Oh, you went out to get some crawfish or just any meal this weekend and waiting areas were filled with purple, gold, orange and white? We feel ya. We love a party. And with any big bash in the Big Easy comes a lot of traffic and crowded joints in our concrete jungle for all the Tigers in town — and the president is also flying in for the game. So for today, our biggest advice for you is the old adage of “pack patience” before you pounce the pavement. And while the Tiger vs. Tiger battle royale has everyone perfecting their roars, we’ve been digging past the gridiron and into the sidelines of headlines to keep you informed on the happenings. – Clint
John Bel Edwards Gets Sworn In For Second Term
It’s the second time around for Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. JBE will be taking his oath of office today on the steps of the Capitol. The ceremony, while overshadowed by the LSU and Clemson game, is important to know about. Edwards will be starting his second term without the budget crises of his first four years, according to a report from The Associated Press. However, it will start with a more conservative Legislature that could create new clashes, the AP said. (The Associated Press)
NOLA Mourns Loss Of Music Icon 5th Ward Weebie
5th Ward Weebie (Jerome Cosey) died last week. He was 42 years old. Cosey died from a heart attack, which turned into emergency heart surgery and ultimately heart failure, his publicist said. He was a major icon in bounce music and created memorable songs such as “Let Me Find Out” and “F**k Katrina.” He worked with artists like Drake and Lil Wayne. A second line was quickly organized, where we made sure to cut up for him right. According to WWLTV, Weebie’s visitation and the public service will be at the Mahalia Jackson Theater in Armstrong Park on Jan. 19. (WWLTV | Very Local NOLA)
Are Christmas Trees Helping Louisiana’s Coast?
The Twelfth Night tradition of dragging your Christmas tree to the curb so it can be collected and dropped off to help rebuild Louisiana’s coastline is as fun as dragging the first of many king cakes into your home. The ritual is an easy way we can all take part in restoring our disappearing coastline. But a report from The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com investigates if it actually does any good. The answer, the paper says, is “sometimes” and “It depends.” (NOLA.com)
President Trump Visiting NOLA For LSU vs. Clemson Game
President Donald Trump will be flying into New Orleans today to attend the LSU vs. Clemson game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, officials with the national championship game confirmed. In a report from WVUE, the Department of Homeland Security has given the Crescent City special security status, which could clear the way for additional federal resources for security. Homeland Security has given the city a “Sear 2” status — one of the highest special event security ratings, which could spur extra security and reimbursements to the city, the station reported. (WVUE)
Quick Hit Headlines
- ‘It’s a dream you never dreamt,’ LSU Cheerleaders Road to Glory (WDSU)
- Former ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ Star Reveals Why Working in NOLA Felt ‘Dehumanizing’ (Shwobiz CheatSheet)
- $2 bills stamped with tiger paws may appear in NOLA (Houma Today)
- Joaquin Phoenix headed to New Orleans for next film (NOLA.com)
What To Do This Week
Monday
National Championship Block Party | Noon | Barcadia | Free
Looking for somewhere to go for the game? Barcadia’s Free Block Party will feature DJ Mannie Fresh on the turntables. Click here for more information.
Tuesday
The Fundamentals of Cheese | 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | NOCHI | $65
Gone are the days of blindly fumbling through your grocery store’s cheese aisle. There’s a world of cheese out there, and this demonstration class will fill your proverbial passport. The class will taste seven styles of cheese while answering questions like, “Can I eat the rind?” and “What’s the deal with illegal cheese?” And because cheese is best enjoyed with wine, there’ll be plenty of it. Click here for tickets.
Wednesday
Creole Aesthetics in Carnival Arts panel | 6 p.m. | The Cabildo | Free
Bruce Sunpie Barnes, Big Chief of the Northside Skull and Bone Gang, will host a conversation with his second chief, Zohar Israel, and two chiefs of downtown Mardi Gras Indian tribes: Clarence Dalcour, of the Creole Osceola, and Donald “Dut” Claude, of the Seventh Ward Warriors. These longtime friends and collaborators will share songs and artwork as they tell stories about the Sixth Ward and Seventh Ward masking traditions that inspired their work. Click here for more information.
Thursday
Kids Cooking Class – Sloppy Joe Sliders | Gretna Rouses | 5:30 p.m. | $10
This class features how to make sloppy joe sliders and how to decorate mini king cakes. The kids will be sent home with recipes to make these fun treats. Each child will have the option to enjoy their delicious creations or take them home to enjoy later. Space is limited. Click here for more ticket information.
Friday
The Harry Potter™ film series is one of those once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomena that continues to delight millions of fans around the world. This concert will feature the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performing every note from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™.” Audiences will be able to relive the magic of the film in high-definition on a 40-foot screen while hearing the orchestra perform John Williams’ unforgettable score. Click here for more information.
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