New Orleans CityBusiness articles from November 2007

New Orleans CityBusiness archives from November 2007

Louisiana Recovery Authority chairman thanks Congress for aid to Louisiana.
November 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The chairman of the Louisiana Recovery Authority is in Washington, D.C., today to thank Congress for hurricane recovery funding, including a $6.4-billion Gulf Coast recovery package passed by Congress and...

Author to sign copies of Tabasco book in New Orleans.
November 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The author of "Tabasco: An Illustrated History" will sign copies of the book from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. Shane Bernard said he has written the first and only...

New Orleans City Council, Mayor Nagin debate expected over IG funding.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Jaime Guillet New Orleans City Council members today met Mayor C. Ray Nagin's proposed $460-million budget for 2008 with appreciation for its priorities, such as public safety. But the Council also acknowledged an inevitable debate...

Louisiana's road, energy projects top $41B construction roll call.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Jaime Guillet Louisiana has about $41 billion in construction projects under development as it girds to shove its infrastructure recovery into overdrive. The World Trade Center of New Orleans lists more than 250 commercial and...

New Orleans funeral home to honor Louisiana soldiers killed in Iraq.
November 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Schoen Funeral Home, 3827 Canal St., will display 77 small American flags on its lawn today through Nov. 12 in honor of Veterans Day. The flags represent the number of Louisiana soldier killed in the war in...

4 New Orleans law firms join The Pro Bono Project.
November 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Four New Orleans law firms will make it mandatory that their attorneys provide free legal assistance, said The Pro Bono Project, a group that aims to provide free civil legal services to the poor in the...

Foreclosures double from a year ago.
November 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Foreclosures in the last three months are up 30 percent from the middle of the year and have doubled nationally from a year ago. RealtyTrac, an online foreclosure property marketplace, reports there were...

Louisiana-based Pool Corp. pays dividend.
November 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness staff report Pool Corp. said Wednesday that its board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of 12 cents per share. The dividend will be payable Dec. 10 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 26. Pool Corp. is...

Global warming rally planned for N.O. Saturday.
November 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Energy conservationists will hold a second line parade and rally beginning Saturday to call attention to global warming and encourage Congress to do something to stem climate change. The Step It Up New...

Former Metairie man sentenced to prison for Social Security fraud.
November 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report A former Metairie man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fradulent use of a Social Security number, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said Wednesday. Letten said General C. Harris III, 43, on April 18...

JCPenney reopening its store at Oakwood Center in Gretna.
November 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report J.C. Penny Co. Inc. said it is reopening its store at Oakwood Center on Friday, more than two years after the mall was shuttered following Hurricane Katrina. A ribbon-cutting will be held at 8:45 a.m....

Corps holding workshop today on N.O.-area hurricane protection.
November 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will play host to a workshop on New Orleans-area hurricane protection projects from 1 to 6 p.m. today at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. More than 17 Corps projects will...

N.O. Council backs Landrieu's housing bill.
November 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The New Orleans City Council Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing Senate passage of the housing recovery bill sponsored by Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans. The City Council said the lack...

Louisiana-based McMoRan Exploration offers senior notes to repay debt.
November 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report McMoRan Exploration Co. announced it will have a public offering of $400 million in senior notes to repay debt. The debt stems from McMoRan's acquisition of Gulf of Mexico Shelf oil and gas properties of...

French Quarter shopping coming to the Internet.
November 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report French Quarter shopping is going online in November. Starting Nov. 12 until before Thanksgiving weekend, shoppers will be able to purchase gift certificates online for participating French Quarter...

Cox N.O. to launch college sports channel.
November 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report On Saturday, Cox New Orleans plans to launch CSTV, a national cable network for college sports. At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, CSTV will feature the Tulane University football home game against the University of...

Orleans Parish School Board member Una Anderson disputes anonymous allegations.
November 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Una Anderson strongly denied allegations made against her today and lashed out against convicted felon Stan Barre calling him a "liar and cheat." In a article using anonymous sources, a New Orleans daily...

