August-September 2015 Issue of Inside New Orleans

450

$

EQUEST FARM • MARY MANHEIN • BAUMER FOODS • WWII MUSEUM

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2015 VOL. 2, NO. 4

August-September 2015

Vol. 2, No. 4

Publisher Lori Murphy –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Editor-in-Chief Anne Honeywell

Senior Editor Jan Murphy

Associate Editor Leah Draffen

Editorial Associate Katie Brooks Contributors are featured on page 16.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Art Director Brad Growden

Graphic Designer Jennifer Starkey –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Director of Business Development Poki Hampton

Business Manager Jane Quillin Advertising Account Executives Angelle Albright

Caroline Battaglia Barbara Bossier

Deyette Danford Lindsay Gardner

Candice Laizer Remi Ottelin

Barbara Roscoe Amy Taylor

Advertising Coordinator Margaret Rivera

Sales Assistant Paige Lawson

Interns Hailey Caldwell

Steven Mills –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For advertising information phone (504) 934-9684 fax (504) 934-7721 email sales@insidepub.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Please send items for Inside Scoop to scoop@insidepub.com.

Photos for Inside Peek, with captions, should be sent to peek@insidepub.com. Submit items for editorial consideration to editor@insidepub.com.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Contact Inside New Orleans P.O. Box 6048

Metairie, LA 70009 phone (504) 934-9684 fax (504) 934-7721 website www.insideneworleans.net

Subscriptions 1 Year $18 2 Years $30 email subscriptions@insidepub.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

On the cover

Artist Gretchen Weller Howard

Peering Out

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– INSIDE NEW ORLEANS is published bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October, December) by M and L Publishing, LLC, PO Box 6048, Metairie, LA 70009 as a means of communication and information for greater New Orleans, Louisiana. Bulk Postage paid - New Olreans, LA. Copy­right ©2015 by M & 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 New Orleans Magazine is created using the Adobe Creative Suite on Apple Macintosh computers.

6

Inside New Orleans

contents table of

page 87

page 30 page 40

Features

18 Beautiful Insights

Cover Artist Gretchen Weller Howard 30 All Things New The VanMeter House 38 Traces

Holly Sarré: Folk Artist, Flood Series 40 Back in the Saddle

Equest Farm at City Park 52 At the Table New Orleans Food Culture The Spirit of Post-K Rebirth 56 Telling the Story The National WWII Museum page 56

66 Face to Face

Mary Manhein 76 Walk to End Alzheimer’s 94 Sweet Heat

Baumer Foods and Crystal Hot Sauce 105 Reflections of a Hurricane Bride

Profiles

63 United Way of Southeast Louisiana 64 The Salvation Army 93 Adventure Quest Laser Tag 102 Zounds Hearing of Metairie 104 The Basketry 123 George Cottage at

St. Martin’s Episcopal School 8

Inside New Orleans

contents table of

Departments 12 Publisher’s Note 14 Editor’s Note 16 Contributors 22 INside Scoop

page 81

29 INside Story Storm Prep 50 Wine Cellar Rosé 78 Get Fit Fitness Goes Tribal 81 Flourishes Extraordinary gifts and home accents.

87 INside Look Neutral Ground

14 IN the Spotlight 1 Sippin’ in Seersucker

00 IN the Bookcase 1 A Spool of Blue Thread

by Anne Tyler

18 IN the Spotlight 1 Orléans Club Closing Reception

107 IN Love and Marriage

Notable New Orleans Weddings

18 IN the Spotlight 1 Bridge House/Grace House Women of Substance Luncheon

108 IN Love and Marriage

A Knight to Remember

120 IN the Spotlight WYES Chocolate Sunday

110 INside Peek

121 IN the Spotlight WYES Producers Circle Cocktail Reception

11 IN the Spotlight 1 Go 4th on the River page 124

122 IN the Spotlight Inside New Orleans Meet the Artist Party 124 IN Great Taste Tailgate Winners 126 INside Dining 133 Reader Resources 133 Ad Directory 134 Last Bite Bayona page 78

Pillowcase Project

by Lori Murphy In August 2005, college students had just arrived in New Orleans when they got word that a storm was coming and they were being evacuated. I don’t recall it being particularly scary to us veterans when we heard the call to go, but I am sure it was terrifying to newly independent kids from across the country. They assembled in front of their dorms, some toting all of their worldly possessions. When the buses arrived, it was clear they would need to limit their “stuff” in order to get everyone to safety. The students were asked to go back into the dorms and return with one pillowcase of belongings to take with them.

After Katrina, Kay Wilkins, CEO of the American Red Cross South Louisiana Region, shared that story with volunteers—and they turned the good idea into a great opportunity. The Pillowcase Project was born while students boarded those buses in New Orleans, but it is making kids safer all over the world.

Sponsored by Disney, the Pillowcase Project has become a safety-preparedness education program for kids, focused on the most-likely danger in their community. The printed pillowcases used in the training illustrate things to gather in case of an emergency. As they decorate their pillowcase, the children are given some very practical advice about what they can do for themselves and for their family when they know trouble is on the way.

Those of us who are storm veterans already know the list—flashlight, radio with batteries, bottled water, three changes of clothes, etc. But to a child in an environment of uncertainty, it is calming to know what they can do to help. It is just one more way the volunteers of the Red Cross reach out to make us feel safe.

As a part of the planned Katrina10 events going on this month across the city, the American Red Cross is coordinating a National Day of Service. It will feature the world’s largest Pillowcase Project! Volunteers at all 62 chapters of the American Red Cross will host safety-preparedness seminars in their hometowns. I know many of the volunteers will be people who moved away from New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. At least for that day, marking 10 years of recovery, they will be with us again in spirit.

To find out more about the events planned around the city, log onto Katrina10.org, and we will join together to celebrate the resilience of our community.

The best way to reach me is by email: lori@insidepub.com

12

Inside New Orleans

Editor’s note

by Anne Honeywell Choices. We make them every day. Some are easy, while some are lifechanging decisions. Hurricane season always presents some difficult choices for New Orleanians.Evacuate or stay? Where to go if we do evacuate? And in Katrina’s case, whether to return at all.

For me, evacuating was a hard choice. We never evacuated when I was a child.

My dad had us all prepared—our windows were fit with custom-cut hurricane plywood shutters, no less! I grew up in Harahan, and my paleontologist/geologist father built our house on some of the highest elevation in the metro area. Hence, no flooding. So ten years ago, evacuating along with most of south Louisiana, my family took off for a pet-friendly hotel in Natchez. From there, Baton Rouge with my brother. Returning home? Not a hard choice at all. Our lives were in New Orleans.

Family, friends and schools—it was about the people and the place. It was home.

And I was coming back to it.

This issue of Inside New Orleans features several stories about choices. One as simple as what wine to choose to drink in the August heat. Others about the choice to bring a business back after Katrina, or reinvent a flooded home. Bill Kearney’s Wine Cellar (page 50) offers some wonderful choices of summer wines. I know you will enjoy Karen Gibbs’ story on our beloved Baumer Foods and Crystal Hot Sauce (page 94), a local, family-owned business that is keeping things hot in Louisiana and all over the word! And “All Things New” by Trudy Hurley (page 30) showcases a beautiful house whose owner made bold, new choices to change the entire complexation of her home after the storm.

The choices we make define our journey, and wherever that takes us, we can always choose to smile and have a positive outlook. In the past ten years, many have made a deliberate decision to live in and enjoy New Orleans, whether longtime residents, college students or other new arrivals. Because of their choices, our city is thriving.

I am choosing to have a wonderful August and September! I hope you will, too! Your choice!

14

Inside New Orleans

Our contributors give Inside New Orleans its voice, its personality and its feel. Here we are proud to highlight a few of them so that you can put a face with a name and get to know them.

Tom Fitzmorris Tom Fitzmorris was delivered into New Orleans by a jazz musician on Mardi Gras 1951. Growing up in Treme, he ate red beans every Monday from his Creole-French mother. A Certified Culinary Professional by the IACP, he has written a weekly restaurant review column for 42 years and has a three-hour daily talk show on 3WL 1350. The author of many cookbooks, restaurant guidebooks and a daily online newsletter (nomenu.com), Tom is a regular contributor to Inside New Orleans. In At the Table (page 52), he reflects on the role of the New Orleans food culture in post-Katrina recovery.

Michael Harold

Longtime contributor and former managing editor of Inside Northside, Karen B. Gibbs enjoys writing about the fascinating people and places of the New Orleans area. On page 94, she tells the story of Baumer Foods and Crystal Hot Sauce and on page 66, she shares the legacy Mary Manhein created at LSU’s forensic anthropology department. A contributor to Today.com and iVillage. com, Karen just completed the biography of her father-in-law, a WWII paratrooper. When not writing, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spoiling their grandchild.

Michael Harold grew up in New Orleans and graduated from St. Martin’s Episcopal School, The University of the South and LSU Law School. Fluent in Spanish and French, he is also a classical pianist. Michael practiced law for more than 23 years before starting his own legal recruiting company, YSR Search. He is a contributing writer for Local Palate magazine in Charleston, South Carolina.

In this issue, tells his Inside Story, “Storm Prep,” on page 29.

Trudy Hurley photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Karen B. Gibbs

Other Voices: Gretchen Armbruster, Kate Brevard, Katie Brooks, Winnie Brown, Leah Draffen, Sandy Franco, Candra George, Anne Honeywell, Yvette Jemison, Bill Kearney, Steven Mills and Terri Schlichenmeyer.

16

Inside New Orleans

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Contributors

New Orleanian Trudy Hurley was classically trained under her mother, Mary Helen Stall, who owned The Green Parrot, an antique shop on St. Charles Avenue. For more than 25 years, Trudy has worked in the finest homes in the New Orleans area and beyond for clients ranging from sports superstars to young couples. With dozens of local and national publications showcasing her work, Trudy has graced the cover of Southern Accents magazine and has been chosen for its “Four Under Forty” award—a prestigious group of decorators chosen for their talents in the field of design. Trudy’s Trade Secrets are a fan favorite, but in this issue she pens our design feature “All Things New” on page 30.

photo courtesy: SOREN CHRISTENSEN GALLERY

BORN AND RAISED IN NEW ORLEANS, Gretchen Weller Howard has been surrounded by art and creative inspiration her entire life. “My father was one of the original artists on Jackson Square—some of my fondest memories are taking the streetcar to the French Quarter after school to visit his studio. Such a romantic place—that’s where the artists were back then,” she says. Gretchen’s mother is also an artist.

“My mother is a phenomenal natural painter. My dad

ignore all that and just paint.’”

And paint she did. Early on, she was told she was ‘too decorative’. “I am decorative! To me, paintings are decorative. I think life is decorative. If it’s not, it’s black and white,” says Howard. In the last ten years, she has shifted to vibrant mixed media abstracts. “Everything to me is about color. I go into a zone—shellac, pencil, face paint, acrylic, water-based oils, oil pastels—and manipulate with the shellac to>>

Beautiful Insights

Above: Gretchen’s Grow.

18

is more of a disciplined painter—working mostly in oils and doing primarily landscapes and still lifes.”

Gretchen studied design at Louisiana State University and earned an Associate Arts Degree from The Art Institute in Atlanta. She has developed a style different from both of her parents. She employs symbols and color to communicate the deeply personal meaning of each work. “I would say I am primarily a colorist. Yes, that’s what I would call myself—a symbolic colorist,” she says with a warm smile. “I always wanted to paint, but I was intimidated because my style was so different. And living in a town with so many talented artists with such résumés … I finally decided ‘you really have to

Inside New Orleans

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Cover Artist Gretchen

by Anne Honeywell Weller Howard

Meet cover artist

Gretchen Weller Howard and see some of her favorite works on display at

Soren Christensen Gallery 400 Julia Street New Orleans

Thursday, August 13 5:30-7:00 p.m.

For more information, call

504-934-9684

Everyone’s Invited!

August-September 2015 19

get that sheer layering and plaster. I love the immediacy of acrylic; it dries so quickly, and you can do so much more with it. I layer with shellac, so I get this sort of oil painting feel, but I can layer quickly with color. I love the techniques I use. I paint in fits and spurts— working on lots of things at once, and when I’m painting, I have paintings everywhere.”

Gretchen is a soulful and insightful artist, yet so full of life and positive energy. Though whimsical, her paintings have a very spiritual base— and at times, meanings and subjects even Howard herself does not expect. “I don’t set out with a specific intention or subject matter. It just sort of happens. I don’t say, ‘I am going to paint this bird or this boat.’ When I stand back from them, they really make sense to me, but I let them develop on their own. Each painting is very personal, and a lot goes into each one. What I view in them is only good things, so if I am sad I can’t paint,” says Howard. “I don’t want to put anything ugly out into the world, because there is enough. It is very important to me that my paintings are calm, or happy or express joy.”

Gretchen accepts a lot of commissions, though she says they can sometimes be difficult. Often the client requests something similar to a previous work in color or composition.

“It’s hard to reproduce a certain genre because my original process only happens in the moment. Each painting always ends up being its own thing.

But, it is nice to know who will have it on the other end!”

In April 2005, Howard and her family moved to Pass Christian, Mississippi, anticipating a life of tranquility on the coast. “Four months before Katrina,” laments Howard. “We lost everything.” When they could

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

finally return to their property, there was nothing left but their huge oak tree. “Nobody knew us; we had just moved there. When others found something they didn’t recognize, they put it under our oak tree.” The memories collected under that tree in a pile eventually gave her inspiration.

Among the things she found were many of her father’s paintings and some of her own. “I had selfishly taken many of my father’s painting with me to Mississippi. And now there they were— damaged, dirty and some with gashes in the canvas.

I didn’t want to give up on them, so I literally just tore them into strips, right there, and threw all the remnants into the back of our van. When I started painting again, the first boats appeared, and I placed remnants in them. They weren’t even boats to me.

They were more a vessel to keep part of me above the waters and carry that part of me back to safety.

Those paintings formed the first show after Katrina, called Mother of Pearl.”

The Howards returned to New Orleans, and soon bridges were appearing in Gretchen’s paintings.

She says, “The bridges were about reestablishing a foundation here and feeling like we were on solid ground again. The bird appeared on a bridge years ago, and to me, my bird represents spirit.”

Howard continues to lovingly place those precious remnants into her paintings, including those featured here. Our cover painting, Peering

Out, is about taking a chance on a new life or a new opportunity. “The lotus is my version of a stylized palmetto. I never do anything overtly Louisiana or New Orleans, but it is definitely always in there with the water and the tidal pools,” says Howard. “The bird is peering out through the lotus—a new opportunity, nothing timid about it. So Peering Out is about putting that first foot forward in a new direction—taking a chance on a new life or a new opportunity.”

This soaring New Orleans talent took a chance and followed her beautiful insights into the creation of these soulful masterpieces. And with each painting comes a spirit only Gretchen Weller Howard can provide.

Gretchen’s work has appeared in numerous private showings and is widely collected in New Orleans. Her paintings can be found at Soren Christensen Gallery, 400 Julia Street, New Orleans. 504-569-9501.

August-September 2015 21

Artful Palate Aug. 7, 21 and Sept. 4, 18. Artfully inspired cooking demos from Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group Chefs.

Aug. 7, Baaah-ck Roads Culinary Traditions with Chef Chip Flanagan and Andy Davidson; Aug. 21, Down Home Cooking with Chef Slade Rushing and Chef Allison Vines-Rushing; Sept. 4, Boudin Basics & Beyond with Chef Steven Marsella and Vaughn Schmitt; Sept. 18, Creole Tailgating Traditions with Chef Chris Montero. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Cir. 6:30. Free.

INSIDE a handy guide to events and entertainment in and around New Orleans

22

Inside New Orleans

photo courtesy: New Orleans Museum of Art

cafenoma.com. noma.org.

August 1 Satchmo SummerFest. Music showcase of brass bands, big bands and early jazz. Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave. Free. fqfi.org/satchmo.

1 Whitney White Linen Night. Art, music, drinks and cuisine. 200-600 blocks of Julia St. 6-9pm. 528-3805. cacno.org.

1-2 New Orleans Antiques Forum. “It’s Only Natural.” The influence of nature in decorative arts. The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St. 523-4662. hnoc.org/antiques.htm.

1, 8, 15 22, 29 Boozy Bourbon Brunch.

Three courses and three cocktails.

Bourbon House Seafood & Oyster Bar, 144 Bourbon St. Sat, 11am. $35. 5220111. bourbonhouse.com.

1- Sept 7 Ten Years Gone Exhibition.

The significance of the past decade within a larger context through works of Willie Birch, Dawn DeDeaux, Isabelle Hayear, Spring Hurlbut, Nicholas Nixon and Christopher Saucedo. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Cir. TuesThurs, 10am-6pm; Fri, 10am-9pm; SatSun, 11am-5pm. Adults, $10; seniors, $8; children 7-17, $6. noma.org.

1-Sept 20 Louisiana Contemporary.

Presented by Regions Bank. Opening reception during Whitney White Linen Night. Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St. 6-9pm.

539-9621. ogdenmuseum.org; louisianacontemporary.org.

1-Nov 28 It’s Only Natural: Flora and Fauna in Louisiana Decorative Arts. With The New Orleans Antiques Forum 2015. The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St. Tues-Sat, 9:30am-4:30pm. Free. hnoc.org.

4, 18 Aging Art Enrichment Pilot Program: Artful Minds at NOMA.

>>

August-September 2015 23

Inside Scoop Guided museum tours for individuals

Newcomb Alumnae Association. Qatar

with dementia. New Orleans Museum of

Ballroom, Tulane University Uptown

Art, 1 Collins Diboll Cir. 10:15- 11:15am.

Campus. 2-4pm. Non-members,

poydrashome.com. noma.org.

$20. Reservations required by Aug. 1.

6, 13, 20, 27 Cincchetti at Salon.

Purchase a libation and savory snacks

Summer Concert. Christwood Atrium,

Thursday, 4-7pm. 267-7098. shopsucre.

100 Christwood Blvd, Covington. 5-6pm.

com.

Free. 898-0515.

16 Summer Party. The Junior Committee

Fun and fresh food competition to

of the New Orleans Opera Association’s

broaden awareness of sustainable

Bows and Beaus summer party. Guests

ingredients. New Orleans Ernest

are encouraged to incorporate bows into

N. Morial Convention Center, 900

their outfits. Opera Guild Home, 2504

Convention Center Blvd. $129-$649.

Prytania St. 2-4pm. After Aug. 1, $45.

582-3000. chefstastechallenge.com.

facebook.com/nooajuniors.

7-8 Jim Hjelm Occassions Fall 2015

19 Do You Have a Loved One Affected

Collection Trunk Show. Bustles &

by Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia?

Bows Bridal Boutique, 3230 Severn Ave,

Information on detection, causes, risk

Metairie. bustlesandbowsbridal.com.

factors, stages and treatment presented

7, 21 Artful Palate. Artfully inspired cooking

by Knesha Rose, associate director,

demos from Ralph Brennan Restaurant

programs of Alzheimer’s Association.

Group Chefs. Aug. 7, Baaah-ck Roads

Community Center at Christwood,

Culinary Traditions with Chef Chip

100 Christwood Blvd, Covington.

Flanagan and Andy Davidson; Aug. 21,

Registration, 11:30am; program, 12pm.

Down Home Cooking with Chef Slade

RSVP to 292-1234 or jportman@

Rushing and Chef Allison Vines-Rushing.

christwoodrc.com.

New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins

20 Benefits of Home Gala. Food,

Diboll Cir. 6:30. Free. cafenoma.com.

unlimited drinks and live music presented

noma.org.

by HUB International and hosted

8 Dirty Linen Night. Art galleries, antiques,

by Franco’s Health Club and Spa.

jewelry and specialty shops. Royal

Benefitting Mary Bird Perkins Cancer

Street, New Orleans. 6-9pm. 266-0379.

Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital.

dirtylinennola.com.

Franco’s Health Club and Spa, 100 Bon

8 NOLA Marketplace Expo. Lakeside

Temps Roule, Mandeville. 6:30-9pm.

Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans

$150. marybird.org/benefitsofhome.

Memorial Blvd., Metairie. 10am-4pm. wgno.com.

8 Red Dress Run. Food, music, drinks

20 St. Jude in the Big Easy, a Legends for Charity Event. Dinner, cocktails and auctions. Honoring Doug Thornton

and raising money for local charities.

for his dedication and service to New

12:30pm. $60-$80. nolareddress.com.

Orleans. Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Ave.

9 Pre-Season Tea and Silent Auction.

Inside New Orleans

16 Claire Shackelton. Third Sunday

are free. Salon by Sucré, 622 Conti St.

7 Farm to Table Chefs Taste Challenge.

24

tulanegreeniegals@gmail.com.

6:30-10:30pm. Individual, $150; table

Hosted by the Greenie Gals, a booster

of 10, $1,500. Danielle Chauvin, (225)

club for Tulane athletics; The Tulane

282-3240, danielle.chauvin@st.jude.org.

University Women’s Association; and

st.jude.org/neworleans.

>>

Inside Scoop 21 The Power of Women Luncheon.

Hosted by the Tiffany Circle of the American Red Cross featuring key note speaker Hoda Kotb. Marriott Hotel, 555 Canal St, New Orleans. 11:30am-2pm.

Bra la Vie!, 221 W Thomas St,

Presented by Regions Bank. Opening

Hammond. (985) 662-5065. bralavie.

reception during Whitney White

com.

Linen Night. Ogden Museum of

30 Saints vs Houston Texans. MercedesBenz Superdome, Sugar Bowl Drive. 3pm.

$150. (504) 620-3107.

