Biking in Elmwood, Harahan, and River Ridge is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, and get some exercise. Whether you pedal around Lafreniere Park or use online tools like Map My Ride or Trail Link, riding your bike is one of the best ways to explore Elmwood, River Ridge, and beyond.
One of the most popular areas to bike in this area is the Mississippi River Trail, a 60-mile-long series of paved trails along the levee of the Mighty Mississippi, sometimes also known as the levee bike path. The section that stretches between Audubon Park in New Orleans and the Bonnet Carré Spillway in St. Charles Parish is a favorite among local cyclists.
Take a look at some of the best reasons to incorporate biking into your fitness routine, as well as tips for cyclists and motorists to keep everyone safe as they share the roads.
Biking is a fun and healthy activity, but it’s important to take safety precautions whether you’re a cyclist or a motorist sharing the road with bike riders. Here are a few best practices from the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development:
First things first, remember that bikes on the roadway are vehicles, meaning they have all the same rights and responsibilities as a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other vehicle on the road.
First things first: you have your lanes, and bicyclists have theirs. Be mindful of any bike lanes!
Bella Ridge Apartments in River Ridge is located just minutes away from the Mississippi River Trail, and these spacious luxury apartments offer plenty of closet and storage space for storing your bicycle and cycling gear. This apartment community also features a 24-hour fitness center on-site as well as “Bella Bark,” a gated dog park just for your four-legged friends!
Iced, hot, morning, night – there’s no wrong type or time of day when it comes to coffee. While you can always head to Starbucks or local favorites CC’s and PJ’s for a caffeine fix, we’re taking a look at a few other coffee shops and cafes near our properties. Sip a la carte or pair your drink with a pastry or even a full-blown breakfast meal at select cafes. Below, the perfect ways to perk up:
Caffe! Caffe! – With locations on Clearview Parkway and N. Hullen Street in Metairie, this local shop has received awards for the past 5 years honoring its standout brews.
Royal Blend Coffee & Tea – Much like Old Metairie itself, Royal Blend is a charming and picturesque spot to order a drink. Sip inside its café interior, or take your drink to go and browse the surrounding shops in this small shopping center just off Metairie Road.
French Press Coffeehouse – With locations in Metairie and Kenner, this coffee shop has all the convenience of a Starbucks, but better because it’s locally owned and operated. You’ll find comparable drinks to a Starbucks menu (think frappe-style frozen blends, flavored lattes, and more) made lovingly and at a more reasonable price. They also offer loyalty perks like a punch card and coupons for your birthday. Comfy, booth-style seats are an unexpected change from typical cafe seating.
Lakeview Brew – Local art adorns the walls, and both indoor and patio seating let you choose where you want to enjoy your cappuccino, iced coffee, or whatever you consider to be your signature brew. Despite the coffee-centric name, this spot on Canal Boulevard in Lakeview also offers a large food selection. Try the breakfast “brew-rito” with a strong, hot latte to start the day.
Puccino’s Coffee – With several locations in Metairie and Harahan, this local chain prides itself on Italian-style coffee. The simple Iced Puccino is a solid choice: just slightly sweetened, the mix of espresso and milk over ice is tasty any time of day. The Skinny Wedding Cake Latte is another favorite, topped with low-fat whipped cream and slivered almonds.
Morning Call Coffee Stand – It’s open 24 hours a day, so you can get your caffeine fix at any time. Another draw? Beignets. Head to locations in City Park and on Severn Avenue in Metairie.
With Labor Day Weekend just around the corner, we’re excited to usher in a new season, filled with cooler days and football games. Labor Day is also when we close our pools for the season. But there’s still a tiny bit of time to relax poolside – take a look at our perfect pool menu. Whip up a batch of crisp, pineapple basil tea and stuffed piquillo peppers with goat cheese perfect for snacking. Get the recipes below (and remember to only use plastic cups at the pool! No glass, please!).
Remember, pools close on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Until then, enjoy!
Tropical flavors are a delicious complement to a day at the pool. This easy recipe, courtesy of Southern Living, requires just a few ingredients for an inspired result – a unique take on typical Southern-style sweet tea.
Ingredients:
Recipe:
In a saucepan, bring pineapple, sugar, and 1 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Cool slightly and process using an immersion blender or in a regular blender. Strain the mixture.
Next, bring 3 cups of water to a boil and add tea bags. Boil for one minute, remove from heat, and cover and steep for about 10 minutes. Discard tea bags and stir tea into pineapple mixture. Stir in the fresh basil and 6 cups cold water. Serve over ice.
