August-September 2020 Issue of Inside New Orleans

495

$

SEVEN DAYS OF SATCH • KATRINA: 15 YEARS ON •

FALL TRAVEL SPOTS • HOME AND GARDEN

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020 VOL. 7, NO. 4

August-September 2020

Vol. 7, No. 4

Publisher Jonée Daigle-Ferrand ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Editor

Art Director

Leah Draffen Brad Growden

Contributors are featured on page 11.

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

Account Executives

Genevieve Daigle-Buring

Alyssa Copeland Cutrera

Poki Hampton

Ashley Meteye

Amalie Murphy

Barbara Roscoe

Summer Tallant

Susie Welch

Morgan Wynne

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

Executive Assistant

Summer Tallant

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

Advertise phone

(504) 251-4818

email InsideNewOrleansMag@gmail.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Contribute Please send items for Inside Scoop to ScoopINOLA@gmail.com.

Photos for Inside Peek, with captions, should be sent to PeekINOLA@gmail.com. Submit items for editorial consideration to InsideNewOrleansMag@gmail.com.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Subscriptions 1 Year $18 2 Years $30 phone

(504) 400-0384

email SummerINOLA@gmail.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

On the cover

Artist Josh Wingerter.

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 51

Home & Garden begins on page 26

Departments

9 Publisher’s Note 10 Editor’s Note 11 Contributors 16 INside Scoop

42 Get Fit

How to Create Your Own Joy 44 Orthopaedic Resources 48 Flourishes 51 INside Look 54 INside Peek page 40

58 Drinks with Anna 61 IN the Kitchen

contents table of

Features

12 Painting the City

Cover Artist Josh Wingerter 20 Hurricane Katrina: 15 Years On 25 Built for a Lifetime

Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights Celebrates 75 Years 32 How New Orleans Businesses are Surviving the Pandemic 38 Fall Travel Spots 40 Seven Days of Satch

A Virtual Tribute to Louis Armstrong and 20 Years of Satchmo SummerFest 60 Rocking the Twilight Zone 65 Swim Anywhere Swim-a-Thon 8

I n s ide N ew Or lean s

62 Haute Plates

66 Last Bite

Annunciation Restaurant page 32

Publisher’s Note

by Jonée Daigle-Ferrand

Kindness, appreciation, hopeful and overwhelmed are all words I have heard over and over these last several months. I would like to share some of my favorite inspirational quotes that have kept me going and motivated me to continue on despite everything business owners are experiencing right now.

• “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

• “The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it.”

• “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

• “Appreciation fills my heart and fuels my gratitude.”

• “You deserve a life and a business that make you happy.”

• “Never be afraid to fall apart because it is an opportunity to rebuild yourself the way you wish you had been all along.”

• “You’re only as good as the company you keep.”

As a business owner, I have been blessed to have amazing employees and family members who have been extremely supportive and wonderful during this trying time. I know there are so many businesses, large and small, in very similar situations and everyone is trying to do their part to stay afloat.

Inside New Orleans is my new baby and I am doing everything I can to protect and help her grow. We have been extremely fortunate to have our wonderful advertisers support us and I would love for all of our readers to support them in return! Please remember to shop local.

I have hope we move on to the next phase soon and safely so that we can resume sports, concerts, Broadway plays, musicals, large outdoor and indoor events, and so much more our amazing city has to offer.

Editor’s Note

by Leah Draffen

I have never been a fan of uncertainty. I like to know what’s coming next, what to expect, and how everything is going to happen.

I love plans, order and routines to the point that my 1-year-old is alarmingly trained at what we are going to do each day. So, as you can imagine, 2020 has not been my favorite year.

As I was chatting with our incredibly talented cover artist, Josh Wingerter, he made the statement, “I like to control my controllables.”

In times like these, maybe that’s what we all need to do. Focus on what we can control. In the midst of shuttered businesses, Josh chose to bring joy and life to boarded windows. He applied his talents to help multiple groups throughout the community and he has worked on a Westbank space that will soon house his new gallery.

While the city seems quiet, I’m confident that everyone is silently working, like Josh, toward a brighter tomorrow. New Orleanians have resilience and grit. It is demonstrated throughout this issue.

Contributor Leslie Cardé sat down with many local businesses and experts as they fight to survive the pandemic (page 32). Sue Strachan looks back at Hurricane Katrina and shares plenty of material to remind us of our strength on page 20. Annunciation Restaurant owner Kristin Sparks talks about how her staff is focusing on the positive in Last Bite (page 66).

For now, I’m going to work on what’s in front of me, but I look forward to the day where we can toast in large groups at brunch and hug sweaty friends in the French Quarter streets. I never thought I’d miss the latter!

All the best to you,

PS: Remember our Colorado friend that I mentioned in our February-March 2020 issue? He loved New Orleans’ kindness so much that he and his family are moving south! Congrats to them.

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 her Saturday sipping around the French Quarter.

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 about joy creation on page 42.

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 locallybased 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 looks back at Hurricane Katrina on page 20.

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 businesses surviving the pandemic on page 32.

Other Voices: Alison Burns, Leah Draffen, Lorin Gaudin, Thomas B. Growden and Trent Spann.

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 020 11

HE’S A FAMILIAR FACE throughout New Orleans. He can be found playing with his toy train on St. Claude facing Press Street.

He’s chatting with his friend via string phone at Frenchman Grocery & Deli. He’s upstairs at Café Negril. He’s painting hearts on boarded windows down Frenchman Street.

That little boy is Josh Wingerter’s son, Hendrix; and the reason Josh is now a fulltime artist. Josh says, “I like to implement my son into a ton of my work because he has been a motivator in my life.

I stepped away from a job when I found out he was coming.” While Josh has been drawing and painting his entire life, he began selling his work at age 22.

“I started taking painting and selling seriously shortly after an injury. Most of my time was spent in sports and exercise until I blew out my knee. I returned to drawing and painting mostly because I was limited after surgery. I had to be in bed for three months. There’s not that much Netflix for anyone,” he laughs. “After a couple weeks I

Painting the City

Cover Artist Josh Wingerter

started to draw and paint some pieces and was lucky enough to have someone stumble upon me and purchase those pieces. That gave me some more initiative to continue.”

At the time Josh was also working full time at Home Depot. He had been there since Hurricane Katrina, but when he learned that he was going to be a father five years ago, he decided to plunge into artistry full time. “I felt like it was my last window.

The universe was telling me to do it. Or be Home Depot dad, and I didn’t want to be Home Depot dad,” Josh jokes. “It had a lot to do with time. I had a really good job there, but I didn’t want to work 60 hours a week and not see my family.”

Painting out of his garage, Josh was 12

I nside N ew Orl ea n s

also working with the Frenchman Street Art Market. “Fortunately for me, New Orleans is New Orleans, and everyone wants to come here. While selling my work, I began to meet collectors and gallery owners that had spaces out of state. Three years ago, I got an opportunity to take my art to Miami for Art Basel and from there met other galleries and collectors. Since then, I have participated every year. Most of my work translates well to cities like Los Angeles, Miami and DC.” Locally, Josh has built a rapport with local businesses throughout the city. When he began selling, he went door to door to many galleries. Josh reflects, “In my early days, most of the galleries didn’t want to feature my work. They didn’t like my >>

photo: Trent Spann imagesbyrobertt@gmail.com

by Leah Draffen

14

I nside N ew Orl ea n s

photos: TRENT SPANN imagesbyrobertt@gmail.com

Josh’s son, Hendrix, smiling by one of his dad’s many paintings of him.

content, so I started going to local businesses—coffee shops, restaurants, the things that are plentiful here in New Orleans. Through building relationships with locals in the community, I was able to begin hanging art in their businesses like Who Dat Coffee Café and Peaches Records.

“Because of those relationships, I stumbled into doing the COVID series. When the Who Dat Coffee Café in the Bywater boarded up, I asked Craig, the owner, ‘hey,

is it cool if I paint on your plywood?’ He said, ‘sure, do whatever you want.’”

Josh painted a James Booker piece and a Louis Armstrong piece. Craig loved it and so did the people in the community. The next day, Josh decided to reach out to Café Negril with which he has a working relationship. They gave him the green light, which led to other Frenchman Street businesses coming out to ask him to paint on their exteriors. By the third day, Josh had paintings on nearly all of Frenchman Street’s businesses, totaling 98 pieces.

Collaborating with a photographer, he recorded the time and locations of each piece. (There’s a book in the works.)

Like most of Josh’s experiences, the drive-thru gallery’s positive feedback snowballed into other opportunities. He reached out to Lowe’s who donated plywood and David Art Center who chipped in on paint and supplies. He partnered with Who Dat Café, Peaches Records, The Art Garden and The Roots of Music NOLA. In total, Josh painted and donated 240 plywood pieces raising $57,000. Those funds benefited such groups as out of work artists, frontline service industry workers, homeless individuals, musicians, and The Roots of Music

youth.

“I’m just painting. The idea that I can sit down and work on something that will help somebody else is very cool,” Josh adds.

In addition to Josh’s recent philanthropic work, every year he “adopts” one or two public schools. “I’ll ask their art teacher what kind of art supplies they need then I help them stock up. I think it’s important to give back.”

Josh’s gives credit to his own high school art teacher, Keith Eccles, for his art career. “He encouraged me to become an artist even in high school. When I was in college, I would hang out at his studio and he would let me work on a couple of things.

He was probably the first person in my life that told me I could do it if I put in the time and energy that I put into everything else.”

Keith is on Josh’s list of artists that inspire him. Other locals include Ashley Longshore and Brandan “B-mike” Odums.

“I love Ashley Longshore because she just makes me happy. I have admiration and respect for B-mike for what he does and the scale of which he does it. From a personal standpoint, not only do they inspire me, they give me the courage to chase the dream of being an artist, because they do it so grandly but make it look so organic. Of course, the list goes on because most artists inspire me.”

Because Josh did not go to school for art, he takes the time to independently study and meet with the many artists he admires. “The best description of my work is evolving. Every year it looks a little bit different and any time I study an artist that does tend to drip over onto my canvas.

“I hope that continues because change in my head means growth. So, if I’m continuously changing, I’m continuously growing.”

That movement and change is equally represented in his work. Josh uses many different materials from spray paint to inks to acrylics. Spontaneous, yet, themed, Josh’s iconic imagery, vibrancy and high color reflects the energy of his subjects. “I like to believe that color patterns in pieces are a representation of the aura of whoever the subject is, but of course all of my pieces do not have that. It really depends on the day. I have days that are black and white, but the majority

of my days are heavy color with a lot of contrast and movement because I feel like that’s what the world is and we’re just moving through it.”

