What can fifteen minutes get you in Algiers?  Well, that all depends on your location. And if you happen to find yourself in the 800 block of Teche Street, fifteen minutes might buy you three piping hot po-boys made to order from John’s Seafood.  That’s about how many Maria Andonie, co-owner of John’s Seafood, cranked out when we recently stopped by to say hello and welcome the family-owned business back to the community.

As many of us know, John’s Seafood has been a community favorite for about 35 years. Maria and Miguel Andonie bought the establishment 17 years ago, but the family had to temporarily pause operations last year to focus on matters dear to their hearts. Two months ago, they brought the restaurant back online during a quiet transition. Since reopening, business is gradually picking up with the restaurant seeing its largest surge of customers between 3:00PM and 6:00PM and at lunch time on Fridays.  The customers favorites by far are the stuffed shrimp, crawfish bisque and Miguel’s homemade cracklin’.  At the end of the day, “We were just ready to come back,” Maria says.

John’s Seafood is located at 825 Teche Street and is open Tuesday thru Friday from 9:00AM to 6:00PM.  Saturday hours are 9:00AM to 7:00PM. For more info, call (504) 366-8371.

The Algiers Economic Development Foundation (AEDF) today announced its schedule for the fourth annual Wednesdays on the Point Summer Riverfront Concert Series.  The 8-week series will take place every Wednesday beginning June 22 and running through August 10.  Concerts will be held at the foot of the ferry terminal in historic Algiers Point and begin at 6pm and end at 9pm.

“This is just another way that AEDF fulfills its mission of presenting Algiers in a positive light, providing an economic impact on our community and at the same time providing a place for families and friends to gather and enjoy the summer together,” said AEDF President Chris Kane. Wednesdays on the Point began three years ago as an effort by local businesses to draw visitors to Algiers Point during the slower summer months.  Since its inception, the series has continued to grow and is expected to draw more than one thousand music goers each week.  This year’s lineup is a great mix of musical styles and genres including acts such as Amanda Shaw, Luther Kent, Otra Latin Band and The Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians.

The highlight of the series is the special Fourth of July concert featuring live performances from Bonerama, The Stooges Brass Band and Lil Red and Big Bad.  “We’re certainly excited about the Fourth of July,” said Barbara Waiters, AEDF’s Executive Director.  “Good music, great food and a fireworks show that will definitely light up the summer sky.” All concerts are free to the public and along with a great musical performance; guests will be able to enjoy food and beverages from local vendors and other activities for the family.

For more information about AEDF’s Wednesdays on the Point, please contact Bethany Lemanski at (504) 339-2899 or visit us on the web at www.WednesdaysOnThePoint.com.

Founded in 1719, Algiers Point is one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans. “The Point” as locals call it, is located directly across the Mississippi River from the French Quarter. Ferry’s run every fifteen minutes between Algiers Point and Downtown New Orleans.
Algiers Economic Development Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing economic development to Algiers. The mission of AEDF is to help the Algiers community grow and prosper by being a catalyst for economic development that provides for a vibrant business environment.

2011 Wednesdays on the Point

Summer Concert Schedule

 All shows are from 6-9PM unless otherwise noted

Wednesday, June 22, 2011                                Glen David Andrews and Sasha Masakowski

Wednesday, June 29, 2011                                 Luther Kent and The Mumbles

Monday, July 4, 2011 (5-9PM)                            Bonerama, Stooges Brass Band and Lil Red & Big Bad
Wednesday, July 6, 2011                                     (No Show due to 4th of July show)

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians and Pinettes Brass Band

Wednesday, July 20, 2011                                  Flow Tribe & Higher Heights Reggae

Wednesday, July 27, 2011                                   Irvin Mayfield presents “Purple Disrespect” Funk Band and E.Company Band

Wednesday, August 3, 2011                               Latin Night with Otra Javier & Elegant Gypsy

Wednesday, August 10, 2011                              Amanda Shaw and Christian Serpas Ghost Town
Concerts will be held at the foot of the ferry terminal in historic Algiers Point.

