NOLA | Todd Berner | Hobbies & Interests

Tag: NOLA

October 4, 2016

Brees to Remain

Earlier this month, New Orleans breathed an audible sigh of relief as Drew Brees committed to continuing his career in a black and gold uniform for at least the next two years.

He signed a five-year extension that offers Brees the opportunity to sign voids after two years and includes a no-trade clause. This reportedly means he is guaranteed to receive $44.25 million, not a bad deal.

What is more important, however, is that the best player in Saint history will continue his path to the Hall of Fame in a Saints uniform. With the Saints already having exhibited an incredible offense in the past few years, this bodes very well for the coming season. Currently, Brees is already fourth on the NFL’s all-time list for passing yards with 60,903, third in all-time for both touchdowns at 428 and completion at 5,635, and first in 5,000 yard seasons with four.

Moreover, this is all on top of Brees’ season last year, his best yet, in which he led the league in passing yards (4,870 over fifteen games), completed 428 of 627 pass attempts (a 68.3% completion rate), had 32 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. With respect to his recent decision, Brees stated,

“Both sides are very happy. Certainly, I’m very happy. I want to play my entire career here and I’m just taking it one step at a time, one year at a time, one opportunity at a time. But this allows me to be around here for a bit longer, and I’ll be here as long as they’ll have me.”

Although contract negotiations were likely a bit more dramatic than necessary, it does seem to have paid off (literally) for both sides. Not only do the Saints get to continue taking advantage of Drew Brees’ outstanding career, but Brees gets to stay where he feels more comfortable. As he said himself, he wants to complete the rest of his career in the Big Easy—it’s just a matter of the right opportunity at the right time.

I, for one, am very excited Brees has decided to remain for at least the next two seasons. He’s not just the leader of the Saints. He’s also a legend in New Orleans.

July 31, 2016

The Saints’ Savior’s Questionable Future

Drew Brees has seemingly been the Saints’ savior over the years. Coming back from what should have been a career-ending injury to establish the timeless legacy he has is a 30 for 30 just waiting to be made, and it’s this resilience that has won the hearts and minds of New Orleans fans across the nation. Yet, the question of his contract extension still looms large in nearly every conversation even remotely involving the Saints.

Training camp has started and negotiations still haven’t stopped. To put the situation in as base terms as possible: Brees wants four more years and the Saints want Brees but don’t want to commit to four years with him. Now, from Brees’ perspective, it only makes sense that he wants four more years. Already having displayed an absolutely remarkable affinity for physicality (his recovery speaks for itself), he also has the numbers to back him; and he doesn’t think they’re going anywhere. In fact, he has even gone so far as to claim that he can play well beyond forty. He’s thirty-seven now so that would make him forty-one by the expiration of his desired contract.

While Brees is no doubt an outstanding quarterback (honestly, legendary may be a more accurate adjective here), that is not say he will stay such. Every player has a shelf life, and as unfortunate as that is, it’s the incontrovertible truth. When Saints Vice President Mickey Loomis was asked how negotiations were proceeding, he responded that the ball is in Drew’s court.

Certainly, this is not Sean Payton’s, Mickey Loomis’, or Drew Brees’ first time around and they all seem to be waiting one another out, or rather, Loomis and Payton are trying to wait out Drew Brees. In the meantime, it is the fans who are struggling with the stress of uncertainty, who have to wrestle with the anxiety of their greatest player potentially leaving the franchise after a historical role with them.

Apparently, Brees has a self-imposed deadline of September 11th, the season opener against the Oakland Raiders, for the proceedings to come to a close. As training camp continues, here’s to hoping that Brees and the staff can compromise so that the fans do not have to suffer any longer than necessary. All this said, the Saints could be in for a fantastic, or a miserable season. As we approach the beginning of the 2016 season, all I can say is—Who Dat?

June 26, 2016

Architecture of The Crescent City

New Orleans is without a doubt a city of great beauty. The fabled Mississippi River runs alongside the bustling metropolis, bringing with it prosperous trade and people from all different cultures, heritages, and ethnicities. Cobblestone streets are lined with both modern skyscrapers and traditional homes. Terraces with wrought-iron fences and vibrant flowers hang just above passerby pedestrians. In fact, it is likely New Orleans’ architecture that most overtly distinguishes The Crescent City from its sibling southern metropolises. With a fascinating blend of both past and present styles, the Big Easy is one of the most extraordinary exhibitions of architecture the world over.

Creole Cottage

This noticeable trend in building style is generally composed of one and a half story buildings that are set at ground level. With a steeply-pitched roof and a well-balanced four-opening facade, they usually lie close to the property line. Their stucco exterior provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance for both those walking by and those driving by.

