New Orleans Steamboat Company proudly announces the return of the
Steamer NATCHEZ to her homeport at the Toulouse Street Wharf in the heart of theFrench Quarter. Beginning Saturday, October 8, the NATCHEZ will be open daily for "Dockside Dining & Drinks" from 11:00am to 9:00pm, featuring lunch and dinner buffets and 2 cocktail bars.

Erzulie's Celebrates New Store Location Opening with
Cemetery Walk Book Signing

New Orleans, La. - "Cemetery Walk" author Minda
Powers-Douglas (of Moline, Illinois) will be at
Erzulie's Authentic Voudoo on Satuday, Dec. 3, from
2-5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1-5 p.m. for a book
signing and to celebrate the opening of the new store
location at 807 Rue Royal in the French Quarter.

"Cemetery Walk," published by Author House, brings New
Orleans, Midwest, New England and a variety of
national cemeteries to life while focusing on the art
history and culture surrounding our country's burial
grounds. Along the "Walk" readers will meet
preservationists, authors (including "Britain's next
Stephen King" Simon Clark), renowned genealogist
Sharon DeBartolo Carmack, "top American architecture
photographer" Douglas Keister, New Orleans cemetery
historian and author Robert Florence, cemetery
sextons, artists, cemetery fanatics and Voodoo
Priestess Miriam Chamani of New Orleans.

"While the book covers cemeteries all over, from the
East Coast to the West Coast, there is a strong focus
on my two favorite areas: the Midwest-where I was born
and raised-and the city that is in my heart, New
Orleans," said Ms. Powers-Douglas. "We may have some
of the most beautiful Victorian cemeteries in the
Midwest, but there is no denying the magic of those in
New Orleans."

Powers-Douglas is also the founder and editor of
"Epitaphs Magazine," a new quarterly print
publication. She has traveled throughout the country
interviewing people and photographing cemeteries. She
is a member of the Association for Gravestone Studies,
the Alliance of Illinois Cemeterians and Friends of
Kensal Green Cemetery (U.K.). She teaches workshops on
cemetery art and symbolism, as well as writing
classes. She is an editor and writer for the Marketing
and Communications Department of Palmer College of
Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.

For more information, call (504) 525-2055 or e-mail
minda@thecemeteryclub.com or support@erzulies.com.
Event information is also available at
www.TheCemeteryClub.com.

Mid City Lanes Rock 'N' Bowl is open again!!! And Swing Night is Back!!!

Wed-Sat nights, doors open at 5:00 pm

4133 S. Carrollton Ave. New Olreans, LA

504-482-3133

AWESOME NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's a sure sign that New Orleans is coming back! How Cool!

The National D-Day Museum has reopened!

With its reopening The National D-Day Museum begins new days and hours for the months ahead:

Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10-6 pm
Thursdays and Fridays noon – 8 pm
Saturdays 10-6 pm
Closed Sundays & Mondays
Thursdays and Fridays will have special programming for the evening hours, including History Happy Hours, music, films, informal lectures and more.


945 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Entrance on Andrew Higgins Drive
PHONE: (504) 527-6012

Audubon Zoo Reopens!

Audubon Zoo reopened its doors last weekend and welcomed home more than 66,000 friends.

Audubon Zoo is now open only on the weekends (Sat. and Sun.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and regular admission rates apply.

Also,
Audubon Nature Institute reopened its premier public golf course on November 5. The course is open on a limited basis until March 2006.


Audubon Nature Institute
6500 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70118

National Association of Realtors to Hold 2006 Conference in New Orleans

Conference to take place November 8-13, 2006, bringing over $34 million to the city.

New Orleans, La. – New Orleans will host its largest convention in 2006, the National Association of Realtors ’ (NAR) Annual Conference & Expo with over 26,000 attendees.
The leadership of the NAR voted December 9 to stick with New Orleans rather than to seek an alternative site for the convention and exposition, and to mount a national education campaign to encourage Realtors and exhibitors to attend.

“We can set no better example to the nation than by keeping our promise to New Orleans and its people to hold our 2006 annual meeting there,” said NAR President Tom Stevens. “The health and safety of our members are our primary concerns. We have done our research and we are convinced New Orleans will be a safe and healthful venue for our convention.”

Stevens and NAR staff traveled to the city to meet with local New Orleans authorities, including representatives from the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB). While there, they reviewed reconstruction efforts and assessed the city’s ability to meet the needs of NAR and its members. The Central Business District, French Quarter and Garden District escaped flooding and essential services have been fully restored to those areas. The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and nearly all hotels in the area are filled with hundreds of workers repairing damage from the storm.

