Gretna Heritage Festival Line Up Announced

My absolute favorite festival on the West Bank is the Gretna Heritage Festival, held the first weekend of October each year.  There are enough things for the kids to do and ride and eat and play on that I could easily go broke in 3 short days, but we’ve learned to make them budget their money for the weekend to avoid that sad scenario.

Since I belong to the Krewe of Choctaw carnival club, I spend the entire weekend at the Festival, alternately having fun checking out all of the art, crafts and jewelry and then working at the booth we sponsor, selling the best shrimp po-boys and crawfish pies and people watching - one of my favorite activities.

The music line up for the 2008 Festival has been announced and it looks like another stellar year of entertainment, with both local and national acts performing throughout the weekend.  Last year I ended up right at the front of the stage for Travis Tritt’s performance…I wonder what this year will bring?

Here’s the lineup for opening day, Friday, October 3rd.

Did you notice the little blue highlight at the Market Stage?  That’s because I’m so excited that my husband’s band, Chicken on the Bone, has been booked to perform.  Playing rock n roll cover tunes from Elvis to ZZ Top, they are just a bunch of local guys that love to make music and have a whole lot of fun doing it with only one rule - no line dances!

For the entire schedule, click here.  I hope to see you there, celebrating with me on the West Bank

Copyright 2008.  West Bank Living and Lisa Heindel  All rights reserved.

West Bank Weekend Events: August 8-10, 2008

It may be scorching hot out there, but there are some really cool events and benefits taking place on the West Bank this weekend….

 

West Bank Theatre

Local favorite comedienne Becky Allen will be performing in The Queen of Bingo this weekend at the Teatro Wego! Theatre in Westwego.  The three shows are a benefit for Jefferson Children’s Advocacy Center which helps investigate and treat children who have been abused.  Shows will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with opening night hosted by Spud McConnell.  Visit the Jefferson Performing Arts Society website for ticket information and show times.

 

Saturday

Recycling drop-off event at the Algiers Regional Library on Holiday Drive, from 9 am to noon.  They will be accepting plastic containers (#1 through #7), paper products and metal cans.  No glass or hazardous waste containers will be accepted. Drop off your Mardi Gras beads and throws for recycling too!  Call 311 for more information.

Starting on Saturday (10 am to 8 pm) and continuing on Sunday (noon to 5 pm) the Blood Center  will be holding the biggest blood drive of the year at the Oakwood Center in Gretna, just outside of JC Penney’s.  While you are shopping for all of that back to school "stuff" for the kids, take a few minutes and make a donation that can help 3 others.

 

Sunday

Algiers Ferry Night, which was postponed by the oil spill in the river, has been rescheduled for this Sunday.  You are encouraged to costume as either a FERRY or a FAIRY - either one will do and will get you discounts in various spots along the way!  Here is the schedule for the event:

• 2 pm - $2 Ferry Marys at the Dry Dock Cafe, right at the foot of the Algiers Ferry Landing
• 5 pm - Ferry to Canal Street, second line through Woldenberg Park
• 5:45pm - Ferry back to Algiers for the blessing of the ferry and and some oh-so-delicious (and free!) Pink Ferrytinis
• 6:30pm - Second line from the ferry to the Old Point Bar.  Live music starts at 7 pm (Delfeayo Marsalis) and continues into the night with Dr. Funk playing at 10 pm

Beyond the West Bank

Need a haircut?  Looking for a way to give back?  The 9th Annual Locks of Love cut-a-thon is this Sunday at Lakeside Mall in Metairie.  Local stylists are donating their time and talent to the Locks of Love foundation to raise money to provide wigs to children under 18 who have long term hair loss due to medical issues.  Haircuts are $16 per person and anyone can participate.  A minimum of 10 inches of clean, dry hair is needed to make a donation and I know that there are some gals (and guys!) out there who could part with 10 inches of hair that will grow back to help a child!

 

Upcoming Events

The Wednesdays on the Point concert series in Algiers Point is coming to an end this week and I know that the people who have been attending will miss having a regular Wednesday night date.  Walk, drive or take the ferry over to see Paul Sanchez & Friends perform at the Old Point Bar from 5:30 to 7 pm.  I’m sure that with the success of these summer events we will see them back on the schedule next year!

The AARP will hold a driver’s safety course at the Westwego Senior Center, 701 Fourth St in Westwego, on August 11-12 from 9 am to 1 pm.  The $10 course is for drivers 50 and over and you don’t have to be a member of AARP to participate.  For more information or for a schedule of future classes, call 341-2957.

Make it a great West Bank weekend!

Copyright 2008. West Bank Living, All rights reserved.

