NYT Institute Newspaper (2005)

STUDENT JOURNALISM INSTITUTE Vo1. 3 ....No.1

Copyright 2005 The New York Times

Saturday, May 28, 2005

2005

www.nytimes-institute.com

Report details bias in Bourbon Street bars

By Shawn Chollette NYT Institute

Bourbon Street.

The whiskey is served in abundance there, but just how much you pay for it may depend on your skin color.

Incidents on New Orleans showcase street are prompting officials to take a sobering look at race relations in the wake of a city-commissioned report that found that 57 percent of Bourbon Street bars discriminated against young black men.

The study, released in mid-May,

was ordered by Mayor Ray Nagin after Levon Jones, a black college student visiting the city, was suffocated in an altercation involving three white bouncers outside Razoo's, a Bourbon Street bar.

Some say New Orleans, which has cultivated a strong relationship with minority tourists, has a track record of alienating those same guests.

In 1996, Essence Communications Inc. threatened to pull the Essence Music Festival, a celebration of culture and heritage, from New Orleans after then-Gov.

Mike Foster proposed ending state affirmative action programs.

Essence officials said they are concerned, but have no plans to cancel this year's festival, which is scheduled to take place July 1-3.

A spokeswoman for Essence said the company is aware of the circumstances and is monitoring the situation. She added that ticket sales to the festival are exceeding last year's totals.

The Essence festival, which tourism officials say brings in the same amount of visitor spending as three Super Bowls, is only one of the

many minority-themed events held in the city each year, and city tourism officials said they would like to keep it that way.

“We've only had to address this issue just recently. But there have been no major inquiries from convention planners,” said Raquel Dufauchard, a convention sales manager with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Dufauchard said that while the city has no plans to counteract the negative publicity tied to the report, tourism officials are concerned.

“We are working directly with

TARA-LYNNE S. PIXLEY/ NYT Institute Carlos Betancourt’s “Installation with Aracoel’s Objects” at Heriard-Cimino Gallery.

Mayor Nagin,” Dufauchard said.

“And I'm proud of the way he has worked to identify and alleviate any forms of discrimination … because it's our tourists that come in and spend top dollar.”

The bouncers in the Jones incident have since been charged with negligent homicide and are awaiting trial.

At the mayor's request, the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center applied the same methods that it uses to investigate

See BIAS, page A3

Wrongly imprisoned, he regains new life

Home-grown art district draws visitors from afar

By Tanya Caldwell

By Malachi Daraja

NYT Institute

NYT Institute

As talented artists and curators converge inside the city's art district, New Orleans is transcending its reputation beyond a party destination. It is a cultural haven, as well.

“The art scene has exploded since I started at my museum,” said Daniel Piersol, curator of the New Orleans Museum of Art. Piersol has watched art in the city mature for the last 25 years.

“There were only a handful of galleries when I started here, now there are hundreds,” he said.

Curator Arthur Roger shared Piersol's sentiment. “Every business has its peaks and valleys, but our art community has been steadily growing the whole time,” Roger said.

The art district, located downtown on Julia and Magazine streets, is one of the fastest growing communities.

“There are 11 colleges and universities in New Orleans that graduate more artists every year,” said Scott Hutcheson, director of the New Orleans Art Council.

"Many of these graduates do not leave the city," he said. “The NOAC has programs that help all of these young artists market themselves and design galleries of their own.”

The Heriard-Cimino Gallery is just one of the many businesses that have prospered during the city's cultural revival.

See ARTS, page C4 INSIDE Where New Orleans natives get away from the tourists.

Metro A3 Playing political poker over the future of the NFL Saints.

Sports A8 Light scales and lighter profits as the shrimp season begins.

Business B1 At Grambling, the tiger is fine, but what about that ‘G’?

Education B3 Dillard’s presidents, old and new, reflect. Dillard B4 New Orleans means Mardi Gras and Mardi Gras means floats. Lifestyle C1 The New York Times Student Journalism Institute Class of 2005. D1

Sheriff's Department.

The fourth victim, Datrell Woods, 18, was found May 27, 2003, lying on his back, next to his bicycle in a cane field behind a church. He had been asphyxiated

Everything Michael Anthony Williams was familiar with had changed, everyone he was close to was gone.

His mother was long dead. She'd lost her battle against lung cancer when Williams was 12, four years before he went away. But his father, and the grandparents who raised him?

No, he hadn't heard about them. They passed away while he was in prison.

He's not even sure how they died.

His six siblings are still alive, though they've all moved. He's seen two of them, each only once, while he was locked up. That was in 1990.

"It's been so long I guess they gave up on me," Williams sighed. "I guess over the years they just gave up."

Twenty-four years of his life were trapped behind the bars of Angola state penitentiary, one of the nation's worst prisons. It took more than two decades -- and O.J. Simpson -- for 40year-old Williams to clear his name.

He watched every day of the Simpson trial from a prison TV. "I was already saying in my mind that that case is going to help me with my case," Williams said. "I followed the case all the way through. And I found out that Barry Scheck had something to do with it, dealing with the DNA." Scheck was the lawyer on the defense team who specialized in DNA evidence during Simpson's trial in the double murder of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman. His expertise helped win Simpson's acquittal.

Scheck and Peter Neufeld created the Innocence Project in 1992 to help release wrongfully convicted people from prison, mostly by using DNA evidence in cases where it had not been available at the original trial. The nonprofit organization doesn't charge for its services and now operates nationally.

Williams' presumption was right.

As soon as the Innocence Project stepped in, he was on his way out.

Williams was released after DNA tests proved he was innocent.

The first thing he did when the Innocence Project picked him up from prison was go out to eat all the shrimp he could.

"Yeah, that's my favorite," he chuckled. "But I done got tired of shrimp now. That's enough."

Last Wednesday he went out with project staff member Barry Gerharz to the VooDoo BBQ restaurant. He ate every bite, from the barbecue chicken, to the greens and potato salad. The 155pound 5'11'' boy who went in 24

See SERIAL, page A7

See INNOCENCE, page A2

AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

Touching up a Classic

Mardi Gras artist Bobby Zabler puts the finishing touches of paint on a Louis Armstrong sculpture made out of fiberglass. Zabler is employed by the Kern Studios a multimillion dollar empire that is not only known in New Orleans and the nation, but also around the world. Since his first parade in 1948, Blaine Kern has had his hat in over 2,000 parades around the city alone, providing floats for close to 60 parades each Mardi Gras season. LIFESTYLE, page C1.

In troubled lives, a killer found his prey

By Markel Eskridge NYT Institute

HOUMA, La. -- Houma looks like a tropical oasis surrounded by coffee-colored bayous with a blend of ancient cypress, magnolia and palm trees.

Houma is also home to drug dealers, prostitutes, crack addicts and a serial killer.

In this city of 32,000, Buron Street is an illustration of the contrasts. Turning left onto Mahler Street is a gated community with manicured lawns and waterway privileges.

To the right, less than three blocks away, is a tan, one-story brick apartment building with a lawn of patches of grass and gravel.

In one apartment two bare mattresses are piled on the living room floor.

This part of Buron Street, where drugs are easy to find, is frequently patrolled by police. This neighborhood is where a killer has found eight of what may be as many as 18 victims, law enforcement officials say.

They are men who have had runins with law enforcement authorities and lived life on the edge.

Authorities theorize that the victims all needed money and that led to their deaths.

Houma Police Chief Patrick Boudreaux said, “We have yet to link all homicides. There is nothing concrete, but there is enough evidence to say they are all related.”

Most of the victims were only partly clothed and had one or both shoes missing. All the men were asphyxiated.

The first two bodies were found in Lafourche Parish on Louisiana 307.

Michael Vincent was found on New Year's Day 2000, just off the road, north of Raceland.

Kenneth Randolph was found Oct. 6, 2002, further up the highway. Randolph's body was naked.

Authorities won't say whether Vincent's was as well.

Larry Weidel, public information officer for the Lafourche Sheriff's Department, said, “The only connection these men have is that they are both from Houma and they were both found along the highway like the most recent victim.”

Authorities only began to suspect a serial killer was at work when they found the third body. It was 26-

MARKEL ESKRIDGE/ NYT Institute Judy Lirette speaks of her deceased son, Leon “T-Paul” Lirette, in the living room of her daughter’s home in Houma, La. In the room are pictures of Leon, the sixth victim of a serial killer area. year-old Anoka Jones of Houma, found on Oct. 13, 2002, a week after the discovery of Randolph. Jones body was under an overpass at U.S. 90 and Interstate 310. He, too, had been asphyxiated and his shoes were found nearby, according to Major Sam Zinna of the St. Charles Parish

METRO A2

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Cabbies describe danger, joys of job

By Diamond Washington NYT Institute

On an overcast day in New Orleans, he perked up for the upcoming rain. He looked up at the skies and skimmed the streets for stragglers in need of transportation.

Yes, business should be good today.

“Getting a ‘lil rain here, but that’s OK with me,” he said to the elderly woman in the backseat. “Rain is a cab driver’s best friend, you know?”

William Kerner, who has been driving taxicabs for 28 years, takes his job seriously. To him, it is more than an occupation.

“It’s more like a lifestyle,” he said as he reminisced about all that driving taxicabs entails. “It’s a study of human behavior.”

In seconds, the third-generation cabbie has gone from having Walter Cronkite as a passenger to picking up a transvestite. Adapting to the persona of each passenger, Kerner switches hats as frequently as a model changes clothes.

Of the hats he has worn, chauffeur is a given. In addition to that are listener to rambling patrons fresh out of Bourbon Street bars and a familiar face to the woman he picks up from Sav-A-Center. But the most important, yet most uncomfortable, is hero.

“There are things that happen at night that don’t happen during the day,” he said. As he took off the colorfully tinted sunglasses, he revealed his history of reckless behavior.

One night years ago, with a gun in tow, he approached a man who was dragging an elderly Algiers woman. Kerner ordered the man to release the woman, and he put her in his backseat. Instead of immediately taking her home, the New Orleans native decided to chase the offender through the city.

“The police eventually caught up with the man and convicted him of aggravated assault of the old woman and rape of at least two other women. This sparked a Superman mentality in Kerner that would soon turn into a bad habit.

Kerner, who said he could have been a police officer if not for a knee injury he sustained during a high

school football practice, used to get into his cab every night with one mission: to search for crime to solve and women to rescue.

“I was bullied as a kid,” he said.

“So I have the tendency to get involved in a lot of street crime.”

In his trunk, inside a briefcase, are the faded newspaper articles -proof of his daring past. “It took a toll on me,” said the cabbie, who at the time, could not sleep at night. “I did that for 10 years, and it almost killed me.”

He was advised to see a psychiatrist, who prescribed medication, which he eventually became addicted to. Although it helped him sleep at night, it did not stop him from trying to save people.

Along the way, he also developed a drinking problem. Kerner had to stop driving and work as a dispatcher. He said he felt his life was spiraling downward.

Then one day, he said, he got sick and tired of being sick and tired and went to an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting. Then he started to go to Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Now, he attends at least four meetings a week and regularly visits patients in the chemical dependency units of the psychiatric wards of local hospitals.

Tucked in a console on his car door is a 12-step recovery book and attached to the car lighter knob are numerous, colorful key chains stamped with the letters NA, that are testaments to his recovery.

Classical music filled the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis as the 46year-old father of two, who said he will drive taxis until the day he dies, cruised through the Crescent City.

“This is as fun as fishing,” he said with a smile. “You never know what you’re going to run into.”

Tranquility in the Chaos Inside the cab, there is an enveloping serenity and silence.

Even when the driver speaks, his thick accent has a calming ring to it, as if Abed Bader’s cab was drifting on the Mississippi instead of riding around the Big Easy.

Outside, it’s a busy Friday night

INNOCENCE from page A1 years ago had come out as a husky 265-pound man.

But his demeanor was anything but domineering. He shied back and exposed a gap-toothed grin whenever he talked about his goal of becoming an interior designer. He didn’t know why he wanted to do it, “just to show my creativity, I guess,” he said.

Gerharz promised to take him to Barnes & Noble to get some design books after lunch so he would have them with him when he moves to Virginia next week.

Williams had on his new clothes. A black-and-white Starter baseball cap with a matching Starter muscle shirt and Starter socks. He had to check to see if Starter had claimed his grey jersey-knit shorts as well; it hadn’t. But it didn’t matter. Anything was better than the blue chambray, grey shirt and blue jeans he had to wear on the block.

How a boy who had never experienced sex could be found guilty of rape and sentenced to life in prison is beyond him. But in 1981, the scrawny 16-year-old found himself behind the bars of Angola after being convicted of sexually assaulting his 22-year-old math tutor.

Williams said he didn’t do it, but it was his word against hers. It was well known that he liked the victim. He was always hanging around her father’s store, talking to her. She testified that

he just wouldn’t leave.

The burden of proof was upon him.

The victim herself had identified him.

It was a case of misidentification, the leading cause of wrongful convictions, says the Innocence Project.

Williams requested a blood test, but that was denied. The judge chose to believe the victim’s words over his and Williams was found guilty of aggravated rape. The system swallowed him whole and spat him into a cell block with 64 other prisoners, where he was himself sexually assaulted.

“I got jumped and all, and guys were getting raped, and the security was supporting it,” Williams said. “In fact, they would join in on it. They would take the handcuffs and handcuff some of the guys to the bars and everything. And it’d be big guys with those handcuffs. They’d go in behind those bars and rape you.”

He said he saw inmates “dropping off like flies” -- dying because they didn’t hand over the $5 for a sick card fast enough to get treated at the clinic.

“It’s hard to keep hope alive, especially if they close all the doors,” Williams said. “A person’s gotta’ be strong.”

While the other inmates were playing sports, Williams was finishing high school and spending his free time in the law library, planning his liberation.

He typed out his writs with one finger

Photographs by MARCI FULLER/ NYT Institute “I was bullied as a kid, so I have the tendency to get involved in a lot of street crime,” William Kerner said while on duty.

“Sometimes you have to have a heart,” said Abed Bader, a driver for more than 15 years.

in New Orleans. From Uptown to Gentilly, red and blue lights from New Orleans Police cars flash on almost every other corner. Crowds stroll in and out of the well-lit hotels, restaurants and casinos on Canal Street.

“There’s just something about New Orleans,” said the 45-year-old from Jerusalem.

A turn on Bourbon Street and people are seen on balconies cheering and yelling as they jiggle assorted strings of beads over the mobs of tourists and locals out to have a good time. Drivers impatiently honk horns

-- sometimes two -- and stayed up countless nights to finish.

“They may have gotten 20-something years out of my life,” he told himself, “but they won’t get 30.

“I learned everything I could about the law. And I kept working. I ain’t never gave up.”

In 1998, Williams gave Scheck a call and asked for help. They started his case in 2003.

Vanessa Potkin, a staff attorney who worked with Scheck on Williams’ case, said the facts were stacked so high against him that at first glance she wasn’t sure if he had a shot.

“When I first looked at the Michael Williams case and I heard that the victim knew him and had tutored him, I thought, ‘Well, what’s the issue?’ ” But things didn’t add up. Williams’ grandmother testified that her grandson was sleeping after coming home from a church revival while the victim was being raped. And none of the clues -- such as footprints outside the victim’s window -- linked Williams to the crime.

“The prosecution’s theory was that he woke up at 3 in the morning, walked in, beat her, disposed of the clothes and then goes back to his grandmother’s,” she said. “To me, that theory was ridiculous.”

To settle the issue, Potkin pulled out what Scheck knows best -- a DNA test, something that wasn’t available when Williams was first tried. The samples from the victim’s nightgown didn’t match Williams’ DNA, and he was

as pedestrians cross in several directions, making it nearly impossible to move a car past an inch. But the traffic didn’t bother Bader.

“You have to carefully keep your foot on the brake,” he said as he got enough leeway to ease across the street. “But don’t stop because you’ll never cross.”

More than 15 years in the business has given Bader enough experience to offer the advice he's so willing to share.

He once established a union for cab drivers in the city. At meetings, Bader would demonstrate how to

cleared of the charges.

Angola had the wrong guy. On March 9, Williams was freed from the prison that stole his adolescence, raped him and left him to die in the arms of the system. He became the Innocence Project’s 159th success story since its start in 1992.

They gave Williams a $10 check on his way out, but he hasn’t cashed it. It sits in a photo frame in the living room of his one-bedroom apartment in Baton Rouge.

“That’s an insult,” he spat. “I mean, a person come out on parole or probation, and they just finished their time.

Six months prior to that, they’re off in job training and everything. All that, you know? All these programs. And then once they get out, they gonna’ have a place to live. They gonna’ have a good job. They gonna’ have all that.

“But for people like me, that’s all they give us. They give us $10 and kick us out. I didn’t even get a bus ticket.”

Louisiana legislators are considering a bill that would give the wrongly convicted $25,000 a year for each year they were incarcerated, plus the opportunity to go to college. So far, the only debate has been over how much it would cost the state to compensate the 19 people who have been freed since 1989.

Until the government figures it out, Williams’ check is staying in the frame.

One of the first things he did when he was released was ask to use an automatically flushing toilet.

“I’d heard about it, but I didn’t believe it,” Williams said.

properly use a weapon, bring movies that featured safety tips and allow members to express their problems.

“I’m thinking to do it again,” said the cabbie, who discontinued the union because of a lack of participation and funding. “But I need help from the city.”

At a stop at Harrah’s casino, Bader tried to be careful about who he picked up. “It’s very dangerous,” he said. “People lose all of their money, jump in the cab and leave without paying. They’ll say my wife or some family member has money at home.”

When a man wearing a miniskirt, hair extensions and make-up who identified himself as Sassy jumped into cab No. 973, Bader said he was not taking passengers at the time.

But Sassy, who had already been refused by other drivers, remained persistent.

After laughing at Sassy’s tirade about how female prostitutes get away with pick-pocketing and how police doesn’t need more officers, but more covering of severe crimes, the cabbie could not bring himself to say no.

Instead, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “Sometimes you have to have a heart.”

On Mondays from 6 p.m. to midnight, Bader volunteers at a jail. The reserve deputy sheriff of corporal rank said he keeps his title and occupation separate to avoid making customers who may be involved in illegal activity uncomfortable.

“I never mix the two,” he said. “I always deny it.”

Rejuvenating an Old Soul He has a hot, new ride loaded with perks. Fold-out seats that swivel, custom multicolored shell design and a 4 cylinder, turbo-charged diesel engine to name a few. Give him a call and he'll take you just about anywhere in it.

So who is this stunning joy rider?

None other than Randy Collins, an employee of White Fleet cab and driver of the 2005 London Executive Sedan.

At first, the 50-year-old was hesitant to trade in the Buick Park

Avenue he’d become accustomed to.

But now, Collins seems as comfortable as a rebel on a Harley when he swiftly drives the ritzy ride through the mean streets of New Orleans.

“The picture doesn’t do it justice,” he said of the car, which gains extra attention with a Harrah’s advertisement.

His face lights up when he brags about all of its features.

“Oh yeah, I forgot,” he said. “The armrest doubles as a child seat.”

The former driver for Yellow Checker cab said the arrival of the five London cabs has caused controversy among other drivers.

“There’s a lot of envy,” he said while maneuvering around a crime scene on the 3200 block of South Carrolton Avenue. “This car has brought more jealous-hearted drivers about since it’s been on the street.”

Beside the expensive cost of the London Cab, Collins said several drivers of traditional cars complain that the glass window between the front and backseat and the passengers’ face-to-face setup might limit tips.

But Collins argues that the tips depend on the driver’s attitude.

“I’m a talking machine and I like to talk to everybody,” he said.

He could remember only one instance in which he faced possible danger.

“Years ago, two teens planned to rob me,” he recalled. He said the young men carried bleach and a bag of clothing and said they had to do laundry. But one spilled the bleach on the car floor in an attempt to sting Collins’ eyes and distract him as the other pulled out a gun.

“I kept hearing a click,” he said.

“I looked back, and he put it on his side.”

Collins, who carried two guns at the time, pulled the car over, got out, fired a round in the air and said “this is what you wanted to hear.”

The duo ran off. Since then, he never leaves home without a gun.

But Collins said his customers never see it.

“It’s just like a spare tire,” he said.

“You never know when you’re going to need it.”

Photograph by MARCI FULLER/ NYT Institute Michael Williams reflects on the day he found out that he would be set free from Angola state penitentiary.

At first, he said he wasn’t quite sure how to work it. He looked at the stall and nothing happened. Tired of staring it down, and not wanting to ask for help, Williams walked away, a little confused. As soon as he was washing his hands, he heard his toilet flush. He said he looked back at it, amazed.

But what he said really got him were the 21st century car alarms. The first time he heard someone setting the alarm from a keyless remote, he got scared.

“I ran from that car,” he said, his head shaking in disbelief and his brows high as if telling a ghost story.