He adds, “I like for there to be a sense of chaos in the piece that leads you to the subject.” Josh’s subjects are things and people that inspire him. “I listen to Jimi Hendrix, so I paint Jimi Hendrix. People identify with my pieces in different ways. For me, Jimi Hendrix was my introduction to music, and love. Someone else may see something different.”

Josh is taking the idea of those interactions into his own gallery space that is soon to open on the Westbank. “We’re hoping to host different artists from out of state and country, and we’re planning large scale gallery shows for when everything begins to open back up. I would like for it to be an interactive art event. It won’t just be pieces on the wall.”

One thing’s for sure. That little boy who sparked his dad’s success as an artist will be there. “He’s a sneaky little guy and he’s going to continue to be a fixture in all of my work. When I started, I didn’t know if I was going to be successful, but I knew that I was going to have time with my son and that was my motivating factor.”

For more information, visit joshwingerter.art. See his art at Peaches Records and Who Dat Coffee Café. Follow along on Facebook @ joshwingerterart and Instagram @ joshua_wingerter.

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 020 15

INSIDE

August

1,2 Seven Days of Satch. Watch and listen to James Andrews, John Boutté, Wendell Brunious, Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, Herlin Riley, Treme Brass Band, and Tuba Skinny. satchmosummerfest.org.

1-Sept 13 Coolinary New Orleans. Enjoy 2-course lunches for $20 or less, and 3-course dinners and brunches for $39 or less. Plus, this year, you can experience COOLinary on the go! Menus are available for dine in, takeout and delivery. coolinaryneworleans.com.

1-Sept 30 Tammany Taste of Summer.

Feed your soul with the free Tammany 16

I n side N ew Orl ean s

Taste of Summer Savings Pass on the Northshore, just 40 minutes from the French Quarter. tammanytaste.com.

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Champagne Saturdays.

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

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.

4, 11, 18, 25 Balcony Livestream Concert Series. Enjoy Jazz Music from home with the New Orleans Jazz Museum! Join the Jazz Museum online for their weekly Balcony Livestream Concert Series, in which dynamic jazz musicians perform live from the Jazz Museum’s balcony. Tuesdays, 5pm. facebook.com/nolajazzmuseum/live.

photo courtesy: BROUSSARD’S RESTAURANT

Socially Distant Wine Dinners

Aug 5, 11, 19, 26, and Sept 17, 23 Socially Distant Wine Dinner Series. The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience announced several wine dinners. NOWFE will organize and promote the dinners for each restaurant throughout the summer.

Participating restaurants include: Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, Palace Café, GW Fins, Briquette, La Petite Grocery, Tommy’s Cuisine, the Rib Room and Café Reconcile with additional restaurants being added.

“While we were all disappointed that NOWFE was postponed this year, we celebrate the reopening of our beloved restaurants and look forward to gathering together with all socially distant protocols of course,” said Aimee Brown, NOWFE Executive Director. “We hope these dinners will encourage diners to support our local economy and offer a sense of normalcy as we move into the next phases of reopening.” Dinners will be served adhering to all safety protocols. Start times and prices vary by restaurant. Reservations made directly with each restaurant by phone. nowfe.com.

5 Socially Distant Wine Dinner Series: Palace Café featuring Wines of Champagne and Burgundy. Organized and promoted by New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. Dinners will be served adhering to all safety protocols.

Reservations, 523-1661. nowfe.com.

7, 14, 21, 28 Quarantunes! Hop onto the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Facebook Page for Quarantunes! Every Friday at 2 pm, the Museum hosts virtual concerts with an exciting mix of talented Jazz musicians, all performing from their homes.

This free online series, broadcasting to music fans around the world, highlights >> A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 0 20 17

Inside Scoop

11

19

19

26

the rich culture and history of New Orleans. facebook.com/ nolajazzmuseum/live.

Socially Distant Wine Dinner Series: GW Fins featuring Cakebread Cellars. Organized and promoted by New Orleans Wine and Food Experience.

Dinners will be served adhering to all safety protocols. Reservations, 581-3467. nowfe.com.

Socially Distant Wine Dinner Series: Briquette featuring Ruffino Italian Wines.

Organized and promoted by New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. Dinners will be served adhering to all safety protocols. Reservations, 3027496. nowfe.com.

Socially Distant Wine Dinner Series: La Petite Grocery featuring Duckhorn Vineyards. Organized and promoted by New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. Dinners will be served adhering to all safety protocols. Reservations, 891-3377. nowfe.com.

Socially Distant Wine Dinner Series: Tommy’s Cuisine featuring Belle Glos and Quilt Wines. Organized and promoted by New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. Dinners will be served adhering to all safety protocols. Reservations, 581-1103. nowfe.com.

September

1-13 Coolinary New Orleans.

Enjoy 2-course lunches for $20 or less, and 3-course dinners and brunches for $39 or less. Plus, this year, you can experience COOLinary on the go! Menus are available for dine in, takeout and delivery. coolinaryneworleans.com.

1-30 Tammany Taste of Summer.

Feed your soul with the free Tammany Taste of Summer Savings Pass on the Northshore, just 40 minutes from the French Quarter. tammanytaste.com.

5, 12, 19, 26 Champagne Saturdays. Symmetry Jewelers 18

I n side N ew Orl ean s

& Designers, 8138 Hampson St. symmetryjewelers.com.

11 Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Fashion Show and Dinner. Benefitting the New Orleans Mission. A celebration of the lovely ladies at Lynhaven Retreat: not just their outside beauty, but most importantly, the beauty that the Lord has created on the inside. Lynhaven Retreat, 21669 Old Covington Hwy, Hammond. 6:30-9pm. Ticket, $40; table of 8, $280. Virtual options available, bduncan@ neworleansmission.org. Tickets, e.givesmart.com/events/hlc. neworleansmission.org.

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. This week is the perfect time to visit old favorites or find new ones! restaurantweekneworleans.com.

17 Socially Distant Wine Dinner Series: Rib Room featuring Flambeaux Wine. Organized and promoted by New Orleans Wine and Food Experience.

Dinners will be served adhering to all safety protocols. Reservations, 529-7045. nowfe.com.

18-Jan 24 Make America What America Must Become Exhibition. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. cacno.org.

23 Socially Distant Wine Dinner Series: Café Reconcile featuring Hendrick’s Gin. Organized and promoted by New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. Dinners will be served adhering to all safety protocols. Reservations, 9341946. nowfe.com.

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.

Back to School KEHOE-FRANCE SCHOOL At Kehoe-France School, children are nurtured in a warm and welcoming environment. With small class sizes in a secure and picturesque environment, our degreed and certified staff encourage our students to explore their curiosities. As an authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and candidate for Middle School Programme, Kehoe-France is focused on providing an inquiry-based approach to learning. Our students are actively engaged in their development, education, and activities. They focus not only on the academic fundamentals but also a child’s physical health and wellness through expansive athletic programs, exposure to the fine arts through classes and clubs, and a commitment to a service as a school community.

Facilities are newly renovated with more improvements to come.

Kehoe-France School invites everyone to come tour with us and take those first steps onto the path to success. Located at 720 Elise Ave. in Metairie. 733-0472. kehoe-france.com.

STUART HALL SCHOOL FOR BOYS Stuart Hall School for Boys is an all-boy, Catholic, Independent School. As the only one of its kind in New Orleans, Stuart Hall has as its mission the formation and education of boys from PK3 through Seventh Grade. Stuart Hall’s number one priority is the safe reopening and operation of its physical campus.

Having all scenarios thought out will provide the school with the strategic agility to create a seamless transition between the various instructional delivery methods for Stuart Hall’s faith and valuesbased curriculum regardless of what challenges may come. It would be Stuart Hall’s pleasure to schedule a private tour of campus and allow you to be part of a day in the life of a boy at Stuart Hall.

Located at 2032 S Carrollton Avenue. 861-1954. stuarthall.org.

URSULINE ACADEMY Diverse by design, Ursuline believes that appreciating and learning from people with different perspectives is how they build a better world. For many girls, Ursuline can be the first place they meet people with different backgrounds, beliefs and talents. The academy celebrates girls for who they are and elevates their confidence to influence the world. They learn from each other, celebrate each other and raise each other up.

Here, girls gain a deeper understanding of themselves and how to be successful in a global society. Through interactive experiences tailored to girls’ interests, Ursuline students learn how to think deeper, communicate clearly and solve problems independently and collaboratively. At Ursuline, STEM and the arts are equal partners in powering our girls’ education. We believe that creative thinking - a key to 21st century success - is best nurtured when young brains explore both analytical and imaginative ideas. High school open house, Oct. 22, 5-7pm; and early childhood and elementary open house, Oct. 23, 8:30-10am.

Located at 2635 State Street. 861-1106. go.uanola.org.

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 0 20 19

15

Years On

by Sue Strachan

FOR THOSE OF US who experienced “the storm” it’s hard to believe, but Aug. 29, 2020 will be the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall in Louisiana.

The Crescent City has always been vulnerable to hurricanes. It is essentially an island, bracketed by the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain – a “bowl” between south and north, with wetlands surrounding it.

Today, half of the city is at or below mean sea level, while the other half is slightly above. This is changing because the city is sinking.

Before the storm landed in 2005, the city had already dealt with flooding and loss of electrical power from Hurricane Cindy on July 5, followed by Hurricane Dennis, though it mainly hit the Florida panhandle, on July 10.

20

I n side N ew Orl ean s

Katrina was the fifth hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

The center of Hurricane Katrina made landfall near Buras, La., at 6:10 a.m. on Aug. 29 as a Category 3 storm, with winds as high as 125 mph, and a barometric pressure of 920 millbars. It was also a huge storm that stretched almost 400 miles across. Only a day earlier it had been a Category 5.

A few hours later the first floodwall breach was reported. In total, there were 28 reported floodwall and levee failures in the first 24 hours, and 50 more reported in the following days. These included multiple breaches at Industrial Canal, followed by those at the 17th Street Canal and the London Avenue Canal. >>

photo: NOAA NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA, AND INFORMATION SERVICE (NESDIS)

Hurricane Katrina

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 0 20 21

Mississippi Rive-Gulf Outlet (MR-GO) Canal, a deep-draft waterway that was a short cut from the Gulf of Mexico to New Orleans’ inner harbor, acted as a funnel for the storm surge into St. Bernard and Orleans parishes.

Plaquemines Parish was underwater, as were parts of Jefferson Parish. Eighty percent of New Orleans was flooded.

