Don’t forget that there’s an election today. New Orleans voters will decide on four property millages that produce $32 million annually for our public schools. Voting “yes” doesn’t mean an increase in your property taxes, but it does mean that valuable funding for schools will be preserved. For more on what these funds accomplish, check out Gambit Weekly’s commentary, “Vote FOR Public Schools.”So please take a couple of minutes to stop by your local polling place, and push that “for” button four times for public schools. 

Louisiana voters are no strangers to bizarre political mailers, but we’ve probably never seen anything like the mailer currently being sent out by embattled Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart. The commish, who’s running for reelection as he faces campaign finance charges and a separate IRS investigation, has written and distributed a 16-page comic book portraying himself as a humble “regular guy, a heating and air small businessman” battling an unholy cabal that includes the evil county sheriff, sinister toga-wearing gay scoutmaster “pedifiles,” and even Satan himself:

You can download the entire masterpiece here. And just keep repeating to yourself: At least it’s not Louisiana…at least it’s not Louisiana…

A group of local art lovers have helped an accomplished former prison artist secure his first real home since Hurricane Katrina destroyed his Ninth Ward house and studio. 

The art enthusiasts, led by Greg Rackham, owner of Bottom of the Barrel Antiques, bought enough artwork from New Orleans artist Welmon Sharlhorne to pay his rent for six months. He will receive keys to his new home today (Saturday, July 19), and the art that landed him in his new apartment will be on display to the public from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 1214 Decatur St. for this evening only.

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