“It was spooky.”

The New Orleans branch of the Innocence Project has been helping

Williams get back on his feet.

“Dealing with life out here, it would be incredibly disheartening to see them finally get out and watch them fall flat on their faces without attempting to help them out,” said staff attorney David Park.

Somehow Williams manages to find his bearings in a land of technological unfamiliarity. He has two cell phones nowadays, a prepaid plan and a contracted plan, which he just picked up last month. He walks around with the new one in its case, his earpiece snuggly plugged in his ear, even when he isn’t using it.

It plays the “Mission Impossible” theme song when it rings.

METRO

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

A3

Locals gather at lake shore, but not exactly together

By Ebony Horton NYT Institute

On Sundays the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain is flooded with families enjoying crawfish and corn while surrounded by bright-colored early model Mustangs and Chevrolets and flashy motorcycles. It becomes a place of no tourists, no violence and no stress. For New Orleans residents, it is their French Quarter. Several say it is the place where they bring their families to see what “New Orleans is about.”

But in what one resident called a “City of Soul,” where black people make up two-thirds of the population, the races separate on Lake Pontchartrain’s south shore.

Younger black people tend to migrate to the right of what used to be Pontchartrain Beach, the section east of Franklin Avenue. White people spend their time in the middle area and older black people enjoy the west side of the shore.

Some attribute the segregation to the history of the lake, which was legally segregated in the 1950s. Others say police are the reason segregation is

"It's a racial barrier here because they make it a racial barrier.”

Carl Mobley, resident still an issue.

The police are “always trying to close this spot over here,” said Darlene Salters, a black visitor on the east side of the shore.

“They try to block us off from the other side of the lake. They’re always messing with people over here. They see us having a good time, and they want to intrude.”

George Simonealus, a black visitor from Baton Rouge who visits the lake frequently, agreed, and said racial profiling exists in the area.

“They can make any laws they want to -- no open cans, no music and no cars with engines -- but unless someone comes and buys up all this land and puts houses on it, we’re not leaving,” he said.

Max Hearn, executive director of the Orleans Levee District who patrols the south shore, said it’s not racial profiling on the east side but standard procedure that would be done anywhere else throughout the state.

“People accuse us of patrolling the one side more so than the other, but that’s just because there’s two-way traffic on one side and one-way traffic on the other,” he said. “There’s no way police can patrol the one-way.”

Hearn said police do shut the east side down at different times each day, but that they are following protocol.

“It’s exactly right we shut the lake down at a certain point each day,” he said. “When all the parking spaces are gone, we stop people from coming in.

When the spaces come open, we open the lake again.”

Lake signs said the lake is open from “sunrise to sunset.”

Police have no reason to harass visitors on the east side, Hearn said.

Officers are on the lakeshore for the same reason they are everywhere else.

“It’s no different here than anywhere else,” he said. “There have not been physical barriers separating the sections in my 15 years in office.”

Carl Mobley, a white 50-year-old, said blacks need to step out of their boundaries and realize nobody on the lake cares about color.

“It’s a racial barrier here because they make it a racial barrier,” he said.

“I come to the center because I like the sand. None of us care what color you are out here because we all want to have a good time.”

Tom Cruise, a 47-year-old white man who visits the beach, said it’s not racism, but culture and age that keeps the south shore divided.

“When I was a teenager, I would be on the east side with my loud music and my car,” Cruise said. “We were young, and we were black and white.

Of course there’s racism everywhere, but it didn’t matter at the lake.”

Cruise categorized the racial influence as “reverse discrimination.”

“Some of the blacks are restricting themselves from this section because they don’t dare diversifying,” he said.

“It’s a ‘project’ mentality in this city that takes over some people,” he said.

“But I stay a couple of blocks from here and have black neighbors I love to death. I have black friends. I’m definitely not racist.”

Cruise said Lake Shore residents often complain about the traffic.

Mobley, who lives in the Lake Shore community, agreed.

The city closed one side of Lakeshore Drive to reduce traffic, Mobley said.

Most shore visitors say the lake is a family-friendly destination, but on a recent Sunday more than five police cars swarmed the east side, while the west of the shore was not patrolled.

But visitors like 23-year-old Alissa Cramer said there is never violence on the east side.

“There’s no fighting over here but police are prone for shutting things down, and they’re always making rules for (the right) side,” said Cramer, a white New Orleans native who lives in the West Bank.

“They even have it blocked off so we can’t get to the other side.”

However, District D Councilwoman Cynthia HedgeMorrell, who took office April 12, said she has not heard any complaints about racial profiling, noise ordinances or other concerns in the area.

“I go to all of the community meetings, and no one ever complains about the lakefront,” she said.

Regina Williams, a black New Orleans native who lives near the French Quarter, said she comes to the center of the shore, something some black people said was forbidden territory, to simply relax. It had been Williams’ family tradition since the 1980s to visit the lake on Sundays.

“Of course it appears to be racial tension around here,” she said, “but you’re so used to seeing racism everywhere else that when you come out here, everybody has the goal of just spending time with their family.”

Photograph by AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute Members of various Louisiana chapters of The Links, Inc. enter the State Capitol building to press for better health care.

Lobbying to improve health care

By Robbyn Mitchell NYT Institute

White heels clicked against the marble floors of the Capitol rotunda on a recent Wednesday in Baton Rouge.

Fifty-nine women, in matching white linen outfits and suits, formed a jagged line by a long table in the corner, excited to see their old friends but anxious about their cause.

The Louisiana women were members of The Links, Inc., and were spending their day at the Capitol to promote Healthy People 2010, a national initiative to promote health care awareness and preventive medicine.

“We’re here to advocate for medical service for the underserved,” said Rebecca Cureau, president of the Le Capitale Links chapter in Baton Rouge. “But the best we can do is talk to them (the legislators).”

So talking to legislators is what they did.

They talked to them in passing in the hallways.

They talked to secretaries and aides in food lines in the cafeteria.

The group was presented on the House and Senate floors. At each stop, members used the opportunity to inform someone new of the benefits of Healthy People 2010.

The initiative had a supporter in Sen. Ann Duplessis, D-New Orleans.

“The Links do their grassroots work because they are directly in these communities,” Duplessis said.

The Links is an organization comprised of more than 10,000 professional black women in 274 chapters in

three countries. The group is dedicated to serving as leaders and role models through community service.

The Baton Rouge visit was part of a lobbying campaign by the Links’ Southern regional chapters, Cureau said. Nationally, the organization is pushing its “Linkages to Life” program, an outreach program to increase awareness among African-Americans about the importance of organ, tissue and bone marrow donations.

The Louisiana chapters converged on Baton Rouge to push the initiative's objectives to make U.S. citizens

For 14 of the last 15 years, the state has ranked last in health care, report says. healthier by 2010. Launched in 1980, the initiative asks states, organizations and community leaders to help set and reach national health objectives.

Government programs aren’t the only reasons these local women are lobbying in Baton Rouge. Some efforts have a more individual touch.

One of the lobbyists took time out to talk about her experiences in the New Orleans school system.

Betty Walker, a school nurse, described the instances in which she went beyond the call of duty at A.P. Tureaud Elementary in New Orleans.

She said some students came to school smelling so badly of urine that she had to purchase wash cloths, soap and underwear. While she washed

BIAS continues from A1 cases of housing discrimination to assess bias in Bourbon Street bars.

“Secret shoppers,” pairs of black and white men dressed in similar manner, frequented the same bars within minutes of each other and ordered the same drinks. They documented disparities in treatment, service and pricing.

Staff members of the center said the most common violations they found were black shoppers being overcharged for drinks and harassed about dress codes.

Danatus King, president of the New Orleans branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said the organization conducted its own investigation and also found improprieties involving racial discrimination among Bourbon Street bars.

King said the NAACP also conducted a meeting with French Quarter merchants several months ago to help resolve racial issues.

“We met with merchants and requested information regarding numbers of minorities employed at establishments, names of suppliers and whether or not they followed some sort of protocol during Essence Fest and Bayou Classic,” King said. “During that meeting, French Quarter merchants stressed overwhelmingly that racism and discrimination does not exist.”

King said since merchants were not “forthcoming with the information after repeated requests,” the next step for the NAACP was to march in protest. “The march, which takes place June 25 in the French Quarter, was planned so that it would occur before the Essence Festival, so that the nation could see that there are people in our city working to address racism,” he said.

“Continued denial shows that there won’t be a genuine effort to eradicate the problem because they refused to admit that a problem exists.”

Earl Bernhardt, co-owner of four Bourbon Street bars including the Tropical Isle, which was listed in the report, said he supports the secret shopper approach, but questions some of the tactics.

“I’m all for the secret shopping, but I took issue with the way the last round was conducted,” Bernhardt said. “There was one incident at the Tropical Isle in which they didn’t follow procedure.”

One team of secret shoppers was charged more for Long Island iced teas, but Bernhardt said it was because the secret shoppers went to different bartenders.

“Some bartenders use four liquors while others use five,” he said. “And although the prices for each individual drink might be dif-

their clothes, she taught them to bathe.

“The Links gave me $200 to purchase underwear and socks for children who needed them,” she said.

Walker said she blames lack of education for their health problems.

“Some of these children don’t even have a grasp of basic hygiene issues,” she said.

The 27-year teaching veteran attributes that to the neighborhood.

“I’m in a very deprived area,” said Walker of the school’s Seventh Ward neighborhood. “Health histories are hard to get because a lot of the parents can’t read.”

Based on recent health care statistics, Louisiana is struggling with even more problems. For 14 of the last 15 years, the state has ranked last in health care, according to the United Health Foundation’s annual report. The ranking is based on a variety of health indicators, from how much of the population smokes to infant mortality rates.

According to the 2004 study by Kathleen Kennedy, director of Xavier University’s Institute for Minority Health Disparities, Walker’s experiences speak to a larger problem.

“On average, African Americans and American Indians have higher overall rates of death than any other racial or ethnic group,” Kennedy said.

Her report, which used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, found that black people are dying more often from treatable illnesses than any other race.

Nationally in 2002, almost 300 out of every 100,000 blacks died from heart diseases compared to 220 whites and 170 Hispanics. More than 7,000

black women were diagnosed with AIDS, more than white and Hispanic women combined, the study showed.

Kennedy said two schools in the New Orleans area host “Hip Hop Rock Your Heart,” a program in which Xavier students expose children to exercise using popular music.

Kennedy is planning to organize “Diabetes Sunday,” a brunch of healthy foods that will serve as a forum for diabetes education. She said her target audience is blacks in the New Orleans community.

Some of the state’s existing programs are making an impact as well.

The 8-year-old State Children’s Health Insurance Program enrolled 105,580 children in Louisiana in 2004.

More than 6 million children nationwide received the service last year. The program provides health insurance for students whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid coverage but too little to afford private insurance.

It has proved to be a useful weapon for people, such as Betty Walker, who are on the front lines of the war against ill health.

Ultimately, progress for blacks in all aspects of health care in Louisiana may continue to progress slowly.

Ruth “Cookie” Jean, president of The Links’ Pontchartrain chapter and pharmacist for New Orleans’ Charity Hospital, said her organization is working hard to improve health care because of the negative statistics.

“Our focus now is health care disparities, education and prevention,” she said. “Our mission: we have to change our numbers ‘cause they don’t look good.”

ferent, the customer is getting their money’s worth.”

Bernhardt said he believes the probe is less about discrimination and more about casting blame.

“I’ve been extremely cooperative in working with the city’s Human Relations Commission and trying to get people to do the right thing,” he said. “But the media is trying to make it out to seem like I’m running some sort of den of discrimination.”

Silas Lee, a national pollster and assistant sociology professor at Xavier University, said after review-

Relations Commission, the tactic would be one of the city’s best weapons against discrimination.

Bagneris said the city has mandated sensitivity training for French Quarter hospitality workers. He said he hopes the training, which consists of three 20-minute sessions on racial sensitivity, state law and legal reality, will be offered twice a year.

“Once we correct the problem, the idea is to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said Bagneris, explaining that his office plans to prosecute repeat offenders as well as use secret shoppers to police other areas of the city.

Bagneris said if businesses are found to be repeat offenders, they will come before the commission, have a hearing and, if found at fault, will be fined.

However, some patrons, such as Darrell James, a 27-year-old black man from Montgomery, Ala., said Bourbon Street bars are still targeting young black men.

“Go read the dress code posted at the entrance” of Utopia, James said..

“No plain color T-shirts, oversized athletic T’s or undershirts, no bandanas, no camouflage, no sleeveless shirts, no sweatshirts or athletic jerseys. Who do you think is wearing the oversized T-shirts and jerseys?” he asked. “They don’t allow you to take your culture into the club, specifically hip-hop. And in a roundabout way, black men are still being targeted.”

‘Continued denial shows that there won't be a genuine effort to eradicate the problem.’

Danatus King ing the report’s methodology, the overall findings “seemed to be fair and accurate.”

“The mystery shoppers were trained. And as far as the design and implementation, it (the study) seems to follow the standardized design and implementation methods utilized by the federal government in testing housing discrimination,” Lee said.

As long as secret shoppers follow protocol, said Larry Bagneris, executive director of the city’s Human

METRO

A4 May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

State schools improve, but few credit NCLB

By Titus Ledbetter III NYT Institute

AARON DAYE / NYT Institute Lieutenant Fred Bates Jr. gesturing to get a point across, while teaching “forgiveness” during a Wednesday night Bible study.

Fighting crime with a badge and a Bible

By Jessica Young NYT Institute

At a glance, the 5th District is like any other police district in New Orleans. Officers come in and out of the precinct. Detectives pour over paper work. The commander goes from meeting to meeting.

But what is not as evident is the spiritual bond officials in the district share. To discover this aspect, one must go into the offices and see Bibles lining bookshelves and crosses mounted on walls.

One could also inquire and hear the conversations between the officers, especially those from Captain Lawrence Weathersby and Lieutenant Fred Bates.

“The 5th district philosophy is ‘Be positive, be professional, be proactive,’” Weathersby said. “The entire office is saved. They don’t curse in this building; they do not disrespect each other.”

Weathersby is commander of the 5th District; however, on Sundays, he assumes the role of a pastor at New Homes Family Ministry in Slidell, La. In the church, he leads his congregation through Bible lessons just as he leads the precinct through police procedure.

“The anointing flows down from the head to the bottom,” he said.

“Leadership passes down their blessings and it goes all the way down to the bottom.”

Then there is Bates, who is a part of the 5th District Integrity Control and is working towards his ordination at Cornerstone United Methodist located in New Orleans East. He perceives his role in church as extensive -a role that does not end at the close of service on Sunday.

“My pastor says church begins when you walk outside the doors,” he said. “So what we call ‘going to church’ is a misnomer. Church is all the time.”

Annetter Lewis, an officer in the 5th District and Bates’ sister, said the office has a spiritual overlay, and she would not want to lose the camaraderie.

“Everyone in the administrative office has a relationship with God,” Bates said. “Not to say everybody is perfect, but everybody is working on getting closer to God.” According to Bates, Weathersby’s leadership plays an active role in setting an example for everyone else.

“Everyone sees there are certain things you just don’t tolerate, and you will do what is right even when there is no one looking,” he said.

Weathersby does not confuse his religion with his duty as commander, but he admits the significance of each job lends itself to the other.

“You have to draw on your faith,” he said. “The 5th district is the most violent district in the city. When it comes to violent crimes, they cross all lines - lines of faith, economic lines and racial lines. The police department has to break down those barriers.”

The police captain said the demographics of the 5th District contribute to criminal activity. Of the nearly 120,000 people in the district, about 70 percent of them are in five member families that earn less than $12,000 a year in income, he said.

“Violence is perpetuated by the demographics, and what makes me so mad is that these young men out here have no conflict resolution skills,” he said. “They look at it like, ‘if it attacks me, kill it.’”

The 5th district has had 25 murders this year. Both the church and police officers are staples in these violent, but church-centered communities, and the two entities often join together to reduce community crime.

Bates feels the church must have a focus and goal in order to change the problems in the community.

“We have to be mission minded to get things done,” he said. “Without a mission, there is no purpose, and without a purpose you can not solve a problem.”

Pastor Antoine Barriere of Household of Faith in New Orleans,

led a group of ministers and the men of their congregations in a movement to minister to the people in the street.

The group loaded vans and rode through the city doing “Holy Ghost Drive-bys.” After six months, these “drive-bys” reduced crime by 7 percent.

Barriere worked with the 5th district to carry out the “Drive Bys.” He recalled Weathersby as a constant aide and support.

“He had the resources we needed such as cars and boards to board up particular properties such as crack houses,” he said.

Barriere said relations between the New Orleans Police Department and communities it serves have been complicated and conflicted, but Weathersby works on correcting this problem.

“There are people in there now, such as Weathersby that really want to say, ‘Hey let’s turn this around,’” he said. “He is not just sitting behind a desk. He’s from the community and he touches the community. And maybe this is because he is a man of God. Whenever it was someone to stand up in the Bible, it was often one man, like Moses, Joseph, and Abraham.”

Weathersby is humble when asked about the many accolades that dress his office walls. He speaks deliberately and clearly, especially when it comes to addressing the social problems in his district.

“We have got drug dealers living with these single moms, but won’t marry them so they can stay on welfare,” he said. “And the dealer goes out and gets the money, but it can’t be accounted for because it’s drug money. So, when they come around to do the census, you’ve got all this poverty. There are so many problems.

MARCI FULLER/ NYT Institute I could keep you here all day to list Captain Lawrence Weathersby of the Fifth District Precinct believes them.” local churches should get more involved in the community.

NEW ORLEANS - Controversy has surrounded No Child Left Behind, the Bush administration’s signature education reform. Many Louisiana education administrators say they are pleased with the gains made under the program, but some administrators and teachers say the three-year-old program has hindered their ability to deliver quality education.

Members of the American Federation of Teachers said they are concerned many schools are improving, but the strides made within the schools are not recognized. On May 19, the AFT announced a campaign to reform the law because schools labeled as “failing” are put under sanctions instead of given increased help.

“In my opinion, No Child Left Behind means every child is left behind,” said Edna Woods Francois, an eighth-grade teacher at George Washington Carver Middle School.

“And the reason for that is the school system is all about structure and not concerned about people.”

Francois, 68, has been a teacher in New Orleans for 40 years. She said the legislators who created the law have been too concerned with “the dollar.”

But she is concerned, she said, about children who are raising themselves because their parents are either incarcerated or addicted to drugs.

“What (legislators) need to do is take a look at the children - feel the needs of the children,” Francois said. “I mean get social workers in there, get doctors in there, get whatever is needed to address these kids with their needs.

Children need somebody they can turn to, someone who can give them advice, and somebody who cares.”

However, Edgar Chase, a member of the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, has a different opinion of the legislation.

“Overall, I’m pleased with No Child Left Behind because it has led to an accountability system and a method of making sure learning takes place in the classroom,” Chase said. “It drives accountability and measures quality education. We need to know that as a nation we are (competing with) other countries across the world.”

NCLB includes annual tests in math and science for grades three through eight.

In 1997, the Louisiana legislature passed two tests: LEAP 21, the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program of the 21st century, and GEE 21, the Graduation Exit Examination of the 21st century. LEAP 21 determines if fourth and eighth grade students can advance to the next grade; students who pass the GEE21 and complete the required number of course units receive a high school diploma.

“The improvement is amazing,

considering the students did do well,” Chase said. “The teachers and students became more familiar with the expectations of LEAP. The students are performing and they are not afraid anymore.”

In 2005, students scoring above Basic level on LEAP 21 have increased by 6 percent on the Math test and 5 percent on the English tests since the previous year.

Despite Chase’s optimism, others involved directly in teaching and forming policy for schools expressed concern about the impact of NCLB and standardized tests. Hermine Jones, a math coach at Edward and Chester Elementary schools, said the students are not learning what they should in the classroom.

“We don’t have enough teacher moments to address things that come up. It’s too structured,” Jones said.

“We are having to follow programs that don’t allow teachers to be creative and innovative.”

Jones, a teacher for the past 15 years, said the school’s resources are not equally distributed in the district.

Leslie Jacobs, also a member of the Board of Elementary and S e c o n d a r y Education, said she maintains that the state had high goals before NCLB and does not give the program all the credit for the recent improvement.

“High stakes testing began in 2000,” Jacobs said. “When we released school performance data, we were right at our goal.”

Jacobs indicated the state had nationally recognized acceleration programs that were very successful before NCLB. In 2002 to 2003 the Blue Ribbon Commission for Educational Excellence met to identify strategies to close the achievement gap between minority and white students in middle and high schools. According to Jacobs, NCLB is putting pressure on the school system to operate one way, when another direction may be more successful.

