New Orleans CityBusiness articles from June 2006

New Orleans CityBusiness archives from June 2006

Disaster unemployment assistance payments end for Katrina claimants.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Disaster unemployment assistance payments will end for Katrina claimants Saturday, according to the Louisiana Department of Labor. About 67,400 individuals continue to receive Katrina-related jobless...

Survey shows women feel disadvantaged in the car-buying proces.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report A Capital One Auto Finance Gender Rules of the Road survey of automotive buying habits shows most women still feel disadvantaged in the car-buying process. The national survey of 1,000 female car buyers...

Employees' perception of themselves hinders improving performance.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Poll a typical office asking each member to rate themselves on effectiveness and most respondents rate themselves a 95 percent to 100 percent on a 100 percent scale, according to Rich Fredricksen, principal...

A New Orleans high school reopens as a charter school.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Warren Easton High School -- the oldest public school in New Orleans - will reopen as a charter school in August, school officials announced Tuesday.More than $1.5 million in repairs are expected to be...

Four scientists return to New Orleans to announce environmental findings.
June 1, 2006... Byline: Richard A. Webster Two months after a team of local, national and international scientists gathered in New Orleans to study Louisiana's environment, four returned today to announce their findings and recommendations.Standing at a...

Doctors Imaging Services brings help to New Orleans' hurricane-battered health care system.
June 1, 2006... Byline: Richard A. Webster Doctors Imaging Services will bring much-needed help to New Orleans' hurricane-battered health care system when it opens July 1.The 8,500-square-foot radiological imaging center at 4202 Teuton St. in Metairie...

Louisiana coast guard investigates collision between two tank ships of the lower Mississippi River.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Coast Guard will convene a one-person formal investigation at 9 a.m. Thursday to look into the collision between two tank ships at mile 178 of the Lower Mississippi River near Donaldsonville.The...

Louisiana Department of Labor discourages employers of illegally lowering unemployment taxes.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Louisiana Department of Labor is trying to discourage the practice of illegally lowering unemployment insurance taxes. A new law allows LDOL to impose stiff penalties for the practice called "SUTA...

Health care leaders meet in New Orleans to discuss industry issues and operational insights.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Leaders from some of the nation's largest and most influential health care organizations are at the Hotel Monteleone Thursday and Friday for the Six Clinic Conference, where CEOs and administrators will...

15 insurance companies face a class action lawsuit for denying Katrina victims insurance coverage.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report A potential $200-billion class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana cites 15 insurance providers for denying or refusing insurance coverage to policyholders...

Louisiana Affairs Council plan to consolidate New Orleans' assessors into single office ranks.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Consolidation of New Orleans' seven assessors into a single office ranks high among the meaningful reforms the Legislature must pass this session, according to President Jim Brandt of the Public Affairs...

Katrina victims face liability for not advising insurance policyholders of needing flood insurance.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report In the many insurance coverage lawsuits over damage from Hurricane Katrina, the agent is allegedly at fault for not telling the policyholders they needed flood insurance. These cases could trigger...

Surge in nonresidential construction spending offsets a slowdown in single-family home building.
June 1, 2006... Byline: New Orleans CityBusiness Staff Report NONRESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION ACCELERATES AS HOUSING HITS THE BRAKES, AGC ECONOMIST SAYS Simonson Predicts Continued Strength for Nonresidential Despite High Materials Costs A surge in...

Algiers Charter School Association looks to fill a vacant board of Trustees seat.
June 1, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Algiers Charter School Association, which controls six West Bank public schools in Algiers, is looking to fill a vacant Board of Trustees seat.Applicants must have lived in Algiers at least three years...

Home-based business is a $102-billion industry in America.
June 2, 2006... Byline: New Orleans CityBusiness Staff Report Home-based business has turned into a $102-billion industry in America, according to a study released Thursday by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration."Sole...

New Orleans homegrown movie makers unveil first film.
June 2, 2006... Byline: New Orleans CityBusiness Staff Report The inaugural effort of a homegrown movie production group will be unveiled June 10.The New Orleans Filmmakers, a group of 88 industry professionals, will premier John Vowell's "Aperture" at 8...

A New Orleans community recognizes small business leaders at luncheon.
June 2, 2006... Byline: Greg LaRose The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce recognized leaders of small business at awards luncheon Friday. Hector Barreto, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, was on hand to present the awards and deliver the event's...

