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The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough. Rabindranath Tagore

Gram Parsons Finally Gets His Plaque

8/20/04 -- Every year, fans visit the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Metairie to pause at the final (so far) resting place of Gram Parsons. The 26-year-old was a member of the Byrds and is generally hailed as a rock pioneer for his abilty to blend rock and country into a new genre. He died in Winter Haven, Fla., but two of his friends stole his body from a Los Angeles airport and traveled to Joshua Tree National Park where they tried to cremate it, believing that to be Parsons' wishes. They failed, were arrested and the body somehow ended up here, where other relatives of Parsons' lived. This fall, Parsons' plain graveside marker will be adorned with a relief sculpture in bronze showing the rocker at work, as well as a second plaque that contains lyrics from one of his songs.

Think of This Festival as 'Agritainment'

8/13/04 -- Now here's a fall festival! The Hickory Farm Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Festival -- located just 50 miles north of New Orleans in the hamlet of Hickory -- opens Oct. 2 and continues each weekend through Nov. 27. The maze is huge and is carved out of 6.5 acres of cornfield. There is one way in and one way out and can take up to 45 minutes to navigate. Corn cops patrol the maze. Hickory Farm is one of more than 150 farms nationwide that particiapte in THE MAiZE; other farms are located in Monroe, Shreveport, Alexandria, Baton Rouge and Lafayet in Louisiana. For more information about the project, visit www.cornfieldmaze.com.

The House Where Jefferson Davis Died

8/4/04 -- When tourists travel through the lower Garden District, they frequently have their sights set on Anne Rice's monster-sized, and maybe monster-filled house. But another home just a couple of blocks away has some real history tied to it. It's the house where the first and only president of the Confederacy died, 1134 First Street. In 1889, Davis died at the home after fallling ill on a trip and stopping at First Street to recuperate on his way to Beauvoir, his residence in Biloxi. Davis was buried in nearby Metairie Cemetery for two years before his remains were moved to Richmond, Va. The house is not open to the public but it can be viewed from the street. It's a center hall, double gallery in the Greek Revival Style, with openings across the front, the center leading to a hallway.

Eat at Canal Commercial Trust and Savings!

7/23/04 -- The Bank, a new restaurant right around the corner that is housed in the Canal Commercial Trust and Savings, is the newest restaurant to open in the neighborhood. The property ceased its life as a banking institution in the '70s and has served other functions since then. Daniel Esses, formerly of Peristyle, Restaurant August and Cafe Degas, will serve as executive chef. Entrees will range in price from $15 to $20 and will focus on local ingredients. It also features an Art Deco bar that has been refurbished and brought in from Tallahasse. The Bank also will showcase local art.

Bastille Day -- Remember an Ally on July 14

7/15/04 -- It's fashionable to frown on the French right now, but not in New Orleans. Bastille Day -- the event in which French citizens stormed the Bastille prison in Paris sparking the French Revolution -- has taken New Orleans by storm. This year's celebration was moved to a larger venue because of its popularity. More than 20 food and beverage booths lined the block in front of the Renaissance Arts Hotel on Tchoupitoulas Street. Live music was featured. And a "waiter's race' challenges local waiters to run along Tchoupitoulas for two blocks while balancing trays of wine and water-filled glasses. Whoever spills the least amount of liquid wins. Alliance Francais also hold a Bastille Day celebration -- it's a great place to brush up on your high school French.

Community Coffee Gets a New Bag

7/2/04 -- Community Coffee, the java of choice for Louisianans for 85 years, says its familiar red bag design is slated for updating this year. "Our customers expect our products and packaging to be innovative and up with the times. The new look will be an exciting evolution of our current design, while remaining true to our heritage, said Matthew Saurage, direcotr of product development and a fourth generation owner of the company. The red bag family of products includes dark, between, medium, light medium, lite, and New Orleans Blend. Community Coffee was founded in 1919 in Baton Rouge and is the largest family-owned and operated retail coffee brand in America.

Saints Fan and AAA Member? You're in Luck

6/22/04 -- New Orleans Saints fans who also happen to be members of Triple A can save as much as 38 percent on select tickets this fall. Last year, for example, a $65 terrace ticket was discounted to $40. For more information on ticket discounts, call the Saints at (504) 731-1871.

How Decadent Is the Bowling Tournament?

6/15/04 -- Southern Decadence is one festival that always lives up to its name and drives the local clergy bonkers. Now in its 33rd year, it's the annual end-of-summer celebration for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. Countless events are held in and around the French Quarter and Marigny over the Labor Day weekend, including a parade, bead toss, dancing, drag shows, and the "South's only Leather Block Party," held down the street from Le Papillon. There's even a bowling tournament and a separate schedule of events for women. Find more information at www.southerndecadence.com.

