Today, St. Claude Ave. is celebrating a host of educational nonprofit orgs, and a new pocket park. Plus, Alabama garage mod band St. Paul and the Broken Bones are at One Eyed Jacks, and Big Freedia and Katey Red are popping for charity on St. Claude. On this day in 1836, New Orleans was divided into three “cities” including the Vieux Carre. Now, more to do this Saturday.

by Mark Seither

The New Orleans Pelicans began their longest homestand of the season with a hard-fought victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night in the Smoothie King Center. Anthony Davis led all scorers with 29 points and 14 rebounds, but another Anthony closed the game out for New Orleans. Anthony Morrow scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to shut the door on the Bucks when they refused to give up.

Like Lance Moore before him, veteran New Orleans Saints target-of-Breesus Darren Sproles will not be with the Black and Gold next season, according to reports from Pro Football Talk, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and a Tweet the running back sent out Friday night.

With Bobby Jindal taking a harsh stance against Obamacare and many local pols following suit, Louisiana residents have become an easy target for those blasting opponents of the Affordable Care Act. Stephen Colbert highlighted phony Obamacare horror stories on his latest episode of The Colbert Report, and English actor Patrick Stewart flexed his acting chops as Chuck Duprey, a supposed Louisiana "workerman" who had a frightening run-in with big government healthcare. Click through to watch. 

The Louisiana Music Factory's Frenchmen migration happened before Mardi Gras, but it wouldn't be complete without an afternoon jam session featuring local musicians. The New Orleans record store will officially christen their new digs at the corner of Frenchmen and Decatur with a grand opening celebration Saturday (March 8).

Updated, 3:16 p.m.: A woman was sexually assaulted on the morning of Monday, March 3, according to the Tulane University Police Department. The attack occurred on “an area of Audubon St.” near the university’s campus, and Tulane sent an alert on the afternoon of March 7. 

Updated 6 p.m.

The NFL's other season, otherwise known as free agency, begins next week, and the league sources are the ones doing the rumbling. While solid information may not be entirely available, there's no mistake that the New Orleans Saints are facing down one honest number: the league salary cap of $133 million. WhoDats have already bid adieu to a quartet of defensive Super Bowl winners.  Today, it appears that veteran WR Lance Moore will be the latest player to get shipped out.

Lundi Gras vandals temporarily took the "YOLO" out of Loyola's signature sign on St. Charles, but an anonymous donor has come to the rescue. The university replaced the letters on the morning of Ash Wednesday, and an alum came forth to pay for the damage, according to Loyola's associate director of public affairs, Mikel Pak. 

Harry Connick Jr. is known for being harsh with contestants on American Idol, but Breesus appeared on the show to preach forgiveness to Connick. The locally bred musician and actor was defending his judging style on last night's episode, and Drew Brees made a special video appearance to ask Connick to give the kids a break. 

by Stacy Coco

It is the first meat-free Friday for Lenten observers, and parishes across the city have ensured that no resident is too far from a fish fry. From Mid-City to Metairie and beyond, local churches are serving fried catfish, cole slaw, french fries, and more to raise money and feed the masses. 

With the candidates rounding the home stretch toward runoff elections, Sheriff Marlin Gusman is maintaining his lead in the Orleans Parish Sheriff's race, according to the latest poll from WIN Partners. The firm's latest poll, which was conducted two weeks before the March 15, shows Gusman with a 19 point lead on his opponent and predecessor Charles Foti.

Willie Nelson and Family are set to rock the House of Blues, and Big Sam’s Funky Nation are performing on Oak Street. Today in 1830, Governor Jacques Villere died on his own plantation, south of New Orleans. Click through for more to do this Friday.

Eli Manning has spent plenty of time in the New Orlreans spotlight, but the New York Giants quarterback is usually on a field rather than a stage. But during Carnival's final weekend, Archie's youngest son was summoned to sing the opening of "This Time of Year" with New Orleans rockers Better Than Ezra at the House of Blues. Click through to view:

The American Apparel store in the Garden District was robbed Thursday afternoon, and the store released video of the suspect less than four hours later. The thief, who spent two hours asking employees of the store about fashion advice, made off with more than $800 in cash, and more than $200 in merchandise, police said.

Banksy's Umbrella Girl was almost removed from her perch on N. Rampart St. a couple of weeks ago. Since then, neighbors have kept vigil and hired a security guard, while the story beamed across the pond. On Thursday, the New Orleans Police Department named a suspect in the attempted plunder behind plywood.

by Stacy Coco

Oreos are milk's best friend. And since every food item has a day, today is National Oreo Day. The National Biscuit Company, known today as Nabisco, first developed and produced the cookie on this day in 1912, thus marking March 6 as National Oreo Day.