Inside Northside January-February 2023

OUTDOOR ELEGANCE

Caring for Our Friends and Neighbors Here on the Northshore!

Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group is dedicated to providing a full range of care right here on the Northshore, with convenient locations in Covington and Slidell. In addition to your annual checkup, our experienced group of providers specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of illnesses and complex medical conditions.

Learn more and schedule an appointment at ololrmc.com/northshore.

Providing pediatric care on the Northshore! Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health is a collaborative, coordinated and child-focused statewide network. We recently added Grant Clinkingbeard, MD, to our growing network of care, with an office conveniently located in Covington. To make an appointment, call us at (985) 400-5566.

ololchildrens.org

Brian Galofaro, MD Family Medicine

Alle Norris, NP Family Medicine

Susan Ovella, MD Internal Medicine & Pediatrics

Brad LeBert, MD Otolaryngology

Timothy Devraj, MD Orthopedic Surgery

Grant Clinkingbeard, MD Pediatrics

Lauren McManus, MD Internal Medicine

p p g

designed to meet the needs of women in business. With over 1700 diverse members, P.O.W.E.R. offers personalized service, promotion and financial products for entrepreneurial women. And with opportunities to be included, connect and engage with like-minded women, you’ll have the tools you need to succeed and flourish.

At Fidelity Bank we believe in the P.O.W.E.R. of you.

H e r e f o r P O W E R f u l b u s i n e s s

For more information about Fidelity Bank’s P.O.W.E.R. program contact Liz Broekman, Director: lizbroekman@bankwithfidelity.com

FidelityBankPower.com

Pictured above: Hilary Walker, Owner of Kidz Klub House and P.O.W.E.R. Member

With every new year comes the potential for new beginnings. Our worlds are once again filled with endless possibilities. Feelings of hopefulness and renewal are upon us - resolutions are made, gym memberships are on the risewe are once again the stewards of our own destiny.

But without change, there can be no new possibilities. And change can sometimes be a terrifying thing. Yet the old adage remains - there is nothing permanent in this life except change.

We at Inside Northside have been making changes, too. Changes that you may have noticed in our last few issues. Changes culminating with our Jan/Feb issue. From our new logo and cover design, to the renaming of our departments, we’ve been working hard to bring our readers a new updated look and feel without losing that familiar Inside Northside appeal.

We hope these changes are indicative of where we want to take this magazine. Yes, we will occasionally stumble and make mistakes along the way. But they are mistakes born out of a love for what we do. Out of a love for the Northshore. Out of a love for its people and its stories.

We sincerely hope that you will continue to take this journey with us, for there is no us without you.

And may 2023 bring you all of the changes you may hope for!

INSIDE NORTHSIDE

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2023 | VOL. 38, NO. 1

PUBLISHER

DESIREE FORSYTH desiree@insidepub.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

BARBARA ROSCOE barbara@insidepub.com

POKI HAMPTON poki@insidepub.com

PEMMIE SHEASBY pemmie@insidepub.com

BRENDA BRECK brenda@insidepub.com

KELLY LAND kelly@insidepub.com

STACEY PARETTI RASE

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR SCOTT FORSYTH sforsyth@insidepub.com

EDITOR CHELSEA ADAMS chelsea@insidepub.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR ASHLAN LEHMANN ashlan@insidepub.com

BUSINESS MANAGER JANE QUILLIN jane@insidepub.com

OPERATIONS MANAGER MARGARET RIVERA margaret@insidepub.com

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MELISSA LEBLANC MEGHAN HEALY

ON THE COVER ARTIST REBECCA REBOUCHÉ Page 12

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

LAURA STEFFAN CAYMAN CLEVENGER

Laura Steffan is a commercial architectural and interior photographer based in New Orleans. She is from Mandeville and studied Fine Arts at the University of New Orleans. She has a passion for capturing New Orleans’ alluring charm and architectural details.

She is a contributing photographer to Apartment Therapy and has had work published with HGTV, Southern Living Magazine, Adore Magazine and Gambit Weekly. In addition, she has had the opportunity to contribute imagery to marketing campaigns in partnership with Hyatt Centric, New Orleans and Company, French Market Coffee and more.

Cayman Clevenger is a New Orleans-based art broker, certified fine art appraiser, attorney and realtor. Born in Shreveport, Cayman grew up in the small town of Many, La., outside of Natchitoches. He earned a bachelor’s in history from Tulane University and a juris doctorate from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law in Dallas. His website is LouisianaArt.com.

EDITORAL CONTRIBUTORS

Cedric Angeles, Susan Bonnett Bourgeois, Jessica Broom Photography, Hilary Creamer, Kiyomi Appleton Gaines, Karen Gibbs, Poki Hampton, Rick King, August Layne Photography, Mandeville Robotics Team, Torey Mansfield, Rebecca McClain Photography, Rebecca Rebouché, Roger & Terry Brewing, St. Tammany Hospital Foundation, Tim San Fillipo, Joel Treadwell, Josh Williams, Derek Wohltmann

Painted by James Michalopoulos

BY: CAYMAN CLEVENGER

Deeply Rooted in Louisiana REBECCA REBOUCHÉ

HAS A STORY TO TELL

Rebecca Rebouché finds herself uprooted.

The Louisiana artist known for paintings of allegorical family trees and a decade-long collaboration with popular retailer Anthropologie, relocated to London with her fiancé and their newborn daughter to open a new venture.

Though she plans to spend time across the pond working on small-scale paintings in her flat, it’s clear Rebouché can’t stay away from Louisiana for long.

Rebouché was born in the bayou town of Franklin, La., a sleepy town of sugar cane, oak trees and unadulterated nature that grounded her and informed the ethos she would later incorporate into her work.

“One of my earliest memories is playing under the table at a crawfish boil in the backyard, playing with live crawfish and crawling under a quilting beam, looking up at it as the needles went in and out of the fabrics,” she said.

Rebouché’s works feature the landscapes, subjects and the collective memory that surrounds her. Alligators, bayous, oaks, cypress trees and waterfowl are dominant players in her works.

“When you leave Louisiana, you see it much more clearly,” Rebouché said. “The general mood of the essence of life, being close to the soil, close to the weather, close to your family, and close to the seasons of life is palpable in South Louisiana. The flora and fauna are very inspiring, but I first fell in love with the stories and people of the region. The literature, the music,

the food, the richness of life, are major influences on my work.”

Rebouché describes her style as surrealist naturalism. Drawing elements of Salvador Dali’s surrealism, Rebouché’s work has an almost dreamlike quality, filled with imagery and symbolism. She seems to tap into her own subconscious to create works that link the rational with the irrational, the ordinary with the absurd, all while using the natural world as a backdrop.

Rebouché came to her unique style organically and spontaneously.

“I arrived at a place where I felt like I finally had something to say. One day, I drew this apple with a party hat on top of it. I could not explain it at the time, it was a feeling I had, and once I did it, the piece fully communicated exactly what I wanted to communicate,” she said. “That became my rule for a while.

WHEN YOU LEAVE LOUISIANA, YOU SEE IT MUCH MORE CLEARLY

Photo Credit: Laura Steffan (studio shots), Courtesy of Rebecca Rebouché

I started by taking two objects and putting them together on a page, and the combination of the two objects created some dialogue or told some story. It grew from there and got more complicated, more complex and more intimate. I had amassed a large library of symbols, and I started to repeat symbols, almost like characters in a book. As I repeated them in different circumstances they took on different moods and that became the language I started to speak.”

The recurring symbols in Rebouché’s works are numerous: the swan, the white dress, the rabbit, the hats, the trees, the birds, the eggs, the night with the stars. “They don’t always mean the same thing, and I hesitate to articulate too much of their meaning because art is a conversation with the viewer. I think the viewer is the heroine or the hero of the story being told by the art,” she said.

Rebouché begins her process using a sketch she considers a form of free writing or journaling. “When I sketch, I am working things out. I edit that until I come up with a composition

and then I translate it to the canvas,” she said.

Rebouché sometimes paints from the stream of consciousness, but she mostly paints from reference. “I love to go to the Audubon Zoo and paint ibises or tigers or whatever animals I can. I love to paint from life or sketch from life, if at all possible. If it is not possible, I use naturalists’ guides because they show birds in different positions and at different times of year.

“The ultimate triumph is when I can paint something in such a way and such a position that totally conveys the nuance of what I am trying to say and it comes entirely from my mind, without reference to anything. I have had such a triumph only a handful of times, but when I do it, it really gives me a zing of happiness” she said.

In her early years as an artist, Rebouché made her living traveling “circus style, with a tent and all my paintings visiting art shows and art fairs.” She bookended her travels with a residency at Low Key Arts, a nonprofit arts center in Arkansas.

THEY DON’T ALWAYS MEAN THE SAME THING, AND I HESITATE TO ARTICULATE TOO MUCH OF THEIR MEANING BECAUSE ART IS A CONVERSATION WITH THE VIEWER.

While there, Rebouché got incredibly homesick. That heartache fueled her creative process.

“I tapped into my roots of home in South Louisiana and the centerpiece became this tree, which began as a sketch on a small piece of paper. I put all these objects that had become important in my work and it became my tree—my story, my sense of home, my sense of place, of love and comfort.

Things that related to my childhood and my family, and I translated that onto the largest canvas I had, which was four feet by six feet. I showed that painting a number of times and people fell in love with it.”

What followed was a trove of commissions for family tree paintings.

To begin a commission, Rebouché shadows a family in their homes with a notepad and a camera. Through questions and observation, she discovers the family’s identity – “what beats their hearts and makes them cry and everything in between.”

“I take all that information back to my studio where I begin a process that is half research and half magic. I sift through the information and research geography, mythology, anthropology, history, and literature and art and music and anything that applies to that family’s story. It is like wandering through the forest until I see their tree, which appears to me fully formed. My trick, so to speak, is that I am blessed by God or the universe to translate it to this visual allegory that I do not truly, fully understand,” she said.

Rebouché creates her large-scale artworks in her eclectic Abita Springs home studio. Nestled among the trees, the house was originally built by artist David Able using plans ordered from a catalog in the 1970s. Rebouché’s transformation of the home was featured in “Architectural Digest” in 2021.

