Crescent City Picayune 04-01-2026

9th Ward community garden fighting food deserts

Couple leads growth of produce, access across south Louisiana

BY CHELSEA SHANNON Staff writer

In

But

“We

“I was used to being able to walk to the grocery store, I even had a farmers market I could walk to in Los Angeles. So I was like, OK, if it’s not something I can get, maybe it’s something I can make happen.”

ASHLEY WEBB Barcelo Gardens co-founder

not something I can get, maybe it’s something I can make happen.”

After years of hard work, they have built a thriving community garden called Barcelo Gardens, and the couple has also recently taken over organizing the Lafreniere Park Farmers Arts Market after the previous director

The idea of surprising the kids with a fluffy bunny can feel like the perfect Easter gift. They’re adorable, soft and seem like a fun addition to the family But bringing home a rabbit is a decision that deserves much more

thought than a trip to the store.

Rabbits are often misunderstood as “easy” pets, when in reality, they require significant care, time and long-term commitment. Many families don’t understand this until after the holiday has passed and the novelty has worn off.

That’s when shelters begin to

see an unfortunate trend.

In the weeks following Easter, many of these “gift” rabbits are surrendered to shelters or, worse, released outdoors. Domesticated rabbits are not equipped to survive in the wild. They rely on humans for food, shelter and protection, and releasing them is almost always a death sentence.

Rabbits are also not ideal pets for young children. While they may look like the perfect cuddly companion, they are fragile animals that can be easily injured if handled improperly They can also scratch or bite when frightened, which makes supervision essential.

Another common misconception is that rabbits can live in a

FARMERS MARKETS AROUND

Farmers markets help connect people to nearby farms that sell fresh produce, meats, dairy, and more. Here is a list of current farmers markets in the metro area.

JEFFERSON PARISH

LAUGHING BUDDHA LOCAL FOODS

MARKET: The market is open 10

a.m-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at 4516 Clearview Parkway in Metairie. www.laughingbuddhanursery com/shop-our-online-cart

OLD METAIRIE FARMERS ART

MARKET: The market is open

2:30-6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Bayou Metairie Park, 2713 Metairie Road in Metairie. www.visitjeffersonparish.com/things-to-do/shopping/ farmers-and-seafood-markets/ WESTWEGO FISHERIES & FARMERS MARKET: The market is held 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on a bimonthly basis, with updated dates on Facebook, at 484 Sala Ave. in Westwego www.facebook.com/ profile.php?id=100075979938725

LAFRENIERE PARK FARMERS ART MARKET: The market is open 1-6 p.m. on Wednesdays at 3000 Downs Blvd. in Metairie. www facebook.com/p/Lafreniere-ParkFarmers-Arts-Market

GRETNA FARMERS MARKET: The market, 739 3rd St., between 3rd and 4th streets along Huey P. Long Avenue in Gretna, is open 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Saturday (except Gretna Heritage Festival).

HARAHAN FARMERS MARKET: The market is held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sundays at Zeringue Park, 501 Oak Ave. in Harahan, at Wilson and Hickory. www.facebook.com/ HarahanMarket/

TERRYTOWN FARMERS MARKET: The market at Terrytown Country Club parking lot and ballroom, 1785 Carol Sue Ave. in Terrytown, is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on first and third Sundays, except for holiday weekends. www.facebook com/p/Terrytown-FarmersMarket

ORLEANS PARISH

TUESDAY FARMERS MARKET: Crescent City Farmers Market is open 8 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays at The Batture, 25 Walnut St. in New Orleans. www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org/uptown-tuesdaymarket

THURSDAY MARKET: Crescent City Farmers Market at Lafitte Greenway 500 N. Norman C. Francis Parkway in New Orleans at the Bayou is open 3-7 p.m. on Thursdays. www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org/mid-citythursday-market

VIETNAMESE FARMERS MARKET: The market is open 5:30-9 a.m. Saturdays at 14401 Alcee Fortier Blvd. in New Orleans East. www. gogreennola.org/farmersmarkets/