Shotgun House

A narrow home not meant for commercial use, these houses are typically not over 12 feet wide and have doors at each end. Initially created in The Big Easy itself, this residential style spread like wildfire and can be seen throughout the metropolis. In fact, the earliest shotgun house developed was at 937 St. Andrews St and was constructed in 1848. Their popularity persisted throughout the 1920s.

One can identify shotgun houses because there are usually only one-story, are narrow, and rest on brick piers. Most claim a narrow porch area that is complemented by a roof apron that stands on columns and brackets. Said columns and brackets are generally decorated with subtle lacy Victorian motifs. While many variations of the pervasive shotgun house exist, they are all characterized by these basic stylistic elements.

Double-Gallery House

Erected mostly in New Orleans from 1820 to 1850, these two-story houses very often have either a side-gabled or a hipped roof. They usually lie away from the property line and have a two-story gallery that is framed and distinguished by unique entablature. The facade, on the other hand, has an imbalanced arrangement of its various entrances. Initially, these homes were constructed as a variation of the American townhouses that are located throughout the Garden District, Uptown, and Esplanade Ridge. Interestingly enough, all three of the aforementioned neighborhoods were considered suburbs throughout the 1800s.

New Orleans is home to a variety of architectural styles that can capture the imagination of even the most established designers. With an endless capacity for inspiration, The Big Easy has, does, and will continue to attract some of the most inventive architects throughout the world for ages to come.

French Quarter, Todd Berner, New Orleans

June 24, 2016

The Historic Sites of New Orleans

The city of New Orleans is known for many things. Bourbon Street. Mardi Gras. Po Boys’. Yet, it also has a refined sense of history and culture that all too often goes neglected. The Big Easy played a role of tremendous significance in the Civil War. It was at the center of the Louisiana Purchase. It made, for better or worse, Andrew Jackson’s political career. Truly, it has time and time again proved itself to be of tremendous influence in turning the very tide of United States history. Below are a few sites of immeasurable significance located in America’s favorite city below sea-level:

Chalmette Battlefield

The site of Andrew Jackson’s victory, Chalmette Battlefield is just a mere seven miles downriver from the French Quarter. Stroll through the formerly blood-soaked grounds to gain some perspective on the fabled conflict. Let history immerse you and read up on what made Chalmette Battlefield the fabled battleground it has become today. For convenience’s sake, you may want to hire a tour guide to lead you through so that you can absorb the site around you while absorbing the information that makes this land so special in the first place.

Jackson Square

Of course, if you are going to visit Chalmette Battlefield, you absolutely must take a walk through Jackson Square. Not uncommonly referred to as the heart of New Orleans, Jackson Square is full of the thriving and pulsating energy that makes New Orleans New Orleans to begin with. Young students and longtime residents alike relax in the sun at this cultural and historical center. Andrew Jackson’s statue rises with authority, reminding Crescent City’s inhabitants of his authoritative presence for all time. Not to mention, once night falls (and sometimes before), the smooth sounds of jazz electrify the square with dancing, upbeat tunes, and euphoric smiles. Take advantage.

Garden District

The relaxing atmosphere that encompasses the Garden District is may seem like some far-flung place from the activity of the New Orleans metropolis, but, in reality, it is just along St. Charles avenue and Magazine Street. With wrought iron fences and classical antebellum homes, the chivalry and elegance of the South have never been more prevalent. Stroll down wide and luxurious sidewalks while looking on the metropolis’ initial aristocratic residential district. With affordable transit to the French Quarter and the Lafayette cemetery, the Garden District is a neighborhood you have no excuse to miss.

New Orleans has never ceased to surprise me. Its vivacious energy, unparalleled and unique beauty, and congenial population is an unmatched experience no one should go without.

May 31, 2016

The Haunting Nights of New Orleans Ghost Tours

New Orleans is known for many things: music, food, history. Yet, one very intriguing aspect of New Orleans history is not often articulated, and that is the city’s vast array of ghost tours. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, it is certain that there is something unnerving about pacing through historic cemeteries, meandering through former murderous establishments, and strutting along ghostly cobblestone streets. Below are listed some of the most captivating ghost tours in the city for those who are inclined to push their limits.

Witches Brew Tours

With over three decades of experience, the reputable Witches Brew Tours boasts some of the most eerie, most haunting, and most interesting ghostly explorations in the metropolis. The guides themselves are incredibly talented and committed to their role. Although theatrical, their efforts help to make the tour a fully immersive experience that is not soon to be forgotten. While there is, to say the least, a number of ghost tour companies available in the city, I would be hard pressed to name one more worth your time than Witches Brew Tours.

