Danae Columbus: Gov. Edwards working it to gain edge in Saturday’s runoff

Buoyed by a new Mason-Dixon poll that shows a path — albeit small — to victory, Gov. John Bel Edwards spent Wednesday evening talking with young African-American artists like Brandan Odums, Kevin “2-Cent “ Griffin and Tayla Hunter as part of his ongoing outreach to previously under-appreciated constituencies.

If Edwards is able to pull off what would be a Hail Mary victory on Saturday, he will have succeeded in three crucial areas: motivating minority voters who were unenthusiastic in the primary; reaching conservative voters who at one time supported former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu; and branding Republican opponent Eddie Rispone as too radical to be Louisiana’s next governor.

Uptown resident describes an artful journey through cancer in ‘No More, No Less’

By Emily Carmichael, Uptown Messenger

Among the Terrance Osbourne and Gustave Blanche III paintings that hang on the walls of Richard Colton Jr.’s home, there are a few empty hooks. The art that typically occupies the conspicuously blank spaces reveals some of the most intimate details of Colton’s life, and, this weekend, will be on public display.

The paintings will hang in the Sacred Heart Academy auditorium that bears Colton’s name as he celebrates the release of his memoir, “No More. No Less.” The book tells the story of Colton’s nearly 20-year battle with squamous cell carcinoma and the unique path to he took to recovery.

NOPD investigating Philip Street shooting

via New Orleans Police Department

NOPD is investigating a homicide that took place in the 2800 block of Philip Street.

Around 8:25 p.m. on Wednesday (Nov. 13), Sixth District officers responded to a call of an aggravated battery by shooting. There, they found an unresponsive 43-year-old male inside of a residence.

Proposed tennis club in Dixon slowly winds its way toward approval

The City Planning Commission gave its support Tuesday to allowing Kevin Chaouat, a former Xavier University tennis player and now a coach at Xavier, to establish a tennis club to the Dixon area.

The City Council had voted Thursday, Nov. 7, to approve an amendment to Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance that allows country clubs in residential neighborhoods. The tennis center is classified as a “country club” for zoning purposes. The City Council now has to revisit the issue, to vote on allowing Chaouat’s project as a conditional use.

Chaouat has said he wants to create a tennis center that is a place for play and instruction at all levels, from beginner to professional. The business plan for his New Orleans Racquet Club includes accessibility for Dixon community members, particularly children.

Kingsley House honors its veterans and celebrates new veteran-centric services

from Kingsley House

Kingsley House honored its veterans on Nov. 8 with a special celebratory ceremony that commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem, a gift presentation by the Kingsley House children and remarks from guest speaker, William F. Ryan, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer.

Most of the veterans honored are enrolled in the Kingsley Adult Day Care program on the Patrick F. Taylor campus, which provides effective day care in a community setting for at-risk seniors, medically fragile adults and veterans.