Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?

The answer to the post is obvious, YES! Tomorrow I fly to New Orleans for another job hunting visit and to celebrate my friend Sharon's birthday. This is one of my favorite weekends in the city because the Krewe du Vieux and new Krewe Delusions rolls on Saturday night. And the blog I follow blackend out has some great King Cake ideas.

I've applied for many jobs online and have contacted friends to get my resume out, but now is the time to visit some places and drop a resume and speak with people...face-to-face. My house is going on the market 2/16/10 and I'm ready to make my move to the city I love.

Sharon is a good friend from the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and last year we organized a DQ steamboat reunion in Chattanooga on the Delta Queen. A great friendship blossomed and I absolutely love her and Philip. We will celebrate in style and have a great girls weekend in the city.

The Krewe du Vieux rolls on Saturday night at 6:30 in the French Quarter. According to the Time Picayune there will be a surprise in store for this satire based krewe. The theme this year is "Fired Up" aptly named after the krewe suffered a fire in the float warehouse this year. The krewe is frantic at work to get the floats done in time. It's an parade not to be missed!

Blacked Out has posted a great blog about King Cakes. Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A Cake Fit For Kings

"Since the start of the new year, I have probably eaten 47 slices of king cake. I know, I know - high cholesterol, diabetes, cardiac arrest, yada yada yada - but I can't help myself. At least 3 times per week, sometimes twice in a single day, someone shows up at the office with a king cake. That's on top of the king cakes which are omnipresent at every birthday, wedding shower, funeral, and bris that I get invited to. How can a guy say no to a piece of king cake in celebration of circumcision?

But even though I have eaten an alarming number of slices of king cake, I honestly have not sampled the spectrum of species from that many different bakeries. Perhaps king cakes are similar to snowballs in that location plays a major role? Case in point, the above classic king cake from McKenzie's, now sold by Tastee Donuts, covered in purple, green, and gold granulated sugar While this is the king cake of my youth and always my first one of the season, it just never tastes as good as I remember.


At the opposite end from the McKenzie's classic, we have this shimmering specimen from Sucre, who started baking king cakes for the first time this year. The glaze on this cake is so stunning that you might be hesitant with your knife, but then you would be missing what's inside...


... and that would be an extremely light pastry filled with a thin layer of whipped cream cheese. I usually despise filled king cakes (too gloppy), but the minimal smear of cream cheese in this one is in perfect balance with the paper thin layers of pastry. This is probably the best king cake that I have eaten so far this year.


I'm still a sucker for Manny Randazzo's, which is better than Randazzo's Camellia City in my opinion. Haydel's makes a good king cake, but the combination of icing and granulated sugar throws me off; I prefer one or the other but not both. Antoine's is always welcome as an afternoon snack.


I still have quite a few king cakes on my list to try: Hi-Do Bakery on the wild wild Westbank, the not-so-sweet goat cheese and apple king cake from New Orleans Cake Cafe, the true classic galette des rois from La Boulangerie. So many cakes, so few inches to spare in the waistband of my suit pants. A little help, dear readers, if you wouldn't mind.
Posted by Peter at 6:40 AM
Labels: King Cake, Sucre, Tastee/McKenzie's "

It's Mardi Gras time in New Orleans and everyone is having fun...and I'll be having fun looking for a job.

Peace,
Tracey

What's up in the city I love?

It may be freezing in New Orleans, but the city is hot with exciting news! As I sit in my little stone house in the Midwest looking out at 6 inches of snow in my yard, I anticipate my return to the city I love. My blog this week is an update on what’s happening in New Orleans with reviving the crescent, an interesting photo exhibit on Julia Street that was sent my way from Maurice Slaughter and some information on an amazing blog I discovered and am currently following. This weekend my friend Rick Trolsen is playing so check him out and support your local musicians! And of course, cheer on my boys in Black and Gold as the Saints meet the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday!


Rick tells me: “ Just wanted to give you a heads up for this weekend. Come out and join the zany fun of NESLORT on Friday, January 15th (The Neslortian New Year) at The Hi Ho Lounge, 2239 St. Claude Ave. beginning at 10:00 PM, or so.

By popular demand, the "special" song of the evening will be "Bite Your Bitch"

Also, due to the current weather, we now have Neslort tank tops available! Remember, summer will be here before you know it!!

Featured, will be:

Larry Seiberth on Keys
Boyanna Trayanova on Drums
Tim Robertson on Guitar
Matt Perrine on Bass
Kyle Cripps on Saxes
And of course, myself, Rick Trolsen, on Trombone.

There will be some music made that you nor I have ever heard. This will be the only time we will play whatever notes we play, in whatever order we play them in. It's called "Live Music" it doesn't come packaged.”


