Featured

Video: Ghost Manor lights up the October night

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by Andres Fuentes

At the corner of Magazine and Second Streets, lit-up pumpkins, skulls, and spiderwebs provide a spooky spectacular for your evening stroll and, on Halloween, trick-or-treating. The Ghost Manor annual Halloween display has a bit more flare this year—21 more pumpkins were added to the front lawn, fitted with lights that flare to the sounds of haunting music. “I think it just really puts you in the spirit of Halloween,” neighbor and spectator Lyndsey Edwards said. “It’s super fun to see all the pumpkins and all the lights.”

The Queen Anne-style Victorian home was purchased in 2011 by its current owners, David Gentry and Jessica Douglas, and they thought their home was the perfect place for their spooky dreams to come true. Since 2012, the owners have been growing the display with new props, updated technology, and even animatronics.

schools

Uptown Public School Series: Education for the Whole Child

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How Audubon Charter School Nurtures
My Two Very Different Children
By Donishia S. Dorsey
In the fifth of our ten-essay series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Donishia Dorsey writes about her children’s experience at Audubon Charter School Uptown. Like New Orleans as a whole, Uptown has many public school options for families—from college preparatory schools, to three different language immersion programs, to a Montessori program, to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them. My two children, Jackson and Chloe, are very different from one another. Chloe is in fifth grade, and she has a personality that doesn’t fit in a single room.

schools

Uptown Public School Series: Excellence, Rigor, and Diversity of Options

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“The Teachers Are My Favorite Part”: Why Our Family Loves Samuel J. Green Charter School
By Antonio and Revonda Darensbourg
In the fourth of our ten-essay series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Antonio and Revonda Darensbourg write about their children’s experience at Samuel J. Green Charter School. Uptown, like New Orleans as a whole, has many public school options for families—from college preparatory schools, to three different language immersion programs, to a Montessori program, to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them. In 2012, we sent our first child, Antonio, to school at Samuel J. Green Charter School. The first day naturally brought tears, both from him and from us, as we parted ways for the day.

Featured

Uptown Public School Series: Excellence, Rigor, and Diversity of Options

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In the third part of our ten-essay series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Celeste Sparks writes about her children’s experience at Andrew H. Wilson Charter School. Uptown, like New Orleans as a whole, has many public school options for families—from college preparatory schools to three different language immersion programs, from a Montessori program to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them. Part of the Family: Why My Children and I Love Andrew H. Wilson Charter School
By Celeste Sparks, Parent

I have three children and I love them so much. Trinity, the oldest, is in fourth grade.

Advertiser specials

Sponsored: Top chefs will compete at Liberty’s Kitchen fundraiser

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Liberty’s Kitchen will bring chefs, alumni, and supporters together to celebrate ten years of impact at their annual Come Grow With Us fundraiser this Friday, September 20. Chefs from nearly 20 of New Orleans’ hottest restaurants will be serving up signature dishes alongside Liberty’s Kitchen trainees and alumni, and attendees will vote on Best in Show, Most Creative, and Best Presentation. Come Grow With Us is co-chaired by Chef Susan Spicer and Patrick Young, presented by The Ruby Slipper Café, and sponsored by the Ace Hotel, Domain Companies, Steve Rosenfeld and Margot Botsford, as well as dozens of other individuals, organizations and businesses. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Ace Hotel, 600 Carondelet St. The night will include an open bar, live music, and a live auction featuring unique culinary experiences around New Orleans.

land use & development

Yo Joe!: Buddy King’s homeowner hurricane tips and more

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I’m Joe Gerrity, local businessman, investor and Real Estate Broker. For my monthly “Yo Joe!” column, I’ll be answering your real estate questions as well as providing market information and housing statistics. I believe the main responsibilities of a Realtor are to add value and facilitate mutually beneficial transactions, and through this column I hope to help the New Orleans community make more informed decisions about their housing future. Yo Joe! It’s been a while.

Featured

Uptown Public School Series: Diversity, Community, and Warmth at Hoffman

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In this second of our ten-essay series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Anna Derby and Rodolfo Machirica write about their children’s experience at John W. Hoffman Early Learning Center. Uptown, like New Orleans as a whole, has many public school options for families—from college preparatory schools, to three different language immersion programs, to a Montessori program, to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them. Diversity, Community, and Warmth at Hoffman
By Anna Derby & Rodolfo Machirica
We have two young children: Gabriel is three years old, and Elijah is four months. Both as educators and as parents, we care deeply about where we send our kids to school, and we know these early years matter.

arts, books and music

Tyree C. Worthy: A fantastical future for a Central City market

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Dryades Public Market has been a favorite space of mine for years. The news of its closing, reported by NOLA.com, was unexpected, and a bit saddening. I’ve spent many lunchtimes in the mezzanine space with my laptop in front of me and a deli sandwich on the side. Chef Allison was almost always there to greet me when the hot food bar opened for lunch and the first batch of mac-and-cheese made its presence known. The managers were gracious, open and willing to try different ways to serve quality food options to its neighbors.

Featured

Uptown Public School Series: Excellence, Rigor, and Diversity of Options

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The Right School for CJ
By Christopher Dobney, Parent
In the first essay of this ten-part series by parents of students at public schools Uptown, Christopher Dobney writes about his son CJ’s time at Benjamin Franklin Elementary Mathematics & Science School. Uptown, like New Orleans as a whole, has a wealth of public school options for families – from college preparatory schools, to three different language immersion programs, to a Montessori program, to a technology career pathway school. In this series, we hear from parents themselves on why their child’s school is right for them.  My son Christopher, or CJ, is eleven years old. He and I are close.

UptownMessenger.com

Repaving of Carrollton and Tulane set for week of July 8

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The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans completed repairs to a broken water main and valve on the corner of South Carrollton Avenue and Tulane Avenue on Friday, June 28. The final repaving of the road is expected to take place the week of July 8, pending weather conditions. During repaving, one lane will remain open. Drivers are advised to expect delays.