BARCELO GARDENS FRESH MARKET: The market holds a pop-up market at Barcelo Gardens, 2301 Gallier St., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, with a gardening class starting at 11 a.m. Barcelo Gardens Fresh Market is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday-Thursday at 3440 Piety St. in New Orleans. www.facebook.com/BarceloGardens/ COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET: The market is open every Saturday in the parking lot of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2624 Burgundy St. in New Orleans. October-May hours are noon-4 p.m. June-September hours are 5-8 p.m. https:// faubourgmarigny.org/FarmersMarket SUNDAY MARKET: Crescent City Farmers Market in City Park is open 8 a.m.-noon on Sundays in the parking lot at City Putt, 33 Dreyfous Drive. www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org/our-markets/city-park-Sunday

GARDEN

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stepped down for medical reasons.

At Barcelo Gardens, they hold classes to teach others how to grow their own plants, and there are also chicken and duck coops.

They opened Barcelo Gardens Fresh Market in 2023 at 3340 Piety St. to connect their neighbors with fresh produce from their garden and other farms in the area.

They also make appearances at other farmers markets as far away as Napoleonville, where she and her husband are also trying to build a market to help take away the town’s food desert” status.

Webb’s commitment to the community is why the New Orleans chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier chose her as an honoree and grant recipient for its 2026 Leading from the Heart awards.

“You don’t always know where life is going to take you, but have faith it is taking you somewhere meaningful,” Webb said when she accepted the award at the breakfast ceremony on March 18

Opening Barcelo Gardens was not part of her family’s plan, but she hopes that, in doing so, she can help people be healthier and appreciate what they eat more.

“I feel like people have lost, like, where food comes from I think they’re very removed from it. And I think people don’t really think about what it takes to grow food,” she said. “I think having garden space — especially since we do classes shows people, this is what it looks like before it’s picked, this is how food grows, and it shows them the process, so that they have more appreciation for that.”

Learning a thing or two

The free garden classes at Barcelo Gardens are at 11 a.m Saturdays and reflect the seasonality of plants that grow in Louisiana, covering topics ranging from starting with seeds, grafting trees, and using herbs to make mocktails.

Paul Betz joined the Barcelo Gardens team in 2021 after Hurricane Ida and is no stranger to educating people about gardening, as he used to teach a monthly gardening class for the New Orleans Public Libraries.

The classes at Barcelo Gardens draw in members of the neighborhood and surrounding area who are eager to either start gardening from scratch or need a few tips and tricks to understand better how their garden works.

“I’m used to growing in the ground, so I’ve had some trouble growing tomatoes in containers. I sometimes overfertilize or un-

derfertilize, and there’s not a lot of drainage happening. So, I’m here to learn,” Kate Kraft, who resides in the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans, said ahead of the tomato class on March 21.

In that class, Betz covered everything from fertilizing and watering tips to container selection and provided resources to learn more.

Nobody came out their momma knowing how to grow a tomato,” Betz said.

While the class lasted an hour, it flew by, and it wasn’t long before attendees were purchasing tomato plants ready to transfer them into their own containers to grow various tomato varieties at home.

Treme neighborhood resident Coco Carter returned to the garden after learning in the seedling class how to start seeds, determined to further her gardening education and not only reduce her trips to the grocery store but also eat healthier

“I want to be able to know exactly what I’m putting in my body,” Carter said. “I know that I am eating organic because I grew it.”

Food access in New Orleans

While Webb noticed her neighborhood’s lack of access to high-quality fresh food, Tulane University professor Marcus Coleman, whose work focuses on food systems, said not everyone is as aware of what a mile or more can mean in terms of getting to the grocery store

or a farmers market.

“We tend to only think about things like affordability and availability,” Coleman said.

