September will be fun, but October will be funner ; )

September - October Newsletter

At a Greenbox Near You

For folks my age and older the newsletter is available on "paper." Page 3 (the calendar) is a very handy reference.

Pick up your copy all around town in the green boxes labeled "FREE."

Tunnels to Towers Run / Walk

Hunger Awareness Month

Zumba and the Northshore Food Bank

Go orange and burn off your Saints game day snacks! September is Hunger Action Month, so the Northshore Food Bank invites you to #GoOrangeWithUs--wear something orange and bring a food donation to help feed your neighbors in need.

Admission is free but food donations (and fun!) are encouraged.

Doors open (125 W 30th Ave, the Food Bank) at 4:30pm.

Your Cheatin' Heart … Will Tell on You

September 15th, 7:00pm

Click Here for Details or for tickets

There's a Story on Every Street

Covington enjoys a historic and storied past dating back to schooners in the 1800s and trains in the 1900s.

One of our most storied residential neighborhoods, the West 30's, has been home to our Black community for over a century.

The West 30’s was home to Isiah “Butch” Robertson, a high school football star at Pineview High (now Pineview Middle School), an All American at Southern University where he made a record setting 102 yard interception return for a game winning touchdown against Grambling State University in the game’s waning seconds.

In 1971, he was the first-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams, was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, was named to six Pro Bowls and was the highest paid linebacker of the 1970's.

His younger neighbor, Mike Williams, starred at Covington High. Mike became the first Black person to play football for LSU, helping break the racial barrier. He was a first team All

American in 1974 and a first-round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers.

Mike continues to live in the West 30's and was recently inducted into the Covington High School Hall of Fame.

The neighborhood also enjoys a rich musical history. During the days of segregation, Black bands would frequent the clubs on West 30th Avenue such as Dot’s Ponderosa, the Band Box, the Funky Londoner and Club 30.

Speakers were placed on the roof of the Band Box so the folks crowded in the street could hear Sam Cooke, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Bobby Blue Bland, Irma Thomas, Fats Domino, James Brown, Ray Charles and BB King … all in the heart of little ole Covington.

Henry Randle, Jr.

When Lifetime Grammy Award Winner Bobby Blue Bland’s drummer was ill, the call went out around the neighborhood for little 9 year old Henry Randle. Little Henry played that night and has continued to play around the world for the next 50 years. Now, a little older, Henry still plays as a studio musician in California.

The Randle family still resides in the home built by their father, Henry Randle, Sr. "Little Henry" frequently visits ... and the front yard is often a fun place to be.

The Tree of Hope (aka Carl's Place) is a men's benevolence society that meets on 30th Ave. at what once was the Club 30 and later the Pheasant Lounge.

So, as you enjoy our Covington, listen carefully … because there’s a story on every block.

Please share this e-mail with whoever you believe may find it of value.

Replies to this e-mail go directly to Mayor Mark.

Past E-blasts may be viewed on Mayor's page "Past Blasts."

Rooted in History, Focused on the Future

City of Covington | Website