August-September 2016 Issue of Inside New Orleans

450

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The Saints At 50 • Hometown Safari • Artist Jed Malitz • St. Elizabeth’s Guild

August-September 2016 Vol. 3, No. 4

August-September 2016

Vol. 3, No. 4

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

Senior Editor Jan Murphy

Associate Editor Maggie Murphy

Managing Editor Leah Draffen

Editorial Intern Kelly Batt

Contributors are featured on page 16.

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

Art Director Brad Growden

Graphic Designer Jennifer Starkey

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Business Manager Jane Quillin

Senior Account Executives Poki Hampton

Candice Laizer Barbara Roscoe

Account Executives Barbara Bossier

Kim Camet Amy Taylor

Advertising Coordinator Margaret Rivera –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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.

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Contact Inside New Orleans P.O. Box 6048

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

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On the cover

Artist Julie Silvers

Swirl

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ©2016 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.

contents table of

page 34

page 40

page 83

Features 18 Art with Meaning Cover Artist Julie Silvers page 52

34 Easy-Breezy Living The Slakey Home 39 From Smocks to Blazers 40 Hometown Safari Celebrating 25 Years of Global Wildlife Center 52 Sculpting Windows into Souls Artist Jed Malitz 60 The Saints at 50 70 The Call to Come Home Toni McGee Causey 72 Forever (Achieving) LSU 80 The House of Creed

Fragrances for Discerning Women and Men 88 St. Elizabeth’s Guild Caring for needy children for over 60 years

8

Inside New Orleans

contents table of

page 74

Departments

12 Publisher’s Note 14 Editor’s Note 14 Reader Resources 16 Contributors 24 INside Scoop 32 INside Story Snoopy & Mr. Louie 50 Wine Cellar

A Rosy Summer or Is It Rosé?

58 IN the Bookcase The Time of Our Lives

by Peggy Noonan 66 At the Table The Twelve Best Catfish Restaurants 74 Flourishes 83 INside Look Denim & Dots page 90

10

Inside New Orleans

86 IN Other Words A House Divided 90 IN Great Taste One Brine That Will Get You Out of a Pickle 92 INside Dining 96 INside Peek Featuring: Soirée d’Or St. Martin’s Episcopal School Alumni Spirits Party

Zoo-to-Do Go 4th on the River VIP Viewing Reception Orléans Club Closing Reception The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival WYES Producers Circle Cocktail Party 06 Last Bite 1 Boulevard American Bistro

page 106

G’Day, Tiger Fans!

Above: LSU punter Josh Growden. Below: A small portion of Aunt Louise’s genealogy research.

photo: Thomas B. Growden

photo: St eve Fran z

by Lori Murphy

Our family historian was my godmother, Aunt Louise. I loved to stand on the stepstool and “help” her in the kitchen while she told stories about generations of Growdens. A favorite of mine was the story about our Pennsylvania relatives that owned the land where Benjamin Franklin flew his kite. Yes, you can thank our family every time you flip on the lights. ;-) She would write letters to family around the globe, and they were connected to us through her loving communication. Among her pen pals were distant cousins living down-under in New Zealand and Australia. Fast-forward 50 years, and that connecting has taken on new significance.

For all of its faults, the internet has made the world smaller. Delving into family history takes on a new dimension when you are able to research legal archives and genealogy records from your laptop. Waiting for a letter to be delivered half-way around the world has given way to instant communication. That is exactly how we learned about Josh Growden coming to LSU. As parents of two daughters, neither of which elected to go to LSU, the thought of a nephew on the football field for the Tigers is quite a thrill. The fact that he was coming from the Australian branch of the family made it even more exciting.

He moved to Baton Rouge last year and was a redshirt for the team while he studied and practiced our brand of football. At the end of this month, Rick and I will travel to Lambeau Field to see the first Growden in history play for our alma mater.

So Geaux Tigers—and have a good game, mate!

ps … Josh will be joined on campus by our niece Monica, of the Mandeville Growdens.

I wonder how ancestry.com will chronicle that connection?

12

Inside New Orleans

Editor’s Note

by Anne Honeywell

Reader Resources Contact Us: Telephone: (504) 934-9684 Fax: (504) 934-7721 Website: insideneworleans.net

In July, as this issue was going to press, my children and I joined 15 other members of the Honeywell family for our annual vacation together—this year on the Florida panhandle. The traditional trip was started years ago by my mother-in-law and her husband. It has always meant so much to my children,

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and especially to me.

Over 19 years ago, Susan, my mother-in-law, lost her oldest son, who was

advertisers, who make this possible.

my husband, Jeff. I cannot imagine losing a child, and I used to feel that when she saw us, we were a painful reminder of her loss. I was wrong. Susan is a woman of tremendous strength and faith. Not only does she support and embrace the

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three of us individually, she has never wavered in her devotion to us. I used to ask myself what Jeff would want me to do about his family. I no longer need to do that, because I have come to realize that this is—without a doubt—my family.

Subscribe: To subscribe to Inside New Orleans, or if you

We had a wonderful time. My team teased me about going off during

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production time. But they understood—I had committed to a vacation with my

contact us by telephone or e-mail us at subscriptions@insidepub.com. Subscriptions

family, and I wasn’t going to miss it!

are $18 for one year, or $30 for two years. To

And you won’t want to miss this awesome issue! Whether you go

change your address, please send both your old

page-by-page or start with the Table of Contents, you’ll find articles about

address and new address. The post office does

everything from the Saints 50th

not forward magazines.

anniversary, LSU-Tulane rivalry and back-to-school stories to delectables like rosé wine, fried catfish—and make-your-

Advertising Information: For advertising information, please contact us by telephone or e-mail us at sales@insidepub.com.

own pickles! And other great topics like Global Wildlife and Jed Malitz’s unique Susan (center) with

her grandchild ren Brandon, Joey , Katherine, Al ex, Annie, Jefferso n and Hudson .

glass sculptures.

Enjoy!

Inquire and Share Ideas: Do you know a person, organization or endeavor we might consider featuring in our pages? Or a great storyteller who may want to write for us?

Please contact the editor at editor@insidepub.com.

ps … I hope you and yours made some fantastic memories this summer.

I know we did!!

14

Inside New Orleans

Linda Trappey Dautreuil Linda Trappey Dautreuil is a painter and writer on Louisiana arts and culture.

A native of New Iberia, she moved to Covington in 1996. Linda received a BA in English and a BFA in visual arts from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. An active member of the local arts community, her paintings are in many corporate and private collections, including the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum in Lafayette. On page 18, Linda tells the story of our cover artist, Julie Silvers.

Other Voices: Gretchen Armbruster, Bert Bartlett, Kelly Batt, Brenda Breck, Katy Danos, Leah Draffen, Tom Fitzmorris, Candra George, Bill Kearney, Alison Lee Satake and Terri Schlichenmeyer.

Yvette Jemison

Longtime contributor and former managing editor of Inside Northside, Karen B. Gibbs enjoys writing about the fascinating people and places of New Orleans and the northshore. Karen tells four stories in this issue—artist Jed Malitz (page 52), Global Wildlife Center (page 40), writer Toni Causey (page 70) and St. Elizabeth’s Guild (page 88). A contributor to Today.com and iVillage.com, Karen recently completed the biography of her fatherin-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 and is now a legal recruiter. He is a contributing writer for Local Palate magazine in Charleston, South Carolina. In his spare time, he coordinates the renovation of a 19th century home in New Orleans. In this issue, Michael tells his INside Story about Snoopy and Mr. Louie on page 32.

16

Inside New Orleans

Becky Slatten photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Michael Harold photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Karen B. Gibbs

Yvette’s passion for all things culinary extends back to her childhood growing up in a military family. Her recipes and home cooking are influenced by the many places she has lived. She was immersed in the Tex-Mex cuisine of South Texas and has experienced food from Native American Indian reservations to the street food of Turkey. She often attends cooking classes while traveling with her husband and two daughters and has truly enjoyed a well-seasoned life. Yvette presents “One Brine That Will Get You Out of a Pickle” on page 90.

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

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.

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Contributors

Becky Slatten is a native of Natchitoches, an LSU alumna, the mother of three children and a newlywed.

She divides her time between the northshore and New Orleans, writing for both Inside Northside (since 2007) and Inside New Orleans.

Becky loves telling the stories of people and events unique to the area and puts her own twist on topics in IN Other Words—in this issue, “A House Divided” on page 86.

by Linda Trappey Dautreuil

Art with Meaning Julie Silvers surrounds herself with art. In a light-filled room, she overlooks manicured gardens accenting the architecture of Pio Lyons and contemporary sculptures by Arthur Silverman, Steve Martin and other noted Louisiana artists. Indoors, the collection of “high and low” or whatever strikes her as “art filled with soul,” is interspersed with her own sculptures and paintings from various stages in her life and artistic career.

Her philosophy has always been

18

Inside New Orleans

“when I sold one, I bought one.” The result has been the accumulation of an impressive range of artwork. As intriguing as such a strategy may be, the collection also reveals her interest in the artist as model in contemporary art.

The figurative painting by Blake Boyd is one of several images by painters and photographers whose works include Silvers as model. Others are more specific in keeping with contemporary portraits and include images of Silvers and her family or Silvers’ photographs >>

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Cover Artist Julie Silvers

20

Inside New Orleans

accomplishments of her mother as an artist. “She worked very hard and participated in numerous exhibitions in New Orleans and various places in Louisiana and Mississippi. Her dedication extended beyond the studio. I remember not only watching her paint, but I also remember helping her transport and install her paintings in venues around the city. As a young person, I am not sure I fully appreciated why she worked so diligently.�

What Silvers always knew was that she loved all forms of art and especially crafts when she was a student attending Isidore Newman School. “I loved to doodle on paper, in books, even on clothing and fabrics. I was especially interested in the nude and the female form. Abstract Expressionism represented another generation. In some ways I wanted to be myself, not a copy of my mother. I considered being a lawyer, then changed course and graduated from Tulane with an undergraduate degree in social

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

of her daughter, Taylor. The integration of Silvers as collector, maker and model fascinates.

Developing skills in the visual arts early in life is common for many artists, even those who may not have formal instruction. Observation, a desire to make things, imaginative expression, creative problem solving and exposure to the visual arts provide a good start. Julie Silvers was raised in in a home where her mother, Susan Wittenberg, actively pursued studio life as an abstract painter in New Orleans. Julie attributes her awareness and love of contemporary visual arts to the many hours she spent watching her mother work. A large painting by Wittenberg, one of many throughout the Silvers home, provides a focal point in the sitting room adjacent to the spacious foyer. Natural light animates the bright colors and atmospheric qualities of the abstract expressionist forms and shapes populating the canvas surface.

Silvers describes a special appreciation for the

sciences, and later, an MSA in social work, all totally different career paths from the arts. By the ’80s, however, I was entranced with Pop Art. I suspected a change was on the way.”

Continuing the tour of the Silvers collection reveals an artist intensely interested in the visual arts as an intrinsic part of her everyday life. Approaching her indoor studio, the experience is an eclectic blending of works by established as well as lesser-known artists whose works were purchased from galleries, art markets, interior designers and individuals from Louisiana, other cities around the country and Europe. All were selected with a discerning eye and a fondness for “art with meaning.” “There is no background art here,” she says with a smile. I like to feel a connection to the work—my own as well as the artwork in the collection. I like work that has vitality, open, almost primitive and childlike in application.”

Silvers’ studio is spacious but not pristine. It is a fully functional working space that is obviously in operation with ample views of the outdoors and a small courtyard for breaks during the workday. A large kiln is easily accessible and expected in the workspace of an artist whose ceramic figurative sculpture and abstract fine/functional vessels and large and small-scale totems appeal to a broad audience. Her process working with clay evolved over a 30-year period coinciding with a decision to pursue sculpture and painting with a serious intent to exhibit. “Making art requires opening up to experience. I don’t have a formal background in art. I learned my skills through observations of art, the figure and nature. I took a few classes and workshops along the way, but I have always had a strong feeling about the kind of work I like and the >> August-September 2016 21

kind of work I want to make. I follow my intuition. I use whatever is available because there is beauty to be explored in so many ordinary things.”

It is not surprising that Silvers loves to travel, and she admits it is essential in her process. “When you travel, you learn and grow,” she says. I am influenced by a world view that includes what is going on not only in painting and sculpture but also in fashion and music. I travel to New York several times a year. I am receptive to the feeling of creative energy I experience there, and I feel recharged when I return.”

Whereas sculptures and many functional vessels by Silvers do not rely on color, it is the neutrality of the white or black clay that emphasizes the form, textures and patterning characteristic of her style. Her paintings and her recent works in ceramics have many qualities in common, but the light, whimsical color palette she uses in a two-dimensional format adds a different flavor to organic shapes and repeating patterns brightly rendered.

It was after Hurricane Katrina that Silvers began making paintings with the idea of exploring her early figurative doodles and embracing the example set by her mother. The response to these pieces was overwhelming. She recalls that she was discovered by a Houston Gallery while unloading a collection of paintings for an exhibition in Texas. “A person I never met before asked to see the works as I pulled them out of my car. As a result of that chance encounter, I exhibited and sold them all. More recently, my work has been exhibited in Laura Rathe Fine Art Houston and my first New York exhibition hosted

by Ezair Gallery. Over the years, I have been affiliated with several galleries in New Orleans. Recently, I decided to take the next step. During White Linen Night 22

Inside New Orleans

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

2015, I hosted the grand opening of my gallery on Julia Street, Julie Silvers Art.” The premier reception gave full rein to the intensity of Silvers’ vision. The gallery was filled with art, music, fashion and creative marketing featuring dancers in bright magenta fullbody suits with Julie Silvers Art in white letters running up the side. “The crowds were huge that evening,” she recalls. “It was a great feeling to be a part of that energy.”

Then came another opportunity, one that clarified her goals in a way she had not considered.

Silvers received an invitation to exhibit in the Southern Style Show House and to be a featured speaker among a select group of artists and designers in the Southern Style Now Festival. In her presentation, she described entering a new phase in her life and career. “I spoke of discovering a sense of myself through my work and of gaining confidence as opportunities presented themselves. I decided to invest in myself. I devised a plan, a marketing strategy, opened my gallery and I maintain a steady work ethic in my studio. I realize my love of all forms of art is my strength. I ignore negative ideas

separating craft and fine art, and I use all of my skills in making paintings and sculptures. Many women commented that hearing my story empowered them to move forward with their ideas. That was very gratifying for me.”

Silvers work is exhibited at Julie Silvers Art, 617 Julia Street. More information may be found at info@ juliesilversart.com or juliesilversart.com.

August-September 2016 23

Satchmo SummerFest

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

August the history and culture of New Orleans.

New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal

adaption of Pierre Corneille’s The

The annual tradition features specially

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

Illusion presented by the New Orleans

priced prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus.

Shakespeare Festival at Tulane.

coolinaryneworleans.com.

Tulane’s Lupin Theater, 16 Newcomb

Ourselves: Photographs by Raymond

Blvd, Dixon Annex. 865-5106.

Women Who Changed New Orleans.

Smith. Ogden Museum of Southern Art,

neworleansshakespeare.org.

Highlights 19th- and 20th-century New

925 Camp St. 11am-5pm. 539-9650.

Orleanians, including Henriette Delille,

ogdenmuseum.org.

1-31 COOLinary New Orleans. During

24

1-Sept 11 Voices of Progress: Twenty

10:30am-4:30pm. Free. 523-4662. hnoc.org.

1-Sept 18 In Time We Shall Know

August, experience cuisine that delights

Oretha Castle Haley, Eliza Jane Nicholson

your palate and is an integral part of

and Sophie B. Wright. The Historic

Inside New Orleans

1-Sept 18 The Spirit of the Game. From Olympic heroes to football legends,

photo: Zack Smith Photography

1-6 The Illusion. Tony Kushner’s

Sept. 5-7 Satchmo SummerFest.

Sponsored by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Live bands on two stages including: Preservation Hall Brass Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Bill Summers & Jazalsa, and more. Culinary delicacies for sale and indoor Satchmo Seminars.

Daily $5 admission; children 12 and under, free. Admission includes a wristband to come and go throughout the day. Jackson Square. More information on dates, times and stages, visit fqfi.org/satchmo.

