NEW ORLEANS, October 28, 2005 – Gambit Weekly, New Orleans’ award winning alternative newsweekly, will return to the Crescent City’s streets with its “comeback” issue of Nov. 1. As per custom, the free, independently owned weekly will begin circulating on Sunday, Oct. 30, and be fully distributed by Monday afternoon — thereby resuming the local tradition of “red beans, rice and Gambit Weekly” on Mondays.
“We are proud to bring back an important part of New Orleans,” says publisher Margo DuBos, who has guided the paper since 1987. “Like many of our readers and advertisers, we suffered enormous setbacks with the flooding of our Mid-City offices and the evacuations of our staff, but, thankfully, all of our employees are well and Gambit Weekly is now back on its feet. While we faced many obstacles as we worked to get back in print, we are buoyed by the tremendous response that we have received from readers and advertisers upon hearing that Gambit Weekly has resumed publication. We are more confident than ever that New Orleans is on its way back — and that Gambit Weekly will play a part in that recovery.”
The paper’s first issue since Hurricane Katrina presents as its cover story the first installment of a three-part series, “The Road Back.” Titled, “Finding Faith,” the story showcases opinions from dozens of local artists, business and civic leaders, and opinion-makers from all walks regarding the city’s priorities after Katrina.
In its editorial, titled, “By Our Own Bootstraps,” the paper praises New Orleanians who have already begun rebuilding. It also cautions elected officials: “This is a time of tremendous challenge — and virtually unlimited opportunity. Let’s not squander it.”
Hurricane Katrina has changed New Orleans forever, and some changes likewise have occurred at Gambit Weekly. The paper’s long-time editor, Michael Tisserand, and several other veteran staff members have decided not to return to New Orleans in the wake of Katrina. Gambit Communications Inc. chairman and political columnist Clancy DuBos, who has served twice before as the paper’s editor, has resumed editorial leadership responsibilities once again.
“I think it’s significant that Gambit Weekly is back — and particularly that it’s back on All Saints’ Day, an important and revered holiday in New Orleans,” says Clancy DuBos. “I can’t think of a better day to bring back a beloved New Orleans institution than on one of its favorite holidays.”
DuBos noted that most of the Gambit Weekly hallmarks have returned. Readers’ favorite columnists — Blake Pontchartrain, Ronnie Virgets and Andrei Codrescu — are all in the Nov. 1 issue, along with columns from regular contributors. The paper also features its usual showcase of features, listings and recommendations for enjoying all that New Orleans has to offer.
While celebrating the return of their paper, Margo and Clancy DuBos also acknowledged the generosity of alternative newsweeklies across the country, many of which sent financial contributions to assist Gambit Weekly staffers in the wake of Katrina. “We are grateful beyond words for the outpouring of offers and assistance that our employees and our company received as a result of this catastrophe,” says Margo DuBos. “The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, its staff and member papers will always have a special place in our hearts, and for the rest of our lives we will owe them a great debt of gratitude. We could not have come back without them.”
Gambit Weekly, now celebrating 25 years in print, will be distributed free at more than 160 local retailers and restaurants in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes. The paper’s Web site, www.bestofneworleans.com, also resumes publication Nov. 1.
While the paper’s home on Bienville Street in New Orleans is being gutted and restored, the company has established a temporary home in Metairie — at 2800 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 320. The paper also has a new telephone number: (504) 831-2307.
For more information, contact Margo DuBos at (225) 405-8578.