A work of art itself, the home allows Rebouché to reconnect with nature and feel free to create. She draws inspiration from its heart pine wood floors and large windows that welcome the light and offer a glimpse of the lush foliage outside.

Rebouché’s work appears, perhaps unknowingly, in the homes of tens of thousands of people, thanks to retailer

REBECCA REBOUCHÉ : DEEPLY ROOTED IN LOUISIANA

REBOUCHÉ

Anthropologie. Her collaboration with the popular retail chain began in 2010 and “came about organically with a bit of magic and luck.”

A client knew a team of Anthropologie buyers were coming to New Orleans to scout talent. The client replaced her whole art collection so she could display Rebouché’s work for the scouts. The team fell in love with the work and hired Rebouché to create a painting for the New Orleans store opening. After that, the buyers expanded the collaboration, including Rebouché’s work on the store’s dishes, rugs, bedding and wallpaper.

Her most recent effort for Anthropologie was a line of children’s accessories featuring a piece titled “Let’s Take the Train,” a dreamy and whimsical collection with objects and symbols

associated with childhood and the passing of time.

Since 2017, her work has been primarily influenced by an autobiographical dream that was so intricate, so big and so complex, she woke up and wrote it down. From the dream grew a project she calls “Exotic Memory.” The project is made up of chapters, each becoming a new series of paintings, and features the characters, stories and themes Rebouché encountered in her dream.

Rebouché is also working on a new release called “Portal Paintings.” She describes the paintings as “time travel art that is small enough to be transported through the portal, if you will, but also small enough to travel back with me to Louisiana.”

Though she splits time between two continents, Rebouché’s heart remains in Louisiana. She shares the same romantic view of New Orleans that has kept so many residents here.

“New Orleans is great for giving you moments you could never have orchestrated. It has to come as a gift from the universe; you find yourself at the right place at the right time,” she said. “The sky opens up and the whole world smiles upon you. I feel like that is what New Orleans, and Louisiana as a whole, do best. It gives you the special moments no amount of money can buy you, no amount of planning can get for you.”

View and purchase Rebouché’s wallpaper, prints and other creations at rebeccarebouche.com.

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JANUARY

Cutting Edge Theater presents “Bette Your Bottom Dollar” Tribute to Bette Midler Weekends, Jan. 6–14

The Northshore-based tribute act, “Bette your Bottom Dollar,” brings the most beloved songs, characters and comedy of the brilliant Bette Midler to life in front of you. This risqué comedy show can be varied to suit the audience and venue, bringing up Bette’s best-loved topics or demurely keeping them under wraps. Her comedy knows no limits and revels in irreverence and aggrandizing self-mocking. Mandi Rae will perform “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “The Rose,” “From a Distance,” “I’m a Woman,” “Chapel of Love,” “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “The Glory of Love.” Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 6493727. Cutting Edge Theater, 767 Robert Blvd., Slidell, 649-3727, cuttingedgetheater.com

Movie Poster Archive Exhibition Jan. 6–27

The exhibit will feature a collection of movie posters, gallery cards and accessories from movies that have been filmed in Slidell, St. Tammany Parish and the New Orleans area. Admission is free.Gallery hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 12–4 p.m. and Thursdays from 12–6 p.m. Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall, 2055 Second St., Slidell, 646-4375, myslidell.com

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Britten & Elgar Friday, Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m. The evening, led by Music Director Carlos Miguel Prieto, will feature principal horn Mollie Pate in Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings. Elgar’s “majestic, noble and perfectly British” (NPR) first symphony was all the rage upon its premiere but is rarely heard today. A pre-concert talk will take place from 6:30–7:00 p.m. $35

The

opens at 12:30 p.m. on

theme will be announced

adults, $10 student/children.

Covington High School, 73030 Lions Drive., Covington, (504) 523-6530, lpomusic.com/event

Opus Vocal Ensemble: Third Sunday Concert at Christ Episcopal Sunday, Jan. 15, 5 p.m.

The 2022–2023 season of the Third Sunday Concerts at Christ Episcopal Church Covington continues Sunday, Jan. 15 with Opus Vocal Ensemble.The Third Sunday Concert Series, now in its 32nd year, is an outreach of Christ Episcopal Church, Covington. The one-hour concerts are free and open to the public and are followed by a wine and light hors d’oeuvres reception in the Parish Hall for the performers and audience. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. in the main church building. Christ Episocopal Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St., Covington, 892-3177, christchurchcovington.com/ concert_series

presented by

Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws Parade 2023 | Sunday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m. The premier Mardi Gras walking parade featuring man’s best friends and their families puts some bark into the Mardi Gras scene! A $25 registration fee is required per dog, which must be in costume. Up to six humans can accompany each four-legged friend. Human escorts are encouraged to dress to suit the theme, too. Registration

the day of the event. Skip the line and register up to

dogs in advance online.

parade

as the event nears.The Post-Parade Extravaganza at the Covington Trailhead will have music, food trucks and sponsor fun for kids and dogs. Downtown Covington, 892-0060, MardiPaws.com

Cutting Edge Theater presents “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel”

Fridays & Saturdays Jan. 20–Feb. 4, 7 p.m. Have you ever wondered about those crazy stories in the supermarket tabloids? You know, like the sightings of Elvis at the local Stop & Shop or the space aliens that ate Baltimore? Are they just made-up baloney or is there a glimmer of truth in there somewhere? This quirky new comedy by Mitch Albom (“Tuesdays with Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”) goes about answering such questions. Two “good old boys”, Duane and Duwell Early, believe they have brought down a celestial being hovering over the swamps of Alabama. Enter a jaded tabloid writer and a photographer from New York City who wants an exclusive on this breaking “angel story,” and you have an evening of fun and laughter filled with zany characters. It’s an out-of-this-world tale full of magical surprises, unexpected second chances and kneeslapping humor. Tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite or by calling 649-3727. Cutting Edge Theater, 767 Robert Blvd., Slidell, 649-3727, cuttingedgetheater.com

L.A. to LA: A Robby Klein Photography Exhibition

Jan. 20-Feb. 16, Wednesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Hailing from the Northshore and based in Nashville, Tenn., Robby Klein is an entertainment and portrait photographer. With a love for people, Klein was quickly drawn into portrai ture. Add a background in music and gravitating toward entertainers was only natural. Klein is known for his person able images of some of today’s most celebrated personalities in music and film including Dolly Parton, Billie Eilish, Justin Timberlake, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Anthony Hopkins, Jason Bateman and Julia Roberts to name a few. Hammond Regional Arts Center, 217 E. Thomas St., Hammond, 542-7713, hammondarts.org.

Slidell Little Theater presents “August Wilson’s Jitney” Jan. 20–29, Fridays & Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m. Set in 1977 in the Hill District of Pittsburgh that is served by a makeshift taxi company, Jitney is a beautiful addition to August Wilson’s decade-by-decade cycle of plays about the Black American experience in the 20th century. Jitney is the eighth play in August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle. It takes place in a Gypsy cab station during Pittsburgh’s period of so-called “urban renewal.” As the city tries to shut down businesses—including the cab station—to make way for a new building, we meet five Gypsy cab drivers struggling to survive. Tickets: $28 for adults, $22 for students and seniors. Purchase tickets online at slidelllittletheatre.org/what-s-hap pening or by calling 643-0556. Slidell Little Theater, 2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell, 643-0556, slidelllittletheatre.org

Art of the Film: Louisiana Film Industry Expo 2023 Jan. 20–21, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Attendees will learn of the many facets of the film and video industry and its impact on local communities and economies. The event will feature presentations from a stellar lineup of industry professionals, exhibitions from numerous organizations plus opportunities to get involved in the industry. Admission is free. Slidell Municipal Auditorium, 2056 Second St., Slidell, NorthshoreCEC.org/ArtOfTheFilmExpo

We've partnered with EatFit to bring you delicious, healthy menu options.

INSIDE SCOOP

30 by Ninety presents “Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor”

Friday–Sunday, Jan. 21–Feb. 5

Inspired by the playwright’s youthful experience as a staff writer on Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows,” this ensemble comedy features all the attendant comic drama as the harried writing staff frantically scrambles to top each other with gags while competing for the attention of star madman Max Prince. Directed by Chris Manguno. Tickets: $19 for adults, $17 for seniors (65+) and military and $14 for students. This play is rated R. 880 Lafayette St., Mandeville, (844) 843-3090, 30byninety.com

Winter Camellia Festival

Jan. 26–29, 10 a.m–3 p.m.

Mizell’s Camellia Hill Nursery invites you to the free, annual Winter Camellia Festival. Tour the camellia gardens and crops in bloom! Daily specials on plants, free refreshments, children’s activities and more. Mizell’s Camellia Hill Nursery is a plant nursery specializing in camellias and other woody ornamentals. Mizell’s Camellia Hill Nursery, 12497 Josephs Road, Folsom, 796-4304, mizellscamelliahillnurserys.com

FEBRUARY

Mandi Gras

Friday, Feb. 10

Join The Shops at 1200 West for tailgating for the Eve parade! They’ll have live music, free face painting, food and much more.

1200 West Causeway Approach, Mandeville, (504) 885-0202, shop1200west.com/mandi-gras

Salad Days: Juried Exhibition of Student Art

Feb. 10–March 10

Salad Days is a juried exhibition featuring the works of St. Tammany Parish students, ages 5 through 19.

Salad Days gives student artists an opportunity to have their work featured in the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall. An opening reception will be held Feb. 10 from 5-7 p.m., with an awards ceremony beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Weekly gallery hours are Wednesday

through Friday, 12–4 p.m. Admission is free. Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall, 2055 Second Street, Slidell, 646-4375, myslidell.com

Krewe de Paws of Olde Towne 2023 Mardi Gras Parade Saturday, Feb. 11

This dog-friendly event parades through the streets of Olde Towne Slidell with the theme “Back in the Saddle Again.” The goal of Krewe de Paws is to bring awareness to pet rescue and adoption. Proceeds from the parade benefit local animal welfare organizations. Parade members, their pups and parade-goers are encouraged to dress in theme. Registration/ membership information for the 2023 parade will be announced as the event nears. In previous years, this has been $20 per dog (proof of current vaccinations required) and $10 per human (walker). Dogs must be in costume or extremely decorated to participate. Olde Towne Slidell, 288-5248, facebook.com/KreweDePawsOfOldeTowne

Peter Collins: Third Sunday Concert at Christ Episcopal Sunday, Feb. 19, 5 p.m.

