| BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer |
Draining the city: The Legislature appears well on its way to approving a measure to consolidate the city's drainage system under the Sewerage & Water Board. One big question, Ben Myers writes, is how much the City Council is going to have to fork over to the utility to pay for the additional work. Rising like the river: An ambitious makeover of a section of the New Orleans riverfront will begin this summer. But, Stephanie Riegel tells us, the estimated cost has ballooned. Essence lineup: The Essence Festival lineup has added some star power. Music writer Keith Spera has the details. Holiday weekend: It’s Memorial Day weekend and there’s a lot going on across the metro area, Victor Andrews reports. Going Greek: It’s also Greek Festival weekend. Dancing and food. Lots of food, Ian McNulty reports. Hmmm, baklava. ‘The healing never ends.’ A retired Army sergeant recently received a free home in Pearl River. Ryan Major, who lost both of his legs after a bomb blast in Iraq, says the new home built by volunteers during a marathon session in April, is a “dream come true.” Like the Lunch Line? Sign up here. Want to subscribe to The Times-Picayune? Boom! Here ya go. Thanks for reading, friends. Go be great today. Bob | 