“Part of the problem with No Child Left Behind is they came up with one recipe,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs said she appreciates the emphasis NCLB has placed on highly qualified teachers. Over 2,000 teachers have until July 1, 2006, to prove they deserve recognition as a “qualified teacher.” These teachers will either take a test or submit a portfolio to make their case.

Sundy Barjon, a professional school counselor at Andrew Bell Junior High in New Orleans, said because of too much emphasis on tests, there is not enough emphasis on counseling.

“If we had more counselors at school, we could get to the root of the problem,” Barjon said. “But what we are doing is putting more programs on top of programs and we are not getting to the root of it - we are putting a bandaid on top of it.”

‘In my opinion, No Child Left Behind means every child is left behind.’

State and hospitals take measures to reverse nurse shortage

By Sheena Johnson NYT Institute

As the day winded down for firstshift nurses in the nephrology unit at Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, it took an unexpected turn for registered nurse Immel August.

At about 4 p.m., August, who had been at work since 5 a.m., received a call that she would have to prepare for a kidney transplant that was thought to be a “no go.” The evening shift was set and no other nurses were available to come in.

“I needed two nurses and I could not find them,” said August, who was the head nurse.

She was left to handle the transplant and the transfer of the patient.

August said that was one of countless times when she was left on the floor without enough nurses to cover patients.

“There aren’t enough to go around and you have to get out there and do what you have to do,” she said.

“When everyone else is leaving after their 8 to 10 shift, you still have to stay. It leaves you pretty much stranded.”

The transplant incident was 15 years ago, a time when August encountered one of the most stressful times in her career because of the low numbers of nursing staff on the floor.

Now, in her 34th year of nursing, she is a rare find - a nurse who stayed in the profession.

Many nurses are leaving the work-

force discouraged by the demanding vocation, spurring a shortage of practitioners and faculty members to teach replacements.

“The demand is so high in so many areas,” said Joe Ann Clark, executive director of the Louisiana State Nursing Association.

According to the American Hospital Association, the United States currently has 126,000 nursing vacancies. By the year 2010, the number is expected to jump to 400,000.

In response to the national problem, President Bush signed the Nursing Reinvestment Act in 2002, which provides programs to increase the numbers of qualified nurses.

Louisiana has 4,000 vacancies for

registered nurses and over 3,000 for licensed nursing positions. There are currently about 43,500 registered nurses and 21,000 licensed practical nurses in the state.

Three years ago, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and the state legislature reactivated the Nursing Supply and Demand Commission, which evaluates, researches and determines factors that contribute to the nursing shortage.

During the commission’s first year, the focus was placed on decreasing the shortage of faculty members. Funding was provided for 30 nurses to go back to school to obtain advanced degrees.

“For every $10,000, they have to give back to one year of service to the

state working in the classroom,” said Karen Zoeller, communications coordinator for the workforce commission.

She also said 60 nursing educator positions were opening this year and only 50 percent of those slots would be filled.

According to Zoeller, the state has just signed an agreement that allows those interested in joining the profession to advance at a faster rate.

Anyone beginning a nursing program, including high school students, can start off as a certified nursing assistant and move up to a licensed practical nurse, which requires an associate degree of nursing. The students can eventually receive a bachelor of science of nursing, Zoeller said.

About 6,000 people expressed interest in nursing programs, but most were not accepted because of lack of space, equipment and instructors.

“Our applicants have increased to about 250,” said Elizabeth Humphrey, dean of the Louisiana State University School of Nursing.

“But we are only able to take about 70 due to limited space and faculty.”

Without enough staff, not enough students can be trained.

“It’s like what comes first, the chicken or the egg?” said Ellienne Tate, a registered nurse consultant for education for the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. “Nurses must have faculty to teach them and someone must have the experience to do so.”

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Textures around New Orleans

A friendly gator represents New Orleans with a smile, encouraging people to come in and sample some of the restaurant’s cooling beverages.

nown for its wild nights and lazy days, the “Big Easy” is a historical playground.

Tourists from every corner of the globe flock to experience all the fun and flavor of Louisiana’s famous city, and discover a place steeped in history, culture and color.

New Orleans is the quintessential city of light, love and taking liberties- from the dozens of French Market stalls offering rainbowhued wares and themed trinkets to rowdy gatherings of friends over beer. The gaping maws of garishly painted alligators call out to passersby to come in and cool down with any one of an assortment of fruity liqueurs.

This is New Orleans, and it feels good.

K

Asian-themed items soak up the sun, waiting to be noticed and perhaps purchased.

A young girl daydreams in a hammock while waiting for her family to finish picking from the assortment of fabrics in a French Market shop.

A late afternoon gathering of friends at Utopia, a club in the French Quarter, lends itself to a mass of empty beer bottles and loads of laughter.

Photography and text by Tara-Lynne S. Pixley Page Design by De’Eric M. Henry

Performers like this saxophone player abound on Canal and Bourbon streets in the Quarter, filling the streets with music while keeping an eye out for money.

A5

METRO

A6 May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Termites swarm, eat away patience

By Stacy Anderson NYT Institute

Photographs by AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute James Crawford, 7, eats frozen lemonade on his porch in C.J. Peete Housing Development, which is still better known as Magnolia.

Still surviving in Magnolia

By Shaka Lias NYT Institute

At the Spur gas station on Claiborne Avenue, a woman in a uniform hurriedly filled the tank of her banged-up van.

She moved to New Orleans nine years ago and knew little about Magnolia, but didn’t want to talk about it.

“Magnolia?

Isn’t that on Washington?” she asked at the station.

“I don’t know anything about there.”

“There” was only ten blocks away, where the residents of Magnolia, officially titled the C.J. Peete Housing Development, reside. But unlike the uniformed woman, they don't drive away. Unlike the artists who have found fame by evoking the projects in their rap lyrics, residents don't escape.

According to the Housing Authority of New Orleans, 300 residents live in Magnolia - two-thirds are women, and every one is African-American. Yet, the residents maintain there are only about 100 of them still in the project. This may be due to the dozen, three-story buildings that are inhabitable, while the other buildings have been boarded up for renovations or torn down.

On one particular day in uptown New Orleans, the sun was beaming on Magnolia’s community center. In contrast to the neighborhood, the center is a freshly-painted pink building surrounded by a flower bed.

But around the corner, there is no color, and the only things close to fresh are cantaloupes that were dropped off by the local food bank.

Two kids, one barefoot, search through boxes looking for fruit actually worth eating. An elderly resident dumps the bad fruit in the garbage can.

Lloyd H. Williams Jr., a 60-year-old who has called Magnolia home since 1952, said it used to be a beautiful place before the name became synonymous with violence.

The police substation in the area has been shut down, and no police cars were patrolling the project.

“We had everything until the other generation came in, and everything went down,” he said.

Growing up in the midst of Magnolia’s violence were former resident Terius “Juvenile” Gray and other rappers from the group Hot Boys and the record label Cash Money.

“Some of them are giving it a good name,” Williams said of the rappers.

“This is where they came from.

Everything was different and when they came through that is what they saw.”

Sonia Murray, a music critic with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said she doesn't think rappers try to glorify the projects, contrary to what some might believe.

“Lots of artists are from the projects; hip hop is from the inner city,” Murray said from her Atlanta office. “It seems like they take inspiration from the people that come from there.”

In his song “Living in the Projects,” Juvenile raps about being “from the third with helluva nerve.”

Concerning the project’s violence, he continued: “If you cross my line you will … win, lose or die - this happens everyday.”

Juvenile often returned to the proj-

ects to shoot videos, like “Back that Thang Up” and his latest hit, “Slow Motion,” which featured Soulja Slim.

Juvenile’s childhood friend, who once went by the name “Magnolia Slim,” was murdered in 2003, but not in Magnolia.

Kissey Crawford, a 28-year-old, single mother of two and cook at Harrah’s New Orleans, lived in Magnolia for the past nine years, and said that lately killings have been happening every other day.

“If they are not shooting, it’s okay,” she said of a typical day in Magnolia.

“It’s quiet when the chaos is not around.”

According to Crawford, there have been plenty of times when women had to run to shield kids from violence.

“They try to get children out the way of those crazy people," she said, as her kids sat on the porch enjoying frozen lemonade.

Anthony Emelle Jr., a 74-year-old Army veteran who has lived in Magnolia for 34 years, said the problems in the projects don’t necessarily come from the residents, but the people outside the projects.

Emelle, who proclaimed himself as “the man who did not miss much,” said he has witnessed plenty of deaths.

“Murder - well put an s on that murders,” he said, figuring he has seen

about 15 or 16. “That is what I saw -not what they told me.”

However, Emelle said he did miss the rumor about Bryan “Baby” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams, founders of Cash Money Records and former Magnolia residents, buying up the projects.

“I didn’t hear that, but I think if you stay here for so long, they should give you an apartment,” he said.

None of the rappers associated with Cash Money returned calls.

Emelle said he pays $299 a month in rent, but said some residents pay as little as $25 depending on their income.

“One time they used to pay $3, and they still got put out,” he said through a chuckle.

If given the option, Emelle said he would change a lot about Magnolia, including the rent and the staff. But he said he is not going anywhere: “They can’t put me out of the projects.”

Williams agreed. “I’ll be here for life -- I grew up here,” he said.

Down the street from Emelle sits a different generation, and opinion.

Josh, a student at Fortier High School, who, like the others, would not give his last name, said at the moment he does not have any aspirations in life.

“You don’t have too many options when you stay in New Orleans,” he said while flipping through XXL magazine.

Justice has been sitting quietly on the concrete step. Her red hair adds color to a sullen mood.

“I’m going to Atlanta, I just graduated and I'm going to Georgia Tech,” she said.

Justice said she has lived in Magnolia her entire life and is ready for a change.

The only thing she’s seen change around the Magnolia is the name.

But, John said even that does not really mean anything.

“Name don’t change nothing, people still the same,” John said.

Mike Grotesch is flooded with phone calls this time of year.

“It spreads like killer bees,” said Groetsch, owner of Metro Termite and Pest Control in New Orleans. “They’re never going away.”

Grotesch is referring to Formosan subterranean termites. He said he receives the most business between the months of March and June. But, he cautioned, “they eat all year long and are discovered all year long.”

This ongoing problem is most obvious beginning in early May during swarming season, when termites mate, develop a new colony and reproduce.

Peak season is generally from early April to mid-July, said Mike Carroll, assistant director of the City of New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board.

Termites thrive in moist areas such as New Orleans, which is below sea level. Termites generally swarm at dusk and are attracted to light, which makes them more noticeable when they flutter around street and porch lights. Residents also notice termites when they discover damage in their homes, Carroll said.

One myth about termites is that cool air will keep them away, but Carroll said that turning the air conditioner on high is not a solution. “Not at all,” Carroll said. “They’re in the walls and the halls. They retreat to their nests and can generate their own heat.”

Termites are attracted to moisture.

“The number one problem is water leaks,” Carroll said. These include leaks to roofs, pipes and air conditioners, as well as rain damage leaks.

“Termites do need water,” Carroll said.

“It’s quite advisable to have your home under termite contract.”

Richard Marschke, owner of Integrated Pest Management, said termites can be eliminated with moisture control. Marschke said termites need food, water and harboring; houses provide two, if not all three, of these factors.

The Mosquito and Termite Control Board has developed several initiatives to deal with insects since establishing a termite division in 1995.

The board, along with the United

States Department of Agriculture and Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, started Operation Full Force in 1998 to control termite infiltration, specifically in the French Quarter.

David Boethel, vice chancellor of research for the LSU AgCenter, said that individuals from all three groups have used the newest technology to reduce termite infiltration in 80 percent of the French Quarter, which contains some of the most historic buildings in the state.

Last year, the board also initiated a program that killed termites in live oak trees around the city. However, Groetsch said this program harmed residents more than it helped them.

He said homes are now the new target for termites. “It’s a matter of time before they find you. Nine out of ten people don't care because they don't see it.”

Groetsch said a proven way to protect any home is chemical treatment, which has been used since the 1940s.

He also advised residents to get their homes treated frequently, and depending on the product, as often as every five years.

Marschke also advised residents to keep their homes properly maintained by replacing sidings and quickly repairing any leaks.

Darance Hayes, a Dillard University police officer and resident of Gentilly, uses home remedies to treat termites. “I swat them and spray starch to keep them from flying,” Hayes said. “It’s sticky. It stops their flow.”

Hayes also follows the advice of professionals and gets his home chemically treated twice a year. “Once you've seen them, they’ve already done their damage.”

Termites originally came to port cities in America during World War II through imports from the Pacific.

According to Carroll, termites were not defined until several years later in 1967, since most swarms appear four to five years after the nest has developed.

The three common places of entrance by termites into Louisiana are the Mississippi River, Lake Charles and Camp Leroy Johnson military port.

AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute Termites shed their wings in a Dillard University dorm during the 2005 swarming season in New Orleans.

He was just cooling down, burglar testifies, but he catches heat anyway

By Ayesha Rascoe NYT Institute

It was so unbearably hot one August night that William Tice said he walked through Mid-City and felt like jumping into the bayou or showering with someone's garden hose.

He could not find the bayou or a hose -- Tice broke into an airconditioned doctor’s office instead.

Tice told these details and many others to a judge in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court where he took the stand to defend himself against the charge of simple burglary. His defense, in sum, was simple: he was drunk.

It took Judge Lynda Van Davis only two hours to find Tice guilty of breaking and entering. He is

scheduled to be sentenced next month and could face up to 12 years in jail.

Tice, who admitted to the court that he was an alcoholic, said he began drinking in the 1980s while serving in the U.S. Army as a sniper because stress, physically and mentally, overwhelmed him.

“I started to drink to maintain my outgoing social personality,” Tice testified.

The 40-year-old, who had worked for about a year for the owner of the office, said he cut the grass at the building the day of the burglary and that he had been paid.

Tice said he took the check, bought alcohol and consumed a mixture of vodka, whiskey, gin and beer -- all within a matter of

hours.

Tice testified that, on the night of Aug. 10, he was dressed only in jeans and sandals.

He also told the court that while in a drunken stupor, he entered the doctor's office because he was desperate for air-conditioning and rest.

He said he climbed a 6-foot fence outside of the office, broke a window and slid through guard rails to enter the building. When Tice heard burglar alarms sound inside the building, he remained calm.

Tice said that he thought “the heck with it, I'm just going to lay down anyway.”

Once Tice noticed that about 20 officers had surrounded the building, he admitted he was so scared of being shot that he defecated on

himself. When he refused to leave the building, a police attack dog bit him on the thigh and dragged him out.

Assistant Attorney General Paul Knight questioned how Tice was able to recount the events of the burglary so clearly if he was drunk during the episode.

Tice said he had been sober for nine months while awaiting trial.

He said he spent much of that time reflecting on the night of the crime and it became clear in his mind.

One of the arresting officers, Salvador Provenzano, however, testified for the prosecution that Tice was sober when he was taken into police custody.

While much of the trial was filled with laughter, the courtroom was silent when Provenzano was

on the stand. He described the night when he responded to a burglar alarm that Tice activated as very tense.

“It has to be said that a couple of nights before,” an officer had been killed. “So we were specifically told not to go into any building alone,” Provenzano said.

When Davis handed down her guilty judgment, Tice remained stoic. Tice’s attorney, Joe Becker, said he was disappointed with the outcome of the trial.

“My argument was obviously I don't think the state's evidence supported a verdict of guilty,” Becker said. “Our argument was he was breaking in to sleep and not to burglarize.”

Becker, who said he advised Tice not to testify, was also upset about the way his client was

apprehended.

“It took 20 guys and an attack dog to bring him in,” Becker said.

The voluntary intoxication defense that was used during Tice’s trial is not common, explained Julie Kilborn, a criminal defense attorney with the Baton Rouge Capital Conflict office.

Kilborn said that in Tice’s case intoxication would have been a valid defense only if he could” show he was involuntarily intoxicated, and intoxication was a direct cause of committing the crime.”

One person who did not believe Tice’s defense was valid was Leslie Hightower, the owner of the property that was burglarized.

“I think it was a true and just conviction.”

METRO

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute A7

Gastric bypass surgery changes sheriff’s life

By Shaka Lias NYT Institute

Two years ago, Sheriff Harry Lee’s doctor gave him a life or death choice: to have gastric bypass surgery and face a 1 percent chance of dying from the surgery, or to not have the surgery and face a 20 percent chance of dying from morbid obesity. For Lee, the answer was simple. He would have the surgery.

“It was more dangerous for me not to have the operation,” said Lee, who has been sheriff of Jefferson Parish since 1980.

At 70, Lee was diagnosed with morbid obesity. According to doctors, morbid obesity is when a person is at least 100 pounds overweight. It can lead to weight-related illnesses.

Besides his family history of obesity, Lee’s eating habits also played a role in his weight gain. He often enjoyed Chinese food, steak and potatoes.

Although he said he feared dying on the operating table, Lee knew that the surgery was necessary. Now he says that it was one of the best decisions he ever made.

“Someone 6 feet, 400 pounds was a walking blob,” Lee said, referring to himself before the surgery.

According to the George Washington University Hospital Web site, gastric bypass surgery creates a very small stomach pouch by stapling the top portion of the stomach. The new pouch is connected to the small intestines, bypassing some of the upper portion of the small intestines. The person is then able to consume less food.

Before his surgery, Lee had problems walking and getting out of a chair.

He developed shortness of breath, joint pain and severe lower-back pain. He also had problems with diabetes and high blood pressure.

After the surgery, his shortness of breath, joint pain and back pain went away. The diabetes and high blood pressure are under control, and so is his life.

He had the surgery in April 2003 at Magee-Women's Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh and lost 100 pounds within seven to eight months after the surgery. Lee has gained only five pounds since then.

Now Lee, 72, has embraced life.

He is already making plans to run

for sheriff again when his term ends in 2008. He would then be the longest running sheriff in the history of the Jefferson Parish.

In the last election, Lee defeated three opponents and received 76 percent of the votes.

“If my health is good and the people still want me, I intend to run in 2011,” he said. Lee, who doesn't have a special routine to keep the pounds off, said, “I have a treadmill and exercise bike, but like everyone else I don't use it.”

His eating habits haven’t changed drastically either.

“I’m still a meat and potato man.

But now it's less meat, more veggies,” Lee said.

He said all he would order in the past was steaks. Now he orders chicken, fish and salads. Since the surgery, his stomach capacity is limited.

“I know that if I take one more bite I would probably get sick,” Lee said.

Betty Adams, Lee's executive assistant for 38 years, said she was worried about the sheriff, but she is now hopeful.

“Sheriff Lee is one of the nicest people you ever want to meet,” Adams said.

Deputy Chief Dan Russo agreed.

“Whenever there is a problem he is one of the first to step up to the plate,” Russo said. “He's a local celebrity. He has his own bobble heads and everything.”

Inside Lee’s office is a wall of pictures of him with Willie Nelson, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood and every president since Lee became sheriff in 1980: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

“It's selling out at garbage companies all over the world,” Lee joked about his 1991 effort.

He said he is enjoying life more with Lai, his wife of 47 years, one daughter and two granddaughters. He likes to travel and do the things he used to do such as hunting, fishing and collect handmade wooden duck decoys.

Despite how the surgery has changed his life, Lee said he does not feel comfortable recommending the surgery to anyone else.

“I'm not in the position to recommend the surgery,” Lee said. “It's up to the individual and their family. But I’d do it again in a New York second.”

JOSHUA L. HALLEY/ NYT Institute Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee sits among his duck decoy and gun display in his office.

SERIAL from page A1 and was found without a shirt and shoes.

Michael Barnett, 20, was victim number five. His body was found Oct. 24, 2004, in an empty storage unit a half mile from where the fourth victim was found.

Weidel said: “The lifestyles of these people were high-risk drifters.

Some of them were probably bisexual. They weren't gainfully employed and they operated underground. It is basically difficult to trace their whereabouts. If you look deep, you may find they were interrelated in the lifestyles they lived.”

Leon “T-Paul” Lirette was the sixth victim. At the apartment house on Buron Street, a pregnant woman in her early 20s, who asked that her name not be published, briefly discussed Lirette and Woods.

“If you knew these people, you could see that they were not bad peo-

ple. The police and the news are talking about the crime lifestyle they lived. But if you really knew these people, you would see that they just needed help,” she said. “T-Paul would do anything to help his mother. His dad passed away three months earlier and his mom needed him. He was a nice guy. He didn't do anything to hurt anybody.”

Recalling a memory of him, the woman, who described herself as a girlfriend of Lirette's said, “He had pretty green eyes; he had not fully matured as far as facial hair.”

“Datrell was a sweet person, although he was addicted to crack.”

She said Lirette and Woods both had lived at a house at 1627 Buron Street, across from the apartment building, although they were not there at the same time.

