Crescent City Picayune 03-04-2026

Let the good tiles roll

River Ridge woman brings people together with

BY CELESTE TURNER

Contributing writer

Once reserved for home tables in tight-knit communities, mahjong has exploded in popularity across the U.S., expanding to public game nights in the New Orleans area, sparking a vibrant cross-generational pastime.

River Ridge resident Kaylee Rongey organizes and hosts mahjong game nights every Monday across the city, drawing about 50 players ages 21 to 75.

“What started as a fun way to gather friends around the table has turned into something bigger,” Rongey said. “I wanted to create a space that felt welcoming, where people could learn, play and connect.”

Rongey designed a Louisiana-themed Mardi Gras mahjong tile set, called “The Mambo Collection” from Mardijong.

“These tiles tell our story through Mardi Gras colors, local symbols, and favorites that people instantly recognize and connect with,” she said.

Should I get pet insurance?

Here are some things to consider when making that decision

I’ve been a senior pet parent for many years now, and we are at the stage where my dog needs specialists, such as an ophthalmologist for his glaucoma and a dermatologist for his skin issues.

The number one question I always get is, do I have pet insurance.

No, no, I don’t.

Why? Because this was not something I thought about or even knew existed 20 years ago when I got my first pet.

We adopted our current dog when he was already a senior and he came with his ailments, so I figured he would be uninsurable due to his pre-existing conditions.

I’m not saying pet insurance is not needed; it just didn’t work out timing-wise for me.

may reimburse a set percentage of the bill after the deductible is met.

Most plans cover accidents and illnesses, such as surgeries, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, medications, and sometimes prescription diets.

Some policies also include coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions, which can be especially helpful for certain breeds. Pet insurance typically requires a monthly premium. Plans vary widely, and coverage depends on the options selected.

Some policies offer add-ons for wellness care such as vaccinations, annual exams, flea and heartworm prevention and even dental cleanings. Others strictly cover emergencies and medical problems.

It’s also worth noting that some veterinary clinics offer their own in-house wellness plans. These aren’t insurance policies, but rather monthly payment programs that bundle routine services throughout the year at a reduced rate.

However for other new pet owners, you may want to consider the pros and cons of getting health insurance while your pets are young. How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurance is a lot like human health insurance, but with a few important differences.

At its core, it helps cover a portion of the cost of unexpected veterinary care for your dog or cat. Depending on the policy you choose, the company

Not all policies are created equal

There are many companies offering pet insurance, and each one structures its plans a little differently Differences may include:

n Annual or lifetime payout limits

n Deductible amounts (annual vs. per-incident)

River Ridge resident Kaylee Rongey organizes and hosts mahjong game nights on Mondays across the city

Harahan, Reginelli’s Pizzeria in Elmwood and Ye Olde College Inn in New Orleans.

“People come from all over New Orleans, River Ridge, St Rose and even from the northshore,” Rongey added. “A few guys join us each week, but it’s mostly women.” For holidays like Christmas and Mardi Gras, Rongey said attendance has climbed to more than 80 players.

“On Monday nights, we have 13 tables set up for play,” Rongey said. “But for the big holiday events, we have 21 tables and close to 100 people.”

A new resurgence

Originating in 19th-century China, mahjong is a four-player game of skill and luck using engraved, domino-like tiles. It became a global craze in the 1920s, spreading to the United States, and by the mid-20th century, it was especially popular in the American Jewish community

In 1937, a group of Jewish women in New York founded the National Mah Jongg League, standardizing the rules and creating the annual card system still used today

Now, a resurgence of interest is bringing new players to the table. And while the basics of mahjong are relatively easy to learn, mastering its scoring system and strategy can take years. For retired elementary school teacher and River Ridge resident Susan Boffone, who began playing just three months ago, the game demands skill and concentration. As a beginner she plays at the “newbie” table with friends on Monday nights.

“We have a group of friends who have known each other for over 50 years, and we started attending the Mardijong events,” Boffone said. “It is good for the brain because you have to

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New Orleans.

think. Plus, it gets you out of the house.”

For experienced players like Metairie resident Judy Lieberman, a fast game can take just 13 minutes with experienced players.

“I’ve probably been playing for about 23 years,” she said.

”My mother played in a regular group for years, as did my grandmother Eventually, she asked me to join them. They played very fast and for money I was intimidated at first. In hindsight, it was a great way to learn.”

American mahjong is similar

Another

most companies require

bill upfront and then submit a claim for reimbursement. While many insurers offer faster digital claims and direct deposit, you’ll still need to be prepared to cover the initial expense. Pre-existing conditions are almost never covered, which is why many pet owners choose to enroll their pets while they are young and healthy

Before selecting a plan, ask for recommendations, read customer

reviews and talk with your veterinarian about their experience with different providers. The fine print truly matters. Is pet insurance worth it? Whether pet insurance is “worth it” depends on your financial situation and comfort level with risk

Emergency veterinary care can easily run thousands of dollars.

