This salad is so easy to put together. It uses baby spinach as a base and is then topped with fresh juicy strawberries, creamy blue cheese, red onions and spicy candied pecans. Best of all, it’s finished with a tangy champagne vinaigrette. Bonus – if you add grilled shrimp or chicken to the salad, it makes a real meal for dinner. This recipe is perfect for a summer dinner party as well. You can double or triple the recipe and make a party-sized bowl for larger crowds. The sky’s really the limit.

You’ll be eating this salad all summer long, trust me. Head on over to Culicurious to get the full recipe.

Until next time…

— Addie K Martin

Once Upon A Mattress – Theater Camp
June 3rd – 21st, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Additional camps offered to create full day opportunity.)
For more information and registration visit http://mcasummercamp.weebly.com/theater-film-and-music-camps-5th-to-8th-graders.html

This Theatre Camp features singing, dancing, and acting culminating in a final production of “Once Upon a Mattress,” the Rodgers and Hammerstein spin of the classic fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea.” This three-week camp combines entertainment skills with a fun-filled theatre experience. Open to girls and boys in 5th – 8th grades.

The 2013 Crescent City Lights Youth Theater Summer Season features A Pocket Full of Rhymes – a Broadway classic that sets nursery rhymes to a catchy contemporary score covering the range of 20th century music – and Children’s Letters to God – an Off-Broadway show that follows the lives of children as they voice beliefs, desires, questions and doubts common to all people.

Scheduled performances include A Pocket Full of Miracles from Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 21 and Children’s Letters to G

od from Friday, August 16 through Sunday, August 25. Advance tickets are available for $15 starting Monday, May 27 at www.crescentcitylights.org.

Crescent City Lights Youth Theater is seeking applications for 2013 Summer Auditions for A Pocket Full of Rhymes (for grades 4 – 12) and Children’s Letters to God (for grades 4 – 10).

    Visit
Accepted applicants will be contacted to schedule their audition. For more information or for questions, please call Crescent City Lights Youth Theater at 504.598.3800.    www.crescentcitylights.org to download the audition application form today. Completed applications along with the $10 application fee ($20 fee if applying for both shows) must be received by the Crescent City Lights Youth Theater business office (305 Baronne St., Suite 302) by Monday, May 6 via mail or hand delivery.

Strawberry Bellini – the Bellini is a classic cocktail typically made with peach puree. However, this being South Louisiana in the spring time, I figured I’d hook you up with a strawberry version. This cocktail is light and tasty. It’s a great brunch cocktail.

Strawberry Mojito – We all know the mojito as another classic cocktail. I’ve taken that classic recipe and modified it to have strawberries instead of lime juice as the main ingredient. It’s a bit less tart but still 100% delicious. This is going to be my official drink of Summer 2013.  It’s that tasty.

Strawberry Mint Julep – I developed this recipe in honor of the Kentucky Derby and all its mint julep splendor. While I did miss the actual derby race this year (sadly!!), I did remember to have a few juleps in its honor. That should balance the world back out, right? This julep, as with all juleps, is very strong so sip on these, ok?

And there you have it – three fine strawberry recipes that will take you through the end of strawberry season. I hope you’re inspired now to create your own cocktails at home. It’s really a wonderful way to be creative and spend just a bit less while imbibing. Plus you get to do it in your own home – WIN!

Until next time,

— Addie K Martin

Register online here 

Highlights (From NOLA.GOV NEWSLETTER)

• We launched the NOLA Business Alliance, creating 4000 new jobs and attracting world class companies like GE  that are investing and relocating to New Orleans.
• We brought together the Urban League, Delgado and the Hope Enterprise Corporation to partner with another major company, Goldman Sachs for the 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative. The result: $20 million to help our local businesses learn, grow, compete and create jobs. Now 128 local businesses are on an exciting new path.
• We leveraged $14 million for the innovative Fresh Food Retailer Initiative that aims to bring groceries to every part of the city. Now, Circle Foods in the 7th ward is back, and owner Dwayne Boudreaux and other beneficiaries of the Fresh Food Retailer Initiative will have created over 150 new jobs.
• We’ve spent millions fixing major corridors–90 major street projects, 33 miles of streets fixed, $375 million of street repairs hitting the ground.
• We’re getting the recovery moving. We’ve completed 179 priority facilties from libraries and community centers to police and fire stations with a total investment of $419 million.
• 80 new retail and restaurant projects are getting off the ground across the city, including Walmarts in New Orleans East and Gentilly, a new Mid City Market in Carrollton, Whole Foods on Broad, Costco at the end of Washington Avenue and Algiers Plaza on General De Gaulle Drive.
• This summer 4000 kids will have a great time at 33 youth camps, 1,000 teens at 7 teen camps across the city, 13 pools with 7,700 kids and adults getting swimming lessons, and1,600 young people ages 13-21 will learn the value of a good day’s work through our Summer Jobs Program.
• Murder is down over 25% compared to this time in 2011, down nearly 15% from this time last year.
• The NOLAFORLIFE Fund has raised over $1 million from private sector sponsorships, and has already invested $500,000 in 23 local organizations that help stop the shooting.

City Putt’s regular hours of operation will be Tuesday – Wednesday from 11 AM to 9 PM, Thursday – Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM and Sunday from 11 AM – 9 PM.

General admission for a single round of 18 holes is $8 for adults (ages 13 and over) and $6 for children (ages 4 – 12). Children 3 and under play for free.

City Park is dedicated to providing family friendly attractions that appeal to children and adults of all ages. City Putt features two 18-hole miniature golf courses inspired by local flavor and iconic Louisiana elements including the swamp, alligators and music. The first course sponsored by First NBC highlights various cities around the state of Louisiana, while the course sponsored by Stanley Ray Trust Civic and Philanthropic Trust is a New Orleans themed course focusing on notable city street names.

The complex will feature a concession area, restrooms and a birthday party room. City Putt is available for private parties and corporate event rentals. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscitypark.com or call 504.483.9458 for birthday parties.

Grand Opening

Friday, May 24, 2013

10:30 AM – Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting
11 AM – Gates Open
9 PM – Last Rental
10 PM – Gates Close

City Putt
8 Victory Drive
New Orleans, LA 70119

Note: Parking is available adjacent to the Goldring-Woldenberg Great Lawn in City Park.

Picture Credit: https://www.facebook.com/CityPark

Thoughts: CUTE LOCATION AND YUMMY FOOD/TREATS

http://manhattanjack.com/

4930 Prytania St.
New Orleans, LA 70115

Hours of Operation:
Seven Days a Week
6:30am – 6:00PM

P: 504-897-5551
E: manhattanjacknola@gmail.com