Blog Archives

Mardi Gras 2018: ATC Enforcement & Safety Tips

1/29/2018

As is common practice in recent years, as the 2018 Mardi Gras season kicks into full swing this weekend, expect increased enforcement measures to be taken by the Fire Marshal to ensure premise capacities are being adhered to and by the ATC to curtail alcohol and tobacco products being sold to individuals under the age of 21. To avoid citations and possible license revocation, please review these friendly reminders for establishments, particularly along parade routes, that are licensed to serve alcoholic beverages.

Maintain adequate security.
Develop a plan to ensure that minors are not served alcohol or tobacco products.
Develop a policy and educate employees on identifying proper identification.
Ensure that you have obtained special event permits for any events outside your licensed premises (i.e., in the parking lot, etc.).
Ensure that your alcohol and tobacco inventory is purchased from licensed wholesale dealers.
Ensure that all permits are current and clearly visible.
Remember that ATC agents may enter your permitted location at any time.
A K-9 may accompany agents during their inspections.

With the sheer volume of parade-goers flooding the French Quarter, St. Charles corridor, Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie, and other cities across the state, safety of your staff and customers is of the utmost importance during the revelry.

Here are some tips from LRA members who've experienced restaurant ownership during Mardi Gras for decades:

Be aware of your surroundings at all times. This goes for everyone!
Regardless of the time of year, servers carrying cash are encouraged to leave the restaurant in groups, travel in well-lit areas, carpool if possible, avoid flashing cash and do not walk while using a smartphone/cell phone.
Managers and staff are encouraged to move their vehicles closer to the building once the shift has ended and prior to closing procedures.
Keep side and back doors locked and alarms set when not in use.
Make trash runs before lunch and dinner shifts and make sure they are not done by just one staff member.
Use camera and security systems.
Don't leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle.

If there's a tip we've overlooked that you'd like to share, please email us here.

Have a safe and happy Mardi Gras season!

LRA Acadiana Chapter names 2017 chapter award winners

1/25/2018

The Louisiana Restaurant Association’s (LRA) Acadiana Chapter is pleased to announce its 2017 Chapter Awards recipients. The recognitions were presented during the Acadiana Chapter’s annual awards dinner at the Petroleum Club of Lafayette, January 15, 2018.

The awards are as follows:

Active Member of the Year- Randy Daniel, Director of Operations at Double R Restaurant Group, which operates Another Broken Egg, Pour Restaurant & Bar and Romacelli Bistro e Vino. Daniel is the Acadiana Chapter’s Vice President and volunteers his time at chapter events. He is also an Industry Representative to the LRA Board of Directors.
Associate Member of the Year- Robert Breaux, Business Development Manager at Ben E. Keith. Known to everyone as “T. Breaux,” he is a longtime LRA member who dedicates his time and efforts to the betterment of the Acadiana Chapter.
Hall of Fame & Restaurateurs of the Year- Scott and Beth Soileau, owners of Soileau’s Dinner Club in Opelousas. The restaurant has been a family-owned business since 1937, and Scott and Beth are in their 26th year of maintaining and operating their well-known Cajun restaurant.
Restaurateur of the Year- Gerald Judice, owner of Judice Inn in Lafayette. Judice Inn has been an LRA member for 30 years. The Judice family continues to bring the same pride and commitment to the restaurant that was started by Gerald’s father and uncle back in 1947.

Boil Water Updates for Orleans and Jefferson Parishes

1/25/2018

boil water advisory for west bank of orleans parish lifted
1/25/18

UPDATE: Boil Water Advisory Lifted for West Bank of Orleans Parish.

This afternoon, the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) issued a precautionary boil water advisory for the West Bank of Orleans Parish. The S&WB reported that a sudden drop in water pressure was observed at approximately 1:40 p.m. The east bank of Orleans Parish is not affected by this.

The advisory is in effect until further notice. During previous boil water advisory periods, the S&WB collected water samples and usually, test results will take at least 24 hours once all samples are collected. We will update you as soon as we get more information.

Residents are advised not to drink, make ice, brush teeth, prepare or rinse food with tap water until it has been properly disinfected.