“It's amazing how fast the city has pulled together and the progress it has made to get things back to normal,” Stevens said. “Our annual meeting will help to provide jobs for residents to rebuild their lives and revenues for the city to restore services. We will have a wonderful conference as we celebrate the rebirth of this legendary American city.”

“We have been impressed with the thorough approach to the decision process and we are delighted with the outcome,” said Kitty Ratcliffe, Executive Vice President of the NOMCVB. “The National Association of Realtors, with its 1.2 million members, has long been a good partner with the New Orleans community. Their partnership is appreciated by us more now than ever before, the economic impact of their convention in New Orleans in November 2006 will be well over $34 million and will have a substantial impact in the rebirth of the city.”



About New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB)
Since 1960, the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.neworleanscvb.com) has been the driving force behind New Orleans' most
important industry, attracting $4.9 billion to the region annually. Nationally recognized for superior customer service, NOMCVB represents over 1,200 members and provides convention services and visitor information for business travelers and vacationers. Last year, the NOMCVB welcomed a record-breaking 10.1 million visitors to one of America's favorite meeting and leisure destinations. The NOMCVB is committed to rebuilding the city of New Orleans.

About the National Association of Realtors (NAR)
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Palace Cafe Re-Opens December 27 for Lunch & Dinner - Jazz Brunch Coming Soon



New Orleans – Crabmeat Cheesecake, Oyster Pan Roast, Catfish Pecan Meuniere, Andouille Crusted Gulf Fish, White Chocolate Bread Pudding and more signature dishes return to the city Tuesday, December 27th when Palace Café re-opens. New Orleans locals and visitors can once again experience critically acclaimed contem-porary Creole cuisine at the airy and bright Palace Cafe located at 605 Canal Street. The restaurant owned by Dickie Brennan, his sister Lauren Brennan Brower, and Steve Pettus opened in 1991, and has since become a downtown dining institution located in the historic Werlein’s Music Building.



Starting December 27, Palace Cafe will be serving Lunch Tuesday-Friday, and on Sunday. Dinner begins Friday, December 30th, and the restaurant will be open New Year’s Eve & Day. Then starting on Tuesday, January 3rd, Palace Café will serve Dinner Tuesday – Saturday. Live Jazz Brunch on Sundays will return soon. Until then, Brunch specials are added to the Sunday lunch menu.



“Having Louisiana oysters again, watching Streetcars on Canal go by, and re-opening Palace Café are more signs that New Orleans is coming back. Along with quite a few fans of Palace Cafe's signature dishes, Chef Darin Nesbit has eagerly awaited renovations at the restaurant (necessitated by Hurricane Katrina). His culinary team will be offering an ambitious menu reflecting one of Palace Cafe's core strengths - made from scratch gumbos and soups,” Dickie Brennan said. All stocks, soups, sauces, etc. are made in-house using the freshest local ingredients.



Chef Darin will still offer Turtle Soup daily. Gumbo Ya Ya (Duck & Andouille), a seasonal soup, soup du jour, and an entree portion of Seafood Gumbo will be served daily. Signature dishes remain and Chef Darin will add seasonal specialties to the menu. “Chef Darin’s Turtle Soup or Gumbo Ya Ya is definitely the perfect complement to a cool winter day,” Dickie Brennan said.



“I learned early on that what makes our cuisine so special is the wonderful regional product that small farmers and fishermen bring us. Many have suffered great losses, and they need our help,” Dickie Brennan added. Small farmers and seafood purveyors will be highlighted Friday, December 30. Dickie Brennan and Chef Darin are invited to appear on the Today Show in New York City to create a New Orleans New Year's Day menu. The menu showcases produce from small farmers and seafood purveyors in effort to gain support for the Louisiana Small Farm Survival Fund, which was established by the Red Stick Farmer's Market, and is managed by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. The Today Show, hosted by Katie Couric and Matt Lauer is broadcast nationally on NBC affiliates 7:00 am - 10 am, Monday – Friday. Please see separate release for more information about New Orleans New Year’s Day on Today and the Louisiana Small Farm Survival Fund.



Palace Café serves contemporary Creole cuisine in an upbeat and lively grand café. The restaurant has earned local and national critical acclaim since it opened in 1991 including: Best New Restaurant from Esquire magazine and USA Today; the prestigious Ivy Award from Restaurants and Institutions magazine, and Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence every year since it opened including the “Best of Award” for the past two years.

Menu Showcases Need to Support Small Farmers & Seafood Purveyors



New Orleans restaurateur Dickie Brennan and Chef Darin Nesbit of Palace Cafe are invited to appear on the Today Show in New York City, Friday, December 30th to create a New Orleans New Year's Day menu. The menu showcases produce from small farmers and seafood purveyors in effort to gain support for the Louisiana Small Farm Survival Fund, which was established by the Red Stick Farmer's Market, and is managed by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. The Today Show, hosted by Katie Couric and Matt Lauer is broadcast nationally on NBC affiliates 7:00 am - 10 am, Monday – Friday.



