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Topic:Helpful Tips for the Newbies on How to Move to New Orleans Title: A New Life in New Orleans Entry:  Are you tired of the same old scene? Do you want to make a change? Move to New Orleans. This vibrant city is known for its music, art, culture, cuisine, and fiery passion.  New Orleans may be an old city, but its heart beats like that of a vibrant youth! Music and dancing are everywhere! People don’t move here for the peace and quiet. When you move to New Orleans, you’re getting Mardi Gras mixed with friends, family, and festivity! This place has everything good life can offer, merrily served on a platter of delectable Creole cuisine.  New Orleans is the way it is because of its people. The city’s inhabitants are just as diverse and fabulous as the rich culture that the city is known for. Easy-going, carefree, friendly, and accepting—the people of New Orleans will make you feel right at home.  Check out episodes 48 and 50, Moving to New Orleans Part I and Part II where we discuss moving to New Orleans, then reach out to our sponsor Liz Wood when you’re ready to make the move. Topic:History of New Orleans Title: The Haunting of the French Quarter Entry: Old as it is, you can be sure that New Orleans is filled with a rich past. Nothing beats a stroll through the city’s storied streets. You’ll encounter old manors, grand museums, hole-in-the-wall speakeasies, and more places graced by America’s cultural luminaries. One of the most historic places in the Big Easy is the French Quarter. The French Quarter is one of America’s oldest residential neighborhoods. It’s also haunted, if you believe the rumors. Tales of the infamous LaLaurie Mansion, owned by notorious slave-owner and serial killer Madame LaLaurie, are shared in hushed tones all over the city.  Want to learn more about Madame LaLaurie? Check out the episode I recorded with author Carolyn Morrow Long, #74.  Purchase Carolyn’s book at Octavia Books by visiting in person or clicking here. Topic:Drink or Beer of the Week Title:  Sazerac: The Story Behind the First Cocktail  Entry: There’s no such thing as closing time in New Orleans. It’s called the Big Easy for a reason. New Orleans is a port city where the good times roll. In the 1800s, a Creole man who owned a drug store named Antoine Peychaud started selling his own medicinal elixir mixed with his bitters. And that’s how Sazerac was born!  Peychaud’s mix is unique among aromatic bitters for its tart and fruity flavors. The cocktail has been recreated and redefined over the years, but it was finally made the official cocktail of New Orleans in 2006! The key ingredients for Sazerac were originally brandy, absinthe, and Peychaud’s bitters but some ingenious bartenders have recreated this cocktail using rye whiskey instead of brandy. For more about cocktails in New Orleans, listen to episode 49 with Elizabeth Pearce. For a more immersive experience, sign up for one of Elizabeth’s virtual happy hours where you can learn to mix a drink and soak up some history at the same time. Topic:Previous Podcast Episode Title:  The Whitney Plantation: Lessons Learned from America’s Cruel Past Entry:  If you’re used to the homey, friendly community in New Orleans, then this seemingly haunted destination might not be your cup of tea. The Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana, has a storied past filled tales of slavery and cruelty.  The Whitney Plantation’s tour doesn’t shy away from showing the darker side history. Formerly a sugar plantation, the area now plays host to the only tour in Louisiana that explains and discusses slavery in detail, and solely from the lens of the enslaved. Visitors will encounter memorials that were built to honor the Black lives that were ruined by greed, as well as slave cabins, a freedmen’s church, and many other historical locations.  The site has been used in movies whose themes cover the slave trade, Django Unchained being one of them. It has also had a positive effect on the other plantations along River Road, causing them to confront their past and adjust how they tell their story. For more about Whitney plantation, be sure to listen to episode #54 of the Beyond Bourbon Street podcast. SOURCES: https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/46665 Topic:History/Image of the week Title:  Louisiana: Home of Massive Mailboxes  Entry: Do you like mailboxes? How big do you like ‘em? If you think bigger is better, then you’re gonna love this. In 1956, Ben Burnside of Franklin Plantation, Newellton, Louisiana built a 14-foot tall mailbox. Guess what? The thing’s been standing tall and sturdy for 64 years and counting.  [insert a pic] Why would he build such a thing? Maybe he expected a lot of packages delivered to him or maybe he just wanted to see what a huge mailbox in the middle of nowhere looked like. Whatever his reasons, the massive mailbox serves as a great tourist attraction for people of all ages!  