Three authors to speak Jan. 17

Three local authors/artists will present their books that focus on New Orleans culture at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. This event is free and open to the public. There is no registration.

Kit Wohl, New Orleans Icons: Iron Lace

The wrought and cast ironwork of New Orleans is lauded worldwide for its intricacy and timelessness. Generations of artisans have labored to create the unyielding filigrees that guard windows, doors, and, gardens. Now, award-winning author Kit Wohl eloquently marries her passions for art, photography, and metalwork in this stunning tour of Crescent City craftsmanship. Graced with photographs of the city’s most famed works, histories of each piece and its location transport readers on a journey of elegance and beauty. From the famous cornstalk fence to the storied splendor of the Pontalba Buildings, these vignettes illuminate the rich tapestry of New Orleans’s heritage.

Kit Wohl is an author and artist with a passion for the culinary arts. She works with chefs, restaurants and hotels across the country, and her artwork is held in collections across the Americas and Europe and includes chandeliers, railings and sculptures. New Orleans Icons: Iron Lace is her 12th book. Arnaud’s Restaurant Cookbook: New Orleans Legendary Creole Cuisine, published by Pelican in 2005, received national acclaim, and The P&J Oyster Cookbook was named Cookbook of the Year by New Orleans Magazine. Her books in the Classics Series include New Orleans Classic Creole Recipes, New Orleans Classic Celebrations, New Orleans Classic Cocktails, New Orleans Classic Brunches, New Orleans Classic Desserts, New Orleans Classic Appetizers, New Orleans Classic Seafood, and New Orleans Classic Gumbos and Soups.

Armand Richardson, A Fire in My Lens

Through the vibrant images captured in his compositions, photographer Armand J. “Sheik” Richardson lures the viewer into the city that lives within his imagination. Richardson relates the experimentation that first brought to life the world he saw through his camera’s lens. His anecdotes accompany each picture, providing context to the images while conveying the pallet of colors and textures that makes New Orleans such a unique place. From personal moments of his childhood, family, and friends to professional shoots and casual snapshots of the hidden life and everyday events in the city, Richardson presents a visual record of New Orleans.

Armand Richardson was born and raised in New Orleans. After a brief stint in the military, Richardson earned degrees and certifications from Loyola and Tulane Universities, Delgado Community College, and the University of New Orleans. He held many jobs before returning to his passion and opening Penumbra Photos in 1975, focusing on forensic and commercial photography. Richardson is also the founder of the Arabi Wrecking Krewe which provided disaster relief services for the city’s culture bearers. 

John R. Kemp, Auseklis Ozols

According to John Kemp, few great painters have had the uncanny ability to transition between the worlds of teacher and artist. He says Auseklis Ozols is one of them. Ozols founded the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, where he emphasizes the classical disciplines of artistic instruction. In this biography, Kemp uses Ozols’ own paintings to reveal the life of the artist and teacher dedicated to passing down the lessons of the great painters of the past.

John R. Kemp, a New Orleans native, writes about New Orleans and Louisiana for a number of regional and national magazines, including Art Antiques, ARTNews, American Artist, Louisiana Life, and Louisiana Cultural Vistas. He is deputy director of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. Kemp is also the author of several books, including Alan Flattmann’s French Quarter Impressions.

For more information regarding this presentation, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming for the library, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us. This post was taken from a press release from the library.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

Holiday Gift Suggestions: Good things come in threes

Three books about New Orleans (Pelican Publishing)

“New Orleans Icons: Iron Lace” by Kit Wohl with a foreword by award-winning journalist Chris Rose displays the wrought and cast ironwork of the city in both explanations and photographs. Wohl takes us through the many neighborhoods where this craftsmanship exists.

Longtime New Orleans art writer and editor John Kemp looks at the founder of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts in “Auseklis Ozols: The Romantic Realism of an Artist and Teacher.” The book contains interviews with the artist and the history of the man and his academy but the heart of the book is the collection of Ozols’ artwork.

Cookbook author and host of the radio show “Louisiana Eats,” Poppy Tooker takes on a family restaurant in her latest endeavor, “Pascal’s Manale Cookbook: A Family Tradition.” Readers will peek inside the restaurant family, view old photos of the Napoleon Avenue establishment and enjoy its many recipes, including the sauce for its famous barbecue shrimp.

