As the New Orleans Saints prepare for their second playoff game on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints Fans all over the city are coming together to support them. And Ronnie Lamarque, owner of Lamarque Ford and Mercedes-Benz of Mobile dealerships, is taking his enthusiasm to the next level.  Beginning this Wednesday, January 8^th,  Lamarque Ford will fly a massive banner reading “BELIEVE”, in reference to his popular television commercials, throughout metro New Orleans. The banner will be airborne for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon, totaling four hours daily, including congenial waves over the Saints practice facility to give our boys in black & gold a boost of encouragement.

“This BELIEVE banner is for all in the Who Dat nation as one voice for our beloved Saints!” says Ronnie Lamarque .

Mr. Lamarque is best known for his gregarious television commercials, Ronnielogues 2.0,  in which he delivers encouraging monologues to the people of The Big Easy. His larger-than-life personality is always accompanied with a friendly smile and a sweet tune for all, while his generosity reaches far deeper. His donations to multiple local charities such as Team Gleason, Children’s Hospital & The Kenner Food Bank keep him grounded in his faith, family and community.

A press conference will be held this Wednesday, January 8^th at the Lamarque Ford Dealership at  10:00am to announce information regarding Lamarque Ford’s plans to support the upcoming David VS Goliath game against Seattle this weekend.

View the Ronnielogues 2.0 Television Campaign Here!

With the new year underway, many of us are probably spending a good chunk of our time working on maintaining our New Year’s resolutions. While we’ve already looked at some simple tips for keeping your car healthy, it’s also just as important to make sure you take the proper steps necessary to keep yourself healthy.  With New Orleans being one of the most overweight cities in the country it’s as important as ever to start staying fit and active. While most drivers seem to spend the necessary time to keep a healthy car- regardless of whether it’s a brand new car or a used car that’s been through multiple decades-these simple tips can help you get started off on the right foot of moving towards a healthier lifestyle.

• Carve out time to unwind. Whether it’s doing yoga, going to see a movie, taking a relaxing nap, or playing a game, making time to relax and do things you enjoy can lower stress, balance out a heavy work load, and increase both physical and mental health.
• Practice meditation. Try to forget about the stigmas surrounding meditation- it’s not just for hippies and weirdos. Even taking 10-15 minutes a day to give your mind a break and recharge has been proven to boost energy and optimize thinking and reasoning skills.
• Find exercise that works for you. It’s no surprise that regular exercise is key to a healthy lifestyle, yet so many people neglect adding it to their routine. Not everybody has the time or willpower to put in an hour long workout at the gym every day, but everybody has the capacity to find something that works for them. Finding a fun way to get exercise is the best way to significantly increase your chances of sticking with it. Whether it’s playing pick-up basketball, going for a bike ride, lifting weights, or going for a swim, find something that you look forward to doing that doesn’t feel like a chore.
• Don’t skip breakfast. Mornings can be hectic and you don’t always have time to cook a gourmet breakfast. Even if you only have a bowl of cereal, having breakfast in the morning recharges your brain and body to increase productivity throughout the day. Furthermore, those looking to control weight should never pass on breakfast to cut calories- in fact, studies have shown a link between eating breakfast each morning and weight loss since it prevents snack binges and overeating later in the day.
• Make the easy changes to your diet. It’s not always practical or convenient to implement a full on diet overhaul, but there are simple adjustments everybody can make that can have a big impact. Limiting fast food, cutting way down on soda consumption, eating fewer desserts, substitution healthy alternatives for snacking, and avoiding foods made from refined flour are all simple steps that can yield big results.
• Don’t be afraid to reward yourself. Decedent or indulgent foods shouldn’t be consumed on a daily basis, but it’s perfectly fine to reward yourself with a hot fudge sundae or piece of fried chicken every once in a while as long as it’s done in moderation. People who periodically reward themselves with indulgent treats are more likely to stick to their diet regimens than those who try to abstain from them altogether.

New Orleans isn’t always the easiest place to keep up a healthy lifestyle with the seemingly endless number of indulgent restaurants and bars. However, you can use these tips to try to start 2014 off in a healthier way and help New Orleans stay far away from obesity lists in years to come.

Ford ran a commercial this year that asks “Who’s in better shape- you, or your car?” While most of the responders in the commercial admitted to having spent more time on their cars than on themselves, it’s not always obvious just how to take good care of your car. The best route is to stay consistent with maintenance and check-ups in order to preemptively eliminate as many problems as possible, but with so many parts of the car to worry about, where should you even begin? Whether you’re driving a brand new Ford or a used car that’s been around the block a few times, check out our list of quick and easy ways to protect the longevity of your car:

1. Get your oil changed regularly. Sure, it’s always a hassle and nobody likes to do it, but making sure you change your oil regularly is the best way to increase the lifespan of the engine.
2. Rotate and align your tires. This is the best way to ensure that the tires are functioning to their full potential, especially in New Orleans where the uneven or construction-plagued roads can wear down on even the most cutting edge new car. The best rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every time you get your oil changed, which equates roughly to every 7,500 miles or six months. Additionally, making sure your tires are properly inflated can boost your car’s fuel economy.
3. Checking your brakes. Although commonly overlooked, brakes are one of the most crucial components for the safety of the driver and the vehicle. A few signs that it may be time to get your brakes checked are if the car emits a high pitched squeal when braking, if the car has a “pull” to the left or right when driving, or if there is a pulsing or vibrating under normal braking circumstances.
4. Inspect lights. Have all lights, front and back, inspected with every oil change to make sure they are functioning properly.
5. Don’t neglect routine engine checks and tune ups. Usually your car will need an engine tune up every year or 10,000-12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Not only will this help maximize fuel economy, it will also reduce the likelihood of having to replace emission system components which can be quite expensive.