Lirette's mother, Judy, began to cry as she held an 8x10 photo of her son

Reading Made Breezy A breeze interrupted 5year-old Lynsi Doucitte's newspaper reading in Duncan Plaza. Metro area temperatures were in the mid-90s during the week.

JOSHUA L. HALLEY/ NYT Institute

Lawsuit over child’s death puts focus on state agency

By Frenchi Johnson

Two days after the Louisiana Department of Social Services closed its investigation on the abuse and neglect case of 3-year-old Mya George, she died.

The Port Allen girl had been burned, raped and beaten so severely that she was knocked unconscious, according to medical reports.

The abuser was no stranger. He was someone who had frequently cared for her: her step-grandfather, Jessie White, 41.

Despite child welfare officials having received three reports against the mother for lack of supervision for Mya and her 6-year-old sister, Rheanna, Melissa Turnage was allowed to maintain custody and continued to leave her children in White's care.

After Mya’s death in September 2003, her father, Travis Stewart of Port Allen, filed a civil lawsuit against the state.

The lawsuit claimed the child welfare agency ignored several allegations of abuse reported to its office.

“We brought a wrongful death suit against the state,” said Stewart's attorney, state Sen. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge. “The state had notice on at least three occasions that Mya was being abused. They failed to take any action.”

“The only entity that Mya had to protect her was OCS (Office of Community Services), and they failed,” Fields continued. “Every life is precious and every complaint should be handled with the utmost care.”

The suit is one of 21 pending lawsuits in Louisiana alleging the state failed to act or respond appropriately in child neglect cases. The lawsuits

reflect a national rise of severe child abuse cases. According to a 2004 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System report, an estimated 1,400 child fatalities from abuse or neglect occurred in 2002 nationwide.

In Louisiana, the number of children who died from abuse rose from 27 in 2002 to 49 in both of 2003 and 2004, according to state officials.

The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge recently reported that 42 percent of the child abuse fatalities had been investigated by the Department of Social Services.

In an interview, a department spokeswoman stated that of the 98 child abuse fatalities in the last two years, only three children died while there was an “open” DSS investigation. Because Mya George’s case was closed, she was not considered in the statistic.

Marketa Garner Gautreau, assistant secretary of the Office of Community Services, defended the agency’s role in protecting children, noting the agency's caseload includes 5,000 children.

“If it is put in perspective, the 21 lawsuits are not a huge number,” Gautreau said.

Gautreau said a more significant issue is the severity of abuse her case workers now handle.

“Child abuse cases are far more severe today than they were five years ago,” she said. “The sexual abuse is greater. Children's bones are breaking.

Children are dying at a higher rate.”

There were a total of 13,241 valid allegations of abuse in 2004, including 9,156 valid cases of neglect, 2,745 of cases of physical abuse and 815 cases of sexual abuse, according to state records.

The total is 21 percent higher than a year before. While the number of sex-

ual abuse case declined slightly in 2004, cases of both neglect and physical abuse climbed sharply, according to Louisiana statistics compiled by the Child Welfare League of America.

Gautreau said that instead of people focusing on DSS when a child death occurs from abuse, there needs to be a higher sense of awareness for the increase of severe child abuse cases.

“Any social change needs a social

outcry, citizens saying we are not going to tolerate child abuse,” she said.

“That’s not happening in this country.”

Gautreau said the law prohibited her from commenting specifically on Maya George's case or why her agency did not take action to prevent the 3-year-old’s death.

“We are all human and therefore fallible, but what you never hear about are the thousands of cases in OCS’ care that are fine,” she said.

“People need to realize a child died because their parent killed them,” Gantreau said. “None of my staff have ever killed a child. We are responding to the abuse, but we are not responsible for the tragedy.”

Stacy Horn Koch, executive director of the Covenant House in New Orleans, a Christian-based advocacy organization that works with children and families, said the factors contributing to abuse are systematic.

The primary predictor of abuse in a home, Koch said, is substance abuse.

“When you have mental illnesses, substance abuse, lack of education as our biggest barriers, the state can’t keep up with it,” she said. “In Louisiana, the problem is that services for children and families are very low.”

Additional funding for child welfare cases is not likely. While the appropriations bill for DSS is being heard in the Louisiana House of Representatives May 23 through 28, legislative officials said the agency has been asked to prepare a contingency plan in case state funding is cut for its programs.

Koch said previous cuts made to state and federal outreach programs have not helped the issue.

“I think that in the state there are some very fine child protection workers and there are some very bad child protection workers, but there are definitely too many cases and not enough workers,” she said.

According to the state, there are 229 child protection services workers in the state. In New Orleans, there are 26. In addition to their existing caseloads, DSS officials said each case worker may receive 10 new referrals each month.

Koch said society needs to be willing to support programs that help children and families.

For Mya George, that help did not come in time.

She died from her injuries Sept. 25, 2003, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. Her attacker, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Her mother was put on probation.

The civil lawsuit concerning Mya's case is still pending.

and talked about T-Paul, recalling the days leading up to when police told her he was dead.

On Tuesday, Feb. 15, he asked her for $5 for cigarettes and beer, she said, and then went to Laverne’s, a nearby bar.

She said she was told he couldn't get in at first because of the beer in his hand, so he left it outside beside his cousin's bicycle and went inside. She never saw her son alive again.

The next day, T-Paul called a cousin and was “drugged up” with marijuana and alcohol, Judy Lirette said. That’s the last time he is known to have been in contact with anyone but the killer. That same day his mother filed a missing person report.

“Thursday we searched the bayou to see if he was floating in the water. I was scared he was dead,” she said.

“On Sunday, I was on the phone with my daughter, Shirley, when the police drove up slow. I told my daughter to call me back and the officer asked me, ‘Did I file a police report?’ I told him,

yes, my boy.”

The police told Lirette her son’s body had been found in a field on Houma's abandoned military airbase.

“They shipped his body to Jefferson Parish. The coroner said he had something in his system, but they did not know what it was,” she said, “I couldn't see his body because it was decomposed. At the funeral they had his neck covered up and they only showed me the tattoo on his arm.”

In the small circle of victims, she said she also knew Anoka Jones and that he lived down the street and had been friends with her son.

She recalled the last time she saw Jones alive.

He was visiting her home and told her he was going to buy her husband a beer if he could get change for a $100 bill. He left her home, and she never saw him again.

The seventh victim, August Terrill Watkins III, 31, was found April 9 in a ditch on the side of U.S. 90.

Watkins is the only victim to have

all of his clothes on when discovered.

A multi-agency task force that includes the FBI, Louisiana State Police, State Attorney's office, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's office and the Houma Police Department is investigating the deaths.

On May 6, authorities arrested Johnny Billiot of Houma, after raiding his home, where they said they found child pornography. The Houma Courier reported that Billiot was considered a suspect in the killings, although he has not been charged in any of the deaths. He is being held on $250,000 bond facing 20 counts of possession of child pornography.

Eight days before Billiot was arrested, police found the body of an eighth victim, Kurt Cunningham, 23, who had lived with Billiot, according to The Courier.

A woman who had known Cunningham when he was a student, said he had been homeless and his

only possessions were the clothes on his back and his skateboard.

“Kurt’s parents gave him to foster care when he was 3 or 4, 5 or 6, and didn't have any contact with him,” said the woman, who had been an art teacher at the Genesis alternative school. She said Cunningham and his 7 siblings were all put in foster homes after their parents were divorced.

“He never knew where he would sleep," she said as she cried. “The only thing I could think of was that whoever killed Kurt offered him a home. It had to be someone he trusted.”

Cunningham's body was found April 28 in a ditch near Louisiana 307 in Lafourche Parish.

At the trailer home where she is staying, Lirette said she can’t bear to hang the picture of her son on the wall.

She said she keeps it on the top shelf of the living room closet.

“I can feel him telling me, ‘Mama I know who did it, Mama, I know who did it.’ ”

NYT Institute

‘The sexual abuse is greater. Children's bones are breaking. Children are dying at a higher rate.’

SPORTS A8

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

City to build training facility for Hornets

By Rebecca Roussell NYT Institute

AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

From left, Leslie Rowe, Ron Brignac and Patty Brignac watch a Zephyrs game in 98 degree heat. The minor league team is one of New Orleans’ sport successes.

VooDoo, Zephyrs outshine local NFL, NBA franchises

By LeMont Calloway NYT Institute

From the avid fan on Bourbon Street to the 8-year-old Little Leaguer, people have their own opinion on New Orleans professional sports teams. But they have one thing in common: a less-than-enthusiastic view of the city's best-known teams.

While the VooDoo and Zephyrs have been received with open arms, local fans' perceptions and attitudes toward the Saints and Hornets have been on a steady decline.

New Orleans is home to the NBA's Hornets and NFL's Saints.

Those teams also share the athletic spotlight with the Arena Football League and AAA professional baseball. The VooDoo takes some of the football pressure off the Saints, while the Zephyrs stand alone as the only professional baseball team in the city.

Over the past five seasons, the Saints are 42-38, but have failed to reach the postseason since 2000.

The exclusive rights to ineffectiveness, however, do not belong solely to the Saints. The other major professional team in town, the Hornets, which moved from Charlotte, N.C., in 2002, has also fallen on hard times. After a 47-35 inaugural season in New Orleans in which they made the playoffs as a fifth seed, the Hornets have since gone 59-105.

Their drought in the win column has translated into lower home attendance numbers for both teams.

The Hornets began their New Orleans career in 2002 with an average of 15,651 fans in the New Orleans Arena, which seats 18,500 for basketball. This past season saw a 1,440-fan decrease, bringing their numbers down to a league-low of 14,211.

During the 2000 season, the same season in which the Saints

made the playoffs, the average attendance for the eight home games in the Superdome was 63,039. The following year, attendance jumped to 70,059. Since then, attendance has dipped to an average of 64,147.

The Arena Football League's VooDoo, who share the New Orleans Arena with the Hornets, play with a fewer total capacity of seats. With 16,900 available seats, the VooDoo took in an average of 15,240 fans in 2004, outdrawing the Hornets.

In the four years spent at the University of New Orleans' Privateer Park, which seats 5,225, the AAA professional baseball Zephyrs brought in an average of 2,590 fans. In the seven years since moving to the more spacious Zephyr Field, the average attendance has jumped to 6,168.

Paul Prino, an employee of Jonny White's Sports Bar located on the corner of Bourbon and Orleans in the French Quarter, explained why his views on the Saints are swayed away from the home team.

“Besides the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers are by far my favorite team, I just don't like the Saints,” said the Lancaster County, Pa., native. “They demand way too much.”

The demands Prino spoke about were the cost of game tickets. The purchase of a season ticket package for the Saints costs in the range of $250 to $1,300 per seat compared to the $250 to $2,700 for the Steelers.

“Every game I went to, they lost," Prino said. "What have they done for us to make me want to pay that much?”

Tiffane Guichet, a 29-year-old bartender at the Old Absinthe House, couldn't agree more about the Saints, whose record since 1967, 234-399-5, includes a 1-15 record in 1980.

“I think everybody's tired of the

losing streak that hasn't ended in 35 years,” Guichet said. “I can't afford to go. I think they're asking too much out of the city where half the city is falling apart.”

The Saints have an agreement with city officials that would allow the team a 90-day period to leave the city after the season by paying an $81 million exit fee. Saints owner Tom Benson has said that he does not want to relocate the team, but state officials have opposed a deal to pay the Saints $186 million over 10 years to keep the franchise in Louisiana, saying the state cannot afford it.

Opinions on the status of professional sports in New Orleans are even being formed by those who aren't necessarily enthralled with the sports world.

“If they can make better money somewhere else, let them go,” said Paul Fritt, a regular at Jonny White's who pays no attention to sports, in response to the tentative proposal made by the Saints to move the franchise to San Antonio. “It's the same with the Hornets, but they're not as greedy as the Saints are. It's nice to have a hometown team, but the Saints have overstepped the bounds of decency in greeting the local economy.”

Even though some fans appear to have given up totally on their home teams, there are still those who have taken to heart the new media campaign being pushed by the Hornets, which calls for fans to “Believe.”

Kenneth Smith, who has lived in New Orleans his whole life, has not lost faith in the Hornets.

“They're a good team, they just crack up toward the end of the season,” Smith said. “I go to the games and cheer for them. My favorite player on the Hornets is J.R. (Smith). Nothing will happen overnight, but I'm thinking a few years down the road, I think he's

going to be the next M.J. (Michael Jordan).”

Smith mentioned that, unlike the Saints, Hornets tickets are extremely affordable.

“Lower seats are about 50 bucks and the 300 level seats go for $7 to $12,” Smith said. “By the arena not being so big, everybody pretty much has a good view.”

He didn't dismiss the fact that the Hornets have made some questionable personnel decisions in their brief New Orleans history.

Paul Silas, who was named

interim coach on March 7, 1999, and appointed as the full-time head coach May 11, 1999, led the Hornets to four straight playoff appearances including the second round in 2001 and 2002. His 208 Hornet victories are the most by any coach in franchise history. His stint as head coach, however, was cut short in 2003 when he was fired.

“They should have given him a better chance and stuck with him,” Smith said.

In an attempt to give the fans what they want, the Hornets' home-

page has even asked fans to email the team so they can find out which game giveaways they'd like to get next season.

On-field success coupled with a fan-friendly atmosphere has helped the city's Arena League and minorleague baseball teams make a dent in the New Orleans sports scene.

The VooDoo took to the indoor field in February 2004. Its home debut February 14, which drew 14,236 fans at the New Orleans Arena, was a 41-40 come-frombehind victory over the Indiana Firebirds.

Since then, the VooDoo has experienced a wide range of successes, including Coach of the Year honors for Mike Neu and several all-league player selections. The team also garnered a playoff berth behind an 11-5 inaugural regular-season record before falling 47-44 to the Colorado Crush in the first round.

Attendance at Voodoo games ranked third in the AFL during the 2004 season.

The season finale against the Carolina Cobras drew a standing room only crowd of 17,030, clearly topping the league average of 12,019.

“I've never gone to any games, but I hear that they win more," said Guichet, before referring to the Saints: "When your team loses horribly over and over, it's not entertaining anymore.”

As new as the Voodoo are to the New Orleans scene, baseball in the city has a long history. Dating back to the 1880s, the New Orleans Pelicans participated in the Southern League, which converted into the Southern Association in 1901. After a 17-year hiatus, New Orleans baseball resumed in 1977 when the Pelicans joined the American Association.

See FANS, page A9

The City of New Orleans is planning to build a $6.5 million new training facility for the New Orleans Hornets basketball team, just a few months after the team posted one of the worst records and the lowest fan attendance in the NBA last season.

Mayor Ray Nagin and George Shinn, owner of the Hornets, signed a letter of intent for a new training facility to be built next to their current game-day home in the New Orleans Arena.

The agreement calls for the city to provide construction funding for the facility, as well as granting the Hornets free rent in the building for a decade, as long as the team remains in New Orleans.

If the team moves before then, its owners will be forced to refund $650,000 for every year remaining under the 10-year deal. After the initial 10-year lease expires, the team will pay only $1,000 in rent per year to the city.

The practice center is to be built on state-owned property located on the boundaries of Girod, LaSalle and Julia streets by the property occupied by the New Orleans Centre Parking Garage.

The city will take a 99-year ground lease on the land from the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District and then lease the new facility to the Hornets.

Construction plans have not yet been finalized and no groundbreaking date has been set, said Tim Coulon, chairman of the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District.

Facility plans have been outlined, but there is no certain date on when the production of the facilities will begin, according to Coulon.

Coulon also mentioned that his agency was not a part of the talks between the Hornets and the city.

Nagin called the deal “a great day for the city” and the team. But officials contacted in his office would not provide more details. Calls to the Hornets were not returned.

The deal could boost the eastern New Orleans community, even as it takes the Hornets' practices away from another local neighborhood.

The agreement also calls for the Hornets to build a $2.5 million community center in east New Orleans on land donated by Six Flags New Orleans (formerly known as Jazzland).

Since their move from Charlotte, N.C., in 2002, the Hornets have practiced in the John A. Alario Sr. Events Center, on the Westbank of New Orleans. The new deal will take the team's presence out of Jefferson Parish, where the center is located.

Governor and Saints in negotiation over payments and Superdome

By Ayesha Rascoe NYT Institute

Like a high-stakes poker game, the government of Louisiana and the state's sole NFL team, the New Orleans Saints, are involved in spirited contract negotiations marked by bluffing and trash talking. The participants have different motives and constituencies but whether they seek to maintain office or economic gain, the one constant is that they must play the hands dealt to them.

Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, sits on one side of the table aiming for a new contract with the Saints that would lessen the state's financial obligations to the team. Blanco inherited the obligation from her Republican predecessor, Mike Foster, in the state's current contract with the team, which guarantees the Saints $186.5 million in state subsidies through 2010.

The state had to borrow money last year for the team's annual subsi-

dies payment, and unless the contract is renegotiated before July 5, the state will have to borrow $8.25 million again to make this year's payment.

“I believe the current deal with the team provides exceedingly generous payments to the Saints,” Blanco said in an April 27 press release.

On the other side of this contract battle sits Saints' owner, Tom Benson, a New Orleans native.

After several months of negotiations, Benson has effectively left the bargaining table. Rejecting the state's offers for new agreements, Benson said he would like to maintain his contract through the 2005 football season.

“After much deliberation, I believe it is in everyone's best interests to continue to operate under the existing agreement reached with the State and approved overwhelmingly by the Louisiana legislature only

'I know in my heart I hope the Saints stay in Louisiana, but it's getting hard with issues such as health care and teachers raises.’

three years ago,” Benson said in an open letter to the public in April.

Roderick Hawkins, a deputy press secretary for the governor, said Blanco has sought a personal meeting with Benson to discuss negotiations further, but has not received a response from the Saints.

While a representative of the Saints would not comment about the negotiations, Benson told the Times-Picayune on May 24, he plans to stay in New Orleans. He

also denied reports that his team was interested in moving to San Antonio. Benson added that the Superdome needs to be replaced with a new stadium so that his team can remain competitive.

Even after NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced on May 25 that he will intervene in the negotiations, it still remains unclear as to when and how this standoff will be resolved. Behind the scenes, the battle between the two sides is nothing more than a clash of the worlds of politics and business.

“The greatest motivator for all politicians is to get re-elected,” said Gary Clark, chairman of the department of political science at Dillard University.

Media Research Insight's poll of 350 voters in April found that 62 percent of those polled strongly opposed the use of tax dollars to keep the Saints in Louisiana. For Republican Sen. James David Cain,

who commissioned the poll, the results are cause for concern.

“I know in my heart I hope the Saints stay in Louisiana, but it's getting hard with [issues like] health care and teacher's raises,” Cain said.

“It's going to be hard because I know the public doesn't want to give them any more money.”

Cain, who represents district 30, which is about 200 miles north west of New Orleans, cited regional rivalry as one of the reasons that support for the Saints does not seem to be widespread. Voters who live outside of New Orleans may not want their money to go to a team they believe does not represent them, he said.

Cain said. He said he wants a deal to be reached with the team, but he believes the city of New Orleans should pay for any public costs the team incurs, instead of the state.

Regional differences like these have dominated Louisiana politics for years, Clark said.

Clark described southern Louisiana residents as more likely to embrace a New Orleans sports team that generates millions of dollars in tax revenue as well as jobs for middle and lower income workers. He said people further north in the state are less enthusiastic about the Saints.

Senator Ken Hollis, a Republican whose Jefferson Parish district surrounds New Orleans is determined to keep the Saints in the state.

“They offer us the opportunity to be a big league city,” Hollis said.

“If we lose the Saints, we will never be able to afford a team.”

Having the team allows the state to host Super Bowls, which Hollis said have generated about $400 million for Louisiana. New Orleans has hosted six Super Bowls in the Superdome since 1978, the last one in 2002. For Hollis, this economic gain alone could justify keeping the Saints.

See SUPERDOME, page A9

SPORTS

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Zephyrs’ highs and lows Pitching staff gives up 15 hits to Sky Sox

By Sheena Johnson NYT Institute

The New Orleans Zephyrs pitching staff had a lackluster performance by giving up 15 hits in a 10-6 loss to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Zephyr Stadium on May 19.

Colorado Springs (18-18) took an early lead scoring a home run in the top of the second by Eddy Garabito and three runs in the third. They also scored two in the fourth and three in the seventh to take control of the game and a commanding lead over the Zephyrs.

“The fourth inning was hectic,” Zephyrs manager Tom Foli said.

“We’ve been switching around a little bit, and we have to train to be more patient with guys who haven't played those positions before.”

The pivotal fourth inning began with a fly ball to centerfielder Brandon Watson, who has only been with the Zephyrs for four days, turned his back on the ball when it popped over the wall, giving the Sky Sox a run.

That play was followed by back-toback bunts in which Zephyrs starting pitcher Ed Yarnall (3-2) failed to cover first when first baseman Matt Cepicky picked up the bunt. On the second bunt, the ball made a strange bounce

over Cepicky's head.

