Dash for the 'Stache Essentials

Date/Time: early afternoon, August 22.
Start: The Bulldog.
Finish: The Sacredome.
Saints vs. Texans pre-season game viewing: Finn McCool's.
Essentials: Black & Gold costume and decorated bikes.

Bi-pedalin' fleur-de-stache, courtesy of DJ Doberge.

The Burden He Must Bear

While most Who Dats are locked into a training-camp count down (t-minus 72 hours . . .), Cafe 641's Mr. Rita Benson-LeBlanc hasn't wiped the drool from his off-season face.

He's a clean-shaven, polite young man with impeccable social graces, this Mr. Rita is. But he's been stricken with a case of the Ritas. Take this photo right here, for example. Nothing wrong with a pencil-thin, off-season 'stache. Especially when you hail from the Cafe. But a pinwheel? Are you serious?

Sorry brother. Don't look like you getting any relief soon. Not with the T-P getting you all hot and bothered this weekend.

Here's a taste of our Cafe 641 resident's torture . . .

". . . a woman is standing in the aisle, staring at the field and bouncing gingerly on her toes, despite her impossibly tall pumps. She wears a flared black skirt, a crisp white blouse with ruffles down the front and glamorous earrings that flash now and then through her tousled, curly chestnut hair."

". . . she sometimes hoots, sometimes does a little two-step, sometimes claps slowly and rhythmically . . . . And, all the while, she takes sneak peeks at the BlackBerry that is never out of her reach."

"Go-go-go-go-go-go, " the woman wails, on her feet again. Her eyes are riveted to the . . ."

Sorry Mr. Rita. It's only gonna get harder before it gets, uh, uhm, easier.

Holy Super Bowl Follicles!

Cafe 641 announced the date of its second annual Superdome Dash for the 'Stache event this morning at a poorly attended press junket.

"It's Saturday, August 22 around 11 a.m.," Chef Who Dat said. "It's a search for magic hair for the face. And probably some booze. Or a lot of booze. Whatever. And it's a bike ride: from Mid City to the Riverbend, down St. Charles or Magazine. To the Sacredome. And ending at Handsome Willy's. With some stops along the way to visit Who Dat patrons. Any questions?"

Seeing no reporters at his end of the bar at the Beachcorner (not even the fastidious Alejandro de los Rios), Chef asked the following questions of himself:

* "What's the point, Chef?" "Good question," Chef Who Dat answered himself. "You could look it up."

* "Why a mustache, Chef?" "Hmmm," Chef Who Dat pondered. "A wise man once said that the flavor of greatness is best savored at close proximity."

The press conference ended when the bartender asked Chef to settle his tab.

Saints Going to the Super Bowl Roll

Thanks Canal Street Chronicles (and the constant irritation of Jake Who Dat) for breaking the Chef from his off-season slumber. All it took was this video, found today on CSC.

FAITH

Jason Douglas LeSage

From this morning's Times-Picayune, an obituary for a Saints fan, New Orleans citizen, and member of the NOFD.

Yours in FAITH,
Cafe 641


LeSAGE Jason Douglas LeSage died peacefully on Thursday, July 9, 2009. Jay has left beautiful memories with his mother, Daphne Ruello LeSage; his sister, Morgan Rose LeSage and her fiancé Charles Melancon; his father, Edmund Ellis LeSage, Jr. and stepmother, Brenda LeSage; his maternal grandmother, Rosemary Werling Ruello and paternal grandfather, Edmund Ellis LeSage, Sr.; his great-aunts: Marion Werling Lala and Gail Werling Ryan, and many other beloved family members. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Douglas Charles Ruello and his paternal grandmother, Marlene Doran LeSage. Jay was born in Baton Rouge, LA and raised in New Orleans, LA and, just one month short of the opening of the New Orleans Saints' season, he moved onto his next great adventure surrounded by many of his cherished family and friends. His childhood friends remained his closest friends and Jay will be in their hearts always. Jay's humor and kindness endeared him to all who came to know him, however briefly. After graduating from LSU, Jay decided he wanted to contribute to the New Orleans community in a meaningful and noble way and became a firefighter. He graduated from the New Orleans Firefighter Academy on December 12, 2008 and reported for duty with an enthusiasm and spirit that was cherished by all. The family would like to express sincere gratitude for the support of the New Orleans Fire Department and Ochsner-Baptist Hospital. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: Local 632 Firemen's Benevolent Fund New Orleans Fire Fighters' Assn. 3520 General DeGaulle Drive, Suite 300 New Orleans, LA 70114 The family will hold services for Jay at Schoen Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. Visitation will be held 1:00-4:00 p.m., Mass 4:00-5:00 p.m. Immediately following will be a Firefighter's Tribute and a traditional New Orleans' Second Line to honor Jay's spirit and love for the city.

Off-season workout with . . . Lee de Fleur Part II

Seems that even the T-P loves the Upper Terrace. Not only does Section 635 get face time in the daily twice this week, he also gets his Who Dat voice heard, and then extra love on the web.

Here's what the paper sez:

"It is not known if Sean Payton beat the giant fleur de lis as the costumed runner approaches the finish line in City Park during the 31st annual Crescent City Classic on Saturday, April 11, 2009."

"A huge fleur de lis crosses the finish line at the 31st annual Crescent City Classic 10K race which drew an expected 20,000 runners and walkers to the premier New Orleans running event Saturday, April 11, 2009."

"Christopher Wiseman of New Orleans, a Saints season-ticket holder, said Saturday he'd like to take on Coach Sean Payton in next year's race. 'I think it's wonderful that he's supporting the city by running,' Wiseman said. 'He's become a real local.' It was Wiseman's second year wearing the fleur-de-lis costume, which he debuted in the first race after Hurricane Katrina. "

***UPDATE: Berto has also been face-timed. But by WWL. Must be a by-product of his off-season facial hair.

Only one thing makes a Chef happier.

Off-season workout with . . . Lee De Fleur

It's upon us, Who Dats. The irrepressible Lee De Fleur has hit the front pages of the T-P once again, reminding us all that Upper Terrace Who Dats can run 6.2 miles with 6 feet of foam flapping in the wind, cigar in mouth, high on the inhalants of 17 cans of metallic gold spray paint.

The Cafe would like to think that Reggie Bush is in town for off-season conditioning, but more likely he's here to make Kim jealous.

Chef will find his way to his annual spot at the front of the Abita lines for the post-Crescent City Classic party on Saturday. Let's see . . . Tad Gormley gates open at 9 a.m., Kenyans arrive soon after, and Chef has double fists of Amber no later than 9:05 a.m. Off-season conditioning indeed!