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Jan
06

The political equivalent of a civil war in Lakeview apparently will not break out this year after all. Assistant City Attorney Joe Landry has decided not to run for judge of Traffic Court in the April 4 election and instead will run for judge of Municipal Court. That clears the way for fellow Lakeview resident Mark Shea to run as the only “Lakeview candidate” in the Traffic Court race. The irony of this development is that Landry now will run for the judgeship being vacated by Shea’s father, Judge John A. Shea, who announced last week that he will retire upon reaching the age of 75 on May 9. John Shea has served as Municipal Court judge for 30 years.



 
Jan
06

Got a flexible job? (Hell, in this economy, got no job?) Rush down to Galatoire’s tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., where, over soufflé potatoes and succulent béarnaise, culinary couple and alliterative adjectivists Tim and Nina Zagat will unveil the 2009 New Orleans guide and present awards to its category winners for best food, service and décor. The real drama: Will this be the year Popeye’s (food score: 22) finally overtakes Emeril’s (food score: 25)?



 
Jan
06
Posted by: Ian McNulty in Food


Chef Samantha Castagnetti cooks solo in the kitchen of her café the Italian Barrel (430 Barracks St., 569-0198), reviewed in this week’s issue, which is a necessity given the tiny confines of the space that was once home to a smoothie shop.

But then, some of the best things to eat here require no cooking at all. Rather, they rely on a keen eye to the imported meat and cheese ordering form and a careful hand at the slicer. Some of these clutch ingredients do play key roles in Castagnetti’s cooked dishes, especially the frequent special of chicken under fontina and speck, which was the dish that made me decide to return for future meals at the Italian Barrel in the first place.

But to order the meat board (pictured above) and the cheese board (below) exclusively and work your way through them makes for a memorably delicious meal with a unique pace. This is how a full hour got away from a friend and I who met here for lunch one afternoon, casually comparing the differences between Parma proscuitto and proscuitto cotto or between spicy and mild sopressa Veneta, and likewise between the truffle-laced caciotta cheese from Tuscany and the rabiola from Trentino Alto Adige.

Both boards are highly recommended, either for a meal or for a shared nosh with a few glasses of wine at the café’s tiny, narrow tile bar.



 
Jan
06

A.D. reaching

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Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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In case you haven’t noticed, the Hornets are 8–1 in games that Antonio Daniels has played in since he came to New Orleans. And while he’s not putting up monster stats, he’s playing steady, efficient basketball and, more importantly, running the offense and getting his teammates the ball.

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Oh, and he’s also doing silly trick shots (video below), which means he completely fits in with his Hornets’ teammates.  Read the rest of this entry »



 
Jan
06

Did you miss it on the newsstands this week? Gambit Weekly is now The Gambit — take a peek to check out our new look.



 
Jan
06

Howard Kurtz of The Washington Post reporting that President-elect Barack Obama’s pick for Surgeon General is…

Gupta



 
Jan
06

WWL-TV has the story of today’s arrests at the monthslong vigil being held by parishioners at Our Lady of Good Counsel (for background, see Gambit’s story of Nov. 4, 2008, “Mass Protests”):

There were tears, anger and arrests outside of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, where two people have been taken away in handcuffs after police moved in to remove the protesting parishioners.

One of them is author and parishioner Poppy Z. Brite.

“I’m having a wonderful time,” Brite said as she was taken away in handcuffs. “I’m serving my church. I’m saving my church.”

Remaining parishioners are scheduled to hold a press conference at 6 p.m. on the church steps. The Archdiocese of New Orleans will issue its own statement later this afternoon.

Prior to her removal in handcuffs, Brite shared with Gambit some photos that she had taken prior to the Christmas Eve vigil, including this one of parishioner Harold Baquet, nailing the protesters’ statement to the door of Our Lady of Good Counsel:

Baquet

Statement



 
Jan
06
Posted by: Kevin Allman in Mardi Gras

It’s here. Happy Epiphany, whether you’re just eating your first legal slice of king cake (Rouse’s has had ‘em on sale since Christmas), riding with the Phunny Phorty Phellows, or marching with the new St. Joan of Arc krewe through the Quarter to the Jeanne d’Arc statue by the French Market.

In their first year, the Joanie-on-Her-Pony folks are experiencing a unique rite of Carnival: rain dates. If it’s too wet tonight, the krewe says:

Just in case the chance of rain increases, we are in the midst of creating a backup plan.

Wednesday morning the rain is supposed to clear and it would be less windy. However, Thursday or Friday might be better for some leading ladies in our krewe.

We will make the final decision early Tuesday! Keep checking back!


Happy Carnival, everyone.



 
Jan
06

All because it’s Carnival time.

Yes, tonight is Twelfth Night, the Epiphany. And instead of 12 drummers drumming as foretold in the famous Christmas carol, we in New Orleans get raucous greetings to welcome Carnival season and begin the countdown that inexorably leads to Mardi Gras day, just 49 costume-making, parade-riding, party-throwing days from now.

Some New Orleans homes will host parties to celebrate the start of the season tonight, and Carnival songs are bound to be heard on some local radio stations all day.

Meanwhile the mysterious organization known as the Phunny Phorty Phellows (pictured above during their 2007 ride) will herald the season with their traditional streetcar ride along Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue, departing at 7 p.m. from the RTA’s Canal Street maintenance barn.
For a map of the group’s route and some history on the organization, go to their web site.