The S&WB recommends that residents boil water for at least one minute before use.

The Louisiana Dept. of Health has issued guidelines for restaurants to utilize. Click the links below to download.

Retail Food Guidelines Under Boil Advisory
Boil Advisory Minimum Standards
Boil Advisory Guidelines for Food Service Operations

Tips for Restaurants
Tips for restaurants while under a boil advisory (per La. Dept. of Health & Hospitals):

· Bottled water can be used for food prep, cooking, washing/rinsing/sanitizing of utensils and food contact surfaces, as well as for hand washing.
·         Single service utensils (paper/plastic plates, forks, spoons, knives) can be used.
·         In bathrooms, provide bottled water or potable water for washing hands.
·         Notify your customers of the boil advisory and explain precautions and safety practices.
·         Ice machines must be disabled.

Do not use fountain drink dispensers that use water as a component of the drink mix. (If possible, offer canned or bottled soft drinks.)

Boil Water Advisory For East Bank of Jefferson Parish Lifted
1/20/2018

** 1 p.m. **
The Jefferson Parish Water Department, in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Health, has lifted the boil water advisory for residents and businesses on the East Bank of Jefferson Parish.

Boil Water Advisory for East Bank of Orleans Parish Lifted, Except N.O. East
1/19/2018

** 7:25 p.m. **
The New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board and the Louisiana Dept. of Health have LIFTED the Boil Water Advisory for the East Bank of Orleans Parish, with the exception of New Orleans East. Water is safe to consume.

UPdate: East Bank Jefferson Parish Boil Advisory/Low Pressure
1/18/2018

The Louisiana Dept. of Health and its engineering/drinking water program management, has advised us at the LRA that Jefferson Parish pressure has not been restored to the required level for testing as of 5 p.m. on Thursday. Once the pressure has been restored, testing will occur immediately. As is the case with water testing, it takes a minimum of 24 hours for testing to be completed. Therefore, we anticipate the water boil advisory cannot be lifted until at least Saturday.

If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Waren at wwaren@lra.org or call (504) 454-2277.

Thursday PM Update Re: Orleans Parish Water Pressure & Boil Water Advisory
1/18/2018

LRA President & CEO Stan Harris and hospitality industry leaders participated in a conference call with the management of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board today to discuss the current boil water advisory on the East Bank of the Mississippi and the low water pressure. Please allow us to express the challenges:

The water pressure issues were exacerbated by the customers usage (including running faucets) and the use from large commercial connections during this freeze event. The plant is producing at the pressure level expected but due to frozen pipes the capacity in the field is approximately 40 percent lower than what is normal.
As the outside temperature rises, the SWB will assess the condition of their field pressure levels and are projecting, this may occur within the next 8 to 10 hours. Once the pressure returns to normal levels, only then can they capture water samples necessary to begin the incubation period (24 hours) for testing. At the end of the incubation period, if no contamination is found, the boil water advisory should be lifted.

This is a great deal of speculation but it is all we have to consider when operating. Having operable restrooms is critical. Having water for cooking, handwashing and sanitation is a must. Sourcing ice from outside the boil water advisory affected area is required. Using bottled water, soft drinks and mixers is an added burden and cost.

In a best case scenario if the pressure returns to normal by midnight and the water sampling is completed a few hours later, it could be Saturday morning in a best case scenario before the boil water advisory is lifted.

In the meantime, Sewerage and Water Board officials have asked that if you have experienced breaks in your water lines on the private side of the system to please report them immediately. Report a leak here or call (504) 529-2837.

If you have any questions, please email Wendy Waren at wwaren@lra.org or call (504) 454-2277.

Louisiana Dept. of Health Lists Guidelines for Food Service Facilities Under Boil Advisory
1/18/2018

On Thursday morning, the East Bank of Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish are under boil advisories until further notice. During this time food service establishments should implement procedures given this situation. Below are documents provided by the Louisiana Department of Health to aid restaurants in safely preparing and serving guests during this time. Previous advisories have lasted for at least 24 hours and we encourage you to stayed tuned to your local news for immediate notification.