The 2022–2023 season of the Third Sunday Concerts at Christ Episcopal Church Covington continues Sunday, Feb. 19 with Opus Vocal Ensemble. The Third Sunday Concert Series, now in its 32nd year, is an outreach of Christ Episcopal Church, Covington. The one-hour concerts are free and open to the public and are followed by a wine and light hors d’oeuvres reception in the Parish Hall for the performers and audience. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. in the main church building. Christ Episcopal Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St., Covington, 892-3177, christchurchcovington.com/ concert_series

Krewe du Pooch Parade 2023 Saturday, Feb. 25, 12–5 p.m.

The Old Mandeville Business Association and City of Mandeville will host the 4th annual Krewe du Pooch where parade participants – dogs and their owners – are encouraged to dress according to theme. Dog owners can

register to participate in the parade and costume contest beginning on Jan. 1. Registration is $35 per dog, which allows for up to five handlers. Immediately after the parade and costume contest, the fun will continue on the lakefront with a free public concert, pet adoptions with local rescue groups, food and drinks and fun activities for the whole family!

Profits from Krewe Du Pooch will be distributed among local and regional animal welfare organizations. Old Mandeville, 373-5271, krewedupooch.org

Beauty & Wellness Expo Feb. 25–26, 9 a.m.

The expo will feature a variety of vendors offering everything from top-of-the-line skin care and treatment to holistic health, including detoxifying the body, IV therapy, natural clean supplements and clean CBD lines. Meet experts about total body healing for you and your fur babies, and shop vendors selling natural clean products, including honey candles, local raw honey, elderberry, medicinal mushrooms, crafts and more. Admission is free. Bogue Falaya Hall, 317 N. Jefferson Ave., Covington, 502-7117, facebook.com/BeautyWellnessExpo

Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws Parade 2023 Sunday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m.

The premier Mardi Gras walking parade featuring man’s best friends and their families puts some bark into the Mardi Gras scene! A $25 registration fee is required per dog, which must be in costume. Up to six humans can accompany each four-legged friend. Human escorts are encouraged to dress to suit the theme, too. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. on the day of the event. Skip the line and register up to eight dogs in advance online. The parade theme will be announced as the event nears.The Post-Parade Extravaganza at the Covington Trailhead will have music, food trucks and sponsor fun for kids and dogs. Downtown Covington, 892-0060, MardiPaws.com

Northshore

Abita Springs

Sat, Feb. 11 Krewe of Push Mow 12 p.m.

Mardi Gras Carnival Schedule

Mardi Gras Carnival Schedule

Covington

Sat, Jan. 7 Fools of Misrule 6 p.m. Sat, Feb. 11 Krewe of Olympia 6 p.m. Tues, Feb. 21 Covington Lions Club 10 a.m. Krewe of Covington follows

Folsom

Tues, Feb. 21 Krewe of Folsom 2 p.m.

Madisonville

Sat, Feb. 11 Krewe of Tchefuncte 11 a.m.

Mandeville

Sat, Jan. 7 Mande Kings Day 2 p.m. Fri, Feb. 10 Krewe of Eve 7 p.m.

Slidell

Fri, Feb. 3 Krewe of Titans 6:30 p.m. Sat, Feb. 4 Krewe of Bilge 12 p.m. Krewe of Poseidon 6 p.m. Fri, Feb. 17 Krewe of Selene 6:30 p.m.

Southshore

MidCity

Sat, Feb. 18 Krewe of Endymion 4 p.m.

Metairie

Sun, Feb. 5 Krewe of Little Rascals 12 p.m.

Fri, Feb. 10 Krewe of Excalibur 6:30 p.m. Krewe of Symphony follows

Sat, Feb. 11 Magical Krewe of Mad Hatters 5 p.m.

Sun, Feb. 12 Krewe of Atlas 4 p.m.

Sun, Feb. 19 Krewe of Athena 5:30 p.m. Krewe of Pandora follows

Mon, Feb. 20 Krewe of Centurions 6:30 p.m.

Tues, Feb. 21 Krewe of Argus 10 a.m. Krewe of Elks Jefferson follows Krewe of Jefferson follows Uptown

Fri, Jan. 6 Phunny Phorty Phellows 7 p.m. Funky Uptown Krewe follows

Fri, Feb. 10 Krewe of Oshun 6 p.m. Krewe of Cleopatra follows Krewe of Alla follows

Sat, Feb. 11 Legion of Mars 11:30 a.m. Krewe of Pontchartrain 1 p.m. Krewe of Choctaw follows Krewe of Freret follows Knights of Sparta 6:30 p.m. Krewe of Pygmalion follows

Sun, Feb. 12 The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale 11 a.m. Krewe of Carrollton follows Krewe of King Arthur follows

Wed, Feb. 15 Krewe of Druids 6:15 p.m. Krewe of Nyx 6:45 p.m.

Thurs, Feb. 16 Krewe of Babylon 5:30 p.m. Krewe of Chaos follows Krewe of Muses follows

Fri, Feb. 17 Krewe of Hermes 5:30 p.m. Krewe d’etat 6 p.m. Krewe of Morpheus 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18 Krewe of Iris 11 a.m. Krewe of Tucks 12 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 19 Krewe of Okeanos 11 a.m. Krewe of Mid-City follows Krewe of Thoth 12 p.m. Krewe of Bacchus 5:15 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 20 Krewe of Proteus 5:15 p.m. Krewe of Orpheus 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 21 Krewe of Zulu 8 a.m. Krewe of Rex 10 a.m. Krewe of Elks Orleans follows Krewe of Crescent City follows

GRAHAME MÉNAGE

While the name Grahame Ménage may be unrecognizable to some, if you’ve lived in and around the New Orleans area, you’ve undoubtedly seen his work. From the countless backdrops he’s painted for the film and television industry (“Gladiator,” “Time Bandits,” ”X-Men: First Class,” “21 Jump Street,” “Enemy of the State”) to the walls of some of New Orleans’ most iconic establishments (Gautreau’s, Restaurant R’evolution), Ménage’s work is at once mesmerizing and timeless.

Professionally trained as a scenic background designer, Ménage’s ability to transform the mundane into extravagant works of art have made him one of the most highly sought-after muralists and decorative artists for high-end restaurants, hotels and private residences around the world.

Closer to home, the British-born artist brought life to the sylvan charm of the Southern Hotel’s Cypress Bar, its French inspired gardens of The Gloriette, and the ever iconic “Covington Postcard” poolside mural.

The once-New Orleans transplant who now calls Miami home, Ménage splits his time working on major Hollywood movie sets and decorating luxury interiors, all while seeking out his next artistic challenge (preferably) abroad.

So how does a guy from the UK end up painting murals across Southeastern Louisiana?

I was decorating an antique shop in Pimlico, South London, and this guy that I’d employed to help do some signage work, I told him ‘go outside and if anyone goes by that looks like they have money, you send them in (laughing).’ And he did. And this guy came in, very charming

“I CAN’T FIX MY CAR BUT I CAN PAINT NEARLY ANYTHING.”

Photo Credit: Cedric Angeles

guy, and asks if I’d like to do a job in New Orleans. So, I thought about it and next thing I know I’m doing trompe-l’oeil work [the art of creating an illusion of three-dimensional space and objects on a two-dimensional surface] in his antique gallery. This was in the late ‘90s. And then he asked me back again to do some work on his apartment. That was the trip where I’d met my wife, Linda. We were married in 2005. I was going to come over the following year, but Katrina happened, so the soonest that we could get back into her house was 2006.

You have an impressive clientele list, decorating some very famous people’s interiors. Did you ever imagine that you’d be traveling the world as a full-time artist?

No. But I was very ambitious in my twenties, which most people are I suppose. I wanted to be the best and all that. But no, I suppose not. I was very happy that it happened, though. I’ve been to some really great places that I wouldn’t have come to otherwise, and I’ve met some really good people.

Childhood comes and goes in a blink. We’re here through the stages of your life, with the strength of the cross, the protection of the shield. The Right Card. The Right Care.

Photo Credit: Cedric Angeles

Was painting murals something you’ve always gravitated towards doing?

Yeah. I can’t fix my car but I can paint nearly anything. I love painting, and I love traveling. I have no plans of ever retiring.

Besides murals and finishes, you’ve been painting backdrops for the film and television industry for the last four decades. Aside from the difference in scale, how does that compare to working in a private home or business?

My first film was in 1980, so yeah, 43 years now. For scale it means you can paint in broad strokes, because it is being viewed at a distance. So the difference in scale means the difference in detail. Working in a private residence or business means it is being viewed extremely close-up and for that, the detail is everything. The main thing is that in a private home it’s forever, or at least until they decide to repaint. For a film, it’s gone. It’s in the dumpster pretty soon after.

I was going to ask what happens to all those movie and television backdrops after they are done with them?

Most end up in the trash. But there’s a woman who’s been collecting old Hollywood backdrops. I believe she’s written a book about it [The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop by Karen

L. Maness and Richard M. Isackes]. And there’s a museum [the Boca Raton Museum of Art] that I visited by chance, and they had a collection of old Hollywood backdrops. Funny thing is, I just did a backdrop for a Netflix show and people kept telling me that they’ve never seen anyone actually paint a backdrop before. Most of the work nowadays is green screen or they use what they call translights, which are these huge transparencies, which are fine…but a painted backdrop is art.

I assume most of your projects require extensive research because what you are painting needs to fit someone else’s vision. How much creative freedom do you have or does it depend on the project?

It depends on the project. I prefer to work with someone who has a pretty good idea of what they want. But I’m also very good at interpreting other people’s visions. I have a bathroom mural project coming up and they’ve sent me some wallpaper samples because wallpaper is very trendy again, the decorative French style wallpaper.

And I’ll do a number of sketches beforehand. But yes, it does take a lot of time to sit in front of a computer doing research, going through books and such. It’s just part of the job, really, and I’ve always done it.

You also dabble in abstract paintings. Maybe a little homage to Van Gogh and his Starry Night painting in a few of them?

