It’s not that unusual to see people running wildly through the streets of the Quarter, zigzagging their way from side to side. However, the times that it does not involve catching beads from balconies or avoiding iPhone-stealing thugs are rare.
The scavenger craze has been here in the old city for a while, which has allowed locals the chance to watch groups of white people hunting a list of worthless trinkets first rather than just to take home to impressed yet puzzled family members. For active visitors or even bored locals, these hunts can be a fun way to spend a fall evening while out in the glorious weather. Take a minute and click through to this deal for a reduced price scavenger hunt, courtesy of Living Social coupons:
Living Social hunt
Tag Archives: French Quarter
Tree Maps
Mapping is a great way to show both what is available and what could be. Maps can also be the best way to literally show context. My own awareness of the city and region I live in is largely based on 2 things: anecdotal accounts from individuals, and old maps and ephemera.
I began thinking of mapping the French Quarter a few years ago and did the first one (Cheap Drinks, Bookstores and Extra Bathrooms, also known as CDBB) this year to show both local and tourists something new about the old city. It can be downloaded from this site, by searching in the mapping category.
After that map, I began thinking of other ways to surprise and came up with mapping the tree canopy and best native trees.
I walked every block of the Quarter to map the canopy of trees experienced in the public areas and then asked for volunteers among my friends to double check my work and add to it-and got 4. Greg and Jennifer had already helped with the CDBB map, and so stayed on for this one too. Beth and Marcela came to it with their own interest; Beth probably because she’ll help any organizer friend of hers and Marcela because of her passion and knowledge on native planting.
So, am currently working on finding an artist to refine my map, then will have the Tree Canopy map ready by end of year. The native tree piece is still being worked on by Marcela, and I am adding a link to her beginning, entertaining work:
and stay tuned for more.
Southern Decadence Parade Will Go On As Planned Today
(September 4, 2011)- Despite the rain, Southern Decadence Parade organizers say the parade is still on for this afternoon.
The parade is slated to begin at 2pm, lining up on Royal and Barracks Streets. It’s expected to wrap up around 4pm at Bourbon and Dumaine Streets.
It’s important to note that this year’s parade is strictly for walkers. No floats or vehicles will be included in the line-up.
The parade route is the same as was originally laid out by organizers, and is in today’s Times Picayune. The only major street that may need to be blocked off for up to 15 minutes is North Rampart. During that brief time, RTA buses that run on that street will be temporarily stopped until the parade has left the area and moved into the French Quarter.
NOPD is ensuring ahead of time that all streets along the route are free of standing water or other hazards so paraders and parade-goers will have a safe, enjoyable time.
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New Orleans Police Department
Tennessee On Sale
Since the New Orleans heat isn’t ending anytime soon, we’re extending our Summer Ticket Special.
Book your VIP All-Access Pass by September 16 to enjoy our special rate of $395. That’s a savings of more than $100 off the regular price of $500! The All-Access Pass is your VIP ticket to all the weekend’s panels, master classes, and theatrical events. Plus, you’ll be invited to exclusive non-ticketed soirees, where you’ll mingle with the Festival’s literati over cocktails.
While we’re on the subject of future planning, we recommend booking your Festival accommodation now. Special rate rooms at our host hotel, the Hotel Monteleone, are filling up fast. Book now to receive the discounted room rate of $179 a night available for March 21 through March 25, 2012.
Not so Fresh Quarter
The ongoing marsh fire in New Orleans East is menacing many elderly and asthmatic citizens of New Orleans and may continue for another day. Rain is forecasted over the weekend, but this is a not a simple brush fire, but one that exists above and below ground, making it harder to extinguish.
This is not the first time in recent memory smoke or smells have hit the old city hard, and is at least the third major event since August 2005 (warehouse fires during the levee breaks on the waterfront and the oil spill on the Mississippi in 2008) and of course, who can forget BP’s destruction of the gulf, endangering health far and wide when their shoddy oil rig exploded in 2010.
Interestingly though, the city’s air is quite clear and clean most of the time, which makes the overwhelming smell and sight of thick smoke this week even more unbearable, especially in the drip of summer.
The French Quarter seemed to get a whole bunch of the smoke and made those old houses useful as chimneys for a few hours. Lucky for the residents of the Quarter, there are plenty of air-conditioned bars and restaurants in which to escape…
Story
French Quarter block by block 
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