June-July 2020 Issue of Inside New Orleans

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GIVING BACK • HANGING AT HOME •

FATHER-CHILD DUOS • BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP

JUNE-JULY 2020 VOL. 7, NO. 3

June-July 2020

Vol. 7, No. 3

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Editor

Art Director

Leah Draffen Brad Growden

Contributors are featured on page 11.

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Alyssa Copeland Cutrera Ashley Meteye

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On the cover

Artist Becky Fos. Find more on page 12.

INSIDE NEW ORLEANS is published bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October, December) by JBL Publishing, LLC, PO Box 7603, Metairie, LA 70010-7603 as a means of communication and information for greater New Orleans, Louisiana. Bulk Postage paid - New Orleans, LA. Copy­right ©2020 by JBL Publishing, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent of publisher. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and artwork. Inside New Orleans Magazine is created using the Adobe Creative Suite on Apple Macintosh computers.

page 46

contents table of Features

12 Spreading Joy

Cover Artist Becky Fos

page 51

20 Family Ties

Generational businesses all agree teamwork is what matters.

30 Brain Rule 31 Home for the Weekend

with Money Hill’s Mimi Goodyear Dossett 32 Hanging at Home

New Orleans Actors Discuss the Shuttering of Hollywood 40 The Good Stuff

Departments

9 Publisher’s Note 10 Editor’s Note 11 Contributors

Business & Leadership

46 Designing a backyard for function

and relaxation

begins on page 25 52 The Beach is Calling 64 In Memoriam: Charles V. Cusimano, Sr. 1927-2020

16 INside Scoop 38 IN Better Health

with Rebecca Conwell 43 Get Fit

Crushing It During COVID-19 44 Senior Care Resources 47 Flourishes 49 INside Look 53 IN Love and Marriage 54 INside Peek 58 Drinks with Anna 60 IN the Kitchen 62 Haute Plates

page 32 8

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66 Last Bite Everyday Keto To Go

Publisher’s Note

by Jonée Daigle-Ferrand

During these past few months, I’ve learned to do something I have not done in a long time—slow down. I spent more time with my daughter and husband at home playing games, riding bikes around our neighborhood, and cruising around in our golf cart. We also kicked back on our porch during early Saturday evenings while our neighbor, Maria Lamarque, serenaded our neighborhood with wonderful songs.

So much happened in these two months. My husband and I both turned 40.

We did not get to celebrate the way we previously planned, but considering the circumstances, we were able to have socially distanced lawn parties with our family and close friends. Early on in the quarantine, my grandfather passed away. He was my hero and so influential in shaping the woman I am today. We attended his funeral outside and socially distanced from family. It was heartbreaking that we were not able to give him a mass and proper burial with all of his family and friends.

Is this the new normal? I sure hope not, and I look forward to the day we can all attend events with a large group of people; and businesses can open at 100 percent occupancy. Locally owned businesses, including retail stores, restaurants, galleries, specialty shops and many others need our help now more than ever! Please start with Inside New Orleans. Let our advertisers know you saw their ad in our pages. It means more than you realize.

Finally, how about this amazing cover for this issue? When I saw Becky Fos’ painting, America’s Frontline Heroes, I knew it was a perfect fit for Inside New Orleans’ summer issue! The red, white and blue flag is a powerful symbol behind Lady Liberty. She wears a mask which reflects the times we are currently living in. She is sad because her country is mourning the loss of so many people from COVID-19.

However, she is also hopeful we will bounce back, like we always do, and will return stronger than ever.

God Bless,

Editor’s Note

by Leah Draffen

Finding joy in the in between. It’s a concept—and frankly a task—that has been on my heart and mind lately. At the end of last year, my husband, baby boy, two pups and I moved in with my parents while we aimed to sell our home and possibly build our next. (God bless my mom and dad for allowing our circus to move in!) Well, the house sale took longer than expected.

While I’m patient in most cases, I am not one to sit still for very long; neither is my husband. In our six years of marriage, we have moved seven times if that tells you anything. We happen to love fixing up houses and selling them, but with a new little guy around…things have changed. This mama is tired! And ready to settle into somewhere long term.

Sitting still has taught me a lot, especially amid a worldwide pandemic.

And a stay-at-home order will definitely force you to find joy in the in between.

If we weren’t with my parents during this time, my little boy wouldn’t have the bond with his grandparents that he does now. We wouldn’t have the sweet memories of slow days at home that we do now. We wouldn’t have had the time to sort through family photos. We wouldn’t have had time to eat dinner outside during those beautiful spring evenings. Time was readily available for us to reflect on our lives and the day-to-day that we often get frazzled by.

For me, that joy in the in between is time. Something I should be thankful for. As the city begins to reopen, we’re looking at all of its beauty with fresh eyes. To the people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes and on the frontlines, thank you. We appreciate and admire your selflessness and strength.

Stay well, Happy first Father’s Day to our own essential worker.

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

Anna Tusa

Anna Tusa is the Director of Operations for Briquette, the Briquette Wine Room and New Orleans Creole Cookery. On page 58, Anna shares the frozen craft cocktail recipes.

Ingrid Rinck

Ingrid Rinck is a self-made entrepreneur and CEO of Sensible Meals and has been helping people eat healthier and achieve their weight loss goals since 2014. Ingrid gives advice on “crushing it” during COVID-19 on page 43.

Leslie Cardé Veteran journalist Leslie Cardé began her career reporting for NPR in Los Angeles. From there, she landed in New Orleans as an anchor/health and science editor before moving on to anchor three hours of daily financial news and host an entertainment show for CNBC. She’s reported from the Middle East for CNN, worked as a producer and narrator for E! Entertainment and wrote, directed and produced the award-winning documentary America Betrayed.

Leslie currently writes for The New Orleans Advocate and Los Angeles Magazine. She is also a producer/reporter for CBS Newspath. See Leslie’s article about New Orleans actors hanging at home on page 32.

Sue Strachan Sue Strachan has been writing about New Orleans culture for more than 25 years. This is her first article for Inside New Orleans. Sue has been an editor and writer for a number of locally-based publications including Uptown/Mid-City Messenger, St. Charles Avenue magazine, New Orleans Magazine, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, Preservation in Print, Louisiana Life, and was society editor for the Times-Picayune for five years. Her work has been seen internationally in Time Asia and HG magazine. She is regularly featured on Hollywood Highlights on WWL-TV’s Great Day Louisiana. In this issue, Sue sits down with family businesses on page 20.

Lorin Gaudin Lorin Gaudin has passion for all things food, drink and arts. With a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Loyola University of New Orleans, and a culinary diploma from The Ritz-Escoffier in Paris, she parlayed her education to become a food editor/reporter for national, regional and local publications as well as local television and radio. She is an adjunct instructor in Delgado Community College’s culinary program and the host of a food radio show broadcasting from Delgado’s radio station, WXDR 99.1FM. Lorin is the creator-founder of FiveOhFork, specializing in food journalism and culinary social media/web content for the culinary industry. In this issue, Lorin dishes out falafel secrets on page 60.

Other Voices: Alison Burns, P. Keith Daigle, Mimi Goodyear Dossett, Leah Draffen, Thomas B. Growden and Trent Spann.

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Spreading Joy

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

by Leah Draffen

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ART CAN CONVEY many emotions. And for each viewer, it may be something different.

Yet, when it comes to Becky Fos’ vibrant works, I think everyone can agree that the feeling is happiness. Vibrant colors and Becky’s impasto technique of applying wet, undiluted oil paint with a palette knife, adds to the joyful nature of her well-known pelicans and Louisiana motifs.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Becky wanted to help in the best way she knew how. Her art. “I woke up one morning and felt an urgency to do something to help out,” Becky says. “I just wanted to do my part and painting is all that I know.” She painted Heartfelt Heroes and America’s Frontline Heroes, featured on our cover, ultimately to raise funds for the Ochsner Pandemic Response Fund, which aims to boost morale for medical workers on the front lines.

“Since Ochsner is the largest healthcare provider in our state, I felt that if I had to choose only one beneficiary, Ochsner would be the best vehicle. The goal was to reach

and help as many frontline workers as possible.”

Heartfelt Heroes was printed on a bandana, and America’s Frontline Heroes a limited-edition paper print signed and numbered by Becky. The gallery sold over 200 mini paper prints which resulted in an immediate cash boost for the Ochsner Pandemic Response Fund. The prints were graciously donated by Renaissance Imaging in Baton Rouge.

When asked about the inspiration behind the two pieces, Becky states: “Those people that have chosen a field in which they put their lives on the line to help and protect others were my inspiration. Fortunately for me, I did not have to go out in the thick of this. It was easy for me to hide behind a canvas and quarantine. But those that are risking their health were an inspiration to me for these two pieces. The well-deserved frontline heroes are getting most of the recognition (which I couldn’t agree more), but I’d also like to give a big thank you to >>

photo courtesy: BECKY FOS

Cover Artist Becky Fos

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photos courtesy: BECKY FOS

all of those that have to go out and reported to work, such as the grocery workers, the garbage men and the postal workers, even though I’m sure that they would love to be safe at home with their families.”

Becky admits that having to stay at home has taught her that teaching isn’t easy. She has tried her best to become a sixth-grade teacher to her 12-year-old son, Jude.

As with learning learning to be a homeschool teacher, Becky’s road to becoming an artist had many twists and turns. As a new mom, Becky’s career as a hairdresser was not allowing the time she wanted with her son. She needed less-demanding hours so she chose to become a court reporter. But, because of test anxiety, she did not pass the national exam after graduation. In a 2018 Inside New Orleans interview with Shauna Grissett, Becky said, “Initially, I started painting to relieve the stress to help me pass the test. That, and I was tired of looking at the bare,

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com photos courtesy: BECKY FOS

white walls in my house. I needed ‘art’ to decorate but couldn’t afford it and thought I could paint my own. I went to Michael’s with my little boy, bought some really cheap supplies and just started painting. And, that’s how I got started.”

Today, to keep her mind off the bombardment of negativity on the news, she has continued to paint. “As an artist, it means a lot to me that I’m able to help out in the only way that I know how… through art! During this time, while so many are suffering, whether it’s a family member, a friend or a co-worker that has been affected, if my art can just brighten one person’s day against what they see day in and day out with this pandemic, then I feel truly blessed.”

She adds, “I am saddened to see the deaths, store closures, cities shut down and heartache due to this virus, but like after Katrina, I think that New Orleans will come back stronger. I hope that the camaraderie and unity will

resonate for years to come. I also hope that we can all learn the valuable lesson to stop and smell the roses and especially to not take life for granted.”

As things begin to return to a new normal, Becky plans to refocus on a new collection she began prior to the pandemic. As for the future, she says, “I have no clue what’s next for me and the gallery. The only thing that I know is that I’ll continue to support my community and paint as often as I can to bring smiles to people’s faces as often as possible!

“I want to continue spreading joy with the colors that I use in my artwork. We can all make the world a better place if we just smile.”

Gallery B. Fos is located at 2138 Magazine St., and a satellite gallery space at the Renaissance Arts Hotel, 700 Tchoupitoulas St. 504-444-2967. beckyfos.com.

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INSIDE June

1-14 Mickalene Thomas: Femmes Noires and Meg Turner: Here and Now! Don’t miss the opportunity to view the CAC’s exhibitions during their limited re-opening.

Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. cacno.org.

1-July 15 OnlineWire New Orleans Virtual Gigs. Virtual gig listings from New Orleans musicians, so you can support and enjoy live, local music without leaving home. Acts include Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers, Sweet Crude, Matt Lemmler, Robin Barnes 16

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& Pat Casey, Andre Bohren, Anders Osborne, Tricia Boutte and Paul Longstreth among many others. wwoz.org.

1-July 18 Waves by Jeanne Rosier Smith.

Degas Gallery, 604 Julia St, Ste 101. 8269744. thedegasgallery.com.

1-July 31 P.O.W.E.R. Plates. Celebrating powerful women in hospitality, Fidelity Bank presents the second annual P.O.W.E.R. Plates program which showcases women-owned and womenled restaurants throughout New Orleans.

Register to enter the weekly $50 gift card

drawings at participating restaurants and make a donation to support women in hospitality through the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. Fidelity Bank will match all donations up to $2,500! Power-plates.com.

June 12-14, 19-22 Steamboat NATCHEZ Cruises Again. The iconic Steamboat NATCHEZ will re-launch her cruises to the sounds of the famous steam calliope on June 12. She will return with a live jazz band on board, engine room visits, live narration, a breezy cruise and options for food and beverage. Steamboat NATCHEZ wants all to

photo courtesy: STEAMBOAAT NATCHEZ

Steamboat NATCHEZ Cruises Again

June 12-14, 19-22 Steamboat NATCHEZ Cruises Again. The iconic Steamboat NATCHEZ will re-launch her cruises to the sounds of the famous steam calliope on June 12. She will return with a live jazz band on board, engine room visits, live narration, a breezy cruise and options for food and beverage.

Steamboat NATCHEZ wants all to be safe so cleaning processes are constant and the staff will be sheltering their giant smiles behind safety masks for everyone’s protection. June 12-14 and 19-22 at 2:30pm. 569-1401.

SteamboatNATCHEZ.com.

be safe so cleaning processes are constant and the staff will be sheltering their giant smiles behind safety masks for everyone’s protection. June 12-14 and 19-22 at 2:30pm. 569-1401. SteamboatNATCHEZ. com.