I actually have a style of painting that I’m trying to develop. Something I once saw with a piece of glass that had some vinyl paint on the back that was completely crazed by the Miami sun. It was beautiful, flowing like a Van Gogh. And so I’ve been trying to interpret that and make abstracts from it, playing with different colors and seeing how they react. I thought they turned out quite nice, actually.

And who would you consider to be some of your biggest influences?

The man I worked with for three years from 1980 to 1983 in London. He was at the BBC for 15 years as a senior artist, and although I had been working under people for the [Welsh National Opera] company in Wales, he was very nice to me. And as a painter, he would take me onto sets and I’d study other people’s work, other people’s backdrops, people that were much older than me at the time. And I’d practice, trying to figure out how to do certain things. But my biggest influences are probably the old Dutch masters and the people that painted the old Frescos in ancient Rome.

GRAHAME MÉNAGE : HAVE PAINTS, WILL TRAVEL

The quality of those paintings is astounding, and the colors, and the fact that they are still around today.

And you do pet portraits?

I do. Maybe I’ll do that if I ever retire (laughing). I’m not much of a people or portrait painter, but the pets, cats and dogs, seemed to have turned out OK.

Do you have a favorite project, something that still stands out as special?

Usually, it’s the recent ones that stick in my mind. And some projects because of the scale or the conditions that I had to work under. But the ones I did at the Southern Hotel, the pool, the ones at the bar and The Gloriette, I was very happy with them. I had a lot of freedom to work, the clients were very nice, the location was nice. It’s very hard to get all of those things on the same project, so I had nothing to complain about, which is unusual for me (laughing). I would say those were some of my favorite projects.

So if not painting murals and backdrops, what would you be doing?

I think it would be great to be a playwright or maybe a musician. Something that involves a bit of travel, creative freedom, and people that maybe recognize what you do. Oh, I would have loved to have been a fossil hunter…a paleontologist. But I guess there’s not enough life left in me for that (laughing). But at the end of the day, I’m very lucky that I’ve been able to do what I do.

THE ART OF THE HOLLYWOOD BACKDROP

by Karen L. Maness and Richard M. Isackes

Regan Arts, 2016

In almost every feature film of Hollywood’s golden age, from the “Wizard of Oz” to “North by Northwest” to “Cleopatra” to “The Sound of Music,” painted backings have convinced moviegoers that what they are seeing—whether the fantastic roads of Oz, the presidents of Mount Rushmore or ancient Egyptian kingdoms—is absolutely real.

These backings are intended to transport the audience and yet remain unseen for what they really are. “The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop” reveals this hidden world and the creators of these masterpieces, long-guarded as a special effects secret by major studios like MGM, Warner Brothers, Universal, Columbia, 20th Century Fox and Paramount.

Hand-painted backings are still used in today’s films, including the big-budget “Interstellar” and “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events,” among many others. Even so, digital technology is beginning to supplant the art form.

To preserve the irreplaceable knowledge of scenic masters, authors Karen Maness and Richard Isackes compiled a definitive history of the craft, complete with interviews with surviving artists. This is a rich undiscovered history—a history replete with competing art departments, dynastic scenic families and origins stretching back to the films of Méliès, Edison, Sennett, Chaplin and Fairbanks.

For more information about the book, visit www.theartofthehollywoodbackdrop.com.

GRAHAME MÉNAGE : HAVE PAINTS, WILL TRAVEL

MANDEVILLE ROBOTICS TEAM

Building Robots and Futures

Imagine 30-60 teens gathering twice a week—for three hours at a time—to learn and to work. And for six weeks out of the year, ramp that up to an impressive input of 30-plus hours a week!

Welcome to the world of the Mandeville High School Robotics Team.

What drives these kids’ extraordinary dedication? It’s the robots they design and build, bots affectionately named Rodrigue and Dizzy that begin as sketches and end up as fully operational robots competing with teams from around the world.

At its inception in 2008, the robotics team–aka The S.S. Prometheus–met in a garage and then a classroom. Now, thanks to former Mandeville Mayor Donald Villere and current Mayor Clay Madden, they gather in a spacious shop in the city’s public works complex. Having access to this facility is a major reason for the team’s success. Stocked with a plethora of tools and supplies, it attracts students— male, female, STEM and non-STEM, alike.

WRITTEN BY: KAREN B. GIBBS PHOTOS COURTESY OF NORTHSHORE ROBOTICS

Starting in 1998, the FIRST organization began permanently assigning team numbers. To put it simply, we were the 2992nd team to join the FRC competition roster. They use the number for statistics tracking, but teams are encouraged by FIRST to come up with team names / themes that give themselves a unique identity that’s not just some random number.

What keeps students coming back is the culture of “gracious professionalism,” a hallmark of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the international robotics organization to which the team belongs.

“Teams focus on robotics and doing the best they can,” said one of the group’s mentors, Elizabeth Barilleaux. “It’s a collaborative environment with everybody working together to help each other improve.”

In fact, according to Donovon Barilleaux, the build co-captain, it’s common to ask other teams for what you need during competitions. “A team always comes and gives it to you. It’s looked on as rude if they don’t,” he said.

“With robotics, it’s competitive as ever but you don’t see the negativity that is in other sports,” said Michael Sonnier who has served as a team mentor since 2013. “Teams support teams. I have seen teams getting help from those they’re about to play against–kids and adults trying to fix another team’s robot before the next match. This is FIRSTwide. It’s very much the culture.”

The Mandeville team spreads this attitude to the community by mentoring and sharing its space, tools and equipment with other junior high and high school teams. Team Outreach Captain Gerad Gruntz has even designed a STEM kit with pieces and instructions to build a hydraulically-controlled claw. “We plan to give the kits to 40 kids at Christmas,” he said.

Among team members, gracious professionalism shines as newcomers learn coding, computer aided drafting (CAD) and design principles from older, more experienced students and adult mentors. They are challenged to put these skills to use by tackling a mini-project such as developing a shooting arm for a robot. After mastering that small task, they have enough experience under their belt to contribute to the team during build season.

Build season begins on Jan. 7 at 11 a.m. when FIRST teams worldwide receive the year’s challenge. Team Captain Oliver Casey said last year’s challenge entailed robots picking up specific colored balls and shooting them into a funnel 10 feet off the ground.

Students start collaborating and sketching ideas on paper immediately after the challenge is announced. “Then, we test those ideas with prototypes made from wood and cheap materials that we can put together quickly,” said CJ Boice, design captain. “For instance, we test the intake that picks up the balls from the ground. Does it pick up the ball? How quickly? How far off the ground does it need to be? We take measurements, then we CAD it on the computer and make a 3D model. From this we produce an actual model.”

The team has six weeks to build and program their robot. “The most challenging time is the week before competition,” said Payton Boice, build co-captain. “We’re always rushing. Last year, the night before the Tallahassee Regional, we were in the shop trying to fine-tune our robot.”

Team members—and a trailer containing their 150-pound robot and 1,500 pounds of pit equipment—caravan to a three-day competition hosted by FIRST. There are 170 worldwide.

The atmosphere at the games is energizing, exciting and fun. “People are yelling, music is playing at all times and line dances are going on,” Payton Boice said. Teams play 10 qualification matches before advancing to the elimination bracket. Each match lasts 2½ minutes. For the first 15

seconds of each match, the robot must work autonomously; thereafter, it is controlled by student drivers.

During matches, teams are randomly assigned into alliances made up of three teams each. A team’s opponent for one match may be their alliance partner for the next. “Since we work with our two alliance partners, we have to know our robot and our alliance’s robots, too,” Casey said, who strategizes to make the most of each robots’ strengths.

Members who are neither driving the robot nor in the pit repairing it scout other teams. The students wrote a

the Chairman’s award for outstanding outreach in the community,” said Christopher Pedersen, media captain. In 2021’s virtual competition (due to Covid), the team whizzed their robot, Dizzy, through an obstacle course to win third place in the world. Indeed, the Mandeville Robotics Team has come a long way since its inception in 2008. “But in the end, this is not about building robots, it’s about building students,” Sonnier said.

And build them they do!

Audrey Borstel, a junior who joined the team in June said she’s grown through robotics. “Everyone is so accepting of everybody. Even though I’m not mechanically inclined, I’m able to show my strengths with the team in

fundraising and community outreach,” she said.

Ninth grader Sofia Villegas, whose parents work in STEM-related careers, likes the people on the team and the connection they share with robotics. She loves CAD and attends classes given by CJ Boice. “He’s taught me how to do gears, pulleys, chains and belts,” she said.

Veronica Ise, a junior, has been on the build team for three years. “I helped design and build Dizzy and worked a lot on the shooter and the ball intake. It’s really fun to work with the team,” she said. She’s also learning to code and CAD. “We used CAD to make the 3D model on the computer; then we made mock models and coded all the motors to test the pieces.”

Barilleaux, who’s also involved in band and Boy Scouts, said robotics is the “most enjoyable thing I do. I love all the people; most are my friends. I feel the team listens to and values my opinion.”

Barilleaux recalls working with Christopher Pedersen to build Woodie, a freshman robot. “I drove Woodie against a team ranked 31st in the world,” he said. “Woodie blocked their robot so they couldn’t score.”

Gruntz, a junior and the team’s outreach captain, spreads the word about robotics to kids in area schools. “We get their attention by showing off the robot and letting them play catch with it. They think it’s cool. Then we talk with parents about how they can get their kids involved with STEM,” he said.

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FEATURE

Other outreach activities include a robotics summer camp for middle schoolers, off-season regional competitions and fundraising demonstrations at businesses like Barnes and Noble and Sam’s Club that supplement the support the team gets from corporate sponsors.

Students aren’t the only fans of the Mandeville robotics team. “Mandeville High is noted for parental involvement. It’s something we encourage, whatever their niche. And when mentors stay on after their kids graduate, their longterm experience and tribal knowledge become huge factors in our success,” Sonnier said.

Four-year mentor and chemical engineer Corey Boice credits robotics for the interest his sons, CJ and Payton, have in soldering, motors and electronics—and for CJ’s plans to study mechanical engineering at the Air Force Academy.

Mechanical engineer and former robotics team member Michael Adams has

Primary Care

no children at the school but volunteers to pass on the tradition. “I can show them how to use a tool, but prefer to be hands off. Kids pick things up quickly,” he said.

