 9:30am-3pm. $45. Shirley S.
include Leah Chase, Irma Thomas, Lena
College Prep Class - BEYOND
>>
July-August 2014 27
Inside Scoop Prime, Angelle Albright and more. Vintage Court, 75082 Hwy. 25, Covington. Doors open, 8:30am; program, 9am-3:30pm. Tickets, $48 per person. Reservations must be made by July 11. Pemmie Sheasby, psheabsy@gmail.com or (504) 610-5963. womenofwip.org. 17, 24, 31 Lamaze Class. Covers the natural process of childbirth, relaxation and breathing techniques, signs and symptoms of labor and more. Bring a pillow and blanket. Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Pelican Room, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd., Covington. 6:30-9:30pm. 867-3900. 18 Sunset at the Landing Concert. Columbia Street Landing, 102 N. Columbia St., Covington. 6-9pm. Free. 892-1873. covla.com. 19 Breastfeeding Class. Topics include the benefit and process of breastfeeding, what to expect and more. Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Pelican Room, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd., Covington. 10am-noon. 867-3900. 19 Jewel of Madisonville Gala and Auction. Proceeds benefit St. Anselm’s Church. Silent and live auctions, live music by Bobby Cure and the Summertime Blues. Castine Center, 63350 Pelican Blvd., Mandeville. Patron party, 6-7pm; gala, 7-11pm. 845-7342. 19 Journal to the Self(R) Workshop. Ten journaling techniques that could improve your writing, health and creativity. 8:30am-4pm. $75. (504) 583-0461. ericamorganlcsw.com. 19-Aug 29 Art Exhibit. Work by Robert Warrens from his Louisiana Landscapes series. The Atrium at Christwood Retirement Community, 100 Christwood Blvd., Covington. Opening reception, July 19, 4:30-6:40pm; additional viewings, Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm. Free. 898-0515. 20 Third Sunday Concert. Encore! Trio. The Atrium at Christwood Retirement Community, 100 Christwood Blvd., 28
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
Covington. 5-6pm. Free. 898-0515. 21-23 Special Needs Social Skills and Cooking Camp. Led by teachers and certified para-professionals. Culinary Kids Northshore, 3441 E. Causeway App., Ste. G, Mandeville. 9am-3pm. Reservations required, 727-5553. 21-25 Chris Duhon Basketball Camp. Fundamentals of basketball for boys and girls ages 7-15. Fritchie Park Gym, 901 Howze Beach Rd., Slidell. $150. 8:30am-4pm; early dismissal, Fri, 1pm. 774-7449. chrisduhonstandtall.org. 23-24 Safe Sitter. For ages 11-13. Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Magnolia Room, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd., Covington. 9am-4pm. Limited to 16 participants. $75. 867-3900. 25 Columbia Street Block Party. Covington. 6:30-9:30pm. Free. 892-1873. covla.com. 28 United Way’s West St. Tammany Red Beans ’N Rice Cook-off. Hosted by St. Tammany Fire Protection Districts #12 and #4 and the Department of Fire Services. Benefits St. Tammany Suicide Prevention Support Program. St. Tammany School Board Building, 321 N. Theard St., Covington. 11am-2pm. $8/person. 778-0815. 28-29 Safe Sitter. CPR, choking rescue, injury management and more. STPH Parenting Center, 1505 N. Florida St., Ste. B, Covington. 9am-4pm. 898-4435. stph.org. 31-Aug 3 Satchmo SummerFest. Discussions and seminars about Louis Armstrong. Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans. Free. (504) 522-5730. fqfi.org.
August 1 Corks & Cooking. Bring wine and friends to create a three-course meal with Chef Chuck Fisher. Culinary Kids Northshore, 3441 E. Causeway App., Ste. >> July-August 2014 29
Inside Scoop
30 Inside Northside
G, Mandeville. 6-8 pm. Reservations required,
miasorelladecor.com.
727-5553.
2 Jubilee One-Year Anniversary.
1 Grapes & Grain. Benefits the Louisiana
Celebrating Jubilee Restaurant & Courtyard
Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
with Chef Tory Stewart. Reservations
Sip on craft beers and wine while dining on
recommended. 301 Lafitte St., Mandeville.
samples of signature dishes from some of the
778-2552. jubileerestaurantcourtyard.com.
northshore’s best restaurants. Live music by the
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Camellia City Market.
Yat Pack, silent auction. Castine Center, 63350
Griffith Park, 333 Erlanger St., Olde
Pelican Dr., Mandeville. 8-11pm. Tickets, $50
Towne Slidell. 8am-noon. Free. 640-7112.
per person. cff.org/chapters/louisiana/.
camelliacitymarket.org.
1-31 Classes, workshops, retreats
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Hammond Farmers
and space for women’s groups. Fosters
Market. Downtown Hammond. 8am-noon.
personal growth and community for women
Downtown Development District, 277-5680.
of all backgrounds and traditions. Women’s
dddhammond.com.
Center for Healing & Transformation, 71667
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Mandeville Trailhead
Leveson St., Abita Springs. For schedule
Community Market. 675 Lafitte
of events and registration, call 892-8111.
St., Mandeville. 9am-1pm. Free.
womenscenterforhealing.org.
mandevilletrailhead.org.
2 Children’s Book Signing. Michelle
3, 10, 17, 24 Open House. For Beau
Hirstius, author and illustrator of Juju
Provence Memory Care Assisted Living. Beau
the GOOD Voodoo series. Mia Sorella,
Provence, 100 Beau West Dr., Mandeville.
1354 Corporate Sq., Slidell. 781-3909.
11am-3pm. 778-0755. beauprovence.com.
4 Culinary Arts Series. Chef Marvin
Street, Madisonville. 10am-4pm. Free.
Tweedy, Pardos Bistro. One of a series
643-5340. madisonvilleartmarket.com.
of five dinners and demonstrations
9, 23 Hammond Arts & Crafts Market.
sponsored by the Hammond Regional
Downtown Hammond. 9am-3pm.
Arts Center. Alack Culinary Equipment
Downtown Development District, 277-
Superstore, 17420 Hwy. 190,
5680. dddhammond.com.
Hammond. Tickets, $65, members; $75,
10 Pre-Season Tea and Silent Auction.
nonmembers. 542-7113. hammondarts.
Hosted by the Greenie Gals, a 501-3c
org/culinary-art-series.
Booster Club for Tulane Athletics, the
4 United Way’s East St. Tammany Red
Tulane University Women’s Association
Beans ’N Rice Cook-off. Hosted by St.
and Newcomb Alumnae Association.
Tammany Fire Protection District #1, St.
Josephine Louise Hall Ballroom, Tulane
Tammany Department of Fire Services and
University. 2-4pm. $15 for nonmembers.
Slidell Police Department. Benefits the
Reservation required by Aug. 1. (504) 905-
St. Tammany Suicide Prevention Support
1218 or tulanegreeniegals@gmail.com.
Program. Knight of Columbus Hall, 1578
12 Blessing of the Backpacks. Special
W. Hall Ave., Slidell. 11am-2pm. $8/
blessing and gifts for kids’ backpacks.
person. 778-0815.
Hosanna Lutheran Church, 2480 Hwy.
8 Back to School Bash. Zemurray
190, Mandeville. 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Park, 400 S. Oak St., Hammond. 1-8pm.
727-9200.
Carolyn Jackson, 634-3428.
12 Ponchatoula’s Business &
9 Madisonville Art Market. Water
Professional Expo. Chesterton Square. >>
July-August 2014 31
Inside Scoop 5-8pm. Ponchatoula Chamber, 386-2536. ponchatoulachamber.com. 12, 19, 26 Ballet. Ages 2 and up. STPH Parenting Center, 1505 N. Florida St., Ste. B, Covington. $21, members; $30, nonmembers. 898-4435. stph.org. 14 Chamber After Hours. Florida Parishes Bank, 490 Barringer Dr., Ponchatoula. 5:30-7pm. 386-2536. ponchatoulachamber.com. 15 Chillin’ with the Chamber Fundraiser/$10K Raffle. Downtown Hammond. 6-8pm. Christopher Brannon, 345-4457. hammondchamber.org. 15 Hot August Night. Downtown Hammond. 6-10pm. Downtown Development District, 277-5680. dddhammond.com. 15 Northshore’s Finest Cystic Fibrosis Honorees Luncheon. Presented by Inside Northside and Hornbeck Offshore. Tchefuncta Country Club, 2 Pinecrest Dr., Covington. 11am-2pm. $125. Ashley Mills, (504) 455-5194. louisiana.cff.org. 15 Sunset at the Landing Concert. Columbia Street Landing, 102 N. Columbia St., Covington. 6-9pm. Free. 892-1873. covla.com. 21 Business After Hours. Food, drinks, casual networking. West St. Tammany Chamber, 101 Northpark Blvd., Covington. 4:30-6:30pm. $8, members (until Aug. 14; $10 after); $20, nonmembers. 273-3008. 23 Ultimate Tailgate Party. Benefits child abuse prevention. Live/silent auctions, Saints vs. Colts on big screen, music by Four Unplugged. Tchefuncta Country Club, 2 Pinecrest Dr., Covington. 7-11pm. sttammanyexchange.org. 29 Columbia Street Block Party. Covington. 6:30-9:30pm. Free. 892-1873. covla.com. 30-31 Labor Day Weekend Getaway. Spend your holiday weekend shopping and dining in historic downtown Ponchatoula. 10am-5pm. Ponchatoula Chamber, 3862536. ponchatoulachamber.com. 32
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
IN Other Words
by Becky Schoen
photo courtesy: BECKY SCHOEN
Second Time Around TWENTY-NINE YEARS AGO, my widowed mother re-married an altogether wonderful gentleman 19 years her senior. Her reservations about their age difference almost prompted her to call off the wedding but, thankfully, she came to her senses and made the wisest decision of her life. She has been happily married to the man we call Dad and Grandad ever since, and he has blessed our family beyond measure. As my mother contemplated their “May/December” relationship, I remember thinking that they were BOTH so old, what’s a few years between the elderly? As it turns out, she was seven years younger on her second wedding day than I will be on mine. Yes, at 52, I’m planning a wedding … flowers and cakes and sheet music … a June bride with hot flashes. While I relish the happiness our family and friends shower on us, I can’t help but feel a little awkward sharing the limelight with first-time brides. Fresh, handsome and giddy with optimism, they’re picking out china, house-hunting and debating how many children to have. We, on the other hand, are pleading for no gifts, already own two houses, and (even if it were possible) certainly don’t need any more children—six kids between us is plenty. On top of that, there are the decisions that have to be made about boring stuff like health insurance, wills and burial plots … OK, that may be a slight exaggeration, but you get my drift. Nevertheless, I find myself as excited and optimistic as my fresh-faced counterparts and have enthusiastically thrown myself into the process of planning a wedding. I’d forgotten all the millions of details involved but fortunately, my fiancé, who wishes to remain anonymous, is brilliant at it. SO, barring any unforeseen catastrophes, like one of us falling and breaking a hip or something, we are ready to do this! When I’m not concerning myself with all of the important issues listed above, I try to find time to panic about the one minor detail I haven’t nailed down yet: what am I going to wear??. This is by far
the most-asked question by my friends: “What in the world are you going to wear??” I like to scare them: “I thought I’d re-create Princess Diana’s bridal gown with, perhaps, a floral headpiece that comes to a point on my forehead because I really miss the ’80s.” I haven’t quite figured it out, but one thing is certain, this old broad—I mean, bride—will not be wearing a colossal white bridal gown, just sayin’. I also have to find shoes, but I’ll panic about that later. Whether we’re ready or not, our wedding day will come and go, and hopefully (if no one breaks a hip), we will have wonderful memories and beautiful photographs to savor. And then comes married life. It dawned on me shortly after we became engaged that I will become a Stepmother. I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word Stepmother, I automatically add “wicked” before it; I can’t help it, I conjure up images of Cinderella. Stepfathers get a much better rap, for some unjust reason. Anyway, I have no idea what this new job will entail but I’ve decided to not be wicked. There are so many new challenges and blessings in store for our families, and with so many kids and so many changes, it will, no doubt, be interesting. While blending families is completely new to me, I’ve learned a lot in my 52 years on this earth; I know that a positive attitude is imperative and happiness is a conscious decision, as is looking for the good and overlooking the not so good because no one is perfect, thank goodness, and grace is a beautiful thing. And I’m optimistic that 29 years from now, I will count this marriage as the wisest decision of my life.
Becky’s mom and stepdad on their wedding day.
By the time you read this, Becky and her beau will have tied the knot. We wish them every happiness. July-August 2014 33
Points of INterest Lakeview Regional Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary member Harold
photo courtesy: ST. TAMMANY TOURIST AND CONVENTION COMMISSION
photo courtesy: LAKEVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Fonte and CEO Bret Kolman.
Lakeview Auxiliary Awards Lakeview Regional Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary member Harold Fonte was recently honored by CEO Bret Kolman for his 20 years of service to the hospital. Others recognized for their service with the Auxiliary were Theresa Sheeren, Elwood Trahan and Bobbie Coffman for 15 years of service; Jerry Lambert, Lorraine Lewis and Maggie Svenson for 10 years; and Margaret Pegg, Barbara Parr, Beverly Thibodeaux and Jane Jahncke for five years.
AHA Honors Slidell Memorial CEO Bill Davis Bill Davis, CEO of Slidell Memorial Hospital, has been honored by the American Hospital Association as the recipient of the Louisiana 2014 Grassroots Champion Award. This award recognizes an individual in each state for exceptional leadership in generating grassroots and community activity in support of a hospital’s mission. The Grassroots Champion Award was created to acknowledge those hospital leaders who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital’s vital role in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital and who are tireless advocates for hospitals and their patients. 34 Inside Northside
St. Tammany Tourist and Convention Commission Members of the St. Tammany Tourist and Convention Commission were joined by parish officials at a luncheon hosted by Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association at the Baton Rouge Hilton. LSU head coach Les Miles was the guest speaker for the luncheon, which was attended by hundreds of members of Convention and Visitor’s bureaus and tourism officials from throughout the state, as well as numerous state representatives and other officials. During the luncheon, Dardenne announced new tourism statistics. It was another record-breaking year for Louisiana travel. The state welcomed 27.3 million visitors, a 4 percent increase over 2013, resulting in $10.8 billion in total visitor spending. The $807 million in state tax revenue generated represents a 34-to-1 return on investment for the state. More than 210,000 people are employed in Louisiana’s tourism industry.
St. Tammany West Chamber CEO Lacey Toledano; GNO, Inc. CEO Michael Hecht and Director of External Affairs Caitlyn Berni; and Chamber Board Chairman photo courtesy: ST. TAMMANY WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
John Donahue.
Chamber Recognizes GNO, Inc. The St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce has recognized the efforts of Greater New Orleans, Inc., for its prominent role in a major victory for the state of Louisiana when President Obama signed The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act into law. A true bipartisan effort toward a sustainable National Flood Insurance Program, the new law ends years of uncertainty for home and business owners across the state. In May 2013, GNO, Inc., founded the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance, a national coalition of business and elected leaders, which grew to include more than 250 business and trade associations and local governments in 35 states, in order to address the harmful changes to the National Flood Insurance Program. July-August 2014 35
IN Depth
with David L. Waltemath
Developer, Bedico Creek Preserve
Five Key Points 1. Bedico Creek Preserve is a conservation community. What does that mean? A conservation community is when residential land planning focuses on maintaining the ecological beauty and integrity of the conservation land within or adjacent to it. Of Bedico Creek’s 600 acres of open space, 180 acres are active parks and lakes, and 400-plus acres are dedicated conservation servitude to be enjoyed through activities such as walking, bird watching and camping.
2. Why did you want to create a conservation community? Think of the reasons people initially moved here—they were looking for a healthy, less complicated lifestyle surrounded by the trees and open spaces they couldn’t find in the city. Much of that landscape has been lost forever to development. I wanted to preserve that environment for future generations of northshore residents.
3. How does your community living differ from that of “traditional” neighborhoods? Bedico Creek living is different because of its location, acres of parks, lakes, conservation areas and other amenities. We have miles of paved cart paths, a community swimming pool, an old-fashioned fishing pier and an outdoor party pavilion, to name a few.
4. How important is a community like this to the parish? When complete, Bedico Creek will represent a taxable value of more than $300 million. That’s a lot of tax revenue for the parish.
5. What do you hope the lasting effects of the community will be? Bedico Creek will perpetually offer its residents a wholesome environment, an active lifestyle and a meaningful place for social activities. It’s a neighborhood the parish can point to as one that truly defines the St. Tammany sense of community of yesteryear and preserves it for tomorrow.
photo: FIELDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Real estate developer David L. Waltemath has more than 30 years of experience in residential and commercial development, construction and project management. Bedico Creek Preserve is the newest in his series of successful neighborhoods, which includes English Turn in New Orleans, Santa Maria and Green Trails in Baton Rouge, The Parks in Plaquemines and The Estates of Northpark in St. Tammany Parish. Though passionate about his work, David’s first priority is his family: Kathy, his wife of 33 years, and son Scott and daughter Kelly, who are the fourth generation of Waltemaths in the real estate industry.
July-August 2014 37
Summer Breezes
by Poki Hampton
NESTLED JUST MINUTES from the white sugar sands of Santa Rosa Beach in Florida, the home of Pam and Mike Thompson is the perfect getaway. The subtle Arts and Craft style mixes with the ambiance of the other resort cottages in the area along the idyllic Gulf Coast. “The home is breathtaking in its simplicity but luxurious to the core,” says designer Vikki Leftwich of Villa Vici. Clean lines punctuated with interesting textures add drama to the interior. “My philosophy is ‘less is more’ when working with a small space. Each piece we place in a smaller home has to be functional.” The living room is set for comfort with its openair feeling and off-white linen slipcovers on the cleanlined sofa and armless chairs. A mirrored armoire by Oly Studio, the focal point of the room, is flanked by two pedestals in reclaimed painted wood. Topping the pedestals are white oversized vases filled with dried palmetto leaves. The form of the leaves gives an >>
38
Inside Northside
photos: ASHLEY THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY, SAN FRANCISCO
Opposite top: The simple-yetelegant design of the living room gives it an open-air feeling. Opposite bottom: The exterior of the house mixes seamlessly with the neighborhood. This page: The kitchen island has convenient extra seating.
July-August 2014 39
photos: ASHLEY THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY, SAN FRANCISCO
architectural feel to the arrangements. The silverleaf and mirrored antique console table also creates a sculptural element. Two mercury glass lamps with mirrored-glass shades and a large clamshell filed with mercury glass balls complete the look. The linen draperies are in Pam’s favorite color, a light sage-blue-grey. With the open concept, the dining room is adjacent to the living room. The curved banquette and table by Mitchell Gold are flanked by slipcovered dining chairs on casters. “Being on casters makes it easy to pull these chairs into the living area for extra seating,” says Vikki. An oversized pendant fixture with an off-white linen shade sheds light, while a mythical Greek angel, made of fired clay by artist Ron Morehead, sits atop a painted wooden pedestal. The same light sage-blue-grey linen is used for the draperies. The pared-down palette carries throughout the house. In the kitchen, the cabinets are painted a light off-white; the counters are offwhite Caesarstone. Vikki created the island to look like a table for extra seating. Mercury glass teardrop pendant lights hang above the island; >>
Above: The master bedroom has a luxuryhotel feel. Left: In addition to holding wine glasses, a niche provides an extra serving area.
July-August 2014 41
banquette and slipcovered chairs flank the dining room table. 42
Inside Northside
cabinetry and an oversized mirror with gold leaf sconces by Paul Greur. One of Pam’s favorite paintings reflects in the mirror. The guest room boasts a king-sized platform bed upholstered in Palma Silver linen velvet. Mirrored bedside tables hold architectural shaped lamps with rectangle shades. The crystal and silver-leaf chandelier is by Paul Gruer. “In this room, we used patterned curtains as art to add interest,” says Vikki. The rear patio overlooks a nature preserve where the Thompsons often see deer, foxes and even a bear. As the fountain trickles, the sun sets through the pine trees and the soft breeze blows, they treasure the beautiful relaxing setting of their luxurious homeaway-from-home.
photo: ASHLEY THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY, SAN FRANCISCO
Above: A curved
three contemporary leather swivel barstools blend seamlessly with the other furniture pieces. Across from the island is an extra serving area. The open shelves hold wine glasses and an assortment of refreshments on a polished nickel tray. “We wanted the bedrooms to have the feel of a luxury hotel,” says Vikki. The king-sized headboard from Mitchell Gold is upholstered in Alloyed Pewter; crisp white linens adorn the bed. The three-drawer bedside tables are in limed-oak finish with mirrored tops. Stainless steel drum shades top teardrop-shaped mercury glass lamps. A down slipcovered chair and ottoman offer a quiet, peaceful place to read. The master bathroom is finished with custom
July-August 2014 43
Inside Northside and Hornbeck Offshore proudly present
Northshore’s
Raynah Cullen
Finest Ryan Green of Varsity Sports
Alexandra Clark of Aflac
of NOLA Lending Group
“Having two young children of
“I want CF to one day stand for
“I found out in 2010 that I am
my own, it really hits home when
‘cure found.’ I’m thankful for the
a carrier of the gene, so this is
I realize that this disease affects
life I have been given and want to
personal to me. I also helped to
so many young people. Parents
help change the meaning of CF
sponsor nominees Madison Burris
want to see their kids grow up and
in honor of those who have died
and Becky Gustofson last year.”
thrive. I want to help those parents
fighting, who are still fighting, who
that have kids with CF.”
have just started the fight and who
FAVORITE DRINK? Pinot noir.
have not yet begun fighting. CF is a FAVORITE DRINK? Jack Daniels
fight we can win!”
and Coke. Otherwise, sweet tea. FAVORITE DRINK? Syrah. 44
Inside Northside
Young professionals giving back. IN 2010, INSIDE NORTHSIDE and Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., launched the Northshore’s Finest event with the dual goal of supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and celebrating young northshore professionals who have given their time and talent to their communities. The 13 young professionals highlighted here were selected as honorees for 2014. This year, the Northshore’s Finest fundraiser culminates with the annual Grapes & Grain CF benefit, which features a wine and beer tasting. In that spirit, we asked this year’s nominees to tell us what it means to them to be part of such a fantastic cause—and for fun, their favorite liquid indulgence! Join the honorees at the CF Leadership Luncheon on Aug. 15 at Tchefuncta Country Club presented by Inside Northside and Hornbeck Offshore, Inc. Call Cheryl Lemoine at (504) 4555194, ext. 104, for more information or visit louisiana.cff.org.
Clay Madden of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust
“When I was first asked to participate in Northshore’s Finest,
“Cystic fibrosis is something children are born with and have to
I knew very little about CF. My goal is to not only raise
live with through adulthood. The only way to ‘prevent’ CF is to
money, but to educate as many people in my network about
find a cure, and if I can play a small role in that through raising
CF and what CFF has accomplished.”
funds, I will feel like I’ve helped.”
FAVORITE DRINK? Bud Light.
FAVORITE DRINK? Miller Lite in one of the “throwback” cans.
photo: ERIC SUHRE
Kevin Samrow of Lakeview Regional Medical Center
July-August 2014 45
Janel Chaix Evans
Mariette Fortenberry of
Michael Nicaud
Mary Ellen Kanode
of PoolCorp
Mariette Fortenberry Interior Design
of Hornbeck Offshore
of Rehab Dynamics
“It’s sometimes easy to ask
“As I’ve become more and more
Services, Inc.
“I knew about CF from
people to write a check,
educated about this genetic
“My wife and I are trying to
a childhood disease that
but I definitely wanted to
disorder, it is astounding to me
raise our kids by providing
presented very similarly. I
get out there and earn
the daily struggles very young
them with the life skills and
have followed the medical
it—keeping in mind my
children and adults go through.
values to enable them to work
developments for CF over my
ambassador family that has
Not only the physical suffering,
hard at something they enjoy
lifetime and I– like so many–
to make sacrifices each and
but the costly health care and
and to help people along their
eagerly await the day that CF
every day because they are
prescriptions and the added
way. The best way to do that,
patients will be able to live
battling this disease.”
struggle of time management for
in our opinion, is to set an
symptom free.”
treatments some patients endure
example.”
