New Orleans CityBusiness articles from July 2008

New Orleans CityBusiness archives from July 2008

Secondhand Savings in N.O.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Emilie Bahr When she finds her bank balance running low, Kristy Tramuta heads to her closet, hoping to squeeze some extra cash out of seldom-worn accessories or last season's trends. In times of more serious need, even wardrobe...

Higher gas prices drive motorcycle sales in N.O. higher.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Emilie Bahr Four-dollar gasoline is reconfiguring the cost-benefit equation for some would-be motorcycle riders, providing enthusiasts with the incentive to pull long-latent machines from storage and, in some cases, buy the pricey...

Architects make plea to preserve schools in N.O.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Ariella Cohen The glass exterior of Phillis Wheatley Elementary School in Treme was replaced with a plastic substitute in dull shades of blue and green decades ago. Rust collects on once-gleaming steel trusses, and dented air...

July 8-17.
July 7, 2008... Byline: From CityBusiness Staff Reports July 8-10 Kenner Police Chief Steve Caraway and the Kenner Police Department will hold a Women's Self Defense Course at 6 p.m. The program, held at Kenner's Barbre Gym, 1610 3rd St., is free and open...

Commentary: Voters will remember pay raise debacle.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Mark Singletary Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature have had a rough couple of weeks. Just a few weeks ago, Jindal was rumored to be Sen. John McCain's choice for vice president. Now, Jindal's doing everything within...

Education in N.O.: Agents of change.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Stephen Maloney The educational landscape in New Orleans has changed dramatically since Hurricane Katrina, but a new wave of leadership is pledging to revolutionize public schools in the city. More than 100 new teachers and...

Louisiana AGC Conference: Contractors urged to get involved in politics.(Conference news)
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The nation's largest construction trade association wants contractors to get more involved in politics, starting with this fall's presidential election. As Will Rogers used to say, 'It's a great country, but you...

Ankor to retain Taylor Energy workers in N.O.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The company created in the wake of the sale of Taylor Energy Co. to foreign interests plans to retain most of its New Orleans work force. In announcing John Pope as its CEO and president, Ankor Energy LLC said it...

Off the Clock: Leader, Jefferson Parish Public School System.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Christian Moises Age: 56 Family: husband, Larry McDonald; and stepdaughters Stephanie and Celeste Education: bachelor's degree in English education and a minor in newspaper journalism, University of New Orleans; master's degree in...

City lof N.O. launches street, drainage work Web sites.(Website overview)
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The city's Department of Public Works is using two new Web sites that will allow the public to track the status of street and sidewalk repairs and drainage cleaning throughout the city. The address for the street...

N.O. Education Briefs: July 7, 2008.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Greg LaRose University of New Orleans archaeology students are digging in the French Quarter, looking for the remains of Fort St. Charles, thought to have once stood on the site of the U.S. Mint. Fort St. Charles, also referred to...

Apple plans $1.9M store at Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie.
July 7, 2008... Byline: From CityBusiness Staff Reports One-stop shopping for iPods, MacBooks and all things Apple could be available in the New Orleans area soon. Apple has secured a building permit in Jefferson Parish to construct a $1.9 million retail...

In Other Words: Higher education in N.O.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Jennifer Nall Randy Moffett -- President, University of Louisiana System (former Southeastern Louisiana University president) Public universities have not had a tuition increase since 2005. Rising costs for energy and many...

New Orleans earns 'Most Sparkling City' status.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Yellow Tail wines named New Orleans America's Most Sparkling City. Yellow Tail based the designation on a nationwide survey of 900 adults ages 21 and older to find the top 10 cities. The finalists were Las Vegas,...

Louisiana's Airports: Holding pattern.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet Louisiana's airports should be seeing more money from fuel tax collections, matching the nation's sky-high fuel prices. But the state's tax system structure is causing airports to miss out. Rising fuel prices aren't...

Commentary: Independence within reach.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff This issue should be hitting newsstands and mailboxes near the end of the Independence Day weekend. As any third-grade American history student knows, the holiday is set aside to celebrate America's breakaway...

Commentary: Public-private agency must avoid pitfalls.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Greg LaRose Arthur Pulitzer held a rapt audience for the 10 minutes he was at the microphone during the Horizon Initiative's membership update meeting at Restaurant August last Monday. With an impassioned delivery at times, he was...

