New Orleans CityBusiness articles from April 2003

New Orleans CityBusiness archives from April 2003

Renewal of La.'s Incumbent Worker Training program may hurt economy.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Michael Giusti If lawmakers don't renew a popular training program in the next few weeks, employers may see millions of dollars in grant money vanish. Through the state's Incumbent Worker Training program, large and small...

Aspiring screen writer makes living as carpenter.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi If things go Craig Lazaras' way, one day he may help build the set for a movie he penned himself. Lazaras holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from The University of Colorado at Boulder. Along with...

Trades industry facing problems of unskilled, uninterested work force.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi The classifieds are filled with job listings for welders, carpenters, mechanics and electricians -- jobs that require a high level of skill, a strong work ethic and a person willing to get their fingernails a little...

Special Series: Work Force Development.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff In many ways, the economic development of a region is tied directly to the skills, training, education, mobility and ability of its work force. As the state Legislature considers the future of the Incumbent Worker Training...

Retailers wait to see how war affects sales.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer Retail analysts expected a dip in consumer spending when the nation went to war. Now, as U.S. troops are fighting in Iraq, retailers have mixed feelings about how the conflict is affecting their registers. Analysts...

French Quarter Festival hopes to match last year's crowds.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler Organizers of the French Quarter Festival want to lure tourists and locals away from their television news stations for a weekend of food, drink and music. Despite the war in Iraq and a slower tourism year at...

Oil and gas independents gain value as majors leave.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel While state and city administrators are asking major oil and gas companies to stay in New Orleans, they're professing love for the smaller independents, too. Government officials want to retain oil and gas jobs yet...

N.O. poverty creates need for safety net to pay utilities.(New Orleans)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel Entergy Corp. is trying to help impoverished customers pay their utility bills. Elaine Coleman, vice president of external affairs of Entergy New Orleans Inc., said Entergy Corp. Chief Executive Officer J. Wayne...

LSU takeover irks mental health advocates.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler State mental health administrators were recently surprised to find out they no longer control the land or buildings used by New Orleans Adolescent Hospital. Considered by the industry as a model mental health...

State ports to tally security costs at annual convention in N.O.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer The impact of security costs and the importance of free trade will be hot topics at the Ports Association of Louisiana's 20th annual conference in New Orleans this week. President Bush's signing of the Maritime...

Lack of transportation is barrier to people seeking job training, employment.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer Transportation officials nationwide say you have no chance of holding a job if you can't get to work. And in New Orleans, a city where one-fourth of the population does not own a vehicle and 200,000 people ride city...

Final Four, conventions help airport weather travel downturn.(Louis Armstrong International Airport)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer Since Sept. 11, 2001, airlines have been scrambling to get the industry flying again. But the war in Iraq has airlines slashing operations nationwide. Louis Armstrong International Airport reported a 4% drop in...

Fore!Kids Foundation raises money through golf tournament.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi The Fore!Kids Foundation is experiencing some changes that are not just par for the course. The foundation has raised more than $4 million for charity by producing its annual PGA Tour event known as the Compaq...

New Orleans Nonprofit Briefs April 7, 2003.(multiple records)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi The New Orleans Council on Aging has received a $15,000 Senior Helpings grant from Atria Group Inc., the parent company of Kraft Foods Inc. The money will allow the council to deliver one hot meal per day to more...

Commentary: Two projects wisely delayed, one project long overdue.(Column)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Two major projects have wisely been delayed the past two weeks in New Orleans while one long-overdue project continues to cost the city dearly. On the positive side, Mayor C. Ray Nagin's visit to Harvard inspired a...

More gyms, clubs adding services for disabled.
April 7, 2003... Byline: Megan Kamerick The doctors had written off Zach Calvin for dead. At the very least, Calvin would be unable to function or talk. The truck that hit him three years ago did too much damage to his brain. Luckily his father,...

Commentary: New fiscal year brings plans for improvement for CityBusiness.(Column)
April 7, 2003... Byline: D. Singletary Last week was the end of March and the first of April. For our company, that represents the end of one fiscal year and the start of a brand new one. That means we are paying a lot of attention to detail around our...

