Errol Laborde and Arthur Hardy offer a review of Mardi Gras 2014

HAPPY MARDI GRAS - PARADES FOR TODAY!
Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Krewe of Rex, Krewe of Argus, Krewe of Lions, Krewe of Covington Krewe of Houmas and more... Truck parades include Krewe of Elks Orleans, Krewe of Crescent City, Krewe of Jefferson, Krewe of Elks Jefferson and more... - MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Rex 2014 Pictures • Mardi Gras Day (French Quarter & Frenchman) 2014 Pictures

2014 Carnival Royalty Announced

Mardi Gras Parades for Monday, March 3, 2014 Lundi Gras
The Krewe of Proteus will kick off Lundi Gras with astart time of 5:15 with the theme "Ancient Elements of Alchemy ". The Krewe of Orpheus will follow rolling on the uptown route in New Orleans with the theme "Orpheus, The Enchanted World". The Krewe of Zeus rolls in Metairie. "- MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Krewe of Proteus 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Orpheus 2014 Pictures

Mardi Gras parades for Sunday March 2, 2014
MARDI GRAS VERSION OF SUPER SUNDAY! The Krewe of Okeanos will start the day the theme "Okeanos Celebrates the Holidays ". They are followed by the only all foil floats of the Krewe of Mid-City with the theme "50 Shades of Green " They are then followed by the by The Krewe of Thoth with the theme "Thoth Rolls out the Red Carpet ". The evening promises to be Super with the Krewe of Bacchus with the theme "Bacchus Explores our Sportsman's Paradise ". Corps de Napoleon will be parading in Metairie.- MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Krewe of Okeanos 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Mid City 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Thoth 2014 Pictures • Box of Wine 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Bacchus 2014 Pictures

Mardi Gras parades for Saturday March 1, 2014
The Krewe of Iris begins the day in New Orleans at 11am with the theme "Iris Rocks! ". Folling Iris is the Krewe of Tucks with the theme "Tucks Lives the Sportin' Life ". NOMTOC rolls on the Westbank at 10:45 am its theme is "NOMTOC's Circus Menagerie ". The evening parades include the SuperKrewe of Endymion on it's traditional Mid-City route with the theme "An Evening at the Opera " and the Krewe of Isis closes the evening in Metairie with the theme "We go Together "- MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Krewe of Iris 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Tucks 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Endymion 2014 Pictures

Mardi Gras parades for Friday February 28, 2014
3 Parades hit the streets of New Orleans Today as the Krewe of Hermes starts the night off. Followed by the satirical Le Krewe d'Etat. Then look for the Krewe of Morpheus. In Metairie the Krewe of Centurions will take to the streets with the Krewe of Selene in Slidell.- MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Mystic Krewe of Hermes 2014 Pictures • Le Krewe d'État 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Morpheus 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Centurions 2013 Pictures by Harriet Cross

Mardi Gras parades for Thursday February 27, 2014
Big night Uptown as The Knights of Babylon, Knights of Chaos and the Krewe of Muses hits the streetsthe themes for all krewes remain a secret until they roll .- MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Knights of Babylon 2014 Pictures • Knights of Chaos 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Muses 2014 Pictures

Druids & Nyx tonight Wednesday February 26, 2014
Mystic Krewe of Druids takes to the streets in New Orleans at 6:30pm followed by the Mystic Krewe of Nyx which parades at 7:00pm. - MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Mystic Krewe of Druids 2014 Pictures • Mystic Krewe of Nyx 2014 Pictures

Mardi Gras parades for Sunday February 23, 2014
Krewe of Carrollton rolls with the theme "Carrollton goes Two by Two " followed by the, Krewe of King Arthur with it's theme "King Arthur has the Blues ". Followed by the St. Charles premier of the Krewe of Alla with the theme "Alla goes to NOLA". They hit the streets Uptown starting at noon. In the French Quarter the iconic Dog Parade Mystic Krewe of Barkus will be sniffing the streets again with this years theme "Dogzilla: Barkus Licks the Crescent City".In Slidell the Krewe of Dionysus rolls with the theme "Boyhood Memories"- MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Krewe of Carrollton 2014 Pictures • Krewe of King Arthur 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Alla 2014 Pictures • Mystic Krewe of Barkus 2014 Pictures by Harriet Cross