“Let’s say that you don’t have a car, and there is not efficient public transportation, or you don’t have a family member that has a car Your food access is then impacted by things very much so broader than just worrying about how much food costs or I have the money available to buy food or if I have SNAP benefits.”

Coleman said that in New Orleans, there are food deserts, where there is no access to grocery stores or fresh fruits and vegetables, and what he calls food swamps, where there are many fast-food restaurants and convenience stores but few full-service grocery stores. Coleman said that while New Orleans is a great food city, “there’s always some holes there” in terms of access to food, and added that initiatives like Webb’s, which are cropping up around the greater New Orleans area, are great tools to help empower people to have agency over their diet.

“Making food available to people, these things have deeper impacts on the community and community well-being,” Coleman said.

“The more that we can get people access to food, the more we can educate people about, sort of, the benefits of eating healthy, how to do it yourself, how to get access to those things in your local community, is inspiring.”

BUNNY

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cage with minimal interaction. To the contrary, rabbits are intelligent, social animals that need daily attention, exercise and mental stimulation. They thrive when they have space to roam and explore in a safe, indoor environment.

Most importantly, they are strictly indoor pets. Rabbits are extremely sensitive to temperature changes and can quickly suffer in both heat and cold. Outdoor housing also exposes them to predators, parasites and disease.

For anyone considering adding a rabbit to the family, there are some important facts to keep in mind, including day-to-day care, veterinary care and lifespan.

Rabbit care considerations

First off, rabbits can live up to 10 to 12 years, making them a long-term commitment comparable to a dog or a cat.

Many rabbits are happiest with a bonded companion, but proper introductions are essential. Rabbits can coexist with dogs and cats, but introductions should be done slowly and carefully It’s also important to consider whether existing pets may create stress or pose a risk to a rabbit.

Rabbits also require daily exercise outside of their enclosure and do best in a rabbit-proofed space. They need safe chew toys to keep their teeth, which grow continuously, properly worn down. Not all rabbits enjoy being held, and many prefer interaction on their own terms.

Rabbits can be litter box-trained, much like cats. Also, like cats, rabbits groom themselves frequently but can develop dangerous hair blockages, since they cannot vomit. Therefore, regular brushing is important, especially during shedding seasons.

Rabbits live on a very specific diet primarily hay, along with fresh greens, limited pellets and constant access to fresh water

They require care from a veterinarian experienced with rabbits, often called an “exotics” vet and spaying or neutering pet rabbits is strongly recommended for health and behavioral reasons. Lastly, emergency planning matters, especially during hurricane season or evacuations; the rabbit and its supplies must be included in any further planning. The bottom line

Rabbits are rewarding pets, but they are not lowmaintenance or short-term commitments They require just as much, if not more, care than many people realize.

If the family is truly ready to take on that responsibility, adoption is a great place to start. Local shelters and rescues often have rabbits in need of homes, especially after Easter Organizations like BunnAgain Rabbit Rescue and Education which works with the Jefferson SPCA, and Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue in Baton Rouge, are excellent resources in south Louisiana. More information about proper rabbit care is available at rabbit.org. A bunny may seem like the perfect Easter surprise, but the best gift for any pet is a prepared committed and informed home. If a bunny is for the children without the long-term commitment, the chocolate kind is always a great choice!

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.

PET OF THE WEEK

Moose is 6 years old and weighs 22 pounds.

Moose walks great on a leash, loves a good sniff adventure, and is always down for a cuddle. Moose has glaucoma, so he needs someone who can help manage his eye care. To learn more, email adoptionteam@ animalrescue neworleans.org

PROVIDED PHOTO

PROVIDED PHOTO

David Bain, Juda Club, New Orleans, won the Grade 8 Trophy.

New Orleans students win medals at Jewish knowledge championship

Staff report

Students from New Orleans and Metairie were medalists at the 2026 JewQ International Jewish Knowledge Championship in New York City in March.

The Louisiana delegation, led by Rabbi Zalman Groner, of Juda Club New Orleans, won gold, silver and bronze medals. They were among 4,500 scholars from 25 countries who competed in a spelling-bee-style competition on Jewish knowledge.