Rodrigue Studios presents a collection of paintings honoring the spirit of the game. Rodrigue Studio, 730 Royal St. georgerodrigue.com.

1-Oct 1 Tujague’s: 160 Years of Tradition. Retrospective exhibit from the second-oldest restaurant in New Orleans. Southern Food and Beverage Museum, 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

11am-5:30pm; closed Tues. 267-7490. >> August-September 2016 25

Inside Scoop natfab.org/exhibits/tujagues-160-yearsof-tradition.

1-Oct 29 Money, Money, Money!:

5 Wine and Dine with Chef John Folse.

To benefit the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center. Chateau Country

Currency Holdings from The Historic

Club Grand Ballroom, 3600 Chateau

New Orleans Collection. History

Blvd, Kenner. Doors open, 6;30pm.

of 18th- and 19th-century currency.

THNOC’s Williams Research Center, 410

$150. 887-1420. retreats.arch-no.org.

5-7 Satchmo SummerFest. Sponsored by

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

French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Live bands

Free. 523-4662. hnoc.org.

on two stages including: Preservation Hall

1-Nov 6 Top Mob: A History of New

Brass Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Bill

Orleans Graffiti. Retelling of the

Summers & Jazalsa, and more. Culinary

evolution of New Orleans graffiti.

delicacies for sale and indoor Satchmo

Sponsored by Mo’s Art Supply. Ogden

Seminars. Daily $5 admission; children

Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St.

12 and under, free. Admission includes

110am-5pm. 539-9650. ogdenmuseum.org.

a wristband to come and go throughout

2 Christ in the City. An evening of prayer, praise and worship geared toward young adults. Notre Dame Seminary, 2901 S Carrollton Ave. 7-9pm. Free. nolacatholic.org.

4 Dive-in Movie. Swim in the pool while

the day. Jackson Square. More information on dates, times and stages, visit fqfi.org/satchmo.

5, 12, 19, 26 The Artful Palate Summer Cooking Series. In conjunction with

watching summer thrillers. Themed

NOMA’s exhibition, The Essence of

cocktails, small bites and complimentary

Things: Design and the Art of Reduction.

popcorn. W French Quarter, 316 Chartres

Ryan Hacker, Lu Brow, Austin Kirzner

St. Pool opens, 6:30pm; movie begins

and Patrick Brennan demonstrate their

at sundown. Free. RSVP by emailing

own culinary masterpieces. Café NOMA,

wnolarsvp@whotels.com.

#1 Collins Diboll Crl, City Park. 6:30pm.

4 Summer of Sustainability at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

482-1264. cafenoma.com.

6 Whitney White Linen Night. Launches

All-inclusive five-course dinner; wine

the Contemporary Arts Center’s 40th

pairings; proceeds benefiting G.U.L.F.,

Anniversary Season. Exhibition openings

Audubon’s sustainable seafood program.

at more than 20 galleries and museums,

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas,

outdoor celebrations, cocktails and

1 Canal St. 6:30-9:30pm. $150.

cuisine and the Cox Cool Down Lounge

audubongulf.org.

at The Lighthouse. Art openings include:

4-7 Dinner is Served: Decorative Arts

Inside New Orleans cover artist Julie

and Dining in the South. The 2016

Silvers Art(page 19) and Jed Malitz V2

New Orleans Antiques Forum looks

Gallery(page 52). 300-700 blocks of Julia

behind the doors of the Southern

Street and throughout the Arts District

dining room. The Historic New Orleans

New Orleans. White Linen Night at CAC,

Collection, 533 Royal St. (800) 535-9595.

$10 general admission. CAC’s Cool

hnoc.org/antiques.htm.

Down Lounge, $40 CAC members; $50

5 Lynyrd Skynyrd and Peter Frampton.

nonmembers. Julia Street Block Party,

Champions Square, Sugar Bowl Drive.

free; food and beverage, 10 tickets for

7pm. Ticket prices vary. General

$12. 5:30-11pm. cacno.org.

admission, $31. champions-square.com.

12 The Wines of Southern Rhône. Blends

of syrah, grenache and mourvèdre, cinsault and counoise from the Rhône.

Wines from the Côtes du Rhône, Vacqueyras and Châteauneuf du Pape.

The Grill Room at Windsor Court, 300 Gravier St. 6pm. $45 per person plus tax and gratuity. grillroomneworleans.com.

12, 14 Love Letters with Nell Nolan and Dennis Woltering. Directed by Carl Walker to benefit the Lucas Regnier Medical Care Account. Little Gem Saloon, 445 S. Rampart St at Poydras St. Aug. 12, 8pm; Aug. 14, 5pm. Café table seating, $25; row seating, $20. 267-4863.

13 Dirty Linen Night. Over 30 participating galleries and shops, local art, music and plenty of food and beverages. Royal St., Jackson Square and Dutch Alley. 6-9pm. dirtylinennola.com.

13 Red Dress Run. Presented by New Orleans Hash Harriers. Unlimited beer, great food, 2-mile run/stroll, live music by The Topcats & The Mixed Nuts. Proceeds support over 100 local charities.

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

14 Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. $45$125; tickets available at box office or ticketmaster.com. saengernola.com.

18-20 Farm to Table Experience.

Annual gathering in the South exploring cultivation, distribution and consumption of food and drink sourced locally. Themed “Food for Thought,” this year will feature tastings, interactive displays, hands-on workshops, chef demos and more. The 2nd annual Farm to Table Chefs Taste Challenge will be held Aug. 19 at 6:30pm.

8am-5pm. 900 Convention Center Blvd. f2texperience.com.

19 Committee for a Better New Orleans 50th Anniversary Gala. CBNO works to create equity and opportunity for all New Orleans. Hyatt Regency Hotel, 601 Loyola Ave. 7:30pm. cbno.org.

>>

August-September 2016 27

Inside Scoop 20 Viva La Cure: A Night of Hope.

25-27 NOLA Downtown Music and

by the New Orleans’ gay and lesbian

Benefits the Cancer Association of New

Arts Festival. Presented by the Music

community. southerndecadence.net.

Orleans. Fine cuisine, complimentary

Business Institute, Cutting Edge Events

1-11 Voices of Progress: Twenty Women

spirits, music by Julio & Cesar, silent

ends the summer with a street party.

Who Changed New Orleans. Highlights

auction. Hampton Inn & Suites-

Artists, classic cars, pop-up shopping,

19th- and 20th-century New Orleanians,

Convention Center Riverside Ballroom,

food trucks, art and music. Andrew

including Henriette Delille, Oretha Castle

1201 Convention Center Blvd. 7:30-

Higgins Dr. to Fulton Street Alley.

Haley, Eliza Jane Nicholson and Sophie

11pm. $75. cagno.org.

noladowntown.com.

B. Wright. The Historic New Orleans

20-Sept 24 The Wonderful World of Watercolor. Works of the Christwood watercolor class on display. Christwood

26 Saints vs Steelers. Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 7pm.

31-Sept 5 Southern Decadence. Drag

Collection, 533 Royal St. Tues-Sat, 9:30am-4:30pm; Sun, 10:30am-4:30pm.

Free. 523-4662. hnoc.org.

1-18 In Time We Shall Know Ourselves:

Atrium Gallery, 100 Christwood Blvd,

shows, contests, DJs, music, clock

Covington. Free. Opening reception:

parties, walking tours and parades all

Photographs by Raymond Smith.

Sat, 4:30pm-6:30pm. Gallery hours,

sponsored by the New Orleans’ gay and

Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925

Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm. (985) 892-3177.

lesbian community. southerndecadence.net.

Camp St. 11am-5pm. 539-9650.

christwoodrc.com.

21 Encore! Denise Mayaktar, Kyle Jones and Kristin Albarado will perform a gamut of styles from opera to folk songs.

Christwood Atrium, 100 Christwood

September 1 Saints vs Ravens. Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 7pm.

1-5 Southern Decadence. Drag shows,

ogdenmuseum.org.

1-18 The Spirit of the Game. From Olympic heroes to football legends, Rodrigue Studios presents a collection of paintings honoring the spirit of the

Blvd, Covington. 5-6pm. (985) 292-1234.

contests, DJs, music, clock parties,

game. Rodrigue Studio, 730 Royal St.

christwoodrc.com.

walking tours and parades all sponsored

georgerodrigue.com.

1-24 The Wonderful World of Watercolor.

Works of the Christwood watercolor class. Christwood Atrium Gallery, 100 Christwood Blvd, Covington. Free.

days of seafood, cocktails, live music and

Jefferson Council on Aging. 888-5880.

family fun. Festival grounds in City Park.

jcoa.net.

louisianaseafoodfestival.com.

2,9 The Artful Palate Summer Cooking

11 Saints vs Raiders. Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 12pm.

Opening reception: Sat, 4:30pm-6:30pm.

Series. In conjunction with NOMA’s

Gallery hours, Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm.

exhibition, The Essence of Things:

Week. Showcases New Orleans’ finest

892-3177.

Design and the Art of Reduction. Eric

restaurants. Discounted two-course lunch

Perelli (Sept 2) and Chris Montero

menus and three-course dinner menus

Tradition. Retrospective exhibit from

(Sept 9) demonstrate their own culinary

from over 50 of the city’s most acclaimed

the second-oldest restaurant in New

masterpieces. Café NOMA, #1 Collins

dining destinations. coolinaryneworleans.com.

Orleans. Southern Food and Beverage

Diboll Crl, City Park. 6:30pm. 482-1264.

Museum, 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

cafenoma.com.

1-Oct 1 Tujague’s: 160 Years of

11am-5:30pm; closed Tues. 267-7490.

6 Christ in the City. An evening of prayer,

12-18 We Live to Eat Restaurant

15-18 New Orleans Burlesque Festival.

Comic emcees, singers and variety acts including the Queen of Burlesque

natfab.org/exhibits/tujagues-160-years-

praise and worship geared toward young

competition at Civic Theatre and Mondo

of-tradition.

adults. Notre Dame Seminary, 2901 S

Burlesque showcase at Harrah’s New

Carrollton Ave. 7-9pm. Free. nolacatholic.org.

Orleans. neworleansburlesquefest.com.

1-Nov 6 Top Mob: A History of New Orleans Graffiti. Retelling of the evolution of New Orleans graffiti sponsored by Mo’s Art Supply. Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St. 10am-5pm. 539-9650. ogdenmuseum.org.

2-4 Louisiana Seafood Festival. Three

9-10 Sennod Jewelry Trunk Show. FeBe,

16 Bad to the Bone: Rescued on the

474 Metairie Rd, Ste. 102, Metairie. 835-

Runway. 9th annual pet-friendly fashion

5250. febeclothing.com.

show fundraiser to benefit local rescue

10 Senior Moments Gala. Evening of

groups. Canine models will be up

music, entertainment, silent and live

for adoption. Eiffel Society, 2040 St.

auctions, and cuisine to benefit the

Charles Ave. 6-9:30pm. Tickets available >>

Inside Scoop at Petcetera, 3205 Magazine St. or petceteranola.com.

16 Julie Vos Trunk Show. Hazelnut, 5515 Magazine St. 891-2424. hazelnutneworleans.com.

16 Martini Madness. Taste over 25 specialty martinis from Republic National Distributing Company and enjoy tastings from over 20 restaurants. Raffle, photo booth, DJ and dancing. All proceeds benefit the renovation of the City Park Police Building.

Arbor Room and Popp Fountain, City Park. General admission: members, $45; nonmembers, $55. 483-9376. friendsofcitypark.com.

16 The Power of Women Luncheon.

Hosted by American Red Cross and the Tiffany Circle. Benefits the American Red Cross in Louisiana. Sheraton Hotel, 500 Canal St. 11:30am-2pm. redcross.org/ powerofwomen.

21-25 The Sound of Music. Brand new production. Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. Tues-Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 and 8pm; Sun, 2 and 7:30pm. (800) 7453000. saengernola.com.

21-Jan 8 Blue Dog for President. In honor of the 2016 presidential election, Rodrigue Studio revisits “Blue Dog for President,” a successful 1996 exhibition at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Rodrigue Studio, 730 Royal St. georgerodrigue.com.

22 Kickin’ Parkinson’s Fundraiser.

Live music by The Molly Ringwalds, premium bars and specialty drinks, food and auctions. Benefitting Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research. Stone Creek Club & Spa, 1201 Ochsner Blvd, Covington. $125. kickinparkinsons.com.

23 Palette 2 Palate, A Supper of the Senses. Presented by the St. Tammany Art Association to raise funds for art centers, art education and community festivals. Artist James Michalopoulos and chef Kim Kringlie of Dakota Restaurant will share their creative processes and 30

Inside New Orleans

explore the connection between the visual and culinary arts. St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N. Columbia St, Covington. 6-10pm. $175. (985) 8928650. sttamanyartassociation.org.

23-25 Steamboat Stomp Music Festival.

Presented by the Steamboat NATCHEZ. Friday, opening concert; Saturday afternoon, festivities including a NATCHEZ Dinner Jazz Cruise; Sunday, Jazz Brunch cruise. Three-day ticket, $225-$300. steamboatstompneworleans.com.

24 NOLA on Tap. The Bulldog and Louisiana SPCA present the largest beer fest in the region to kick off Oktoberfest in New Orleans. Live music, 400+ brewers, food, games, contests, dog-friendly. Must be 21 to purchase tickets and sample.

Festival Grounds in City Park. 1-8pm; VIP early entry, 12-1pm. $25-$50. nolaontap.com.

24 Unleashed! Rescue Me. A yachtthemed evening of live music by Four Unplugged, tastings by local restaurants and auctions all hosted by football legend and former New Orleans Saint, Rich Mauti. Proceeds benefit the St. Tammany Humane Society. Pontchartrain Yacht Club, 140 Jackson Ave, Mandeville. $125-$150. (985) 892-7387. sthumane.org.

26 Saints vs Falcons. Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 7:30 pm.

27 Mercy Me: Living in the Year of Mercy. Day of prayer presented by Fr. David Caron, O.P. Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, 5500 St. Mary St, Metairie. 9am. Suggested offering, $35. retreats.arch-no.org.

29 Isidore Newman School Pre-K Open House. Head of School’s office, 1903 Jefferson Ave, New Orleans. 9am. Kenley Breckenridge, 896-6323.

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

August-September 2016 31

INside Story

by Michael Harold Louie ever knew my real name because from day one he called me “Snoopy,” a nickname that stuck with me for years. And the man was an incredible cook. Every year, the school put on a fair and Mr. Louie would prepare various Cajun dishes. How he managed to convince picky 5-year-olds to eat and love Turtle Sauce Piquant is beyond me. Even my shocked mother, upon hearing that her son was eating a spicy Cajun dish with turtle meat, was compelled to charm the recipe out of Mr. Louie. I still have the recipe and am happy to share it.

In fourth grade, I switched schools, and much to my relief, my mother joined the neighborhood carpool. I missed Mr. Louie, but at least it meant no more hot bumpy rides and no puking kids. But the fun was short-lived. One morning, the teacher

Snoopy & Mr. Louie In spite of the occasional “Oh-my-god-thegeometry-test-is-TODAY?” anxiety dreams, I was one of those nerdy kids who actually liked school.

Even the August back-to-school commercials didn’t induce a cold sweat. But, if truth be told, it was the transportation to and from school that provoked overwhelming unease. If I had to decide which was worse, the bus or carpool, I’d flip a coin. Both were equally grim—except for an uncommon exception like Mr. Louie Leblanc.

“Mr. Louie,” my kindergarten bus driver, was a lovable Cajun man with an enormous grin from ear to ear. If you rode a school bus in the ’60s and ’70s, you would appreciate the importance of having a cool lunchbox. Whether the theme was an athlete, a TV show or a celebrity, the lunchbox not only reflected your personality, it pretty much pegged who you were from the first day of school onward. I owe my parents unending gratitude for steering me away from a lunchbox depicting my favorite cartoon, Josie and the Pussycats, and encouraging the Peanuts theme in the shape of a doghouse. I don’t think Mr. 32

Inside New Orleans

actually accused me, a fourth grader, of smoking the first week of school, and I can’t say I blame her. What she didn’t know was that we were six kids crammed into cars with chain-smoking moms at the wheel. The only good memories from those suffocating rides were the stops at snowball stands or Time Savers. Surprisingly, my mother had only one rule: no green apple bubblegum. The minute a kid popped a piece in his mouth, the car would come to a screeching halt on the side of the road.

