New Orleans CityBusiness back issues from July 2008:
Higher gas prices drive motorcycle sales in N.O. higher
Jul 07, 2008; ... Four-dollar gasoline is reconfiguring the cost-benefit equationfor some would-be motorcycle riders, providing enthusiasts with theincentive to pull long-latent machines from storage and, in somecases, buy the pricey models they may long have been eyeing,industry representatives say ....
Architects make plea to preserve schools in N.O.
Jul 07, 2008; ... The glass exterior of Phillis Wheatley Elementary School in Tremewas replaced with a plastic substitute in dull shades of blue andgreen decades ago. Rust collects on once-gleaming steel trusses, and dented airconditioning units leak condensation from the elevated, ...
Secondhand Savings in N.O.
Jul 07, 2008; ... When she finds her bank balance running low, Kristy Tramuta headsto her closet, hoping to squeeze some extra cash out of seldom-wornaccessories or last season's trends. In times of more serious need, even wardrobe favorites aresometimes relegated to the same pile as lesser-loved ...
Commentary: Voters will remember pay raise debacle
Jul 07, 2008; ... Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature have had a roughcouple of weeks. Just a few weeks ago, Jindal was rumored to be Sen. John McCain'schoice for vice president. Now, Jindal's doing everything within hispower to not be recalled. The governor's problems are ...
July 8-17
Jul 07, 2008 ... July 8-10 Kenner Police Chief Steve Caraway and the Kenner PoliceDepartment will hold a Women's Self Defense Course at 6 p.m. Theprogram, held at Kenner's Barbre Gym, 1610 3rd St., is free and opento females age 12 and older. For more information and to apply,visit the Kenner ...
Education in N.O.: Agents of change
Jul 07, 2008; ... The educational landscape in New Orleans has changed dramaticallysince Hurricane Katrina, but a new wave of leadership is pledging torevolutionize public schools in the city. More than 100 new teachers and principals are preparing to enterOrleans Parish public schools in August, ...
Louisiana AGC Conference: Contractors urged to get involved in politics
Jul 07, 2008 ... The nation's largest construction trade association wantscontractors to get more involved in politics, starting with thisfall's presidential election. "As Will Rogers used to say, 'It's a great country, but you can'tlive in it for nothing,'" said Jeff Shoaf, senior executive ...
Ankor to retain Taylor Energy workers in N.O.
Jul 07, 2008 ... The company created in the wake of the sale of Taylor Energy Co.to foreign interests plans to retain most of its New Orleans workforce. In announcing John Pope as its CEO and president, Ankor EnergyLLC said it will retain nearly all of Taylor's 145 employees. In January, ...
Off the Clock: Leader, Jefferson Parish Public School System
Jul 07, 2008; ... Age: 56 Family: husband, Larry McDonald; and stepdaughters Stephanie andCeleste Education: bachelor's degree in English education and a minor innewspaper journalism, University of New Orleans; master's degree incurriculum instruction, UNO; doctor of philosophy in ...
City lof N.O. launches street, drainage work Web sites
Jul 07, 2008 ... The city's Department of Public Works is using two new Web sitesthat will allow the public to track the status of street andsidewalk repairs and drainage cleaning throughout the city. The address for the street and sidewalk repairs site iswww.cityofno.com/streets. The drainage ...
N.O. Education Briefs: July 7, 2008
Jul 07, 2008; ... University of New Orleans archaeology students are digging in theFrench Quarter, looking for the remains of Fort St. Charles, thoughtto have once stood on the site of the U.S. Mint. Fort St. Charles, also referred to as Fort San Carlos, was one offive fortifications linked by ...
Apple plans $1.9M store at Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie
Jul 07, 2008 ... One-stop shopping for iPods, MacBooks and all things Apple couldbe available in the New Orleans area soon. Apple has secured a building permit in Jefferson Parish toconstruct a $1.9 million retail store inside Lakeside ShoppingCenter. It will be built in the place of the former ...
In Other Words: Higher education in N.O.
