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Welcome Spring & Festivals! |
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| April 2011 | Around the Quarter Newsletter |
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Member Specials
each will click through to more information |
Music at the Market  Events, Exhibits & Lectures New Design Company Official Jazz Fest Express "Inside the gates like no other shuttle" Office Space for Sub-Lease 400 N. Peters Free Live Music Broadway Season Announced Jazz Fest Bible (deadline Apr 7th)  Opera on Bourbon Tuesday & Wednesday Wine Dinners Special Events All Year at Hotel Monteleone Entertainment Listing New Website: iknowrick.com |
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The New Orleans Office of Film & Video
FQBA will no longer forward all of the notices. If you would like to receive filming notices contact the office and join the list.
City of New Orleans
Office of Film & Video
phone: 504.658.0923
email:
kagunnell@nola.gov
www.filmneworleans.org
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Dear Members & Friends:
FQBA jumped forward into spring faster than the change in daylight savings time. Your team of committee chairmen with Executive Director, Annie Flettrich, have already led their members into legislative reviews, marketing plans, an upcoming Graffiti Clean-up in April, city hall meetings, and new member enrollment.
The first of quarterly "meetings of the boards" took place on March 24th at an evening of "Networking with Jazz", hosted by Irvin Mayfield's Playhouse in the Royal Sonesta. Our public relations committee initiated this social mixer between our leadership and the boards of other French Quarter organizations in an effort to meet one another face to face. Ultimately all of us want a cleaner and stronger French Quarter. Rather than seeing just one side of an issue we will look to other points of view prior to taking a stand on issues from film crews to legislative redistricting. We will not always agree, but we will understand why we don't.
Thanks to Annie, Sydney Anderson, and Christine Sory for planning this event and to Jeremy DeBlieux, Shelley Waguespack, Lois Sutton, Nancy Tusa, CE Adler, and Robert Watters for being there on behalf of our board. Together we met and mingled with representatives from Bourbon Street Alliance, North Rampart Main Street Inc., French Market Corporation, VCPORA, French Quarter Business Women's Network, French Quarter Citizens and French Quarter Marigny Historic Management District.
Wishing you a very successful spring and look forward to seeing you at the next lunch forum on April 21st!
Sincerely, Adrienne Thomas FQBA President 2011 president2011@fqba.org |
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FQBA Committees
Marketing Committee
Chair: Monique Sullivan
We are always looking for new ideas and perspectives. Our focus currently is the "Get Away in the Vieux Carre" summer campaign, which you will see more details further in the newsletter. Let me know your thoughts or join in on our monthly meetings.
Events & Public Relations Committee
Chair: Christine Sory
One of the tasks for the FQBA's Public Relations Committee is to get our name more "out in the public". Another activity is to meet other French Quarter Groups on a one to one basis by meeting our fellow neighbors in a casual, friendly environment. We accomplished this with the help of Irvin Mayfield's Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta on March 24th. There were approximately 30 guests and to see them having a terrific time does my heart good.
Our next committee meeting will be held in April at the Maison Dupuy Hotel. Should anyone wish to participate or offer us some ideas please let me know.
Vieux Carre - Graffiti Abatement Program Committee
Chair: Gene Sausse
We've coordinated with French Quarter Citizens and VCPORA for the next community cleaup, please join us.
More information below.
Membership Committee
Chair: Nancy Tusa
The Membership committee is currently looking at developing an after hours social for current members to network and also bring prospective new members. We will be contacting some of our current members to see about helping us host the event, so if you are interested please send an email to annie@fqba.org.
Governmental Affairs Committee
Chair: Jeremy DeBlieux
Our next meeting is set for April 6th, if you would like to join or send over a topic of discussion please do. It's been a pretty active couple of weeks and FQBA has corresponded on membership's behalf on a number of issues, that you will read about in this newsletter.
To join a committee please email Annie@fqba.org or the committee chair. |
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Cycling in the French Quarter
FQBA's board was asked to support a survey studying bicycle usage and parking in the Quarter. All were in favor of supporting the efforts of The Metro Bicycle Coalition (MBC) in doing so.
MBC is excited to announce this project aimed to measure the attitudes and beliefs of French Quarter business and property owners regarding bicycle parking in the Quarter. Please take a few minutes to answer this online survey and spread the word.
Your opinions will help inform the City of New Orleans Department of Public Works about important infrastructure decisions.
The survey will be available through 12:00 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011. The results will be analyzed and presented to the City of New Orleans Department of Public Works in May, 2011.
NOPD Bicycle Unit
We are excited to announce that FQBA members have stepped up and helped the 8th district with their goal of ten (10) bicycles for officers in the French Quarter. We will formally announce the donors at a press event soon. Other districts are still in need of assistance please contact the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation for information on how you can help get NOPD officers on bicycles in your neighborhood.