Due to the destruction and loss of life, Katrina is considered one of the nation’s worst storms. It is the costliest storm on record—$161 billion in property damage reports the NOAA’s Office of Coastal Management. More importantly, an estimated 1,833 people died from the effects of the storm in the U.S., with 1,577 reported in New Orleans.

“The catastrophic failure of New Orleans’s hurricane protection system represents one of the nation’s worst disasters ever. A storm of Hurricane Katrina’s strength and intensity is expected to cause major flooding and damage. A large proportion of the destruction from Hurricane Katrina was caused not only by the storm itself, however, but also by the storm’s exposure to engineering and engineeringrelated policy failures” (ASCE Review Panel 2007, p. v).

In New Orleans, the man-made disaster from the floodwall failures could have been prevented, but poor design by the United State Army Corps of Engineers failed the city. The city, state and federal governments, during the storm and after, compounded the suffering and impeded recovery by the inability to get their act together in a timely manner.

Because of the storm, New Orleans underwent a sudden and radical, social, cultural, financial and political transformation, all of which continues to this day. There have been improvements to the levee and flood protection system, but the city and surrounding parishes remain vulnerable.

With an influx of transplants to the New Orleans area since the storm and young children who weren’t old enough to remember, I have compiled a list of movies and books about this tragedy. These materials aren’t limited to the Hurricane itself, but also delve in some way into New Orleans’ race, class, political, and cultural issues.

While not complete, if you are interested in seeing more choices for movies, IMDB has a long list of movies and TV shows about and relating to Hurricane Katrina. For books, I recommend the New Orleans Public Library and New Orleans local bookstores. The library allows you to check out books online, or call your local branch, and someone will leave your books outside for pick-up. Bookstores can take orders over the phone or online, and can deliver or ship.

MOVIES After checking online lists and IMDB, I was honestly surprised by the large number of movies either about Hurricane Katrina, or that include the storm as part of the overall plot. (As of press time, most of these are available for rent on Prime Video or You Tube.)

“When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts” (2006) and “If God is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise” (2010) 22

I n side N ew Orl ean s

Both directed by Spike Lee, the documentaries explore the affects of Hurricane Katrina, and with “If God is Willing,” the additional BP (Deepwater Horizon) Oil Spill, which happened in April 2010.

“When the Levees Broke” began shooting three months after Hurricane Katrina hit. Combining interviews and existing footage for the film, Lee got a range of opinions about the storm and its destruction. Those interviewed included New Orleans native, musician and composer Terence Blanchard, who scored the movie and has done so for many of Lee’s other projects; Louisiana government leaders during the hurricane: Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Lieut. Gov. Mitch Landrieu (who would become Mayor of New Orleans), St. Bernard Parish President Junior Rodriguez; Mayor Ray Nagin -- as well as former Mayor Marc Morial; Phyllis Montana LeBlanc, New Orleans East resident and actress, among many others.

“If God is Willing,” picks up the narrative as the city is recovering, and features the FBI Investigation into NOPD brutality and cover-ups before and after the storm and the triumphant New Orleans Saints Super Bowl season.

“The Big Uneasy” (2010) A film by longtime New Orleans resident Harry Shearer, the movie’s focus is on how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, through incompetence and cover-ups, contributed to the city’s levees to fail during Hurricane Katrina, creating one of the largest man-made disasters.

He talks to two experts and a whistleblower, as well as New Orleans citizens who address the issues about the disaster and what the city faces in its future.

“Trouble the Water” (2008) When Hurricane Katrina hit, Kimberly Rivers Roberts (Rapper Black Kold Madina) and Scott Roberts lived in the Lower Ninth Ward, sheltering in place. As the Industrial Canal levee, only three blocks away, breached during the storm, they were stuck in their home, ending up in an attic as the waters rose.

Kimberly filmed these moments, which are used in this documentary produced and directed by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal, who met the Roberts at a Red Cross Shelter in central Louisiana. With this footage as well as archival news segments and home video footage, the film tells the story of survival during and after the storm, as well as exposes how race and class played a big part in the rescue, recovery, and post-storm return to the city. (Also available on Kanopy.)

“Hurricane on the Bayou” (2006) Every year, Louisiana loses enough land to make up the island of Manhattan. The wetlands not only provide protection, but also are home to animals, plants and people —and a way of life—all threatened by climate change, pollution and man-made issues.

Originally slated to be a documentary about the Louisiana wetlands before Hurricane Katrina, the focus expanded after the storm hit. State-of-the-art CGI effects recreates the intensity of the storm. The film also includes footage of the storm’s aftermath, as well as the 2006 Mardi Gras season, showing a city in the early stages of recovery.

“A Village Called Versailles” (2009)

The Versailles neighborhood in New Orleans East was settled by Vietnamese refugees in the mid-1970s, only to have it flooded by Hurricane Katrina.

A documentary film by S. Leo Chiang, the community rose to the challenge, rebuilding before any other New Orleans neighborhood that had been affected by the storm. But soon after, a new disaster loomed: a possible threat of a governmentimposed toxic landfill, located only two miles away. (Also available on Vimeo on demand.)

Other movies to watch: “Hurricane Season (2009) and Big Charity: Death of America’s Oldest Hospital” (2014) I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the HBO TV series“Treme” (2010-2013), set in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina.

The show dove into the surreal world of the rebuilding city after the storm’s destruction by following the lives of a diverse group of residents and showcasing what makes New Orleans unique.

BOOKS There are a lot of books about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. This list is just a very small sampling.

“Breach of Faith: Hurricane Katrina and the Near Death of an American City” by Jed Horne (2006, updated 2008).

Jed Horne was a member of the TimesPicayune team whose coverage of the Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. His knowledge of the city before the storm, what happened

during it, as well as the recovery – the people, and politics, race and class tensions – makes this an engrossing and important read.

Horne recently wrote an article about the 15th anniversary of the storm and its relation to COVID-19 for Vanity Fair, available online: vanityfair.com/ style/2020/06/hard-times-in-the-big-easy.

“Nine Lives: Mystery, Magic, Death and Life in New Orleans” by Dan Baum (2009, updated 2010) A narrative about New Orleans through the eyes of nine New Orleanians from different backgrounds. The timeline is bracketed by two major storms, Hurricane Betsy (1965) and Hurricane Katrina.

“The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast” by Douglas Brinkley (2006) One of the earliest books about Hurricane Katrina, “The Great Deluge,” takes readers on a gripping journey starting two days before the storm hit on Aug. 29, through the week after. It portrays the physical, as well as emotional toll, Katrina took on people and how unprepared city, state and federal governments were.

“Cooking Up a Storm: Recipes Lost and Found from The Times-Picayune New Orleans” Edited by Marcelle Bienvenu and Judy Walker (2008) After Hurricane Katrina, the TimesPicayune became the resource for those trying to recreate their family or favorite recipes that had been lost in the storm – creating a lifeline for New Orleanians who had evacuated to faraway places. >> A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 0 20 23

New Orleans food writers Judy Walker and Marcelle Bienvenu compiled more than 225 of these classic New Orleans recipes, from shrimp Creole to bread pudding.

“1 Dead in the Attic: After Katrina”

by Chris Rose (2005) “1 Dead in the Attic” is a collection of columns by Chris Rose, then a TimesPicayune journalist, who chronicled the damage and aftermath of the storm in a personal way that speaks to New Orleanians displaced by the storm and those who love the city.

“The Yellow House: A Memoir” by Sarah M. Broom (2019) The winner of the 2019 National Book Award for Non-Fiction, “The Yellow House,” is Broom’s childhood home in New Orleans East, the centerpiece of this memoir about her family and life in and away from New Orleans, and how the storm, which destroyed the house, remained a touchstone for Broom and her siblings.

Other books to read: “Why New Orleans Matters” (2005) and “City of Refuge” (2008) by Tom Piazza; “The Good Pirates of the Forgotten Bayous: Fighting to Save a Way of Life in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina” by Ken Wells (2008); “Disaster: Hurricane Katrina and the Failure of Homeland Security” (2007) by Christopher Cooper and Robert Block; and “Southern Discomfort” (2010) by LaTonya Jones.

HURRICANES PAST AND PRESENT Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center expect an above normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.

24

I n side N ew Orl ean s

(Note: “Atlantic hurricane season” covers storms in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.) According to the site: “The outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of a belownormal season.” With the season running June 1 through Nov. 30, the NOAA predicts “13 to 19 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes, with 3 to 6 major hurricanes.” (To learn more: noaa.gov/media-release/busy-atlantichurricane-season-predicted-for-2020) By the end of June 2020, there have been four named storms: Tropical Storms Arthur; Bertha (both of which formed in May); Cristobal, which hit June 7; and Dolly.

Among the most destructive storms of the 20th and 21st centuries to impact New Orleans – in terms of wind and storm surge, said David Bernard, chief meteorologist at Fox 8 -- were the Hurricane of 1915, Hurricane of 1947, and Hurricanes Betsy and Katrina, adding “There have been numerous storms over the years that have caused flooding from heavy rains.”

The deadliest recorded hurricane to hit the U.S. was in 1900, when a Category 4 hit Galveston, Texas, and killed between 6,000 to 12,000 people.

If you don’t have a hurricane plan in place yet, do it now. The City of New Orleans has a site (ready.nola.gov/plan/hurricane) with information on preparedness and evacuation (including information for people who do not have transportation out of the city). You can also check out David Bernard and his co-workers on fox8live.com/hurricane and facebook.com/davidbernardtv.

Built for a Lifetime Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights Celebrates 75 Years

BEVOLO GAS & ELECTRIC LIGHTS has manufactured traditional and antique lighting in New Orleans since 1945. As a generational family business, Bevolo holds true to the belief that old-world craftsmanship, and the highest standard of quality and innovation is what truly makes a Bevolo fixture last a lifetime.

Like New Orleans, Bevolo’s brand is deeply rooted in history and tradition and, although they are constantly evolving and developing to stay on trend, they believe that classic design and quality products never go out of style. As Bevolo celebrates their 75th anniversary in the French Quarter this year, they look back on all of the wonderful projects and stories they are so fortunate to have been a part of.

A favorite and one of the most iconic stories is that of its inception.

After WWII, Andrew Bevolo Sr. opened a metalworking shop in the French Quarter after a career working with historic manufacturing companies including Ford, Sikorsky, and Higgins.

While tinkering in his metal shop, legendary architect A. Hays Town walked by, heard Mr. Bevolo working, and inquired if he would collaborate on a

special handcrafted copper lantern.

