Maj. Meredith Brown

Happy (what I hope is) fall weather! My husband and I are celebrating by using our new backyard kitchen, which the entire neighborhood has seen throughout its permutations over the past eight months. (And a quick thank you to everyone who has worked or is still working on putting the final touches on it, and to our neighbors’ patience!) My son and I get to swing while watching my husband grill or fire a pizza, and I’m hoping the novelty of this adventure never wears off.

And while I’m thanking people, I would like to thank all of those who attended Avenue’s “Wine, Dine & Design” tablescapes events! My personal thanks to James Michalopoulos, Dylan Tête, Lauren Bowman, Stephen Sonnier and Jacquee Carvin; to our Chairs; to the Table Designers; to Audubon Tea Room; and especially to Cheryl Lemoine, Abbie Douglas, Samantha Shiff, Lisa Love and all at Renaissance Publishing who helped us help Bastion and our returning warriors and their families. And to Bev Church, without whom this event would never have begun and without who’s passion it wouldn’t thrive.

This issue is chock-full of holiday fashion examples and ideas on where to go in town while looking so fabulous.

But if you’re looking for a weekend trip away, might I suggest – as my “what’s making me happy this month” – the Hangout Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Beer Festival in Gulf Shores Alabama. I have attended the festival, and was even asked to judge once, and I can personally attest to its fun and tastiness! This year the Craft Beer Festival will be on Friday, November 2, 6-11 p.m., with the Hangout Oyster Cook-Off following on Saturday, November 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. You can learn tricks of the trade from renowned chefs and enjoy live music, dozens of craft beers, the beloved bivalve in innumerous combinations and more at the Chef Presentation Stage, the North American Oyster Showcase, in football viewing lounges, at Bloody Mary Bars and much more. Cook-Off tickets are $10. Children 12 and under are free (Craft Beer Festival is 21 and up). Tasting ticket booklets for sampling oysters are available for $30 in advance. And VIP experience tickets are $150. Learn more at HangoutCookoff.com.

If you’re so inclined, now is the time to make and freeze your pie dough for the holidays! Enjoy your friends, family and friends who are family this month.

Morgan Packard Griffith

November  

1  

“2018 Annual Patron Party & Art Exhibition,” benefiting Poydras Home, 897-0535

1  

“2018 Alexis de Tocqueville Awards Gala,” benefiting United Way of Southeast Louisiana, UnitedWaySELA.org

1  

“A Night with Leah Chase,” benefiting Kingsley House, 523-6221 extension 196, KingsleyHouse.org

2  

“New Orleans Then and Now,” benefiting French Quarter Citizens, 588-2929

2  

“Magnolia Moonlight Gala,” benefiting Magnolia Community Services, 731-1387

3  

“Tour de Cure New Orleans 2018,” benefiting the American Diabetes Association, 889-0278

4  

“Cheers to Boys Town,” benefiting Boys Town Louisiana, 293-7900

6 

33rd annual “STAIR Affair,” benefiting Start the Adventure in Reading, 899-0820, 501auctions.com/StairAffair

7  

“An Evening in the Garden of Eden,” benefiting Eden House, 407-0943

8  

“Southern Dominican Gala,” benefiting Southern Dominican Province, 837-2129 extension 8

8  

“Growing Partnerships with Latter Library,” benefiting Latter Library, LatterLibraryGC.com/Events

9  

“Boudin, Bourbon & Beer,” benefiting The Emeril Lagasse Foundation, BoudinBourbonandBeer.com

9  

“Victory Ball,” benefiting The National WWII Museum, 528-1944 extension 363, Victory-Ball.org

9  

“All Saints Soirée,” benefiting Save Our Cemeteries, 525-3377

9  

“Moonlight and Miracles,” benefiting Ochsner Health System, 842-7113

10  

“Carnivale du Vin,” benefiting The Emeril Lagasse Foundation, CarnivaleDuVin.com

10  

“Touro Infirmary Foundation Gala,” benefiting Touro Infirmary Foundation, 897-8435

10  

“Odyssey 2018: All That Glitters in partnership with IBERIABANK,” benefiting New Orleans Museum of Art, 658-4106

11 

17th annual “New Orleans Kidney Walk,” benefiting The National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana, 861-4500, KidneyWalk.org

13  

“Exclusive Evening at Saba,” benefiting New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter, NOWCS.org/Dining

14  

“SOUPer Bowl,” benefiting the Salvation Army, 509-7790

15  

“Historic Houses Society Gala 2018,” benefiting the Hermann-Grima + Gallier, Historic Houses, HGGH.org

16  

Ninth annual “Dancing for the Arts,” benefiting Young Audiences of Louisiana, 523-3525

16 

32nd annual “Celebration in the Oaks Preview Party,” benefiting New Orleans City Park, 483-9417

16  

“Harvesting Hope: A Fundraiser for Freedom,” benefiting Innocence Project New Orleans, 943-1902

17  

Seventh annual “Touch a Truck,” benefiting Junior League of New Orleans, 891-5845

17  

“LSUHSC School of Nursing 85th Anniversary Gala Celebration,” benefiting LSU School of Nursing, 568-4106

17  

“Fête des Fromages,” benefiting The French-American Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast, FeteDesFromages.com

23-30  

“Audubon Zoo Lights Presented by Children’s Hospital,” benefiting Audubon Nature Institute (select nights only, please check website for details), AudubonNatureInstitute.org/Zoo-Lights

29  

“Salvations Gala + Auction,” benefiting the Green Project, SalvationsDesigns.com

29  

“‘BIG’ Opening Reception,” benefiting the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 539-9631

30  

“Son of a Saint Gala,” benefiting Son of a Saint, 561-7508