“Spit it out, now!”

The best memory I have was the spring of 1975 when Donna Summer’s hit song Love to Love You, Baby started playing on WTIX. Throughout the song, Donna moaned, whimpered, oohed and ahhed to salacious lyrics that included, “Do it to me again and again.” To say the least, the song wasn’t a big hit with the moms, which meant the kids loved it. One morning, the song came on while my mother was driving, and during one of the particularly smutty moments a painfully shy kid named Rhonda said, “My mom thinks it sounds

like she’s dying.” No one said a word, including my mother, who seconds later had her hand on the dial, rapidly twisting it toward the competing radio station, WNOE. Although carpools are still alive and well, times have certainly changed.

We went from AM to FM radio, the 8-track to the cassette and eventually the CD. Today’s kids are seemingly more sophisticated and much more tech savvy than I could ever imagine.

It’s amusing to watch them leave their houses resembling little turtles with their overstuffed backpacks and eyes locked on smart phones, Bluetoothing that last song on Spotify.

My friend Ginny told me that she frequently arrives at her kids’ school an hour early to secure a good spot in the outrageously long carpool line. It seems like 2016 is all about regulations compared to the freewheeling ’70s in which I grew up. Kids are announced via two-way radios, seat belts are inspected and talking on mobile phones is strictly forbidden.

Ginny once witnessed a newly hired babysitter ignore the hard and fast rules by nonchalantly cutting in line. Within seconds, the other seasoned carpool moms were furiously text messaging each other, plotting the young woman’s downfall from their SUVs. If only I could have read those messages.

The day Snoopy learned that one prestigious New Orleans school used air-conditioned busses in summer and served hot chocolate in winter, he turned green with envy. My, how times have changed! What’s next? Mr. Louie’s Cajun food for angry carpool moms? Snoopy would approve.

August-September 2016 33

Easy-Breezy Living

by Katy Danos

The Slakey Home

34

Inside New Orleans

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

When Jeannette Slakey opens the front door of the Georgian-style Uptown home that she shares with her husband, Doug, it is clear that both she and her interior designer, Suzie Allain, have serious color courage. With their exuberant art collection and unique sentimental objects, Jeannette relied on Suzie’s expertise in mixing fabrics, textures and prints together in highly creative ways. “Doug and I have a tradition of buying art together for our anniversaries, and we only buy what we love,” says Jeannette. “Initially, one or two pieces didn’t make sense,” she winks, “but over the years, a consistent voice comes through for us, and that is color. Suzie used everything we love in her cohesive design plan.”

The living room is painted an unexpected dramatic orange that is as rich as buttered yams; it literally glows as if candlelit. Suzie explains that “orange is a great unifier. It rallies all of the different woods of the floors and furniture and is a beautiful backdrop for the gallery of eclectic art.” I imagined the angst and number of test patches involved to get such a daring color right. “There were >> August-September 2016 35

none,” Suzie laughed. “I sweated over this color for weeks before showing Jeannette. It has to be right; Jeannette makes up her mind really quickly. Show her, and she’ll have it in production that same day.”

The room is anchored by an Antelope needlepoint rug from Stark that’s traditional with a

kick. Custom upholstery and glazed ceramic gourd lamps take color cues from the Slakeys’ favorite paintings, many from local artists such as James Mouton, Tim Trapolin and Charlotte Hesse. Citrine linen slipper chairs in Schumacher’s Imperial Trellis and a tufted round ottoman in Designer’s Guild glamourous velvet stripe play nicely with a deep plum lounge chair and pillows of green Fortuny silk and earthy metallic linen. Tang and Han terra cotta horses and Xiang warriors are all fond accents collected on their trips to Hong Kong, China and Vietnam.

The Slakeys, originally from the San Francisco Bay area, met in college, were engaged three months after their first date and married within a year. Jeannette winks again and says “when I know, I know,” a funny reference back to how decisive she was about that bold orange wall color. They started their family while Doug was in medical school and surgical residency in Milwaukee. Further training took them to Oxford, England, and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Doug was recruited by Tulane Medical School almost 20 years ago as a transplant surgeon and now practices hepatobiliary surgery as his specialty. Jeanette served for years as the executive director of Legacy Donor Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Now retired, she plans to travel to see her son and daughter, each on different coasts, and spend time with her daughter and first granddaughter in New Orleans.

“We love to entertain,” says Jeannette. “Intimate dinner parties, large family gatherings,” she says as we walk through her dining room to the back area

The den and eat-in nook display the vast art collection, including

by Ashley Longshore and a Caleb Sieman handmade glass vase from Hazelnut atop the coffee table.

36

Inside New Orleans

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

a whimsical painting

of her house. A lively den and eat-in nook opens up to a gorgeous oasis of a backyard complete with pool, multiple dining and lounge areas and a waterlily pond with a fountain. Burford Holly trees >> line the sides of the yard, creating an organic wall of privacy. Japanese maple and plum trees, as well as lush tropical windmill palms and elephant ears, reflect the exotic places they have travelled. “You would have no idea you were in a city,” says Jeannette, who is a talented gardener. “It’s that quiet and tranquil.”

“The outside jumps right in,” says Suzie.

“I wanted an immediate visual and emotional connection between the indoors and outdoors. If calm ocean water was stirred into a can of paint, it would look like Van Alen from Benjamin Moore, the soothing sea shade Suzie selected for the entire back area as well as the porch ceiling. And then she went to town layering furniture, pillows and accessories in celebration of Jeannette’s passion for all things blue.

Indigo, turquoise, murky blue—it’s not exactly 50 shades, but Jeannette grins when she says that the fabric selection was epic.

Suzie designed a built-in banquette with lots of comfortable seating, storage and even a private house for >>

From top: The ornate master bedroom; bold colors make an attention-grabbing splash in the front hall; custom tile from Stafford Tile & Stone ties the kitchen into the rest of the home.

August-September 2016 37

Above: The living room’s rich and glowing wall color is a beautiful backdrop for the gallery of eclectic art. Inset: Through the master bedroom door is a glimpse of the 1920 ceremonial kimono that was an anniversary gift from Jeannette to Doug.

38

Inside New Orleans

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

Eddie, the Slakeys’ Boston Terrier. A knockout Ashley Longshore painting, commissioned by Doug and the children for Jeanette’s 50th birthday, fills one entire wall, while an Oly round table under a custom Chinoiserie lighting fixture completes the vibrant setting.

For the TV area, a sofa in a Jonathan Robshaw print shares space with a lacquered grass cloth coffee table.

Chairs with big personalities—a classic wing chair upholstered in an over-scaled Brunswig and Fils botanical print shouts out to the flower gardens and a pair of rattan canopy chairs nicknamed “Doug’s big kahuna chairs”—add retro chic to the mix.

The large porch, painted a beachy-sand color, flows into a lovely bricked patio. Twenty-year-old Smith and Hawken black iron furniture and a new glass bistro dining table got fresh coats of cream paint and everything was reupholstered in the same Kravet Mineral Blue fabric for a unified, but collected look.

Hawaiian tiki torches, burning natural gas, surround the pond, and a stunning marble Buddha from Vietnam is all about serenity.

“We live out here. Cocktails, lounging around, it’s a full extension of our house. We’ve sailed on family vacations throughout the Caribbean on our 40-foot

boat and want that same intimate vibe at home year round,” says Jeannette, describing that easy-breezy, indoor-outdoor lifestyle that Californians do so well.

And back to that color courage—Doug has it, too. The master bedroom, painted a saturated clay pink with expresso floral curtains and lounge chairs, is a perfect ying-yang combination. A mahogany fourposter bed, a whimsical pair of pagoda lamps from Hazelnut and West Elm bedside tables round out the relaxed sophisticated look.

“I love my house,” says Jeannette. “It totally tells our family story and captures our personalities.”

The Academy of the Sacred Heart has been a part of my life since I attended ASH-FIN, a faculty infant nursery, in 1999. While my mother taught first grade, I would spend most of the day at the nursery with other children learning and laughing.

From that point on, Sacred Heart has felt like a home to me. Many of my teachers have watched me grow up from a toddler to a young lady. My mom and sister are also alumnae of Sacred Heart, which has

mean so much more. Events such as Conge (our school fair), May Crowning and Rally are traditions that have been a part of my school experience and have created a sense of enjoyment not only for myself but for the many others who have attended the school.

by Kelly Batt

From Smocks to Blazers always provided a sense of security.

As I reach my senior year, it is more and more difficult to begin to say goodbye to a place that has been filled with bittersweet memories of my childhood. It is where I made my first friends, lost my first tooth, and undeniably failed my first test.

From the blue smocks and jumpers to skirts and blazers, it is safe to say that I have experienced it all. Sacred Heart is a place where I have had unforgettable experiences and made friendships that will last a lifetime. I would not be the person I am today without my years at Sacred Heart.

Growing up, I never truly appreciated the opportunities and experiences that Sacred Heart offered. In my final year, these traditions and customs that have been a part of my daily student routine now

Reflecting on my academic career, it seemed that I would always have time to participate in these events.

However, as senior year arrives, I recognize that time is running out. I am saddened that I will be leaving after 15 years, but I am excited to turn the page and start a new chapter in my life. Sacred Heart will always hold a special place in my heart and I will treasure the memories I have made forever.

As I look forward to enjoying each final moment of my senior year, I know that it’s going to fly by. And before I know it, I’ll be wearing my white dress on Graduation Day. Sacred Heart will always be a place that I call home.

Above, left: Kelly, dressed in her blue smock, during her nursery year at Sacred Heart in 2002. Above right: Kelly with her friend, Katherine Jacobs, at Sacred Heart’s 2016 Graduation.

August-September 2016 39

Hometown Safari

Celebrating 25 Years of Global Wildlife Center

40

Inside New Orleans

by Karen B. Gibbs

photo: Thomas B. Growden

Animal lovers, have we got a treat for you— Global Wildlife Center! With over 4,000 exotic animals freely roaming its 900-plus acres, the Center is the largest collection of its kind in the United States. And it all started with Ken Matherne, his little girl and his desire to preserve some land.

When Ken was only 17, his dad died, leaving behind the family homestead. Ken resolved to keep the land in the family as a memorial to his father.

Later, with his own daughter on the way, he wanted to make it a place where his family and others could find entertainment and education.

He thought about collecting native animals.

“I talked to Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Department of Agriculture, LSU, Texas A& M, USDA and every other expert that I could find. They recommended that I look at exotic and endangered species that do well in their own natural habitats here in the United States.”

Matherne liked the idea of “free ranging” exotic animals. “It was not the norm, and everyone said it could not be done, but I decided I could do it. My father had reminded us often that there was no such word as ‘can’t’.”

In 1989, Ken bought five Father David Deer and seven giraffes. The first time Ken let the giraffes out of their transport vehicles, they took off galloping— seven graceful giants frolicking in freedom against the backdrop of a scarlet sky. Eagle Scouts who happened to be driving by stopped to take in the enchanted scene. Over the next few months, Ken noticed more and more people slowing down to admire the giraffes.

Thus began the story of Global Wildlife Center— the largest exotic animal refuge in America and the bestkept secret on the northshore. A veritable Noah’s ark,

from antelopes to zebras, it offers visitors the excitement of an African safari without the travel and expense.

Now that you know a bit of the Center’s history, let’s take a tour to view its spectacular residents.

But first, an absolute must is to buy a big bucket of food for the critters. It’s a sure way to keep them close. With that done, we follow Brittany Ricks, public relations director for Global Wildlife Center, past a covered safari wagon filled with wide-eyed preschoolers. No room for us, so we head to a nine-passenger Pinzgauer, or “Pinz,” where we’re guaranteed to get up close to even the shyest animals.

With Tim behind the wheel, Brittany will serve as our guide. She, like most guides here, began working at GWC when she was in high school and continued while attending Southeastern Louisiana University.

Her three-month training program included learning about every species of animal on the grounds, both exotic and native; mastering the art of driving tractors, safari wagons and Pinz vehicles; working the gift shop; feeding the animals; studying conservation; and learning to be a good communicator. Most importantly, she and all the guides must be happy and enthusiastic—and they are!

All aboard! Let’s roll.

As soon as we pull out of the Welcome Center, the animals flock around us. Deer, zebras, llamas, alpacas … holy cow! Let’s listen while Brittany shares their stories.

By far, some of the more popular attractions at GWC are the eleven reticulated giraffes. (“Reticulated” refers to the web-like pattern of the giraffes’ spots.)

The newest giraffe, Rylen, was born on December 30, 2015, to 22-year-old Kameel, who was also born at GWC, and Brees, the only adult male in the group.

Yes, he’s named for Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and Rylen’s named for Drew’s daughter. >>

August-September 2016 41

42

Inside New Orleans

photos: Thomas B. Growden

Brittany recalls the day Rylen came into the world. “Kameel, like all giraffes, delivered Rylen from a standing position. The sack with the baby in it dropped about six feet to the ground and broke open. That didn’t hurt the baby. Actually, the impact served to stimulate the baby’s breathing in the same way a slap on the bottom helps a human baby draw its first breath.”

After the birth, Kameel cleaned Rylen and helped her to stand. Then, she instinctively moved her baby away from its sack. “In the wild, the scent of the afterbirth attracts predators, so Kameel did this to keep Rylen safe, even though we don’t have predatory animals at GWC,” Brittany explains.

After Rylen was standing, Kameel straddled her and positioned her to nurse.

For a time, Rylen and Kameel were supervised in a special care area by Wes Thompson, resident caretaker of GWC animals. “I enjoy all the animals, but the giraffes are my favorite,” he admits. “During my 20 years here, I’ve helped raise all but two of the giraffes at the Center,” he adds. Indeed, between Wesley, Kameel and the giraffe aunties, Rylen is going to be well-loved.

Rylen’s birth is significant because giraffes may soon be declared an endangered species. Because of over-hunting and loss of habitat, the number of giraffes is slowly dwindling, pointing the urgent need

for wildlife conservation.

While reticulated giraffes are known for their gentleness, Global’s Grant zebras definitely don’t share that reputation. In fact, according to Brittany, these striped equines bite to show affection, and they bite to show aggression. (Now you understand why tour guides tell you to toss zebras’ feed on the ground instead of feeding them from the cup.) Their notorious nipping notwithstanding, zebras are a very interesting breed. Take a close look at their teeth.

They look so much like ours, it’s unnerving. They could advertise for Crest toothpaste!

Here’s another tidbit from Brittany. Baby zebras are born with brown stripes, which will turn black as the babies age. Also, every zebra has a unique pattern of stripes. That means, no two look alike.

So how does a mother zebra know which baby is hers and vice versa? After giving birth to its baby, a mother zebra will memorize her baby’s stripe pattern. Likewise, the mother keeps other zebras away from her baby for two to three days until the baby is imprinted and can recognize the mother’s scent, voice and pattern of stripes. Another amazing factoid: mother zebras have the ability to delay their baby’s birth during adverse weather conditions, such as a drought, or if the mother is disturbed.

Another Global Wildlife animal with a unique birthing experience is the Australian Red kangaroo. (FYI: Female kangaroos are called flyers; males are called boomers and babies are joeys.) When the joey is born, it’s about the size of a jelly bean.

After birth, the joey crawls into its

mother’s protective pouch and attaches to one of the mother’s teats for nutrition. As the joey continues to grow and its nutritional needs change, the teat produces milk specifically for those needs. Joeys develop in the pouch for 120-450 days, depending on the species. When the time is right, the joey exits the pouch.

At GWC, kangaroos are kept in a spacious, enclosed area near the Welcome Center. They’re there for their own protection because, unlike every other animal at the Center, kangaroos have feet instead of hooves, and those feet can easily walk— or hop—over the cattle guards at the gate.

Perhaps one of Global Wildlife’s crowning achievements is its large population of Father David deer, also known as Père David deer, which are extinct in the wild.