We mentioned bigger is better. So here’s an even bigger mailbox.  [insert a pic] Located in Frierson, Louisiana, this monumental mailbox is 19 feet tall. Widely regarded as the largest mailbox in Louisiana, this was built as a publicity stunt for the reality TV series "Bayou Billionaires.” If you like reading about oddities and other quirky tales, stay subscribed to my newsletter! ——————————————————————————————————————————- WEEK 3 NEWSLETTER SUBJECT EMAIL: On Pop-ups and Green Paths Topic:List of local riders Title:  Strength in Numbers: Rider Groups in the Big Easy Entry: Biking is a breeze in the Big Easy, Widely recognized as one of the most bike-friendly states in the U.S., New Orleans has a plethora of rider clubs. Here are a few that you might like to check out: Bike Easy is a local bicycle advocacy group that promotes a healthy and prosperous lifestyle for everyone by creating projects such as engaging with your community through biking projects, joining bicycle scavenger hunts, and encouraging people to donate or lend bikes to frontliners during the pandemic. Here’s the link to know how you too can help: bikeeasy.org. RUBARB: Rusted Up Beyond All Recognition Bikes was founded in 2006 when citizens, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, decided to collect rusted and damaged bikes and bike parts to be fixed and re-used by residents and volunteers. Way to be ingenuous! Check out rubarbike.com to see how you can be part of their community. Where Ya’Rack was started by the Young Leadership Council to encourage cycling in place of commuting. Head over to http://www.whereyarack.org/ for more information.  YEP: Youth Empowerment Project is more than just your everyday bicycle club. It mentors, educates, and helps the youth prepare for their future by providing community-based education, employment readiness and enrichment programs. Head on to http://www.youthempowermentproject.org/ to learn more about YEP.  NOLA Social Ride is an organization that promotes bicycle riding in New Orleans. Once a week, members meet up for “Happy Thursday.” This is an excellent way to build camaraderie in their organization. Visit http://www.nolasocialride.org/ to catch their next ride!  Topic:Information about neighborhood or community   Title:  Lafitte Greenway, Where Art Meets Nature Entry:  In the midst of a vibrant bustling city, Lafitte Greenway is the perfect neighborhood for anyone looking for a refreshing outdoor break. This park site spans a distance of 2.6 miles of exciting bike routes and pedestrian paths that connect people to nature, culture, and some of New Orleans’ most historic neighborhoods, including the Treme, the French Quarter, Bayou St. John, and the Mid-City.  The number of cycling enthusiasts has increased, not only in New Orleans, but all over the globe, and the Big Easy is gaining steady momentum. As the pandemic continues, people have found new ways of coping with the new normal. Whether it’s due to transportation restrictions, environmental activism, or physical wellness, more people have turned away from carbon-emitting cars to good old fashioned cycling.   But more than the greenery and the active lifestyle that Lafitte Greenway promotes, another ray of sunshine it has provided the community is its advocacy for the visual arts. Not too long ago, the site played host to Ephemera, a short exhibit held by contemporary artists who expressed themselves in the form of solar-powered LED lights, welded steel sculptures, reclaimed wood, and other recycled materials.  On November 14, the site became home to Photoville Fence, a photography exhibit that features more than 100 photographers in a 1,200 feet stretch, starting at Jeff Davis Parkway and extending toward Broad street. This will be a year-round photography project that spotlights everyday life. The Lafitte Greenway is lined by several massive murals. For people hopping on their bicycles to get across the Big Easy, it’s a sweet and scenic route that’s good for the mind and body. Sources: https://midcitymessenger.com/2020/11/12/photo-exhibition-to-open-on-lafitte-greenway/ https://www.tpl.org/our-work/lafitte-greenway  https://blogs.worldbank.org/transport/covid-19-creates-new-momentum-cycling-and-walking-we-cant-let-it-go-waste https://www.lafittegreenway.org/ephemera Topic: Small business story/Information about neighborhood or community Title:  Riding the New Wave of Pop-up Culture Entry: Embracing Pop-ups The rise in the number of pop-up retail stores is being seen all over the globe, punctuated by an innovative business model that has been especially useful during the pandemic. The low-budget, short-term, and quick-install methodology has been a go-to for both small and big-time business owners wanting to save on long-term leases by conveniently setting up stalls that are closer to potential customers.  