Interview with exec. director of Alliance for Affordable Energy.(J. Michael Malec)(Interview)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel J. Michael Malec became executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy in February when longtime director Gary Groesch died last year. Malec comes to the consumer watchdog group after working five years for...

Energy Partners Ltd. successfully drills at Greater Bay Merchand.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Energy Partners Ltd. announced it has successfully drilled state lease 1486 No. 1 at Greater Bay Merchand, its first 2003 exploratory well, which is located in 44 feet of water approximately three miles off the Louisiana...

Tidewater Inc. concludes purchase of Gulf of Mexico fleet from Ensco International.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Tidewater Inc. concluded the previously announced purchase of a 27-vessel Gulf of Mexico fleet from Ensco International Inc. Headquartered in New Orleans, Tidewater owns and operates more than 550 vessels for the offshore...

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold raises tender offer to purchase senior notes.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. has raised its tender offer to purchase its 7.5% senior notes due 2006 to $1,030 per $1,000 principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest from $1,010 per $1,000 principal amount....

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner resigns.(Jim Brown resigns)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Brown resigned from office after the U.S. Supreme Court refused for a second time to review his conviction. Brown was acquitted in 2000 on 43 charges of mail, insurance and wire fraud,...

Stewart Enterprises to ask lenders to increase term loan B debt.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Stewart Enterprises Inc. announced it is asking lenders to increase its term loan B debt an additional $50 million to enhance liquidity as an alternative to the exclusive use of its revolving debt when it redeems its $99.9...

Sugar Bowl returns remain sweet to N.O.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Neither economic turmoil nor threat of war spoiled this year's Sugar Bowl game and events. According to a study compiled by the University of New Orleans, the 2003 Sugar Bowl gave New Orleans a total economic impact of more...

IRS giving soldiers tax break.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff The Internal Revenue Service is giving soldiers a break this tax season. The IRS created a new section on its Web site containing information to help ensure soldiers serving in the Gulf conflict receive all available tax...

Harrah's New Orleans distributes $230K to 15 organizations.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Harrah's New Orleans has distributed $230,000 to 15 organizations through its Community Opportunity Prosperity Empowerment Grants program. The top grant recipients announced March 26 are: Safe Neighborhood Action Plan New...

U.S. Postal Service to issue Louisiana Purchase commemorative stamp.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff The U.S. Postal Service plans to issue an official Louisiana Purchase commemorative stamp May 1. The 37-cent, self-adhesive stamp will mark the 200th anniversary of the real estate sale that doubled the size of America. This...

Six Flags New Orleans postpones grand opening.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Six Flags New Orleans postponed its grand opening by a week until Saturday, April 12. The park, formerly known as Jazzland Theme Park, had been scheduled to open April 5. Delays in construction and overseas shipping prompted...

McDermott International to resolve issue of whether to return to U.S. from Panama.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff McDermott International Inc. will work with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Pension Plan and the California Public Employees' Retirement System to resolve the issue of whether McDermott should...

Northrop Grumman Corp. to guarantee payment of all outstanding debt securities.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Northrop Grumman Corp. has agreed to guarantee the payment of all currently outstanding debt securities of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corp., formerly TRW Inc.

Judge dismisses wine bar's lawsuit against neighborhood group.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff A civil district court judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a French Quarter neighborhood group accused of trying to shut down a wine bar. Owners of the Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro at 718 Orleans Ave. claim...

Hispanic-American rights activist amused by media.(Cecilia Munoz)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Hispanic-American rights activist Cecilia Munoz said she is often amused by the media's response to the Hispanic community's rising U.S. numbers. Every time a new study is released confirming Hispanics as the largest...

Patient barcodes stop prescription problems.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Adults are used to hearing the beep of grocery store scanners while standing in checkout lines but they may be surprised to hear the same noise when they take their youngsters to Children's Hospital in New Orleans. The...

Louisiana senate committee meetings now available online.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Louisianians have been able to watch the state House of Representative committee meetings online for years. This year, residents can start watching senators in action as well, and a new House of Representatives feature will...