22 Polos and Pearls. Music, art and refreshments. Downtown St. Francisville.

5-9pm. (225) 635-3873. stfrancisville.us.

22 Saints vs New England Patriots.

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Sugar Bowl Drive. 6:30pm.

22-Jan 9 The Katrina Decade: Images

539-9621. ogdenmuseum.org. louisianacontemporary.org.

September 1-4 Doncaster Fall Trunk Show. Bra la

1-30 Color for the Cure. Throughout September, add a purple extension to your hair in honor of the Honey Bunch’s

Vie!, 221 W Thomas St, Hammond.

efforts to raise Alzheimer’s Awareness.

(985) 662-5065. bralavie.com.

H2O Salon and Spa, 441 Metairie Rd,

1-7 Ten Years Gone Exhibition. The significance of the past decade within

Metairie. 835-4377.

1-Nov 28 It’s Only Natural: Flora and

of an Altered City. Free companion

a larger context through works of Willie

Fauna in Louisiana Decorative

exhibit to the release of David G.

Birch, Dawn DeDeaux, Isabelle Hayear,

Arts. With The New Orleans Antiques

Spielman’s book featuring black-and-

Spring Hurlbut, Nicholas Nixon and

Forum 2015. The Historic New

white photographs of post-Katrina New

Christopher Saucedo. New Orleans

Orleans Collection’s Williams Research

Orleans. Laura Simon Nelson Galleries

Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Cir. Tues-

Center, 410 Chartres St. Tues-Sat,

for Louisiana Art, 400 Chartres St. Tues-

Thurs, 10am-6pm; Fri, 10am-9pm; Sat-

Sat, 9:30am-4:30pm. Free. 523-4662.

Sun, 11am-5pm. Adults, $10; seniors,

hnoc.org.

$8; children 7-17, $6. noma.org.

24-Sept 4 Doncaster Fall Trunk Show.

26

Southern Art, 925 Camp St. 6-9pm.

Inside New Orleans

1-20 Louisiana Contemporary.

9:30am-4:30pm. Free. hnoc.org.

1-Jan 9 The Katrina Decade: Images of an Altered City. Photographs of David G. Spielman. Laura Simon Nelson

Galleries for Louisiana Art, 400 Chartres

Group Chefs. Sept. 4, Boudin Basics

and walk through The Rising exhibit.

St. Tues-Sat, 9:30am-4:30pm. Free.

& Beyond with Chef Steven Marsella

Photo Gallery, Ogden Museum of

523-4662. hnoc.org.

and Vaughn Schmitt; Sept. 18, Creole

Southern Art, 925 Camp St. 4-5:30pm.

Tailgating Traditions with Chef Chris

539-9650. ogdenmuseum.org.

2 Culture Collision. One-of-a-kind happy

12 Young Leader Council Role Model

hour with over 65 New Orleans cultural

Montero. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1

organizations. The National WWII

Collins Diboll Cir. 6:30. Free. cafenoma.

Awards Gala. Dinner, silent auction and

com. noma.org.

music after the presentation of the 2015

Museum’s U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center entrance, 1043 Magazine St. 5:30-8pm. Free. culturenola.org.

3, 10, 17, 24 Cincchetti at Salon.

5, 12, 19, 26 Boozy Bourbon Brunch.

Three courses and three cocktails.

Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Ave.

Bourbon House Seafood & Oyster Bar,

Patron party, 6-7pm; gala, 7-11pm. 585-

Purchase a libation and savory snacks

144 Bourbon St. Sat, 11am. $35. 522-

are free. Salon by Sucré, 622 Conti

0111. bourbonhouse.com.

St. Thursdays, 4-7pm. 267-7098. shopsucre.com.

4-6 Louisiana Seafood Festival.

Role Model class. Black tie attire. Hyatt

10 Strikes for Kids New Orleans

1500. ylcnola.org.

12-Oct 31 Rise Delmar Ochsner Exhibit.

The Atrium Gallery at Christwood, 100

Bowling Classic. Hosted by New

Christwood Blvd, Covington. Opening

Orleans Saints’ Brandin Cooks to

reception, 4:30-6pm. Free. (985) 898-

Music, celebrity chef cooking

benefit Worth Living Foundation that

0515.

demonstrations, beer garden, kid’s

assists in youth enrichment in the New

tent, arts village, food and drinks. New

Orleans community. 3640 Williams Blvd,

Review. Concerts in the Courtyard

Orleans City Park, 1 Palm Drive. Free.

Kenner. 5:30-8:30pm. Spectator, $30;

series. The Historic New Orleans

louisianaseafoodfestival.com.

bowler, $65-$100. (559) 241-4412.

Collection, 533 Royal St. 6-8pm. Non-

strikesforkidsneworleans.com.

members, $10. 523-4662. hnoc.org.

4, 18 Artful Palate. Artfully inspired cooking demos from Ralph Brennan Restaurant

12 Gallery Talk: The Rising. Gallery talk

18 Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk

18 Martini Madness. Friends of City Park >>

August-September 2015 27

Inside Scoop present over 25 daring martinis and foods. Arbor Room at Popp Fountain, New Orleans City Park. 8-11pm. 4839376. friendsofcitypark.com.

18-20 Steamboat Stomp. Classic jazz on the Mississippi River including Yerba Buena Stompers with Miss Ida Blue, Banu Gibson and New Orleans Hot Jazz and more. Steamboat NATCHEZ, Toulouse St, New Orleans. 586-8777. steamboatstompneworleans.com.

19 Bad to the Bone: Rescued on the Runway. 8th annual pet-friendly fashion show fundraiser to benefit 10 local rescue groups. All canine models will be up for adoption. Eiffel Society, 2040 St. Charles Ave. 6-9:30pm. Adults, $20; children, $15; pets, $10. Tickets available at Petcetera, 3205 Magazine St, or petceteranola.com. 269-8711.

20 Saints vs Tampa Buccaneers.

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Sugar Bowl Drive. 12pm.

20 Third Sunday Concert Series.

Leah Chase and the Don Vappie Trio.

Christ Episcopal Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St, Covington. 5-6pm. (985) 892-3177.

25 Alzheimer’s Awareness at H2O. Throughout September, add a purple extension to your hair in honor of the Honey Bunch’s efforts to raise Alzheimer’s Awareness. On September 25, H2O Salon and Spa in Metairie will donate a percentage of its sales to the team’s fundraising goals. H2O Salon and Spa, 441 Metairie Rd, Metairie.

835-4377.

25-27 My Fair Lady. Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox St, Metairie. FriSat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. jpas.org.

Send your event information to scoop@insidepub.com to have it featured in an upcoming issue of Inside New Orleans.

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Inside New Orleans

INside Story

by Michael Harold

IT’S AN AFTERNOON in late August and yes, Mr. Faulkner, the light is a little different. Is it the angle of the sun? The 90-degree haze? Or could it be the red lights glowing from tens of thousands of cars on I-10?

It doesn’t matter, because the last thing on your mind is poetry-and-prose. Your main concern is trying to remain calm while navigating this horrific evacuation traffic inside a car packed to the gills with all of your belongings and cranky family members. If you find yourself wallowing in self-pity, just remember it could always be worse. Think of those friends trying to leave town with the new Great Dane puppy with a pea-sized bladder or the 95-year-old grandmother who can’t remember her name. And you’re far from jealous of the co-worker with the adorable diaper-wearing twins.

I believe that once a tropical storm forms in the Caribbean, the real spectacle doesn’t take place on the local news but rather in the office or in the neighborhood grocery store. It’s here where the weather know-it-alls take center stage. As much as you try to avoid these amateur meteorologists, they’re always behind you in the checkout line or getting coffee, eager to share their storm predictions. The worst ones have a special flair for exaggeration and drama: “Honey, when that eye wall hits the warm waters of the Gulf, we’re ALL doomed.” Or even worse, “It’s coming right up the Mississippi and dumping Lake Pontchartrain onto the city!” And never discount the authority-in-the-know whose cousin has a friend at the National Weather Service; “You didn’t hear this from me, but it’s going to hit Mobile.” Great.

I’ll just put my trust in the smarty-pants on Aisle 5.

When I was growing up, everyone in the city looked to one person for storm advice. And like Madonna and Cher, he only needed one name, “Nash.” While it’s rare nowadays to hear a news broadcaster with an unmistakable New Orleans accent, back in the ’70s, we didn’t know any different.

Nash Roberts spoke in front of a large paper map

Storm Prep resting on an easel. The balding weatherman would then scribble coordinates with a black marker that resembled a fat, Cuban cigar. I remember him once pointing out a nasty storm forming in the Caribbean and saying, “We need to watch this hurricuhn off the coast a’ Pawta Reeka.”

When it comes to New Orleanians and hurricane season, it should come as no surprise that the demand for un-chilled red wine equals that of plywood and batteries. My high school friend Ben Lazich, who owns a wine store, once told me that despite the slowdown in late August, business always picks up before an impending hurricane. Many customers come to his store giggling about extra storm preparedness as they point to the towering bottles they’ve put on his counter. “We’re hunkering down with the in-laws,” they say with a wink as they sign the bill and race out of the door, pretending not to see their chatty next-door neighbor talking to another customer about potential storm surge.

August-September 2015 29

The glassed-in sunporch with a grand view of the expansive yard and pool is home to a grouping of Michael Taylor iron garden furniture, which was among the few furniture survivors of Katrina’s wake.

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Inside New Orleans

New

by Trudy Hurley

The VanMeter House >> August-September 2015 31

photo courtesy: GREEN PARROT DESIGN

AllThings

All the woodwork in the library was painted black. With striking billows of chartreuse taffeta drapes and a center table lacquered to match, a modern cascade of iron and rock crystal hangs as the centerpiece of the room.

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JUST LIKE THE REST OF US, Marianne VanMeter fled New Orleans to escape the destruction of Katrina. She stayed with friends and awaited news of the fate of her beautiful Georgian home in Old Metairie. Reports came back that the waterline had risen to 12 feet in her neighborhood, 4 feet inside her home. Even more devastating was the news that after two weeks, the water was still standing. Once again like the rest of the residents of our great city, Marianne was in shock. But shock soon turned to

Inside New Orleans

fierce determination—determination to get back to her beloved home and ascertain the damage.

After three weeks, she returned to her neighborhood, which was eerily silent, but still seemingly intact. The beautiful oak-lined drive was still there, albeit a little less majestic. But the standing water had taken its toll. To add insult to injury, a sewer line had erupted nearby, which added an indescribable pungency to the already musty stench that hung in the air like a fog.

Above: A gorgeous

photos courtesy: GREEN PARROT DESIGN

Louis Philippe commode and mirror are flanked by a pair of brilliant antique sconces that were Katrina survivors. Left: A beautiful painted canape from Tara

After a few tears, she mustered up the rigorous fortitude to start the rebuilding process.

It didn’t take long for Marianne’s sorrow to turn to joy, her defeat into excitement—she now had the opportunity to reinvent her look! It only took a moment for her to decide that she wanted to go for a completely different style than what she had. Whereas before, her home had been very formal and traditional, steeped in deep, rich jewel tones, Marianne’s plethora of antiques was >>

Shaw updated in a Cowtan & Tout animal print sits in the entry.

The colonial-style staircase’s wooden spindles were replaced with metal stems and a brass handrail.

August-September 2015 33

photos courtesy: GREEN PARROT DESIGN

Top: Grounded by gorgeous antique pine wood floors, the kitchen is sleek and ultra-modern. Above: Complete with a pool table, flat-screen TV and air hockey table, the formal living room became a space for fun and games.

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Inside New Orleans

covered in what became known as “Katrina patina.”

Now she desired a fresh, clean aesthetic mixed with some very contemporary elements. She said to me, “Gert (as she so fondly calls me … Gertrude is my real name, but don’t tell anyone), I want an entirely different look this time.”

The first step was to take up the badly damaged black and white marble floor in the entry that set the

traditional tone as you stepped into the house. The classic checkerboard was replaced with a herringbone pattern of creamy beige travertine.

The tired wooden spindles and handrail of the colonial-style staircase were replaced with metal stems and a brass handrail. (Fun fact: As a child, I well remember playing on the grand staircase in Marianne’s home, as it was my paternal great-grandfather who built the house in 1942. How wild is that?) The fresh look of a cocoa wool and sisal runner replaced the more traditional stair carpet. The entry is anchored by a gorgeous Louis Philippe commode and mirror, which are flanked by a pair of brilliant antique sconces that were Katrina survivors. The Fifi Laughlin Paris lamp adds just the right touch of elegant whimsy.

What used to be a formal dining >>

room that only was used three times a year became a delightful family den. With its proximity to the kitchen, the new den quickly became the “hang-out” space for the family. An acrylic cocktail table by Allan Knight is the central spark in the room. But the real showstopper is the geometric-patterned, black and creampainted floor by Keith Guy, Inc. Another unused room was the formal living room on the other side of the house. “No more unused space. I want every room in this house full of life,” said Marianne. So with the purchase of a pool table, a giant flatscreen TV and bar-height tables and stools, the once-ceremonious parlor became a relaxed haven for Marianne’s three children and their friends.

The glassed-in sunporch with a grand view of the expansive yard and pool is home to a grouping of Michael Taylor iron garden furniture, which was among the few furniture survivors of Katrina’s wake. The pieces now enjoy a new life in a Travers lime green zebra print on linen. Everyone fights over a down-filled oversized chaise in a cloudsoft Randolph & Hein chenille. Another Allan Knight acrylic piece floats in front of a wall of glass, with a jungle of greenery as its backdrop.

The kitchen is the real jewel of the house. Grounded by gorgeous antique pine wood floors, the rest of the room

photos courtesy: GREEN PARROT DESIGN

is sleek and ultra-modern—all white with beautiful expansive statuary marble counters and backsplash. The cabinetry, along with an entire wall of refrigeration, was brilliantly designed by John Lagarde of Classic Cupboards.

A bleached-wood table by Marjorie Skouras rests under a pair of contemporary mirrored orbs and is surrounded by iconic 1955 Tulip chairs. Seen through a doorway that leads to the den, a large canvas by Suk Ja Kang hangs on the far wall as a delightful pop of red that catches the eye.

One phenomenon in the realm of interior design after Katrina was that some clients wanted everything refinished and replaced exactly as it was before the storm, seeking the solace and order that they had enjoyed before the destruction of the floodwaters. Others, like my dear friend Marianne, stepped boldly into a new beginning, a chance to reinvent the character and tone of her home to reflect a new chapter of her life.

As the old saying goes, “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”

Opposite page: A bleachedwood table by Marjorie Skouras rests under a pair of contemporary mirrored orbs and is surrounded by iconic 1955 Tulip chairs.

Through the doorway, a large canvas by Suk Ja Kang hangs on the far wall.

Above: The entry floor is in a herringbone pattern of creamy beige travertine.

A cocoa wool and sisal runner replaced the more traditional stair carpet.

The original Winnifred Ross chandelier remains in the foyer, as it was above the waterline. Left: A gallery of Mark Willems drawings hangs above two occasional chairs covered in Great Plains linen.

August-September 2015 37

Traces

photo: BOB GRAHAM

by Leah Draffen

Holly Sarré Folk Artist, Flood Series

Above left: Holly Sarré in front of some of the Flood Series works she has kept over the 10-year span.

Above right: From the Flood Series, vibrant Good to Go! shares a rescue scene.

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“After the storm, it felt like you would want to be anywhere else, but in fact, there was no place else I wanted to be,” says folk artist Holly Sarré. Holly has used her art and her sense of recovery to capture the emotions so many have felt following Katrina. “I wanted to be a part of the rebuilding of the city that has been home to so many in my family before me.”

Holly’s art-rich family history in New Orleans can be traced back for five generations. Her relatives include Henry W. Sarré and Carmen G. Sarré, both recognized as New Orleans artists in Who Was Who in American Art. Henry W. Sarré came to Louisiana as an art restorer to work with the St. Louis Cathedral. Her father was a painter and musician—as well as soldier in General Patton’s Third Army.

“My father identified more with music. I was in music classes at the time I began painting in grade school. My mother encouraged me to paint, but I don’t think I had the patience in my youth.”

Holly found her patience and desire to paint while living in Manhattan in the ’80s. She dabbled in sales, television production and more before circling back to art. She says, “I wore lots of hats, but really could never find what felt most right until I was alone and started painting again in my late ’20s in New York.

Inside New Orleans

So I decided to come home to New Orleans where the rent was cheaper and I could really hone my craft.” Holly began painting full-time, nestled in her Uptown home.

After Katrina, Holly returned fairly quickly to find her physical possessions still intact. “I went home thinking that I was going to go right back to work selling my art on Jackson Square. I did, but I was the only one out there for quite some time.” Holly’s Flood Series began after listening to the numerous storm stories everyone had to tell. Selling her art at the first Jazz Fest after the storm opened her up to hear story after story of sadness and survival. “I thought my boots would flood from all of the tears.”

Those stories began to flood Holly’s mind with therapeutic ways to convey

the rescue and recovery. “It was all you could think about. You walked outside and the refrigerator wars were happening—so there was comedy in everyone moving their stinky fridges around,” Holly chuckles. “Even in tragedy, New Orleanians have this tremendous sense of humor. I didn’t try to make my paintings funny. My thoughts were poignant, but within it all, I got my groove back.” With now over 100 paintings in the Flood Series, Holly is happy that she has recorded the months and 10 years following the storm.

“My paintings aren’t as heart wrenching as some of the pieces out there. I even paint beads in the trees— that hurricane couldn’t blow all the beads out of trees around Napoleon and St. Charles. They’re still there—faded, but nonetheless there.” Her vibrant and vivid works shed an almost positive light, making them easier to hang on the wall of a rebuilt home. The bright images celebrate the living through it.

As a self-taught artist, Holly’s works are easily recognized. She has been featured in the Contemporary Arts Center’s NOLA NOW and Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s Louisiana Contemporary. “Even coming from a very studied art background, I have never taken a class. If I take a class, I can’t be a folk artist anymore.”

Holly’s authentic portrayal of the days following the storm shares the fighting spirit of New Orleanians and the determination it took to come back better than before. “I could paint pictures of New York that were pretty, but they never had the soul of my New Orleans pieces. They come from somewhere deep inside. New Orleans is something to be passionate about.”

August-September 2015 39

by Steven Mills

Above: Leslie Kramer gives Charlie a treat in front of the new barn being added to the farm.

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I WAS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD when I met a horse for the first time, and I have been reined in ever since. Riding is a sport that you can participate in your whole life. Knowing it will always be there, I can take time to discover other things that I’m passionate about—although nothing will ever compare to the way horses have captured my spirit.

In 2012, I began training at Equest Farm in City Park. One of the first people I met was Leslie Kramer, the head of operations and owner of the farm with her two sisters, Mary Antonini and Ellen Addison. All three welcomed me; they possess very different personalities, but they share the same passion for the farm and horses.

After I arranged with Leslie to interview her for

Inside New Orleans

this article, I walked through the front gate at Equest Farm and continued through the canopy of crepe myrtles that line each side of the concrete pathway.

A new barn being built at the front of the property instantly caught my gaze as I perused the grounds, taking in deep breaths of the fresh air.

Located several miles from the vibrant streets of the French Quarter, Equest Farm provides the perfect retreat for someone looking to escape reality. Leslie and I sat at a picnic table on the edge of the property next to the lagoon that separates the horse pastures from the main road. There is always a nice breeze at Equest, partly because of its proximity to water. I asked Leslie how she began riding horses, and that served as an introduction to the Equest story.

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Back in the Saddle

Equest Farm at City Park

A simple Sunday trail riding tradition with her father and older sister, Mary, sparked Leslie’s lifelong connection with horses. She says, “I grew up in Lakeview, just 12 blocks from the barn in City Park.” At a young age, Leslie found herself wanting to do things at the farm so that it could look its best.

“I always wanted to clean the place up—it was a mess,” she recalls. “I would constantly sweep. There were holes in front of the stalls because there was no concrete; no one ever fixed it up.” Her mom also took them to the Audubon Park Stable for Englishstyle riding lessons, but it was the quaint farm in City Park that kept Leslie intrigued. “I was the kid who rode my bike here and worked to ride,” she explains.

“We couldn’t afford to ride. I would clean stalls and >> August-September 2015 41

brush horses just to ride someone else’s horse. By the time we did get a horse, my sister and I were sharing it. I was the groom and she was the rider. Secondchild syndrome!”

Years passed as horses remained a constant factor in Leslie’s life, but she decided to take time off when she attended college and started a family of her own. She resumed her passion when her young daughter, Katie, wanted to ride—it’s safe to say riding horses runs deep in the veins of their family.

In March 2000, Leslie and her two sisters signed the lease for Equest Farm and finally got the opportunity to clean up the barn where they had been riding since they were children.

They did a complete overhaul to their liking, turning three stalls into two so the horses had ample room. “I might have had my eyes set on this a long time ago, but when asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, this was definitely not it,” Leslie says with a cheery laugh.

“I don’t know what I answered, but owning a barn was not it!”

After only a short time of enjoying the restored farm, Hurricane Katrina came in and washed it all out. “We got the horses out of harm’s way,” says Leslie. A good custodian of the animals, she had a well-thought-out evacuation plan from day one; they removed a total of 91 lesson and show horses from the premises.