Lawmakers deny $10M for tourism marketing in N.O.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Richard A. Webster The recent controversy over the legislative pay raise allowed another unpopular decision to slide by relatively unnoticed -- the Legislature's rejection of a request by the New Orleans tourism industry for $10...

Van scans in N.O. catch problem parkers.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet A new system that scans license plates to track down people who haven't paid their parking tickets could yield about $13 million in overdue parking and towing fees for the city by the end of the year, said Public...

Musicians in N.O. not in harmony with making union stronger.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Richard A. Webster To book a band in New Orleans, all a club owner has to do is wave a $50 bill in the air and wait for musicians to come running in desperation to get their hands on the cash, said local rhythm and blues legend...

Commentary: Cruise ships change course with variable dining options.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Tom Fitzmorris New Orleans was on the verge of becoming a serious cruise port when Hurricane Katrina hit. Two Carnival ships made weekly trips year-round from the riverfront cruise terminal. The Conquest, Carnival's newest and...

What others say.
July 7, 2008... Byline: From CityBusiness Staff Reports 'Freshmen flock to New Orleans,' USA Today, July 1 As the city struggles to repopulate after Hurricane Katrina, booming numbers of college students are enrolling. The city's three major universities...

New Orleans City Council committee pushes for more contracting transparency.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet The City Council's Governmental Affairs Committee moved forward today on legislation to increase transparency in city contracting. The committee, chaired by District A Councilwoman Shelley Midura, considered several...

New Orleans gas prices reach new high.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The average price of a gallon of regular grade gasoline hit another high in the city today at $3.991. Last month, city drivers were paying on average $3.879 per gallon. A year ago, the average price stood...

Question of the Week results: La. Legislature will work with Jindal despite pay raise veto.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Gov. Bobby Jindal's veto of a pay raise for legislators will not harm his working relationship with the Legislature, according to a majority of voters to CityBusiness' Question of the Week. The online poll...

New Orleans-area first-time unemployment claims drop for 2nd straight week.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The New Orleans area saw a decrease in initial unemployment claims for a second straight week for the week ending June 28 to 784 from 807. The area, comprised of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St....

New Orleans CityBusiness' Book of Lists deadline 5 p.m. Thursday.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The deadline is drawing near for businesses to make sure they are included in CityBusiness' 2008-09 Book of Lists. To have your company included or update your information, contact Market Research Jennifer...

Architects make plea to preserve New Orleans-area schools.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Ariella Cohen The glass exterior of Phillis Wheatley Elementary School in Treme was replaced with a plastic substitute in dull shades of blue and green decades ago. Rust collects on once-gleaming steel trusses, and dented air...

University of New Orleans survey tracks progress in N.O., St. Bernard.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report More than 60 percent of flooded homes involved in a May survey of Orleans and St. Bernard parishes were either being rebuilt or renovated or had been rebuilt, the University of New Orleans Geography...

New Orleans City Council asks city attorney to improve public records turnaround.
July 7, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet Following a status report on public records requests with the city's law department, City Council members have given City Attorney Penya Moses-Fields 30 days to come up with a city process for responding to public...

Senator Mary Landrieu: Postal Service to return hurricane aid to Louisiana.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans, said household goods meant for the 2005 hurricane victims but given away by the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be returned to Louisiana. Landrieu said the U.S....

Entergy Louisiana offers energy-saving tips to St. Bernard residents.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Entergy Louisiana and the St. Bernard Parish Office of Community Development will offer Outreach Day on Friday to help residents prepare for hot-weather months and hurricane season. The event will run from...

New Orleans CityBusiness blog gets face-lift.
July 7, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report CityBusiness today updated and redesigned its blog, a Web site that highlights major, and sometimes offbeat, issues facing the New Orleans region. Check out the new look at...

Conference to focus on littering, impact on economic development in Louisiana.(Conference news)
July 12, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Keep Louisiana Beautiful will focus on issues relating to littering and its impact on economic development in Louisiana, recycling, trends in litter law enforcement, and sustainability of community...