Mardi Gras parades for Saturday February 22, 2014
Krewe of Pontchartrain, starts the Uptown parade day with the theme "What's Eating New Orleans " Following them will be the venerable Krewe of Choctaw with the theme "Choctaw's Vacation Destinations" and following them will be the New Krewe of Freret with the theme "There's a First Time For Everything".The Knights of Sparta, with the theme "Isn't It Romantic " and Krewe of Pygmalion with it's theme "A Few of our Favorite Songs " are set to hit the streets of Uptown New Orleans in the evening., The westbank features the always enjoyable Mystic Knights of Adonis and look for the Krewe of Caesar in Metairie with the theme "Game Time".Look for the Krewe of Titans in Slidell and the Krewe of Olympia in Covington as well. .- MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Krewe of Pontchartrain 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Choctaw 2014 Pictures • Knights of Sparta 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Pygmalion 2014 Pictures • Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus 2014 Pictures

Mardi Gras parades for Friday February 21, 2014
Krewe of Oshun set to roll with the theme "Night out in the Big Easy " followed by the Krewe of Cleopatra with the theme "Strolling Down the Avenue" While the Krewe of Excalibur is set to roll in Metairie with the theme "A Knight at the Renaissance Faire" and. the Krewe of Eve will light up the Northshorewith it's theme "Under the Big Top" - MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Oshun 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Cleopatra 2014 Pictures • Krewe of Excalibur 2013 Pictures

Krewe du Vieux hits the streets tonight @ 6:30
Krewe du Vieux takes to the streets of Marigny and the French Quarter this evening at 6:30 pm followed by krewedelusion at 7:15pm. - MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM • Krewe du Vieux 2014 Pictures • krewedelusion 2014 Pictures

Krewe of Atlas cancels Mardi Gras season parade, jeopardizing Family Gras
The only Mardi Gras season parade scheduled to roll in Metairie on the final day of Family Gras is canceling its 2014 procession for lack of money, the Krewe of Atlas said Wednesday. Atlas is the third Metairie krewe this year to scrap its Carnival parade. Atlas, which historically rolls two Fridays before Mardi Gras, agreed earlier this month to fill a Sunday slot vacated by Krewe of Thor, which canceled because of dwindling membership. Its cancellation jeopardizes the final day of Family Gras, the annual celebration scheduled this year for Feb. 21, 22 and 23. The private Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau has jurisdiction over Family Gras, but Sean Burke, Jefferson's citizens affairs director, has said the final day might not go forward without a parade. "There is no sense in having Family Gras if there is no parade," Burke said earlier this month.. - NOLA.COM

Mardi Gras parade rules sail through New Orleans City Council
New Mardi Gras parade rules passed easily through the New Orleans City Council, which approved them unanimously. The new rules, briefly stated, are as follows: Throwbacks, tossing throws back at the maskers, now carry a fine of $250.• Private portable toilets are banned on public property, including the neutral ground. Companies that place toilets on public property will be subject to a $250 fine.• Parking on both sides of St. Charles and Napoleon avenues is prohibited starting two hours before the parade.• Ladders, tents, grills and other "personal effects," must be at least 6 feet back from the curb. Ladders cannot be chained together.• Roping off private areas with ropes, tarps, chairs or anything else is banned.• The sale of "Snap and pop" type firecrackers is banned. Councilwomen LaToya Cantrell and Jackie Clarkson, who cosponsored the ordinances, said that they are the result of nine months of work meeting with neighborhood residents, parading krewes, police and fire officials and the mayor's office. Most of the rules tighten pre-existing restrictions and enjoyed wide support from many in the community. Several other, potentially more controversial, regulations, including a ban on throwing toilet paper off of floats, have been shelved for the time being. During a previous committee meeting on the subject, Clarkson said that she was considering putting a limit on the size and weight of throws. She said that she once took a bag of beads to the face that was heavy enough to cut her, and she's heard similar stories from constituents. A limit on the number of parading krewes and floats is also being considered. Clarkson said that parades have continued as late as 1 a.m. before, putting a strain on the Police Department, which lacks the manpower to adequately staff the parade routes for so long. . - NOLA.COM

krewedelusion Crowns DJ Soul Sister for 2014
DJ Soul Sister is abandoning her vinyl post to reign over the city. krewedelusion announced this morning that Melissa “DJ Soul Sister” Weber will be this year’s ruler, and their parade will roll through the Marigny and French Quarter on February 15.Downtown krewes are known for their lighthearted approach to Carnival traditions, and krewedelusion takes satire to the extreme.The Krewe places the Big Easy as the center of their universe, over which DJ Soul Sister will preside for the coming year. Queen Melissa “DJ Soul Sister” Weber is inheriting the throne from Cheeky Black, last year’s Queen. - NOLADEFENDER.COM

