From the Editor
Fall in New Orleans is a time when we really start to move away from all things summer. The air gets a little lighter. The oppressive humidity of those dog days finally wanes. We break out the gumbo pot and…
Author: Ashley McLellan
Local Legends
Mysterious Fantasy The Big Door Prize by M.O. Walsh A mysterious machine that promises to predict your life’s ambitions may seem too good to be true. And perhaps it is. But in the small Louisiana town of Deerfield, residents are…
Persona: Community Crusader
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, more than 50 percent of COVID-19 deaths in the state have been African Americans. Dr. Thomas LaVeist, dean of Tulane’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and the first African American to…
Literary Louisiana: Summer Reading List
JACKPOT DREAMS Louisiana Lucky: A Novel by Julie Pennell In “Louisiana Lucky: A Novel,” author Julie Pennell brings us the story of three sisters growing up with modest means in a small town. They fantasize about what it would be…
Social Aid, New Orleans Style
When Krewe of Red Beans founder Devin De Wulf saw a simple need, providing front line workers with wholesome meals, he jumped into action. He and his krewe members have launched a new initiative, the Krewe of Second Line. New…
Poolside Service
Relaxing by the pool is a favorite summertime activity. But what to do when happy hour rolls around? Who wants to bring the party inside? We’ve searched and found the most stylish acrylic cocktail glasses in classic shapes and cool…
Laine Hardy
Louisiana native Laine Hardy has always been a performer. The southern rocker started playing guitar at the age of 8, and by 14 he was performing in a band. When a friend asked him to come with her to audition…
NOLA Mother's Day 2020
It’s time to celebrate mom, and while that celebration may look a little different this year, there are still plenty of great places to get gifts, delicious treats, festive spirits and more. Here are some of our top choices…
Literary Louisiana: Off the Shelf
MAGICAL TALE The Lost Book of Adana Moreau by Michael Zapata This book is a hard-to-describe tale of twists, turns and mysterious manuscripts. It starts in 1929 New Orleans, where a young woman writes a popular science fiction tale, falls…
Eric Paulsen
During his long career at WWL-TV, journalist and anchor Eric Paulsen has seen politicians come and go, scandals and celebrations, tragedies and triumphs. While New Orleanians can still start their day waking up to Paulsen hosting the channel’s morning show,…
Starting a New Running Routine
For me, getting outside for an early morning run has been crucial to staying sane during our self-isolation time. If you are new to running or would like to start a new routine, here are some tips and tools to…
Corona Diaries: Friday, April 17, 2020
During these times, our attention spans have varied wildly from binge reading an entire novel in one day to only being able to focus on videos the length of a TikTok jam. For me, I have found my most…
Corona Diaries: Thursday, April 16, 2020
The weather, while beautiful, took a chilly turn this morning. During most spring days, we turn our kitchens away from soups and stews to lighter fare. But for me, I’ll be making a big pot of lentil soup. Lentils…
Corona Diaries: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Social aid and pleasure clubs across New Orleans have been leaning heavily into the “aid” portion of their mottos. Groups like the Sirens, the Merry Antoinettes, the Muffalottas and more have collected money to provide meals to healthcare workers.…
Corona Diaries: Tuesday, April 14, 2020
I have a text thread with several of my Carnival krewe members. We check in at least once a day, usually more than that – a lot more than that - to make sure we are all staying sane and…
Corona Diaries: Monday, April 13, 2020
As I write this, the forecast is at last calling for rain. Although I have loved the sweet sunny days we have been experiencing, a big part of me is excited for a day of rain, wind and thunder.…
Celebrating Easter and Passover During Coronavirus
While we are all still in the midst of our social distancing practices, many will be celebrating this weekend. Easter and Passover mark a special religious moment in the year for Jews and Christians, and harken the arrival of…
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Self-Quarantine Living Room Dance Party
We know times are hard right now. It feels like this will never end. But, in New Orleans the party never stops. And sometimes, when things get really hard, you just need to turn on some music and dance.…
Let’s Play a Game!
With shelter-at-home orders in place through the end of the month, many may be looking for entertainment beyond the screen. Kids and adults alike are all feeling stir crazy and a little (a lot) bored. From card games to…
Loving Life in LA
David Rubin, a.k.a. Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr., and his band the Zydeco Twisters have been cooking up music for a local, national and international audience for decades. The master of the washboard, Dopsie loves his fans just as much as they…
NOLA Mock-Tales: It’s the End of the World as We Know It …
This is soooo 2005 Well things have really gotten real lately. It seems like the news is coming in every minute with information and closings and schedule changes for pretty much everything. I have a close friend who is a…
Taking It To The Streets
With many events being cancelled with orders to implement social distancing and shelter in place, the annual Crescent City Classic 10k run has transformed itself from a traditional 6.2 mile road race into the new Virtual Crescent City Classic run.…
Keeping the Party Going, Virtually
New Orleans residents aren’t letting social distancing kill their buzz. Many are “gathering” in small groups via apps like Zoom and Google Hangout to celebrate virtual happy hours. Metairie resident Molly Russell Doran was excited to join in the…
NOLA Mock-Tales: Oooooh, We’re Halfway There
We are quickly approaching our halfway point, and I really can’t believe how fast the time has flown. I have found that having a plan in place, with plenty of refreshing sodas, tea and mocktail garnishes (think lime, fruit, herbs…
NOLA Mock-Tales: Biometric Tests and Helpful Apps for Staying Alcohol Free
It’s been three days since the kick-off of the Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge, and so far, so good. Yesterday, my co-challenger Melanie and I travelled to the kick-off event held by Ochsner Fitness Nutrition and Eat Fit NOLA…
The Writing Life
Novelist Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s 2019 novel “We Cast a Shadow” became a runaway hit, garnering praise from NPR, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and many more. The novel, a unique story about a father protecting his son no…
Literary Louisiana: Louisiana Spirit
FOOD Mosquito Supper Club: Cajun Recipes from a Disappearing Bayou by Melissa Martin Chef Melissa Martin is passionate about two things: food and helping to preserve and protect the fragile wetlands and fisheries of her native Louisiana, as well as…
NOLA Mock-Tales: Back Away from the Booze, the Moment of Truth is Upon Us
Melanie: Welp, here we go, y’all. Or at least those of us who gave up alcohol for Lent or who, like Ashley and I are doing the Eat Fit Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge. After the past three weeks of…
NOLA Mock-Tales: Strategies for the Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge
Melanie: We are six days out from the start of the Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge and Ashley and I both are working on success strategies for the coming days and weeks. Planning ahead always helps keep me on…
NOLA Mock-Tales: The Eat Fit Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge with a Twist
Melanie: In 2016 when Registered Dietitian, author, podcaster and Eat Fit NOLA founder Molly Kimball announced the first #AlcoholFreeFor40 Challenge I decided to go for it. Frankly, laying off of the booze after a full Carnival season and excessive…
