City hosting bike network planning workshops this week

The city of New Orleans will present a series of “open house” neighborhood workshops to engage residents in each district about the upcoming plan to expand and improve the City’s bike network. Meetings for Districts A & B take place this week.

The City is working in collaboration with the Department of Public Works, the City Planning Commission, and community partners on this project, known as Moving New Orleans Bikes.

Photos: Festival fills Freret Street

The annual Freret Street festival drew a large crowd on Saturday, April 6, packing the street from curb to curb between Napoleon Avenue and Soniat Street. Performers included Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Debauche, J & the Causeways, Little Freddie King, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers and more.

Unity-1 Salon gets $10,000 donation to help rebuild

The Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show came to New Orleans last weekend, and it didn’t leave without supporting a local shop after tragedy. According to reports, the show director James Bronner and CEO of Kalaidescope Hair, Jesseca Dupart, raised $10,000 for Unity-1 Beauty Supply and Hair Salon.

The Broadmoor shop was the site of a car crash and three-alarm fire on March 20 which caused several fatalities, injuries and extensive property damage.

Tree planting and rain-barrel painting among the activities at Hoffman Triangle event

Hoffman Triangle residents are invited to come out to Taylor Park on Saturday, April 6, from noon to 2 p.m. for a family-friendly event to learn about ways they can reduce flooding by planting trees, installing rain barrels and reducing paving.

“Many neighborhoods in New Orleans, including the Hoffman Triangle, are vulnerable to repeated flooding,” said Dana Eness, executive director of the Urban Conservancy.

Morphy Chess Center opens tonight

There has long been a strong chess culture in New Orleans, and soon it will have a hub: the Morphy Chess and Cultural Center at 3714 B Earhart Blvd.

The grand opening for the Morthy Chess and Culture Center is Friday, April 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. This nonprofit center will be a hub for chess, chess games, chess camps and chess lessons.

City suspends parking restrictions, barricades streets as severe weather moves through area

Heavy rain and storms, some which may be severe, are forecast to continue to move through the New Orleans area today. The cty of New Orleans urges residents to stay weather-aware during storms.

The National Weather Service issued an Areal Flood Advisory on Thursday in effect until 7 p.m., including parts of Orleans Parish. An Areal Flood Watch is also in effect for the entire parish until midnight tonight.