by Joe Shriner

Though there are various Earth Day events and festivals happening throughout New Orleans on Sunday, Mother Earth gets her formal hug on the holiday itself, which is Monday, April 22. At 7 p.m. at the Community Unitarian Church in Lakeview, Musaica Chamber Ensemble will be honoring the 43rd annual Earth Day by “Going Green”—featuring various performances of music with pastoral imagery, works by Giuseppe Verdi (whose name translates to “green” in Italian), and the world premiere of “The Air Was Green” by composer Mollie O’Meara.

It’s been years since FEMA trailers populated the area, but Lakeview residents are still dealing with the effects of The Storm. Lake Area folks are invited to put in their two cents at Wednesday’s Town Hall Meeting with District A Councilmember Susan Guidry. 

New Orleans police are investigating new leads in the search for missing second grade teacher Terrilyn Monette, now in its third week. On March 2, Monette apparently drove from Parley’s Bar in Lakeview, where friends last saw her around 4 a.m., into City Park before disappearing.

Tonight, Da’ Mayor’s fourth in a series of community meetings is taking place in Lakeview, and District A residents are invited to come speak their minds about 2013’s budget priorities.

Today, Willie Nelson rambles into New Orleans, the Shriners parade through downtown, Love Sessions continues in the Quarter, and kids get their shot at a book signing, and Creepy Carrots! On this day in Louisiana history, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville succeeded Ensign de Sauvolle as commandant of Louisiana (1701), Gov. William CC Claiborne became America's highest paid governor at $7,500 per year (1812). Now for some of the present's presents:

Tight financial times appear to have rendered one Carnival walking krewe inoperable this year. The Lakeview-based, all-female Krewe of Brid was scheduled to roll on Friday, but announced earlier this week that they will sit out this year for monetary reasons. "While our krewe remains a strong group, we do not have the financial resources to parade this year," the announcement said. Founded in 2008, Brid traditionally marches down Harrison Avenue on the third Friday before Mardi Gras. Past themes have included "Pothole Patrol" and "Brid's Got Balls."

by Shay Sokol (Updated 12:30 p.m.)

The Friday afternoon murder that broke Lakeview's normally placid air stemmed from a domestic dispute between employees of Susan Spicer's Mondo restaurant, police said. At 11 p.m. Friday night, police arrested 44-year-old Farrel Sampier for gunning down 21-year-old Antonio Miller outside the Harrison Ave. restaurant. Sampier turned himself in, police said. Sampier, whose daughter is the mother of the murder victim's child, had an argument with Miller about "the care of the child," according to a NOPD statement.

by Kevin O'Neill

LAKEVIEW - Shortly before 3:00 P.M. today a man was fatally shot near 900 Harrison Avenue in Lakeview. According to witnesses an argument took place in front of Susan Spicer’s Mondo restaurant, where the deceased man was employed. A reel of ten gunshots echoed through Harrison Avenue, and witnesses claim to have seen a truck speed away from the scene. The man was pronounced dead when the police arrived. The man has not yet been identified by officials. Read more from NoDef about the murder case here.

For years, the crater-like potholes that engulf our streets have been the stuff of legend, and the occassional tall tale. But with recovery money coming in, there's been a renewed effort to make our streets a more like...streets. Late last week, the feds approved another batch of money to fix up the roads. Broadmoor will get $21.5 million to fix their streets, while parts of Lakeview including Lake Shore/Lake Vista and Milneburg will get a combined $8.8 million, according to Sen. Mary Landrieu's office. FEMA appropriated the money, which will also go to repair curbs and sidewalks. Sounds like more than just filler to these ears.

City Park is roomy and has plenty of access to recreation, but our local coyotes seem to have outgrown the space they first moved into over the summer. With Park Island a nagging swim away, the canines seem to be scouting Lakeview for better real estate, as neighbors have spotted several of the predators prowling around the neighborhood. The most notable recent siting was in the 6800 block of General Diaz. Wally Lamb told ABC-26 the coyotes seem to be hiding out in houses that are being rehabbed. Dangerous beasts? Sure, but at least they aren't afraid of a fixer-upper.