Topping 600, it is the largest herd in North America—quite an accomplishment, considering they started with only five in 1989. According to Matherne, they are the only deer that >>

Rylen, GWC’s newest giraffe, was born on December 30, 2015.

August-September 2016 43

drop and re-grow their antlers twice in a year. They also love Louisiana. “They dig holes so large you can fit a car in them! That’s where they play after it rains.

Filling in these holes keeps a dump truck busy.” But this behavior doesn’t bother Matherne. “They’re my favorite animal at Global Wildlife,” he admits, then adds, “but, of course, I love them all!”

Another Global Wildlife resident that is extinct in the wild is the Scimitar Horned Oryx. These beautiful animals were once hunted for their trademark red patch of fur on their neck and their distinctive, fourto six-foot curved horns.

Because we’ve seen both horns and antlers, Brittany pauses to explain the differences between the >>

photos: Thomas B. Growden

Some of the many species of animals at Global Wildlife Center: Alpaca Miniature Sicilian Donkey Axis Deer Ducks and Geese Indian Blackbuck Brahman/Hereford Cattle (Braford) Cape Eland Dromedary Camel

Fallow Deer Reticulated Giraffe Kudu Llama Nilgai Père David’s Deer Red Deer Red Lechwe

Scimitar-horned Oryx Sika Deer Watusi Cattle Grant Zebra Indian Blue Peafowl Rheas Hyacinth Macaw (Edgar) Red Kangaroos

August-September 2016 45

two. In species with antlers, only males have antlers, which they use to fight male competitors during rutting season. Once breeding season is over, animals shed their antlers and regrow another set for the next year. When they first emerge, antlers appear as buds and are covered with a velvety skin that supplies blood to the new tissue. This covering is shed once the antlers mature. Horns, on the other hand, are a bone structure. Part of the body, they’re only grown once. They may break off, but they will never naturally shed.

Next, Brittany brings us to the Nilgai Indian antelopes to tell us how they use their horns during rutting season. When fighting over a female, the male Nilgai kneel, face each other, and then try to pierce each other with their sharp, six-inch horns. Ouch! Since GWC wisely has only one adult male Nilgai antelope, such body piercings are not a problem.

Everyone loves camels, and there’s

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Inside New Orleans

photo: Thomas B. Growden

none more beloved than Bonnie, GWC’s only dromedary. As we pull up to get a closer look, Bonnie saunters up to the Pinz. Brittany points out her intricately entwined eyelashes and vertical-slit nostrils. “They’re made like that as a protection from desert sandstorms,” she explains. As if on cue, Bonnie strikes a pose so we can admire her features.

“Bonnie is so spoiled we seriously wonder if she’d welcome another camel,” says Brittany. “That’s one of the reasons we hesitate to get her a mate, even though she’s only five years old.”

This segues into some facts about breeding. At Global Wildlife, there are two seasons: rutting and birthing, explains Brittany. Breeding starts in October and goes through January, and birthing starts in the spring. For those animals that have one dominant male and lots of females, it’s important to periodically change out the males as a safeguard against >>

August-September 2016 47

1,200 trees to replace those lost during Katrina. To help fund the continued replacement of trees over the next five years, GWC invites visitors to adopt a tree.

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Inside New Orleans

photos: Thomas B. Growden

The GWC Foundation recently donated

in-breeding. This responsibility falls to GWC’s board of directors who determine the timing and choice of new acquisitions. Good stewards, Global Wildlife enhances its variety of animals by bartering surplus animals with other refuges and zoos that have the same mission.

We continue the tour, pulling onto the highest ground in the refuge, where we overlook a lake.

Gathered around the lake are a herd of Father David deer and a flock of white geese. “The geese are visitors,” Brittany says with a chuckle. “They stopped by to visit and ate so much they couldn’t fly away. If you’re going to be grounded, this is a great place to be.” Nearby, some “shy” beefalo lure us into tossing a few cups of feed their way.

These hybrid animals are born sterile, like mules.

That means their babies can only be produced by breeding a buffalo with a cow.

We learn that this ridge of high ground is where most of the animals huddled together to ride out Katrina. On high ground and with no trees nearby, the animals instinctively knew it was the safest place to be during the storm. Only the kangaroos were kept in an animal care facility so they wouldn’t escape. Wesley, who remained on the property

throughout the storm, checked on the animals periodically. Remarkably, because of the drop in atmospheric pressure, some of the expectant females delivered their young early. As Brittany likes to say, “We didn’t lose any animals from Katrina, we actually gained a few!”

She takes this opportunity to tell us that the GWC Foundation recently donated 1,200 trees to replace those lost during Katrina. “The employees planted every one of them—maples, sycamores, white oaks, red oaks and poplars,” Brittany says with a note of pride. “To help fund the continued replacement of trees over the next five years, GWC invites visitors to adopt a tree of their choice for $25.”

Matherne is pleased that the Foundation has no debt and is very stable financially. “We do not believe in asking for money if you don’t need it to succeed. Ninety-five per cent of GWC income comes from educational tours, feed sales and proceeds from the gift shop. Global Wildlife Center receives no government funding whatsoever.”

Adds Brittany, “If you liked today’s safari, why not consider becoming a member? That way you can come as often as you wish, get a discount in the gift shop and attend our members-only events in August and October.”

But, most importantly, membership gives endangered animals like graceful giraffes, toothy zebras and a spoiled little camel named Bonnie their own Garden of Eden in Global Wildlife Center.

Global Wildlife Center, 26389 Hwy. 40 in Folsom, offers tours every day of the year, with the exception of New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Easter and Thanksgiving. Since the times of tours vary, it’s a good idea to check globalwildlife.com or call 985-624-WILD when planning your visit. Arrive early; tours fill up fast.

Wine Cellar

by Bill Kearney

50

Inside New Orleans

While it is not a universal axiom, it is certainly not a stretch to suggest that most wines from France have a certain superiority over their counterparts from other areas of the globe. The point here that is paramount for your consideration is that the dirt (terroir) from which wines come and the elements that Mother Nature endows upon certain geographic areas have a large influence on the quality of the product. If not, it would be called Cola, and you would not be inclined to spend large sums of money on the product.

This is certainly true of rosé wines, and I would suggest that those from Provence in particular really are worth your search. The fascinating lack of parallel comparison is that these wines are not more expensive or necessarily harder to find. Rosé consumption has exploded in America as wine quaffing loyalists

expensive. One that I encourage you to find is actually a wine from the northern region of Spain called Txakolina (chok-oh-lee- a) or Txakolee (chock-ohlee). They are very pleasant and somewhat stylistically similar to their brethren of Provence.

Provence rosé wines are primarily Grenachebased wines made for short-term consumption and not meant to be aged. The pink and salmon colors for these wines are NOT made possible by blending white and red wines together. Rather, they evolve from white grape juice that is in contact with dark grape skins for a relatively short period of two to three days.

This process, referred to as “maceration,” brings on different colors depending upon the length of contact.

One of the truly compelling aspects of rosé (in addition to the wonderful

have flocked to the “pink wine.” Wine shops that traditionally have had rosé wines available for purchase off to the side now have full displays committed to the center of the store.

If statistics are compelling at all, rosé consumption in the United States has witnessed unparalleled growth over the last five years, with imports increasing by almost 70 percent. America is now the second-largest consumer of rosé, with France holding the primary position. What is both interesting and unfortunate is that American production is actually down for rosé wines, as the American palate had turned away from sweeter wines. White Zinfandel and other blush-type wines from California stymied what would have been a natural progression of drinking these wonderful and refreshing wines.

As with any consumer product that realizes rapid growth, the buyer should beware of imitators who will invariably enter the market in hopes of capitalizing on the newfound phenomena. There is a handful of American-made products that are made in an Old World style similar to the rosé wines of Provence.

They are few and far between and generally more

flavor profiles) is the price point. These wines are usually available for less than $25 per bottle and will deliver a wonderful addition to a hot afternoon.

Triennes, one of my favorites, is a great value.

Whispering Angel of Chateau d’Esclans is a hugely popular wine alongside a really nice product by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie called Miravel. Domaine Ott produces entry-level as well as some higher-end rosés that give off great complexity. These wines from Provence are perfect for both our tropical climate as well as paring with most of our extraordinary seafood.

This summer, I embarked on a journey to study Sancerre in the Loire Valley of France. My trip began in Ireland. While they do not produce wine there, their history is abundant and intertwined in the development and growth of Bordeaux. In the port city of Kinsale, known as the gastronomical capital of Ireland, the International Wine Museum recounts their hundreds of years of historical ties. Sancerre is also a wonderful summer wine for New Orleanians’ drinking happiness; I hope to extol upon it in my next article. In the meantime, have a wonderful and blessed end of summer full of rosé!

a rosy summer or is it rosé?

August-September 2016 51

Sculpting Windows into Souls a r ti st J e d M a l i tz

by Karen B. Gibbs

52

Inside New Orleans

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Jed Malitz doesn’t consider himself an inventor. But he is. He tries to explain away his talent, saying it’s simply a marriage of computer skills and 3D photography. But it isn’t. Jed Malitz is a genius—a visionary—whose artistic innovation is intrinsically connected to his spiritual metamorphosis.

As a child growing up in Boulder, Colorado, Malitz limited his art to pen and pencil—eschewing color and crayons.

Spiritually, his family was just as colorless.

Although they identified themselves as Reform Jew, the truth is, his parents and brother were closer to being atheist. There was little mention of a deity in their home.

“I’ve always felt as if there were something missing,” he says, “a hole inside of me.” As a young man, his work couldn’t fill the void. As a biotechnology computing specialist on the West Coast, he was dedicated to his job but never enjoyed it. “It was only a means to a paycheck,” he admits. But it did put him in the right place at the right time.

While on assignment in Seattle, he met his soulmate and future wife, Sophia Omoro. “She was the most exquisitely beautiful woman I’d ever seen,” he recalls. She was in a bookstore reading about robotic surgery. Considering himself savvy in the field, he proceeded to explain it to her. To his embarrassment, she told him she was a doctor and, yes, she was quite familiar with the subject. They chatted.

He gave her his phone number, and she stole his heart.

After Katrina struck, she returned to New Orleans to complete her residency. Jed accompanied her. Working remotely in IT consulting for clients in Seattle, he was always on call. “My resentment toward my job grew,” he says, “but that didn’t dampen my desire to be creative.”

Channeling his artistic talent, Jed began working on a series using some of his favorite photos. Printed on brushed aluminum, No One’s Ark features a nautical image that blends

seamlessly with the metal. There is no horizon, no sky, no water. All were taken out of the picture via digital editing. “If you stand back and look, you can almost see the horizon. Your imagination fills it in,” Jed explains. Another work, Life on Mars uses a photo Jed had taken that originally featured hundreds of birds standing together. Removing most of the birds, he left only a line of pelicans on a sandspit. He then colorized their reflection in red tones, hence the reference to the red planet.

44 of You is a sculptural wall panel featuring 43 polished stainless steel ball bearings of various sizes floating on a background of torched acrylic resin. They reflect the viewer’s face. Jed enjoys it when visitors, thinking he miscounted, point out that there are only 43. Jed shows them their reflection in the shiny acrylic background.

There really are 44.

For a few years, Jed did well balancing his work with his artistic endeavors. Then something happened that changed his life forever.

In mid-2010, Jed had a surreal dream—a dream with human forms made of floating ribbons. It so captivated him that he began a quest to recreate these ribbon-like forms in art. For six months, he tried to reproduce the flowing bodies using his computer savvy and artistic abilities, but to no avail. “I figured it was too difficult, so I gave up on the dream.” But the dream didn’t give up on him.

A year later, the ethereal figures reappeared in another dream, igniting in the artist an unquenchable desire to bring this dream to life. “It’s all I thought about,” he says, his eyes twinkling, his voice enthusiastic. When he told Sophia he wanted to quit his job to create the human forms of floating ribbons, she replied whole-heartedly, “So DO it!”

Free from the constraints of his former job, Jed worked relentlessly on the project.

“The table was covered with papers filled with calculations and figures,” says Sophia. Despite >>

August-September 2016 53

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

This art would not have been possible 10 years ago. Some of the actual machines and technology did not yet exist.

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the clutter, she loved her husband’s newfound enthusiasm and marveled at the spark this quest had ignited in him.

“Once Jed figured out how to physically reproduce the dream, he went from concept to production,” says Sophia. “He didn’t even make a prototype.” Instead, he worked off of 3D scans of a live model, namely Sophia. She’d been a runway and photo model during her school years, so she was perfect for the job.

“Sophia can impart meaning to every minute part of her body,” says Jed, “even to the way she holds her fingers.”

Deflecting the compliment, Sophia says candidly, “I was cheap labor.”

Thus, Jed began work on his Windows into Souls collection. In this series, he depicts not only the outer image of a person, but more importantly, the person’s essence, the soul.

For his first sculpture, Siren, he told Sophia that he wanted her to portray an innocent young girl sweetly trying to cajole her father into giving her something she wants. After assuming a number of

Inside New Orleans

poses, Sophia lifted her chin and drew her hands behind her back. That was the pose Jed had been waiting for. He instructed her to step forward in trust and love towards the person she was approaching.

Jed began taking 3D photos, moving slowly around her as she stood perfectly still. “I held that pose for 15 minutes,” Sophia recalls. “I couldn’t move. It was extraordinarily difficult to stay still that long while maintaining all my weight on my front foot.”

After piecing together 3D images taken from many angles and correcting for movement, Jed compiled a 3D image of Siren. He was ready to create her and chose glass sculpture as his medium. Using as his canvas 13 parallel glass panels, each 4-feet high and 3/8-inch thick, Jed computed the exact shape and position of a series of curved cut-outs for each pane. He envisioned that, once aligned and illuminated from above, these shapes would reveal a modern figure of Siren—one that would resemble a topological map with its layered series of concentric shapes. Pushing the limits of glass sculpture, Jed sculpted the glass to redirect light in a way that would create an alternate perspective of the figure resembling a hologram, thus revealing her soul.

In August 2012, a little more than two years after dreaming of the ribbon-like human forms, Jed completed Siren.

Jed then focused his energy on the next sculpture, Vixen. Featuring a woman in a very controlled pose akin to the camel pose in yoga, it reflects the artist’s appreciation of the beauty of a woman’s form. Visitors have often said that they see in the sculpture a seated lioness, looking forward. Ironically, this is an unintended but beautiful aberration in the artwork.

Jed named his third sculpture Serenity because it portrays peace and calm. In this piece, the figure is hugging her drawn-up legs, resting her chin on her knee. “She is folded up on herself,” he says, “suggesting calmness with a bit of vulnerability.” Having completed three sculptures for Windows into Souls, Jed was ready to stretch his talents.

Wanting to further develop this art form, Jed envisioned a bigger and bolder sculpture depicting the Crucifixion.

Since it would be much larger than the first three (over 10 feet in height), sizerelated complications were inevitable. To help identify and solve those problems, Jed sculpted a transition piece using 6-foot panels of glass. He entitled it, Ascent through the Glass Ceiling.

“This is my first sculpture with a statement,” says Jed. “Through it, I pay tribute to women like Sophia who overcome limitations and are powerful yet feminine.” Standing next to the impressive sculpture, he points out telling details. He calls attention to the subject’s bare feet, symbols of her roots in poverty. He notes her fashionable dress—a reference to femininity—and the way she hikes up its train for her >> August-September 2016 55

climb—demonstrating her ability to retain her identity as she climbs to success. While one foot is on the first step, the other foot is inches short of the next step, but she doesn’t care. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, she stretches her body, draws upon all her strength and grabs the rung of the ladder to pull herself up and ascend through the glass ceiling.

Eight months in the making, Ascent through the Glass Ceiling required consulting with engineers and fabricators and endless program and design

Artist Jed Malitz.

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modifications. But the results were stellar. “It’s the first time we have three-dimensionally cut glass of this scale,” says Jed. “That allowed me to sculpt a figure whose form and contours flow from one panel to the next. When people tell me they’ve never seen anything like this in their life, that’s my homerun!” he beams.

If that’s a homerun, then the Crucifixion, the Hidden Face of God, has to be a grand slam, both artistically and spiritually. “Something in Jed’s heart was pushing him to this project,” comments Sophia.