When the city finally reopened, Leslie painstakingly returned to confirm what she already knew was going to be an immense amount of devastation. Her unsalvageable home in Lakeview was gutted and sold. Her husband’s dental clinic was flooded. The family’s metal fabricating plant, Cembell Industries, was in Chalmette. “We had over 25 feet of water in those buildings, so we decided to purchase a competitor in LaPlace and 42

Inside New Orleans

Clockwise from left:

photos courtesy: EQUEST FARM

photo courtesy: LIBBY RUDOLF

Libby Rudolf and Caruso; aerial view of Equest Farm on September 5, 2005; present-day aerial view of Equest Farm.

move everything there. It was a big risk, but our clients waited for us and gave us all the business we could handle—because we stayed.”

Leslie’s husband ultimately convinced her that there was hope for the farm. “When we saw the barn, he told me, ‘This doesn’t look too bad. I think you can rebuild.’” Although Leslie thought him to be a bit crazy—there was over $500,000 worth of damage, trees down everywhere, jumps scattered throughout the neighborhood and no flood insurance policy to help—she now sees the method behind his madness.

Their home, their sense of safety, was taken from them. “Rebuilding the farm gave me something to do because our house wasn’t doable,” she says. “We gathered the whole family at our farm in Mississippi and made the decision to come back. Because if we didn’t come back, who would?”

Leslie had no clue where to begin. The only money received from insurance was for the roof.

Before she had made a final decision on rebuilding, Leslie received a phone call that sparked everything into motion. “A guy called me and said he was coming in as a FEMA clean-up crew. He heard we had parking and offered to help us clean our property in exchange for being able to camp here.

They cleaned up over 30 semis of trash. His name was Bill Christmas and I was like ‘Ho, ho, ho—Merry >> August-September 2015 43

Clockwise from right: The covered ring’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, with sisters Leslie, Ellen and Mary surrounded by family and others who contributed to its completion in 2013; the covered ring was

and Justin; Pomme de Cour, known as Pomme, shows off for the camera.

Christmas—this is a joke, right?’ But it wasn’t! He meant it, and he showed up.”

Leslie is always laughing and making jokes; it is part of her charisma and what keeps her spirits up. “I was about to give up when I got another call out of the blue from a man who offered to help. He was the man who built the stables in Audubon Park. With his donation and the $160,000 I got for the roof, I put this place back together.”

Just days before bringing the horses back to the farm, Leslie received another call that changed everything. One of the boarders informed her that the show horse boarders were not planning to return.

Leslie says, “She told me that her clients don’t want to drive through that neighborhood to go ride their horses—they don’t want to look at that [destruction].

That was their prerogative. It was ironic, because the >> 44

Inside New Orleans

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Leslie’s nephews, Cyrus

photo: LIBBY RUDOLF

dedicated in memory of

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

reason I came back was for them. When they didn’t come back, I didn’t know how I’d make it, truthfully, because financially we were on shaky legs. We reopened with seven school horses and nine boarded horses, which is almost nothing.”

Despite the major loss of clients, Equest Farm welcomed the horses back in December 2005. It took months of hard work, bartering and countless volunteers to put the place back together. Leslie says, “We just got started, and people came from all over the place. They wanted to ride. It was an oasis in the middle of the neighborhood. It had all been under water, and we were the only people back in the park for two years. It really renewed my faith in my fellow man when so many people came to help in little ways.”

Even when Leslie painted the exterior of the barn the wrong color, the community kept coming out to help.

“I thought I was buying tan paint, and it turned out to be pink,” she chuckles.

“I painted the barn pink. Everyone was saying ‘Why’d you paint the barn pink?’

Paint was so expensive I couldn’t take it back! I like pink, so what’s wrong with a pink barn?”

The barn wasn’t the only thing that was updated. Instead of focusing her energy on the show boarders, Leslie turned her attention to the lesson program. “Katrina changed Equest’s focus as a business,” she explains. “It wasn’t the show customers that brought >> continued on page 48

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Inside New Orleans

photos: LIBBY RUDOLF

Equest Farm is located on 27 beautiful acres in the north section of New Orleans’ City Park. This marvelous backdrop allows students, riders and the public an extraordinary outdoor experience within the confines of a major American city. Equest provides equestrian opportunities for ages 6 to 106, from simply visiting the horses at the stables to boarding a horse and competing at a national level in the USEF competitions for Hunters and Jumpers.

Summer camps, field trips, lesson birthday parties, family rides, daily lessons and a multitude of other outside activities are offered at the farm. The riding school, under the direction of Kristen Swope, has become one of the best in the southern region. From beginners to experienced show riders, the school caters to all levels of experience. All lessons are English-style Hunter/Jumper, taught in a ring with a friendly, experienced instructor. Private and group lessons are available for children and adults. As part of the lesson program, riders are taught how to care for the horses and practice safety when handling horses and ponies.

The farm makes boarding and training possible for those who want to have their horse in the city. For visitors from out of town, group rides are available by appointment only.

Equest Farm features: two massive rings with full jumping tracks; multiple smaller rings; a large grass track; covered viewing area between the two main rings; private, semi-private, and group turnout paddocks; state-of-the-art, six-stall Eurociser horse walker; onsite tack shop; and farm staff on the property 24/7.

The 41-stall boarder barn features: oversize 12 x 14 stalls; openair layout; screens for shade; stall guards and grated sliding doors; large fans on each stall; grooming stations; indoor wash racks with hot and cold water; outdoor cold water wash rack; private tack rooms and large tack lockers for boarders; bathrooms for clients and visitors.

The 50-stall lesson barn features: 25 12 x 12 stalls for lesson

Equest Farm horses and ponies; 25 stalls used for storage and visiting horses; openair layout; large fans on each stall; grooming stations; attached sheds for safe feed and hay storage.

All-inclusive full-care stall board includes: stall cleaning twice per day; customized feed plan; supplements given free of charge (owner supplied); choice of grass hay, alfalfa or both; fly spray/masks administered during the summer; blanketing in the winter; up to 12 hours of personalized turnout each day; initial and small-scale medical attention provided; scheduling of routine vet and farrier care as well as holding for appointments; two large water buckets; full access to the farm’s facilities; ability to take horse off-property to ride in City Park; choice of multiple trainers; option of attending numerous AA- and A-rated shows around the country; option of lesson and training packages at a discounted cost.

Equest Farm is located at 1001 Filmore Avenue in New Orleans. (504) 483-9398. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit equestfarm.com.

August-September 2015 47

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

continued from page 46

Charlie and Leslie Kramer.

us back. It was all of our neighborhood friends and the people who came to ride once a week. So we changed our focus to the riding school and doing more things like birthday parties and camps. That’s what the community wanted. They’re the ones that brought us back.”

In order to make this change, Leslie hired a new director for the riding school program, Kristen Swope.

Together, they made sure they created a riding school that would benefit the community that was there for them when the farm needed help. Once that was accomplished, they turned their energy toward the summer camp program to offer opportunities for kids to come out and be involved.

While this year marks the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, it is the first year that Equest Farm has profited since the devastation. The farm 48

Inside New Orleans

has undergone many transformations and is in the best shape it has ever been.

“It was a struggle to rebuild. I don’t think I came up for air for three years straight,” says Leslie.

In 2012, tragedy struck the family once more when Mary lost her son, Cyrus. Almost one year later, Ellen’s son, Justin, was killed in an accident.

“When Cyrus died, the lease was up for bid on the farm. We were putting a proposal together, and it became very contentious. When I was out running with Mary, I told her if this taught me anything, it’s that you’re not guaranteed tomorrow—why don’t we just give it up? She looked at me and said, ‘You don’t get it. Without the horses, I won’t survive this.’ I said OK, looks like were going for it!”

They won the bid for the farm and signed the lease for another 19 years.

Leslie hopes to have the farm operating

as a foundation within the next five years so that it will be managed when she is no longer able to do it herself.

Since re-signing the lease, they have acquired more land and built a covered arena on the property. “We put up the covered ring, which was accomplished through donations, in 2013. It was dedicated to Cyrus and Justin. The things we lost in Katrina were nothing compared to losing my nephews.”

Leslie says, “This year, our goal is to start finding appropriate horses for those in the riding school program to finally have a horse of their own. We want to go to more local schooling shows and eventually start having some small shows here. I’ve learned in this business that you take it a step at a time; you cannot be good at everything.”

The business has made Leslie a bit tougher than she would like to be, but if she weren’t, then nothing would ever get accomplished. “For a lot of people, I think in a way Katrina defined their strengths and weaknesses. I walked away from that with two things: my sense of humor and my work ethic. With those, you’re fine in life. All the trappings don’t matter. When bad things happen, that’s how you’re defined—whether you’re a survivor or not.

“Coming back was a big gamble, but I have to say the benefits, the people I’ve met and the things we’ve done have been really neat. It’s rewarding, it really is—things like the little bitty kids who jump out of the car and can’t wait to ride Snoopy or Buttercup. Fast forward a few years and the same little kids are telling me they’re heading off to college, and I’m shocked at how fast time goes by!

“When you get here in the morning, and the sun’s still coming up, you see how beautiful a place this really is.

That’s when everything is worth it.”

August-September 2015 49

Wine Cellar

by Bill Kearney

Rosé SUMMER IS LINGERING. The days are longer and certainly hotter. If you are in New Orleans, in addition to the ever-present heat, you are awarded with the stickiness of humidity. This dynamic duo of weather makes sipping luscious wines like cabernet a bit challenging for my palate. When sitting on the beach, a nice glass of Châteauneufdu-Pape just does not work for many of us.

But alas, the world of wine has found a wonderful solution that is crisp and refreshing.

Rosé wines offer a light alternative to other wines, providing a delightful, albeit momentary, reprieve from the heat of summer. While not necessarily offering the complexities that a chilled glass of Burgundy or

50

Inside New Orleans

chardonnay may offer, rosé is a crowd pleaser that inspires a sense of fun. The pink- or salmon-colored rosé wines are generally very consumer friendly in terms of pricing and are made to be quaffed in their youth. They can also take on colors of peach, grapefruit or mango, depending upon the grape varietals they are derived from as well as the length of time they are in contact with the skins of the grapes.

Rosé wines have likely been around longer than any other wine; the Romans and French have been making them for centuries. An ages-old staple of the European diet, they were generally unappreciated by the American consumer. But, like so much in our society, that has changed drastically. Like other wines,

rosé consumption has seen an explosion of popularity here as we have become the largest wine-consuming country in the world. There are now rosé wines available from many different regions around the world and from numerous varietals, with varying degrees of style and quality. France (primarily the regions of Champagne, Burgundy, Rhône and Provence), Italy, Spain, California and Washington are but some of the areas that produce rosé wine.

In my mind, the French wines of Provence deliver some of the purest, most interesting—and fun—rosé wines. Several producers from Provence in the marketplace represent a great value, exhibiting traits that are soft and floral with a delightful crispness.

Triennes is one of the wonderful Provencal rosés that deliver a wonderful mix of berries and citrus flavors. Many of these wines will suggest a tasteful blend of orange peel and grapefruit, yielding the refreshing taste that we seek during summer months.

Clos Alivu Patrimonio and Janasse Principaute d’Orange are value-driven quality rosé wines that deliver endless poolside pleasure.

Two rosé producers seem to ensure a level of quality that can place them in a different price category for their upper-level wines. Domaine Ott creates several different levels of rosé that are all quite nice. Their upper-level wines are not in abundant supply but are worth the investment of time and resources. Chateau d’Esclans is focused on a mission of creating world-class rosé that is simply unparalleled. Fortunately, they produce wines at several different levels, and I would suggest seeking out whichever one meets your desires and pocketbook.

Chateau d’Esclans produces Whispering Angel as an entry level, and it is quite delightful. They also produce Rock Angel, Les Garrus and Les Clans, which occupy a category of super-premium rosés that is without equal. When Sacha Lichin, of world-famous Bordeaux Chateau Prieure-Lichine, purchased Chateau d’Esclans in 2006, he knew he found

wines that were ageworthy. These wines are also Burgundian in style and quality and should be cherished when found. They are wonderful, but rosé is meant to be a fun wine that can be consumed any day of the week for any reason.

Rosé is truly about summer, and it should be consumed with a summer sense of nostalgic enjoyment.

No matter which rosé you choose, as long as you enjoy it, it and life are good.

August-September 2015 51

At the Table

by Tom Fitzmorris

I CAN—AND FREQUENTLY DO—get a hearty round of applause from an audience just by mentioning two numbers: 809 and 1408.

The first is the number of real restaurants open in the New Orleans metropolitan area on Saturday, August 27, 2005—two days before Hurricane Katrina pushed through the city. The second is the number of restaurants now open in the same area as I write this on June 29, 2015.

Some people find these data hard to believe. How could there possibly be a 74 percent increase in the restaurant community in 10 years? Especially if the population of New Orleans is supposed to be lower than it was pre-K? I’d ask the same questions if I hadn’t been keeping track of these statistics on a 52

Inside New Orleans

daily basis since before the storm.

But something I witnessed six weeks after the hurricane made me certain that New Orleans restaurants—and the city of which they are an essential part—would bounce back with just such a vengeance as the numbers indicate.

On October 12, 2005, I got this email from a reader of my web site: “I saw in your newsletter that you’re back in town. My wife and I have a reservation for eight o’clock this Friday at Restaurant August. She said that even though we don’t really know you, that you really ought to join us as our guest. Please say yes!”

How could I say no? I had just returned to New Orleans after six weeks of evacuation. I was home alone, while my

illustration: GRETCHEN ARMBRUSTER

New Orleans Food Culture

The Spirit of Post-K Rebirth wife and two teenage children remained where we evacuated in Washington, D.C. Like most New Orleanians, we were uncertain about the future of the city. Our homes were destroyed and our networks of friends, connections, businesses and pleasures were defunct. Many people had already moved out of town permanently, just to keep their lives going. The city itself was a strange place. Large parts of it were still ghost towns, very spooky at night.

Power and water were sketchy commodities.

When I showed up for dinner at August, even the unflooded CBD and French Quarter were still semi-lawless. I parked my car on a sidewalk behind a fire hydrant, knowing I would not be ticketed, let alone towed. I opened the restaurant’s

door and pushed into the crowded bar.

Nearly every face I saw was familiar. Some were friends, some were prominent New Orleanians, some both. Most of the men wore jackets and ties, as did I. The women were dressed beautifully.

For the next ten or fifteen minutes, these people and I gave each other the Katrina Hug. In those days, that’s how we said, “My God! You’re still alive!” Since well over a thousand people died as a result of the storm, we meant this sincerely. While hugging and listening, I scanned the room for my hosts. I saw three people I didn’t recognize sitting in the corner of the bar. I figured that must be them.

It was. They had a bottle of Veuve Cliquot open and a glass of it poured for me >> August-September 2015 53

by the time I elbowed my way to their table. I gave the Katrina Hug to these strangers. And so began a dinner that will never fade from my memory.

Fifteen or twenty minutes after our table opened up, a young woman wearing a Restaurant August T-shirt— not the standard uniform of this restaurant by a long shot—walked up with smile and perspiration. “Welcome to August!” she said. “I’m Debbie, and I’ll be your waitress tonight. I’ll be back in about a half-hour! Bye!” We looked at each other and laughed. Restaurant August typically has two dozen servers in the dining room and eleven cooks in the kitchen.

Tonight, to serve more customers than the restaurant could really hold, they had to make do with three servers and two cooks. The whereabouts and fates of the absentees were still mostly unknown.

One of the cooks was August’s chef and co-owner, John Besh. He was one of the two or three hottest chefs in town, with a growing national reputation. Besh got back to work right after the storm, setting up a propane burner to cook red beans and rice for the police, firemen, and everyone else who was trying the get the lid back on.

And to anyone else who came by.

Restaurants began to reopen at the end of September, using paper and plastic service ware and bottled water.

(The city’s water system was dubious.)

While Besh cooked his beans, other chefs who could get back to town were serving hamburgers, meat loaf and the like.

The customers, however, had different ideas. They asked Besh and his fellow chefs when they would get back to their restaurants’ regular menus. Where were the gnocchi with the crabmeat and truffles? Where are 54

Inside New Orleans

photos courtesy: BESH RESTAURANT GROUP

the oysters and soft-shell crabs? Barbecue shrimp?

Foie gras?

These were not the desires of callous people out of touch with the reality of the disaster. Indeed, many of them were living with friends or family. Eighty percent of the city was uninhabitable. The future of New Orleans was in grave doubt. Yet there we were, dressed up, dining and drinking as if nothing had happened. If we could find this essence of living in New Orleans—this eating and drinking like nobody in the world does the way we do— well, then, it might be possible to go on.

So, we went on. We cooked and ate not just to fill our stomachs, but to live the life, eating and drinking with relieved abandon.

The urgent return to New Orleans food cut across all of society’s imaginary lines. Rich to poor, black to white, comfortable to homeless. We ate the military MREs only until we could get into a restaurant with some shrimp, crabmeat, gumbo and grilled pompano.

Every restaurant that found enough employees (and that was a big problem) overflowed with customers who didn’t seem to care how long the wait for a table or limited the menu. They’d just get a drink (and probably a few more) and wait it out. The wine and liquor wholesalers said there never was such a time, as all volume records were broken. People had a lot of time on their hands, perhaps on furlough from their jobs. Money didn’t seem to be a problem. Insurance was coming in, and everybody got a $2,000 check from FEMA. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

My list of open restaurants was much referred to and widely quoted nationally. It showed a lot of interesting facts. For example, Commander’s Palace would be two years in reopening. Mr. B’s took even longer to return. The restaurant more people asked about than any other was, of all places, Charlie’s Steak House. Almost none of the chain

restaurants wanted to take a chance on reopening.

And even though most people supposed that the little neighborhood eateries would have the greatest grief, in fact more of them opened than at any time in history. Meanwhile, the major restaurants in the French Quarter, bereft of tourist business, were in deep trouble. There was even talk that Antoine’s might have to close.

Ten years later, my restaurant list continues to grow. And when I look back, I can’t help but think that if the restaurants had not reopened and commenced cooking real New Orleans food … if Drago’s hadn’t given away 77,000 meals to anyone who came to their door … if Ralph Brennan hadn’t reopened Bacco and the Red Fish Grill before the end of September … if the Vietnamese restaurateurs in the East hadn’t gone back to work despite the unbelievable damage there … and if Antoine’s hadn’t reopened on December 29, 2005 … , the city probably would not have come back as quickly.

Maybe it would have returned as only an average American city with really bad infrastructure.

But the New Orleans food culture was here, and it saved us all.

Chef John Besh and the staff of August feeding residents in the days after Katrina.

August-September 2015 55

Telling the Story The National WWII Museum

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

by Kate Brevard

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Inside New Orleans

photos courtesy: THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM

MORE THAN 25 YEARS AGO, fellow professors and best friends Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, Ph.D., and Stephen E. Ambrose, Ph.D., often spoke over glasses of sherry about establishing a small museum devoted to D-Day. But they never imagined in their wildest dreams that their vision would turn into the victorious and all-encompassing salute to World War II that now stands on six acres of prime real estate in downtown New Orleans.

As I wait in the sleek, warehouse-like offices above The National WWII Museum for my interview with Nick Mueller to begin, I take in the environment around me. What makes the biggest impression are the many ceremonial groundbreaking shovels that are mounted on the soaring walls. I don’t have time to count them, but the words “growth and expansion”

come immediately to mind.

The Museum is only 15 years old, but it boasts the largest membership of any museum in the nation, with over 140,000 subscribers—double that of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. To give some perspective on what an accomplishment this is, especially in such a short period of time, The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s earliest roots date back to 1866. The Met has had 149 years to build up its membership roster, and yet it still adds up to only half of The National WWII Museum’s enrollment!

Mild-mannered and soft-spoken Nick Mueller explains, “It was just a small idea at the time, and we thought it would be a small museum at the Lakefront.

But it turned out to be a very big idea and a very powerful attraction to so many Americans.”

The Museum has proven to be a powerful attraction. Its attendance continues to be record breaking, with 485,000 visitors in 2014. The turnout >>

Opposite page: President and CEO of the National WWII Museum Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, Ph.D., pays tribute to veterans on D-Day 2013.

Top: The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion.

Above: Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, Ph.D., and Stephen E. Ambrose, Ph. D., in 1990. Left: Higgins Industries factory in New Orleans was the inspiration for the museum’s location in New Orleans.

August-September 2015 57

The Beginning Top: General Dwight D. Eisenhower speaks with Lieutenant Wallace C. Strobel, a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, at Greenham Common airfield on the evening of June 5, 1944. Shortly after, the men of the 101st boarded C-47 troop transports and departed for Normandy.

Right: The Grand Opening of the National D-Day Museum, which was attended by more than 200,000 guests.

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Stephen Ambrose is the bestselling author of Band of Brothers, which was made into an HBO miniseries for which he was executive producer. Stephen also wrote an acclaimed multi-volume biography of Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower, as well as D-Day and Citizen Soldier, both New York Times bestsellers.

Nick Mueller spent 33 years at The University of New Orleans as a history professor, dean, vicechancellor and founding president of the Research and Technology Park and founder of UNO’s Metropolitan College, Business-Higher Education Council and the university’s International Study Programs.

Nick says, “In 1990, I was vice-chancellor at UNO and Steve was a history professor and historian.

Steve had a dream of opening a museum to house his collection of WWII oral histories and artifacts. He had assembled these things while doing research for his book—and that was the beginning.”

Inside New Orleans

photos courtesy: THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM

is up by 20 percent this year, and more than 600,000 patrons are expected next year. Nick says, “I think the future of the Museum is now secure. There were some ups and downs in the 1990s. And, even after we opened, we had to overcome Katrina and the economic crash of 2008. Over 80 percent of these visitors are from out of town, and about half of them come specifically to New Orleans to see it. They have a tremendous economic impact on the city.”