Licensing Pedi-cabs
From time to time we have revisited the issue of pedi-cabs. The final word on licensing legal pedi-cabs for the City of New Orleans is that the City Council is reviewing the administration's proposed policies and procedures as to how licenses will be approved. The administration proposed a lottery system, however, the city council's transportation committee, chaired by District "C" Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer, supports a merit-based system. The process was discussed at the city council's transportation committee meeting on March 24th. The Transportation Committee's changes to the procedures will be available April 1st on the city council's website at www.nolacitycouncil.com. This matter will be discussed at the April 7th city council meeting.
FQBA is in favor of a merit-based system for issuing these pedi-cab permits and has corresponded accordingly with Councilmember Gisleson Palmer's office. |
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The Redistricting Session
Earlier this week the New Orleans Delegation to the House of Representatives prevailed on behalf of the people of New Orleans and our neighborhoods. The
House redistricting plan that was proposed by the Jefferson Parish House Delegation was defeated 49-47. The amendment would have changed the boundaries of the representatives districts and New Orleans' communities would have lost a seat.
Representatives fielded an overwhelming response from citizens and groups, FQBA certainly being one of them. Representatives of the House were able to reject this amendment during the floor debate. This is a great victory for our communities.
We'd like to thank all of those that worked hard to make this happen , including our Mayor & City Council Representatives, Jackie Clarkson & Kristin Gisleson Palmer.
To view the new House map that has been engrossed by the House of Representatives click here.
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Swipe Fee Reform
Last year Congress stepped in to address the skyrocketing fees small businesses pay every time a customer swipes a debit card in their store. These meaningful reforms, which were supported by both of Louisiana's U.S. Senators, are scheduled to go into effect July 21, and could reduce the average swipe fee from 44 cents to 12 cents. Merchants would be able to use that savings to keep prices low and hire more employees, helping the communities in which they operate.
However, the banks have launched an all-out assault on these reforms and have found allies in Congress to help them undo them. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) has introduced legislation to unravel these reforms, a move that will hurt both consumers and small businesses. It is critical that small businesses owners speak up and tell Senators Vitter and Landrieu to keep standing up for Louisiana's small businesses and to leave swipe fee reform alone.
To contact Senators Landrieu and Vitter visit www.unfaircreditcardfees.com
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FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL
April 7 - 10, 2011
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. will usher in this year's festival season with the official kickoff party at its annual fundraiser, TGIF (Thank Goodness it's Festival!), Wednesday, April 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the House of Blues - an exciting new festival partner. TGIF Tickets are $55 in advance and $65 at the door. Proceeds from ticket sales go toward keeping French Quarter Festival FREE and open to the public. Admission includes Abita beer, Absolut, Malibu Rum and Jameson Irish Whisky cocktails, Coca-Cola products, and a very special gospel brunch menu. Entertainment for the evening will include music by Little Freddie King and Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters. FQFI will raffle off an exciting array of gifts including New Orleans-themed treasures and adventures. The event is open to the public and dress is jazzy casual. In 2010, over 1,100 guests attended the kickoff party.
The 28th Annual French Quarter Festival takes place on April 7, 8, 9, and 10. A complete listing of music schedules, menus and events can be found at  www.fqfi.org. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December.
FQFI promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
TGIF (Thank Goodness It's Festival!) Kickoff Party
Annual Fundraiser for French Quarter Festival
House of Blues, 225 Decatur Street
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
$55 through April 1st ($65 after April 1)
FOR MORE INFO:
Call 504-522-5730
-or- purchase tickets online at www.fqfi.org
Click here for the French Quarter Festival website.
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Graffiti Cleanup Call for Volunteers
Saturday, April 16th
8 am
This is a call to action to all of those passionate about making the French Quarter graffti free. We need group leaders as well as many other hands on workers to participate in a community wide graffiti cleanup the
morning of April 16th.
If you are intersted in participating as a group leader you will be required to attend an orientation meeting on April 11th. Your role as a group leader will be to have a working knowlegde of the graffiti removal program set in place by VC-GAP. You will also need to learn about the products and process for safe and effective removal. Please contact us as soon as possible to sign up for this imporatant role.
Other volunteers are asked to sign up in advance and will be required to complete and return this volunteer agreement form.
Let's work together to make our historic neighborhood graffiti free! Funding for this cleanup is provided by FQBA, French Quarter Citizens & VCPORA. This is collective effort and we can always use more help and support!