A cell phone case made to handle N.O. extremes.(Pelican Products' Micro Case Series can be used in New Orleans)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff They're not made in Louisiana but state workers can thank Torrance, Calif.'s Pelican Products for its new Micro Case Series. The collection of six small cell phone cases are waterproof, can withstand below freezing or near...

The Besh Steakhouse to open at Harrah's New Orleans Casino.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Staff Those looking for a steak dinner in New Orleans this summer might find it surrounded by slot machines. Louisiana native and chef John Besh, who Food & Wine named one of its "Top 10 Best New Chefs in America" five years...

New Orleans Workforce Partnership offers job placement, training.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi When it was time to hire a new fender technician for his business, Johnnie Lewis was ready to try anything. "In this business, most of the qualified people are older journeymen who have their own businesses,"...

Online database planned to help La. workers identify available jobs.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi New Orleans business owners say they can't find qualified employees while job seekers say there are no good jobs to be had. "The supply side isn't sure what the demand side needs," said Tim Joder, associate dean...

State's Incumbent Worker Training grants apply to white-collar firms as well as skilled labor.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Michael Giusti At first glance, John Saladino didn't think his engineering firm would qualify for a state training program traditionally associated with skilled laborers. "We kind of let the idea die on the vine because we...

Louisiana developing programs that curb 'brain drain'.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel If you want to land a job in Louisiana, you better find the right major in college -- or at least a good adviser. A love for technology, health care or food service is a plus, too. The federal Minerals...

State officials say Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs prone to corruption.(programs designed to steer state and federally funded projects toward businesses owned by minorities and women)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler Officials say the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs in New Orleans look good on paper but don't deliver what they promise. The programs are designed to steer state and federally funded projects toward...

La. lawmakers to consider ban on hand-held wireless phones while driving.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer Casey Kirchner is a 25-year-old test operations engineer for NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss. She commutes an hour each way to work from her home in New Orleans. It's hard for people to...

Health firms adapt to new privacy rules.(patient-related e-mails, phone calls and notes all have to show strict regard to privacy under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 )
April 14, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler Starting this week, doctors and hospitals must guard patient medical information more closely. Patient-related e-mails, phone calls and notes all have to show strict regard to privacy under the Health Insurance...

Slidell Memorial Hospital board faces overhaul after voters sink sale.(April 5 vote against selling Slidell Memorial Hospital to Tenet Healthcare Corp. raised more questions than it answered)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler The April 5 vote against selling Slidell Memorial Hospital to Tenet Healthcare Corp. raised more questions than it answered. No one knows who on the hospital board will stick around to answer them. SMH board...

War can't stop N.O. care packages from reaching desert troops.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer The U.S. Department of Defense urged Americans not to send packages to active service members shortly after the U.S.-led war with Iraq started, but those at home still have ways to send well-meaning wishes overseas. ...

Teach Greater New Orleans program offers professionals chance to become teachers.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel Mornings aren't hard for Gleacia Morales anymore. She's excited about her teaching job at Allen Ellender Middle School in Marrero. Mornings weren't like that when she worked for a car rental company. "I...

Casting agents play part in N.O. film boom.(New Orleans)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi It's Tuesday morning and Fredericka Ford Turner is driving her car slowly down Felicity Street looking for a big, strong man. She knows exactly what she wants. He must be muscular, he must be athletic and it sure...

Today's wireless crowd not shy about cutting landline cord.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel Paul Gregory never cut the cord on his landline phone. He never had one to begin with. When Gregory, now a computer consultant, was attending the University of New Orleans, he decided it would be better to have a...

Loyola studio aims to train future music industry moguls.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel They can mix, edit and produce by the time they graduate. Then it's time for Loyola University New Orleans Music Business graduates to leave the state. It's too bad -- these students sport the highest entrance...

Interview with director of Public Law Center.(interview with David Marcello)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Megan Kamerick David Marcello directs the Public Law Center, a joint venture between the law schools of Tulane and Loyola universities. The center trains people from all over the world in writing laws. Last fall he led a team from...

Commentary: U.S.'s post-war actions in Iraq will be important.(Column)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff "The game is over," said Mohammed Al-Douri, Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations, as Baghdad came under American control. Well, not quite. A wounded rattlesnake still has enough venom to kill. But while the...

