For one night only, Woldenberg Village in New Orleans will transform with New Orleans style carnival flare to host AEDF’s Mardi Gras Business mixer on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. The event will take place in Woldenberg’s Villas Auditorium, 3701 Behrman Place from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. In a lively networking atmosphere, attendees will hav
e opportunities to interact with business professionals and members of several local Mardi Gras crews. The event is free to attend. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided, and guests will have chances to win amazing door prizes from Holiday Inn Westbank, Joe’s French Quarter Wine Cellar and AEDF.

Woldenberg Village is a premiere retirement community that provides excellent living facilities to New Orleans seniors and quality jobs to local health care professionals.

What:
AEDF Mardi Gras Business Mixer

When:
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
6:00pm to 8:00pm

Where:
Woldenberg Village (Villas Auditorium)
3701 Behrman Place
New Orleans, LA

Barbara Waiters, Executive Director of Algiers Economic Development Foundation (AEDF), said, “The Algiers Community, especially AEDF, is very fortunate to have this group of individuals take the initiative to make a difference not only in our community but throughout the entire New Orleans metropolitan area. They continue to humbly and joyfully make a huge difference in our community.”

Each year, more volunteers will be honored and added to the Algiers Volunteer Wall of Fame, which is designed to recognize Algerines who have maintained lifelong commitments to community service, and to encourage other citizens to follow in their footsteps.

The Algiers Volunteer Wall of Fame Committee – the Honorable Marty Broussard, Leslie Ellison, Kathy Lynn Honaker, Amy Hubbell and Donna St. Louis – organized the event. For more information, please contact Marty Broussard at (504) 368-4245 or marty8lunch@yahoo.com.

About the honorees:

Georgiana Brunet has maintained a lifelong commitment to helping her neighbors, especially the elderly, and her extended family. She has a contagious laugh and is always doing something to keep people happy. She was a long-time volunteer with Charity Hospital, Holy Name of Mary, the Girl Scouts and other organizations, and remains active with the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies’ Auxiliary,
especially on the Social Outreach Committee.

With a grandfather who was a slave and a son who has travelled the world as an opera singer, Emma Bryan has had an enormous breadth of experiences. She’s dedicated decades of her energy and business skills to the Red Cross, Orleans Parish Schools, United Churches, Total Community Action, Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church, Landry School and more. It is far easier to find her out volunteering, helping her neighbors or socializing than to find her at home.

Tireless and fun-loving, Irene Burrus has seen a lot of change in her lifetime, and embraced it all. In addition to being a wife, mother, grandmother and career woman – at the Tourism Commission and elsewhere – has been a State Volunteer of the Year, honored for her amazing work with so many organizations in Algiers and across New Orleans, and for initiating the Mardi Gras breakfasts and Christmas parties that support and honor NOPD’s 4th District.

A Rhode Island School of Design graduate, Val Massimi had a career in Manhattan before becoming a Navy wife for 30 years during which she began travelling the world. A true adventurer, she has a home in Spain and still travels, but she and her husband call Algiers home. Here, she has been a volunteer and leader, working with Friends of the Algiers Courthouse, Algiers Republican Women, the Algiers Police Advisory Board, Kiwanis, Bocage Civic Association and many more.

As a child in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, a sorority girl in Jackson, as a wife and mother and throughout her career, Marge Sherrod has been active in her communities. She committed years to New Orleans Public Libraries, serving on the NOPL and Foundation Boards and founding Friends of Algiers Regional Library. She has also been active with Friends of the Algiers Courthouse, Senator John Breaux, Welcome Neighbors and many more causes in Algiers and elsewhere.

Mark Singletary, President & Publisher of New Orleans City Business to Deliver Keynote Address

(New Orleans, LA – Tuesday, December 20, 2011)—The Algiers Economic Development Foundation (AEDF) will feature Mark Singletary, President and Publisher of New Orleans City Business as keynote speaker for AEDF’s first 2012 Quarterly Business Luncheon. The event will take place Wednesday, January 11, 2012, English Turn Golf & Country Club, 1 Clubhouse Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70131 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A networking mixer will precede the event at 11:15 a.m. with lunch service and program to begin at noon.

Mr. Singletary, president and publisher of New Orleans Publishing Group, is responsible for CityBusiness, the Daily Journal of Commerce and over two dozen specialty publications for industry, the arts and service organizations. A veteran newspaper businessman of 33 years, Mr. Singletary is currently very active with the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the New Orleans YMCA Board of Directors, The World Trade Center Board of Advisors and the Greater New Orleans, Inc. Board of Directors.