Mardi Gras toilet paper ban is off the table
Krewe of Tucks can rest easy. A proposed ban on tossing toilet paper during parades is off the table, according to City Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell's office. The toilet paper taboo was part of a larger ordinance sponsored by Cantrell and City Council President Jackie Clarkson aimed at imposing some order on chaotic Mardi Gras parades. Other proposed rules in the ordinance would require ladders to stay a minimum distance off of the curb, impose a fine for tossing throws back at floats, regulate the placement of grills and other mobile party accoutrement and ban outright the use of "snap 'n pop" fire crackers. While Cantrell was not immediately available for comment, she may have flushed the toilet paper in response to protests from Krewe of Tucks and its supporters. The unfurled toilet roll is the Tucks' unofficial throw. The council could take up the proposed ordinance at a meeting on Jan. 23.. - NOLA.COM

City Council considering ban on Krewe of Tucks signature throw
Known for its light-hearted, unique throws, the Krewe of Tucks aims to poke fun at the old line krewes. For 35 years, toilet paper has been its signature throw. “If you ask anyone, Krewe of Tucks, they think, ‘Oh, the parade that throws the toilet paper,” said float captain Marc Frischhertz.But you may no longer see that signature toilet tissue flying from floats. The City Council is considering banning it.“It was something that came up from the community, the krewes and the administration as something we needed to clean up and address,” said Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell, District B. “It takes far more away from us than any benefit we see aesthetically,” said Frischhertz. It's part of a comprehensive ordinance that would amend Carnival rules. The proposal includes uniform 6-foot setbacks for grills and ladders, $250 fines for any company that puts a portable toilet on public property, and new parking restrictions on either side of St. Charles Avenue during a parade.“We're looking for a clean and safer Carnival season for everyone to enjoy,” said Cantrell, who has been working on drafting the ordinance for nearly a year. Tucks representatives are all for a safer Carnival, but say there's nothing unsafe about their throws. The toilet paper is biodegradable and American-made. The krewe says it disappears with the first rainfall, while beads stay in trees for years. - WWLTV.COM

Jefferson Parish officials ask Krewe of Atlas to switch Mardi Gras season parade dates
Jefferson Parish officials have asked the Krewe of Atlas toreschedule its Mardi Gras season parade in Metairie from Feb. 21 to Feb. 23, Atlas President Daniel Murray said Wednesday. He said he is waiting to hear from out-of-townfloat lieutenants before agreeing to the request.The request is designed to make up for a krewe that cancelled on Feb. 23, two Sundaysbefore Fat Tuesday. "They need someone to fill in for Family Gras, I imagine,"Murray said. - BAYOUBUZZ.COM

Hermes' Mardi Gras milestone celebrated with a Presbytere exhibit
In 1936, long before anyone had uttered the words Bacchus or Endymion, anyone who wanted to enjoy the flamboyance and flash of a New Orleans parade during the weekend before Mardi Gras was out of luck. That changed a year later, when the Krewe of Hermes made its debut on Feb. 5, 1937, the Friday night before Fat Tuesday. The organization, named for the Greek god with the winged sandals -- the fastest of the gods -- was formed by a civic-minded group of about 200 men. The display, on the museum’s second floor, celebrates Hermes’ 75th presentation – the name the krewe gives to the parade and ball – and not the 75th anniversary of its founding, because Hermes had neither parades nor balls during World War II.. - NOLA.COM

Phunny Phorty Phellows Herald the arrival of the 2014 Carnival Season
Carnival Officially begins with the ride of the Phunny Phorty Phellows on Twelfth Night.The Phunny Phorty Phellows will board at the RTA streetcar barn, located on Willow Street, at 6:30 p.m. on Twelfth Night, Monday, January 6th, 2014. The Phunny ride will begin at 7:00 p.m. sharp. Also look for the Krewe de Jeanne D’Arc marching in the French Quarter with a medieval, French and Joan of Arc theme. - MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM

Krewe of Thor cancels 2014 parade
Jefferson Parish’s Carnival schedule took a significant hit Wednesday as the Krewe of Thor, one of the oldest krewes on the Metairie route, and the parish’s newest group, the Guardians of Atlantis, both announced they will not roll in 2014.The announcement comes at what Thor Captain Mac Cantrell described as a “very, very fragile” time for Jefferson’s Carnival celebrations, with krewes continuing to lose riders to larger, flashier parades in New Orleans that can offer better throws and celebrity royalty.To halt that decline, Cantrell said, Thor’s leadership decided to take a year off to revamp the organization and plan for a comeback in 2015 with a new approach featuring original floats with a satirical bent, something that has not traditionally been a feature of processions on the Veterans Boulevard route.- THEADVOCATE.COM

Metairie's Mardi Gras will maintain parade routes and schedule
Metairie’s Mardi Gras season parades will maintain the same route and schedule they have used in previous years. Those are the broad recommendations of the east bank Carnival advisory committee, which was formed in March to investigate those questions and more, and which presented its findings Wednesday to the Jefferson Parish Council.The committee looked at altering the current Veterans Memorial Boulevard route. Among the ideas: eliminating the loop on Bonnabel Boulevard; extending the beginning point of the route westward from Clearview Mall; and reversing the route so the parades would run east to west. It also considered Metairie Road as an alternate route for krewes to choose.Bob Carnesi, captain of the Krewe of Caesar and a member of the committee, said changing the route required a majority vote. But the committee split on the vote.Carnesi said he advocated to drop the Bonnabel loop to cut about one mile from the route. Carnesi said that extra length means that a parade might not finish until after 10 p.m., which is sometimes too late for the children in marching bands. That makes it hard for krewes to recruit bands, long a sore point in Metairie parades. - NOLA.COM

Krewe of Hera to parade with Krewe of Zeus in Metairie next year
The Krewes of Zeus and Hera will team up for next year's Lundi Gras parade in Metairie. Zeus invited Hera to ride as special guests during its parade on March 3rd of next year. Bad weather forced both krewes to cancel their parades this year. The parish council also recently yanked Hera's parade rights after the sheriff's office opened an investigation into complaints from riders. Hera will ride on its own floats since the krewe paid for them before getting their permit pulled. - FOX8LIVE.COM

Metairie Mardi Gras poised to lose 1 parade, gain another
Mardi Gras in Metairie could welcome a new krewe in 2014. The Guardians of Atlantis is organizing its first parade and applying to roll on Lundi Gras, taking the position that the Krewe of Hera was assigned in 2013. Atlantis hopes to launch with 17 floats and to sign up 250 riders, captain Charles Villemeur said Tuesday. “We have about 50 now,” he said. The Jefferson Parish Council is scheduled Wednesday to set aside 10 parade permits for Carnival 2014. Nine would go to existing krewes, the 10th to Atlantis. Hera is not on the list. The change comes as parish officials and krewes ponder the evolution of Carnival in Jefferson. Parish officials have been raising standards on parades and increasing enforcement, and east bank krewes have been debating changes to the parade schedule as well as an alternative to rolling on Veterans Memorial Boulevard. On the West Bank, two krewes, Alla and Choctaw, recently announced they are moving their parades to St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans because they can attract more members with that route. In Metairie, the women-only Krewe of Hera formed to parade in 2013 as a sort of companion to the Krewe of Zeus, the oldest in East Jefferson. The two krewes announced joint plans for a $20,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle raffle to raise money and mini-festival on Lundi Gras. But they canceled their parades, blaming weather a full day before they were scheduled to roll, and the raffle winner has never been announced. That caused some ill will. Some Hera members think the weather story was a cover for a poorly run krewe that didn’t attract enough members to parade in the first place, Parish Councilwoman Cynthia Lee-Sheng said. And some members were frustrated when they sought delivery of beads they bought from the krewe, or refunds, she said. Brian Landry, public relations officer for both Hera and Zeus, said complaints from "a few ladies" are insufficient to bar Hera from parading. He said all members who wanted their dues refunded were offered a free ride in 2014 and all whose beads were delayed eventually received them. "We have a vibrant membership," he said. "Why would you do this to these women over the claims of a few?" Lee-Sheng, who is sponsoring Wednesday’s measure, which would exclude Hera from the 10 parade permits, said she’s had enough of “the sort of business practices you wouldn’t expect to see. ... I don’t want any more women getting into the same situation,” she said. Guardians of Atlantis logo.jpegGuardians of Atlantis logo Atlantis is not guaranteed Hera’s parade slot, but that’s what the krewe wants. - NOLA.COM

