High Graduation Rate At West Bank’s New Orleans Maritime and Military Academy

A unique charter school based in Federal City, on New Orleans’ West Bank, was recognized as one of the top four New Orleans public high schools which had the highest percentages of students scoring 3 or above on AP exams along with a 97% graduation rate for the 2017-18 school year.

New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy (NOMMA) opened its doors in 2011. The public charter school is mainly for military families that are stationed in New Orleans and offers free education to their children. Civilian families can attend the school which is 8th through 12th grades but military families do have priority.

All students who attend NOMMA are cadets of JROTC(Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Program) and wear uniforms at all times. In fact, NOMMA has the largest JROTC unit in the United States but only 15% of NOMMA graduates join the military. JROTC duties at the school are taught by ten retired Marines and include military drills and marching, marksmanship, color guard competitions, education bowls and physical competition.

Civilian teachers do teach core subjects to the students which do include maritime industry, cyber engineering, digital media and business management. The main curriculum is STEM-focused so students are well versed in reading, English language arts and math.

“We are a college preparatory school and we also offer career and technical education in the form of Louisiana’s Jump Start programs,” NOMMA Commandant Col. Chris Schlafer says. “The idea behind that is a student will take a certain pathway of courses in ninth through 12th grades. By the time they graduate as seniors, they have earned nationally recognized credentials and certifications that will allow them, upon graduation, to enter the workforce, because college is not for everybody.”

“Our focus is to try to inculcate in them core values, honor, courage, community and instill in them habits of respect, self-discipline and respect for others — habits that will serve them well in whatever field they choose,” says Schlafer.

Safer Bike Lanes To Open In Algiers And the Central Business District

Algiers and the Central Business District (CBD) are two bustling areas in the city of New Orleans. With all of the heavy traffic, pedestrians and cyclist need to be careful especially since the crash on Esplanade Avenue that killed two cyclists and injured several last March. During Carnival season this year two cyclist were killed when they were struck by a drunk driver. The New Orleans City Council passed a resolution to urge Mayor Cantrell to improve cyclist safety.

A draft plan has been debuted showing Algiers and the Central Business District as the first to see safer bicycle lanes. These neighborhoods are being put first in the construction phase because they are high-traffic areas close to many jobs.

The public feedback might alter the plans but the protected lanes will definitely begin to be installed in the fall of 2019. Eventually other neighborhoods will also see the changes which will come overtime when other amenities and money become available. The entire French Quarter will be made a “slow zone” with a maximum speed of 15 mph.

The first phase of the plan is funded by a $10 million bond and a $2.6 million grant. According to the council, millions more will be needed to complete the project throughout the city.

The protected lanes (bicycle boulevards) will have pavement markings, reduced speeds and signage letting drivers know that bicyclist are priority on the streets. Green paint will block off a space on the streets for cyclist, bike racks will be installed and parking will be included in the project.

The goal, according to Cantrell’s administration is to have these protected bicycle paths run through every New Orleans neighborhood. More than likely all will not be completed during Cantrell’s reign as city mayor but will at least have the groundwork laid out for the future mayor’s administration.

“We are not going to be able to build all of it in the next couple of years, or even under this administration potentially. However, it gives us a clear roadmap for decision-making in terms of how do we do investments, and how we reconstruct streets,” said Jennifer Ruley, senior project manager for the city’s Department of Public Works.

Residents are thrilled with the plan. Lorey Flick, an Uptown resident who rides her bike to get around town a good amount of the time, believes the lanes will help bikes and cars commingle. Right now, she says there is no separation between bikes and cars which is very dangerous.

“I live Uptown, and I ride St. Charles and Carrollton on a pretty regular basis, and I like to take shortcuts when I can, but it’s hard because there are not any lanes (on side streets) or more safety concerns to get me to where I need to go.”

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The Importance of a Home Inspection

When purchasing a home, a home inspection is one of the most important due diligence one must do before closing. Professional home inspectors can help find defects or problems in the home and help with the best course of action. Below are six of the most common issues a home inspector finds when inspecting a home.

 

Water Water Everywhere

Home inspectors run across drainage issues a lot. Poor drainage is due to incorrect surface grading which allows water to pool up around a home. Water that does not flow away will ultimately compromise a home’s foundation. Fixing structural issues from poor drainage and trying to correct the water flow can be timely and very expensive.

Another water issue that is seen a lot in home inspections is faulty plumbing. These issues can be tricky because they can be hidden from the naked eye. Leaky pipes can be under floors or behind walls and can’t be seen. Inspectors have tools and a trained eye to search out these leaky issues.