Pop-ups offer a wide array of products and services, ranging from farm markets, restaurants, and coffee shops to handmade crafts. These are ingeniously done under the shade of canopy tents or the dependable mobility of pick-up trucks. The charm of pop-ups also comes in smaller, more intimate connections made by sipping coffee in a table set for two or buying handmade crafts from a local artisan.  All this makes for a more enjoyable experience in light of a struggling economy.  Community and Volunteerism  In the face of a crisis like this, nothing beats the power of volunteerism, and the people of New Orleans are ready to lend a helping hand.  If you, too, wish to get involved, you can volunteer virtually or choose to have food and goods delivered by signing up for groups such as:  Green Lights New Orleans Culture Aid NOLA Greater New Orleans Caring Collective Hands On New Orleans NOLA Tree Project Second Harvest Food Bank Broadmoor Food Pantry Pop-ups Thrive on Local Support  While pop-up shops give the flexibility that businesses need in order to curtail losses, the most important key to their survival comes down to the support of locals. In a world where shopping at large commercial stores is the default, appreciating locally-made products that are unique and individually made will help you stand out in a crowd wearing the same generic clothing bought from retail outlets.  An old but equally interesting study from 2003 emphasizes the significance of shopping locally by buying directly from locally-owned businesses in contrast to shopping locally in WalMart and big box retailers. The study points out that a portion of the revenue made from buying from locally-owned businesses allows three times as much money to stay in your community vs. shopping at a major chain store. As local retailers purchase their goods from local manufacturers and hire service people locally, dollars spent on local retailers create a positive ripple effect on your neighborhood and surrounding communities.  Sources: https://uptownmessenger.com/2020/10/viewpoint-the-friendly-flavorful-world-of-pandemic-pop-ups/ https://www.nola.com/gambit/food_drink/article_-e-a6a0-11ea-9b90-731bdb018acb.html https://nola.eater.com/2020/8/11/-/how-to-help-during-pandemic-covid-19-new-orleans-louisiana https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=volunteer+opportunities&find_loc=New+Orleans%2C+LA https://prcno.org/the-pandemic-underscores-the-importance-of-shopping-local/ https://ilsr.org/wp-content/uploads/files/midcoaststudy.pdf WEEK 4 NEWSLETTER SUBJECT EMAIL:  Topic:  Music/Information about neighborhood or community Title: Support Relief Efforts by Supporting Local Music Entry: With a city as vibrant as New Orleans, could you have ever imagined a time when music wasn’t playing in the streets, people weren’t dancing, and the world wasn’t celebrating? Musicians are facing unprecedented challenges as the pandemic continues to keep the majority of people indoors. The lack of gigs, regardless of scale, has forced many professional musicians to seek other sources of revenue.  You can do your part to help them out! Here’s a guide on the relief efforts you can donate to or participate in to show your support for our local musicians, bar workers, and other people in the NOLA music scene: Buy music! Purchase and download from iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby and the like.  Culture Aid Nola - The organization's all-for-one approach for helping the community is this: “We don't ask for identification, proof of income, or keep track of who picks up their groceries. We're committed to ending the stigma of hunger with no-barrier aid.”  Jazz & Heritage Music Relief Fund - A relief fund for Louisiana musicians. Meals for Musicians - A program that offers food vouchers good for curbside pickup. They have a GoFundMe set up that accepts donations, with all proceeds going to the Musicians' Clinic. Call - for more information. NOLA Virtual Tip Jar - A public Google document, started on Twitter by Kristen Monteleone, that collects the Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal usernames of area service industry workers. You can donate directly to workers by checking this out! New Orleans Bartender Tip Party - Much like the NOLA Virtual Tip Jar, New Orleans comedian-illustrator-designer Laura Sanders has organized a list of area bartenders and their Venmo accounts. People who want to help out can then donate to them directly.   These larger organizations are also accepting donations: Second Harvest Food Bank  Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans  New Orleans Musicians' Clinic WWOZ Radio Source: https://www.nola.com/gambit/news/the_latest/article_8a5c-ea-89fd-e34d9757da23.html  Topic:Curiosities Title:  Louisiana: Home of Massive Mailboxes  Entry: Do you like mailboxes? How big do you like ‘em? If you think bigger is better, then you’re gonna love this. In 1956, Ben Burnside of Franklin Plantation, Newellton, Louisiana built a 14-foot tall mailbox. Guess what? The thing’s been standing tall and sturdy for 64 years and counting.  [insert a pic] Why would he build such a thing? Maybe he expected a lot of packages delivered to him or maybe he just wanted to see what a huge mailbox in the middle of nowhere looked like. Whatever his reasons, the massive mailbox serves as a great tourist attraction for people of all ages!  We mentioned bigger is better. So here’s an even bigger mailbox.  [insert a pic] Located in Frierson, Louisiana, this monumental mailbox is 19 feet tall. Widely regarded as the largest mailbox in Louisiana, this was built as a publicity stunt for the reality TV series "Bayou Billionaires.” Topic: History/Drink or Beer of the Week  Title:  Craft Beer and Conscious Consumerism Entry: With a trusted history of over two centuries’ worth of fine beer craftsmanship, New Orleans is the place to be for beer-lovers of all walks of life.  The craft beer industry keeps growing, particularly among youngish business owners. With that in mind, what is craft beer and why is it so special?  Just like any other beer, craft beer is created with typical beer ingredients, but with a unique twist. They’re usually infused with fruit, chocolate, coffee, or other non-traditional beer ingredients. For the most part, craft beers are innovative, fun, and funky! Most craft breweries are majority-owned by an independent craft brewer, and their products contain at least 50% traditional ingredients. Annually, most craft breweries produce about 6 million barrels of beer or less. Craft Beer Originals  Here are a few craft brews that you might like to try: Parish Brewing Ghost in the Machine Courtyard Brewery Sonic Youth in 1983  NOLA Brewing NOLA Funk Series Chafunkta Brewing Company Old 504 Old Rail Brewing Company Echo Sierra Bravo Great Raft Brewing All My Tomorrows Hoppyright Infringement  Spud Heavy Moon Shoes Flippy Floppy No Strings Attached  How Craft Beer Ties Into Conscious Consumerism in the Big Easy With the advent of craft beers also comes social change, at least in terms of being mindful of the social, environmental, and political impact of beer production.  One of New Orlean’s oldest beer companies, Dixie Beer, opted to reinvent its brand after sparking a recent controversy with its century-long name. Dixie is a term that has been used to describe the old south during a time of slavery, something that doesn’t sit well in 2020. The people who run Dixie Beer knew they had to evolve with the changing times.  They eventually settled on the name “Faubourg Brewing Company.”  Faubourg is a French term that means ‘neighborhood.’ This brand reinvention is meant to be inclusive of all colors, cultures, and communities.  Owner Gayle Benson said, “The Faubourg Brewing Company is a celebration of our city, our people, and our commitment to New Orleans.” Now, that is a win for social activism, beer appreciation, and beyond. Topic: Helpful Tips for the Newbies on How to Move to New Orleans Title:  A lot of good left in the Crescent City  Entry: People have, since time immemorial, chosen New Orleans as a new place to call home—and for good reason. Ever heard of Mardi Gras? Mix that with beer, music, and some good old Southern hospitality and ta-da, you have New Orleans! But the onset of the pandemic has been particularly cruel to life in the Big Easy. For a city whose economy was hugely dependent on tourism, the pandemic created a black hole big enough to devour the once thriving industry.  Even so, all is not lost when you have locals whose strength and resilience have only grown since the early days of Katrina.  As of November 25, New Orleans enters a new phase of the city government’s multiphase reopening plan. While wearing masks in public and social distancing are still mandatory, travel restrictions have eased for people wanting to enter the state of Louisiana. Outdoor dining is allowed at full capacity, while a stricter protocol of 50% capacity is in place for indoor dining.  If you happen to enter a bar in the streets of New Orleans, you may find yourself alone or in the company of a few patrons. However, outside dining paints a completely different scenario.  With picnic tables being filled, outdoor live music coming to life once more, a waiter taking orders, and a bartender mixing your drinks—people are excited to become part of the community after what feels like, a long long time of isolation. Connect with Nature If you wish to commune with nature and take a little weekend breather, New Orleans has that to offer and more.  Here’s a list of places you’ll want to escape to without actually having to go so far: Breakwater Park Bayou St. John Big Branch Marsh Honey Island Swamp Camp Salmen Nature Park Fountainbleau State Park  Catfish and the Swamp What’s in store for public transit These days, a lot of the locals have opted for a healthier, more pollution-free means of traveling, turning back to good old bicycles for transportation.  