13-14 Creole Tomato Festival To Go. A virtual festival celebrating the bounty of southeast Louisiana. Fest virtually and enjoy music and programming in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park: Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, Gina Brown & >> J u n e - J u ly 2 0 20 17

Anutha Level, Dr. Michael White’s Orginal Liberty Jazz Band, Stephanie Jordan, LSU AgCenter, Southern Food & Beverage Museum, and more. Fest restaurants in partnership with Ochsner Eat Fit: Meals from the Heart Café, Blue Line Sandwich Co., Broussard’s, Gris Gris, Hippie Kitchen, Alberto’s Cheese & Wine Bistro, Dat Dog, Andrea’s, Lakeview Harbor, Patois, Breads on Oak, and more. Fresh creole tomatoes offered by Crescent City Farmers Market.

For more information, frenchmarket.org.

19 Virtual Business and Breakfast. Grab a cup of coffee, hop online, and join the Jefferson Chamber for a VIRTUAL Business and Breakfast! Virtual Business and Breakfast is a targeted networking event designed to give chamber members the opportunity to share their business with each other. Each attendee gets one minute to give their best elevator pitch to tell a little about who you are, what you do, and how your business can bring value to others. You will also hear from other chamber members hoping to meet and share their business with you! Limit: 50 participants. 8:30-9:30am. Members, $5; nonmembers, $10. jeffersonchamber.org.

photo courtesy: SYMMETRY JEWELERS & DESIGNERS

Inside Scoop

20, 27 Champagne Saturdays. Symmetry Jewelers & Designers, 8138 Hampson St. symmetryjewelers.com.

25 Caymus Wine Dinner. The first event of Briquette’s Staycation Summer series, A Wagner Family Wine Dinner featuring Caymus in honor of the King and Queen of Caymus ( Tom and Antoinette Wilkinson).

Briquette, 701 S Peters St. 6pm. Five-course paired meal, $175. 302-7496. briquettenola.com.

28 2020 Virtual Trivia Competition.

Benefitting The Leukemia & Lymphoma

Society. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate. 7-8pm. $19.49 entry plus $2.81 fee. 504-837-0945. llstrivia.com.

July

1-15 OnlineWire New Orleans Virtual Gigs. Virtual gig listings from New Orleans musicians, so you can support and enjoy live, local music without leaving home. Acts include Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers, Sweet Crude, Matt Lemmler, Robin Barnes & Pat Casey, Andre Bohren, Anders

Osborne, Tricia Boutte and Paul Longstreth among many others. wwoz.org.

1-18 Waves by Jeanne Rosier Smith.

Degas Gallery, 604 Julia St, Ste 101. 504826-9744. thedegasgallery.com.

1-31 P.O.W.E.R. Plates. Celebrating powerful women in hospitality, Fidelity Bank presents the second annual P.O.W.E.R. Plates program which showcases women-owned and women-led restaurants throughout New Orleans. Register to enter the weekly $50 gift card drawings at participating restaurants and make a donation to support women in hospitality through the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. Fidelity Bank will match all donations up to $2,500! Power-plates.com.

4 Independence Virtual 5K Race. Run or walk the virtual 5k this Independence Day for those who have fought for our freedom.

Benefitting America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Registration and t-shirt, $27. eventbrite.com/e/independence-5kvirtual-race-registration-104838763564.

4 Feed the Multitudes Drive-Thru Edition.

Free groceries and food, live entertainment and more. Victory Church, 5708 Airline

Dr, Metairie. 10am-2pm. 504-733-5005. victorychurchnola.com.

11, 18, 25 Champagne Saturdays.

Symmetry Jewelers & Designers, 8138 Hampson St. symmetryjewelers.com.

Save the Date

Aug 3-7 Virtual 2020 Power Up: Women’s Leadership Conference. The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Fidelity Bank P.O.W.E.R. (Potential of Women Entrepreneurs Realized) to host a collaborative conference. Connect with over 600 men and women during a full week of professional development, including a keynote lunch with speaker Johanne R. Bélanger, FCPA, FCA, ICD.D, and multiple breakout sessions. While most content will be focused on women’s challenges, we strongly encourage men to attend and join us in these important conversations. $150. powerupnola.com.

Sept 11 Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do. Enjoy exclusive access to the Zoo, complete with animal encounters, live entertainment, and a selection of the

city’s best food and drinks. Your ticket also supports wildlife conservation and exciting new experiences at Audubon Zoo. 6500 Magazine St. Sponsor/patron, 7-12pm; gala, 8pm-12am. $85- $175. audubonnatureinstitute.org.

Sept 14-20 Restaurant Week New Orleans. A full week devoted to building connections between the incredible restaurants of New Orleans and the public.

The annual tradition features specially priced prix-fixe menus. Enjoy 2-course lunches for $20 or less, and 3-course dinners and brunches for $39 or less. This week is the perfect time to visit old favorites or find new ones! restaurantweekneworleans.com.

Sept 18-Jan 24 Make America What America Must Become Exhibition.

Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. cacno.org.

NOTE: All dates and events are subject to change or cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Send your event information to scoopINOLA@gmail.com to have it featured in an upcoming issue of Inside New Orleans.

Family Ties

Generational businesses all agree teamwork is what matters.

CREATING—even creating on—a family business isn’t easy. Times change, as do expectations. Financial ups and downs, wars, man-made and natural disasters, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic have put pressure on businesses.

In New Orleans, there are a number of successful businesses that continue to thrive by utilizing its most valuable asset: family. In honor of Father’s Day, Inside New Orleans is profiling five family businesses: Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, Boudreaux’s Jewelers, Al Copeland Investments, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, and Sensible Meals.

All have great stories to tell, but one consistent thing we did pick up on: It’s hard to take family vacations when you are always working!

Lighting the Way

Drew Bevolo and Jimmy Bevolo.

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After years of working for Ford Motor Co., Sikorsky Aircraft, and Higgins Industries, it was time for Andrew Bevolo Sr. to strike out on his own. It was 1945 when he opened Bevolo Metal Crafts in the French Quarter.

It was at this location that Louisiana architect A.

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Hays Town stopped by asking if he could collaborate on a light fixture. The result was the iconic French Quarter Lamp, made of copper, brass and glass, with handriveted, instead of, soldered joints.

Since then, Bevolo has been manufacturing traditional, antique or custom designed handmade open flame copper lanterns, as well as electric ones. Many of its lanterns can be found on thousands of homes and buildings throughout the world, and have been featured in numerous publications.

Andrew’s grandson, Drew Bevolo, joined the company in 1989, after a career as a stockbroker in Baton Rouge.

His uncle, Jimmy Bevolo, was running it by this time and was ready to teach the next generation.

“Jimmy was like a father to me. He taught me all he had learned while working with his father for 50 plus years,” says Drew.

The company website states that Drew’s Uncle Jimmy brought him in at $100 a week, “He insisted I start at the bottom. I did everything from welding to delivery.

He was hard on me, and it was the greatest gift he could have given to me.”

Drew revamped the business, including changing the name to Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, trained new artisans, expanded the number of light styles to more than

photo courtesy: BEVOLO GAS & ELECTRIC LIGHTS

by Sue Strachan

photo: TRENT SPANN imagesbyrobertt@gmail.com

500, streamlined work flow, and opened new warehouses and manufacturing facilities, as well as showrooms.

There are four locations in the French Quarter to see Bevolo products: the Design Showroom at 521 Conti St.; Interior Collection at 318 Royal St.; Gas Light Museum and Shop at 316 Royal St. featuring his grandfather’s original worktable and two working coppersmiths; Vintage Lamp Showroom at 304 Royal Street; and a showroom in Mandeville.

While the stores were not open during the COVID-19 pandemic, the sales and lighting team was available and working remotely.

Drew’s oldest son, Chris Bevolo, has joined the company. “Be old school, be humble and be proud of the work you do,” are among the lessons Drew says he is passing along to Chris.

have become a specialty of mine and my dad has years of experience managing the business that I do not yet have,” says Brandon. “We are very much alike in some ways, but we are from different eras, so it balances nicely.”

“My dad has always been someone who can keep things on even keel, no matter what is going on around him,” says Brandon. “His lightheartedness and jovial nature makes even the most stressful times fun.”

What a Gem

Grow and Prosper Once Al Copeland Jr. decided to join the family company, he was all in, but was still nervous.

“There was a point in my life, around 1992, that I had to decide if I was going to spend it working under my father; I remember it well,” says Al. His father was Al Copeland, an entrepreneurial innovator in the restaurant business who founded Popeyes and was also known >>

Above: Don Boudreaux (front), Brandon Boudreaux, Tommy Boudreaux, Brian Boudreaux, Donny Boudreaux and Robert Boudreaux.

Below: Al Copeland Jr., Elizabeth Copeland, Ariel Pierce, Allison Donnelly and Alexandria Reuter.

photo courtesy: AL COPELAND INVESTMENTS

It may have been 1933 and the middle of the Great Depression, but that didn’t stop Gilmore Boudreaux Sr. from opening a workshop in the Pere Marquette building in the CBD, to provide service and repair for businesses through the Gulf South. In 1940, Gilmore started making religious jewelry, having been authorized by the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Chancery.

Sixteen years later, Boudreaux’s opened in the 100 block of Baronne Street, and Gilmore’s sons, Don, Louis and Gilmore, Jr. joined the company.

In 1985, Boudreaux’s moved from Baronne Street to Metairie, and now has additional locations in Mandeville and Baton Rouge. “All of our locations specialize in custom and designer jewelry, fine time pieces, and other full service repairs,” states Brandon Boudreaux, who is the lead designer and the fourth generation to be part of the company. His father, Brian Boudreaux, who joined the company in 1983, is now its president. Other family members include Brandon’s uncles Tommy Boudreaux and Donny Boudreaux, both vice-presidents, and his brother, Robert Boudreaux, who is the sales manager.

They have been involved with the business since they were children. “We worked wrapping presents at Christmas as kids. We also worked summers on the sales floor as high school and college students,” says Brandon.

“Everyone with the exception of Donny, who owned a landscape architecture company first before joining the business, went straight into the jewelry business.”

Brandon sits across the desk from his father, which means he spends more time than most children do with their fathers. “New technology, design, and marketing

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for powerboat racing, and the annual Christmas lighting display at his house.

Al points out that his father, who passed away in 2008 of Merkel cell carcinoma, started with no money and no education, and still became immensely successful.

“It was an opportunity to work as his right-hand man.

It was the first position I felt like I wasn’t qualified to do. I had to hesitate for a minute. I knew there would be a large amount of accountability,” says Al. “I would require a lot of direct training from him and he agreed to train me.”

Today, Al is CEO and Chairman of the Board of Al Copeland Investments (ACI), a privately owned, multi-faceted management company, that operates the Al Copeland Family of Restaurants. What started in 1983, with Copeland’s of New Orleans, was followed

by Diversified Foods & Seasonings (1984), a custom manufacturing operation serving over 10,000 locations with its custom dry blends and kettle cooked products.

And prior to that, a hotel division (1978) which owns and operates over 500 rooms in the metro New Orleans area. (While Copeland no longer owns the Popeyes brand, Diversified Food and Seasonings, under the umbrella of Al Copeland Investments, still supplies the seasoning to Popeyes and retains some of its recipes. Al does own a few Popeyes restaurants in the New Orleans area.)

“I had the chance to learn from my father, be very close to him,” says Al. “A lot of the family didn’t get as much time to be with him because he worked so hard and such long hours. I worked by his side daily. We were so close that I was the best man in his last wedding.”

Copeland Jr. has brought his daughters into the company: Allison Donnelly, vice president; Ariel Pierce, marketing manager and Alexandria Reuter, director of purchasing.

“My daughters are direct points of contact for me daily from conceiving ideas to fully facilitating leading into executing,” says Al. “They hold critical roles in our success, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Ariel Pierce says his drive is contagious, and his “motivation and passion for the success of our family business is unbelievable. We often look back and find ourselves impressed by how he always managed to create quality family time, while holding such a demanding position in the company.”

Ariel admits working with family can be a challenge, the biggest “being able to balance family time. Often personal conversations can turn into work calls, but we try to maintain a distinction between the two settings.”

“It is a challenge that we have embraced and continue to overcome.”

She adds that growing up, it was hard to understand why their dad was always on the phone and unable to be at every event or function, although he was always there for the big moments.

“Flash forward years later, working with him and for him, it is crystal clear,” Ariel says. “His heart is big.

He is our mentor, our inspiration, our boss and most importantly our father.”

The organization hit the ground running when 22

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the stay-at-order was issued. It immediately made the necessary changes to adapt. “We did daily specials to try to keep things interesting during this time,” says Copeland.

The foundation also launched a new campaign “Be A Hero. Thank A Hero” as soon as they heard of what was happening during COVID-19.

“We needed to shift our focus of the Al Copeland Foundation to help fund those healthcare workers in need,” says Copeland. “We raised $100,000 in three weeks.”

Philanthropy has always been part of the family legacy: Al Copeland funded a number of education programs, and the Al Copeland Foundation was founded in 2008.

“When you talk about legacy it could not translate more than the Al Copeland Foundation. By 2018, right at 10 years from date of my father’s death, we found that treatment for the cancer that killed him.

“He had a dying wish to find a cure for the cancer that took his life. The Al Copeland Foundation supports new local cancer research, education and patient programs at the Copeland-LSU Health Science Center Partnership in Viruses, Cancer and Immunotherapy,” says Al. “Through this partnership, 48 patients have participated in 17 clinical trials and 3 patients are now tumor free.

