Hello fellow forumites,

I know it has been a while since Hurricane Katrina, and I have no doubt that many of you have kindly given much to help those in need due to this tragedy. Unfortunately, almost a year later, there are still many businesses that are desperately in need. I posted a thread concerning this event a few weeks ago, and after a few meetings, scheduling changes, and confirmations, they have decided to push forward with the event. The Acadian Wine and Fine Dining Club, based in Lafayette, and Commercial Properties Development Corp are setting up a non-profit fundraising event to raise money for a number of small family owned restaurants in New Orleans to help them get their establishments back in operable condition. Many of them are being forced to move into new buildings or rebuild their current buildings in order to meet new insurance requirements. I've been to New Orleans several times in the last few months, and while much of the higher echelon of the city is back on track, many of the family owned restaurants are still trying to get back on their feet. Unfortunately, I don't really have much time, with finals for school and too much work, to offer my help in planning this event. In fact, my contribution has been minimized to just doing what I can to help promote it locally and making a small donation of just a few of my bottles, but I will definitely do everything I can, simply because I believe that it is truly for a good cause and good people. So, thats why I am posting this thread. Even it it only brings a single bottle of wine that can be auctioned for $50, then I will feel like I did something to help someone in need. So, if you would like to donate a bottle or two for the auction, let me know and I will send you the mailing address to Commercial Properties Development, or I can send you the e-mail address for someone in charge of the event. I do know that they pushed the date back because they didn't want it to coincide with the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, but I don't know the exact date. I will keep info posted on this thread as I get it to let the forum know when this will take place and offer ya'll the chance to buy tickets. If I can somehow manage to afford it, I am certainly going to attend, as well. I think it will definitely be worth it.

Jester

Jester-when you have the particulars on the date etc. Please post. Thanks.

Will do cmsyrah! From the information that has filtered down to me, I have gathered that it will probably be planned for late August/early September. I think that they are still trying to decide on a location, as there are several choices.
Personally, I think Magnolia Mound plantation would be perfect since it is localized and easy to find. Oak Alley plantation would be even more posh, although I am not sure if they have even considered it.....maybe not since it is so far away and somewhat difficult to find if you aren't from the area. Also, I don't know if they would would be willing to donate the space. There are several great restaurants that have the space, as well.....Primo's, Juban's, Mansurs on the Blvd., among others that might work, but the difficulty would come with having to either prepare the food offsite or cram into an already busy kitchen. Who knows.....I am just a mere speck at the bottom of the totem pole.
Another issue is that they want to make sure that it is held either before LSU football season starts or on a weekend that they are playing an away game at another team's stadium. It is literally impossible to find a hotel room here on weekends of home football games, and it would be unfortunate to lose potential guests because they are unable to find accomodations.

hmm.. I am not sure. Can [url=http://www.you-switch.org] youswitch [/url] it?

I ain't gonna click on this link. Who knows where it goes. Your computer is libel to get "blown away".