“If the hop was true, he would have made that play every time,” Yarnall said. “When you fall back like that, it's tough to come back, but as a team you have to keep going.”

This was Yarnall's seventh start of the season. Jason Young earned the win for Sky Sox, only giving up five hits, no runs in five innings of work.

Eighth-inning hit ends losing streak

By Markel Eskridge NYT Institute

The New Orleans Zephyrs ended a three-game losing streak May 22 when first baseman Rick Short’s infield single scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, beating the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 8-7.

The victory prevented Colorado from sweeping the four-game series.

Short batted 3-for-4 with three RBIs and one walk for the Zephyrs.

“It was a do or die play,” Short said. “It wasn’t a pretty hit. We had been playing uninspired baseball the last three games. It feels good to get a win.”

The first three batters in the Zephyrs lineup, Tyrell Godwin, Brandon Watson and Melvin Nieves, scored seven of the team's eight runs.

In the bottom of the first inning, the

AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

Salt Lake Stingers catcher Jeff Mathis collides with Zephyrs infielder Dan De Ment at home plate.

For more game articles: www.nytimes-institute.com Zephyrs jumped out to a 4-0 lead.

Godwin led off with a double and scored when Watson singled up the middle. Consecutive passed balls by Colorado catcher Pascual Matos allowed Watson to advance to third.

Nieves and Short walked, which loaded the bases for Brendan Harris, who reached on a fielder's choice, scor-

ing Watson. Dan DeMent singled to center scoring Nieves. Carroll singled to left and Harris scored. Harris played only three innings Sunday because he was called up to the major leagues by the Washington Nationals, the Zephyrs’ parent team.

Colorado Springs Elvis Pena doubled and then scored on a single by Matos. Eddy Garabito doubled and scored Matos. Garabito then scored on a Jorge Piedra single, cutting the Zephyrs’ lead to 6-4.

Matos hit a three-run homer in the sixth, which gave Colorado a 7-6 lead.

Travis Hughes came on in relief, after the Short RBI infield single to earn his second save of the season.

3-run homer in ninth rallies Zephyrs

By LeMont Calloway NYT Institute

A two-out game-winning three-run homer by outfielder Matt Cepicky

A9

propelled the New Orleans Zephyrs to a 7-6 victory over the Salt Lake Stingers May 23 night in the first of a four-game series.

“I knew it had a chance, but this park plays funny sometimes,” Cepicky said. “I saw it go up and it must have went over because they were playing it off like it didn’t go out. So it must have been close.”

The home run was Cepicky's first since May 3.

With a 4-3 lead going into the ninth, Zephyrs relief pitcher Travis Hughes (2-2) gave up a triple and a two-run home run to the seventh and eighth batters, Nick Gorneault and Adam Pavkovich. Until then, the sixth through ninth batters for the Stingers were hitless in 12 at-bats.

Zephyrs starting pitcher Sunny Kim threw 101 pitches, giving up five hits and striking out four in seven innings.

Kim “was real sharp at the end, and he actually could have pitched another inning,” said manager Tim Foli. “He’s been solid all year and he's given us a chance to win every ballgame he's pitched.”

Zephyrs outfielder Brandon Watson has hit in seven straight games while second baseman Rick Short tied the Zephyrs season-high hitting streak with eight games. The team had a total of 15 hits.

“I was looking up there and we had 14 hits and four runs, and that’s not always that good,” Foli said. “But we got the big one when we needed it, and that’s great.”

Undaunted wide receiver works for big break with Saints Colleges are rethinking use of nicknames, mascots

By Markel Eskridge NYT Institute

Keron Henry, a wide receiver, walked into the New Orleans Saints’ indoor practice facility with an air of confidence, despite not having a guaranteed contract and the possibility of not making the team staring him in the face.

At 6-foot-1-inch, 218-pounds, the rookie free agent has been participating in the team's four-week coaching session since May 16. He plans to attend mini-camp June 10-12, followed by training camp, which begins June 29.

After training camp, the team will decide whether Henry will fill one of the 53 slots available. A total of 92 players are competing for a spot.

Henry, a Guyana, South America native, is one of 10 undrafted players with tentative two-year contracts

By Rebecca Roussell NYT Institute

The NCAA deadline recommending that colleges and universities examine their use of Native American mascots and nicknames is Aug. 1.

“The Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee will review the self-evaluations from our membership along with the Executive Committee,”said Erik Christianson, spokesman for the NCAA. The Executive Committee consists of presidents and chancellors from the institutions that are in the three divisions of the NCAA. The committee encouraged the schools that have a mascot with Native American representation to do the evaluations, which call for extensive research on the school’s background behind the mascot.

After sending in evaluations, some colleges have determined whether or not they should keep their mascots.

After 74 years, Chief Brave Spirit will no longer be used as a mascot for the University of Louisiana at Monroe. The university will keep its nickname of Indians, with modifications to the mascot, according to Judy Willson, media relations director for the university.

The school made the decision after the university sent its evaluation this spring to the NCAA. “It is an Indian, with red skin and a big, red nose,” said Louis Thomas, a former ULM student. “It was horrible.”

Chief Brave Spirit was the character that was normally a person dressed up in Native Americanstyle costume at the games.

“The costume figure will still be a brave on horseback,” Willson said. “All modifications are expected to be made by the beginning of the fall semester, but may take a little more time.”

The university will also phase out the term “reservation,” now used in reference to its teams’ playing fields.

Alcorn State committee members changed the Braves logo from an Indian to an “A” for its athletics teams after its evaluation.

“The president and the administration do appreciate the need and importance for cultural sensitivity,” said W. Christopher Cason, director of university relations and mascot committee chair.

The university's new “A” logo has been in place for about a year now, he said. The Braves nickname will still remain, but there is no mascot or costumed character.

with the Saints. The free agents receive a signing bonus, but do not have guaranteed contracts until they actually make the team.

These undrafted players will be competing with veterans and fellow rookies that were actually picked in the draft. A first to second-round pick can receive a $15 million to $20 million signing bonus, while an undrafted player receives a $15,000 to $30,000 bonus.

“The downside to being undrafted is the money,” Henry said. “The upside is being able to choose your own team and possibly put yourself in a better situation.”

For Henry and the other nine undrafted players, training camp could be their last shot at making an NFL roster.

If Henry makes the team, his experience might compare to the

two most popular players’-kickreturner Michael “Beer Man” Lewis and linebacker and Hall of Famer Sam “Field Mouse” Mills-in Saints history.

‘If they let me get my foot in the door, I plan to kick it down.’

Lewis came to the Saints as a free agent with no college experience. In 2002, he set an NFL record with a combined 2,432 yards on kickoff and punt returns.

Mills, another former free agent, was selected four times to the ProBowl as part of the “Dome Patrol.”

“I see my future wherever I fit,” Henry said. “If they let me get my

foot in the door, I plan to kick it down.”

Henry says his parents are his inspiration, and motivated him to graduate from the University of Connecticut this spring after majoring in computer science and electrical engineering with a minor in mathematics.

Henry was 5 when his family came to America with only $5. His parents, grandmother, brother and sister lived in a one-bedroom apartment.

His mother currently works with abused children as a social worker and holds a doctorate in psychology.

His father had little education when the family made it to America, but is now a doctor.

“I just realized in my junior year of college how my parents helped me,” Henry said.

SUPERDOME continues from A8 Hollis said while the current contract gives the team too much leverage, he does not blame Benson, a businessman, for trying to maintain it.

While politicians are often concerned about the opinions of voters, Clark said entrepreneurs, like Benson, must make sure the entities they own or manage are as profitable as possible. Their constituents are not voters, but stockholders and employees.

Benson began his career as a mogul by owning car dealerships in Louisiana.

According to Superdome public relations director Bill Curl, when Benson acquired the Saints in 1985 he bargained for a better contract for the team. Since then, Benson has renegotiated several times for

Pending NCAA comments, Alcorn will remain with its current plans until further notice.

Mark Trahant, long time advocate and Shoshone-Bannock Native American, said it is inevitable there will be a change, but it is just the question of when schools will change its Native American references. “People are continuing with a view of the world that no longer exists,” he said.

Two large colleges that still use Native Americans as mascots are the Florida State Seminoles, and the University of Illinois’ Fighting Illini. Other schools that have recently changed their mascots are: St. John's University, from Red Men to Red Storm, Marquette University, from Warriors to Golden Eagles and Miami University (Ohio), from Redskins to Redhawks.

improved contracts, according to Curl.

The 2001 deal provides the team with subsidy payments from the state on a sliding scale, with payments now at $15 million and eventually reaching $23.5 million in 2009. The team can opt out of this contract after the 2005 season but would have to pay $81 million in penalties. In 2011, the team could exit the agreement with no penalties.

Although Curl said the deal was meant to be temporary while the state explored building a new stadium or renovating the Superdome, Benson can now keep the deal until 2011 or until the state offers him an agreement to his liking.

The deal Benson rejected in April would have reduced subsidy

payments in 2008 from $20 million to $14 million. Instead of the $23.5 million in 2009, 2010, and 2011, the team would receive $9.5 million, annually. Curl said the team could make up the difference in the payments with increased revenues from a renovated Superdome.

In the state's offer, the Saints were asked to give $40 million towards the $174 million in planned renovations to the Superdome. During the recent negotiations the Saints offered to pay $17.5 million for the improvements to the stadium. The team also wanted to keep all subsidy payments the same through 2011.

As far as a new stadium, Curl said a state-hired consultant found that a new stadium would be unfeasible.

"The state does not have money to build a new stadium," Curl said.

While the state does not have the cash on hand for this year's subsidy payment, Curl said the government will honor its obligations. Curl said the state is looking at different options such as refinancing the Superdome's bonds to fulfill this commitment.

With elected officials looking to boost their political favor and Benson searching for a new stadium, the two worlds have intersected.

Clark said these worlds meet everyday.

"It's just now you're seeing this discussion in an open arena, because politics is business and business is politics.

It's inescapable."

the national anthem is sung. Local Little League ballplayers accompany the players on the field, giving them a chance to bond with some of athletes they look up to.

Ian MacInnes, an 8-year-old right fielder for his Vikings Little League baseball team who recently attended a game, said he looked forward to catching foul balls and seeing home runs.

“I wish we had a Major League team here though,” MacInnes said.

“If we did, I would call them the Yankees.”

Whether or not MacInnes’ wish comes true, New Orleans sports fans are not alone in wanting their teams to succeed. It took the Boston Red Sox 86 years to capture their first World Series championship since 1918, but their fans

went along for the ride and supported them every step of the way.

Pellitteri, who loves the Saints, expressed his feelings on the current state of the team.

“It’s like being a Boston Red Sox fan,” Pellitteri said. “You get beat up, depressed. But hey, they're our team. There's so much negative publicity about this town. They’re something people take a lot of pride in. If they go, nobody’s going to take their place.”

The only professional team in New Orleans to win a championship was the Zephyrs, back in 1998 when they defeated the Buffalo Bisons to capture the AAA World Series title.

Fans of the Hornets, Saints and Voodoo are still waiting for their hometown teams to shine.

FANS continues from A8 The Zephyrs joined the Pacific Coast League as a Houston Astros affiliate in 1993 and have served as a minor-league training ground for players like three-time Astros allstar Lance Berkman. After playing four years in the University of New Orleans’ Privateer Park, the Zephyrs, currently a Washington Nationals affiliate, moved into Zephyr Field in 1997, which seats approximately 10,000.

Before this month, John Berthelot, 46, of Chalmette, La., had only been to one baseball game in his life. It was a Zephyrs game. As batting practice commenced at Zephyr Field, Berthelot explained why he was making his second trip.

“I’m not really a great professional baseball fan, but the first

game I came to, I had a great time,” Berthelot said. “There’s so much going on that sometimes you can't even concentrate on the game. They try to make it fun for everybody.”

The Zephyrs offer a jam-packed season-long promotional plan that includes $1 hot dog Wednesdays and a fireworks exhibition every Friday night. The park is even equipped with a pool for private parties behind the right field wall.

“This is fabulous,” said Guy Pellitteri, 52, who attended a Zephyrs game with his company, the Gumbo Shop, at the pool.

“There’s not a better way to see a baseball game than sitting back in a hot tub with a beer.”

But one of the special moments of each Zephyrs game occurs as

STUDENT JOURNALISM INSTITUTE

A10

May 28, 2005

2005 NYT Student Journalism Institute

The Life MASCOT of a

T

o Zephyrs fans, Nick “Boudreaux” Perret is more than just a symbol of good luck for the minor-league team.

He works up a sweat to help spectators enjoy the game of baseball. Top to bottom, Perret cools down between innings; greets fans; goofs around with a fellow mascot; and teases a young fan before heading home.

Photography and text by

Aaron Daye Page Design by

De’Eric M. Henry

BUSINESS

B1

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

State panel rejects plan for Entergy rate hike

By Sheena Johnson NYT Institute

A state public service commissioner blasted Entergy Louisiana Corp. May 18, as the commission reversed an earlier decision and took back a rate increase it had previously approved for the Louisiana-based utility agency.

‘We turned it down completely,” said Foster L. Campbell, a commissioner for the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

“They didn't do a good job, and they didn't deserve anything.

“They thought they were doing a good job. I would hate to see them do a bad one.”

Entergy proposed a $167 million increase in consumer rates about a year ago to increase the company's budget and cover maintenance, supplies and salaries. Entergy executives would have received $5 million of the budget for their bonuses.

The energy company, which provides services to more than one million Louisiana customers and Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas residents, sliced its proposal to an $18.3 million increase.

The five members of the public service commissionion unanimously voted not to grant Entergy the increase.

“They asked for $167 million and got down to $14 million but

‘They didn't do a good job, and they didn't deserve anything.’ they were glad to take zero and get out of there,” Campbell said.

The last time the company asked for a rate increase was 1988.

The increase was instituted in Entergy customers’ bills in late April, with each consumer paying an additional 92 cents for monthly service.

With commissioners slamming the increase, consumers could be refunded as much as $6 million.

In Wednesday’s session, Commissioner Jack Blossman Jr. suggested a substitute proposal, which axed the rate increase. A commission judge recommended the bonuses be eliminated May 17.

“It hurts their credibility with their commission because you can't follow the numbers. It doesn't make sense and it shows something was fishy in the first place,” Campbell said.

But the company said the increase would help it stay on top in the energy industry.

“We have a competitive company and we are not getting a lot of respect from the industry,” spokesperson Morgan Stewart said.

“We have to keep talent like (our executives) in Louisiana and we have to compensate them and that's associated with the cost of doing business.”

Stewart said Entergy executives' salaries are less than what other executives in the industry take home each year.

But Campbell said the company had the highest consumer rates in the Southeast out of nine states and the ratepayers shouldn't have to pay for executives' bonuses.

“It's unreasonable when you put that increase on some of the poorest people in the country paying the highest rates in the U.S.,” he said.

Photographs by JOSHUA L. HALLEY/ NYT Institute

Top: Bundy’s seafood worker Kendrick Bennett looks away from the dismal amount of shrimp from the season’s first catch. Left: One crate of shrimp is all that fills a trailer at Bundy’s seafood May 16. Right: Bundy’s seafood worker “Big D” sweeps the dock as the last few shrimp come off the conveyor belt.

Shrimpers try to stay afloat as their catches, profits sink

By Titus Ledbetter III NYT Institute

All signs point to a tough brownshrimp season in southern Louisiana.

Those involved with the industry are concerned that lower than expected catches, retailers buying imported shrimp and the rising cost of fuel will hurt local businesses.

Some who depend on shrimp for their livelihood are already disagreeing with experts’ predictions of an average catch for the season, which began on May 16.

“Usually they have 700 to 800 pounds, but today they are coming in

with 150 pounds,” said Kenneth Bundy, 64, who owns Bundy's Seafood in Lafitte. “How are we going to make it? It doesn't look good.”

Bundy's wife, Belle, added that the company might need to borrow money to stay afloat because of rising expenses. The extra money for fuel and ice costs have cut into their profits. They spend $900 on ice for every two days of shrimp production. Fuel for his boats cost about $1.60 per gallon. His fishermen earn about 55 cents per pound for their shrimp, an amount Bundy said he wishes he could increase.

“I have seven people working here

and I'm going to go in the hole today.

“On a slow day the workers are not going to work for less than $50 a day.

They come in at 7 o'clock and they don't leave until the sun goes down.”

Belle Bundy said her shop can charge $1 per pound of shrimp; in 2000, the shop could charge $2.40.

But Bundy worker Raul Mena, who shuttles shrimp to the boat from the dock, remains hopeful.

“It's going to be rough today, but tomorrow it will pick up,” said Mena, who was born in Honduras. “You can't base it all on one day. If it was a bad

See SHRIMP, page B2

Proposal to close Navy base sparks fear of job losses

By Jessica De Vault NYT Institute

The dimly lit seafood restaurant sits across the street from the Naval Support Activity base. At Jack Dempsey's, the customers, military and civilian, relax and have a satisfying helping of fried catfish. The base, which has been recommended for closing under a Pentagon plan, may not be open in two years, but Dempsey’s isn't going anywhere.

Dempsey’s manager, Sammy Biamonte, said he would lose customers if the base closes. “It’ll affect

us some 10 to 20 percent, but it’s going to happen eventually,” he said Lenise Foster, a local patron, said the base closing would be an inconvenience. “My husband is retired and we do a lot of things there,” she said. “But we can adjust.”

Adjustment is the way of life for many military personnel, Capt.

Kevin McCarthy said. “We transfer throughout our careers, but many communities have thrived postBRAC.” The Base Realignment and Closure commission became the

‘Worst-case scenario, you would have a dramatic job loss in the city or the area.’

bearer of bad news May 13 when it announced the Naval Support Activity was one of 33 bases on the closure list. The news upset New Orleans officials because the city relies heavily on the base, which employs 2,711 people.

At least 1,400 jobs would transfer to the larger Belle Chasse Naval

Air Station in metro New Orleans, which is not slated for closure.

However, officials fear the blow from other jobs lost will be great if the Pentagon carries out its plan to close Naval Support Activity.

The city could lose another 8,000 jobs because of proposed downsizing of two major employers, Michoud Facility and Northrop Grumman Avondale Shipyard, according to figures from lawmakers and a NASA consultant.

“Worst-case scenario, you would have a dramatic job loss in the city or the area,” said Lee C.

Reid, an attorney who consults with NASA on the Michoud facility. “It would be a real devastating case.”

Local and state officials have vowed to fight to keep the Naval Support Activity installation open, despite the Department of Defense's closing recommendation.

“This recommendation is not the end of the BRAC process, but still very much a beginning,” said U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu in a statement.

A group of politicians, including Landrieu and Sen.

See JOBS, page B2

B2

BUSINESS

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

JOSHUA L. HALLEY/ NYT Institute

Shrimp boats return from an early morning catch. On the opening day of the season, most of the docks along Bayou Lafitte experienced a major decrease in the amount of shrimp caught so far this season.

SHRIMP continues from B1 week, then it would be hard to pay bills.”

The numbers of trips by fishermen in Bayou Lafitte have dropped more than 59 percent between 2000 and 2004, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Martin Bourgeois, a biologist with the department, said he is optimistic about the future, but it will be tough for shrimp business-

es to stay afloat.

“It’s a matter of staying power,” Bourgeois said. “Who is in position to hold ground in hopes for improvement? For the businesses, it has been hard.

“But, I think things will improve and we have seen the worst of it.”

Low tides have hurt shrimp production, he said, because the shrimp take advantage of the tides to move

and migrate. Shrimp ride with the tides, so lower tides bring fewer shrimp for fishermen to catch.

Bourgeois said a coming full moon on May 23 should bring in two full tides and improve shrimp production. In the meantime, securing disaster relief funds and low interest loans have helped many businesses in the fishing industry avoid closing in 2003, another slow year, he said.

Seventy-two-year-old Jules Nunez, former owner of Nunez Seafood in Lafitte, said the com-

pany has been weathering several tough years.

“The production is not here,” said Nunez, a Lafitte resident.

“We have received about 40 percent less shrimp than last year.”

He estimated only about 10 “big boats,” shrimp vessels that range from 70 feet long to 100 feet long, were working in Bayou Lafitte last year. In 2000, he said, there were 130.

Lynda Norred, 48, sells shrimp from the Barataria Bait Shop, also in Lafitte. For she and husband

Statewide tourism down, yet visitors flock to Big Easy

By Nicholas R. Birdsong NYT Institute

While the number of people visiting Louisiana dropped last year, New Orleans, a city famous for mischief, music and meals, had an increase in tourism.

The Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in Louisiana reported May 13 that despite losing some 1.4 million tourists in comparison to the previous year, the state earned an estimated $500 million more than it did in 2003.