Although this is not a comprehensive list of car upkeep procedures, it is a solid framework for both new cars and used cars to make sure the basics of your car upkeep regimen are being met. Not only will properly maintaining your vehicle ensure safety for the driver and passengers, it will also help save money by helping to eliminate costly procedures that result from negligence.

Every year as the holiday season begins to come to a close and we start looking forward to the New Year, there’s one part of the season that approaches with equal parts excitement and dread- New Year’s Resolutions. Although the prospect of taking steps to lead a more fulfilling or productive life is always exciting, the ever-present notion of just how uncommon it is to actually follow through with resolutions always puts a damper on spirits. Whether it’s promising to exercise more, hoping to spend more time with family, or vowing to quit smoking, few would argue that New Year’s Resolutions are a bad idea. But let’s face it- in a city like New Orleans that is renowned for indulgent food and parties, sticking to certain resolutions will be harder than others. In order to get the most out of whatever goals you set, it is important to be as tactful and efficient as possible.

Pick What’s Important to You

While some resolutions are typically more elusive than others , it’s important to pick something that will impact your life in a significant way. If you are already a healthy eater, don’t make resolutions to try to correct minute details of your diet. Similarly, if you sleep 8 hours every night, don’t resolve to get more rest. But if you haven’t broken a sweat since your high school track days, perhaps consider making exercise a higher priority addition to your life. Or if you know you haven’t been following up consistently with upkeep on that new car you’ve just bought, try making routine maintenance checks part of your resolutions. Consider which type of resolutions will bring the most benefit to your life.

Set measurable goals

One of the most effective ways to set any goal, especially New Year’s Resolutions, is to set quantifiable goals. Quantifiable goals are the difference between “I’d like to save more money” versus “I’d like to set aside $400 a month towards savings.” One is hard to tell if you’ve done it or not. The other is simple. If you can’t tell whether or not you’re meeting your goals, it’s harder to stick with them.

To Tell or Not to Tell?

Conventional wisdom says to tell as many people about your goals as possible so they can hold you accountable. While there may be some merit or benefit to this approach, it may not always lead to success. Some experts argue that the initial support given by friends can lead to a false sense of accomplishment  that results in less perseverance. People of New Orleans will certainly be quick to congratulate each other on setting an impressive sounding new resolution, but don’t let that work against you. While you may still choose to share your resolutions with friends, be wary of the complacency it can often create.

Be realistic

If you’re not a runner, don’t promise to run a marathon by the end of the year. Goals that aren’t realistic elicit frustration and only serve to discourage. Choose resolutions that are difficult but attainable. If it’s too simple of a goal, you’re really only cheating yourself.

Make sure to utilize these tips to cater resolutions that will start your year off in the best way possible!

As 2013 wraps up and the last of the presents have been opened, the next thing on everyone’s mind is New Years. After one last night of guilt-free fun on the 31^st, the first can be a rude awakening. It’s when we decide to be the best version of ourselves. The version that we’ve never been before—but are certain that now we can become.

The most common resolutions are to exercise more, eat healthier, lose weight, keep a journal, spend more time with family, spend less money, etc, etc. In an ideal world we would already be doing all of these things. While it seems like no one can ever keep these resolution, we always try… And that’s not a bad thing.

We want to be better versions of ourselves, and to accomplish that it takes small steps forward. While we aren’t going to become our best self overnight on the 31^st—and some of us might be our worst selves—we can take measures to improve.

The most successful resolutions are small enough that we can realistically accomplish them, but big enough that we and others can observe a difference. So maybe instead of cutting all carbs, working out on the elliptical three hours a day while writing in your new journal, pick something small.

If you are bad about dessert every night, cut back to three nights a week. If you haven’t been to the gym in years, try a brisk walk a couple times a week with a friend.  Finally, if you have a pile of journals three feet high with one ten-page journal entry dating back the past 10 years, maybe try a different resolution.

Resolutions are great, and the first of the year is a natural time to improve, but choose wisely. So good luck and enjoy the carbs while you can!

In addition to the normal Christmas festivities that every town has such as decorated streets and the feeling of Christmas in stores all over town, Kenner residents look forward to the “Christmas Village” every year. It’s an event that the entire family can fully enjoy, so whether you go every year or you’ve never been, it’s a special event.

Residents come together in Historic Rivertown to celebrate the Kenner Christmas Village. At this annual event, Kenner is turned into an enchanted holiday village! There is an animated scenery of Christmas lights overlooking the park and the pond.

