[Terra Nola documents the long-distance love affair between a New Yorker and New Orleans.]
Well, if I hadn't read it with my own eyes I would not have believed it (not that we should believe everything we read). Looks like there is to be a second Camellia Grill, this one in Destin, Florida, beloved by teenagers on spring break everywhere.
As I said to Kelly Leahy, co-blogger here at bloggingneworleans, there can be only one. Even if the reopened version in Nola is doing well enough, the new owner is messing with some pretty serious karma to try and duplicate his success outside of the Crescent City. It was a miracle the Camellia Grill reopened at all given the devastation and destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Why tempt fate?
But, that said, if you're going to tempt fate, you might as well do it in the pan handle. If a greasy spoon operation is going to make it anywhere, it can make it in Destin. Not that Destin is lacking in diners--to the contrary, they're everywhere.
If you're reading this in a feed reader, then not right now, click through past the jump and watch the full episode right here. AOL Video is carrying the video online and has it set up for blogging purposes and since AOL is our parent, I figured I grab that puppy and paste it in this post for you to watch. Remember K-Ville was filmed on location in New Orleans and has quite a few locals as extras. Hopefully Fox will be giving this cop drama a chance instead of killing it way to soon, but I guess that's why the pilot is available online. Once you watch it, tell me what you think in the comments below.
Tonight on MyNetwork TV (formally UPN54 in New Orleans) you can watch the HD Documentary 'Going Back to New Orleans' at 8:00 PM EST. This movie tells the stories of various New Orleans musicians and their return to the city they love after Katrina from the point of view of Deacon John. Of course you might not want to wait and thanks to AOL (who owns Blogging New Orleans) you can watch the full documentary online on their True Stories site. Or you could just click through after the jump on this post. Unfortunately the video is in Windows Media Format so I and the rest of you Mac users can't see it, but we'll just wait till tonight.
And now the return of a once weekly feature where we pick a great New Orleans video on Google Video, YouTube, Netscape or any other video sharing service and post it with a link to the original here and a short discussion. Be sure to check back here in the future for another NOLAvid.
Today's NOLAvid is a promotional trailer for a new non-profit theater company in New Orleans, the Cripple Creek Players. According to the video, Cripple Creek seeks to produce dramatic works for the public (all shows are ten bucks of less to get in) to provoke social action and help inspire us to continue to rebuild. Currently they are getting ready for their second season with works by Irwin Shaw, Arthur Miller and others. This company helps build on what New Orleans is all about. Deep down we are a strong and dedicated arts community with a great background in theater, TV, movies, studio art, and music.
[This is a continuation of the author's series on New Orleans lessons, to commemorate both her 10th anniversary of living in
New Orleans , as well as the 2nd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.]
H is for Hello!
Even though my fellow Midwesterners can be quite friendly, they're no match for New Orleanians at large. This is a city where you are encouraged, nay, required to say hello to everyone you pass.
My first summer here, I found myself walking down the sidewalk in a heat-induced funk. I passed a homeless man, seated against a building, bottle in hand. Too grumpy to say anything, I tried to pass him in silence. But he interrupted me: "You could at least say hello," he sneered, obviously upset. Put off by his attitude, I ignored him and kept walking. But he taught me an important lesson: being friendly isn't just a kind-hearted gesture, but an important way to stay safe in this strange city. It's the opposite of northern cities like Chicago and
New York , where human connection implies weakness: if you don't want to get mugged, I suggest making eye contact with strangers and shouting a confident "hello" as you pass by. With one happy little word, you're expressing fearlessness, spreading goodwill, and creating to the feeling of community that makes our city such a fun place to live.
While you're at it, take a moment to stop and chat with your neighbors. Even if they're funny looking or smell funny, they're probably good people with entertaining stories or a pot of red beans on the stove. And you'll never get to taste real local food if you don't introduce yourself to real locals.
[Recovery Pen chronicles the simple pleasures and gratuitous joys of living in New Orleans.]
With the foul breath of hurricane season prickling the backs of our necks, optimism is as elusive as dry land during a flood. Still, I am thrilled to report that this June 1st not only marks the official beginning of storm season, but also ushers in a major recovery benchmark: Fair Grinds Coffeehouse opening for business.
Even if you don't think you're familiar with Fair Grinds, you probably are: it's that place by the old Mid-City Whole Foods which has inspired both locals and tourists, old and young, hip and square, all to ask: "What the hell's going on over there? Are they open, or what?"