Haunted History/Ghost Tour

With a wealth of options available, the Haunted History/Ghost Tour companies offers ghost, vampire, and cemetery tours for those looking to engage with potentially otherworldly spirits. The tour guides are immensely knowledgeable, providing haunting detail with every establishment and area visited. Additionally, it should be noted that when traveling through the French Quarter, tour participants will see the voodoo queen Marie Laveaux’s tomb, a vital part to any trip in the Big Easy.

French Quarter Phantoms

Always in competition with aforementioned Haunted History/Ghost Tour, French Quarter Phantoms provides a nearly unparalleled haunting trip through time. Historically accurate, the tour is not only vastly entertaining but insightfully educational. Appropriate for all ages, the theatricality of this tour is diminished to a lesser degree than in others. In fact, the real fear comes at the hand of stone cold incontrovertible truth. To listen is to feel the transparent hand of the supernatural prickle your skin goosebump by goosebump.

The next time you find yourself in the Crescent City, take advantage of these notably eerie supernatural awakenings. The green isn’t always greener on the other side; and it’s time you found that out for yourself.

May 31, 2016

Jazz Clubs of The Big Easy

New Orleans is a city of rich tradition, of vivacious culture, and of exquisite cuisine. Yet, it is perhaps its fantastic music scene that has contributed the most to its renown as a town of fine culture. Considered to be born in The Big Easy, jazz, in particular, can be heard regularly throughout the thriving metropolis. Since the city’s inception, even going as far back as to the Congo Square, the improvisational music form has been an inherent fixture of The Crescent City’s nearly palpable culture. The next time you’re strolling through this historic city’s famed streets, pop your head into one of the below beloved establishments. You’re sure to be glad you did.

Preservation Hall

Known specifically for its traditional roots, Preservation Hall has played host to nearly innumerable famous musicians. A legendary venue, the building merely requires one to reserve tickets at least 24 hours in advance for any one of its three engaging nightly events. 45 minutes each and starting at 8, 9, or 10 pm, these shows are an impeccable option for entertainment regardless of age. In fact, Preservation Hall is an alcohol-free venue, making it the perfect option for families.

Fritzel’s European Jazz Club

Although Fritzel’s is on the rambunctious Bourbon Street, that is no reason the discount the elegant Jazz overtures flowing from its open windows on any given night. Traditional and played for the most part by an in-house band, this club takes care to preserve the quality of music played in addition to continuously cultivating its already prestigious reputation. While the crowd may be slightly boisterous, their voices by no means drown out the wonderful music filling the halls.

Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse

More upscale than aforementioned Fritzel’s, this elegant lounge bar resides in the heart of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Known for its iconic performer, the famed Grammy recipient Irvin Mayfield, the playhouse has garnered the reputation it has for good reason. Even when Mayfield isn’t there himself to dazzle crowds, other jazz forefathers make regular appearances, ensuring a night spend at the playhouse is never a night wasted.

Truly, New Orleans is home to some of the finest music in the world; and all you need to know is where to look.

April 27, 2016

A Brief History of New Orleans (Contd.)

Emerging from our nation’s domestic bloodbath relatively unscathed compared to most, New Orleans strutted into the 20th century with gusto. Electricity was all the buzz, lighting street lamps in the nighttime and powering streetcars at all times. The age of industry enveloped the booming metropolis, introducing innovative pump technology that helped to drain the surrounding swampland. New levees and drainage canals let residents live below sea level. Technology was providing a glimpse of our modern world.

Unfortunately, after World War II and during the height of social revolution, NOLA’s traditional roots took hold and resisted what, at the time, were progressive notions of racial equality. Enduring an embittered battle of character, New Orleans eventually grew with the rest of the country. Although many caucasian Crescent City natives emigrated in response to suburbanization and left many African-American residents impoverished and under-equipped, the city retained its global renown as a cultural center.

By popularizing Mardi Gras to the international event it has become, the city was able to create and cultivate an immense tourism industry. Literally hundreds of thousands of people would (and still do for that matter) fill the streets to the brim, running amok with excitement as they witnessed traditional and contemporary parades. In fact, this culture that is so unique to New Orleans has even inspired names as big as playwright Tennessee Williams, trumpeter Louis Armstrong, and chef Jean Galatoire, to name but a few.

Tragically and most recently, The Big Easy was devastated by Hurricane Katrina on August 29th, 2005. Guided by ill-preparation and lack of adept leadership, the metropolis was largely destroyed, with rising water levels flooding literally 80% of the city. With hundreds killed and thousands trapped, elected officials and government agencies attempted to make up for lost ground. However, the damage was done. A year after the hurricane in 2009, only half of the city’s former residents had returned home.