In 2004, more people traveled by air to the state, stayed longer and spent more.

Angele Davis, head of the department, said the Louisiana tourism industry is recovering from the aftereffects of 9/11, a time when tourism was down nationwide because of reduced air travel.

But the drop in numbers of tourists doesn't hold true for New Orleans. The Hospitality Research Center at the University of New Orleans reported 10.1 million people visited the city in 2004, as opposed to 8.5 million in 2003. This allowed the Big Easy to bank an additional $400 million.

“In New Orleans, overnight trippers are staying longer and therefore spending more,” said Janet Speyrer, associate dean of research and professor of economics at UNO. However, one person in the field isn’t so quick to believe the statistics.

“I don’t know that there was that much of an increase in the money,” said Leland Scroggins, executive director of the Red River Development Council in northern Louisiana. “I can’t substantiate those numbers.”

Scroggins, a member of the department’s staff, said he has been working in tourism in Natchitoches, La., for the last seven or eight years.

The 72-year-old said he hasn’t noticed much of a change in the number of visitors, at least not in his area.

Natchitoches, which is the oldest permanent settlement bought in the Louisiana Purchase, is a pretty consistent draw, Scroggins said.

“We have a lot of things that people like to come and see,” he said.

New Orleans is trying to clean up its hedonistic image to bring in more families, and a recent survey shows

Photographs by MARCI FULLER/ NYT Institute

Above: Tourists in the French Quarter can travel from restaurants to shops in horse-drawn carriages. Carriages often line up along the street waiting to attract customers for a slow trek through the Quarter. Below: Street performers can be seen throughout the French Quarter entertaining passersby. Performers’ skills range from magic to standing still for hours at a time. it’s working. An online poll conducted by Yahoo! Travel and National Geographic Traveler named the city the United States’ top family travel spot.

That title may be surprising to out-of-towners who associate the city with the random acts of debauchery performed during Mardi Gras that are constantly plastered

across their television screens.

“I think that when a lot of people think of New Orleans, they think of the French Quarter, and that is our No. 1 destination,” said Laura Claverie, editor of NewOrleansOnline, the city’s official tourism Web site.

“But we never market Bourbon Street. MTV and all the other media

outlets do it for us.”

Claverie said New Orleans is considered the cultural mecca of the South. The city has 3,088 restaurants and 18 museums, according to the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Claverie said, “The word is out that there is a lot more to New Orleans.”

James Savoie, shrimp season means “food on the table.”

But this year, the meals may be fewer and further between.

“The price of shrimp went down last year and a lot of people went under.”

“My husband has to catch $1,000 worth of shrimp before he makes any money,” said Norred, who is from Belle Chasse, La. Another concern for the Norreds is that more of their customers are buying shrimp imported from other places.

“Louisiana should be able to sell their shrimp in Louisiana before the imports take over,” she said.

“We have the freshest products right here.”

Belle Bundy said she would like to see a higher tariff on imported shrimp.

“We have all these politicians who say they're going to help us when they run, but you don't see them after the election,” she said.

“They could do a lot more to help us out with imports.”

JOBS continues from B1 David Vitter, as well as representatives from various organizations, have drafted a proposal that calls for the restructuring of the base into a federal city. If the realignment and closure commission decides to shut the century-old naval base, the state is prepared to push the proposal.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco has pledged $100 million to fund the federal city initiative, Michael Olivier, Louisiana’s economic development secretary, said in a statement.

“This investment will provide the federal government with substantial cost savings,” Olivier said, although he did not specify how much the savings might be.

Blanco has also pledged an extra $65 million for low-cost housing near the military base.

Established in 1901 as an Army base, the Naval Support Activity once served as a naval vessel repair site and provided housing for transient personnel. In 1996, the Army base was transferred to the Navy and renamed Naval Support Activity. It now houses offices for the Naval and Marine Corp Reserves and 40 other commands.

Naval Support Activity, as other bases, was targeted for closing because it served no tactical purpose in the fight against terrorism, U.S. Defense Department officials said.

Louisiana officials said they were expecting the closing recommendation and were preparing to respond.

They drafted the federal city initiative, which would re-structure the base to support units for the Army, Navy Reserves and Coast Guard.

The facility would have state-of-theart equipment and possibly a regional Homeland Security headquarters.

David M. Brasington, a Louisiana State University economist, confirmed that the federal city plan could be a reasonable idea, and that some base closings have reportedly proved to be beneficial.

It “turned out to be a blessing in disguise, and they did better with the base closings than before,” Brasington said in reference to a base closing in Pennsylvania in the late 1990s.

“They probably aren’t going to be a good thing,” he said. “But it’s easy to overstate the negative.”

There is life after realignment, and in some cases a base closure can be something that breeds other opportunities for the community. At the England Air Force Base, the realignment commission decided to shutter the base in 1991. City officials, afraid of losing jobs, took the initiative to restructure the base. As a result, an airpark, community and

home to 50 other businesses, emerged from the ruins of the closed base. In 12 years, the base has produced millions of dollars, and employs over 1,000 people.

Despite the optimism, the job losses at the base, Michoud and Northrop Grumman would still be inevitable.

Michoud currently manufactures the external tank essential for launching space shuttles, which will be phased out by NASA by 2010.

With no external tank to create, Michoud would lose an entire production line and an estimated 2,000 of its 2,083 workers, Reid said.

Navy cutbacks of Northrop Grumman Avondale Shipyard also loom, with the possibility of 6,000 jobs on the line, Landrieu said in an Associated Press article.

John Caldwell, the manager of business retention and expansion at

the Greater New Orleans Inc., said when a shipyard works for the U.S. military, it’s at the mercy of Washington. The Navy recommended that the shipyard cuts the number of ships it manufactures from 12 to nine — which could cost roughly 900 jobs, Landrieu told A.P. “When they cut ships, that’s going to affect some of the hiring that goes on,” Caldwell said. “It’s an unfortunate thing.”

Economist Milton “Dek” Terrell of LSU said New Orleans’ economic outlook is bleak. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the city’s employment rate has grown a little under 1 percent in the past year.

“When you put all of those things together, it’s certainly going to have a negative impact,” Terrell said.

According to Reid, it’s highly unlikely that all three economic threats would occur at once.

“The city and state officials are addressing both problems head on,” Reid said. “When we do (this) in Louisiana we tend to succeed.”

EDUCATION

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute B3

Grambling to select something new in G’s

By Stacy Anderson NYT Institute

Grambling State University officials say any controversy over the school losing its rights to its distinctive “G” logo is overblown.

“No logo has been finalized at this time,” spokeswoman Vickie Jackson said, adding that the university is working on creating a “standardized look.”

The Associated Press reported May 25 that the school was pursuing a new logo since its rights to the logo lapsed nearly seven years ago. The “G” logo is currently controlled by the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.

“It’s not trademarked by the institution, so we can’t control the revenue from it,” Jackson said.

“We’ve never owned the ‘G’ but we’ve had permission to use it.”

Russell LeDay, president of the university’s Elizabeth Robinson Alumni Chapter, said changing the school’s logo is necessary as part of a larger effort to bring the campus together around one symbol.

He said the university plans to “modify the logo, not destroy it.”

A committee, which includes staff, faculty and students, will make a recommendation to the university’s cabinet, which will make the final decision on the logo. The university’s licensing office has always dealt with these issues, but the committee was recently established to organize all branding and trademark matters, including the

Campus officials downplay the expiration of a famous symbol. logo, school seal, letterheads, business cards and motto.

If Grambling patents an original logo, it will have sole ownership over its brand and will be able to license it out to others.

“We will be able to receive appropriate royalties for our name,” LeDay said.

LeDay said many other schools, such as Louisiana State University, Southern University and Prairie View University, have redesigned their logos. “It’s an effort to get hold of potential revenue that universities are not realizing,” he said.

LeDay estimated that schools are missing out on the opportunity to profit by millions of dollars.

The emphasis on logo ownership stemmed from the efforts to make Grambling more integrated.

“We wanted to make certain everyone on campus used the same logo on business cards,” LeDay said.

“We wanted to become more unified.”

University officials said the logo issue has not caused much of a stir on the Grambling campus, despite several media reports to the contrary.

“It’s not a big deal,” said Elaine Thomas, an employee in the Office of Alumni Affairs. “The media is blowing it out of proportion.” She said that to her knowledge, only one alumnus has complained about the proposal.

Other alumni said they are weighing both sides of the new plan. “I can see some advantages and disadvantages,” said Linda Jones Mosley, president of the Desoto-Grambling Alumni Chapter in Mansfield, La. “The school will have to make quite a few changes,” she said, in regards to manufacturing paraphernalia with the new logo.

“But then again, it’s like throwing away something we've had for so long,” she said.

School officials say the new logo will not vary too much from the current one and will likely incorporate a tiger, the school mascot, into the design.

Photographs by TARA-LYNNE S. PIXLEY/ NYT Institute All Saints Elementary School will close its doors for good May 27 at the close of the 2004-2005 school year. Several students will be adversely affected by the school closing and parents are having difficulty finding new schools for their children to attend.

Black Catholic school to close after 80 years

By Sheena Johnson NYT Institute

Amanda Thompson’s eyes welled up with tears as she heard the most devastating news of her 11-year-old life. They began to trickle down her face as her mother delivered the news that will end her family's tradition.

All Saints Elementary School, where she had attended all of her young life and where her mother and grandmother graduated from, was closing. She would have to go to another school next year.

“I was sad and mad,” the fifthgrader said.

All Saints will close its doors after the students are released for summer break May 27. The predominately black Catholic school has served the community for 80 years.

The Office of Catholic Schools held a news conference May 20, to announce the closing of the school.

“It’s part of you and to say that it's not going to be here is harder than you think,” said Amanda's mother, Anysia Thompson.

“I was born into this church; I’ve been with the church for more than 40 years. I graduated from here and I was christened here. I really wanted her to carry on the tradition of graduating.”

According to Father William

Maestri, superintendent of New Orleans Catholic schools, attendance at the school has been waning.

“Declining enrollment and financial stress are contributors to the schools closing,” Maestri said.

The decision to close the school, which taught students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, was made official May 16.

All Saints has 185 students enrolled and only 40 have pre-registered and prepaid for the following year, Maestri said. The Archdiocese of New Orleans esti-

‘We are not looking to close the facility. We are looking at this as transformation, not an ending.’ mated 135 students for the next school year.

The New Orleans Catholic school system consists of 24 schools and about 10,000 students. Maestri said that no other schools will be closing.

At a meeting held recently with parents, pastors, principals, faculty and staff, Maestri informed them of the closing and said it’s possible that the students will be placed at surrounding Catholic

schools on the Westbank.

According to the Archdiocese, tuition for All Saints is $2,500 per year, which it called reasonable.

“Certainly they were sad to see the school close,” Maestri said.

“But we are not looking to close the facility. We are looking at this as transformation, not an ending.”

Maestri added that the facility could be used for an adult literacy center or a special needs center.

“God is asking us to be of service and minister to people in another way and we plan to do that,” he said.

Darlene Montgomery, a parent of an All Saints student, learned the school was closing a few days after the announcement. She said she may not be able to enroll her son into another Catholic school because the pre-registration deadline has passed.

“I’ve been asking about the school closing since January so I could prepare,” Montgomery said.

“Now, I have to find somewhere for him to go.”

Others are also mourning the loss of the institution. A teacher who would identify herself only as M. Bush said that the shock of the school's closing will be felt by many in the area.

“It is most unfortunate that a school so rich in history would close its doors,” said Bush, who

Derrick Thompson, a second grader at All Saints Elementary School, comes from one of the many families who have made a tradition out of attending the 80-year-old institution. has been teaching at All Saints for 17 years. “It has been educating the African-American community spiritually and academically, and is a vital part for many years.”

According to Bush, the Sisters of the Holy Family originally

staffed the school and several community leaders have come through the school.

“They have done everything in their power to keep this school open,” Bush said of the Catholic school system. “It is truly a loss.”

Last-minute notice keeps students from graduating

By Titus Ledbetter III NYT Institute

Students, parents and teachers in Orleans Parish are outraged that seniors were notified less than a week before graduation that they had failed their standardized tests.

Holding the students back is the Graduation Exit Examination of the 21st century (GEE 21).

Alcee Fortier and John Mcdonogh high schools students who failed the GEE were given only a two-day notice before the graduation ceremony May 25.

Still, they were more fortunate than the 50 seniors from Marion Abramson Senior High School who were notified on graduation day.

Of the 163 students in the Alcee Fortier senior class, 25 were denied graduation because of their GEE test scores.

One of the dejected, senior Brandon Frank, sat beside his stepmother, Shirley Holt, to watch his stepsister graduate with the

‘I guess the harsh reality to timing is important in making things happen for yourself.’ class he thought he was a part of.

Frank had failed the GEE test.

While Holt was concerned the teachers did not teach the students the material on the tests, her biggest problem was Frank's late notification.

“They notified him on Thursday,” said Holt, a 38-yearold housekeeper at a local airport.

“On Thursday they let him know, but this had been going on for a whole month. They kept saying that they never did get the scores in.”

Gerard DeBose, principal at Alcee Fortier, said he tried to notify the students who were not graduating on May 26 as “quickly as

possible.”

He said only students who meet the requirements set by the state should be allowed to walk.

“It is very important because it represents an example of excellence and a certain standard of excellence that only a few can achieve,” DeBose said.

“As a principal you are so proud of the students because they have met every standard that was asked of them. You have an extreme source of pride for those individuals who have graduated.”

Rich Randall, an 11th grade special education teacher at Alcee Fortier, explained the importance of the GEE test.

“It is a measure or indicator that students have at least achieved some basic level of knowledge,” Randall said.

“It is a reality. It’s not going anywhere and so our kids have to buckle down. They need the extra help with testing so that they can make it happen for themselves -so they can at least be at the level of competence.

“You got to remember that they have had opportunities throughout the year, not only their final year, but other years they were in school to pass the test. I guess the harsh reality to timing is important in making things happen for yourself.”

Cynthia Mack, 40, said she knows firsthand the devastating effect this has on students who have their hopes crushed on graduation day.

In 2004, her daughter, Varlander Mack, did not walk with her class at John Mcdonogh because she failed the math part of the GEE test -- by two points.

A year later, Varlander Mack still does not have a diploma.

While many parents have referred to the test as the “LEAP test,” the GEE was what held students back from graduating.

“I know my daughter was an honor roll student,” Cynthia Mack said. “She really started doing her best work when she got to her senior year and she was on the honor roll for three quarters.

“I feel if they were good in their subjects at school -- she failed the math part of the LEAP test -- why should they hold her back for that?”

Varlander Mack has taken the test two times since her scheduled graduation day and continues to fall short of the required score. She is currently enrolled in Job Corps to try to earn her diploma.

“It causes kids to give up,” Cynthia Mack said. “They won't be able to get a better job in the future to support themselves or their family.”

B4

DILLARD

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Summer session opens with declining enrollment

Photographs by TARA-LYNNE S. PIXLEY/ The NYT Institute The stage at Cook Auditorium was practically empty because of the success of online registration for Dillard’s first summer session. Early enrollment figures showed a decline from last summer’s classes.

By Eba Hamid NYT Institute

Dillard University’s enrollment for this summer’s first session, which began on May 16, dropped by 95 students, when compared with last summer’s attendance of 610 students.

The second summer session in 2004 also showed a decrease, as the number from the previous session shrunk to 532. For 2003’s first and second summer sessions, enrollment was 602 and 522, respectively.

Registrar Connie Seymour said the number for this year’s first session could rise after teachers have submitted their final rosters.

“Many students will wait for the last minute (to register),” she said, adding that “the number should get close to last year’s.”

Seymour said the drop in enrollment from first session to second session is a trend for the school.

“It’s pretty much the same each year,” Seymour said. “Many students stay for the first session because it’s relatively close to the end of their spring semester classes and it’s easier to just stay here for a few more weeks.”

Michael Todd, assistant vice president for treasury services, said this year’s first session included a new registration process and placed more responsibility on those attending summer school.

“Students can now log onto the system and put in their own classes,” Todd said. “We eliminated the prior process, which included students having to run through different departments for registration clearance.”

According to Rhonda Creighton, Dillard’s loan collections coordinator, the new process was a success.

“Registration went very smoothly,” Creighton said. “The process was much easier because we didn’t

University accountant Cynthia Harris talks to a student who sought advice on her financial accounts to receive clearance to register. have that much traffic. Traffic was very light because we did everything online.”

Dillard officials are also planning events for students during the summer.

“We are trying to have at least one

Appointment of Hughes as female president is milestone for university

By Frenchi Johnson NYT Institute

For Marvalene Hughes, Dillard University’s new president, age is not an issue.

At a point where most educators head into retirement, the 67-yearold said she is accustomed to facing all types of challenges and does not know why her age should be anyone’s concern.

Hughes recently retired as president of California State University at the Stanislaus County campus.

“When I arrived in Stanislaus, I was not only the first female president, but I was also the first African-American president to assume the position,” she said in a telephone interview from California.

Hughes will also be the first female president at Dillard University, which was founded in 1869. She began her career as president at Stanislaus County in 1994, and retired in July 2004.

However, she continues to serve as interim president through this month.

“I don’t see my leaving as retiring; I see it as a transition,” she said. “I had planned to stay (at Stanislaus) for at least five years, but I found myself being here for 10 years and discovered that everything I needed to do, and more, I had already done. Frankly, I was finished.”

Hughes said she is excited about coming to Dillard. The new president said that when she officially takes over at Dillard, she will be

focused more on showcasing her skills as a leader and being a role model for the students and the community.

“I will serve as a president who is an advocate for the community, who believes in motivating others, and who leads according to my own personality. I don’t follow descriptives,” Hughes said.

The historically black college’s ninth president said she plans to begin her term by building relationships and stressing the importance of academic excellence.

“My hope is that by doing so, they (the faculty) will be able to apply for grants that will help them determine how to vastly improve their already outstanding programs,” she said.

“It will be very important for me to distinguish Dillard University from other universities,” Hughes said. “I think it is for good reasons that HBCU’s produce some of the most outstanding leaders of this country and the world.”

Hughes graduated from Tuskegee University, a historically black university in Alabama.

Hughes said she was always held accountable for her actions academically and wants to do the same for students.

“I want them to have pride in their heritage, and I want them to know they are not limited in what they can achieve,” she said.

Maureen Larkins, Dillard's director of communications and relations, said, “We are excited about Dr. Hughes’s arrival.

Because 70 percent of the universi-

thing each week,” said Freddye Hill, vice president for campus life.

Hill said Campus Life will provide bus transportation to free concerts, Lafayette Park, City Park, local theaters and street parades.

However, some students said

attendance at some events would be minimal because of their other obligations.

“Having no events during the summer is good because many people try to focus mainly on grades,” said Millicent Perry, a fifth-year senior from Mobile, Ala. “With family and summer jobs, many people are just busier during the summer.”

While Hill anticipates some students will not be able to attend these events for various reasons, she believes many students will enjoy the experience.

“Some can’t go and some will go to one or a few. I think many students will welcome the opportunity to have a chance to go to free events that are not like other traditional events,” Hill said.

“You just have to try to plan something of interest for those who have time.”

Other possible excursions include

the Essence Music Festival and the upcoming International Arts Festival in New Orleans.

Some Dillard students said summer classes, with or without events, are beneficial.

“It seems like teachers have more of a focus,” said Perry, who attributed improved communication with professors to smaller class sizes.

Hampton University sophomore Jeffery Ambrose, who is enrolled in summer school at Dillard, said he enjoyed his first day.

“The instructors seemed very intelligent,” Ambrose said. “It seemed like I could learn a lot from them.”

Patrick Okeke, a senior at Dillard, is using his summer courses to stay “two steps ahead.”

“Everything is more laid-back with (summer classes),” Okeke said.

Dillard University’s first summer session classes will end June 17. The next session starts June 27.

Different job, new goals for former Dillard leader

By Shaka Lias NYT Institute

HUGHES ty’s population is female, Hughes will have a very important role.”

Dillard has about 2,100 students.

Dillard's new leader has no doubt she will be influential.

“Since the female students have not had a female leader, I will definitely have an impact on them. I hope it will motivate them,” Hughes said.

Overall, Hughes is confident she will do a good job.

“I am true to myself. I do not think I should change to fit the style of other managers.”

After Hughes earned her bachelor’s degree in English and history from Tuskegee, she received her master’s degree in counseling and administration. She later attended Columbia University for doctoral studies in counseling and received her doctorate in counseling from Florida State University.

Hughes’ career includes being a psychology professor at Stanislaus County, the vice president of student affairs and a professor of various disciplines at the University of Minnesota, the University of Toledo and Arizona State University.