There was never a question in either Nick or Stephen’s mind that their museum would be in New Orleans. Nick says, “That’s the question I get asked most, ‘Why New Orleans?’ Well, first of all we were here, Steve and I. And then, there’s the significance of the Higgins boats—the landing craft that were built in New Orleans by Andrew Higgins, the man Eisenhower said, ‘won the war for us.’”

Nick explains the importance and brilliance of Higgins’ boats. As it became more apparent that the United States was going to war, the military wondered how they were going to get men ashore in Asia and in Europe. In 1940, there were no landing craft of any kind. “Higgins had developed a boat for his lumber business to drag lumber out of the swamps. He was convinced it would be the perfect landing craft for a small group of 30 guys, says Nick. “Eisenhower said that Higgins’ landing boats changed the whole strategy and tactics of the war.

If you could take landing craft onto an open beach, Hitler and the Japanese had to defend all of the open beaches of the Pacific and Northern Europe instead of just the heavily defended ports. The war and the Holocaust would have gone on longer—and maybe we wouldn’t have won the war.”

Nick and Stephen’s D-Day Museum successfully opened on June 6, 2000, after many years of hard work, planning and petitioning Congress for federal money for the start-up costs. Nick was appointed president and CEO of the Museum, positions he still holds today, 15 years later.

Expansion Into The Future After the opening in 2000, Nick and Stephen began to explore the idea of expanding the D-Day Museum to incorporate the history of all of World War II. In order to do this, they needed more money and a master plan. “It took us three years of strategizing, but we adopted a campaign goal of $325 million,” says Nick.

Stephen died in October 2002 and would unfortunately never see the completion of the expansion. On September 25, 2003, the United States Congress awarded the Museum the designation of “America’s National World War II Museum.” Nick says proudly, “That’s when we changed our name and our mission. We received funds from private donors and Congress to acquire the extra three blocks of land that we needed for this expansion. Then, in 2005, Katrina hit.”

Like almost every household and business in New Orleans, Katrina upended the Museum’s planned trajectory. “We had some minor roof damage but no flooding. The Museum itself and all of our collections were intact,” Nick says evenly. >> August-September 2015 59

to Northern Africa, which proved a valuable training ground for inexperienced soldiers.

Understandably, the board was concerned about the lack of revenue to support the Museum. There was no way to predict how long it would be before the hurricane-ravaged city would be up and running again with tourists, the Museum’s main source of income. Nick explains gratefully, “Fortunately, we had started a national campaign to acquire national members two years earlier. That campaign was just

photos courtesy: THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM

The Desert War Gallery takes viewers

beginning to break even, and it was those members who kept us afloat that year, literally.”

Three months after the storm, Nick called a flyin board meeting in the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport to determine the fate of the Museum. He was ultimately asked to present four or five different scenarios as to how to move forward. Eventually, the board agreed to a conservative expansion strategy. Nick says, “I told the board the veterans who are still alive need this Museum. It’s a testimony to America’s great achievements in World War II in helping the Allies secure victory over fascism in Europe and Asia to preserve our freedom and democracy as we’ve come to know it.”

Since Katrina, the Museum has raised almost $250 million from Congress, private funds, the State of Louisiana and tax credits. In order to complete the capital expansion project, another $80 million is needed. Based on the continued success of the fundraising, the projected completion date of the campus is 2018. Once finished, the size of the original facility will be quadrupled, pioneering programs and exhibit spaces will be added, the

library and archives will be enhanced and the collections and conservation spaces will be expanded.

Ten years ago, Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast and New Orleans like Patton and his Third Army swept across Europe. But, with time and reflection, most survivors of the crushing hurricane have learned some important, even positive, lessons. “The future of the Museum is not only the completion of the grounds but the modernization of our educational mission. Katrina helped us understand that if visitors can’t physically come to the Museum, than you must have another way to reach people with your story, wherever they are in the world.”

Nick’s eyes light up as he talks about how the Museum is making its assets accessible via the Internet and the cutting-edge changes taking place behind the scenes. “All of our photographs and our oral histories are being digitized. And our artifacts are being made into three-dimensional images. You’ll be able to come to the Museum from Idaho via the Internet and find out about battles in Italy, by military unit, by the name of the battle, for example.

These are all very powerful tools.”

In addition to the educational programs currently offered, the Museum is planning to provide online teacher education programs across the country, longdistance education programs and degree programs with universities on World War II history.

World War II was my parents’ generation. I remember them telling me stories of rationing butter,

The Higgins Industries artifacts display shows the connection between New Orleans and the Normandy beaches.

>>

August-September 2015 61

photo: © DAVID G. SPIELMAN

Above: The B-17E Flying Fortress “My Gal Sal” in the monumental U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center.

Right: Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, Ph.D. 62

black-out regulations and being frightened when the air raid sirens would sound. I learned about the basics of WWII in school some 30-odd years ago; however, I sadly cannot recite the specifics intelligently. And the generations after me, Gen Y (the Millennials) and Gen Z (the iGeneration), seem even more clueless than I am. How does one even begin to teach a subject as vast as WWII to today’s youth?

Nick reverts to his former professorial mode and addresses this serious topic. “The most important

Inside New Orleans

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

thing is to get young people engaged and to tell them the story. We cannot tell the whole story, but we can stimulate their curiosity to read more and to learn more. Then we have a continuing relationship with these young people, and hopefully they’ll come here and become members.”

As Nick talks, I am reminded of something I’ve noticed on my visits to the Museum—a sizeable number of grandparents escorting their grandchildren through the exhibits. Maybe the older generation is taking on the responsibility of teaching the history, values and lasting significance of WWII to the younger generations so it doesn’t become a footnote in Wikipedia. The Museum is the perfect place to arouse children’s minds with its exciting exhibits, the 4D movie Beyond All Boundaries and new, state-of-the-art buildings. Very visual support from celebrities like Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, board member Drew Brees and Tom Brokaw certainly doesn’t hurt. Their celebrity status gives the Museum considerable media attention.

Nick wraps up prophetically, “The Museum tells a big story that many people in our country have sadly forgotten. We’re trying to change that and honor the veterans who fought that war. So we are telling that story—and telling it for the ages.”

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Building Blocks for a Better Tomorrow Michael Williamson President and CEO of United Way of Southeast Louisiana

Ten years ago, the world watched as the southeast Louisiana landscape and our lives were forever changed by Hurricane Katrina. Just three weeks later, Hurricane Rita arrived causing additional damage. And, then, as now, United Way of Southeast Louisiana will proudly say it was here for you.

In the past ten years, people in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes have been assisted more than 4 million times by United Way supported programs. Chances are someone you know was one of those people— perhaps a co-worker, neighbor, friend or family member—maybe even you. Partnering with individuals, businesses, nonprofits, faith-based groups and government, United Way continues rebuilding lives and communities by addressing priority needs. Immediately following the storms, efforts were concentrated on basics such as food, clothing, temporary shelter and medical support. Later, more complex needs were tackled such as critical mental health counseling, quality childcare so parents could go to work to support their families, and after school programs to keep kids safe and off the streets.

Our efforts resulted in 108+ million pounds of food distributed, 223,169 mental health counseling sessions held, 183,454 afterschool/enrichment services provided, 19,963 instances of quality childcare offered and 1.1 million community volunteer hours served!

Today United Way is focusing on three key building blocks for a good quality of life: education, health and income. United Way of

United Way of Southeast Louisiana Southeast Louisiana President and CEO Michael Williamson says, “United Way supports 113 programs for your children to your grandparents, that can help make our seven-parish region a safer, better place to live, work and raise our families. Working with community partners, we’ve helped prepare more than 41,000 tax returns for local residents. That has put nearly $32 million back into the pockets of low-wage earners through Earned Income Tax Credits, and resulted in almost $61 million in total tax refunds.”

Williamson says, “Through our public policy work, the most aggressive package of bills ever introduced to stop domestic violence was unanimously passed by the state legislature and signed into law. We’ve also advocated for high quality early education and more.” Williamson has been helping the 1.3 million people of our region since 2005— playing a pivotal role in raising more than $148 million. Following Katrina, he provided overall management and leadership to the United Way of America National Hurricane Response and Recovery Fund. When the chance for Williamson and his family to permanently move here opened, he answered with enthusiasm and purpose. “New families are flocking here to call the Crescent City home. Our region is changing and so are we,” Williamson says. “United Way believes everyone deserves opportunities to have a good life: a quality education leading to a stable job, comfortable family income and good health.

We ask everyone to aspire to change tomorrow starting today. What this place needs is you!

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The Salvation Army

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Greater New Orleans Area Command

by Winnie Brown and Amanda Trotenberg

Rebuilding Lives Every Day in Greater New Orleans Since 1885 “AT THE HEART OF HOPE, THERE IS RENEWAL.” On

Salvation Army’s collective mission is to “preach the gospel

August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina challenged The Salvation

and meet human needs.” In that vein, the organization provided

Army to fulfill this founding premise.

287,000 instances of spiritual care, 103,000 instances of

Five million meals, including four million cold drinks, 500,000 emotional care and sadly conducted 38 funerals. sandwiches and three million snacks. Almost

As relief moved into recovery following

four million articles of clothing, 737,000

the storm, The Salvation Army partnered

gallons of water and 200,000 family food

with other organizations to rebuild and

boxes. Medical care and first aid to over

refurbish homes and assist with relocation

29,000 people. All in the first four months

efforts. The Army’s EnvireNew initiative

after Hurricane Katrina. All provided by one

rebuilt homes in low-income areas

organization—The Salvation Army Greater

with the mission of keeping the homes

New Orleans Area Command.

consistent with the character and tradition

It would be impossible to commemorate

of New Orleans. Through a vast array of

the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina without

services, The Salvation Army participated

highlighting the work of The Salvation Army.

in the transition to independence and

The organization’s relief efforts following the

sustainability for millions impacted by the

storm repaired the shattered lives and the

storm.

broken hearts of millions.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, The

The Salvation Army is a first responder to natural and man-made disasters

Salvation Army was ready. Before the storm made landfall,

large and small, from Hurricane Katrina to last year’s tanker

the organization positioned over 50 mobile disaster canteens

explosion on Interstate 12. And since 1885, The Salvation Army

beyond the projected storm impact area, ready to deploy into

has been the first responder to hundreds of thousands of men,

New Orleans. In the seven months immediately following the

women and children in the

storm, those disaster canteen teams served enough food to provide three meals a day for over 1.6 million people. The 64

Inside New Orleans

Greater New Orleans area who experience the personal daily disaster of homelessness, poverty and despair.

A Worthy Calling

The Salvation Army Center of Hope on South Claiborne was the first area shelter to provide clean, safe emergency, transitional and residential shelters for families and women with children with resources directed at the child and family.

Until then, all other local shelters were dedicated to homeless single men and women. In addition to shelter and meals, the organization provides social work case management and resources for family health, nutrition, financial literacy, work training and permanent housing. The Salvation Army extends a hand out and a hand up. Its beneficiaries and residents are expected to be full partners in their recovery.

The result is thousands of lives transformed daily from hopelessness to self-sustainability.

In keeping with its mission statement, The Salvation Army provides services without discrimination, whenever and wherever needed. Just as The Salvation Army Greater New Orleans Area Command provided significant relief in aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, today it continues to provide critical services, rebuilding lives daily.

Holding true to its mission, The Salvation Army proves that “At the heart of hope, there is renewal.”

Majors David and Dawn Worthy have just completed their first year leading the Salvation Army in New Orleans—just one of many area commands they have served in their 17 years as officers in The Salvation Army.

When William and Catherine Booth, the founders of The Salvation Army, gave birth to the movement that would become one of the world’s largest faith-based social aid organizations, they envisioned an army of men and women fanning out across the world to “preach the gospel and meet human needs …” Today, the Salvation Army is active in 136 countries and every zip code in the United States. Its leadership is made up of commissioned officers who view their mission not as an occupation or a job, but as a Godgiven calling.

The Salvation Army requires much of its officers. Husband and wife serve together—a practice that has been in place since the organization’s inception in the 1860s. The Worthys believe that God uses them more effectively yoked together as a team.

Officers possess little, moving from post to post every three or four years as the organization demands. To make relocation transitions easier, their cars and homes belong to the organization. A small monthly stipend covers expenses. Paige, Connor and Jack, the Worthy’s three teenage children, have grown accustomed to learning new cities, attending new schools and making new friends every few years, although at this time none have plans to follow in their parents’ footsteps as officers.

Multi-generational Salvationists, the Worthys have served in a variety of administrative and management capacities throughout the southeastern United States—and are delighted to now call New Orleans home. Their work is their calling, and they consider part of their devout commitment to God finding tremendous joy in healing wounded hearts and mending broken lives.

The Salvation Army Greater New Orleans Area Command is located at 4526 S. Claiborne Ave., 899-4569. salvationarmyalm.org/nola August-September 2015 65

THE DIAMOND CAUGHT THE SUNLIGHT, hard to miss on the ring finger of the skeleton that had been unearthed. Mary Manhein took note, not so much of the diamond but of the multiple breaks in the fingers of the hand. There had been a struggle, no doubt. The body had been unearthed during installation of a septic system. It lay beneath a rose garden in what was once the home of Antoine and Colleen Hebert. Mary was the forensic anthropologist called in to identify the remains.

For this nationally recognized expert on the human skeleton, it’s all about listening to the

as an elective. She found its blend of mystery, history and science irresistible. She wanted more.

Four years later, she earned her master’s in forensic anthropology from LSU. She then worked in the Department of Geography and Anthropology on campus. After two years, the department anthropologist and his research associate left. “With both of them gone, I started doing everything—working with law enforcement and teaching intro classes. I remember wheeling bones across the campus for class. I loved teaching and getting the kids excited about

by Karen B. Gibbs

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bones—identifying the person whose essence they once contained—unraveling the mystery that death once masked. It’s proceeding with the conviction that her expertise will reveal their secrets. It’s knowing that, in so doing, she’ll ache for the mother who clings to hope, despite the passing of years. And even though she cannot replace the person, she can—and does—provide some peace to those who grieve.

Mary Manhein is one of the best in her field, yet hers was a career that almost didn’t happen. At 34 and the mother of two, she was a senior English major at LSU when she took an anthropology class

Inside New Orleans

anthropology.”

As fate would have it, Eileen Barrow, an older undergrad, took one of those intro courses. In it, she learned about facial reconstruction, something Mary had initiated in her department. “When she saw the facial imaging work I had begun, she wanted to do it. As an artist, it was right up her alley.” They made a good team. Mary analyzed bones to determine basic facts about the deceased; Eileen handled the time-consuming aspects of facial reconstruction and imaging.

This prompted Mary and Eileen to change the name of the laboratory to FACES—Forensic >>

photo: EDDY PEREZ, LSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

Mary Manhein built LSU’s forensic anthropology program into an industry leader

FACE TO FACE August-September 2015 67

Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services. Today, with more than 75 facial reconstructions to her credit, Eileen is now considered one of the best in the world. She recently retired from LSU, but her facial reconstructions continue to solve some of the country’s most perplexing mysteries.

One of the mysteries Mary and Eileen solved concerned a man missing from California for several years. His DNA was in the California database because he’d gotten into trouble there.

However, the officials there had no idea he’d died as an unidentified person in the woods of north Louisiana. “We took a bone and tooth sample from the remains to the State Police Crime Lab, where they analyzed the DNA and uploaded the results into the national CODIS database (Combined DNA Index System). Once we put his DNA in there—Boom! We identified him,” says Mary.

Results like these translated into grants from the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, among others.

“I used the grants to hire part-time assistants like Eileen. My assistants have always been paid by funds I’ve secured—they still are. We receive no money from LSU except for my salary.

When I took over, we survived on grants and the small fees we’d charge to help law enforcement agencies identify skeletal remains. If they couldn’t pay, I’d do them for free, because I wanted to build that rapport with law enforcement. Fortunately, we no longer charge for that service.”

One of the largest amounts of money Mary earned for the laboratory came in 1988. Following the Shell Oil refinery explosion in Norco, she was called in to identify the remains of 68

Inside New Orleans

and compiling information on all missing and unidentified persons in Louisiana. Around 2004, that dream began to take shape. A woman on a mission, Mary relentlessly travelled the state, talking to hundreds of law enforcement agencies about the database, facial reconstruction and forensic anthropology. She convinced them to give her the skeletons of their unsolved cases.

From these bones she determined sex, age, body build and ancestry—information that guided imaging and clay facial reconstructions. She also took DNA samples to help with identifications.

photo: JESSICA H. SCHEXNAYDER

the five people killed there. In appreciation, Shell presented her with a check for $10,000. “I used it to buy an X-ray machine. We had no equipment to mention. Just empty rooms.”

Meanwhile, the reputation of LSU’s forensic anthropology laboratory expanded and the lab “grew like crazy.” Under Mary’s leadership, it affiliated with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, gaining national recognition as one of ten Model Age Progression Sites (MAPS) in the nation. “That’s when I told LSU that we really needed more space.” She asked for and was given a

nearby small building that had been scheduled for demolition. As an extra boon, she received a free computer from the MAPS project to assist in her work.

“Once we got the building, I talked to a few people in the state legislature, and they gave us $75,000 a year. That helped pay Eileen‘s salary and hire Ginesse “Ginny” Listi. “Ginny began her career after working with me on her master’s degree and coming back to the FACES lab while getting her doctorate in forensic anthropology at Tulane.”

With the extra money from the state, Mary dreamed about a greater project—collecting

Today, the DNA samples are analyzed by the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory and uploaded into CODIS to be compared to cases across the country. Biological profile information was stored in the department’s database and made available to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

It was also linked to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and the Doe Network, both of which use LSU’s database. Because of the tireless efforts of Mary, Ginny and FACES assistants Maria Allaire and Teresa Wilson, multiple cold cases have been solved.

Tangipahoa Parish asked Mary to investigate >>

Mary Manhein and her team work to uncover bones that may give a face to a faceless person.

August-September 2015 69

Louisiana Repository for Unidentified and Missing Persons Information Program, which is now the most comprehensive state database of its kind in the United States.

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one such case in 1990. “We didn’t have a facial image because the man’s facial bones had literally been dragged away in an accident. At the time, we didn’t have DNA analysis. We knew he was an older white male with nautical tattoos all over his body. On his back was a large tattoo of a siren’s face with seaweed for hair. Since tattoos can help identify a person, I found an art student with a strong stomach to accompany me to the funeral home and sketch the tattoos. Eventually, we posted his drawings on the website.”

Twenty years later, a young woman called Mary saying she thought this person was her uncle. She’d been referred to Mary by the state of Mississippi because they didn’t have a database of missing and unidentified persons. Fortunately, a few weeks earlier, Mary had given a presentation to

Inside New Orleans 70 Inside New Orleans

photo: EDDY PEREZ, LSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

photo: EDDY PEREZ, LSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

Mary started the

the Mississippi department, so they were familiar with her work. The missing man’s sister confirmed that her brother had similar tattoos, and she readily provided a DNA sample. It was a match.

“The niece explained that her uncle loved to travel after he retired. He lived in Florida and had family in Mississippi and Texas, so he’d hitchhike back and forth to visit them. Thanks to the database, we were able to send him home after 20-plus years. That’s what gives me satisfaction.”

In 2006, the department’s accomplishments caught the attention of then State Senator Jay Dardenne (now Louisiana’s Lt. Governor) and then State Representative Dan Martiny (now Senator), who both worked with Mary to support a bill she and others had written to fund her work. After a funding amendment was added, the bill passed unanimously, giving LSU’s forensic anthropology laboratory close to $450,000 a year in perpetuity.

It also mandated that, within a reasonable time, all unidentified bones in the state be sent to LSU for identification.

With regular income assured, Mary officially started the Louisiana Repository for Unidentified and Missing Persons Information Program. Because she and her assistants aggressively sought out— and continue to seek out—new cases to add to it, this program is now the most comprehensive state database of its kind in the country.

After setting up this program, Mary decided >>

to reopen a 32-year-old cold case that she’d first worked on in 1982 as a graduate student. Skeletal remains had been found in a Bossier City dump in 1979. The professor with whom Mary worked at the time had concluded that they were that of a male, 22-28 years old, of Native American ancestry.

Since DNA testing was now available, Mary arranged to have the man’s DNA profile entered into CODIS, but no match was found.

Next, she asked Eileen Barrow to create a clay facial reconstruction of the man so she could take it to a workshop she was giving in the Bossier City area.

Unfortunately, no one in the audience recognized the face.

The clay image sat on the counter in the lab for the next few months.

When Lt. Chief Detective Robert Davidson of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department stopped by to consult with Mary on a different case, he noticed the face and asked about it. After Mary’s explanation, he said, “He looks familiar to me.” Her adrenaline soared.

Fortunately, Davidson had recently seen this face while reviewing photos of missing persons. The man’s name was Antonio Barajas, a young Hispanic male from Texas who’d disappeared while travelling the area with a friend in 1975. His buddy had been found dead in a dump shortly after their disappearance. Barajas was listed as missing.

Davidson set out to locate Barajas’ family, ultimately finding his 90-plusyear-old mother in West Texas. Within a few weeks of obtaining the family’s DNA samples, tests confirmed they were a match to the young man.

After 32 years, Antonio Barajas went home to his grateful mother. She told Detective Davidson, “I can’t believe someone was still looking for my son 72

Inside New Orleans

photos: EDDY PEREZ, LSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

after all these years.”

When it comes to identifying remains, “(The lab) is the only ballgame in town,” says Davidson.

“Before that law passed, unidentified bones usually ended up in a box. That bill got the ball rolling.”