FAVORITE DRINK?
FAVORITE DRINK? When it
Sauvignon blanc or
FAVORITE DRINK?
comes to cocktails, I am an
a red blend.
Margarita, mojito, Abita Amber,
equal- opportunity offender.
A strawberry margarita.
Purple Haze or wine.
46
Inside Northside
FAVORITE DRINK?
weekly or sometimes daily.”
Shellie Savoy Lister
Rob Verdi
Brittany Mobley
Stephanie Pagliarulo
of St. Tammany Parish Library
of Southern Hospitality Rental
of Lakeview Regional Medical Center
of Emma’s Shoes & Accessories
“I hope to one day know
“I’ve learned that there are
“As a nurse and a nurse
“I am very excited to be part
that I played a tiny part
so many people out there
educator, I understand how
of something that saves lives
in helping to find a cure
just waiting for opportunities
costly medical research can
by finding a cure. I can’t wait
for cystic fibrosis, helping
to give for a good cause.
be. Being part of a group
to see how the events end up
families find peace and
Fundraising becomes fun
that is raising thousands of
and the total response from
helping children breathe
and easy with a cause that
dollars to help fund research,
the many giving and caring
freely without limitations.”
impacts people’s lives, which is
education and medical care is
people that are touched by
something CFF is all about.”
very gratifying.”
such a great cause.”
FAVORITE DRINK?
FAVORITE DRINK?
FAVORITE DRINK?
Cabernet.
Abita Amber or chardonnay.
Quintessa cabernet.
FAVORITE DRINK?
photo: ERIC SUHRE
Pinot noir.
Inside Northside would like to thank The Barley Oak, Old Rail Brewing Co., and Champagne Beverage Co. for allowing us to use their fine facilities for our Northshore’s Finest photoshoots.
July-August 2014 47
Remember the Beatles! Come Together for this fun 50th anniversary tribute concert.
On September 16, 1964, Beatlemania hit New Orleans as John, Paul, George and Ringo performed a live concert at City Park Stadium (currently known as Tad Gormley Stadium). The Beatles reportedly only played for 30 minutes, but that half-hour will forever be remembered by the 12,000 adoring, screaming fans. For those who couldn’t attend the concert because their mother said, “No way, those Beatles are too wild!” and for those who just want to relive one of the most memorable concerts of their lives, WYES-TV is thrilled to bring The Fab Four to New Orleans for a special tribute concert exactly 50 years from the Beatles’ original performance. This once-in-a-lifetime event will be sure to bring all Beatles fans, young and old, together to enjoy the music and the memories of Liverpool’s 48
Inside Northside
es atl Be tu eat tac a gr on Have t! C re i sha
o ant t We w
sto ry or sa me tw mo yes rabi lia co .or llection? go r em ail ed itor@m andlpublishing.com.
Come Together for this fun 50th anniversary tribute concert and sing along to your favorite Beatles tunes such as:
I Want To Hold Your Hand A Hard Day's Night Eight Days A Week Cant Buy Me Love Help! With a Little Help From My Friends Penny Lane Hey Jude and more! Tickets for the WYES BEATLES TRIBUTE FEATURING THE FAB FOUR are general admission and can be purchased for $35 online at wyes.org or at the WYES Studios, during usual business hours, at 916 Navarre Avenue in New Orleans, next to City Park. All proceeds benefit WYES-TV, your local public broadcasting station in southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
poster courtesy: ROBERT AND LISA BARNETT
most famous sons. The Fab Four not only sound and play instruments like the original group; they look like them, too. They will take concertgoers through all ages of the Beatles, with costume changes from their early years in matching outfits to their Sgt. Pepper outfits, ending up as the group in the 1970s— right down to Lennon’s New York shirt. The Fab Four’s manager, Michael Dixon, says, “We’re really excited about being a part of New Orleans’ celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Beatles concert at City Park. We’re looking forward to rocking Tad Gormley Stadium on September 16. See you there!” Get ready to Twist and Shout in your favorite ’60s-era attire during the WYES BEATLES TRIBUTE FEATURING THE FAB FOUR on Tuesday, September 16, 2014, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans City Park. “Ed Sullivan” will emcee the 90-minute performance by the Beatles tribute band, The Fab Four!
July-August 2014 49
photo: FIELDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Traces
Eleven-year-old Miles Pond knows what he wants to be when he grows up—a professional duck caller. He is already well on his way. Miles is the ninth-ranked champion duck caller in the world. That’s right, the world! Born and raised in Folsom, Miles is an incoming sixth-grader at Folsom Elementary. He started duck calling at his family’s duck camp in Arkansas more than a year ago. Shy and not one to boast about himself, Miles says, “We went to an outdoors store, and I saw a kid blowing a duck call. I got my dad’s duck call when we got back and started then.” Sponsored by Rich-N-Tone, a duck call manufacturer, and the Windward Group, his dad’s company in Covington, Miles talks to his trainer, Butch, on the phone weekly. Duck calls have been compared to musical instruments, in that you can hear when the caller is “in tune.” Miles blows and Butch critiques him on what he does right and what he does wrong. “Butch found me,” he says. “I was in Gueydan, Louisiana, and some of his workers there watched me and told him about me. He called my dad, and now I call him every Wednesday.” Although he does get nervous, Miles likes to compete. “I like being able to go to all the competitions, go around the country and the world and meet new people,” he says. At his first competition in Gueydan, Miles came in third in the state, which qualified him for the World Competition in Stuttgart, Arkansas. This year, he and his family will travel to competitions in Nashville; Kansas City; Union City, Georgia; and
Miles Pond
by Lauren Parrish
Champion Duck Caller
to Stuttgart, where he competes to qualify for the World Competition. Miles is also on his way to becoming a TV star. Every Thursday, he is featured in an infomercial that runs during Sarah Palin’s Amazing America show on the Sportsman Channel. Eventually, he will become a part of the show. He has also been featured locally on WWL-TV and on the Outdoor Show with Don Dubuc radio show on WWL. When he’s not duck calling, Miles likes playing baseball and basketball and taking his dog, Bear, out to catch the birds he calls. He shows pigs in 4H and is a pretty avid hunter and fisher. His mom says he’s a little outdoorsman! July-August 2014 51
Traces
Dick Knight.
Bogalusa
photo: FIELDING PHOTOGRAPHY
photo courtesy: DICK KNIGHT
by Erin Cowser
horseback riders was his dad. “He rode a horse as Paul Revere,” says the Resource Bank board chairman, who was 6 years old at the time. “I was in the pageant, too, and I remember everyone in the stands clapping and shouting for us.” Knight also recalls the modestly named “Time and Timber—A Mammoth Living History Spectacle,” which was part of the 50th anniversary celebration. He can lay claim to having attended all of Bogalusa’s big birthday celebrations thus far—the 25th in 1939, the 50th in 1964 and the 75th in 1989. And, he has every intention of being there for the Centennial Jubilee this year. Additionally, Knight’s assisting Bogalusan John Gallaspy with the composition of a book outlining the storied history of the City of Bogalusa, named for the muddy waters that flow through Bogue Lusa Creek and once home to the largest sawmill in the entire world.
100 Years of an Iconic Small Town
Fond memories Back when Bogalusa turned 25, there was much fanfare and flourish, including an extravaganza show in the Bogalusa High School football stadium that included horses. Bogalusa native Dick Knight remembers the show because one of the 52
Inside Northside
photo courtesy: DICK KNIGHT
What’s more exciting than sharing your birthday with the United States? When you get to celebrate your 100th birthday, and it also happens to be on the Fourth of July! The City of Bogalusa and the United States of America were both “born” on July 4. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the city’s incorporation in 1914. The Bogalusa Centennial Jubilee runs through the first week of July and culminates with a fireworks extravaganza at 8 p.m. on the Fourth after the parade, watermelon weigh-in, live bands, and, of course, turtle races.
Brothers of the Brush In anticipation of the Centennial, Bogalusa Police Chief Joe Culpepper has outlawed the act of shaving by male residents. Citizens have been encouraged to join the Brothers of the Brush and let their whiskers grow in honor of those men who helped build the City of Bogalusa, who often sported interesting beards and mustaches according to the style of the time.
Those who partake in this noble endeavor will be considered for awards in the following categories: • Best Beard • Longest Beard • Best Grower • Most Creative Beard • Best Goatee • “E” for Effort • Best Mustache • Manly Mutton Chop Award • Brotherhood Chapter Awards
July-August 2014 53
by Mimi Greenwood Knight
54
Inside Northside
WE’VE ALL SEEN THOSE CRYPTIC SIGNS pop up around the northshore—nondescript white squares with a cipher of black initials. Those-in-the-know realize they’re there to direct film crews to the latest in the ever-growing number of movies, documentaries and commercials being filmed here. Like Lana Turner in the soda shop and Natalie Portman at the pizzeria, the northshore has been discovered. The film industry can’t seem to get enough of our part of “Hollywood South,” as Louisiana is now known. White film canopies are popping up in northshore downtowns, out in the boonies, at private residences, public buildings and on city streets, complete with an entourage of cast, crew and support teams. They are filming everything from action thrillers to historic biographies; from comedies to commercials. For one Mandeville native, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Although Jim Gleason left South Louisiana for Los Angeles and his dream of performing in film and television, in 14 years California never felt like home. “Mandeville was always home for me,” Gleason says. “I was staying busy in L.A., doing mostly episodic TV. But I’d look on imdb.com (Internet Movie Database) and see my friends doing movies in Louisiana. I knew from watching the news that things were building up here, and my former agent kept telling me to come back. I was also teaching acting in L.A., but that was certainly something I could do here.” On a visit home, Gleason met and fell in love with a Mandeville girl. It was the final nudge he needed. He proposed, packed up and started his new/old life in Louisiana. Since then, he’s been in demand, acting in movies such as The Butler with Forest Whitaker, God’s Not Dead, the TV show American Horror Story and others. His acting school, under the name Working Actor’s Studio, is filling up, and he’s seeing many of his students land movie roles and commercials. “I’m currently teaching acting classes in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Mandeville,” Gleason says, “but with the way things are growing in this area, I expect to soon have enough St. Tammany students to teach
here exclusively.” The experience was similar for actor/teacher Daniel Dupont. “I started out performing in Baton Rouge, but no one was teaching the acting I needed in Louisiana, so I headed to L.A.,” he says. Out there, Dupont appeared in more than 50 commercials for national sponsors such as McDonald’s, Honda, Sprite and a popular series of Levi’s 501 jeans ads, which he says really put him on the map; he has also acted in Under Siege with Tommy Lee Jones and in other films. A motorcycle accident prompted Dupont’s return south. “I’d been out in front of the camera for six years and was loving it,” he says. “Then I was hit by a drunk driver on my bike, and suddenly I had to find a new career. I’d also come home to visit after 20 years in L.A. and realized my parents were getting older; I wanted to be here for their twilight years.” He made the move back to Louisiana just as things started cooking around here and set about teaching for film and television while still auditioning whenever he could. “The level of work in this area is rising to the top,” he says. “Studios are making huge-budget movies here—Fantastic Four, Terminator, Pirates of the Caribbean, G. I. Joe. That says a lot about their confidence in our area. They’re willing to consider locals, and it’s possible to get in, >> July-August 2014 55
Jim Gleason.
but you have to give them the level of professionalism they’re used to seeing.” That’s what Dupont hopes to give his acting students. “These big studios are willing to pay you like a pro,” he says, “but you’ve got to show up like a pro. They’ve got to see that you’re directable. They want Louisiana actors with L.A. professionalism. That’s my goal for my students.” It seems that Dupont’s students are getting the message. Maris Black, an LSU sophomore, has appeared in Pregnancy Pact, shooting in Madisonville; and in Enders Game, shot at the Covington Trailhead; she just finished an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie called Maggie. And 14-year-old Dalton Tackett, who Dupont manages Maris Black.
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as well as teaches, was in Bonnie and Clyde. “I took Dalton to read for the part of young Clyde, but they ended up plugging him in as Clyde’s younger brother, Buck,” Dupont says. “He read for Clyde, then got a call-back and on his second reading was told, ‘The director wants to meet you.’ He met Bruce Beresford, something that in L.A. would only happen after six or eight readings.” It was a great experience for Tackett, and the eighth-grader says he’d like to do some bigger parts in movies, maybe some TV, but ultimately he plans to be a petroleum engineer. “I want to see how far I can take this though,” he says. “Who knows? I might change my mind and decide to do acting for the rest of my life.” Black is less cavalier. “I’m majoring in film and media arts at LSU,” she says. “If I don’t keep acting, I know I’ll do something in the film industry.” And there’s so much more Black could do. The list of film-related jobs open to northshore residents is extensive and ever growing. Whatever your specialty, there seems to be a way to put it to use in this industry—set designer, lighting designer, electrician, hair stylist, food stylist, makeup artist, prop master, location scout, dialogue coaches (no more phony Southern accents, please), camera operator, boom operator, music supervisor, costume designer or a variety of legal positions. A social media specialist, a new position, gets a buzz going about the project online. Then there are support services, such as on-site medic, masseuse, runner (gophers) and caterer. Sure, the L.A. or New York City crowd Dalton Tackett. often shows up with their
own coterie, but, as the Hollywood South reputation spreads and Louisiana crews gain experience, studios are becoming more willing to give locals a try. Just ask northshore restaurateur Cayman Sinclair. After the Gulf oil spill, Sinclair was approached to provide catering for clean-up crews. He made Daniel Dupont. a substantial investment to meet the demand and, when those crews moved on, he was sitting pretty with everything he needed to provide on-site catering for the film industry. And that’s just what he’s done. It’s fun to talk to Cayman if you’re the least bit star struck because he might let slip that a beloved New Orleans Saint is lactose intolerant or a certain “governator” likes his chocolate chip cookies. (But we’re not saying who!) Cayman is all business, though, when it comes to the challenge of feeding film crews. “We find out ahead of time whether anyone has special dietary needs or requests and find ways to meet them,” Sinclair says. “When Matthew McConaughey was here, he was trying to lose weight for a part, so he requested dishes with lots of fish and peppers. We feed actors and crew whatever they ask for. Leonardo DiCaprio >> July-August 2014 57
travels with his own chef, so we provide a trailer kitchen.” Albert Quaid. Cayman says about half of the casts and crews he and his Lakehouse Catering have fed have been eager to experience our local cuisine, and about half expect to be fed the things they eat in L.A. and New York. Stefani Sollberger, executive catering chef, specializes in the latter, while other Lakehouse chefs produce our Louisiana specialties. One of the funnest spots to visit right now on the northshore is the brand-new prop house, SideShow Props, in Slidell. Owner/operators Lawrence Barattini and Grant Semmes are like two little boys who’ve never quite grown up and now are benefitting from it. In their 10,000-square-foot professional prop house, plus several outbuildings, they house 50,000-plus movie props that fairly fly out the door for movies in this area—30 movies in
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the short time they’ve been open—and as far away as Puerto Rico and London, as well as more than 140 prop cars. “All of this happened because we couldn’t afford a dumpster,” Barattini jokes. A self-professed bindiver, Lawrence has been squirreling away vintage this-and-that for most of his life. “On the rare occasion I’ve actually taken something to the dump, I’ve ended up leaving with more than I came with,” he laughs. “As an artist, I see the beauty in old objects; I see the craftsmanship, the art the artisan put into it all those years ago. It’s gratifying when someone else comes along and sees it too.” When prop masters from American Horror Story visited Side Show Props, Semmes showed them into a voodoo priestess’ tent that Barattini had assembled, which contained dozens of voodoo-related artifacts. “They took a look around and said, ‘We’ll take it all.’
And they did,” Semmes says. “Usually the thing we think is junk is the first thing someone wants to rent. We rent all these props, then we watch the movie and say, ‘There’s our hairdryer! There’s our cigarette lighter!’ It’s great fun.” Barattini and Semmes are presently converting half of the prop house into an event venue, where guests can mingle amid the slave ship from Twelve Years a Slave, the operation panel from Planet of the Apes, among other sets, and any of the thousands of props that have already appeared onscreen. “Sets are usually destroyed after the filming of a movie,” says Barattini. “We offer them a little something off their prop rental, take the sets off their hands and set them up here, where brides can rent the most unusual wedding reception venue on the northshore and companies can entertain their employees and clients in a unique setting.” Covington Mayor Mike Cooper isn’t sure all this filming will have an immediate positive impact on the local economy, but he has high hopes for the future. “Just look at what the film Steel Magnolias has meant to the city of Natchitoches, Louisiana,” he says.
“In a recent conversation I had with Mayor Lee Posey, he indicated that thousands of visitors come to his city each year because of that movie, which was filmed 25 years ago. I invite film producers, directors and writers to come to Covington to see what we are so proud of.” Movie location scout and Covington resident Al Quaid sees a more immediate impact. “Many of the movies that are filming here are filming Louisiana as Texas or as Oklahoma because of the tax break,” Quaid says, referring to a 2009 tax incentive program established to lure filmmakers to our state. If they hire local people, they get a further break.” For the movie Quaid’s currently scouting, The Best of Me, based on a Nicholas Sparks book, the story’s setting >>
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Lisa Arnold.
was actually moved from the book’s North Carolina town to the fictional town of St. Olivia, Louisiana, so they could film in the state. For his next project, Don’t Mess with Texas, starring Reese Witherspoon, Quaid says they’ll be filming in areas around Folsom, Franklinton and Hammond but passing them off as Texas. “As more crews are available in Louisiana and are becoming more experienced, more movies are scheduling to shoot here and more people are moving from L.A. and New York, establishing residency in Louisiana so the studios will consider them ‘local hires’ for their next project,” Quaid says. “That’s got to be good for the economy!” Northshore native Trey Burvant started his acting career at St. Paul’s School in Covington and then took his act to New York, where he found years of success Off Broadway, OffOff Broadway and in a spattering of movies. While still performing on stage, and as his first, second and third daughters were born, he got his feet wet producing film. Then came Hurricane Katrina and, as was the story with so many, Burvant felt the pull to come back to Louisiana and see what he could do to help. What he did is nothing short of stupendous. In partnership with New Orleans entrepreneur Susan Brennan, Burvant developed the nation’s first
“green” independent film studio in the NOLA Lower Garden District. Beginning with a dilapidated and firedamaged warehouse at Richard and Chippewa Streets and an “if you build it, they will come” attitude, the two crafted a high-tech, yet eco-friendly sound-stage facility that’s been in high demand since opening in 2009. “This is something I never dreamed I’d do,” Burvant said. “I was focused on the creative side of the industry. The everyday challenges of running a film studio include a lot of detail you don’t see on the other side of the business and working with every department in the industry.” So far, Second Line has been involved in the filming of Green Lantern and American Horror Story; it is currently working on Get Hard with Will Ferrell. The setup includes three separate sound studios for a total of 37,000 square feet, a five-floor office tower, a 43-seat digital screening room plus an additional 73,000 square feet for support space. That’s small by L.A. standards, but the studio has allowed projects to come to Louisiana that otherwise wouldn’t have considered filming here and has set the stage for expansion in the film studio arena. Other northshore residents are staying busy painting scenery and signage. Abita Springs’ Dave Kelsey has big name productions on his resume, including The Rookie, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Big Easy, Apollo XIII, The Pelican Brief, Lolita and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, among many others. And Madisonville sign and scenery artist, and former Inside Northside cover artist, Alexander “Sasha” Stolin says he’s often working 84 hours a week just to keep up with demand from filmmakers. “Most of my work is in New Orleans, but I’ve done some
films over here, too, and my studio is here,” he says. If filmmakers need a new house to look old; if they need signs, billboards or posters to depict a certain time and place; if the audience is meant to see a cloudy day or the London skyline out a window; if they need wood to look like stone or stone to look like wood, they call Stolin, who steps in and suspends reality for moviegoers. “People think what I’m doing is romantic because it’s for the movies,” he says. “But it’s just work. We finish a show and move on to the next. Lucky for me, it’s work I love. I enjoy construction, and I enjoy painting. This job allows me to do both.” Currently working on Jurassic Park, Stolin’s work has been seen in American Horror Story, The Twilight Saga, The Lucky One, 21 Jump Street, Season of the Witch, 12 episodes of Common Law, 15 episodes of Treme and much more. Covington resident Lisa Arnold had a dream. She wanted to produce faith-based, family-friendly films with savvy storylines that would “speak to audiences beyond the screen.” She found a film community that was likeminded, and this dynamic actress/ writer/director/producer began making that dream a reality. “Film work was hot down here, so my agent decided to open an office in New Orleans and another in North Carolina and invited me to choose.” Lisa chose NOLA and made the move to Louisiana. “I was the only one who bought a home on the northshore, though,” she says. “Everyone else settled in New Orleans, and six weeks later Katrina hit.” The rest of Arnold’s associates promptly moved away, but she says she was at peace about staying. Sure enough, within six months, film work was back and she was hard at it. Ten years and 10 films later, Arnold >> July-August 2014 61
just watched her latest project, God’s Not Dead, take the box office by storm, finishing in the top 10 nationwide for its first six weekends and grossing more than $55 million domestically in that same time period. Not one to rest on her laurels, Lisa has already thrown herself into her next project and has two more in the developing stages for this year. “We’re scouting locations for a basketball movie titled Nothing is Impossible. A Wish of Hope is set to film at the end of the year, and we’re working toward a July shoot date for Caged, a movie about human trafficking. We’re collaborating with Trafficking Hope out of Baton Rouge and really hoping to bring awareness to this worldwide problem.” Arnold says this film, like previous projects, has a strong spiritual message. “We’re looking to the
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church to take the lead and champion this cause,” she says. “But make no mistake. This is a universal issue and will take all of us working together to end human trafficking.” What do longtime northshore residents think of this Hollywood invasion? For the most part, they’re amused. Larry Smith has seen any number of movies and commercials filmed in, in front of or around his H.J. Smith & Sons Hardware store Trey Burvant. on historic Columbia Street in Covington. “Filmmakers have it all figured out,” he says. “These big trucks pull up, and one whole truck is electrical equipment, one’s just props, another is food. There are all these people, but everybody knows what their job is, and they do it. If it starts raining, they move everything inside and film in front of a green screen. We’ve had a Shower to Shower commercial filmed in front of the store and
movies like Kingfish, The Best of Me and Nothing to Fear. Whenever they want a scene to look like a long time ago, they come here. We enjoy going to the movie and recognizing our store and local landmarks.” Across town, Harvey Marsolan of Marsolan’s Feed & Seed has also welcomed film crews inside his charming vintage store to film. “The Lucky One with Zac Efron filmed here for two full days,” Marsolan says. “We went to see it when it came out, and the store was on screen for maybe 15 seconds.” He adds that his sign did make it into one shot, and that was kind of cool to see. The Feed & Seed has also been the setting for Blue Cross Blue Shield commercials, scenes from The Yellow Handkerchief with William Hurt and more recently for The Best of Me. “They pay us a fee to schedule something here, a fee the day they set up, a fee each day they film and another the day they break everything down. We can go on with business, except for small breaks while they’re filming and everyone has to be quiet. It’s something different. It’s something we don’t see every day.” Mandeville Mayor Donald Villere says, “We
have a lot of residents in this area who make their living in film. This is a big boon to our community.” He loaned an office in city hall to actor Woody Harrelson for the series True Detective. Marlaine Peachy, Mayor Villere’s executive assistant, recalls, “They allowed the staff to be present during shooting. I went into the conference room to stay out of the way and work on my laptop. Of course, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the stars. What I didn’t know was that while I was in there working, the rest of the staff was outside with Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey taking pictures!” So, remember—the next time you see one of those nondescript white signs pop up in your neighborhood, you just never know what cinema history might be in the making in Hollywood northshore.
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IN the Bookcase by Terri Schlichenmeyer
Summer Reads YOU MADE YOUR RESERVATIONS months ago. This was a vacation you’ve been planning for—well, it seems like forever. One of those once-in-a-lifetime trips you’ve always dreamed about, and you’ve bought all new clothes and even a new suitcase for it. So why would you take just any old book on your vacation this summer? Instead, look for something new by an author you love.