Mr. Bevolo Sr. then replied, “If you can draw it, I can make it!” and from that initial encounter the Original French Quarter lantern was born - and the rest, as they say, is history!

The iconic lanterns are shipped all over the world, but each and every one is handmade locally by master craftsmen passionate about their time-honored art form. Seventyfive years later, the individuals who handset each and every rivet are still at the focal point of everything Bevolo does. In honor of Bevolo’s anniversary, all lanterns made from this point forward will bear their craftsman’s “Maker’s Mark”, along with the signature Bevolo tag and serial number. A maker’s mark is one of the earliest forms of trademarking and has been used for centuries by craftsmen to claim responsibility for their work.

Just like each lantern they make, all Bevolo craftsmen have their individual intricacies and details.

Their dedication to quality and their trade is also the reason your lantern will last a lifetime... whether a true treasure from 1945 or made today.

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 0 20 25

Home & Garden

essentials

1

2

3

1. Organize every room in your home. Ruffino Closets, 985-809-7623, ruffinoclosets.com.

2. Don’t replace, refinish! Southern Refinishing, Marrero, 348-1770. 3. Beautiful one-of-a-kind artist paint palette placed in a white shadowbox frame with white mat and topped with acrylic, 21.5” x 21.5”. Two currently available. Eclectic Home, 866-6654, eclectichome.net. 4. Make your yard an oasis. Exterior Designs, Inc. by Beverly Katz, 866-0276, exteriordesignsbev.com.

4 26

I n side N ew Orl ean s

Home & Garden Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights 521 Conti Street 504-522-9485 bevolo.com

Eclectic Home 8211 Oak Street 504-866-6654 eclectichome.net

Fur.nish 3413 N CAUSEWAY BLVD., Metairie 504-702-8514 furnishnola.com

Since 1945, Bevolo has been manufacturing the highest quality traditional, antique, and custom designed hand-made lighting fixtures.

Today, Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights is the largest manufacturer of hand-made, open-flame copper lanterns in the world.

Penny Francis along with her daughter Casi St. Julian, visualize and incorporate interiors that reflect their clients’ vision. Established in the year 2000, along with a 7,000 sq. ft.showroom/ design center, Eclectic Home enables customers to experience a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

The store is eye-candy for all who enter and is a true reflection of eclectic design in furniture, lighting and accessories.

As a New Orleans locally owned and operated business for over 40 years, the Fur.nish staff is dedicated to furnishing customers’ homes with timeless, one-of-a-kind designs, backed by personal service. Handmade, local designs and quality craftsmanship are at the heart of our business.

CPA Realty 504-812-8807 cparealtyllc.com CPA Realty, L.L.C. is a real estate company serving the real estate needs of the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area with specific focus on the areas of Metairie, Kenner, New Orleans (Lakeview, Downtown, Uptown, Mid City, etc.), Westbank, St. Charles Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and St. John Parish.

Exterior Designs, Inc. by Beverly Katz 504-866-0276 exteriordesignsbev.com Exterior Designs, Inc. is a full-service design, build and maintenance landscaping contractor offering architectural planning that concentrates in problem solving for outdoor living areas. Our specialty is affordably transforming unpleasant outdoor areas into additional living space.

Gallery B. Fos 2138 Magazine St. 504-444-2967 Beckyfos.com Adding life to every home and space, Becky Fos’ impasto technique, applying wet, undiluted oil paint with her palette knife, is unapologetically bold and energetic. She uses color as a forefront in her pieces that allow them to come to life, evoking an instant sense of happiness.

Greige Home Interiors 2033 N Highway 190, Suite 10, Covington 985-875-7576 greigehome.com Greige Home Interiors has provided the finest in luxury home furnishings on the Northshore and Greater New Orleans area for over 10 years.

Designing your home with extraordinary flare and style is easy when you work with the experts!

Gulf Coast Lanterns 401 North Columbia St., Covington 800-910-3275 gulfcoastlanterns.com With over 35 years of experience we are uniquely qualified to help you select the perfect Copper Lantern for your home or project, regardless of size or budget. Shop online, stop by the showroom or give us a call and we’ll help you select a beautiful copper gas or electric lantern that will last a lifetime.

Money Hill 100 Country Club Dr., Abita Springs 985-892-3300 moneyhill.com

Luxury Lighting by Greige 2033 N Highway 190, Suite 10, Covington 985-875-7576 greigehome.com

With over six thousand acres nestled among the high upland hills of St. Tammany Parish, only minutes from Downtown Covington and an hour from New Orleans, the members and residents of Money Hill enjoy an active lifestyle of relaxed sophistication.

Does your space need more light or simply a boost of style? The experts at Luxury Lighting Co know that there are plenty of options available for both!

Home & Garden Niche Modern Home 1901 Highway 190, Suite 3, Mandeville 985-624-4045 nichemodernhome.com We are a modern home furnishings store with an emphasis on smart design at affordable prices. We take pride in providing assistance in helping you find your niche in home decorating and design.

Nordic Kitchens & Baths 1818 Veterans Blvd., Metairie 504-888-2300 nordickitchens.com Fine luxury products by brands you can trust.

Nordic Kitchens & Baths Inc. carries a complete line of appliances, cabinets, countertops, faucets and fixtures to add a touch of elegance to your kitchen or bathroom.

Northshore Home Builders Association 29021 Builders Dr., Lacombe 985-882-5002 northshorehba.org The NHBA works closely with LHBA, NAHB, and governmental agencies to improve the political climate for the home building industry, promoting policies that provide opportunities for all Americans to have safe, decent and affordable housing.

Northwood Realty Company, LLC Marcus Buring 504-666-9888 mech888@aol.com Marcus Buring’s goal is to find you the perfect home, investment property, or office. From single or multifamily property investments to full-service property management, he strives to exceed your needs in a professional and expeditious manner.

30

I nside N ew Orl ea n s

Outdoor Living Center 1331 N Highway 190, Covington 985-893-8008 outdoorlivingcenter.com The Outdoor Living Center has what you need for any month of the year. Superior products, competitive pricing and customer satisfaction are their #1 priorities. They take pride in being “Your Patio and Fireplace Headquarters”.

Ruffino Custom Closets 111 Campbell Blvd., Mandeville 504-252-9884 ruffinocustomclosets.com When it comes to custom closets, Ruffino Custom Closets are the craftsmen to call. Our custom closet units are made to last, delivering top quality and individual style untouched by our competition. If you are in the market for custom made closets, we are here to make your storage dreams come true!

Southland Plumbing Supply 2321 North Arnoult Rd., Metairie 504-835-8411 southlandplumbingsupply.com Family owned and operated since 1967, Southland Plumbing Supply offers plumbing fixtures for bathrooms and kitchens. Find sinks, faucets, tubs, toilets, lighting, appliances and more at the Southland Plumbing Supply showroom in Metairie.

Southern Refinishing 708 Barataria Blvd., Marrero 504-348-1770 southernrefinishing.com Don’t replace, refinish! Southern Refinishing offers bathroom and kitchen refinishing, faux granite countertops, spot repairs, chip and fiberglass repairs, and more.

State Farm Agent Mary Beth Rittiner 125 Wall Blvd., Gretna 504-392-5808 Mary.b.rittiner.b20f@statefarm.com The right insurance at the right price is available now. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 020 31

How New Orleans Businesses are Surviving the Pandemic

by Leslie Cardé

MARCH 16, 2020 IS A DATE that will be emblazoned in the minds of business owners and their New Orleans employees forever. It was the day Governor John Bel Edwards ordered restaurants, schools, boutiques, casinos, gyms, tattoo studios, spas, movie theaters, and virtually anything not considered an essential service, shuttered.

It meant that social distancing, masks, and hand sanitizer had become the order of the day, and continuing business at all in any incarnation would take some very creative repositioning right out of the gate, if indeed the particular business could be reasonably adapted to a world now ensconced in an ever-spreading pandemic.

The first diagnosed case of COVID-19 appeared in New Orleans on March 9, and just one week later, Melvin Rodrigue, Chairman of the Board of the National Restaurant 32

I n side N ew Orl ean s

Association and President and CEO of Galatoire’s Restaurant on Bourbon Street recalls the meeting at the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau in which local restaurateurs had come together to figure out how to operate their restaurants while keeping their patrons and staff safe.

“Half an hour into that meeting, a shocking call came in from the Governor’s office,” remembers Rodrigue. “We were told that we could operate through the remainder of the day with indoor dining, and that henceforth the only food we could serve would have to be dispensed through curbside pick-up. I went back to the restaurant, called everyone together, cooked up the Galatoire’s family meal (a tradition to feed the employees twice a day) and began to gear up for what would be a whole new way of doing business the very next day.”

photo: Trent Spann imagesbyrobertt@gmail.com

Proprietor Tanya Dubuclet’s popular Mid-City restaurant Neyow’s has expanded to an event venue across the street, a fine dining restaurant under construction next door and a second location in Houston.

photo: JIM TOMENY

photo: LESLIE CARDÉ

The paradigm shift would rock the worlds of longtime restaurant owners who had very little time to make seismic changes in their successful business models. For Andrea Apuzzo, owner of Andrea’s Restaurant, whose restaurant was the first to return after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in 2005, it was a new challenge.

“Cynthia Lee Sheng, President of Jefferson Parish had announced that in addition to curbside delivery with masks and gloves, we could use any space outside of the restaurant as long as the tables were ten feet apart. We quickly went about converting our side parking lot into an outdoor eatery.”

When New Orleans area restaurants went from in-house dining to curbside pick-up and limited outdoor dining, given the parish restrictions, staffs were being slashed in draconian ways.

“Overnight, we went from a staff of 65 people to a skeleton crew of four,” says Tanya Dubuclet, owner of Neyow’s Creole Café in Mid-City. “The few of us who were trying to salvage the restaurant did everything. We cooked the food, took the orders, washed the dishes, and got the food out to the street for pick-up on a daily basis. It was a group effort to ensure that our customers could still experience their favorites in some manner.

We had one loyal couple who came every Friday, and sat at one of our outdoor tables just to maintain a sense of normalcy in an upside-down world.”

Curbside pick-up was not an option for all >>

Top: Andrea Apuzzo, owner/chef of Andrea’s Restaurant in Metairie stops by one of the many tables of diners wearing a mask as required during Phase Two of the state guidelines for the pandemic in July. Above: Diners Scot Billeaudeau and Jim Tomeny enjoy an evening out at Galatoire’s under Phase Two guidelines and a state mask mandate.

Galatoire’s provides masks for its patrons and asks that they wear them except when eating or drinking.