New Orleans all-female membership holds a car wash to benefit a non-profit association.
June 2, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The PussyFooters, whose all-female membership is known for strutting its stuff during Carnival and seasonal parades, will hold a car wash from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday to benefit the Holy Cross Neighborhood...

New Orleans streets are still full of trash nearly nine months after Hurricane Katrina.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Deon Roberts Editor's note: Today's second installment of the nine-part "City on a Shoestring" series in CityBusiness focuses on the enormous task of collecting and disposing of trash in New Orleans post-Katrina. Post-Katrina...

General Manager of Prudential Gardner Realtors expects residential sales to increase.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Deon Roberts Rick Haase, general manager of Prudential Gardner Realtors, expects residential sales to pick up in April as summer draws near.But momentum changed this April in post-Katrina New Orleans.The gap between the rising...

Deadline for submissions to New Orleans calendar of events is 10 days prior to publication.
June 5, 2006... Byline: New Orleans CityBusiness Staff Report The following calendar of business meetings and events is for June 5-11. The deadline for submissions to the business calendar is 10 days prior to publication date. June 7Slidell Job Fest,...

Katrina victims show signs of adverse psychological effects in trying to cope with slow recoveries.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Elizabeth Stuart Adverse psychological effects caused by Hurricane Katrina's destruction last year are showing up nine months later in the form of substance abuse in the New Orleans area, a recent survey shows. Of the 603 people...

New Orleans children fail hearing test due to allergies caused by crud in the air since Katrina.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Richard A. Webster More than 75 percent of the children at a Metairie preschool failed a recent hearing test conducted by the New Orleans Speech and Hearing Center.Executive Director Lesley Jernigan said the problem can mostly be...

New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System plays a key role in the medical community Katrina recovery.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Craig Guillot Recently named the 10th most powerful physician executive in the nation, Ochsner Health System CEO Dr. Patrick Quinlan has led the organization through a name change and America's most costly natural disaster....

Bulldozing offers closure but rebuilding questions linger in New Orleans.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Mark Singletary My contractor said to be there at 7:15 a.m. I showed up at 7 and the work had already begun. The front wall of my house was gone. It wouldn't take long for the rest of it to disappear. I stood in the street and...

High School Graduates of 1996 have class reunion in New Orleans despite Hurricane Katrina damages.
June 5, 2006... Byline: April Capochino Warren Easton High School's class of 1996 will be in New Orleans for its 10-year reunion this weekend despite Hurricane Katrina damaging the school, displacing classmates and destroying student records."When we...

The New Orleans Recovery School District launches aggressive search for teachers.
June 5, 2006... Byline: April Capochino The Recovery School District plans to hire the best teachers for 33 New Orleans public schools it will reopen in the fall. But teacher testing and pay scales could become sticking points.The preliminary RSD plan...

New Orleans family decides to move back and build a life despite Katrina destruction.
June 5, 2006... Byline: April Capochino Marc Ehrhardt's wife, Bridget, was nine months pregnant when the couple evacuated from their Lakeview home to Houston during Hurricane Katrina.They spent two weeks in a Houston hotel room, relying on the Internet to...

U.S. Treasury Department gives $527M in tax credits to eight Louisiana organizations.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans, said eight Louisiana organizations, including six in New Orleans, will receive $527 million in New Markets Tax Credits from the U.S. Treasury Department."These tax...

New Orleans-based CityBusiness news staff wins 10 Louisiana Press Association honors.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report New Orleans CityBusiness took home 10 Louisiana Press Association honors recently, including Best Front Page by Art Director Lisa Finnan and Best Feature Photo by Cheryl Gerber.CityBusiness finished second...

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport cargo is down 43.6 percent.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Cargo at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is down 43.6 percent from a year ago largely because the U.S. Postal Service's sorting operations remain in Baton Rouge.According to LANOIA,...

Louisiana-based Allpax Inc is acquired by Pro Mach Inc.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Covington-based Allpax Products Inc. has been acquired by Pro Mach Inc., a packaging products, services and integrated solutions provider.Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Allpax will continue to...

Politicians plan to find an approach to make homeowners' insurance available and affordable.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report In a move to curb skyrocketing homeowners' insurance rates and overcome a congressional unwillingness to act, two senators from storm-ravaged states are filing legislation to create an emergency commission...