ArenaBowl 'Tech-N.O. Bowl' to feature latest sports technology, digital media.
July 12, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Arena Football League has partnered with the Louisiana Technology Council and the Downtown Development District to showcase the latest sports technology and digital media two days before ArenaBowl XXII...

Joe Stagni, Maria deFrancesch take over helm of Kenner Council.
July 12, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report District 2 Kenner Councilman Joe Stagni was chosen president of the Kenner City Council for the next six months at the council's regular meeting July 10. District 4 Councilwoman Maria deFrancesch was...

Haynesville Shale area fuels record Louisiana Mineral Board sale.
July 12, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Louisiana Mineral Board collected $48.7 million in July, surpassing last month's record payment of $35.8 million. It appears that with the Haynesville Shale discovery underway, several major companies...

The Regus Group sets up shop in Place Saint Charles building in New Orleans.
July 12, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Regus Group has acquired a 25,000-square-foot business center on the 25th floor of the Place Saint Charles Building, 201 St. Charles Ave. The Regus Group, which provides workplace solutions, with...

Commentary: Moving Target.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Richard A. Webster Editor's Note: This story begins a three-part series on how police and prosecutors are spending public resources seeking lengthy prison sentences for non-violent, low-level crimes. A pack of Kool cigarettes,...

July 17-24.
July 14, 2008... Byline: From CityBusiness Staff Reports July 17 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District will hold a public meeting to discuss environmental compliance efforts at C.F. Rowley Alternative School, 49 Madison Ave., Chalmette. The...

A deal to dine for in N.O.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Emilie Bahr Lunch for four at Galatoire's one recent weekday started with tomato and watermelon salad and cold avocado vichyssoise, served around the sunny window table once favored by Tennessee Williams. Entrees consisted of...

Off the Clock: Jesyka Bartlett, French Market Coffee director of marketing in N.O.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Christian Moises Age: 34 Family: single Education: bachelor's degree in women's studies, University of California at San Diego; completed coursework for master's degree in English, Tulane University Hometown: Covington Jesyka...

New Orleans Hospitality Briefs: July 14, 2008.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Emilie Bahr The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation in June trained 400 New Orleans area restaurant industry workers in alcohol and food safety training, part of a free program funded through a $250,000 donation...

N.O. Hospitality Industry: In Other Words.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Jennifer Nall Stephanie Miller Complex director of sales and marketing, W Hotels of New Orleans W Hotels of New Orleans has seen a number of locals who typically attend our W Happenings now deciding to take staycations this...

Commentary: Efficient mass transit necessary to move forward.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Mark Singletary Are we finally building the New Orleans of the future? And, this time the energy crisis is for real, isn't it? There are two things we should always remember: * Katrina gave us the chance to start anew. * New...

N.O. Agriculture Industry: Home field advantage.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet Wal-Mart's recent commitment to buy local stands unquestionably as a stroke of luck for Louisiana farmers but many will have to grow in size to meet the retailer's supply needs. One of the world's largest retailers,...

Complaints trigger call for quicker city records in N.O.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet The city attorney has been asked to improve the way her office responds to public records request after city council members reported receiving complaints from citizens about the lack of response from city government....

Guns within reach of criminals in N.O.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Richard A. Webster When Deputy Chief James Scott started with the New Orleans Police Department 36 years ago, the criminal weapon of choice was the Saturday Night Special, a cheap, low-quality handgun that packed little punch and...

ExpressJet to ground operations nationwide.
July 14, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff ExpressJet Airlines' operations will end Sept. 2, including 10 New Orleans flights. ExpressJet apparently has become the newest casualty to sky-high fuel costs as the carrier said Tuesday that it is ceasing all...

Bartenders compete in N.O. for best Bloody Mary.
July 14, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Teams of bartenders from New York, California, Las Vegas, Chicago and New Orleans will compete Friday to determine who can pack the most punch into a vodka and tomato juice concoction. The Ultimate Blood Mary...

Ogden Museum of Southern Art in N.O. opens Florida satellite site.
July 14, 2008... Byline: From CityBusiness Staff Reports The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is opening a satellite museum in northwest Florida. The purpose of the new museum in Santa Rosa Beach is to build upon the regional and national interest in the Ogden...