Software engineer Ryan Harvey, whose daughter Maya is on the team, teaches coding. “Coding is programming—the brains of the robot,” Harvey said. Having taught at Loyola, he knows that hands-on experience motivates students.

“In robotics, kids can learn something and immediately start using it to bring value to the robot,” he said. “Whether it’s coding, CAD, building, outreach, fundraising or media—it’s all part of the team. That makes robotics a very compelling experience, a more open and diverse invitation. And the competition—that makes it exciting!”

Louis Gruntz, Gerad’s dad, said team members are gaining invaluable experience. “These kids are doing things I didn’t learn until college—and didn’t understand until I was in the workforce,” he said.

Four-year mentor and electrical engineer Lonny Orth joined the team when son Loki was a freshman. “I’m from the Star Wars era,” he said. “I’m living my dream helping kids build a robot from scratch.”

Robotics can help kids live their dream, too. Forget touchdowns, slam dunks and winning goals. Robotics may be the only sport where every student has the opportunity to go pro.

MANDEVILLE ROBOTICS TEAM : BUILDING ROBOTS AND FUTURES

St.

Two years after local leaders founded the Healthier Northshore coalition to plant the seeds for improved population health metrics across St. Tammany and Washington parishes, those efforts are bearing fruit.

And vegetables.

In April, volunteers with the communitybased organization – which was started by more than 50 of the Northshore’s leaders in the healthcare, government and nonprofit sectors – pulled on their gardening gloves to plant a community garden at the Safe Haven behavioral health campus in Mandeville.

Then, in October – after giving the garden a little time to grow – the group followed up with a free cooking demonstration in which Chef Dave Solazzo of Del Porto Ristorante in Covington showed a standing-room-only crowd exactly what to do with the harvest.

It was the first of what is envisioned as a series of free cooking demonstrations from local chefs designed to promote healthier food choices by incorporating fresh vegetables from local gardens.

It’s also perfectly aligned with the group’s

overall mission of addressing behavioral health, smoking/vaping cessation, nutrition and exercise, as well as increasing community screening opportunities.

“Nutrition and access to healthy food choices are the hallmarks of Healthier Northshore,” said Anne Pablovich of St. Tammany Health System, one of the local organizations united under the Healthier Northshore banner. “At the same time, Chef Dave is known for his use of fresh, local vegetables. So, this cooking demo is really a match made in culinary heaven.”

Working in the newly completed classroom kitchen at the Samaritan Center in Mandeville, Solazzo whipped up his Gulf Shrimp with Ratatouille – but, as NAMI St. Tammany Executive Director Nick Richard pointed out, the food is just the tip of the iceberg.

“This community garden is more than just access to healthy, fresh produce,” Richard said. ”It provides for the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of the Safe Haven community.”

It’s only the latest example of Healthier Northshore’s efforts to engage with local residents in the interest of improving local health metrics. That includes regular participation at local gatherings, from festivals to health fairs, often alongside the Be Well Bus, St. Tammany Health System’s 40-foot mobile health unit.

St. Tammany Health System President and CEO Joan Coffman, one of the driving forces behind the founding of Healthier Northshore, said the garden project and subsequent cooking demo illustrates precisely why the initiative was founded.

“Healthier Northshore was really envisioned to be that community resource to advance the quality of life for area residents,” she said. “This is a perfect example of that.”

Learn more about Healthier Northshore at HealthierNorthshore.health

In April, Healthier Northshore volunteers helped plant a community garden on the Safe Haven campus in Mandeville. A cooking demonstration followed in October, showing how to use the harvest.

(Photo by Tim San Fillippo / STHS)

Tammany Health System President and CEO Joan Coffman, a driving force behind the Healthier Northshore coalition, is pictured in April at a community garden installation in Mandeville. (Photo by Tim San Fillippo / STHS)

Chef Dave’s Gulf Shrimp Ratatouille

Comprehensive Physical Therapy

The primary goal of Comprehensive Physical Therapy is to help people in the community live free of pain. “Our patients are the reason we do what we do,” said Owner Billy Beaudreau, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, FAAOMPT. “So many people live with pain daily and don’t realize the options available at CPT! We are here to guide you to your greatest physical potential and provide relief from pain.”

Husband to Sarah and father to Liam, Luke and Eloise, Beaudreau’s passion for mentorship is exercised daily with his team at CPT’s Mandeville location.

Applying a hands-on approach, the professionals at CPT work oneon-one with each patient at every visit. Patient care begins with a thorough evaluation and establishment of a treatment plan. Because each patient is unique, treatment plans are tailored to meet their specific needs and goals.

“We’ll evaluate your symptoms, discuss your medical history and any constraints or concerns you have to create the best recovery plan for you. We’ll be here for you at every step in your rehabilitation,” said Jeff Cresson, a Madisonville native and physical therapist at CPT.

375°

2. While the oven is heating, coarsely chop garlic and set aside. Cut zucchini, squash, bell peppers and eggplant into roughly bitesized pieces. Separately, dice tomatoes.

3. Drizzle two 9x11-inch baking dishes with 1-2 tablespoons each of olive oil. Divide diced tomatoes between both dishes, season lightly with some of the salt, pepper and herbs, then put filled dishes in the preheated oven.

4. On stovetop, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a skillet over high heat. When olive oil begins to smoke, add just enough zucchini, squash, bell pepper and eggplant to cover the bottom of the pan, and sauté until vegetables begin to brown. Add about a tablespoon of garlic and a sprinkling of basil,

oregano and parsley. Sauté briefly, about 30 seconds, until garlic releases its aroma. (Be careful not to burn garlic.)

5. Add sautéed vegetables to baking dishes with tomatoes, and return to the oven. Sauté remaining vegetables in batches as described above, dividing each batch between baking dishes when done. Once all vegetables have been added to baking dishes, continue baking for 15 minutes.

6. Meanwhile, sauté the shrimp in a skillet, seasoning to taste.

7. Remove baking dishes from the oven and gently mix tomatoes and vegetables, adding seasoning to desired taste.

8. Serve with a portion of shrimp on top.

9. Enjoy!

Physical therapy is a safe and effective way to rehabilitate a variety of injuries and ailments. CPT offers specialized regimens to help you recover from an accident, rehabilitate after surgery, relieve pain and prevent future injuries.

“We have an extensive array of state-of-the-art equipment and methods,” said Wes Lee, a physical therapy assistant from Mandeville. “We offer physical, manual and vestibular therapies, dry needling, migraine relief and fall prevention—all in a warm, friendly atmosphere where you can heal in peace.”

CPT’s commitment to heal and rehabilitate the Northshore community grows stronger with every patient’s achievement.

“The gratitude we receive daily for helping our patients get their lives back motivates us to do more. We come to work each day rooting for your recovery and can’t wait to see you thrive,” said Adam Cookmeyer, a physical therapy assistant and Mandeville native.

Chef Dave Solazzo of Del Porto Ristorante in Covington shared his recipe for Shrimp Ratatouille during a free cooking demonstration held by the Healthier Northshore coalition. (Photo by Tory Mansfield / STHS)

RAO Medical Spa

Sheree Cuevas is an aesthetic nurse who has been performing body sculpting and aesthetic procedures since 2012. Since starting at RAO Medical Spa in 2020, she has become the office manager and leader of a trio of women who dedicate themselves to helping the Northshore look and feel great. She performs BOTOX® injections, Body Sculpting, Morpheus 8 treatments and vaginal rejuvenation.

Heather King is the office aesthetician with 16 years of experience. She performs procedures such as non-invasive body contouring, healing touch facials, Reiki based energy healing, facial services, laser treatments and vaginal rejuvenation.

Coleen with White Lotus Massage recently joined the group after being a client at the spa. “I was a client and developed a friendship with the group.

I just really love the energy of Sheree and Heather, a great mix of personalities, it just feels right to be a part of Rao Spa,” she said.

All three ladies say their motivation is to make a difference in their clients’ lives. They all want their jobs to mean more than the day-to-day and have a passion for healing people. “I’ve been to lots of spas and what makes this one different is that they really listen to your concerns. They go above and beyond to treat the whole person and to find the best treatments all the way around. They have a way of putting you at ease and it is never intimidating,” Coleen said.

The Inside Northside team sat down with the RAO team recently to learn what sets them apart from other medical spas.

What’s different about this medical spa?

“Our text line is my personal cell phone, so our clients have a 24/7 nurse on call option. Any time you have a treatment, you’ll be given my number to contact me at any time about any issues. If you just want to text me a picture two days later and say ‘Hey Sheree, is this normal?’, that’s perfectly fine and expected. It’s like having an aesthetic nurse as your best friend!,” Cuevas said.

“We are also very good at time management! We understand that our clients are super busy and we do everything we can to achieve all the wants and needs within the most manageable timeframe,” she said.

What experience can a new patient expect?

“New patients should know that we are all warm and friendly, and customer service is our main goal!” King said. Cuevas said the spa is budget friendly, too. “Some clinics will charge you for any little extras and we try to avoid that. Many clinics will also want you to pay up front for a process, but we allow you to pay as you go, and we even have financing,” she said.

What is it that you love about

your work?

“I’ve been massaging people as long as I can remember. I have a passion for massage, I’m doing what I feel I am called to do. When a client leaves our office after a massage and they are in less pain or not as stressed, thats incredibly rewarding to me,” Coleen said.

“I love being able to do medical grade

treatments with a healing and loving energy,” King said.

“I’m a nurse, so I love caring for people. As far as aesthetic nursing goes, if a person feels good about themselves, that can benefit them in so many ways including their mental health. Some clients come into the spa and they are so unhappy with some aspect of themselves, and I can pinpoint where I can help to fix it. I work really hard to make sure my clients feel amazing when they leave,” Cuevas said.

The RAO medical spa team is located

at 1140 West Causeway Approach, Suite C in Mandeville and does consultations over the phone, on Facetime or on Zoom. Call 985-626-6019 for more information.

1140 W Causeway Approach STE C, Mandeville, LA 70471 | (985) 626-6019

PRIMARY CARE THAT MAKES YOU PRIMARY

Consider your last wellness checkup. How long did you wait to see your doctor? How much time did the two of you spend together? Did you discuss diet and exercise? Did you receive a detailed action plan for your optimum health, feeling like you and your doctor had partnered in your lifetime wellness journey?