For sponsorship or ticket information, contact Jenny Tagert at jtagert@algierseconomic.com or (504) 362-6436. To learn more about AEDF, visit www.algierseconomic.com.

NEW ORLEANS – The Algiers levee of the Mississippi River will be set aglow on Saturday, as the Algiers Holiday Bonfire, which includes a massive installation, FLOODWALL, by artist Jana Napoli is lighted by City Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson-Palmer, Algiers Economic Development District President Christopher Kane and the artist herself. The event is supported by the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.

“The bonfire structure is always an artistic endeavor by the fire department,” Kane said, “and this year it is created from a work of art that the artist wants to ‘send up’ on behalf of the people of New Orleans as they move forward with their lives. It’s a collective offering we can make together on Saturday.”

But this is New Orleans, so the event will certainly not be somber. It will kick off at 5 p.m. with live music from the U.S. Navy Band, Wanda Rouzan and a Taste of New Orleans, James Andrews, Glen David Andrews and the Algiers Brass Band.  Food and beverages will be available for sale. A riverboat parade with Santa will signal the bonfire lighting at approximately 8:30 p.m. with a second line from the stage to the three-tiered structure.

Napoli’s massive art installation is constructed from 700 drawers collected from victims’ homes after Hurricane Katrina. Each in inscribed with a statement from the owner, noting its use in the household. (FLOOWDALL.com). The exhibition has traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad, with its recent return to New Orleans is its final destination. Owners of the drawers have been invited to attend the event.

 “These household drawers restore to us a part of what the levee failures shattered,” Napoli said. “FLOODWALL stands witness to the magnitude of devastation, but also to the transformative power imbued in everyday life.”

Speaking of restoration, the bonfire was long a tradition at Algiers Point until Katrina. It was reinstated last year by Councilmember Gisleson Palmer, Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson and the Algiers Economic Development  Foundation.  The location is near the Algiers Ferry terminal just beyond the Cultural Village, where recent work by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has created a large open space. Due to anticipated large crowds, visiting the site via ferry, bicycle or on foot is recommended.

Sponsors of the event include City of New Orleans, State of Louisiana, Algiers Charter School Association/ Algiers Technical Academy, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Conoco Phillips,  Chalmette Refining LLC, Whitney Bank, Crescent Towing, TCI Transport, WWL TV, nola.com, Camp Dresser McKee, Dash Lumber, Capital One Bank, Harrah’s Casino, Holiday Inn Westbank, Entergy New Orleans, French Market Corporation, Southern Eagle, Ochsner Medical Center-  Westbank Campus, River Parishes Disposal and The Cultural Village. Additional support comes from the New Orleans Fire Department, Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman, New Orleans Levee District, New Orleans Port Authority, New Orleans Police Department and the Offices of District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer and Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy.

NEW ORLEANS –There are lots of choices for holiday fun in New Orleans, but the most activity in one place this year will be in Algiers during the Algiers Holiday Festival and Bonfire November 26-December 10.

Of course, the centerpiece of the Algiers Holiday Festival is the annual bonfire, constructed by the New Orleans Fire Department on the levee adjacent to the ferry terminal.  The bonfire was a holiday tradition prior to Katrina and was revived in 2010 by District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer with help from AEDF. This year’s event is supported by the State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans.

This year’s pyre on December 3 will include a massive art installation, FLOODWALL, featuring 700 drawers collected by artist Jana Napoli after Hurricane Katrina as a way of documenting what was lost in the storm. The work has been on exhibit in various places around the world, including in Poland, from where it will return in time for its final exhibit at the bonfire. The purpose of burning the art is for the public to participate in a collective final release of Katrina woes.

Live music will begin at 5 p.m. with featured artists including Wanda Rouzan and a Taste of New Orleans, the U.S. Navy Brass Band, James Andrews and Glen David Andrews. A riverboat parade with Santa will precede the igniting of the bonfire at approximately 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages from local vendors will be available for sale.

But the weekend before and the weekend after will also offer holiday festivities. Holidays on the Point on November 26 will feature activities at businesses throughout Algiers Point.

