New Orleans CityBusiness articles from October 2007

New Orleans CityBusiness archives from October 2007

How To...Plan a company holiday party.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Bernadette Starzee Attending a company holiday party should be fun but planning one is a lot of work. Start as soon as possible, as the best venues book early. First, determine exactly how much you can spend. Your budget will...

Interview with co-owner of The Van Benthuysen-Elms Mansion on St. Charles Avenue.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Christian Moises Faith Roche is co-owner with her brother, Tom Roche, of The Van Benthuysen-Elms Mansion on St. Charles Avenue. Purchased in 1951 by her grandfather, her mother started offering the home for events in 1969. Faith...

Commentary: $3B would fulfill Bush promises.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The Road Home program began paying out as much as $150,000 to eligible homeowners a year ago today. It now has calculated payments for 125,754 homeowners, which is more than the 123,000 total the Federal...

Commentary: Hit the road, Jack, and have fun flying back.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Terry O'Connor Business travel is no longer glamorous. But it's still required. Despite the wonders of teleconferencing, sometimes there's no replacing the simple fact and logistical act of being there. This week I had the...

Why Stay? Wants son to be able graduate from Jesuit High School.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Deon Roberts Eugene Flores said it wasn't easy to decide whether to rebuild his Old Metairie home after Hurricane Katrina flooded it with 4 feet of putrid water. The 45-year-old remembers long talks with his wife, Theresa, about...

Louisiana resident makes Forbes wealthiest list.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Phyllis Taylor, wife of the late Taylor Energy founder Patrick Taylor, is No. 297 on Forbes Magazine's recently released list of the 400 wealthiest Americans. The 66-year-old owner of New Orleans-based Taylor...

Louisiana State University Medical School tabs Nelson as dean.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans has picked veteran faculty member Steve Nelson as the new dean of its School of Medicine. Chancellor Larry Hollier, who Nelson will replace, announced...

New Orleans population 69 percent pre-K total.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff New Orleans population reached 69.2 percent of its pre-Hurricane Katrina population in August, based on data from the U.S. Postal Service, the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center said. The population in the...

Groups claim Chalmette refinery violates federal air standards.
October 1, 2007... Byline: From CityBusiness Staff Reports Recent tests show emissions from Exxon's Chalmette Refining are exceeding federal air standards, with "sulfur dioxide at levels that harm human health," the Louisiana Bucket Brigade and the St....

Covington-based Pool Corp. lowers 2007 income projections.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Pool Corp., based on projected third-quarter results and current business trends, is updating its estimated 2007 earnings projection to be in the range of $1.45 to $1.55 per diluted share compared with its...

Louisiana officials try to snuff marsh fire.
October 1, 2007... Byline: From CityBusiness Staff Reports Eastern New Orleans residents suspected an improperly run landfill was responsible for smoke and odors coming from wetlands near the Interstate 10 Michoud Boulevard exit. Their complaints led to an...

Top 10 tourist events in New Orleans; No. 4: Southern Decadence (tie).
October 1, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster Southern Decadence takes over the French Quarter every Labor Day, creating a summer Mardi Gras for gays and lesbians and a financial windfall for merchants during a traditionally slow period of the tourism...

N.O. businesses are scrambling to plan their holiday parties.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Tommy Santora With December two months away, New Orleans businesses are scrambling to plan their holiday parties and booking and crossing off their checklists of available dates, venues, decor and entertainment. "When you're...

Covington, Kenner John Deere dealerships included in sale to Houston company.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report A Houston company said it has acquired all Louisiana and east Texas John Deere construction equipment dealerships for $103 million, including dealerships in Covington and Kenner. The deal involved WL...

U.S. construction spending climbs in August.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Total U.S. construction spending increased in August to $1.17 trillion from $1.16 trillion in July, the Associated Builders and Contractors said, citing U.S. Commerce Department figures. Also, U.S....

Some N.O. homes to get free energy-efficient light bulbs.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report A nonprofit environmental group said it will install free energy-efficient light bulbs in more than 100 New Orleans homes this week. During "Change a Light Week," which starts today and ends Sunday, Green...