Krewe of Freret considering ‘ban’ on plastic beads for 2014 parade
When the Krewe of Freret rolls in 2014, New Orleanians will see the return of a parading group that has been absent from the Uptown route since the 1990s. What they may not see, however, is strands of ubiquitous plastic Mardi Gras beads. While the krewe hasn’t come to a final decision, co-captain Bobby Hjortsberg told members of The New Freret business and property owners association on Monday that they are strongly considering a ban on plastic beads, instead favoring more unique, locally-made (and locally-purchased) throws that people may find more desirable. The beads are made in China and have little benefit to the economy of New Orleans, Hjortsberg said, and many local parade-goers don’t even bother to pick them up or take them home any more. “We just don’t want to be part of more waste,” Hjortsberg said. “Because we’re the new krewe and we’re going to do things differently, this is one way we’re going to do it.” - UPTOWNMESSENGER.COM

Krewe of Freret expected to parade in 2014 Carnival season
Krewe officials reported Wednesday that they have received New Orleans Police Department approval to stage a parade on the St. Charles Avenue route on the afternoon of Feb. 22, the first Saturday of the 2014 parade season. The approval was first reported by WWL-TV. Freret's announcement follows by a couple of days news that the former longtime West Bank krewes of Alla and Choctaw will move to the St. Charles Avenue route in 2014, leaving only the Adonis, NOMTOC and Grela parades on the West Bank. The two organizations said they were making the move to Uptown because they can get more members if they can offer the attraction of riding on St. Charles Avenue.. - NOLA.COM

Krewe of Alla moving to Uptown route
Expect big changes on the West Bank for next year's carnival season. FOX 8 has exclusively learned that the Krewe of Alla will now roll Uptown, in an effort to attract more riders. Some West Bank residents say the move is heartbreaking. For 80 years, the Krewe of Alla has been a fixture on the West Bank parade route. Residents in Algiers, Gretna and Terrytown watched as the krewe evolved and grew over the years. But now, membership is dwindling. So much so, that the board of directors put out a public notice...they needed 200 additional members to sign up by June 1st. Alla secretary Frank Borne explains, "Unfortunately we didn't come anywhere near that so the board has decided that we are going to go Uptown and hopefully by changing our route, we will be able to attract a lot of members who are interested in riding, being part of the New Orleans carnival experience." Borne says the krewe hopes to capitalize on the momentum that a lot of other big name crews that ride along St. Charles Avenue experience each year. But Alla's decision isn't being taken lightly by West Bank residents, especially considering last year, Cleopatra announced it was moving Uptown and Choctaw next year will permanently move Uptown as well. - FOX8LIVE.COM

Harry Shearer sues DJ over hearing loss due to performance on 2012 Bacchus Mardi Gras float
A local actor who participated in the 2012 Bacchus parade is suing the disc jockey hired to provide music on the float after allegedly sustaining injury to his hearing following the parade ride. Harry Shearer filed a lawsuit against Rock-It Productions Inc., Global Indemnity Group Inc. and Penn-America Insurance Co. in the Orleans Parish Central District Court on Feb. 13. Shearer claims that he was unable to move from his assigned position on the Bacchawhoppa float in the Bacchus parade after being strapped in behind a loudspeaker. He claims he was diagnosed with a case of tinnitus due to the defendant’s negligence and refusal to lower the volume or supply ear plugs. The defendant is accused of failing to provide any type of ear protection to the plaintiff and other float riders, failing to provide an alternative position on the float so as not to be in direct contact with the loud speakers and failing to take corrective action when asked multiple times by plaintiff prior to plaintiff’s injury. An unspecified amount is sought for medical expenses, loss earnings, physical and mental pain and disability. Shearer is represented by Andrew S. de Klerk of New Orleans-based Frilot LLC. This case has been assigned to Division L Judge Kern A. Reese. - LOUISIANARECORD.COM

A Look Back: 2013 Courts of Carnival
For an evening, the spotlight was all theirs. Though the anticipation spanned years, often beginning at birth, the moment was fleeting – but what a moment it was. Ahead the challenges of the real world awaited them, but for the night, and the days and events that built up to it, there was a chance to reign. We present here St. Charles Avenue’s inaugural chronicles of Carnival’s courts. They are arranged in reverse chronological order from Mardi Gras to Twelfth Night, as though marching into time.Somewhere the polished limousines now await next season, but the memories of Carnival past offer their own joy ride. The season has passed; long live the season.Balls are presented in reverse order by date. - MYNEWORLEANS.COM

