Laissez le bon temps rouler!

Chris reminded us recently that there are lots of ways you can show solidarity with the people of New Orleans on their most famous day of partying. Like he said, do something!

For those of us who can't be there in person, we can be there in spirit. Here's a little sampler to get you in the mood for your own "virtual" Mardi Gras...

• For many folks, New Orleans means one thing: great food. If you can't visit one of New Orleans' world-class restaurants, you can make yourself some Louisiana style cuisine at home. Here's a simple recipe for a classic main dish and dessert that teaches you some basics of New Orleans-style cooking. For more recipes and to lean more about the basics, check out the cooking section at Gumbo Pages.
   
• In preparing your Mardi Gras feast, be sure to use New Orleans local products if you can. Many of these products can be found at your local grocery store year-round. If you can't find any of the coffees mentioned, Folgers is a widely available New Orleans brand (try the French Roast or Gourmet Supreme). And while it's not quite the same as the real thing hot out of the kettle, Café Du Monde beignet mix is available at many local groceries. (An electric skillet works great for making your own.)
   
• For lots of other folks, New Orleans means one thing: great music. Take a virtual tour of famous shrines like the Preservation Hall or Tipitina's. Read about the local music scene and see who's playing where at offBeat Magazine (select some local background music from the channel pushbuttons at the top of the page). For a comprehensive catalog of New Orleans Jazz, Blues, Zydeco, and Cajun music, check out the Louisiana Music Factory.
   
• Of course, no virtual visit to Bourbon Street is complete until you get yourself at least one Hurricane in a "go cup" (and one is most likely all you'll need). Here's the original Pat O'Brien Hurricane recipe. If a lower octane adult beverage is more to your liking, try a beer from Abita, or maybe a Dixie Brewing Co. Blackened Voodoo Lager if you can find it.
   
• Make Fat Tuesday "Talk Like a Yat Day". (If you think you might feel silly, see the aforementioned Hurricane recipe first.) Here's a basic glossary to get you started. To learn more, check out "How to tawk rite" at the Gumbo Pages.
   
• Wrap up your Fat Tuesday celebration with a visit to the official Mardi Gras 2006 website, or NOLA.com's Mardi Gras page. Enjoy a virtual visit to Bourbon Street by way of NOLA.com's Bourbocam, or one of the other New Orleans webcams at NOLA.com's Cams Central.
  
  Have fun, and don't forget that while today is the big party day in New Orleans, tomorrow the city gets back to work on the serious business of rebuilding. Help them out however you can, and keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
  
  Oh, and the quote of the day (by News Director Phil Johnson of WWL-TV New Orleans from the Gumbo Pages):
  
  "Thank God the French got here first!"