Suspects sought in thefts from Uptown porches

The New Orleans Police Department has released photos of porch priracy throughout Uptown. Contact the Second District, 504-658-6020, with any information on the suspects below.

NOPD officers are searching for a suspect a package theft in the 3200 block of Upperline Street.
On Feb. 21 around 2 p.m., the pictured man reportedly stole the victim’s package from the front porch of her residence.
He may be driving a 2007 silver Chrysler PT Cruiser, bearing Louisiana license plate 593CHV.

VIP Ladies and Kids to hold second-line

The VIP Ladies and Kids Social Aid & Pleasure Club will hold its 2020 second-line on Sunday in the Central City, Lower Garden District, Garden District and Milan neighborhoods.

The theme is DENIM, for Deconstruction, Elevation, Naturalistic, Indigo, Motivation. The event flier names three brass bands: Big Six, Da Truth and Sporty’s.

Chess program at NORD centers aims to help kids build stronger brains

By Emily Carmichael, Uptown Messenger

Kendric J. Perkins opens an online chess games on his phone. One of students at Strategic Thoughts has just made a move, and now it is Perkins’ turn.

“This is Isiaih,” Perkins said. “He might get me this game.”

This is the kind of homework Perkins assigns his students at Strategic Thoughts, the challenge of playing their teacher in online game of chess.

On Monday (March 2), Strategic Thoughts will start a chess course in seven New Orleans Recreation Department locations.

Viewpoint: Is the coronavirus the next Katrina for New Orleans?

By Danae Columbus, opinion columnist

I am not a naysaying fatalist or someone who rushes to conclusions early. But last night I went to my neighborhood grocery store and picked up 10 cases of bottled water and placed it next to the five cases I bought the other day. I intend to get another 10 cases this weekend and begin stocking up on canned fruits and vegetables too.  And antiseptic cleaning supplies and cough medicine. Am I opening a bodega? No, I am preparing for what could be life-as-unusual if the coronavirus really hits New Orleans.

Where to recycle your Mardi Gras beads

If you went to even one parade this past Carnival season, you probably have a pile of beads in your house right now. Even if you didn’t, a bag of beads may be lurking in a closet or in the attic.

That means you’ve done your part to keep beads off the streets and out of the drainage system during the parades. Now is the time — unless you haven’t had enough of the glue gun and are planning an art project — to recycle the colorful strands that were so much fun to catch.