Jul 07, 2008; ... Randy Moffett -- President, University of Louisiana System (former SoutheasternLouisiana University president) Public universities have not had a tuition increase since 2005.Rising costs for energy and many other commodities have their impacton universities, just as they do ...
Louisiana's Airports: Holding pattern
Jul 07, 2008; ... Louisiana's airports should be seeing more money from fuel taxcollections, matching the nation's sky-high fuel prices. But thestate's tax system structure is causing airports to miss out. Rising fuel prices aren't just hitting motorists. Air serviceproviders have been hit hard by ...
New Orleans earns 'Most Sparkling City' status
Jul 07, 2008 ... Yellow Tail wines named New Orleans "America's Most SparklingCity." Yellow Tail based the designation on a nationwide survey of 900adults ages 21 and older to find the top 10 cities. The finalistswere Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Miami, NewOrleans, New York, ...
Commentary: Independence within reach
Jul 07, 2008 ... This issue should be hitting newsstands and mailboxes near theend of the Independence Day weekend. As any third-grade Americanhistory student knows, the holiday is set aside to celebrateAmerica's breakaway from British rule. Thomas Jefferson, with help from John Adams, Ben ...
Van scans in N.O. catch problem parkers
Jul 07, 2008; ... A new system that scans license plates to track down people whohaven't paid their parking tickets could yield about $13 million inoverdue parking and towing fees for the city by the end of the year,said Public Works Director Robert Mendoza. Launched April 21, New Orleans' Mobile ...
Lawmakers deny $10M for tourism marketing in N.O.
Jul 07, 2008; ... The recent controversy over the legislative pay raise allowedanother unpopular decision to slide by relatively unnoticed -- theLegislature's rejection of a request by the New Orleans tourismindustry for $10 million in marketing dollars. The decision was even more offensive ...
Commentary: Public-private agency must avoid pitfalls
Jul 07, 2008; ... Arthur Pulitzer held a rapt audience for the 10 minutes he was atthe microphone during the Horizon Initiative's membership updatemeeting at Restaurant August last Monday. With an impassioneddelivery at times, he was reminiscent of Doc Brown from "Back to theFuture" minus the ...
Commentary: Cruise ships change course with variable dining options
Jul 07, 2008; ... New Orleans was on the verge of becoming a serious cruise portwhen Hurricane Katrina hit. Two Carnival ships made weekly tripsyear-round from the riverfront cruise terminal. The Conquest, Carnival's newest and largest ship at the time, wasthe classiest. Royal Caribbean and ...
Musicians in N.O. not in harmony with making union stronger
Jul 07, 2008; ... To book a band in New Orleans, all a club owner has to do is wavea $50 bill in the air and wait for musicians to come running indesperation to get their hands on the cash, said local rhythm andblues legend "Deacon" John Moore. And sometimes the club owner can just offer free drinks ...
What others say
Jul 07, 2008 ... '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 -- Tulane, Loyola and Xavier -- have all seen spikes in the number of ...
Senator Mary Landrieu: Postal Service to return hurricane aid to Louisiana
Jul 07, 2008 ... Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans, said household goods meant forthe 2005 hurricane victims but given away by the Federal EmergencyManagement Agency will be returned to Louisiana. Landrieu said the U.S. Postal Service told her today it willreturn the supplies to ...
Entergy Louisiana offers energy-saving tips to St. Bernard residents
Jul 07, 2008 ... Entergy Louisiana and the St. Bernard Parish Office of CommunityDevelopment will offer Outreach Day on Friday to help residentsprepare for hot-weather months and hurricane season. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the CommunityCenter of St. Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St., ...
New Orleans CityBusiness blog gets face-lift
Jul 07, 2008 ... CityBusiness today updated and redesigned its blog, a Web sitethat highlights major, and sometimes offbeat, ...
New Orleans City Council committee pushes for more contracting transparency
Jul 07, 2008; ... The City Council's Governmental Affairs Committee moved forwardtoday on legislation to increase transparency in city contracting.The committee, chaired by District A Councilwoman Shelley Midura,considered several agenda items addressing the council's desire forgreater ...