Sadly, that scenario describes few primary care visits. Too many good doctors have found themselves on a medical treadmill required to see too many patients in a day, leaving little time with each and resulting in healthcare that’s reactive rather than proactive. The harried healthcare model didn’t sit well with Covington internist James M. Robinson. He wanted more time with each patient, to be able to address their individual needs. He wanted

The MDVIP Wellness Program is a comprehensive tool to help map out a health plan specific to you.

to be available to see his patients when they needed him with same day appointments if necessary.

Fortunately, Dr. Robinson found a personalized healthcare model in MDVIP. “I’m able to focus on my patients’ complete health,” Dr. Robinson says. “Every patient has my cell number and knows they can call, whenever they need me. And I’m able to devote the time I need to each patient without the typical rushed office visit. Our staff takes great pride in accommodating the needs of our patients.” Dr. Robinson’s personal-

ized practice allows him to spend quality time with his patients, scheduling routine visits for 30 minutes.

“Dr. Robinson makes you feel like you are his only patient. His calm demeanor and wealth of knowledge and experience make him the first choice for my family’s healthcare needs. We feel blessed to know him,” says patient Elinor Dorsey.

Here’s how the program works: There is a yearly fee for membership with MDVIP. This fee affords the patient an annual comprehensive wellness physical, advanced health screening and diagnostic testing to detect any health issues early and provide a clearer view of overall health. “That annual visit takes an hour and a half,” says Dr. Robinson. “We conduct extensive blood work not included in traditional wellness checks. At your next visit, we sit down together and go over your results in detail. You won’t just know your ‘numbers,’ but will understand what those numbers mean and how they can be improved. Together, we develop an individualized step-by-step action plan for optimum wellness. You’ll receive a follow-up letter detailing our recommendations.”

Included in your membership is the benefit of the MDVIP website which supports you in your health goals with meal plans, recipes and shopping lists. You can also customize exercise programs tailored to your fitness level and health challenges. Additional benefits include travel care, “Should you become sick while traveling, our office will work to get you an appointment with a nearby MDVIP physician. If both parents are members, we will see your children, ages 15-26, at no additional fee. Also, should you require very specialized treatment not available locally, we can expedite an

appointment at a center of excellence.”

“I have been a patient of Dr. Jim Robinson’s for well over a decade and find him to be one of the most caring and knowledgeable diagnosticians that I have encountered in my lifetime. However, perhaps Dr. Robinson’s leading attribute is his ability to listen to his patients and then communicate a specifically tailored path for that individual patients health. It is not a convenient cliche to say that Dr. Robinson has made a significant positive difference to each of my family member’s quality of life,” adds patient Gordon Stewart.

Whether you’re managing a chronic illness, worried about a family history of disease or consider yourself the picture of health, there’s always room for improvement. Even if you’re in the best shape of your life, Dr. Robinson’s personalized care can help you maintain good health and, through early detection of disease processes, avoid some of the problems that come with aging.

“The MDVIP Wellness Program is a comprehensive tool to help map out a health plan specific to you,” says Dr. Robinson. “Published studies bear out that the MDVIP personalized preventive care approach leads to better, healthier lives.”

James M. Robinson, MD

James M. Robinson, MD, attended Louisiana State University School of Medicine and is affiliated with St. Tammany Parish Hospital. He can be found at 190 Greenbrier Boulevard, Suite 106, in Covington, 985-809-7171. mdvip.com/JamesRobinsonMD

BUILDING THE BRIDGE FROM COMMUNITY TO CARE

Holly Sanchez, the chief administrative officer at Slidell Memorial Hospital, has a knack for translating complex and technical ideas. That ability made her the perfect person to guide the rollout of the hospital’s new cancer clinic and surgical services expansion project.

“I like to be that interim person, to learn what the needs are, what the challenges are, and help them through it,” she said. “I had experience as an IT professional connecting with doctors, nurses, and other clinicians and finance people through the rollout of information technology over the years. It was very rewarding to expand my role collaborating with the community. We pulled in all their ideas.”

Sanchez and Slidell Memorial Hospital CEO Sandy Badinger attended 47 community meetings to gather input on the development of the hospital’s new Comprehensive Cancer Care Clinic and forthcoming Surgical Services and Patient Care Tower.

“We talked about what we were intend-

ing to build, what our goals were, and why we wanted this new space. We took criticism against our design. We took all that very much to heart and redesigned it at least once or twice,” Sanchez said.

Community input on the project was a top priority. “The construction project is funded in part through a tax millage. Part of what we’re using that money for is to build this Comprehensive Cancer Care Clinic. That is what the citizens wanted –to keep cancer care local,” Sanchez said.

The Comprehensive Cancer Care Clinic has four specially designed consult-exam rooms including a comfortable space for patients and a medical exam space.

“We have three different specialties visiting that patient in a single visit. Traditionally, the patient goes to each provider. This brings the providers to the patient in one visit. The patient will walk away with all the information they need to make a decision [about treatment]. We expect this to speed the process from a four- to six-week window to one week to 10

days from diagnosis to beginning treatment,” Sanchez said.

The Comprehensive Cancer Care Clinic will begin seeing patients in January.

“We have already secured a surgeon who can do complete breast cancer reconstruction. Patients diagnosed in our facility used to go to the Southshore for the reconstruction piece. Now we will keep that reconstruction local right here on-site at Slidell Memorial,” Sanchez said. “This is only the beginning. Breast cancer is what drove us to do this, but we’re moving on to additional cancers we plan to care for in that space.”

The Surgical Services and Patient Care Tower, set to open in 2024, will include seven operating suites and 12 ICU rooms outfitted with updated patient care technology. Additionally, an entire floor of 26 private patient rooms will be equipped with telemetry monitoring for the care of cardiac patients.

“When we asked our community what they needed from their community hospital, they asked how we would address another airborne virus, such as COVID.” Sanchez said. “Our solution is this new unit, which is very unique in that it can be switched to 100 percent negative pressure, which aids in the care of these types of illnesses.”

Sanchez said the new operating rooms will allow for more complex surgeries close to home, including the growth of neurosurgery and heart and lung surgical programs.

“We will continue to offer higher levels of care here in Eastern St. Tammany Parish,” Sanchez said. “Our goal is to keep care local so citizens can get care from their community hospitals. I would say it’s just the beginning. I am honored to be chosen to lead these projects.”

Slidell Memorial Hospital, 1001 Gause Boulevard, Slidell, LA 70458 (985) 280-2200, SlidellMemorial.org

WRITTEN BY: POKI HAMPTON

2023

INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS TO WATCH

Trends may be fleeting, but when used in moderation, the latest designs will prevent your home from looking dull and dated. So what’s on-trend for home interiors in 2023?

We asked local designers to share what they’ve been seeing at furniture markets and their predictions for the coming year.

Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Lauren Yarbrough and Sierra Davis

BROWN IS THE NEW GRAY

“Color is making a big splash with warm, earthy tones. That’s especially true of browns, which seems to be taking over for cool grays,” said Leslie Vega of V Home Interiors. For flooring, lighter brown is preferred while rich brown furnishings in classic designs are popular.

Don’t be afraid to go bold with brown. Paprika or marigold are good options if you want to stand out. 2023 is not the year to be timid with color.

It’s not just brown that’s taking center stage. “Green was a very prominent color at market,” Vega said. On-trend shades of green run the gamut from dark, nearly black to light sage green. Whatever shade of green you prefer,

the color can help bring the outside in, creating an indoor oasis.

And while whites and neutral palettes will continue to be popular this year, look for measured, intentional doses of bold color.

Benjamin Moore’s 2023 Color of the Year is Raspberry Blush, a warm red with coral undertones. This bold color evokes joy, contentment and positivity. If you’re not brave enough to paint an entire room this shade, consider using it on an accent wall in a powder room.

Sherwin Williams went much warmer with Redend Point as its color of the year. A comforting, calming and intriguing neutral, the hue is versatile and would look wonderful in a kitchen next to fresh, white cabinets.

02 POLISHED SPACES & PLACES

This year, expect rooms to be less casual but cozy nonetheless.

“In 2023, we see a nod toward slightly more formal rooms, not stuffy or uncomfortable, but more polished spaces,” said Jeff McNeely, head designer at Niche Modern Home. “For example, skirted sofas and chairs to dress up the silhouette, covered in easy care fabrics. Warm velvets and deeper colors envelope the room and create a very comfortable sanctuary.”

03BOLD & BEAUTIFUL

Lighting continues to be bold and large this year.

“The classic finishes of gold and white continue to shine in 2023,” said Ryan Jordan of Greige

Home Interiors. “We are also seeing a lot of natural stone continue to be used in lighting. The biggest new trend we have seen is the use of glass in lighting, not just clear glass, but seeded and wavy glass. We are also seeing the introduction of vibrant colors in the glass on new lighting pieces.”

Today’s wallpaper is bigger and louder, too. It’s definitely not your grandmother’s. Ranging from clean-lined geometrics to dark, moody florals, wallpaper will continue to be dramatic. Bamboo designs, metallics and organic grasscloth are on trend in 2023.

REDEND POINT SW9081

RASPBERRY BLUSH 2008-30

NATURAL SHAPES & TEXTURES

Wicker furniture, oversized baskets, sculptural finishes on case goods and textured fabrics like velvet and boucle will play heavily into the design mix this year.

“Today’s approach to traditional style is a fresh take on organic simplicity. Natural cane, reptile, metallic fabrics and wallpapers, stone and veneers add to that aesthetic,” said Lauren Yarbrough of Livio Designs. “The opulence in items like stone and onyx hardware, starburst veneers, and textures in easy care rugs are the hallmark of this look. Warm neutrals mixed with white and bursts of color were prominent throughout market.”

Brass and leather combos and burl wood will also be seen in homes.

Organic shapes in furniture and accessories are popular as well. Think undulating shapes in vases and lamps with metallic finishes. This trend reflects a desire for comfort even in more formal settings.

EARTHY TEXTILES & FIXTURES

Vendors are using nature as inspiration with natural, sustainable products.

“I would say the texture is certainly on the rise,” said Corrinn Fisher of Corrinn Fisher Interiors. “We are seeing rattan wrapped around brass lighting fixtures and the combination is phenomenal. This was introduced in the spring and was so well received they introduced them into several more collections.”