While the metropolis may still be recovering from tragedy even to this day, it has never lost its tradition, its culture, its heart. The warm sounds of live music still fill the air. Steaming hot Po’Boys still taste of delicious satisfaction. Bourbon Street still beckons the young and the restless. I can only hope future generations find the same fascination, the same passion and the same love for New Orleans that I have.

January 15, 2016

Tips for Mardi Gras

As we approach Mardi Gras season, the fervor and excitement surrounding New Orleans climbs to an all-time high. Frankly, with such so much to do it can be daunting trying to understand which parades to attend, what to wear, and how to get around. In my time in Louisiana’s most famous city, I had some questions of my own, and so I developed this guide to take on the “Big Easy:”

1.“What is the best parade to attend?”

Rex is the trademark Nola parade that has given Mardi Gras the famous reputation it deserves. Created in 1872, it has actually retained traditions for well over a century, including the singing of “If I Ever Cease to Love You.” Step out onto the vibrant intersection of Napoleon Avenue and S. Claibourne Avenue on Tuesday, February 9th for an experience you’re not likely to forget. You’re welcome.

2. “Where should I stay?”

Obviously, it will be your goal to find a nice, affordable hotel in close proximities to the festivities. Of course, considering Mardi Gras is the busiest time of year, that is not exactly easy task. Preparation is vital here as available rooms will likely be booked several months prior to the event.

3. “What should I wear?”

Sunscreen. Seriously, you need to wear sunscreen. Even if it’s cold this year, that sun has a nasty habit of burning you without ever letting you know, until you wake up the next day anyway. Also, be mindful of whatever shoes you choose to wear. No one wants to pick a pair of boots and experience the blistery evidence afterwards. Other than that, just check the weather, pretty simple really.

4. “I realize the city is bound to be hectic. How do I get around?”

Back to what I said about the shoes…walking. Honestly though, walking is likely your best bet considering the city isn’t very big. However, I can understand if you’d rather not trek miles through hordes of college students and hesitant strangers. So, for those of you who are looking to avoid pushing and shoving, I would recommend a bike. Taking a car is quite literally crazy considering traffic, and especially insane if you don’t want a ticket (see NOLA traffic ordinances here). The streetcar stops two hours before and two hours after a parade. Hailing a taxi? Forget about it in this congestion. Busses, well I guess busses work if you’re willing to face constant detours and delays. So I maintain, you should walk or ride a bike.

I hope this answered some of your questions. Happy Mardi Gras!

October 13, 2015

A NOLA Newcomer’s Dining Guide

Are you New Orleans bound for the first time? It is likely that you are feeling quite overwhelmed with how you can fill your days. Here is a great interactive guide with which you can plan your trip day by day. Below you can find the four restaurants that are perfect for newcomers looking to be exposed to the legendary New Orleans cuisine.

Mr. B’s Bistro

This Cindy Brennan French Quarter restaurant has earned itself quite the reputation over the years. Boasting a relaxing atmosphere and an array of perfectly prepared classic creole dishes, Mr B’s is a must visit for any NOLA first-timer. Try their famous Barbecued Shrimp or their equally delicious Chicken Pontalba, a rich dish developed by the renowned chef, Paul Blange.

Commander’s Palace

Situated in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace has served as home some of the most famous New Orleans chefs in existence such as Tory McPhail, Emeril Lagasse, and Paul Prudhomme. Opened more than 130 years ago, this Brennan-owned restaurant is recognized as an institution of the NOLA dining pantheon. While formal (you’ll need a blazer), Commander’s Palace also has the down-to-earth, fun oriented ambience that permeates the entire city. The menu indulges in all of the creole culinary classics, but can get away with it with James Beard winning Tory McPhail at the helm. This serves as another great destination for a Big Easy newcomer who wants to try all the classics that have made this city’s cuisine world famous.

Galatoire’s

If your schedule allows it, try to make it here for your Friday lunch. It’s truly a unique experience as many of those at lunch will hang out at Galatoire’s well into the night. Boasting waiters with upwards of five decades of experience at this restaurant, this is amongst the most charming of restaurants in all of New Orleans. Food-wise, opt for the Poisson Meuniere Amandine.

Toups’ Meatery

While universally enjoyed, delicious Cajun cuisine isn’t as easy to come by in NOLA as you may think. However, Chef Isaac and Amanda Toups’, who hail from the center of Cajun country, do it right. The Meatery board features, as the name suggests, an array of sausages, galantines, pork rinds, pates, and more. The Lamb Neck is also a great choice.

Todd Berner | Hobbies & Interests

A blog centered around Todd's hobbies and interests