Three books about African American history

“Come Sunday: A Young Reader’s History of Congo Square” (University of Louisiana Lafayette Press) by Freddi Williams Evans details how Africans lived, celebrated and developed a culture in New Orleans that thrives today. The title refers to the area of town where slaves were allowed to congregate, play music and dance, the influence of which resonates in Second Line parades, jazz funerals and the Mardi Gras Indians. It’s a perfect read for middle school children, choke full of photographs and illustrations, but adults will love it too.

Robert Nathaniel Lee was the only person to be named “chief of chiefs” by the Mardi Gras Indian Council of New Orleans. Known as Chief Robbe and the head of four different tribes, he became a role model to many. Al Kennedy spotlights the man in the biography, “Chief of Chiefs: Robert Nathaniel Lee and the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans, 1915-2001” (Pelican Publishing).

To truly understand the history behind the Second Line traditions in New Orleans, don't miss the gorgeous coffee table book, “Freedom’s Dance: Social, Aid and Pleasure Clubs in New Orleans” (LSU Press) with photographs by Eric Waters and narrative by Karen Celestan. The comprehensive book that will answer any questions about this unique New Orleans heritage is comprised of essays by noted scholars such as James N. Borders, Rachel Carrico, Kalamu Ya Salaam and many others with selected interviews by Valentine Pierce. 

Three books about New Orleans neighborhoods

For a peek inside the underbelly of the city, Michael Patrick Welch's "New Orleans: The Underground Guide" is now in its fourth edition. The book examines many aspects of the city, including music venues, food, festivals, shopping and other attractions plus a handy breakdown of neighborhoods. The book is published by LSU Press with help from Brian Boyles and photographs by Zack Smith and Jonathan Traviesa.

Scott S. Ellis, author of "Madame Vieux Carré: The French Quarter in the Twentieth Century," offers another neighborhood history lesson with "The Faubourg Marigny of New Orleans," also by LSU Press.

Caroline Gerdes documents stories from residents of one of the city's oldest neighborhoods in "An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward," published by Pelican Publishing.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

A literary event at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum

The Southern Food and Beverage Museum will celebrate its 10th year anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, with the Contemporary Issues in Food and Drink Lecture Series presented by Domino Foods. Guest authors will sign books, an event presented by John and Bonnie Boyd Hospitality Culinary Library.

The authors are:

Sara Franklin

Liz Williams

Jyl Benson

Kit Wohl

Yvette Jemison

Beth D'Addono

Poppy Tooker

Justin Nystrom

Daina Riley

Nancy Wilson

Cindy Nobles

The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; event begins at 6 p.m.; book signing 6:45 p.m.; and reception starts at 7 p.m. with culinary delights and cocktails provided by Belle Isle Craft Spirits. For more information, visit https://natfab.org/events/edna-lewis-conversation?rq=domino%20lectur

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

Cookbook Thursday: 'New Orleans Classic Desserts'

This Cookbook Thursday we’re looking at “New Orleans Classic Desserts” by Kit Wohl, a book that’s a great gift as well as a handy cookbook filled with recipes.

The following is a great summer treat, peach melba ice cream sandwiches!

Peach Melba Ice Cream Sandwiches

From “New Orleans Classic Desserts” by Kit Wohl (Pelican Publishing)

Ingredients for roasted peaches

2 peaches, peeled, halved, and pitted

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup Steen's cane syrup

Splash Chambord liqueur

            Directions: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, toss the peaches with the brown sugar and cane syrup. Spread the peaches on a non-stick baking sheet, and roast for 8 to 10 minutes, until slightly caramelized. Remove from the oven, and cool.

Ingredients for cinnamon cookies

2 stick butter (8 ounces)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup almond meal (ground almonds)

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Extra sugar for dusting

1 pint vanilla ice cream

1/4 cup raspberry jam

            Directions: In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugar, and salt until fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl with a rubber spatula. Combine the flour, almond meal, and cinnamon mixing until just combined. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour in refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Unwrap the cookie dough, and place on a sheet of parchment paper. Lightly flour the top of the dough and roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cutter, cut 8 circles from the dough, without removing them. Refrigerate the parchment sheet for 30 minutes. Place another piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Remove the circles from the dough, and place them on a parchment-lined pan. Dust the tops with a little granulated sugar. Bake for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, until slightly golden brown. Remove from the oven, and cool completely on a cookie rack.

Turn all of the cookies upside down and spread a little raspberry jam on each. Place a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on four of the cookies. Place a roasted peach half on top of each scoop of ice cream. Finish by topping the peaches with the remaining cookies, jam side down, drizzle with Chambord, and serve immediately.

Louisiana Book News is written by Cheré Coen, the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “ExploringCajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.