Sen. Landrieu celebrates Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee's lifetime with floor speech.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans, today spoke on the Senate floor in honor of Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee, who died today from leukemia. The transcript of her floor speech appears below in its...

Bayou Bend Petroleum Co. testing Gulf of Mexico well.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Bayou Bend Petroleum Ltd. today announced it is testing on its Mustang Island 736 No. 1 well in the Gulf of Mexico to determine whether to complete the partially-drilled well for testing or production....

N.O. developers plan $26M Baton Rouge project.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Deon Roberts Developers Darryl Berger Jr., Anthony Iarocci III and Robert Tatum have begun construction on a $26-million apartment project in Baton Rouge. Berger's real estate company, DBJ Investments, and Iarocci and Tatum's...

Riverwalk Marketplace in New Orleans extends hours.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Starting today, Riverwalk Marketplace will extend its hours to allow more shopping time. The new hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. The extension is in...

Top 10 tourist events in New Orleans: No. 1: Mardi Gras.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster Editor's note: This is the end of a two-part series on the Top 10 tourism events in New Orleans based on economic impact. The easiest way to understand the importance of Mardi Gras to New Orleans is to...

Top 10 tourist events in New Orleans; No. 4: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster There are few events that in the span of three years can boast a line-up consisting of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, the Dave Matthews Band, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John and the Meters. And there is only one...

Top 10 tourist events in New Orleans; No. 3: Bayou Classic.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster The Bayou Classic had a $175-million economic impact on the New Orleans economy in 2004, ranking it third in the top 10. And yet it remains an event somewhat under the radar of locals because it falls at the end...

Top 10 tourist events in New Orleans: No. 4: Essence Music Festival (tie).
October 1, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster Fred Sawyers, general manager of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, had one word to describe the Essence Music Festival -- huge. "They fill hotel rooms and spend money during the Fourth of July weekend when big...

Commentary: Clarkson emerges as favorite in City Council at-large race.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Jeff Crouere The odds-on-favorite to win a runoff position in the competitive New Orleans City Council-at-large race is former legislator and council member Jackie Clarkson, a Democrat. Clarkson has won a bevy of endorsements,...

Commentary: New cameras record big step to greener days.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Mark Singletary I am pretty darn excited about the traffic signal cameras being installed around Jefferson Parish and, hopefully, around greater New Orleans. I can't stand red light violations and hope the threat of being caught on...

John Georges is not your traditional Louisiana politician.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Emilie Bahr It's the picture he paints on his Web site, in his ubiquitous television commercials, even in the dark suits he favors instead of the more laid-back attire sported by many of his opponents on the campaign trail:...

La. Sen. Walter Boasso is aiming for the top.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Jaime Guillet "If I knew Bobby Jindal could handle the job," said state Sen. Walter Boasso, "I wouldn't be in the race for governor. If I knew he was doing it for the right reasons, I wouldn't be running for governor." Boasso...

Louisiana Lt. Gov. Landrieu seeks global investment in New York.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu spoke to international leaders last week at the second annual Global Creative Leadership Summit in New York about Louisiana's cultural economy. "I'm looking to re-image...

Louisiana Citizens can't shake negative credit rating.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Louisiana's insurer of last resort remains on a negative rating watch by Fitch Ratings. Fitch said it first placed the rating on Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. on March 8, because of increased...

CityBusiness poll: N.O.-area restaurants need more staff.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report When it comes to New Orleans-area restaurants post-Hurricane Katrina, there's no bigger issue than a lack of wait staff, according to a majority of voters to CityBusiness' online poll. A total of 294...

Five days left for New Orleans CityBusiness' Best Places to Work nominations.
October 1, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The deadline to submit nominations for CityBusiness' 2007 Best Places to Work program is five days away. Nominations are due 5 p.m. Oct. 5. Honorees will be recognized at an awards luncheon at noon Dec. 14...