“This groundbreaking treatment is saving lives and fulfilling a promise made to my dad to find a cure.”

Al adds: “Life on earth is short, it is important to ask yourself what you want your legacy to be. My father founded the companies that we operate today and for that I will always be grateful.

“We are very proud of his accomplishments and because his legacy is so important to me, it is important for me to develop these brands over time and into the future.”

Jewels of the Crown “My father is an amazing merchandiser,” says Chad Berg, president of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry. “He can look at any piece of jewelry, remember what he bought it for and what it was sold for. He has a photographic memory.”

His father, Lee Michael Berg, founded the company with his wife and Chad’s mother, Brenda, in 1978.

Lee’s retail roots go back to when he worked at his grandfather’s business, Levine Department Store in Dallas, during high school. After Lee graduated from college and his grandfather sold the store to Zales, he was hired into Zales’ training program in New York City. He moved up the ladder quickly—in six years he was promoted to senior vice-president in charge of merchandising.

Lee wanted to have his own business. He quit his job and returned to Dallas to open a jewelry store. Unable to find the right location, the Bergs moved to Baton Rouge to open Lee’s first store. Today, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry has nine locations: Metairie; Baton Rouge (two stores) Shreveport; Lafayette; San Antonio, Texas (two stores); Jackson, Miss.; and Albuquerque, N.M. Lee is still CEO of the company but has handed over much of the business to his three sons: Chad, Ryan

photo: FRED FREY PHOTOGRAPHY

and Scott. All three are presidents in charge of specific regions: Chad, New Orleans, Jackson and Lafayette; Scott, Baton Rouge; and Ryan, Shreveport, San Antonio and Albuquerque.

“We have different operational responsibilities,” says Chad. “And we come together for merchandising, advertising and organizational efficiencies.”

“It is nice because there is space so we can do our own thing,” he adds. For example, merchandise is tailored to each store.

Despite the physical distance between the brothers, they are in constant touch. “We speak a few times a week,” says Chad, adding, “We are on Zoom all the time.” During the time the stores were closed for the pandemic, they spoke for hours a day. The Bergs are focused on what the new normal looks like and have put in place many policies and procedures to ensure that when customers come in they feel they are in a safe and clean environment.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company’s goal is to use the time off to allow their staff to study and learn the latest trends in the jewelry industry. They are what made us successful,” says Chad, noting that there are employees who have been with the company since it was founded.

“We are in the celebration and people business,” he adds.

The three sons have been working at the company since they were small children. And each bringing “Different talents to the company.”

Lee says that Chad is curious, “He wants to know what

something is and always works at it until he figures it out,” adding, “He is a natural merchant.” Ryan “Doesn’t fit the mold. I admire that he looks at things differently and brings different ideas to the table. He is entrepreneurial.” Scott is “very business-oriented. He has a great mind for numbers, reading contracts and very good at sizing people up.”

“All three of them give me a tremendous pride and joy on how they work and interact together,” says Lee. “It’s not easy to have three siblings in one business, but the fact the they live in three cities and share equally in the management. They all look forward to growing and looking out for what is best for the company.”

Before the sons came aboard, there were strict requirements Lee set in place in what he called the “Family Charter.”

“It sets up the business and how a family member comes into the business,” Lee says. “They all have to get college degrees, become licensed gemologists, and work somewhere else for two years before they come into the company.”

Chad Berg hopes his children, 2- and 5-years-old, will eventually go into the business, making them the third generation.

“We want to continue to grow,” Chad says.

It all started with an idea Ingrid Rinck is a classic American success story. A popular personal trainer for 20 years, she sympathized with her clients who were trying to eat right while juggling busy careers, social lives and home lives. As a single >>

Lee Michael Berg (center) with Scott Berg, Chad Berg and Ryan Berg.

J u n e - J u ly 2 0 20 23

Gary Rinck and Ingrid Rinck.

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CPA and businessman, Gary Rinck has over 50 years of restaurant experience.

“He owned fast food restaurants while I was growing up and I truly believe he helped turn Sensible Meals into a legitimate business.” As COO, Gary handles the company’s logistics while Ingrid handles marketing, working with clients, and continued innovation.

“We are very much the same person,” says Ingrid.

“We have the same work ethic and drive.”

Six years later, they now have tens of thousands of clients across the country. And the demand gave this father-daughter duo the opportunity to start Rinck Packaging Inc. The 60,000 square-foot facility in Hammond is where the company is packaging and shipping the meals across the country.

This year, Rinck Packaging Inc. acquired three vacuum machines that seal the meals so tight that they don’t need preservatives and can be shipped in smaller containers.

Ingrid says they are one of three companies that have the machines in the U.S., with a fourth machine on the way.

“Once it leaves the facility, your meal is sealed until you open it, which is an added benefit of safety during COVID-19,” says Ingrid.

The new company also packages and ships meals for restaurants, seafood companies, and even former competing meal prep companies. According to Ingrid, the owners have told her, “You have saved our livelihood,” referring to the loss of dining income restaurants have incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of mid-May, the company is working with 21 local restaurants.

Ingrid strongly believes in philanthropy: Sensible Meals is a corporate sponsor for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Ingrid founded Leading Ladies League, a group of women who get together once a month—the luncheon is usually themed to make it fun— where members donate to a local woman.

“While donating to big charities is great, I thought it would be nice to raise money and help a woman right away,” says Ingrid. After two years, the league has more than 100 members.

Whether it is business or philanthropy, Ingrid credits her drive to her father.

“I began working with my father when I was 5 years old. Some of my first memories are filing receipts, making copies and binders, answering the phones,” reflects Ingrid.

“He instilled in me a sense of business, and the right way to run a business, from a very young age.”

It was their early start working together that made it easy for this impressive family team to collaborate on Sensible Meals and Rinck Packaging Inc. “We talk every day,” says Ingrid. “We have more of a friend and business partner relationship.

“I’m grateful to have my father running my company.

I know that he’s loyal, honest and will always have my best interest in mind!”

For these businesses, family is an integral part of their identity. Teamwork, problem-solving, creativity, hard work and emphasizing a family member’s strengths create a recipe for success.

photo courtesy: INGRID RINCK

mom of three, she understood.

It was not until Ingrid’s son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, that she began to learn all she could about nutrition and adjusted her family’s diet accordingly. She subsequently lost 100 pounds and realized she could use that knowledge to help others, including her gym clients, by offering healthy, portion-controlled meals that were prepared and ready-to-eat. In 2014, Sensible Meals was born. (eatsensiblemeals.com) Soon after, gym clients and other locals began enjoying Rinck’s portion-controlled (and delicious) meals, which are not only packed with nutrition but also fun foods. She says, “We have always focused on moderation, not deprivation. It’s about doing it right most of the time and having fun some of the time.” Ingrid’s client base began to grow as well as her team of chefs, sous chefs and meal preppers.

“After six months in business, it was growing so fast that I knew I needed to call in my father,” says Ingrid. An experienced

26 Parker Velargo, M.D. New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery

27 Greg Stock, MPA Thibodaux Regional Health System

28 Alison L. Burns, MBA Precision Payment Systems

28 Dr. Ralph Katz Westside Orthopaedic Clinic

29 Ingrid Rinck Rinck Packaging, Inc.

30 Bonnie Sarver Gulf South Accounting Services

J u n e - J u ly 2 0 20 25

F A C I A L

P L A S T I C

S U R G E R Y

Parker Velargo, M.D.

NEW ORLEANS CENTER FOR AESTHETICS AND PLASTIC SURGERY

New Orleans is Re-Opening: It’s Time to Put Your Best Face Forward.

Spring has been chaotic for many of us to say the least, but now that we are starting to return to a sense of normalcy, it’s time to return some focus on self care. Many of you may have been caring for others the past few months, so now, more than ever, is the best time to treat yourself.

You may be nervous to go to a “doctor’s office” even as the curve is beginning to fall, but let me assure you that we are not your typical office.

We are a boutique medical practice that, even before the pandemic, focuses on quality of care not quantity of patients. We also offer virtual consultations for your convenience and added safety, which are great if you are just exploring treatment options.

Furthermore, we will provide you with an environment that truly sets the bar for safety without sacrificing the quality of care you expect from us. In addition to the obvious (masking, enhanced cleaning protocols, appointment spacing, etc...), we will be going above and beyond to create a safe space for you. For example, we will be using UV-C light sterilization in every room following every patient encounter. This will ensure that viral particles are not only destroyed on surfaces but also in the air.

With all that said, let’s dive in to my 5 most popular summertime procedures — all of which can be performed in the safety of our Uptown clinic: 1) Liquid Rhinoplasty: This is a NO downtime nasal re-contouring procedure using both filler and Botox. I was recently invited to an international meeting in Paris to share my advanced techniques on this topic.

2) EmbraceRF: This is a minimal downtime procedure that tightens the jawline and neck by combining FaceTite/ AccuTite, Morpheus 8 radio-frequency microneedling, PRP, and liposuction (if needed). This is the treatment for “gap” patients — patients who have maxed out on injectables but aren’t quite ready for a facelift.

3) Upper Eyelid Surgery: Many patients are surprised to hear this can be done under local anesthesia with only one week of downtime. The eyes often show signs of aging first, so it’s a great “starter” procedure.

4) Lip Lift: Wait, what?!? Yes, the lip can be surgically lifted with a well camouflaged incision under the nose. Thin lips, flat lips, and long lips

published expert in facial plastic surgery and has been invited to speak both

can be addressed permanently and naturally without filler.

internationally and stateside at numerous plastic surgery conferences.

5) Facelift: Believe it or not, we can do facelifts under local anesthesia.

Dr. Velargo ensures that you leave your consultation with him well educated

Summertime with travel plans altered by the pandemic is the perfect

on what options will give you the best results possible. Trust your face to a

opportunity to consider this 2 week downtime procedure.

specialist - Dr. Parker Velargo.

It’s time to start feeling like YOU again, and I’m here to make that a reality.

Dr. Velargo is a double board certified facial plastic surgeon who has been practicing uptown for over 5 years. He is an internationally 26

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New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery, 2633 Napoleon Ave., Ste. 920, New Orleans. (504) 533-8848 www.plasticsurgerynola.com

H E A L T H

S Y S T E M

excellent clinical care and adopting leading edge COVID-19 treatment options. For example, the hospital is participating in innovative clinical research and treatment advancements with Mayo Clinic and GE. Thibodaux Regional was the first hospital in the bayou region to begin using blood plasma therapy as a treatment for COVID-19, which is being performed as part of a clinical trial with Mayo Clinic.

In addition, Thibodaux Regional entered into an agreement with GE Healthcare to participate in a study that utilizes data analytics to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) that will assist in future screening, detection, triage and monitoring of COVID-19 cases.

“Thibodaux Regional is proud to partner with worldrenowned organizations such as Mayo Clinic and GE to provide leading edge treatment options for Covid-19 patients,” says Greg. “These new advancements in clinical care appear

Greg Stock, MPA

promising. We remain committed to bringing progressive

Celebrating 30 years as Chief Executive Officer, Greg Stock, MPA, has led Thibodaux

centered excellence for 90 years. As a regional healthcare

THIBODAUX REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM CEO Regional Health System into the nationally recognized awarding-winning hospital that it is today. His collaborative management style, strong physician relations skills, sense of humor and ability to challenge staff to perform at their very best has enabled Thibodaux Regional to consistently achieve top performance in providing high-quality, cost-effective health care and an excellent patient experience.

Thibodaux Regional has earned a 5-Star Quality Rating from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and is the recipient of the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence award, the Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience award, the Health Catalyst Flywheel award, and the Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare Innovation award among many others.

treatment options to our region.”

Thibodaux Regional has been dedicated to patientleader, Thibodaux Regional provides a wide range of inpatient and outpatient care including services such as comprehensive cardiovascular care and heart surgery, comprehensive cancer care, neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, women’s services, obstetrics, wellness, and inpatient and outpatient physical rehabilitation services. Greg and the entire Thibodaux Regional staff look forward to further providing state-of-theart technology, excellent clinical care, and a great patient experience for the region it serves.

Under Greg’s visionary leadership, Thibodaux Regional has experienced significant growth. The hospital constructed a $73 million, 242,000-square-foot innovative Wellness Center with clinically integrated programs and services. Plans are underway to construct Phase 2, providing more opportunities for people to improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Construction is progressing on a premier four-story, 80,000-square-foot cancer care facility that will continue to provide patients with quality cancer care close to home.

In the midst of COVID-19, Thibodaux Regional continues to be a leader, providing

Thibodaux Regional Health System is located at 602 North Acadia Road in Thibodaux. 985-447-5500. thibodaux.com.

J u n e - J u ly 2 0 20 27

P A Y M E N T

S Y S T E M S

Alison L. Burns, MBA PRECISION PAYMENT SYSTEMS

Precision Payment Systems is a leader in making other small

O R T H O P A E D I C S

Dr. Ralph Katz, MD

WESTSIDE ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC Dr. Ralph Katz’s approach to spinal disorders and general

businesses leaders. As the small business merchant service authority, PPS

orthopaedic conditions has made him a leader in the Metropolitan

helps businesses run smarter. “We have done a lot of research in point of

New Orleans area. With 24 years of experience, Dr. Katz and his staff at

sale systems and credit card processing,” says founder Alison Burns. “We

Westside Orthopaedic Clinic, many of whom have been with him for over

assess the needs of each client and find the right fit for their budget. Our

20 years, offer unique, individualized care dependent on each patient’s

cloud-based point of sale systems start as low as $29, which saves a small

circumstances. Dr. Katz personally meets with each patient while providing

independent business a lot of money.”

a thoughtful personalized plan for care.

