Mind + Body: December 2017
Running for Cheer: Join in for the annual Running of the Santas to enjoy the holiday season — all while getting in some much-needed exercise.
The holidays are great for celebrating friends and family, but we all know that food is also heavily celebrated — especially here in New Orleans. So if you’ve never taken part in Running of the Santas, being held this year Dec. 9 in the Warehouse District, be sure to register on the day of the event (starting at 1 p.m. at Manning’s).
Then enjoy holiday food (not too much, of course) and specialty drinks from 3-6 p.m. at the “South Pole” at Manning’s. At 6 p.m., the crowd of Santas will begin the five-block fun run to the “North Pole,” located at Generations Hall.
Be sure to stay for the post-run concert from 6:30-10 p.m. at Generations Hall, with live music by Top Cats and Flow Tribe. And of course, it’s not a party if you don’t dress up for the event. Plus, there’s a chance to win the treasured Best Holiday Costume award. This year, more than 4,000 costumed participants — dressed up as Santa, Mrs. Claus, Scrooge, Rudolph, Jingle Bells, Jack Frost, Old Man Winter and much more — are expected to take part in the event. The costume contest begins at 8 p.m. on the main stage at Generations Hall. Prizes will be awarded for first and second places.
A portion of all proceeds will benefit That Others May Live Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships, family counseling and aid to surviving children of United States Air Force (USAF) Rescue Heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice during a rescue mission. Tickets from $20-$85. runningofthesantas.com
The Gift of Health Care: A recent fundraising event will help build a new facility in Kenner to serve Jefferson Parish residents.
Jefferson Community Health Care Centers recently held a fundraising event, Fall Foodies and Festivities — presented by Louisiana Healthcare Connections, to benefit JCHCC’s mission of bringing quality and affordable healthcare to all. The event, which took place at Bucktown Harbor Marina, raised $TK to help build a new facility in Kenner to serve an additional 3,000 Jefferson Parish residents.
“We’re so excited to bring this fun family event to the community in order to raise funds for Jefferson Community Health Care Centers (JCHCC) to build a new clinic in a hard to reach area to expand the needed services to those who would not traditionally receive quality and affordable healthcare,” says JCHCC CEO, Dr. Shondra Williams.
The event was a huge success with nearly TK attendees, food from local area restaurants (such as Plum Street Snoballs, Grill it Up Food Truck and The New Orleans Connection), musical entertainment by The Top Cats and a dedicated kids’ area with a bounce house, face painting and more. In addition, JCHCC offered free health screenings throughout the event and also displayed its new dental mobile unit that will begin visiting schools and other community events to assist in diagnosing and treating clients who may not otherwise be able to get to a dental office.
Maria’s Pick — Play Date: A new playground at City Park welcomes the children of New Orleans.
We all know that playtime is important for children — not only physically, but also socially. And now local kids have a new place to play. Friends of City Park recently assisted in the funding of the new Magnolia Playground, located near Marconi Drive and accessed via Harrison Avenue. Magnolia Playground is adjacent to a peaceful lagoon and sits underneath large trees. It includes climbing areas, monkey bars, a slide, a balance beam, a rope wall, a climbing wall and more. The playground is geared toward children ages 5 to 12 years old, and adult supervision is recommended at all times.
This playground joins the City Park family as one of five playgrounds that also include Sir Cumference playground (at Festival Grounds), Stanley Ray Playground (on Dreyfous), the Blue Starbucks Playground (on Stadium) and Storyland (on Victory). In addition to Friends of City Park, Magnolia Playground was made possible by the efforts of Hahn Enterprises, No Fault and Little Tikes Commercial. “This is a great addition to City Park and to New Orleans,” says Maria Muro, publisher of New Orleans Living. “We could all use more time outside, getting and staying healthy.”