Inside New Orleans

“In preparation for this work, he read the Bible for the first time in his life, from Genesis to Revelation. I noticed a change in him as soon as he read the story of Jesus’ birth. It was a victory, a confirmation of his deeply spiritual nature.”

With Jed’s new faith came renewed passion for the Crucifixion sculpture. He sculpted 21 parallel panels of glass, precisely refining the angles of each cut so that, when viewed from the front, the sculpture shows an abstract rendering of Jesus crucified. There is no face except the one that is imagined.

When viewed from the side, however, the sculpture reveals an unbelievably realistic image of Christ that details the individual thorns on His head, His lowered eyes, His bearded face. Here, the hidden face of God is exquisitely visible, yet it is not actually there. “It is sculpted light; it’s nothing you can touch or feel,” Jed explains.

Philip Braun, a freelance director of photography, appreciates the technology of the sculpture. “In my line of work, I use light to reveal beauty in my subjects. Jed uses light to actually create beauty.

When the lights are turned off, the image disappears.”

“The process is incredible,” says Peter Finney, longtime editor of the Clarion Herald newspaper for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. “The way Jesus seems to come to life is amazing. I was stunned to see the side detail and 3D quality of the sculpture.”

Brian Butler, executive director of Dumb Ox Ministries, has viewed the sculpture many times. “I was overwhelmed by the understated boldness of it.

As I sat with it, I asked myself, ‘What did Jesus want to show me about His face? What was the story of the Hidden Face of God?’” Some say Jed Malitz preaches without saying a word. To that he replies, “He is the message. I am just a vehicle. As people, we experience a million distractions at one time. I want to tap into the distraction and expose people to spirituality. He made us so we can filter through the noise and find Him.” For more information, call 773-0458; email glasshuman@jedmalitzv2.com; visit jedmalitzv2.com; or stop

by Jed Malitz V2 Gallery at 615 Julia St., New Orleans.

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

The sculpture stands in stark contrast with the art around it.

Its image is vague yet undeniable—the figure of a crucified man, His shape insinuated by a series of curving cutouts in glass, textured contours that reflect, refract, come alive with light from above.

Light from above...mystical symbolism…it draws me in…teases my mind. I search for His face. It’s got to be there. It’s supposed to be there. But I don’t see it.

“Stand here,” the artist beckons, directing me to the side of the sculpture. “Look,” he says reverently. His words seem like a prayer and my compliance, an amen.

So I look. And I stand in awe as the face of Christ comes alive. His head is downturned, bowed beneath a crown of thorns, His eyes lowered, His lips slightly parted. I see the detail of His beard. His pierced side.

“I call it The Hidden Face of God,” the artist says softly.

And at that moment, his gallery becomes a chapel.

August-September 2016 57

IN the Bookcase

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

The Time of Our Lives

by Peggy Noonan

The view you have from where you sit is a very good one.

You can see highs and lows, happy things and improvements to be made.

Some of what you spy makes you laugh, while others give you pause or cause concern. From where you sit, you can see for miles—and, as does Peggy Noonan in her new book The Time of Our Lives, you can see years into the past.

As a new college graduate in the early 1970s, writer Peggy Noonan says that she received an “unplanned gift” from her first job at a CBS affiliate in Boston: the newsroom was full of “old, semicurmudgeonly correspondents and editors, and they taught me by reading, editing and rewriting my hourly news broadcasts.” She learned how to “clear something up,” change minds, and create stories. From there, she became a “news gatherer,” a speechwriter and author, and in 2000, she was asked to write a column for the Wall Street Journal. When a friend suggested a bound collection of favorite works, Noonan began poring through boxes.

Her first offering: the transcript of a commencement address, in which she spoke of being a presidential speechwriter. “It’s heaven,” she says simply, before elaborating with tales of monumental disasters, intuition, and working with Ronald Reagan.

In this book, Noonan eulogizes friends and the famous: Joan Rivers, of whom Noonan says “She had no edit function, which in part allowed her gift” of warmth; the “sweet and austere” Jacqueline Kennedy; writer Tennessee Williams; soldiers Alvin York and Audie Murphy; and former President Reagan.

She shares her views on books, politics, and political scandals. She writes lovingly of her city, post-September 11, 2001, and how New Yorkers dealt with tragedy. She reflects on the Catholic Church, and worshipping there.

And despite that many of these columns were penned years ago, Noonan seems prescient at times. She writes about “safe rooms” at college, immigration, Iraq, terrorism, having a common language as a nation, and other topics that were as

relevant when written as they are today.

And that last point? Well, there’s a surprise. Have we really been talking about the same things for all these years?

Author Peggy Noonan seems to indicate as much, and in this memoir-essaycollection, she weighs in, too.

But first, starting with a brief look at her own life and early career, Noonan writes of former co-workers, elderly aunts and an America where parents turned their children loose during the day and didn’t expect to see them until dinnertime. She proceeds by remarking on life, events and how things have changed both politically and socially, but she doesn’t rant. In The Times of Our Lives, Noonan is obviously opinionated, but respectfully so. In today’s culture of divisiveness, that may come as welcome relief to some readers.

All in all, this book was a pleasure to read, and with short chapters, it is easily browsable. It’s a calm look at current events, and if you’re plugged into those topics, then The Times of Our Lives is worth a view.

August-September 2016 59

photo courtesy: Darryl mierl

On November 1, 1966, Pete Rozelle, commissioner of the National Football League, announced New Orleans was going pro.

The New Orleans Saints were hatched by some old-fashioned Washington politics. The NFL wanted an antitrust exemption and Rozelle lobbied Louisiana Senator Russell Long to get it in exchange for having the league’s owners approve a franchise for New Orleans. Long delivered, the exemption conveniently tucked into some unrelated legislation.

The Senator and local promoter Dave Dixon organized pre-season exhibition games in the city and Baton Rouge to great success and enthusiasm.

The franchise was awarded to John Mecom Jr.,

photo: Action Sports Photography

by Bert Bartlett

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Inside New Orleans

the son of a Houston oil tycoon, for the original franchise fee of $7.5 million.

In 1967, when John Gilliam scooted by the Rams, virtually untouched, on the opening kick-off for a touchdown on the first official play in team history, it proclaimed that the Saints were going be something special. Tulane Stadium absolutely rocked and thundered; all that was missing was lightning (it was a day game). Television replay cameras shook.

The Saints tried to grow up too fast, aggressively building a roster of aging veterans from other teams rather than relying predominantly on the college draft. The club made a splash signing Notre Dame’s “Golden Boy” Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor from the champion Green Bay Packers. Taylor was from Baton Rouge and was an All American at LSU. AllPro Doug Atkins was acquired from the Chicago Bears, as was

Opposite page, top: Billy Kilmer, the first Saints starting quarterback. Opposite page, bottom: Drew Brees, latest Saints starting quarterback.

Left: Tom Dempsey’s NFL record-setting 63yard field goal. Below: A ticket from the Saints’ inaugural season. Bottom: Saints players carry photo courtesy: Darryl mierl

Head Coach Hank Stram off the field after

defensive back Dave Whitsell.

Ex-Vince Lombardi assistant Tom Fears was hired as the Saints first head coach, and they acquired quarterback Gary Cuozzo, back up to the great John Unitas in Baltimore. With the proven names and backgrounds, excitement and optimism abounded. There were whispers of Super Bowl on the front page of The States Item before the team even started training camp.

Well, Hornung had back problems and never played a down in New Orleans, and Taylor was a Saint for one season before retiring. The tall-as-timber defensive end Atkins became more notorious for some late-night brawls in bars in the French Quarter than his work on the field. Cuozzo didn’t win the QB position and was traded to the Vikings. Former 49er running back Billy Kilmer surprisingly did; his resume included falling asleep in his ’57 Chevy convertible and driving off a freeway into the San Francisco Bay, suffering a fractured leg bad enough to miss an entire season there. The accident left the carouser known as “Ole Whiskey” with a familiar limp for the rest of his

photo courtesy: Dale stram

courtesy:

y Moe Clar

defeating his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs.

career. Kilmer’s wounded duck throws could make quite a sight. Whitsell was the best of the veteran lot and was the first Saint All Pro. As the Saints stumbled for what felt like forever, Mecom was derided by the media and fans, but he was well liked by his players. Frugality was not at the top of his business plan, and there were worse places to hold summer training camp than Vero Beach, >> August-September 2016 61

photo courtesy: Dale stram

Florida. Like many owners prior and since, Mecom simply didn’t know much about the game of football.

(Not surprisingly, Mecom ended up selling the team in 1985 to Tom Benson for $70 million.)

Considering the ragtag early rosters, Fears was a good coach. The wooden bench seats at Tulane routinely sold out for home games in stifling heat on Sunday afternoons, 80,000 plus. Dixie Beer vendors roamed the stands with backpacks of draft to satiate fans, the legal drinking age then being 18.

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Inside New Orleans

J.D. Roberts, a former semi-pro coach and employee of Avondale Shipyards, was the next coach to lead the Saints. He had an auspicious home debut in November 1970 when Tom Dempsey’s winning 63-yard field goal barely cleared the crossbar as the clock ran down to 00:00. Incredibly, the record stood 43 years and was broken only by a yard. Roberts’ coaching record went south from there.

In 1971, the city went bonkers when the club drafted Ole Miss Rebel Archie Manning, still one of the best college quarterbacks ever. This looked like a match made in Black and Gold heaven. He scored a late touchdown in his first home start to beat the Rams and led an upset of the eventual champion Cowboys a month later. But #18 and the team proceeded to take a beating in the ’70s. Manning had an often-hurt right shoulder that altered his throwing motion akin to that of a baseball pitcher’s sidewinder.

He garnered lots of respect around the league for his resilience and being a good player on a bad team.

After purchasing the franchise in `85, Tom Benson hired Jim Finks as general manager. Finks had a championship pedigree in Minnesota and

photo courtesy: Darryl mierl

Chicago. He brought in Jim Mora as head coach, who had won two titles in the spring league USFL. Mora got the team competitive with stingy defense and led it to its first division title and several playoff appearances. After 20 years on the field, the Saints had their first winning season in 1987. Leading the defense was the “Dome Patrol” linebacker corps, consisting of franchise icon Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills, Pat Swilling and Vaughn Johnson. The defense was title capable, but the offense held on to a conservative “run first” philosophy and could not deliver enough points when it really needed to, despite talent and the very capable arm of Bobby Hebert.

Mora’s teams frustratingly never got past the first round of playoffs. Tensions mounted. In October 1996, after a particularly poor effort in losing to Carolina, Mora issued his infamous “woulda, coulda, shoulda” tirade, calling his team’s effort “Diddley Poo” (among other things). A proud ex-Marine, he felt he had lost the motivational pulse of his players and resigned. Mora later rejuvenated his career in Indianapolis by drafting a rookie quarterback by the name of Peyton Manning.

The next season, local sportscaster Buddy Diliberto lobbied hard for his friend Mike Ditka to be the head coach. In the spring of ’99, coach Ditka traded an entire class of draft picks for Texas’ star running back Ricky Williams and then went to play golf. The pair was on the cover of ESPN >>

Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning was the second overall pick by the Saints in 1971.

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Inside New Orleans

photo: Joe Seer

photo: Thomas B. Growden

photo: Thomas B. Growden

The Magazine, Ditka in a tux and Williams in a wedding dress, with the caption “For Better or Worse.”

It was mostly the latter. Ditka lasted only three forgettable seasons.

Diliberto later said he was out of the head coach suggestion business.

Aaron Brooks led the Saints to their first playoff victory ever, 31-28, over the Rams after the 2000 campaign. But Coach Jim Haslett may have held on to the quarterback a bit too long when Brooks began to falter in subsequent seasons.

Louisiana native Jake Delhomme, after being denied a shot at the starting QB job with the Saints, moved on and lead division rival Carolina to a Super Bowl.

In 2005, the team’s woes were insignificant compared to the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the city. When the Saints beat the Panthers in the opener in Carolina, Jim Henderson aptly said it wasn’t the biggest win in the history of the franchise, but that none felt better. The real drama during that season was about whether the Saints would relocate to San Antonio, where Mr. Benson had considerable business interests. The mayor there talked out of both sides of

his mouth, about how sorry he was for New Orleans and that his city would welcome the team under the dire circumstances. Their Alamodome was built with a pro team in mind.

This didn’t sit well with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who considered New Orleans unique and irreplaceable in the NFL. The league’s owners ponied up financial assistance to support the struggling franchise.

And just before Christmas, it was announced the Saints were staying and would play in a renovated Superdome.

Mr. Benson was rewarded by a fan base that sold out the next season and every game since.

Perhaps no Saints moment was more poignant

photo: Michael C. Hebert

“My dad was a season ticket holder. As a young child, my treat for good grades was a chance to go to a Saints game. Those games laid the foundation for my 30-year career with the NFL. At the time, I didn’t realize the impact that daddy/daughter time would have on my life.”

- Lesslee Fitzmorris, Saintsations Director

than the anthem for the nationally televised ’06 home opener against Atlanta. Tears welled in fans’ eyes as they stood and marveled at the scene punctuated by Steve Gleason’s famous blocked punt. The team went on an improbable magical carpet ride that season that didn’t end until the Saints lost a heartbreaker in the conference championship at Chicago.

Coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees established proficiency on offense that has consistently been among the league’s elite. Years of unprecedented success followed. When Port Allen native Tracey Porter made his pick six off Peyton Manning, finally clinching a Super Bowl victory for New Orleans, it was a dream come true for many long-suffering Who Dats. The victory parade roared through downtown in frigid temperatures just before Mardi Gras, with Coach Peyton holding the Lombardi Trophy.

Nationally, expectations are low for the fiftieth-anniversary Saints. This could be a good omen though; writer Peter King of Sports Illustrated picked them to come in last in their division in ’09. The club has a bevy of young players with potential, and by season’s end, fans could become fond of newer players with names like Edebali, Kikaha and Hoomanawanui.

Regardless of the outcome this year, one thing is certain.

The Who Dat Nation will keep the faith, just like they have for 50 years.

For an online celebration of the Saints at 50, check out the team’s “micro” site at saints50.com. Bert Bartlett, a native of New Orleans, attended the first Saints game. He is the author of A Tale of Two Seasons, Katrina & A Super Bowl (2010,) and his blog is Souls of the Saints (soulsofthesaints.wordpress.com).

August-September 2016 65

At the Table

by Tom Fitzmorris

66

Inside New Orleans

Restaurateurs looking around New Orleans for a niche they might fill profitably would do well to consider the old-style country catfish house. The concept is simple but much misunderstood. All you have to do is latch down a source of wild-caught catfish (and I know that at least one major seafood wholesaler is looking for customers). Coat it with seasoned cornmeal and corn flour. Then fry the catfish to order (no batching) in fresh, hot oil, while paying close attention. The alltime greats of the catfish cookery in New Orleans never did much more than that.

Unfortunately, two of the three best catfish joints were lost in the years after Hurricane Katrina.

Barrow’s Shady Inn was killed by the flood. The

very good, and calls for its inclusion in this list.

Not worthy are the restaurants which, to save a few dimes, use Asian-imported fish. It’s related to, but not the same as, the catfish raised or caught in Louisiana and Mississippi. I always ask about the provenance of the catfish before I order it, and I recommend that strategy to you, too.

1. Middendorf’s: Manchac, Exit 15 off I-55, 985386-6666. Middendorf’s dominates local thinking about catfish. That’s nothing new. Since the 1930s, they’ve set the standard for fried catfish with both a thin-cut fish and the even better thick fillets.

Everybody’s happy, except for those who are in principle opposed to any institution widely recognized as Number One. I hear their complaints, but I never

Catfish

illustration: GRETCHEN ARMBRUSTER

The Twelve Best Restaurants

owners attempted to return, but it didn’t work out.

After 90 years of great catfish and oyster frying, Bozo’s got tripped up by a generational change. But not for long. Ed McIntyre bought Bozo’s, renovated it well and continued the Bozo’s tradition of excellent catfish. Only Middendorf’s continues a specialty in catfish, and it’s way out of town.