Smaller and sweeter than roasted red bell peppers, piquillos make for an elegant, bite-sized snack when stuffed with goat cheese, scallions, and a touch of mint thanks to the recipe from Martha Stewart. Even better? No baking required.
Ingredients:
Recipe:
Place goat cheese, scallions, red pepper flakes, mint, and reserved piquillo liquid into a bowl. Zest and then juice the lemons into the bowl (take care to strain the seeds). Mix until combined.
Next, using a small spoon or piping bag, fill the drained piquillo peppers with about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes for garnish. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
There isn’t much to say about Hurricane Katrina, the natural disaster that prompted failure of the federal levees and left much of New Orleans and the Gulf South submerged and in shambles. But we can reflect.
The City of New Orleans, through its Katrina 10 program, features several events happening in connection with the anniversary of the storm, which happened 10 years ago as of Aug. 29. Take a look at some of the Katrina-related events happening around New Orleans – whether you choose to remember is up to you. You can also visit Katrina 10 for a full list of events.
When: Friday, Aug. 21, 2015 – Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal Street
What: This weeklong series of panel discussions focuses on stories of organizations, government officials, and individuals on subjects like civic engagement, criminal justice reform, and culture and tourism since Hurricane Katrina. Registration required. Learn more here.
When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015 at 8:29 a.m.
Where: Hurricane Katrina Memorial, 5056 Canal Street
What: A morning prayer service at the Katrina Memorial commemorating the unidentified and unclaimed bodies from the storm.
When: Saturday, Aug. 29 starting at 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Where: Various locations throughout the city of New Orleans
What: A day of service where thousands of volunteers will focus on service across seven parts of the city. All in all, volunteers will help support more than 100 different projects. Learn more here.
When: Through Sept. 7
Where: New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle
What: A multimedia exhibit focused on themes of memory, loss, and revitalization. The exhibit features abstract visualizations rather than overt references to the storm. Learn more here.
When: Aug. 22 through Jan. 9, 2016
Where: The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal Street
What: A collection of 77 photographs from local photographer David Spielman touching on themes of destruction and stunted recovery.
When: Now through Aug. 30
Where: The New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St. Claude Ave
What: A fine art photographic journal that will eventually become a coffee table book of the same name. Browse images capturing some of the most influential jazz, blues, soul, and roots musicians as you read accompanying text about these important members of the community. Learn more here.
When it’s hot out, you know to wear sunscreen, stay indoors during peak hours, and always drink plenty of water – but what about your pet? Pets can’t tell us exactly how they’re feeling, so it’s important to take precautionary measures during the extreme heat of summer. We’ve seen record-breaking heat in the past few weeks and want to remind all pet owners to take extra care to keep their pets safe and healthy in high temperatures. Here are a few easy ways to help your pets make it through summer safely:
Pets can get heat exhaustion and heatstroke just like humans. Dogs in particular, who love to run around and play, are prone to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Unlike humans, dogs don’t have the ability to produce sweat the same way we do. (Dogs, for example, only produce sweat in areas not covered by their fur).
Heat exhaustion symptoms (the early stages when a dog begins overheating) include ailments like vomiting, rapid panting, diarrhea, and a reddening of the skin inside the ears. Heatstroke is the most dangerous hot weather condition. Full heatstroke can cause organ failure, brain damage, seizures, blindness, and even death.
Simply put, certain breeds and conditions can make your pet more susceptible to heat sensitivity. Pets with short snouts like pugs, bulldogs, and Persians can’t breathe as easily in high temperatures (Persians also have thicker coats that can make the heat uncomfortable). Factors like obesity, old age, and heart disease can also put your pet at a higher risk of developing heat exhaustion.
Don’t allow your pet to stand on hot surfaces, which can burn sensitive paws. Limit walks during peak daylight hours, and take advantage of grass and other landscaped areas rather than asphalt (just remember to bring a bag and pick up after your pet!). You can also trim your pets – we recommend using a groomer – to remove excess fur that can contribute to overheating. Above all, never, ever leave your pet in a parked car. Parked cars – even in the shade, and even for just a few minutes – can quickly turn into an oven-like environment with extreme temperatures that can irrevocably harm your pet’s health.
At the first sign of heat exhaustion, work quickly to bring your pet inside to a cool area near a fan, offer them fresh water, and dampen their skin with lukewarm water – let the water air-dry to quickly lower your pet’s body temperature. Even if your pet seems OK, seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible to prevent further sickness.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