Plan Now for December's "Words & Music"

6/12/04 -- "Words & Music, 2004," an annual workshop for aspiring authors, will occur Dec. 2-4. The tuition package is $375 for all discussions, workshops, master classes, agent and editor critiques, and a choice of two evening events with food, wine and music. Programs for aspiring authors will include agent and editor critiques of manuscripts submitted in advance to the society and assigned to agents and editors for review in advance of the conference. For more information, visit www.wordsandmusic.org.

Audubon Zoo Readies for Swamp Fest

6/8/04 -- Audubon Zoo's Louisiana Swamp Festival, an annual celebration of the unique culture and heritage of south Louisiana, occurs the first two weekends of October. Live Cajun and zydeco music will be presented on two stages. Fried alligator, boudin, couchon de lait and other dishes are on the menu. The festival also features a 3,000-square-foot Fais-Do-Do dance hall for dancing, music, basketweaving and storytelling. Admission is $9 for adults and $4.75 for children ages two-12, and includes access to the Audubon Zoo.

Consider the Links in These Chains

5/30/04 -- We know we foist a policy of “eat local, not at the chains” on our guests but there are a couple of places that our visitors can frequent without fear of penalty. In fact, it’s one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations: Café du Monde. Yes, believe it or not, CdM is a chain – the original venue on Decatur Street in the French Quarter and six outposts though the farthest away is at Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner. Most are in shopping centers, but there is a double drive-thru location at 4600 Veterans Boulevard in Metairie. And while you’re at it, you may as well feel free to hit Krispy Kreme -- a very large chain, indeed, though it gets points for nostalgia since it was founded in 1937. The epicureans in the crowd can do taste tests to determine which doughy concoction pleases the palate best; the rest of us can simply take the word of the experts – cops. However, there is one area where Café du Monde has complete dominance: it’s still open at 3 a.m for those with munchie attacks, long after Krispy Kreme has closed its doors for the night.

Was the World's Fair Really That Bad?

5/25/04 -- The nation’s last World’s Fair, held in New Orleans in 1984, was generally considered a flop by most everyone. Only 7.3 million of the anticipated 12 million visitors showed up, and many small vendors were forced into bankruptcy. The fair itself filed for bankruptcy; it was $120 million in debt. Today, the fair is being re-examined and it turns out that the fair may have left the city a few gems, including a redevelopment of the Warehouse District neighborhood. The fair also laid the foundation for a modern tourism and convention business, and set into motion the constantly expanding riverfront development. Although the fair wasn’t solely responsible for any of these trends, real estate developers, city leaders and tourism industry professionals say the fair hastened trends just beginning to take shape. “I think it was one of the best things that the city has ever done,” said Beverly Gianna, vice president of public affairs for the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau in an article published in the Times-Picayune. “It was a catalyst for the next phase of the hospitality industry.” Seven major hotels were built for the fair in 1983-84, opening 3,563 new rooms. Today, New Orleans has more than 37,000 hotel rooms. The Aquarium of the Americas and the Entergy IMAX Theater arose as a result of the riverfront development that occurred after the world’s fair.

Relief in Sight for Those with ‘Tiny Tanks’

5/19/04 -- If you purchase an alcoholic beverage in New Orleans, you can now expect to relieve yourself of that beverage at the same place, according to a new city ordinance. From now on, restrooms must be “accessible and available to customers and staff.” Most established bars and restaurants in the city have restrooms, but the new law seems aimed at establishments in the Quarter that make their restrooms inaccessible during major events such as Mardi Gras or other special events. The measure is aimed at reducing the number of people who urinate in the streets or other public places because they cannot find restrooms. The ordnance requires that each restroom be equipped with a commode and a sink with the sink being connected to hot and cold running water. Soap and sanitary towels, or other appropriate hand-drying devices shall be available at the sink at all times.” The new ordnance is not being met with universal applause. The loudest comments come – could you have guessed? – from the folks who want to sell alcohol but don’t want to provide the restrooms.

Next Time You’re in the Airport, Spend

5/13/04 -- Armstrong International Airport generated $478.3 million in direct spending in 2003, according to a study reported in the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The airport is owned and operated by the city of New Orleans, but is located in Kener. According to the study, the airport is responsible for 12,471 jobs that delivered $458.7 million in wages and direct income to workers and businesses in metro New Orleans. An economic impact study conducted in 1995 showed that the airport produced $344.4 million in direct spending. The latest figures represent a 39 percent increase during the past eight years. During the same period, passenger counts at the airport rose 15 percent, from 8.1 million in 1995 to 9.3 million in 2003. Both studies were conducted by economist and University of New Orleans Chancellor Timothy Ryan.

Streetcar Majesty Returns to Canal

5/2/04 -- Forty years after they were removed from Canal Street, the streetcar has returned. The new line runs down Canal Street from the French Quarter and goes all the way to City Park. The line also features a spur that turns at Carrollton and goes to Esplanade. The new cars are apple-red while the more well-known cars on St. Charles are green. They will be air-conditioned, and will feature a modern propulsion system and hydraulic lifts on both sides to accommodate handicapped passengers. Because of the space needed to accommodate wheelchairs, the Canal cars will have seating for 42 passengers, 18 fewer than the St. Charles cars. They will be more energy-efficient than the old versions. Passengers will pay $1.25 (exact change required) to board the car. Forty years ago, the fare was 7 cents.