Identifications like these, as well as resolutions of other high profile cases, have provided indisputable validation of Mary’s “baby,” the Louisiana Repository for Unidentified and Missing Persons Information Program, and incredible publicity for LSU. Recently, Mary and Dr. Michael DeFatta, forensic pathologist at the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office, appeared on a special episode of America’s Most Wanted, hoping to identify a young woman known as Pontchartrain Jane.

“She was young and three months pregnant,” recalls Dr. DeFatta. “She had breast implants, too.

Those weren’t popular in the ’80s, so we were hoping that would help identify her. Mary exhumed the body in 2003, and the FACES lab did a great job recreating the young woman’s features.” Despite national exposure, however, Pontchartrain Jane remains unidentified.

This wasn’t the first time Mary had worked with DeFatta. For three years, forensic DNA analysts in the St. Tammany Coroner’s Office helped her with the backlog of DNA cases that resulted from the Dardenne/Martiny law.

Recently retired after 30 years of tireless

work and dedication, Mary Manhein reflects on her accomplishments. First, her living legends— thousands of students she’s taught as undergrads and scores of graduate students she’s counseled in the master’s program. This dynamic teacher has instilled in them her passion for forensic anthropology, a passion she hopes will lead many to follow in her footsteps.

Next is the role Mary played as part of the national Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team that recovered the remains of the brave

Under Mary’s leadership, the lab linked with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is gaining national recognition as one of ten Model Age Progression Sites in the nation.

>>

August-September 2015 73

photo: JESSICA H. SCHEXNAYDER

astronauts of the ill-fated Space Shuttle Columbia in February 2003. Though sworn to secrecy about its details, Mary readily admits it was an honor to be part of that mission. She and her DMORT colleagues also identified the skeletal remains in cemeteries after hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Isaac. This sparked her interest in the preservation of Louisiana’s endangered cemeteries.

It also contributed to a manuscript on the subject that she co-authored with Jessica Schexnayder, one of her undergraduate students.

There’s also the FACES lab Mary founded. It has given faces to hundreds of faceless persons, among them two crew members from the Civil War ironclad Monitor. Their skeletons were found in July 2002 when the gun turret was raised off North Carolina’s coast. Mary details this adventure in her book, Bone Remains: Cold Cases in Forensic Anthropology.

In addition to that compilation of fascinating stories, Mary details others in her two books, Bone Lady and Trail 74

Inside New Orleans

of Bones. Her first novel, Floating Souls: The Canal Murders, is a New Orleansbased mystery that is receiving rave reviews. Two other whodunits, one a sequel and the other independent, are in the works. In addition, Mary has published a groundbreaking study on tissue depth in facial reconstruction, something that greatly assists in making the clay images so vital in solving cold cases.

Mary leaves the lab in the capable hands of interim director, the “wonderful Dr. Ginesse Listi.” Quick to praise her mentor, Listi says, “One of the reasons for the success of what we do is that Mary rarely gives up or settles for ‘no’. Her dedication, pride, passion and commitment are the same today as when I began working with her nearly 20 years ago.”

When retired, Mary will redirect that passion to pursue activities beyond the hallowed walls of the FACES lab and Ellis-Howe. She’ll visit family with Bill (her wonderfully supportive husband), pursue her writing career

and learn to play the guitar (especially folk songs). She’ll also travel. Her first trip? A month-long adventure to Europe with good friend Julie Doucet, including a trip on the Orient Express from Paris to Venice and a 10-day Danube River cruise.

On Mary’s return to Louisiana the heavens rolled with thunder as thousands of once-faceless faces cheered the return of their hero, Mary, “the Bone Lady.”

Now, about the skeleton with the diamond ring— Mary found a large wound in the back of Colleen Hebert’s skull.

Antoine was charged with murder.

During the trial, his estranged second wife, Jolie, testified he frequently talked to himself in the bathroom mirror, opening the window to the rose bed outside.

(The couple had divorced, and the house changed owners twice.

The recent owners had to install a new septic system. To do so, the backhoe dug through the rose garden, exposing Colleen’s clandestine grave.)

The defense attorney said the backhoe caused the multiple breaks in Colleen’s bones. Mary explained that fractures caused around the time of death looked different from those caused after.

Dr. Alfred Suarez, a leading forensic pathologist, helped confirm Mary’s testimony. Known for his brevity of speech, Suarez took the stand and pointed to the gaping wound in the back of Colleen’s skull. “See that hole? Ain’t s’posed to be there.”

Antoine was sentenced to life without parole.

August-September 2015 75

Just as pink is for breast cancer and red is for AIDs, the color for Alzheimer’s is purple. Join us as we Color (our hair) for the Cure! Throughout September, Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, add a purple extension to your hair in honor of the Honey Bunch team’s efforts. On September 25, H2O Salon and Spa in Metairie will donate a percentage of its sales to the team’s fundraising goals.

2015

Color for the Cure—Go Purple!

Walk to End

Alzheimer’s

MOTIVATED BY THE BEAUTY, strength and struggle of their mother, who was called Honey, Heather Mahoney and Holli Gaspard of H2O Salons created the Honey Bunch team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s project. Honey passed away after a brave fight, but her legacy lives on through her daughters’ loving passion and fundraising. In the past three years, the Honey Bunch proudly raised over $100,000 for the cause. Clients of H2O Salons, friends of the twins

and countless others joined the effort to support Honey’s daughters and the walking team they created in her honor.

They’ve experienced tremendous success, ranking in the Top 15 fundraisers nationwide.

The Honey Bunch will again be participating in the fundraising walks in our area this year. Sign up to be a part of the team, or donate in support of their efforts.

Tell them the Honey Bunch sent you!

!

WALK FOR THE CURE PONCHATOULA/HAMMOND: Sat., Oct. 10, Ponchatoula Recreation Park, 9 a.m.

NEW ORLEANS: Sat., Nov. 14, LaSalle Park, 9 a.m.

NORTHSHORE: Sat., Oct. 3, Fontainebleau State Park, 9 a.m.

To register and for more information, visit alz.org/walk.

Heather Mahoney and Holli Gaspard.

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Inside New Orleans

Fighting Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Ultimately, Alzheimer’s is fatal, and currently, there is no cure.

A research effort is underway to develop a new generation of more effective treatments.

Because new drugs take years to produce—and because drugs that seem promising may not work as hoped in large-scale trials—it is critical that research on Alzheimer’s and related dementias continue to accelerate.

Currently, there are several FDA-approved drugs that treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, temporarily helping memory and thinking problems in approximately half of the people who take them. However, these medications do not treat the underlying causes.

In contrast, many of the new drugs in development aim to modify the disease process itself by impacting one or more of the many wide-ranging brain changes that Alzheimer’s causes. These changes offer potential targets for new drugs to stop or slow the process of the disease. Many researchers believe successful treatment will eventually involve a “cocktail” of medications aimed at several targets, similar to treatments for many cancers and AIDS. Dr. Robert Clark, a molecular biologist in Chapel Hill, N.C., conducting Alzheimer’s research, notes there is great progress being made in its prevention and cure. He asks that you help by raising money for research, writing your local politicians to have them provide funds and finally, by donating your affected loved one’s body to science.

There is still so much to be learned.

For more information, visit alz.org.

In addition to medications, persons with Alzheimer’s benefit from individualized programs that enrich their life and enable them to function at the highest possible level. This includes an extensive initial assessment of their unique needs to ensure the perfect level of support and care.

“What defines a nourishing space for someone with dementia? An environment built around their needs, their cognitive levels and their dignity. Our programs focus on specialized memory care training.”

- David Schonberg, owner and operator of Vista Shores and Ashton Manor

August-September 2015 77

by Sandy Franco

l a b i r T s e o G s s Fitne

Have you heard about fitness tribes? They aren’t African dancers or totem pole vaulters. They have nothing to do with zebra print spandex trends or feather-laden sweatbands. Fitness tribes are formed when fitness gets social, and social gets serious. They are about the power in numbers, in community—and they are anything but primitive.

“I need to lose weight.”

“I want to work out more.”

“I really should get healthy.”

Does any of this sound familiar? More than half of Americans want to lose weight, nearly 80 percent do not get enough exercise and the majority of people who succeed in losing weight gain it back within two years. Clearly, this is not a solitary problem. So why do we keep trying to fix it with a solitary solution?

The fact is that those who approach health and fitness from a “we” and “us” perspective experience greater success in making lifestyle changes than those who

try to go it alone. Most of us eat with others, work with others and live with others. So, why not get fit and healthy with others?

What is a Fitness Tribe?

Around the world, people with shared health and fitness goals are teaming up. These passionate, like-minded groups, called “fitness tribes,” are starting a movement that is changing the way people think about fitness. A “tribe” is nothing more than a social group with a shared goal, one that is not defined or restricted by political or geographic boundaries.

Fitness tribes are all about banishing restrictions and breaking down boundaries. There is no formula, no rulebook. A tribe can be two people or two million people. It can be highly structured or very casual.

You don’t even have to be fit to be part of a fitness tribe; you just have to want to be.

The Vibe of the Tribe We humans crave social companionship, and the digital age that we find ourselves in brings social to a level that was beyond imagination just a few short years ago. Health and fitness apps are the fastest growing segment of the app market, and the ability of these applications to connect people in new ways grows with every update. Social media gives us the freedom to find or form a fitness tribe based on any interest, region, starting point or finish line. If you feel nostalgic, start a Facebook page to spark the reunion of your former high school teammates. If you would like your fitness tribe to span the globe, try reaching

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Inside New Orleans

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Get Fit

out to MyFitnessPal’s 65 million users. Rally your coworkers for a lunchtime boot camp, or convince your closest friends to train with you for a challenging road race or a wacky fun run. Try getting your family onboard. (Kids and cardio go great together, especially if you take yours free-style!) We are more likely to engage in healthy behavior when those around us do, and are more likely to follow through when held accountable. When the couch is calling, our tribe calls louder. When we push ourselves to new levels of physical fitness, the pain and struggles we endure together create stronger bonds than those

Members share similar fitness goals and are on the same page as to the amount of structure and discipline that the tribe is willing to embrace.

If one person skips a trip to the gym because it is raining outside while another drags himself there with a fever of 102, resentment will ensue.

Decide in advance what expectations will be a part of your tribe. Make a verbal commitment to work out together at certain locations, on certain days, at certain times. Take these commitments very seriously. Skipping a workout might bring an onslaught of “we missed you� blog posts and check-

formed when we merely share space or ordinary communication. Along with all that sweat and hard work comes the really good stuff. We have others to help us to celebrate our successes and to encourage us over our biggest hurdles. Enthusiasm is contagious and support seems to grow when reciprocated. And since both exercise and social interaction cause our body to release feel-good hormones, the double-dose keeps us coming back for more.

ins. Accountability is central to the success of any fitness tribe.

Choose a fitness tribe that shares your interests and one that meets at times and places that work with your schedule. Fill it with people you want to connect and collaborate with. Check in and stay accountable with whatever tools and gadgets work for you, but be sure to work in some face time (real face time).

Fitness and community go hand in hand. When people come together, change happens. So if your fitness and weight loss resolutions seem out of reach, forget going solo; go social and join the tribe.

Building a Successful Fitness Tribe Threads of commonality are woven into the tapestry of a successful fitness tribe.

Above: Fitness tribes of all types make working together toward shared goals fun.

August-September 2015 79

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Inside New Orleans

Flourishes 1. Pillows by Courtney Collection,

1

$48 each. The Shop at The Collection, The Historic New Orleans Collection, 598-7147.

2. Solid wood, metal-lined cooler by International Furniture, $648.88. American Factory Direct, Mandeville, 985-871-0300.

3. Rose gold glass hurricane, $146

2

each. EMB Interiors, Mandeville, 985-626-1522. 4. Quilted fine Italian leather tote with brushed nickel and natural twill by Consuela; Candy regular tote, $295; portfolio clutch, $75. Arabella Fine Gifts and Home DĂŠcor, Mandeville,

3

985-727-9787. 5. Large oyster bowl by SeaGem Studios, $122.95.

LD Linens and Decor, New Orleans, 309-4301.

4

5

August-September 2015 81

Flourishes 1

3 2

1. B-viz fine white linen throw pillows with hand-stamped Greek key or quatrefoil design, $375 each. St. Romain Interiors, Madisonville, 985-845-7411. 2. Vintage 1930s Chinese porcelain and enamel lamp, $3,200. Beth Claybourn Interiors, 342-2630.

3. Chilewich basketweave

4

placemats, set of 4, $70; set of 4 mini basketweave napkin rings, $44; set of 4 white linen dinner napkins by Sferra, $58.

The Linen Registry, Metairie, 831-8228. 4. Lastra aqua fish platter by Vietri, $95. mĂŠlange

by KP, Mandeville, 985-8710810. 5. George slipcover

5

sofa, $4,020. Eclectic Home, New Orleans, 866-6654.

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Inside New Orleans

August-September 2015 83

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Inside New Orleans

Flourishes 2 1

3

4

1. Custom gift baskets for all occasions hand-delivered and shipped, starting at $25. The Basketry, Luling, 309-7935.

2. Traveling Breeze portable fan-cooled chair with rechargeable battery pack, $99. Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 985-893-8008.

3. Tree of Life Multi-Purpose

5

Balm to intensively moisturize and soothe dry skin, $60.

Shine Spa + Specialties,

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New Orleans, 486-0999.

4. Handmade pet food and water bowls from the Dream Factory at Magnolia Community Services, starting at $12.

All proceeds are donated to Magnolia students. Benbow Veterinary Services, Metairie, 304-7367. 5. Swell bottles, $36 each. Le Visage Day Spa, 265-8018. 6. 16� x 16� feather pillow in Custard, $475. The French Mix, Covington, 985-809-3152.

August-September 2015 85

86 86 IInside nside N New ew O Orleans rleans

INside Look 1

Neutral Ground 1. 14kt gold and sterling silver shadowbox monogram ring

2

designed by Tom Mathis, $375. Symmetry Jewelers, New Orleans, 861-9925.

2. Camel saddlebag-style handbag, $148. Elizabeth’s, Metairie, 833-3717.

3. Executive sportcoat, $495; Traveler tailored fit polo, $79.50; pocket square, $29.50. Jos. A. Bank; Metairie, 620-2265; New

3

Orleans, 528-9491.

4. Rayon shirt dress in cream with roll-up sleeves, $348.

The Villa, Mandeville, 985626-9797.

5. Wolky Passion Mary Jane in Caviar, $174.95. Foot Solutions, Metairie, 833-3555.

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August-September 2015 87

INside Look

2

Neutral Ground 1. Honora multi-colored baroque pearls with 14kt rose gold links, $1,675.

Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers,

1

Metairie, 831-2602. 2. 18k white gold diamond slice earrings, $2,000. Adler’s, 523-5292. 3. Gold lace and georgette fit and flare gown by Montage Ivonne D Collection. Town and Country, 3

New Orleans, 523-7027. 4.

Margot headpiece by PFC Couture, $340. Bustles

4

& Bows Bridal Boutique, Metairie, 780-7090. 5. Schutz high-heeled Julianna sandal in snake print, $190. Emma’s Shoes and Accessories; New Orleans, 407-0668; Mandeville, 985-778-2200.

6. Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C. crossbody bag, $295. FeBe, Metairie, 835-5250.

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5

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August-September 2015 89

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Inside New Orleans

INside Look 2

1

4 3

Neutral Ground 1. Necklace made from Mardi Gras beads by Matt Fusilier, $50. Ariodante Contemporary Craft Gallery, 524-3233. 2. Jane Woolrich handmade pink and ivory slip, $135; nĂŠgligĂŠe, $120. Bra la Vie!, Hammond, 985-662-5065.

3. Lilly Pulitzer quilted Blake Vest in Cafe Latte, $178. Palm Village, a Lilly Pulitzer signature store, Mandeville, 985-778-2547.

4. Smooth and seamless French bra made with engineered lace that lifts and supports by Empreinte, exclusively available at Bra Genie. Mandeville, 985-9518638; Baton Rouge (new!), 225223-6114.

August-September 2015 91

INside Look 1

2

3

Neutral Ground 1. LUCAS de STAEL frames made in Paris from allnatural materials, $875.

Art & Eyes, 891-4494.

2. Hardtail’s straight-up linen pant, $87; Bamboo scoop-neck tank, $40; wrapped in T-Refinery’s natural cardigan, $110.

Basics Swim & Gym, New Orleans, 894-1000; Basics Underneath, Mandeville, 985-727-9521. 3. Mock Scuba dress in Neutral Abstract, $190. Kevan Hall, kevanhallsport.com.

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Adventure Quest Laser Tag ADVENTURE QUEST ISN’T JUST FOR KIDS. That’s right. Leave the monotonous Monday meeting in the past and take your company to an exciting team-building experience at Adventure Quest. From corporate events to small company conferences, Adventure Quest offers packages to build trust, confidence and teamwork, all while having fun.

With five private rooms and a presentation area, your team can meet professionally before suiting up for laser tag or one of the many other activities. Companies can play competitively throughout the evening, keeping track of their scores with a score sheet. Teams compete in laser tag, arcade games, Climb-n-Challenge and in the 5,000-square-foot Adventure Maze. The Adventure Maze allows for teamwork and trust as each team searches for four checkpoints within the maze—and the exit.

At the end of competition, the scores are tallied and awards are announced. And if your team is hungry, Adventure Quest can provide catering as well as adult beverages. Adults are welcome to host birthday parties at Adventure Quest. Packages are easily customized to fit each party, allowing for the most fun for the young-at-heart.

Exclusive play is available for parties and meetings—you and your guests or company can have the entire facility to yourselves.

Fundraising opportunities are offered for nonprofits, companies, sports teams and more. For your next meeting or event, try Adventure Quest Laser Tag—where every visit is an adventure.

Adventure Quest Laser Tag is located at 1200 Clearview Parkway, Suite 1106, in Harahan. 207-4444. lasertagnola.com.

August-September 2015 93

SWEET HEAT

by Karen B. Gibbs

Baumer Foods and Crystal Hot Sauce

THE STORY OF BAUMER FOODS starts tough, turns sweet and ends up hot! It’s the stuff movies are made of—and it all started with a determined young boy who never gave up.

Alvin Baumer, the founder of Baumer Foods, was orphaned at 13, along with nine siblings. The children basically raised each other, the older teenage brothers supporting the family by running Baumer Café, their late father’s tavern. Located on Exchange Alley and Conti Street, Baumer’s Café featured draft beer for a nickel, with a plate of red beans and rice as lagniappe.

The love of Alvin’s life was Mildred Bacher, and they spent many a date at the “Baumer boys’ barn dances” on Conti and Exchange, dancing to the music of then-unknown Louis Armstrong. In 1923, shortly before their marriage, Alvin lost his job. Hoping to buy Mills Fruit Products, a sno-ball syrup company, to support

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Inside New Orleans

his wife, Alvin was love-rich but money-poor. So Mildred asked her wealthy grandfather, Charles Wirth, to lend Al the money for the purchase. Thus began the legacy of Baumer Foods, Inc. One day, Alvin discovered a recipe for Crystal Pure Louisiana Hot Sauce among the papers of the business. The sauce was hot all right, made of aged red cayenne peppers, vinegar and salt. Alvin began bottling the sauce, and locals loved it. Sales took off, thanks to the hard work and persistence of Alvin and Mildred. Living and breathing nothing but Baumer Foods, they relocated the Tchoupitoulas Street plant to a larger facility on Tulane Avenue in the 1940s.

With their iconic Crystal Preserves sign atop the building, they expanded from canning a variety of foods—olives to shrimp—to making preserves. During World War II, the government contracted

Penny, Al Jr. and

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Pepper Baumer.

with them to make jams and jellies for the war effort.

Then, in the 1950s, through a government initiative to promote U.S. products overseas, Crystal Hot Sauce was introduced in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

It was love at first taste and gave birth to Baumer’s international sales in 1959.

Although business was booming, the Baumers yearned for something more—a child of their own.

When Alvin was 50 and Mildred 49, they adopted their only child, Alvin Baumer Jr. Because his parents were older, Al Jr. admits he felt as if he “missed a generation.

My cousin is 85. I’m 62—the same age as his kids!”

Al Jr. remembers being exposed to the business at a very early age. “As a kid, I’d walk around the

factory with my dad, holding on to his hand. It was all I knew. When I was 9, I worked the company switchboard. My dad was cited for hiring an underage worker,” he laughs.

“All my parents ever talked about was the business. It wasn’t long before I realized the business was what paid for my education and some of the finer things I had. None of this came without hard work.

I was never a spoiled rich kid. My dad was stern and didn’t tolerate shenanigans. Sure, I got nice stuff, but on Saturday mornings, I was at work for 6 a.m.—five hours before my high school friends even woke up.”

Al Jr. worked for Baumer Foods all year round. In the summers, he’d service stores like >>

August-September 2015 95

Schwegmann’s, A&P and National in the Volkswagen his dad gave him. During the school year, he ran errands and picked up supplies after class. “All I ever wanted was to come into this company,” he says, a note of pride in his voice.

In 1975, with degree in hand, Al Jr. joined his dad full time at Baumer Foods. “When I came here, I managed traffic, ran the truck fleet, sold products, put glue in the label machines—whatever needed to be done. I didn’t have a title.”

Five years later, that changed when Al Jr. became CEO of Baumer Foods. (His dad was chairman of the board, a position he held until his death in 1991.)

One of Al Jr.’s first actions as CEO was to remove all canned products from the line. “They were labor intensive and had little potential.”

