Jean-Paul Villere: Navigating “Nola-ese”

 Posted by at 11:33 am  opinion
May 232012
 

The special offered at an Uptown eatery, with creative spelling and use of quotations. (photo by Jean-Paul Villere for UptownMessenger.com)

Jean-Paul Villere

I have no problem with the language skills of the average New Orleanian.  If anything I fully embrace it, however I have to confess it often leaves me scratching my head if only because more often than not the word, syntax, and otherwise grammar choices made seem to be born out of sheer whim rather than deference to text.  Mostly I might chalk this up to New Orleanians’ frequent disregard for accuracy (and this might include driving habits, but another column for another day).  Generally, we all understand one another well enough, so what’s the difference, right?  For example, do quotation marks “really” have to be placed appropriately?  If it’s me, then “yes,” they do; but if it’s your favorite po-boy spot’s menu “board” detailing specials, “then” no, not so much. Continue reading »

Owner of Gert Town bar arrested on charges related to raid

 Posted by at 10:37 am  business, crime, food and drink, public safety
May 232012
 

Jason Jaume, owner of the Hangar bar at 1511 S. Rendon St., was charged with 38 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor based on each person under age 18 found inside during a May 4 raid by state agents of a wrestling event marketed to families, according to our reporting partners at WWL-TV. The bar’s management has said the minors were all supervised by their parents and that none were drinking alcohol.

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Second District police to hold anti-crime march through Freret area

 Posted by at 10:30 am  business, city government, crime, neighborhood groups, public safety
May 232012
 

Second District police officers play with two local children during an anti-crime march in June of 2011. (UptownMessenger.com file photo by Sabree Hill)

The NOPD Second District is planning its monthly anti-crime march on Freret Street tonight, and neighborhood groups are urging residents and business owners to come out and support the event. Continue reading »

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Donors sought to reimburse IOUs to gun owners after buyback runs out of cash

 Posted by at 9:32 am  church, city government, crime, good works, public safety
May 232012
 

The committee that organized a recent gun buyback at an Earhart Boulevard church needs to raise $13,000 to reimburse 173 gun owners who turned in weapons after the event ran out of money, according to a report by Monica Hernandez of our partners at WWL-TV. A total of 400 guns were surrendered, and committee member Rafael Goyeneche says that if even one violent crime was averted, the $23,000 event still cost less than a single emergency room visit.

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City promises Costco $2 million in street, sidewalk upgrades

 Posted by at 8:57 am  business, city government
May 232012
 

“Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s administration has agreed to spend $2 million on street and sidewalk repairs, new traffic signal and other infrastructure upgrades. The administration will reimburse Costco for costs linked to meeting flood mitigation requirements,” writes Jennifer Larino of New Orleans City Business in a blog post about Hollygrove neighbors’ hopes that a requirement the Costco hire locally be included in the deal.

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Coliseum Square Association opts for signs before tickets to curtrail canine excesses

 Posted by at 6:39 pm  city government, elections, neighborhood groups, politics, sports and recreation
May 212012
 

The Coliseum Square fountain flows in the background during a crawfish boil fundraiser for it this past Saturday. Coliseum Square is currently debating how to rein in the behavior of dogs at the park. (photo courtesy of Jim McAlister)

In hopes of reining in the worst-behaved dogs without making a prominent Uptown park hostile to responsible pet owners, the Coliseum Square Association plans to begin exploring new signs that will encourage better sharing of the space. Continue reading »

Carrollton Riverbend Neighborhood Association to hear from police, City Council at annual meeting

 Posted by at 11:23 am  neighborhood groups
May 212012
 

The Carrollton Riverbend Neighborhood Association will discuss ongoing community issues with representatives from the City Councilwoman Susan Guidry’s office and the NOPD Second District, as well as hear updates on the work of the neighborhood association during an annual membership meeting Tuesday evening. Continue reading »

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Owen Courreges: More highway robbery

 Posted by at 5:30 am  city government, opinion, public safety, transportation
May 212012
 

We keep on hearing it again and again, like a bad refrain: “If you don’t want a traffic camera ticket, don’t break the law.”

I’ve written so many columns criticizing the traffic camera program in New Orleans that I’ve frankly lost count. Every time I write one, somebody implies that the only people with anything to fear are those who speed or run red lights. Only scofflaws oppose the cameras, we’re told. Continue reading »

ReNEW hopes to lift Laurel and Live Oak schools out of “failing” status next year, and will open accelerated high school at Bauduit campus in the fall

 Posted by at 4:52 pm  schools
May 202012
 

Touting dramatic gains in two years at two of the lowest-performing elementary campuses in Uptown New Orleans, officials with ReNEW Schools hope to pull the programs at the former Laurel and Live Oak sites in the Irish Channel out of “failing” status next year.

ReNEW will also begin operating its third Uptown campus, creating an accelerated high school for older students at the former Bauduit site in the 3600 block of Laurel, complete with a preschool for children they may have. Continue reading »

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