New Orleans gas prices reach new high
Jul 07, 2008 ... The average price of a gallon of regular grade gasoline hitanother high in the city today at $3.991. Last month, city drivers were paying on average ...
Question of the Week results: La. Legislature will work with Jindal despite pay raise veto
Jul 07, 2008 ... Gov. Bobby Jindal's veto of a pay raise for legislators will notharm his working relationship with the Legislature, according to amajority of voters to CityBusiness' Question of the Week. The online poll question, "What happens now that Gov. BobbyJindal has vetoed the pay raise for ...
Commentary: Voters will remember pay raise debacle
Jul 07, 2008; ... Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature have had a roughcouple of weeks. Just a few weeks ago, Jindal was rumored to be Sen. John McCain'schoice for vice president. Now, Jindal's doing everything within hispower to not be recalled. The governor's problems are ...
New Orleans-area first-time unemployment claims drop for 2nd straight week
Jul 07, 2008 ... The New Orleans area saw a decrease in initial unemploymentclaims for a second straight week for the week ending June 28 to 784from 807. The area, comprised of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St.Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John and St. Tammany parishes,posted the ...
Architects make plea to preserve New Orleans-area schools
Jul 07, 2008; ... The glass exterior of Phillis Wheatley Elementary School in Tremewas replaced with a plastic substitute in dull shades of blue andgreen decades ago. Rust collects on once-gleaming steel trusses, and dented airconditioning units leak condensation from the elevated, ...
New Orleans CityBusiness' Book of Lists deadline 5 p.m. Thursday
Jul 07, 2008 ... The deadline is drawing near for businesses to make sure they areincluded in CityBusiness' 2008-09 Book of Lists. To have your company included or update your information, contactMarket ...
University of New Orleans survey tracks progress in N.O., St. Bernard
Jul 07, 2008 ... More than 60 percent of flooded homes involved in a May survey ofOrleans and St. Bernard parishes were either being rebuilt orrenovated or had been rebuilt, the University of New OrleansGeography Department said today. The curbside study of flooded neighborhoods shows progress in ...
New Orleans City Council asks city attorney to improve public records turnaround
Jul 07, 2008; ... Following a status report on public records requests with thecity's law department, City Council members have given City AttorneyPenya Moses-Fields 30 days to come up with a city process forresponding to public records requests. During the Council's Governmental Affairs Committee ...
ArenaBowl 'Tech-N.O. Bowl' to feature latest sports technology, digital media
Jul 12, 2008 ... The Arena Football League has partnered with the LouisianaTechnology Council and the Downtown Development District to showcasethe latest sports technology and digital media two days beforeArenaBowl XXII in New Orleans on July 27. The "Tech-N.O. Bowl" will focus on the technology ...
Conference to focus on littering, impact on economic development in Louisiana
Jul 12, 2008 ... Keep Louisiana Beautiful will focus on issues relating tolittering and its impact on economic development in Louisiana,recycling, trends in litter law enforcement, and sustainability ofcommunity anti-litter programs at its sixth annual state conferenceAug. 21-22 at the West Monroe ...
Joe Stagni, Maria deFrancesch take over helm of Kenner Council
Jul 12, 2008 ... District 2 Kenner Councilman Joe Stagni was chosen president ofthe Kenner City Council for the next six months at the council'sregular meeting July 10. District 4 Councilwoman Maria deFranceschwas elected council vice-president. The selections are part of the council's policy of ...
Haynesville Shale area fuels record Louisiana Mineral Board sale
Jul 12, 2008 ... 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 are validating their intentions to developand produce natural gas in a big ...
The Regus Group sets up shop in Place Saint Charles building in New Orleans
Jul 12, 2008 ... The Regus Group has acquired a 25,000-square-foot business centeron the 25th floor of the Place Saint Charles Building, 201 St.Charles Ave. The Regus Group, which provides workplace solutions, withproducts and services ranging from fully equipped offices toprofessional meeting ...