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James Lee Burke, Ace Atkins and Julie Garwood; a new memoir by singer Rick James; a biography of Michelangelo; a new book about families and race; a tellall about the Clintons’ political life; and a memoir of faith and football. The kidlets will love finding new Guardians of the Galaxy books; new joke books to while away the summer; the latest Fancy Nancy; and a new graphic novel by Neil Gaiman.
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Just because summer’s half over doesn’t mean your reading list is! Before the fireworks even begin, look for new novels by Jojo Moyes, Susan Wiggs, J.A. Jance, Jacqueline Winspear and Amy Sohn. There’s a book coming out about Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio; one that debunks myths about sex; a new book by Ja Rule; a skinny book about crossword puzzles and why we love them; a self-help book on “wallowing” the right way; and a cool true-crime book about how amateurs have been solving cold cases and bringing killers to justice. Later in the month, you’ll find more favorites: novels by Brad Thor, Iris and Roy Johansen, Anne Rivers Siddons, Terry Brooks, Catherine Coulter, Brad Taylor, Conn Igguldon, Stuart Woods,
You’re not done yet. There’s still plenty of summer to come—and plenty of time to read! The first part of August will see a new book by Andrew Cuomo; a novel by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child; a W.E.B. Griffin tome; a book about crime-scene profilers; and one about the woman behind the Mona Lisa. Also in August, look for a book about college football conferences; a business book about getting organized and one on prosperity; new cookbooks for backyard eats and for fall; and novels by Carl Weber, William Kent Krueger, Debbie Macomber, Kelly Armstrong, Elaine Hussey, Randy Wayne White, Tami Hoag, Paul Coelho and Kathy Reichs. Get the kids in back-to-school mode with a new children’s book by
Malala Yousafzai; a new Cupcake Diaries installment; ghost stories; and a kid’s book about paying it forward.
New In May And June In case you missed these arrivals in May and June, check them out, too. Scheduled for May was a new book about America’s future by conservative writer Ben Carson and one co-written by Bill Geist. In fact, you’ll find quite a few new memoirs, as well as novels by Terry Hayes, Tom Robbins, Robert Ludlum and Joseph Finder. And Bob the Street Cat has a new book out that fans will want. Planned for June were new novels by Mary Alice Monroe, Dorothea Benton Frank, Diana Gabaldon, Jennifer Weiner, Janet Evanovich, Linda Fairstein, Ridley Pearson, James Patterson, Jude Deveraux, Dean Koontz and Jeff Shaara; cookbooks; a business book by William Poundstone and one on commodities; a book about Sally Ride by Lynn Sherr; and Hillary Rodham Clinton’s much-anticipated biography. Other June subjects: a dog that flew during World War II (and why); how to do math in a fun way; Justice Antonin Scalia; new Will Shortz puzzle books; and how to use your manners when you have to swear. For the kids, a new Dork Diaries installation; an encyclopedia of animated characters; a few new mysteries for middle-grade readers; a new Charlie the Ranch Dog; and a book about farting fish.
And Now The Disclaimer… Yes, some of these books may be shifted, moved or cancelled altogether. Titles can change; so can subject matter. If you have a question about your favorite author, ask your librarian or local bookseller. Seriously—they’re experts at this stuff! Have a great summer—and Happy Reading! July-August 2014 65
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“What you love about the South.�
Running beside this historical site is the famous Natchez Trace Parkway. Once a pathway for early travelers, the Natchez Trace today is a jewel in the crown of the National Park Service. It offers wonderful views of the surrounding area as it winds and curves its way to Nashville, Tennessee. As America expanded westward after the Revolutionary War and river traffic
photos courtesy: MONMOUTH HISTORIC INN
THERE ARE PLACES THAT DEFINE who we are, and Natchez is just such a place. It sits along the meandering journey that takes the mighty Mississippi River south from Lake Itasca in Minnesota, travelling 2,400 miles before it empties into the Gulf of Mexico below New Orleans. Billions of tons of rich earth have been deposited on its banks and into the fertile surrounding countryside, creating high bluffs and desirable farm land. On one of these high bluffs, the Native American Indians now known as the Mississippian tribe began settling back before recorded time. That place, with the rich layers added since then, is preserved as a view to a very Southern past. These ancestors of the Natchez Indians occupied the area for approximately 350 years, building mounds for burial and ceremonial purposes. One such mound is the 8-acre site of Emerald Mound, the largest prehistoric ceremonial mound in the United States, which has been managed by the National Park Service since 1950. Visitors to Emerald Mound can learn about the ancient people who lived and worked on these high grounds.
Natchez was made legal, the original Trace by Poki Hampton became the return route for operators of flatboats traveling south to New Orleans. Because their boats could not float upstream, they would sell their wares, return via the Trace to Nashville and then travel on to the northeast. Today, the Trace is still virtually undeveloped and unspoiled, making it a favorite destination for sightseeing and hiking, as well as visiting adjacent historical sites such as the Mount Locust stand, one of the oldest structures in Mississippi, and the Meriwether Lewis Museum. As steamboat traffic gradually increased on the Above: Stanton Hall Mississippi River, travel on the Trace decreased. In the was the model for 19th century, riverboats were developed to navigate the the haunted house shallow waters and could traverse the strong upriver at Disneyland. Left: currents. The New Orleans, built by Robert Fulton, was Monmouth Historic the first of the Mississippi steam-powered riverboats. >> Inn gardens. July-August 2014 67
room at Monmouth Historic Inn. Top right: Monmouth Historic Inn. Center: A memorial to the Soldiers of the Southern Confederacy. Bottom: Longwood appeared in the HBO series True Blood.
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photos courtesy: MONMOUTH HISTORIC INN
Top left: The sitting
More boats followed suit, and by 1830 there were more than 1,200 riverboats on the Mississippi. Transporting crops, goods and people, the era of the steamboat was a successful one. As the Civil War overtook Mississippi, even the paddle wheelers pitched in, transporting troops and military supplies. It wasn’t long after the war that railroad transport became less expensive than steamboats, surpassing them as the way to do business along the river route. By 1776, Natchez was a flourishing community of about 4,500 people. Planters began growing crops like indigo and tobacco in the rich fertile soil. With the invention of the cotton gin in 1793, cotton became the crop of choice, making millionaires of many planters by the end of the 18th century. With all of that prosperity, Natchez became as refined and as luxurious as London or New York by the 1800s. In fact, by 1830, Natchez had more millionaires than any other American city. This great wealth saw the building of beautiful large homes in predominately the Greek Revival style, which became a national trend. These houses remain a symbol of the civilization of the Old South. Natchez was spared much of the Civil War destruction, but the ravages of the time took their toll. Just like in the rest of the South, Natchez suffered economic depression, but thankfully not the loss of its grand homes to fire as occurred in Atlanta and much of the South. Many of Natchez’s 600 antebellum homes remain today. You can see the vestiges of a bygone era in the marble fireplaces and elegant furnishings brought from Europe all those years ago. One of the most notable of these is the completely restored Monmouth Historic Inn, built in 1818. John Quitman, Monmouth’s most prominent owner, gained
fame as a conquering hero in the War with Mexico. Quitman arrived in Natchez a new but penniless attorney who went on to become Governor of Mississippi and serve in the state Legislature before he made his way to the United States Congress. After falling into decline in the early 20th century, Monmouth has been lovingly restored to a grand house. Embellished with some of the original furnishings belonging to Quitman and 26 beautifully landscaped acres, the house continues its story today. Under the guidance of Nancy Reuther, past president of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, Monmouth is once again in the forefront of Natchez life. Another gem among these plantation homes is Rosalie Mansion, built on land that had been a French fort named Rosalie in honor of the Countess of Pontchartrain. A young man from Pennsylvania, Peter Little, and his bride, Eliza, moved into Rosalie upon its completion in 1823. Eliza went on to found the Natchez Children’s Home after taking in several orphaned children. When Peter died in 1856, just three years after Eliza, he left no will, and an auction of the plantation was required. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Wilson acquired the house in 1857. When the family fell on hard times, Rosalie was purchased by the Mississippi State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1938. Since that time, tours have given at Rosalie Mansion. Stanton Hall was built by Irish immigrant Dr. Frederick Stanton, who named the house Belfast honoring his homeland. In addition to being a family physician, he was a successful planter and cotton merchant. Occupying a full city block, Stanton Hall, as it is called today, is grand by any standard. In fact, it is said the home was the model for the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland. >> July-August 2014 69
Today, Stanton Hall is owned and operated by the Pilgrimage Garden Club. Adding texture to a look at Natchez history is the first-hand account of William T. Johnson. Born into slavery, Johnson was emancipated in 1820, at age 11. He trained as a barber and worked in Port Gibson before returning to Natchez to become a prosperous businessman. He owned several businesses and considerable land holdings. His greatest contribution began when, in 1835, Johnson began keeping a diary, which he maintained throughout the rest of his life. The diary reveals daily life in Natchez during that era and serves as an important reference for studies in AfricanAmerican history. The diary was published in 1951, and his home, part of the Natchez Historical Park, is open daily for tours. One of the most unusual treasures in Natchez is Longwood, with its six stories created in the Chinese Revival style. Topped with a Byzantine dome, the structure seems to be frozen in time. Longwood’s creator, Dr. Haller Nutt, died mid-construction when only nine of the 32 rooms were finished. Unable to complete the structure, his wife and children lived for many years in the basement beneath the unfinished house. Today, Longwood has found its way into various film productions and plays host to destination weddings. Natchez novices may recognize it as being featured on the HBO series True Blood. Many say that “Natchez is what you love about the South.” The friendly people who treat you like family make everyone feel at home. Its bed and breakfasts blend the elegance of a bygone era with the conveniences of today and serve wonderful Southern-style breakfasts, sending travelers off to see the sights and shop with a full tummy. After all, visiting plantations and touring antebellum homes is hard work. To learn more, read Classic Natchez, by Randolph Delehanty and Van Jones Martin. 70
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@Natchez
Planning a Southern Sojourn
photos courtesy: MONMOUTH HISTORIC INN
For three weeks each spring and fall, the Natchez Pilgrimage throws open the doors to historic Natchez with tours, some conducted by descendants of the original owners. Attendees can view the beautiful furnishings, the gardens and get an in-depth view into a long-past era. Also during this time, entertainment such as the Historic Natchez Tableaux, a historic account of the antebellum era with songs, costumes and dialog, and Southern Exposure, a satirical comedy about the Pilgrimage itself, are performed. If you plan ahead, consider staying at the abovementioned Monmouth, which is operated today as one of the premier bed and breakfasts in the South. Hal will show you to your luxurious room and deposit your baggage. Each spacious room is appointed with carefully chosen antiques and reproductions to continue the architectural integrity of the house, while modern amenities have been added. As guests enjoy the sunset, mint juleps and hors d’oeuvres are served in Quitman’s Bar by Roosevelt, who has been at Monmouth for 26 years. Just inside the mansion, you will find Restaurant
1818, the only truly antebellum dining experience in Natchez. The room was formerly known as the women’s and men’s parlors. The popular Taste of the South is a five-course meal of such treats as fried green tomatoes with lump crabmeat, and spinach and oyster salad, allowing the diner to select from the many delectable offerings that evening. The menu is complemented by a full wine list. If more modern digs are the way you roll, The Grand Hotel in downtown Natchez is the place to stay. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, it is just walking distance to shopping, dining and many of the city’s attractions. The Grand is complete with a swimming pool, a workout room, meeting rooms, ballrooms and a convention space to accommodate big corporate meetings and weddings. The modern guest rooms have wonderful amenities and a gracious staff to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. One of our favorite events in Natchez is the Great Mississippi Balloon Race held in October. From the grounds of the Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens, colorful balloons float over Natchez, Vidalia and the Mississippi River valley. So whether you are interested in history or in hiking the Natchez Trace, you will find plenty to do in this true city of the South, where you can immerse yourself in the rich history of this charming small city that’s just two hours from the northshore. July-August 2014 71
IN Better Health
CHERYL GUIDOZ has been in and out of dentists’ offices since she was 2 years old. “I’ve spent my life in the dentist’s chair. I was born with rheumatic fever. My normal teeth were all chalk, no enamel, so I was constantly at the dentist to have a tooth filled, have a cap put on, this or that.” Eventually, Cheryl opted to have her teeth removed and to wear dentures. “I had dentures, but I couldn’t keep my bottom ones in. I’d try to sit down and enjoy a meal, and after four or five bites my teeth would come out. I’d have to discreetly take them out and put them in my pocket,” she says. It was embarrassing, it was inconvenient and it was no way to enjoy life. This went on for a year.
But then, Cheryl’s life changed. “I was at dinner with my sister, eating catfish. After my fourth bite, she starts laughing because I’m wrapping my bottom teeth up and sticking them in my pocket. She said, ‘Why don’t you go see Dr. Schof?’ She’d had caps put on years ago.” And the rest, as they say, is history. Cheryl scheduled an appointment with Dr. Charles Schof at the Mandeville Center for Dental Excellence. Dr. Schof suggested implant-supported dentures for her. “Implants could improve Cheryl’s appearance and her confidence, and give her the ability to go out to eat without being embarrassed. Implants have a proven track record for longterm success.”
photos: FIELDING PHOTOGRAPHY
with Cheryl Guidoz
by Lauren Parrish Health Concern: Poorly fitting dentures Treatment: Implant-supported dentures
Cheryl had surgery to place four implants in her jaw. The titanium screw implants would support the dentures, which snap into place. After the surgery, Dr. Schof took impressions of her mouth to fit the dentures. “It’s about quality of life,” says Dr. Schof. “Cheryl’s quality of life, from her appearance to her confidence to her function. I think it’s all there now—it’s life changing.” Cheryl would agree. “I can talk, I can smile, I can eat, especially steaks and po’boys—I hadn’t been able to do that for probably seven or eight years. It’s just a whole new lifestyle for me. I’ve been so happy with my teeth, I couldn’t even tell you!” July-August 2014 73
John Chauvin
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HE’S BEEN DESCRIBED many times over as a pioneer in radio—one of the first to broadcast boxing matches and even cock-fighting matches (when they were legal) in Opelousas, using a trailer he outfitted so that he could broadcast remotely. But according to his bride of almost 54 years, although such endeavors were groundbreaking, they weren’t the reason for his acclaim. It was John Chauvin’s ability to personalize the local radio listening experience that paved his path to success. “He was all about the local community—both on-air and off,” says Frances Chauvin of her late husband, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 82. “And he loved the college. He broadcast more
Inside Northside
Lion football games than anyone else ever has.” In fact, Chauvin’s zeal for Southeastern Louisiana University Lion athletics led him to miss the birth of his son Steven, their fifth child. Frances recalls that he was covering a really important away game for the Lions in Ruston when she went into labor and had to drive herself to the hospital. “I remember the doctors were listening to John covering the game while we were in the delivery room,” she says, smiling. It is fitting that his local broadcasting legacy has been honored with the dedication of the John Chauvin Press Box at Strawberry Stadium, where the photo courtesy: THE CHAUVIN FAMILY
by Erin Cowser
top photo courtesy: SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY
Celebrating the legendary voice of the Lions
Southland Conference Champion Lions will take to the field this fall. His family and friends made the dedication possible through the Southeastern Foundation with a little help from a former student Chauvin hired as a stringer for his local radio station to cover Hammond City Hall, the police department and eventually, the university’s sporting events. You may know her—she ended up working at ESPN for a while and now has a gig as co-host of Good Morning, America. Robin Roberts, Southeastern communications alumna and former Lion basketball star, was on site recently for the intimate dedication ceremony. She received an honorary doctorate in the humanities from her alma mater at Spring Commencement later that morning, but she began her day with the Chauvins on the 50-yard-line at Strawberry Stadium. Frances remembers Robin riding her bicycle to the station in downtown Hammond. “John liked her voice and delivery. We knew she was an ambitious young lady and that she would do well for herself, but we never imagined she’d do that well!” Chauvin’s son and namesake, photographer Johnny Chauvin, who still serves as an on-air personality for the station, says Robin was part of their family, just as all the employees were. “Everyone would come over for dinner,” he says. “And, believe me, if we’d known she was going to end up so famous, we would certainly have taken more pictures with her!” (Frances adds that Robin always loved fresh vegetables and that homemade apple pie was her favorite dessert.) Another local broadcast protégé who was first hired by Chauvin is Ray Romero. You can hear his handiwork as Clear Channel Communication’s >> July-August 2014 75
photo courtesy: THE CHAUVIN FAMILY
manager of the Total Traffic Network in New Orleans. Other names you might recognize that Chauvin got to rub elbows with include Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Walter Cronkite and Ladybird Johnson, just to name a few. Long before he was enjoying
breakfast and joking with Bing in Las Vegas, this former algebra teacher, radio deejay, high school basketball coach, WWII naval airman and rice farmer from Napoleonville accepted a job as station manager at WFPR AM 1400 (Florida Parishes Radio) and then invested in the station as co-owner. He moved his family to Hammond in 1958. “We couldn’t have picked a better place to raise our family,” Frances says. “John loved the culture, the college and the community.” Chauvin’s investment in WFPR grew, as did his family. Having bought out his former partner, he also acquired the FM channel WHMD in 1974. The radio stations were a family affair, as six of his seven children worked there and his youngest daughter always helped out, too. Their family was often touted
photo courtesy: THE CHAUVIN FAMILY
as the “Largest Family Run Radio Station” at National Association of Broadcasters conventions. While Frances wistfully remembers having all seven children seated in the box seats directly below the press box enjoying the Lion football games, Johnny’s recollection is a bit less romantic. “I remember walking up all those stadium steps carrying all the radio equipment,” he says. “All of us kids had to carry something up to the press box, and it wasn’t lightweight by any means.” Johnny says when he attends games in Strawberry Stadium now his seats are a little closer to the field, but they still have a view of the press box, which will henceforth bear his father’s name. And, as games are broadcast live from the John Chauvin Press Box, all the residents, students and visitors to Strawberry
Stadium will know the name of the man who so loved the Lions and his adopted hometown of Hammond. A formal dedication is planned during the fall Lion football season, which kicks off Aug. 30 against Jacksonville.
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Traces
Bob Breck Meteorologist par excellence!
Every summer, as South Louisianans tune in to the weather, it is more than to make sure the Little League game isn’t washed out—there’s a larger concern. Hurricane season runs from June through October, and most of us have become pretty handy with a tracking chart—not that we ever wanted to be. Luckily, we have experts like meteorologist Bob Breck to keep us updated on where the storms are headed and where we should be headed. Bob was recently recognized with the highest national award given in his industry. The presentation of his Distinguished Service Award was made at the 2014 National Hurricane Conference, where they also replaced his Outstanding Service Award from 2000 that had been destroyed in Katrina. “These awards are a culmination of my work,” says Bob, who has been chief meteorologist at Fox for 37 years. “It makes you feel like what you do to earn a living is not just making money, but that you’re actually helping to keep people 78
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photo: JEFF STROUT
by Lauren Parrish
educated and safe. It’s quite an honor that I’ve received, and you don’t get it when you’re a kid—you have to earn it over many years, in my case almost four decades, and it’s a personal achievement.” As for what our storm season might bring this year, Bob says, “I just don’t pay much attention to the early season projections. It’s like the people who believe in a seven-day weather forecast. They’ll say, ‘Well you said on Monday that it wouldn’t rain today.’ And that was seven days ago! It’s just a guess, not a forecast. The kind of hurricane season we’ll have is not so much connected to a bad winter or a hot summer; it’s more than just water temperature.” Best advice to be prepared for the next potential swirling monster in the Gulf? “You need to have a place to go where there’s elevation, and that usually is north. I’m a believer that you go to family and friends. That way, you don’t have to worry about paying for hotels and food. Evacuations can be extensive. How many people are living paycheck to paycheck, and all of a sudden, they have to pay for an evacuation?” He emphasizes, “Know where you plan to go when another big storm comes. Get out. Don’t wait ’til the last minute. You’ve got a cousin Sue up in Missouri or Memphis or somewhere away from the coast? You go and you spend a week’s vacation there and wait for everything to settle down. “What I do is try to get people to understand the threat. They still have to make the decision, but my job is to make sure they know the risks. That’s what I preach!”