A broken leg, foreign body surgery, cancer treatment or hospitalization for severe illness can create a significant and unexpected financial strain.

to gin rummy and is played with 152 tiles. Each player is dealt 13 tiles, placed upright on a rack alongside the National Mah Jongg League card. Players then take turns drawing and discarding tiles, attempting to complete one of the specific combinations listed on the card. The goal is to assemble a winning hand before your opponents. The first player to do so calls out, “mahjong.”

Lieberman stepped away from her mother’s group after she died in 2020, but has since returned to the table to play with her moth-

For many families, insurance offers peace of mind. It can make it easier to say “yes” to recommended treatment without hesitation. Another option is self-insuring. When you bring a new pet home, consider setting aside a dedicated amount each month in a savings account for pet-related expenses.

If your pet remains healthy, that fund becomes a cushion for future needs. If an emergency arises, you have money earmarked specifically for their care.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer The best choice is the one that allows you to provide the best possible care for your pet without putting your family in a financial bind and brings confidence rather than stress.

Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer manager for Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO), a nonprofit, volunteer-based, no-kill shelter. For more information on ARNO, visit www.animalrescueneworleans. org.

er’s friend, Maxine Goodman, 87, who has been playing mahjong since she was 16.

“When you first pick up your hand, it is the luck of the draw,” Goodman said. “But, the achievement of making a winning hand is just fun.”

Even after 71 years, Goodman still refers to the National Mah Jongg League card when building a hand, as the standardized card is updated annually with new combinations. In Goodman’s words, mahjong is “90% luck.”

“Lately, the popularity of the game has exploded. Women

and men of all ages, religions and nationalities are playing,” Lieberman said. With the clatter of mahjong tiles bridging generations, Mardijong Mondays provides a lively public space where games range from competitive showdowns to relaxed play Rongey advises players to register online in advance to reserve a seat.

“The tradition of mahjong with the culture of Louisiana is something special,” Rongey said. “People do not have to bring anything but their card. We play for fun.”

PET OF THE WEEK

I am almost 4 months old, and my dazzling long fur is a true show-stopper, yet my graceful personality is sure to win you over! My initial bashfulness quickly melts away after some doting pets and loving rubs. In no time at all, I happily make biscuits and purr to your heart’s delight. If your castle needs a queen-in-training, your search has come to an end. To learn more, email adoptionteam@ animalrescue neworleans.org

PROVIDED PHOTO

George Saunders’ novel ‘Virgil’ to be featured in series

BY JANE LEGROS Contributing writer

Carole Barnett Bourdreaux ’65 great writers series

Every year since 2021, the Carole Barnette Boudreaux ’65 Great Writers Series at Tulane University School of Liberal Arts has brought an internationally prominent writer to New Orleans for readings, lectures, events and panels. This year, the author is George Saunders.

Saunders will give a public talk focused on his new novel “Virgil” at 6 p.m. April 9 in the Lavin-Bernick Center’s Kendall Cram Ballroom.

Leading up to the talk, the library is delighted to partner with the School of Liberal Arts to explore Saunders’ writing with our community At 11 a.m. March

11, Tulane Professor Kate Baldwin will lead a reading and writing workshop at Latter Library called “One Page at a Time,” focusing on Saunders’ best-selling “A Swim in a Pond in The Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life.”

Participants will analyze Saunders’ work, closely followed by targeted writing prompts. Baldwin is a professor of English, communication, and gender and sexuality studies at Tulane who specializes in comparative literary and cultural histories. She is the author of the books ”Beyond the Color Line and the Iron Curtain: Reading Encounters between Black and Red” and “The Racial Imaginary of the Cold War Kitchen: From Sokol’niki Park to Chicago’s

South Side.” Visit nolalibrary.co/ george-saunders to learn more.

Author talk with Perry

Celebrated writer Michael Perry will visit the New Orleans Public Library via Zoom for a virtual author talkat 1 p.m March 4. The bestselling author will discuss his memoir “Population: 485” and his debut of fiction, “Jesus Cow.”

canines.

St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter asks for Mardi Gras cup donations to help dogs

Staff report

The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter is looking for donations of Mardi Gras cups. The shelter freezes water in the cups for use when dogs travel by plane to northern adoption partners, allowing the animals to stay hydrated during the flight Cups can be donated by dropping them off at the bench outside at 921 Deputy Jeff G. Watson Drive in Luling.

The St. Charles Parish Office of Animal Control serves as an animal shelter and adoption agency for homeless pets. All homeless pets that are behaviorally and medically sound can be adopted through local and national means. The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter is located at 921 Rue La Cannes in Luling. More information is available at (985) 783-5010 or www.stcharlesparish. gov/departments/animalcontrol.

Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, corporate speaker, volunteer firefighter/first responder, and amateur snowplow driver Visit nolalibrary.co/michael-perry to register for this event and submit questions for the author

Little Stompers series

The New Orleans Public Library is teaming up with Second Line Arts Collective to present Little Stompers,

a free six-week interactive music series at Algiers Regional Library 3014 Holiday Drive, starting at 10:15 a.m. March 7. Designed for children ages 1–5 and their caregivers, Little Stompers uses live music, movement, and storytelling to introduce families to the rhythms, songs and culture of New Orleans.

