Fish, Fish and (you guessed it) More Fish – Welcome to Lent in Louisiana
February 26, 2009 by Lisa Heindel
Filed under Around Town, Family Fun
Boasting a large Catholic population, south Louisiana embraces the Lenten season with the start of the Friday fish fries all over the city. Whether you are a church member or not, everyone is welcomed at the delicious events that kick off this week in school cafeterias and KC halls all over the West Bank….and since I really don’t like to cook, I’ve got dinner planned for the next few Fridays!
With dine in or take out available at each, here are a few of places you can find an inexpensive dinner for one or for the entire family during Lent:
St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 3101 Eton Street in Algiers will be serving fried fish and fried shrimp dinners from 5-8 pm in the school cafeteria on 2/28, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20 and 4/3/09. Plates are $8 and include french fried, hush puppies and cole slaw. Gumbo is also available for $4.
St. Anthony School, 900 Franklin Street in Gretna. The St. Anthony Dad’s Club will be serving dinners from 5:30-8 pm in the cafeteria. The menu includes fried fish, fried shrimp, broiled fish, french fries, baked potatos, green salad, hush puppies and gumbo. Plates are $8 and gumbo is $4/cup or $6/bowl.
Belle Chasse KC Hall, 9016 La 23 (Belle Chasse Hwy) in Belle Chasse. Every Friday during Lent, the members of the KC will be serving dinner from 5:30-8:00 pm. Selections include fried catfish, fried oysters, po-boys, white beans, cole slaw, hush puppies, crawfish and corn bisque and desserts.
St. Bonaventure Church, 329 S. Jamie Blvd in Avondale. Every Friday during Lent, from 4-8 pm, the church will be serving oyster, catfish or shrimp plates with fries, baked macaroni, salad and bread. Gumbo with potato salad and bread will also be available, along with drinks and dessert.
Visitation of Our Lady, 3520 Ames Blvd in Marrero. Every Friday during Lent (except Good Friday) from 5-8 pm. Dishes include fried shrimp, fried fish and fried oyster plates or po-boys, seafood platters, broiled fish dinners with baked potato and crawfish etouffe.
Marrero Estelle Volunteer Fire Department, 2248 Barataria Blvd in Marrero. Each Friday during Lent from 6-8 pm. Fish plates, shrimp plates, and combination plates – all served with fries, corn, salad and bread.
Christ the King, 535 Deerfield in Terrytown. Each week during Lent, the Friday dinners will be hosted by either the Knights of Columbus or the Holy Name Society. The menu changes slightly each week, with fried fish as a staple and crawfish stew, gumbo, corn and crawfish soup and shrimp creole all making special appearances.
If you know of any other West Bank fish fries, please drop me an email and I’ll add them to the list.
Has Spring Sprung in New Orleans?
February 26, 2009 by Lisa Heindel
Filed under Around Town, Local businesses
With average high temperatures hitting the upper 60’s, the itch to dig in the dirt has hit folks all over the New Orleans West Bank. I’ve seen tons of homeowners out working in their yards…clearing out dead plants, cutting back overgrown shrubs, and putting in fresh new flowers and mulch.
I love spring in New Orleans! The Japanese magnolias have already been blooming, letting me know that it’s about time to get out there and work in my own yard.
One of my favorite places for locally hardy plants and some expert advice on where to place them is New Orleans Garden Center & Landscape. Located right in Algiers, for years it was known as DeBattista’s Nursery. Nicky DeBattista was my go-to guy for decades and when he retired his godson, Blair, took over the business. Blair has done a great job of updating the center, with a wonderful spot full of garden decorations and flair to dress up your landscape with. There is a wide selection of annuals, trees, shrubs and indoor plants as well.
The last time I visited was right before Christmas, when the snapdragons and pansies were in full bloom. Hmmm….I wonder what the weather forecast is for this weekend?
