Posts Tagged ‘Do’

April20

Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum

By: JoAnna

Oklahoma City National Memorial and MuseumWhere were you on April 19, 1995?

If you’re like most people — myself included — you probably don’t remember.

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

If you’re like most people — myself included — you not only remember where you were but how the hours of your day progressed.

Only about six years prior to the terrorist attacks in New York City, there was a domestic terrorist attack in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that killed 168 people and literally and figuratively shook the foundation of a major city in the United States.

Before I visited Oklahoma City, I admit that I was quite naïve about the Oklahoma City bombing. I knew it had occurred, but I was quite young and have no recollection of my circumstances on the day it happened. I also don’t remember much after the fact, though the name Timothy McVeigh was familiar to me. I think it’s safe to assume that, especially since the September 11, 2011, terrorist attacks, most people have all but forgotten about the Oklahoma City terrorist attack.

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Posted in: Do12 comments

April13

I Love Las Vegas: Bellagio Fountains

By: JoAnna

I Love Las Vegas: Bellagio Fountains

As much as I love to get off the Las Vegas Strip to explore some of the city’s lesser known sites, there are some things that can’t be denied. The fact that the Fountains of Bellagio are truly awesome is one of them.

The Bellagio fountains are one of the most popular and recommended sites in Las Vegas. They make every “must do” list, and it’s just a bonus that it’s completely free to set up shop in front of the Bellagio to watch hours upon hours of water-worthy shows. I’ve lived in Las Vegas for quite a few years now, but I never get tired of watching the shows at the Bellagio, even if I have seen some of the same ones several times (“Singing in the Rain” is one example), and I always take new visitors to check out the fountains, especially when they’re lit up at night.

So what should you know about the Fountains of Bellagio? Here are a few fun facts:

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Posted in: Do, I Love Las Vegas0 comments

April6

Arts and Culture at the Lake Charles Historic City Hall | Louisiana

By: JoAnna

Arts and Culture at the Lake Charles Historic City Hall | LouisianaAs much as I love a good sports team to keep a community glued together, if I had to make a choice, I would hand my money over to arts and culture every time. Perhaps it’s because I grew up immersed in dance. Maybe it’s because I loved theatre and was encouraged to pursue public speaking. It might be because I can’t imagine a life without reading and writing and dabbling in creativity.

Whatever it is, though, it sets off a little spark in me when I see that communities are invested in making their towns a better place for their citizens by providing a space to celebrate the arts.

This is one of the reasons why I loved the Historic City Hall in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Destroyed by a fire in 1910, the Lake Charles Historic City Hall was rebuilt and reopened in 1911. For 90 years this distinct-looking building with it’s tall clock tower, well-kept gardens and showcase windows served as a seat of government. Trials were held here, and footsteps echoed the hallways as people came and went on their judicial and legislative business. In 2004, the city closed the building down for refurbishment purposes, and when it reopened, it had a new purpose: It now serves as the city’s arts and cultural center.

Now, not only is the outside of the building photo-worthy (it is on the National Register of Historic Places), but the inside is filled with rotating exhibits, and a full roster of speakers and cultural presentations are showcased in the hall every year. Occasionally, local organizations sponsor art shows, such as the black-and-white photography exhibit featuring images that capture the essence of the United Way, which was on display when I was there in February. Other recent exhibits have featured the work of Charles M. Schulz and his Peanuts characters, art of Africa and water reflections in American painting.

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March23

A Chicken on the Run in Iowa, Louisiana

By: JoAnna

A Chicken on the Run in Iowa, LouisianaWhen most people think of Mardi Gras, they picture parties powered by booze, strings upon strings of beads and elaborate costumes decked out in sequins and feathers. It’s not an inaccurate picture of Mardi Gras by any stretch of the imagination, but what many people don’t realize is that the celebration has evolved over the years and isn’t the way it used to be.

In years past, many Mardi Gras celebrations used to involve something known as the chicken run, where chickens were tossed out into the wild and children chased and caught them. Upon catching the chickens, their necks were wrung and then they were used in the communal pot of gumbo. People wore simple clothing in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of green, gold and purple to frighten the chickens. Instead of fancy costumes, these were often made out of scraps and masks were simply eye coverings.

The traditional Mardi Gras chicken run has all but died out, but in Iowa, Louisiana, a small town of just under 3,000 people, the ritual lives on. Every year for more than 30 years, community members have gathered for an annual chicken run parade that includes the customary costumes, several chicken throws, zydeco music, dancing for gumbo ingredients and a block party vibe that brings the community together.

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Posted in: Do, Go8 comments

February24

Coconuts in the Cook Islands

By: JoAnna

Coconuts in the Cook IslandsTravel to the Cook Islands, and there are a few things you’re sure to encounter:

Sun.

Sand.

Flowers.

And coconuts.

When I travel to tropical destinations, I know that I’ll be spoiled with fresh fruit and seafood, but the prevalence of coconuts at absolutely every turn in the Cook Islands was so overwhelming that I actually took notice.

Food

One of the traditional Cook Islands dishes is ika mata, which is fresh yellow fin tuna lightly marinated with lemon, herbs and coconut cream. Besides being soaked in coconut cream, ika mata is actually sometimes served in a hollowed out coconut. We also ate coconut straight from the shell when we happened across one, as a side dish during breakfast and shredded on top of other fruits for a snack.

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Posted in: Do, Eat11 comments

February17

I Love Las Vegas: Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort

By: JoAnna

I Love Las Vegas: Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard ResortIt may be 65 degrees in the Las Vegas Valley, but it snowed on the ski mountain a mere 30-minute drive from our house. I know, I know. The words “Las Vegas” and “snow” do not belong in the same breath, but it’s true: Las Vegas has a ski and snowboard resort that is said to rival some of the most famous mountains in Utah, and it was the first ski resort to open this winter.

So there you go.

I’ll be the first to admit that I love the warm weather that comes with Las Vegas living, so the idea of bundling up in a winter jacket and layers that involved long underwear left my teeth chattering. Add to that the fact that I haven’t skied in nearly ten years and it was a whopping 15 degrees at 9:00 on a Saturday morning when I arrived at Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort and you have a fairly good idea of how I felt when I tumbled out of the car onto this place that felt a million miles from my nice warm bed.

Las Vegas Ski & Snow Resort is fairly robust considering the constraints its working within. If the mountain face was pointed even a few degrees in any other direction, the snow conditions would be drastically different, but because of its unique location in Lee’s Canyon at the base of Lee Peak, the resort is able to offer 16 trails and three chair lifts over 385 skiable acres. A large-scale renovation project expected to take 10 to 12 years to complete will increase the size of the resort to 50 trails and 10 lifts. Three special events and ski school yurts have already been built.

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Posted in: Do, I Love Las Vegas16 comments

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