The Mama Factor*

Playground, Metairie LA 1995 from FALLEN PARADISE (New Orleans 1995-2005)
All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

Dr. Norman Francis , President of Xavier University in New Orleans , called "the mama factor" , as that concern by parents to allow their children to attend college in New Orleans , fearing for their safety!

Compared to last year , University applicants are up 24% at Loyola University , 28% at Xavier University , 43% at Our Lady of Holy Cross College , 85% at University of New Orleans and 100% at Tulane University.

I would say the mama factor is on the decline!

N.O. colleges see surge in applicants

The Associated Press 2/24/2008

BEHIND THE 8 BALL?

Truck Graphic, Baton Rouge LA 9/2007 from Baton Rouge Blues

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

Ok, if you live in Baton Rouge and consider yourself an LSU Tigers fan, this is serious business and not good news!

News Alert: LSU QB Perrilloux suspended indefinitely*

LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux has been indefinitely suspended for failure to follow team rules, Tigers coach Les Miles announced this afternoon. In a statement released by LSU Sports Information, Miles said Perrilloux’s status for spring practice is uncertain and he would not comment further on the suspension.

The Tigers champions are scheduled to start spring drills on Feb. 29. Perrilloux, who would be a junior next season, appeared to be the heir apparent to Matt Flynn, who in his only season as the starter led LSU to its second BCS championship in four years.

*Baton Rouge Business Report news flash today.

WELL EQUIPPED

Wood Block Floor, New Orleans Athletic Club, 1993
All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

Mary Foster , writing for the Associated Press , reported today in N.O. police upgrade equipment , has acquired $1 million in new equipment. I think that is good , but better news is that police officers are now receiving pay on average of most other large Southern U.S. cities! I think that is even better news!

NOT GLOOM BUT BOOM!

Two by Fours, Baton Rouge 11/2007 from Baton Rouge Blues

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

New Orleans experiences construction boom

The Crescent City is bucking the national construction downturn because of the multitude of government-backed hurricane rebuilding, New Orleans CityBusiness reports. Through the first four weeks of the year, 426 commercial and residential construction permits were filed in the New Orleans metro area, representing $101 million in work. That's a 3.6% increase in the number of permits and a 13.5% rise in the dollar value of work for January 2007.

Officials say it's not just the big public projects that are helping fuel the construction boom, homebuilders are expected to remain busy with remodeling and renovation work. To read the story, click here.