Christopher A. Etienne, Sr., Letters from a Father: Gratitude and Pride (sponsored)

Dear, Son:

My faith still is rewarded in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I am proud of your growth, development, and enthusiasm for learning. I have drawn from your youthful energy, and every day I reflect on what you display, which is good humor, courage, and idealism. If anything, you are intelligent and strong, but more importantly, you are kind, thoughtful, and full of passion. Of all that I’ve achieved, I am grateful to be your father.

City changes polling place for some 12th Ward voters

The City Council on Thursday (March 23) approved several location changes due to construction, name changes or buildings becoming vacant. Many of the polling changes are in Uptown’s 12th Ward, which stretches from the river up to Broad Street and from Toledano Street to Napoleon Avenue. It includes part of the Broadmoor and the Milan and Touro-Bouligny neighborhoods. For precincts 1,2,3, 4 and 5 in the 12th Ward, the name of the voting location has changed to Benjamin Franklin Elementary Mathematics & Science School.  The address of the polling location is still 3649 Laurel St. In precincts 6,7 and 8, voters will now cast their ballots at Sophie B. Wright Charter School, 1426 Napoleon Ave.

Viewpoint: The four teens must bear responsibility for their actions in deadly carjacking

The family of Linda Frickey visited her grave this week, a year after the 73-year-old was brutally killed in a Mid-City carjacking. “We want justice for our family member, but it’s not just for Linda. We want this for all elderly people. For all the victims of  juvenile crime,” said Kathy Richard, Frickey’s sister-in-law. 

Three of the Frickey Four — the teenagers who laughed in Frickey’s face as she bled to death on the North Pierce Street on March 21, 2022 — are expected to go to trial in April. Lenyra Theophile, one of the four defendants in the case, was found to be incompetent and too depressed to stand trial.

Colombian pop-up Waska mixes innovation with tradition

New Orleans’ culinary scene isn’t necessarily known for its Colombian food, but one local chef is working to change that. Jose Chris Blanco owns Waska, a Colombian-inspired pop-up that’s been making the rounds of local breweries. Blanco was born in Colombia and grew up in Miami; he considers Waska a tribute to his culture. He’s been cooking for about 13 years and started Waska in 2021, after moving to New Orleans. 

At Waska, Blanco experiments with different flavors inspired by Colombian dishes, but not what Blanco would call “your grandmother’s cooking.” “I play around with a lot of the same ingredients, but I use them differently,” Blanco said.

Poydras Home hosts free organizational event with The Occasional Wife March 23 (sponsored)

Learn from a local professional about downsizing and sharing organizational tips for how to maximize your space! Poydras Home continues our annual speaker series “Poydras Home Conversations” with an upcoming guest lecture from Kay Morrison, owner of The Occasional Wife. On Thursday, March 23, Morrison will share her organizational secrets and the latest tools of the trade for residents, families and neighbors wishing to downsize or simply make the most of their available living spaces. Please plan to join us for this free event from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. RSVPs are encouraged at receptionist@poydrashome.com or call 504-897-0535.

The wild, wild creation: This Sunday is Super Sunday

This Sunday (March 19) is Uptown’s Super Sunday, when masking Indians gather in Central City. The procession and festival give the public a chance to witness the Mardi Gras Indians — when the Indians come out on Mardi Gras Day, there is no map (like the one below) and no set time. Super Sunday also gives the tribes another chance to show off their magnificent hand-sewn suits. The Uptown event, the largest and most popular of the three Super Sunday parades, is organized by the Mardi Gras Indian Council and takes place on the third Sunday in March, generally the Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Day.

Police blotter: Sexual assault and attempted robbery in Irish Channel, robbery in Central City, two shootings in Hoffman Triangle

Two shootings in the Hoffman Triangle neighborhood, a robbery in Central City, and a sexual assault and attempted robbery in the Irish Channel were reported this week by the New Orleans Police Department. A woman in the Irish Channel fought back against a man who sexually assaulted and tried to rob her, according to the NOPD. The 40-year-old victim was assaulted in the 1000 block of Seventh Street on Thursday (March 16) at about 9:35 p.m., police said. The assailant then demanded her property but fled after she fought back. A man was robbed early on Thursday at Baronne Street and Washington Avenue.