JewQ is a program of CKids International, Chabad’s global children’s network, reaching more than 200,000 Jewish children across 63 countries who do not attend Jewish day schools.

From left are Jodi Crifasi, Davies Elementary teacher; Clare Melerine, UNO teacher candidate; and Ashleigh Pelafigue, UNO assistant professor of elementary education. PROVIDED PHOTO

Author and historian S. Derby Gisclair will present “Gamblers

Afloat” at 7 p.m. April 16, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.

Not long after the first commercial steamboat made its way from Pittsburgh to New Orleans in 1812, steamboat travel up and down the Mississippi soon became an easy and affordable means of travel. Merchants and businessmen traveling from city to city became an easy mark for professional gamblers.

In this presentation, Gisclair will trace gambling in the city, from the clandestine casinos to the hundreds of steamboats, where there was greater anonymity and less legal enforcement in a floating world of fortune and fraud. Many of the vignettes are drawn from his book “New Orleans Steamboat Stories.”

Cars and Coffee

The third Cars and Coffee

Spectacular occurs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 11, in the parking lot facing the children’s wing of the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.

Patrons with “cool cars or motorcycles” hang out with other vehicular enthusiasts while enjoying some exclusive library Blend Coffee. Staff asks that participants respect the space, meaning no revving, no burnouts and no racing.

Participants should enter via the W. Napoleon Avenue entrance and exit via the Harvard Avenue exit. Complimentary coffee will be available in the library foyer Those who come to check out the cars and motorcycles are encouraged to park in the other lot.

Book clubs at Old Metairie

The Old Metairie Library, at 2350 Metairie Road, Metairie, has several book clubs for its patrons.

The “A Perfect Cup of Tea” book club focuses on cozies. The group will meet from 2 p.m. to

COLLEGES

UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS: The Louisiana Board of Regents recognized UNO teacher resident Clare Melerine as an Excellent Future Educator. Melerine is a Residency 2 teacher candidate working at Joseph Davies Elementary School with Jodi Crifasi’s third grade class.

Nominated by UNO professors in recognition of her strong perfor-

mance in the classroom, Melerine and other outstanding future educators representing universities from across the state will be honored at the Louisiana Board of Regents Future Educator Honor Roll Ceremony at the Old Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge on May 6.

ment Monday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. each Monday The focus on fitness includes dance, chair exercises and stretching.

Art class

The North Kenner Library, 630 W. Esplanade Ave., hosts Adult Watercolor Classes at 6 p.m. April 9 and May 7. Various felt printed canvases, brushes and watercolors will be provided.

Notary services

Notary Public Tatiana Alaniz will provide free notary services from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.

WWII discussion group

Patrons will participate in a photo trivia contest focusing on WWII-era people, places and things at 7 p.m. April 2, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.

Music event

Genealogy

4 p.m. April 1 it always meets the first Wednesday of each month — to discuss “The Glass Maker” by Tracy Chevalier

The selection for May 6 is “The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels” by Janice Hallett.

The Old Metairie mystery book club meets from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. April 21. The selection is “One by One” by Frieda McFadden.

The new WWII book club meets from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 29. The selection is “Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War” by Mark Harris.

The sci-fi and fantasy discussion group meets at 6:30 p.m. April 22 to screen the classic “Fahrenheit 451,” based on the book by Ray Bradbury

New Orleans Secular Humanist Association meeting

Members of the Descendants of Jesuit Enslavement Historical and Genealogical Society will discuss how the organization documents, preserves and interprets the history of Jesuit enslavement at 2:30 p.m. April 18. It’s part of the regularly scheduled meeting of the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association. In particular, the discussion will focus on the 1838 sales of 272 slaves by the Society of Jesus to Louisiana plantations to rescue Georgetown University

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. The next session occurs at 2:30 p.m. April 1 “Using Ancestry.com,” which is the main genealogy database that exists today This lecture focuses on searching the database, using the library version as well as what is offered if one subscribes to the Ancestry com website. The next lecture at 2:30 p.m. April 8 will focus on “Using FamilySearch.org.”