The New Orleans city council voted 7-0 to rezone the property for the first phase of reviving the crescent. This project will bring employment, tourist and much needed revenue to the city. The beautification of the riverfront will be enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. By the time this project is complete, the world will be watching the transformation of the city and know that New Orleanians are dedicated to the city they love and will not be broken by a storm called Katrina. The overview of reviving the crescent states:
"The Crescent Park is first and foremost about connection – reconnecting our city and our communities to our riverfront. The park grants unparalleled physical and visual access to the river, creating an environment for locals and visitors to interact and enjoy the essence of New Orleans — our quality of life.
A collaborative effort, led by legendary architects George Hargreaves, Michael Maltzan, David Adjaye, and Allen Eskew, the Crescent Park spans from Elysian Fields Avenue in Marigny to Poland Avenue in the Bywater. The planned 1.4 miles of public open space includes 20 acres of indigenous landscaping, bike paths, playgrounds, a dog run, and two multi-use pavilions — the Mandeville Shed and the Piety Wharf.
Employing alternative energy resources and a simple economic model, the Crescent Park will be both energy self-reliant and financially self-sufficient."
Here’s the link to the Times Picayune article: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/01/new_orleans_city_council_appro.html

Maurice Slaughter forwarded an article from ArtVoices Magazine about a photography exhibit by Bruce Keyes.
“Weapon of Choice is the new photography series from Photographer Bruce Keyes. This series of 13 images in the follow up to his 30 year Retrospective title “The Spirit of New Orleans.” Weapon of Choice in my opinion is articulating the current climate here in New Orleans. Ordinary citizens of New Orleans were presented with a table of weapons to choose from. Pro or Anti this series is provocative, compelling and one of the most important exhibitions in New Orleans or anywhere else for that matter. The exhibit is currently on display at GSL ARTPROJECTS 614 Julia Street.

While posting on my Twitter Account: takemebacktonola, I came across a great Twitter/blog about New Orleans food! Check out www.blackendout.com . I appreciate the humor behind the blackened out team.

About the Blackened Out Team
"The year is 1995. Eight grade year is beginning at Jesuit High School. Peter Thriffiley, Jr. meets Rene A. Louapre IV. They share not only suffixes, but also every single class together. Rene proudly sports a butt cut, while Peter is mostly known as "Slappy." During the fall of 1995, they hatched a scheme to get rich quick. They would finish high school, go to different colleges, only meeting back up in the Fall of 2006 at LSU Law school, then once reunited, they would begin a fledgling website devoted to all things food. The plan was brilliant and implemented nearly flawlessly in February of 2008.

Their dedication displays not only a vast understanding until what was then only known as the Information Superhighway, but also a desire to write something everyday for the people who toil at that four letter word known as "work". This site will cover food, drink, events, celestial happenings, the stock market, tidal fluctuations, and other important issues. Mostly we will talk about New Orleans, but should Peter find himself in Napa Valley dining at one of the world's most celebrated restaurants, then I guess you will just have to suffer that day.

You can also find our writing monthly in offBEAT Magazine. Which is the perfect way to read us, if you don't have a computer outlet in your john.

We hope you enjoy this daily briefing of what the speck is going on. As always, feel free to reach us at our toll-free email address blackenedout at gmail dot com. Operators are standing by."

Peace!

New Orleans Food Outside New Orleans

Hi All,
I'm in Norfolk Virginia visiting my sister and brother in law for the long weekend. We have enjoyed great laughs, good company and amazing food. On Friday night we visited a restaurant called the Big Easy. We had some amazing oysters and then headed to a restaurant called 456 Fish. The chef, Ronnie Brown makes an amazing Creole sauce. I have to admit it is the only Creole sauce I have had outside of New Orleans that truly captured the flavor, spice and feel of Louisiana cooking. I had Pan Roasted Black Grouper with sweet fried plantains, garlic spinach, creole sauce, balsamic reduction and fried basil, amazing! If you visit the Norfolk area, be sure to frequent the locally owned restaurants in downtown. Heading there today to watch the Saints - Panthers game. GEAUX SAINTS!
Peace

New Year, New Orleans

Happy New Year to all,
2010 will be an amazing year, it started with a blue moon which won't occur again for 10 more years. The year will bring change to my life and I know I'll be back working and living in the city I love, New Orleans.Reviving the Crescent continues it's journey to reshaping the heart of the city and the Bywater community is thriving and more people are discovering the beauty of our delightful city. The city will elect a new mayor in May. This person must have the vision and determination to move the city forward.
2009 was the year of personal responsibility and I have decided 2010 is the year of purge. It's time to purge clutter not only from our homes, but from our lives. It's time to purge unhealthy lifestyles and unhealthy relationships. The time has come for each of us to live the life we deserve with happiness and an abundance of love, prosperity and joy.
Through my facebook page, I discovered another lover of New Orleans. Her name is Laura J. Bergerol. She is a photographer and I encourage everyone to check out her site:
Laura Bergerol Photography
Main website: www.timecaptured.net
Photoblog; http://www.timecaptured.net/photoblog
Twitter ID: laurabergerol

