opinion

Viewpoint: Fall campaigns getting off to a slow start; money is tight in most races

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Labor Day is recognized as the traditional start of our fall campaign season. So these hot August weeks are when candidates flesh out their messages, pick up a few early endorsements, and beg friends, family and deep-pocketed business associates for money. With the economic uncertainty brought on first by Covid-19 and now by inflation, fundraising for most candidates – especially first-timers — has been especially tough this year. While U.S. Rep. Troy Carter drew only one opponent, Republican Dan Lux, his fundraising efforts continue. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise has two opponents, Democrat Katie Darling and Libertarian Howard Kearney, and is also raising money through political action committees. 

In the judicial races, only two contenders — Criminal Court Judge Karen Herman and Municipal and Traffic Court Judge Mark Shea — have opponents.

Driver injured in rush-hour shooting on St. Charles Avenue

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A man driving on St. Charles Avenue was shot by another driver on Monday (Aug. 15). The rush-hour incident followed a violent weekend when three shootings were reported in Uptown neighborhoods. The 26-year-old man was behind the wheel at St.

Advertiser specials

Poydras Home hosts free scam-prevention event Aug. 18 (sponsored)

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Poydras Home’s annual three-part speaker series, Poydras Home Conversations, continues on the evening of Thursday (Aug. 18) with tips for seniors to avoid being the targets of scams.
Learn how to spot a scam and avoid being a victim. Seniors are especially vulnerable to scams that involve technology that they may not be fully comfortable with. Take note of these tips to prevent this happening to you! Community Outreach Coordinator / Public Information Officer Shane Jones of the Louisiana Eastern District U.S. Attorney’s Office and his associate, Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera will share tips for seniors to avoid being the targets of scams.

Join us Thursday, Aug.

food and drink

COOLinary menus offer gourmand summer dining experience   

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August’s COOLinary New Orleans offers a rare opportunity for both the gourmand and the culinary novice to explore cuisines and experience the city’s famed chefs. Restaurants otherwise outside of budgetary constraints are suddenly within reach — but not for long. Participating chefs create special two- to five-course prix fixe meals that are less expensive than ordering à la carte. 

However, the economic factor is not the objective — this is a chance to widen gastronomic horizons. Thai, French, Japanese, Creole, Latin, Caribbean, Cajun, BBQ, Mexican, contemporary Southern and many other cuisines are represented in the fold. The choices are pre-selected and somewhat narrow but usually feature at least two options per course and may include signature dishes.

This new bar offers a view of the park from historic hotel

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The Park View Historic Hotel on St. Charles Avenue overlooking Audubon Park now has a bar. The Gilded Perch opened two months ago and serves new and classic cocktails in a glamorous space. The Park View dates back to 1884, when it was built to welcome guests of the World International and Cotton Exposition at Audubon Park. The building was purchased and fully restored by Liz and Terry Creel in 2008.

public safety

Complaints against ‘nightmare’ landlord keep piling up

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New Orleans renter Jessica Spraggins had a hard time sleeping in her family’s three-bedroom, $2,600-a-month apartment after her bedroom ceiling partially collapsed. 

“When the city gets rain, so does our bedroom,” Spraggins said. 

The hole hadn’t always been there, she said, but rain leaking from the roof caused the collapse on May 31. Spraggins messaged her landlord, Laura Russell, that very day. Russell responded that she would send someone to look at the damage, according to screenshots of their text communications. Nobody ever came, Spraggins said. 

What did come was an eviction notice. Russell began eviction proceedings June 16 to remove the family from Apartment B at 7800 St.

crime

Viewpoint: We’re still failing our at-risk youth

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The Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) and Educators for Quality Alternatives (EQA) announced their new center in New Orleans East on Wednesday (Aug. 8), saying it will “remove barriers to success.” Also on Wednesday, YouthForce NOLA, the city’s youth talent development intermediary, was touting a new round of funding for 13 New Orleans public high schools, including Central City’s Net Charter High School. The funds will “help students gain meaningful work experience and develop appropriate technical, academic and soft skills.” Though worthy programs, their leaders won’t be engaging the at-risk youth who need them the most — those who have no vision for the future and have long-since given up on completing a public school education. 

Despite YEP, EQA, YouthForce NOLA and other well-intentioned programs, far too many New Orleans youth still don’t have a pathway to success. Their parents might be poorly educated or underemployed and therefore forced to work two minimum wage jobs just to pay Entergy and the rent. Many kids survive on junk food because healthier foods are more expensive and not readily available in many of New Orleans’ food desert neighborhoods.