When the spring semester at Dillard University ended in 2004, students weren’t the only ones packing their bags. Dr. Michael Lomax, then president of Dillard, was also getting ready to leave the university where he had worked for seven years.

Since then, Lomax, 57, has found a new home as chief executive and president of the United Negro College Fund in Fairfax, Va. At UNCF, Lomax’s primary job is raising money to support the nation’s historically black colleges and universities.

In his first year, he exceeded his goal of raising $93 million in scholarships. Instead, he raised $97.5 million.

When Lomax first got on the job, he joked about having to walk around with a tin cup asking for money.

Now, he says, “It’s kind of hard to fit $97.5 million in a tin cup.”

Plus, the tin cup is really not needed, thanks to major fundraising events the UNCF holds annually such as the Black and White Ball held every June in Chicago, the mayor’s Mask Ball held in December in Atlanta and the UNCF anniversary dinner

held in New York in March.

The New York dinner is the most successful, raising $2.5 million a year.

Lomax said he loves his new position, but admits that he misses Dillard.

LOMAX “Walking to the office, living and working on a college campus was convenient,” Lomax said.

Nowadays, Lomax’s schedule is hectic. He travels three to five times a week and is rarely at home in Fairfax, where UNCF has its headquarters.

His wife, three daughters and granddaughters live in Atlanta,

where he commutes every weekend.

Lomax said he still considers Atlanta home. After all, he served 12 years as chairman of the Board of Commissioners in Fulton County, Ga., and graduated from Morehouse College in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in English.

He followed with a master’s in 16th century literature from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from Emory University in African-American literature.

UNCF was founded 61 years ago by presidents of private HBCU’s.

Currently, 38 HBCU’s receive support from UNCF to help keep their tuitions down.

In his spare time, Lomax said he enjoys reading fiction and history books. He is an avid book collector and has more than 500 first-edition AfricanAmerican books. His oldest is a book of slave narratives written in 1850.

Lomax also works out four to five days a week.

“It’s my entertainment and health,” he said.

Lomax said UNCF keeps him busy, but he's not complaining.

“As long as I have breath, a beating heart and working mind I'll be doing it,” he said, “because after all a mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

LIFESTYLE

C1

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Artist,

Storyteller, Genius

By Linda Hobbs NYT Institute

is work is versatile, from wooden sculptures and sketches to paintings and collages. In 1992, he was honored with the “Genius Grant” from the MacArthur Foundation, a fellowship only bestowed to master artists.

But when John T. Scott, 64, arrived at the New Orleans Museum of Art -- where his latest exhibit, “Circle Dance: The Art of John T. Scott,” is being displayed -- he acted nothing like an art world celebrity. In fact, Scott doesn't even consider himself an artist.

“I'm a polyrhythmic visual storyteller,” Scott said, wearing a black button-up shirt, navy blue jeans and brown sandals. His snow-white beard, slight hunch and smoothcaramel skin gave him the swagger of a youthful man.

“I don't think I'm an artist yet,” he said.

“I never use that term. It's a sacred term. I'm

H

just a guy that makes stuff.”

But according to Daniel Piersol, the museum's curator, running a retrospective of Scott's work was a no-brainer.

“The museum has a long history of exhibiting Louisiana's contemporary artists,” Piersol said. “John’s one of the leading artists in Louisiana. He's done an incredible amount of work in different mediums. He's so versatile.”

Piersol, 58, did not discover Scott in the New Orleans elite art crowd, or by catching his work displayed in a gallery. Instead, he met Scott 25 years ago, after just moving to town, and remembers the day vividly.

He went to pick up a date who worked for a sculptor. “I turned the corner and saw this big strapping guy,” he said. “The guy said, ‘Hey! You pick that up,’ ” referring to a piece of brass. Dumbfounded, Piersol later told his date, “ ‘That big guy made me pour bronze.’ ”

See SCOTT, page C4

Photographs by TARA-LYNNE S. PIXLEY/ NYT Institute

Left: The work of John T. Scott's is being shown at the New Orleans Museum of Art through July 10. Above: The 1970 steel work "The Resurrection of the Risen Christ” is a major piece hanging in the first of five rooms of the circular exhibit.

Jazz musicians say song remains the same in the city

Float-making process doesn’t just sail along his father in the 1960s, Barry Barth said.

The papier-mache method It's a two-week party, but a 50involves taking sheets of brown craft paper of different weights, week job in New Orleans. It is Mardi Gras, the revelry that began in Barth said. The thinner paper is used for detailed work such as flower 1827. It is a massive celebration that takes time, money and many helping petals or small sculptures. The larger float-head sculphands to be successful. And the biggest tures are made of part of Mardi Gras is wood first and then the floats. sculpted with the Joseph III, Barry paper. and Tana Barth grew The paper is then up in the midst of coated with a conMardi Gras and the tact adhesive or business of building glue, and then hung and designing floats. to dry on a wire.

"My dad used to When the paper is have a small float that drying, Barth said, it he built and pulled it binds to itself, but around with all of the does not stick to kids in the neighborAARON DAYE/ NYT Institute hands. After the hood on it on Mardi Craig Baudoin repairs a prop hand for the Bacchus Parade’s paper is prepared, it Gras day," said Barry Wizard of Oz-theme float at the Kern Studios in New Orleans. is ready to mold and Barth, 51, president of shape on the floats.

Barth Bros. Artists Designers and company is not the largest float The Barth-form process allows for Decorators. designer in the city, but family mem- the papier-mache to dry quickly.

It takes about three weeks to Mardi Gras was definitely a fam- bers say they are proud about ily affair, and became the career remaining unique. build a wooden frame float on platchoice for the Barth siblings.

The Barth-form process of papi"My father started the business er-mache modeling was devised by See FLOAT, page C3

By Rebecca Roussell NYT Institute

and my brother and I began Barth Bros. Artists Designers Decorators in 1975," Barth said.

The Barth siblings are still around today, designing floats, using papier-mache.

"We felt that Mardi Gras lost its traditional style," Barth said. The

By Linda Hobbs NYT Institute

JOSHUA L. HALLEY/ NYT Institute

A jazz band entertained a full house Sunday night at the Snug Harbor in New Orleans.

‘Jazz in New Orleans has never been better, even since its heyday.’

Somewhere past the seedy bar with the poker-faced bartender, the portrait of Louis Armstrong and the wooden balcony where anticipating visages stare down into a green spotlight, Tom McDermott gets settled at a black baby grand piano.

He’s accompanied by his longtime partner, clarinetist Evan Christopher, trombonist Rick Trolsen and drummer Wayne Maureau. They’re all dressed comfortably: crisp slacks, buttoned-up shirts, loafers. The location is Snug Harbor, a 25-year-old, cabin-like jazz club in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

“This place is still important as a roots center where jazz is still mixed,” McDermott said. “It’s not just pure jazz. It’s a smorgasbord because that’s (what’s) in modern New Orleans music.”

McDermott, 48, is from St. Louis. He was lured to New Orleans at 26 because of a new job and sonic love affair with the music of tragic pianist James Booker and R&B pianist Professor Longhair of

Crescent City.

When McDermott, who now calls Louisiana home, is told that there are people who say the modern jazz scene of New Orleans is officially lifeless, he leans back in his chair and tilts his head sideways.

“Who says that? I’ll be curious.”

Snug Harbor's owner George Brumat, 60, has heard the same thing, but doesn't buy it. “Jazz may be dead in other places, but it's not dead here,” he said. His pudgy physique, hard stare and long shaggy beard and hair make him look more like a Hell’s Angel than a jazz enthusiast.

“Jazz in New Orleans has never been better, even since its heyday,” Brumat said. Seated at a small roundtable in the corner of Snug Harbor one night, he leans forward on his elbows as if he has a secret.

“As an incubator of young talent, New Orleans is par none,” he deadpanned. “It's a place where jazz is appreciated. There is an audience.”

“It’s something about the cultural energy for artists,” said New

See JAZZ, page C7

C2

LIFESTYLE

May 28, 2005

Imitators from the dark side turn out for night of ‘Star Wars’

By Malachi Daraja NYT Institute

The words “light saber fight” rang through the air May 18 as thousands of fans descended upon the AMC Palace 20 movie theater in New Orleans with one thing on their mind: “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.” After three years of waiting patiently, the time had finally come to see just how Anakin Skywalker, the doomed Jedi knight, transformed into the evil Darth Vader.

“I saw the original ‘Star Wars’ at a midnight showing like this 28

‘Dozens of fans in costumes flock to see ‘Episode III.’ years ago,” said John Guidry, a diehard Star Wars fan. He was anxious to see if the final installment would be better than the previous two prequels, “Episode I: The Phantom Menace” and “Episode II: Attack of the Clones.”

Although Guidry was not dressed in costume, dozens of others were.

Looks ranged from simple Jedi-like robes and toy-store-bought lightsabers to near-authentic character imitations. Nearby, a Darth Vader imitator struck fear into the hearts of more than one moviegoer, before removing his ebony helmet.

Underneath the menacing disguise was the face of an unusually tall but baby-faced 12-year-old.

“I love these movies,” said Jack Burton. Instead of his lightsaber,

Burton, 30, who was dressed in the brown and beige robes of a Jedi knight, wielded a cold beverage to combat the heat of the New Orleans night.

AMC Theaters anticipated a swell of people for their midnight viewings at more than 200 locations.

“AMC Theaters has been thrilled by the unprecedented amount of excitement that ‘Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith’ has generated,” said Melanie Bell, corporate communications manager for AMC Entertainment Inc. The film continues to do well after the initial boxoffice onslaught.

“In fact ‘Star Wars Episode III’ broke the single-day (24-hour period) record for the highest grossing film AMC has ever shown,” said Bell.

The original “Star Wars,” which premiered in 1977, its sequels and the recent prequel trilogy have amassed a huge following and grossed $3.5 billion worldwide.

Bryan Smith, a 20-year-old fan, dressed in jeans and a Black Sabbath T-Shirt, speculated on why the movies are so popular. “The stories are timeless. It all boils down to good vs. evil,” he said. “It’s the modern-day mythology that a lot of people probably don't even take time to think about. Myths must be just a little ahead of our reality, so it makes sense that the new myths would involve technologies more advanced than our own.”

Although incredibly successful at the box office, collectively grossing nearly $750 million dollars in the U.S., “Episodes I and II” have been panned by some critics

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Photographs by JOSHUA L. HALLEY/ NYT Institute

Left: Paul Reynolds, Katie Reynolds and Julie Unger dress for premiere. Right: Mark Taranto, 32, and Edwin Bergeron, 29, engage in a light saber fight outside of the movie theater.

Empire ends but Lucas’ legacy lasts

By Malachi Daraja

Movie Review

NYT Institute

It is the beginning of the empire. It is the end of an empire. The last installment in the Star Wars saga, “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith,” finally shows Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader and the establishment of the evil Galactic Empire. The movie brings the space drama full circle, effectively bridging the gap between the prequel and original Star Wars trilogies.

“Revenge of the Sith” is not to be taken lightly. The computer-generated graphics have created one of the most realistic virtual universes in cinematic history. The fight scenes are so intense that for the first time in its sixmovie history, Star Wars received a PG-13 rating. This movie is easily the darkest episode in the Star Wars saga.

Hayden Christensen returns as the brooding, impatient and powerful Anakin Skywalker, whose life has never been more difficult.

Padme (Natalie Portman), who in the last film he secretly married, announces that she is pregnant. To make matters worse, his Jedi teachers -- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) and Yoda (voiced

by Frank Oz) -- decide to use Anakin to spy on

and Star Wars fans alike.

One fan, Mark Smith, 37, said that George Lucas “should have hired better writers for these movies.” Smith continued, “The dialogue in ‘Episodes I and II’ were so weak that they were distracting.”

Smith blamed some of the movies pitfalls on the acting.

Chancellor Palpatine, his long-time political mentor. Thus, Anakin must quickly decide to whom his loyalties lie.

“Revenge of the Sith's” cast does incredibly well with what they are given to work with.

Saying that the dialogue is weak at times gives it too much credit. When Anakin and Padme exchange loving words on a balcony, the lines are so stale it is all a fan can do to not openly laugh.

Still, the movie does have those rare moments when a line encapsulates both the scene and echoes “real-life” issues. Watching her character's beloved Republic fall before her eyes, Portman says: "So this is how liberty dies, to thunderous applause."

Regardless of the poor writing, the movie receives huge theatrical help from its cast.

Christensen's portrayal of the angst-driven Skywalker is incredible, nearly outshining film veterans Samuel L. Jackson and Ewan McGregor.

Regardless of the film’s billing, the main star is definitely the special-effects crew. From the Jedi-slaying General Grievous (voiced by

“Hayden Christensen's acting as Anakin just isn't strong enough.”

Jaime Bernard, movie critic for the New York Daily News, shared Mr. Smith's sentiment. “Christensen conveys Anakin's fall from Jedi goodliness mostly by slitting his eyes,” she wrote in a movie review.

Christiansen wasn't the only one

Mathew Woods) to the final duel between ObiWan and Anakin on a planet covered with lakes of molten lava, the graphic designers had their hands filled bringing Lucas' last Star Wars film to life.

However, the preoccupation with CG creations and tying up all the loose ends between the two trilogies make the cinematography seemed rushed at certain points. It also neglects one of the most powerful aspects of any of the Star Wars movies, the musical score, which is barely noticeable for most of the movie.

Perhaps the strongest of the prequels to the original Star Wars films, Lucas' Episode III is a fast-paced roller-coaster ride of spaceship dogfights, epic battles on alien worlds -- and it has light sabers galore. Despite criticisms Lucas will receive about the movie in years to come, he has already accomplished what he set out to do almost 30 years ago.

Lucas has cinematically created a unique universe that is completely realistic within its own context, a universe that two generations have paid billions of dollars to be a part of, if only for a few hours. To complain about problems and failures in the individual movies will do little to tarnish his legacy. He has nothing left to prove.

who was criticized that evening.

“Lucas just can't direct,” one fan said flatly. “The actors are more than capable, but they aren't getting any directional help.”

Despite many critiques of the prequel trilogy, not many fans at the “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” premiere said that, if given the

chance, they would alter elements of Episode I or II. “I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Joseph Lamarque, in a giant black shroud, dressed as a Sith, the movie's villains. “Who are we to say that we know better than Lucas? He is the mind behind all of this in the first place.”

At institute, minority firefighters unite to tackle a common goal

By Frenchi Johnson NYT Institute

The International Association of Hispanic Firefighters is participating for the second year in the Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute at Dillard University.

Members of the association, a nonprofit organization created to provide networking, career advancement and training for Latin firefighters, attended the two-week development program at the urging of its president, Ronald Morales.

“I felt it would be a great opportunity for Latin firefighters to attend EDI to network, as well as to get knowledge,” Morales said.

Morales said black and Latino firefighters have more in common than they think because they face many of the same issues.

“We have the same problems getting jobs, the same problems trying to get recruited to take the National Firefighters Academy test, and we have the same problems finding

people who will help us in our careers”" he said.

Similarities between the two groups are what drew Morales to ask Carl Holmes, the institute’s founder, if Latin firefighters could attend the two-week program.

“I have always believed in what Dr. Holmes was doing and how he was helping black firefighters,” said Morales, a Clinton, Conn., firefighter.

Holmes, a retired Oklahoma City fire chief, created the institute in partnership with the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters in 1991. Their goal was to pave the way for black firefighters to advance in the industry.

Morales said he and Holmes discussed the topic several times, and in fall 2003, Holmes called Morales and informed him the association could attend the following year.

In 2004, there were only six Latin firefighters in attendance. This year, nine members of the association attended.

Reynaldo Santiago, a battalion chief in Camden, N.J., attended the institute this summer for the first time.

“I'm trying to prepare myself for the deputy chief's test. I’m using this as a steppingstone.”

Although this is the second year members of the Hispanic firefighters' association have attended, the institute’s director, Robert Demmons, said the program is open to any member of the black firefighters association, regardless of race. This is the 14th year EDI has held its summer program.

“One of our first graduates was Native American, and she was a member of IABPF,” he said.

One white firefighter has attended the institute, Demmons said.

Demmons said the main objective of firefighters is to serve the community.

“Our main objective is preparing (firefighters) to become future leaders in the industry -- that’s what it is all about.”

Photograph by AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

Ronald Morales, president of the International Association of Hispanic Firefighters, shown in the dining hall at Dillard University, where black and Latino firefighters from across the country are participating in the Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute.

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NYT Student Journalism Institute

FLOAT continues from C1 form wheels. It takes about two weeks to decorate a float after it is built and whited-out, Barth said.

Krewes, groups that organize and participate in Mardi Gras, usually rent floats from $3,500 to $12,000 per float, depending on the complexity of them, Barth said. Krewes that own their floats usually spend about $50,000 on preparation for the entire parade.

The materials used to build and design the floats come from various supply companies across the nation, Barth said.

The brothers build and design floats for 10 parades in the New Orleans area. Their clientele include the krewes of Rhea, Perseus, Oshun, Iris and Pontchartrain.

Barth said Mardi Gras is the only holiday that packs the hotels with tourists from all over and there is minimal cost to the city.

“It (Mardi Gras) is completely funded by private individual clubs, which is very unique compared to other parades around the city,” Barth said.

The Mardi Gras business is a profitable one for the Barth family.

“During Mardi Gras, we gross just about under $1 million,” Barry Barth said. The company usually produces 150 to 200 floats per season.

In 1979, a police strike caused most of the Mardi Gras parades to relocate to other parishes or not roll at all. Artists had to redesign the floats for the next season.

“We got paid to do the floats, but we were still disappointed that we had to start from scratch,” Barth said.

Weather is also a factor that cannot be controlled, Barth said.

“Sometimes you can reschedule, sometimes you can’t,” he said.

In 1984, the Barth brothers designed two mermaid statues for the entrance gates of The World’s Fair in New Orleans. In 1985, the city of New Orleans also invited the company to the Louisiana Folklife Festival, held at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Barth Brothers has extended its services nationwide and even to Honduras.

In the early years of Mardi Gras, the floats were old farm wagons.

Today, floats have evolved to intricate wooden frames and even steel.

The concept for a Mardi Gras float begins in the mind, and ultimately develops into a mystical idea on wheels.

“There is so much to do and so many parades, we stay busy always,” said Henri Schindler, an artistic director for the Rex, Hermes, Babylon and Endymion parades. Schindler is one of the masterminds behind the elaborate floats that cruise down the streets of New Orleans. He works with illustrators and artists to make float sketches come to life from the drawing board. Schindler is in charge of creating themes for the krewes and their parades. After Mardi Gras, his job begins all over again.

Schindler works closely with Blaine Kern, CEO of Kern Studios, to make Mardi Gras happen every year.

“We meet with the krewes every spring to firm up a theme for the next two years,” Schindler said.

“So there is always something in the works.”

Once the theme is decided, Schindler takes his ideas from stories and tales he researched; he then looks at floats from the past years.

Afterward, an illustrator draws the floats on sketch paper as small thumbnails.

Once the thumbnails are chosen, they are drawn as individual sketches and become an intricate replica of the floats to be decorated for the upcoming carnival season.

The sketches are then painted with bright colors and final changes are made to the sketch.

“Once the sketches are complete, the floats are covered with white paint, or whited-out,” Schindler said. Floats are prepared for painting and decoration and are often reused from previous years to create new ones.

The float painter takes charcoal sticks and blocks out areas that need coloring. He makes notations such as “yellow,” “green,” etc. The basic color is then sprayed on the float and detailed work is done with theatrical paints.

Schindler said he feels pretty confident about being ahead in schedule for painting for the 2006 Mardi Gras season. All of the floats for the Rex parade should be done by the end of the summer, he said.

Photographs by AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

Float designers Elliot White, foreground, and Raymond Bowie Sr., rear, of Rex Float Designs walk back to work with the various floats after taking a short break from their work.

A silhouette of float painter Raymond Bowie Sr. while he draws a rough sketch of the design. He then paints it on the side of Lafcadio Hearn float at Rex Float Den. But finishing early always depends on when Mardi Gras day, also known as Fat Tuesday, falls. “Last year we worked up until the end,” Schindler said.

For Blaine Kern, saying Mardi Gras is his hobby would be an understatement. “God’s been so

25 kilowatts of power to pull super floats. The wheels are made of strong rubber and latex to add more protection to prevent flat tires.

Kern has traveled the world and brought artistic ideas from various countries back to New Orleans. The ideas come to life through super floats such as the Leviathan -- a steel serpent from the Old Testament of the Bible -- unique to the Orpheus parade every year. The float, which includes fiber-optic lights, took four to five months to build and design and cost about $650,000, Kern said.

Kern spreads the Mardi Gras bug to places all over the nation, such as Universal Studios, Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving Day parade, the Nickelodeon Parade in California.

Kern International enabled the mogul to build and design floats for the Shanghai Festival of the Moon parade last September in China.