The Fair Grinds has earned its confusing reputation. Clearly coffee has been served at this establishment, as locals regularly gather around the benches out front and hold forth with the passion and loquacity that only caffeine inspires. The careful observer will also notice people carting laptops to and fro, as well as Friday night guitarists and Saturday morning AA members. Yet, when one tries to buy a cup, or god forbid, ask for some tea, she is rebuked.
But no more! Starting tomorrow, anyone with a few bucks can buy anything on the menu at the newly-renoved caffeine emporium. To celebrate this once-unimaginable event, I stopped by the other evening and chatted with owner Robert Thompson. I took notes while he painted the finishing touches on the outdoor trim, stopping numerous times to chat wiith the parade of friends and neighbors "just stopping by."
Every Sunday we pick a great New Orleans video on Google Video, YouTube, Netscape or any other video sharing service and post it with a link to the original here and a short discussion. Be sure to check back here every week for another NOLAvid.
Today's NOLAvid is a short documentary on the experiences of post-Katrina New Orleans small business owners. This was created with help from the New Orleans Video Access Center and part of a series of short independent films about the ongoing recovery of the city.
Every Sunday we pick a great New Orleans video on Google Video, YouTube, Netscape or any other video sharing service and post it with a link to the original here and a short discussion. Be sure to check back here every week for another NOLAvid.
Today's NOLAvid is a short interview with Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews in the historic Treme neighborhood of New Orleans. Treme is located right across Rampart from the French Quarter and is the oldest Black neighborhood in America. Since this video is from Netscape be sure to vote for it if you enjoy it.
Every Sunday we pick a great New Orleans video on Google Video, YouTube, Netscape or any other video sharing service and post it with a link to the original here and a short discussion. Be sure to check back here every week for another NOLAvid.
Today's NOLAvid is a great satirical look at a Chalmette based MTV Cribs sent to me by a family member who shall not be named.
Every Sunday we pick a great New Orleans video on Google Video, YouTube, Netscape or any other video sharing service and post it with a link to the original here and a short discussion. Be sure to check back here every week for another NOLAvid.
Today's NOLAvid is a trailer for the documentary 'Cult of Personality' about the 2006 New Orleans Mayoral election. I seemed appropriate in this last week before a special election in our fair city. And I found it on Revver.
Every Sunday we pick a great New Orleans video on Google Video, YouTube, Netscape or any other video sharing service and post it with a link to the original here and a short discussion. Be sure to check back here every week for another NOLAvid.
Today's NOLAvid is a commercial for my college alma mater University of New Orleans. It is part of a series of commercials advertising the school that should be out right now. It is also part of five commercials for the school uploaded by YouTuber unovideo.
Every Sunday we pick a great New Orleans video on Google Video, YouTube, Netscape or any other video sharing service and post it with a link to the original here and a short discussion. Be sure to check back here every week for another NOLAvid.
Today's Nolavid was videotaped by me at last night's Endymion parade. We watched in on Canal St. downtown and I managed to get a quick video of one of this super-krewe's extra long double floats. If you can't make it to Mardi Gras this year, at least you can say you saw Endymion after watching this video. Since this is a Netscape video be sure to vote for it if you like it.
Every Sunday we pick a great New Orleans video on Google Video, YouTube, Netscape or any other video sharing service and post it with a link to the original here and a short discussion. Be sure to check back here every week for another NOLAvid.
Since today's NOLAvid is a little late, I figured you deserved three. Today we have an Uptown night parade, an afternoon on Saturday (also Uptown) parade and finally... Barkus, of course as found on
YouTube. Check out the second two videos after the jump.
Every Sunday we pick a great New Orleans video on Google Video, YouTube, Netscape or any other video sharing service and post it with a link to the original here and a short discussion. Be sure to check back here every week for another NOLAvid.
Today's NOLAvid is a normal street musician show from the French Quarter found on Blip.tv. If you've never experienced a French Quarter street show, you've never experienced New Orleans.
Every Sunday we pick a great New Orleans video on Google Video, YouTube, Netscape or any other video sharing service and post it with a link to the original here and a short discussion. Be sure to check back here every week for another NOLAvid.
Today's NOLAvid is a signature tune from Rebirth Brass Band found on Google Video. I am hoping it will lift your spirits (as it did mine) after today's blowout in Chicago. Remember this year was just the beginning of a rebirth of our team. Next year we'll be in the Super Bowl. Go Saints.
If you're reading this in a feed reader, then not right now, click through past the jump and watch the full episode right here. 
Tonight on MyNetwork TV (formally UPN54 in New Orleans) you can watch the HD Documentary 
[This is a continuation of the author's 
[Recovery Pen chronicles the simple pleasures and gratuitous joys of living in New Orleans.]