The Parties Rate Well, But Not the Cleanliness

4/26/04 -- A national survey of nearly 500,000 people revealed that New Orleans rates well for its restaurant and club scene, but not so well for cleanliness. Travel and Leisure magazine and AOL Travel Channel asked respondents to rate 25 popular travel destinations in 47 different categories. New Orleans rated first in "dining out" and "bar hopping/nightlife" and second in "people watching" (behind Las Vegas but before third-placed New York. The Crescent City ranked 25th, or dead last, in cleanliness. Minneapolis/St. Paul ranked first in that category, followed by Honolulu and Portland."Dirtiest place I have ever been," said one respondent. "But they do have good oysters."

History Is In Full Bloom at Botanical Garden

4/16/04 -- Thousands of people flock to JazzFest each spring but don't realize another cultural gem is stone's throw away. The New Orleans Botanical Garden, located behind the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park, was created as a Works Progress Administration project. Originally known as the City Park Rose Garden, it opened in 1936 as the city's first public classical garden combining both art and nature. After decades of neglect, it was reborn as the New Orleans Botanical Garden in the early 1980s. Today it has more than 2,000 varieties of plants set among mature live oaks. The garden contains several theme exhibits with aquatics, ornamental trees and shrubs, perennials and the renovated Conservatory of the Two Sisters.

Jazz Legends Honored with Park

4/4/04 -- A new park in the French Quarter will pay homage to some of the giants of the jazz world. Tucked away in a pocket of the 300 block of Bourbon Street, the newly created New Orleans Musical Legends Park was unveiled with a life-sized statue of Pete Fountain. Already on the premises -- though boarded up for years -- is a statue of Al Hirt. Renovations to the area will be made continuously and more life-sized statues are planned, as well as an outdoor, interactive museum that will showcase the musical contributions of local musicians.

Ogden Museum Celebrates Southern Art

3/29/04 -- The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the most comprehensive collection of Southern art anywhere, has found a home at 925 Camp Street in the city's Central Business District. The museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute and is part of the University of New Orleans. The collection spans the 18th through 21st centuries and contains more than 2,750 pieces of art, including paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, glass, wood and crafts. Visit the Ogden's website at www.ogdenmuseum.org.

Most Events at Satchmo SummerFest Are Free

3/24/04 -- Is JazzFest just way too many people for you to handle? And French Quarter Fest is still too big? Consider the fourth annual Satchmo SummerFest to be held Aug. 4-8 at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade. The festival honors native son Louis Armstrong and the program includes musical performances, exhibits, a jazz mass, activities for young musicians, a club crawl and food. This event is unusual because it has an array of educational lectures about Satchmo and other jazz topics. Last year's lectures included the following: "The Armstrong-Ellington Album That Never Got Made"; "Buddy Bolden in Retrospect"; "The Women in Louis' Life"; and many others. For more information, visit www.satchmosummerfest.com.

It's Not All Jazz -- We Have a Film Festival Too!

3/21/04 -- The 16th Annual New Orleans Film Festival occurs Oct. 7-14, 2004. Venues include the Contemporary Arts Center, Prytania Theater, Landmark Theatres at Canal Place, Entergy IMAX Theatre at the Aquarium, and other sites. Last year, tickets were $6.25 for New Orleans Film Festival members and $7.25 for general admission. For more information, visit www.neworleansfilmfest.com. You'll also find information on the Annual French Film Fest held each June.

D-Day Museum Will Triple in Size

3/17/04 -- The National D-Day Museum in New Orleans has unveiled a $150 million expansion and capital campaign plan that will triple the size of the existing facility during the next five years. The expansion is expected to create more than 4,000 local jobs and bring in $18 million annually in state and local taxes. The expanded museum will cover all of the theaters and services that played a role in World War II and create a national center for research on the war. Galleries and exhibits will include a U.S. Pavilion, Great Campaigns of the War, Mission and Services Gallery, the Victory Pavilion, Liberation--Winning the Peace, and Fruits of Victory. Macro displays will include tanks, airplanes, jeeps and other vintage vehicles. For more information, check the museum's website at www.ddaymuseum.org.

Sculpture Garden Debuts in City Park

3/10/04 -- More than 10 years in the making, the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a five-acre garden adjacent to the museum in City Park, has opened its gates. The garden features 50 sculptures -- 41 donated by the Besthoff Foundation and nine works from the museum's permanent collection -- representing American, European, Latin American, Israeli and Japanese artists. The sculptures reside among meandering footpaths and pedestrian bridges, reflecting lagoons, live oaks, mature pines, magnolias and camellias. Fernando Botero, Gaston Lachaise, Rene Magritte, Henry Moore, Jacques Lipchitz, Pierre August Renoir and authors are represented.

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