Families can register for 45-minute sessions grouped by age: Big Easy Rascals

(12–23 months) and Mardi Gras Mambos (3–5 years). Registration is required; visit nolalibrary.co/littlestompers to sign up.

French and Haitian Kreyòl

The library and Alliance Française are partnering to host free French and Haitian Kreyòl classes for children and teens at Algiers Regional Library, 3014 Holiday Drive.

New Orleans and Haiti have long shared deep

historical, linguistic and cultural ties. This program seeks to honor and reinvigorate those connections. It is open to children and teens ages 6-18 and includes lessons and light refreshments. Visit nolalibrary.co/kreyol for more information.

Jane LeGros is the director of marketing and communications for the New Orleans Public Library

JEFFERSON PARISH

ARCHBISHOP RUMMEL HIGH: The Rummel Fishing Club will host fried fish dinners Fridays in Lent through March 17

3-6 p.m. or until they run out Drive-thru only 1901 Severn Ave. in Metairie. www.rummelraiders.com.

DIVINE MERCY PARISH: KC Council 14822 will sell drivethru dinners at the church, 4337 Sal Lentini Parkway in Kenner, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 3-7 p.m. or until sold out Dinners are $15 a plate, which includes roasted Cajun potatoes and mixed vegetables. divinemercyparish.org.

MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

PARISH: The church at 600 First Ave. in Harvey will host Friday dinners through March 27, 4-8 p.m. Fish plates are $12, fish/shrimp combo plates are $13, and shrimp plates are $14. All plates come with fries, coleslaw, hush puppies. Dine-in or takeout available maryhelpofchristiansla.org

OUR LADY OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE: Dinners will be served at the church, 8617 W Metairie Ave. in Metairie, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 4-7 p.m. Fried fish plates are $10, crawfish pie plates are $12, and both include boiled corn and potatoes. Crawfish étouffée is $8. oldp.org.

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP: The church will host dinners on March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 3-6 p.m., at 1908 Short St in Kenner. The meal is $13 and includes fried fish, potatoes, corn, and other side dishes (as posted). Drive-thru pickup is available. www.olphla.net

ST. AGNES: The Men’s Club will host fish and shrimp dinners in the Marquette Activity Center at 3410 Jefferson Highway in Jefferson on March 13 and 27, 5 p.m. Plates are $15. Family bingo will be included on March 27. www.stagnesjefferson.org.

ST. ANGELA MERICI: Dinners will be held on March 13 and 27, from 5-8 p.m., in the gym at 901 Beverly Garden Drive in Metairie. Fish and shrimp plates with sides run $12-14. stangela.org.

ST. ANN CHURCH AND SHRINE: The KC Council 3465 will host dinners on March 6 and 20, 5:30 p.m., at 4940 Meadowdale St. in Metairie. Dine-in only. Plates are $12 and include fish, corn and potatoes. March 20 menu is TBD stannchurchandshrine.org

ST. BENILDE CHURCH: The church at 1901 Division St. in Metairie will host dinners on March 6 and 20. Fish or shrimp plates and combo plates are $14, Thai shrimp taco plates are $15. Also available for sale are seafood gumbo, cheese pizza, drinks and fries. All fried plates come with boiled potatoes and corn. stbenilde.org

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA: The Men’s Club will host dinner on March 6, and the Knights of Columbus will host dinners on March 13 and 20 at the cafeteria at 105 Bonnabel Blvd. in Metairie. All dinners are 5:30-7 p.m. Fish, shrimp or combo plates are $18 and up with sides. scschurch.com.

ST. CHRISTOPHER THE MARTYR: The Men’s Club will host drive-thru dinners March 6, 20 and 27, 6 p.m., at the church 3900 Derbigny St. in Metairie Gates open at 5:15 p.m. Fish or shrimp dinners are $14, and combo plates are $15 All dinners are served with corn, Cajun potatoes, salad and bread. stchristophermensclub.org/order.

ST. CLEMENT OF ROME: The church, 4317 Richland Ave, Metairie, will host dinner March 6, 5:30 p.m. Plates start at $14 and include fried catfish, shrimp, crawfish pasta and fish/shrimp combo plates. scrparish.org.

ST. CLETUS PARISH: The church will serve Lenten din-

ners on March 6, 13, 20, and 27 at St. Cletus KC Hall, 3600 Claire Ave., in Gretna. Oyster, shrimp and fish dinners and po-boys are available. stcletuschurch.com.

ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR: Dinner March 13, 5-7:30 p.m., at the church at 4921 W. Metairie Ave. in Metairie. Plates start at $14, and options include fish, shrimp or both with sides. STEAMevents.org.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER: The Knights of Columbus 8546 will offer dinner on March 13, 6:30-8 p.m., at the school, 444 Metairie Road in Metairie Adult fried fish plates are $15, and children’s plates are $10. Seafood gumbo is $10. church.stfrancisxavier.com.