Crime Coalition vows support for DA office in transition.
November 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The New Orleans Crime Coalition Thursday threw its support behind the office of the District Attorney as it undergoes transition following the resignation of Orleans Parish District Attorney Eddie Jordan....

John Legend to bring global poverty awareness to Tulane.
November 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Grammy-award winning musician John Legend is scheduled to play at a free concert at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Tulane University to bring attention to global poverty. Also slated as part of the event is economist...

Believing is succeeding at Louisiana's KIPP Believe College Prep.
November 2, 2007... Byline: Stephen Maloney Editor's note: This is the third story in the four-part College Bound series focused on New Orleans public schools that work. This week: the college emphasis KIPP Believe College Prep places on students. Next week:...

Jenna Bush to read, sign new book in N.O. Monday.
November 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Jenna Bush, daughter of President Bush, will be in New Orleans Monday to read from and sign copies of her debut non-fiction book, "Ana's Story," based on Bush's experience working with the United Nations...

Tuesday is deadline for public comment on FEMA plan for La. and Miss. homeowners.
November 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The public has until Tuesday to comment on the federal government's proposal to give Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds to Louisiana and Mississippi homeowners who have already begun elevating homes....

Commentary: Bike path demands full commitment.
November 2, 2007... Byline: Greg LaRose The future of the William Keller Bike Path atop the Mississippi River levee on the East Bank is in jeopardy as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to raise the levee section from Audubon Park to the St. Charles...

Louisiana Financial Briefs: November 3, 2007.
November 3, 2007... Byline: Greg LaRose The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America is hailing as progress Bobby Jindal's winning the governor's race and Jim Donelon's re-election as insurance commissioner. The group pledged to work with the...

Gov. Blanco responds to Jordan's request for state funding.
November 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco issued the following statement responding to New Orleans District Attorney Eddie Jordan's letter seeking state funding of a $3.7 million judgment: "This matter arises from...

Louisiana labor department receives $10.5M grant to assist displaced workers.
November 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Louisiana Department of Labor has received a $10.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to assist 3,500 citizens in hurricane-affected parishes. LDOL requested the National Emergency Grant,...

Jeremiah Group holds public accountability session with Jefferson Parish sheriff candidates.
November 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Jeremiah Group, comprised of faith-based and social institutions working to improve the quality of life in the New Orleans area, is holding a Public Accountability Session with the candidates running...

Louisiana Recovery Authority board member responds to Bush veto of Water Resources act.
November 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Louisiana Recovery Authority board member Chet Morrison issued the following statement in response to President Bush's veto of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, which includes more than $3.7...

Flood protection group questions integrity of Corps' levee report.
November 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report In their latest public service announcement video, local flood protection group Levees.Org questions the integrity and impartiality of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' levee investigation and demands a...

Louisiana-based GS Financial 3Q income drops 95 percent.(Financial report)
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff GS Financial Corp., holding company of Guaranty Savings Bank, reported net income of $69,000 for the quarter ended Sept. 30, a 95 percent drop from $1.5 million in earnings in third quarter 2006. GS attributes...

Termite program squashing infestation in N.O.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff A program designed to reduce Formosan subterranean termite infestations in the French Quarter is making progress. Operation Full Stop reports the percentage of buildings with infestations was reduced from 22...

Powell touts Port of N.O. in maintaining security.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The Port of New Orleans is vital to the nation and New Orleans, said Donald Powell, federal coordinator of Gulf Coast recovery. Powell discussed challenges facing the transportation and shipping industries at the...

NYC mayor, Nagin lead Congress of Cities visit.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff More than 3,000 U.S. officials will attend the National League of Cities annual Congress of Cities in New Orleans Nov. 13-17 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will speak...

Louisiana State Bond Commission OKs $633M for projects.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The Louisiana State Bond Commission on Wednesday approved $633 million in project funding, mostly for the New Orleans area. Bonds approved include: * $1.7 billion in Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds for projects in...

Commentary: What others say.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff 'Luminary chef is still devoted to New Orleans' Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 27 Chef Paul Prudhomme's story illustrates the importance of restaurants. Many people think of dining out as frivolous, a luxury that...