It’s an event that the whole family looks forward to every year. There’s a little something for everyone—between the caroling, holiday characters in costume and Santa, all ages are sure to have a good time. If that’s not enough to get you excited, it also has laser shows from the Planetarium and the CinemaDome.

Attending the winter festival is free and everyone is welcome to join in on the holiday celebration. It’s part of the Kenner culture that everyone participates in!

The Christmas Village is open from December 6^th to December 22^nd on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. It’s all month long so there’s no reason to miss the festivities!

If you want to know what comprises a Louisiana Christmas, the kitchen is a good place to start. Many Louisiana traditions are created in the kitchen and the holidays are no exception. While there are lots of traditions that don’t include food,  most of our favorite ones involve a table full of food and family.

Obviously seafood is involved in several dishes, ranging from tradition seafood gumbo to oyster and crawfish stuffing. Gumbo is good on any occasion and a tasty crawfish stuffing is perfect to include inside a turkey on Thanksgiving, just as a side, or even in a Turducken—another Louisiana classic.

The Turducken was actually invented in Louisiana and is served on Thanksgiving either in addition to, or instead of a turkey. It is a chicken inside of duck inside of a turkey. It may seem unconventional, but it’s a local favorite & classic.

In terms of things to do around the holidays, there are events going on all over the state. In New Orleans, there is Celebration in the Oaks at City Park, huge lighting displays across the park and in the gardens with traditional holiday and Cajun holiday displays. In St. James Parish, they have the Festival of the Bonfires. This celebration dates back to the 1800s and comes from French and German traditions. If you like zydeco music, Lafayette has a month-long Cajun and Creole Celebration that has nightly entertainment.

Between food and events, there’s no shortage of holiday tradition anywhere in Louisiana.

The weather may be 70 degrees, sunny and we may never have a white Christmas, but New Orleans does have some pretty fantastic Christmas traditions of its own. Louisiana has rich traditions and events when it comes to the holidays. So if you’ve lived here your whole life, or are just in town for a brief visit, make sure you do a couple of these things this year.

To start, The Celebration in the Oaks has a breathtaking lights display in City Park. The lights are worked into the natural landscape of the park and have both traditional holiday displays and special Cajun light displays as well. It is a don’t miss for sure.

If you find yourself in the French Quarter near the Roosevelt Hotel, it is definitely worth walking through the lobby. It has a huge Christmas tree as well as marvelous decorations and lights—it truly looks like a palace. Be sure to stop by either just for the view or after dinner at Domenica.

You can also stop by St. Louis Cathedral for the Christmas New Orleans Style concert series. While enjoying the scenic Jackson Square you can also take in excellent music at one of the most beautiful and historic cathedrals in the country.

These are only a few of the many things to do during the holidays in New Orleans. It doesn’t even begin all of the New Orleans holiday food!

It happens every year, you get all of your gifts except for one: HIS! Shopping for men can be frustrating. For women, jewelry and clothes are usually a safe bet, but men’s gifts can be much more difficult. So, to ease your gift giving this year we’ve compiled some of our favorites.

1. A new bowtie/tie—This may seem overdone, but a good tie is always useful. So depending on if he is more of a bowtie or tie guy, a tie is always a good staple to add to the wardrobe.
2. Belt—Either a black or brown belt is always a safe bet. Similarly to the tie, even if it seems cliché, he’ll always appreciate another.
3. Tools—Depending on if he’s a handy man, mechanic, or gourmet chef, there’s always some kind of tool that he’ll find useful.  Keep in mind, the best ones are the ones he would never think to buy for himself!
4. Sunglasses—Whether it’s the middle of the summer, or the sun reflecting off the snow, sunglasses are a necessity. Also depending on the guy you’re shopping for he might never buy himself a nice pair.
5. Headphones—A good pair of headphones is timeless. No matter their age or technical aptitude, some nice headphones are always useful. And again, he might not get good ones for himself.

As you wrap up your holiday shopping, we hope you keep these in mind. With these five gift ideas, you can’t go wrong this holiday season. Happy shopping!

Everyone’s Christmas list is different. The children’s lists are different from the adults, and adults’ lists vary from one another. Some families may be buying new houses, new household appliances, etc. If there’s a vehicle on the list in your family—we’ve got some suggestions. Regardless if it’s a first car for a teenager, new family car, new truck, new van, you name it, we have the country’s best selling & safest recommendations for the entire family.

If you’re looking for a sedan, keep the 2014 Ford Focus in mind. There are seven different models of this fuel efficient and roomy car with numerous options for accessories and features. It’s the all around go-to car when you’re looking for reliability and practicality.

When it comes to an SUV, we can’t get enough of the 2014 Ford Edge. The Ford Edge has four different models built to serve a variety of needs. From the SE to the Sport, the Edge is completely capable of fulfilling your SUV needs.

Now when it comes to buying a truck, we suggest a classic—the 2014 Ford F-150. No one can get tired of a good truck, especially considering its new features and towing capability. It was voted America’s Best- Selling truck for 2013 and for good reason.

Hopefully these picks will make your Christmas shopping a little bit easier. Between the Focus, the Edge, and the F-150, you really can’t go wrong.