England’s crisps manufacturers Walkers, a member of the Frito-Lay family, is no stranger to weird, probably unnecessary snack foods, but its become a genre of food unto its own in the U.K., using English potatoes, natural oil, and quirky “flavours” in cute foil packages, and thus, inexplicably delicious. Like pizza from a movie theater. Though it’s probably not the best-tasting thing in the world, it’s still pizza, and OH LOOK FLASHING COLORS THIS MOVIE IS AWESOME.

But c’mon, seriously?

Not even a stab at something ubiquitous, like Creole Gumbo, or Smoked Andouille? They’ve taken on other simple ethnic dishes, like Onion Bhaji, and Crispy Duck and Hoisin — why not us? This feels too much like a finger jab in our figurative belly. Either that, or England is just legitimately excited about squirrel.

Lean times, friends.

Like so many at today’s Silence is Violence memorial to murder victims on the steps of City Hall, Belinda Henderson had a personal reason for being there. Her son, Gerald Howard Jr., was murdered on September 11, 2007, one of the more than 200 people killed in New Orleans that year. To date, the New Orleans Police Department has not solved Howard’s slaying.

     “No. They’re slow in doing things,” Henderson says.

     The memorial, a reading of the names of the 177 people murdered in the city from January 11, 2008 to January 8, 2009, began at noon, and a crowd of more than 100 stood silently as the names were read off. Councilmen James Carter and Arnie Fielkow attended the event as did Orleans District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro, and the three men assisted in reading out loud the names of the deceased.

     Henderson wondered why other community leaders weren’t present.

     “The mayor and the chief of police aren’t out here. Where are they?”

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For almost forty years, cartoonist and crusader Jack Chick has been publishing religious tracts warning of the dangers of things like homosexuality, abortion, the theory of evolution and witchcraft in the form of unintentionally hilarious tiny comic books. The documentary “God’s Cartoonist: The Comic Crusade of Jack Chick” is the first real, intimate look at the world of the reclusive evangelical publisher, whose tracts have found their way into multiple museum pop-culture exhibits (including the permanent collection at the Smithsonian.) 

“God’s Cartoonist” screens tonight and tomorrow night at 9 p.m. at Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center (1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 827-5858.) 

By Clay A. Smith

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Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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It’s been a curious week for the New Orleans Saints. Quarterback Drew Brees was named the A.P. Offensive Player of the Year and running back Reggie Bush’s knee surgery turnned out to be more severe than originally thought. But perhaps the biggest news of the week was that Gary Gibbs was fired as the New Orleans Saints  defensive coordinator this Wednesday. Gibbs’ dismissal will likely keep the  Saints fan base satisfied. There are a lot of  Possible Saints defensive coordinator candidates  but after saying “Buh-Bye” to Gibbs the Saints will start their search for a new coordinator with Greg Williams.

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After David West and Chris Paul led the Hornets past the Lakers 116-105, Utah defeated the listless Hornets 116-90. Though West’s star shined the brightest in the big win over the Lakers it was Monroe Louisiana’s Paul Millsap who helped the Jazz beat the tired Hornets.  Guard Chris Paul, who is third in the All-Star Voting, had 26 points in the loss and admits that he would prefer a win over D-Will and the Jazz.

Wherever good things happen in New Orleans, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu is there. The man is an arts-and-culture Batman. His office’s Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism was behind the World Cultural Economic Forum in the fall. It’s a driving force behind “From Tramps to Kings,” the Zulu centennial opening tomorrow at the Louisiana State Museum’s Presbytère. And yesterday, Landrieu — flanked by DCRT Secretary Pam Breaux, designer Allen Eskew, musician Terence Blanchard and others — announced plans to recreate a premier jazz museum inside the Old U.S. Mint, anchored by a 4,000-square-foot music venue with studiolike acoustics. The ETA: January 2010. The digital rendering, which looks vaguely like a hepcat sequel to the videogame Rock Band:  

Reese Fuller, one of our friends at the (excellent) Independent Weekly in Lafayette, brings this news:

Maria LoVullo — an art teacher, local fixture in Acadiana and wife of musician Jonno Frishberg — was recently diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. The couple and their two children were featured in The Independent’s February 2006 cover story about transplants to Acadiana who had left New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. The family has since returned to New Orleans but retains ties established here long before the storms of 2005.

Local musicians are banding together to help the family offset its mounting medical expenses. Performers for Jonno & Maria’s Family Benefit will include (in order of appearance) Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Choupique, Nouveau String Band, Drew Landry, Lucky Playboys, David Egan, Charivari, Celjun, Black String Band, Lafayette Rhythm Devils, and Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys.

The benefit takes place Jan. 11 at the Blue Moon Saloon, beginning at noon. Admission is $10 at the door. Donations will be accepted, and there will also be a silent auction and gumbo.

Donations can also be made directly to Maria LoVullo and sent to her attention at 4468 Arts St., New Orleans, La., 70122.

To read the Ind’s cover story about the LoVullos and other New Orleanians who relocated to Acadiana after the storm, click here.