Presented by the Algiers Economic Development Foundation

with

Higher Heights Reggae

&

Flow Tribe

Concert will be held at the foot of the ferry terminal in historic Algiers Point and begin at 6pm and end at 9pm.

Monday, July 4  

6:00-9:00 p.m.

Sponsored by:

Presented by the Algiers Economic Development Foundation

July 27

E Company &
 

Irvin Mayfield Presents

“Purple Disrespect”

Concert will be held at the foot of the ferry terminal in historic Algiers Point and begin at 6pm and end at 9pm.

Wednesday, July 27

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Sponsored by:

Senator David Heitmeier and AEDF President Chris Kane

The education summit was organized by AEDF’s Education Committee under the guidance of Leslie Ellison. The event brought members from the Recovery School District (RSD), the Algiers Charter School Association (ACSA) and the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) together to share their ideas and answer questions from the audience. Demographer, Rafe Rabalais of GCR & Associates presented information to the audience about population change and school enrollment, and compared data from Post Katrina with current statistics. Aesha Rasheed, Executive Director of the New Orleans Parent Network, which develops and distributes the New Orleans Parents Guide to schools, provided a comprehensive overview of the various schools systems and how they work.

The event opened with Aesha Rasheed. Rasheed’s presentation clearly defined which boards and school systems oversee the different schools in Algiers, as well as the rest of New Orleans. Her message was factual and fair, but also one of hope. “All schools have shown significant growth,” she concluded. Rasheed’s presentation can be found on the AEDF website, under “Resources”.

Not only were statistics about today’s student population shared by Rafe Rabalais of GCR & Associates, but enrollment projections were also made available in this portion of the presentation. According to Rabalais, the population of Algiers has returned to 95 percent of pre-Katrina numbers. However, that number is currently holding and recent growth in the area has stalled. But Rabalais expects those numbers to change once again, as prospects for more housing brings more families to the area. The long range forecast from GCR & Associates concludes that growth will depend on the socioeconomic profile of students in the New Orleans area. Rabalais’ presentation can also be found on the AEDF website, under “Resources”.

AEDF Education Committee member Paul Richard, moderator of the first panel on the Facilities Master Plan, began the segment with a bold statement. “This is going to be the most interesting panel,” he declared. Panel members Louella Givens and Lourdes Moran did not disappoint. Passionate about monitoring how FEMA money is being spent of rebuilding and restoring schools in New Orleans, Givens and Moran invited the audience to become involved, attend more Master Plan opening meetings and be vocal about in the process. Many of the questions from the audience were about specific schools in the Algiers area. The panelists shared their knowledge about future plans for schools such O Perry Walker and Martin S Berhman.

The second panel segued easily with Recovery School District leader Paul Vallas offering further up-to-date information about future plans for these and other schools in the area. Joined by Dr Darrel Kilbert, Dr. Andrea Thomas-Reynolds and moderator Yvonne Mitchell-Grubb, this panel worked quickly to bring the audience new information about the Facilities Master Plan and other plans from the RSD and the ASCA. “We expect to move quickly to redesign how to renovate,” Vallas said. He was sure to point out how, with the support of Senator Mary Landrieu and other representatives, FEMA allotted money to schools in a lump sum, making recovery faster.

Other representatives who showed their support at the summit included State Senator David Heitmeier and Kelisha Garrett from City Councilor Kristin Gisleson-Palmer’s office. AEDF President Chris Kane closed the summit with his thanks as well to the various members, participants and attendees.

Federal City, Algiers

The Algiers Economic Development Foundation (AEDF) has plenty of good things to share when it comes to the exciting new project, Federal City.  The three-phase, multi-million dollar development will bring  jobs, generate income and offer services to both military and civilian residents of Algiers.

“Jobs are essential to building a thriving community. The Federal City project is a perfect example of how  large scale companies and organiziations are looking to invest in a quality area like Algiers,” says AEDF Executive Director, Barbara Waiters.