Technology helps cut the cord tethering Realtors to their offices.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Michael Giusti Technology may soon force real estate professionals to rethink their "location" mantra in favor of communication, communication, communication. From cell phones to Web sites, real estate agents and brokers...

Commentary: Reconstruction of Iraq should be U.S. responsibility.(Column)
April 14, 2003... Byline: D. Singletary We may not have moved our paper clips, staplers and laser printers into their government buildings, but our military is establishing administrative function in Iraq. After the war is over, and it may very well be...

Survey reveals Mayor Nagin's approval rating at end of first year in office.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff The University of New Orleans announced findings of a March survey on Mayor C. Ray Nagin's approval rating as he approaches the end of his first year in office. The survey polled 457 registered voters in Orleans Parish....

Sewerage & Water Board releases outsourcing request draft for public comment.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans has approved for public comment a draft of a request for proposals to hire an outside company to manage parts of the city's water agency. The draft, including suggestions for improvement...

Wooley officially declared state's commissioner of insurance.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Robert Wooley, Louisiana's former acting commissioner of insurance, has officially been declared commissioner of insurance. Louisiana lawprovides that Wooley, as the department's first assistant, fill the vacancy created when...

Allstate Insurance sets up hotline for customers affected by hailstorms in La. and Miss.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Allstate Corp. has set up a special hotline to assist its insurance customers affected by hailstorms in Louisiana and Mississippi. Customers can call 800 547-8676 to speak with catastrophe specialists partnering with local...

Cox Channel 10 unveils new program about local filmmakers.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Cox Channel 10 has unveiled "Timecode: NOLA," a new program highlighting local filmmakers. "Timecode: NOLA" is a monthly, hour-long program that showcases short films, animation and informative pieces along with interviews...

Local ad agency has winning entries in District ADDY Awards.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Peter A. Mayer Advertising Inc. won District ADDY Awards for its Dr. Tichenor's, Fore!Kids Foundation, and New Orleans Saints campaigns. The agency was notified of its winning entries last week, and placements will be...

CityBusiness collects six LPA news awards.
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff New Orleans CityBusiness collected six editorial honors at the 123rd annual Louisiana Press Association Convention held April 4-5 in Monroe. Art Director Lisa Finnan was the runner-up in the best front page competition...

Adopt-a-Tomb project announced by Save Our Cemeteries Inc.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Save Our Cemeteries Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps preserve historic cemeteries, has come up with a new way to save one of New Orleans' most famous cemeteries. Adopt-a-Tomb is the name of a project to help...

New Lowe's economic impact on Orleans Parish measured.(Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Beth James, director of economic development for New Orleans, released economic impact details last week regarding the new Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse to be built in Gentilly. The 131,000-square-foot retail store would...

New U.S. Public Interest Research Groups report claims to debunk energy frauds.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff The Washington D.C.-based U.S. Public Interest Research Groups says energy companies are not as environmentally keen as they say they are. The Boston-based Earthday Resources for Living Green has released its 11th annual...

Philip A. Dur, V.P at Northrop Grumman Corp., receives honor from trade press.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Philip A. Dur of Lafayette, Northrop Grumman Corp.'s corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, has been named one of America's 50 most important Hispanic executives in technology and business by...

P&O Ports installing wireless access and tracking system.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff P&O Ports North America Inc., a New Orleans-based terminal operator, has hired TransCore, a Dallas-based transportation services company, to install a wireless access and tracking system for its operations at the new Napoleon...

Lynne Cheney donates $25,000 to National D-Day Museum.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff The National D-Day Museum received $25,000 from Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney. The check, presented April 9 by Cheney to D-Day Museum President Gordon Mueller, will be used to fund the museum's Center for...

Dolan Media Company, CityBusiness' owner, acquires 11 legal directories.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Dolan Media Co., parent company to New Orleans CityBusiness of the New Orleans Publishing Group, has acquired 11 local and regional legal directories from 1-800-Attorney Inc. The local directories serve attorneys and other...

Louisiana Heart Hospital in Covington searches for nurses.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Increased statewide competition among heart hospitals has made experienced medical staff a hot commodity on the North Shore. The Louisiana Heart Hospital added to the pressure when it opened six weeks ago in Covington. ...