Write about it

The River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway, offers a creative writing class from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays through May The class covers the basics of short story, memoir and creative nonfiction writing. It is taught by local writer and educator Maria Baisier

Participants should bring a notebook, a pen or a laptop with a flash drive. Registration is required by visiting the library’s website and navigating to the calendar page featuring River Ridge Library events. Registration for this class closes on April 8.

Move it!

The Rosedale Library, 4036 Jefferson Highway, offers Move-

The New Aurora Saxophone Ensemble performs at 2 p.m. April 19, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.

Big Book Sale

The Friends of the Jefferson Public Library will conduct its semi-annual Big Book Sale from April 17-19, at the Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday More than 65,000 used books, puzzles, DVDs, CDs, videotapes, music tapes and vinyl records are available. The sale includes fiction and nonfiction books such as collectibles, art, travel, history, military and Civil War books. Cash, debit cards and major credit cards are accepted; checks are not. Admission is free and parking is plentiful. All proceeds from the sale benefit the Jefferson Parish Library For more information, contact the Friends of the Jefferson Public Library at 504- 455-2665 or email friendsjpl@yahoo.com. Holiday closures All Jefferson Parish libraries will be closed on April 3 for Good Friday and April 6 for Easter Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library

Loyola University announces inaugural College of Music and Media Hall of Fame

Staff report

Loyola University will host its inaugural College of Music and Media Hall of Fame Celebration on April 15 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

The College, composed of the School of Music and Theatre Professions and the School of Communication and Design, will recognize alums of the schools whose careers exemplify innovation, leadership and Loyola’s Ignatian values on national and global stages.

The 2026 Den of Distinction Hall of Fame honorees are the class of 1998’s Dominic Massa, executive vice president and chief operating

officer of WYES and the class of 1997’s Nessim Higson, global creative director, Studio IAAH. NextGen Den honorees are the class of 2020’s Lily Cummings, anchor and reporter at WWL; the class of 2023’s Michael Lardizabal, a coordinator at Redefine Entertainment; and the class of 2016’s Ashleigh Sparks, the development manager at The Idea Village. Recognized as The Howlies are the class of 2015’s Kendall Cousin, senior director of international marketing at Interscope Records; the class of 2015’s Chaz Sexton, chief engineer at East/West Studios; class of 1995’s Ryan Rillette, artistic director at Round House

Theatre; the class of 2017’s Bari Bellard, stage manager of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”; class of 1994’s Alfred Walker, internationally renowned operatic bassbaritone; and the class of 2016’s Emily Barber the director of production at Central City Opera.

The College will introduce its first Ovation Awards to recognize outstanding contributions by faculty and staff

The event, which takes place from 6 p.m. o 8:30 p.m. at the museum, at 400 Esplanade Ave., will feature live music, food, signature cocktails and networking opportunities.

Tickets start at $50. Information is available at loyno.edu/cmmhof.

Early April events: Celebrate Children’s Book Day, learn about gardening for

birds

BY JANE LEGROS Contributing writer

Celebrate International Children’s Book Day at the Rosa F. Keller Library, 4300 S Broad St., with a trip “Around the World in 80 Books.” Stop by on April 2 from 10:30 p.m. to 11:30 a.m to explore different countries and cultures through storytime music and activities. This program is designed for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers.

Teen volunteer opportunities

PROVIDED PHOTO

The New Orleans libraries offer volunteer opportunities to teens.