Earlier this month, the AEDF invited board members, local and regional business and community leaders to a  tour of one of the newest facilities and to attend a ground-breaking ceremony for the highly anticipated parking garage and mixed retail facility. The AEDF is a strong supporter of economic development and will be working to increase awareness of Federal City through its various channels.

As Federal City grows, the AEDF will be an advocate between local businesses, residents and  the military by sharing information about Federal City on our website via news updates, in meetings and discussion forums. New information will also be shared via our social media sites, through our email blasts and monthly e-newsletter.

In its latest survey of America’s favorite cities Travel and Leisure magazine asked readers to pick the best places for everything from the most attractive, intelligent, stylish and the friendliest people to where to find the best museums, restaurants, bars, museums and affordable hotels.

“The big news this year is that New Orleans received the most number one rankings over New York,” said Travel and Leisure Assistant Editor Stirling Kelso.

“It is a popular weekend destination. You can go to New Orleans and feel like you have left the country,” she added.

The city known as the “Big Easy” also came out tops for people watching, singles scene and the metropolis with the best bars and concerts and bands.

“In the nightlife category, New Orleans beat Las Vegas. Last year New Orleans swept all of the night-life categories and New Orleans did this year,” Kelso added.

Miami topped the charts for the most attractive people, followed by San Diego and Charleston but southern charm seemed to come into play with Nashville, New Orleans and Charleston having the friendliest folks.

New York was the U.S. city with the most stylish residents with Miami and San Francisco and Los Angeles also coming up with high marks.

But when it comes to most intelligent Minneapolis/St. Paul took the crown, followed by Austin and Boston. The twin cities also scored top marks as the cleanest city.

The results were based on an online survey of more than 60,000 people who rated 30 U.S. cities in various categories. Five new cities, Providence, Kansas City, Cleveland, Houston and St Louis, were added to the survey this year.

Washington D.C. was the top choice for best museums, galleries and historical sites, with New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston also in the top five.

“In regards to culture, Washington D.C. and New York really tied in that category. New York got the No. 1 ranking for classical music and theatres, and Washington D.C. did for historical sites and monuments and museums and galleries. It was a nice East Coast tie,” Kelso said.

For more sedate family fun, Orlando, Florida was the top choice with Washington D.C. coming in second, and San Diego third. If money is a consideration, Cleveland scaled the chart for best affordable getaway.

New York may have bowed to New Orleans in the nightlife ranking but it was still scored top marks in a category considered important by many — shopping.

Full results are found at www.travelandleisure.com.

Courtesy of Reuters

 Ground was broken Thursday for the next phase of the project.

The center will provide 1,100 parking spaces and space for 15 retail businesses in support of the 1,900 Marines and civilian employees who will work at the Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans, beginning in June.

 It also is among facilities that will sprout up during the next year as developers re-create the century-old Naval Support Activity. Construction is scheduled to begin soon on a 400-seat auditorium at the site.

“This is really going to be a busy place with construction in the near future,” said retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David Mize, who is helping spearhead the project.

The 2.3-acre site is outside the compound the Marine Corps will occupy, meaning the garage and businesses will be accessible to the general public once the developers take control of the naval installation. The Navy Federal Credit Union will occupy space at the retail center, which has three units reserved for restaurants, Mize said.

The state has provided $150 million to the federal city project, the bulk of which is being used to build a 411,000-square-foot headquarters for Marine Forces Reserve and its subordinate commands.

That pool of money, controlled by the state Department of Economic Development, also will be used to build the garage and retail center, which is expected to be complete in 9 1/2 months, officials said. Mize said agreements with the Navy to redevelop the base require that parking is provided.

Ground was broken Thursday for the next phase of Federal City, which will feature retail space and parking and will be built in the space across the road, center. The century-old building at left will be preserved.

Woodward Design+Build, the New Orleans contractor on the Marine Corps headquarters project, is building the garage and retail center.

By federal law, the Marines, who currently are based at the Naval Support Activity in Bywater, must move to Algiers by Sept. 15, 2011. Federal city developers say that should happen by June. Officials said Thursday the headquarters is 70 percent complete.