ST. JOACHIM: The church will hold drive-thru dinners every Lenten Friday except Good Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., at 5505 Barataria Blvd. in Marrero. Fish plates are $10, shrimp plates are $12, and combo plates are $14. www. stjoachimmarrero.org.

ST. JOHN PAUL II CHURCH: The church at 6851 River Road in Waggaman will sell lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and dinner, 5-7 p.m., March 6, 13 and 27. Plates are $15 and are fried or blackened fish, shrimp and okra gumbo or shrimp and grits. jpiiwestbank.org.

ST. LOUIS KING OF FRANCE: The Men’s Club will host dine-in or drive-thru dinners March 6, 4:30-7:30 p.m., at the church at 1609 Carrollton Ave in Metairie. Catfish, shrimp or combo plates are $15. slkfchurch.com.

ST. MARY MAGDALEN: The church, 6425 W. Metairie Ave in Metairie, will hold drivethru dinners on March 6 and 27, 5:30-8 p.m. Fish, shrimp or combo plates are $15. Gumbo is sold separately. stmarymagdalenchurch.com.

ST. PHILIP NERI: The church, 500 Kawanee Ave. in Metairie, will hold dinner on March 13. Drive-thru is available 5-7:30 p.m. Dine-in is open 5-8 p.m.; early bird for ages 65 and older opens at 4:30 p.m. Adult plates are $15 adults children’s plates $7. March 13 is drive-thru only. spnparish.net. VISITATION OF OUR LADY: The church, 3520 Ames Blvd. in Marrero, will host dinners on all Fridays in Lent. Po-boys are $11-$12. Dinners run $13-$17. Children’s plates are $7. Additional dishes include French fries, potato salad, baked potatoes and other sides and desserts. vol.org.

CHRIST THE KING PARISH: The church will host fish fries in the cafeteria at 535 Deerfield Road in Terrytown, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 5-7:30 p.m. Fish, shrimp and combo plates start at $15. Fish or shrimp po-boys are $15. Additional sides include lo mein, French fries, drinks and desserts. https://christkingterrytown. com/upcoming-events HISPANIC APOSTOLATE: The church will offer dinners on March 6, 13, and 20 at 11 a.m., at 2525 Maine Ave. in Metairie. Fish or shrimp platters start at $15. Pre-orders can be placed by calling (504) 467-2550. www.apostoladohispano.org.

ORLEANS PARISH

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC: The church at 300 Ptolemy in Algiers will host dinners on Fridays during Lent starting Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. Plates include fried fish, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, vegetables, bread and dessert. allsaintschurchnola.org.

BLESSED FRANCIS SEELOS: The church, 3037 Dauphine St. in New Orleans, will serve fried catfish plates March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 5-7 p.m. The plates are $15 and include coleslaw, veggie, bread, dessert and drink. https://05e8pa.sites.ecatholic. com/.

BLESSED TRINITY: The church

will host fish dinners at 3900 Gen. Taylor St. in New Orleans, March 13 and 27. Plates are $13. blessedtrinitynola.org.

CENTER OF JESUS THE LORD: The center at Our Lady of Good Counsel will hold dinners on March 13, 20 and 27, 5-7:30 p.m., and March 6 at lunch. The plates are $15. Options include fried or blackened fish, hush puppies, boiled corn and potatoes or shrimp and okra gumbo, potato salad and bread. The center is located at 1325 Louisiana Ave. in New Orleans. www.centerofjesusthelord-nola.org.

FIRST 72+ FRIDAY FISH FRY: The First 72+, 2915 Perdido St. in New Orleans, will host a fish fry every Friday through April 3, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Each plate is $15 and includes fish, macaroni and cheese, sweet peas, potato salad, bread, cake and a cold drink. Both pre-orders and walk-ups accepted. Delivery is also available if five or more plates are purchased. www.first72plus. org/events.

MATER DOLOROSA: The Knights of Columbus will sell fish dinners at 1230 S. Carrollton Ave. in New Orleans on March 13 and 27, from 5-8 p.m. Plates are $15. mdolorosa.com.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE:

The Knights of Peter Claver Council No. 394 will hold dinners at the church in St. Jude Hall, 410 N. Bason St. in New Orleans, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 11 a.m. until sold out. Plates start at $10. judeshrine.com.

OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY: Dinners will be held at the church, 3368 Esplanade Ave., on March 6 and 13, 5:307:30 p.m. Plates are $12. www olr-nola.org.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI: Boy Scout Troop 55 will hold seafood dinners on March 13 and 27, 6-7 p.m., at the church, 631 State St. in New Orleans. Fish, shrimp and combo plates are $15. stfrancisuptown.com.

ST. JOSEPHINE BAKHITA: The church at 3501 N. Miro St. will hold dinners on March 6, 13 and 20, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Plates are $15 and available for pickup. Delivery is available on orders of 10 or more. Call orders in to the parish office at (504) 945-3186. sjbnola.org.

