Woman reportedly raped at gunpoint in the Milan neighborhood

A woman was raped at gunpoint Monday morning after being forced from a Peniston Street sidewalk into an empty building, authorities said. The 18-year-old woman was leaving her boyfriend’s apartment in the early hours of Jan. 7 on the 2600 block of Peniston Street, said Sgt. Ernie Crayton, in charge of persons crimes in the NOPD Second District. As she walked down the street she was approached from behind by a male with a gun who forced her to an abandoned residence on the block and sexually assaulted her, said Crayton.

Progressives to discuss mental-health policies at monthly community breakfast

The Gillespie Memorial Community Breakfast series will present a discussion of “Uncharitable Behavior: The Dismantling of Louisiana’s Charity Hospital and Public Mental Health Safety Net” on Saturday (Jan. 12). For more information see the following announcement:

THE GILLESPIE MEMORIAL COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
Presents: Uncharitable Behavior: The Dismantling of Louisiana’s Charity Hospital and Public Mental Health Safety Net
K. Brad Ott
Advocates for Louisiana Public Healthcare

SATURDAY JANUARY 12, 2013
10:00am to 12:00pm
First Unitarian Universalist Church
5212 South Claiborne Av. New Orleans
(Enter via posted signs at Soniat and South Claiborne)

Coffee, juice and light breakfast pastries
10:00am – Progressive social justice community networking
11:00am – Keynote presentation
$3.00 suggested donation
For more information, contact admin@thecommunitybreakfast.org. Held every second Saturday of each month, the Gillespie Memorial Community
Breakfast has been a project of the First Unitarian Universalist Church Social Justice
Committee since May 1983.

Norwegian Church concert features sax and tuba duo

Herskadal and Neset, a saxophone and tuba duo, will play Norwegian folk tunes and more during the lunchtime concert at The Norwegian Church in New Orleans today (Wednesday, Jan. 9). For more information see the following press release:

Who is Herskadal & Neset? A saxophone/tuba duo seems like an unlikely pairing, but both players share such a formidable musical gift that the result is an unique and emotionally expressive range of sounds – sometimes plaintive and melancholy, sometimes humorous and playful, but always lyrical and moving. They have created an unique sound through playing and touring.

Freret Market kicks off 2013 season this weekend

The Freret Market will feature 90 local vendors selling food, produce, art, jewelry and gifts on Saturday (Jan. 5). For more information see the following press release:

SATURDAY JANUARY 5TH
CORNER OF FRERET AND NAPOLEON
NEW ORLEANS
NOON TO 5PM
FRERET MARKET
WWW.FRERETMARKET.COM

90 Local Vendors with food, produce, art, jewelry, gifts and collectibles

Pet Adoptions by Zeus’ Place

Free Live music by
Louisiana Hellbenders at Noon
Riccardo Crespo and Sol Brasil at 1:45
Gypsy Elise at 3:30

Zeitgeist hosts anarchists from around the country

The anarchist approach to spirituality, Tolstoy, poster design, prison policy, hurricane response and numerous other topics will be discussed at the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Center on O.C. Haley Boulevard this weekend as the North American Anarchist Studies Network holds its fourth annual conference in New Orleans. For more information see the following press release:

New Orleans to host 4th Annual North American Anarchist Studies Network Conference, January 4-6, 2013

The North American Anarchist Studies Network apparently doesn’t know any better than to schedule its blockbuster fourth annual conference in NEW ORLEANS, recently voted “North America’s Most Distracting City” by readers of Actuary Magazine. Hundreds or perhaps millions of students, academics, independent scholars, and activists who have in common an intellectual interest in anarchism will descend on scenic Central City, centered in & around the Zeitgeist Multi-disciplinary Arts Center at 1618 OC Haley Blvd, for a dazzlingly wide range of activities & programming ranging from from dissertations to dessert stations. The lineup of conference presentations and lectures can be seen at http://naasn12.org/presentations-lectures/ but there’s also going to be a big Friday night to-do, beginning with an opening 6pm plenary discussing anarchism through New Orleans history ( Reclus! Dejacque!

Philly cheesesteak shop among next openings on Freret Street

A Philly cheesesteak shop slated for the tiny hot dog stand that grew into Dat Dog across the street is among the next new wave of businesses opening on and around Freret Street in the coming year. Michael Casey’s dream of opening a Philadelphia cheesesteak shop is now well underway. “Over the course of the year it went from, ‘Can we do this?’ to, ‘Why aren’t we doing this?’” Casey said. Casey, along with friend and business partner Joseph Seremet, will open Liberty Cheesesteak in Dat Dog’s former location at 5031 Freret St.

Maple Leaf Bar celebrates end of Mayan calendar Friday with Galactic Alignment block party

The Maple Leaf Bar will mark the end of the current era of the Mayan calendar Friday (Dec. 21) with a block party featuring the Galactic Alignment Band and New Orleans FUNK Allstars. For more information see the following press release:

The Galactic Alignment is less than 10 days away! The impending Mayan Apocalypse has incited mass hysteria worldwide, especially in France, Russia and China– but there is no need to panic. On December 21st, 2012, the date of the Winter Solstice, the Mayan calendar cycle, 13th b’ak’tun, will come to an end.

Police after auto burglary: Don’t leave valuables in the car

After a smash-and-grab auto burglary at an Uptown home was caught on security video last week, police are reminding New Orleans residents not only keep their cars locked, but their valuables out of sight. Second District Commander Paul Noel showed the video of the car burglary to his officers at the district’s weekly internal meeting Wednesday and urged officers to take the crime-prevention message to residents during the holidays. Noel encouraged the public to bring valuables into their homes, rather than leaving them in plain sight in their cars. “If you don’t want criminals in your neighborhood, lock your stuff up,” Noel said. The burglary took place Dec.

Community production of The Nutcracker Suite runs twice Sunday at Tulane

More than 200 students from the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and the New Orleans Ballet Association Center for Dance will perform The Nutcracker Suite twice on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 16) at Tulane University. For more information see the following press release:

NORDC/NOBA Center For Dance Students in Holiday Performances
More than 200 youth and 20 senior citizens of NOBA’s nationally award-winning dance training programs featured in community production of The Nutcracker Suite

On Sunday, December 16 at 3pm and 6pm, the NORDC/NOBA Center For Dance invites the community to two performances of The Nutcracker Suite at Dixon Hall, Tulane University. The production features participants of the NORDC/NOBA Center For Dance’s programs for youth and senior citizens along with students of NOBA’s free, after school partnership programs with Wilson Charter School (Orleans Parish) and St. Jerome Church (Jefferson Parish).

Prytania Theatre presents kids’ holiday movies at daylong family event

A white Christmas is planned this weekend at the Prytania Theatre, with family movies on the big screen, hot chocolate and cookies and crafts activities for kids at an all-day holiday event Saturday (Dec. 15). For more information see the following press release:

The Prytania Theatre will continue its unique programming by inviting everyone to come partake in some Holiday fun! The day will begin at 9:30 am with Hot Chocolate, Cookies and Milk. Followed by Holiday Crafts for the Kids.