I had a great Christmas with my daughter in New York City. I was overcome with joy at her happiness and success in the city. New Year's Eve was delightful with my sister, brother in law and a charming friend of theirs. We shared some wonderful wine, food and company. I encourage everyone to share a holiday memory. Post your comments following this posting and let others delight in your happiness.

Peace

New Orleans Photographs by David Carl Grulke

I know I already posted my blog this week, but I wanted to share some amazing pictures from Photographer David Carl Grulke. You can check out his entire collection at www.davidcarlgrulke.com

Passion and Life Purpose

Passion and Your Life Purpose
During the holiday season, I find myself thinking more about my friends and the impact they have had on my life journey. I have had the fortune of meeting some amazing people in this thing called life. Each person I meet has a passion and a purpose in life. Sometimes it’s a challenge to find that passion or purpose because obstacles are placed in our path, but we find a way to overcome and persevere and get back on track.
I’m reading a great book written by my friend, Captain Garland Shewmaker. We worked together for many years at the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. His book Once Upon A River, published by authorhouse is a journey through his passion and his life purpose. At age 16, he took a job on a towboat and never looked back. He is a respected river pilot and master and it is an honor to know him. “This is a story of growing up on the river boats, that is, starting from scratch, earning your keep, making a little money have a dab of fun along the way.” “First, I would like to explain the difference in a fairy tale and a river story: A fairy tale starts this way: “Once upon a time” A river story begigs with “this ain’t no lie” “The old saying goes, if you wear out one pair of shoes on the river, you’re there to say. I have worn out several pairs and it ain’t no lie.”
Another friend grew up in a home where her Irish Catholic mother and Mormon father both became disenchanted with religion and chose not to raise their daughter in an organized religion. My friend started attending a Presbyterian church with a neighbor. She found her passion and life purpose and is now working with an amazing ministry in Philadelphia and has touched more youth and adult lives than she will ever know. She is a joy in my life.
My brother-in-law grew up in a very strict household, focused on academics and not pursuing passions. When he married my sister, she encouraged his passion. His passion is photography and his life purpose now is to bring the life and joy of his photographs to the world.
I know that my life purpose is connected to New Orleans. I know it’s time to follow my dreams. Today when I was thinking about these amazing people in my life, I decided I must go to New Orleans this weekend and rejuvenate. I’ll be town over the weekend and hope to reconnect with my friends and rejoice in the city I love! Stay tuned!

Peace

Community and Passion in New Orleans

Geaux Saints! I hope everyone had a relaxing and fun Thanksgiving or shall I say Saintsgiving holiday. It’s hard to imagine that we are coming to the end of another year with 2010 on the horizon. I’m hoping the New Year brings changes for me and I find my way back to the city I love -- New Orleans. The city is so exciting and great things are happening all over the Crescent City. In my last blog, I shared the amazing group -- Reviving the Crescent dedicated to reinventing the riverfront from downtown to the Bywater area. The river is a crucial part of the city’s history, lore and legend. The communities outside the CBD, French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny are as vibrant and interesting and it’s time for the world to discover new and better things in the city.

My blog this week will focus on a community and passion that is coming back after Katrina and a part of the reviving the Crescent --the Bywater Community. I have a friend, Maurice Slaughter, who is investing in this community. He lives in Virginia, but is from Louisiana. He loves New Orleans and believes in the revitalization of the city. He is purchasing houses and rehabbing them for artists and galleries. He had gotten historic designation on the homes. Maurice has a passion and is doing something about it while giving back at the same time.

For those of you who have not heard of the Bywater, it is a community down river from the Faubourg Marigny. It is bounded by the Mississippi River to the South, St. Claude Avenue to the North, Press Street to the West and the Industrial Canal to the East. While you have all heard about the Lower Ninth Ward, you may not know that Bywater is considered the Upper Ninth Ward.

The Bywater is an artist community and quite bohemian. Following Katrina, many young professionals and new families moved into the area as well. According to Anthony Eschmann, Board member of the Bywater Neighborhood Association, “The Times-Picayune calls the Bywater community the Bohemian Bosom of NO.”

Many restaurants, art galleries and some famous New Orleans watering holes are in the area. I recently wrote to a few locations and asked if I could include them on my blog.

