Louisiana Travels for Sept. 16

Baton Rouge CVB launches new website

The Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, better known as Visit Baton Rouge, has launched a new website. The bureau is encouraging the public to take a look at the new site by offering a chance to win a trip to the LSU-Ole Miss game, including hotel accommodations, game tickets, transportation to and from the game, a Mall of Louisiana gift card, and free admission for two to area attractions and museums.

The revamped site details all of the city’s attractions, museums and other tourist draws.

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.visitbatonrouge.com

In New Orleans

The Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, 1751 Gentilly Blvd., is planning the next Spirit Tastings at the Track event, “Bacardi Bash: 150 Years of Fine Rum.” The event is 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at the track’s clubhouse.

Tickets are $25. Several stations will be showcasing the iconic rum brand, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. There will also be live music and hors d’ouevres.

The tasting series continues 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, with “European Connection: The Best of France, Italy, Spain and Germany.” Guests will sample more than 35 fine red, white, rosé and sparkling wines from Europe, along with gourmet cheeses.

Tickets are $25.

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com

Morning Call Coffee Stand plans to open in the Casino Building at New Orleans City Park soon. The eatery will be open 24 hours a day and in addition to coffee and beignets, will serve ice cream, jambalaya, gumbo and other fare.

Morning Call was originally located on Decatur Street in the French Quarter, and after more than 100 years, moved to Jefferson Parish in 1974.

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.neworleanscitypark.com

The Roosevelt New Orleans will again re-create the historic Stormin’ of the Sazerac at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, inside the hotel’s Sazerac Bar.

The event celebrates the 63rd anniversary of the first time that women, normally admitted only on Mardi Gras, began to be allowed in the bar year-round.

Guests are encouraged to wear late 1940s attire and compete in a costume contest. The winner will receive a one-night hotel stay. The event will also feature hourly drawings for giveaways beginning at 3:30 p.m. There also will be a vintage fashion show.

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.therooseveltneworleans.com

Kisatchie recognized

The Keiffer-Tancock Natural Area of the Kisatchie National Forest near Alexandria is now part of the Louisiana Natural Area Registry Program.

This part of the Kisatchie consists of 11,294 acres with one of the most significant calcareous prairie/forest complexes in the state, and features grassland openings in a mosaic with calcareous hardwood-pine forest in Winn Parish. Forest officials said the designation culminates decades of work by prominent botanists including Caroline Dormon (called the Mother of the Kisatchie National Forest), Dr. Clair Brown, and many others.

äON THE INTERNET:

www.fs.usda.gov/kisatchie

Postcard contest

Have an old photo of historic Covington? It could be a winner in the Covington Bicentennial Postcard Contest. The contest is being held in conjunction with the state’s bicentennial and winning photos will be used to create a series of Bicentennial commemorative postcards which will be sold at various local outlets. All photos will be returned to their owners.

For more information on entering the competition, email [e-mail].

Music in Houma

The Houma-Terrebonne Community Band will present its Fall Pops Concert at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in the JC Penney Court in Southland Mall. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call [phone].

Downtown Live After 5 will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, on the Courthouse grounds downtown. Sponsor is the Houma Downtown Development/Main Street Program. Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs.

Blue Eyed Soul will play from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call [phone].

The Community Band also is hosting a Big Band Bash from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Houma Municipal Auditorium, 800 Verret St. Admission is $10.

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.htcb.org

http://www.houmamainstreet.org

Louisiana Travels is a biweekly column about travel destinations and events in Louisiana. Email items for Louisiana Travels to [e-mail] or [e-mail] or fax to [phone].