Commentary: Bumpy road lies ahead for infrastructure budgets
Jul 14, 2008; ... Driving home from a recent trip to Florida, I took a 30-minutedetour through Slidell neighborhoods for the sole purpose ofavoiding the Interstate-10 Twin Span bridge. The bridge is still being held together by temporary panels thathave been pushed to their limits by heavy trucks, ...
Pontchartrain Hotel in N.O. being converted into senior apartments
Jul 14, 2008 ... The Pontchartrain Hotel has been under renovation for a year butthe 81-year-old building will not open for room reservations whenwork is complete. The hotel's owners have obtained a $7.2 million building permitto convert the 13-story building at 2031 St. Charles Ave. into asenior ...
N.O. gas prices climb to new record
Jul 14, 2008 ... The average price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline hitanother all-time high today at $3.998, according to AAA. The statewide and national averages ...
N.O. CityBusiness Question of the Week results: Gas prices will not affect evacuation plans
Jul 14, 2008 ... No matter how high gas prices rise this summer, they will notprevent people from evacuating for a hurricane, according to amajority of voters to CityBusiness' Question of the Week. A total of 218 people voted in the past week to the online pollquestion "How will high gas prices ...
Louisiana farmers face high demand as Wal-Mart stocks local produce
Jul 14, 2008; ... Wal-Mart's recent commitment to buy local stands unquestionablyas a stroke of luck for Louisiana farmers. But many will have togrow in size to meet the retailer's supply needs. One of the world's largest retailers, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.announced July 1 it is adopting a national ...
Bartenders compete in N.O. for best Bloody Mary
Jul 14, 2008 ... Teams of bartenders from New York, California, Las Vegas, Chicagoand New Orleans will compete Friday to determine who can pack themost punch into a vodka and tomato juice concoction. The Ultimate Blood Mary Championships will be held from 8:30-11:30 p.m. at the House of Blues, 225 ...
Ogden Museum of Southern Art in N.O. opens Florida satellite site
Jul 14, 2008 ... The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is opening a satellite museum innorthwest Florida. The purpose of the new museum in Santa Rosa Beach is to buildupon the regional and national interest in the Ogden in New Orleans,museum officials said. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art at ...
Home rebuilding increases in N.O., St. Bernard
Jul 14, 2008 ... A recent study shows rebuilding is on the rise in the metro area. In May, the University of New Orleans Geography Departmentconducted a survey of 2,435 homes in New Orleans and St. BernardParish that flooded in Hurricane Katrina. Of that number, 62 percentwere being renovated or ...
City attorney in N.O. opposes call for contract transparency
Jul 14, 2008; ... A bevy of legal minds will weigh in on the legitimacy of CityCouncil Vice President Arnie Fielkow's proposed ordinance to openthe city's contracting process to the public. Last week, the council's Governmental Affairs Committee voted insupport of three proposed legislative ...
Chefs in N.O. leaving restaurants to cook up new business
Jul 14, 2008; ... Neal Swidler's resume would evoke envy in many an aspiringprofessional chef. Over his more than 20 years in the food service industry, he'sheaded kitchens at some of New Orleans' most-recognized restaurants,including Emeril Lagasse's NOLA and Delmonico and the now-defunctMike's ...
Commentary: Piero Cenni offers taste of Bologna in Rivertown
Jul 14, 2008; ... 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 suburbanized former littlevillage will look ...
Commentary: NOPD badge still tarnished
Jul 14, 2008 ... "Get behind the badge." That's the call from the New Orleans Police Department in itsongoing recruitment campaign as it seeks to restore its Katrina-depleted ranks and restore order to a rebuilding city. Getting citizen support behind the NOPD has been a struggle, onethat ...
Commentary: Moving Target
Jul 14, 2008; ... Editor's Note: This story begins a three-part series on howpolice and prosecutors are spending public resources seeking lengthyprison sentences for non-violent, low-level crimes. A pack of Kool cigarettes, a can of Budweiser and a box of BostonBaked Beans sat on the dashboard of an ...