ST. MARIA GORETTI: The Knights of Columbus will host dinners on March 6, 20, and 27, from noon to 5 p.m., at the church, 7300 Crowder Blvd., in New Orleans. Plates of fried or baked fish are $15 and include macaroni and cheese, potato salad, vegetables, a roll and dessert. www.smgnola.com.

ST. MARTIN DE PORRES: The church at 2212 Prentiss Ave in New Orleans will hold dinners, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. or until sold out, March 6, 13, 20 and 27. Plates of fried

or baked fish are $15 and include macaroni and cheese, vegetables, salad (green or potato), dessert and a beverage. smdpnola.com.

ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE: The church, 6828 Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans, will hold dinners on March 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Plates are $12 and include fried fish, baked macaroni and cheese, potato salad, peas, dessert and a bottled beverage. www.stpaultheapostlechurch-nola.org.

ST. PETER CLAVER CHURCH: The Knights of Peter Claver Council 50 will sell fried fish dinners for parking lot pickup at the church, 1923 St. Philip St., March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 11 a.m.4 p.m. Plates are $15, and drinks are $1. Dinners include potato salad, mac and cheese and green beans. Venmo and CashApp are accepted.

CORPUS CHRISTI EPIPHANY: The church will offer Lenten dinners March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 5 p.m., at 2022 St. Bernard Ave. in New Orleans. Catfish plates are $15 and include baked macaroni, peas, potato salad, cake and a drink. Drivethru is available. Orders can be placed at (504)722-8794. www.ccecno.org

ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE: The Knights of Columbus Council 9107 will serve Lenten dinners March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 5 p.m., at the church, 3101 Eton St. in New Orleans. The menu includes fried fish,

shrimp, and combo plates, or a baked fish option for $14. Homemade desserts, side dishes, water and soft drinks are available for purchase.

https://standrewparish.net/

ST. DOMINIC PARISH: The church will hold a dinner at 6:30 p.m. March 20 in the school cafeteria at 775 Harrison Ave. in New Orleans. Adult fish plates are $15 and include macaroni and cheese and crawfish boil potatoes. Shrimp St. Dominic is $15. Kids’ fish plates are $10. Pizza, drinks and desserts are available for purchase. https://stdominicparish.com/

ST. RAYMOND & ST. LEO THE GREAT: The church will offer Fish Fry Fridays on March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Ginyard Hall, 1910 Paris Ave. in New Orleans. Fish plates are $15 and include macaroni and cheese, peas, potato salad and a drink.

https://srslchurch.com/

PLAQUEMINES PARISH

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL

HELP: The Knights of Columbus No. 6357 will sell fish or shrimp dinners at the church, 8968 La. 23 in Belle Chasse, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 5:30 –8 p.m. Each plate is $15 and includes fries, coleslaw and bread. Baked goods will also be available. olphbc.org.

ST. PATRICK CHURCH: The church at 28698 La. 23 in Port Sulphur will serve fish plates on Fridays during Lent, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. stpatrickportsulphur.com.

ST. BERNARD PARISH

ST. BERNARD: The church, 2805 Bayou Road in St. Bernard, will serve dinners on March 6, 13, 20 and 27. Dinners run $20-$28, with options including fried fish, fried shrimp, stuffed crab and a seafood platter. Sides, drinks and po-boys are also available. stbernard-stbla.com.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES: The church at 2621 Colonial Blvd. in Violet will host dinners on March 6, 13, 20 and 27. Fried fish, shrimp and combo platters are $15. Sides and desserts are available for purchase. Cash only. www olol-church.com.

ST. CHARLES PARISH

ASCENSION OF OUR LORD: The church at 1809 Greenwood Drive in LaPlace will hold fish dinners March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Plates are $13 and include

two large pieces of fish, fried or grilled, with Cajun-boiled corn and potatoes. Children’s plates are $10. (504) 388-2452. OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH: The church, 772 La. 44 in Reserve, will host lunches and dinners every Friday during Lent except Good Friday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Fried fish plates are $15. olgcommunity.com.

SACRED HEART OF JESUS CHURCH: The Knights

$20 at the door. scblittleredchurch.org.

ST. JOAN OF ARC: The church at 529 W. Fifth St. in Laplace will serve dinners March 6, 13, 20 and 27. Options include fish, shrimp, combo plates and crawfish

CAROUSEL GARDENS AMUSEMENT PARK: Carousel Gardens Amusement Park in City Park (7 Victory Ave., New Orleans) is open weekends through November from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Home to the historic “Flying Horses” wooden carousel, the park offers 17 rides and two cafés. Limited daily tickets (including Storyland) start at $13; kids under 36” enter free. Friends of City Park members get 20% off single-day tickets and $10 off individual season passes. https://neworleanscitypark. org/visit-city-park/carousel-gardens-amusement-park/. GROW TOGETHER FEST: Young Audiences of Louisiana (YALA) is hosting free family festivals celebrating creativity learning and community West Bank: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 14, Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts, 1429 Ames Blvd., Marrero. East bank: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 21, Young Audiences Charter School at Lawrence D. Crocker, 2301 Marengo St., New Orleans. Both events include energizers by YALA teaching artists, hands-on arts and literacy activities, community resource tables (education, health, financial and family services), demos, giveaways and food. Grow Together Fest is open to all; families may attend one or both. Free registration is open www.ya4la.org/events.