Feeling the urge to dig in your own dirt? Or maybe you need some professional help with your landscaping? Stop in at New Orleans Garden Center & Landscape and take a stroll around…you won’t be sorry and (yay!) it’s another way to continue to support our neighborhood businesses and StayLocal!
All photos copyright 2008-2009 Lisa Heindel
Are you sprucing up your West Bank home in preparation for the spring selling season? Don’t forget to contact the West Bank Living Team for local, expert real estate advice. It would be our pleasure to assist you.
Dancing With the Paws – Gretna Pawdi Gras Parade This Weekend!
February 26, 2009 by Lisa Heindel
Filed under Around Town, Family Fun
After all of the Mardi Gras celebrations, you would think we would be paraded out on the West Bank. Not a chance!
This Saturday is the annual Pawdi Gras parade in Gretna, held to benefit the Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society, a no-kill animal shelter in Belle Chasse that has partnered with the City of Gretna.
Here’s a picture of the royalty from last year’s parade as they were honored Monday night at Lundi Gras
From the wonderful folks at GEDA:
You can register your 4-legged friend Saturday at Second and Huey P. Long Avenue beginning at 10:00am, Costume Contest & Crowning of Royal Court at 10:30am, parade to follow at 11:00am.
While you’re waiting for the parade, visit the Gretna Farmers’ Market and enjoy fresh shopping and eating! We’ll have smoked meats, dressings & dips, lunch specials from Capt’n Jack, fresh brewed coffee, cookies & breads, fresh squeezed lemonade and kettle corn, vegetables and strawberries, wine, cheese, sausage, cracklins, pralines, Creole cream cheese and much more to tempt your appetite!
So throw a costume on Fido or Spot and head on over to the celebration on Saturday morning – hope to see you there!
The Party is Over – Looking Back at West Bank Mardi Gras 2009
February 25, 2009 by Lisa Heindel
Filed under Around Town, Family Fun
Whew….I’m moving a little slowly today after a full weekend of parades and then topping it all off with another ride on Mardi Gras day!
It was a beautiful day for parades, with sunshine and mild temperatures and it showed in the huge number of people that turned out in Gretna to watch the Krewe of Grela and the Krewe of Bes as Mardi Gras reached its peak on the West Bank yesterday.
We stopped in at the annual Lundi Gras celebration at the Gretna Market on Monday evening before loading our floats to see the royalty of all of the West Bank parades being honored. I’ve never seen so many people turn out for this event before!
The Gretna Market was packed from the front to the rear and people spilled out into the streets on both sides
All of the West Bank Carnival royalty were honored by the mayor and city council members
After loading our floats and resting as much as we could, it was back to the streets yesterday morning with the new Krewe of Bes. Bes had a test run last year as part of Grela’s parade, and returned this year as a full fledged krewe of their own….a real testament to the staying power of Mardi Gras on the West Bank!
Queen Bes I and King Bes I
The Royal Court of the Krewe of Bes 2009
There is nothing quite like riding in a parade, especially when you get to see friends and family all along the parade route. Even my youngest got into the spirit, riding along with me…
A view from the float
As we turned onto the Expressway, I was amazed at the number of people!!
I hope your Mardi Gras was as safe and as fun as ours was….if you are interested in joining a West Bank krewe, drop me an email. We would love to have you join us and help continue the tradition of Mardi Gras.
New Price on Gretna Home for Sale – 1334 Monroe St. Gretna LA 70053
February 25, 2009 by Lisa Heindel
Filed under Featured Listings, Gretna Homes for Sale
What can you buy within the city limits of Gretna LA for less than $120,000? How about an adorable, updated shotgun home with a great corner location!
$119,900
With a covered front porch that is just right for sitting, this prime piece of Gretna real estate is waiting for a new owner. First time home buyers may qualify for the 2009 Homebuyer Tax Credit – but hurry, the credit won’t last forever and neither will this great house at such a bargain price!
For more information, contact the West Bank Living Team or visit 1334 Monroe Street Gretna LA 70053.