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 0 20 33

restaurants, particularly those which rely on tourists as their mainstay. St. Lawrence Restaurant in the French Quarter attempted curbside pick-up for the first two weeks of the shutdown, but the foot traffic normally abounding with riverside tourists along N. Peters had come to a standstill when travel to the Crescent City came to a halt, and service industry folks who frequented the bar on a regular basis, suddenly found themselves out of their jobs. Unfortunately, the cost of keeping the chef and a bartender just didn’t equate to the minimal daily receipts, forcing employees who suddenly found themselves without jobs to scramble to survive.

“When I found out the restaurant was shutting down, I started immediately selling off the rest of the Pimm’s Cup Daiquiris we had already freshly prepared in-house,” says Casha Balkan, the restaurant’s long-time bartender. “When many of our regulars bemoaned the fact that their neighborhood watering holes were closed (bars not serving food were forced to shutter), it gave me the idea that perhaps I could batch craft cocktails at home and deliver them myself during the shutdown. Word spread exponentially, and what started as a sideline until restaurants re-opened quickly turned into a craft cocktail delivery service, with my apartment resembling a liquor factory, replete with professional juicers, and new fifthsized bottles ordered from a professional distributor.”

Pivoting seemed to be the operative word. And, it wasn’t just restaurants forced to re-invent themselves.

34

I n side N ew Orl ean s

Popular boutiques found themselves in the same mystifying boat. Without customers allowed inside to browse, how would anyone even know what they might want to buy?

“After I let my other two employees know that it would just be me working, until further notice, I put my social media skills to work,” says Mary-Martin France, owner of Hilltop Shoppe on Magazine Street. “I began selling everything through Instagram and Facebook, as I didn’t even have a website. I put out to everyone that I was at the shop between 10 A.M. and 3 P.M., so they knew they could call during that time to place orders.

From 3 P.M. until 6 P.M., I was making deliveries myself all over New Orleans, in a full mask.”

For many businesses of all types which just couldn’t stay open and make the numbers work, they clung to the hope that their business interruption insurance policies would cover the time when they were forced by their own government to close down their spas, health clubs, restaurants and stores. But, many found that the fine print in their policies precluded any coverage.

“Most businesses have what’s called a CGL policy—a commercial general liability policy,” says attorney Greg DiLeo. “It’s essentially an all-risk policy.

But, in 2003 with the SARS epidemic in China, it put pandemics on the insurance industry’s radar. They developed a master language for a virus exclusion and went to each state’s Department of Insurance for passage of this exclusionary language. Louisiana was one

photo courtesy: GARDNER REALTORS

Chip Gardner, Crystal Gardner-Phillips, Sharon Gardner and Glenn Gardner in front of their historic restoration of Gertrude Gardner’s original Maple Street office.

of the first states to allow such language. But the virus exclusion didn’t come with a reduction in premiums, as many claimed it should have in the wake of less coverage. For this reason, the Plaintiff’s Bar is now claiming fraud against the Insurance Commission for letting insurance companies dupe them into finding a way to deny complete coverage, while charging for it.”

For DiLeo, staying in business himself required thinking out of the box, as well. Ordinarily a personal injury attorney who represents victims of motor vehicle accidents, he tells Inside New Orleans magazine that with no cars on the road initially, there were no accidents,

language null and void because the premiums weren’t reduced? That’s a tough argument!”

One sector of the business world considered to be an essential service by our own Governor was the real estate industry. However, being given the go-ahead to carry on did not mean that it was business as usual.

“Real estate was essential as part of the big three, considered to be food, shelter and clothing,” says Glenn Gardner, President and CEO of Gardner Realtors, a brokerage started by his grandmother Gertrude in 1943, which sold more residential real estate in 2019 than any other company.

photos: LESLIE CARDÉ

Proprietor Mary-Martin France rearranges the bridal registry display inside her Magazine Street boutique, Hilltop Shoppe.

hence no claimants. He shifted gears, urged people to let him review their insurance policies, started working remotely on Zoom, and even shot TV commercials on his own iPad. But, bucking the insurance industry can be easier said than done, according to Dane Ciolino, who serves as the A.R. Christovich Distinguished Professor of Law at Loyola University’s School of Law. “Insurance itself is designed to spread risk across people and age groups, because when risk hits everyone at once, insurance companies are ill-equipped to deal with it,” explains Ciolino. “This is exactly why the insurance industry introduced exclusionary clauses for viruses, as they’ve long had force majeure clauses, and exclusions for acts of war, precluding them from paying in the event of widespread losses. Is their exclusionary

“It was a little scary initially, because we knew we’d have to change the way we did business, and then figure out if there was any business to be had. With shelterin-place orders, people initially took their homes off the market, not wanting strangers to be wandering through the homes that had become their safe havens. Buyers didn’t know what was going to happen to their jobs, and if unemployment everywhere was on the horizon. But, as the months have worn on, the public has realized that the best investment is always one’s home, going up 5 percent annually since 1975, even when factoring in the 2-year crash which began in 2008. And, the numbers have now spoken. May of 2020 showed homes selling at a higher per square foot rate than May 2019. And, regionally, 43 percent more homes went to closing this June than in >> A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 0 20 35

photo: LESLIE CARDÉ

Revelers at Andrea’s Restaurant in Metairie toast to a great evening amongst friends in July during Phase Two of the city’s pandemic guidelines.

May. With interest rates at an all-time low, fears have given way to the realities, which look excellent for the real estate sector, in spite of the pandemic.”

For all of the businesses which re-opened during Phases One and Two, life hasn’t always been easy, or the future certain, but most are convinced they will survive—often through pure grit.

“During Phase One, I was losing more money each week than the week before,” says Galatoire’s Rodrigue. “At 50 percent, it’s still a toss-up, and you need demand, part of which was taken away when tourists stopped coming in droves. We’ve done everything we can to maximize space, including turning our banquet rooms into extra tables, when they are not being used for events… with proper social distancing, of course. And, we’re still seeing most of our loyal regulars. But, we don’t have the 19 million visitors a year to make it work.

We still do curbside, because some of our folks are still hesitant to dine inside, even though we require masks until you get to your table, or if you use the restroom, and of course our entire staff is masked.

But, the reality is that the metro area of New Orleans has 1.5 million people, and 1400+ restaurants. Without tourism, there aren’t enough people to sustain that many establishments. I’m doing 50 percent of last June, this June. But, we’re pivoting every day, to prepare for the great unknown.” According to Neyow’s Dubuclet, one thing is certain, “I will never go down without a fight.”

Having room to expand has been beneficial for restaurants which can get creative with space. “We have 12,000 square feet of space under this roof,” says Apuzzo, “and we still have long-time 36

I nside N ew Orl ea n s

customers who love to eat outside. They may be drinking $60 bottles of wine from a plastic glass, but we’re all doing our part to make this work safely.”

Much of “making it work” depends on the behavior of the masses. “The last thing anyone in the city wants is to go backwards,” says Dr. Joseph Kanter, Assistant Secretary of Health, at the Louisiana Department of Health, “but by following the recommended guidelines, we can avoid this.”

Governor Edwards was forced to delay Phase Three with recent surging cases of coronavirus, and Mayor Cantrell has said that those establishments not following the existing rules will be shut down by fire marshals who have the legal authority to do so.

“As long as there is a rational basis for promulgating mandates for wearing masks and social distancing, and we know there is a basis in science that says it prevents the spread of viruses, then the law is fairly simple under the due process clause of the constitution,” says Loyola Law’s Ciolino.

“When public health comes into play, this can be enforced through criminal means, or through licensure, or both.”

“We must require enforcement of those businesses that are refusing to cooperate or shut them down. It’s not fair to make everyone suffer for the dangerous behavior of a few,” says Dr. Kanter. “For everyone who wants a strong economy, masking and distancing is the most powerful thing we can do to keep businesses open, and continue to move forward, not backwards.”

With our economy and our health both at stake, working together will get the city we love back on track.

Fall Travel Spots STAYING AT HOME has sparked local exploration and a desire for something different to do. Below, we have gathered a few ideas of places you maybe have never been to, or it has been a while since you’ve visited.

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MUSEUM Located in the Old U.S. Mint where the French Quarter meets Frenchmen Street, the New Orleans Jazz museum celebrates the city’s quintessential musical artform. Museum visitors can explore five rotating exhibits including: Drumsville: Evolution of the New Orleans Beat; The Wildest! Louis Prima Comes Home; New Orleans Music Observed: The Art of Noel Rockmore & Emilie Rhys; Me Got Fiyo: The Professor Longhair Centennial; and Cherchez la Femme: New Orleans Women. With listening stations, films, instruments, a recording studio, and a dance floor, each exhibit is intentionally designed to personally engage its audience. Learn how to swing dance, explore the contributions of women to the city, practice karaoke, delve into the city’s vibrant drumming traditions, and become immersed in the unique culture and community of New Orleans and its musical heritage. Guests can visit the Jazz Museum on Facebook at facebook.com/nolajazzmuseum to tune into free weekly live-streamed virtual concerts and programs. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday at 400 Esplanade Ave. Tickets can be purchased online at nolajazzmuseum.org.

LONGUE VUE GARDENS Longue Vue was designed as a space for wellness and inspiration. At a time when many in our city–and beyond– deeply need such spaces, Longue Vue Gardens was happy to reopen to the public in June. Longue Vue Gardens is thrilled to also offer a Garden Pass. This gardens-only membership is good for six months and admits up to six people to the gardens as often as you like for only $40. The home and gardens were born of the dreams of Edgar and Edith Stern, pillars of the New Orleans community. Daily reservations must be booked online, are released one week at a time, and are subject to limited capacity. Docent-guided tours of the gardens are also available for small groups by reservation.

38

I n side N ew Orl ean s

Located at 7 Bamboo Road, the Gardens are open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30am to 5pm. Purchase tickets at longuevue. com/tickets.

DESTIN BEACHES With new COVID-19 protocols in place, the team at Newman-Dailey Resort Properties is excited to be welcoming back families for their summer Destin vacation.

The team at Newman-Dailey has been sharing their insider tips on Destin activities for social distancing like fishing and standing up paddle boarding which are some of the staff favorites. Private, professionally managed vacation rental homes and condominiums are a great choice to practice social distancing and enjoy time with loved ones in a clean, safe environment. Newman-Dailey’s enhanced sanitization and cleaning processes exceed the industry standard. Developed by the VRMA/VRHP 2018 Executive Housekeeper of the Year Eddie Gray, the new protocols exceed the Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professional Association standards and follow CDC recommended guidelines and employ CDC-approved cleaning agents. Visit destinvacation.com to find your perfect beach rental.