New Orleans seasoned chef dishes first-rate Creole cuisine.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Tom Fitzmorris $$$$Vizard's on the AvenuePost-storm ratings: AGarden District: 2203 St. Charles Ave.Reservations advised. 529-9912.Dinner Tues.-Sat.AE, DC, DS, MC, V Price ratings are a rough calculation of what you might...

New Orleans congressmen don't want their offices searched by the FBI.
June 5, 2006... Byline: New Orleans CityBusiness Staff Report Before the investigation of Rep. William Jefferson was even a gleam in the FBI's eye, the bitterly partisan Congress could only meet in the middle on one thing: Both parties would rather fight...

U.S. Corps of Engineers work day and night to prepare New Orleans levees for 2006 hurricane season.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Terry O'Connor The incessant hammering sounds like a mighty blacksmith pounding a giant anvil doing the work of the gods. But it's mere mortals racing the clock to shore up the levees at the end of Vintage Street in Kenner before...

New Orleans oil and gas executives discuss their preparation for the 2006 hurricane season.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Tommy Santora Question 1 How were you affected by last year's storms and what has your company done to prepare for hurricane season? Richard Adkerson, McMoRan Exploration Co. co-chairmanAll of McMoRan's oil and gas...

Freeport-McMoRan C&G encounters copper mining troubles.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. today reported problems with copper mining at PT Freeport Indonesia. PT-FI still expects its share of second-quarter copper and gold sales to approximate 235 million...

Avondale helps secure $2.49B construction project for Northrop Grumman Corp.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Northrop Grumman Corp. Friday received a $2.49-billion U.S. Navy shipbuilding contract for construction and development of two San Antonio (LPD 17)-class ships. The contract is for construction of two...

Wynton Marsalis, Emeril Lagasse to team on New Orleans TV event.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Plans for "New Orleans: Rebuilding the Soul of America... One Year Later," a TV special by nine-time Grammy Award-winning musician and New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis, will be announced at 1 p.m....

Combined Credit Manager's Index report notes extremely sluggish economy.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Combined Credit Manager's Index fell 2.6 percent in May on a seasonally adjusted basis. Seven of 10 components remain above the 50% mark indicating economic expansion but the overall decline was still...

CityBusiness: What's your favorite post-Katrina restaurant.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The CityBusiness Interactive Reader Question of the Week involves a favorite activity in New Orleans any time: Dining out.Readers are asked to name their favorite restaurant in the New Orleans metro area...

Commentary: Jefferson probe casts shadow on us all.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Editorial Before the investigation of Rep. William Jefferson was even a gleam in the FBI's eye, the bitterly divided partisan Congress could only meet in the middle on one thing: Both parties would rather fight than...

The Windsor Court unveils New Orleans rebuilding 'initiatives'.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Windsor Court is offering a series of initiatives to provide an opportunity for people and businesses to contribute to the rebirth of the Crescent City.The Windsor Court's "Meetings that Matter"...

John C. Stennis Space Center learns of its latest assignment.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report John C. Stennis Space Center employees will help America land on Mars.Stennis will test rocket propulsion systems for the Constellation Launch Vehicle project, which revives human and robotic exploration of...

New Orleans' Creole Tomato Fest to celebrate 20th year.
June 5, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The 20th anniversary of the French Market Creole Tomato Festival will feature the luscious reds from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. But it's not just about the food this year. "This year the festival is more...

Commentary: Corpsworks to forge improved image.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Terry O'Connor The incessant hammering sounds like a mighty blacksmith pounding a giant anvil doing the work of the gods. But it's mere mortals racing the clock to shore up the levees at the end of Vintage Street in Kenner before...

Xavier University of Louisiana hosts sixth annual international conference on diversity.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Xavier University of Louisiana will play host to the sixth annual international conference on diversity June 12-15 at the downtown Sheraton Hotel. The theme will be "Human Rights, Diversity and Social...

University of New Orleans professors go to Hollywood as part of American Film Institute program.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The University of New Orleans is sending a contingent to the American Film Institute's 34th Life Achievement Award Thursday featuring an honor for actor Sean Connery at the Kodak Theatre.Susan Krantz, dean...