The building’s exterior walls are designed to withstand 150 mph winds, and the facility can operate under generator power for seven days if electrical service is interrupted during an emergency, said Col. Bill Davis, assistant chief of staff for facilities at Marine Forces Reserve.

The Navy and Defense Department recommended five years ago that the Naval Support Activity be closed, but a federal commission overruled them the week before Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, allowing the state and city to create a campus for federal entities. The Marine Corps is considered the anchor tenant, but developers have not lured other major tenants to the site.

The concept could be used at the Northrup Grumman shipyard in Avondale and NASA’s Michoud facility in eastern New Orleans, to soften the blow of lost jobs, said U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., who was involved the federal city plan.

“This is exactly the sort of model we need to use and replicate with regard to those challenges,” said Vitter, who was among elected officials who attended a ground-breaking ceremony at the federal city site Thursday.

Courtesy of the Times Picayune

Algiers Point resident Lindsay Hilton is one of many who were moved by the closure of the food bank. She came to AEDF to see what could be done.  In response, collection boxes will be placed in businesses around Algiers Point, and there will be a collection box at all remaining Wednesdays on the Point free summer concerts to collect food. This weeks show will be at the Old Point Bar at 100 Olivier St. and Patterson Drive from 6 to 9 p.m featuring Amanda Shaw.

Bring a can or box of food to donate and help stock the Algiers Food Bank

The food bank is located in the Arthur Monday Center at 1111 Newton St., Algiers. Hours are Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. To donate, email unitedchurches.org@netzero.com or call 504.361.1661.

If Louisiana is Hollywood South and New Orleans is its capital, then Algiers Point is the crown jewel.

At least that’s how Christopher Kane, president of the Algiers Economic Development Foundation, sees it.

Since the beginning of the year, 13 major productions each with budgets exceeding $300,000 have been shot in New Orleans, and six have used Algiers locations. That’s a high percentage, Kane said.

“They like filming here because it can stand in for Uptown or any other part of the city. But unlike the Garden District, we don’t have the hustle and bustle, noise and traffic that can get in the way.”

Some New Orleans neighborhoods aren’t crazy about the film industry because it brings trucks, bright lights and late-night noise, Kane said. Algiers, on the other hand, has welcomed the industry with open arms.

The increased film activity brings with it opportunities for the Algiers business community. To ensure they take advantage of those opportunities, Kane invited Jennifer Day, director of the New Orleans Office of Film and Video, to speak at the Algiers Economic Development Foundation’s luncheon May 19.

We had the largest attendance for the luncheon in two years, which told me that our business community is interested in this but they don’t know how to get involved,” Kane said. “They’re filming here, but there’s a segment of our business community going untapped. Services needed by film productions are being met by folks not in New Orleans. It seems to make more sense if they’re shooting here to use a caterer down the street versus one in Harahan.”

Algiers is the first community in the New Orleans area to create a committee to specifically look for ways to educate its business community about movie productions and how they can become more involved, Day said.

“They need to do their homework, know what’s in town and be very diligent,” Day said. “They need to network, figure out if they know people in industry and get word out that they’re interested in being a vendor.”

Kane wants Algiers businesses to become involved not just as on-screen locations but behind the scenes providing catering services, props, equipment and anything else required to shoot a movie.

“For instance, productions need office space for six months close to their base location. New Orleans lacks temporary office space, but we have plenty,” Kane said. “Right now we’re talking with developers and investors with underutilized or blighted property in Algiers that they may convert to office space.

The Old Point Bar has been used as a film location for various productions, including “Ray,” “Green Lantern” and “Treme.” As a result, it has become a popular destination for sightseeing film buffs, and Kane wants to extend that appeal throughout the neighborhood. He plans to create maps with stars on locations where films were shot in hopes of attracting tourists to Algiers.

“We need to make sure this industry thrives,” Kane said. “You might grow a great crop. But if no one is focused on nourishing it, nothing much will happen. We want to make sure we take advantage across the board and involve all our community.”