TAMMANY TASTE OF SUMMER This summer, plan to stay, get away, and Feed Your Soul on Louisiana’s Northshore. Only 40 minutes north of New Orleans’ French Quarter, St. Tammany Parish is where New Orleans has come to play and get away for more than a century. Plan your visit between August 1 and September 30 to take advantage of the Tammany Taste of Summer Savings for hot savings on meals, attractions and overnight accommodations. Peruse participating Tammany Taste of Summer restaurants and sign-up for the free Tammany Taste of Summer Savings Pass. Savor a meal at a Northshore landmark where generations have celebrated for decades or sample cuisine from some of St. Tammany’s rising star chefs. You’ll find sweet summer savings and savory meals, thanks to Tammany Taste of Summer. Find participating restaurants, bite-sized chef interviews in Tammany Taste’s Quick Bite podcasts, and more at tammanytaste.com.

SevenDays of

A Virtual Tribute to Louis Armstrong and 20 Years of Satchmo SummerFest

40

I n side N ew Orl ean s

photo credit: GRAPHIQUE DE FRANCE, C.1989 COURTESY OF NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MUSEUM

Satch

ABOUT SATCHMO Satchmo SummerFest is scheduled annually to coincide with Louis Armstrong’s birthday on August 4th. The first festival took place on what would have been his 100th birthday, the same year the New Orleans airport was renamed Louis Armstrong International Airport. The artist often stated in public interviews that he was born on July 4, 1900 (Independence Day), a date that has been noted in many biographies. Armstrong died in 1971 and his true birthdate, August 4, 1901, was not discovered until the mid-1980s. Louis Armstrong was raised in a poor section of New Orleans known as “Jane Alley.”

Throughout his career, he entertained millions – from heads of state and royalty to the neighborhood kids on his stoop in Corona, New York. Despite his fame, he lived a simple life in a working-class neighborhood. The man known around the world as “Satchmo,” short for Satchelmouth, was widely recognized as a founding father of jazz – a unique American art form. In 1932, Melody Maker magazine editor Percy Brooks greeted Armstrong in London with “Hello, Satchmo!” and the nickname stuck. His influence as an artist and cultural icon is universal, unmatched, and very much alive today.

Wendell Brunious

photo: ZACK SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

LIKE MANY EVENTS and festivals this year, Satchmo SummerFest looks a bit different. Produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. and presented by Chevron, Seven Days of Satch will virtually celebrate Louis Armstrong and 20 years of the Fest with multiple platforms joining in.

Traditionally, Satchmo SummerFest has been a weekend filled with music, education, cuisine, and culture on the grounds of the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Due to public health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, FQFI announced the cancellation of the event in May. “Since 1984, we’ve been committed to our non-profit mission to showcase our incredible local music and culture,” says FQFI President & CEO Emily Madero. “For the remainder of 2020, FQFI has refocused its energy on creating new ways, like the Seven Days of Satch, to support the community and deliver on this mission. We are thrilled to work with our generous partners, talented artists, chefs, and speakers, to produce this virtual tribute.”

Beginning July 27, the celebration brings an entire week of thematic programming on WWOZ, Louis Armstrong-inspired cooking demos on WWL-TV, and performances and Armstrong scholars on Facebook.

Musical performances, sponsored by the New Orleans National Jazz Historical Park, will be filmed at the New Orleans Jazz Museum and shared on Facebook live on August 1 and 2. Watch and listen to James Andrews, John Boutté, Wendell Brunious, Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, Herlin Riley, Treme Brass Band, and Tuba Skinny. Check out the line-up of musical acts and seminars to the right.

For more details, visit satchmosummerfest.org.

Line Up

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 1-1:45pm Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns 2-2:45pm Satchmo Seminar: “Hello Pops!” Wycliffe Gordon & Fred Kasten Satchmo SummerFest 2014, filmed at the New Orleans Jazz Museum

3-3:45pm Wendell Brunious 4-4:45pm Satchmo Seminar: “Heart Full of Rhythm: The Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong” Ricky Riccardi & Maxine Gordon

5-5:45pm Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony 6-6:45pm Herlin Riley SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 1-1:45pm Treme Brass Band 2-2:45pm Satchmo Seminar: “On Louis Armstrong and Black American Music” Nicholas Payton & Melissa A. Weber Satchmo SummerFest 2019, filmed at the New Orleans Jazz Museum

3-3:45pm Tuba Skinny 4-4:45pm Satchmo Seminar: “Hang at Home with Louis” Ricky Riccardi

5-5:45pm John Boutté 6-6:45pm James Andrews

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 0 20 41

Get Fit

by Ingrid Rinck

Create Joy

How to

Your Own

IF YOU’VE NOTICED A HEAVINESS, or sad vibrations in the air recently, you’re not alone. 2020 has not been the easiest year for many reasons, and as a whole, the country is feeling pretty anxious. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do if you’re feeling down, but first you must start by filtering out the negativity within your own life.

Here are my top five tips for how to “Create Your Own Joy within this Digital Age”: 1. Limit Social Media or Television Time.

Aimlessly scrolling your social media feed is fun sometimes, but it might make you feel worse if you’re 42

I n side N ew Orl ean s

already in a bad mood. You might find it helpful to limit your time, especially right before you go to bed. Try taking a break from social media after 8pm or schedule an hour or two each day for offline time with your family. Allow your brain to unwind and settle especially when around the ones you love.

2. Follow People & Businesses that Make You Happy. If you’re seeing a lot of things in your feed that are making you angry or sad, make sure to unfollow.

To wake up every day and view something that bothers you when all you had to do was “unfollow”, seems very counterproductive. If you are someone who is not having success in your life, who is unhappy with where you are, or who’s feeling depressed, anxious, jealous or angry, take into consideration that your own actions may be the source of some of these feelings. If another person’s joys and successes bothers you, first ask yourself “why?”

What is it about someone else’s happiness that disturbs your spirit? And then you must also ask yourself why do you continue to watch people who don’t motivate you but disturb your joy? An even better idea is to make a point to follow people, places and things that you love,make you feel motivated and that bring you joy.

3. Spread Love, not Dislikes. Take it one step further and challenge yourself to write something positive each day on one person’s wall or on a business’ page. You could say something about how amazing of a mother your friend is on a picture of her children, or about how delicious a friend’s meal looks. You can help build up a local boutique by commenting on their latest fashions; and lead the way for others to follow your positivity and write something nice. Not only will this spread some good around your community and tribe, but it will bring some good energy and vibrations back to you. You attract the energy that you give off.

4. Resist the Urge to Engage. I have females say negative things to me every day online. Even when my posts are positive, I still sometimes receive snide messages from people I don’t even know. This can be extremely

hurtful and confusing. I understand that the temptation is real to defend yourself, stand up for yourself or what you believe in, try to make someone understand your point, or just fire back so that you “win” the argument, but just know that writing a nasty comment or message will only steal your own joy and hurt your own day.

Learn to acknowledge that you can’t change someone’s perception of you that doesn’t even know you. “What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” C.S. Lewis 5. Create, Don’t Hate. Finally, the easiest way to be positive is to put positive things out into the world. Rather than watching what everyone else is up to, it’s time to get your own things accomplished!

Now’s the time to learn a new skill and document it. Make a silly TikTok video with your kids, take artistic photos of your pets, or challenge your family to learn how to prepare a new meal together. Decide to post inspiring, meaningful and thoughtful content on your feed. Choose to be a light in the world.

Continue to put positive energy in the world. When you’re happy and spreading joy, you’ll find those heavy feelings within you starting to dissipate.

If you’re reading this and have enjoyed it, have a (kind) comment, want to follow or subscribe to my page, or just want to say hello, please follow me @IngridRinck. I would love to help bring more positivity to your days.

You can also learn more about my business at eatsensiblemeals.com.

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 020 43

Orthopaedics Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 3939 Houma Blvd, Ste. 21, Metairie 504-885-6464 14041 Hwy 90, Boutte 985-764-3001 posm.org Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine’s mission is to professionally and courteously assist patients by the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries or disorders so as to achieve the most beneficial outcomes possible. Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has a team of physicians specializing in all aspects of orthopedics, sports medicine, pain management and physical/hand therapy. Regionally recognized for their expert care, the Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine team routinely carries out state-of-the-art treatments, including surgical and nonsurgical procedures.

Thibodaux Regional Sports Medicine Center 602 N. Acadia Rd. Thibodaux 985-447-5500 thibodaux.com Thibodaux Regional was the first hospital in the bayou region to recognize the importance of safety in athletics. Thibodaux Regional’s comprehensive Sports Medicine program is equipped with state-ofthe-art devices designed to evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate athletic injuries.

Even if you suffer a job-related physical setback, the sports medicine fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons can put you back on the road to recovery.

Along with sports medicine trained physicians, Thibodaux Regional also has a dedicated staff of rehabilitation specialists to complement our certified athletic trainers.

44

I nside N ew Orl ea n s

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 020 45

Westside Orthopaedic Clinic 1301 Barataria Blvd.

Marrero 504-347-0243 westsideortho.com Since 1961, Westside Orthopaedic Clinic has served the needs of patients with muscular and skeletal problems with a goal of providing the very best orthopaedic care. 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.

In addition, Westside also offers upper extremity care, including shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand problems, and in-house physical therapy, emg/ncs, off site MRI and CT, and spinal injections.

Community Center at Christwood 100 Christwood Blvd., Covington 985-898‑0515 christwoodrc.com/community-center We’ve made life at Christwood even more extraordinary with our 23,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Community Center. Designed to promote your health and well-being, it’s a hub for activities, contemporary wellness and educational programs, healthy dining and pampering. Our culture is attuned to whole-person wellness, encouraging self-discovery, introspection and growth, and perfectly balanced for body, mind and spirit.

The Community Center is open to the general public with memberships available to anyone age 55 and older.

46

I nside N ew Orl ea n s

Standing (Left to Right): Jeffrey J. Sketchler, MD, Charles G. Haddad, Jr., MD, Joseph L. Finstein, MD, Harold M. Stokes, MD; Sitting (Left to Right): Michael Zeringue, MD, MPH, John Carradine, DPM, John G. Burvant, MD, Brandon P. Donnelly, MD, Keith Melancon, MD (not pictured).

Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine For over 30 years, the doctors and staff of Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine have provided quality medical care to the greater

and Sports Medicine. All physicians are board certified in their area of expertise.

Dr. Carradine brings years of experience in

New Orleans community. As a full-service medical

the surgical care of the foot and ankle. Dr. Michael

facility, the team of doctors and fully staffed physical

Zeringue, MPH, is a triple-board-certified physician

therapy department can provide everything you

in Pain Management, Sports Medicine and Family

might need to get back to your everyday quickly.