• Ferry Little Christmas.  Join Friends of the Ferry at the Algiers Ferry Terminal at 6:15 p.m. and enjoy a pub crawl that includes drinks at Crown & Anchor Pub, pizza and burgers at Gulf Pizza and finally, entertainment at the Old Point with Gal Holliday.
• Enjoy breakfast with coffee on November 26 and 27, plus soup, pizza and more at Gulf Pizza, 446 Pelican Avenue. 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. each day.
• Purchase a premium live Christmas tree and benefit the Hubbell Library, New Orleans oldest library, at the same location. Baked goods, gifts, local art, books from Pelican Publishing, jewelry from Jamie Stank, and other New Orleans jewelers will also be on sale.  9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on November 26 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 27.
• Hand Blow glass ornament classes or buy them ready-made at Rosetree Glass, 446 Vallette Street. Hand blown gifts such as the Mardi Gras Pumpkin ^TM in traditional colors and this year see a new series of pumpkins called Teamkins^{TM.      Reservations required for classes.}
• Kids can play and take part in craft projects across the street at Confetti Park and meet Katy Kupcake at Kupcakes, Etc., 502 Pelican Avenue. She will share her favorite sweet treats of holiday flavored cupcakes and beverages. Times TBA.
• Join Mrs. Claus at a holiday green market that will include cheeses and artisan breads at Bed & Breakfast on the Point at 405 Delaronde Street. 11 a.m.-mid-afternoon.
• Discover a varied assortment of jewelry, painting, and other handcrafted treasures while treating yourself to happy hour pricing all day or try the winter cocktails at Crown & Anchor English Pub, 201 Pelican Avenue.  Every art purchase includes a chance to win a gift certificate for dinner for two at a local restaurant.  Artists include Beatrix Bell, C.C. Miranda, Bridgette LaGarde, Pamela Reed, Kevin Jones, Penny Baker, and Michael Schiavone. 11 a.m.- til
• International School, 502 Olivier Street, will hold an open house beginning at 11 a.m.
• Dry Dock Cafe, 133 Delaronde Street. Live entertainment featuring Some Like It Hot, 7 p.m.- 10 p.m.
• Old Point Bar, 545 Patterson Street. Live entertainment all evening

A new addition to the holiday line-up will be held on December 10 when Old Algiers Main Street Corporation presents the first annual Noel on Newton.

OAMSC has also asked commercial properties to light up their facades for the first annual Light Up Algiers Contest. Winners will be announced at the December 10 event with prizes awarded to the top three commercial and top three residential winners. To participate, email info@oldalgiersmainstreet.org. The Algiers Point Association, Tunisburg Association and the Algiers Riverview Association have been asked to spearhead lighting efforts in residential areas.

“We are taking New Orleans holiday traditions in a new direction – to the West Bank of the city,” said AEDF President Chris Kane. “We have events for adults and for families throughout December, and we expect to have record people visit our community this holiday season. This is a fun way to generate economic opportunities and show off our culturally diverse historic neighborhoods.”

Visit algierseconomic.com for updates.

“It is an organizational tenet to serve as a conduit between the business community and the community at large, so it is truly an honor to be recognized in this capacity,” said AEDF Executive Director Barbara Waiters.

AEDF President Christopher Kane said, “We are honored to work with our various partners to foster strong partnerships and initiatives that are driving economic and community development in Algiers. We believe that our commitment to work together epitomizes the effort required to bring full restoration to our neighborhoods, city and region.”

Visit Algiers for Holiday Fun This Year!

There are lots of choices for holiday fun in New Orleans, but the most activity in one place this year will be in Algiers during the Algiers Holiday Festival and Bonfire taking place on the beautiful Algiers Riverfront Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5PM to 9PM.

The centerpiece of the Algiers Holiday Festival is the annual bonfire, which is constructed by the New Orleans Fire Department on the levee adjacent to the ferry terminal.  The bonfire was a holiday tradition for many years prior to Katrina and was revived in 2010 by District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer with help from AEDF. This year’s event is presented by AEDF, the State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans, as well as Councilmember Palmer and Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson. In addition to the city and state, sponsors to date include Southern Eagle Distributors, Capital One and BP.

This year’s pyre will include the burning of a massive art installation entitled FLOODWALL. Appropriately named, the piece features 700 dresser drawers that were collected by artist Jana Napoli after Hurricane Katrina and creatively documents what residents lost in the storm. The purpose of burning the art is to allow the public to participate in a final, collective release of Katrina woes. Prior to the bonfire, a section of FLOODWALL will be on display at Warren’s Corner, 600 Patterson Street (across from the Old Point Bar), for three weekends:  November 19-20, November 26-27 and December 3-4.