DEUTSCHES HAUS GATHERING: To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Deutsches Haus will host a traditional céilí (a gathering) on Bayou St. John on March 8, starting at 11 a.m., at 1700 Moss St. in New Orleans. The event will include a priest giving his blessing in Gaelic, the singing of “Amhrán na bhFiann” (“The Soldier’s Song”), bagpipers, dancers, singers and musicians. There will be authentic Irish food and the Deutsches Haus selection of beers. The opening ceremony kicks off at 12 noon. The event is kid- and dog-friendly and free to the public. https://deutscheshaus.org/.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

GIVE KIDS A SMILE DAY: DePaul Community Health Centers will provide free dental screenings and fluoride treatments for children 1–10 from 8 a.m.-noon March 7 at 3201 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans. Activities include games and a DJ. Registration required. www.depaulcommunityhealthcenters.org.

CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC: Registration is open for the LCMC Health Crescent City Classic, starting at 8 a.m. April 4 at the Caesars Superdome and finishing at City Park by NOMA. Registration is $70 for runners and walkers; no race-day signups. www.ccc10k.com.

SENIORS AWARE AND STANDING STRONG: Silence Broken, Inc. is offering a six-part series for people 60+ who experienced childhood trauma. The first session ran from 9:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. on Feb. 26 at St Luke’s United Methodist Church, 5875 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, focusing on fellowship, education, and practical tools for coping with the long-term effects. Admin@SilenceBrokenNow.org, (504) 261-5384

AGING WISELY: Be Well-Come Together offers free, interactive Tuesday seminars at 6:30 p.m. through April 21 for those entering the “Third Thirty” (age 60+). Sessions are at Faith Presbyterian Church, 2525 Apollo Ave., Harvey Info: bewellcometogether@gmail.com, (504) 268-2525.

CULTURE & CONCERTS

FRIENDS OF THE CABILDO CON-

CERT SERIES: Tickets are on sale for the 2025–26 concert season at the New Orleans Jazz Museum (400 Esplanade Ave.), held at 7 p.m. in the third-floor performance space Robin Barnes performs on March 13; the series runs into 2026. Tickets start at $30. friendsofthecabildo.org.

“TWO ELIZAS”: A solo performance by Jenny Mercein about Eliza Mercein Barry’s 1847 Supreme Court case — which secured a mother’s right to child custody — will run at 6 p.m. March 19–22 at the HermannGrima Historic House, 820 St. Louis St., New Orleans. Part of International Women’s Month. Tickets from $38.18 on Eventbrite. Recommended for ages 15+. hgghh.org.

TWILIGHT AT LONGUE VUE: The outdoor concert series returns to the grounds of the historic Metairie home on March 11 with Eight Dice Cloth, running every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. through April 29, except March 24, which is on a Tuesday. Tickets are $17 general admission, $10 for members. Season-long subscriptions are available. longuevue. com

LOYOLA PRESENTS: 56TH ANNUAL

JAZZ FESTIVAL: The music festival runs March 5–7 at Loyola University 6363 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans. Concerts are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nunemaker Auditorium, Monroe Hall: Jazz Underground with Charlie Halloran (ticketed); 4:30 p.m. Friday, Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall: faculty concert (free). 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Roussel Hall: Loyola Jazz Ensemble & Crescent Collective with Aubrey Logan (ticketed) Festival admission is $20. Details: www.loyno.edu/events/mar-052026_loyola-presents-56th-annualjazz-festival

FAITH IN HARMONY: A SHADES OF PRAISE CELEBRATION: The Shades of Praise Gospel Choir marks its 25th anniversary at 3 p.m. March 7 at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, 1901 Bartholomew St., New Orleans. Guests: Phillip Manuel and Connie Fitch. General admission: $5 on Eventbrite.https://shadesofpraise. org/ EVERYTHING I KNOW: MANDY GONZALEZ SINGS LIN-MANUEL MIRAN-

DA: The Broadway actress-singer will perform songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Matthew Kraemer at 8 p.m. March 14 at Lafon Arts Center–Shell Theatre, 275 Judge E. Dufresne Pkwy, Luling. Tickets start at $65. https://lpomusic.com/ events/mandy-gonzalez-lafon.

FUNDRAISERS/GALAS

STYLED FOR SUCCESS LUNCHEON: Tickets for the Dress for Success New Orleans fundraiser are $150 and up. The event, with a silent auction, is 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. March 6 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Ave. onecau.se/styledforsuccess.

HARMONY AT HERMANN-GRIMA:

Tickets are available for the gala on March 13 at the Hermann-Grima Historic House courtyard, 820 St.