Medicine and specializes in interventional spine

Patient Lindsay E. says: “The arthritis in my knee had become unbearable. The doctors and staff

and ultrasound-guided injections.

When Dr. Stokes joined, he added the

at Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

subspecialty of Hand Surgery to the group. Also

were caring and helpful from diagnosis through my

in Hand Surgery, Dr. Donnelly is an Orthopaedic

knee replacement surgery rehab.”

Surgeon who specializes in Hand and Upper

Pontchartrain physicians specialize in the care

Extremities. He focuses on all aspects of injuries

of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones,

and ailments affecting the hand, wrist, elbow and

joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves and

arm in adult and pediatric patients. He is especially

related structures of the body. Playing recreational

interested in minimally invasive arthroscopic

or professional sports can be fun, satisfying, and a

surgery of the hand and wrist.

great way to stay in shape. Unfortunately, even the

Several Pontchartrain physicians serve local

best athletes fall victim to sports injuries. “I hurt my

high school teams, earning the respect of student

shoulder in a wrestling match,” says patient Brian P.,

athletes and their parents and coaches. Dr. Haddad,

“but Dr. Haddad was able to quickly diagnose, treat

for example, has worked with Hahnville High School

my injury and get me back on the mat.”

and Jesuit High School, while Dr. Finstein serves as the

Drs. Charles G. Haddad, John G. Burvant,

Also sports-minded, Dr. Melancon attended LSU, where he was a three-year letterman in football and the starting offensive guard for the 1986 SEC championship team. He completed his medical degree at LSU New Orleans and then received his residency training at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi.

All Orthopedic problems related to the neck down to the feet of both adults and children can be treated at Pontchartrain. Conservative treatment is always first before a decision for surgery is made, and patient input is given the highest consideration during any course of treatment.

On Saturday mornings at the Metairie location, an urgent care clinic is available from 8 am to 12 pm with no appointment necessary.

If injury or discomfort arises, let the team at Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine help you get back in the game.

team doctor at De LaSalle and the team Orthopedist at

Jeffrey J. Sketchler, Michael Zeringue, Joseph

St. Charles Catholic High School. He has also served as

L. Finstein, Keith Melancon, Harold M. Stokes,

an Orthopedic Consultant for both the NCAA Division

Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has

Brandon P. Donnelly and John Carradine offer

I Women’s Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament and the

two locations: Metairie, 504-885-6464; Boutte,

extensive and impressive experience in Orthopedics

Men’s NCAA Division III National Soccer Tournament.

985-764-3001. posm.org.

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2020 47

Flourishes

1

2

1. 22� Spring birds throw pillow, $220. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 985-624-4045. 2. Large 38� laying frog statue, $129.

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

3. Define a contemporary space with the Bevolo Modernist Collection. Available in 4 sizes, Gas or Electric, $475- $975.

Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, 522-9485, bevolo.com.

3

48

I n side N ew Orl ean s

4

4. Whether it’s designing custom furniture, starting your registry or choosing a fabric from the sample room, with over two dozen local artists and huge selection of unique home décor, Fur.Nish has you covered! Fur. Nish, Metairie, 702-8514. 5. Blaze 30” griddle LTE with cart and shelving kit. Southland Plumbing Supply, Metairie, 835-8411. 6. All new beaded coin purses to show your team pride. Hilltop Shoppe, 533-9670.

5

6

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2020 49

1. New Contemporary Austin gas or electric lantern from The CopperSmith, available in 24� and 30�, starting at $838. Gulf Coast Lanterns, 800-910-3275, gulfcoastlanterns.com.

2. Scalloped edge metal vanity or serving tray with gold leaf trim, $239.99. Greige Home Interiors, Covington, 985-875-7576.

3. White Stone cache pot, $295.

Orchids sold separately. Fur.Nish, Metairie, 702-8514.

1

2

3

50

I n side N ew Orl ean s

INside Look

1

1. Anatoli Collection sterling silver and 18K vermeil blue topaz necklace, $225. Symmetry Jewelers, 861-9925, symmetryjewelers.com. 2. Lime scuba fabric cold shoulder dress, $148. Ballin’s LTD, 866-4367.

2

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2020 51

INside Look

1

1. AURALUZ 50th Anniversary “Chickens” Collection.

Bubble, $48; dress, $50-54. AURALUZ, Metairie, 888-3313, shopauraluz.com. 2. 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. 3. St. Louis Cathedral wrap necklace, back of pendant engraved with “Love, Nola”, $220. Reagan Charleston Jewelry, ReaganCharleston.com.

2

3

52

I n side N ew Orl ean s

4

4. Religious medal charm with moonstone pendant necklace, $110. Jennifer Ponson Jewelry Design, 850698-3183, JenniferPonson.com. 5. Whether it’s the classic penny loafer for men or the updated driving moc for boys, Haase’s Shoe Store and Haase Young Folks Shop has them for you. Haase’s, 866-9944.

5

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2020 53

INside Peek 1. - 2. SSA Doves Volleyball camp attendees.

3.- 4. Stuart Hall School for Boys’ annual Passing of the Tie Ceremony for the Kindergarten boys and their 7th grade buddies. 5. Treme-Lafitte Brass Band performed a traditional jazz funeral concert for all lost to the coronavirus pandemic on the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s balcony in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz National

1

2

Historical Park. 6. Angelina Vicknair at Red Stick Mom Blog shares a photo of her boys from their stay with Newman-Dailey Resort Properties at Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida. 7. State Farm Agents Taylor Lambert and Barcley J. Steib stopped by to award Q Lee Laundry Cleaner with the Good Neighbor Award. Q Lee Laundry Cleaner teamed up with a few State Farm agents from around the city to donate Q Lee gift cards to essential workers as a thank you for helping during the

3

pandemic.

4

5

6 54

7 I n side N ew Orl ean s

photo: ELIOT KAMENITZ

1.-2. JAMNOLA™, New Orleans’ first experiential pop-up that takes audiences of all ages on a topsy-turvy stroll through the cultural gems that make the city so special. JAMNOLA is 5,400-square-feet photos: JAMNOLA

of pure NOLA joy, celebrating the iconic art, music, food and theatrics of the city through the eyes of 20 local lead artists.

1

3. Christwood residents have been getting outside as much as they can; a favorite spot to visit is the nearby Solomon Episcopal Conference Center. 4. Longue Vue House & Gardens hosting Free Family Sunday on its serene grounds.

3

4

2

INside Peek 1.-2. American Civil Liberties Union hosted a Children’s March at Longue Vue House & Gardens. 3. Kim Russell playing tourist in the French Quarter while repping her favorite meal prep company, Sensible Meals.

4. St. Anthony’s Gardens residents celebrating the Fourth of July with a patriotic art project.

3

56

I n side N ew Orl ean s

2

1

4

1

1. -7. Sacred Heart opened its gates to students ages 1 through grade 8 for a summer learning experience, which offered educational and enrichment activities tied to each grade of study.

8. Marcus Buring with Northwood Realty Company showing one of his listings.

4

5

6

7

3

photo: IMAGES BY ROBERT T

2

8 A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 020 57

Drinks with Anna

by Anna Tusa

“Although I do enjoy creating cocktails… sometimes it is nice to have one made for you...”

58

I n side N ew Orl ean s

AS WE WERE PHASING BACK into our “new normal”, I decided to have a July 4th staycation in the French Quarter. The theme of this “Staycation Saturday” was Sipping in Seersucker. Seersucker signifies a Southern summer and is designed to beat the NOLA heat. So, I put on my favorite seersucker dress, and headed out to spend the day enjoying the French Quarter: the sights, the sounds, the shops, and most importantly the spirits.

The day started with brunch at the New Orleans Creole Cookery in the beautiful courtyard. The courtyard with its fountain had a peaceful ambiance, and a beautifully painted mural. First things first, ordering brunch cocktails of course. The Bacon Bloody Mary was made with bacon infused vodka, rimmed with a smoked bacon seasoning salt, and garnished with a piece of crispy bacon. Each savory sip was perfection, and it paired so well with my entrée of Gator Hash—alligator sausage, onions, bell peppers, heirloom potatoes topped with a poached egg and Tabasco hollandaise sauce. During brunch they do have mimosas and traditional bloody Mary’s for $5 that is a sweet deal for the Quarter. Following brunch, I was fueled up, masked up, and ready to have some fun walking Royal Street, and hitting all the shops. Retail therapy was much needed after staying home for so long.

After wandering Royal Street, the next stop was going to be the French Market. Today, was the first day the Flea Market was back in action. First stop was Organic Banana, for a tasty libation to walk with while exploring the Market. The Organic Banana has a variety of fresh fruit smoothies, and frozen rum daiquiris prepared right before your eyes. I chose the special of the day a Piña Colada, the drink was made with Old New Orleans White Rum, vanilla bean ice cream, pineapple, and coconut cream. So refreshing, delicious, and just what I needed to sip on while hitting up the Market. It was exciting seeing the vendors working their booths, the customers shopping, and the French Market shops open.

My afternoon continued with a stop at the Napoleon House. The Napoleon House captures the true essence of New Orleans; it is over 200 years old. I walked in, headed straight to the bar, ordered

photos: ANNA TUSA

Sipping in Seersucker

the Pimm’s Cup, and watched the bartender craft my cocktail. Finally, I did not have to craft my own cocktail. Although I do enjoy creating cocktails…sometimes it is nice to have one made for you! The originator of the Pimm’s Cup: Pimm’s #1, lemonade, 7up, and garnished with a cucumber. This drink is so light and easy on a hot and humid summer day. The restaurant has a beautiful courtyard, and a delicious muffuletta.

My Staycation Saturday made me feel a sense of normalcy again. This Saturday was my first Saturday since Mardi Gras that I was out enjoying our beautiful city. It felt so great seeing everyone masked up, following the safety precautions put in place at each establishment.

Being greeted by friendly employees, servers, and bartenders was a beautiful experience.

Most importantly, it was amazing supporting all the local businesses at a time when they truly need our support. New Orleans businesses are open, and I cannot wait till next weekend when I explore Magazine Street and all the amazing shops and restaurants it has to offer.

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2 020 59

Rocking the Twilight Zone

by Alison Burns

NORMALLY, I WOULD WRITE about all the nifty ways our small businesses can gear up for customers that are back-to-school and holiday shopping. But in the Twilight Zone, we must focus on that as well as how to recover some lost revenue from the pandemic-thatnever-ends.