While PPS resales seven processing options and six point of sale

In contrast to other larger clinics in the industry, Dr. Katz believes in

systems, their top product is unmatched customer service. “If you have an

first treating patients conservatively before considering surgeries such as

issue, we’re going to take it off of your plate. I let our customers know that

a minimally invasive microdiscectomy, minimally invasive lumbar fusion,

we’re here for support—from making sure contact info is printed correctly on

cervical disc replacement or lumbar disc replacement. He is one of a few

receipts to inventory management and continuous system training.”

local surgeons who performs both cervical and lumbar disc replacements.

And since 2013, customer service has always been Alison’s top

Yet, he aims to exhaust all conservative measures before offering surgery.

priority. “As a company, we want to know how we can better take care of our

Specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. Katz has performed

customers and our community,” Alison adds. One happy customer says: “If

such procedures for 19 years. His patients are thankful for his expertise and for

I call Precision Payment Systems, they handle it. It gets resolved right then

their ability to return to normal life in a shorter span of time. One appreciative

and there.”

patient adds, “I had awful low back and leg pain before Dr. Katz recommended

Alison holds three bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree. She

surgery. I am so grateful. Dr. Katz gave me my life back!”

serves in leadership roles for the National Association of Women Business

A New Orleans native, Dr. Katz is a board-certified orthopedic

Owners New Orleans and National Federation of Independent Business,

surgeon and a member of the North American Spine Society, Society for

sits on the Fore!Kids committee, and is highly involved with StayLocalNOLA

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and American Academy of Orthopaedic

as well as several chambers of commerce (both parish and state). She is a

Surgeons. Dr. Katz completed a Fellowship in Trauma with an emphasis on

regular attendee of Lakeview Christian Center.

Spine. He joined Westside Orthopaedic Clinic in 1996.

Precision Payment Systems serves independent businesses nationwide with a focus on the Southeast region. Located at 1912 Clearview Pkwy, Ste 201, in Metairie. www.PrecisionPaymentSystems.com.

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Westside Orthopaedic Clinic is located at 1301 Barataria Blvd. in Marrero. 504-347-0243. westsideortho.com.

F O O D

P A C K A G I N G

Ingrid Rinck

RINCK PACKAGING, INC. With a heart for local businesses, Sensible Meals CEO Ingrid Rinck wanted to share her resources with New Orleans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working 24 hours a day to prepare, she opened Rinck Packaging Inc. to help local Louisiana restaurants package and ship their food to customers nationwide in a safe and efficient way.

“I launched Rinck Packaging during this pandemic because I saw the chance to lead other Louisiana food industry businesses into national, cold storage shipping. We have been able to package and ship food affordably and quickly to help create another source of revenue for Southern businesses,” Ingrid explains.

Ingrid opened the doors of Sensible Meals’ 60,000 square-foot 38-degree facility for restaurants, seafood companies, grocery stores, and yes, even other meal prep companies to take advantage of. With the help of Sensible Meals’ over 1,000 employees, fleet of refrigerated trucks, and state-of-the-art vacuum sealing packaging equipment, other Louisiana businesses have been able to reach a wider customer base. As one of three companies in the U.S. to have this state-of-the-art vacuum seal machine, meals do not need preservatives and can be shipped in smaller containers all while remaining safe and untouched from the facility to the customer’s door.

“We are extending our low Sensible Meals rates on food, materials and shipping to every business that we are packaging for. It has taken us years to make all of the mistakes, build all of the facilities, and get the appropriate infrastructure to do this correctly.” She adds, “We are allowing other Louisiana businesses to skip all of those steps and go straight into safe, efficient nationwide shipping.”

Within the first few weeks of business, 21 local restaurants, two seafood companies, and two former competing meal prep companies were on board. Rinck Packaging locally preps, plates, labels, vacuum seals and cold storage ships food to Louisiana residents as well as nationwide. “Too many small businesses—especially restaurants—are struggling to stay open or keep their employees working. By giving them very discounted rates and even working with my direct competitors in this way, I’m helping to make sure people are staying afloat and innovating.”

What started out as a quick idea to help turned in to a fast growing, job-creating, Louisiana packaging and shipping company for New Orleans and surrounding areas. It has kept Sensible Meals and Rinck Packaging employees busy, created new jobs and helped food industry businesses keep their employees at work.

“I believe that being a good entrepreneur and business owner is more than just awards and making money,” Ingrid states. “It’s about being a leader for other businesses to see what responsible ownership and a heart for people is about.”

If you or your company are interested in state-of-the-art vacuum sealed packaging or low rate shipping with FedEx, please visit Rinckpackaging.com. For healthy meals delivered to your door, visit eatsensiblemeals.com.

J u n e - J u ly 2020 29

A C C O U N T I N G

BRAIN RULE

by Alison Burns

Bonnie Sarver

GULF SOUTH ACCOUNTING SERVICES, LLC Bonnie Sarver has a knack for numbers. While pursuing a psychology degree at the University of New Orleans, Bonnie elected to take accounting classes for a minor when she was approached by the accounting department chairman. “He noticed that I was getting better grades than the accounting majors,” Bonnie says. “Since the core requirements were the same for the jobs I wanted to pursue, he convinced me to change my major. I enjoyed the coursework so much that it also changed my career.”

A New Orleans native, Bonnie opened Gulf South Accounting Services in 2005 while working a full-time job. Following Katrina, she chose to stay in New Orleans although her job relocated to Nashville. Now celebrating 15 years in business, Bonnie offers accounting, payroll and tax services that can be customized to each client’s needs.

“I pride myself on offering personal attention,” she says. Bonnie enjoys meeting with new clients who have been trying to manage all tasks on their own. “I love to give them relief. They can focus on growing their business—and keeping their customers happy—while I focus on the deadlines and numbers.”

As a mother and business owner, Bonnie understands the need for flexibility. She offers flexible hours for working moms who are trying to start businesses or are working alone to get their businesses up and going. “I am grateful that my business has allowed me to encourage and support other female business owners,” Bonnie says. “I can help them make decisions, understand the numbers, and ensure that important deadlines are met so that they can continue on a path of success!”

A proud alumna of St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Bonnie earned her MBA in 2006. She is a member of the Fore!Kids Foundation, First Tee of Greater New Orleans and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. She volunteers at the Zurich Classic, her parish and her children’s school. In their free time, Bonnie, her husband, Mark, and their two boys enjoy playing golf.

To reach Bonnie, call 495-9994 or bonnie@gulfsouthaccounting.com. gulfsouthaccounting.com.

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OVERWHELM. Fear-guided judgement. Panic. Analysis paralysis.

Emotional decision-making.

These are some behaviors that can overtake business leaders and owners very quickly in an unstable environment like the COVID19 pandemic. It could also be your kids acting out, home life issues, health-declining parents, or big clients pulling their business. All of it is so uncertain, but one thing we know for certain: life will continue to throw curveballs, and occasionally those curveballs really rock our world. In crisis mode, cognitive overload occurs almost instantly, and emotions and anxiety run high.

As business leaders and owners, there are specific behaviors and skills that we can intentionally use to help us navigate challenging times. Now here’s the hard part…we have to make the decision to not let our emotions get the best of us in order to survive and thrive in uncertainty. Our brains must rule emotions to best adapt in these situations.

So how do you get your brain to rule in order to pivot and press forward?

Engage. As a leader, your priority should always be your team, and uncertain times is when they need you most. People want to know they are cared about, and someone has their back. There is a mountain of research on employee performance and leadership engagement, and now is the time to step it up (or start). You need them more than ever to achieve new goals and function in a new climate.

Make speedy decisions. Utilize the information available to make immediate judgment calls to move forward. Give grace in mistakes. You do not have time to sleep on it and analyze the decision to death. Define the priorities, and act.

Adapt boldly. Seek input from others who have more experience dealing with crises; you don’t know what you don’t know, but they do! Yes, even in a pandemic. There have been other historical pandemics and researching those teaches us a lot. Get creative! Boldly and confidently decide what you will do. Decide what you will not do (what will you not spend money or time on right now). The business term for this is “getting lean”. Trim the fat and do it in a bold way. It only has to be temporary!

Deliver. No really, DELIVER. This is a big one for me personally, so much so that one of my company’s core values is about reliable delivery to the customer! To most effectively do this, your team must all understand the end goal. If they do not understand this then you have not effectively delivered the message so that they can deliver the product to the customer. Accountability is the name of the game here, and a team is only as strong as its leader.

We are all faced with uncertain situations regularly, and it can either hinder or help us, overwhelm or catapult us, smother or uplift us. But that choice is ours to make.

Long live small businesses (even in crisis mode)!

Home for the Weekend

photos courtesy: MONEY HILL

with Money Hill’s Mimi Goodyear Dossett MONEY HILL, a century-old family business, has a long history of adapting and changing with the times.

Not surprisingly, these years of evolution found them perfectly placed to be an oasis for families to shelter in place, for parents to work from home, and for all to enjoy the outdoors, open spaces and amenities long since established on this beautifully high piece of ground in St. Tammany Parish.

This spring, as special rules and circumstances changed American life dramatically, people all over the country settled into their houses, tried to adapt their work and business, and found themselves spending much more time than ever in their backyards with family. While we are finally seeing life and activities get slowly back to normal, something in us is forever changed.

Here in Louisiana, amazingly beautiful weather for most of the spring made quarantine life a little more bearable, sometimes even fun, and no place was this more true than at Money Hill, where daily golf rounds were as heavy as the busiest weekend.

The entire community got out and walked, biked, paddle boarded, fished and enjoyed the sunshine.

The chef’s daily specials were picked up at the club or delivered by golf cart to an appreciative and friendly group of resident families, and most came to realize quickly that in good times or bad, your surroundings make a difference in your quality of life, and that being healthy and happy can actually be a life-saving prospect for all of us!

As the country has started to open up, everyone seems to be thinking along those lines, and the real estate market everywhere is responding with unbelievable vibration and activity. Lookers are out and about. Good interest rates, a housing shortage that has been building for years since the ’08 crash, and a few months of time for household projects that might never have been finished, have inspired people to put their houses on the market and to go look for new ones. Further, a surprising

number of people are looking for open land to build. Customization seems to be the new home and lifestyle theme as people adjust to working from home, home schooling, the idea of multiple generations living under the same roof, and the prospect that a virus can send us all back home at any time indefinitely and unexpectedly. Some trends, like working remotely and telemedicine, have been accelerated, but others, such as migration to urban areas and retirement homes and villages may need to be rethought.

If you are rethinking the idea of where you live and what you need, a good place to start is by taking inventory of how your needs and wants have changed as a result of COVID-19 and 2020.

Many people are moving aging parents in with them, and some of the younger generation who have returned to their homes from city jobs or colleges may not be leaving anytime soon. Grandparents forced to socially isolate from their kids and grandkids are realizing how important time together is. Numerous friends and relatives are looking for adjacent lots and homes, closer to the people they care about.

Knowing whether we will have a resurgence of the virus and a new quarantine, which businesses will be able to come back or thrive in a new environment, and how commercial real estate will be affected by the pandemic are all anyone’s guess. But in residential real estate, one thing is certain: if and when you are instructed to go home and stay home, you want to make sure that home really is where your heart is!

Customdesigned golf condos now available.

Starting at under $300,000.

J u n e - J u ly 2 0 20 31

New Orleans Actors Discuss the Shuttering of Hollywood

by Leslie Cardé

John Goodman on the set of “The Conners” with his castmates.

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WHEN THE ABC HIT SHOW “The Conners” wrapped up production this past February, no one on the cast or crew dreamed that production for the following season would be upended by a pandemic that wasn’t even on anyone’s radar at the time. Although the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus hit the U.S. on January 21, (the patient was a man from Washington state who had just returned from visiting Wuhan, China), by March 15, the virus known as COVID-19 had spread to all 50 states. Stayat-home orders were initiated, along with CDC guidelines for social distancing. It was not a scenario conducive to being on a motion picture set, or a Broadway stage where audiences are elbow-to-elbow. The entertainment industry as a whole was suddenly shut down.

“With ‘The Conners’ wrapped, I had come to Charleston, South Carolina where I was supposed to be shooting further episodes of ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ for HBO,” says John Goodman, who’s originally from St. Louis but has called New Orleans home since he married

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a local girl over 30 years ago. “My phone rang, and I was told they were shutting down production for two months.

Now, of course every actor wonders when the industry will ever be able to come back, and with what changes. I’ve been sitting on the beach here on the east coast, but I’m going to go back to New Orleans now for a couple of weeks to wait and see how this all plays out.”

For native New Orleanian actor Wendell Pierce, who seems to be on a roll with multiple projects in film, on television, and in the theater, the news that Hollywood was closing its doors came while he was in L.A. on March 13, he had just flown in from Great Britain, where he had portrayed Willy Lohmann, the lead in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” in London’s West End. “There was a heightened awareness on the West Coast that the virus was coming,” remembers Pierce. “Los Angeles County had already seen community transmission in a number of patients, and I began to tell my friends to prepare for the next three months, because life as they

photos: ABC

Hanging at Home

knew it was going to change. The first case had occurred just days earlier in New Orleans and since my Dad is 95, I came straight home. (Pierce also has a home in Pasadena.) I was soon to have begun shooting Season 3 of ‘Jack Ryan’ (the hit series on Amazon Prime with co-star John Krasinski) in of all places, China. Needless to say, China was completely shut down, along with all of Hollywood.”