Traces
photo: FIELDING PHOTOGRAPHY
by Lauren Parrish
Mimi Greenwood Knight Local writer Mimi Greenwood Knight makes her 30th Chicken Soup for the Soul appearance in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Multitasking Mom’s Survival Guide with “An Ode to a Quiet Bathroom.” We discussed her writing with her—and whether she got the “four hours alone in my quiet bathroom” she wrote about. IN: How did you get started as a freelance writer? MGK: I was reading Parents magazine every month, so I started proposing to them. I’d send in my essay with my query letter. My daughter, Molly, would pray over every envelope with her little eyes squeezed shut, and we’d mail it off. For two years, I got rejection letters. People need to know that—it doesn’t just happen overnight. IN: And yet, you didn’t throw in the towel. MGK: I had turned our laundry room into my 80
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office, and I started hanging the rejection letters on the walls. I thought, ‘Years from now, when my girls are fighting to do something, I want them to remember me at 10 at night at the typewriter and all the rejection letters.’ We covered two walls, ceiling to floor. Then finally, I get a call from Parents. They bought two essays. The next month, they bought another. IN: What do you write about? MGK: You’re supposed to write what you know. I write about motherhood. I had three kids later in life—boom, boom, boom. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I started writing because it was bubbling up inside of me—the joys, the frustrations, the doubts of parenthood. When my oldest child was a baby, I met a group of women at the STPH Parenting Center in Covington, and they were my lifelines; they were my sanity, my support group. That was
the message I wanted to convey with my writing: moms need other moms. You can’t be the Lone Ranger. You need the other moms to bounce things off. There’s a woman out there now who is where I was, who’s lonely like I was, who’s unsure of herself like I was—that’s who I wrote for, that woman. To let her know, ‘Yeah, you lost your temper, but you’re still a good mom; yes, you hide the good ice cream in the back of the freezer, but you’re still a good mom.’ IN: What has been the most rewarding part of writing essays for parenting magazines? MGK: The greatest thing is that moms would call me. This was back before the average person knew about the Internet and definitely before Facebook. I’d get a call on a weeknight and it’d be a woman in Ohio who’d found me and called to thank me. I’d get emails; I’d get handwritten thank-you notes. They’re not as frequent, but I still get them. IN: What publications do you currently write for? MGK: I do a lot for Living Magazine in Texas. Home Upgrades in Plano. Chicken Soup for the Soul. I write Web copy for some other clients. IN: So, did you get your quiet bathroom? MGK: Thanks to my husband, I got the four hours alone. But I couldn’t decide what to do. I started a bath, but took a walk instead—and everything I saw made me want to show it to the kids. After three hours, I was missing them so much it felt like a limb had been amputated. Later that night, I sat on the floor next to the tub and read Dr. Seuss while they had a long bubble bath. And I lied to my husband about what a good time I had alone. July-August 2014 81
Northshore Artisan
Adam Sambola A RedBean photo: KIM BERGERON
in Every Pot
by Kim Bergeron
FOR ADAM SAMBOLA, crawfish season is all year long. His iconic RedBean the Crawfish can be spotted on a 60-foot mural in Olde Towne Slidell, a 40-foot mural at North Shore Square and in 4-foottall crawfish sculptures popping up throughout St. Tammany and New Orleans. The festive crustacean has been captured jamming with a zydeco band alongside the bayou, tailgating with friends before an LSU game and trumpeting with a Zatarain’s Red Beans box-turnedhat precariously perched atop his head. Clearly, RedBean knows how to party. But man does not live by crawfish alone. Though RedBean may be among the most widely known of Sambola’s work, he has also captured the culture of Louisiana—swamp scenes, seafood and images of New Orleans’ French Quarter and Louisiana musicians, including Satchmo and Ronnie Kole. At 82
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the entrance to the New Orleans Saints Training Facility hangs a 5-by-6 work titled The Chant, which depicts Drew Brees in the middle of the legendary pre-game team huddle. A former student of the St. Tammany Schools Talented Arts Program, Sambola says he began to explore the potential of his talents more seriously at the
age of 19 when inspired by his wife-to-be, Heather, then a Southeastern Louisiana University arts major. “While I had focused on drawing and pencils before, I began experimenting with paint,” says Sambola. “Heather taught me so much about technique, and I realized I really liked working in this medium.” Though he originally worked from his home studio, it wasn’t long before a growing demand for his art led him to a career milestone: the opening of his first gallery in 2010. Sambola recently made the move to a gallery space on Front Street, the first floor of the historic building that now houses the new offices of the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce in Slidell. At the entrance to Sambola Gallery sits a covered wagon display rack with a larger-than-life RedBean holding the reins to an equally massive crab >> July-August 2014 83
(It makes a great souvenir photo!). The gallery desk is also a work of art in its own right, emulating a piano keyboard. On the walls hang an impressive array of original paintings and prints, plus unique works created on less traditional “canvases,” such as ceramic bowls, musical instruments and washboards. The collection includes posters created for a myriad of Louisiana festivals, including Jazz on the Bayou, Hospice Foundation of the South’s Crawfish Cook-Off, the American Cancer Society/East St. Tammany’s Relay for Life and the Bayou Lacombe Crab Festival. Currently, Sambola is working on the inaugural poster for the upcoming East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity’s Louisiana Veterans Festival. Additionally, he has partnered with another local organization to create Crawfish for a Cause. Inspired by the success of the Leadership Northshore Pelicans on Parade project in Slidell, St. Tammany Cancer Fund board member Don McMath approached Sambola about taking RedBean to the streets. 84
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The resulting custom-painted sculptures are placed in locations throughout the parish, with proceeds benefiting local cancer patients. “What I really like about this cause is that part of the proceeds is dedicated to providing scholarships to children who are winning the battle against cancer,” says Sambola. “It’s a great organization, and I’m honored to be part of the project.” So what’s the dream? “I hope that someday, RedBean is embraced by people far beyond Louisiana,” says Sambola. “I have so much respect for artist George Rodrigue and the love he created for his iconic Blue Dog. To bring RedBean into the homes of people throughout the United States would be absolutely amazing.” A crawfish in every pot, indeed. Sambola Gallery is located within the Main Street Marketplace at 1808 First St. in Slidell and online at SambolaArt.com. 643-2663. For information about custompainted RedBean sculptures, call 624-9010 or visit sttammanycancerfund.org. July-August 2014 85
Raising the Roost The joys of raising chickens
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ARE YOU AMONG THE MANY people contemplating adding your own personal chicken farm to your backyard? If so, here’s the scoop on all things for your coop and your inauguration into the chicken nation. Chicken farmers are quick to sing the virtues of their birds, beyond the obvious daily egg offerings. The fowl help keep lawns healthy by eating insects that can destroy gardens, and they consider leaves and lawn clippings a gourmet feast. Eggshells and droppings enrich compost piles, providing rich, fertile soil. And many farmers will also tell you that each chicken has its own quirky personality, making the birds great pets as well. “They’re awesome little creatures,” says Mary Kay
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
by Kim Bergeron
Walden, who is in the process of setting up a coop in her family’s Covington home. “We had chickens for two years at our former home, and they brought so much joy to our kids. They’re very loveable.” She cautions that before moving forward, aspiring chicken farmers should plan to do a lot of research, not only relative to setting up the coop but also about properly caring for the chickens. “It involves investing a bit of time and knowhow,” she says. “Once you have the information you need and your coop is in place, plan to spend at least 20 minutes a day tending to the chickens.” Setup is becoming increasingly easier due to the growing popularity of chicken farming. Whether opting for do-it-yourself or ready-made coops, choices range from simple to opulent. Smaller, wheeled coops can be shifted around the yard, providing chickens fresh grazing areas every few weeks. Larger coops provide a variety of fixed location options. A growing trend finds owners painting and decorating coops to match their homes. Travis Costanza and his wife, Katelyn, have been raising chickens at their Covington home for six years now. He says what he enjoys most is hatching eggs out and watching those chicks turn into producers. “If I could offer any advice, it’s to ensure that you keep the chickens safe from predators,” says Travis. >>
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photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Top right: Emma Westervelt holds beautifully colored fresh eggs. Middle left: Megan Westervelt with one of her chickens. 88
“Let them roam during the day but close the coop at night.” Mary Kay concurs, saying she uses overhead netting to provide protection from hawks and owls. When selecting chickens, first determine how many you would like and how much space is needed. Generally, for chickens that will have an outdoor roaming area—the preferred option—allow 2 to 4 square feet within the coop and 10 feet of outdoor area per chicken. In the absence of a “free range” area, allow at least 10 square feet per chicken within the coop. It’s important to choose “sexed” female chicks over a “straight run” selection, which is a mixture of males and females. If not, you may end up with lots of roosters on your hands—and that can lead to problems. Despite popular belief that roosters crow only
Inside Northside
in the morning, the male fowls tend to cock-adoodle-doo throughout the day, a recipe for some extremely unhappy neighbors. Because roosters are not needed for hens to lay eggs, it’s recommended that, at least initially, chicken farmers bypass the noisy creatures. And finally, take note of local chicken regulations. Ordinances relative to chicken farming vary from city to city. In Slidell, the keeping of fowl is prohibited within the city limits. In Mandeville and Covington, chickens are permitted so long as owners comply with health, sanitary and nuisance restrictions and chickens remain contained within the owners’ property. To ensure compliance, check with your governing agent’s zoning commission prior to establishing your coop.
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Generous Hearts
by Susan H. Bonnett
From the Hearts of Babes: Teaching our Children the Value of Philanthropy THIS PAST BRUTAL WINTER, after a run of several sleet-filled snow days with my husband, four kids and me cooped up at home staring at each other, we were all desperate for a distraction. That is the “nice mom” way of saying if we didn’t get out of that house, someone was going to get hurt. I was secretly playing Survivor—family edition—and I was about to vote someone off the island! Then, hallelujah, the roads were finally safe, and we found one of our favorite restaurants in Covington was open. Limited menu, but we would have eaten stale crackers if it meant we didn’t have to eat them at home. We bundled up and loaded up, all six of us, and headed out. The place was warm, and the food was bountiful. So bountiful, in fact, that after an hour of stuffing ourselves, we ended up with two overflowing take-out boxes. We loaded back up for a routine drive home—only we encountered something that changed all of that. A few blocks away from the restaurant, we saw an older man slowly walking on the side of the road. A small bag in tow, a
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light layer of clothes, but no coat; his face was so red and brittle it looked like it might shatter. Remember, these were the days when it was 15 degrees at night and in the 20s during the day. It was clear he had nowhere to stay warm. My husband stopped the car abruptly, and the kids lifted their faces from the screen glow of their electronic devices to ask what was going on. My husband approached the man with our overflowing boxes of leftovers and asked if we could drive him somewhere warm. As he inhaled his first meal in days—the lukewarm abundance that we almost discarded—my children sat silently and paid attention. Really close attention. My husband came back to the car and asked me for whatever cash I had in my purse. I happily handed it over, and he gave it to the man while we made arrangements to get him to a motel for the night. Fifteen minutes of our time and a few bucks had just simply served a man in need, but it had forever changed my children’s lives. In our overly privileged community and their overly indulged lives, they witnessed firsthand
true human need and basic human philanthropy. We didn’t do anything special; everyone I know would have done the same. But their firsthand experience of this precious man’s emotions—his hunger, his freezing skin and his pure gratefulness—exposed them to the deepest levels of empathy and compassion. I am so grateful to that stranger for giving that to my kids. In our community, with such affluence, busy schedules and the everpresent pressure to “keep up with the Joneses,” it can seem difficult to find opportunities to expose our children to true need and give them the chance to have an impact on the world around them. I would beg to differ, however, and offer that those opportunities are around us everywhere and every day. If teaching your children about giving of themselves and their resources is important to you and your family, there are lots of things you can do to make it a part of your life. Set the example—and talk about it. The most important step we can take in teaching our kids about philanthropy is to do it—in front of them—and discuss it as you do. If you give to your place of worship on Sundays, let them put the envelope in the basket and talk about why you support your church in that way. If you are making food for a family that needs help—a birth, a death, a diagnosis—let them help with the preparation and share about how you >>
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would be so grateful for the help if the situation were reversed. Make it real for them, and it will become part of their soul. Show that giving is a privilege— not a punishment. Guilt is a shortterm motivator, but true generosity becomes a part of who you are. It feels very different when we talk about how sad it is that some families go hungry at night instead of talking about what a gift it is to be able to fill someone’s belly. As children, we all learned to eat our peas because “children were starving in Africa.” I suggest we teach our kids that giving someone peas makes their stomach full like ours are every night. It is a very different emotion to share in a common good then it is to simply alleviate our own guilt. Make it fun and positive—that is how they learn. Use their passion as a spark. If your child loves animals, have them research local non-profits that serve our four-legged friends. Love horses? Try New Heights. Love dogs and cats? Try the Humane Society. If your child loves to camp, share with them that there are families living in tents in our community because they don’t have homes. Family Promise is working to serve those homeless families in our own backyard; look into that. If academics are a strength for your child, have them work with organizations that serve special-needs kids; they will quickly see that their ability is a gift to be appreciated. If your child loves to use your power tools, have them cut the lawn of your elderly neighbor down the street. Use their desire as the driver for their philanthropy. Make a spend “some, save some, share some” rule. When kids are learning to manage their money, teach them that when they want to spend, they should also being setting aside portions to save and to share. 92
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When they learn from a young age that every dollar has a portion to put away and a portion to give away, it makes them think differently about money. Kids want to contribute to things; it empowers them. We teach them that they can make a difference and change things for the better when they have their own “bank” of money to give away. And that is a very powerful lesson. Find a way to sacrifice to serve. I have a dear friend who, every year, leaves her family and the comforts of home to travel to Central America on a medical mission. Two weeks, no running water, sleeping on cots in the hot sand, rationed food and limited hygiene—all to provide basic medical care to a population who would otherwise never get it. It takes her away from her own husband and kids, costs her a great deal of their money, she gets no sleep, is physically exhausted—and she wouldn’t miss it for the world. This year, she took her sixth-grade daughter along with her. And guess what? It changed her daughter, who noted in her writings about her experience, “these families … they don’t even have a house, or air conditioning, or a bathroom, or a shower. They take showers in a pond. … There were no mattresses to sleep on and it was sad. One thing is true—they always have a smile on their faces, and that made me happy.” If you expose your children to the wonderful privileges of generosity, it will become part of who they are. Our family often talks about that dear man we met on a frigid winter day. It has become a familiar verse in the story of us, a piece of their memories and their experiences. And I am hopeful it will continue to shape them as they grow into responsible, caring and generous adults. Because after all, at the end of the day, it feels really, really good. July-August 2014 93
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6 1. Porcelain pelican, $38. deCoeur, Covington, 809-3244. 2. Bevolo Square Hanging Pendant, $325-$425. Bevolo Gas & Electric, Mandeville, 249-6040. 3. Perfect for a hostess gift or a unique way to say thank you. Combine any four oils and balsamic vinegars. Sampler gift set, $25. InfusÊ, Mandeville, 778-0903. 4. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe sage green bread tray and oval banquet platter. Tray, $120; platter, $225. Arabella Fine Gifts & Home Decor, Mandeville, 727-9787. 5. An Angel to Watch Over You, original art, starting at $58. Available in four sizes. the french mix, Covington, 809-3152. 6. Handmade in the USA frame, $87.95. DeLuca’s Fine Jewelry and Gifts, Covington, 892-2317.
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5 1.“Pardon the mess, my children are making memories.” 18” square pillow, $24.99. Mandeville Party Company, Mandeville, 674-1605. 2. Zeta Zeta light, $1,650. Chris Wynne Designs, chriswynnedesigns.tumblr.com. 3.Thymes Kimono Rose bath products, starting at $20.95. Earthsavers, Mandeville, 674-1133. 4. Salad dressing kit, $25.95. Oil & Vinegar, Covington, 809-1693. 5. All-weather art, $199. Various styles available. Can be placed outdoors. Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 893-8008.
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1. Black iron and oyster shell chandelier, $1,400. Bmac Interiors at Terra Bella, Covington, 635-4540. 2. Melamine artisan tile outdoor salad and dinner plates. Ornate salad plates, $16; dinner plates, $15. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 624-4045. 3. Entertain in style with this crab-embellished cutting board, $78.50. Mia Sorella, Slidell, 781-3909. 4. Exclusive multi-purpose handmade art by Michelle Y Williams for any coffee table, $320. Available in varying sizes. Rug Chic, Mandeville, 674-1070. 5. Wood and glass lantern, $40. mĂŠlange by kp, Mandeville, 807-7652.
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M A R R I A G E
Acosta-Chanove
photo: BRANDON O’NEAL PHOTOGRAPHY
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Ashley Nicole Acosta and Conrad Peter Chanove III began their wedding festivities with an intimate rehearsal dinner at Monmouth Historic Inn in Natchez, Mississippi. The next day, the two were joined in marriage at Duluth Historic Inn. The bride and her father arrived at the ceremony by horsedrawn carriage. She stepped out to meet her groom in a Mori Lee strapless beaded gown and a cathedral-length veil edged with lace and beading. The newlyweds honeymooned in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. They reside in a new home in Covington.
Courtney Phillips and Mark Kessenich exchanged vows at sunset in the sand at Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort in Eagle Beach, Aruba. The bride carried a bouquet of calla lilies as she walked to meet her groom in a trumpet gown by Marisa, which featured ivory Lyon lace. The beach and dance floor were adorned with champagne and ivory accents, flowers and lanterns. Guests danced the night away under the stars and secondlined in the sand to see the couple off with glow sticks. The couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Coco Bay, Antigua.
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photo: PAUL VAN DRIEL
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Hemlock Green 1. Ippolita sterling silver and diamond chrysophrase doublet earrings, $1,795. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, (504) 5 832-0000. 2. Men’s long-sleeved button
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up shirts by Maker and Co., starting at $98. Bastille’s Clothing Company, Mandeville, 6264220. 3. Lilly Pulitzer pastel green and white striped seersucker dress, $188. Palm Village, 1. Vintage-inspired pale coral dress, $119. Columbia Street Mercantile, Covington,4. One-size-fits-all Mandeville, 778-2547. 809-1789; 809-1690. 2. Handmade textured sterling silveraffordable disc necklace, $345. bling ring, $12.99. Private Beach, 6 David Pierson Designs, Covington, 871-0457. 3. Cushion-cut Morganite and diamond Mandeville, 674-2326. 5. Stunning sequined halo stud earrings, $1,275. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, (504) 832-0000. and beaded cocktail dress with nude illusion 4. Two-piece Montage by Mon Cheri shantung suit; dress sides, with curved $458. neckline, SouthernhandBridal, Mandeville, beaded lace bodice, slim skirt with center back slit; bolero727-2993. jacket with 6. three-quarter Prima Donna Luna lacy Spring sleeves; $600. Southern Bridal, Mandeville, 727-2993. 5. Blossom Patricia Green slippers, bra and panties set. Bra, $128; 9
$99. Hestia Luxury in Linens, Covington, 893-0490. 6. Shell pink lace dress, $110. POSH panties, $50. Bra Genie, Mandeville, 951-8638. Boutique, Covington, 898-2639. 7. Petal pink ruffled linen top by Match Point, $72. California Drawstrings Northshore, Covington, 327-7300. 8. 18kt rose gold and sterling silver Tacori earrings with elongated pear-shaped rose amethyst and round prasiolite gemstones, $1,180. Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers, Mandeville, 626-1666. 9. Durable water-resistant rain boots, $49. Shoefflé, Covington, 898-6465.
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Colors Of Summer 1. Alice + Trixie multicolored blouse, $260. The Mix, Mandeville, 727-7649. 2. 100% cotton “stay cool” plaid shirts, $79.50. Available in different colors. Jos. A. Bank, Mandeville, 624-4067. 3. Antique-style 18k white gold with 2.08ct ruby and .60cttw yellow diamond and .95ct diamond ring, $14,200. De Boscq Fine Jewelry, Mandeville, 674-0007. 4. Ray-Ban Justin sunglasses, $130. Louisiana Family Eye Care, Covington, 875-7898. 5. Spaghetti strap racer back maxi dress with tie waist, $64. JuJu’s Boutique, Mandeville, 624-3600. 6. Ballerina costume, $47. All Wrapped Up, Mandeville, 778-2041. 7
7. Coral top with crocheted sleeves and neckline, $78. [brown eyed girl], Mandeville, 626-0100.
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Colors Of Summer 1. Fashion enamel petal flower necklace with matching earrings set, $32. Private Beach, Mandeville, 674-2326. 2. Floral top with crocheted bottom by Zouk, $36. Paisley, Mandeville, 727-7880. 3. Delia sleeveless spa blue “Lobstah Roll” shift dress with lace trim, 4
$178. Palm Village, Mandeville, 778-2547.4. Chevron strapless tie romper, $44.50. The Lifestyle Store at Franco’s, Mandeville, 792-0270. 5. Tom Ford “Charles” Aviator Sunglasses, $395. Emma’s Shoes and Accessories, Mandeville, 778-2200. 6. Marie Jo Haute Lingerie yellow gingham bra and underwear, Bra, $119; panty, $55. Bra la Vie!, Hammond, 662-5065.
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Colors Of Summer 1. L Space fringe halter bathing suit top and hipster bottoms. Top, $74; bottoms, $71. Bora Bora, Mandeville, 951-8454. 2. Paul Mitchell 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner, $17.50; Elastic Hold Mesh Styler Constructive Paste, $14.50; Clean Cut Styling Cream, $17.50. H2O Salon, Mandeville, 951-8166. 3. Long white gauze dress with embroidered yellow sunflowers, $246; Virgins Saints and Angels necklace, $286; Blessings in Disguise necklace, $180. Eros Home & Clothing, Mandeville, 727-0034. 4. Jade yellow daisy blouse, $122. The Villa, Mandeville, 626-9797. 5. Classic fit pastel shorts by Vineyard Vines in white, pastel yellow and blue, $79.50. Bastille’s Clothing Company, Mandeville, 626-4220.
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Our team approach yields better care Ochsner Health System
Have you ever had to wait days or even weeks to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician? Have you ever found yourself in the waiting room of an unfamiliar urgent care clinic wishing for a familiar face who knows you and understands your medical history? These are not uncommon situations; however, Ochsner has a better solution. Ochsner’s team of Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) made up of nurse practitioners and physician assistants work daily with Ochsner’s primary care physicians and specialists to cover most urgent medical situations in addition to any regular care. Making an appointment with an Ochsner APC who works closely with your physician affords you the efficient and quality outcome with same-day care. Furthermore, because every Ochsner facility uses electronic medical records to keep patient files up-to-date, Ochsner APCs can see your medical history and have direct access to your physician if consultation is necessary. “APCs can give patients a tremendous level of comfort,” said Dr. Lester Prats, who serves as the 110
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Director of APCs for the Ochsner Health System. “Medicine is also about bonds of trust between provider and patient, and that is one great advantage to seeing our APCs.” Having an entire team on your side also gives you the advantage of more people who care about you and want to do what is in the best interest of your health. “We want patients to understand that APCs are part of their care team and work directly with the physicians,” said Dr. Timothy Riddell, the Associate Medical Director of Ochsner Medical Center-North Shore and the lead physician in Family Medicine. “When patients see my nurse practitioners, they are seeing my team. And by having an entire team, not only is there better access but there are more people caring for and concerned about your health.” There has been a nationwide movement in recent years toward a more team-based, coordinated approach to patient care. Patients should see Ochsner as their “Medical Home” where they can go no matter what their healthcare needs may be. Within that home is a care team made up of physicians and APCs collaborating
Medicine is about bonds of trust between provider and patient, and that is one great advantage to seeing our Advanced Practice Clinicians. – Dr. Lester Prats to make sure patients are receiving the best possible care and getting the best possible outcomes. “If patients are able to come to Ochsner and see an APC, their records are readily available and they receive a much better continuity of care,” Dr. Prats said. “In the same sense, the PAs (physician assistants) and NPs (nurse practitioners) who work with me have access to all of my records and can easily communicate with me at any time. Patients don’t have that same access if they choose to go to another facility for urgent care.” Throughout the entire Ochsner Health System, there are 391 employed APCs and more than 50 on the North Shore. Monica Butz has been a nurse practitioner for 11 years and has spent the past nine years as an APC Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist for Ochsner in Covington. She works with two ENT surgeons and performs all of their pre-op and post-op appointments. “A lot of people have a misconception that APCs cannot specialize, but in our multi-specialty medical group we have APCs specializing in ENT, urology, cardiology, surgery and gastroenterology,” Butz explained. Nurse practitioners must first receive a nursing degree and then practice in the field for two years before entering a Master of Nursing program. “Studies have shown that APCs provide safe, reliable and efficient care,” said Butz. “Overall we receive wonderful feedback and many patients even request their nurse practitioners by name because they develop great relationships with them.” Nurse practitioners Liz Buras and Ochsner’s APC of the Year Glenda Petroff, of Ochsner Health Center - Abita take a tremendous amount of pride in the relationships they have developed with patients. “Our patients really love our system and being able to see a member of their care team on the same day they experience an emergency,” Buras said. From 2004-2008, there was about a 13 percent increase in nurse practitioners nationwide, with more than 64 percent providing primary care. According to Dr. Prats, this is due in part to a shortage of
physicians, and this trend only looks to increase throughout the years. “By 2025, it is estimated there will be a shortage of approximately 130,000 physicians nationwide, including both primary care and specialists. It is important that we embrace these Advanced Practice Clinicians as part of a healthcare team as this trend continues so we can provide high quality care to all patients.”
Opposite: Liz Buras, NP; Richelle Schiro, MD; and Glenda Petroff, NP. Above: Rose Davis and Glenda Petroff, NP.
Convenient locations in: ABITA SPRINGS COVINGTON MANDEVILLE SLIDELL Call 985-875-2828 for a same-day appointment. ochsner.org/northshore July-August 2014 111
by Mindy Cordell
Four homegrown companies are reaching far and wide. WHEN IS BUSINESS PERSONAL? When it is close to our homes and close to our hearts. We feel a connection with companies that got their start in New Orleans and St. Tammany and can now be found across the country or around the world, a connection that supersedes nostalgia. When they blaze trails and reach high, it does more than boost our local economy. It makes us proud. Beyond the economic growth and the cool-by112
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association factor, watching those around us succeed gives us the courage to make our own big moves. American artist Robert Henri once said, “Genius is not a possession of the limited few, but exists in some degree in everyone.� The following is a closer look at a few of the simply genius business practices that have put four local companies not just on the map, but all over it.
Smoothie King A chapter from their success story: A league of their own. The lesson: Be a good listener. Smoothie King got its start 40 years ago in New Orleans when Steve and Cindy Kuhnau began mixing fruits with the powdered nutrition products from their vitamin and supplement store. Steve suffered from severe food allergies and wanted snack and meal replacements that would accommodate or alleviate these allergies. The Kuhnaus were purpose-driven. In 2012, Smoothie King’s founders sold the company to SK, USA, Inc., headed by CEO Wan Kim, a Smoothie King franchisee with fierce brand loyalty and 130 stores in South Korea. Under Kim’s leadership, Smoothie King has undergone tremendous change, change that has it poised for unprecedented growth. The company’s new incarnation returns it to a purpose-driven model, but with more than 650 locations spanning the globe, it is now challenged with fulfilling the purposes of millions. The company is proving to have the listening skills necessary for such an audacious endeavor. Smoothie King’s president and COO Tom O’Keefe, part of the powerhouse executive team that Kim brought in to implement the company’s new overarching strategy, says that the changes were driven by research. Six thousand Internet surveys were collected in three countries, and focus groups were conducted in four U.S. cities. What they learned was that they had a company with a strong name and the best product on the market, but one that perhaps assumed too much. “The research told us that we might have been misinterpreting or not understanding what was in the >> July-August 2014 113
Steve Kuhnau.