Orleans Levee District moves into new home.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Jaime Guillet The Orleans Levee District's Division of Non-flood Assets now has a permanent home in Lake Area. State legislators and members of the state Division of Administration joined District A City Councilwoman Shelly Midura...

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee's right hand man to seek sheriff's post.
October 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee's right hand man, Chief Deputy Newell Normand, said he will run for the seat left vacant by Lee, who died Monday after a months-long battle with leukemia. Normand made...

New Orleans CityBusiness announces 2007 Women of the Year.
October 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report CityBusiness has selected its Women of the Year Class of 2007. The eighth-annual event honors 50 women whose success in business and contributions to the community set the pace in our region. This year's...

N.O. Haunted History Tour rated one of nation's scariest.
October 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Online travel community IgoUgo.com has rated New Orleans among the best places to celebrate Halloween. Top Halloween picks to give you a chill: 1) The Old City Jail via the Haunted Jail Tour, Charleston,...

Contemporary Arts Center bash in New Orleans to celebrate arts season openings.
October 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Art for Arts' Sake event, featuring citywide art openings, will celebrate the beginning of the annual arts season from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday. The Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., will hold...

New Orleans CityBusiness' deadline for Best Places to Work nominations is Friday.
October 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The deadline to submit nominations for CityBusiness' 2007 Best Places to Work program is 5 p.m. Friday. Honorees will be recognized at an awards luncheon at noon Dec. 14 at the Sheraton hotel on Canal...

Top 10 New Orleans tourist events; No. 4: Southern Decadence (tie).
October 2, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster Southern Decadence takes over the French Quarter every Labor Day, creating a summer Mardi Gras for gays and lesbians and a financial windfall for merchants during a traditionally slow period of the tourism...

N.O. church to play host to gubernatorial forum tonight.
October 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Baptist Clergy of Metropolitan New Orleans is playing host to a gubernatorial forum at 7:30 p.m. today at New Zion Baptist Church, 2319 Third St. Louisiana Baptist State Convention and Louisiana Homes...

Commentary: New cameras record big step to greener days.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Mark Singletary I am pretty darn excited about the traffic signal cameras being installed around Jefferson Parish and, hopefully, around greater New Orleans. I can't stand red light violations and hope the threat of being caught on...

Rouses Markets conversion of former New Orleans-based Sav-A-Centers begins.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Jaime Guillet Rouses Markets, which acquired 17 Sav-A-Center grocery stores two weeks ago, will open its first new site at 400 North Carrollton Ave. in Mid-City at 6 a.m. Wednesday. Rouses, now the largest independent grocer in...

Commentary: Hit the road Jack, and have fun flying back.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Terry O'Connor Business travel is no longer glamorous but it's still required. Despite the wonders of teleconferencing, sometimes there's no replacing the simple fact and logistical act of being there. Last week I had the...

N.O. Film Festival entries to spotlight the Big Easy.
October 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Throughout October, independent films referencing or dealing with New Orleans will be presented at the 2007 New Orleans Film Festival. Tickets went on sale Saturday. Films with reference to or about New...

AP not restoring outdated wire service.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Stephen Maloney An Associated Press Internet service once used by newsrooms nationwide has fallen by the wayside as technological advances and a system failure render the now antiquated Web site useless. More than 1,400 newsrooms...

Louisiana Recovery Authority lobbies for presidential debate in New Orleans.
October 2, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Louisiana Recovery Authority's Board of Directors today called for the Commission on Presidential Debates to select New Orleans as a host city for a 2008 presidential debate. The Commission will...

Design plans unveiled for five N.O. public schools.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Five public schools spread across Orleans Parish are one step closer to being renovated or rebuilt. Options for designing the five schools were revealed during a collaborative design meeting at 8 a.m....

Tulane to train faculty to teach in business schools worldwide.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Tulane University said its A.B. Freeman School of Business has been chosen to start a doctorate program to train faculty to teach in business schools worldwide. The Association to Advance Collegiate...

New Orleans looks for demolition-cleanup contractor.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The city of New Orleans has posted a request for proposals for demolition and debris removal and another for project management services for demolition and household hazardous waste management services....