Bryan Batt was born and raised here in New Orleans, but moved to New York City right out of college and became a fixture in Broadway productions. He then moved on to movies like “12 Years A Slave”and became a regular on the AMC hit series, “Mad Men” and MTV’s “Scream”. This past March, he was rehearsing a new play bound for Broadway, when the news came.

“I remember exactly what day I was told about the Broadway shutdown, because they had just dyed my hair for the runthrough of “The King’s Speech” in which I was playing Lionel Logue, the speech therapist who works with the future King George VI on his speech impediment. (The role was made famous by Geoffrey Rush in the film version.) It was March 12 when the producers marched in that afternoon and told me that Broadway was closed for the foreseeable future, and that we were cancelled.”

The worldwide shutdown caused by the novel coronavirus affected everyone immediately, and Hollywood’s film industry is still feeling the ripple effect of productions which wrapped long ago. Theatrical productions that were in post-production suddenly found themselves with no theaters in which to display their new films.

“We were in the process of scoring our new film (Swinglake Entertainment’s “Walkaway Joe”) which was shot entirely in and around New Orleans, when we realized the virus was marching across the world,” says Rachel McHale, co-producer of the new film with her partners, Minor Childers and scriptwriter Michael Milillo.

“We originally thought we would release the film on Father’s Day, but as the months wore on and movie theaters along with everything else shut down, our distributors decided, with no end in sight, that we would release the film in the beginning of May on Amazon and other streaming platforms, while everyone was still at home, socially distancing.”

For the entertainment industry, the dilemma is two-fold. With no theaters to >> J u n e - J u ly 2 020 33

run its films, the often costly projects must be released to recoup investments, but on a platform commensurate with a safe viewing environment. So, with many distributors choosing to release movies on streaming platforms, what will the movie theaters run when they finally open?

For the New Orleans actors who have projects which have been waylaid, a new season of an ongoing series to be released, or the hijacking of a Broadway-bound production, it’s called biding one’s time until we have more certainty about the future.

The very nature of the entertainment world involves up close and personal relationships between castmates as well as between cast and crew members. And, when it comes to live stage productions, what would they be without audiences and the feedback they provide to those on stage? Every principal in the industry is trying to come up with innovative ideas to solve this daunting puzzle.

“A friend of mine was recently cast in a pilot that was scheduled to shoot in Los Angeles,” says Batt. “But with the ongoing conundrum about how to film and keep everyone safe, the producers have come up with a rather unconventional solution— quarantine the cast and crew together, and after 2 weeks when and if no one is sick and they are all safe from one another (meaning no one is contagious), let them begin filming together while remaining quarantined for the duration of the pilot shoot.”

Within the framework of a pilot, this might actually be a practical solution for shooting one episode. But, what happens to actors like Goodman or Pierce who need to get multiple episodes in the can in order that the next seasons of their shows resume without a hitch? Quarantining actors away from their families and others doesn’t make much sense long term.

“I cannot really plan anything at the moment, because I certainly have an obligation to ‘The Conners,’” says Goodman.

“Shooting is supposed to resume in August, but that’s months away and I don’t have a crystal ball as to how this problem might or can be resolved by then.”

“Until we get to the point where everyone can be reliably tested, there’s just no way to know where we are,” says Pierce. “I’m not just an actor, I’m also a businessman, so I understand things from different angles, including an investment standpoint. I just recently bought WLBK (a radio station in New Orleans), and I 34

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photo: NBC

photo: AMC

explained to the employees how we’d be doing at-home broadcasting, because until we know that everyone has tested negative, we have to be exceedingly careful.”

Every business is different and comes with its own special set of problems relative to social distancing. Batt, who with his partner owns a chic boutique in New Orleans called Hazelnut, has been navigating how to move forward as retail restrictions are loosening.

“We’ve had a lean couple of months,” explains Batt, “but we’re surviving based on online orders, and my special deliveries—literally. I’m spending some of my newly found idle time driving to people’s homes, putting the packages on their doorsteps, and calling to let them know that their purchases have arrived. We’ve also instituted a policy of shopping by appointment because that way we can control the flow of customers in the store and maintain social distancing for everyone’s safety.”

For Goodman, who’s had a stellar career in film and on television, as well as on Broadway, with multiple awards and nominations in the Golden Globe and Emmy categories, as well as numerous others, complaining isn’t in his DNA. He feels fortunate, he tells me.

For Pierce, who’s been nominated for an Olivier Award for his recent lead portrayal in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman”, along with his multiple film awards for “Selma” and last year’s “Burning Cane”, it’s time to chill.

“While other people are dying to get to the hair salon to stop looking woolly, I’m saying ‘let it go,’” laughs Pierce.

“If anyone asks, I tell them I’m getting shaggy for a role.”

All of these New Orleans actors are looking forward >>

Top: Wendell Pierce on the set of “Chicago PD” with Co-star Jason Beghe.

Above: Bryan Batt on the set of “Mad Men” with co-star Christina Hendricks.

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to getting back to work whenever it’s safe for all involved, because all have multiple projects in limbo. For Batt, who has won multiple SAG awards for his ensemble work on “Mad Men”, he has projects he’s actually lost track of.

“Right before my birthday on March 1, I filmed a movie for Netflix called ‘Night Teeth’, and with all of the commotion about the virus shortly after I filmed, I still don’t know whether the movie actually wrapped or has now finished post-production. So, I have no idea exactly when that’s coming out. And, I filmed a movie called ‘American Reject’ a spoof about reality TV, showing the underbelly of those shows. Of course, I’m looking forward to the re-opening of Broadway, not just for my play, but for all of the actors out of work, and all of the folks who love seeing a play or musical as a great form of live entertainment.”

For Goodman, he’s looking forward to the drive between New Orleans and L.A., whenever that is, so he can return to the set of “The Conners”.

“It’s a long commute, and this year I’m going to do the northern route as it’s a much prettier drive than I-10 during the hottest time of the year,” says Goodman. “After all the years of doing (first) ‘Roseanne’ and now ‘The Conners’, this cast is like family, so I would miss it if the hiatus drags on with no end in sight. In the meantime I’ve gotten a puppy. He’s biting the hell out of me, and looks like Pac Man with ears, but I have time now to spend with our little golden retriever, while I’m off the road.”

“You have to look at the positive side of this pandemic,” says Pierce. “We’ve learned that if we all stay at home we can actually have a positive impact on the environment.

It’s not too late to implement changes, as it turns out. In the meantime, I’m trying to help out our wonderful restaurants, which are struggling, by getting on what I call the ‘culinary tour train’. I pick new restaurants every week whose food I want to enjoy, then order take-out. No ambiance? I do a tablecloth and candles and provide my own atmosphere. And, this is the time to study the classic films or read a wonderful novel, like ‘The Emperor of Ocean Park’, or ‘Deep Is the Hunger’, both of which I recommend highly.

And he has a lot to look forward to once Hollywood opens its doors again.

He’ll be filming “After the Storm” about a dysfunctional family, and he’s producing a movie called “Billy” about the youngest 36

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photo: SKIP BOLEN

New Orleans still photographer, Skip Bolen, with his version of how photographers might go back on set in this viral era.

person ever to be executed in America. He will also star in “Ghost of the Ozarks” a sci-fi mystery which will shoot in Arkansas.

For Batt, he’s most worried that if we don’t heed CDC warnings and get back to business as usual too soon, we’ll pay the price. “Are we willing to abandon social distancing and masks and put up with massive deaths to get herd immunity,” laments Batt. “It’s pretty dangerous. My brother is diabetic. Who are we all willing to lose?”

As mental health professionals will tell you, the best way to survive this pandemic is to have a plan, and a schedule to implement it. For Pierce, it’s time to recharge and hone his craft.

“I’m trying to take advantage of this time to be the artist I want to be. That way, when all of this ends, I’ll be prepared.”

Whenever Hollywood re-opens, it will be with a very different structure, most insiders believe. The crowd scenes may have to be 86’d, location shoots will probably be out, and actors and crews may need to be tested regularly. It’s a different world everyone will be living in until we get a vaccine—not just for those in Hollywood, but for all of us.

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IN Better Health

with Rebecca Conwell

by Leah Draffen

Condition: breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma)

photo: STROUT PHOTOGRAPHY

Treatment: bilateral nipplesparing mastectomies and bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction

Rebecca Conwell with Dr. John P. Guste of Guste Plastic Surgery.

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AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED with atypical hyperplasia 11 years ago, Rebecca Conwell always has had mammograms every six months. Many mammograms and multiple biopsies later, Rebecca thought her last biopsy would be another false alarm, but this time, it was cancer. After her initial breast cancer diagnosis, Rebecca was referred to Dr. John P. Guste of Guste Plastic Surgery.

“While I was waiting for my appointment I immediately tapped into my network for advice and recommendations. We are fortunate to live in a city with two top medical schools and three highly respected health care systems, so I was armed pretty quickly with a list of surgeons who came with strong endorsements including Dr. Guste,” Rebecca says.

Dr. Guste says: “When I met Ms. Conwell for the first time, she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. However, she was calm and confident that she would be a survivor. What impressed me the most was how informed and well-read she was in regard to her reconstructive options. Most patients initially are not. She had a list of very specific questions and was definitely ‘interviewing’ me.”

After meeting Dr. Guste, Rebecca knew her choice.

“I chose Dr. Guste because of the way he communicated with me as a prospective patient. He was intrigued (not offended) that I had a list and was carefully considering my options,” she says. “He immediately discussed the importance of building a network of support (friends and family) and mapped out in detail what to expect when facing a double mastectomy and reconstruction.

For the first time since my diagnosis, I left his office optimistic about my new journey with cancer.”

When talking about Rebecca’s treatment plan, Dr. Guste says, “Due to her type of breast cancer, and having a history of multiple biopsies, she underwent bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomies. Since she desired to use her own tissue for reconstruction, she had bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction immediately at the same time as her mastectomies.”

The successful surgeries and recovery allowed Rebecca to return to normal life rather quickly. “The second surgery impacted more of my torso, but I am pain free now and I’m enjoying the added benefit of the results of the liposuction that was needed to complete my reconstruction. I feel that working out accelerated my recovery and the results. I led a fairly healthy lifestyle prior to my diagnosis, but an experience like this definitely leaves you with the desire to support your health through a good diet and exercise. I went almost five months without exercising, so once I was cleared, I eased into it with yoga. Flap reconstruction greatly impacts your abdomen, so I was anxious at first. After a few weeks I gained the courage to return to a more strenuous workout at City Surf and Orange Theory.”

Dr. Guste adds, “Ms. Conwell had successful breast reconstruction using her own tissue. She has an overall improved contour of her abdomen and breasts which looks like a cosmetic tummy tuck and breast lift. And most importantly, she is cancer free.”

Rebecca shares, “When you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you are immediately forced to navigate a myriad of emotions and decisions about the type of care that is best for you. You build a team that includes surgeons, a hematologist and choice of hospital.

Dr. Guste (and the entire team of surgeons, staff and the nurses at Touro Hospital) provided the nicest physician experience I could have ever imagined given the circumstances. He is a perfectionist, a trait you value when someone is literally rebuilding you, and great cheerleader (‘you are going to look great when this is over’) while still maintaining the personal skills he had in our first visit. I was pleasantly surprised on numerous occasions by the level of empathy he showed my daughter and the friends in my support system.

For me, plastic surgery provided a bridge to establishing my new normal and feeling whole again. I can share with great enthusiasm Dr. Guste was the perfect decision for getting me there.”

A graduate of Jesuit High School and Louisiana State University, Dr. Guste attended LSUHSC- School of Medicine in Shreveport for his Medical Doctorate, Tulane Department of Surgery for General Surgery Residency, and LSUHSC Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for fellowship training. Dr. Guste is a Double Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction, cosmetic breast and body contouring, and facial aesthetics. To learn more about Dr. Guste, visit jansenplasticsurgery.com.

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photo courtesy: AL COPELAND FOUNDATION

Fish House donated product for the event.

“I’m excited to be back in the kitchen—cooking and doing what I love,” said Setchim. “And it feels great that the first people I get to cook for since closing are our own employees and our beloved musicians. While they missed the opportunity to do what they love during French Quarter Festival, we look forward to hearing them again very soon!”

The Good Stuff

image: TERRANCE OSBORNE

Be a Hero. Thank a Hero.

IT’S NO SURPRISE that New Orleanians stepped up for one another during COVID-19. While staying at home, essentially working or fighting on the frontlines, so many lent a hand to help their neighbors. We gathered a sampling of the good deeds that have been happening in our kind city.

Honoring the Medical Workers Artist Terrance Osborne honored medical workers with Front Line inspired by Rosie the Riveter. He gave away 1,000 free prints to local hospitals as a thank you to their hard work and dedication. You can purchase a print at terranceosborne.com.

