August was a month with plenty of Summer rain.  When August ended we had at least ten inches of rain in all New Orleans neighborhoods.  The humidity most likely never dipped below 80%.  The plants however loved the attention and the water.  They exploded with color and a reprieve from the cooking sun of July.  The variety of tropical plants really love our rich soil and warm weather.  Now for our second Spring……… 

        The Belles look great but their voices are even better.  The Victory Belles are at the World War II Museum in the New Orleans Warehouse District.  They put on a great show as well.  The Museum is now a world class facility in New Orleans.  You can keep up with what is going on by signing up for their news letter.  World War II Museum.  You may want to get involved after your visit…………….

     “The Museum is moving full speed ahead on our newest attraction, the United States Freedom Pavilion: Land, Sea & Air. This $35 million addition to the growing Museum campus will honor all of the service branches who served in the war and display the large artifacts that served our country on land, on sea and in the air, including a restored Boeing B-17 and immersive submarine experience representing the USS Tang.”

      “Opening in spring of 2012, the United States Freedom Pavilion was made possible by a generous donation from the Boeing Company and a Federal grant. During the war years, Boeing produced nearly 13,000 B-17s as part of the nation’s arsenal of democracy.”

     Audubon Park in the New Orleans Uptown area was purchsed as a park in 1871.  It was named after James A. Audubon who moved to New Orleans in 1821 who is best known for his nature paintings.  A Worlds Fair known as the World’s Cotton Centennial was held in 1884 in the park. 

     The 18 hole golf course was added in 1898.  The ring road that ran through the park was closed on the early 1980’s.  It is now a 1.7 mile walking, running and bike riding path.  In 2005 after Hurricane Katrina the park served as a camp for the La. National Guard and a makeshift helicopter port….Getting better with age! 

      Convention Center Blvd. in the Warehouse with the New Orleans Convention Center.  The Convention Center is in the New Orleans Warehouse District.  Many people tend to not know this fact.  The Center is a big reason the tourist industry performs well.  Without the Convention Center you would have have the hotels, jobs and restaurants that we do.  Someone did the right things years ago to make this a reality. 

     The thing that is missing is have a couple of high rise condo complexes with Mississippi River views.  This would be a natural if they could be built within a medium price range.  Just have to find the person with the vision to make it so.  The taxman would love the new taxes and the money that would flow into the local economy.  Wake Up……………………..I could sell them all.

        The New Orleans Warehouse District is home to many of the Cities art galleries.  Many of the galleries are in buildings that are condos and these are commercial spaces at ground level.  Most are easy in and easy out spaces.  The warehouse feel really is a great way to show of the art.  This art gallery is on Julia Street where the majority of  galleries are located.

      Hanging plants in the French Quarter do begin to get long as the Summer runs into August.  It is like there is a contest to see who can grow the longest hanging plants.  They do not grow like this without food and water so someone is taking care of them.  The Christmas lights are still up but then those can be converted into lights for Halloween, Mardi Gras, and other local festivals.  This is not uncommon.

           The Joan of Arc statue is in the New Orleans French Quarter near the French Market on Decatur.  She is the Maid of Orleans and lived in France from 1412-1431 where she lead the French Army to several victories in the Hundred Years War.  She was just a simple peasant girl from Eastern France.  She was burned at the stake by the English when she was only 19 years old.

        Orléans’s position on a major river made it the last obstacle to a campaign into central France.  England already controlled France’s southwestern coast.  Orleans is located on the Loire River in north-central France. During the time of this siege it was the northernmost city that remained loyal to the French crown.  She won the battle and kept the English from overunning France.

     The Commodore Condos were converted into condos in 2004 from apartments.  They are right next door to the new Borders Bookstore on St. Charles Ave.  The condos located at 3300 St. Charles Ave feature these great windows that are unique to the New Orleans area.  Small condo association in a very convenient area of town. Right next door to Borders Bookstore on St. Charles.

    The historical element permeates Commodore Condominiums, with its architecture from the 1920’s, one can imagine life on St. Charles in another era.  This is a good environment for students, writers, and those with artistic pursuits.

       Tired of shopping in the same stores that dominate the malls in the United States then Magazine Street is for you.  The variety of stores is amazing and the local scenery is great.  There are hundreds of shops to visit.  Get tired then there are numerous places to stop and watch the world go by.  Magazine Street does not hurry you !

       The Saint Louis Cathedraland the Cabildo are among the most photographed building in New Orleans and the United States.  This is just another view from the angle and time of day.  At 6 am the sun is just beginning to come up, the lights are still all on and there are few people stirring.  The weather is much cooler in the Summer at these hours.  This is a great time to get photos that have a different look as the light is great and fresh.  You can eat breakfast after you finish………………