Federal City construction to make mini-metropolis, up to 10,000 jobs in Algiers.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Stephen Maloney When officials break ground on the Federal City project in 2008, it will open the way for up to 10,000 new jobs in Algiers. After selecting the master development team Oct. 17, retired Marine Maj. Gen. David Mize...

ISeatz plans N.O. return with help from hometown.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Terry O'Connor After landing national clients CitiBank and Master Card last year, the reservation experts at iSeatz of New Orleans cracked $10 million in gross revenues for the first time in their 8-year history. Other new...

Jordan's former prosecutors in N.O. hail DA's decision to resign.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster When Orleans Parish District Attorney Eddie Jordan resigned, the news was met with a mixture of relief and renewed hope from attorneys who had worked with him. Leslie Snyder, a former prosecutor in the Violent...

New Orleans is younger after loss of seniors.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster Gordon Wadge, president of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, remembers talking with his elderly mother, Gloria Wadge, shortly after Hurricane Katrina. Gloria Wadge was forced to leave her New Orleans...

Louisiana unemployment rate climbs despite more jobs.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Deon Roberts Bob Vanderbrook, president of Harvey-based employment agency Tech Serv, can't figure Louisiana's unemployment out. From August to September, the number of Louisiana jobless grew 16 percent to 87,425 from 75,621,...

Commentary: Bistro Daisy's husband-wife duo produce dining bliss.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Tom Fitzmorris Bistro Daisy $$$$$ 5831 Magazine St., Uptown Dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday Husband-and-wife restaurant teams are rare for a reason, and most married couples know the reason. Some couples work together...

Interview with Warren LeRuth, president of Taste Buds, parent company of Semolina and Zea restaurant.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Christian Moises Age: 45 Family: children, Greg Jr., 24, Grant, 13, Ross, 11, and Julia, 8 Education: attended University of New Orleans; attended American Culinary Federation school Hometown: New Orleans Greg Reggio's earliest...

Commentary: Transoceanic CEO prepares for next chapter in N.O. work.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Terry O'Connor Greg Rusovich, 47, has spent the past quarter century globe-trotting on behalf of freight-forwarding giant Transoceanic of New Orleans. He sold the three-generation family business a couple years ago and now he's...

Chevron's Gulf of Mexico operations VP has roots in oil industry.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Emilie Bahr Melody Meyer couldn't have started life in a more fitting way. The vice president of Chevron's Gulf of Mexico operations was born at a North Dakota oil camp where her petroleum engineer father was working at the time....

Public has chance to 'Get to Know UNO' at University of New Orleans open house.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The University of New Orleans will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event, "Get to Know UNO," will feature informative sessions for prospective students and their families at UNO's...

La. Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal taps Loyola leader for environment post.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal has added Robert Thomas, Loyola University New Orleans interim director of the School of Mass Communication and chairman in Environmental Communications, to chair the new Environment...

New Orleans CityBusiness poll results: Seize DA's assets to pay judgment.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report To settle a multimillion-dollar judgment against the Orleans Parish district attorney's office, the office's assets should be seized, according to most voters to CityBusiness' Question of the Week. Since...

St. Tammany Sheriff's Office breaks ground on $11M complex.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Autumn C. Giusti The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office broke ground Friday on its $11-million, 40,000-square-foot law enforcement complex in Slidell, expanding the agency's presence on the eastern end of the parish, Capt. George...

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana to offer networking event.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana will play host to an free "Evening of Networking" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the JW Marriott hotel, 614 Canal St. There will be valet parking,...

La.-based Abita Brewing Co. has expansion on tap.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Eight tanks are scheduled to be delivered to Abita Brewery Co. Tuesday as part of an expansion project that will include new offices, additional warehouse and brewhouse capacity and a beer garden and...

Commentary: Record budget to test Jindal, new lawmakers.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Mark Singletary It won't be long before state officials begin the process of anticipating how much money the state of Louisiana will have to spend next year through our statewide budget. It's going to be a big, big number. Right...