The Al Copeland Foundation delivered care packages to real-life heroes in Louisiana hospitals. The essential items have been individually identified by the hospitals’ first responders who are working tirelessly in the fight against COVID-19. The Al Copeland Foundation launched the “Be A Hero. Thank a Hero” campaign to provide a level of comfort in an overly chaotic work environment. “The idea behind ‘Be A Hero. Thank a Hero.’ is to give these heroes the strength and energy they need to stay in the fight for us,” said Al Copeland, CEO and chairman of the Al Copeland Foundation. “After working long, grueling shifts, they often are left with little or no time to refuel. We are listening to the needs of the hospitals and identifying with our suppliers’ items to send. We hope that the essential care packages will offer some relief and make a difference in their lives.” The Copeland Family kicked off the campaign with a $10,000 donation to provide essential care packages to four area hospitals: Touro, Ochsner Kenner, Ochsner Northshore and Our Lady of The Lake Hospital. The Al Copeland Foundation has reached out to hospitals across Louisiana to identify the items their first responders need.

Essential grocery items included on the list are items such as fresh produce, dairy items, meat, poultry, protein and

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photo courtesy: SAINTLY SKIN

Meals for Musicians Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, in partnership with New Orleans Fish House and French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), served meals to local musicians and Broussard’s employees as a kickoff to its reopening.

Broussard’s was scheduled to sponsor the American Roots stage located inside the New Orleans Jazz Museum as part of its culinary lineup sponsorship of French Quarter Festival. In honor of that sponsorship, Chef Jimi Setchim prepared to-go meals of fried catfish, shrimp fried rice, and cucumber and tomato salad for 400 guests. New Orleans

PPE Relief Facials for Frontline Workers As a thank you to frontline heroes, Megan Naccari and her team at Saintly Skin offered free to-go PPE Relief Facials to local healthcare workers. Tired workers were able to enjoy a little skin TLC after hard days and nights at work. Saintly Skin delivered to local facilities and made the facials available for pick-up at their Metairie office.

Lunch Delivered Aucoin Hart Jewelers treated Ochsner Baptist workers to 12 huge pizzas from Fat Boy’s Pizza. Some of Aucoin Hart’s staff delivered delicious Central City BBQ and Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza to hardworking essential friends at NOLA Discount Pharmacy and Canseco’s Markets.

POB United

photo courtesy: POB UNITED

Port Orleans Brewing Co. with NATCO Food Service, Louisiana Fresh Produce, and Blue Runner Red Beans served freshly prepared food for pick-up for

photo courtesy: POB UNITED

photo courtesy: AUCOIN HART JEWELERS

breakfast bars, juices, water, as well as, dry good such as paper plates, toilet paper and paper towels. In the first three weeks, over 180,000 care items were delivered. For more information, visit BeAHeroThankAHero.com.

service industry employees. The free meals helped those in need until they are able to get back to work. “With overwhelming support from community partners and friends, we started a local non-profit, POB United, to help support our service industry,” said Zach Strief, Port Orleans Brewing Co. owner. “I am grateful to be able to provide some assistance to those who have given so much of themselves to make New Orleans what it is today—a city full of love and hospitality.” The money raised through POB United was used to purchase goods from NATCO, Louisiana Fresh, and Blue Runner and employed local chefs with their teams to cook the meals, thus providing them with a paycheck, while providing meals for others. Free meals were distributed every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Build a Poor Boy + Feed a Community Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts reopened many of its restaurants following the COVID-19 closures with specially priced six-inch, $6 poor boys in an effort to support the local community. In celebration of getting back to business, the Ammari brothers took a page from history when the Martin brothers offered cheap sandwiches during the economic slump of the 1920s, offering the discounted poor boys to help those who have been out of work. In honor of the poor boy, Creole Cuisine will donate $1 from each poor boy and invites guests to make donations on guest checks to the Second Harvest Food Bank, where every dollar feeds four people.

TABASCO® brand will match guest donations and Leidenheimer Baking Co. is partnering with Creole Cuisine by donating the bread for this initiative. One hundred percent of all donations will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank and their mission to fight hunger across South Louisiana. “Our prayers have been answered, and we are thrilled to be reopening our dining rooms to our guests >> J u n e - J u ly 2 0 20 41

photo courtesy: FIDELITY BANK

and friends,” said Marv Ammari, CEO of Creole Cuisine.

“Our restaurants are more than just a place to eat; they serve as a gathering place for celebrations, anniversaries, milestones. We are honored to be able to share those experiences with you and can’t wait to be a part of them long into the future. Thank you for keeping the faith and supporting us throughout this difficult time in history.”

For more information, visit creolecuisine.com.

Over 100,000 Meals to Patients

Feed the Frontline NOLA

Reducing Rates for Neighbors

photo courtesy: LEE MICHAELS FINE JEWELERS

In an effort to help customers during these challenging times, State Farm® is working to reduce auto

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photo courtesy: LEE MICHAELS FINE JEWELERS

Port Orleans Brewing Co. and POB United joined forces with Brittany and Drew Brees and the Brees Dream Foundation to provide family care packages for Ochsner Hospital patients who have been tested for COVID-19 or patients who are being discharged to home following any medical treatment for the coronavirus. These care packages provide a weeks’ worth of groceries for a family of four and are a collection of essentials gathered by partners NATCO Food Service and Louisiana Fresh Produce. “We felt like this was an area that was being overlooked, and we didn’t want anyone to slip through the cracks,” said Drew Brees. “It’s an easy decision to give back to the people of the city who have given so much of themselves.” The Brees Dream Foundation has committed to matching up to $100,000 to this initiative. Additional support for the care package program comes from the Terron Armstead Foundation, BTE Foundation and Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company.

Many businesses including Fidelity Bank and Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry sponsored meals through Feed the Frontline NOLA. Feed the Frontline NOLA employs out-of-work musicians and artists all while supporting local restaurants. Hospitals across New Orleans including Tulane Medical Center, Ochsner Health and University Medical Center New Orleans enjoyed donated meals.

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insurance rates in Louisiana by an average of 9.6%. This rate reduction will save one million State Farm customers a total of $132 million. This applies to current customers at policy renewal, as well as new and returning customers.

“Current State Farm driving data and claims experience show a considerable decline in miles driven and fewer accidents,” said Phillip Hawkins, State Farm Senior Vice President. “As a result, we’re looking for ways to continue supporting our Louisiana customers while we monitor and adjust to trends.” Customers are encouraged to visit with their local State Farm agents Taylor Lambert or Mary Beth Rittiner about individual policies, coverage and any opportunities for discounts, including Drive Safe & Save.

Get Fit

Crushing It

by Ingrid Rinck

During COVID-19 How to Come Out of this Social Isolation Healthier, Fitter, and More Mentally Stable

I WAS RECENTLY ASKED the question about how I planned to get a beach body during quarantine, and that really got me thinking. For starters, a beach body won’t do me any good if there’s no place to go…and for who knows how long. Secondly, and more importantly, I think while it’s wonderful to dream and to think about the future always (y’all know by now that I’m a huge vision board person) right now I understand that people aren’t thinking necessarily about their long-term goals and dreams.

They’re merely just trying to get through each week.

We will definitely make it through this hard period of time, and even just coming out on the other end relatively unscathed will be something to brag about. Rather than striving for perfection, and that perfect beach body, why not just strive to come out of quarantine better than when we went into it?

By setting attainable goals for ourselves we can feel a sense of pride and accomplishment during this crisis, learn some new skills, perhaps master others, and spend some quality time with our family. If we don’t come out of this looking like swimsuit models, that’s okay—we made it through and ideally a better version of ourselves.

Here are some ways that you can crush it during COVID-19: 1. Schedule a Live Class. Thanks to modern technology you can now participate in live on-demand classes. By adding them into your calendar and blocking out other distractions from that half hour or hour, you’ll set yourself up for success. Pat yourself on the back when you’re done and try to get your kids or your spouse involved with you, so that everyone becomes a little bit healthier.

Ideas to try: Sensible Meals on YouTube and Jerren Pierce at Equipfit both offer free workouts. Another great resource is the Romney streaming app by another local trainer, Erin Romney.

2. Learn a New Skill. Pick something you always were intrigued to learn, give yourself a definitive time and start practicing. For an added push, share your progress on social media to help keep you accountable as your

friends/family get to watch you succeed!

Ideas to try: Meditation (try the Calm app), crocheting, learning to play the guitar, cooking, baking, or even learning a choreographed dance routine would be super fun ( for the whole family).

3. Get rid of temptations. There’s probably something in your house that isn’t good for you and looking at it, or being near it, every day is probably making you want to cheat. If you’re trying to quit smoking, don’t have a “rainy day cigarette” in your home. If you’re trying to drink less, lock up your bar. If you’re trying to eat right, get rid of those unhealthy snacks and replace them with better alternatives.

Ideas to try: Sensible Meals has healthy food options and you know we have your back! We provide already cooked meals that can be picked up safely or delivered to your door.

4. Tie Up Loose Ends. We all have a to-do list and many of us have some boxes that never seem to get checked off. Go through those lists and tie up loose ends, finish things, and complete tasks that you previously left incomplete because you didn’t have the time.

Ideas to try: Go through your phone and listen to voicemails, delete old ones, return all phone calls. Clean out a closet that you haven’t touched in years, or finally attack that junk drawer in your kitchen.

5. Focus on your emotional health, and the emotional health of your family. We are often rushed in regular life and are so busy making sure bills are paid and bodies are staying in shape that we don’t get to truly check in with our significant others and children about where they are at in their own lives. Admittedly, the “what did you do today?” question is kind of useless right now, but you can ask your kids questions like “what is your favorite color?” or “is there anything you wish that Mommy and Daddy would do more of with you?” or “what would you like to be when you grow up?”

Ideas to try: Let each family member write down a few questions on a piece of paper and throw them into a bowl. At each meal, take turns answering a few that you’ve pulled randomly. Another fun idea is to take turns allowing each family member to plan a meal, a dinner conversation topic, and an after-meal social activity, like choreographing a dance routine as mentioned above.

After you’ve done these things, you’ll probably feel pretty empowered, so don’t stop there! Please tag me @IngridRinck or @SensibleMeals so that I can see your progress.

I’d love to see what all of you are accomplishing during these uncertain times!

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Senior Care Resources Whether you are planning for your own senior living experience or for your loved ones, there are many choices to make and many options to consider. Lifestyles for seniors have become more vibrant and fulfilling with choices to suit most people and a wide range of care requirements. The below will provide a quick look at some of the best choices available in the area, along with other helpful servives. You can get to know a little bit about these resources before you schedule on-site visits. We hope it will help you feel prepared and confident in your options!

Belle Vie Living Center 535 Commerce St, Gretna 504-393-9595 bellevielivingcenter.com Skilled Nursing care at Belle Vie Living Center is dedicated to providing quality, compassionate care that meets the changing needs of residents.

Christwood Retirement Community 100 Christwood Blvd, Covington 985-898-0515 or 800-480-4361 christwoodrc.com Independent living, assisted living, cognitive memory care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, companion services, Christwood at Home, and Christwood Dementia Home Services.

Dependable In Home Care 702 N. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans 504-486-5044 dependablecare.net The caregivers you request, when you need them, at a price you can afford. Locally owned and operated since 1969.

Family Dermatology Specialists, LLC 3421 N Causeway Blvd., Ste. 202, Metairie 504-832-6612 Family Dermatology Specialists, LLC focus on total skin wellness, including the prevention and treatment of skin cancer.

Home Care Solutions 3421 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 502, Metairie 504-828-0900 homecareneworleans.com Home Care Solutions offers non-medical in-home care and professional Aging Life Care Management. Experts in aging well since 1991, Home Care Solutions has a range of services that includes personalized home care with an Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s specialization. Their Geriatric Care Managers can outline and coordinate a comprehensive plan of care for aging loved ones.

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Lambeth House 150 Broadway, New Orleans 504-865-1960 LambethHouse.com Lambeth House is New Orleans’ only continuing care retirement community with LifeCare, which guarantees access to on-site assisted living and nursing care, if ever needed, at stable monthly fees.

Poydras Home 5354 Magazine St, New Orleans 504-897-0535 poydrashome.com Poydras Home is a continuing care retirement community located in the heart of Uptown.

Serving New Orleanians for more than 200 years, Poydras Home offers independent living, assisted living and nursing care as well as memory care and an adult day program.

Sensible Meals 985-237-1011 eatsensiblemeals.com Sensible Meals is an online meal prep company that provides fresh, affordable, and convenient meals.

St. Anthony’s Gardens 601 Holy Trinity Dr, Covington 985-605-5950 StAnthonysGardens.org A ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans specializing in independent living 55+ and older; assisted living; and memory care.

Thibodaux Regional Medical Center 602 N. Acadia Rd., Thibodaux 985-447-5500 thibodaux.com At Thibodaux Regional, you are not a number – you are someone who will be treated with respect, cared for with compassion, and treated kindly.

Westside Orthopaedic Clinic 1301 Barataria Blvd., Marrero 504-347-0243 westsideortho.com Westside Orthopaedic Clinic is a full service orthopaedic clinic offering a wide array of orthopaedic care and services. Specializing in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (including microdiscectomy and lumbar fusions), kyphoplasty, and cervical disc surgery.

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LANDSCAPE DESIGNER Katz of Exterior Designs, Inc. left nothing to chance when her client presented her with the challenge to design something special for a backyard that longed for character, yet needed to be functional. She listened carefully, as she does with all her clients, when the homeowner specifically requested a space for entertaining and relaxing. Today, the praiseworthy garden addresses everything on the homeowner’s wish list. Katz delivered an attractive space for entertaining, which also includes a stately custom built fireplace, brick paved courtyard and flamboyantly lush gardens throughout.