The festival and bonfire will also feature local artists including Wanda Rouzan and a Taste of New Orleans, the U.S. Navy Brass Band and Glen David Andrews. A riverboat parade with Santa will precede the igniting of the bonfire at approximately 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages from local vendors will be available for sale. 

“We are taking New Orleans holiday traditions in a new direction – to the West Bank of the city,” said AEDF President Chris Kane. “We have events for adults and for families throughout December, and we expect to have record people visit our community this holiday season. This is a fun way to generate economic opportunities and show off our culturally diverse historic neighborhoods.”

Holidays in Old Algiers 2011

Jana Napoli’s FLOODWALL  | November 19-20, November 26-27 & December 3-4

FLOODWALL, a portion of an art installation by Jana Napoli, will be exhibited at Warren’s Corner, 600 Pelican Street. FLOODWALL has been exhibited in New Orleans, New York and Poland. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (See Bonfire above).

 Have Yourself a Ferry Little Christmas  | November 25

Kicking off festivities on November 25, the Friends of the Ferry will present Have Yourself a Ferry Little Christmas, which includes a lighting ceremony for the Canal Street/Algiers Ferry at 6:30 p.m., followed by a twilight cruise and a pub crawl that begins at the Dry Dock Café.  The crawl will inch over a block to the Crown & Anchor English pub and then conclude with live music by Gal Holliday at the Old Point Bar.  

The next day, November 26, Holidays on the Point will feature activities at businesses throughout Algiers Point.

• Learn to make your own glass-blown ornaments classes at Rosetree Glass, 446 Vallette Street. You can also buy hand-blown glass gifts for friends and family at the annual sale. Registration for classes is $35 and reservations may be made by calling 366-3602. 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

• Enjoy a breakfast menu with coffee on November 26 & 27, plus soup, pizza and more at Gulf Pizza, 501 Pelican Avenue. 9 a.m.- 9 p.m each day.
• Purchase a premium live Christmas tree to benefit the Hubbell Library, New Orleans’ oldest public library, at the Gulf Pizza location. Baked goods, gifts, local art, books from Pelican Publishing, jewelry from Jamie Stank and other New Orleans jewelers will also be on sale.  9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on November 26 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 27.
• Kids can play and take part in craft projects across the street at Confetti Park and meet Katy Kupcake at Kupcakes, Etc., 501 Pelican Avenue, while sharing Katy’s  favorite sweet treats of holiday flavored cupcakes and beverages. Times TBA.
• Join Mrs. Claus at a holiday green market that will include cheeses and artisan breads, as well as crafts  at Bed & Breakfast on the Point, 201 Delaronde Street. 11 a.m.-mid-afternoon.
• Discover a varied assortment of jewelry, painting, and other handcrafted treasures while treating yourself to happy hour pricing all day, or try the winter cocktails, at Crown & Anchor English Pub.  Every art purchase includes a chance to win a gift certificate for dinner for two at a local restaurant.  Artists include Beatrix Bell, C.C. Miranda, Bridgette LaGarde, Pamela Reed, Kevin Jones, Penny Baker, and Michael P. Schiavone. 11 a.m.- til
• International School, 501 Olivier Street, will hold an open house beginning at 11 a.m.
• Other businesses, including the Dry Dock Café and the Old Point Bar, will offer holiday cheer and entertainment throughout the day and into the evening.

Noel on Newton  |  December 10

A new addition to the holiday line-up will be held on December 10 when Old Algiers Main Street Corporation presents the first annual Noel on Newton. It will include performances by area school groups as well as other activities at and around the NOMTOC Social Aid and Pleasure Club’s headquarters at 1905 Newton Street. A visit from Santa is planned for the kids. Look for details at oldalgiersmainstreet.org.

OAMSC has also asked commercial properties to light up their facades for the first annual Light Up Algiers Contest. Winners will be announced at the December 10 event with prizes awarded to the top three participating commercial and residential winners. To enter your business in the competition, email info@oldalgiersmainstreet.org. The Algiers Point Association, Tunisburg Civic Association and the Algiers Riverview Association have been asked to spearhead lighting efforts in residential communities.

residents and families who are buying their first homes. The City will provide affordable

gap financing in the form of a “soft second” mortgage for two programs: the Direct

Homebuyer Assistance Program and the Affordable Home Development Program. Funding for the initiative stems from federal Community Development Block Grant

dollars provided by the State of Louisiana for housing recovery from hurricanes Katrina

and Rita. The faith-based non-profit Jeremiah Group planned the strategy over the past four years. For more information, visit www.nola.gov.