Retail Food Guidelines Under Boil Advisory

Boil Advisory Minimum Standards

Boil Advisory Guidelines for Food Service Operations

Jefferson Parish (East Bank) Now Under Boil Water Advisory
1/18/2018

This morning, the Jefferson Parish Water Department issued a boil water advisory for the East Bank of Jefferson Parish. This precautionary measure is being taken because of the loss of pressure in the distribution system due to the extremely high number of water line breaks caused by the hard freeze.

The advisory is in effect until further notice. Parish officials report that pressure will be restored as soon as possible. The entire process of restoration will take at least 2-3 days.

Residents are advised not to drink, make ice, brush teeth, prepare or rinse food with tap water until it has been properly disinfected. Residents should boil water for at least one minute before use.

Tips for Restaurants
Tips for restaurants while under a boil advisory (per La. Dept. of Health & Hospitals):

Bottled water can be used for food prep, cooking, washing/rinsing/sanitizing of utensils and food contact surfaces, as well as for hand washing.
Single service utensils (paper/plastic plates, forks, spoons, knives) can be used.
In bathrooms, provide bottled water or potable water for washing hands.
Notify your customers of the boil advisory and explain precautions and safety practices.
Ice machines must be disabled.

Do not use fountain drink dispensers that use water as a component of the drink mix. (If possible, offer canned or bottled soft drinks.)

Boil Water Advisory In Effect For East Bank of Orleans Parish
1/18/2018

This morning, the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) issued a precautionary boil water advisory for the East Bank of Orleans Parish. The S&WB reported that water pressure had dropped below the safety threshold at Drainage Pump Stations No. 3 and No. 5 on the east bank. The city's water distribution system is strained from this week's inclement winter weather. The S&WB is urging residents to reduce water usage wherever possible.

The advisory is in effect until further notice. During previous boil water advisory periods, the S&WB collected water samples and usually, test results will take at least 24 hours once all samples are collected. We will update you as soon as we get more information.

Residents are advised not to drink, make ice, brush teeth, prepare or rinse food with tap water until it has been properly disinfected.

The S&WB recommends that residents boil water for at least one minute before use.

Tips for Restaurants
Tips for restaurants while under a boil advisory (per La. Dept. of Health & Hospitals):

Bottled water can be used for food prep, cooking, washing/rinsing/sanitizing of utensils and food contact surfaces, as well as for hand washing.
Single service utensils (paper/plastic plates, forks, spoons, knives) can be used.
In bathrooms, provide bottled water or potable water for washing hands.
Notify your customers of the boil advisory and explain precautions and safety practices.
Ice machines must be disabled.

Do not use fountain drink dispensers that use water as a component of the drink mix. (If possible, offer canned or bottled soft drinks.)

How a Questionnaire Can Save You Money

1/12/2018

Each year, we ask the LRA SIF participants to ask their workers to complete an updated “Second Injury Fund” questionnaire. Employers should also have new employees complete the questionnaire. Both of these practices can help us mitigate claims cost to the Fund. If an injured employee is found to have an existing health issue or past injury that could contribute to the current injury, we can apply to the Second Injury Fund for supplemental coverage. If approved, this can reduce the overall cost of the claim for the employer and the Fund as we receive certain reimbursements to the claims expense.

The Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Second Injury Fund was created to encourage the employment of physically handicapped employees who have a permanent, partial disability by protecting employers’ group insurance funds from excess liability for workers’ compensation for disability when a subsequent injury to such an employee merges with his preexisting permanent physical disability to cause a greater disability than would have resulted from the subsequent injury alone. La. R.S. 23:1371.A.

If a claim is accepted by the Second Injury Fund, then eligible medical and indemnity benefits are reimbursed by the Fund after the following deductibles*:

$25,000 in medical benefits
104 weeks of indemnity benefits

This means that your loss ratio and experience modifier are not changed with the large loss. Instead, the loss is capped at the deductible amounts.

*If the proper form is used, certain criteria are met, and an employee fails to answer truthfully, then the employee may forfeit his/her right to workers’ compensation benefits.

Since 2013, a 100 percent compliance with the Second Injury Board Knowledge Questionnaire has been one of five requirements for LRA SIF members to be eligible to receive a safety dividend. This post-offer medical history questionnaire must be completed and on file for all employees. Medical questionnaires should be periodically updated by employees.