Fortunately, good catfish cooks are still out there—by the dozen, as we will presently demonstrate. But there’s plenty of room for more, and it’s at least as promising a source of enjoyment as the current hamburger mania is. Also encouraging is the recent expansion in the availability of wild-caught Des Allemands catfish. It always was better than the farm-raised variety.

I have been saying for a long time that no cooking method for catfish beats the cornmealcoated frying mentioned above. But there is one interesting alternative. Many of the Vietnamese restaurants braise catfish in fish stock with peppers and lemongrass and the like in a clay pot. This is

see the basis for them. In over a hundred samplings, I’ve never had less than perfect catfish at Middendorf’s.

It’s all fried to order, hot and golden out of the fryer.

The thin-cut fish has rebounded from the years when it was too thin, but I still like the thick fish better.

They like small fillets here, and so do I. 2. Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish Grill: Metairie, 3117 21st St., 504-833-6310. French Quarter, 512 Bienville St., 504-309-4848. St. Charles, 1327 St. Charles Ave., 504-267-0169. Mid-City (Coming September 2016), 301 N. Carrollton Ave., located in Mid-City Market. Ed McIntyre was a regular customer at Bozo’s from the time he was a boy. When Chris “Bozo” Vodanovich sold his old restaurant to Mr. Ed in 2013, Ed had four other restaurants, two of them in the neighborhood seafood category. It has been a nice match. Ed is buying the same wild-caught catfish Bozo always fried and expanded the menu a lot besides. There will never be another Bozo’s, but we’ll soon have four Mr. Ed Oyster Houses.

3. Hoa Hong 9 (Nine Roses): Gretna, 1100 >> August-September 2016 67

Stephens, 504-366-7665. The best Vietnamese kitchen in town can feed you different concoctions involving catfish all afternoon long without frying even a little of it. The fish soup is particularly good.

4. Crabby’s Seafood Shack: Madisonville, 305 Covington, 985-845-2348. This is Keith Young’s first foray outside a menu dominated by beef and different from his steakhouse in every way except the quality of his food. This very casual place has beautiful small catfish fillets, fried so well that my wife—a major catfish fan—said, “Anybody who misses Bozo’s can come here!” Out back of Spahr’s and the bayou in which catfish and alligators play.

5. Bistro Orleans: Metairie, 3216 W. Esplanade Ave., 504-838-9935. This is one of the first restaurants to start buying wild-caught Des Allemands catfish when it became easily available a couple of years ago.

When that happened, Bistro Orleans had already established itself as a fish-frying specialist. They even revived the old-style fried seafood boats, with catfish as one of the choices of seafood filling the whole loaf of hollowed-out, toasted bread.

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Inside New Orleans

6. Spahr’s: Des Allemands, 3682 US 90. 985-7581602. Driving away from New Orleans on US 90, you cross Bayou Des Allemands, which is to catfish what Empire is to oysters. Drive a few more miles, and you’ll see what looks like a gas station on the left.

In fact, it once was a gas station, and the long-dead pumps are still there. This is Spahr’s, the most famous name in catfish restaurants in that rich catfish zone.

7. Cafe Minh: Mid-City, 4139 Canal St., 504-4826266. Here is to be found a rare non-fried rendition of catfish that rivals the cornmeal-crusted version. It’s Vietnamese barbecue catfish, vegetables, jasmine rice.

Spicy and possessed of a wonderful fish flavor.

8. Palace Café: French Quarter, 605 Canal St., 504-523-1661. Catfish with pecans has been a signature dish at the Palace Cafe since it opened on Canal Street over 20 years ago. Two things about it separate it from standard fried catfish. First, of course, are the pecans, crushed into near-crumbs and encrusting the entire fish fillet. But just as important is the sauce, a medium-dark brown Creole meuniere, rich with butter, lemon and a little reduced stock.

9. New Orleans Food & Spirits: Covington, 208 Lee Lane, 985-875-0432. Harvey, 2330 Lapalco Blvd., 504-362-0800. West End/Bucktown, 210 Hammond Hwy., 504-828-2220. This three-restaurant, local chain has always excelled in their frying of seafood. Catfish is farm-raised, resulting in bigger fish than optimal.

Nevertheless, we get some very nice fish here, with a fine cornmeal-pecan crust. They also are better at grilling and blackening catfish than most places.

10. K Gee’s Oyster Bar: Mandeville, 2534 Florida, 985-626-0530. K Gee’s has a family connection with the extinct Bozo’s. The place buys wild-caught catfish exclusively and fries it very well.

Good oysters, too.

11. Cafe Reconcile: Warehouse District/Center City, 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 504-568-1157.

Classic, basic cornmeal-coated fried catfish cooked and served by young people on their way up the culinary ladder.

12. Annunciation: Warehouse District/Center City, 1016 Annunciation, 504-568-0245. We don’t think of an upscale gourmet bistro as the place to

go for fried catfish. Chef Steve Manning thought he’d give it a try when he arranged to bring in wildcaught Des Allemands catfish to fry. Not on all the time, but often enough.

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Inside New Orleans

call home the

When she saw the old Jax Brewery Warehouse building in the French Quarter, Toni McGee Causey felt a stirring in her soul.

It was the call of her ancestral DNA welcoming her home.

Toni McGee to come Causey

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

by Karen B. Gibbs

Baton Rouge natives Toni and Carl, her husband of 34 years, began their love affair with New Orleans during Katrina. “I fell in love with the people—their resilience, their spirit,” she says.

“Soon you want to call New Orleans home.” In 2011, the timing was perfect to move to the French Quarter. “Carl’s off-the-wall enough to really fit in with the French Quarter persona.” Toni is more aligned with the artsy part of the Quarter, being a painter and writer herself.

Writing has been her passion since penning her first screenplay, Disarmed, while she was still in college. Offers for development deals came from Hollywood, but Toni decided that being home with her family meant more than anything to her. She switched from screenplays to novels and kept on writing.

Toni’s latest literary project is a mystery centered around her Acadian ancestors. While doing research for the book, she and Carl bought the old Jax Brewery Warehouse building that had captured her interest. During renovations, Toni

made an incredible discovery—over 250 years ago, her ancestors had stood on the very ground it occupies! The land used to be the courtyard of the governor’s house, where the governor welcomed her ancestors, Beausoleil and Alexander Broussard, Acadians who fled Nova Scotia. Destined for Haiti, yellow fever made them sail to New Orleans. The governor invited them to the courtyard for food and refreshment and gave them supplies to continue to what would later be Lafourche Parish. “What are the odds of that happening? I now have a personal relationship with the characters in this book.”

Just as the governor welcomed her ancestors, Toni plans to welcome artists and writers into her home, using half of the building for art programs and fund-raising galas and the other half for personal living quarters. She is home.

Toni is the author of the Bobbie Faye series, which includes Charmed and Dangerous, Girls Just Wanna Have Guns and When a Man Loves a Weapon, and The Saints of the Lost and Found.

August-September 2016 71

Forever

) g n i v e (Achi

LSU alumni and students alike start their journey at the flagship university with an overwhelming sense of pride. The pride of being a Tiger never leaves even after the tassel is turned and Middleton Library is no longer a second home. While regular visits to campus are expected for Saturday nights in Death Valley and the occasional alumni get together, those who remain on campus, including current students, continue to achieve greatness day by day. Each department of LSU continues to feed the pride.

The call of the cosmos

Above: LSU’s LIGO observatory in Livingston consists of an L-shaped interferometer in which laser light is split into two beams that travel back and forth down 2.5-mile long arms.

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A new window into the universe opened last fall, and LSU students and faculty were among the first to get a glimpse. What they saw, and heard, was astounding. They were part of the team detecting gravitational waves from two black holes colliding 1.3 billion years ago. Albert Einstein had predicted that such a signal would be created by a cataclysmic event like two black holes colliding. However, since he made this prediction 100 years ago, the technology hadn’t existed until now to see it.

About 35 miles from LSU’s Baton Rouge campus, physicists and their students have been working with an instrument called the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory, or LIGO, in Livingston, Louisiana, and also in its sister observatory in Hanford, Washington, for more than

Inside New Orleans

photo: Jim Zie tz

by Alison Lee Satake

LSU

a decade. In 2015, the instrument received a major upgrade, which increased its sensitivity ten-fold.

“This is just the beginning of a new and exciting era for gravitational wave astronomy,” says LSU Professor Gabriela González, who is the elected spokesperson for the 1,000-member international LIGO Scientific Collaboration. She and the group at LSU have been at the center of this breakthrough discovery.

The National Science Foundation is the main funder of LIGO Livingston, and it’s managed by Caltech and MIT. LSU owns the land and LSU students and faculty conduct hands-on research there. LSU is the only U.S. research university within commuting distance of a gravitationalwave observatory, which gives students at LSU an opportunity that exists nowhere else.

Mike’s cutting-edge care Mike the Tiger’s caretakers are dedicated LSU veterinary students. They care for him daily. So, it’s not surprising that they were among the first who noticed some swelling on the right side of Mike’s face. Their observation and concern set into motion a series of tests that led to the diagnosis of a malignant tumor caused by an extremely rare form of cancer called spindle cell sarcoma.

Because LSU is dedicated to the highest level of research and education, a team of experts in laboratory animal medicine, oncology, diagnostic

photo: Eddy Perez Perez photo: Eddy

imaging and anatomic and clinical pathology services assembled quickly. Mike received some of the most cutting-edge cancer treatment available through the generosity of the oncologists at the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, who volunteered their time and provided treatment gratis. Since Mike’s cancer diagnosis, he has a new team of veterinary student caretakers who has taken over his daily care.

“LSU veterinary students are immersed in a variety of medical specialties, such as oncology, dermatology, surgery, ophthalmology, internal medicine, anesthesiology, primary care, integrative medicine and physical rehabilitation and more,” says Ginger Guttner, director of public relations for the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. “In addition, faculty at the LSU SVM conduct research on infectious diseases, cancer, vector-borne diseases and respiratory ailments, just to name a few, so the students have the opportunity to learn about biomedical research as well as veterinary medicine.”

Discovering the world In a cloud forest in the Andes mountain range, LSU graduate student Glenn Seeholzer was among

the team who first discovered the rubybreasted Sira barbet, a colorful bird in the mountains of Peru.

“It’s exhilarating to go into the field and not know what you’re going to find, but just know that there is so much more to discover,” says Seeholzer.

LSU Museum of Natural Science faculty and students set out to some of the most remote corners of the world and discover new species every year.

Since 2006, they have discovered 65 new animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians that had never been seen or described by the scientific community before.

From these collections trips, LSU Museum of Natural Science researchers have been cultivating the oldest and one of the largest genetic resources collections in the world. It contains preserved tissues of more than 100,000 creatures from around the world. Scientists at universities across the country rely on this vast collection for their research, and the LSU Museum of Natural Science makes more than 1,000 loans each year. This wealth of information and opportunity is at the fingertips of every LSU student.

Whether a wide-eyed freshman, an original Chinese Bandit or anyone in between, the pride of being a Tiger is certainly forever.

Above left: Mike the Tiger undergoes cancer treatment at the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Above right: LSU’s Museum of Natural Science.

August-September 2016 73

Flourishes 1

1. Gold agate napkin rings, $38 per set of 2. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 985-6244045. 2. Bottle cap map, $34.

2

The Shop at The Collection, The 3

Historic New Orleans Collection, 598-7147. 3. Ivey barstool from the Rivers Spencer Collection, benchmade, hand-finished in New Orleans. Customizable size and finish; as shown, $1,245.

Rivers Spencer Interiors, 6092436. 4. Gatsby Champagne Coupe glasses with gold dots inspired by the Roaring Twenties, $20 each. Shades of Blue, 891-1575. 5. Writing desk inspired by farm-style antiques found in “little castles� of Old World Europe. American Factory

4

Direct, Mandeville, 985-8710300, afd-furniture.com.

5

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Inside New Orleans

August-September 2016 75

76

Inside New Orleans

Flourishes

1

1. Sferra Lando 100% cotton, stonewashed matelassé sham in 2

navy and white graphic design, $58; Alexander Turpault Bastide linen standard sham with appliqué braided ribbon, $165. The Linen Registry, Metairie, 831-8228. 2. Tea towels and coffee mug by local artist

3

Beth Stire, starting at $15. Other locations available. mélange by kp, Mandeville, 985-807-7652.

3. Rosaland lamp in sunflower yellow, $325. Susan Currie Design, 237-6112. 4. Build your own custom settee. Choose wood finish, fabric

4

and nail head details; as shown, $2,850. The French Mix, Covington, 985-809-3152.

August-September 2016 77

Flourishes

2

1

3

4 1. Automatic grill cleaning robot featuring 5

push-button operation with three powerful electric motors, built-in LCD alarm and timer, rechargeable battery with AC adapter, and a smart computer brain to regulate speed and direction, $99.99.

Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 985-893-8008.

2. Wisdom Tree Limited Edition (500 made), 11.5” Dia, 15.5” H, Base 5” W x 5”L x 5.25”H. Natural brass and stainless steel, $1,500. Arabella Fine Gifts and Home Décor, Mandeville, 985727-9787. 3. Nola Bitch Couture cape, collar and mantle ensemble designed for the 2016 King of Barkus. Ready-towear lines available; capes start at $125.

Petcetera, 269-8711. 4. Burlap ornaments, $15 each. NOLA Beans, 267-0783.

5. Roule bar cart made of cherry wood, $3,000. NOLA Boards, 516-2601.

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Inside New Orleans

August-September 2016 79

The House Of Creed

by Brenda Breck

Fragrances for Discerning Women and Men

Brenda Breck and Thomas Saujet of

photo courtesy: BRENDA BRECK

House of Creed.

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Inside New Orleans

For 256 years, House of Creed has been handcrafting uncommon fragrances for royal houses and discerning patrons. It is the world’s only luxury fragrance dynasty, based in Paris and privately held, having passed from father to son since 1760. King George III was the first to commission House of Creed founder James Henry Creed to create Creed’s first royal fragrance. House of Creed was appointed by Queen Victoria in 1845 as the official supplier of fragrance for the British royal court— commissioning her own scent Fleur de Bulgarie, which is still available today.

That legacy is now in the hands of one of the youngest corporate presidents in the beauty industry, Thomas Saujet, who oversees International Cosmetics and Perfumes, Inc. He was in town to launch a new fragrance from the House of Creed, Royal Princess Oud, at Saks Fifth Avenue. Sixth-generation master perfumer Oliver Creed created this enchanting scent that has been described as “a modern day little red dress.”

ICP is a family-owned business where Thomas works with his brother, Emmanuel Saujet, the CEO. The family is a sales force that mobilizes to foster a unique culture of loyalty and compassion. With his innate ability to sell fragrance, Thomas believes that “time in-store with the sales people and clients is paramount for the business to grow.” He travels all over the country to visit his retailers and clients, teaching the people who represent him on the sales floor to express the passion, seductive and captivating experience of his fragrances. That personal touch has helped them become one of the most sought-after luxury product lines in the beauty industry.

Not being able to resist the magnificent oud, sandalwood and floral combination of Royal Princess Oud, I purchased a bottle, along with two fragrances for Bob!!

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Inside New Orleans

INside Look

1

Denim & Dots 1. Henry & Belle denim seamed A-line skirt, $124. The Villa, Mandeville, 985-626-9797.

2

2. Joe’s mid-rise skinny jeans, $175. Alex & Trixie Lola cami, $240. FeBe, Metairie, 835-5250. 3. Light chambray dress, $60; Large link necklace, $74; “Make A Statement” denim-blue canvas bag with leather and antique hardware, and a thin crossbody

3

strap that can be tucked away for a clutch, $48. Little Miss Muffin, Metairie, 482-8200.

4. Denim jacket with organza fringe, $498.

Elizabeth’s, Metairie, 833-3717. 5. John Hardy sterling silver and blue sapphire chain earrings, $695. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 832-0000. 6. Joseph Abboud navy modern-fit sport coat with textured, wool blend patch pockets, $399; tailored fit, five-pocket denim pant, $89.50. Jos. A. Banks, Metairie, 620-2265. 7. 18K white gold 4

sapphire, blue zircon and diamond ring, $11,850. Adler’s, 523-5292.

5

6

7

August-September 2016 83

INside Look 3

1

2

Denim & Dots 1. Diane Von Furstenberg Liza dress, $468. FeBe, Metairie, 835-5250.

