The Uptown neighborhood no one knew about, revealed by author and ‘river rat’ Macon Fry

Macon Fry sat on his deck on a spring afternoon, above the swirling waters of the Mississippi River. Fry is weathered, composed and about to share an amusing find stumbled upon while researching his book — but he’s interrupted by a goat. Actually, two. Both goats have the run of the front porch and plank bridge that leads from the levee, over the water, to his front door. The goats begged for a snack, which Fry attended to.

Maple Leaf holding benefit concert and blood drive for shooting victim

The Maple Leaf Bar, 8316 Oak St., is holding a benefit concert and blood drive Saturday (May 28) in support of Joe Cooper, who was shot four times while protecting his wife and his home in Gentilly. The Emergency Medical Service gave him a blood transfusion on the way to University Medical Center, which helped to save his life. Cooper was shot twice in the lungs, and a bullet lacerated his liver. He is expected to have surgery today (May 26), his wife, WWOZ deejay Leslie Cooper, said in a Facebook post. The show will kick off at high noon and will feature Funk Monkey, 101 Runners, Russell Batiste and Friends, Papa Mali Trio, Erica Falls, CR Gruver, Jake Eckert, Leo Nocentelli, Brad Walker and Andre Bohren.

City Council approves compromise allowing new Magazine Street building

The City Council backed a plan to approve a controversial new building on Magazine Street in the Irish Channel while requiring further design changes to the three-story mixed-use building. The Historic District Landmarks Commission had gave the project its conceptual approval in April. The Garden District Association then filed an appeal asking the City Council to overturn the HDLC’s decision. In the appeal, Garden District Association President Frank Tessier quotes liberally from the HDLC’s guidelines for new construction, pointing out requirements — such as aligning balconies, roof ridges and other elements with adjacent buildings — that he states were not followed by the commission when it approved the design for 2230 Magazine. The appeal states the building is too large for the site, despite guidelines that require compatibility in size and massing.

Saturday is Cleanup Day across Uptown, and volunteers are needed

Saturday (May 21) is Cleanup Day across Uptown neighborhoods in Council District B.

The District B Cleanup Day, organized by Councilmember Lesli Harris’ office, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and depends on volunteer efforts by neighborhood residents. According to the District B office, Cleanup Day as part of an ongoing effort to improve the quality of life and public safety for District B residents and businesses. “I truly believe a clean city is a safer city, so this is an important effort for all of us to take on,” Harris said, inviting residents to join her in volunteering this Saturday. Thirteen neighborhoods across the Uptown will serve as hosts, each with a designated meeting point (listed below) and a walking route where volunteers will collect trash. Harris’ office will provide gloves, trash bags and masks to each of the locations, and volunteers are encouraged to bring their own materials, including rakes.

Viewpoint: It’s time to put that mask on again

Those readers who know me personally understand that I am very involved in the Greek Festival, which is returning Memorial Day weekend after a two-year hiatus. During a visit to the Greek church earlier this week, the festival’s long-time operations director, who comes in from Texas, said, “I see you are wearing a mask again,” to which I replied: “I never stopped wearing a mask.”