"Great ingredients small farmers and fishermen bring us is what makes our cuisine so special. Just like New Orleans which is rebounding, small farmers and those who provide great products in the region, are doing just that: they're rebounding. But for many, it will take time and they need our help," Dickie Brennan said.



"Right now, we're getting great ingredients. There's just a limited supply. We've been told that over 75% of small farmers have suffered structural damage due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. And with all of the devastation, many have suffered distribution losses too. Many of their customers: restaurants, Farmers Markets and stores in our region have not yet re-opened," Brennan added.



Brennan grew up in the famed kitchen of Commander's Palace and learned early on that the best produce was local. Long before Farmers Markets brought their exceptional produce to consumers, his father Dick Brennan Sr. and his Aunt Ella Brennan encouraged local farmers to grow all year. They even financed some crops to make sure the best ingredients were available at their Garden District restaurant (At that time, small farmers could not compete with large California and Florida farms).



The commitment to local ingredients continues at Dickie Brennan's restaurants and was evident at a November 6, Twilight Harvest Dinner benefit for the Baton Rouge Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance, the Redstick Farmer's Market organizer. The BREADA benefit was held at Purdin Koi Farm - Boisvert Arabians in Erwinville, Louisiana owned by Scott Purdin and BREADA Board Director Susan Turner.





Served in a beautifully decorated barn, the Twilight Dinner featured produce from the Red Stick Farmer's Market, and was prepared by Chefs from Dickie Brennan's restaurants: Gus Martin of Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse, Jared Tees of Bourbon House and Darin Nesbit of Palace Cafe. Dickie Brennan will soon have two of his French Quarter restaurants open.

Bourbon House re-opened Wednesday, October 6 (five weeks and two days after Hurricane Katrina). Palace Cafe will re-open Tuesday December 27, and Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse, which sustained the most damage, will re-open in late April or May of 2006.



On the Today Show, New Year's Day dishes will be served with champagne: Louisiana Oysters with Creole Mignonette and Local Caviar, Redfish on the Half Shell topped with Myer lemon beurre blanc and sautéed jumbo lump crabmeat. The Redfish will be accompanied by Mirliton Stuffed with Gulf Shrimp, Eggplant and Andouille Dressing. Of course, no southern New Year's Day menu would be complete without Black-Eyed Peas and Cabbage. Chef Darin Nesbit will also create Black Eyed Peas with Louisiana Popcorn Rice (for luck) and Abita Beer Braised Greens (which features 10 types of greens including cabbage for wealth). For dessert, Bourbon Milk Punch, Sweet Potato Pecan Pie featuring Opelousas sweet potatoes topped with sweetened Creole Cream Cheese, and Divinity Fudge, Pralines, and Louisiana Strawberries will be served.



"I understand that some viewers might wonder with all the devastation, how can we possibly celebrate on New Year's Day? Well, we need to. Right now we need our traditions. It's part of our healing process. We'll celebrate New Year's Day with our family and friends over a wonderful meal," Dickie Brennan said.



To help Small Farmers in the region, Today Show viewers will be encouraged to visit www.foundationsforrecovery.org to donate to the Louisiana Small Farm Survival Fund. Dickie Brennan also hopes to increase demand for great ingredients by encouraging viewers to come to New Orleans. "I want to tell them that more demand helps spur the recovery of small farmers, fishermen, and our economy. More restaurants and hotels are re-opening everyday. We're ready to serve great New Orleans meals using the best local ingredients," Brennan added.



For recipes and additional information including photos from the Twilight Harvest Dinner, Dickie Brennan and Chef Darin Nesbit photos, background on Dickie Brennan and on his three restaurants, please contact Lee Anne Garner at 504.442.8373. For more information on BREADA, the Red Stick Farmer’s Market, or the Louisiana Small Farm Survival Fund, please contact Copper Alvarez with BREADA at 225.324.0176.

The Arthur Roger Gallery will be reopen in January 2006 with many exciting events and exhibitions planned for the New Year.

For information regarding dates, details, events, and artist bios click here!

Antoine's
713 St. Louis St., (504) 581-4422

Galatoire's
209 Bourbon St., (504) 525-2021

Jacques-Imo's Cafe
8384 Oak St., (504) 861-0886

Liuzza's By the Track
1518 N. Lopez St., (504) 943-8667

Palace Cafe
605 Canal St., (504) 523-1661