Louis St., New Orleans. The evening honors music, culture and the preservation of Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses. Patron party: 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; main party: 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., with food, drinks, live music and a silent auction. Tickets from $150. hgghh.org/.

SOIREE DES ARTISTES: Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestras mark 31 years with a fundraiser on March 8 at Glynn and Cassandra Hyer’s home. A patron party from 6 p.m.–7 p.m. features Dr. Michael White; the gala runs 7 p.m.–9:30 p.m. with food and live music. Tickets begin at $50. gnoyo.org.

BUBBLES AND BUBBLY: Tickets are on sale for the New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter fundraiser 5 p.m.–8 p.m., March 29 in the Arbor Room at Popp Fountain, City Park (1 Palm Drive). There will be a silent auction, music, golf and more. Adult tickets start at $125; ages 13–18 are $25. nowcs.org/bubbles.

LARK IN THE PARK: The City Park Conservancy’s spring fundraiser to support maintenance of the park’s 1,300 acres will be held March 13 at Pan American Stadium, 194 Zachary Taylor Drive, New Orleans. A patron party starts at 7 p.m.; general admission is 8 p.m.–11 p.m. Tickets start at $135. https://neworleanscitypark.org/event/lark-in-the-park/. COCKTAILS FOR KIDSMART: Tickets are on sale for the 23rd annual KID smART fundraiser, March 19 at The Cannery, 3803 Toulouse St., New Orleans. Proceeds support programs in 12+ schools. A patron hour with live entertainment starts at 6 p.m.; the main event — art activities, games, a sparkle station — and silent and live auctions begin at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $125, with a Friends Under 40 discount available. kidsmart.org/cocktails-for-kidsmart.

MEETINGS

NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: The Vernon L. Landry Chapter 1398 of NARFE will hold its monthly meeting and luncheon at 11 a.m. March 11 in the Sicilian Room at Rocky and Carlo’s Restaurant & Bar, 613 W. St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette. Active and retired federal and postal employees wanting to learn how NARFE advocates for federal civil-

ian employees and annuitants are welcome. Pamela.e.mark1953@ gmail.com.

LEARNING BEFORE LUNCH: The March 12 program, “Louisiana America250,” will be presented by Robert Freeland, vice chair of the Louisiana America250 Commission, who will report on national and state AMERICA250 efforts and partner projects from museums, schools, universities, and historical and genealogy societies. He’ll highlight how his group is aligning AMERICA250 with the 2022 K–12 Louisiana Social Studies standards. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and pastries; the talk begins at 10 a.m. at UNO’s Homer L. Hitt Alumni Center, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans. Annual membership is $20; event donation is $5. www.learningbeforelunch.com

CLASSES

SEEDING IS BELIEVING: Registration is open through March 20 for the St. Tammany Master Gardener Association spring seminar, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., March 27 at the Castine Center, Pelican Park, 63350 Pelican Drive, Mandeville. Speakers include Damon Abdi, Colton Blankenship and Will Afton. Topics: tropical houseplants, cold-weather seed starting, roses, native landscaping, and making food/medicine from spring weeds — advanced registration required; tickets $25. www.stmastergardener. org/2026springseminar

CONFERENCES & CONVENTIONS

POWER UP: WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

CONFERENCE: Registration is open for the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s professional development conference, hosted with local women’s groups (Network Partners), 8 a.m.–5 p.m., March 13, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd. The event offers keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking, and a lunch keynote by executive coach and podcast host Michelle K. Johnston. Registration begins at $270. www.powerupnola. com.

PATTON: MAN OF WAR SYMPOSIUM: Register now for a two-day symposium on George S. Patton, where historians and experts will examine his life, military service, and postwar legacy. The event runs March 12–14 at The National WWII Museum and The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans. It begins at 4:30 p.m. on March 12 and ends at 8:30 p.m. on March 14. Prices start at $899. www nationalww2museum.org/pattonsymposium.

SUMMER CAMPS

CRESCENT CITY STAGE SUMMER THEATRE CAMP: Registration is open for Crescent City Stage’s two-week summer theatre camp for students entering grades 2–5. It runs 9 a.m.–3 p.m. July 27–Aug. 7 at CCS Studio, 6063 Magazine St., New Orleans. Campers learn theatre basics — games, movement, character work — and rehearse for a weekly live performance. Tuition: $450/ week or $800 for both weeks. Limited spots. www.crescentcitystage. com/summer-camp.

CRUSADER CAMP: Registration is open for Brother Martin High School’s summer camp (May 25–July 3) at 4401 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, for boys ages 6–12. Daily hours are 9 a.m.–3 p.m., with free morning care from 7:30 a.m. and paid aftercare from 3:30 p.m.–5 p.m. Weekly cost is $185 for weeks 1–6. Activities include academics, athletics, band, game master, outdoor adventures, robotics/STEM, theater, weekly field trips, and more. Specialty camps for baseball, basketball, soccer and tennis are also available; fees, dates and times vary. www.brothermartin.com/crusadercamp.