Access the questionnaire in English and Spanish. For more info, contact the Loss Prevention Department at (504) 454-2277.

Questionnaire-ENglish

Questionnaire-Spanish

It's Audit Time

1/12/2018

It’s audit time! Because your workers’ compensation premium is based on payroll, each and every policyholder must partake in an annual premium audit as stated in your Indemnity Agreement. The annual premium audit is simply a review of your records to ensure that you pay only the premium necessary for your business’ exposure. The Louisiana Restaurant Association Self Insurer’s Fund (LRA SIF) would like to make the premium audit process as easy as possible for everyone involved. Preparing in advance and having the proper documentation available at the time of the audit will help ensure that the audit is completed quickly and accurately.

You will be contacted by mail during the first quarter of 2018 by the LRA SIF or our audit service company NEIS Inc., who recently acquired McGuffey and Associates. Mike McGuffey and his staff will continue to be a part of the audit process as the Gulf States Regional division for NEIS, Inc., with additional resources to better serve you. The audit service will contact you by mail or phone to set an appointment. This correspondence will provide you with a name and phone number of the auditor to reschedule if the appointed date is not convenient for you.

This year, the LRA SIF will use five types of final premium audits:

A physical audit, during which the auditor will meet with you or your representative to review your records and submit the audit report and supporting documentation to the LRA SIF.
A phone audit, wherein the auditor will contact you to discuss and receive fax or email payroll records that will be submitted to the LRA SIF.
A virtual audit, consisting of telephone and in depth email correspondences.
A mail-in audit which consists of an audit form that must be completed and mailed back to the audit service or the LRA SIF with supporting documentation for processing.
Internet audit, processed through a secure audit portal for uploading the payroll information.

To keep the audit process simple and speedy, have your journals, ledgers, check stubs, 941s, 940, state unemployment records, cash disbursements, W2s, 1099s and certificates of insurance ready before the auditor contacts you. The auditor will review these records and will request copies of your 940, 941s and state unemployment wage reports to submit to the LRA SIF along with your audit for verification purposes.

If you have any questions, please contact our Premium Audit Department at (504) 454-2277, (504) 636-6529 or (800) 256-4572.

"Taste of Mardi Gras" Returns Next Month

1/12/2018

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Cenla Chapter’s annual Carnival party, “Taste of Mardi Gras,” (TOMG) will be held Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Alexandria Riverfront Center, 707 Main Street, 7 p.m. to midnight. (Special VIP entry is at 6 p.m.)

A party not to be missed, it will feature “tastes” of the best restaurants in central Louisiana and entertainment by Stormy and the Cenla Brass Band. A cash bar will be available all evening.

“Taste of Mardi Gras has become one of Alexandria’s most anticipated events,” said LRA Cenla Chapter President Scott Laliberte, director of operations for The Diamond Grill, The Mirror Room and The Bentley Room Restaurant. “We like to think of it as a Mardi Gras ball for those who don’t belong to a krewe. It is a wonderful party the whole family can enjoy, with fantastic food and entertainment, all for great causes.”

Last year’s event boasted 24 restaurants and vendors and more than 1,500 revelers in attendance. This year, enjoy tasty creations from Clay’s BBQ, The Diamond Grill, The Bentley, Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar and many more!

A portion of the proceeds from TOMG benefit the LRA Cenla Chapter’s annual LRA Education Foundation (LRAEF) goal. The LRAEF, in turn, will use monies raised to further promote the restaurant industry as a career choice through its restaurant management and culinary arts program, ProStart®, offered at Leesville High School and Natchitoches Central High School. It will also enhance the restaurant community through expanded educational and career opportunities, including the LRA Cenla Chapter Scholarship. The Children’s Miracle Network will also receive a portion of the proceeds.