2. Floating High top with high neckband, front keyhole encased waistline drawstring, and button closures down the back, $120.

Floating High short, $145. Both in a mid-weight chambray fabric.

Angelique Stores, 866-1092.

3. Julie Vos Baroque cuff with mix of large round gemstones, faceted for 4

extra sparkle, and a rim of smaller teardrops set in bezels around the perimeter, $285. Hazelnut, 891-2424.

4. Mix and match our pull-on flippy skort with our Montecito zip front top.

Kevan Hall Sport, kevanhallsport.com.

5. Kassia dress in True Blue Going, $178. Palm Village - A Lily Pulitzer

5

Signature Store, Mandeville, 985778-2547. 6. Rebeca Minkoff Isobel hobo bag, $325. Emma’s Shoes and Accessories, Metairie, 407-0668.

7. Oval sapphire ring with halfmoon and round diamond accents set in 18K White Gold. Price upon request. Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 831-2602.

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Inside New Orleans

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August-September 2016 85

IN Other Words

by Becky Slatten

Football season is always interesting at the Slatten home; we live in a house divided. My husband is a passionate Green Wave fan, and I am fiercely loyal to my LSU Tigers. Some of you youngsters may be thinking, “You call that a rivalry?? They don’t even play each other. Yawn.” But plenty of old-timers may still feel the old stir of hatred: “Go to Hell, (insert LSU or Tulane)!!!” Though the win/ loss record doesn’t necessarily suggest a close competition—69-22-7 in favor of the Tigers—generations of children born to the alumni of these two great schools have been indoctrinated from the cradle to despise the enemy. My husband was raised to hate LSU just as I was raised to hate Tulane before I even knew what a Tulane was. In the interest of matrimonial harmony, he manages to hide his glee when LSU loses, and I have given up my grudge against Tulane altogether. As I like to tell him, “Who could hate Tulane? They’re adorable—and their new

during a rainstorm…unchaperoned. He transferred to LSU to finish his undergraduate degree and then went on to Tulane Medical School, where he completely transferred his loyalties. We have evidence that he supported both schools financially, but he remained a Greenie until his death at 97 years old in 1995. My dad was a fanatical Tiger fan and taught us from an early age that Tulane was bad. We always went to Pop’s house for the LSU/Tulane game, typically an all-day event, and I would roam the neighborhood for hours out of boredom.

In 1973, my dad wasn’t in the mood to socialize after the game—LSU lost to Tulane for the first time since 1948, and he was ready to go home and pout. When I finally moseyed on back, I got a swat on the butt, he kicked the tire of his car and was in a boot for a month. I considered us even.

stadium is super cute, too!” Wink, wink.

My pedigree is actually a little muddy on the subject, and it makes for a mildly interesting story…I hope. My great-grandfather, V. L. Roy, received a BS degree from LSU in 1890 and then a MA from Tulane in 1925; he then later served as president of Northwestern State University. My grandfather began his college years at Northwestern but was expelled by his own father for giving a young lady a ride in his car

This old rivalry has a long, glorious history filled with interesting tidbits and traditions. LSU adopted the colors Purple and Gold for their very first football game, a matchup with Tulane University of Louisiana.

The first LSU football coach, Charles Coates, who also doubled as Dean Emeritus, and Ruff Pleasant, who later became governor, went to a local store, Reymond’s, to buy ribbon to adorn the team’s grey uniforms they pulled together. With Carnival season approaching,

A House Divided 86

Inside New Orleans

there was plenty of purple and gold in stock, but the green had yet to come in so that was that. It’s thought to be the first football game played in Baton Rouge and, sadly, the Tigers lost 34-0.

But this was just the beginning of a decades-long rivalry and the quest for the trophy—a satin flag with both schools’ logo on it and the seal of the state of Louisiana in the center, known as the Tiger Rag in Baton Rouge and the Victory Flag in New Orleans. The angry wave came to life in 1964 when Athletic Director Rix Yard commissioned an artist to create a more intimidating mascot for the Green Wave. I personally love that cranky little wave with his little clenched fists and nasty snarl; he looks so ready to splash the opposition.

Another pivotal moment in Tulane football history happened in 2003 when my husband leaked plans by the administration to disband the school’s football team; the program was going through a dark phase and support for the Wave seemed to be waning. Learning of the plans from a board member (his father), he knew he had to get the word out to the Tulane fans, and the result was a tsunami of protest. The plans were scrapped and the rest is history…a brand new stadium and a program on the upswing. LSU continues to compete at the highest level in a stadium that seats 102,321 of the world’s most loyal and rabid college football fans.

And if, by chance, you’re thinking this journalistic piece seems slightly slanted—well, sometimes it’s good to be the writer. (Geaux Tigers!)

August-September 2016 87

St. Elizabeth’s Guild Caring for needy children for over 60 years.

Clockwise: Members of St. Elizabeth’s Guild with Independent Living Skills Directors Melisa Jack and DaLanie Banks; President Cindy Wooderson reads to students at St. John the Baptist Head Start; SEG members with Sister Marjorie Hebert, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, attending the Head Start Program’s “Dr. Seuss”-themed Mardi Gras parade.

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Sit with the members of St. Elizabeth’s Guild and you’ll feel it—love, compassionate love—coloring their stories about the children they help. Working closely with Catholic Charities in New Orleans, the more than 320 Guild members are dedicated to needy children—the mentally and physically disabled, teens transitioning from foster care into independent living, preschoolers preparing for kindergarten, children of incarcerated parents and those who want to change the climate of violence in their neighborhoods.

“The first time I went to Padua House and saw all those hopelessly disabled children, it got to me,” says longtime member Grace Hagen. “They have no family except the wonderful staff that cares for them. They’ve been dumped, abandoned. Half of our members broke into tears.”

“There are some children there who can only lie down. They live their lives in bed,” says Cindy Wooderson, Guild president. “Imagine that,” she says,

Inside New Orleans

obviously moved by the thought. “We bought ceiling videos for them.” These videos offer stimulation with sound, color and movement. “St. Elizabeth’s Guild also purchased a $5,500 customized wheelchair for one of the residents,” she adds. “Something I never realized before was that children outgrow their wheelchairs.” For special-needs children, a wheelchair is not a luxury; it’s a lifeline.

“We also helped refurbish the headquarters for the Independent Living Skills Program in Gretna,” says Suzette Herpich, executive board member and past president. “In that building is a warehouse where teens who are transitioning from foster care to independent living can ‘shop’ for what they need. We keep that warehouse stocked with housewares, toiletries, linens, clothes and appliances. Board members pick up donations and deliver them to ILSP.” While compassion and care are not prerequisites for becoming a member of St. Elizabeth’s Guild, these qualities seem ingrained in all who belong. It’s been that way for over 60 years, ever since the Guild was founded to help orphaned girls at St. Elizabeth’s Home on Napoleon Avenue. After St. Elizabeth’s closed its doors in 1989, Guild members reached out to the youths of Hope Haven and Madonna Manor.

With the closing of these facilities, the Guild assisted those who were placed in group homes.

Over the years, the Guild has adapted to meet the changing needs of the children. Today, St.

photos courtesy: ST. ELIZABETH’S GUILD

by Karen B. Gibbs

Elizabeth’s Guild dedicates its efforts to helping five children’s programs sponsored by Catholic Charities: Independent Living Skills Program, Padua House, St. John the Baptist Head Start, Cornerstone Kids and Isaiah 43.

“They become surrogate parents,” says Catholic Charities CEO and president Sr. Marjorie Hebert. “We call upon them when we want to honor or remember the children or when we have a specific request. For example, I told the Guild we desperately needed a new specialized van to help transport the children of Padua House to doctors’ appointments and events. They provided the majority of the funds we needed to purchase that van.

Plus, they paid insurance and license plate fees and gave Padua House a stipend for gas for a year.”

Generous gifts such as these are made possible through the proceeds of the Guild’s only fundraiser, the Volunteer Activist Luncheon, which pays tribute to outstanding community activists. This year’s honorees include: John Besh, Karen Deblieux, Lee Eagan, Diane Hollis, Jonathan Kernion, Natasha Kissinger, Doris Rappold, Darlene Robert, Pat Shane and Steve Stumpf.

Marilyn Dittman will also be recognized as a Hall of Fame Activist.

The event, which is scheduled for Friday, September 23, at the Hyatt Regency will feature great food, a celebrity style show, music by The Mystics and an extraordinary silent auction that includes art, hotel stays, Saints tickets, Saenger season tickets and restaurant gift cards. The net proceeds ($120,000 last year) are totally dedicated to helping needy children.

Tickets are $75 per person or $125 for a patron ticket. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Cindy Wooderson at cswoody1@cox.net.

August-September 2016 89

IN Great Taste

by Yvette Jemison

90

Inside New Orleans

One Brine That Will Get You Out of a Pickle

Don’t get caught without quick pickled veggies and berries in your refrigerator this summer. These lightly sweetened and tangy pickles are your solution to adding a burst of flavor to a myriad of dishes. You can make them in less than an hour, and they’ll easily store in your refrigerator for about two weeks. That’s two weeks of pickled goodness added to your salads, burgers and fish tacos—and they’re brilliant on a cheese board. Try pickled blueberries and red onions atop your brie crostini for the most delicious appetizer.

Pickling couldn’t be easier. One simple pickle brine will transform any crunchy vegetable or berry in a couple of hours, but preferably overnight. And yes, you can pickle corn right off the cob, and blueberries, too.

For added spice, toss in chili flakes or sliced chili peppers. I’ve included some of my favorite flavor combinations, but be creative and discover your favorite blend. If you’ve never made pickles before, you’re in for a treat!

QUICK PICKLES Servings: 2 cups Select one of the following combinations and proceed with recipe:

PICKLED BLUEBERRY AND BRIE CROSTINI Servings: 4 8 baguette slices 8-ounce wheel of brie, sliced 1/2 cup pickled blueberries Pickled red onions and fresh herbs for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. 2. Arrange bread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Top each baguette slice with a slice of brie and pickled blueberries.

3. Bake until brie is melted, about 5 minutes. Garnish with pickled red onions and fresh herbs and serve.

For more recipes go to Ydelicacies.com, and follow @y_delicacies on Instagram.

2 cups sliced bell peppers + 2 sliced shallots 2 cups corn kernels + 1/2 cup chopped green onions 2 cups zucchini ribbons + 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers + 1 chopped green onion 2 cups blueberries + 1/2 cup sliced red onions 2/3 cup rice vinegar 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 garlic cloves, crushed

photos: YVETTE JEMISON

2 star anise pods

1. Place vegetable or berries in a non-reactive, heat-proof bowl.

2. In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, garlic and star anise over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring, until sugar and salt dissolve.

3. Pour the hot pickle brine over the vegetables or berries. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature until cool.

4. Transfer vegetables, berries and pickling brine to a jar, cover tightly and refrigerate up to two weeks.

August-September 2016 91

INside Dining

Neighborhood Café, 3000 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-3683

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

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

some of the best bets around town.

Borgne aaa Seafood, 601 Loyola

Tom’s fleur de lis ratings are shown.

Ave. (Hyatt Regency Hotel), 504-613-3860

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 Cooter Brown’s Tavern aaa Sandwiches, 509 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-9104 Cowbell aa Hamburgers, 8801 Oak St., 504-866-4222 Dante’s Kitchen aaaa Eclectic, 736 Dante St., 504-861-3121 Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs,

5030 Freret St., 504-899-6883

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., 504-862-5252 Riccobono’s Panola Street Café aa Breakfast, 7801 Panola St.,

Café Adelaide aaaa Contemporary Creole, 300 Poydras St., 504-595-3305 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 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 Poppy’s Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill a Seafood, 500 Port of New Orelans Pl., Suite 83. 504-5693380 Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill. Hamburgers. 1 Poydras St. (Riverfront). 504-247-9265 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., 504-522-1994

504-314-1810 Vincent’s aaaa Italian, 7839 St. Charles Ave., 504-866-9313 Ye Olde College Inn aaa

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Inside New Orleans

Esplanade Ridge and Gentilly Liuzza’s By The Track aaa

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Neighborhood Café, 1518 N. Lopez St., 504-218-7888 Lola’s aaa Spanish, 3312 Esplanade Ave., 504-488-6946 Sammy’s Food Service aaa Neighborhood Café, 3000 Elysian Fields Ave., 504-947-0675 Santa Fe aaa Mexican, 3201 Esplanade Ave., 504-948-0077

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K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen aaaa Cajun, 416 Chartres St., 504596-2530 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,

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 Bayona aaaa Eclectic, 430 Dauphine St., 504-525-4455 Bombay Club aaa Contemporary Creole, 830 Conti St., 504-577-2237 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., 504-522-7261 Crescent City Brewhouse aaa Pub Food, 527 Decatur St., 504-522-0571 Criollo aaa Creole French, 214 Royal St., 504-681-4444 Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs, 601 Frenchmen St., 505-309-3362 The Davenport Lounge Small bites and cocktails, 921 Canal Street (The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans) 504-670-2828 Deanie’s Seafood Seafood, 841 Iberville St., 504-581-1316 Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse aaa Steak, 716 Iberville St., 504-522-2467

504-522-9500 M Bistro aaaFarm to Table Restaurant 921 Canal Street (The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans) 504-670-2828 Mr. B’s Bistro aaaa Contemporary Creole, 201 Royal St., 504-523-2078 Muriel’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 801 Chartres St., 504-568-1885 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 Palace Café aaa Contemporary Creole, 605 Canal St., 504-523-1661 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. Louis St., 504-529-7045 SoBou aaa Contemporary Creole, 310 Chartres St., 504-552-4095 Stanley aa Breakfast, 547 St. Ann St., 504-587-0093 Tujague’s aaa Creole, 823 Decatur St., 504-525-8676

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., 504-335-3932 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

Garden District 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 Mr. John’s Steakhouse aaaa Steak, 2111 St. Charles Ave., 504-679-7697 Sushi Brothers aaa Japanese, 1612>>

August-September 2016 93

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714 Elmeer Ave., 504-896-7300

St. Charles Ave., 504-581-4449 Tracey’s aaa Sandwiches, 2604

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Mellow Mushroom aa Pizza, 30 craft beers on tap, 3131 Veterans

Magazine St., 504-897-5413

Memorial Blvd., 504-644-4155 Lakeview

Mr. Ed’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 1001 Live Oak St., 504-838-0022

Café Navarre aa Sandwiches, 800 Navarre Ave., 504-483-8828

Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House

Cava aaaa New Orleans Style, 785

aaa Seafood, 3117 21St. Street, 504-833-6310

Harrison Ave, New Orleans LA 70124, 504-304-9034

Parran’s Po-Boys aaa Sandwiches, 3939 Veterans Blvd., 504-885-3416

El Gato Negro aaa Mexican, 300 Harrison Ave., 504-488-0107

Peppermill aaa Creole Italian, 3524

Lakeview Harbor aaa Hamburgers,

Severn Ave., 504-455-2266

911 Harrison Ave., 504-486-4887

Pho Orchid aaa Vietnamese, 3117 Houma Blvd., 504-457-4188

Mondo aaa Eclectic, 900 Harrison Ave., 504-224-2633

Ristorante Filippo aaa Creole Italian, 1917 Ridgelake Dr.,

Munch Factory aaa Contemporary

504-835-4008

Creole, 6325 Elysian Fields Ave., 504-324-5372

Italian, 6601 Veterans Blvd., 504-888-7784 Shogun aaaa Japanese, 2325 Veterans Blvd., 504-833-7477 Taqueria Corona aaa Mexican, Vincent’s aaaa Creole Italian, 4411 Chastant St., 504-885-2984 Zea aaa American, 4450 Veterans

Andrea’s aa Italian, 3100 19th St., 504-834-8583

Coffee, 214 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-486-0078 Café Degas aaa French, 3127 Esplanade Ave., 504-945-5635

504-305-4833

Café Minh aaaa Vietnamese, 4139

1 Collins Diboll Circle, 504-482-1264

Canal Street Bistro aaa Mexican, 3903 Canal St., 504-482-1225 Steak, 1001 N. Broad St.,

Mall), 504-304-7005 Drago’s aaaa Seafood, 3232 N. Arnoult Rd., 504-888-9254 Heritage Grill Contemporary Creole, 111 Veterans Blvd., 504-934-4900 Impastato’s aaaa Creole Italian, 3400 16th St., 504-455-1545 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 2300 N. Causeway Blvd., 504-831-6788 Martin Wine Cellar Deli aaa Deli,

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Inside New Orleans

504-821-3271 Dooky Chase aaa Creole, 2301 Orleans Ave., 504-821-0600 Five Happiness aaa Chinese, 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-482-3935 Juan’s Flying Burrito aaa Mexican,

Northshore Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 1202 US 190, Covington, 985-246-6155

Carrollton Ave., 504-485-5658

985-674-9883 Mattina Bella aaa Breakfast, 421 E. Gibson St., Covington, 985-892-0708 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 & Spiritsaaa Seafood, 208 Lee Lane, Covington, 985-875-0432 Girod St., Mandeville, 985-626-5619 Ox Lot 9 aaa Contemporary, 428 E Boston St., Covington, 985-400-5663 Creole, 69305 Hwy 21,

624-9007 Camellia Café aaa Neighborhood Café, 69455 LA 59, Abita Springs,

Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 1340 0020; 70380 LA Hwy. 21, Covington, 985-871-6674 The Chimes aaa Cajun, 19130 W. Front St., Covington, 985-892-5396 Dakota aaaa Contemporary Creole, 629 N. US 190, Covington, 985-892-3712

985-875-0160 DiMartino’s aaa Italian, 700 S. Tyler St., Covington, 985-276-6460

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, 985882-9443 Trey Yuen aaa Chinese, 600 Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985626-4476 Young’s aaa Steak, 850 Robert Blvd., Slidell, 985-643-9331 Yujin aaa Japanese, 323 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985-809-3840 Zea aaa American, 110 Lake Dr., Covington, 985-327-0520; 173 Northshore Blvd., Slidell, 985-3270520

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, 985626-4342 Keith Young’s Steak House aaaa 985-845-9940

Liuzza’s aaa Neighborhood Café,

4240 La 22, Mandeville,

2600 Florida St., Mandeville, 985-

Steak, 165 LA 21, Madisonville,

Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 310 N.