New drainage pumps in Broadmoor neighborhood ready for April showers.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Two new drainage canals in the Broadmoor neighborhood are draining 7,100 cubic feet of water per second, said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman John Hall. The New Orleans neighborhood in the vicinity of South...

Tulane Univ. researchers look for salt-sensitive gene in blood pressure grant study.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff Tulane University researchers are using a $6.3 million grant to study how blood pressure is related to salt intake. Studies have shown high salt and low potassium intake are major risk factors for hypertension. However,...

State bonds fund D-Day Museum expansion.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Staff The Louisiana State Bond Commission approved $1 million for the National D-Day Museum's expansion. Though the museum will not receive the money for several months, it will be used to design, plan and build the Center for the...

Legal tangles leave La. in insurance bind.
April 21, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer State lawmakers have the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission in their crosshairs as the Legislature looks for ways to sideline rising insurance rates. Two bills aim to make it easier for insurance companies to do...

Investors, advisers debate the post-war value of gold.
April 21, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi During times of political or economic uncertainty, investors see gold as a safe haven. In the three months prior to the war with Iraq, the price of gold jumped more than $50 per ounce. But now that the war...

Movie school offers students star-making job potential.(Ghost Rider Pictures Urban League Training Program)
April 21, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi Back in January, Olivia Newton thought the best career choice she had in New Orleans was a low-paying job in the hospitality industry. Little did she know that three months later she would be working alongside...

Sewerage & Water Board process tries United Water patience.
April 21, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler Two companies expected to bid on Sewerage & Water Board's management contract are losing patience after spending four years trying to close the deal. "New Orleans has got to make some decisions about what it...

Tulane Univ. closes N. Shore site as enrollment misses goal.
April 21, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel Glenn Jacob, who has been working on a Tulane bachelor's degree since 1994, finally sees an end in sight. He thought he did anyway. Jacob, vice president of operations for Pontchartrain Foods Ltd. in...

La. lawmakers hope regulations can put a lid on 'spam' messages.
April 21, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer On a normal work day, you come into your office, have a cup of coffee, listen to your voice mail and start sifting through e-mails that landed in your inbox overnight. And you might spend about 30 minutes trying to...

Louisiana Jukebox show makes changes for 7th season.
April 21, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi Louisiana Jukebox enters its seventh season armed with new hosts, a new format and a new look. Its mission is simple. "We want to make this show as important and essential a part of New Orleans as Jazz Fest is,"...

Hope House provides low-income residents with food, shelter, educational programs.
April 21, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi Not only has Hope House helped Joanika Davis find affordable housing and child-care assistance, it's also helped her master the art of making pasta. Davis said she approached Hope House several years ago trying...

Interview with medical director of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.(Norman McSwain)(Interview)
April 21, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler Dr. Norman McSwain makes his rounds outdoors in the sunshine by specializing in treating patients at public events. This week, McSwain will again serve as medical director for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage...

N.O.'s oldest law firm breaks ground with female managing partner.(Chaffe, McCall, Phillips, Tolar and Sarpy, L.L.P.'s Corinne Morrison)
April 21, 2003... Byline: Megan Kamerick Several years ago, Corinne Morrison, a partner at Chaffe, McCall, Phillips, Toler & Sarpy LLP, swapped places with the firm's receptionist. After 10 minutes she was duly impressed at just how tough it was. ...

War on Iraq poses little drag on TV ad dollars.
April 21, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel War coverage hasn't pounded the television advertising world nearly as viciously as the 9-11 terrorist attacks did. Advertisers seemed confused about what to do when the war began, said Jimmie Phillips, general...

Two bills target legal quagmire created by glut of asbestos suits.
April 21, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler Soon, the fear of getting sick may not be a good enough reason for employees in Louisiana to sue their employers for asbestos exposure. Two proposed bills in the state Legislature would require plaintiffs in...

Commentary: Understanding of various business cycles important in economics.
April 21, 2003... Byline: D. Singletary The last month has been really busy. We've dethroned Saddam Hussein. We've reconciled our annual obligation to the Internal Revenue Service. We've crowned a left-handed Canadian as champion of the Masters...