Sponsors for the 2018 TOMG include: Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, Cleco, Jena Choctaw Pines Casino and Southwest Beverage Company.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased in advance at $25 for adults and $10 for children 10 years and younger. New this year: a limited amount of VIP tickets are available for $60 per person and include reserved seating and early admission at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.LRA.org or at the following locations in Alexandria:

Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 707 Second Street (cash and credit cards only)
Atwood’s Bakery, 1125 MacArthur Drive (cash only)
Critic’s Choice, 415 Murray Street and 5208 Rue Verdun (cash only)

At the door the night of the event, general admission tickets increase to $30 for adults and $15 for children.

Reserved VIP Tables are also available in advance for $400, which includes reserved seating for eight and early admittance at 6 p.m. and can be purchased online at www.LRA.org. For forms to reserve your table(s), be a sponsor and/or be a vendor, contact LRA Cenla Chapter Member Services Coordinator Angela Martin at amartin@lra.org or (318) 366-1326.

For other Alexandria Mardi Gras events, visit www.alexandriapinevillela.com/mardigras.

Note: Valid ID is required for alcohol purchase/possession/consumption. No outside food, beverages or ice chests allowed.

Rob King to serve as LRA Chair

1/5/2018

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is pleased to announce that Rob King, vice president of Pitt Grill Inc. in Lake Charles, will serve as the 2018 LRA Chair of its Board of Directors. Pitt Grill has three locations in Lake Charles, Sulphur and Alexandria. He also owns PG’s Diner in Lake Charles. King assumed this role with the start of the New Year.
In this capacity, King will serve as the ambassador of Louisiana’s world-renowned restaurant industry. He will travel the state attending chapter meetings and philanthropic events throughout the year and foster the engagement of one of the state’s largest business trade associations.

King is a second-generation restaurant owner; his parents, Bob and Jana King, acquired Pitt Grill in 1972. Since the age of five, King was a fixture in the restaurant.

“My job was to pick up [trash in] the parking lot and my payment was a waffle,” he remembered. “By the time I was 12, my first official job was a dishwasher.” King and his father continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the company together.

A LRA member for 23 years, King was elected to the LRA state board in 2008 and has chaired several committees. He was the Southwest Chapter President in 2009 and 2010.

“My restaurants mean a lot to me, both professionally and personally,” King continued. “They are my way of interacting with the community and being a positive force. My restaurants allow me to provide for my family and help others provide for theirs. My employees are a great source of knowledge—they teach me things every single day! They are a big part of our success.”

Pitt Grill is known across Southwest Louisiana as a family diner, serving comfort food to patrons from all walks of life, 24 hours a day. The company gives back, too, donating thousands of dollars to McNeese University’s charitable foundation to establish the Pitt Grill Business Scholarship. It is the King family’s hope that budding entrepreneurs can benefit and become successful business owners in the Lake Charles area.

“Rob’s experience with every facet of the restaurant industry, from busser to prep cook and now vice president, makes him a valuable asset. We look forward to him guiding the LRA this year,” said LRA President & CEO Stan Harris.

King is looking forward to his year as LRA Chair, sharing: “I would like to be a positive influence and foster communication on all levels of the association…and meet lots of interesting people along the way!”

LRA ANNOUNCES ITS 2018 CHAPTER LEADERSHIP

1/5/2018

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is proud to announce the presidents that will lead its membership in 2018. The LRA is comprised of chapters across the state, each representing a Major Metropolitan Area (MMA). Every year, the chapters’ board of directors elects a member in its ranks to serve as president. This year’s leaders, who volunteer their time and efforts at the highest level, are charged with localizing the overall LRA member experience and cultivating opportunities for growth within the association.

The 2018 LRA Chapter Presidents are:

Acadiana Chapter (MMA-Lafayette): Linda Arnaud, Senior Relationship Manager at Heartland Payment Systems in Arnaudville. Arnaud has been an LRA member since 2007 and has been an Acadiana Chapter board member for five years.
Bayou Chapter (MMA-Houma/Thibodaux): Linda Ayers, Owner/Manager of Ground Pat’i Restaurant in Houma. Ayers has been an LRA member since 2010; a Bayou Chapter board member since 2011. This is her second consecutive term as chapter president.
Cenla Chapter (MMA-Alexandria): Scott Laliberte, Director of Operations and Food & Beverage Manager of The Diamond Grill, The Mirror Room and The Bentley Room Restaurant in Alexandria. Laliberte has been an LRA member since 2010, and joined the Cenla board in 2013. This is his second term as chapter president.
Greater Baton Rouge Chapter: Kerrie Kikendall, Convention Services Manager at L’Auberge Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel. Kikendall has been an LRA member for five years and became a Greater Baton Rouge board member in 2015.
Greater New Orleans Chapter: Steve Trotter, Regional Vice President of Centerplate in New Orleans. Trotter has been a LRA member for eight years and a GNO Chapter board member since 2012.
Northeast Chapter (MMA-Monroe): Darrell Whaley, Above Store Leader of Taco Bell in West Monroe. He has been an LRA member for more than 30 years and he has been a Northeast board member since 2014. Whaley has also served on the LRA Board of Directors since 2015.
Northshore Chapter (MMA-Mandeville/Covington): Craig Smith, Multi-Unit Managing Partner of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers in Covington. He has been an LRA member for 20 years and has served on the Northshore board since 2012.
NorthwestChapter (MMA-Shreveport): Jason McKinney, Managing Partner of Texas Roadhouse in Bossier City. McKinney has been an LRA member since 2012 and has served on the Northwest board since 2012. This is his fourth consecutive term as chapter president.

“The LRA is only as strong as its volunteer leaders,” said LRA President & CEO Stan Harris. “This group of restaurateurs and foodservice professionals will do a great job representing their regions and the restaurant industry this year.”

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lra Recent News

Mardi Gras 2018: ATC Enforcement & Safety Tips

LRA Acadiana Chapter names 2017 chapter award winners

Boil Water Updates for Orleans and Jefferson Parishes

boil water advisory for west bank of orleans parish lifted
1/25/18

Boil Water Advisory For East Bank of Jefferson Parish Lifted
1/20/2018

Boil Water Advisory for East Bank of Orleans Parish Lifted, Except N.O. East
1/19/2018

UPdate: East Bank Jefferson Parish Boil Advisory/Low Pressure
1/18/2018

Thursday PM Update Re: Orleans Parish Water Pressure & Boil Water Advisory
1/18/2018

Louisiana Dept. of Health Lists Guidelines for Food Service Facilities Under Boil Advisory
1/18/2018

Jefferson Parish (East Bank) Now Under Boil Water Advisory
1/18/2018

Boil Water Advisory In Effect For East Bank of Orleans Parish
1/18/2018

How a Questionnaire Can Save You Money

It's Audit Time

"Taste of Mardi Gras" Returns Next Month

Rob King to serve as LRA Chair

LRA ANNOUNCES ITS 2018 CHAPTER LEADERSHIP

Archives

Categories

lra Recent News

boil water advisory for west bank of orleans parish lifted1/25/18

Boil Water Advisory For East Bank of Jefferson Parish Lifted1/20/2018

Boil Water Advisory for East Bank of Orleans Parish Lifted, Except N.O. East1/19/2018

UPdate: East Bank Jefferson Parish Boil Advisory/Low Pressure1/18/2018

Thursday PM Update Re: Orleans Parish Water Pressure & Boil Water Advisory 1/18/2018

Louisiana Dept. of Health Lists Guidelines for Food Service Facilities Under Boil Advisory 1/18/2018

Jefferson Parish (East Bank) Now Under Boil Water Advisory 1/18/2018

Boil Water Advisory In Effect For East Bank of Orleans Parish 1/18/2018

Archives

Categories

boil water advisory for west bank of orleans parish lifted
1/25/18

Boil Water Advisory For East Bank of Jefferson Parish Lifted
1/20/2018

Boil Water Advisory for East Bank of Orleans Parish Lifted, Except N.O. East
1/19/2018

UPdate: East Bank Jefferson Parish Boil Advisory/Low Pressure
1/18/2018

Thursday PM Update Re: Orleans Parish Water Pressure & Boil Water Advisory
1/18/2018

Louisiana Dept. of Health Lists Guidelines for Food Service Facilities Under Boil Advisory
1/18/2018

Jefferson Parish (East Bank) Now Under Boil Water Advisory
1/18/2018

Boil Water Advisory In Effect For East Bank of Orleans Parish
1/18/2018