Mixed Nuts To Honor 'Pop'
Submitted by N.O.V.A. July 2005
Times Picayune 	02-19-1998


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When the Original Mixed Nuts Carnival Club rolls Tuesday in the honor spot at the head
of the Elks Krewe of Gretna truck parade, it will be with mixed feelings.

The club has won eight of the past 12 grand prize awards for the best truck float,
according to club records.

However, the club will also be honoring the memory of one of its founders, Davis J.
Rodriguez, who died in December. A banner on the truck will dedicate the ride to his
memory, said his son, Davis F. Rodriguez, also a co-founder. The banner will say in
part, "This One's For You, Pop."

At one time after the funeral, Rodriguez said he wasn't sure he wanted to ride this
year. But he said his son, Ryan Rodriguez, told him that it would be a fitting tribute.

As members of the club worked on the 1998 float in a vacant lot on Fourth Street in
Harvey recently, Rodriguez and others talked about the club and its late founder.

The Mixed Nuts club started in 1984 when the truck parades started rolling in Gretna,
Rodriguez said. He said he and his father had both ridden in the Krewe of Carrollton
parade in New Orleans for many years and chose the Gretna parade because it is family-
oriented and was a brand-new organization on the West Bank. "We decided to give it a
shot," said Rodriguez, who was born and raised in Harvey.

"My dad was a good carpenter and he could do a lot of construction," he said. "We would
build a lot under his carport and bring it out here to assemble it."

Rodriguez said his father was into Mardi Gras "heart and soul."

Over the years, the Mixed Nuts Carnival Club has had a core group of riders, he said,
and about 200 have ridden.

Rodriguez, 44, said he will be parading for the 29th year.

The Mixed Nuts group takes pride in its record. "We try to be creative and put out a
good float every year," said Carlos Savona, a charter rider. "We work hard at it, not
only for two weeks before Mardi Gras but practically all year.

"I think we are very competitive. We try to put a good truck out for self-satisfaction
but at the same time to put something out for the people that they can enjoy."

Rodriguez said his wife, Marilyn, and Kathy Savona handle the costumes. Katherine
Rodriguez works on costumes and painting, he said. Rodriguez said Andrew Hrivnak works
on construction but doesn't like to ride. All club members pitch in to help with the
construction, he said.

Club members will spend an average of $600 to $800 on throws for a family of four,
Rodriguez said.

The 1998 theme will be "Enchantment of Easter."