Entergy Corp. wants to spin off non-utility nuclear business.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report In reporting third-quarter earnings today, Entergy Corp. also said it plans to spin off its non-utility nuclear business. Earnings increased about 19 percent to $461.2 million, or $2.30 per share, from...

"Spirit of a Champion, Heart of a Saint" awards event to be held in N.O.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Terry O'Conner You better act fast if you want to have dinner with some of the most benevolent citizens of New Orleans and members of the New Orleans Saints. The "Spirit of a Champion, Heart of a Saint" awards event will be held...

N.O. contractors testing 'green' building program.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans will test a national program for "green" building practices as one of 12 tests throughout the country. "We've known for some time that green building is the...

Commentary: Last word.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Terry O'Conner * The Delgado Community College media appreciation luncheon was pulled off in superlative fashion by the culinary arts class. Bravo! I truly regretted having to run off before they served the Poached Pear Napoleon...

Commentary: Back pay option.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Terry O'Conner Qualified workers fired unjustly by former District Attorney Eddie Jordan six years ago have a $3.7-million judgment with court approval to enforce it in their back pocket. They have all the leverage they need except...

Third quarter estimates for U.S. drilling reaches 22 year high.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Terry O'Conner U.S. drilling estimates for the third quarter haven't been this high since 1985, according to the American Petroleum Institute. That's not surprising since crude oil is pressing on $100 a barrel and clean-burning...

Slidell author releases 'Sales is Not a Dirty Word'.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report PublishAmerica is handling "Sales Is not a Dirty Word: The Inspirational Selling Guide for Non-traditional Salespeople" by Tiffanie Z. Lyon from Slidell. Lyon's book is aimed at sales professionals,...

FEMA: Two North Shore properties to be elevated.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds will be used to elevate two properties in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes. The federal program provides funds to raise...

N.O. offers an abundance of specialty cuisines.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Kelly W. Brown If it's Vietnamese food you're after -- or Middle Eastern, authentic Mexican, sushi, Thai or Brazilian -- head to the West Bank. New demographics to cater to and increasingly sophisticated palates have contributed to...

New Orleans Hospitality Briefs: November 5, 2007.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The seasons change the seafood lineup in Louisiana. Soft shell crabs and shrimp are moving out; oysters are moving in. "We've seen no major shocks or surprises," said Harlon Pearce, chairman of the Louisiana...

Friends keep it clean in New Orleans City Council at-large runoff.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Jaime Guillet Colleagues-turned-rivals Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson and District E Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis are sharing the stage once again in the runoff for the New Orleans City Council at-large seat. Willard-Lewis...

Nov. 8 - 30.
November 5, 2007... Byline: From CityBusiness Staff Reports Nov. 8 Nicolo Whimsey juggling, 11 a.m. at the New Orleans Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 596-2968. American Marketing...

Analysts say the energy market isn't likely to soften any time soon.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Emilie Bahr Crude oil set a new trading record Wednesday at $94.53 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after the Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate and the Energy Department reported crude inventory declined for the...

Orleans Parish School Board buildings face wrecking ball in future.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Stephen Maloney The former New Orleans school buildings damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Katrina's winds and floodwaters are finally coming down two years post-Katrina. Building-by-building assessments have begun on 130 buildings...

Helping hand for patrons of New Orleans-area casinos.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Craig Guillot The windfall New Orleans-area casinos have since Hurricane Katrina could be fueling addictions from people already beset by personal problems stemming from the storm. The National Council on Problem Gambling considers...

New Orleans Gaming Briefs: November 5, 2007.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Christian Moises Casinos and other poker tournament sponsors will be required to report most payouts to winners and the Internal Revenue Service next year. Some casinos and players have questioned whether sponsors who hold money...

Interview with Charlie Frederick, director of player development, community relations at Boomtown.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Christian Moises Age: 62 Family: wife, Ruth; children, Jeffrey, 34, Charles, 19 Education: attended University of New Orleans Hometown: Houma Charlie Frederick has always been a "people guy." So when he left auto sales in 1994,...