Shocking Results

Electrical issues are common problems found in inspections. Typical problems include outdated wiring and dodgy DIY fixes. These two issues can be very hazardous for homeowners. Older homes have inadequate breakers that cannot handle modern electrical fixtures or those homes built before 1965 have a potential of being ungrounded. Some DIY jobs can potentially be fatal if done incorrectly. If a home needs to be rewired it can cost thousands before you can even live in the home.

Fear No Leaking

Home inspectors find many common problems with the roof. Replacing a roof can be very costly and cannot be avoided. A small problem such as a missing shingle can cause major issues. A home inspector will check the roof by getting up on the roof and walking it and checking the roof internally via the attic. When walking the roof, they find issues such as missing shingles or flashing. In the attic they can spot stains from current or old leaks. The majority of homes inspected have some sort of issue with missing shingles or patching. What should concern a potential homeowner is if they roof is in need of replacing.

Keeping The Temperature Balanced

HVAC hazards can really be a burden on a new homeowner. Home inspectors do a report on the heating and air condition units before closing on a home. Issues found usually include blocked chimneys, unsafe exhaust flues, broken controls, and cracked heat exchangers. These not only can cause high utility bills but also endanger the homeowner’s health.

A new HVAC system might be a smart buy when purchasing a home. Budgeting for a newer model will save in the long run. They will be more efficient and lower the cost on utility bills.

Trust the Foundation

A problem with a foundation is a big concern and can be an extremely expensive repair. Different parts of the country use different tools to inspect the foundation of a home because of the vast soil types and conditions. A home inspector can usually inspect the foundations but may suggest a registered structural engineer if there seems to be a big concern with the foundation.

Outside the First Impression

If a home looks neglected then chances are the whole home has not been taken care of. Home inspectors look for worn down weather stripping or caulk around the windows and the doors. If not properly caulked or sealed air and water can get into your home.

Remember a good home inspection can help avoid a lot of unnecessary heartache. It is always best to make an informed decision when purchasing a home.

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Nationwide Search for Outside Adviser for Hospital Deal

East Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH), owned by Parish Council, has seen its share of troubles. Bond-rating agencies have given the hospital a credit rating of “highly speculative.” Hospital executives report that they currently remain up-to-date on all debts and other payments but has spent more than $50 million in cash reserves in the last 4 years. All parties have finally come to the realization that an outside operator is much needed.

LCMC Health is a non-profit hospital system which runs Children’s Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, New Orleans East Hospital, West Jefferson Medical Center and New Orleans area urgent care centers. The New Orleans-based non-profit’s mission is “to provide the best possible care for every person and parish in Louisiana and beyond, and to put a little more heart and soul into healthcare along the way.” Currently EJGH is in the works with LCMC to lease or purchase the East Jefferson hospital.

The Parish Council is in the stages of seeking a firm to advise them on the potential deal with LCMC Health which have been in talks for several months under the radar. The firm sought will provide a “fairness opinion” on the deal in question. The “fairness opinion” basically means the firm will asses whether the merger or acquisition deal is fair for both EJGH and LCMC. A lease and a purchase are both choices on the table.

They will be conducting a nationwide search for such a firm. Parish Council wants to find it fast because they only have two weeks from the time the search is advertised to submit a final decision of the firm they will work hire. The submission will be graded by the company’s experience, timeliness and their fee schedule.

A purchase of the hospital would require approval by voters that live on the east bank of Jefferson Parish which might complicate things just a bit more than a lease. The 420-bed hospital is located in the Metairie district under Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken. She believes that the vote happening August 21, 2019 will help solidify the best deal for EJGH.

“How do we make sure the deal is good for us?” Van Vrancken asked. “That’s what we will secure a firm to review.”

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Cafe du Monde Opens in City Park

Cafe du Monde is known for their beignets and is a historic fixture in the city of New Orleans. For the past 6 months the cafe and beignet parlor has been serving out of their food truck in City Park. This week, the new location will open July 31, 2019 with a ribbon cutting ceremony set for 10:30 a.m.

The new location will be in the renovated Casino Building at City Park. Timken Center, the Casiono Building, opened its doors in 1913 serving refreshments and housing park offices.

Cafe du Monde revamped the Spanish Mission Revival-style building by replacing the plumbing, kitchen floors and wiring, installing a new grease trap and building new restrooms. The renovations to the old building took longer than expected for the cafe.

“We could do it quick or do it right, and we agreed to do it right,” said Jay Roman, one of the family owners of Cafe du Monde said. “You don’t get many chances like this, before it’s opened, to get in there and do that kind of work.”

The new cafe used design touches from the original Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter which include the striped awnings and a neon sign. Although there are many new additions, Cafe du Monde kept the historic ambiance of the building. The new cafe still has the old tile floors, spacious outdoor seating, and arched windows.

Cafe du Monde in City Park will be open daily, 6 a.m. to midnight and to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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