Robert Berning purchases site for full-service marketing agency next to his Metairie studio.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Robert Berning has purchased a site at 706 Papworth Ave. next door to his studio in Metairie to accommodate Berning Marketing, a full service marketing agency. Berning Marketing's services will encompass...

Jefferson Chamber of Commerce lunch to recognize top educators, students.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce is giving its Annual Report Card on Education, Excellence in Education Awards Luncheon from 11:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. today at the Airport Hilton."The luncheon provides...

Union Tank generates job interest in Louisiana.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Union Tank Car Co. officials were hoping for about 2400 people to show up for a job fair in Alexandria Saturday. It fielded more than twice as many applicants.A total of 988 people applied for jobs offered...

New Orleans-based Dorignac's Food Center undeterred by $1M Katrina loss.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Dorignac's Food Center will be ready for hurricane survival shoppers this hurricane season.After Hurricane Katrina closed the family owned business for about three weeks, Dorignac's opened Sept. 21, 2005...

Houma nets $1.7M in federal economic development boost.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Suzanne Haik Terrell today presented Economic Development Administration investment checks worth $1.7 million in Houma."President Bush...

Newcomb College to become H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College Institute on July, 1.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report On July 1, Newcomb College will officially become H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College Institute and Rebecca Mark, a Newcomb Fellow and member of the Tulane English department will serve as its interim...

No consensus yet on best New Orleans-area restaurant.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Crescent City's broad range of great restaurants are being well and widely represented in the CityBusiness Interactive Reader Question of the Week: What is the best restaurant in New Orleans...

Norwegian Spirit to drop anchor in New Orleans in November, 2007.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report NCL Corp. today announced the Norwegian Spirit will drop anchor in New Orleans next in November 2007.Norwegian Spirit's seven-day cruises will feature calls into Belize City, Santo Tomas, Guatemala and...

Rig worker airlifted to medical care in New Orleans.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report A Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew airlifted a male crewman today from the oil rig South Pass 57 about 10 miles east of the mouth of the Mississippi River near Southwest Pass.Search and rescue...

Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana: End freebie tickets for elected officials.
June 6, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana Inc. today called on the Legislature to close the loophole allowing free tickets for elected officials."The Legislature should close the loophole that gives...

Commentary: Bulldozing offers some closure but rebuilding questions linger.
June 6, 2006... Byline: Mark Singletary My contractor said to be there at 7:15 a.m. I showed up at 7 and the work had already begun. The front wall of my house was gone. It wouldn't take long for the rest of it to disappear, too. I stood right in the...

Kenneth C. Budde retiring as Stewart Enterprises CEO, president.
June 7, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Stewart Enterprises, Inc. reported today that Kenneth C. Budde, its president and CEO, has decided to retire effective June 30. Thomas M. Kitchen, the company's chief financial officer, will serve as...

Junior Achievement Poll: Summer jobs give teens jump on college costs.
June 7, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report More teenagers are working this summer to save money for college tuition, according to the "2006 Junior Achievement Poll on Teens and Summer Jobs."The poll was conducted in classrooms across the county in...

Louisiana still rebuilding construction work force.
June 7, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Louisiana still is not a construction magnet for workers around the country despite the widespread destruction left by the 2005 hurricane season, said the chief economist for the Washington, D.C.-based...

U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu glad gay marriage amendment rejected.
June 7, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Senate Wednesday rejected a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, dealing an embarrassing defeat to President Bush and Republicans who hoped to use the measure to energize conservative voters...

Job fair set for Saturday in New Orleans convention center.
June 7, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and Aramark, the Center's food service provider, will play co-host to a job fair from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday in Hall D-1 across the street from the Hampton...

United Tile to open in Harahan, Louisiana.
June 7, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report United Tile is planning a one-week grand opening beginning June 24 at 5600 Jefferson Highway.United Tile provides tile and stone with a showroom featuring porcelain and ceramic tile, natural stone, custom...

New Orleans Zephyrs to face Prior at home, Clemens away next week.
June 7, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Chicago Cubs All-Star pitcher Mark Prior will make a rehab start against the New Orleans Zephyrs at 7 p.m. for the Iowa Cubs. The Zephyrs are offering a non-refundable discount to the game - all reserved...