Krewe of Alla Could Be Forced to Move Parade From West Bank
The Krewe of Alla says it needs new members or it will be forced to consider moving its parade route from the West Bank.The krewe says without 200 new members by June 1 it may be forced to parade on the more popular St. Charles Avenue route on the East Bank. The organization says it understands it must be self-sufficient. Board members say if it doesn’t meet its goal it will have no alternative but to consider options to save the Krewe of Alla for future generations. Membership has been declining for several years. Alla’s annual dues are $450. The krewe says it’s been affected by an economic downtown and the allure of parading uptown.. - WGNO.COM

Changes to Mardi Gras ladders, toilets and parking all under consideration for 2014 parades
New Orleanians could see clearer laws about the placement of ladders, more control over the locations of portable toilets, and more efforts to clear public spaces during and between Mardi Gras parades next year, based on a number of ideas Uptown residents discussed with their City Councilwoman on Saturday afternoon. The city already has laws governing parade-route conduct, but a lack of enforcement over the years has meant growing encroachment of shared spaces by “homesteaders,” as some Uptown residents called the people who stake out large areas of the sidewalk or neutral ground, roping off areas, erecting tents or creating a wall of ladders along the curb. City Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell agreed with those residents Saturday that she would support more citations for violators, but the bulk of the discussion was on ways to increase voluntary compliance — leaving police to the more important public-safety functions like taking guns off the route. Among the ideas pitched: Creating a fixed distance between ladders and the curb, Signs showing that distance, Holding toilet companies responsible for the burden for illegally-placed portable toilets, Creating more public places to go to the bathroom, Disposing of furniture and other items left on public property after parades, Resuming normal street car service quickly after parades, Making both sides of St. Charles a “no parking” zone during parades.. - UPTOWNMESSENGER.COM

6 Mardi Gras krewes fined by Jefferson Parish for parade violations
Six Mardi Gras krewes were fined from $100 to $2,500 for violating Jefferson Parish's parade ordinance during Carnival 2013, according to public records released Tuesday. Most of the infractions involved unmasked riders and smoking on floats, although two krewes were cited for having too few marching bands.The citations come in the second year of the latest crackdown on Carnival krewes as Jefferson Parish tries to enforce its parade standards and gradually raise them. The parish attorney's office released reports on six of Jefferson's 14 parades, in response to a public records request from NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. - NOLA.COM

Metairie Mardi Gras parade route, schedule could see changes
The Metairie Mardi Gras parade route and schedule could be coming in for some changes. The Jefferson Parish Council established a committee last week to consider altering the course up Veterans Memorial Boulevard and providing an alternative route, as well as doubling up parades on some days. Councilwoman Cynthia Lee-Sheng, whose district includes the Veterans route, said some krewe captains wanted changes this year but that there was not enough time. With an eye on 2014, she said the new committee will bring together representatives of the Citizen’s Affairs Office, the Sheriff’s Office, the East Bank Consolidated Fire Department, East Jefferson General Hospital, the Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Civic of East Jefferson and two krewes, to be picked from among the 12 East Jefferson parading organizations. “That should be chosen by them,” she said. Lee-Sheng said she’s not pushing specific changes but that among the ideas floated in recent years have been eliminating the route’s loop on Bonnabel Boulevard, extending the route west, beyond Clearview Parkway Reversing the Veterans route, so that parades run east to west, making Metairie Road an alternative route and running parades back to back more often, so that no day has a single parade. - NOLA.COM

Councilwoman pledges to seek more enforcement of Mardi Gras safety laws
The use of public space on the Mardi Gras parade routes improved slightly this year, City Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell said Wednesday night, but the city laws need to be reviewed starting now to make sure that less of the sidewalks and neutral grounds are unfairly co-opted by furniture, ropes and improperly-placed ladders. Parade-route conduct has long been a sore spot for some New Orleanians, and the proliferation of living-room furniture and portable toilets definitely seems to have worsened in recent years, said Cantrell, whose City Council district includes almost the entirety of the Uptown route. But her direct involvement as a councilwoman began just before the parades did, when she told a Gambit reporter that she had yet to hear from her new constituents specifically about that issue. - UPTOWNMESSENGER.COM