The brick selected for the fireplace complements what was used on the house originally, blending seamlessly and appearing as if it has always been there.

Upon entering, vibrant colors greet the eye and draw them toward a large multitrunk Savannah Holly tree. An elegant fountain anchors the space while setting the stage for a colorful garden flanking the kitchen window. The homeowner especially enjoys the fountain placed outside the kitchen window which creates a therapeutic ambiance with the soothing sound of the water trickling.

Katz compares accents in the garden to accessorizing your outfit with jewelry.

Careful thought of placement, shape, color and design of water features, furniture and containers personalize the space. Pink impatiens hang in baskets and beautiful pots, and planters on the cocktail table repeat elements found within the garden.

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Ivy dribbles at the base of the containers and over the fireplace mantle, drawing greenery off the ground and softening the look. “Just as jewelry makes you feel special, while tying together the overall appearance, art in a garden creates a similar feeling,” she says. “It is the finishing touch.”

A cedar fence was constructed to enlarge the rear yard and accommodate the play system. The naturally patina fence also assists in screening the busy street, offering an escape from the city. On the inside, trees were strategically placed to provide shade where needed. Assorted crepe myrtle varieties and Savannah hollies were selected for their propensity to thrive in this region. Katz stresses the importance of tree selection, pointing out it is imperative to choose varieties recommended for stability and to endure the region’s weather patterns.

Intended to be enjoyed from inside the home as well as out, the garden incorporates varying textures and heights, creating visual interest from both perspectives. Dwarf mondo grass provides a lush filler of dark green blades and is the ideal backdrop for surrounding pink geraniums, blue salvias and sun-loving impatiens.

The homeowner wanted to include sasanquas, camellias, hibiscus and azaleas, along with colorful seasonal annuals. Orange bromeliad plants provide an exotic touch and a hint of yellow in the sea of pink and purple of blooming chrysanthemums. There certainly is no shortage of color in this stimulating garden!

photos courtesy: EXTERIOR DESIGNS

Designing a backyard for function and relaxation

Flourishes

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1. Hand-rubbed stone vessel on hand-forged iron base by Jan Barboglio. Greige Home Interiors, Covington, 985-8757576. 2. Governor Pool House Lantern, $400-600. Available in three sizes, Copper or Stainless Steel. Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, 522-9485, bevolo.com. 3. Insulated Hot Rod Cooler with drain and functioning wheels, 40” l x 21” w x 20.5” h.

Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 985-893-8008. 4. Wolf Gourmet home appliances. Available at Nordic Kitchen and Baths, Metairie, 8882300, nordickitchens.com.

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Flourishes 1

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1. Perfect for adding color or softness to any small space, a variety of handwoven 2’ x 3’ rugs from many different countries are available. NOLA Rugs, Inc, 891-3304.

2. Blaze Challenger Island with power burner, grill, outdoor refrigerator, double drawers, and double access doors.

Southland Plumbing Supply, Metairie, 835-8411. 3. New summer items in the store now. Hilltop Shoppe, 533-9670.

4. Glazed stoneware planter with raised flower buds, $149. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 985624-4045.

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INside Look 1

1. Roberto Coin Pois Moi Collection 18k white and yellow gold diamond nail bangle, $4,500.

Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 832-0000.

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2. New Contemporary Austin gas or electric lantern from The CopperSmith, available in 24” and 30”, starting at $838. Gulf Coast Lanterns, 800910-3275, gulfcoastlanterns.com. 3. Blue 3

and white striped tie-front shirt by Finley; Catherine Canino elephant pendant on navy cord; Joe’s dark indigo Icon ankle jeans. Ballin’s LTD, 866-4367. 4. St. Louis Cathedral wrap necklace, back of pendant engraved with “Love, Nola”, $220. Reagan Charleston Jewelry, ReaganCharleston.com.

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INside Look

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1. Omega Seamaster Diver300M in stainless and 18K Sedna gold, $6,800. Boudreaux’s Jewelers, Metairie, 8312602. 2. Protect and perfect with Daily Ultimate Protection Moisturizer SPF 50 and Daily Defense Lip Enhancer SPF 15; MAX Wrinkle Smoother; and MAX Contour Gel Crème.

Saintly Skin, Metairie, 475-5510, saintlyskin.com. 3. The first advanced skincare product that shows an almost immediate change in the skin hydration and cumulative dramatic changes by six weeks. Family Dermatology Specialists, LLC, Metairie, 832-6612.

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4. Riverbend Collection 14K Swiss blue topaz and diamond earrings, $810. Symmetry Jewelers, 861-9925, symmetryjewelers.com.

5. Skinbetter Science A-team Duo Kit with Alto Defense Serum and the Alpharet Overnight Cream, $140. New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery, 533-8848. 6. Seaglass

by Jeanne Rosier Smith, pastel on sanded paper, 26� x 26� framed.

Available through Degas Gallery, 826-9744. 7. Abalone Shell Necklace with soldered crystal and abalone pendant, $168. Jennifer Ponson Jewelry Design, 850-698-3183, JenniferPonson.com.

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The Beach is Calling WHILE YOUR SPRING BREAK TRIPS may have been canceled, coronavirus isn’t stopping summer beach trips! Now that South Walton and Destin beaches are open, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties has been sharing ways to sink your toes into the sand safely. Below are some of their suggestions:

1. Travel by car and limit contact with other travelers. This seems obvious but the less contact you and your loved ones have with others during your travels to the beach the better. Avoiding crowded airports, oversold airplanes and high traffic rest stops, which are a hub for germs, is highly recommended.

2. Wash hands regularly. This is one of those times when washing your hands frequently is a good thing. The CDC recommends travelers wash their hands often with soap and water or at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

3. Avoid crowded accommodations by staying in a private vacation rental home. By reducing your contact with others, you’ll reduce the chances of being exposed to Coronavirus. Therefore, when it is safe for healthy families to travel, a private South Walton or Destin vacation rental home is a great choice. Rental homes provide more space and a private setting for you and your group to relax and enjoy your vacation with limited public contact. In a vacation rental home, families can avoid eating in busy restaurants by preparing meals at home in the home’s fully stocked kitchen.

4. Purchase travel insurance to protect your vacation. We have confirmed that Newman-Dailey’s Travel Insurance provider, Red Sky, will cover cancellation or interruption in your vacation stay if a member of the traveling party contracts Coronavirus and you supply a doctor’s note. In addition, Red Sky also provides emergency assistance service and emergency 52

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roadside service as part of your coverage.

5. Book your vacation and travel with confidence. We are hopeful that this pandemic will end quickly as we begin welcoming guests back to the beach. We are encouraging families to book their summer beach vacation, travel with confidence as we have relaxed our deposit schedule and are offering our “Break Free” special offer for guests to enjoy 10% stays of three nights or more from May through December 2020. Some restrictions apply.

To learn more about traveling safely or to find your perfect getaway rental, visit destinvacation.com.

M A R R I A G E A N D L O V E I N photos: Brocato Photography

Copeland-Cutrera

Surrounded by the merriment of the holidays, Alyssa Mary Copeland and Luke Nick Cutrera wed at the Holy Name of Jesus Church. Alyssa’s maids donned gold sequin dresses to complement her elegant off-the-shoulder gown from Town & Country. Following the ceremony, guests reconvened at the Copeland Tower’s Mardi Gras Ballroom to celebrate.

Upon arrival, guests walked down a black carpet flanked by gold candelabras on white pedestals. Owned by the bride’s family, the space held many memories for Alyssa. Its stunning crystal chandeliers and gold ceilings were the perfect anchors for Alyssa’s love of gold.

The setting was designed by Amanda Price of Amanda Price Events. A main focal point of the evening was the monogrammed “C” created by stationer Ashley Barado of Invitobella. The monogram—the groom’s only request— was incorporated it into the stationery, paper goods, dance floor, bar fronts, champagne wall, and ice sculpture.

Sparkler fountains at each corner of the dance floor were set off during Alyssa and Luke’s first dance (and a few more times during the evening just for fun). Calfee Productions provided the tunes as artist Jared Osterhold captured the fun with a live painting. Guests enjoyed Alyssa’s favorite Copeland’s dishes, Big Al’s cosmos, a wedding cake

by Deidre Gowland, and the groom’s “computer” cake by Haydel’s Bakery. The newlyweds honeymooned at Sandals in St. Lucia before returning home to Metairie.

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INside Peek 1. - 4. Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts and their many restaurants feeding the frontline, their employees, musicians and many others in the community admist the pandemic. 5. - 6. Delgado Community College celebrating their 2020 graduates.

7. Godwyn & Stone Brokerage photographing property during COVID-19.

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8. Brittany Picolo-Ramos of Godwyn & Stone Brokerage and her team. 9. MaryMartin France prepping Hilltop Shoppe porch goodies for her customers.

10. Symmetry Jewelers safely delivering beautiful gems and jewels to customers during quarantine.

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1. Jennifer Ponson Jewelry Designs incorporating COVID-19 protocols into their business. 2. Jaeger’s Seafood & Oyster House opening for table service!

3. Boudreaux’s celebrating their re-opening.

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4. Kim Russell getting some fresh air and a workout during quarantine.

5. Quarantining in Money Hill.

6. Poydras Home nurses celebrating National Nurses Week in May. 7. Major David Bjork of the Army working during COVID-19 in Belle Chase. 8. Heather Bjork sporting her mask and hat that reads “Not today Corona!” 9. Anna Tusa festin’ in place. 10. Anna and AJ Tusa enjoying their po-boys at home.

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INside Peek 1.-3. Sensible Meals safely preparing and packaging meals for their local and nationwide customers. 4. Susan Freeswick of Everyday Keto to Go delivering Keto friendly goodies to customers throughout the city.

5. Terrance Osborne giving away his Front Lines print to local medical workers. 6. Travis Tuer participating in TAPS Across America on Memorial Day. 7. - 8. Taylor M. Lambert’s

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State Farm office celebrating birthdays quarantine-style. 9. Anna Tusa Derby-ready at home. 10. Hilltop Shoppe’s Cinco de Mayo baggies.

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Drinks with Anna

Quarantine Frozen Cocktail Queen

by Anna Tusa

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LIKE MANY OF YOU the stay-at-home order has unleashed in me many emotions (sometimes all in one day). It has also taught me new things about myself.

For instance, I do have a green thumb and I really do like tequila. While sweatily planting my herb garden one afternoon, I started thinking about ways to cool off in this NOLA heat. Let’s face it…we only had spring temperatures for half of March, then the heat started. As I began looking at the blooming lavender, mint, and rosemary, my mind started working creatively again, which was fun. Frozen Craft Daquiris was my “ah-ha” moment. I missed going to the restaurant and creating new cocktails. Bonding with our guests over craft cocktails was fun, engaging, and most of all exciting. I immediately grabbed lavender, mint, and strawberries from the garden, went to the kitchen, broke out the Ninja blender, and went to work.

The daquiri was born in a small Cuban town in 1898, but in NOLA, it’s part of who we are. Everyone has a memory from getting their first frozen daquiri, and I think most of us got it from the drive-thru…it was refreshing, fruity deliciousness in a Styrofoam cup. Yes, those drivethru piña coladas, jungle juices, and white Russians are delicious, but I wanted to craft frozen daiquiris using fresh fruit, herbs, and quality booze.

I used my husband (my shelter-inplace partner) as my test pilot and I set out to be the “Quarantine Frozen Cocktail Queen.” Some of these drinks are my play on traditional drinks and some are pure quarantine creations.

Louisiana Strawberry Mojito 6 fresh Louisiana strawberries 10 mint leaves 1.5 oz simple syrup 3 oz Bayou Spiced Rum 4 oz soda water Juice of one freshly squeezed lime 10-15 ice cubes Blend until smooth. The spiced rum gives this cocktail a little extra flavor. Garnish with a mint leaf and fresh strawberry.

Mint Julep 10 mint leaves 2.5 oz Woodford Reserve 4 oz soda water 1.5 oz simple syrup 10-15 ice cubes

10-15 ice cubes Blend till smooth. Serve in a copper mule cup with a strawberry garnish.

Frozen South Peters Cosmo 8 fresh blueberries 2 oz Skyy Vodka 1 oz St. Germain 1 oz Prosecco .5 oz freshly squeezed lime juice Splash of Cranberry for color 10-15 ice cubes Blend until smooth.

Frozen French 75 2 oz Martell Blue Swift 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 oz simple syrup 4 oz Champagne/Cava 10-15 ice cubes Blend until smooth. (This was my Jazz Fest in Place Locals Thursday drink.)

Frozen Paloma Blend until smooth, pour into a proper julep cup, garnish with mint leaves.

(This was my Kentucky Derby/ Jazz Fest in Place Drink)

3 oz Esplon Blanco Tequila 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice 2 oz freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice 10 -15 ice cubes.

Frozen Briquette 75 4 oz Mumm Sparkling Rosé 1.5 oz Hendricks Gin 1 oz homemade lavender syrup 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice 10-15 ice cubes Lavender syrup: In a medium saucepan combine one-part sugar and water. Toss in lavender. Bring to a boil stirring. Allow to cool and strain into a bottle.

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Garnish with a lemon zest.

Elyx Strawberry Mule 6 fresh Louisiana strawberries 2.5 oz Absolut Elyx 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice 4 oz Barritt’s Ginger Beer (use the one in the bottle made with real Cane Sugar)

Blend till smooth. Garnish with lime.