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Smoothie King’s
consumer’s mind all the time. So, we want to give them the opportunity to express it rather than assume it.” The company took on a new motto: “Smoothies with a purpose.” O’Keefe explains, “The idea is to ask the customer what they are looking to accomplish and to have a smoothie to fulfill that purpose.” Purposes might include weight loss, weight gain, a relaxing snack or improved nutrition. Along with their new approach, Smoothie King has unveiled a new logo and a new place to put it up in lights. Kim and O’Keefe were all ears when the marketing team charged with corporate sponsorships for the Saints and Pelicans said to them, “We have an idea.” In February 2014, the New Orleans Arena, home to the New Orleans Pelicans, became the Smoothie King Center, and people have definitely taken notice. “It puts the company in a different league,” O’Keefe says.
The Ballard Brands: PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans, WOW Café, and more
Brothers Paul, Steven and Scott Ballard are as well known for their entrepreneurial dexterity as for the brands they have created and grown. They began their journey into business ownership fresh out of college as PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans and Smoothie King franchisees. But it wasn’t long before Paul was “itching” to give life to his own vision, a full-service casual restaurant centered on chicken wings, wraps, salads and an array of unique sauces. In 2001, WOW Café & Wingery (later shortened to WOW Café) was born. Within six months of opening, Steven and Scott joined Paul in his new venture, and the three began expanding and franchising. The Ballard brothers also continued to expand their PJ’s fleet and, in 2008, they bought the
photo courtesy: THE BALLARD BRANDS
A chapter from their success story: The grass is green on both sides. The lesson: Honor tradition, but don’t be afraid to pave an untraditional path.
PJ’s parent company. Today, PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans and WOW Café have about 75 locations each. The Ballard brothers have gained a unique perspective from their experience. As franchisees, they have represented brands that began as someone else’s vision. As franchisors, they have turned over a brand >>
Scott, Steven and Paul Ballard.
The Taste Buds: Zea Rotisserie & Grill, Semolina, Mizado Cocina and more A chapter from their success story: Creative forces mix well. The lesson: Do what isn’t being done, and do it better than what is being done. Gary Darling, Greg Reggio, and Hans Limburg are the taste-tantalizing “buds” that founded The Taste Buds Management Group. The three chefs came together while catering a celebrity fundraiser in Hawaii in the 1990s. Their chemistry was immediate, and they decided to go into business together. After asking themselves “What’s not being done?” they came up with an international pasta concept. With culinary influences from India, Spain, Mexico and Asia, Semolina opened in Covington in 1991. It
photo courtesy: THE TASTEBUDS MANAGEMENT GROUP
they created for others to represent. They know well the plight of each position. “In franchising … there’s a conflict,” Paul says. “You’re an owner, an entrepreneur who wants to open franchises. But you have to run systems. And as an entrepreneur, you have your own ideas, especially on the creative end.” Paul has found the grass to be green on both sides. “I embraced the visions of [the PJ’s and Smoothie King founders] even though I had my own ideas. And those ideas manifested themselves in a brand called WOW.” As the WOW brand has grown, it has remained true to its fast-casual core, but has become flexible and innovative in its format. Non-traditional locations such as universities, hospitals, hotels and airports are a fast-growing segment of WOW Cafe’s market. Furthermore, the brand has proven to be nimble and adaptive, able to take on different forms and create a unique experience through each. Look for concepts such as WOW Chicken & Sauce, which features a “chicken-centric” menu; WOW Kitchen & Tap, which hosts a parade of unique tap beers; and WOW BeFit, which features a fryer-less cooking style. “I think you have to continue to change and evolve,” Paul says. “If not, you’re going to be left. I think that Steve, Scottie and I continue to push boundaries.”
wasn’t long before a second location opened on Magazine Street in New Orleans and a third in Old Metairie. By the time they reached 13 restaurants, they had accepted an offer from a buyer who wanted to franchise the brand. “We needed something else to do,” Darling says. “So we came up with Zea.” Zea Rotisserie & Grill was born of Darling’s fascination with the roadside rotisseries he encountered on his travels through France. In 1997, the first Zea location was opened in Harahan. As with their first concept, people got it, and loved it. They began opening locations throughout South Louisiana. As the brand grew, the Zea concept evolved and the menu acquired more international influences. “We wanted to have a menu such that, if you can’t find something to eat on our menu, you don’t like to eat,” Darling says. The “buds” also began strengthening their management and executive team to ensure that the quality would remain consistent and the experience uncompromising. This left the chef-owners free to create the next uniquely delicious culinary concept. Today, Zea is 10 restaurants-strong with plans to expand into Texas and along the Gulf Coast. Taste Buds Management has already launched their next concept, Mozado Cocino, a Latin restaurant >>
Above: Taste Buds’ Gary Darling, Greg Reggio and Hans Limburg.
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that adds South American and Caribbean influences to modern Mexican cuisine. They bought back the Semolina name and kept one location in New Orleans. The group has also been busy developing their catering division. “We have such a level of trust and confidence with our market,” Darling says, “that when we do something new, they know it’s going to be a little bit different, and they know the food is going to be good.” Ours is a region where, traditionally, a business has been more likely to have staying power than growing power. And yet, these four businesses rooted in New Orleans and St. Tammany have sprouted and blossomed across the country and, in one case, around the world. Their futures are filled with possibility. And, because we can call them our own, perhaps so are ours.
photo courtesy: PAINTING WITH A TWIST
GL&P, LLC: Corks N Canvas/ Painting with a Twist
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A chapter from their success story: Voices of doom might foretell futures of boom. The lesson: Good looks and personality will only take you so far, but the right team will take you anywhere you want to go. Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney first joined forces as volunteers for community and PTA events. In 2007, they opened
their first sip and paint business in Mandeville. The idea was to give people an outlet to escape their worries and have fun with friends, and to give Cathy and Renee an outlet through which they could give back to the community. They were kindred spirits with big hearts and shared goals. But they didn’t anticipate just how far that would take them. They first thought they would just have one location. But the response was overwhelming, so they opened more. In 2009, they began franchising. “Maybe we will have 10 franchises,” they thought. Renee qualifies, “Not that we didn’t have vision. We had vision. But we didn’t know it was going to be 147 studios in four and a half years.” What Cathy and Renee did know was that they didn’t know everything. “I think we know about as much as anybody on the planet about the sip and paint industry, but we didn’t know that much about advertising, and we didn’t know that much about franchising,” Cathy says. “So we made sure we had good support.” They named their LLC “Good Looks and Personality” “because you can only get so far on good looks and personality, and then you really have
to have the ‘meat’ behind the business.” In addition to hiring people who are experts in areas they are not, Cathy and Renee strive to continually educate themselves, earning designations such as Certified Franchise Executive. In 2012, Cathy and Renee took time to reassess. Renee had learned at an International Franchise Association roundtable that when a franchisor gets to 100 units, they often either implode or explode. The idea haunted her. They had about 70 franchises at the time and knew they wanted to bring in someone who had experience with triple digits. But that was easier said than done. What if that person wasn’t the right fit? They wanted to make sure the person they brought in “got” their culture, and could support that vibe they describe as “loose and funky, but business.” In 2013, they found Mike Powers, a development expert who had spent years growing the Smoothie King brand. Painting with a Twist didn’t explode or implode. It continued to grow in size and in strength. Now, as they near 150 locations, they are setting their own benchmarks and creating a system that others will seek for guidance.
Opposite: Renee Maloney and Cathy Deano.
The northshore is home to many successful business and community leaders whose drive for excellence helps to make it an outstanding region. They have contributed to our thriving community, helping to create the successful business climate we enjoy today. Here we highlight the outstanding contributions of a few of these companies.
123 Louisiana Heart Medical Group Physician Driven Patient-Centered Care at Louisiana Heart Hospital—Where Else? 124 Daigle, Fisse & Kessenich Leaders in Law. 126 Knight Integrative Medicine Dr. Candice Knight. 128 Florida Parishes Bank Hometown Bankers Who Know and Care for Their Customers. 130 Khoobehi and Associates Cosmetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Robotic Hair Restoration. 131 Acquistapace’s Covington Supermarket A regional destination for wine and cheese. 132 NOLA Lending Group Raynah Cullen, Senior Loan Officer.
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The U.S. healthcare delivery system is changing so rapidly that it can be difficult for consumers to keep up. What happened to the day when the patient was at the center of medical care? Today, patients wonder, “Who’s in our corner now? Who’s looking out for us?” One northshore hospital and the best physicians in the region have developed a strategy for patientcentered, physician-driven care with the formation of the Louisiana Heart Medical Group working in
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delivery system. The Louisiana Heart Medical Group is quickly growing to be one of the largest multispecialty groups on the northshore, providing not only heart care but also primary care with family medicine and internal medicine, as well as specialty care with orthopaedic surgery, general surgery, vascular surgery and cardiothoracic surgery. Physicians who are part of the group work cooperatively to maintain the quality patient care each of us has delivered in our individual practice and to maintain the patient/physician
Louisiana Heart Medical Group
Physician Driven Patient-Centered Care at Louisiana Heart Hospital—Where Else? partnership with the Louisiana Heart Hospital. “Our healthcare system is great at providing acute care but lousy at coordinating the continuum of care,” says Steve Blades, CEO of the Louisiana Heart Medical Group. “We wanted to change that by forming a multi-specialty medical group that allows physicians to remain in their own community to provide easy access and convenience to the patients they treat. Throughout the northshore, in Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Hammond, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Lacombe and Picayune into southern Mississippi, LHMG physicians keep their finger on the pulse, so to speak, and work in concert with one another to coordinate appropriate care for their patients while delivering high quality and managing costs. It’s a win/win/win for patients, physicians and the hospital. “Our medical group model places doctors at the center of decision-making,” Blades says. “From clinical decisions to delivering quality care to dayto-day operations, the practice is under the control of the physician, the individual who knows the patients best and who understands their needs and how to provide for them.” “Today, physicians are partnering with hospitals because of the challenges of practicing medicine along with managing operations that include rising overhead and decreased reimbursement,” says Dr. Anthony Morales, Interventional Cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer for the Louisiana Heart Medical Group. “This reality has led many doctors to leap at an opportunity to align with a hospital to form an integrated care
relationship we all cherish. With Louisiana Heart Medical Group we are able to do that.” Through the group, Dr. Morales and others are able to integrate care, with open communication between primary care physicians and specialists and from one specialty to another to utilize the expertise of each and improve patient care and treatment outcomes. “That’s our first priority,” says Dr. Pramod Menon, Interventional Cardiologist and Chairman of Quality for Louisiana Heart Medical Group. “For years, we’ve heard about doctor-led models of care, but the bottom line often won out. Finally, here’s a model that looks not at what is most cost-effective for the medical facility but what will provide the best outcome for the patient. “We have created an environment where a team including doctors and patients makes decisions about care,” Dr. Menon says. “We have a close working relationship with a high-quality, award-winning medical facility that’s been using this model for some time, and we’re trying to glean things that have worked best for them and direct our model accordingly.”
The future of healthcare is happening right now at Louisiana Heart Hospital. For more information, call 690-7500. July-August 2014 123
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Leaders In Law
Front row (l to r): John Dubreuil, Mick Fisse, Jim Bradford.
Back row (l to r): Mike McMahon, Rick Kessenich.
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founding partners relocated their law practice to the northshore from downtown New Orleans with a client base that was primarily aviation related. Since then, the firm has flourished, going from a small boutique practice to a full-service law firm practicing in virtually all areas of the law, save for family and criminal law. Primary areas of concentration include commercial transactions, commercial litigation, maritime, product liability, aviation and construction litigation, eminent domain, real estate and wills, trusts and estate planning. The various practice groups are headed by partners Mick Fisse, Rick Kessenich, Jim Bradford, John Dubreuil, Mike McMahon and Jon Van Steenis. Mick Fisse has worked to develop the commercial practice to include client support on litigation and arbitration matters across and outside the United States. Rick Kessenich is the leader of the maritime group, the largest practice group. Along with Mike McMahon, he manages the extensive admiralty practice, which involves five of the 14 lawyers. John Dubreuil leads the products liability and construction litigation practice groups. Jim Bradford, the firm’s managing partner, heads up the commercial transactions group for mergers and acquisitions, securities and business organization tasks, as well as the wills, trusts and estate planning group. Jon Van Steenis heads the medical malpractice group, representing local and national interests alike on a statewide basis. The firm also maintains an extensive and unique eminent domain practice group serving government and private clients with acquisition needs. In 2005, the firm enlisted Holly & Smith Architects of Hammond to design an office that would pay homage to its Madisonville surroundings and serve as an example of quality architectural design in St. Tammany Parish. The resulting structure garnered numerous awards, including among them the 2006
Daigle, Fisse & Kessenich PLC You may not have heard of Daigle, Fisse & Kessenich—the law firm is one of the best-kept legal secrets on the northshore. With 14 lawyers under one roof, the practice is the largest in St. Tammany Parish, serving national and international clients as diverse as The General Electric Company, The Coca Cola Company, AIG Insurance Group and Cessna Aircraft. The firm does extensive work for local clients as well, including The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the St. Tammany Parish Hospital, operating from an environmentally friendly, architectural award-winning building in Madisonville, which you may have driven past dozens of times without realizing it. More important to its loyal client base, the firm offers a high-caliber legal practice at a reasonable cost as a result of maintaining a lower overhead than its city-center counterparts. The mission statement of Daigle, Fisse & Kessenich states: “The founding goal of the firm was to combine the legal skills and litigation experience found in large metropolitan firms with the community values and virtues of a smaller, more personal practice. We continue to pursue that goal, as we grow to meet the needs of our clients.” And grow they have. The firm was founded in 1993, when its
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America Institute of Architects’ prestigious Louisiana Members Choice Award. While the office was designed beautifully, the true purpose of the building was to provide a custom work space to maximize efficiency and fix the firm’s occupancy overhead expense in order “to continue the firm’s founding model of providing high-quality legal services at a fair and reasonable cost to its clients,” says Managing Partner Bradford. He explains, “If we secure a great legal result for the client, but obtain it at too high a cost, it’s no longer a great outcome for them. This building is one tool that helps us accomplish that goal. Unfortunately, in just nine years, we’re outgrowing the office and are looking at ways to expand the existing building.” A nice problem to have. Daigle Fisse & Kessenich is a full-service law firm with considerable experience in complex litigation, both commercial and casualty, and both civil and admiralty. Practice areas include:
ADMIRALTY & MARITIME AVIATION BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL LITIGATION CASUALTY LITIGATION COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS CONSTRUCTION CORPORATE COUNSELING EMINENT DOMAIN
The firm’s partners also work hard at giving back to the community they love. Bradford is a member of the Northshore Business Council and recently served as a board member of Saint Scholastica Academy. Kessenich is on the advisory board of the St. Tammany Parish Hospital Foundation and has previously served on the board of Christ Episcopal School and the Renaissance Board of St. Paul’s School. Dubreuil is a past board member of the St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation and is active in Christ Episcopal Church, having served as Senior Warden of its vestry and six years as a trustee of Christ Episcopal School. He is currently a member of the St. Paul’s Renaissance Board and outside legal counsel to the Northshore Housing Initiative, a non-profit corporation that seeks to provide housing for the St. Tammany workforce through the Community Land Trust model. Commenting on the benefit of locating their practice here on the northshore, Dubreuil notes, “We are blessed to represent quality clients with business and litigation from New York to California and as far away as Thailand. But we are truly fortunate to be able to do so while living in such a wonderful, familyoriented community.”
EMPLOYMENT HEALTHCARE INSURANCE PRODUCTS LIABILITY WILLS, TRUSTS & ESTATE PLANNING TOXIC TORT & ENVIRONMENT
227 Highway 21, Madisonville, LA 70447 985-871-0800 • DaigleFisse.com James L. Bradford, III, Managing Partner, is responsible for the content of this article. July-August 2014 125
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Dr. Candice Knight Knight Integrative Medicine
When her beloved grandfather underwent a heart transplant, Dr. Candice Knight had an early introduction to medicine—at age 6. “I remember the doctor coming out to talk to my family,” says Dr. Knight. “I told my parents right then that I wanted to do what he did; I wanted to give people their family back.” Little did her parents realize how she would stick to that plan. “I was on a mission from that day on,” she remembers. “My grandfather lived for another 12 years and whenever he had a medical complaint, he’d say to me, ‘Come here, Doc, and fix this for me.’” Unfortunately, her grandfather passed away when Dr. Knight was in her second year of undergraduate study at Yale University. “When I graduated from med school, everyone told me how proud he would be,” Dr. Knight says. She went on to acquire double board certification in Family Medicine and Integrative Holistic Medicine—and a passion for preventative care. “During med school at 126
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LSU, I developed a chronic illness. When conventional medicine failed me, I had to look for alternatives.” Dr. Knight found that alternative in traditional integrative medicine, which looks at the patient as a whole— physically, environmentally, spiritually, nutritionally, emotionally, socially and in other ways— and considers how the different systems of the body relate to one another. “Modern medicine has a lot to offer,” she says, “but we’ve become specialized, with specialists for each part of the body who aren’t necessarily communicating with one another. Functional medicine considers the way an issue with the heart relates to a hormone imbalance or how stress is affecting the digestive system, always seeking the root cause of a problem, rather than simply medicating symptoms.” Integrative medicine combines conventional medical techniques with those of alternative and complementary practices to promote optimum levels of health. “I see patients who are taking 15 different medications, all of which have side effects,” Dr. Knight says, “but no one has searched for and found the root cause of the problem. Modern pharmaceuticals can be a wonderful thing, but they should always be a last resort. Instead, we need to ask, ‘Why does this patient have fibromyalgia? Why does he have diabetes?’ If we dig deeply enough, we can find the root cause and reverse the problem.” Dr. Knight finds what her patients want more than anything is someone who will listen—really slow down, take the time and hear what they have to say. “Three different patients can have the same symptoms, but they can have them for three very different reasons. The only way I can discover what’s causing their problem is to find out about their day-to-day life, their stresses, their diet, their activity level and their family and medical histories. Patients need someone who can take the time to understand the root cause and to treat the person, not the illness.” In order to do this, Dr. Knight had to take a leap of faith, step outside the limitations of conventional medicine and foster a community-team based practice instead. “Often a doctor will tell a patient to eat right and exercise, but the patient leaves not really sure how to do either,” she says. To take things a step further, Dr. Knight partners with an in-house health coach and lifestyle educator, who will take her diagnosis, tailor a unique exercise regime and nutrition plan for each
My team and I explain to our
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patients everything we’re doing and why. We want to put their health in their hands.
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–Dr. Candice Knight
Philip Tomney and Ann Smith of Covington.
patient and then serve as their accountability coach as they embark on healthy lifestyle changes. “I see patients who are taking medication and don’t even know why they’re taking it,” Dr. Knight says. “I want my patients to be empowered with knowledge. My team and I explain to our patients everything we’re doing and why. We want to put their health in their hands. We want them to leave our office understanding what’s wrong, what we want to do about it together and why.” It was that way for Phillip Tomeny, who was recommended to Dr. Knight by his chiropractor. “I was having trouble with high blood pressure and feeling fatigued all the time,” Tomeny says. “I’d seen conventional doctors, whose approach was to take another pill. Dr. Knight put me on a liver cleanse and began talking to me about lifestyle changes. She helped me change the way I eat. I first came to her with four blood panels from other doctors. She took the time to sit and explain to me things the others never told me. No one ever told me I was pre-diabetic and insulin resistant and that was why I felt bad all the time.” Since following Dr. Knight’s lifestyle plan, Tomeny reports he has gone from taking three blood pressure pills to taking half a pill. “I’m losing weight. I have energy. I’m sleeping 1,000 percent better. I’m 68, and I feel better than I did at 50.” Ann Smith was trying to get down to a healthy weight, but she’d hit a plateau. “I knew I had to get myself off sugar,” she says. “But I just couldn’t find the resolve to do it. I went to Dr. Knight for my yearly check-up. She sat with me and went over my blood work, like no one had ever done before. She explained to me the ways my diet and exercise and state of mind affect my energy level and how all the systems of my body work cooperatively. I don’t know how to explain it except to say she is a ‘real person’ who really cares about her patients. My husband and I call her ‘the real doctor.’”
Dr. Knight’s entire staff—from the receptionist to the phlebotomist to the lifestyle educators—has been trained in lifestyle medicine and holistic care. “We have prolonged life in this country,” she says. “But in many ways all we’ve done is to prolong disability. Our goal is to educate patients about the power of a healthy diet, a calm spirit and a good support system. What we want are 80- and 90-year-olds who are out in society, active and living a full life. We can have that through traditional integrative medicine and a cooperative partnership between doctor and patient.” Dr. Knight received her undergraduate degree from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, and a Master of Public Health from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She received her Medical Doctorate from Louisiana State University School of Medicine and completed her residency at LSU Rural Family Medicine in Bogalusa. Dr. Knight is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is also board certified in Integrative and Holistic Medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians; the American Academy of AntiAging Medicine, where she is currently completing a fellowship in anti-aging, regenerative and functional medicine; and the Institute for Functional Medicine, where she is pursuing certification.
Knight Integrative Medicine, a new practice founded by Dr. Knight combining all the principles of her extensive training, will open in August at 2033 N. Hwy. 190, Ste. 16, in Covington. (985) 867-5516. July-August 2014 127
Left to right: Joe Omner, Christie Roper, Nicole Seilhan, Erin Williams, Denise Jackson and Mike Prenger.
Florida Parishes Bank Hometown Bankers Who Know
and Care for Their Customers
Joe Omner.
There was a time, in our not-too-distant past, when our parents and grandparents knew their hometown banker. They saw each other around town. They volunteered together with the PTA. They cheered the home team, side by side. In this day of impersonal mega banking institutions where customers are reduced to a series of account numbers, there’s one bank that still takes the time to know it’s customers—Florida Parishes Bank. At the helm of the St. Tammany market is longtime Northshore resident, Joe Omner, who also serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the bank. A New Orleans boy, Joe attended Fortier High School, UNO and the University of Texas in Austin. He has enjoyed his 35 years in banking, but none more than the last 25 years on the Northshore. We think it’s time you meet Joe and some other genuine hometown bankers and hear why they do what they do. Joe Omner
“We realize our customers have many choices when it comes to banking,” says Joe. “Many of them pass several of our competitors on their way to bank with us. There has to be a reason for them to do that. That reason is our people. We understand the needs of the small business owner. We understand the needs of the individual customer. Our service quality must 128
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be better than anyone else to bring in and keep those kinds of relationships. We know that it is.” Prior to joining Florida Parishes, Omner worked for Parish National Bank, a community bank on the Northshore, which was sold to Whitney National Bank, then rapidly sold to Hancock Bank. “In banking, size can actually be a detriment to the customer,” he says. “Because Parish National was a smaller, community bank, we enjoyed the ability to make local decisions and respond to our customers’ requests quickly, timely, and with a ‘smile in our voice.’” As Joe and other Parish National employees looked around for a bank that held to the same core values as Parish National, Florida Parishes Bank was an obvious choice. “Florida Parishes has been in business in Tangipahoa Parish for over 90 years,” says Omner. “They had many St. Tammany customers and wanted to expand into this great market by opening some branches here. It was a natural fit and we’ve been honored to introduce the bank and its core values to our customers in St. Tammany. As a small community bank, Florida Parishes Bank is the right size for the Northshore. Decisions are made locally and thoughtfully. Our Northshore team has been assembled from former Parish National Bank employees who live out our core values and understand that customers should be treated with dignity and respect. Our employees are committed to being the trusted advisor.” “I enjoy people,” says Omner. “I enjoy helping. Some bankers think ‘selling’ is a bad word. I don’t. In my opinion, selling is helping. But, you have to make sure you are not ‘overselling.’ You must determine how you can help and then try to figure out the best product or service that fits the customer’s needs. We, as a group, understand that better than any bankers that I know. Our team consists of Denise Jackson, Mike Prenger, Erin Williams, Nicole Seilhan and Christie Roper. Denise Jackson
A banking veteran, Denise has enjoyed her many years in the Northshore market. She is an experienced commercial banker specializing in business banking. Extremely customer-centric, Denise believes in going above and beyond, each and every time she has an opportunity to help a customer. Denise lives in the Covington area and enjoys relationships across the
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state of Louisiana. Her customers have reiterated that they will follow Denise and continue to bank with her, wherever she goes. She’s earned their trust and she will earn yours. Mike Prenger
Mike has been in banking longer than the rest of the crew and is a well-respected, experienced commercial banker. Specializing in small business, Mike has a never-met-a-stranger demeanor that endures him to his customers. Happy, satisfied customers are his goal, which might sound easy, but often is not. A Vietnam Navy veteran and UNO MBA graduate, Mike’s one of those special people customers instantly like and trust. Erin Williams
Branch Manager Erin Williams is what every community banking professional should be. Exceedingly knowledgeable, she’s also personable and unrelenting in her commitment to do whatever it takes to exceed customers’ expectations. Erin is always available and eager to sit down and explain banking products or services, and to match those products and services to each customer’s needs. Nicole Seilhan
Nicole is our administrative assistant, which Joe says is code for “she runs the show.” Well-schooled in the bank’s customer-first mentality, Nicole is the traffic cop that keeps it all humming. Also a former Parish National team member, Nicole says she made the switch to Florida Parishes Bank because it “feels like home.” Christie Roper
Credit Analyst Christie Roper has worked with Joe, Denise and Mike long enough to know the loyal customers who have followed them to the bank and she is invaluable in helping originate and keep those valuable relationships on the Northshore. •
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Blake Boudreaux, president of KETA Construction Company, came to Florida Parishes and Joe Omner through a referral from a mutual friend. As with other high performing companies, Blake greatly appreciated the personalized care they received. He was impressed from the beginning with the hands-on interest Joe took in every aspect of their business together and in his
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consistent involvement, even after he was moved to the bank’s mortgage division. “Joe brought such a personal touch to the relationship that I was immediately put at ease and felt he had my back,” Blake says. “You just don’t see that any more in banking. The big guys, and even the banks that claim they’re not too big, just don’t care to get involved and stay involved like he does. I was also impressed that everyone along the chain of command took the time to make us feel important and like they truly wanted our business. I feel that FBP is making banking personal again.” Another example of “going above and beyond” comes from one of Denise’s professional partners, Stephanie Weeks of Summit Funding. Stephanie says, “Denise took amazing care of a referral for a portfolio product. I called Denise on a Saturday morning and ran through the Erin Williams. details. Monday was a bank holiday, and on Tuesday morning she was on it, and by Tuesday night we had the approval and went to closing on Friday! I pride myself on providing this type of service to my clients and I promise, there are NOT many banks that can react the way Denise and Florida Parishes Bank did in this case. They helped me to serve my customer’s needs and partnered with me in a way that was very professional. My clients and I were impressed, to say the least!” Joe sums up the Florida Parishes Bank difference like this, “We understand. We try to make sure we help and that we’re unwaveringly honest. We tell people all the time that it’s critical for us to ‘tell the truth and keep our promises.’ Others say they do, but we hold ourselves accountable to our customers. They are the most important component to the success of our business. And we know it.”
