Masks, gloves and good will: Volunteering during a pandemic

To the untrained eye, it looks like organized chaos. The lunchroom in Booker T. Washington High School, once filled with students, is now populated with HandsOn New Orleans volunteers in constant motion — packing meals into plastic bags, that are placed into boxes, which when filled are placed into cars to go to low-income housebound seniors and people who have medical disabilities. I became a part of that scene seven weeks ago when I signed up to volunteer with the organization. Like many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, I had time on my hands and knew this would be a productive way to help the community. It also got me out of the house and into a social setting with people.

Audubon begins phased reopening with The Fly and tennis courts

 

From the Audubon Institute

Per state and city public health directives, Audubon has received approval to move forward with reopening its family of parks and museums following a phased approach that strictly limits attendance and programming. Audubon Riverview Park, or The Fly, will reopen on Saturday (May 16) to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Vehicular traffic will not be allowed. Audubon Tennis will reopen Wednesday (May 20) with a limited schedule and appropriate social distancing measures. Audubon Golf Course will remain closed at this time, and more information on plans for its reopening will be announced soon.

Viewpoint: Magazine Street businesses prepare to reopen amid new protocols

Resilient Magazine Street merchants like Juliet Hainkel Holton and Desiree Petitbon are making final preparations for reopening their two shuttered shops on Saturday (May 15). The co-owners of the trendy boutiques Basics Underneath and Basics Swim & Gym, 5513-15 Magazine St., Holton and Petitbon were inspired to tiptoe into retail 21 years ago after a fateful trip to France. They realized a customer base existed Uptown for properly fitted foundation garments that are popular during the Mardi Gras season as well as for weddings and other special events throughout the year. What began as a fun little sideline blossomed into their main job. Through hard work and dedication, the two single moms steadily built a successful business that brought in more than $1 million annually until COVID-19.

Person of interest sought in homicide on Loyola near Delachaise

The New Orleans Police Department is seeking to speak with a person of interest in the investigation of the shooting death of Brad Martin, 42, on April 21 in the 3600 block of Loyola Avenue. Lionel “Eric” Lotts, 36, is not wanted for arrested in this investigation. However, NOPD Homicide Unit detectives believe Lotts has knowledge of information vital to the investigation and wish to question him. Sixth District officers responding to a call of reporting shots fired on Loyola near Delachaise Street discovered Martin suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

Man shot in the wrist early Monday in the Irish Channel

A man was shot in the wrist early Monday in the Irish Channel neighborhood, the New Orleans Police Department reported. The 26-year-old victim was in the 2300 block of Annunciation just before 4 a.m. when he heard gunshots, the police report says. He then saw he was hit in the wrist by a bullet. The Emergency Medical Service took him to a local hospital for treatment. The shooting was first reported by the NOPD in an email sent at 4:45 a.m. as occurring in the 600 block of Second Street.