Hoffman Triangle hosts Neighborhood Cares Day

Taylor Park in the Hoffman Triangle hosted a Neighborhood Cares Day on Saturday (April 22) that featured a job fair, tabling from public health workers and community organizations, neighborhood cleanup teams, and clothing and food giveaways. As a DJ played music, attendees browsed brand-new clothing that was donated to Thrive New Orleans, collected free rapid Covid tests from Resilience Force NOLA, and mingled. Free neighborhood events like Saturday’s offer services to residents and a chance to meet people working for the city as well as connect with neighbors and community services. The well-attended event was organized by the Mayor’s office of Neighborhood Engagement, in partnership with District B Councilwoman Lesli Harris, Rebuilding Together New Orleans, the Hoffman Triangle Neighborhood Association, Thrive New Orleans, the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, Resilience Force NOLA, and local businesses. 

College students Milahni and Rylie (students at Xavier and Loyola, respectively) were volunteering and tabling for For Us By Us Market, a farmer’s market that features Black vendors. “I heard about it from my nutrition professor,” said Milahni, while Rylie heard about the event on Instagram.

Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp offers new workshop on hip-hop

The 29th annual Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp will, for the first time, For the first time, offer classes in hip-hop. They will be taught by two of that industry’s most notable professionals: Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Adam “BlaqnMilD” Pigott and Grammy-winner rapper, producer and singer Darius “Deezle” Harrison. 

The jazz camp will take place June 19 through July 7 at Loyola University’s Communications and Music Complex, 6363 St. Charles Ave. Aspiring young musicians ages 10 through 21 are urged to apply now, said Jackie Harris, executive director of camp and the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Educational Foundation. Classes have traditionally been offered in woodwinds, brass, piano, electric and upright bass, drums, strings, vocals, large and small ensembles, big band, music theory, and swing and second-line dance.

Police blotter: Woman abducted in Fontainebleau; bullet strikes man on Claiborne

A shooting and a kidnapping were reported in Uptown neighborhoods over the weekend, according to the New Orleans Police Report. The kidnapping occurred early Sunday (April 23) in the Fontainebleau area. The victim, a 35-year-old woman, was giving a man a ride home at about 3:20 a.m.

When they arrived at Earhart Boulevard and Broadway, he took out a gun and demanded that she keep driving. She drove around the area until they reached South Carrollton Avenue and Walmsley Street, where she jumped out of the car. The kidnapper got out of the vehicle and fled on foot.

Viewpoint: It shouldn’t be so easy for Loyola to wrongfully punish a student

By Kloe Witt, guest columnist
It really sounded like a joke: “Student journalist gets punished for doing their job.” But it wasn’t a joke. It was real, and it was happening to me. I came to Loyola for the journalism program. Originally, I was just going to go to community college and then transfer to a less expensive university. It took a lot of convincing from a friend to even apply to a four-year university, much less Loyola.

Three teens arrested in string of armed robberies

A 17- and two 16-year-olds were arrested Wednesday (April 19) for two attempted armed robberies in the Uptown area and one armed robbery near City Park. The New Orleans Police Department determined the teens had gone on a robbery spree targeting women. In the first robbery, a 65-year-old woman was retrieving items out of her white 2004 BMW on the 1100 block of City Park Avenue when she was approached by two male teenagers, shortly after 10 a.m.
One was armed with a handgun and demanded her keys. She complied and the robbers fled in her vehicle, followed by a shiny blue Honda. Later that morning, at 11:30 a.m., a 53-year-old woman was approached on the 1300 block of Octavia Street by two male teens.

Viewpoint: Citizens weigh in on picking a police chief

The International Association of Chiefs of Police has been conducting meetings across New Orleans this week to receive public comment on what citizens want to see in their next police Chief. NOLA Messenger queried more than a dozen residents to get their ideas of what attributes and policy directives are most important. The responses were wide-ranging and touched on many areas. 

“We need a Police Chief who is committed and laser focused on New Orleans with a clear vision of what is needed. He or she also must to be able to express that vision and get the job done,” said Irma Muse Dixon, former chair of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. 

“Citizens have a strong desire for a police chief who represents change. A leader who is forward thinking and open minded when it comes to evolving within the current state of policing in society.

Neutral Ground exiled after 40 years on Danneel Street

New Orleans’ oldest coffeehouse and longest running open mic night is looking for a new location. After more than 40 years on Danneel Street, the building has been sold to new owners and the Neutral Ground Coffee House has lost its lease. At the end of April, the coffeehouse and entertainment venue will be without a home. The owners of the nonprofit will continue their Sunday open mic night with the help of NOLA Spaces on Toledano Street near St. Charles Avenue but are actively looking for a new building.