Home rebuilding increases in N.O., St. Bernard.
July 14, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff A recent study shows rebuilding is on the rise in the metro area. In May, the University of New Orleans Geography Department conducted a survey of 2,435 homes in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish that flooded in...

City attorney in N.O. opposes call for contract transparency.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet A bevy of legal minds will weigh in on the legitimacy of City Council Vice President Arnie Fielkow's proposed ordinance to open the city's contracting process to the public. Last week, the council's Governmental...

Former N.O. man sentenced for federal tax evasion.
July 14, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report A former New Orleans resident who lives in Spring, Texas, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for federal tax evasion and ordered to pay $80,000 to the Internal Revenue Service and a $10,000 fine,...

Louisiana officials praise Bush's lifting of drilling ban.
July 14, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Louisiana officials praised President Bush for today's lifting of an executive ban on offshore drilling that has been in place since his father was president. The ban prevented offshore oil exploration...

N.O. gas prices climb to new record.
July 14, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The average price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline hit another all-time high today at $3.998, according to AAA. The statewide and national averages also hit records today at $4 and $4.109,...

N.O. CityBusiness Question of the Week results: Gas prices will not affect evacuation plans.
July 14, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report No matter how high gas prices rise this summer, they will not prevent people from evacuating for a hurricane, according to a majority of voters to CityBusiness' Question of the Week. A total of 218 people...

Louisiana farmers face high demand as Wal-Mart stocks local produce.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet Wal-Mart's recent commitment to buy local stands unquestionably as a stroke of luck for Louisiana farmers. But many will have to grow in size to meet the retailer's supply needs. One of the world's largest retailers,...

N.O. homeowners can buy the lots next door.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Ariella Cohen The lot next door could be yours just in time for raking season. This fall, more than 2,000 homeowners will be given the first sales offer on properties next to their homes that were sold to the Road Home or are...

Commentary: Bumpy road lies ahead for infrastructure budgets.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Autumn C. Giusti Driving home from a recent trip to Florida, I took a 30-minute detour through Slidell neighborhoods for the sole purpose of avoiding the Interstate-10 Twin Span bridge. The bridge is still being held together by...

Pontchartrain Hotel in N.O. being converted into senior apartments.
July 14, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The Pontchartrain Hotel has been under renovation for a year but the 81-year-old building will not open for room reservations when work is complete. The hotel's owners have obtained a $7.2 million building permit...

Chefs in N.O. leaving restaurants to cook up new business.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Emilie Bahr Neal Swidler's resume would evoke envy in many an aspiring professional chef. Over his more than 20 years in the food service industry, he's headed kitchens at some of New Orleans' most-recognized restaurants,...

Commentary: Piero Cenni offers taste of Bologna in Rivertown.
July 14, 2008... Byline: Tom Fitzmorris Ristorante da Piero $$$$ Kenner: 401 Williams Blvd. Reservations: 469-8585 Lunch: Tuesday through Friday. Dinner: Tuesday through Saturday www.ristorantedapiero.net Someday, every old downtown in every...

Commentary: NOPD badge still tarnished.
July 14, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Get behind the badge. That's the call from the New Orleans Police Department in its ongoing recruitment campaign as it seeks to restore its Katrina-depleted ranks and restore order to a rebuilding city. Getting...

Kenner complaint-system head resigns.
July 14, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Jacqueline Bauer has resigned as head of the city's complaint system and one-stop program aimed at assisting economic development projects, Mayor Ed Muniz announced Monday. Bauer, who served as a...

Chefs leaving New Orleans restaurants to cook up new business.
July 15, 2008... Byline: Emilie Bahr Neal Swidler's resume would evoke envy in many an aspiring professional chef. Over his more than 20 years in the food service industry, he's headed kitchens at some of New Orleans' most-recognized restaurants,...

State of Louisiana fines Road Home contractor more than $1M.
July 15, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports The state has fined the Fairfax, Va.-based contractor for The Road Home program more than $1 million for failure to meet performance measures, the Louisiana Recovery Authority said today. The penalties: -...

N.O.-area leaders hope to cash in on Panama Canal expansion.
July 15, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports New Orleans-area leaders hope a trade mission to Panama will result in contracts from the canal's 2014 expansion and help the metro area compete with ports in other states. Mayor C. Ray Nagin and...