Meanwhile, overseas sales were growing. In 1988, Baumer Foods hired Loyola professor Marwan

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Inside New Orleans

Kabbani as vice president of export for Crystal International. Under his leadership, the market expanded to 85 countries. A native of Syria and fluent in Arabic, he’s attuned to the nuances of international business. Despite the war in that part of the world, Kabbani is happy to report that Crystal Hot Sauce is still the #1-selling hot sauce in the Middle East.

Another bright spot was Baumer Foods’ contract with a business that provided jams and jellies to prisons. The only drawback was that for safety reasons, the packaging had to be plastic. The company came up with an oval-shaped squeeze bottle that served the prisoners well. This business relationship lasted until Hurricane Katrina closed the Mid-City plant.

Katrina. The name still conjures up pain for many, including Al Baumer Jr. “I was comfortable, working in the company, looking to relocate to a

photo courtesy: BAUMER FOODS

more modern facility. Katrina came and brought me to my knees,” he explains. “The factory was destroyed. We lost a lot of money—about $26 million—in the business. My wife, Penny, and I lost our house in Lakeview and everything in it. We moved onto our boat in Madisonville. It was all we had that survived the storm. We lived pillar to post.”

Among the first orders of business was to arrange interim production of Crystal Hot Sauce.

In December 2006, the first bottle was produced in Maryland, but production was at their whim, not Baumer’s. Kabbani explains that the 18-month interruption of international business showed him who was loyal to the company and who was not.

Fortunately, most of the customers remained faithful.

Times were tough. Like his father in the 1920s, Al Jr. needed money to restart his business. And, just like his father, the answer came from his wife. At this

time, Penny offered to come into the business to help Al, and she very quickly assumed the positions of vice president and CFO. Having been a VP in commercial lending, Penny knew they needed a loan with more than low interest. It had to also be “without the burden of performance criteria, heavy reporting and excessive fees.”

The Small Business Administration was the answer.

Says Al Jr., “She rode that contact at SBA as hard >>

August-September 2015 97

as she could. As far as I know, we got the largest Katrina-related SBA loan ever awarded. It saved our lives. Without Penny, the company would not be in existence today. She is an integral part of Baumer Foods, Inc.” Another lifesaver was Kabbani, who’d relocated to his daughter’s in LaPlace after the storm. While there, he learned that the former Constar Plastic plant in Reserve was for lease.

As negotiations for the 192,000-squarefoot facility were ongoing, Penny knew where she needed to be—at Baumer Foods, as full time CFO.

By July 2007, the Reserve plant was up and running, producing and distributing all Baumer Foods products: Crystal Hot Sauce, Figaro liquid smoke, sauces (Worcestershire, wing, steak, soy, teriyaki) and fajita mix, plus a sizeable private label business. Baumer Foods discontinued production of Crystal mustard, jams and jellies after Katrina.

Presently, Baumer Foods is one of the fastest-growing condiment manufacturers in the country. Yet, when asked if the company’s recovered from the storm, Al Jr. replies pensively, “I don’t know that anyone could ever fully recover from the emotion of it, but I think we’ve recovered pretty well.”

Pretty well, indeed. Pepper, Al Jr.’s son, adds, “What makes me proudest of Baumer Foods is my dad’s resilience. After Katrina, he essentially had to rebuild the entire company from the ground up. I have no idea how he pulled it off.”

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Will surviving Katrina be Al Jr.’s legacy? “My legacy recently started working here—my son, Pepper. With him, the sky’s the limit. He’s one of the most energetic, personable, dynamic people you’ll ever meet. (Pepper’s given name is Alvin Baumer III, but he was nicknamed by his maternal grandmother, Dottie Brennan, who refused to deal with having three Als in one family.)

Even though Pepper wanted to work with his dad after graduating from the University of Alabama, Al Jr. insisted he gain experience outside the company first. Beginning with Idea Village and Tim Williamson, then New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation and Mark Romig, and on to Commander’s Palace and aunts Ti Martin and Lally Brennan, Pepper did just that. Grateful to all who mentored him, he now sees the wisdom in his father’s advice. “The most important thing I learned from him was that it was in my best interest to gain outside experience in various industries rather than only knowing the Crystal way. I’m excited to learn from him and continue the legacy.”

And that’s what makes the story of Crystal heat so sweet.

Above: Crystal Hot Sauce being sealed and packaged at the Baumer Foods plant in Reserve.

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IN the Bookcase

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

A Spool of Blue Thread

by Anne Tyler

CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH. That’s what your grandma said about you and your siblings, but it couldn’t have been further from the truth: you were different as sun and rain. You came from the same set of parents, and that’s about all you had in common. Still, there are always things in life that stitch families together and in A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler, the Whitshanks needed that kind of mending.

When Junior Whitshank built the house on Bouton Road just after the Depression, folks noticed that he threw his heart into it, but no one fully understood. They didn’t know that Junior aimed to someday live there himself, even though Bouton Road was part of the well-to-do section of town, and Junior wasn’t. Even so, eyeing a dream that would surely come true, he insisted that every door, newel and window were the finest his clients’ money could buy.

Red Whitshank knew that the house he inherited from his father was a great place to raise a family, but he never thought much past that. Over the years, as he and Abby brought each baby home, Red remodeled some, moved the girls to make room for boys and added a bathroom—but for him, there were other things more pressing to consider. Like work, for instance.

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oldest son, Denny. He’d always been the black sheep child, the one who flitted from here to there and could never settle down. It wasn’t unusual for him to disappear and for years to pass before they heard from him again.

That hurt Abby because, deep in her heart, Denny was her favorite, and she’d never admit that to anybody but Red. She wasn’t even sure Red listened anymore—he was just like his father. He said she worried too much, but wasn’t that a hallmark of a good mother? And wasn’t a good mother the ribbon that tied the family together?

Much as I loved A Spool of Blue Thread, I struggle to define it, because it’s really not about anything in particular: through the eyes of three generations of average people, author Anne Tyler spins a tale of love and family dynamics. The Whitshanks marry, they squabble, they grow, they deal with tragedy—that’s all.

Then again, that’s not all.

Tyler makes this book feel like a long conversation on the front porch with a friend (or two) whose family is going through a rough spot. You’ll listen, you’ll raise eyebrows in gentle surprise, you’ll nod, you’ll sympathize— but you just can’t turn away.

Nor can you put this heart-striking novel down, because it feels just right for a few afternoons. And so, if the next book club pick is yours, or you want a good family drama to read, A Spool of Blue Thread has that all sewn up.

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Zounds Hearing of Metairie

“It is so amazing that my dad created these hearing aids for me-it has changed my life and made so many wonderful things possible.

It is also humbling to know that thousands of others are being helped by them, too!

THE ZOUND’S STORY: A FATHER’S PROMISE Sam Thomasson loves his daughter, Kate. He describes the day she was born as the happiest of his life. Like other fathers, he would do anything for his daughter, especially if it might impact her quality of life. When Kate was a toddler, she lost most of her hearing due to a sudden illness. Extensive testing revealed that Kate’s severe hearing loss was permanent and could not be corrected. As a father, Sam was willing to do whatever it took to help Kate. An accomplished electrical engineer who had worked on a wide array of products, from computer chips to pacemakers, Sam began pouring over design specifications of the leading hearing aids, determined to find the aids that would solve Kate’s hearing problem.

As Kate grew, so did her frustrations with her hearing aids. Dinners out with the family were not enjoyable for her, as the loud environment of a restaurant made it impossible to hear conversations. Unable to take part, she felt isolated. When riding in the car, the irritation or road noise caused her to remove her hearing aids. Undeniably, the worst frustration came for her attempts to hug others. When her parents and grandparents held her closer, Kate’s hearing aids squealed, causing her pain. Kate began “hugging” by pressing her forehead against the other person’s chest. This issue in particular was heart wrenching to those who loved her.

Most hearing aids today still only go up to 5000hertz. The problem is that critical speech sounds are found above that range. Kate endured almost ten years of speech therapy, so she could learn that the “s”, “t” and “ch” sounds existed, how to say them, and which words contained them.

Experiencing Kate’s frustrations motivated Sam to do something extraordinary.

Sam set out to completely redesign hearing aids, using Kate’s experiences as his 102

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guide. He installed an electronics lab in their home and worked nights and weekends—with Kate often by his side—to develop new technology that would solve issues like feedback and poor sound quality. With his newly developed patents in hand, he founded a company that could continue his work. Sam and his team of dedicated engineers developed groundbreaking audiological technology that can only be found in Zounds’ products.

Zounds changed Kate’s life forever.

When Kate was sixteen years old, she received the first prototype of the Zounds’ power hearing aid, intended for those with the most severe hearing losses. Creating this device took longer than the other models, as a new battery capable of powering such a small device had to also be developed before it could be completed. It was an historic fitting.

Kate’s life changed the moment she put them on. She heard the strings of a

EXTENDING THE BLESSINGS TO THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA Charlie and Dede Redfearn, longtime residents of New Orleans, brought Zounds’ revolutionary technology to the Greater New Orleans area with the belief that they can help others experience successful gains. With 57 groundbreaking patents, Zounds Hearing has been able to dramatically improve the performance of hearing aids, with features such as true rechargeability, which eliminates the need to replace batteries; 90 percent reduction of background noises; and dynamic feedback cancellation. Zounds Hearing manufactures these advanced hearing aids and eliminates the middleman, passing the savings along to the customer. The Redfearns note that it often takes the encouragement and support of family or friends to come into the store for a complete and FREE hearing assessment. If you or someone you care about are struggling with a hearing loss, Zounds Hearing of Metairie welcomes the opportunity to see how they can help.

Outstanding Ongoing Customer Care During your FREE hearing test, a staff member will examine your ears to check for earwax accumulation, which may indicate that you do not need a hearing aid. You will never be advised to purchase something unnecessary.

During your visit, learn about current hearing aid products, technology and how

guitar for the first time and could truly enjoy music—a very big deal to a teenager. Even better, she could now actually hear the sounds she had been struggling to imitate for so many years and began receiving comments about her speech being clearer.

Kate is now a college student, studying electrical engineering. Inspired by her father, she wants to follow in his footsteps by helping others through technology. “It is so amazing that my dad created these hearing aids for me. It has changed my life and made so many wonderful things possible,” Kate says. “It is also humbling to know that thousands of others are being helped by them too! Reading letters from Zounds customers and talking with them is such an emotional thing for me; I can’t express how blessed I feel.”

Sam’s devotion, coupled with his daughter Kate’s needs, changed her life, the course of his career and has also blessed the lives of many people who he has never met.

Zounds Hearing of Metairie is located at 801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite D. 504-249-6700.

Zounds Advanced Digital Technology can benefit you. Additional free services include periodic hearing aid cleaning, fine-tuning adjustments and rechargeable battery replacement.

Hear From Our Satisfied Customers “I’ve worn hearing aids before, but nothing that compares to my Zounds hearing aids. Talking on the phone is easy now. I can hear my friends and family better than ever before. I can hear in church now, and the hearing aids are so very comfortable. I strongly recommend Zounds to anyone with hearing loss.”

- Lynn C., Metairie “I enjoyed the testing process and the fact that I could try the hearing aids in my ears right after the test. I knew immediately that the hearing aids were right for me. The clarity I’ve experienced with the Zounds hearing aids is amazing! I would encourage anyone with hearing loss to try Zounds; their product and service are fantastic!” - Harold B., Metairie “With my Zounds hearing aids I can hear things I haven’t heard in years! I love my hearing aids, and my family does too!”

- Nelwyn J., Kenner

Receive up to $1,000 OFF with the purchase of Zounds hearing aids.

Visit Zounds Hearing of Metairie for details or call 504-249-6700 to set up your free hearing assessment.

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Shopping and finding the perfect gift is stressful. It takes time that most of us don’t have. Kristi Brocato created the perfect solution when she opened The Basketry 20 years ago.

The story behind The Basketry is as unique as the concept itself.

With only $500 and a ton of ambition, Kristi Brocato began The Basketry in 1995. An idea that was born in a college dorm room quickly developed into a blossoming gift basket business. It all started with one $25 fruit basket, which Kristi brought with her to one of her college courses before delivering to a very lucky recipient. With that first basket sale, she knew that it was her destiny to make baskets for people worldwide.

Kristi says, “My business is completely customer-driven.

If someone requests an item or brand that we don’t carry, I add it to our store.” Kristi has grown the business from the 200 square foot apartment space to a beautiful 4,000-square-foot retail store featuring lines such as Pandora Jewelry, Kendra Scott, Mud Pie, Tyler Candles, Spartina, Two’s Company, a clothing boutique, baby gifts, gourmet foods, fine wines and so much more.

The Basketry offers customized gift baskets in a wide range of prices with same-day hand delivery in New Orleans and the surrounding areas, including the northshore.

Customers simply call in or order online and their personalized gift is delivered to the recipient’s front door or office.

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baskets. “Customers love that they can pick up the phone, give us a price range and their gift is hand delivered either same day or on the date they prefer. It’s so easy.” says Kristi.

Kristi is proud of the positive reputation that The Basketry has gained through word-of-mouth, hotel referrals—even “Hollywood South” can’t get enough. “We’ve delivered our baskets to more than 100 celebrities who are in town making movies and television shows.” Her customers know that they can trust the process and that their beautifully-presented baskets will be delivered when promised. Every day, Kristi and her team create gift baskets for new babies, brides, corporate groups and teachers, just to name a few.

A busy wife and mother of two, Bella (15) and Nick (12), Kristi understands the value of saving her customers the time they would use to shop for gifts. She loves that her baskets bring joy to both the gift giver and the recipient. “Running a business while raising a family is not always easy. I’m very involved in the process, from open to close, and I absolutely love what I do. I hope that we can continue to help customers deliver the perfect gift for many more years to come.”

Visit The Basketry at 12337 Highway 90 in Luling.

To order, call 504-309-7935 or go to TheBasketry.com.

Reflections of a Hurricane Bride THE DAY BEFORE KATRINA MADE LANDFALL on August 29, 2005, our motley crew—my thenfiancé, Mark; his three children; my daughter (my son had started college at Rhodes in Memphis the week before); my close friend and annual evacuation buddy, Tammy Crabtree; her two children; and our beloved dog, Sugar—piled in the SUV and headed to the country for a two-day “hurrication.”

Our destination was Maringouin, Louisiana, which, by the way, is French for mosquito—this would definitely become a truism. Maringouin is north of I-10 about half-way between Baton Rouge

and Lafayette with the nearest town being Lavonia.

by Winnie Brown In short, it’s miles north, south, east and west of any main road. Mark’s brother-in-law had a “camp” on acres of bayou- and oak-bordered land with the welcome bonus of a swimming pool and pool house.

The main house would become stretched to capacity, the temporary home to over 30 of us at varying times for months after Katrina.

Mark and I were focused less on the storm and more on our wedding planned for October and the ensuing challenge of successfully blending a family of five tweens and teens ages 12-18. Our plan was to Above: Brown go to Maringouin for two to three days of full family family and friends in immersion and then go back home.

Maringouin, La., on It was a joyful time. Friends, family, family and August 28, 2005. friends of family, all eating, drinking, visiting—a Inset: Winnie reunion of sorts, but indescribable with the unknown and Mark Brown of Katrina looming in the background. on August 31, Then Katrina caught us all by surprise. The early 2005 toasting revelry gave way to despair as we watched the Hyatt their return from collapse and Southern Yacht Club burn. And there are the Plaquemine no words to describe my reaction when I saw Harry >> courthouse.

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Connick Jr. on national television in hip waders in front of his father’s house, which was next door to mine.

With the somber realization that we weren’t going home any time soon—and maybe never—we made the decision to get married then and there. August 31, we headed for the closest courthouse, which was in Plaquemine, to get a marriage license.

For New Orleanians whose knowledge of geography ends at the Loyola ramp on I-10 West, the city of Plaquemine is not to be confused with Plaquemines Parish, which at this time was underwater. This confusion by many of our Uptown friends has made for a much better story.

Urged by the judge not to wait, we immediately conducted the ceremony in chambers. The bride and groom wore the clothes they had evacuated in and looked (and probably smelled) every bit the part of two who had endured the excruciating heat without benefit of electricity for a day or two.

“Bronco,” the judge’s clerk, served as Mark’s best man. I can’t remember who on the staff served as my maid of honor.

Man and wife, we headed back to Maringouin to share our news, celebrate and hopefully score a bed, which we did. We were awarded the fold-out sofa bed that we shared with Tammy (what are friends for?) in the middle of the big room that was also sleeping about 20 children, teens and adults in sleeping bags, cots and on the floor. We celebrated with several-yearsold Betty Crocker cake from the pantry and Veuve Cliquot—a lesson on what is important to take with you for an evacuation.

Our big break came the next day when Mark’s parents gave us their hotel room in Port Allen for our “honeymoon.” Heaven!

We had a private bath and Internet.

We would stay in Maringouin until early October. Mark’s cousin brought down an RV from Delaware that would be our “home” and afford us a modicum of privacy. With all but one child disbursed to schools across the country, our days were spent rebuilding our businesses and repairing property long distance.

Katrina wrought damage and loss for us, like for so many others; most sadly of all, we lost Sugar in a storm-related fire.

We were a good deal more fortunate than most, and we will never forget the kindness and generosity shown us by family, friends, and strangers.

As an Irish blessing says, for every storm, God gives us a rainbow. On August 31, 2015, we will celebrate 10 wonderful years of marriage. Our five children have all graduated from college, and Gibbs, who took Sugar’s place, is now a grand old man in dog years. It has been said that “nothing is more beautiful than the love that has weathered the storms of life”— or in our case, The Storm of the Century.

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Abby Jackson and Ross Ulowetz exchanged vows in the courtyard of Maison Dupuy in New Orleans. Abby’s Essence of Australia Palomino regal taffeta ball gown featured a diamantebeaded jacket for the ceremony and a sweetheart strapless neckline for the reception. The bridesmaids donned dusty rose chiffon gowns and makeup by Flawless Bride. Guests gathered on the first floor of Maison Dupuy for the reception, where the outdoor dance floor was lit with string lights.

Peonies, hydrangeas, roses and other fresh flowers accented the atmosphere, along with the pastel flowers cascading down the bride’s cake. The couple honeymooned in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

photo: BRIAN JARREAU

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Wilbert-Budzius Mary-Margaret Louise Wilbert and Cameron Joseph Budzius joined in holy matrimony at the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church. The bride wore a lace and tulle gown from Town and Country accented by a cascading bouquet of cream calla lilies, orchids and vendela roses. Her maids dressed in soft pink chiffon gowns with free-form bouquets of peach, pink and light blue flowers. After the ceremony, guests gathered at the Riverview Room at Jackson Brewery to celebrate while Four Unplugged performed. The bride’s cake displayed blush icing flowers and Mignon Faget cake pulls. As the reception ended, a second line marched the newlyweds and their guests from the brewery to Carousel Bar with glow necklaces, sticks and bracelets as well as personalized handkerchiefs from Backyard Printing.

The happy couple honeymooned in St. Lucia.

Tessa Hyman and Ryan Brown wed at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans’ Grand Ballroom surrounded by friends and family. The bride graced the aisle in a dropped-waist gown featuring embroidery and Swarovski crystals and a dramatic organza-ruffled skirt. Her bridal party dressed in classic black oneshoulder gowns. The reception carried guests into a festive evening with DJ Nola and a New Orleans buffet served by the Royal Sonesta. The bride’s traditional four-tier almond cake boasted edible pearls and a red rose cluster to accent the elegant atmosphere. The newlyweds enjoyed a honeymoon in Grenada before returning home.

photo: JEFF POUNDS

photo: ARTE DE VIE CHEYANNE KEESE

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A Knight to Remember!

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When Elizabeth Brennan Diehl and Nicholas Patrick Knight exchanged their vows in Saint Louis Cathedral surrounded by family and friends, it was the perfect culmination of months of careful preparation. From the time they were engaged, consultant Terry Cambise helped the couple coordinate every detail, from the save-the-date cards and invitations by Scriptura to the rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony and reception. “Pairing of all the right vendors to match a client’s personality and style are so important to the success of an event,” Terry says.

“Attention to the details helps to bring the client’s wishes to life.”

The rehearsal dinner was held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel around one grand table. After dinner, the partygoers second lined through the French Quarter with Mardi Gras Indians and The Young Pinstripe Jazz Band before returning to dessert and dueling pianos at the Royal Sonesta’s Courtyard. Photographer Oscar Rajo and videographer Studio Vieux Carre captured all of the special moments for the happy couple. The following day, guests gathered after the ceremony for the reception at The Roosevelt Hotel’s Waldorf Astoria Ballroom, where flowers from Ambrose Gardens filled the room.

Jordan Kahn Music Company played through the event for guests to dance the knight away.

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Go 4th on the River The 25th anniversary of Go 4th on the River went off with a bang on the banks of the Mississippi River with dueling barges and patriotic fireworks in exciting shapes and colors. Presented by The Riverfront Marketing Group, the show is recognized as one of the top five must-see firework displays in America by the American Pyrotechnics Association. In commemoration of the 25th anniversary, the Port of New Orleans showcased the General Roy S. Kelley fireboat with plumes of red, white and blue fountains before the big display. The VIP Fireworks Viewing Reception was held at River 127 and hosted by The Westin New Orleans Canal Place.

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1. Boo Kallenborn, Gayle Levenson, Wendy Ciolino, Susie Zeringue, Kay Smith and Mary Beth Rittiner at Bon Ton for lunch. 2. Kenny Spellman, Ed Anderson and Clarence Johnson at Brother Martin High’s Marty Gras benefit concert in honor of legendary drummer and band director Marty Hurley. 3. Larry Caldarera and Joey Battaglia with Jed and Lorin Darensbourg celebrating Lorin’s birthday. 4. United Way CEO Michael Williamson, Sharon Green and Jamene Dahmer at the United Way Annual Meeting.