ST. JOHN THEATRE’S ANNUAL CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP: St. John Theatre’s children’s drama workshop runs May 26–June 5 (weekdays 9 a.m.–2 p.m.) at 115 W. Fourth St., Reserve. Open to children who have completed grades 1–6. Activities include rehearsals, crafts, and games, with performances of Disney’s Aladdin KIDS on at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on June 6. Cost: $100. Space is limited; re-registration required. www.stjohntheatre.com.

Retired colonel shares what he’s learned about Civil War in Metairie

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt Col.

James M Larkin will discuss “The Civil War in Metairie” at 7 p.m March 10 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. This event is free of charge and open to the public.

Col. Larkin’s talk will cover the Camp Parapet fortifications, which ran along what is now Causeway Boulevard, the gun emplacements on the 17th Street Canal, the military railroad that paralleled Metairie Road, and the Army Depot in Old Metairie that supported the defensive line for much of the war.

He will also discuss Confederate military units, such as the Jefferson Mounted Guard Cavalry and Jefferson Rifles that were recruited from Jefferson Parish and fought in all the major battles of the war The talk will also touch on the Contraband Camp, now occupied by Ochsner Hospital’s parking lot, and the neighboring Todd mansion on River Road that President Lincoln’s brother-in-law owned. The talk will also cover the tens of thousands of Union troops stationed in Metairie, and the raising of the first Black regiments, their torturous beginning under Union General John Phelps, resulting in his resignation, and their ultimate acceptance into the U.S. Army A number of these men would later form the nucleus of the famous Buffalo Soldiers.

Larkin grew up in Metairie and since 2010, after retiring, he has

to two items at a time. Items may be borrowed for three weeks with no renewals. Due to limited availability, holds or reservations cannot be made. Collections vary by branch, so borrowers must return items to the library where they were checked out. Patrons can find more Library of Things items by browsing in person and searching the library’s online catalog.

Book A Librarian

Slime Time

Children, teens and tweens are invited to make their own slime from 1 to 2 p.m. March 14 at the River Ridge Library 8825 Jefferson Highway This experiment allows kids to learn about the composition and chemistry of slime, therefore helping to build STEM skills.

Creative Connections

been poring through regimental histories, the Compendium of the War, soldier diaries and military maps at the National Archives to get a picture of the people and events that occurred in the New Orleans region during the conflict.

Library of Things

Patrons visiting the East Bank Regional Library will have the opportunity to explore the newly opened Library of Things gallery. The glassed-in room is visible immediately upon entering the building at 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

The Library of Things, or LoT for short, is a collection of non-traditional materials for checkout. It supports the sharing economy by enabling a com-

munity to share items they may only need occasionally, and contributes to sustainability efforts by reducing waste. The collection also offers an opportunity to “try before you buy.”

Similar to checking out a book, patrons can borrow objects such as sewing machines, telescopes, LEGO sets, ice cream makers, storytelling kits and a variety of board games. The collection also features specially curated STEAM kits that facilitate hands-on learning for children across the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Both regional libraries offer vinyl records and record players for checkout.

Residents of Jefferson Parish with an adult library card in good standing can borrow up

The Book a Librarian service allows patrons to reserve appointments with professional, skilled librarians for up to 1 hour of uninterrupted, personalized reference or technical assistance. Assistance is available from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday at both the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, and the West Bank Regional Library 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey For East Bank Regional Library, call (504) 838-1111 , for the West Bank Regional Library, call (504) 364-3720 to speak with a library staff member, or leave a message. You can also email your requests to EBR-Reference@jplibrary.net or WBR-Reference@jplibrary.net.

Genealogy

Gwen Kelley, a librarian who specializes in genealogy, will lead a series of classes at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. Wednesday’s session occurs at 2:30 p.m., covering “Newspapers and Obituaries” and how to access them. The next session, “Researching Cemetery Records,” is at 2:30 p.m. March 11.

Join staff and fellow patrons from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Mondays at the Belle Terre Library, 5550 Belle Terre Road, Marrero, for Creative Connections, an inclusive program for adults with developmental disabilities. Each session features engaging activities that encourage creativity, social interaction and lifelong learning. Participants will explore a variety of handson experiences, including arts and crafts, music movement, storytelling, games and sensoryfriendly projects. This program fosters community, independence and fun in a supportive environment. Caregivers are encouraged to participate

Astronomy

Barry Simon, president of the Pontchartrain Astronomy Society, will discuss “Stellar Size and Scale — a Look at the Distance and Size of Known Stars and Planets, at 7 p.m. March 4. Simon also serves as president of the astronomy society His presentation includes images of many popular astronomical objects.

Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library

MAKING IT WORK

University of New Orleans Engineering day welcomes 1,000 of New Orleans area middle and high school students

The University of New Orleans hosted its annual Engineering Day, welcoming more than 1,000 middle and high school students from the New Orleans area.

Students experienced a morning of hands-on activities in the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines, seeing what they could learn as they further their education. Activities included electricity demos, robotics, rockets and the university’s Baja vehicle, an off-road vehicle designed by students that can survive rough terrain and water.