“Burl wood adds such an earthy warm feel to a space. We saw multiple finishes in dark, medium and a light blonde washed burl,” she said. Burl wood are external knots or growth on the tree’s trunk that create dense, intricate patterns.

Another on-trend earthy element is terracotta tile, which provides a rustic feel in colors ranging from dark, reddish brown to the softest creamy peach. Terracotta tiles would add warmth to an all-white kitchen.

On the retro minimalist side of flooring is terrazzo tile, which can be monochrome or colorful. Easy to clean and versatile, it’s definitely a trend to follow.

Trends come on like a hurricane and blow out like a fall breeze, but they can add life to a stale setting and inspire us to live well and embrace life. Use these trends to freshen up your space this year and make your home a place you love to be!

WRITTEN BY: HILARY CREAMER

NOURISHING BODIES AND STRENGTHENING SPIRITS

The Northshore Food Bank has been nourishing the bodies and strengthening the spirits of St. Tammany residents since 1984. Originally called the Food Bank Inc. of St. Tammany and supported by local churches, the nonprofit has since grown into a larger facility in

Covington. The move came early in 2020, just in time to provide the Northshore’s growing community with food and basic essentials.

The food bank’s facility on 30th Avenue distributes about 1 million pounds of food annually. That equates to roughly 300 individuals and families served each week. Recipients live at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines.

“We are committed to not only helping food insecure families put meals on their dinner tables, but we are also providing healthier food options too,” said Northshore Food Bank CEO Yvette Roussel. “Understanding that oftentimes healthier items are typically more expensive, food insecure families may not have the opportunity to make these purchases. Fresh produce, whole grains and lowto-no-sodium or sugar items are now something we try to consistently offer to help in this area.”

It takes a coordinated and fluid approach to consistently adapt to the ebb and flow of donations and distributions. The food bank’s slogan, “Get

help. Give help,” takes form in a variety of programs that meet participants’ and donors’ needs.

The Staple Box food program includes carefully selected items from 18 food categories, including soups, beans, corn, fruit, cereals and peanut butter. Some toiletry items may be included, and depending on the state of donations, a “Lagniappe” box containing bread, dairy, fresh produce or frozen foods may be added. Individuals receive 40 pounds of food in a month; families receive 70 pounds.

The T2 Box food program meets the needs of food-insecure residents with diabetes. With the growing number of diabetics and pre-diabetics in the community, this program includes foods with low-to-no salt or sugar. The Northshore Food Bank hopes to expand the T2 Box program while an overall desire for healthier food donations is growing.

A newly added garden adjacent to the facility provides supplemental seasonal produce. Volunteers and the LSU AgCenter help maintain the garden, and local gardeners donate harvest overflow from home gardens.

The Feed the Gap program slightly alters the eligibility requirements to

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Northshore Food Bank

help those in need get ahead. The program serves the Asset Limited, Income Restricted, Employed (ALICE) population who are just shy of meeting the standard eligibility requirements and are living paycheck to paycheck.

The Kid Pack Program includes kid-friendly items that are simple and safe for kids to prepare. This program serves school-aged children who are missing valuable nutrition from school meals while school is out for seasonal breaks.

The Community Cupboard program serves those in need who can’t physically visit the Northshore Food Bank facility. The program is a community collaboration supported by local organizations such as St. Tammany Cancer Center, COAST, Knights of Columbus, NAMI, Safe Harbor and Family Promise. For example, the St. Tammany Cancer Center Therapeutic Food Pantry includes food items that are easily digestible and palatable like tortillas, instant potatoes and pasta sides.

The annual Holiday Meal program is a special box with food items needed to prepare a traditional holiday meal. This box includes turkey, yams, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and dessert. This program usually starts on Nov. 1 and runs through the Thanksgiving holiday.

FOOD. FUNDS. TIME.

Northshore Food Bank offers several ways for the community to support its mission. The most common way is donating food items. Approximately one-third of donated food comes from individual donations and food drives. Donations are especially important after the holiday season when giving tends to slow down.

“As people get back to their routines after the busy holiday season, donations always tend to slow down for us. Food insecurity is not seasonal, so donations are always needed and appreciated throughout the year,” Roussel said.

Roussel said incorporating a food drive into your birthday, anniversary or office party is a great way to help.

Monetary donations help cover overhead costs and are used to purchase food items when food donations are low. Cash donations are tax-deductible and can be made on Northshore Food Bank’s website.

Corporate donations and sponsorships for special fundraising events are also welcome. Northshore Food Bank is involved with several fundraising events throughout the year, but it hosts two big events – an annual golf tournament in May and “Pallets with Purpose” warehouse gala in November.

Shopping at the Northshore Food Bank’s Resale Shop also supports the agency’s mission. The Resale Shop is located just around the corner from the

warehouse at 830 N. Columbia St. Visit northshorefoodbank.org/resale to learn more.

Volunteering is another way to help. Volunteers sort donations, pack boxes, make deliveries or pick-ups, or help out in the office, garden or at special events. Alternatively, you can volunteer at the Resale Shop. Students can gain service hours by volunteering or hosting a food drive.

Mike Moore recently reached 1,000 volunteer service hours at the food bank. “It is the right thing to do. Jesus said when we help the needy, we also help him. It is a good cause and there are hungry people,” he said.

To learn more about the Northshore Food Bank’s mission and how you can help, visit northshorefoodbank.org.

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WRITTEN BY: SUSAN BONNETT BOURGEOIS

TURNING TRAGEDY INTO A LEGACY

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare.

Like countless other college students in South Louisiana, Avery Natal was driving back to LSU after coming home for a long weekend, and in an instant, her life was taken away. Her family’s life was forever changed. However, in the most bittersweet way, the pain of losing their selfless, hard-working and precious daughter empowered Avery’s parents to carry on her legacy.

Though the story of losing Avery Natal is heartbreaking, the way her parents are continuing to leave her mark in her community is undeniably inspirational. Avery’s parents, Mike and Monique Natal, approached the Northshore Community Foundation with the singular goal of creating a scholarship to continue their daughter’s passion by supporting others. Their heartache inspired them to invest in the success of the next generation.

The partnership with Avery’s parents was a perfect match. The Natals and the Foundation share a passion for furthering

education through financial stability and opportunity. That kind of relationship is exactly what’s behind several Foundation scholarships that support myriad students and subjects. The diversity of scholarship offerings is born from the passion of the people like the Natals who create these awards themselves.

Since opening 16 years ago, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million, nearly $610,000 in 2022 alone. Find a list of all of the scholarships offered by the Foundation and the 2022 award recipients at northshorefoundation.org/scholarships.

Nothing can bring Avery back, but the foundation can help her parents keep her memory alive by helping deserving students make their educational dreams and aspirations a reality. Paying tribute to their beloved daughter by touching hopeful students and honoring future generations is their way of carrying her name along with a legacy to prioritize learning.

Northshore Community Foundation Scholarships

Pat Brister Leadership Scholarship - Provides a St. Tammany Parish woman with $2,500 to engage in transformational training for personal and/or professional development to better enable them to impact their world.

Pat Brister Legacy Scholarship - Awarded to a female graduating senior of a St. Tammany Parish Public high school who has demonstrated a record of high academic achievement and outstanding service to the surrounding community.

Amanda Shaw Foundation Orchestrating Dreams Scholarship - Assists school-aged children to facilitate or offset the cost associated with developmental and/or educational programs and creative events.

Bogalusa Scholarship – Awards scholarships to Bogalusa High School students who want to pursue higher education.

South Slidell Swimming Scholarship Fund - Provides scholarships to high school senior(s) who participated in either the Salmen High Swim Team or the St. Tammany Swim League applying to any accredited two- and/or four-year college or university.

Notes for Education Northshore Scholarship - Created to provide scholarships to students attending public college/university to support their academic and social development through music education and the performing arts.

Donna Kahl Manetta Scholarship FundEstablished in 2019 by former students of Slidell High School to honor the legacy Mrs. Manetta created during 35 years of exemplary teaching.

Summers Legacy Foundation Scholarship Fund - Awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors residing in St. Tammany Parish enrolled in an out-of-state university.

St. Tammany Cancer Fund ScholarshipAwards college scholarships to St. Tammany Parish youth who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Greg Zelden Scholarship - Established in memory of Greg Zelden to honor his life, create a legacy and to support students seeking a career in allied health and/or sports medicine.

Tulane Legislative Scholarships (3) – Administered by the Foundation, these are merit-based scholarships, with additional consideration for demonstration of leadership, community service, extra-curricular activities and financial need.

Avery Natal Scholarship – Offers five graduating seniors seeking a degree in the humanities fields from Northshore High School, Pearl River High School, Salmen High School, Slidell High School and Pope John Paul II High School attending in-state universities.

NATURE TRACES

WRITTEN BY & PHOTO CREDITS: HILARY CREAMER

RESTORATIONS IN WINTER

Camp Salmen Nature Park

Searching for a remedy to fight those winter blues? Spend some time in nature!

Nestled along Bayou Liberty, Camp Salmen Nature Park has more than 100 acres of land that seamlessly accommodate recreation and nature preservation. Follow along one of the trails and you’ll witness a variety of aquatic and terrestrial plant life, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. A charming boardwalk offers a closer look at the bayou and its tree-lined banks covered in Spanish moss.

A trail map, which you can find on the Camp Salmen website, guides visitors on the multiple trails and highlights points of interest. The park’s website offers information about the history of the land, its use as a trading post and later as a camp for Boy Scouts (hence

the name “Camp Salmen.”) The nearly 200-year-old Camp Salmen House, an exemplar of French-Creole architecture from the early-mid 1800s, is currently undergoing restoration and is one of 45 St.Tammany locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Part of the 31-mile Tammany Trace runs through the park and is an ideal spot for cycling, rollerblading (or rollerskating if you’re old school), and walking. You can jump on the Trace at the park or stop for a break if you’re passing through.

Children will love exploring the massive playground. With over 5,000 square feet of play area, the inclusive playground was built to provide a space where children of all abilities can play. The impressive structure could even tempt the adults to join in on the fun.

