 | BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer |
Will we ever be warm again? The cold is here. But you knew that. (Step outside if you haven't already!) Next question: How long? Here’s what we can tell you. Speaking of cold, if you’re one of the thousands who head to the levees of St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes on Christmas Eve to watch the bonfires, make sure to pack gloves and a hat. And maybe a thermos of whatever it is that keeps you warm. Here’s some pictures of the things that will be torched.
Police chiefs, new and old: Michelle Woodfork, the new leader of the city’s beleaguered police force in New Orleans, took the reins Thursday during a ceremony in which her predecessor made his “final walk” as chief. Columnist Will Sutton has this to say after a chat with Woodfork. Meanwhile, a former police chief settled a lawsuit against the city. City Hall reporter Matt Sledge tells how much that cost.
Stepping back in time: If you like old moviehouses, add a trip north to Oak Grove, Louisiana, to your travel list. Our Faimon Roberts and Chris Granger recently spent some time at a single-screen throwback there and produced this charming report.
Blue Christmas: The holidays are such a wonderful time of year. But for some, they’re also a time of sadness and feeling alone. A Slidell church is among the many that offer “Blue Christmas” services to give people a place to grieve and find comfort during the holidays. Joni Hess of our St. Tammany news office sat in on the service this week.
Thanks for reading Lunch Line today, and have a great weekend. Bob | 