Call or email with any questions: 504.309.1423 -or- graffiti@fqba.org
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April Events
Crescents on the River Gala
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Where: Port of New Orleans - 1350 Port of New Orleans Place
When: Patron Party 7:00 p.m. Gala 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
click here for more information
French Quarter Marigny Historic Area Management District Monthly Meeting
Monday, April 4th
Where: Bourbon Orleans, 717 Orleans Street
When: 12:00 p.m.
click here for agenda
Carousel Bar Booth Dedication Ceremony and Legacy Series Luncheon #2
Tuesday, April 5th
Where: Hotel Monteleone
When: 11:00 a.m.
click here for reservations
Creole Tea - fundraiser for the New Orleans Musicians Clinic
Thursday, April 7th
Where: The Freret-Bultman House 1525 Louisiana Ave
When: 4-6 p.m.
click here for tickets
Free Recital: Jean-Baptiste Monnott in Organ Recital
Saturday, April 9th
Where: St. Mary's Church at the "Old" Ursuline Convent
When:2:30 p.m.
click here for more information
Book signing event for: Dinner With Tennessee Williams
Recipes & Stories inspired by America's southern playwright
by Troy Gilbert and Greg Picolo
Sunday, April 10th
Where: Kitchen Witch Cookbook Shop, 631 Toulouse Street
When: 1-3 p.m.
click here to email for more information
Eudora Welty's 102nd Birthday
Wednesday, April 13th
Where: Hotel Monteleone
When: 12-2 p.m.
click here for reservations
Concert in the Courtyard: Glen David Andrews
Friday, April 15th
Where: The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal St
When:6-8 p.m.
click here for more information
VC-GAP Volunteer Graffiti Cleanup
Saturday, April 16th
Where: Jackson Square (St. Peter entrance)
When: 8 a.m.
click here to volunteer
Oschner Ironman New Orleans
Sunday, April 17th
Where: From Lake Ponchartrain to the French Quarter
When: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
click here for more information
"Reconnect Yourself" Spring Wellness Benefit Event
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Where: Earth Odyssey, 306 Chartres
When; 4pm - 8pm
click here for more info
Earth Day Celebration
Friday, April 22nd
Where: Hotel Monteleone
When: 10:30 a.m.
click here for event details
Pat O's Easter Party
Friday, April 22nd
Where: Pat O'Brien's
When: 5-9 p.m.
click here for party details
33rd Crescent City Classic
Saturday, April 23rd
Where: Decatur Street Start
When: 8:15 a.m.
click here for the race details
Easter Brunch in Le Café
Saturday, April 24th
Where: Hotel Monteleone
When: 11:30 am & 1:30 p.m.
click here for reservations
Meet the Bunny at the River Steamboat Natchez Easter Brunch Cruise
Sunday April 24th
Where: Toulouse Street Dock
When: 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
click here for tickets
13th Annual Run Forrest Run
Sunday, May 1st
Where: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 429 Decatur Street
When: 7:30 a.m. Registration 8:30 a.m. Race
click here for more registration information
Continue to check the FQBA website calendar, events are always being added!
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Mark your calendars for the
2011 FQBA Bi-Monthly Lunch Forums
next up
Thursday, April 21st
Dickie Brennan's Palace Cafe
Guest Speakers:
Robert Chappell
Laurie Toups
North Rampart Main Street, Inc., Executive Director
11:30 am Networking
12:00 pm Seated Lunch
Thursday, June 16th ~GW Fins
Thursday, August 18th ~ Court of Two Sisters
Thursday, October 20th ~ Steamboat Natchez
Advanced Reservations are Required for Each Event
$35 FQBA members
$45 non-members |
Get Ready to "Get Away in the Vieux Carre"
The Marketing Committee has begun preparations for our upcoming annual summer campaign, Getaway in the Vieux Carre. This project, in only it's third year, has become a huge success for the French Quarter Business Association. The campaign is designed to bring awareness to all of the diversity that the French Quarter has to offer and promotes the area in the otherwise slow summer months. We will be assembling prize packs for a monthly drawing in June, July and August. The winner of each prize pack will be receiving items and gift certificates from area businesses and are designed so that the winner can experience a full, well rounded weekend in the French Quarter. If you, or your business, have merchandise or a gift certificate that you would be able to contribute to the "Getaway in the Vieux Carre" campaign, we would greatly appreciate it, please contact the FQBA office 504.309.1423 or email us.
For those of you wishing to register for the drawing look for the link to register online in next months newsletter and on the FQBA website starting in May.
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The Association, Membership & Newsletter
The Association
FQBA is a member based association focused on "Developing and protecting the liveliest neighborhood in the world". Receipt of this email does not indicate current membership. Click here to view the current FQBA membership directory.
Membership
Joining the association provides members with a larger network and stronger voice. Please consider becoming a member now. Click here for membership rates and to join online.
Newsletter
The format of the monthly email newsletter hopes to keep you informed with FQBA's current projects that may affect your business or the community at large. The monthly calendar listings and member specials are submitted by members. More information may be accessed via the association website. |
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