5th Annual Hamp Fest
On Saturday, Sept. 28 St. Augustine will present the fifth annual Hamp Fest in honor of its beloved band director Edwin H. Hampton, and founder of St. Augustine’s Marching 100. Proceeds of the event support scholarships and other civic endeavors.
This year’s performers include the legendary O’Jays and local performances by trombonist/vocalist Glen David Andrews, the Brass-a-holics, and electric violinist Michael Ward. The event begins at 5:00 PM and lasts until 10:30 PM. Ticket prices are $40.
Councilwoman Gisleson Palmer opens westbank office
District “C” Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer has opened a new Westbank Council Office to better serve the residents of Algiers. The District C Westbank office is located in the Arthur Monday Center at 1111 Newton Street, in Room 105. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
“Since I was elected to the Council, the opening of an office in Algiers has been a goal of mine” Palmer said. “The location of this office will ensure that I am more readily available to my constituents in all parts of the city.”
Business after Dark in October
The New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce will host Business after Dark at 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Dream Builders Networks, 1040 Old Spanish Trail, Suite 10 in Slidell.
The event is co-hosted by the Northshore Black Elected Officials Coalition & Associates.
Business after Dark is a monthly networking event of the NORBCC. There will be complimentary hors d’oerves, door prizes and a business card exchange.
To RSVP, go to events@norbchamber.org.
SUNO to host annual BASH
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) Foundation will host its annual BASH celebration and fundraiser from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18. at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hotel, 601 Loyola Ave.
This year’s BASH co-chairs are SUNO alumni Larry and Ann Nelson Legaux. Frank Williams is the acting chair of the SUNO Foundation.
The BASH will raise money for University scholarships. Entertainment will be provided by the Renaissance Band, featuring Gina Brown.
Tickets are available at the SUNO Office of Community Outreach/University Advancement in the Emmett W. Bashful Administration Building, Room 312, 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126. For information, call 504-286-5341.
Ground breaking for Gentilly Wal-Mart
In conjunction with the City of New Orleans and state officials, the Gentilly and Pontchartrain Neighborhood Association (Pontilly) recently held a ground breaking ceremony for the new Wal-Mart location, which will sit inside the former Gentilly Woods Mall.
According to city officials the development means approximately 400 new jobs for locals, a bulk of which, District D Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell hopes are filled by Gentilly and Pontchartrain residents.
The area, which was nearly 80 percent under water following Hurricane Katrina, has seen its share of blight and economic depravity. It’s taken nearly seven years, said Mayor Mitch Landrieu, to see this day come to fruition.
State Senator JP Morrell, son of Councilwoman Hedge-Morrell, said the effort has been tedious, but worth the wait.
Enrollment is up at SUNO
SUNO officials are also excited to announce the final enrollment figure for the Fall 2013 semester at Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) is 3,176, a 4.1 percent increase over the Fall 2012 enrollment of 3,046. Included in that number are 268 first-time freshmen, an increase of 11.2 percent from the Fall 2012 freshman class of 241.
SUNO administrators contribute the enrollment growth to several factors. This fall, the University launched its new Forensic Science curriculum and opened its West Bank Satellite Campus in the Landry-Walker High School Complex in Algiers, allowing students to attend SUNO courses without crossing the river.