Official praises Louisiana work force overhaul.
July 15, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports The recent transformation of the Louisiana Department of Labor into the Louisiana Workforce Commission will "greatly improve" the way the state serves businesses and people seeking jobs, the commission's...

N.O. gas average tops $4.
July 15, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports The average price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline climbed to another record high in the city today at $4.004, up from $3.998 yesterday, according to AAA. A month ago, city drivers were paying on...

Commentary: Bumpy road lies ahead for infrastructure budgets.
July 15, 2008... Byline: Autumn C. Giusti Driving home from a recent trip to Florida, I took a 30-minute detour through Slidell neighborhoods for the sole purpose of avoiding the Interstate-10 Twin Span bridge. The bridge is still being held together by...

N.O. students cook up plan for healthier school lunches.
July 15, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports A group of New Orleans students are trying to make school lunches healthier and therefore fight childhood obesity across the United States. The Rethinkers, a group of students from the Kids Rethink New...

Bond added to New Orleans WTC project.
July 15, 2008... Byline: Ariella Cohen A layer of insurance for the city has been added to the 99-year lease that will transfer control of the iconic World Trade Center into the hands of a private developer. All parties agreed to a bonded construction...

First Trust Corp. to buy Louisiana-based Globe Bancorp, Globe Homestead.
July 15, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports First Trust Corp., the parent company of First Bank and Trust, today said it has signed an agreement to acquire Globe Bancorp Inc. and Globe Homestead. The move would expand First Bank and Trust's...

New Orleans-based Boh Bros. wins $62M Harvey Canal floodwall contract.
July 15, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports New Orleans-based Boh Bros. Construction Co. has won a $62 million contract from the Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Harvey Canal floodwall project. It is the third contract for the floodwall...

Louisiana-based Stewart Enterprises rejects buyout offer from Houston firm.
July 15, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports Funeral home and cemetery company Stewart Enterprises said Monday that it has rejected a buyout proposal from Houston-based Service Corp. International. SCI offered $9.50 per share for all of Stewart's...

Two weeks left to purchase N.O. CityBusiness Culinary Connoisseurs tickets.
July 15, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports Tickets are on sale for New Orleans CityBusiness' inaugural Culinary Connoisseurs event recognizing 50 top professionals in the dining industry. CityBusiness is awarding honors in 13 categories: best fine...

Neighbors have dibs on 2,000 next-door lots in N.O.
July 21, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The lot next door could be yours just in time for raking season. This fall, more than 2,000 homeowners will be given the first sales offer on properties next to their homes that were sold to The Road Home or are...

Louisiana-based Stewart Enterprises rejects buyout.
July 21, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Funeral home and cemetery company Stewart Enterprises has rejected a buyout proposal from Houston-based Service Corp. International. SCI offered $9.50 per share for all of Stewart's outstanding shares, or nearly...

Off the Clock: Steve Hemperley, Capital One N.O. president.
July 21, 2008... Byline: Greg LaRose Age: 47 Family: wife, Andrea; children Emy, 15, Tucker, 13, and Max, 6 Education: bachelor's degree in geology, Louisiana Tech University; master's degree in business administration, University of New Orleans Hometown:...

New Orleans Financial Briefs: July 18, 2008.
July 21, 2008... Byline: Greg LaRose The Legislature used its regular session to give the banking industry more power to protect citizen privacy and pursue identity thieves. Lawmakers included in the state budget a $200,000 initial appropriation for an...

N.O. Banking Industry: In Other Words.
July 21, 2008... Byline: Jennifer Nall Michelle C. Duhe CEO, Shell New Orleans Federal Credit Union I believe the key factors to deposit growth in a tightening economy are the safety of members' funds along with accessibility to those funds through a...

Pulling out all stops in Treme.
July 21, 2008... Byline: Richard A. Webster There are times when Cindy Keuffer wishes she could hire an extra hand to help run the Monrose Row Bed and Breakfast in Treme. But this is not one of those times. Operating as a one-woman business keeps her...

N.O. Travel Industry Briefs July 18, 2008.
July 21, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff New Orleans has been listed as one of six cities in the United States as part of Boulder, Colo.-based footwear company Crocs Shoes' cities by Foot campaign. Known for its multicultural heritage, cuisine,...