elections

Joe Giarrusso is crushing his opponents in campaign contributions for District A City Council race

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With less than a month to go until the primary election, the three candidates for the District A seat on the City Council have collected more than $285,000 in campaign contributions. Unfortunately for two of those candidates, nearly all of that money has gone to incumbent Joseph Giarrusso III. 

The councilman raised almost $260,000 this year for his campaign and still has roughly $230,000 cash on hand, according to the latest finance reports candidates submitted Thursday (Oct. 14) to the Louisiana Ethics Administration Program. And he’s also spent over three times more than his two opponents, Amy Misko and Robert Murrell, combined. 

Key contributors to Giarrusso’s campaign include political action committees that represent the real estate and hospitality industries and controversial landfill magnates Jim Ward and Fred Heebe. With the election coming on Nov.

Business Profile

Business Profile: The next evolution of Church Alley Cafe

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Church Alley Cafe & Grocery, already ranked one of New Orleans’ top coffee shops by Eater Nola, is growing in its beloved Canal Street space. The Mid-City cafe is now offering an array of retail items alongside its classic hand brew, cold brew, espresso drinks, teas and menu of creative sandwiches, pastries, salads, snacks and six-pack growlers of cold brew. Church Alley started like many businesses, as a home-grown pursuit to bring something great to the community. Owner Renee Blanchard, a Lafayette native, knew she had created something special bringing her handcrafted beverages to New Orleans. The evolution from Church Alley Coffee Bar to Church Alley Cafe & Grocery was the next step. 

Having a spirit of serving and a goal to put a smile on people’s faces, Blanchard opened her first Church Alley on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard before moving the coffee bar to its current home at Canal St.

food and drink

City Council approves Patron Saint wine shop in Lower Garden District

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A once-industrial corner of the Lower Garden District that’s been steadily adding new bars and businesses is expanding its offerings again, as City Council approved plans last week for a new wine shop at 1152 Magazine St. 

The council voted on Thursday (Oct. 7) to permit the opening of Patron Saint, which will sell wine, groceries, books, and locally-made home goods. The unanimous vote came with eight provisos, requiring the store to get city approval on everything from lighting to the placement of its trash container.

Suspect arrested in quadruple shooting that left two men dead

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The NOPD’s Violent Offender Warrant Squad and the U.S. Marshals on Wednesday (Oct. 13) arrested Nairobi K. Davis, 22, in the investigation of a double homicide incident on Oct. 6 in the 600 block of Gen. Taylor Street that also injured two other victims.

At 1:26 p.m., NOPD Sixth District officers responded to a call of an aggravated battery by shooting at the location. Upon arrival and investigation, they learned that four adult male victims had sustained gunshot wounds. The victims were transported via EMS to the University Medical Center.

arts, books and music

They’re back: The dancing denizens of Ghost Manor to haunt Magazine Street again

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Ghost Manor, the animated light show that allows ghosts, ghouls, witches, skeletons and zombies to show off their dancing skills, is back for a limited engagement this year at 2502 Magazine St. The animated display took a break last year due to Covid and was scheduled for another break this year, but owner David Gentry decided to set the ghosts free for their annual romp. “The ghoulish denizens of Ghost Manor are taking over once again,” a statement on Facebook reads. “Although the human inhabitants are still dealing with significant damage from Hurricane Ida, the ghosts and ghouls were not content to remain silent this year. We tried.

Advertiser specials

Enjoy ‘Coffee with Candidates’ event before Nov. 13 at CR Coffee Shop (sponsored)

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Try new signature fall beverages and have your questions answered this October, at CR Coffee Shop on Magazine St. Owner Kevin Pedeaux is opening his Uptown space as a hub for candidates this election season to reach the community. The informal atmosphere is open to respectfully ask pressing questions, share ideas, or simply observe and listen. 

Upcoming ‘Coffee with Candidates’ events include Leilani Heno for Mayor scheduled for Oct. 15 at 10:30 a.m., and JP Morrell for at-large City Council Division 2 scheduled for Oct. 19 at 8 a.m.; at CR Coffee Shop, 3618 Magazine St.

Candidate questions

Candidate questions: Councilman Jay H. Banks, District B

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The upcoming election, which includes an open primary for all City Council seats, will be Nov. 13. To give voters a chance to learn the policies, platforms and personal attributes their City Council candidates plan to bring to the office, Uptown Messenger has sent questionnaires to all of the District A and District B candidates. District B Councilman Jay H. Banks, who is running for re-election, reveals his answers below. City Council District B
Jay H. Banks, Democrat
Place of birth: New Orleans
Education: McMain Magnet Secondary School; Dillard University, bachelor’s degree in business administration; Springfield College, master’s degree in organizational management
Current neighborhood: My wife and I live the Milan neighborhood after relocating in 2006 from Broadmoor due to Katrina.

opinion

Viewpoint: Crime among the issues plaguing New Orleans in Hurricane Ida’s aftermath

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Times are tough since Hurricane Ida decimated New Orleans, and they don’t seem to be getting better quickly enough. 

Blue tarps dot the horizon as homeowners wait for their insurance settlements. Storm debris is disappearing slowly, and trash pickup is down to one day a week. Entergy wants to take a hike rather than face the music. Whether the utility stays or goes, utility rates will probably rise. The cost of flood insurance is increasing along with the cost of gasoline, a hamburger at McDonald’s and grocery store staples, the latter blamed on international supply chain issues. 

It’s hard to drive around New Orleans long without encountering a pothole or other obstruction.  Neighborhood streets will probably flood during the next heavy rain.