Viewpoint: City leaders must work together to get a grip on crime

As with most mayors entering a new term, LaToya Cantrell delivered an upbeat message at Monday’s Covid-restricted inauguration on the steps of Gallier Hall: Though New Orleans has endured a tough four years, citizens are resilient and many opportunities lie ahead. “Our time is now, and the best is yet to come,” Cantrell proclaimed. Like many New Orleanians, I soaked up her words, wanting to believe the city will change. It wasn’t long before the latest crime statistics brought me back to reality. Just 13 days into the New Year, seven innocent people have died.

At King Cake Hub, the tradition goes on after loss of its founder

The King Cake Hub, a Carnival pop-up, opened for its fourth season Jan. 6 with its traditional Twelfth Night kickoff party at a new location next to the Zony Mash Beer Project at South Broad and Thalia Street. 

As usual, the first sweet taste of Carnival was enjoyed to live music, Mardi Gras Indian chants and costumed dance troupes at a kickoff event hosted by Professor Carl Nivale and Grand Marshal Marty Graw. There was something missing, however: the energetic presence of King Cake Hub co-founder Will Samuels. Samuels died in September 2021 at 52. His widow, Jennifer Samuels, is carrying on the tradition in his absence.

Que Rico! on Magazine fears closure over lengthy permitting process

The owners of Que Rico! Cuban Cafe on Magazine Street say their restaurant’s future could depend on an alcohol permit. 

Since the pandemic started, the small restaurant has lost 65% of its customers, said Iderlin Donna Carrillo, who owns the business with her husband, Richard Rivera. Last week, they closed temporarily, citing staffing shortages. 

Carrillo and Rivera said they need an alcohol permit to increase sales and profitability during the pandemic but worry they won’t receive approval in time. “We were rocking and rolling without liquor before the pandemic,” Carrillo said. “But we need it now to survive.

City won’t restore Thoth’s traditional Uptown route, Times-Picayune reports

The city will not readjust the Krewe of Thoth’s 2022 route to allow the parade to bring Carnival to patients in medical institutions along its idiosyncratic path that includes Henry Clay Avenue, Doug MacCash reports in The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate and NOLA.com.

Phunny Phorty Phellows toast the start of 2022 Carnival season (photo story)

A small but enthusiastic crowd cheered the Phunny Phorty Phellows as a streetcar packed with revelers left the Willow Streetcar Barn on Thursday (Jan. 6) for the krewe’s ride through Uptown signaling the start of the Carnival season. The route was shortened to the loop between Willow Street and Erato, due to construction in the downtown area. But krewe members were happy to be back after last year’s cancellation. “We are so pleased to be riding through uptown New Orleans.” said Krewe Captain Peggy Scott Laborde in a press release.  “We will travel a route that is the path of many Mardi Gras parades, so it’s only fitting that we honor them with our ride.