New Links is a project that’s been in the works since 2019. The goal of this project is to come up with a redesigned bus and streetcar network that will work better for riders.  The project relied on feedback, online surveys, and public meetings—a good way to get people involved and solve problems more efficiently!  To read more about New Links, visit this website.  For anyone wanting to move to New Orleans, there’s still a lot to consider. As in many other urban sprawls, poverty, crime, and homelessness are on the rise and settling in is not an overnight task. If you have a friend, family, or a job waiting for you, it could relatively ease the transition.  But don’t let this discourage you. If your heart craves for the vibrance of the Big Easy, the music, the food, and the rich culture that surrounds it, then go where your heart takes you. A community of kind, friendly locals is sure to be waiting for you with open, welcoming arms. Topic: Small Business Title:  A Little Bit of Sunshine Amid Shutdowns Entry: In a city that never runs out of creativity, there’s always someone who comes up with tantalizing visuals drenched in a vibrant splash of colors, creating ingenious pieces that are nothing if not extravagant and eccentric.  Sometimes, all it takes is a certain mix of hues to brighten up your day and put you in a good mood. All in all, it’s bits and pieces that combine to represent an essential part of living—art. Here are a few art-centric small businesses that you should be keeping an eye on: BLucid Flowers, a local flower shop, continues to bloom amid the crisis. People far and near have come to enjoy the vibe, the color, and the sunshine that flowers bring in these dark times.  Local designer Brittany Schall decided to put down roots in New Orleans because she simply fell in love with the connectivity and energy that came with being surrounded by the people in the community. She created La Adorna after suffering a neck injury that almost put her talent and passion to a complete halt. La Adorna is a wearable art fashion line that uses colors, form, and texture in different meticulous ways that the eccentric and eclectic soul is sure to fall in love with.  JAMNOLA is a multiroom installation that displays works from various New Orleans artists in celebration of culture, art, food, music, and the Crescent City community. It’s the first pop-art museum that holds 12 different art rooms, each one displaying its own unique exhibits, such as pieces inspired by Mardi Gras, sculptures of New Orleans’ musicians, and many more.  Failure and Hope With a handful of shops, bars, and pop-up ventures opening and reopening comes the end for others.  The owners of Saturn Bar have finally decided to call it quits after 60 years. Liuzza’s, a mid-city Creole Italian restaurant that’s been around since 1947 is also for sale. The Circle Bar, a 21 year old night club that has stood the ever changing demands of the music scene, has recently announced its likely permanent closure before the end of 2020.  These are only a few of the many long-running establishments that are shutting down. But since the city government recently allowed businesses like these to reopen and with more people willing to go out once more, everyone is hopeful that the number of business closures will cease to increase.   Giving Back Every week, we never miss the opportunity to inform, update, and give everyone a chance to give back to the community!  For this week’s Newsletter, here are some heartwarming calls for donations: “As temperatures drop, many homeless people are left cold and without blankers. Let’s spread the warmth. I am collecting donations of either funds or used blankets to be distributed. Thank you for your help.” Venmo @gno-mutual-aid for your donations.  “Tall Sam here, co-founder of Bikes For The Apocalypse, a project in the Ninth Ward offering free and donation-based bikes and repairs. After years of homelessness, I was shown incredible kindness in being given a job and a short-term place to live. I’ve worked hard and grown a stable life here in the city, and now I’m leading a team dedicated to paying it forward.”   To support BFTA, donate a bike or bike parts at their shop at 1201 Mazant St, or let them know through Instagram, Facebook Page or Facebook Messenger so they can come and pick up your old bike(s).    “For five years, I’ve been doing a toy drive to help the folks at the New Orleans Women’s & Children’s Center on South Liberty. The reason I decided to start doing this was because that same year one of my friends was beaten to death by an ex in Ascension Parish. Six years prior one of my friends in Memphis was shot and killed by an ex.   I wanted to do this to honor their memory as well as bring joy to these families.“   You can check out the wishlist through this link. If you would like to donate to the toy drive monetary wise, please send your donations at PayPal.me/RHancock19.