Commentary: Recovery momentum begins to build.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Now we're getting somewhere. The past two weeks have contained a gratifying amount of political progress, optimistic projections and realistic opportunity. We are in the midst of bouncing the bounders from among...

Transoceanic CEO prepares for next chapter in N.O. work.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Terry O'Connor Greg Rusovich, 47, has spent the past quarter century globe-trotting on behalf of freight-forwarding giant Transoceanic of New Orleans. He sold the three-generation family business a couple years ago and now he's...

Record budget in Louisiana to test Jindal, new lawmakers.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Mark Singletary It won't be long before state officials begin the process of anticipating how much money the state of Louisiana will have to spend next year through our statewide budget. It's going to be a big, big number. Right...

Daughters of Charity and Ascension Health to open new clinic in N.O.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster The Daughters of Charity and Ascension Health will open a new health clinic in 10 months for the Bywater and Ninth Ward neighborhoods. Laura Kaiser, president of non-acute care operations for Ascension Health,...

Public school programs that work in New Orleans.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Stephen Maloney Editor's note: This is the finale of the four-part "College Bound" series on public school programs that work in New Orleans. High school students face an uphill battle navigating the way to college, including...

Why Stay? Artist says there's nowhere with the rhythm and the culture of New Orleans.
November 5, 2007... Byline: Emilie Bahr Tim Phillips returned to New Orleans Sept. 14, 2005, from his evacuation post in Chattanooga, Tenn., to find his Uptown home spared serious damage. So he stayed. In the absence of work or electricity, he spent days...

N.O. Government Briefs: November 5, 2007.
November 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff New Orleans sold $75 million in bonds for its hurricane recovery plan. Standard & Poor's rated the city bonds below investment-grade status. Moody's and Fitch Ratings each gave the city investment grade ratings....

N.O. developer sues over North Shore properties.
November 5, 2007... Byline: From CityBusiness Staff Reports A New Orleans developer is suing a St. Tammany Parish development company claiming breached of contract. Developer Joshua Bruno claims Velvet Pines Developers signed a contract in 2004 to buy lots...

'Idol' star to host Ms. Planet Beach International Pageant in New Orleans.
November 6, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Planet Beach, a spa and tanning franchiser, will hold its Ms. Planet Beach International Pageant Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, 921 Canal St. Kimberly Caldwell, TV Guide channel host and a...

Public meetings planned on redeveloping N.O.'s South Claiborne Avenue and Lakeview.
November 6, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Public meetings are planned on redeveloping South Claiborne Avenue and Lakeview. City-Works and the American Institute of Architects will hold the South Claiborne meetings at 6:30 p.m. Monday and at 6:30...

Port of New Orleans moves forward with lawsuit against insurer.
November 6, 2007... Byline: Jaime Guillet The governing board of the Port of New Orleans moved forward today on its lawsuit against excess insurer FM Global, with port officials filing a petition in U.S. Eastern District Court requesting a jury trial and for...

Alabama-based Regions Financial Corp. chairman to retire at year's end.
November 6, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Regions Financial Corp. executive chairman Jackson Moore will retire from the company and its board of directors at the end of the year. President and CEO Dowd Ritter will replace Moore as chairman. "We...

House OKs override of Bush water bill veto.
November 6, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The House approved what could become the first override of a President Bush veto today, with Republicans joining Democrats in challenging the president over a $23.2-billion water resources bill that...

Experts predict decline in cement consumption.
November 6, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Despite recent Federal Reserve actions, the subprime-lending crisis will adversely affect investment and public spending through 2010 and ultimately a decline in cement consumption, Portland Cement...

Metairie broker elected vice president of national real estate group.
November 6, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The president of Re/Max Commercial Brokers Inc. of Metairie has been elected first vice president of Chicago-based Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute, the governing body of the world's...

Marie B. Reviere Elementary represents Louisiana in national competition.
November 6, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Armed Forces Foundation selected Marie B. Reviere Elementary School to represent Louisiana in its 2007 Operation Caring Classroom program this week. Marie B. Reviere Elementary is one of 50 schools...