(This was my Cinco de Bayou drink.)

Frozen Creole Coffee 2 oz Absolut Vanilla Vodka 1.5 oz praline and cream liquor 4 oz freshly brewed espresso chilled 10-15 ice cubes Blend till smooth. Garnish with a coffee bean.

Frozen Toulouse St. Milk Punch 2 oz Cask & Crew Walnut Toffee Whiskey 1 oz simple syrup 1 dash of vanilla extract 4 oz whole milk

10-15 ice cubes Blend till smooth. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg and cinnamon. (This was my Easter morning drink.)

Frosé Yields 4-6 drinks 1 750-ml bottle chilled Rosé ¼ cup vodka 4 cups chopped strawberries 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 8 cups ice Combine half of the Rosé, vodka, strawberries, and ice. Blend until slushy, if too watery add more ice and blend again.

Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

(Note: When blending all drinks everyone’s ice and blender are different. You may have to tweak the amount of ice a little.)

I know it looks like I drank the entire stay at home order, but it was research, right? My husband has a new appreciation for the frozen drinks after his days of pressure-washing and gardening projects with me. I cannot wait to enjoy some time on the patio with friends, social distancing of course, with one of these delicious cocktails.

I hope you enjoy these crisp, refreshing, and most of all, beat-the-NOLA-HEAT drinks.

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IN the Kitchen

frying oil. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

The recipe below is based on my memory of the flavor of those first ever falafel I enjoyed—a bunch of fresh herbs, plenty of garlic, spices and salt. Falafel are naturally gluten free and incredibly handy to make ahead because they freeze well and can go straight from the freezer to hot oil, or a hot oven. Yes, these can be baked! For those who care, falafel has about four carbs per fritter. Lettuce leaves can sub for bread or plop a few atop a chopped veg salad dressed with a squeeze of lemon and olive oil.

by Lorin Gaudin

FALAFEL 2 cups dried chickpeas (Do NOT use canned or cooked chickpeas) 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 cup fresh parsley leaves, stems removed 3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed 1/2 cup fresh dill, stems removed 1 small onion, quartered 7–8 garlic cloves, peeled Salt to taste 1 Tbsp ground black pepper

AROUND 12 YEARS OLD when I lived in Los Angeles, I used to go into Westwood Village to eat falafel from a stand across from the movie theaters. Thin, split-topped pita bread, the interior spread with garlicky hummus, filled with crisply fried chickpea fritters (falafel), gently smashed, and topped by a chopped fresh salad of cucumber, lettuce, tomato, red onion and skinny, tart Israeli-style dill pickles (available at any Middle Eastern market). The sandwich came paper-wrapped halfway to keep the top exposed for a good slosh of tahini (thinned sesame paste) and for ease of eating. Divine.

Falafel are a bit of a chore to make but are totally worth the effort. The one direction that cannot be altered is using dried chickpeas. THERE IS NO CHEATING WITH CANNED CHICKPEAS. Falafel made with canned, cooked chickpeas disintegrate in the 60

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1 Tbsp ground coriander 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) 1 tsp baking powder 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds Oil for frying METHOD One day ahead: Place dried chickpeas and baking soda in a large bowl filled with water to cover the chickpeas by at least 2 inches. Soak overnight for 16-18 hours or more if the chickpeas are still too hard.

When ready, drain the chickpeas completely and dry them well. Place the chickpeas, herbs, onions, garlic and spices into the large bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Run the food processor 30 seconds at a time until well combined to form the falafel mixture. Transfer the falafel mixture to a container and cover tightly.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or as long as overnight until ready to cook. Right before frying, add the baking powder and sesame seeds to the mixture and stir with a spoon.

If you can find a falafel-making tool (as pictured), great. If not, scoop tablespoonfuls

photos: LORIN GAUDIN

Fresh Falafel

1 Tbsp cumin

of the falafel mixture and form into small patties (1/2 inch in thickness each). It helps to have a bowl of water nearby to wet your hands which keeps the mix from sticking as you shape the patties.

Fill a medium saucepan with about 3 inches of frying oil. Heat the oil on medium-high until it reaches 375 degrees. Carefully drop the falafel patties in the oil, let them fry for about 3 to 5 minutes or until crispy and medium brown on the outside. Avoid crowding the falafel in the saucepan, fry them in batches if necessary.

Place the fried falafel patties on a paper towel-lined sheet pan fitted with a drying rack or a plate lined with paper towels, to drain.

Serve falafel hot with warmed pita bread, tahini, hummus, and an Israeli-style salad of lettuce (or parsley, arugula, cress...) tomato, red onion, cucumbers and pickles.

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Haute Plates

Boulevard American Bistro

A selection of restaurants and haute dishes found around the northshore and beyond.

Briquette

701 SOUTH PETERS ST.

5171 CITRUS BLVD.

NEW ORLEANS

BOULEVARDBISTRO.COM

BRIQUETTE-NOLA.COM

NEW ORLEANS 504-410-5171

Boulevard American Bistro’s

504-302-7496

Award-winning contemporary

Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard

Caffe! Caffe!

4301 CLEARVIEW PKWY.

819 RUE CONTI

METAIRIE, 504-885-4845

BROUSSARDS.COM

METAIRIE, 504-267-9190

NEW ORLEANS 504.581.3866

As Broussard’s celebrates 100 years,

3547 N. HULLEN ST. CAFFECAFFE.COM

much-anticipated second location is

coastal cuisine featuring Gulf

we are delighted to announce our 1920

open in Elmwood! Curbside pickup

seafood and fish, beef, lamb, chicken,

specials. In addition to the $1.92 cocktail

opened the first Caffe! Caffe!, a

and delivery are available 7 days a

Maine Lobster and unique chef

of the week, Chef Jimi Setchim has

friendly neighborhood café that would

week, with dine-in options coming

specials daily. Lunch, Dinner, Happy

designed a three-course prix fixe menu

be a gathering place for business,

soon. Enjoy a 50% off bottle of wine

Hour, Private Parties. Make your

for $19.20, celebrating a key ingredient in

pleasure and after dinner coffee and

with your meal.

reservations on OpenTable.

Louisiana cuisine—rice.

dessert. Meet me at … Caffe! Caffe!

In 1992, Lisa and Gerald Beck

Everyday Keto To Go METAIRIE, LA

504-957-9033

FACEBOOK.COM/

EVERYDAYKETOTOGO Voted Best Gluten Free Bakery of 2019 by The Gluten Free Guide to New Orleans. Local Bakery specializing in KETO, Gluten Free, Low Carb, and Sugar free baked goods including breads, cookies, cakes, and more!

Jaeger’s Seafood 901 S CLEARVIEW PKWY.

New Orleans Creole Cookery

JAEGERSSEAFOOD.COM

NEW ORLEANS 504-524-9632

JEFFERSON 504-818-2200

A New Orleans tradition for over 70 years. Now located on Clearview Pkwy. near Elmwood Shopping Center, Jaeger’s still offers the area’s freshest seafood nightly and provides it in heaping servings, such as: Jaeger’s seafood platter feast, flame-broiled oysters, and awardwinning gumbo.

508 TOULOUSE ST.

NEWORLEANSCREOLECOOKERY.COM Experience the traditional Creole tastes of New Orleans in the historic French Quarter. Specialties include jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, shrimp creole and raw and chargrilled oysters on the half shell. Craft cocktails and signature drinks with Happy Hour, weekdays 3-6pm.

Tommy’s Wine Shop

746 TCHOUPITOULAS ST.

NEW ORLEANS 504.581.1103 TOMMYSCUISINE.COM

In addition to Tommy’s signature Italian-Creole cuisine, we are excited to announce a brand-new wine shop open 7 days a week. 50% discount available on all bottles. Select your mealtime beverage or build your at-home cellar.

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by P. Keith Daigle

from wet gas to dry (natural) gas. In 1962, he struck out on his own as an independent oil and gas operator and started the Energy Corporation of America, which was merged with Equitable Petroleum Company, a New York based company, in 1973.

Mr. C was actively involved in higher education in Louisiana. Governor Edwin Edwards appointed him to the Louisiana State University System Board of Supervisors in 1974, where he served his alma mater for 32 years, still the longest continuous serving Board Member in Louisiana State University’s history. For his many contributions to the energy industry in Louisiana and to Louisiana State University, Charlie was inducted into the LSU Engineering Hall of Distinction in 1999.

During his long tenure on the LSU Board of Supervisors, he was instrumental in the expansion of Tiger Stadium.

He introduced to the Board to electricity cogeneration, bringing a low-cost source of electricity that now serves

In Memoriam: Charles V. Cusimano, Sr. 1927-2020 CHARLES “CHARLIE” V. CUSIMANO, was 92 years old when he died peacefully at his home in Mandeville on Saturday, March 28, 2020. Known to most as “Mr. C”, Charlie’s life was defined by three words, “FAITH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS”. Charlie was born and raised In New Orleans and graduated from Holy Cross High School, and Louisiana State University (1951).

He played offensive tackle for LSU’s football team and lettered in football all four years. Charlie played in the Cotton Bowl in 1946 and started on the legendary “Cinderella” team that played mighty Oklahoma in the 1950 Sugar Bowl. He obtained a petroleum engineering degree but also studied law at Loyola University in New Orleans and did postgraduate work in geology at the University of Oklahoma. Following a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War (1953-55), Charlie was recruited by New Orleans Public Service as Development Gas Engineer (1955-57) to implement the city’s transition

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the entire campus and its students. For the University of New Orleans (UNO), a member institution of the LSU System, Mr. C aggressively pursued privatized on-campus student housing culminating in the construction of the school’s first on-campus apartments, Privateer Place, in 1995. In addition to spearheading the allocation of space for all religions to build their houses of worship on all LSU System campuses, Charlie was instrumental in the establishment of the Newman Center on the campus of UNO, at the request of Archbishop Hannan of New Orleans. He also worked with Chancellor Homer L. Hitt in the planning of the Kiefer-UNO Lakefront Arena which opened in 1983.

For his service to UNO, the school’s Newman Center honored Mr. C with its first annual Cardinal Newman Recognition Award in 1999. In 2007, the Faculty of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the College of Engineering of the University of New Orleans awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering.

An avid horse owner and breeder himself, Charlie also loved horses and horseracing. In recognition of his support of the thoroughbred horse industry in Louisiana, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine established the Charles V. Cusimano Equine Physiology and Pharmacology Laboratory on Baton Rouge Campus in his honor in 2011.

Mr. C also envisioned and spearheaded the establishment of the Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium (CPERC). CPERC, which includes Louisiana State University, the University of New Orleans, Southern University, Nicholls State University, and

Tulane University, is now steered by a hand-picked committee of Louisiana’s most renown energy researchers. Charlie was also instrumental obtaining $500,000 in seed money from the state for startup costs of CPERC. He also chaired the Governor’s Comprehensive Energy Policy Advisory Commission, which completed its work in 2003.

An active citizen of the New Orleans area and participant in the oil and gas industry, Mr. C was a member of the American Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Independent Producers Association of America, American Institute of Petroleum Engineers, the New Orleans Geological Society, the Optimist Club, founding member of the East Jefferson Serra Club, and the Metairie Petroleum Club. He was a director of the Louisiana Independent Oil & Gas Association (LIOGA) and served on the board of Gulf South Bank. He was also a member of the Sugar Bowl Committee since 1973, and of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem (Knights of the Holy Sepulcher).

Charlie was married to Violet, his lovely and patient “Bride” for 70 years. She predeceased him a few years ago. At his death Charles left behind four children, eighteen grandchildren and forty-two great grandchildren to whom he was lovingly known as “PePa”. The family he leaves behind will surely miss him. But so will New Orleans area community, the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana, and his beloved LSU and UNO. His legacy of service and accomplishments, which goes well beyond the examples mentioned here, ensures his memory will endure well beyond his passing.

Goodbye Mr. C . . ., and thanks.

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Last Bite

Everyday Keto To Go

SUMMER ISN’T THE SAME without delightful lemon desserts. From Lemon Squares to Lemon Poppyseed Bread to Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake, Susan Freeswick prepares completely Ketofriendly delicacies. Susan and her family began the Keto lifestyle to help support her mother’s declining health. It was then that Susan began developing a sliced bread recipe that eventually turned into her first product.

“I kept posting through social media the food I made and also my breads as a way to show that my Keto lifestyle isn’t lacking in any way,” says Susan.

“Someone simply commented that I should sell it. Given my experience in catering, I knew how to mass produce the product so the next day I opened Everyday Keto To Go and sold my first bread!”

Less than two years later, Susan’s Sliced Bread is still a best seller along with Blueberry Lemon Bread. All of her products are 100 percent gluten free, sugar free and low carb. New to the menu are Keto Cannoli’s, Keto Rum Cake and more! Susan’s personal favorites include the Orange Pecan Bread and Snickerdoodle Blondie Brownies. She adds, “I always have a loaf of the French Bread on hand in my home because we serve it with every meal.”

During the stay-at-home order, Susan readily provided her customers with no contact delivery and an additional driver to get her healthy products out into the community safely.

If you’ve been curious of Keto, why not give it a try? We think Everyday Keto To Go’s breads are a good place to start.

Everyday Keto To Go delivers throughout New Orleans and its surrounding areas from Laplace to Chalmette to the Northshore and beyond.

To place an order, visit Everyday KETO To Go on Facebook, by phone at 504-9579033 or the new website coming this month everydayketotogo.com.

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by Leah Draffen