New Orleans Charity Hospital backers rally to fight for its reopening.
June 7, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Doctors, civil rights advocates and public health organizations will rally at 1 p.m. Thursday outside the condemned Charity Hospital to fight for its reopening.The rally in front of the hospital on Tulane...

New Orleans BioInnnovation Center receives $1.25M economic development grant.
June 7, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The New Orleans BioInnovation Center has received a $1.25-million grant from the Department of Economic Development to help build a 130,000-square-foot facility in the 1400 block of Canal Street.Aaron...

University of New Orleans real estate report offers mixed news on area's recovery.
June 7, 2006... Byline: Deon Roberts It's more than three months behind schedule but a popular annual real estate report published by the University of New Orleans is finally out.The publication of the "Katrina Edition" of the Metropolitan New Orleans...

New Orleans' airport passengers climb above 500,000 in April.
June 7, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report April ridership increased 7 percent at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport with 502,000 passengers compared with 470,000 in March.April ridership is 46 percent lower than April 2005 when...

New Orleans hotel and construction group work together to lure visitors back to New Orleans.
June 8, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Loews New Orleans Hotel and Kennedy & Associates are working to lure visitors back to the Big Easy by renovating Blessed Seelos Catholic Church in the St. Gerard Building in the Upper Ninth Ward. Using...

St. Louis-based RehabCare Group Inc. acquires New Orleans Solara hospital for $19.7M.
June 8, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report RehabCare Group Inc. has closed on its $19.7-million acquisition of Solara Hospital of New Orleans, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing made public Wednesday.RehabCare Group agreed May...

Another New Orleans French Quarter landmark restaurant is back in business.
June 8, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Another French Quarter landmark restaurant is back in business.Brennan's Restaurant at 417 Royal St. in the heart of the French Quarter officially reopened at 9 a.m. today. The opening signals Brennan's...

Louisiana State Board of Elementary Education holds special meeting to tour damaged school district.
June 8, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will hold a special meeting at 1 p.m. Monday at McDonogh No. 35 High School in New Orleans. Board members will tour of damaged and operating Recovery...

Louisiana-based Bollinger announces signing of four sister oil delivery ships.
June 8, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Bollinger Marine Fabricators LLC, a Bollinger Shipyards Inc. company, has delivered a double hull oil tank barge to K-Sea Transportation Partners LP of Staten Island, N.Y. Following the delivery,...

U.S. Commercial Service announces plans to reduce costs for hurricane-affected exporters.
June 8, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Commerce Department's U.S. Commercial Service today announced it will dramatically reduce the costs of several export programs for U.S. businesses affected by hurricane disasters to encourage exporting...

New Orleans-based Dillard University receives $1.1M to attract students and employees.
June 8, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Dillard University will receive nearly $1.1 million in grants to fund scholarships to attract students next year and create a job training program for displaced workers and the unemployed.The United...

Louisiana Recovery Authority announces plans for four economic development programs.
June 8, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Louisiana Recovery Authority and Office of Community Development published action plans today for four economic development programs and an amendment to the Local Government Emergency Infrastructure...

French Quarter termite offensive expanded.
June 9, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Eight square blocks of the historic New Orleans French Quarter have been added to an integrated pest management program aimed at reducing the concentrations of Formosan subterranean termites in the city,...

New Orleans City Council expected at African-American Leadership Project policy summit Saturday.
June 9, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The African-American Leadership Project will convene a Policy Summit at 3 p.m. Saturday with members of the New Orleans City Council at the ASHE Cultural Arts Center, 1712 O.C. Haley Blvd. The objective is...

Votes are pouring in for favorite post-Katrina restaurant.
June 9, 2006... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The CityBusiness Interactive Reader Question of the Week -- What restaurant is your favorite post-Katrina? -- has attracted more interest than any question since the mayoral race.More than 30 restaurants...

Jeff Parish won't rely on federal promises.
June 9, 2006... Byline: Deon Roberts A week into hurricane season, Jefferson Parish has loose ends to tie up in storm preparation.Parish President Aaron Broussard said Hurricane Katrina pointed out the need for the parish to be better protected."We're...

Commentary: Stories jump out from any street.
June 9, 2006... Byline: Terry O'Connor COMMENTARY Stroll down any street in the New Orleans metro area and a simultaneous story of human suffering and human spirit calls out.You don't have to take someone to the Lower Ninth Ward to view devastation. It's...