Officials announce funeral, visitation schedule for Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report A memorial service and funeral for Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee will be held Friday on both banks of the parish. Public visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Alario Center in Westwego...

Bands can submit press kits for 2008 New Orleans Jazz Fest.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is accepting press kit submissions through Nov. 1 for bands interested in performing at the 2008 festival, which will run from April 25 to May 4. The festival is...

$1.2M grant to improve mental health care in N.O.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, based in Princeton, N.J., has given $1.2 million for a two-year project to improve mental health care in New Orleans. The Health and Resilience Project grant is going to...

Slidell dentist found guilty of failing to file tax returns.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report A federal jury Tuesday convicted a Slidell dentist of three counts of intentionally failing to file income tax returns, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said. Louis Genard, 57, of Slidell, faces up to three years...

Louisiana Restaurant Assn. names Broussard's employee 'Louisiana Restaurant Legend'.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Louisiana Restaurant Association has named an employee at Broussard's Restaurant a Louisiana Restaurant Legend. Valenia Ivery runs the saute station at the French Quarter restaurant. The award...

Top 10 New Orleans tourist events; No. 4: Essence Music Festival (tie).
October 3, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster Fred Sawyers, general manager of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, had one word to describe the Essence Music Festival -- huge. "They fill hotel rooms and spend money during the Fourth of July weekend when big...

Louisiana officials' reaction mixed to Bush veto of children's heath care bill.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report President Bush's veto today of legislation for a health care program for low-income children is drawing differing reactions from Louisiana's governor and a Metairie congressman. This morning, Bush vetoed...

Great American Seafood Cook-Off recipes now online.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Recipes from the 2007 Great American Seafood Cook-Off, held in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in August, are available on the Internet, the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board said. The...

Business Council of New Orleans taps UNO administrator for top spot.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region today appointed Robert W. "Bob" Brown as managing director effective Oct. 22. Brown will coordinate executive committee decisions, initiatives,...

Star Wars characters to appear at Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra concert.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Darth Vadar, Boba Fett, Stormtroopers and Biker Scout Troopers will make an appearance at an upcoming family concert by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. LPO will launch a new season of its family...

Record Gulf lease sale generates nearly $3B.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report A federal sale of offshore oil and natural gas leases in the Central Gulf of Mexico attracted $2.9 billion in high bids today, the second-highest total of high bids in U.S. leasing history. The U.S....

Kenner firm awarded $9M Cousins Canal contract.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Kenner-based Bucktown Contractors and Co. was awarded a $9-million contract to build a 10-by-30-foot concrete flume - an open canal with vertical walls and a flat bottom - on the second phase of the Cousins...

N.O. WTC murals to be auctioned.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Two murals that were once housed on the 33rd floor revolving lounge of the New Orleans World Trade Center will be auctioned Sunday. New Orleans artist and sign maker James Fischer painted the murals, "De...

Southern University-Baton Rouge to rename Honors College.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Southern University-Baton Rouge said it will rename its Honors College and Honors Program after a former university president credited for lifting Southern out of financial hardship. A ceremony will be held...

Kindred Hospital New Orleans reopens, expands in $1.5M project.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report In a $1.5-million project, Kindred Hospital New Orleans, 3601 Coliseum St., has reopened and expanded its intensive care unit. The hospital is celebrating with an open house and tours from 4 to 6 p.m....

Boeing touts Ares work in New Orleans.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Boeing Co. officials met Monday with Louisiana state, congressional and community officials to discuss plans for NASA's Ares I crew launch vehicle upper stage at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New...

Road Home funding reduced $1.2B by federal red tape.
October 3, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Louisiana Recovery Authority is giving up on convincing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to allow it to use $1.2 billion in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program money for The Road Home. The money will...

Commentary: Already missing a great one.
October 4, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Jefferson Parish Harry Lee talked the talk and walked the walk. As we lay Sheriff Harry Lee to rest, we all mourn the loss of an effective and respected lawman, an able politician, an enduring wit and a...