Teens can earn service-learning hours at the New Orleans Public Library through two separate upcoming programs. On Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., teens can volunteer to help out at Algiers Regional Library’s Chess Club for Kids located at 3014 Holiday Drive. Knowledge of chess is encouraged, but not required. Chess Club attendees are ages 6 to 14, and volunteers are ages 14 to 18. On April 7, Mid-City Library, 4140 Canal St., will host a volunteer day for teens ages 14 to 18 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Teens will serve their community, be creative, and socialize, all while earning service hours. Registration for all library volunteer opportunities is required. Visit teens.nolalibrary org to learn more

Gardening for the birds

Learn how to attract native and migrating birds into your yard at Nora Navra Library’s “Bringing Birds Into Your Backyard” workshop at 1 p m April

2. Master gardener Marieanne Arata will lead the class, which will cover how to grow shrubs for nesting, and how to use seeds, flowers and berries to keep the birds coming back for more

This workshop is presented in partnership with Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans at 1902 St. Bernard Ave.

Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, and the New Orleans Public Library is kicking things off on April 8 with a poetry reading at Milton H Latter Memorial, 5120 St Charles Ave. Local writers featured in the library’s anthology “RENEWED,” will read selections of their work from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

On April 13, the Nora Navra Library, 1902 St. Bernard Ave., will host Louisiana Poet Laureate Gina Ferrara, who will lead a poetry workshop from 2 p.m to 3:30 p.m. focused on odes. Attendees will examine famous odes and write ones of their own.

Virtual Author Talk: Valerie Neal

Valerie Neal will visit the New Orleans Public Library via Zoom at 1 p.m on April 2. Neal is an emerita curator from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, an expert on human spaceflight, and the author of “On a Mission: The Smithsonian History of US Women Astronauts.”

The book spans 45 years and 61 astronauts, sharing the epic journeys of women who made space for themselves in a male-dominated field.

Neal interviewed many of the U.S. women astronauts to bring their experiences to life She offers a history of their achievements, the challenges they’ve faced and their distinctive stories. Collectively, they’ve completed more than 100 space shuttle missions and more than 30 long-duration stays on the International Space Station and Russian Space Station Mir, and they continue to prove themselves in present-day space exploration efforts. Visit nolalibrary.co/valerie-neal to register and submit your questions for the author. Holiday closures

All New Orleans Public Library locations will be closed on April 3 for Good Friday

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

West Bank Art Guild names artists of the month

The West Bank Art Guild has named artists of the month for March. Pictured from left are Regina Roubion with “Joyful,” earning first place; Darlene Johnson with “This is How You Pout,” earning second place; and Glinda Schafer with “Fishscale Skies,” earning third place.

Louisiana Boys and Girls Club surprised with Savannah Bananas tickets

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana received 40 tickets from Dunkin’ to the sold-out Savannah Bananas games on March 14-15 at the Caesars Superdome. The doughnut company, which has a partnership with the baseball team, said it wanted to surprise the Boys & Girls Club members with tickets to bring joy to the community

Elks Lodge 30 supports One Heart Nola

Elks Lodge 30 in Metairie has used a $4,000 Beacon Grant to provide resources to One Heart Nola. As part of its mission to support foster children in Louisiana, Lodge 30 used the grant money to procure resources for young adults who are about to age out or have recently aged out of the foster system by providing household furnishings and gift cards for young adults moving into an independent living arrangement. From left are Teri Hrabovski, One Heart Nola; Gene Reyes, lecturing knight for Lodge 30; and Kimberly Limmex, Lodge 30 grant coordinator.

New Orleans Art Association names artists of the month

PROVIDED PHOTO

The New Orleans Art Association has named its March artists of the month. Pictured from left are Maria Victoire with “Water Lily in the Park,” earning first place; Claire Pescay with “Spotted Fawn,” earning second place; and Glinda Schafer with “Fishscale Skies,” earning third place. The association meets on the third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. in the Lakeview Presbyterian Church community room.

Sonya David

Patrons of Lafreniere Park elect 2026 president

Sonya David has been elected president of the Patrons of Lafreniere Park for 2026. Established in November 1996, the volunteer organization raises funds and supports the Park’s progressive programs. The group provided funds to restore the Children’s Playground and its equipment, which were heavily damaged by Hurricane Ida.