2300 N. Hwy. 190, Covington, LA 70433 985-345-BANK (2265) • BankFPB.com July-August 2014 129
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give fullness where needed. This technique is used by Dr. Khoobehi to create a softer, more natural-looking breast shape, restore lost facial volume or enhance the curves of the patient’s physique. He also offers all surgical facial procedures, including the LA Facelift, a facelift performed under local anesthesia in an accredited in-office surgery suite. Dr. Khoobehi serves as a clinical professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, where he is the Director of Training for aesthetic surgery residents. He made medical history as the first surgeon in the world to successfully reconnect the network of tiny blood vessels in an eyelid, helping to save the eyesight of a dog bite victim, as featured on CNN, in USA Today and in other major media outlets.
Kamran Khoobehi, MD Sean R. Weiss, MD
Cosmetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Robotic Hair Restoration
(Above): Sean R. Weiss, MD and Kamran Khoobehi, MD. 130
Plastic surgeon of choice for men and women from Mid-City to Marigny, from Lakeview to Parkview, from Magazine Street to Metairie and from Bywater to Broadmoor, Dr. Kamran Khoobehi has made a name for himself over the past two decades, endearing himself to his loyal patient base and growing his practice, Khoobehi & Associates. This summer, he is happy to welcome Facial Plastic Surgery Specialist Dr. Sean R. Weiss into the practice and expand to include a second location, Uptown at 4500 Magazine St. As a board-certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Khoobehi has garnered a sterling reputation across the nation for excellence in performing cosmetic enhancement procedures such as breast augmentation, facelift and liposuction with safe, beautiful and natural-looking results. Now, with Dr. Weiss, he is pioneering robotic hair restoration technology and providing patients thicker, higher quality hair that will last a lifetime. This revolutionary procedure has a quick recovery time without the drawbacks of other transplant methods. A born innovator, Dr. Khoobehi is one of only a handful of plastic surgeons in the South to perform fat grafting techniques for the face, body and breasts. Fat grafting is a method whereby the patient’s own fat is harvested from one area of the body and transferred to
Inside Northside
Meet Dr. Weiss
New Orleans native and LSU Medical School graduate, Dr. Sean R. Weiss, is board certified in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery and is a fellowshiptrained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face, head and neck along with robotic hair restoration. Dr. Weiss has been active in resident education at both Emory University’s School of Medicine and at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans as an assistant clinical professor. His practice includes facial cosmetic procedures such as facelift, neck lift, brow lift, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty and hair restoration. He has a special interest in minimally invasive techniques to achieve outstanding results, including the use of fillers, neurotoxins and lasers to provide a comprehensive approach to facial aesthetics. In addition, Dr. Weiss has incredible talent for soft-tissue reconstructive procedures, especially with regard to repair of defects resulting from Mohs resection of skin cancer. Drs. Khoobehi and Weiss are now accepting patient appointments at their new Uptown location, which features the revolutionary robotic hair restoration procedure in addition to all surgical and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedures.
Khoobehi & Associates, 4500 Magazine St., New Orleans, (504) 304-1248; 3901 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, (504) 779-5538. www.khoobehi.com.
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Around here, folks are as familiar with Acquistapace’s Covington Supermarket as they are their own pantries. This quintessential neighborhood grocery store is not just a place to grocery shop, it’s a gathering spot; tradesmen rub shoulders with bankers, and it’s commonplace to run into a friend, a neighbor or a first cousin. The locals are accustomed to finding the best and freshest meats, produce, bakery items and cheeses—as well as the finest and most affordable selection of wine—right around the corner, but they may be surprised to learn that many of Acquistapace’s loyal patrons live hundreds of miles away, in many different states. “We may be a neighborhood grocery store, but we do a BIG wine business; there’s a reason people drive a long way to shop with us,” says Adam Acquistapace, the family member who oversees the wine department. “Who would guess that the region’s largest selection of wine, spirits, beer and cheese under one roof is right here in Covington?” A Certified Wine Specialist, Adam has travelled extensively to sample and learn about wines from all over the world, but he’s no wine snob. “We’re not interested in ego or pretention,” says Adam. “We want wine and cheese to be something everyone can enjoy every day, and our business model reflects that. Our philosophy is that if we consistently sell our wine for a lot less, we gain customers for life; our clients know they don’t have to shop around because they get our very best price every single day.” And Adam’s hands-on approach to customer service makes it easy for shoppers to choose among the thousands of labels—by far the largest selection in Louisiana— even if they don’t speak the language of wine. “People come for our wine prices but then discover our service, which is unpretentious, honest help with buying the best wine at the best price,” says Erik Acquistapace, Adam’s brother, who is his counterpart in the deli and cheese department. Erik is as knowledgeable about cheese as Adam is about wine. As more and more customers discovered their wine department, they also sought out gourmet cheeses and specialty foods. After years of educating themselves about all aspects of cheese, Erik and his wife, Haley, passed the test qualifying them as Certified Cheese Professionals. They increased the
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Acquistapace’s Covington destination Supermarket Aforregional wine and cheese caliber and variety of the deli items and cheeses and now offer the best assortment in the state; they also pride themselves on offering some artisan cheeses that are typically only available in specialty shops. Erik’s vast knowledge of the ancient art of cheese making is staggering, but his practical expertise and help with pairing gourmet meats and cheeses with wine is what endears him to his customers. And Adam’s hand-written notes touting the finer points of his favorite bottles of wine speak volumes about the passion and dedication he brings to his work. It’s like a wine class on every aisle. The Acquistapace brothers represent an amazing resource as wine and cheese experts on the northshore and far beyond; luckily, they can be found at the neighborhood grocery around the corner.
Acquistapace’s Covington Supermarket 125 E 21st Avenue , Covington, LA 70433 985-893-0593 • Acquistapaces.com
(Above): Brothers Erik and Adam Acquistapace. July-August 2014 131
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Raynah Cullen, Senior Loan Officer
NOLA Lending Group,
A Division of Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank Born and raised on the northshore, Raynah Cullen has lived through the changes and growth the area has incurred throughout the years. After graduating from college, she accepted a medical sales position that took her to Atlanta. Looking for a change and less travel, she then started working for a wholesale mortgage company, where she gained a lot of experience. At that time, the industry was rapidly growing, and Cullen was given the opportunity to move to the northeast to expand the sales force in a new territory. After much success, being away from her family started to take a toll on her, so, as many do, she decided to move back home. In 2010, Cullen began working for NOLA Lending Group as a loan originator. Since then, she has consistently increased her clientele. “I started with NOLA with not a single client. With the help of my referrals partners, the owners and my peers, I had my first closing within 90 days.” Cullen says her success stems from her commitment to offer her clients the best knowledge and service she can, walking them through each step to make their home-buying process as easy as possible. She tries to meet every client face to face to insure they are comfortable with her, the company and the process. This dedication helped her business grow rapidly. In 2012, she was awarded the Top Performer and Top Purchase Producer awards in the company. By 2013, to further her career and advancement 132
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and provide better service to her clients, Cullen hired a full-time assistant, Julie Sciple. Sciple had worked at the front desk of a local real estate company for more than four years. This allowed her to interact with the public and get to know several of the local agents. When Cullen was looking for an assistant, Sciple was the perfect fit. Now, with over a year’s experience working together, the team has high goals and a vision to excel in this tough market. “Julie has been a great asset to my team. As time restraints have become tough, she has really helped by giving attention to things that I can’t while I am trying to work through the hurdles the industry is incurring.” With all the industry changes due to compliance and regulation, Cullen finds her biggest challenge today is having the time to do what she feels is important for her clients. She understands the need for many of the changes; however, a lot are counterproductive and causing more stress and lost time for clients and referring partners. Cullen’s main focus now is finding ways to improve the home-buying experience for her clients so it can be the exciting time it should be. While many loan officers are getting out of the business, Cullen refuses to throw in the towel. Her hard work and dedication have made her successful in every job she has had, but being a loan originator and working with clients to meet their lifetime dreams have made this one well worth the effort and resiliency it takes to get through these tough times. She continues to strive to be the best she can—and she doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.
Raynah Cullen, NMLS#280224, can be reached at NOLA Lending Group, A Division of Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank, 985.612.2147. Cell: 985.237.9253. rc@nolalending.com. NOLALending.com.
IN the Spotlight Christ Episcopal School’s Art at the Park
Art at the Park Celebrates America the Beautiful–celebrating art, students and the CES community–was the theme of Christ Episcopal School’s annual fundraiser. The two-day event was held by the Christ Episcopal School Parents Association under the leadership of chair Jennifer Wieseneck and co-chair Tanya Curtis. The festivities kicked off with two student Fun Run events, followed by a flag ceremony. A box parade featured cardboard floats decorated in the America the Beautiful theme by fourth through eighth grade students. The main event was on the second day of Art at the Park. Lower-grade students performed for the community while everyone enjoyed a day full of art, food and activities.
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IN the Spotlight Cinco de Mayo 2014
Mexican restaurants celebrated Cinco de Mayo at their locations in Mandeville, Covington and Slidell. Caretta’s Grill had an All-Day F iesta featuring music by Supercharger in Slidell and Five Finger Discount in Covington. The Maestro Dobel margaritas flowed and the food was tasty. Prizes were given away during the day. La Carreta in Mandeville served up fresh salsa and other great dishes with their specialty jalapeño margarita made with Don Saul tequila. George’s Mexican Restaurant had a Fiesta Block Party with specialty drinks, beer specials and door prizes. DJ Remix and La Tran-K played into the night. Needless to say, a good time was had by all!
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1. Beverly Lamb and Phil Gansler (front) with Betsie Gambel and Brian Jenkins at Covington’s Southern Hotel celebrating the 107th anniversary of the hotel’s original opening. 2. Reina Solano and Jay Saux with Heidi and Cory Bowers. 3. Lisa Condrey Ward and Gayle Condrey. 4. Jerry and Wanda Braswell with Chris and Linda
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Dautreuil. 5. Donna O’Daniels and Sharon Lo Drucker with Jeffrey Hansell, chef of Ox Lot 9 in the Southern Hotel, and Tanya Leader. 6. Saks’ Larry Dautrieve and Tom Ford’s Julianne De’Chaump at the grand opening of Tom Ford Cosmetics at Saks Fifth Avenue in New Orleans. 7. First Lieutenant Mark J. DesHotels and Spencer O. Harkness at the Whitney Zoo-to-Do event.
Send your submissions to peek@insidenorthside.com.
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IN the Spotlight Heart and Night of Fashion
The 2014 Heart and Night of Fashion, presented by St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans and Inside Northside, raised nearly $200,000 for pediatric advancement at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. Guests gathered at Tchefuncta Country Club to enjoy signature grapefruit and basil cocktails, a delicious meal, a live auction hosted by celebrity emcee Jim Henderson, raffles and, for the first time, cocktails outdoors. Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans commanded the spotlight with a runway show of the newest spring and summer fashions worn by models styled by H20 Salon in Mandeville. “We were honored to have so many friends join us on a beautiful spring day for fun, food and fashion,” says Lori Murphy, publisher of Inside Northside. Debra Ethridge and Elizabeth Stokes served as chairs for the fifth Heart and Night of Fashion. “The essence of Heart and Night of Fashion has always been to raise funds for the advancement of pediatrics,” Elizabeth says. “By partnering with Saks Fifth Avenue, we are able to bring a cosmopolitan flair to each event, which attracts our patrons to give generously.” Debra extended a special thanks to all those who made the day possible. “The change from fall to spring was an exciting and positive one,” Debra says. “The colors, the clothes and the beautiful day brought a lot of excitement. We’re so fortunate to live in a community that gives back and supports pediatric advancement at STPH.”
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1. Tom Birmingham with David and Tina Henson at an art party at St. Romain Interiors. 2. Artist Erin Gafill and Cathy 4
Schroeder. 3. Cindy St. Romain, Ann Hammett, artist Erin Gafill and Laurie Legendre. 4. John Marc Anderson, Patrice Senac and Peg Usner at an art show at Arabella Fine Gifts & Home DĂŠcor in Mandeville. 5. Cayman and Sara Sinclair of The Lakehouse with Allen Toussaint at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. 6. Veronica Rose and Beth Assaf 5
at the Veronica Rose Jewelry Trunk Show at Rug Chic in Mandeville. 7. At the fifth annual Northshore Red Mass, hosted by the Covington Bar and SSA: (l to r) Monsignor William Bilinsky; Judges Mary Devereux, William Burris, Martin Coady, Allison Penzato, Scott Gardner, Greg Guidry and A. J. Hand; and Deacon Frans Labranche.
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7 1. Chris Dill, a 2011 St. Paul’s grad and member of the Limestone College Lacrosse team, celebrates winning the NCAA Men’s Division 2 Lacrosse National Championship. 2. Emerging Young Professionals Amanda Hover, Rebecca Estain, Megan Provenzano and Shasta Plauche Leininger at the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce grand opening in Slidell. 3. EYP members Chrissy Smith and Linda Larkin serve daiquiris from their tiki hut booth. 4. Kevin Quigley prepares delectable dishes at the Big Green Egg demo at Outdoor Living Center. 5. Cedarwood School seventh graders visit behind the scenes at Disneyworld. 6. The SSA Class of 1994 celebrates its reunion at Winos and Tacos. 7. STPH Parenting Center’s Carmen Fauquet (left) and Lori Cage with third-grader Isabella Ricalde of the Smoothie
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Groovies team that donated money to the STPH Foundation through St. Peter School’s Serving Out of Love program. 8. Charlie Strickland, of the STPH Foundation (far right), with representatives of the I Deck and Fudge Overloards teams.
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IN the Spotlight Crescent City Classic In near-perfect conditions on a crisp Saturday morning, the Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic held its 36th annual 10K road race. Coming from across the globe, 24,893 participants took part in the Classic, which debuted in 1979. Although no course records were broken in Saturday’s race, one important milestone was set. The race’s “Run for It” charity program raised a record $332,000. Kenya’s Leonard Patrick Komon, a 26-year-old Kenyan racing legend, overtook defending Classic champion Isiah Koech, beating his countryman by 16 seconds. On the women’s side, Kenyan Risper Gesabwa came away the winner. The first New Orleans area finishers were Pat Gavin on the men’s side and Johanna Gretschel on the women’s side. As always, many racers took to the streets in costume. While bunnies were in greatest abundance because of the race’s proximity to Easter, super heroes filled the streets as well. The Michelob Ultra RaceFest followed the race and featured music by Bonerama and Big Sam’s Funky Nation. Race participants and their families enjoyed a morning of music, beer and Blue Runner Foods’ red beans and rice and jambalaya.
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2 1. From left: St. Tammany Master Gardeners Association-LSU Ag Center members Janet Ronquillo, Mike Cronin, Betty Cronin, Mary Ann Brannan, Carmen Fouquet, Marie Porche and William Afton with Lori Cage, Parenting Center executive director, at dedication of the Butterfly Garden at the Center. 2. Chef Andrea Apuzzo with Chef Tory Stewart of Jubilee Restaurant & Courtyard at the American Culinary Federation New Orleans’s Best Chefs 2014 Awards. 3. Melonie and Abbye Chandler and Shelby Kertz at Lakeview Regional Medical Center’s Girls’ Health Day. 4. (Front row l to r) Miles Pond, Wyatt Rathe; (back row l to r) Kevin Pond, Brandt Rathe, Josh 3
Rathe, Bob Rathe, Ryan Rathe and Chris Forstall at the St. Paul’s Crawfish Cook-off. 5. Student Amy Bevolo and instructor Erica Phillips at Culinary Kids’ All Abilities class for young adults with special needs. 6. Feralyn and Abdulla “Chuck” Ahmed are the lucky winners of the
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2014 STHBA’s Raffle House in TerraBella. 7. The West St. Tammany Exchange Club welcomes two new members, Frank Oliveri (far left) and Jim Lee (far right), shown with member Paxton Fellers.
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1. Jennifer Rice, Susan Illing, CJ Ladner and Pemmie Sheasby at Inside Northside’s Meet the Artist Party at the 2014 STHBA Raffle House in 2
TerraBella. 2. Connie and Jim Seitz with Marcia Holmes. 3. Kenny and Dodie Adams, Shanna Cole, Nick Castjohn, Madison Burris and Jeff Sonnenberg. 4. Salon owner Glenn Millet with his wife, Sheree, at the reopening of Glenn Michael Salon in Metarie.
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1. Katie Stevens, Anne Cannon, Amanda Credeur, Deb Famrite and Cathy Mohr at the Chamilia trunk show at Mia Sorella in Slidell. 2. Participants at the annual Larry Hartzog Twisted Homebrew
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Contest hosted by Mellow Mushroom and the Mystic Krew of Brew. 3. Donna Pearse, Jennifer Erceg and Angie Daughdrill at Inside Northside’s Women IN Business luncheon at Maison Lafitte in Mandeville. 4. Brenda Breck and Gayle Reuling. 5. Becky Schoen, Lori Murphy and Anne Honeywell.
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Haute Dishes of Summer 2014 Culinary Kids Northshore Culinary Connections, an innovative adult program created by Culinary Kids owner Sherri Hansen offers dinner like no other. Guests are seated at tables overflowing with fresh ingredients and are treated to an interactive experience learning the skills needed to cook a delicious meal. Menus include fare such as balsamic gingerglazed salmon filets with wild mushroom orzo 144
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DINING OUT for business or pleasure is a Louisiana tradition. Whether it’s going to our favorite restaurant or preparing a meal under the guidance of a professional chef, we want it to be delicious. The following 13 restaurants and foodrelated businesses offer a variety of cuisine, concepts and prices. We’ve picked some of the newest, most interesting and scrumptious dishes from each, and some of the people who prepare them, to share with you.
and Creole Capri salads crafted and hosted by local chefs. Executive Chefs Chuck Fisher of Fisher Farms (a local organic farm in Abita Springs) and Chef Brad Smith of Coffee Rani provide professional guidance as you prepare elegant three-course meals. 3441 E. Causeway App., Ste. G Mandeville; 727-5553 culinarykidsns.com
Café Lynn
The Scotts’ Coffee & Tapas Bar Executive Chef Mike Swanner prepares the Panko Shrimp by battering fresh shrimp in organic flour and panko crumbs and frying them until golden brown. He tops the shrimp with a sweet-and-sour spice made from honey and red pepper chili. The Scotts’ Coffee & Tapas Bar is well known for its popular Deviled Eggs, which have become a house specialty. Boiled eggs are filled with fresh crabmeat and homemade Remoulade sauce.
At Café Lynn in Mandeville, the Oysters Logan appetizer features six to eight crispy fried oysters over a bed of coleslaw made with cabbage, carrots, toasted almonds and sherry vinaigrette. For your entrée, try the Veal Scaloppini. Medallions of veal are lightly floured, pan seared and finished with a mushroom and white wine sauce. Served with a small house salad, oven-roasted new potatoes and a vegetable medley of haricot verts, asparagus, snow peas and Brussels sprouts. 3051 E. Causeway App. Mandeville; 624-9007 Tues-Fri, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-9 p.m. Sat, 5-10 p.m. Sun, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
201 Carroll St. Mandeville; 231-7632 Mon-Thurs, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri-Sat, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
George’s Mexican Restaurant George’s Mexican Restaurant is well known for its Famous Fajitas. Transport yourself to Mexico as you dine on specially seasoned beef, chicken, shrimp or pork, broiled and brought sizzling to your table with guacamole, pico de gallo and flour tortillas. Putting together these delicious fajitas is as enjoyable as eating them! Start your meal with George’s Tableside Guacamole, which is prepared fresh at your table using Mexican avocados blended with tomatoes, sour cream, onions and spices for an appetizer that can’t be beat. 1461 N. Causeway Blvd. Mandeville; 626-4342 Tues-Thurs, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Fri-Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun-Mon, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. July-August 2014 145
The Lakehouse There’s a new addition in the kitchen at The Lakehouse. While Stephanie Sollberger and The Lakehouse team of five catering and film chefs continue to create culinary excitement for locals and celebrities, Pete Kusiv (formerly of Juniper) has also come on board. Try his summer specialty, the Seafood Purse with Mango Salsa. This flaky wonton delight is filled with Pete’s own shrimp stuffing recipe, which includes hints of coconut and curry. He finishes the appetizer with a refreshing mango salsa. Pair it with a crisp, cool cocktail. Even better, enjoy this while dining outside as the sun sets over the lake! 2025 Lakeshore Dr. Mandeville; 626-3006 Thurs-Fri, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-9 p.m. Sun, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Blue Hickory Blues and Barbeque Craving some barbeque with a side of Southern hospitality and the soul of the Blues? Then Blue Hickory Blues and Barbeque in Covington is exactly what you want. Chef Benjamin Doolittle serves everything from pulled pork to brisket to salad and soup. Order up the Texan with chopped brisket and their delicious Lockhart sauce on Texas toast with your choice of one of their sides. Chef Benjamin Doolittle started cooking at a very young age. Before long, he was helping his mom cook dinner every night and watching cooking shows on PBS on the weekends. Chef Doolittle has worked for Nuvolari’s Ristorante, The Dakota, Artesia and Brennan’s. He attended Nicholls State University where he got a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts. Chef Doolittle wanted to return to his Southern roots and that meant one thing–barbeque.