With an amphitheater that seats about 120 people, three pavilions (two small and one very large) and several picnic tables, Camp Salmen offers plenty of rentable space for large group gatherings, such as family reunions or birthday parties. But it’s also a serene spot for solo or small group excursions.

There’s a restorative quality in nature that seems to amplify the more we need it. Camp Salmen Nature Park is a perfect spot to take a nature break and recharge your spirit with its quiet and peaceful setting. Doesn’t a picnic lunch and boardwalk stroll along a scenic bayou sound better than eating at your desk…again?

Camp Salmen Nature Park is located at 35122 Parish Parkway in Slidell.

For more information, visit campsalmennaturepark.org.

BENEFITS OF A WINTERTIME NATURE BREAK

Getting a little sunshine allows your body to gain vitamin D, which can boost your mental and physical health. But don’t forget the sunscreen!

Taking a nature break can help dissolve a mental block by improving focus and increasing creativity.

Cooler weather usually means less pollen and fewer allergy symptoms. (And fewer bug bites!)

Getting exercise can help relieve stress, burn off those King Cake calories and improve sleep.

MADISON KADINGER & ROSS MACALUSO

August 13, 2022 Photographer: Josh Williams

SHELBY RENEE STROUP & RICHARD GLENN DOLLY

Where People Come to Grow MEN WHO COOK

Men Who Cook is the primary annual fundraiser for Children’s Advocacy Center - Hope House, a local nonprofit that provides hope, healing and justice for victims of child abuse on the Northshore. Local “celebrities” (community leaders) team up with local restaurants to compete to raise the most money and see who can create the best dish!. This year’s event on November 6 hosted approximately 750 people and raised $275,000.

Happy New Year. On behalf of every one of us in the St. Tammany Parish Library System, thank you for continuing to allow us to serve you and generations of your family for over 70 years. We are proud to be at the foundation of our community. We were founded through a grassroots e ort in the 1950s by civic, educational, and service organizations to enhance the community’s access to books and information and to improve quality of life.

We believe that parents and guardians are the decision-makers for what their children read. To that end we have implemented access options for parents to apply to their child’s existing library card. These additional access options give parents and guardians ways to limit a child’s access to certain items in the Library and expand their say in materials their children will read. With these additional access levels, parents and guardians tailor their child’s experience, and we ensure it is carried out according to their specific wishes. Complete details of the access options from Full Restriction — juvenile cardholder may only check out children’s materials — to Unrestricted — juvenile cardholder may check out any item in the Library, are explained in detail at www.sttammanylibrary.org. Beginning January 3, all juvenile cards that have not had access specified will require an update, either over the phone, or by coming into a branch.

The St. Tammany Parish Library provides lifelong learning and o ers programs and services for all ages. We are a community gathering space and we serve generations of St. Tammany families. We are where people come to grow.

Photo Credit: August Layne Photography

UNLEASHED! RESCUE ME

On Nov. 12th, Northshore Humane Society held its Unleased! Rescue Me Gala presented by Keesler Federal Credit Union. The night took place at Pontchartrain Yacht Club on Mandeville’s beautiful lakefront. Fox 8 news reporter, Rob Krieger, added his entertaining touch as event MC as guests danced the night away to the sounds of Four Unplugged. The night was fully catered by our area’s finest restaurants and attendees contributed by bidding on nearly 200 silent and live auction items. Through the support of business and individual sponsors, attendees, auction donors and participants, volunteers and special guests, the night raised a record amount of funds for the no-kill rescue.

Photo Credits : Rebecca McClain Photography, Roger & Terry Brewing

THE “BE LIKE ASHLIE” GALA

raised $23,000 for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at their inaugural event on Sept. 24, 2022.

On Dec. 8, 2022, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTH LOUISIANA (RMHC-SLA) opened the doors to its new larger house in the heart of Children’s Hospital New Orleans’ campus, bringing much-needed housing to families from across the state and region whose children receive vital medical services in New Orleans.

ABITA FALL FEST

the non-profit musical festival celebrating the rich heritage and brilliance of Abita Springs, Louisiana took place on Nov. 4th and 5th.

2022 GEMS AND GENTS A BLACK TIE AFFAIR

Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation held its annual Gems and Gents Gala on Nov. 12, 2022. It was a night filled with delicious cuisine from local restaurants, libations provided by The Crescent Bar, and lively entertainment from the featured band – After Party. There were also live and silent auctions, and the chance to go home with a new car sponsored by Bill Hood Auto Group.

Photo Credit: Jessica Broom Photography

LA CARRETA

MANDEVILLE, COVINGTON, HAMMOND AND PONCHATOULA

Exuding a tropical, exotic atmosphere, La Carreta is the perfect place to wind down with friends, sample internationally-inspired Mexican cuisine, and sip on margaritas. Daily lunch specials, fiesta time daily and family friendly.

CARRETARESTAURANT.COM

HABANERO’S

COVINGTON, PONCHATOULA AND SLIDELL

Eat - Drink - Love Prepared from scratch every day we take the diversity of urban and modern Mexican cuisine from all the district culinary regions of Mexico.

HABANEROSCUISINE.COM

HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE

COVINGTON

Local Gulf oysters and a variety of Gulf Coast seafood with a New Orleans flair and influence that extends throughout our ambience and menu. Steaks, chicken, pasta and so much more. Lunch, dinner, daily happy hour, Sunday brunch.

HALFSHELLOYSTERHOUSE.COM

GALLAGHER’S

SLIDELL AND COVINGTON

Award-winning entrées featuring sizzling steaks, pork chops, and the best seafood Louisiana has to offer. Whether you’re looking for fine dining in a comfortable setting, or a lunch that’s a cut above the rest, we specialize in creating the perfect experience for your needs.

GALLAGHERSGRILL.COM

CHIVOS MEXICAN BISTRO & CANTINA

MANDEVILLE

Sunday-Thursday: 11AM–9PM Friday-Saturday: 11AM–10PM Happy Hour: Everyday 2pm-6pm

2999 HWY. 190, MANDEVILLE (985) 778-2298

CHIVOSMEXICANBISTRO.COM

MEGUMI

MANDEVILLE AND COVINGTON

Opened for business in August 2006, Megumi has continued to serve the freshest sushi around and proudly features the Northshore’s only Yakimono grill. Menu also features noodle dishes, ramen, poke, & lunch/dinner items. Perfect place for a business lunch, date night, or a fun night out with the entire family. Also available for private parties.

MEGUMIRESTAURANT.COM

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES

COVINGTON

Monday-Friday: 9AM–6PM Saturday: 10AM–6PM

1111 GREENGATE DR. #D, COVINGTON (985) 888-6555

NOTHINGBUNDTCAKES.COM

TCHEFUNCTE’S

MADISONVILLE

Tchefuncte’s chef Ryan Gall specializes in Louisiana and American cuisine highlighting the local area’s freshest ingredients. The scenic view of the Tchefuncte River provides the perfect setting for date night, parties and events, or a special weeknight dinner. Make reservations on OpenTable.com.

TCHEFUNCTES.COM

PEACE LOVE & LITTLE DONUTS

COVINGTON

Monday-Friday: 7AM–4PM Saturday: 7AM–2PM Sunday: 8AM–2PM

70493 LA-21, STE. 100, COVINGTON (985) 400-9780

PEACELOVEANDLITTLEDONUTS.COM

Half Shell Oyster House

The concept was simple. Serve a menu deeply rooted in Southern cuisine with a distinctly Louisiana flair. Set it amidst a classic French Quarter-style atmosphere—exposed brick walls, wrought iron railings, stained glass windows. And compliment it all with the sounds of jazz emanating throughout the space.

the people and how I can positively impact their lives.”

ONE THIRTEEN HAMMOND

one thirteen seeks to enliven the senses through an inspired mid-century modern setting, graceful service and new American cuisine that simply tastes delicious. Menu items include chicken, beef, seafood, wood-fired flat bread, and house-made desserts.

ONETHIRTEENRESTAURANT.COM

527

MANDEVILLE

Tuesday-Friday: Lunch 11AM–2:30PM

Tuesday-Thursday: Dinner 5PM-9:30PM

Friday-Saturday: Dinner 5PM–10PM

527 N CAUSEWAY BLVD., MANDEVILLE (985) 778-2820

GALLAGHERS527.COM

The brainchild of company president Bob Taylor and later refined with the help of partners Rob Heffner, Kevin Fish and Brian Raspberry, the idea was to create a phenomenal New Orleans-style dining experience with a relaxed yet classic vibe that is without pretension.

“We’re an every occasion restaurant!” said Jake Kress, general manager of the Half Shell Oyster House in Covington. “Whether you’re looking for a casual weeknight meal or you’re celebrating a special occasion, we’re the place to come.”

As with any restaurant deeply rooted in the “hospitality state,” Half Shell Oyster House knew they had to build their brand around a welcoming atmosphere and impeccable customer service. So every staff member – from host, busser, server, bartender and shucker – goes through hospitality training to get the tools they need to put those skills to use.

“We have quality standards that we hold ourselves to, and we are 100% dedicated to customer satisfaction,” Kress said. “I love the teamwork aspect of the job and getting to know my customer base. For me, it’s about

And since its beginning in 2008, the concept has worked. The chain was awarded TripAdvisor’s Best U.S. Top 10 Small Chain Restaurants for 2018, TripAdvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award, New Orleans Bourbon Festival’s: Best of the Fest and the North Shore’s Best: Best Grilled Oysters, just to name a few.

“People love to eat, and I love sharing that with anyone and everyone. During Covid, we had to make some adjustments, but we persevered and pushed through, opening up three additional locations during that time,” Kress said.

And with the easing of pandemic restrictions, a new menu is back at the Covington location featuring some of the old Half Shell favorites, including Seafood Stuffed Portabellas, Seafood Potpie and their award-winning Bacon and Pecan Crusted Redfish.

“It’s a great company to be a part of, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for Half Shell Oyster House in Covington,” Kress said.

Half Shell Oyster House has a happy hour daily from 3-6 p.m., which includes $2 off all glasses of wine, liquor, martinis, mixed drinks and draft beer, $2.50 domestic bottled beer and $3.50 premium bottled beer.

There are currently 15 locations across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.

THE BROOKS GHOST 14

The number one shoe in the nation, 5 years in a row.