Mandeville, 985-626-3006 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood,

Pardo’s aaaa Contemporary

504-486-9950 3701 Iberville St., 504-488-6582

Creole, 2025 Lakeshore Dr.,

Café Lynn aaaa Contemporary Creole,

4724 S. Carrollton Ave., Katie’s aaa Neighborhood Café,

US 190, Lacombe, 985-626-7662 Lakehouse aaa Contemporary

Nuvolari’s aaaa Creole Italian, 246

Columbia St., Covington,

Crescent City Steak House aaa

Veterans Memorial Blvd. (Lakeside

Carrollton Ave., 504-488-7991

Cafe NOMA Contemporary Creole,

4426 Transcontinental Blvd., 504-885-6885

Venezia aaa Italian, 134 N.

DiCristina’s aaa Italian, 810 N.

Cypress aaa Contemporary Creole,

Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs, 3301

Carrollton Ave., 504-252-4999

Canal St., 504-482-6266

3030 Severn Ave., 504-888-2209

504-833-2722

Toups’ Meatery aaa Cajun, 845 N.

Slidell, 985-649-6211

Angelo Brocato aaa Dessert and

Veterans Blvd., 504-837-6696;

428 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson,

504-483-1571

504-780-9090; 1655 Hickory Ave.,

Mid-City

Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 2320

Arnoult St., 504-887-3295

Creole, 127 N. Carrollton Ave.,

Lindberg Dr., Slidell, 985-847-

Café East aaa Pan-Asian, 4628

Crabby Jack’s aaa Sandwiches,

Rue 127 aaaa Contemporary

985-809-6313; 525 190 Hwy. W.,

Esplanade Ave., 504-888-5533

China Rose aaa Chinese, 3501 N.

Cortez St., 504-309-5531

Blvd. (Clearview Mall), Harahan, 504-738-0799

Austin’s aaaa Creole, 5101 West

Casablanca aaa Mediterranean,

Neighborhood Café, 139 S.

Sandro’s Trattoria aaa Creole

Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood,

1821 Hickory Ave., Harahan,

Ruby Slipper Café aaa Breakfast,

504-822-9503

3535 Severn Ave., 504-885-5088

Rye St., 504-888-0078

504-482-3047

Chicken, 2401 St. Ann St.,

Tony Angello’s aaa Creole Italian, 6262

3000 Veterans Blvd., 504-309-4056

Sandwiches, 538 Hagan Ave.,

504-888-3600

Creole, 888 Harrison Ave.,

Metairie

Parkway Poor Boys aaa

Steak, 3633 Veterans Blvd.,

Steak Knife aaa Contemporary

Fleur de Lis Dr., 504-488-0888

3901 Banks St., 504-482-7743

Willie Mae’s Scotch House aaa

Contemporary Creole, 900 City

504-488-8981

3800 Canal St., 504-482-9179 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern,

Ruth’s Chris Steak House aaaa

Ralph’s On The Park aaaa Park Ave., 504-488-1000

3636 Bienville St., 504-482-9120 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood,

La Carreta aaa Mexican, 812 Hyw

Old Metairie 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.,

190, Covington, 985-400-5202;

504-875-4555

1200 W. Causeway Approach,

Vega Tapas Café aaa

Mandeville, 985-624-2990 La Provence aaaa French, 25020

Mediterranean, 2051 Metairie Rd., 504-836-2007

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Slice aaa Pizza, 5538 Magazine St., 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

504-897-4800 Sukho Thai aaa Thai, 4519 Magazine St., 504-373-6471 Taqueria Corona aaa Mexican, 5932 Magazine St., 504-897-3974 Upperline aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1413 Upperline St., 504-891-9822

Creole, 901 Louisiana Ave., 504-891-9626 Baru Bistro & Tapas aaa Caribbean, 3700 Magazine St., 504-895-2225 Bistro Daisy aaaa Creole French, 5831 Magazine St., 504-899-6987 Casamento’s aaa Seafood, 4330 Magazine St., 504-895-9761 Charlie’s Steak House aaa Steak, 4510 Dryades St., 504-895-9323 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., 504-754-1336 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

Warehouse District and Central City 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 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., 504-520-8530 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 Tomas Bistro aaaa Creole French, 755 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-5270942 Tommy’s Cuisine aaaa Creole Italian, 746 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-581-1103

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 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., 504-371-5809

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

August-September 2016 95

INside Peek

3

2

1 1. Mary de La Barre, Irene Klinger, (standing) Adele Uddo, Pat Murrell and Betty Brooks Doss, who were honored for their many years of support for the Women’s Guild of the New

4

5

Orleans Opera Association at Ralph’s on the Park. 2. St. Martin’s alumni Douglas McCollam, Becket Becnel and George Diliberto reunite at a spring crawfish boil. 3. Nina and Ken Friend heading into the 2016 Zoo-to-Do. 4. Faith Peperone, Tina Miceli, Kim Hasney and Josephine Haas at the Jefferson Performing Arts Society induction of officers for the Leading Ladies Guild. 5. Leading Ladies Bunny Emory,

6

7

Melinda Bourgeois and Valarie Hart. 6. Metairie Rotary Citizen of the Year Lee Giorgio (center) being congratulated by Jackie Elliott and Jen Esler at the Metairie Rotary Installation Dinner.

7. Incoming President Dr. Tom Kennedy and his wife Mary with Christie and Ralph Senner.

8. PussyFooter with Ed and Cindy Bush, Elizabeth Ryan and Ed Spooner, incoming board chair, at the Salvation Army’s first annual “Laissez Les Bon Temps Bowl” at Rock ’n Bowl.

8

9

9. Matt, Charlotte, Skye and Louis Fantaci with Kristin Mayer. 10. Anna and AJ Tusa, owners of New Orleans Creole Cookery, welcome Chef John Trinh to their restaurant family. 11. Laura Netterville Mullin and Chase Mullin celebrating their marriage surrounded by family and close friends at the Audubon Clubhouse.

10 96

Inside New Orleans

11

INside Peek

2

3

1 1. Judy and Louis Lemarié with Jean Jones at New Orleans Geological Auxiliary Spring Soirée. 2. Trudy and Charley Corona. 3. Camille Yeldell and Beverly Christina at New Orleans Geological Auxiliary Installation Luncheon at Ormand

4

Plantation. 4. Trudy Corona awards Alma

5

Dunlap with Lifetime Award Membership in NOGA. 5. Mary Coxe, Penny Francis and artist Catherine Pugh at Eclectic Home’s Finishing Touches for the Home & Body Trunk Show and reception.

6. Ron McIntyre and Penny Francis.

7. Keith and Beth DePass with Greg and Sharon Hopper at the Metairie Country Club Men’s Member Golf Tournament.

7

6

8. Reunion fun for the members of St. Martin’s Class of 1986 at Holly and Fred Mentz’s home in Old Metairie. 9. Mark Gradwohl (third place), Steve Brownlee (second place), and King of the Kilts 2016 Augusto “Cookie” Rojas at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater New Orleans’ crowning party at the Irish House.

10. Ronald McDonald House Executive 8

Director Janet Goforth, Konstantin

9

Selakovic, Joshua Borges, John Snell, Chris and Karen Berg with Gene and Jenny Meyer. 11. Jane Booth, Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Paul Aucoin, Heather Szapary and Port of New Orleans Community Affairs Manager Paul Matthews on a trip to Ville Platte for the Smoked Meat Festival.

10 98

Inside New Orleans

11

photo: MELISSA CARRIER, THNOC

photos: KEELY MERRITT, THNOC

photo: MELISSA CARRIER, THNOC

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, The Historic New Orleans Collection held its annual Soirée d’Or at the Orpheum Theater. The evening began with a patron party where Preservation Hall All-Stars played leading into the gala. THNOC Board of Directors President Drew Jardine toasted the institution and Executive Director Priscilla Lawrence welcomed guests, giving brief remarks on the past, present and future of THNOC. Joe Lastie Jr. and the Lastie Family Gospel Singers and The Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra played during the gala.

Ralph Brennan Catering provided the evening’s delectable menu.

THNOC was established in 1966 by General Lewis Kemper Williams and his wife, Leila Hardie Moore Williams. The two longtime private collectors created the institution to make their extensive collection of materials available to the public for continued research and scholarship.

photo: MELISSA CARRIER, THNOC

Soirée d’Or

August-September 2016 99

St. Martin’s Episcopal School Alumni Spirits Party

photos courtesy: ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

St. Martin’s Episcopal School alums from the 1950s through 2015 enjoyed hot boiled crawfish, Lucky Dogs and delicious fare from Jambalaya & Co. at the school’s annual Alumni Spirits Party last spring. During the party, held on the Van Slate lawn, the 2016 Dorothy Porter Service Award was presented to longtime faculty member Warren Lind for his many years of outstanding service to the school. Reunion classes reveled in their memoires and enjoyed spending time on their beloved campus for a night of great fun!

100

Inside New Orleans

INside Peek Zoo-to-Do

photos courtesy: AUDUBON NATURE INSTITUTE

The 2016 Whitney Zoo-to-Do was a roaring success! Sponsors enjoyed the Jerome S. Glazer Audubon Tea Room and Garden and Patron Lounge throughout the evening, strolling out to the Audubon Zoo Grounds for lively entertainment and drinks. Over 40 specialty and full-service cocktail bars enticed gala-goers with classic libations and creative concoctions. More than 70 famous New Orleans restaurants offered rich samplings of local and international cuisine. Headlining the evening was Emerald City. Al “Lil Fats�

Jackson, Treme Brass Band and Uptown Electric String Quartet showcased their musical talents on three stages. All proceeds from the Zoo-To-Do events supported Audubon Zoo.

102

Inside New Orleans

Go 4th on the River VIP Viewing Reception

photos: FRANK STANSBURY

Treasured sponsors and guests of the Riverfront Marketing Group gathered at The Westin New Orleans Canal Place for the VIP Fireworks Viewing Reception. The 26th annual Go 4th on the River Dueling Barges Fireworks Show on the historic New Orleans riverfront wowed viewers.

More than 38 sponsors and supporters came together to produce the extraordinary 2016 display. This year, New Orleans was ranked #3 out of 100 cities for the best place to celebrate the Fourth of July by WalletHub.com! night.

August-September 2016 103

INside Peek Orléans Club Closing Reception

photos courtesy: ALMA DUNLAP

The Orléans Club’s annual Closing Reception, “Summer Evening on the Avenue,” was held at its St. Charles Avenue location. Members were greeted on the front porch by the Joe Simon Trio, which quickly moved inside to the Presidents’ Room to provide background music for the cocktail chatter. Seen wearing the celebratory corsages were President Betty Davidson, Reception Chairman Kathy Youngberg and Co-Chairman Ann Swayze. The party honors those members who have served as committee chairmen the previous year, and they sported decorative nametags.

The rooms of the club were filled with sunny yellow and white flowers, arranged by Flower Chairman Sherry McFadden, Co-Chair Kathleen Stassi and their committee. Abundant were yellow spider mums, irises and fresh lemons, together with white mums, calla lilies and a fabulous white bird of paradise. Chef Sarah Wood provided lamb lollipops, filet with marchand de vin, crab cakes with remoulade, fried oysters with blue cheese, seared tuna, boiled shrimp, crab claws and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. And Chef’s famous pralines!

104

Inside New Orleans

photos courtesy: THE NEW ORLEANS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, New Orleans’ professional classical theatre company, opened its 2016 mainstage season with a sleek production of Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Patrons and cast were treated to a post-show reception with hors d’oeuvres and wine. In attendance were members of the festival’s Advisory Board, members of the Tulane faculty and prominent members of the New Orleans community.

This production will be remounted in January 2017 as part of the festival’s annual performance for schools across the Gulf South. The festival received a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for this project, which provides 1,400 free tickets to local students and discounted tickets to any other school group.

photos courtesy: WYES

WYES Producers Circle Cocktail Party The WYES Producers Circle Cocktail Party was held at the home of Lori and Bobby Savoie in honor of the station’s major donors and WYES’ achievements throughout the year. Guests enjoyed delectable cuisine of petite crab cakes with white remoulade sauce, seared ahi tuna with cucumber and ponzu dressing on crispy won tons and more served by Ralph Brennan Catering & Events. Producers Circle Chair Tommy Westervelt and the Savoies greeted guests upon arrival. It was noted that the WYES Producers Circle came “full circle,” as the former owners of the home, Walda and Sydney Besthoff, hosted the very first reception 24 years ago.

August-September 2016 105

Last Bite

Boulevard American Bistro

STEPPING INTO THE WARM and friendly atmosphere of Boulevard American Bistro, there’s no doubt that the food will be just as good. General Manager Robert Hardie, who has been with Boulevard since its opening in the summer of 2015, says that he and his staff take pride in doing things the right way. “We try to keep things simple,” says Robert. “Great food, great service and a clean and comfortable restaurant—that’s all you need.”

The great food includes American bistro cuisine of steaks, prime rib, made-in-house burgers, fresh fish and an extensive salad selection. A crowd favorite is the Blackened Ribeye.

Served with a loaded baked potato, it makes for a filling late lunch or dinner.

Marinated and lightly dusted with creole seasoning, Boulevard’s steaks are grilled to perfection over a bed of hickory chips.

“Our menu offers many options that make it easy to dine here multiple times a week,” Robert says. “You can have a salad for lunch, pan-seared crab cakes for dinner and something completely different the next day!”

Newly added to Boulevard’s menu options is the Monday-through-Friday Social Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Small plates can be enjoyed with discounted drinks and wine. “We’re offering tuna tartare, smoked salmon dip, petite ribeye steak sandwiches and more. The upscalecasual menu and after-work atmosphere make for a great social hour.”

by Leah Draffen

Robert, born and raised in New Orleans,

Boulevard American Bistro, A Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concept, is located at 4241 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie.

889-2301. boulevardbistro.com.

of experience in the restaurant industry.

He takes pride in culinary prowess of his hometown.

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Inside New Orleans

photos: Thomas B. Growden

has over 27 years