Louisiana workplace fatalities increase while national rate falls.
October 4, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report There were 118 fatal occupational injuries in Louisiana in 2006, up 6 percent from 111 in 2005, says a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Louisiana was one of 28 states to see a rise in...

Top 10 New Orleans tourist events; No. 3: Bayou Classic.
October 4, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster The Bayou Classic had a $175-million economic impact on the New Orleans economy in 2004, ranking it third in the top 10. And yet it remains an event somewhat under the radar of locals because it falls at the end...

Lousiana's Ochsner Health donates hospital beds to South America.
October 4, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Ochsner Health System today donated more than 100 hospital beds to South America through Children's Network International, a nonprofit that feeds hungry children worldwide. At 8 a.m. Ochsner donated the...

Tidewater expanding internal investigation.
October 4, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report An audit of Tidewater's Nigerian operations has been expanded to include other aspects of the company's international business, Tidewater announced today. In February, Tidewater began an internal...

Energy Partners Ltd. highest bidder on 8 leases in Gulf sale.
October 4, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Energy Partners Ltd. today said it was the high bidder Wednesday on eight leases at the Central Gulf of Mexico lease sale 205 held in the city. The eight leases cover 40,760 acres and include seven areas...

N.O. City Council OKs controversial water rate increase.
October 4, 2007... Byline: Jaime Guillet City Council members today unanimously voted to raise New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board's residential and commercial customers' rates after receiving a recommendation for approval from its own independent consulting...

Eight candidates in Jefferson Parish sheriff's race.
October 4, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Eight candidates will compete for the Jefferson Parish sheriff's seat, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State. Qualifying for the race closed at 5 p.m. today. Qualifying reopened Tuesday following...

Church's Chicken restructures 20 Louisiana locations.
October 5, 2007... Byline: Greg LaRose The financial ripple effects of Hurricane Katrina have led the New Orleans franchisee of Church's Chicken to restructure ownership of the restaurants as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy settlement. Church's has agreed to...

Senate allots $1B for Michoud operations.
October 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Senate today passed an amendment co-sponsored by Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans, to the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill to provide $1 billion in emergency funding to NASA to make up...

Mardi Gras shooter faces life in prison after conviction.
October 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Jasmine Sartain, 20, was found guilty of the second-degree murder Thursday after shooting Christopher Smith at a second-line parade March 19, 2006. Sartain shot Smith five times near the corner of...

Advantage Capital receives another $28M in Treasury tax credits.
October 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The U.S. Treasury has allocated Advantage Capital Partners another $28-million allocation under the federal New Markets Tax Credit program. The latest award, Advantage's fourth in the five disbursements to...

Jefferson Transit adds bus to Veterans route.
October 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Jefferson Transit is adding a bus to its Veterans Memorial Boulevard route starting Oct. 15. Jefferson Transit will now operate four buses on the Veterans route during peak hours and three during non-peak...

Top 10 tourist events in New Orleans; No. 2: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
October 5, 2007... Byline: Richard A. Webster There are few events that in the span of three years can boast a line-up consisting of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, the Dave Matthews Band, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John and the Meters. And there is only one...

Report: Nonresidential construction industry carrying U.S. economy.
October 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' payroll employment report released today, nonresidential construction is still boosting the economy despite the homebuilding meltdown, said Ken Simonson, chief...

Martin Luther King Branch of the New Orleans Public Library officially reopened.
October 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The Martin Luther King Branch of the New Orleans Public Library officially reopened today after being destroyed by Hurricane Katrina two years ago. The Recovery School District renovated the building, and...

Mourners, friends pack visitation for Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee.
October 5, 2007... Byline: Kelly W. Brown They came early, lining up at 8:30 a.m. before the doors opened, and many waited as much as three hours in an unseasonably warm October morning for the chance to walk quickly around the flag-draped open casket of...

N.O. tourist officials: October brings healthy mix of business and leisure travelers.
October 5, 2007... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The city will welcome a strong combination of leisure and business visitors this month, the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau said. October will see major citywide conventions and a...