West Bank Weekend Events: August 1-3, 2008

Friday

Algiers night at Zephyrs Baseball.  OK, so it’s not just Algiers night, it’s also Fireworks Friday and Jefferson Parish night.  But I happen to know a busload of Algierines that are heading over to the stadium to spend a lazy Friday evening cheering on our local boys.  Can you think of a better way to start the weekend?  Visit the Zephyrs website for ticket information.

 

Saturday

The Jefferson Parish Summer Reading Party will be held Saturday from 2:30 to 6 pm at Skate Country on Terry Parkway in Terrytown.  Admission is free and you can rent skates or bring your own to celebrate the end of the summer.  I wonder who has bragging rights for the most books read?

Algiers Goes Back 2 School  Free school supplies will be given away (while supplies last) to all students accompanied by an adult.  The party includes music, games, drinks and fun activities from noon to 2 pm at the Algiers Regional Library, 3014 Holiday Drive.  The giveaway is hosted by the Algiers Women of Action.

Another school supply giveaway will be held by the Mason Pride of Marrero Lodge 291 and the Eastern Stars Daughters of Marrero 41 on Saturday from 11 am - 2 pm at 1429 Mansfield Avenue in Marrero.  In addition to the generous giveaway of school supplies, there will also be refreshments served.

 

Sunday

St. Julian Eymard Catholic Church in Algiers will celebrate its final Mass before the closure of the church this Sunday at 10am.  Past and present students, teachers, pastors and priests are invited to attend.  St. Julian parishioners are becoming part of the Holy Name of Mary family in Algiers Point.

 

Upcoming Events

Wednesdays on the Point continues this week at the Gulf Pizza in Algiers Point from 5:30 to 7 pm.  Free music will be provided by David & Roselyn and food and drinks will be available for purchase.  Come out and support your local West Bank businesses!

Fall Soccer  Have you seen the signs around Algiers?  Fall soccer registration is underway at Plantation Athletic Club (PAC).  For information or to register online, visit www.pacsports.org.

Make it a great West Bank weekend!

Hail the Chief!

I love being part of a Carnival krewe, especially one right here on the West Bank.  So I was thrilled to see a local business owner named as the 2009 Chief Choctaw at the Coronation Party held last night at Timberlane Country Club in Gretna. 

John Dugas, owner of J&K Cafe and Bar in Algiers will reign over the krewe with his beautiful daughter-in-law, Rachel Dugas, at his side as the Princess.

Since the parade falls on Valentine’s Day 2009, the theme will be The Mardi Gras of Love.  The new Chief and Princess were crowned with red and white headpieces after the traditional passing of the tomahawks from the 2008 royalty who reluctantly gave them up.

Also announced was the 2009 Medicine Man, Matthew Heindel.  Yep, I’m a proud mom

 

The most touching moment of the evening, however, was the presentation of the John R. Heindel Lifetime Achievement Award to New Orleans City Council President Jackie Clarkson.  Jackie has been a long time friend to the krewe (her father was one of the early members) and she was recognized for all of the support she has given Choctaw through the years.  The whoops and hollers from the crowd were loudest when she promised to bring Choctaw back to its original route starting in Algiers and she told me that she would proudly display her award in the her Council President’s office for every visitor to see!

City Council President Jackie Clarkson on left, being congratulated on her award 

 

We are just warming up for the 2009 Mardi Gras season…Hail the Chief!

 

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.

 

 

Welcoming the Troops Home to NAS JRB New Orleans

I was lucky enough to attend the Welcome Home Troops party this past Friday at the NAS JRB New Orleans base.  The celebration was held to honor all of the troops who have come and gone from the base for the past year and all of the stops were pulled out.

 

 

There were inflatables for the kids to play on, a rock climbing wall for everyone and some deliciously cold sno-balls…then there were the clowns and the visits from Dora, Diego and the mascots from both the Hornets and the Zephyrs were on hand as well.

A line of tents were set up with activities for the kids, including cookie decorating and face painting.

Our Last Hope is the name of the new band formed by members of the on base Teen Center and they kicked things off with 4 songs.  What a great job, especially since they have only been together for about a month!

After Our Last Hope was finished performing, local band Chicken on the Bone took the stage, which was located in an airplane hanger, to rock out…

After their performance, the band donated a special bass guitar to the MWR guys who were responsible for coordinating the entire event.

The lovely ladies from the NAS JRB Credit Union had a booth set up with information for the troops and they were also the sponsors of the fireworks that closed out the evening.

While the patriotic tunes were playing, the explosions of color across the sky were just awesome.

 

Thank you to the MWR staff for inviting us to attend and allowing me to have a chance to meet so many of the troops that are serving our country.  Thank you all for all that you do.

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