The Old Rail Brewing Company The Old Rail Brewing Company offers sophisticated yet casual American cuisine. The Strawberry Salad, with candied pecans, shaved red onion and strawberries on a bed of baby spinach drizzled with Strawberry-Balsamic Vinaigrette, is the perfect lunch for a warm summer day. Looking to quench your thirst? Try Old Rail’s Saison. A fruity drink with a mild spice and a pleasantly tart finish. High carbonation adds to the refreshing quality. You’ll want to have more than one! 639 Girod St. Mandeville; 612-1828 Tues-Thurs, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri-Sat, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sun, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 146
Inside Northside
70380 Louisiana 21 Covington; 871-421 Tues-Thurs, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Carreta’s Grill Carreta’s Grill in Covington and Slidell has a wide selection of delicious, mouth-watering margaritas that flow nonstop. Choose from frozen or on- the-rocks margaritas and flavors like mango, watermelon and strawberry. You’re bound to find one that quenches your thirst! Pair your margarita with one of Carreta’s new flavorful and healthy wraps. Spring greens, avocado, and a choice of grilled shrimp, shredded chicken or steak are wrapped in a spinach, whole wheat or flour tortilla. With three ampedup sauces for dipping—avocado ranch, cilantro sour cream and chipotle ranch—your mouth will have a fiesta! Carreta’s Grill is excited to announce its new location in Harahan, where big flavors, bold colors and a familyfriendly staff always make dining at Carreta’s a fun experience. 70380 Hwy. 21 Covington; 871-6674 137 Taos St. Slidell; 847-0020 2320 Veterans Blvd. Metairie; 504-837-6696 1821 Hickory Ave. Harahan July-August 2014 147
Winos and Tacos At Winos and Tacos, tacos are ordered tapas style and made-to-order with fresh local ingredients. For your next girls’ night out, date night or family dinner, try any of their delicious tacos, such as the Shrimp Taco with marinated gulf shrimp topped with onion, cabbage and cilantro; the Beef Taco with braised and shredded grass-fed beef brisket, white onion and cilantro; or the Pork Taco with lightly smoked pork, pickled onion, cilantro and queso fresco. New to the menu, and their hottest-selling item, is the Fried Oyster Taco. With fresh Louisiana oysters flash fried and served with cabbage, tomato and house-made remoulade sauce, you’ll be ordering another before you’ve finished your first one! While you’re dining on delicious fare, tune into the sounds of funk, blues and jazz. Winos and Tacos hosts live music often. 321 N. Columbia St. Covington; 809-3029 Wed-Thurs, 4-10 p.m. Fri-Sat, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
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Inside Northside
K. Gee’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar Get your oysters here! Louisiana Raw Oysters are freshly shucked and served ice cold on the half shell by the half dozen or dozen. Or get them charbroiled, seasoned with a special blend of herbs and spices with a blue cheese sauce. The Stuffed Eggplant Casserole--K. Gee’s signature dish—is stuffed with an abundance of shrimp and crabmeat and served piping hot with your choice of a homemade side or salad. 2534 Florida St. Mandeville; 626-0530 Mon-Thurs, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Jubilee Restaurant & Courtyard The summer months are the best time to enjoy the expansive patio at Jubilee Restaurant & Courtyard. Dine on the Crispy Gulf Fish Pontchartrain, featuring pan-fried fresh fish prepared with blue crab, slivered toasted almonds and a capercrab velouté sauce. Or order the Veal and Blue Crab Napoleon, tender veal and blue crab prepared with a port wine-date sauce and a beurre blanc. 301 Lafitte St. Mandeville; 778-2552 Tues-Thurs, 5:30-9 p.m. Fri, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat, 5:30-10 p.m. Sun, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Fazzio’s Restaurant & Bar
Mellow Mushroom of Covington The hoagies at Mellow Mushroom of Covington could feed an army or two! Choose from options like the Meatball, Steak and Cheese, and Avocado hoagies. The latter has seasoned avocado, onions, provolone, mayo, lettuce and Roma tomatoes, and is topped with sprouts.
The Enlightened Spinach Salad would make a delicious lunch. Fresh spinach is topped with dried cherries, apples, homemade candied pecans (mmm!) and feta cheese.
Fazzio’s mouth-watering Shrimp Linguine, with shrimp, artichoke hearts and fresh ripe tomatoes sautéed in a natural sauce and served over linguine pasta, is a crowd pleaser. There’s nothing like steak to please the carnivore in all of us. The lean cut 8-ounce Filet Mignon is tender, juicy and chargrilled to perfection. It’s served with your choice of one of the many delicious sides, like the green beans sautéed with onion, butter and bacon.
1645 Hwy. 190 Covington; 327-5407 Sun-Thurs, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri-Sat, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
1841 N. Causeway Blvd. Mandeville; 624-9704 Mon-Thurs, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat, noon-10 p.m.
July-August 2014 149
IN Great Taste
by Poki Hampton
Summer Shower Delight guests with colorful and tasty cool dishes intended for small plates and clever presentation.
Antipasto Salad on Baguette 12 oz jar pepperoncini in brine 15 oz jar of giardiniera in brine (mixed Italian vegetables and peppers)
Lobster Salad ¼ C mayonnaise 2 T Greek yogurt
7 oz kalamata olives, drained 8 oz mortadella cheese, thinly sliced
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
8 oz sopressate, thinly sliced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
8 oz provolone, thinly sliced
1 T chopped fresh tarragon
1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half
Sherbet Parfait
1 shallot, finely chopped
18 oz jar artichoke hearts,
½ gallon lime sherbet
1 T finely chopped chives 3 lobster tails, cooked and
drained and chopped 1 bunch mixed greens
Turkey Avocado WrapsS
Zest of 2 oranges
½ C ranch dressing
1 C finely diced fresh
4 T chipotle salsa
pineapple
½ tsp orange zest
diced (about 1 pound
Salt and pepper to taste
lobster meat)
Olive oil and red wine vinegar
1 C finely diced mango
8 - 8" flour tortillas
1-2 cloves garlic, peeled and
8 maraschino cherries
24 oz deli-roasted turkey breast
Creole seasoning
cut in half, for brushing
Whipped cream
2 ripe avocados, chopped
2 lemon slices cut into
baguette slices
Toasted coconut
4 C lettuce and spring greens
Salt and pepper to taste
fourths for garnish Shredded lettuce
Combine mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, zest, salt, pepper, celery, chives and tarragon in bowl. Add lobster meat and combine. Put shredded lettuce in bottom of eight shells. Divide lobster salad among the shells and garnish with ¼ lemon slice and extra Creole seasoning.
150
Inside Northside
3 C grated jicama
3 baguettes
Cut all cheese into thin strips and cut all peppers, giardiniera and olives into medium dice. Mix all ingredients except baguettes into large bowl. Salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with enough olive oil and vinegar to coat the mixture. Slice each baguette on diagonal into 16 slices, rub slices with cut side of garlic and toast until golden brown. Serve salad in a bowl surrounded by toasted baguette slices. Makes 48 appetizers.
Using a melon baller, scoop sherbet into eight small wine glasses. Add a layer of mango, one of pineapple and then another scoop of sherbet. Keep in freezer until ready to serve. Top with whipped cream, orange zest, toasted coconut and a cherry. Serve with mini-cupcakes iced with colorful icing. Serves 8.
2 tomatoes, chopped 2 green onions, thinly sliced Salt and pepper to taste
Combine ranch dressing, salsa and orange zest. Lay tortillas flat and spread mixture over tortilla to within 1 inch from border. Layer turkey, avocado, lettuce, jicama, tomato and green onions over each tortilla. Season with salt and pepper. Tuck in ends of tortilla and roll up. Slice in half on diagonal and serve standing on folded end. Makes 16 halves.
Leaf Motif
Pretty Posey
Easy Clean Up
Handmade palm leaf serving bowl perfect
Oversized zinnia napkin rings on aqua
Tropical-colored straws and
for a summer salad.
cotton napkin.
paper products.
– Arabella Fine Gifts & Home Decor
– Hazelnut Mandeville
– Mandeville Party Company
Create a tropical tablescape inspired by the colors of Palm Beach.
Splash
Tropical Floral
Squeeze a Lemon
Lilly Pulitzer acrylic tray and wine glasses
Dress the table with a white conch shell
Lemon-motif bowl and plates are great
make serving a snap.
filled with ginger, protea and calla lily.
for cool summer dinners.
– Palm Village
– Florist of Covington
– Oil and Vinegar july-august
2014 151
IN Great Taste Tropical Chicken Salad Mini-Tini 2 lbs chicken breast,
INside Dining
and dinner. Kids eat free every Wednesday!
ME: Menu Express delivery
The Chimes, 19130 W. Front St., 892-
MCC: Major credit cards accepted RR: Reservations recommended
MCC. ABITA SPRINGS Coffee Rani, 234-A Lee Ln., 8936158. Soup and salad specialists.
and boudin. MCC.
coffeerani.com.
½ C mayonnaise
Abita Brew Pub, 72011 Holly St., 892-
Columbia St. Seafood, 1123 N.
½ C yogurt
5837. On the Trace. Good food, great
Columbia St., 893-4312. Seafood platters
beer. Lunch, dinner. abitabrewpub.com.
and po-boys. columbiastreetseafood.com.
2 C grated carrot
MCC.
4 green onions, thinly sliced 1 C finely diced celery 1 C finely diced fresh
chopped, to equal about 12 cups 2 yellow bell peppers, seeded and
pineapple Shredded lettuce Salt and pepper to taste ½ C toasted sliced
coarsely chopped
almonds
4 green onions, thinly sliced
Creole seasoning
2 fresh jalapeno peppers, minced 2 T chopped cilantro 1 T each chopped fresh mint and dill 4 cloves garlic smashed into paste 1½ tsps salt ½ tsp cayenne pepper 3 C plain Greek yogurt 3 C sour cream, divided 3 T extra virgin olive oil 2 T white wine vinegar 1-2 tsps Creole seasoning, to taste 2 T minced fresh chives, for garnish
Working in small batches in blender, puree until smooth all ingredients except 1 C sour cream and the chives. Transfer to large bowl and chill well in refrigerator for at least two hours. Serve in demitasse cups with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of chives. Makes 2½ quarts. 152
Inside Northside
5396. Lunch and dinner. thechimes.com.
5025. Ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork
small
12 cucumbers; peeled, seeded and
carretasgrill.com. MCC.
Abita Barbecue, 69399 Hwy. 59, 400-
cooked and diced
Cold Cucumber Soup
Private events and catering also provided.
Columbia St. Tap Room & Grill, Abita Springs Café, 22132 Level
434 N. Columbia St., 898-0899. Daily
St., 867-9950. Southern cooking for
specials, appetizers, sandwiches, salads,
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tues-Sun.
soups and burgers. Live music Thurs-Sat
MCC.
nights. Lunch, dinner. covingtontaproom. com. MCC, ME.
Camellia Café, 69455 Hwy. 59, 8096313. Traditional seafood and New
Copeland’s, 680 N. Hwy. 190,
Orleans cuisine. thecamelliacafe.com.
809-9659. Authentic New Orleans
MCC.
cuisine. Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Online take-out orders at
Mama D’s Pizza & More, 22054 Hwy.
copelandsofneworleans.com. MCC,
59, 809-0308. Great pizza, sandwiches,
ME, RR.
pasta, fresh homemade bread. Lunch, dinner. mamadspizza.com.
Combine all ingredients except lettuce. Using a teaspoon, carefully fill each minimartini glass with chicken salad and arrange on colorful platter. Garnish with sliced almonds. Makes 8 mini-tinis.
Dakota Restaurant, 629 N. Hwy. 190, 892-3712. Contemporary Louisiana
COVINGTON
cuisine using local and seasonal
Acme Oyster House, 1202 Hwy. 190,
ingredients. thedakotarestaurant.com.
246-6155. Established 1910 in New
MCC, RR.
Orleans, 1995 on northshore. Seafood, sandwiches, local favorites. Lunch, dinner.
Del Porto Restaurant, 501 E. Boston
mamdspizza.com. MCC.
St., 875-1006. Northern Italian cuisine. delportoristorante.com. MCC, RR.
Albasha, 1958 Hwy. 190, 867-8292. Mediterranean cuisine. albashabr.com.
Di Martino’s, 700 S. Tyler St., 276-6460.
MCC.
Great food and reasonable prices. Lunch, dinner. dimartinos.com. MCC.
Annadele’s Plantation, 71518 Chestnut St., 809-7669. Yellow fin tuna, domestic
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 69292 Hwy. 21,
lamb & much more. annadeles.com.
871-2225. Locally-owned and -operated
MCC, checks.
franchise. Kids eat free on Sundays. MCC.
Bear’s Restaurant, 128 W. 21st St., 892-2373. Best po-boys in the world.
DiCristina’s Restaurant, 810 N. Columbia St., Ste. C, 875-0160.
Blue Hickory BBQ, 570380 Hwy. 21,
Conveniently located next to the new
Ste. 9, 871-4216. Meats smoked on
Covington Courthouse. Italian and
site, handmade sausage; brisket, ribs,
seafood. dicristinas.com. MCC.
chicken, seafood and salads. Drive-thru. Open 7 days a week. bluehickorybbq.
Don’s Seafood Hut, 126 Lake
com. MCC.
Dr., 327-7111. Lunch and dinner. donsseafoodonline.com. MCC.
Buster’s Place, 519 E. Boston St., 8093880. Seafood, po-boys, steaks. Lunch,
Downtown Deli, 400 N. Thread St.,
dinner. MCC.
234-9086. Chicken salad, burgers and poboys. Mon-Fri, 10:30am-2:30pm.
Carreta’s Grill, 70380 Hwy. 21, 871-6674.
MCC.
Great Mexican cuisine and margaritas served in a family-friendly atmosphere for lunch
El Portal, 1200 Business 190, 867-5367.
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Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery The English Tea Room, 734 Rutland
and Cafè, 2033 N. Hwy. 190, Ste.
St., 898-3988. Authentic English cream
5, 893-1488. Full service, year-round
teas. Special event teas, English scones,
bakery. Luncheon salads, panini, catering,
crumpets and cakes. Serving breakfast
donuts, kingcakes, cupcakes and
and lunch. Mon-Sat, 7:30am-6pm.
wedding cakes. Tues-Sun, open at 7am.
englishtearoom.com. MCC, RR.
nonnaskingcakes.com. MCC.
Four Seasons Chinese Buffet, 600 N.
North Island Chinese, 842 N. Collins
Hwy. 190, 893-3866. MCC.
Blvd., 867-8289.
Gallagher’s Grill, 509 S. Tyler St.,
Northshore Empress, 31 Louis Prima
892-9992. Lunch and dinner, Tues-Sat.
Dr., 871-6975. northshoreempress.com.
gallaghersgrill.com. MCC, RR. Osaka West Japanese Restaurant, Garcia’s Famous Mexican Food, 200
804 N. Hwy. 190, 871-8199.
River Highlands Blvd., 327-7420.
osakawest.com
Isabella’s Pizzeria, 70452 Hwy. 21,
Pardos, 69305 Hwy. 21, 893-3603. An
Ste. 500, 875-7620; 1331 Hwy. 190,
American bistro with a blend of multi-
809-1900. Salads, gourmet pizza,
cultural cuisine with local flair. Frutta del
sandwiches, paninis, calzones and pasta.
mar pasta, rosemary-grilled shrimp,
isabellaspizzeria.net.
roasted chicken. Lunch, Tues-Fri; Dinner, Tues-Sun; Happy hour, Tues-Fri, 4-7pm.
Italian Pie, 70488 Hwy. 21, 871-5252.
Private parties and catering. pardosbistro.
Pizza, salads, pasta, sandwiches. Dine in
com. MCC.
or carry out. italianpie.com. MCC, checks. Pat’s Seafood Market and Cajun Jerk’s Island Grill & Daiquiri
Deli, 1248 N. Collins Blvd., 892-7287.
Bar, 70437 Hwy. 21, 893-1380.
Jambalaya, gumbo, stuffed artichokes.
jerksIslandgrill.com.
MCC, checks, ME.
Lola, 517 N. New Hampshire St., 892-
Peck’s Seafood & Grill, 70457 Hwy.
4992. Lunch, Mon-Fri; Dinner, Fri-Sat.
21, Ste. 108, 892-2121. Po-boys,
Closed Sundays. Daily lunch specials, local
seafood, burgers and lunch specials.
produce, Louisiana seafood, everything
MCC.
housemade. lolacovington.com. PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co., 70456 Hwy. 21, Mattina Bella, 421 E. Gibson St., 892-
875-7894. Catch your morning buzz at
0708. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. MCC,
this convenient drive-thru! Catering. MCC.
checks. Pizza Man of Covington, 1248 N. McAlister’s Deli, 206 Lake Dr., Ste. 15,
Collins Blvd., 892-9874. Checks, ME.
898-2800. Great sandwiches, salads, overstuffed potatoes. mcalistersdeli.com.
Raising Canes, 1270 N. Hwy. 190,
MCC, checks.
809-0250. Chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, texas toast, signature
Megumi of Covington, 1211 Village
secret dipping sauce. Dine-in, to-go and
Walk, 893-0406. megumirestaurant.net.
catering. MCC.
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers,
Renaissance Antiques & Gifts with
1645 Hwy. 190, 327-5407. Salads,
the Original Soda Fountain & Café
pizzas, calzones. 20 craft beers on tap.
Cabaret, 322 N. Florida St., 892-7220.
Open 7 days a week. Lunch and dinner.
Nostalgic soda fountain for lunch and
MCC. mellowmushroom.com.
after school, six days a week.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, 104 Lake
Sake 21 Japanese Restaurant, 70340
Dr. #1, 898-6362. menchies.com.
Hwy. 21, 809-2640.
New Orleans Food and Spirits,
Sala Thai, 315 N. Vermont St., 249-
208 Lee Ln., 875-0432. Grilled fish,
6990. Special salads, spring rolls, soups,
smothered rabbit and voodoo crawfish
noodle and curry dishes. Sun-Thurs,
rolls. Family owned and operated.
11am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10pm.
neworleansfoodspirits.com. MCC.
Lunch buffet weekdays, 11am-3pm. salathaibysu.com. MCC.
>>
July-August 2014 153
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g weddings. Casual fine dining, chargrilled Sweet Daddy’s, 420 S. Tyler St.,
steaks, gulf fish, fresh seafood, house
898-2166. Pulled pork, brisket and ribs.
specialties. jacmelinn.com. MCC, checks.
sweetdaddysbarbq.com. MCC, ME. Kirin Sushi, 221 E. Cate St., 542Thai Chili, 1102 N. Hwy. 190, 809-
8888. First Japanese sushi restaurant in
0180.
Hammond! Dragon roll, Kirin roll, sake. kirinjapanesecuisine.com. MCC.
Thai Spice, 1581 N. Hwy. 190, 809La Carreta Authentic Mexican
6483.
Cuisine, 108 N.W Railroad Ave., 419Thai Taste, 1005 N. Collins Blvd.,
9990. Festive Mexican atmosphere, fresh
809-7886.
food from traditional recipes, outstanding service and value. Live music. Lunch
Tony Bosco’s at TerraBella, 141
and dinner seven days a week.
TerraBella Blvd., 612-7250. Authentic
carretarestaurant.com. MCC.
Italian cuisine. Lunch, dinner, private meeting room, catering. tonyboscos.com.
Old MacDonald’s Smokehouse, 1601 N. Morrison Blvd., 542-7529.
Vasquez Seafood & Po-Boys, 515
BBQ brisket, ribs, chicken and sausage.
E. Boston St., 893-9336. Cuban
oldmacdonaldsmokehouse.com. MCC,
sandwiches and more. vazquezpoboy.
checks.
com. MCC, checks, ME. Tommy’s on Thomas, 216 W. Thomas Winos and Tacos, a 321 N. Columbia
St., 350-6100. Pizza, pastas. Lunch,
St., 809-3029. Fresh, innovative cuisine
dinner. tommysonthomas.com. MCC,
by Chef Joel Brown. MCC.
checks.
WOW Café & Wingery, 501 N. Hwy.
Tope là, 104 N. Cate St., 542-7600.
190, 892-9691. Wings, burgers, wraps
Contemporary delights. topela.com.
and more. MCC.
MCC.
Yujin Japanese Restaurant and Sushi
Trey Yuen Cuisine of China, 2100 N.
Bar, 323 N. New Hampshire St., 809-
Morrison Blvd., 345-6789. Innovative
3840. Japanese cuisine and sushi in a
quality Chinese food served in Imperial
casual atmosphere. MCC.
surroundings. treyyuen.com. MCC, checks.
Zea Rotisserie & Grill, 110 Lake Dr., 327-0520. Inspired American food.
VooDoo BBQ & Grill, 2108 W. Thomas
zearestaurants.com. MCC.
St., 345-1131. “Taste our Magic.” voodoobbq.com. MCC.
HAMMOND Adobe Cantina & Salsa, 1905
Yellow Bird Café, 222 E. Charles St.,
W. Thomas St., 419-0027. Fine
345-1112. A great place to start your
Mexican cuisine, good spirits, great
day. Breakfast, lunch. MCC, checks.
friends and fun. Ceviche (marinated LACOMBE
fish) and Mexican pasta. Live band. adoberestaurant.com. MCC.
Janie Brown’s Restaurant, 27207 Hwy. 190, 882-7201. Casual dining with
Brady’s, 110 SW Railroad Ave., 542-
a great atmosphere. MCC, checks.
6333. bradysdowntown.com. La Provence Restaurant, 25020 Cocoa Bean Bakery and Cafe,
Hwy. 190, 626-7662. Owner John Besh
910 E. Main St., 345-2002.
combines hospitality with French cuisine
Specialty cakes, pastries. Serving
and welcoming hearths. Dinner, Sunday
breakfast and light lunch. Specials.
brunch. laprovencerestaurant.com. MCC,
thecocoabeanbakery.com. MCC.
checks. RR.
Don’s Seafood & Steak House,
Sal & Judy’s, 27491 Hwy. 190, 882-
1915 S. Morrison Blvd., 345-8550.
9443. Great food and line of retail
donsseafoodonline.com. MCC.
products. Family-owned for 27 years. Veal is the house specialty. salandjudys.
Jacmel Inn, 903 E. Morris St., 542-0043. Catering, special events,
154
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com. MCC, RR.
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Fat Spoon Café, 68480 Hwy. 59.,
Hook’d Up Riverside Bar and Grill,
809-2929. Breakfast, lunch, Tues-Sun.
100 Marina Del Ray Dr., 845-8119.
7am-2pm. Breakfast served until 10:30am
Burgers, wings, hot dogs and specials.
on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. Reserve Fat Spoon Cafe for your
Keith Young’s Steakhouse, 165 Hwy.
next party. fatspooncafe.com. MCC.
21, 845-9940. Steak, crab cakes. Lunch, dinner, Tues-Fri. keithyoungs.net. MCC.
Fazzio’s Seafood & Steakhouse, 1841 N. Causeway Blvd., 624-9704. Fresh fish
Morton’s Boiled Seafood & Bar,
daily, aged beef, traditional Italian. Lunch,
702 Water St., 845-4970. Relaxed
dinner. fazziosrestaurant.com. MCC,
atmosphere, seafood, daily specials.
ME, RR.
Lunch, dinner. MCC, checks. Franco’s Grill,100 Bon Temps Roule, Water St. Bistro, 804 Water St.,
792-0200. Fresh organic foods for
845-3855. Casual ambiance on the
breakfast, lunch and takeout. myfrancos.
Tchefuncte. Lunch and dinner, Wed-Sun.
com/dining. MCC.
mortonsseafood.com. MCC. George’s Mexican Restaurant, 1461 MANDEVILLE
N. Causeway Blvd., 626-4342. Family
The Barley Oak, 2101 Lakeshore Dr.,
owned. Fajitas, George’s nachos, Carne
727-7420. Serving 130 styles of beer, call
al la Parrilla. Best top-shelf margaritas in
and premium liquors. Lunch and dinner.
town. georgesmexicanrestaurant.com.
thebarleyoak.com. MCC.
MCC, ME.
Bear’s Grill & Spirits, 4700 Hwy. 22,
Gio’s Villa Vancheri, 2890 E. Causeway
674-9090. Bear’s po-boys and more.