Here are some things to start doing right now to rock the rest of the year: 1) Social media is your friend. No, it is your BFF. Gone are the days with that rule of posting one time per day, especially if you are in a product business. If you have competition posting 1,839 pictures to their stories every day, you need to post 1,840. There are eCommerce platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify that will allow integrations on social media (like IG) where you can purchase straight from a post. Do that. Constantly. Move. The. Merch.

2) Gift cards. Gift cards. Gift cards. Get branded gift cards (studies show they sell better than template cards) and promote those as much as possible. Give them to influencers to promote your store to their followers. (Just make sure the followers are real. Contact me for more details on how to do this.)

3) Think like a start-up. Getting down and dirty, working longer hours, cutting overhead down to the bare necessities, getting creative in sales tactics, asking for referrals, incentiving clients to bring you more clients, researching fresh (free) ideas for sales and marketing growth‌this is start-up mentality. And right now, you need to go back there.

4) Communicate with EVERYONE – your team, your customers, your vendors. Your team needs to know, as much as you are comfortable with, where the company stands and what needs to happen to hit revenue goals. Employees can be quite surprising when they feel invested in the health of a company. It is also particularly important to regularly communicate with customers, whether it be a newsletter, a phone call, or even customer shout-outs through social media. They will be your biggest cheerleaders and referral sources. And lastly, communication with vendors is imperative. They may call you first to let you know about a sale, or they may be able to sell in less bulk or give you longer terms. The name of the game in all of this is genuine relationship-building!

5) Marketing. Now is not the time to skimp on your marketing.

Why? Well for starters, more folks are spending time at home or have free time for computer-cruising. There is also the fact that social media platforms are doing some strange things, right? Facebook took its first hit in advertising revenue in years, and YouTube was the platform with the highest growth! Take advantage of this.

6) eCommerce. Are you online yet? I know you love your store, and your restaurant, and everything about your office, and I want you to keep those. But what can you put online to gain a different set of customers or give your current customers another way to buy? Let serving the customer be your guide here.

It will not be easy. Nothing about this year has been, but it will be all worth the learning and growth experiences.

If you need payment consulting or help setting up gift cards or websites, reach out to me at aburns@precisionpaymentsystems.com.

60

I nside N ew Orl ea n s

IN the Kitchen

by Lorin Gaudin

Minty Watermelon Feta Salad

WATERMELON IS a summertime emblem—cold, sweet, floral and delicious. Seeded or seedless, yellow- or pinkfleshed, watermelon is even the colors of summer! Of course, on its own, watermelon is a treat, but add a little salt, fat, heat and acid to turn it into something complete, an anytime-of-day meal or a side for grilled meat, seafood or veggies. When I made this salad for a family party, even the pickiest eaters (kids and purists) were all in for the combination of tangy and sweet; cool, crisp and juicy.

For those who don’t like watermelon, feel free to sub cantaloupe, honeydew, Crenshaw, or any favorite melon.

WATERMELON, MINT AND FETA SALAD 1 large whole seedless watermelon, chilled (about 8 cups cubed) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 3 whole limes, juiced

1 1/2 tsp salt

3/4 tsp black pepper 1 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped 1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese (sheep’s milk feta preferred) METHOD Remove rind from watermelon and cut fruit into 1-inch chunks. Place chunks in a colander to drain as you chop the mint, juice the limes and grab the olive oil. For the dressing (which can be made ahead), mix the lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper together in a small bowl.

Place watermelon in a large salad bowl. Pour dressing and chopped mint over the watermelon and toss gently to coat. Add in the crumbled feta and stir gently to integrate the cheese into the salad. Serve.

Note: This salad is best made right before serving but can be prepared one hour or less before your meal.

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2020 61

Haute Plates

Andrea’s Restaurant and Catering 3100 19TH ST.

METAIRIE 504-834-8583

ANDREASRESTAURANT.COM Andrea’s offers the finest in New Orleans local seafood, authentic Northern Italian, and Continental Cuisine. Chef Andrea says, “My Home is your Home.”

62

I n side N ew Orl ean s

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

1016 ANNUNCIATION ST.

Boulevard American Bistro

ANNUNCIATIONRESTAURANT.COM

NEW ORLEANS 504-410-5171

Annunciation

NEW ORLEANS 504-568-0245

Annunciation Restaurant, located in New Orleans’ bustling Warehouse

Briquette

701 SOUTH PETERS ST.

5171 CITRUS BLVD.

NEW ORLEANS

BOULEVARDBISTRO.COM

BRIQUETTE-NOLA.COM

Boulevard American Bistro’s

504-302-7496

Award-winning contemporary

District, is walking distance to the New

much-anticipated second location is

coastal cuisine featuring Gulf

Orleans Convention Center and WWII

open in Elmwood! Curbside pickup

seafood and fish, beef, lamb, chicken,

museum. Specializing in Southern

and delivery are available 7 days a

Maine Lobster and unique chef

and Creole cuisine, Annunciation is the

week, with dine-in options coming

specials daily. Lunch, Dinner, Happy

perfect setting for an intimate evening

soon. Enjoy a 50% off bottle of wine

Hour, Private Parties. Make your

out or a corporate dinner.

with your meal.

reservations on OpenTable.

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 commemorates 100 years of fine dining in the French Quarter, they also celebrate our native foods that share the same rich history as our grande dame restaurant. Chef Jimi Setchim pays tribute to spices, a key ingredient in all Louisiana cuisine, from April to June.

3547 N. HULLEN ST. CAFFECAFFE.COM

In 1992, Lisa and Gerald Beck opened the first Caffe! Caffe!, a friendly neighborhood café that would be a gathering place for business, pleasure and after dinner coffee and dessert. Meet me at … Caffe! Caffe!

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.

JEFFERSON 504-818-2200 JAEGERSSEAFOOD.COM 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.

Haute Plates

4137 US 90

New Orleans Creole Cookery

MOSCASRESTAURANT.COM

NEW ORLEANS 504-524-9632

Mosca’s WESTWEGO 504-436-8950

Continuing our family tradition, for more than 60 years, customers have enjoyed specialty Italian cuisine at Mosca’s Restaurant. From familiar staples like spaghetti and meatballs to signature dishes like Oysters Mosca, every dish is prepared to order and served on family-style platters.

Sensible Meals OVER TEN PICK-UP

LOCATIONS AVAILABLE 985-237-1011

EATSENSIBLEMEALS.COM @SENSIBLEMEALS

Sensible Meals gives you 15 chef prepared meals per week.

Menus are designed by a master trainer for rapid weight-loss, The meals are ready to heat and eat to meet your goals.

64

I n side N ew Orl ean s

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.

Swim Anywhere Swim-a-Thon THE BROOKE ERIN POSEY FOUNDATION, whose signature fundraiser is the Brooke E. Posey Swim-a-thon, is changing its format this year due to the pandemic. Instead of its yearly event held at the Southern Yacht Club, the foundation and its “Swim for Brooke” team are holding a “Swim Anywhere” Swim-a-Thon starting July 24 to August 9, open to all ages and abilities.

“Like so many events, COVID-19 gave us a chance to re-think the swim-a-thon,” announced Ernest Posey, Brooke’s father, and Director at the Brooke Erin Posey Foundation. “The fundraiser will be held over two weeks and you can participate wherever you like to swim: bathtub, baby pool, back yard pool, club pools or even a pool at your vacation destination. Get creative and set your own personal challenge.”

According to Posey, the Foundation was named and founded for his daughter, Brooke Posey, who was killed in a tragic automobile accident in 2017 at age 17.

Brooke was an avid swimmer and member of the Southern Yacht Club swim team. The swim-a-thon, now in its fourth year, is held to support local children’s charities. The 2020 recipient is Ronald McDonald House Charities® of South Louisiana (RMHC-SLA) that operates a home away from home for families of seriously ill or injured children needing medical treatment in the New Orleans area.

The entry fee to participate is $35 which includes a $15 non-refundable registration fee plus $20 donation. Registered swimmers will receive a reusable drawstring bag along with a 2020 swim-a-thon t-shirt after the event. A designated pick-up date will be determined for mid-August. Registration is now open at swimforbrooke.com and will continue through August 9th.

Corporate and family sponsorships are available, please send inquiries to info@swimforbrooke.com.

“It’s looking to be a hot summer, and swimming is one activity that people of all ages enjoy. What better way to combine fun with supporting a worthy cause like the Ronald McDonald House? It’s a win-win,” adds Posey.

For more details and to register go to swimforbrooke.com.

A ug u s t- S e p te m be r 2020 65

Annunciation Restaurant

AS EVERYONE SEARCHES for a sense of normalcy, Annunciation Restaurant is doing its best to make that happen for guests.

With fresh white tablecloths and flickering candles, patrons can enjoy their favorite Annunciation dishes comfortably and safely.

Executive Chef Milton Prudence has been happy to prepare favorites including Hash Browned Brussel Sprouts, Fresh Drum Yvonne, and Crabmeat Sardou.

Because everyone could use a drink right now, ask for a freshly crafted Catherine the Great or Pimm’s Annunciation. Catherine the Great is a mix of Damrak Gin, Vodka, St. Germain, lime and Prosecco; and Pimm’s Annunciation, a mix of Pimm’s, fresh seasonal berries, cucumber and soda. A Blueberry Sazerac, Southern Smash and Tom Collins also make the list.

In celebration of summer, Annunciation is excited to serve a special COOLINARY menu through August allowing all to enjoy three courses for $39. Grilled Lamb Chops will be served along with other featured dishes that are not on Annunciation’s regular Creole and Southern menu. The full menu is available for take-out during hours of operation.

Before the lovingly restored turn-ofthe-century warehouse restaurant reopened for in-house dining, the staff was trained in proper handwashing and sanitizing of surfaces including each table and chair between every guest seating. Everyone from the back of the house to the front of house performs their duties in masks to further keep patrons safe.

“We take it day by day right now because we know the rules are continuously changing.

One day we have bar seating, the next we don’t,” says owner Kristin Sparks.

“Our staff tries to not dwell on the things we cannot control, but instead on giving an amazing experience to each and every guest that comes in here, because each one plays a small part in keeping the business afloat right now. The most important tool is a positive attitude because we could easily feel defeated in these times.”

Reservations are required. Open Thursday through Sunday, 5pm to 10pm. Annunciation Restaurant is located on 1016 Annunciation Street in New Orleans 504-568-0245. annunciationrestaurant.com.

66

I nside N ew Orl ea n s

by Leah Draffen

photo courtesy: ANNUNICATION RESTAURANT

Last Bite