JPSO Young Marines earn national award

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Young Marines of Harvey won the DEA and Young Marines’ Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena Award for District 4 at the 2026 Young Marines Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C., in March. The national award recognizes units for drug prevention work — measured by Drug Demand Reduction hours, curriculum, and community outreach, including peers and partner organizations. While in the area, the young Marines paid their respects to the veterans laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery

hand

EASTER EVENTS

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: The Rev Tony Ricard will lead the procession for the Stations of the Cross 11 a.m. on Good Friday, April 3, in St. Roch Cemetery No. 1, 1725 St. Roch Ave in New Orleans. www.nolacatholiccemeteries.org.

ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT: DBC Bar & Grill will host a free egg hunt for adults 7 p.m. on April 4, at 1001 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie More than 200 eggs will be hidden, containing treats, candy, Jell-O shots and more. Bring your own basket. (504) 838-2282

EASTER PICNIC: Kapit Bahay of Greater New Orleans will host a potluck picnic 11 a.m.-3 p.m., on April 4, at Pavilion No. 6 in Bayou Segnette State Park, 7777 Westbank Expressway in Westwego. Attendees should bring a dish to share. Drinks will be provided by KBGNO. Park admission and entrance fees are $3 per person with free admission for seniors, children under three and retired and active military https://apasnola. com/event-6596945.

FRENCH QUARTER EASTER PARADE: The 41st annual spring parade, a celebration of the legacy of Chris Owens, will be held April 5. A hat contest will start at 11 a.m. at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, 621 St Louis St. in New Orleans. The parade starts at 1 p.m. at Royal and St. Louis streets, followed by a luncheon and celebration https:// fqeasterparade.com.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

NEW AFRICAN ORLEANS FAMILY FES-

TIVAL: The Neighborhood Story Project, Alune Wade’s SUNU Crescendo Production and Alliance Francaise will host a festival of music, fashion, food and books celebrating the connections between West Africa and New Orleans 4:30-10:30 p.m. on April 4, at The Broadside, 600 N. Broad St. in New Orleans. Tickets start at $15 via Simpletix. https://broadsidenola.com/events/. OVERLOOK FILM FESTIVAL: The 10th annual celebration of all things horror will be held April 9-12 at the Prytania Theatres. The event includes 47 films from seven countries, immersive experiences, live presentations and horror-themed celebrations, including a second line through the French Quarter. Rick Baker will receive the Master of Horror Award, and the presentation will include a 45th anniversary screening of “An American Werewolf in London.” “A Page of Madness,” the class horror film by Teinosuke Kinugasa, considered the first Japanese horror movie, will have a 100th anniversary screening. Tickets start at $18, with various packages available. overlookfilmfest.com.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC: Registration is open for the LCMC Health Crescent City Classic: 8 a.m. April 4, from Caesars Superdome to City Park by NOMA. Entry is $70 for runners and walkers; no day-of registration. www.ccc10k.com.

AGING WISELY: Be Well-Come Together holds free interactive seminars at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through April 21 for those 60+. Loca-

Blessings and giving thanks on St. Joseph’s Day

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS

JEFFERSON PARISH

LUTHERAN HIGH: The school at 3864 17th Street in Metairie will sell catfish plates with fries and coleslaw for $15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 3. Advance orders may be placed by calling 504-415-8816. Pick-up or dine-in available. lutheranhighschool.net.

FISH FRIES

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.

tion: Faith Presbyterian Church, 2525 Apollo Ave., Harvey. Info: bewellcometogether@gmail.com. (504) 268-2525.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

GARDEN DISTRICT TOURS: The Friends of the Cabildo hold walking tours of the Garden District each Saturday starting at 10 a.m. outside of the Chicory House, 2727 Prytania St., New Orleans. City-licensed volunteer guides lead the two-hour tours and cover key historical figures, political events, and local geography. Tickets start at $20. https://friendsofthecabildo.org/.

