It is December, the month we get to spotlight our St. Charles Avenue Activists of the Year! What an honor to feature these six incredible New Orleanians: Kay Kerrigan, Nancy Marsiglia, Sally-Ann Roberts, Dr. Troy Scroggins, Gen Trimble and Tommy Westervelt. Their causes are varied, including early childhood issues, charter schools, YAYA, the New Orleans Botanical Garden, Crimestoppers, Project Lazurus, Each One Save One and so many more. I can’t wait for you to read their profiles to see all of their many accomplishments. We are so appreciative to Ella and Chip Flower for allowing us to photograph at their beautiful home.
Everyone knows that women and men love jewelry every time of the year, but the holidays are raison d’être for that special, sparkling package under the tree. Check out our What’s Hot for Jewelry for ideas – we have everything from cufflinks to earrings.
Books are always great gift ideas, and the book signing at the World War II museum for Tina Santi Flaherty and her new book was amazing. What Jackie Taught Us: Lessons from the Remarkable Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is thought-provoking, and it’s available at the museum and other great bookstores. Another idea is to give gift certificates to favorite restaurants and new venues in town. We just went to Beachbum Berry’s new tiki bar, Latitude 29, in the Hotel Bienville in the French Quarter. Since the old Bali Hi left with the demise of Pontchartrain Beach, there hasn’t been a real tiki bar. Be sure to check it out, as well as his six books on the drinks of the Caribbean! Of course, there are always charitable donations to your favorite nonprofits; you can give directly or through the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
Speaking of great nonprofits, our luncheon, “Wine, Dine & Design,” sponsored by Whitney Bank, raised over $23,000 for Operation Homefront. At Operation Homefront, 93 percent of money raised goes straight to help veterans, their families and the wounded warrior program. If you missed it this year, sign up early for next year because we’re doing it again! Thanks again to all of the designers who created those beautiful tables!
New Year’s Eve will be with us before you know it, so check out the best ideas for celebrating it with close friends and family.
Have a great holiday and be safe!
Beverly Reese Church
Kathy and Dr. Steve Price with Irma Thomas, who will be performing at the Patron Party for “Home for the Holidays” on December 23!
“Home for the Holidays” is a night of spectacular art and music benefiting the Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists, which honors the memory of NOCCA alumns Daniel Price. In keeping with Daniel’s twin passions of art and music, the fund provides scholarships for outstanding visual arts and music students at NOCCA.
“Home for the Holidays” will begin with the Patron party at 6 p.m., with the gala beginning at 7:30 at the House of Blues and will feature music by more than 10 local artists and bands, as well as a hosted bar and buffet.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call 310-4999 or visit HouseOfBlues.com/NewOrleans.
EVENTS
December
3 “Community Arts Awards presented by First NBC,” benefiting the Arts Council of New Orleans, 523-1465, ArtsNewOrleans.org
4 “A. I. Botnick Torch of Liberty Awards Dinner,” benefiting the Anti-Defamation League, 780-5602, ADL.org
5 “Fête de Noël,” benefiting the Ladies Leukemia League, Inc., 466-8875, LadiesLeukemiaLeague.org
6 Fifth annual “Le Marché des Fêtes,” benefiting Louisiana Landmarks Society, LouisianaLandmarks.org
11 “Holiday Celebration Gala,” benefiting Young Audiences of Louisiana, 523-3525
11 “Latkes With a Twist,” benefiting Jewish Children’s Regional Service, 828-6334, JCRS.org
12 “Hope & Holidays on the Natchez,” benefiting Café Hope, 503-0202 or email Shelia Falcon, Shelia@CafeHope.com
12 & 14 “Selections of Handel’s Messiah,” benefiting the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, SymphonyChorus.com
22 “Home for the Holidays,” benefiting The NOCCA Institute, 310-4999, HouseOfBlues.com/NewOrleans
