Lt.. Gov. Billy Nungesser recently unveiled the Atchafalaya Water Heritage Trail, which spans the 14 parishes in south-central Louisiana that are a part of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. The trail includes kiosks highlighting seven Iberia Parish water features including:

Lake Dauterive at 1,000-Year-Old Cypress
Spanish lake at Old Spanish Trail
Bayou Teche at P.J. Allain Waterfront Park and Sculptural Garden
Lake Peigneur at Rip Van Winkle Gardens
Bayou Carlin Cove at Port of Delcambre
Avery Island Salt Dome at Jungle Gardens
Lake Fausse Pointe at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park

Live Nation has announced the next installment of Food Truck Friday,on June 23, 2017 at Champions Square in New Orleans, LA from 11am to 2pm.

Food Truck Friday will again feature an increased amount of trucks from the previous event, additional beverage offerings, live entertainment, promotional ticket giveaways to upcoming Live Nation concerts, and access to indoor seating within Opening Act.

The complete listing of food trucks attending the upcoming event is: Queen on Wheels, Rollin’ Fatties, The Red Stove, Afrodisiac, Taylor Made Wings, Diva Dawg, Thai Djing, Ms. Beasley, Burgers Ya Heard , Frencheeze, Joe’s on the Go, Cocoa & Cream, Petite Rouge, and Plum Street Sno-balls!

I found this list published by Kezia Kamenetz over at only in your state.

1. The Oyster Bar, Shreveport, LA

2. Griffin’s Poboy and Grille, Thibodaux, LA

3. Domilise’s, New Orleans, LA

4. Chris’ Po Boys, Lafayette, LA

5. Marilynn’s Place, Shreveport, LA

6. Rocco’s, Baton Rouge, LA

7. Bear’s Poboys, Metairie, LA

8. Olde Tyme Grocery, Lafayette, LA

9. Darrell’s, Lake Charles, LA

As part of a complete update to its image collection, LaRC recently rehoused and created a new index for its extensive collection of antique Louisiana postcards. For the first time, researchers have a comprehensive guide to the collection, and the postcard guide is now online.

NEW ORLEANS, La. --- The 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Beasuoleil-led Acadians will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 in the performance center at the Old US Mint on Esplanade Boulevard in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

There will be music and singing beginning at 1:30 p.m. with the main performance taking place from 2:30-4:30 p.m. followed by a reception. The event will be hosted by Warren and Mary Perrin of the Acadian Museum and co-directors of the book Acadie Then and Now. 

The Master of Ceremonies will be Dr. Barry Ancelet with featured historical readings, such as the first reports of Acadians' arrival by Acting Gov. Aubry and Denis-Nicolas Foucault and introduction of the civil code of Spain. 

Some presenters will be Dr. Mike Vincent, Natial d'Augereau, James Ackers, Earlene Broussard, Brenda Trahan, Mark Babineaux, Floyd Boudreaux, Louis R. Koerner, and Ed Fleischmann. 

The Cajun Coast is a sampler of everything Louisiana offers, in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere that's the heart of Cajun hospitality. Only 90 minutes or less from New Orleans, Baton Rouge or Lafayette. Stay a weekend or spend a week - you'll find this is a great location to call home while you explore South Louisiana. 

In addition to rich history and unique culture, the Cajun Coast is adorned with the natural beauty of the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp, the largest overflow swamp in the United States. Moss-draped cypress trees, majestic oaks, numerous acres of bottomland hardwoods, over 170,000 acres of designated wildlife management areas and an abundance of bird and animal life provide easily accessible outdoor adventures along our secluded waterways.

If you love canoeing or kayaking, the trails are your ticket to unlocking the natural beauty of the Cajun Coast. A great opportunity to immerse yourself in what National Geographic called this "hauntingly beautiful land" for a unique taste of Louisiana adventure along the paddling trails of the Cajun Coast.

See paddling trails here and Paddling events

For more paddling trails see;

The Bayou Vermilion Paddle Trail can be accessed through Lafayette Consolidated Government’s website at http://apps.lafayettela.gov/paddletrail. Users can locate and identify recreation areas, boat and canoe launches, businesses and other amenities from the northernmost access point on the Bayou Vermilion District’s North Landing all the way to public boat launch in the Intracoastal Canal. The paddle trail map also identifies areas where paddlers and boaters should use caution, such as areas with frequent barge traffic.

I know that some of you enjoy—as I do—a great cigar. My favorite times for this particular indulgence are after a great meal, sometimes after the big game or while tailgating, and quite often on the golf course. It is a pleasure you can enjoy with buddies, or  alone with a glass of your favorite red wine or maybe a brandy.

We have some great activities coming up here in New Orleans over the next few weeks; holiday meals, the Sugar Bowl game, and New Years Eve. There are sure to be many visitors, and I thought it would be a great idea to suggest where you can purchase a quality cigar from a good selection. Feel free to add your own favorites in the comment section below.

-Jim

The shops I frequent I have marked with an asterisk** - most are close to downtown.

The Whole Foods Market Arabella Station, Broad St. and Veterans stores have partnered with Louisiana Oilworks, a family owned and operated waste vegetable oil collection business located in Kenner, to recycle cooking oil used for frying turkeys during the Thanksgiving holiday. The cooking oil drive will produce eco-friendly biodiesel fuel, help reduce emissions, and keep oil and grease out of the drains.

WHAT:           Turkey Frying Oil Drop-Off 

WHEN:           Friday, Nov. 28 through Friday, Dec. 5     

WHERE:         

• Whole Foods Market Arabella Station - 5600 Magazine St., (504) 899-91198 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Whole Foods Market Broad St. – 300 N. Broad St., (504) 434-3364 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Whole Foods Market Veterans - 3420 Veterans Blvd., (504) 888-8225 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Arugala, Turnips, Collards, Kale and Romain Lettuce.

Our friend Susan Arcement is creating candle fundraisers for animal rescue groups. Susan says she has always loved animals and this is her way of helping out.