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2. Charmaine and Lizzie Hotard with Dr. Yvonne Adler. 3. Keith LeBlanc, Angela Hill and Dr. Gerald Cvitanovich at the 2015 Father of the Year Awards benefiting the American Diabetes Association. 4. Father of the Year recipients Dr. Gerald Cvitanovich, Glen J. Golemi, James M. Remetich and Kenny Rabalais.

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Benefitting the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Sippin’ in Seersucker 2015 kicked off the summer social season. Hosted by The Shops at Canal Place, over 15 restaurants served small bites and cocktails to music by Robin Barnes and the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys. Experts in the iconic style, New Orleans designers Jolie Bensen Hamilton and Sarah Elizabeth Dewey of Jolie and Elizabeth were among the revelers. The seersucker contest, hosted by Charles Divins and judged

by Tracee Dundas and L. Kasimu Harris, lightened up the crowd with fun competition. Tina Griffith, Jason Gross and John Triplett took home the best-dressed seersucker awards.

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To benefit advancements in pediatric care on the northshore through the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation

Presented By

To reserve your table call the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation. 985-898-4171

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IN the Spotlight Orléans Club Closing Reception

The Orléans Club’s annual Closing Reception in May celebrated the 90th birthday of its founding in 1925. The festive affair also recognized the year’s committee chairs. The ’20s theme began with the Art Deco invitation, long “pearls” adorning the honored chairs, a Charlestondancing flapper on the front porch and fitting fun music by Joe Simon’s Jazz Band.

Delectable dining offered boiled shrimp with remoulade sauce, tuna tartare, lamb lollipops, a filet carving station, smoked salmon and barbeque shrimp with grits. All of this was followed by a great birthday cake, decorated with the façade of the St. Charles Avenue club, which was cut following a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” and toasting glasses of Champagne.

Clockwise: Betty and Tom Davidson, Kathy and Phil Youngberg; Lydia Ozenberger, Marilyn Aiken, Elizabeth Wagner and Diane Zatarain; Hallie Boh and Cynthia Bassich; Sara Wallace, Beth Cook and Sherry McFadden.

Bridge House/Grace House Women of Substance Luncheon The Bridge House/Grace House 20th annual Women of Substance Luncheon celebrated local female role models at the Audubon Tea Room. Honorees included Walton Goldring, Ali Rouse Royster, Celie Stumm Howard, Susan Rodriguez, Pam Albers and Michelle Duplantis.

Bridge House and Grace House are dedicated to helping men and women lead sober and productive lives through gender-specific treatment. The luncheon, emceed by Bryan Batt, benefitted the treatment programs.

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IN the Spotlight WYES Chocolate Sunday Guests of WYES experienced pure chocolate bliss during the WYES Chocolate Sunday at Messina’s at the Terminal in the New Orleans Lakefront Airport. Windowsill Pies took home Best in Show for their dark chocolate tart. Cook Me Somethin’ Mister won Best Savory, Cheese-n-a-Cake took home Best Cake, Southern Candymakers stole Best Candy and Bakermaid baked Best Cookie. Proceeds of the event supported WYES’ mission to serve greater New Orleans, Southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast with enlightening, entertaining and educational programming.

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IN the Spotlight WYES Producers Circle Cocktail Reception The WYES Producers Circle cocktail reception was held at the home of Arlene and Alan Philipson. President and General Manager of WYES Allan Pizzato presented the Philipsons with a gift in appreciation of their chairmanship of Producers Circle.

Tucker Fitz-Hugh catered the soirÊe, serving passed hors d’oeuvres of jumbo lump crab cakes, New Zealand lamb lollypops, bacon with tomato mayonnaise and croutons with fried quail egg. Guests also noshed on smoked salmon, prosciutto-wrapped shrimp and Mississippi honey and goat cheese tartlets sprinkled with gold flakes. Steve Baker of Ambrose Gardens provided the arrangements of stunning peonies.

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IN the Spotlight Inside New Orleans Meet the Artist Party The historic Hermann-Grima House made a fine gathering place for Inside New Orleans’ Meet the Artist Party featuring Pio Lyons.

Hermann-Grima hosted the event, opening each room of the lower level. Pio’s works were scattered throughout the house, including Hawk, which won Honorable Mention in the Louisiana Watercolor Society International Show. Partygoers enjoyed small bites, including Pâté de Maison, provided by Broussard’s Restaurant.

The courtyard adjacent to the house allowed guests to enjoy mild summer air and good conversation.

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Baby Boom at George Cottage Innovative, Play-Based Program Expands Beginning in August, parents of infants and young toddlers will have an exceptional opportunity to enroll their children in George Cottage at St. Martin’s Episcopal School. The area’s premier early childhood program will be home to children ages 8 weeks to 4 years old for the 2015-2016 school year.

The Reggio-inspired curriculum reflects the best practices established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and celebrates the idea that children learn best when they are actively invested and involved in the creation of their own learning. This play-based preschool program encourages exploration, nurtures the spirit, and cultivates a sense of wonder.

Children at the Cottage find open crawling spaces, climbing opportunities, and play areas to encourage learning how their bodies work and move; cozy nooks for quiet play and reading; and a variety of age-appropriate toys and books to help gain information about the world. The setting was deliberately created to promote social skills and choice making, enabling students to gain a strong foundation for future learning.

Five teacher-designed outdoor classrooms stimulate children to discover new information, skills, and concepts through experiences that encourage a positive self-image, foster joy in the learning process, and promote school-readiness skills.

Children are able to play in a log cabin; dance and sing on a stage; climb a handmade fence; ride a one-of-a-kind cypress train; and use the portable elements of the yards to redesign the playspace layout and formulate new games.

George Cottage is a community of learners where children, teachers, and parents work collaboratively, explore, discover, learn, and have fun. It is the first step in St. Martin’s mission to prepare students to thrive in college and in life through faith, scholarship and service.

Our goal is to create a comfortable, homelike environment where children love to learn and play and where parents are comfortable and confident that their children are safe, happy, and loved.

– Holly Dalferes, Director of George Cottage

George Cottage at St. Martin’s Episcopal School is located at 225 Green Acres Road in Metairie. For more information, please contact Holly Dalferes at (504) 736-9901 or visit us online at www.stmsaints.com.

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IN Great Taste

by Yvette Jemison

Creamy Vidalia Onion Dip Makes about 2 cups 1/4 lb. sliced bacon 3 cups Vidalia onion, diced 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced 1 1/2 cups sour cream 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Crackers, chips or toasted baguette for serving

1. In a skillet, cook the bacon on medium heat until brown and most of the fat has rendered, 8-10 minutes. Reserve the bacon drippings in the skillet, and transfer bacon to a plate to cool before breaking into small crumbles.

2. Add the onions to the bacon drippings in the skillet and sauté on medium heat until translucent, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until softened and fragrant, 2-4 minutes. Remove from heat and a let cool.

3. In a medium bowl, stir together the sour cream, soy sauce, Tabasco pepper sauce, salt and pepper. Add the cooled onions and 124

Inside New Orleans

Tailgate Winners 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard

stir to combine. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

4. To serve, stir half of the crumbled bacon into the dip, and garnish with the remaining bacon.

Serve with crackers, chips or toasted baguette.

DO AHEAD: The dip can be prepared and refrigerated one day ahead.

Party Thyme Chicken Wings Servings: 8-10 2 Tablespoons dried thyme leaves 1 Tablespoon lemon zest 1 Tablespoon garlic powder 1 Tablespoon chili powder

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 Tablespoons lemon juice 4 pounds chicken wings, tips removed, drummettes and flats separated

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the thyme leaves, lemon zest, garlic powder, chili powder, dry mustard, salt, pepper, sugar and cayenne pepper. Add the vegetable oil and lemon juice and stir until combined

photos courtesy: YVETTE JEMISON

KICK OFF YOUR TAILGATE PARTY with these winning recipes. The combination of salty bacon in a Creamy Vidalia Onion Dip is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Party Thyme Chicken Wings are a must at any tailgate party. Serve Blistered Tomato and Red Quinoa salad for a satisfying departure from your typical pasta salad. Much can be prepared in advance. Simply bake the chicken wings, serve your dip and salad and watch the crowds dig in at your next tailgate. For step-by-step photos of each recipe, go to Ydelicacies.com.

into a loose paste. Set aside.

3. Rinse the chicken and use paper towels or dish towels to thoroughly pat dry. Place in a large bowl and pour the paste on the chicken. Using your hands, rub the paste on all the chicken drummettes and flats.

4. On a rimmed baking sheet, arrange the coated chicken in a single layer. Bake until cooked through and browned, 40-50 minutes.

DO AHEAD: The seasoned paste can be made two days ahead. Stir well before using.

Blistered Tomato and Red Quinoa Salad Servings: 12-14 2 pints cherry tomatoes (about 3 1/2 cups) 2 cups red onion, sliced

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Arrange the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet about 6 inches below the broiler until the walnuts are browned in spots and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to cool.

3. Arrange the tomatoes and sliced onions in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the baking sheet about 6 inches below the broiler until the tomatoes are blistered and onions are softened, 8-10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

4. In a small pot, bring the water to a boil.

Add the quinoa and return to a boil. When a boil is reached, cover and reduce to a simmer until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for at least 15 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

5. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, agave nectar, garlic, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper until combined. Add the parsley and whisk to combine.

6. In a large bowl, toss the cooled walnuts, broiled onions, cooled quinoa and cucumbers with the vinaigrette until well coated. Gently toss in the blistered tomatoes and serve at room temperature or chilled.

DO AHEAD: The vinaigrette can be made two days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. The salad can be made one day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

1 1/2 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped 1 1/2 cups water 1 cup red quinoa, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar 2 teaspoons agave nectar 2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/3 cup parsley, chopped 2 cups cucumber, cut into 1/2-inch pieces August-September 2015 125

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INside Dining

New Orleans is home to more great restauruants than we could hope to

list here. For a comprehensive listing of restaurants in the New Orleans metro area, please refer to Tom Fizmorris’ nomenu.com. In this guide, you will find some of the best bets around town.

Tom’s fleur de lis ratings are shown.

CARROLLTON, RIVERBEND AND BROADMOOR Babylon Café aaa Middle Eastern, 7724 Maple St., 504-314-0010 Barcelona Tapas aaa Spanish, 720 Dublin St., 504-861-9696 Basil Leaf aaa Thai, 1438 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-9001 Boucherie aaaa Southern Barbecue, 1506 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-5514 Brigtsen’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 723 Dante St., 504-861-7610 Café Niño aaa Pizza, 1510 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-865-9200 Chiba aaa Japanese, 8312 Oak St., 504-826-9119 Ciro’s Cote Sud aaa French, 7918 Maple St., 504-866-9551 Cooter Brown’s Tavern aaa Sandwiches, 509 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-9104 Cowbell aa Hamburgers, 1200 Eagle St., 504-866-4222 Dante’s Kitchen aaaa Eclectic, 736 Dante St., 504-861-3121 Hana aaa Japanese, 8116 Hampson, 504-865-1634 Jacques-Imo’s aaa Cajun, 8324 Oak St., 504-861-0886 Lebanon’s Café aaa Middle Eastern, 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-6200 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen aaa Pizza, 615 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-5900 Maple Street Café aaa Creole Italian, 7623 Maple St., 504-314-9003 Mat & Naddie’s aaaa Eclectic, 937 Leonidas St., 504-861-9600 Mikimoto aaaa Japanese, 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-488-1881 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern, 1120 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-861-8174 Panchita’s aaa Central American, 1434 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-281-4127 Pupuseria La Macarena aaa Central American, 8120 Hampson

St., 504-861-0565 Squeal Barbecue aa Barbecue, 8400 Oak St., 504-302-7370 Vincent’s aaaa Italian, 7839 St. Charles Ave., 504-866-9313 Ye Olde College Inn aaa Neighborhood Café, 3016 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-3683 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT Blue Room aaa American, 123 Baronne, Roosevelt Hotel. 504-648-1200 Bon Ton Café aaa Cajun, 401 Magazine St., 504-524-3386 Borgne aaa Seafood, 601 Loyola Ave. (Hyatt Regency Hotel), 504613-3860 Café Adelaide aaaa Contemporary Creole, 300 Poydras St., 504595-3305 Chophouse aaa Steak, 322 Magazine St., 504-522-7902 Desi Vega’s aaaa Steak, 628 St. Charles Ave., 504-523-7600 Domenica aaaa Italian, 123 Baronne St. (Roosevelt Hotel), 504-648-6020 Drago’s aaaa Seafood, 2 Poydras St., 504-584-3911 Herbsaint aaaa Creole French, 701 St. Charles Ave., 504-524-4114 Horinoya aaa Japanese, 920 Poydras St., 504-561-8914 Le Foret aaaaa French, 129 Camp St., 504-553-6738 Liborio aaa Cuban, 321 Magazine St., 504-581-9680 Lucky Rooster aaa Pan-Asian, 515 Baronne St., 504-529-5825 Lüke aaa French, 333 St. Charles Ave., 504-378-2840 MiLa aaaa Eclectic, 817 Common St., 504-412-2580 Morton’s The Steakhouse aaa Steak, 365 Canal St. (Canal Place Mall), 504-566-0221 Mother’s aaa Sandwiches, 401 Poydras St., 504-523-9656 Restaurant August aaaaa Eclectic, 301 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-299-9777 Ruby Slipper Café aaa Breakfast, Neighborhood Café, 200 Magazine St., 504-525-9355 Ruth’s Chris Steak House aaa Steak, 525 Fulton St., 504-587-7099 Windsor Court Grill Room aaa American, 300 Gravier St., 504522-1994

St., 504-862-5252

ESPLANADE RIDGE

Riccobono’s Panola Street Café aa Breakfast, 7801 Panola St., 504-314-1810 Sara’s aaa Pan-Asian, 724 Dublin

126

Inside New Orleans

AND GENTILLY Liuzza’s By The Track aaa Neighborhood Café, 1518 N.

11.

Lopez St., 504-218-7888

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El Gato Negro aaa Mexican, 81 French Market Place, 504-525-9752 Frank’s aaa Creole Italian, 933 Decatur St., 504-525-1602 Galatoire’s aaaa Creole French, 209 Bourbon St., 504-525-2021 Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak aaa Steak, 215 Bourbon St., 504The Gumbo Shop has won “Best Gumbo in N.O.” for several years running, but you can also enjoy other New Orleans favorites at the centrally located French Quarter restaurant. Grilled boudin, sautéed shrimp po-boys, chicken Espagnole, artichoke soup and creole creamed spinach can also be found on the menu. 630 Saint Peter St., 525-1486, gumboshop.com.

Lola’s aaa Spanish, 3312 Esplanade Ave., 504-488-6946 Sammy’s Food Service aaa Neighborhood Café, 3000 Elysian Fields Ave., 504-9470675 Santa Fe aaa Mexican, 3201 Esplanade Ave., 504-948-0077

335-3932 Galvez aaaa Spanish, 914 N. Peters St., 504-595-3400 Gumbo Shop aaa Creole, 630 St. Peter St., 504-525-1486 GW Fins aaaa Seafood, 808 Bienville St., 504-581-3467 Irene’s Cuisine aaaa Italian, 539 St. Philip St., 504-529-8811 K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen aaaa Cajun, 416 Chartres St., 504-524-7394 Kingfish aaaa Cajun, 337 Chartres St., 504-598-5005 Louisiana Bistro aaa Contemporary Creole, 337 Dauphine St., 504-525-3335 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen aaa Pizza, 95 French Market Place, 504-522-9500 Maximo’s Italian Grill aaaa

FRENCH QUARTER Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 724 Iberville St., 504-522-5973 Antoine’s aaaa Creole French, 713 St. Louis St., 504-581-4422 Arnaud’s aaaa Creole French, 813 Bienville St., 504-523-5433 Attiki Middle Eastern, 230 Decatur St., 504-587-3756 Bayona aaaa Eclectic, 430 Dauphine St., 504-525-4455 Bombay Club aaa Contemporary Creole, 830 Conti St., 504-5860972 Bourbon House aaa Seafood, 144 Bourbon St., 504-522-0111 Brennan’s Contemporary Creole, 417 Royal St., 504-525-9711 Broussard’s aaaa Creole French, 819 Conti St., 504-581-3866 Café Giovanni aaaa Creole Italian, 117 Decatur St., 504-529-2154 Court of Two Sisters aaa Creole French, 613 Royal St., 504-522-7273 Crescent City Brewhouse aaa Pub Food, 527 Decatur St., 504522-0571 Criollo aaa Creole French, 214 Royal St., 504-523-3341 Deanie’s Seafood Seafood, 841 Iberville St., 504-581-1316 Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse aaa Steak, 716 Iberville St., 504-522-2467 Eat aaa Neighborhood Café, 900 Dumaine St., 504-522-7222

Italian, 1117 Decatur St., 504586-8883 Meauxbar aaaa French, 942 N. Rampart St., 504-569-9979 Mr. B’s Bistro aaaa Contemporary Creole, 201 Royal St., 504-5232078 Muriel’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 801 Chartres St., 504568-1885 Napoleon House aa Sandwiches, 500 Chartres St., 504-524-9752 New Orleans Creole Cookery Classic Creole, 510 Toulouse St., 504-524-9632 Nola aaaa Contemporary Creole, 534 St. Louis St., 504-522-6652 Ole Saint Southern Coastal, 132 Royal St., 504-309-4797 Orleans Grapevine aaa Contemporary Creole, 720 Orleans Ave., 504-523-1930 Palace Café aaa Contemporary Creole, 605 Canal St., 504-5231661 Pelican Club aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 312 Exchange Place, 504-523-1504 Port of Call aaa Hamburgers, 838 Esplanade Ave., 504-523-0120 R’evolution aaaa Creole French, 777 Bienville (in the Royal Sonesta Hotel), 504-553-2277 Red Fish Grill aaa Seafood, 115 Bourbon St., 504-598-1200 Rib Room aaa American, 621 St. >>

August-September 2015 127

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Louis St., 504-529-7045

Magazine St., 504-527-0771

Royal House aaa Seafood, 441

Sushi Brothers aaa Japanese, 1612

Royal St., 504-528-2601 SoBou aaa Contemporary Creole, 310 Chartres St., 504-552-4095 Stanley aa Breakfast, 547 St. Ann St., 504-587-0093

St. Charles Ave., 504-581-4449 Tracey’s aaa Sandwiches, 2604 Magazine St., 504-897-5413 Zea aaa American, 1525 St. Charles

Tujague’s aaa Creole, 823 Decatur St., 504-525-8676

Commander’s Palace aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 1403 Washington Ave., 504-899-8221 Coquette aaaa Creole French, 2800 Magazine St., 504-265-0421 Delmonico aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1300 St. Charles Ave., 504-525-4937 Juan’s Flying Burrito aaa Mexican, 2018 Magazine St., 504-569-0000 Miyako aaa Japanese, 1403 St. Charles Ave., 504-410-9997 Mr. John’s Steakhouse aaaa Steak, 2111 St. Charles Ave., 504-679-7697 Sake Café aaa Japanese, 2830

Ave., 504-525-7437 Stein’s Deli aaa Deli, 2207

128

Inside New Orleans

Esplanade Ave., 504-888-5533

LAKEVIEW

Café East aaa Pan-Asian, 4628

2020 Veterans Blvd., 504-837-9777 Mellow Mushroom is the place

Café Navarre aa Sandwiches, 800

Rye St., 504-888-0078

where pizza and beer lovers come

Navarre Ave., 504-483-8828

Café Equator aaa Thai, 2920

together. The freshest ingredients

Harrison Ave., 504-488-0107 Lakeview Harbor aaa Hamburgers, 911 Harrison Ave., 504-486-4887 Mondo aaa Eclectic, 900 Harrison Ave., 504-224-2633 Munch Factory aaa Contemporary Creole, 6325 Elysian Fields Ave., 504-324-5372 Ralph’s On The Park aaaa Contemporary Creole, 900 City Park Ave., 504-488-1000 Steak Knife aaa Contemporary Creole, 888 Harrison Ave., 504488-8981 Tony Angello’s aaa Creole Italian, 6262 Fleur de Lis Dr., 504-488-0888

Magazine St., 504-894-0033 Slice aaa Pizza, 1513 St. Charles

N. Turnbull Dr., 504-455-7363 Austin’s aaaa Creole, 5101 West Byblos Market aa Middle Eastern,

El Gato Negro aaa Mexican, 300 GARDEN DISTRICT

504-834-8583 Andy’s Bistro aaa American, 3322

Ave., 504-520-8100

Sylvain aaa American Gourmet, 625 Chartres St., 504-265-8123

Andrea’s aa Italian, 3100 19th St.,

Severn Ave., 504-888-4772 Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 2320

Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 3000 Veterans Blvd., 504-309-4056

hoagies, calzones and salads. Try

Veterans Blvd., 504-837-6696;

one of their specialty pizzas like the

1821 Hickory Ave., Harahan, 504-

Kosmic Karma or Mighty Meaty

305-4833

then top it off with one of the 30

Casa Garcia aaa Mexican, 8814 Veterans Blvd., 504-464-0354 Casablanca aaa Mediterranean, 3030 Severn Ave., 504-888-2209 China Rose aaa Chinese, 3501 N. Arnoult St., 504-887-3295 Crabby Jack’s aaa Sandwiches, 428 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson, 504-833-2722 Cypress aaa Contemporary Creole, 4426 Transcontinental Blvd., 504885-6885 Drago’s aaaa Seafood, 3232 N.