July 17-24
Jul 14, 2008 ... July 17 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District will hold apublic meeting to discuss environmental compliance efforts at C.F.Rowley Alternative School, 49 Madison Ave., Chalmette. The openhouse will be from 6-7 p.m. and the presentation and discussion willbe from ...
A deal to dine for in N.O.
Jul 14, 2008; ... Lunch for four at Galatoire's one recent weekday started withtomato and watermelon salad and cold avocado vichyssoise, servedaround the sunny window table once favored by Tennessee Williams. Entrees consisted of grilled Gulf fish over smothered okra,salade nicoise and a croque ...
Off the Clock: Jesyka Bartlett, French Market Coffee director of marketing in N.O.
Jul 14, 2008; ... Age: 34 Family: single Education: bachelor's degree in women's studies, University ofCalifornia at San Diego; completed coursework for master's degree inEnglish, Tulane University Hometown: Covington Jesyka Bartlett was on course to be a teacher -- until ...
New Orleans Hospitality Briefs: July 14, 2008
Jul 14, 2008; ... The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation in Junetrained 400 New Orleans area restaurant industry workers in alcoholand food safety training, part of a free program funded through a$250,000 donation from Absolut Spirits Co. The LRA aims to use the money to train ...
N.O. Hospitality Industry: In Other Words
Jul 14, 2008; ... 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 typicallyattend our W Happenings now deciding to take staycations thissummer. With a variety of W Happenings offered at both hotels, ...
Commentary: Efficient mass transit necessary to move forward
Jul 14, 2008; ... Are we finally building the New Orleans of the future? And, thistime 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 Orleans is still important. Although the entire state of ...
N.O. Agriculture Industry: Home field advantage
Jul 14, 2008; ... Wal-Mart's recent commitment to buy local stands unquestionablyas a stroke of luck for Louisiana farmers but many will have to growin size to meet the retailer's supply needs. One of the world's largest retailers, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.announced July 1 it is adopting a national ...
Complaints trigger call for quicker city records in N.O.
Jul 14, 2008; ... The city attorney has been asked to improve the way her officeresponds to public records request after city council membersreported receiving complaints from citizens about the lack ofresponse from city government. At the council's Governmental Affairs Committee meeting July ...
ExpressJet to ground operations nationwide
Jul 14, 2008 ... ExpressJet Airlines' operations will end Sept. 2, including 10New Orleans flights. ExpressJet apparently has become the newest casualty to sky-highfuel costs as the carrier said Tuesday that it is ceasing allcommercial passenger flights nationwide. ExpressJet operated 10 ...
N.O. homeowners can buy the lots next door
Jul 14, 2008; ... The lot next door could be yours just in time for raking season. This fall, more than 2,000 homeowners will be given the firstsales offer on properties next to their homes that were sold to theRoad Home or are abandoned, according to letters New OrleansRedevelopment Authority will ...
Guns within reach of criminals in N.O.
Jul 14, 2008; ... When Deputy Chief James Scott started with the New Orleans PoliceDepartment 36 years ago, the criminal weapon of choice was theSaturday Night Special, a cheap, low-quality handgun that packedlittle punch and wasn't capable of doing much damage. Three decades later, Scott admits to ...
Former N.O. man sentenced for federal tax evasion
Jul 14, 2008 ... A former New Orleans resident who lives in Spring, Texas, hasbeen sentenced to 10 months in prison for federal tax evasion andordered to pay $80,000 to the Internal Revenue Service and a $10,000fine, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said today. According to court documents, Mark Irabor, ...
Louisiana officials praise Bush's lifting of drilling ban
Jul 14, 2008 ... Louisiana officials praised President Bush for today's lifting ofan executive ban on offshore drilling that has been in place sincehis father was president. The ban prevented offshore oil exploration across the UnitedStates, with the exception of certain areas in the Gulf of ...