JAMMIN’ ON JULIA: Arts District New Orleans will host the spring art walk and music festival hybrid event 5-9 p.m. on April 4, in the 300-700 Blocks of Julia Street and the surrounding area in New Orleans. The district will be open for an art walk featuring world-class art exhibitions, with live music in select galleries on Julia, Camp and Magazine streets. The event is free and open to the public. www.artsdistrictneworleans.com/events/jammin-onjulia-beyond. FIRST SATURDAY ART WALK: The Magazine Street Merchants As-

ORLEANS PARISH

New Orleans Riverside

interested in learning more about how NARFE advocates legislation and regulations beneficial to federal civilian employees and annuitants under any federal civilian retirement are invited to attend. Pamela.e.mark1953@gmail. com.

MEETINGS

LEARNING BEFORE LUNCH: The April 9 meeting will be “The Mansions of St. Charles Avenue” led by Craig Ernst, a local Realtor, certified historic house specialist, tour guide and sixth-generation New Orleanian. The program will be held at UNO’s Homer L. Hitt Alumni Center, 2000 Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and pastry. The presentation begins at 10 a.m. Annual membership is $2 per person, $30 per couple/double or a $5 donation for an event. www.learningbeforelunch. com.

PLAQUEMINES PARISH 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.

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 preorders and walk-ups are accepted. Delivery is also available if five or more plates are purchased. www first72plus.org/events.

sociation and The Scout Guide New Orleans host an evening filled with creativity, connection and charm

5-7 p.m. on April 4. The walk features 15 galleries along Magazine Street that open their doors after hours for exhibitions, live music and exclusive promotions. magazinestreet.com/event/first-saturday-artwalk/.

THEATER & CONCERTS

TWILIGHT AT LONGUE VUE: Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road in New Orleans, will continue the spring season concerts on April 1 with electric bassist Amina Scott. Jazz musician Carmela Rappazzo will be the performer on April 8. Paul Sanchez, a singer-songwriter, will perform on April 15. Bluegrasscountry-funk band Bogue Chitto will perform on April 22. New Orleansbased Cast Iron Cactus will lead the April 29 concert. Concerts are 5:306:45 p.m. Tickets are $17 for each concert. https://longuevue.com/ twilight-series/.

BOOKS & LITERARY EVENTS

BUNNY TALES AND CRAFTS: St. Bernard Parish Library will hold an

afternoon of tales, fun and games

3:30-5 p.m. on April 1 at 3121 E. Judge Perez Drive in Meraux. The family-friendly event will include storytime and crafts, with all materials provided. mysbpl.org.

AN EVENING WITH FARRAH ROCHON: Books, Banter & Cider will present a conversation with Farrah Rochon, author of the Bayou Dreams Series, 6 p.m. on April 3, at Broad Street Cider, 2723 S Broad St. in New Orleans. A pop-up bookshop curated by Book Banter Books will open at 5 p.m. www.bookbanterbooks.com.

“BLOODSINGER”: Author Juliette Cross will celebrate the publication of her newest book at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. in New Orleans, 6 p.m. on April 8. Reservations can be made via Eventbrite. www.gardendistrictbookshop.com/events-1/dinnerwith-a-vampire-book-signing-1.

FUNDRAISERS & GALAS

54TH ANNUAL VOLUNTEER

SUMMER CAMPS KID SMART CAMPS: KID smART, an arts education nonprofit, will run its first summer camps for ages 5–12. Week one, July 20–24, offers daily play-based activities linking S.T.E.A.M. to New Orleans’ culture. Week two, July 27–Aug 1, focuses on reading, writing, communication and creative expression through hands-on arts. Camps run 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the new KID smART Center for Arts & Education, 2533 Columbus St., New Orleans. Tuition: $350/week. https://www.kidsmart.org/camps. CRESCENT CITY STAGE SUMMER THEATRE CAMP: Registration is open for Crescent