METAIRIE

go into the eclectic menu of pizzas,

Arnoult Rd., 504-888-9254 Fausto’s aaa Creole Italian, 530 Veterans Blvd., 504-833-7121

beer choices on tap. Catering is available. 3131 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504-644-4155, mellowmushroom.com.

Fury’s aaa Seafood, 724 Martin Behrman Ave., 504-834-5646 Giorlando’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 741 Bonnabel Blvd., 504835-8593 Heritage Grill Contemporary Creole, 111 Veterans Blvd., 504-934-4900 Hillbilly Barbecue aaa Barbecue, 2317 Hickory Ave., River Ridge, 504-738-1508 Impastato’s aaaa Creole Italian, 3400 16th St., 504-455-1545

i Korea House aaa Korean, 3547 18th St., 504-888-0654 Kosher Cajun Deli aa Deli, 3519 Severn Ave., 504-888-2010 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 2300 N. Causeway Blvd., 504-831-6788

733-8879, 4201 Veterans Blvd., 504-779-7253 Sandro’s Trattoria aaa Creole Italian, 6601 Veterans Blvd., 504888-7784 Shogun aaaa Japanese, 2325

Martin Wine Cellar Deli aaa Deli,

Veterans Blvd., 504-833-7477

714 Elmeer Ave., 504-896-7350

Taqueria Corona aaa Mexican,

Mellow Mushroom aa Pizza, 30 craft beers on tap, 3131 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 504-644-4155 Mr. Ed’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 1001 Live Oak St., 504-838-0022 Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House aaa Seafood, 3117 21St.

3535 Severn Ave., 504-885-5088 Vincent’s aaaa Creole Italian, 4411 Chastant St., 504-885-2984 Zea aaa American, 4450 Veterans Blvd. (Clearview Mall), 504780-9090; 1655 Hickory Ave., Harahan, 504-738-0799

Sandwiches, 3939 Veterans Blvd., 504-885-3416 Peppermill aaa Creole Italian, 3524 Severn Ave., 504-455-2266 Pho Orchid aaa Vietnamese, 3117 Houma Blvd., 504-457-4188 Ristorante Filippo aaa Creole

MID-CITY Angelo Brocato aaa Dessert and Coffee, 214 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-486-1465 Café Degas aaa French, 3127 Esplanade Ave., 504-945-5635 Café Minh aaaa Vietnamese, 4139 Canal St., 504-482-6266

Italian, 1917 Ridgelake Dr., 504-

Cafe NOMA Contemporary Creole,

835-4008

1 Collins Diboll Circle, 504-482-1264

Royal China aaa Chinese, 600 Veterans Blvd., 504-831-9633 Ruth’s Chris Steak House aaaa

Canal Street Bistro aaa Mexican, 3903 Canal St., 504-482-1225 Crescent City Steak House aaa

Steak, 3633 Veterans Blvd., 504-

Steak, 1001 N. Broad St., 504-

888-3600

821-3271

Sake Café aa Japanese, 1130 S. Clearview Pkwy., Elmwood, 504-

s

Crescent Pie & Sausage Company aaa Neighborhood Café, 4408

i

Banks St., 504-482-6264 Dooky Chase aaa Creole, 2301 Orleans Ave., 504-821-0600 Doson’s Noodle House aaa Vietnamese, 135 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-309-7283 Five Happiness aaa Chinese, 3605

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Toups’ Meatery aaa Cajun, 845 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-252-4999 Venezia aaa Italian, 134 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-488-7991 Willie Mae’s Scotch House aaa Chicken, 2401 St. Ann St., 504822-9503

S. Carrollton Ave., 504-482-3935 Juan’s Flying Burrito aaa Mexican, 4724 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-486-9950 Katie’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3701 Iberville St., 504-488-6582 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 310 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-485-5658 Liuzza’s aaa Neighborhood Café,

Street, 504-833-6310 Parran’s Po-Boys aaa

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3636 Bienville St., 504-482-9120 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood, 3800 Canal St., 504-482-9179 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern, 3901 Banks St., 504-482-7743 Parkway Poor Boys aaa

NORTHSHORE Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 1202 US 190, Covington, 985246-6155 Annadele Plantation aaaa Contemporary Creole, 71518 Chestnut St., Covington, 985809-7669 Bear’s aa Sandwiches, 128 W. 21St. Ave., Covington, 504-892-2373 Bear’s Grill & Spirits aaa Sandwiches, 550 Gause Blvd., Slidell, 985-201-8905 Bosco’s aaa Creole Italian, 141

Sandwiches, 538 Hagan Ave.,

TerraBella Blvd., Covington, 985-

504-482-3047

612-7250, 2040 La Hwy 59,

Redemption aaaa Contemporary Creole, 3835 Iberville St., 504309-3570 Ruby Slipper Café aaa Breakfast, Neighborhood Café, 139 S. Cortez St., 504-309-5531 Rue 127 aaaa Contemporary Creole, 127 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-483-1571

Mandeville, 985-624-5066 Café Lynn aaaa Contemporary Creole, 3051 East Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 985-624-9007 Camellia Café aaa Neighborhood Café, 69455 LA 59, Abita Springs, 985-809-6313; 525 190 Hwy. W., Slidell, 985-649-6211 Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 1340

August-September 2015 129

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g Lindberg Dr., Slidell, 985-8470020; 70380 LA Hwy. 21, Covington, 985-871-6674 The Chimes aaa Cajun, 19130 W. Front St., Covington, 985-892-5396 Christopher’s On Carey aaaa Contemporary Creole, 2228 Carey St., Slidell, 985-641-4501 Dakota aaaa Contemporary Creole, 629 N. US 190, Covington, 985-892-3712 DiCristina’s aaa Italian, 810 N. Columbia St., Covington, 985875-0160 DiMartino’s aaa Italian, 700 S. Tyler St., Covington, 985-276-6460 Fazzio’saa Italian,1841 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985-624-9704 Gallagher’s Grill aaaa Contemporary Creole, 509 S. Tyler St., Covington, 985-892-9992 George’s aaa Mexican, 1461 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985-626-4342

Ox Lot 9 aaa Contemporary, 428 E Boston St., Covington, 985400-5663 Pardo’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 69305 Hwy 21, Covington, 985-893-3603 Ristorante Del Porto aaaa Italian, 501 E. Boston St., Covington, 985-875-1006 Sal and Judy’s aaaa Italian, 27491 Highway 190, Lacombe, 985-882-9443 Thai Orchid aaa Thai, 785 Robert Blvd., Slidell, 985-781-0240 Trey Yuen aaa Chinese, 600 Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985-626-4476 Water Street Bistro aaa Contemporary Creole, 804 Water St., Madisonville, 985-845-3855 Young’s aaa Steak, 850 Robert Blvd., Slidell, 985-643-9331 Yujin aaa Japanese, 323 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985809-3840

Gio’s Villa Vancheri aaa Italian,

Zea aaa American, 110 Lake Dr.,

2890 E. Causeway Approach,

Covington, 985-327-0520; 173

Mandeville, 985-624-2597

Northshore Blvd., Slidell, 985-

Keith Young’s Steak House

273-0500

aaaa Steak, 165 LA 21, Madisonville, 985-845-9940 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 812 Hyw 190, Covington, 985-400-5202; 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 985-624-2990 La Provence aaaa French, 25020 US 190, Lacombe, 985-626-7662 Lakehouse aaa Contemporary Creole, 2025 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 985-626-3006 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 590 Asbury Dr., Mandeville, 504-727-1532 Lola aaa Contemporary Creole, Sandwiches, 517 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985892-4992 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood, 4240 La 22, Mandeville, 985674-9883 Mattina Bella aaa Breakfast, 421

OLD METAIRIE Bear’s Grill & Spirits aaa Sandwiches, 3206 Metairie Rd., 504-833-9226 Byblos aaa Middle Eastern, 1501 Metairie Rd., 504-834-9773 Café B aaa Contemporary Creole, 2700 Metairie Rd., 504-934-4700 Chateau Du Lac aaaa French, 2037 Metairie Rd., 504-831-3773 Galley Seafood aaa Seafood, 2535 Metairie Rd., 504-832-0955 Porter & Luke’s aaa Creole Homestyle, 1517 Metairie Rd., 504-875-4555 Sun Ray Grill aaa American, 619 Pink St., 504-837-0055 Taj Mahal aaa Indian, 923-C Metairie Rd., 504-836-6859 Vega Tapas Café aaa

E. Gibson St., Covington, 985-

Mediterranean, 2051 Metairie

892-0708

Rd., 504-836-2007

Mellow Mushroom aa Pizza, 30 craft beers on tap, 1645 N. Hwy. 190, Covington, 985-327-5407 N’Tini’s aaa Creole, 2891 US 190, Mandeville, 985-626-5566 Nathan’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 36440 Old Bayou Liberty Rd., Slidell, 985-643-0443 New Orleans Food & Spirits aaa Seafood, 208 Lee Lane, Covington, 985-875-0432 Nuvolari’s aaaa Creole Italian, 246 Girod St., Mandeville, 985-626-5619

130

Inside New Orleans

UPTOWN Amici aaa Italian, 3218 Magazine St., 504-300-1250 Ancora Pizzeria aaa Pizza, 4508 Freret St., 504-324-1636 Apolline aaaa American Gourmet, 4729 Magazine St., 504-894-8881 Atchafalaya aaaa Contemporary Creole, 901 Louisiana Ave., 504891-9626 Baru Bistro & Tapas aaa Caribbean, 3700 Magazine St.,

i 504-895-2225 Bistro Daisy aaaa Creole French, 5831 Magazine St., 504-899-6987 Byblos aaa Middle Eastern, 3242

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Magazine St., 504-897-3974 Upperline aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1413 Upperline St., 504891-9822

Magazine St., 504-894-1233 Casamento’s aaa Seafood, 4330 Magazine St., 504-895-9761

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT AND CENTRAL CITY

Charlie’s Steak House aaa Steak,

7 On Fulton aaa Contemporary

4510 Dryades St., 504-895-9705

Creole,701 Convention Center

Clancy’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 6100 Annunciation St., 504-895-1111 Dat Dog aa Sandwiches, 3336 Magazine St., 504-894-8885; 5030 Freret St., 504-899-6883 Dick & Jenny’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 4501 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-894-9880 Flaming Torch aaa French, 737 Octavia St., 504-895-0900 Gautreau’s aaaa American, 1728 Soniat St., 504-899-7397 High Hat Café aa Creole Homestyle, 4500 Freret St., 504-754-1366 Uptown,Jamila’s aaa Middle Eastern, 7806 Maple St., 504-866-4366 Joey K’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3001 Magazine St., 504-891-0997 Kyoto aaa Japanese, 4920 Prytania St., 504-891-3644 La Crepe Nanou aaaa French, 1410 Robert St., 504-899-2670 La Petite Grocery aaaa French, 4238 Magazine St., 504-891-3377 La Thai Cuisine aaaa Thai, 4938 Prytania St., 504-899-8886 Lilette aaaa French, 3637 Magazine St., 504-895-1636 Mahony’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3454 Magazine St., 504-899-3374 Martinique aaa French, 5908 Magazine St., 504-891-8495 Midway Pizza aaa Pizza, 4725 Freret St., 504-322-2815 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern, 4126 Magazine St., 504-894-9800 New York Pizza aa Pizza, 4418

Blvd., 504-575-7555 American Sector aa American, 945 Magazine St., 504-528-1940 Annunciation aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1016 Annunciation St., 504-568-0245 Café Reconcile aaa Lunch Café, 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 504-568-1157 Carmo aaa Carribean, 527 Julia St. 504-861-7763 Chateau Du Lac aaaa French, 857 Fulton St. 504-301-0235 Cochon aaa Cajun, 930 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-588-2123 Emeril’s aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 800 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-528-9393 Grand Isle aaa Seafood, 575 Convention Center Blvd., 504520-8530 La Boca aaaa Steak, 870 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-525-8205 Mais Arepas aaaa South American, 1200 Carondelet St., 504-523-6247 Pêche Seafood Grill aaa Seafood, 800 Magazine St., 504-522-1744 Rock-n-Sake aaa Japanese, 823 Fulton St., 504-581-7253 Root aaaa Eclectic, 200 Julia St., 504-252-9480 Sun Ray Grill aaa Eclectic, 1051 Annunciation St., 504-566-0021 Tomas Bistro aaaa Creole French, 755 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-527-0942 Tommy’s Cuisine aaaa Creole Italian, 746 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-581-1103

Magazine St., 504-891-2376 Ninja aaaa Japanese, 8433 Oak St., 504-866-1119 Nirvana aaa Indian, 4308 Magazine St., 504-894-9797 Pascal’s Manale aaa Creole Italian, 1838 Napoleon Ave., 504-895-4877 Patois aaaa Creole French, 6078 Laurel St., 504-895-9441 Rum House aaa Caribbean, 3128 Magazine St., 504-941-7560 Salú aaa Eclectic, 3226 Magazine St., 504-371-5958 Slice aaa Pizza, 5538 Magazine St., 504-897-4800 Sukho Thai aaa Thai, 4519 Magazine St., 504-373-6471

WEST END AND BUCKTOWN Blue Crab aaa Seafood, 7900 Lakeshore Dr., 504-284-2898 Brisbi’s aaa Seafood, 7400 Lakeshore Dr., 504-555-5555 Deanie’s Seafood aa Seafood, 1713 Lake Ave., 504-831-4141 New Orleans Food & Spirits aaa Seafood, 210 Hammond Hwy., 504-828-2220 R&O’s aaa Seafood, 216 Old Hammond Hwy., 504-831-1248 Two Tony’s aaa Creole Italian, 8536 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-282-0801 Wasabi aaa Japanese, 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-267-3263

Taqueria Corona aaa Mexican, 5932

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ADVERTISER............................. CONTACT INFO PAGE Academy of the Sacred Heart................ ashrosary.org 120 Adler’s...............................................504-523-5292 IFC Adventure Quest Laser Tag.................504-207-4444 93 All American Healthcare.....................504-288-3888 120 American Factory Direct......................985-871-0300 28 American Red Cross...... redcross.org/Powerofwomen 35 Antoine’s ..........................................504-581-4422 26 Arabella Fine Gifts and Home Décor ....985-727-9787 83 Ariodante Gallery...............................504-524-3233 132 Armbruster Artworks Studio................985-630-6295 45 Art & Eyes..........................................504-891-4494 10 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.....................504-888-1100 68 Artistry of Light..................................225-247-8963 5 Basics Underneith..............................504-894-1000 86 Basketry, The......................................504-309-7935 89,104 Benbow Veterinary Services ...............504-304-7367 75 Benchmark Investment Group.............985-635-0770 36 Berkshire Hathaway-Penfed Realty......850-267-0013 25 Beth Claybourn Interiors New Orleans ....504-342-2630 15 Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights ..............504-522-9485 7 Bianchini-Tully Insurance Agency.........504-828-5578 111 Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers..................504-831-2602 109 Bra Genie...........................................985-951-8638 90 Bra la Vie!..........................................985-662-5065 89 Brennan’s...........................................504-525-9711 126 Brown Family Orthodontics ................504-455-5642 72 Bustles and Bows...............................504-780-7090 89 Candra George Photography..............985-871-6990 54 Carreta’s Grill.................................. carretasgrill.com 54 Center for Restorative Breast Surgery.....504-899-2800 116 Christwood Retirement Community....985-898-0515 100 DA Exterminating ..............................504-888-4941 101 DeLeon and Sons...............................504-628-1363 132 Diane LaPlace....................................985-727-7103 121 Domangue Neurology........................985-867-7510 72 Dorsey and Company.........................504-524-5431 49 Eclectic Home.....................................504-866-6654 80 Elizabeth’s .........................................504-833-3717 86 EMB Interiors.....................................985-626-1522 84 Emma’s Shoes and Accessories...........504-407-0668 98 everyBody Weightloss & Wellness Clinic.....504-287-8558 111 FeBe..................................................504-835-5250 92 Fidelity Bank......................................504-569-3534 71 First Bank and Trust.............................FBTonline.com 42 Fitness Expo.......................................504-887-0880 9 Foot Solutions....................................504-833-3555 90 Franco’s Athletic Club.........................504-218-4637 IBC french mix, the ..................................985-809-3152 23 Friends of City Park ...........................504-483-9376 49 Gardner Realtors-Charlotte and Chris Dorion............ .........................................................504-237-8615 130 Gautreau’s Restaurant........................504-899-7397 127 George Cottage at St. Martin’s Episcopal School....... .........................................................504-736-9901 123 Glenn Michael Salon..........................504-828-6848 17 GNO Property Management...............504-528-7028 46 Gulf Coast Office Products..................504-733-3830 23 Gumbo Shop......................................504-525-1488 128 H2O Salon and Spa............................504-835-4377 77 Haase Shoe Store...............................504-866-9944 92 Hampton Inn and Suites.......NewOrleansHamptonInns.com 48 Hedgewood Surgical Center...............504-895-7642 83 Historic New Orleans Collection, The............ hnoc.org 98 Jefferson Ambulatory Surgery Center....504-274-3100 101

ADVERTISER............................. CONTACT INFO PAGE Jos. A. Bank.......................................504-620-BANK 90 Jovann Fine Art .......................jovannarmstrong.com 24 Kevan Hall Sport.......................... kevanhallsport.com 14 Khoobehi and Associates ...................504-304-1248 13 La Bella Vita Laser & Vein ..................985-892-2950 112 Lakeside Shopping Center....... lakesideshopping.com 6 L’Auberge Casino & Hotel- Baton Rouge.....mylauberge.com 11 Law Office of David Courcelle.............504-828-1315 39 LCI Workers Comp..............................985-612-1230 96 Le Visage Day Spa..............................504-265-8018 28 Linen Registry, The..............................504-831-8228 132 Linens and Décor...............................504-309-4301 86 Lisa Wyatt, DDS..................................504-613-5497 39 LiveEdge, LLC.....................................985-231-9208 132 Louisiana Custom Closets ..................504-885-3188 61 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen......................504-522-9500 128 Magazine Street Merchants Association......magazinestreet.com 80 mélange by KP...................................985-807-7652 84 Mellow Mushroom ............................504-644-4155 127 Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans..........504-456-3727 3 Monmouth Historic Inn.......................601-442-5852 113 Murphy Appraisal Services..................504-274-2682 68 Natchez Grand Hotel & Suites.............601-446-9994 113 National Pre-owned Cars....................504-934-1650 132 New Heights Therapy Center...............985-796-4600 119 New Orleans Auction Galleries............504-566-1849 19 New Orleans Creole Cookery..............504-524-9632 97 New Orleans Property Shoppe, Inc......504-400-4990 130 Night of Fashion.................................985-898-4141 115 North American Insurance Agency.......985-871-5480 132 Northshore Dermatology....................985-641-5198 20 Organized Impressions.......................504-421-2569 83 Original Julius Lips ............................504-366-5422 132 Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine ........................................... nolasportsmedicine.com 59 Outdoor Living Center........................985-893-8008 46 Palm Village.......................................985-778-2547 90 Pan American Power...........................985-893-1271 60 Paretti Jaguar of New Orleans............504-455-2101 BC Performance Tile and Marble..............985-651-6531 80 Pool and Patio Center.........................504-837-2022 4 Rent-A-Nerd......................................504-454-6373 83 St. Romain Interiors ...........................985-845-7411 80 Salvation Army, The............................504-899-4569 64 Sculpting Center of New Orleans........504-309-9456 74 Shades of Blue...................................504-891-1575 132 Shine Spa ..........................................504-486-0999 86 Southern Hotel...................................844-866-1907 106 State Farm Mary Beth Rittner..............504-392-5808 131 Steamboat Natchez Riverboat.............504-569-1401 129 Susan Currie Design...........................504-237-6112 24 Symmetry Jewelers.............................504-861-9925 27 Terry Cambise ...................................504-259-6815 126 Tim L. Fields, Attorney at Law..............504-864-0111 131 Town and Country..............................504-523-7027 106 Triumph Krav Maga............................504-324-5705 59 United Way of Southeast Louisiana....unitedwaysela.org 63 Villa, The............................................985-626-9797 89 Vista Shores Assisted Living & Memory Care............. .........................................................504-288-3737 75 Warehouse Grille................................504-322-2188 129 West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission ...800-789-4221 100 Z Event Company...............................800-714-9050 84 Zounds Hearing of Metairie................504-249-6700 102-103 August-September 2015 133

Last Bite

Bayona

by Leah Draffen

STEP INTO BAYONA’S 200-plusyear-old cottage and find yourself among elegant dining rooms and signature flavors.

Influences of Spain, Italy and France are balanced with accents of India, the Mediterranean and the Orient. Of course, chef/owner Susan Spicer’s favorites can also be found on the classic menu.

One of Bayona’s specials, which change according to available fresh ingredients, is pan-roasted duck breast and duck pastrami with beef barley, grilled rapini, balsamic fig compote and pistachios. The rich dish served by Chef de Cuisine Brett Duffee provides a touch of the slowfood movement that Bayona has pioneered.

As Susan and co-owner Regina Keever mark Bayona’s 25th year, all are welcome to celebrate through Labor Day with an anniversary lunch Wednesday-Saturday featuring 25-cent martinis and a $25 threecourse meal. On August 13, Bayona will also boast a commemorative menu for Napoleon’s birthday.

Bayona is located at 430 Dauphine Street, New Orleans. 525-4455. bayona.com.

Chef de Cuisine Brett Duffee is a

style of cooking on the principles of sustainable agriculture.

134

Inside New Orleans

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

who bases his

photo courtesy: BAYONA

self-taught chef