Editor’s Note

Bev’s Note

There are some great programs at Le Petit that you don’t want to miss! “NOLA Noel” is December 4-26, featuring the jumpiest holiday songs by Louis Prima, Louis Armstrong, Allen Toussaint and more! On December 3 at 7:30 p.m., they’ll have a digital reading of Rajiv Joseph’s The North Pole. On January 14 at 7:30 p.m. there will be a digital reading of Mountaintop. There also will be two live streamed concerts: December 10 with Kathleen Monteleone and December 14 will feature Lesley Castay. Visit LePetitTheatre.com for more!

The Jewish Children’s Regional Service is establishing the D.R.E.A.M. Program (Disaster Relief Emergency Aid Matching Program) to assist families experiencing extreme financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, flooding and other circumstances. They have a donor who will match up to $36,000, so please help this worthwhile effort! With the matching gift challenge, JCRS hopes to raise a minimum $100,000 fund to provide aid relief to Jewish children and families experiencing hardship during periods of extreme economic challenges, unemployment, natural disasters and social isolation. To learn more, contact Mark Rubin (mark@jcrs.org) or Ned Goldberg (ned@jcrs.org) by email, or by calling (800) 729-5277.

On a lighter note, ’tis the season to add a little sparkle to our lives and to celebrate our cherished relationships. Look to our What’s Hot for Jewelry for suggestions on some sparkle to wear every day.

I want to congratulate all of the fundraisers who are supporting our non-profits in a virtual way! Keep it up, because these groups who are dedicated to helping our city and its residents are suffering because of the pandemic.

Be safe and protect yourselves and your family, and happy holidays!

Editor's Note

Beverly Reese Church

 


 

On the Cover

Our cover celebrates the amazing activists that make New Orleans the best city to live in in the whole world! Thanks to Luis Colmenares, Margo DuBos, Emeril Lagasse, Archie Manning, Olivia Manning and Margaret Montgomery-Richard, all who have contributed to many causes, including the Audubon Institute, the Hispanic community, City Park, The American Red Cross Longue Vue House and Gardens, protecting small businesses and projects for disadvantaged youth! They have worked on so many important nonprofits that you’ve got to read all about them in their profiles. Because of the pandemic, we weren’t able to get them all together or honor them with a party, but we’re so honored to present this year’s special class of honorees!

 


 

Morgan’s Note

If you haven’t submitted your January-April 2021 nonprofit event – do it now! We are finalizing St. Charles Avenue’s Registry of Charitable Events: January-April 2021 and you don’t want to miss out! Visit MyNewOrleans.com/submit-a-charitable-event and feel free to email me at Morgan@MyNewOrleans.com with any questions or concerns.

With all of the changes that this year has brought, it seems more important than ever to shop locally for our holiday gifts. Look to What’s Hot for Holiday Jewelry for some ideas, and to The Dish for a plan for your day along Magazine Street.

One of the things I’ve been missing most these past nine months is live music. My husband channeled his love of music into a secondary career as a live music journalist and photographer (which is now on hold, of course). We spent much of each year attending concerts and festivals across the United States and even abroad. The loss of these moments sometimes feels like a hole in my chest. Thankfully, places like the Music Box Village and neighborhood groups such as Harmony on Harmony have begun to fill this hole.

If you don’t have weekly live music sessions in your neighborhood, attend a live music pop-up or stay inside, care of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. The LPO has created a variety of virtual and safe in-person opportunities to experience new performances by its musician-members. Programs include The Orpheum Sessions, Suite Sundays, Music at the Museum, LPO on the Go, Musical Storytime and much more than I have space to write about here. Visit LPOMusic.com for all the details.

Thanks to Harmony on Harmony, I learned about Camp Harmony Gourmet. They create delicious boards and grazing tables that are perfect for listening to music on your porch, as a picnic, in front of the TV or even during a road trip. I recently enjoyed their Camp Harmony Box and recommend it as a great addition to any date night or gathering of your pandemic pod. Visit CampHarmonyGourmet.com to learn more and order now!

March seems a lifetime ago, and yet many of the things we use to mark the passage of days we cannot enjoy. Do not let pandemic fatigue get you down and make you complacent. Be safe – continue to wear your masks, wash your hands, talk to those you spend time with about their exposure levels and observe social distancing.

Take time to observe the personal rituals that make  your holidays special and use these special circumstances to invent new ones!

Editor's Note

Morgan Packard Griffith

 


 

December

1 & 19
“You’re Invited to a Be-YOU-tiful Party,” benefiting Girl Scouts Louisiana East, GSLE.org/en/events

3-4 (sold out)
“Odyssey Ball 2020,” benefiting New Orleans Museum of Art, 658-4121, NOMA.org

3
Poydras Home second annual “Virtual Holiday Tree Lighting & Music Festival,” benefiting Poydras Home, 897-0535, PoydrasHome.com

5
“Ballo di Natale,” benefiting Ballo di Natale, 450-9443

5
Michael Siegel and Aimée Farnet Siegel present “How To Throw An Alfresco Dinner Party (And Still Adhere to Appropriate Social Distancing Protocols),” benefiting the CAC, CACNO.org/sweetarts

5 & 15
“You’re Invited to an Outdoor Art Party,” benefiting Girl Scouts Louisiana East, GSLE.org/en/events

8 & 22
“You’re Invited to a Robot Building Party,” benefiting Girl Scouts Louisiana East, GSLE.org/en/events

11-13
“2020 Virtual Jungle Bell Run – Louisiana,” benefiting the Arthritis Foundation, JBR.org/neworleans

12
“You’re Invited to a Toy Business Designer Party,” benefiting Girl Scouts Louisiana East, GSLE.org/en/events

12-13
“Holiday Home Tour,” virtual event benefiting Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, 581-7032, PRCNO.org

Digital Sponsors

Become a MyNewOrleans.com sponsor ...