Bacchanal Wine sends a weekly update of what’s happening. This week end the email blast includes information about The Bywater Christmas Art Market.
This week Bacchanal has some great holiday shopping options for you, from the great New Orleans photography of Greg Rhoades and Lee Celano, to the local flavors of the Bywater Christmas Art Market, don’t miss this opportunity to grab some really unique gifts for your loved ones. And this Sunday we have the return of Chef Ryan Haigler of La Petit Grocery and Boucherie and a full six piece band courtesy of Martin Krusche and Magnetic ear 2010!!
This Saturday and Sunday: the Bywater Christmas Art Market from 1-5 pm. You can help support our local artists by putting the money directly into their pockets and at the same time get one of a kind gift for your friends and family. Don’t buy a bunch of mass-produced, plastic, meaningless trinkets, come to Bacchanal and find that perfect expression of love and good taste. Live music at Sunday’s Market courtesy of the Courtyard Kings!!The menu at Bacchanal is amazing and well worth a special trip to the Bywater.

Jeffrey Holmes of L’Art Noir New Orleans was kind enough to respond and send me the following on his gallery:
L’Art Noir New Orleans is an underground art project designed to give emerging and unknown artists a chance to break into the art world, often by pairing them in shows with nationally known artists to help as a springboard.
Master Jeffrey Holmes began the L’Art Noir project in Ft. Lauderdale in 1997 (as Galerie Macabre) and moved the project to the Bywater neighborhood in New Orleans in 2003.
Holmes and his then partner Andrea Garland purchased a run-down commercial/residential building on St. Claude Ave. five months before Katrina with the in4ent of moving the gallery to a permanent location. Five months late, the federal levee system failed and their new home was flooded. Working as first responder, they snuck back into the city two weeks after Katrina to bring food, water, generators and other supplies to residents remaining in the city, as well as to begin the long task of cleaning and rebuilding their home.
L’Art Noir’s ‘Toxic Art’ exhibit was born out of the need to dispose of Holmes’ and Garland’s flooded possessions, artwork, art supplies and equipment, and was the first post-Katrina art exhibit in New Orleans. The creation of various installations in the neutral ground (median) on St. Claude Avenue helped themselves and their neighbors deal with their losses in a creative way and provided an entertaining and thought provoking display for the many entities that passed down the otherwise vacant St. Claude Avenue on their way to the Lower 9th Ward.
The ‘Toxic Art’ exhibition garnered international attention and was considered by many as a beacon of hope. Others saw it as threat and a portion of the exhibit was censored by National Guardsmen who had Mater Jeffrey arrested.
The first formal (indoor) show was actually a book release and exhibition for the Press St. Intersections. After the success of that show Andy Antipas from Barristers Gallery decided to set up his gallery at his home on St. Claude. Holmes and Garland upon hearing that called Antipas with the intention of co-ordinating the gallery openings. Adam Farrington was in the process of setting up his gallery near Barristers and was invited out for drinks with Holmes, Garland and Antipas. Holmes and Garland would maintain and finance the website and the SCAD, St. Claude Arts District was born (November 2006).
Skip one year later (November 2007) and the NY times did a story on New Orleans and featured the SCAD, reviewing shows at all three galleries. Within one year after that the SCAD would boast over 15 galleries as well as performance, theater and music venues and is still growing at this time.
You will also find original New Orleans art at the Bywater Art Market which takes place every third Saturday of the month, at Markey Park. And check out Dr. Bob’s Art Gallery at 3027 Chartres Street.

Now when you visit the Bywater, you must sample the locale fare. Check out these eateries for some good New Orleans food.
Bywater Restaurant at 3162 Dauphine St. for some great bar-b-que, sandwiches and seafood for lunch and dinner.
Elizabeth’s at 601 Gallier St. for some Creole, Southern and po-boys, it’s a neighborhood favorite for breakfast and lunch.
Markey’s Bar at 640 Louisa St. for great pub food, burgers, salads and great wings!

We all know, when in New Orleans do as the locals do…enjoy some community at a local watering hole. So, when in the Bywater be sure to stop by these great places:
BJ’s Lounge 4301 Burgundy. Great dive, purely a beer and booze bar!
Vaughan’s Lounge 4226 Dauphine. This place is famous because of the amazing musician and trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ swingers every Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. You do have to enter thru a locked door but well worth it, plus half way thru the show they serve some good N’Awlins cookin!
Saturn Bar 3067 St. Claude Avenue, great dive with really funky décor. Cheap beer and whiskey.

I encourage everyone who visits the city to support this community and get a true feeling for the amazing people who call New Orleans home. You will never meet nicer more sincere people who have a passion for their city, family and community. It can’t be found anywhere else and that’s why I have a passion and love for the city of New Orleans!

Peace