Mary Staes
Mary Staes is Digital Content Lead for Very Local. She works with our freelancers and crafts content for our social media platforms and website. Before Very Local, she worked with CBS affiliate WWL-TV as a web producer and weekend assignment editor for about 4 years. She has also handled broadcast coverage for 160 Marine Reserve training facilities while she served as an active duty Marine. As a native New Orleanian, she takes being "very local" to heart. She loves being intertwined with the culture and figuring out how there are less than two degrees of separation between us all, whether we're natives or not.
No car? No plan? What to do if a hurricane comes our way
Sure, we make fun of staying for hurricanes and throwing parties with our families while we’re off from school and work, but in all seriousness, it’s only a matter of time before a storm hits the city.
Weekend Picks: Essence, ice cream and the Women’s World Cup
Essence Fest is here! And since 4th of July is on Thursday, it all rolls up into one big celebration.
Local designer adds fashion to the cultural fabric of second lines, Carnival costumes
Marvin Millon, a Treme native, is one of the strongest forces behind the fabric. He put his own stamp on the tradition in 2018, as king of the Divine Ladies Second Line.
Hey Zion, here’s some of the best places to eat in New Orleans
Don’t know who to ask where to get the best gumbo? We’ve got you covered. Fried seafood plates? Let’s dance.
When one door closes 🍰, another one opens 🏀
This week showed us the ups and downs of life, but in New Orleans fashion, we took it in stride and are ending things off with a celebration.
We ordered 82 inches of Popeyes chicken for draft day; here’s what happened
The Wingspan Box is only available on draft day, because, you-know-who is coming to play for the Pelicans. And what New Orleans celebration doesn’t have Popeyes Chicken? None that I can think of wanting to attend.
Weekend Picks: Final farewell to Dr. John, Caribbean Fest and more
This weekend, as the city says goodbye to Dr. John, we still find time to celebrate our Caribbean, Cajun and Zydeco cultures.
NBA draft themed ‘Wingspan Box’ includes 82 inches of Popeyes wings (and 11 biscuits) 😱
Popeyes announced Wednesday it’ll be selling the Wingspan Box on draft day, and it measures in at a whopping 6 feet and 10 inches of chicken.
Community steps in to help those affected by Sucré’s abrupt closing
After the not-so-sweet news of Sucre’ confectionary’s closure Monday morning, local business owners started rallying around those who lost their jobs or dessert orders.
Bywater Bakery steps up to honor Sucre’ wedding cake orders after closure
“To all the engaged couples effected by this abrupt shutdown, Bywater Bakery has your back.”