App., 624-2597. Sicilian specialties by
bearsgrillandspirits.com. MCC.
5-star chef Gio Vancheri. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat. giosvillavancheri.com.
Benedict’s Plantation, 1144 Lovers
MCC. RR.
Ln., 626-4557. Traditional New Orleans cuisine. Dinner, Sunday brunch.
Hong Kong Restaurant, 2890 E.
benedictsplantation.net. MCC.
Causeway App., 626-8222. MCC.
Bosco’s Italian Café, 2040 Hwy. 59,
Isabella’s Pizzeria, 2660 Florida
624-5066. boscositalian.com.
St. (in the Florida Street Market), 674-5700. Salads, gourmet pizza,
Broken Egg Café, 200 Gerard St.,
sandwiches, paninis, calzones and pasta.
231-7125. Excellent choice for brunch!
isabellapizzeria.net.
Pasta, specialty salads, sandwiches. anotherbrokenegg.com. MCC.
Italian Pie, 4350 Hwy. 22, 626-5252. Pizza, salads, pasta, sandwiches. Dine in
Café Lynn Restaurant and Catering,
or carry out. italianpie.com. MCC, checks.
3051 E. Causeway App., 624-9007. Casual fine dining for lunch, dinner and
Joyce and Johnny’s, 1461 N.
Sunday brunch by Chef Joey Najolia.
Causeway Blvd., Ste. 11, 727-7727.
Tues-Fri, lunch: 11am-3pm. Dinner, 5pm.
Soups, salads, stuffed potatoes,
Catering provided. cafelynn.com. MCC.
sandwiches, po-boys.
Chili’s Bar & Grill, 3420 Hwy. 190, 727-
Jubilee Restaurant and Courtyard,
2771. Fajitas and the Awesome Blossom.
301 Lafitte St., 778-2552. Contemporary
Lunch, dinner. chilis.com. MCC, ME.
Louisiana cuisine for dinner, lunch by Chef Tory Stewart. Casual fine dining,
Coffee Rani, 3517 Hwy. 190, 674-0560.
daily lunch/dinner specials, private events,
Soup and salad specialists.
catering. jubileerestaurantcourtyard.com.
Coscino’s Pizza, 1817 N. Causeway
K. Gee’s, 2534 Florida St., 626-0530.
Blvd., 727-4984. New York hand-tossed
Featuring Louisiana seafood with raw
pizza and Italian foods cooked on stone
oysters 1/2 price on Tuesdays. Express
using the finest ingredients. MCC.
lunch and daily lunch specials under $10. Mon-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat,
Country Kitchen, 2109 Florida St., 626-
11am-10pm. kgeesrestaurant.com.
5375. countrykitchenrestaurants.com.
MCC. >>
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g La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine, 1200 W. Causeway App., 624-
Petunia’s Place, 2020 Hwy. 59, 674-
2990. Festive Mexican atmosphere, fresh
3436. petuniasplace.com.
food from traditional recipes, outstanding service and value. Live music. Lunch
Pinkberry, 3460 Hwy. 190, 612-7306.
and dinner seven days a week.
Pinkberry is the original tart frozen yogurt
carretasrestaurant.com. MCC.
that is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy paired with high quality, fresh
La Madeleine French Cafe, 3434 Hwy.
cut fruit and premium dry toppings.
190, 626-7004. lamadeleine.com.
pinkberry.com.
The Lakehouse, 2025 Lakeshore
PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co., 2963 Hwy.
Dr., 626-3006, events 778-2045.
190, 674-1565. Catch your morning buzz
Restaurant open. Call for reservations.
at the convenient drive-thru! Catering.
lakehousecuisine.com. MCC.
pjscoffee.com. MCC.
Little Tokyo, 590 Asbury Dr.,
Raising Canes, 3801 Hwy. 22, 674-
727-1532. littletokyosushi.com.
2042. Chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, texas toast, signature secret
Louie & The Redhead Lady,
dipping sauce. Dine-in, to-go and
2820 E. Causeway App., 626-6044.
catering. MCC.
louieandtheredheadlady.com. Rip’s on the Lake, 1917 Lakeshore Dr., Macaroni Grill, 3410 Hwy. 190, 727-
727-2829.
1998. Penne rustica, pasta Milano, other Italian favorites. Lunch, dinner.
Ristorante Carmelo & Pizzaria, 1901
macaronigrill.com. MCC, ME.
Hwy. 190, 624-4844. Family-oriented Italian cuisine. Lunch and dinner. MCC.
Mande’s, 340 N. Causeway App., 6269047. Serving breakfast and lunch, daily
Rusty Pelican, 500 Girod
specials.
St., 778-0364. Lunch, dinner. rustypelicanbythelake.com. MCC.
Mandina’s, 4240 Hwy. 22 in Azalea Square Shopping Center,
Sake Gardens Japanese Restaurant,
674-9883. Seafood, Creole and
1705 Hwy. 190, 624-8955.
Italian. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat. mandinasrestaurant.com.
Sesame Inn, 408 N. Causeway Blvd., 951-8888. Finest Chinese cuisine.
Megumi Japanese Cuisine, 4700 Hwy. 22, Suites 11 and 12, 845-1644.
The Scotts’ Coffee Bar, 201 Carroll St.,
Yakimono and sushi bar. Lunch, dinner.
231-7632. Open seven days. Gourmet
megumirestaurant.com.
coffee & tea. Breakfast and lunch items available. Evening tapas menu - Fri and
MiMamacita’s New Mexican Cuisine,
Sat, 6-10. thescottscoffeebar.com.
2345 Florida St., 674-1400. Great food and margaritas. Lunch, dinner, catering. MCC.
Smoothie King, 1830 W. Causeway App., 626-9159. Smoothies.
Monster Po-Boys, 1814 N. Causeway
smoothieking.com. MCC, checks.
App., 626-9183. Lunch, dinner. Taqueria Noria, 1931 Hwy. 59, 727N’Tini’s, 2891 N. Hwy. 190, 626-5566.
7917. Lunch, dinner.
Steaks, martinis. Lunch specials. Mon.Sat. ntinis.com. MCC.
Times Bar & Grill, 1896 N. Causeway Blvd., 626-1161. Famous hamburgers,
Nuvolari’s, 246 Girod St., 626-5619.
starters, steaks and more. Lunch, dinner.
In Old Mandeville. Italian cuisine for fine
timesgrill.com. ME, MCC.
dining daily for dinner or special events. MCC. nuvolaris.com.
Trey Yuen Cuisine of China, 600 N. Causeway Blvd., 626-4476. Quality
The Old Rail Brewing Company,
China cuisine with Louisiana flair. Lunch,
639 Girod St., 612-1828. Homemade
dinner. treyyuen.com. MCC, checks.
American cuisine with fresh, local
156
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ingredients. Family-friendly atmosphere.
Vianne’s Tea House, 544 Girod St.,
Lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesdays.
624-5683. A full café menu with over 120
i loose leaf and speciality teas. Breakfast,
La. Pines, 1061 Robert St., 641-
lunch. viannes.com. MCC.
6196. Meet under the water tower for
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Ahhhfull-waffles, Sugar Watcher specials. VooDoo BBQ & Grill, 2999 Hwy.
Breakfast, lunch. lapinescafe.com. MCC,
190 E., 629-2021. “Taste our Magic.”
checks.
voodoobbq.com. MCC. Michael’s, 4820 Pontchartrain Dr., PONCHATOULA
649-8055. Steaks, seafood, veal, duck,
Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant,
eggplant au gratin. Extensive wine
30160 Hwy. 51, 386-6666.
selection. Dinner.
middendorfsrestaurant.com. Nathan’s Restaurant, 36440 Old Bayou La Carreta Authentic Mexican
Liberty Rd., 643-0443. Waterfront dining
Cuisine, 147 N.W. Railroad Ave.,
featuring seafood, steaks and pasta.
370-0930. Festive Mexican atmosphere,
MCC.
fresh food from traditional recipes, outstanding service and value. Live music.
Nola Southern Grill, 1375 Gause Blvd.,
Lunch and dinner seven days a week.
201-8200. Burgers, ribs, steaks, pasta,
carretarestaurant.com. MCC.
sandwiches and seafood. MCC. Palmettos on the Bayou,
Taste of Bavaria Restaurant &
1901 Bayou Ln., 643-0050.
Bakery, 14476 Hwy. 22, 386-3634.
palmettosrestaurantslidell.com.
Charming Bavarian bungalow, Europeanstyle breakfast, German-style lunch.
Peck’s Seafood Restaurant, 2315
tasteofbavariastaurant.com. MCC, checks.
Gause Blvd. E., 781-7272. Po-boys, seafood, burgers and lunch specials.
SLIDELL
MCC.
A Touch of Italy Café, 134 Pennsylvania Ave., 639-0600. Seafood, veal,
Smoothie King, 150 Northshore
steaks, daily specials. Lunch, dinner.
Blvd., 781-3456. Low-fat health drinks.
kathrynandcompany.com. MCC, checks.
smoothieking.com. MCC, checks.
Assunta’s, 2631 Hwy. 190 W., 649-
Tacos and Beer, 2142 Front St., 641-
9768. Italian food, extensive wine
4969. Lunch, dinner and late-night.
selection. Dinner. assuntas.com. MCC, checks.
Times Bar & Grill, 1827 Front St., 639-3335. Famous hamburgers,
Bear’s Grill & Spirits, 550 Gause
starters, steaks and more. Lunch, dinner.
Blvd., 201-8905. Po-boys and more.
timesgrill.com. ME, MCC.
bearsgrillandspirits.com. MCC. The Wine Market, 2051 E. Gause Sapphire, 2306 Front St., 288-4166.
Blvd., 781-1177. Deli restaurant, lunch,
Sunday brunch, live entertainment, fine
11am-3pm. Sandwiches, soups, salads,
wines and spirits. Open seven days a
wraps. MCC and checks.
week. bistrodelareine.com. MCC. NEW ORLEANS/SOUTHSHORE Bonnie C’s, 1768 Front St., 288-
Café Giovanni, 117 Rue Decatur,
5061. Home-style Italian, seafood, and
(504)-529-2154. Dinner, Sun-Thurs,
barbecue.
5:30-10pm. Fri-Sat, 5:30-11pm. Live Entertainment Wed, Thurs, and Friday
Camellia Cafe, 525 Hwy. 190, 649-6211.
Evenings. . Cafegiovanni.com. RR.
Traditional seafood and New Orleans cuisine. thecamelliacafe.com. MCC.
Criollo Resturant and Lounge at Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., (504)-523-
Carreta’s Grill, 137 Taos St., 847-0020.
3340. hotelmonteleone.com/criollo/.
Great Mexican cuisine and margaritas served
MCC, RR
in a family-friendly atmosphere for lunch and dinner. carretasgrill.com. MCC.
Restaurant R’evolution, 777 Bienville St., (504)-553-2277. Located at the
KY’s Olde Towne Bicycle Shop, 2267
Royal Sonesta Hotel. Offering modern,
Carey St., 641-1911. Casual dining in
imaginative reinterpretations of classic
former bicycle shop. Kids’ menu. Lunch,
Cajun and Creole Cuisine. Triptych of
dinner. kysoldetowne.com. MCC, checks.
Quail and Oysterman’s spaghettini. Revolutionnola.com. RR.
July-August 2014 157
Northshore Living • Credit cards and cash • Prescription and non-prescription medicines • Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members 2. Prepare your home, car and boat. Use these tips as guidelines. Make your own list and check it twice!
•
Hurricane Preparedness HURRICANE SEASON officially began June 1. There is still time to prepare for any potential storms that might churn their way up into the Gulf of Mexico before November. Keep in mind that this list is by no means comprehensive and can change to suit different needs and different families.
Before The Storm 1. Prepare a hurricane kit. It should include, but is not limited to: • At least a three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) • At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (canned products) • At least one change of clothing and shoes per person • One blanket or sleeping bag per person • A first-aid kit • A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio • A flashlight and extra batteries • An extra set of car keys 158
Inside Northside
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Outside: Close your windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters, close and board up all windows and doors with plywood. Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind—lightweight objects such as garbage cans, garden tools, toys and lawn furniture. If you own a boat, decide where to move it for the storm. Fuel and service all family vehicles so that you can leave at a moment’s notice or so you’ll be ready to go get supplies after the storm. Secure a home generator. Properly maintain your generator and run quarterly tests throughout the year. Have enough fuel, oil, air filters and oil filters on hand to run your generator for at least seven days in preparation for storm season.
Inside: • Review your insurance policy and keep important documents in a waterproof container. Find petfriendly hotels on your evacuation route. • Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting. Keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out. Unplug small appliances. • Fill a bathtub and large containers with water in case clean tap water is unavailable. Use water in bathtubs for cleaning and flushing only. Do NOT drink it.
After The Storm Wait until an area is declared safe before entering. Watch for closed roads. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road—Turn Around, Don’t Drown! >>
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Generator 101 Deryl and Andre Boudreau from Pan American Power in Covington share some generator tips for your home and business.
Security and Protection A standby generator gives you peace of mind by constantly monitoring the connection to your utility power and keeping your power on during an outage. It comes on automatically, whether you’re home or away, within seconds of a power outage. For a business, a generator can ensure the safety and uptime of your most critical business tools, saving time, worry and money. “Generators power everything from lights, televisions, sump pumps, security systems and refrigerators to hot tubs,” says Deryl. “They can back-up your entire home or business or just the most essential items.”
Preparation The time to prepare is before severe weather hits. Reliable backup power with a generator is one way to be ready for storms. Keeping an existing generator maintained properly is an integral part of storm preparation and will ensure many years of trouble-free service from your generator system. Generators running continuously before, during or after a storm should be checked daily. The type of generator will determine how many times the generator oil will need to be changed during this continuous run. As part of your preparation for a storm, find out how many times your generator oil will need to be changed when it’s running continuously.
Standby Versus Portable Standby generators have a longer runtime than portable generators. Standby generators are permanently installed outside your home or business and come on automatically. Because they run on propane or natural gas, there’s no refueling. “They can also be outfitted with wireless devices that allow you to monitor your generator online or from your smart phone,” says Andre. 160
Inside Northside
Directory of Advertisers ADVERTISER...........................CONTACT INFO PAGE 10/12 Properties.................... 985-626-8200 159 Acquistapace’s Covington Supermarket.......... ............................................. 985-893-0593 131 Agena, Dr. Gary M. - OBGYN.... 985-845-7121 113 All American Chiroptractic...... 985-893-2223 137 All Wrapped Up...................... 985-778-2041 101 American Factory Direct.......... 985-871-0300 76 American Red Cross................... redcross.org 113 Arabella Fine Gifts and Home Décor.............. ............................................. 985-727-9787 98 Armbruster Artworks School... 985-630-6295 92 Asset One.............................. 985-727-2834 30 Baldwin Motors...................... 985-892-2203 116 Barley Oak, The...................... 985-727-7420 8 Bastille’s Clothing Company... 985-626-4220 104 Beau Provence Memory Care Assisted Living.. ....................................... BeauProvence.com 43 Bedico Creek Preserve............ 985-845-4200 31 Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights... 985-249-6040 9 Bisso Towboat Company......... 504-861-1411 73 Blue Hickory Blues and Barbeque.... 985-871-4216 156 Bmac Interiors at TerraBella.....bmacinteriors.net 94 Bora Bora............................... 985-951-8454 103 Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers...... 985-626-1666 15 Bra la Vie!.............................. 985-662-5065 101 Bricks 4 Kidz.......................... 985-705-0805 91 [brown eyed girl].................... 985-626-0100 103 Brown Family Orthodontics..... 985-626-8297 35 Café Lynn Restaurant & Catering... 985-624-9007 153 California Drawstrings Northshore... 985-327-7300 103 Carreta’s Grill........ 985-871-6674, 847-0020 84 Cedarwood School................. 985-845-7111 43 Champagne Beverage Co....champagnebeverage.com 13 Chris Wynne Designs..................................... ......................chriswynnedesigns.tumblr.com 43 Christwood Retirement Community............... ......................................... christwoodrc.com 29 Columbia Street Mercantile.... 985-809-1789 107 Covington Dental Care........... 985-400-2568 142 Covington Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic..... ............................................. 985-273-5888 75 Culinary Kids.......................... 985-727-5553 160 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation...... 504-455-5194 120 Daigle, Kisse & Kessenich PLC... 985-871-0800 124,125 David Pierson Designs Inc....... 985-871-0457 108 De Boscq Fine Jewelry............ 985-674-0007 40 deCoeur...................................... decoeur.net 66 DeLuca’s Expressions in Gold... 985-892-2317 107 Designs in Windows............... 985-209-1689 137 E.K. Lozano and Company, CPA... lozanoCPAs.com 37 Eagan Insurance..................... 504-836-9600 43 Earthsavers............................ 985-674-1133 98 Emma’s Shoes and Accessories.... 985-778-2200 98 Eros Home & Clothing............ 985-727-0034 98 Etan Enterprises..................... 985-966-7042 119 Fazzio’s Restaurant & Bar....... 985-624-9704 157 Fielding Photography.............. 985-626-7549 118
ADVERTISER...........................CONTACT INFO PAGE Fitness Expo........................... 504-887-0880 75 Florida Parishes Bank............. 985-345-2265 128,129 Florist of Covington................ 985-892-7701 28 Franco’s Athletic Club............. 985-792-0200 BC french mix, the....................... 985-809-3152 60 George’s Mexican Restaurant.... 985-626-4342 154 Glenn Michael Salon.............. 504-828-6848 19 GNO Property Management... 504-528-7028 72 Gulf States Real Estate Services.... 985-792-4385 114 H2O Salon............................. 985-951-8166 81 Hestia Luxury in Linens........... 985-893-0490 66 Home Bank....................... home24bank.com 62 Huntington: Your Tutoring Solution................. ............................................. 985-727-0000 93 Infusé Oils & Vinegars............ 985-778-0903 32 Integrity Builders, Inc.............. 985-626-3479 70 Istre Hearing Care.................. 985-845-3509 53 JaRoy Pest Control.................. 985-892-6882 53 Jill Gibson, MD, LLC................ 985-898-5990 36 Jos. A. Bank............................ 985-624-4067 104 Jubilee Restaurant & Courtyard.... 985-778-2552 154 JuJu’s Boutique...................... 985-624-3600 104 K. Gee’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar... 985-626-0530 153 Khoobehi and Associates........ 504-779-5538 130 Kinsley, Dr. Elizabeth............... 985-893-3737 83 Knight Integrative Medicine.... 985-867-5516 126,127 La Bella Vita Laser & Vein....... 985-892-2950 91 Lake After Hours..................... 985-375-9979 93 Lakehouse, The....................... 985-626-3006 155 Lakeview Regional Medical Center................. ............................................. 985-867-3800 IBC Lee Michaels Jewelers......................lmfj.com IFC Lift Training Studios................ 985-727-1540 12 Louisiana Custom Closets....... 985-871-0810 77 Louisiana Family Eyecare........ 985-875-7898 65 Louisiana Heart Hospital... louisianaheart.com 7 Louisiana Heart Medical Group...................... ................................louisianaheart.com 25,122,123 Maison Lafitte........................ 985-778-2045 155 Mandeville Center for Dental Excellence........ ............................................. 985-626-4401 5 Mandeville Dental Care.......... 985-400-2571 142 Mandeville Party Co................ 985-674-1605 81 Martin Wine Cellar................martinwine.com 27 Med Spa @ Rapid Urgent Care.... 985-674-4464 37 mélange by KP....................... 985-807-7652 94 Mellow Mushroom................. 985-327-5407 157 Metlife Premier Client Group, Joseph Anderson ............................................. 985-969-0591 73 Mia Sorella............................. 985-781-3909 94 Mix, The................................. 985-727-7649 103 Money Hill Golf and Country Club... 985-892-3300 21 Monmouth Historic Inn............. 601-442-5852 63 My Creative Reality................. 985-871-6990 101 Natchez Grand Hotel and Suites... 601-446-9994 63 New York Life, Michael Mire... 985-246-6188 143
ADVERTISER...........................CONTACT INFO PAGE Niche Modern Home.............. 985-624-4045 17 NOLA Lending Group, Rayhan Cullen............. ............................................. 985-237-9253 132 North American Insurance Agency.................. ............................................. 985-871-5480 85 North Oaks Health System........northoaks.org 26 North Shore Square Mall........ 985-646-0661 6 Northshore Academy of Dance... 985-893-1143 115 Northshore Dermatology ....... 985-792-5959 22,58 Ochsner Medical Center - Northshore............ ..............................................ochsner.org. 96,110,111 OHR O’Keefe Museum of Art....georgeohr.org 97 Old Rail, The........................... 985-612-1828 8 Oil & Vinegar.......................... 985-809-1693 148 Outdoor Living Center............ 985-893-8008 69 Paisley................................... 985-727-7880 108 Palatial Stone & Tile................ 985-249-6868 14 Palm Village........................... 985-778-2547 104 Pan American Power............... 985-893-1271 4 Paretti Jaguar......................... 504-455-2101 32 Personal Care MD.................. 985-778-2330 85 POSH Boutique...................... 985-898-2639 107 Private Beach......................... 985-674-2326 108 Profit On-Hold........................ 800-569-4653 83 Raising Cane’s........................ 985-809-0250 156 Rapid Urgent Care................. 985-674-4464 37 Real Results Weight Loss Clinic....985-590-4061 56 Rehab Dynamics LLC.............. 985-871-7878 84 Resource Bank...............bankonresource.com 61 Richard C. Dalton LLC.........1-855-BY-LEMON 59 Rick’s Professional Painting Service................ ............................................. 985-845-0533 160 Riverview Camp for Girls........ 800-882-0722 89 Roosevelt Hotel of New Orleans, The.............. ............................................. 504-335-3190 35 Ruffino Custom Closets.......... 985-809-7623 69 Rug Chic................................ 985-674-1070 28 Scotts’ Coffee & Tapas Bar, The....985-231-7632 148 Shoefflé.....................................shoeffle.com 107 Slidell Memorial Hospital........ 985-280-2200 70 Southern Bridal...................... 985-727-2993 101 St. Paul’s School..................... 985-892-3200 64 State Farm Insurance, C J Ladner.... 985-892-5030 66 Stone Source.......................... 985-892-0695 37 Tchefuncta Club Estates.........tchefuncta.com 10 TerraBella............................... 985-871-7171 61 Townsend Recovery................ 985-893-2522 64 Tran, Dr. David........................ 985-400-5483 66 Villa, The................................ 985-626-9797 108 Walker House......................... 985-867-4878 160 Water Street Wreaths............. 985-792-7979 160 Weimer, DDS, Patrick.............. 985-727-1800 94 Whitney National Bank....... whitneybank.com 16 Windsor Senior Living Community, The........... ............................................. 985-624-8040 65 Winos and Tacos.................... 985-809-3029 147 WYES.............................................. wyes.org 50 July-August 2014 161
Last Bite
Winos and Tacos
THE GREAT FLAVORS of Baja and Jalisco shine in the made-from-scratch Mexican food at Wino and Tacos. Together with house-crafted cocktails and exciting handpicked wine selections, the unique menu makes this a new hot spot in downtown Covington. Owners Shannon and Chris Blossman oversee the day-to-day operation of this casually elegant restaurant. The small plates of carnitas tacos, slow-roasted pulled pork and Abita Beer-braised, grass-fed beef brisket are served on fresh-made corn tortillas. And move over, Oysters Rockefeller—there is a new shell in town. The Oysters Pablo, with sautéed spinach and chipotle peppers topped with house-made aioli cotija sauce, are baked to perfection. Grilled fish tacos get rave reviews, as do the spicy shrimp quesadillas. New to the menu are sandwiches filled with the same scrumptious meat as the tacos. A great accompaniment is the spicy Pineapple Cilantro Margarita, a house specialty. The outdoor patio is a wonderful place to gather with friends and enjoy the ambiance while a New Orleansstyle jazz band plays. Winos and Tacos is located at 321 N. Columbia St. in downtown Covington. Shannon Blossman
Cilantro Margarita is our most popular drink. Delicious and very refreshing on a hot summer night.”
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photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
says, “The Pineapple
by Poki Hampton