“We don’t ever shut the place down,” Kern said.

With increased profits, casinos win

These players bluff their way into this World Series

By LeMont Calloway NYT Institute

By Markel Eskridge NYT Institute

The World Series of Poker Circuit Tournament is in New Orleans for the first time.

Hundreds of novice players are lining up for a shot against poker legends and an ultimate payday.

The tournament is being held at Harrah’s New Orleans from May 18 to 28. The finale will be televised on ESPN. Players play “Texas No Limit Hold ‘Em” in separate games to get to the final table, while others can buy their way into Saturday’s final table with $10,000.

All week at Harrah’s, the scene has been boisterous, with people lined up across the casino waiting for autographed pictures and books from poker legends T.J. Cloutier and Doyle Brunson.

One such player hoping to win his way through the field is attorney Craig Mordock, who started playing poker 18 months ago.

Mordock, 33, has lived in New Orleans for seven years. He attended Tulane University Law School and liked the city and casino so much that he decided to stay.

Mordock’s own run started well because he was “short-stacked,” a poker term meaning he had less chips than the other players and wasn’t a target of the other players.

“I had more than $2,000 in chips, I got up to $10,000, and I

good to me beyond my wildest dreams and I am having fun,” Kern, said.

The 78-year-old Kern has overseen a multi-million dollar empire that is not only known in New Orleans and the nation, but also around the world. He’s been given

the title, “Mr. Mardi Gras.” Under the umbrella of Kern Studios, there is Blaine Kern Artists, Mardi Gras World and Kern International.

Since his first parade in 1948, Kern has had his hand in more than 2,000 parades around the city alone, providing floats for close to 60 parades each Mardi Gras season.

“The themes are theatrical,” Kern said. “We try to make each krewe have its own personality.”

Kern has worked with Rex, which is the oldest parade in New Orleans, for 52 years. Rex began parading in 1872. Their floats are made of the more traditional form, with papier-mache. The larger, newer krewes expect extravagant floats to bring out the theme as well.

“The larger clubs like Endymion and Bacchus require larger, doubledecker floats,” Kern said. The more traditional single-deck floats are used in older parades and for those who have smaller clubs.

Kern Studios owns a fleet of tractors with generators that carry

MARCI FULLER/ NYT Institute

Participants in the World Series of Poker trying their luck at the tables in Harrah’s of New Orleans.

‘I play poker to support my legal habit.’ was able to pick up antes and blinds,” he said. “That kept me in the game.”

“I play poker to support my legal habit,” he joked.

He said for one game he started playing at noon Monday, with $1,500 in chips, until 3 a.m., Tuesday morning.

“Every 50 minutes the stack becomes bigger, you have to keep doubling up until you get a monster hand,” he said.

Mordock placed third in Wednesday’s tournament, cashing out with $17,000. Six months ago he would have been satisfied with

the nominal pool amount that goes to all participants, he said, but now, he isn’t even satisfied with the amount that he won.

“Next time I want to win the tournament,” Mordock said.

Some fans believe Don “Final Table” Mullis, 41, is the hottest player in poker right now.

Mullis said he has won seven out of 10 final tables, an unprecedented feat in poker history.

“None of the big players has done this. You don’t go 800 fields with over 800 players in each field. It’s never been done.”

Mullis, a car salesman from Mooresville, N.C., has only been playing poker for eight months but has appeared in 10 World Series of Poker tournaments.

“Men ‘The Master’ [Nguyen], I took him out twice,” Mullis said. “I’ve been in the same field with Phil Ivey, Johnny Chan, David Williams and Phil Hellmuth Jr., and they were all put out before me.”

Louisiana casinos took in $13 million more in April 2005 than they did in April 2004, as gamblers dropped $189.4 million into slot machines and on card tables, according to a state police report released May 17.

Several factors ranging from sunny days to the steady spending of money from retirement funds have caused the fluctuation of casino revenue.

Rob Stillwell, the vice president of corporate communication for Boyd Gaming, which runs Treasure Chest Casino in New Orleans, offered speculation for the 7.3 percent increase from the $176.6 million the casinos got out of gamblers last April.

“Great weather and more weekends in a month can affect the revenue taken in,” he said.

In addition to the five weekends in April, Dan Nita, Harrah’s senior vice president and general manager, said in an e-mail statement that the purchase of more hotel rooms at partner hotels contributed to their success.

“We saw our occupied rooms increase by 4,500 in April 2005, as compared to April 2004, which enabled us to bring in more existing Harrah’s customers from outer markets,” Nita said.

After a reporter made several calls and a visit to the casino, Mia Lewis, a spokesperson for Bally’s casino, declined to comment on the issue citing a desire to keep strategically motivated plans in-house as

her reason.

Spokesmen at Boomtown did not return calls.

Most of the statewide increase came from the four New Orleans casinos in the report, which saw a 12.5 percent increase from their April 2004 total. Those casinos drew $55.8 million this year compared to $49.6 million of last April.

Treasure Chest, a stationary riverboat casino located in nearby Kenner, which offers 1,000 slot machines along with 47 table games and three restaurants, brought in $9.9 million in April with a total attendance of 129,301.

Bally’s Belle of New Orleans, a 24-hour riverboat casino, earned $5.2 million behind 109,935 clients.

Boomtown, another stationary riverboat casino, entertained 201,374 patrons who spent an average of $50.10 per gambler. The casino, which features 1,300 slots and 37 table games, earned $10.1 million.

The leader of the pack, however, was the Harrah’s franchise.

Exceeding the earnings of all the other state-licensed casinos, Harrah’s was the most popular establishment with 606,048 players in April.

Those gamblers spent an average of $50.48, propelling Harrah’s earnings to $30.6 million.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin acknowledged the increasing figures and said that they were playing a part in driving the economy.

“As I understand, we are experiencing record numbers which are driving everything,” Nagin said in a brief interview. “We have a 10 per-

cent sales tax. Tourism is up and it looks like we are going to set more records.”

Some say that they continue to gamble because they are financially stable with retirement income.

Al Lamothe, a 76-year-old retired resident of New Orleans, visits Bally’s twice a week, where he usually spends $30 to $45 gambling each visit.

“I guess [the gamblers] have been lucky,” Lamothe said in his explanation for the revenue increase.

“It’s usually a spontaneous thing.

But we usually come once a month to eat,” Frazier said.

Meanwhile, Fair Grounds Race Course, which is owned by Churchill Downs Inc., has pondered the possibility of installing slot machines into its establishment.

“In terms of business, the most significant factor will be in purses and prize money,” said Lenny Vangilder, director of marketing and public affairs at the Fair Grounds.

Vangilder explained that the trickle-down effect from an increase in racing fans would add money to the purses, which would amount to more money for better quality horses.

Vangilder pointed out that close to 500 slot machines could be installed after July 1.

“Harrah’s has been approved to build a $350 million hotel,” he said.

“With that extra business, we might be able to install the maximum allotment of 700 slot machines.”

The New Orleans City Planning Commission has yet to vote on whether to allow the installment of the machines.

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In old house, activist speaks out with her art

ART continues from A1 “Our vision is to present artwork like these to both New Orleanians and national patrons,” co-owner Robert Heriard said, while motioning to his showcased Carlos Betancourt photographs.

Already representing over 11 artists, Robert Heriard acknowledges that it is not easy for a relatively new artist to secure one of the gallery’s monthly exhibitions, which, as is the case with most galleries in the art district, change on the first Saturday of every month.

“We usually find out about new artists if they are friends of other artists that we already represent,” Heriard said.

A block away, the 7-month-old Roy Gallery tries to distinguish itself from the crowd. Unlike the Heariard-Cimino Gallery’s white walls and minimalist approach, owner Roy Malone fills his space with furniture.

“Other galleries and museums think that furniture takes the focus away from the work of the artist. I think the relationship between the two enhances them both,” Malone said.

Malone welcomes young artists to bring him their portfolios.

“Sometimes I like the art and sometimes I really don’t, but at least I give him a chance,” he said.

A Miami native, Malone has also lived in New York, but left the Big Apple for the Big Easy.

“I wanted to live in another city that still had that New York ambiance,” he said. “New Orleans reminds me of SoHo. Not the modern one, it's like the young SoHo from the late 70’s.”

As Malone and Heriard have established themselves in the city, modern art has indeed become a very lucrative business.

At the New Orleans Auction Galleries, business has never been better.

“We were able to sell a William Henry Buck piece for $340,000 and a Richard Clague piece for $380,000,” said public relations spokesperson Michelle Castro.

“Neither artist had sold a piece for that much money before our auction.”

With such a large demand for their work, those with creative talents and steadfast ambition find the city an ideal place to perfect their craft and realize their dreams. Simon Gunning is one such artist.

Emigrating from Australia, Gunning fell in love with New Orleans almost 25 years ago.

“As a youth, I received a scholarship to leave the Victorian School of Art in Australia and attend an art school in London,” Gunning recalled. “My flight to London had a layover in the U.S. I never even made it to England.”

Although Gunning was fond of his new home, he soon realized that making it big as an artist was not easy. “I loved New Orleans, but I wasn’t even remotely established when I got here and I couldn’t fully support myself on

NYT Student Journalism Institute

By Bravetta Hassell NYT Institute

Photographs by TARA-LYNNE S. PIXLEY/ NYT Institute Robert Heriard, co-owner of Heriard-Cimino Gallery, adores his minimalist gallery on Julia Street in New Orleans' Warehouse District.

Displayed behind him is "The Vague Years from Interventions in Nature Series," a 2001 metallic lambda print by Carlos Betancourt.

my art alone,” he said.

To make ends meet, Gunning took up a job as a bartender in the French Quarter. The job not only paid the bills; it had other perks.

“I had the opportunity to spend my nights working and my days painting,” he said. “And maybe once a year or so I was able to finance my own exhibition.

“In the end, it paid off. I was able to quit my bartending job about 12 years ago.”

Today, Gunning’s art sells between $3,000 and $30,000 per piece. While some artists would love to one day enjoy a five-figure payday, others try not to place a lot of emphasis on such things.

“I didn’t become an artist for the money,” artist Martin Payton said.

Payton’s success rivals that of fellow New Orleans native Simon Gunning.

“New Orleans is a good city, but it's doesn’t have the art market of New York, San Francisco or Chicago,” said Payton.

He added, “Maybe I could make more if I was in one of those other cities, but I came to New Orleans because of its culture and I became an artist because I love it.”

The New Orleans art scene is obviously growing and "it's only getting better,” according to Mary Beth Romig-Haskins, a public information officer at Ogden Museum.

Haskins used her museum’s growing departments as an example of the art community’s development “Our contemporary art department is already huge,” she said.

“Contemporary photographers (who tend to be younger than artists in other mediums) are also apart of the fastest growing artist field in the city.”

She cited the recent campaign by the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation.

“The NOTMC has advertised New Orleans as a cultural destination,” she said. “That’s important.

The country’s artists now know there are more markets where up-and-coming artists can showcase their work.”

Perhaps the dog knew it was too humid to stand under the sun. He struggled up the worn steps of the front porch and settled under a wooden stoop - exhausted. Dawn Dedeaux, his owner, nodded.

Through the part-cabin, partmuseum, part-house, to the other side, was a backyard she said would be cooler. There, the tops of the tall trees expanded to an almost canopy.

Her satisfaction with her decision showed in the ease with which she reclined in a green cast-iron patio chair, holding a chilled Corona.

Dedeaux, 53, knows every tree, every blade of grass, every weed that sprouts in her backyard unnoticed by the outside world.

She pointed up. “That’s an Imperial,” she said of the palm tree.

Who knew palm trees grew in New Orleans?

Dedeaux sometimes stays in a century-old house that is so ornate one would only want to visit it for field trips. It is where she creates art.

Across town is the artist’s main residence. She was once so submerged in her community's politics that it bled into her art.

Her comfort zone is wrapped around her in the house she calls "tucked off," where technology and common life, unadulterated by the rigors of fast pace and instant gratification, embrace. The most up-to-date objects in the house are the cinema display and powerMac, the fax machine and a big-screen TV-all juxtaposed against the life of the rustic house.

“I’ve always been high-tech in a low-tech house,” Dedeaux said.

Clothespins on a cord on one side of the main room hold up digitally manipulated portraits printed on cloth and watercolor paper.

Dedeaux shuffled through print cases that looked like skinny file cabinets, searching for her first etchings.

One was of magnolia seed pods she said she did when she was 12 or so.

That was the same time her parents divorced, leaving her younger brother and sister to live with their father and Dedeaux with her grandmother.

As a girl, Dedeaux remembers meeting Laura Adams, then a young artist, who rented from Dedeaux’s grandmother and blossomed into an accomplished painter. Dedeaux traveled to New York after her college graduation to thank Adams, who three months later committed suicide.

It was in art that Dedeaux sought relief after the loss of her mentor, and in art that she found comfort after the death of her sister when she was a child. The artist said she didn't remember life too clearly before her mentor had entered it.

Political art-ivism Large-scale photographs of decorative security doors hide a bed

Dedeaux sometimes uses when she gets really busy. The photos make a statement: No matter how liberated people think they are, “We’re all in this situation together,” she said.

“You can’t go inside your house and withdraw from these community issues.”

One of the pictures, taken during the first Gulf War, shows a front door with a mini-American flag wedged in the knocker that had a yellow ribbon tied to it. The door and the flag are blocked by a black security gate.

The pieces are a part of a series called “Soul Shadows: Urban Warrior Myths,” a video-based installation probing the lives of young inmates, largely black, struggling for empowerment in the Orleans Parish Prison.

In Dedeaux's multimedia project, there were photos of girlfriends with

TARA-LYNNE S. PIXLEY/ NYT Institute

Dedeaux’s recent work hangs from her rafters. boyfriends. In one, the boyfriend points a gun at his girlfriend's stomach, and in another, he points the weapon at her head. In both pictures, they were smiling.

In others, Dedeaux’s photographs depicted young American men in the prison system dressed as warriors of different cultures.

Being an urban warrior is a rite of passage everyone goes through, Dedeaux said. “[You] feel compelled to pay tribute to nature, to mankind, to ideals,” she said, having developed, as part of the grant-funded project, “A Book of Judgment.” The book is a collection of letters and thoughts written by juvenile offenders.

Her “Soul Shadows,”exhibition toured the United States from 1991 to 1993.

Dedeaux had made it priority to shed light on young black men in the prison system, an issue some critics say was not hers to document.

In hindsight, “I think maybe I was the wrong messenger,” Dedeaux, a

SCOTT continues from B1 John’s art grow and change,” he said.

“It was his time.”

The museum will run the exposition “Circle Dance” through July 10.

According to Piersol, attendance has been greater than expected and larger than what the museum has seen in a long time.

“A good turnout for us is 600 to 700 on an opening night,” Piersol said. But when “Circle Dance” debuted, Piersol estimated 1,500 people attended the opening.

Entering the exhibit, visitors are greeted by a series of religious sculptures made of steel. One is called, “The Resurrection of the Risen Christ,” which hangs from the ceiling, thorns, spears, painful façade and all.

“Urban Crucifix,” a wood and steel sculpture, depicts violence in the decadent '80s. It features shoe labels like Timberland, Nike and Reebok as well as machine gun parts. Scott said he was commenting on young black men dying over footwear. “Violence in the streets,” he said, glaring up at the sculpture.

Scott travels from the concrete jungle to Paris in “Quadrille,” a series of colorful brass and wood sculptures inspired by his

experiences in the “City of Lights,” where he once taught.

“For years I was criticized because I didn't work in one medium," he said, mentioning how critics give praise to artists like Picasso and Michelangelo but snub his work.

“These artists are known for using more than one medium, and they refer to them as ‘Jesus.” But when they get to my work, they call me ‘unfocused,’ ” he added. “We always judge people by our own limitations.”

Limited or not, his work evokes the penetrating culture of jazz, the music he grew up on in New Orleans. “I never discovered jazz; I was born into it. Music is a way of life.”

When he decided to become an artist as an adolescent, his mother, an embroiderer, and father, a chef, were very casual about his decision.

“They never said ‘Do that, don’t do that’ ” he recalled. Instead, they told him that whatever he wanted to do, he should do it well. While neither of his parents have more than a third grade education, Scott holds a Master of Fine Arts from

white upper-middle class woman from the South, said.

John Scott, a local artist, said he didn't like the glorification of the men depicted in the installation. Despite that, Scott said he respects her work, but questioned Dedeaux’s use of romanticism in the project.

“It wasn’t about protecting the communities (because) they were criminals,” Scott said. “You’ve got black guys in loin cloth - what the hell is that?”

Dedeaux said she asks herself if her “Soul Shadows” would have been challenged if she was black.

“I did my street life,” she said with a quick chuckle. “(That) was, you know, why I turned to nature.”

Not too soon after the tour of “Soul Shadows,” Dedeaux left for New York to escape the criticism she received over the installation.

Years after spending most of her adult life in the North, Dedeaux, who was born and raised in New Orleans, decided it was time to return home.

Using a $5,000 honorarium received in 2001, she made a down payment on her first home and main residence.

Eventually recognizing a need for more space for her work, Dedeaux purchased her “art house.”

An artist's transformation Dedeaux’s art, once drowned in social commentary, is now softer and pays close attention to plant anatomy.

“They fit really nicely into the work she had done in the past,” said Arthur Roger of Dedeaux's “Documents of Resurrection.”

Roger is the owner of the Arthur Roger Gallery in New Orleans. “[These] were easily collectible and were the first tangible pieces that could be hung in someone's home,” he said.

In 2004, Dedeaux’s work ranged in value from $1,600 to $4,500 at the gallery. At the Spruill Gallery in Atlanta, her “Warrior Pantheon Portfolio,” a collection of 18 pieces, sold at $5,250.

Dedeaux now is completing the 8foot twin portraits of tree skins, part of an installation to be showcased in Dallas, that hang in the main room.

Winding Down The paint in Dedeaux’s workhouse is chipped. But the spirit of the folksy house hints at how life is supposed to be - submerged in comfort.

At this week’s end, Dedeaux will have attended every neighborhood pow wow concerning the proposed slot machines to be installed at the race track up the street. By then, she will be ready to store away her activism and focus.

“I wish there were more of me,” she said. “I’ve struggled between choosing to be an artist or being a social worker. It's like two sides of your brain conflict.”

For Dedeaux, it's time to go back to work.

‘I never discovered jazz; I was born into it.

Music is a way of life.’

TARA-LYNNE S. PIXLEY/ NYT Institute

"Dancing at the Crossroads," is a 1996 painted aluminum piece.

Michigan State University.

Today, he teaches fine arts two days a week at his undergraduate alma mater,

Xavier University. He describes his teaching style as no-nonsense.

“I'm not in the classroom to hold a

debate on the information I'm giving,” Scott said dryly. “It’s either my way or you can get the hell out.”

Walking throughout the exhibit, the professor spots visitors staring wide-eyed at some of his collages, before turning and recognizing him. He seems used to the attention.

“I’m honored that people would be interested in my work. But I don't really sit up and think about it,” Scott mumbled.

Lillian Samardzija, a 67-year-old semiretired nurse who’s been volunteering at the museum since 1977, finds Scott’s work to be “moving.”

“The emotion he puts into his work is very, very philosophical,” she said as she viewed his Louis Armstrong paintings.

But Scott, who loves his fans, has never cared about critics. “You can criticize the content of my work, but I don't feel you can criticize the quality of my work,” he said. “You don't have to like it, but you can't change my right to do it.”

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

ASEA OF Diversity

n a city known for noise and excitement, there is a place where deep silence can envelop visitors and only oohs and aahs can be heard as they stand before a large aquarium wall staring at various species of sharks and other fish quietly swimming back and forth.

The Audubon Institute Aquarium of the Americas is a haven where sounds of parrots squawking reverberate through the air, jellyfish light up the dark waters of their habitat with their vibrant colors, the seahorses dance among the seagrass and families share moments to remember.

I

Photography and text by Page Design by

Joshua L. Halley

De’Eric M. Henry

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LIFESTYLE

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Composite photograph by AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

In this composite image, the Algiers neighborhood, left, borders the Mississippi River. The neighborhood, known for its quite, modest life, has been called one of New Orleans’ best-kept secret.

Cozy town, and a great nook for business

By Rebecca Roussell NYT Institute

ALGIERS, La. - At the place where the Mississippi River comes to a point across from New Orleans sits a slice of history and architecture that defines a more tranquil kind of living. Algiers Point, the red-headed stepsister of New Orleans, is a clandestine adventure that harkens one back to the simple life.

It has not changed much since its incorporation in 1719. Not many native New Orleanians know about it or have traveled just two minutes by ferry to see what's on the other side of the river. But those who have made it their home embrace and love the town.

Stepping off the ferry onto a cobblestone street, visitors are greeted by Louis Armstrong's wide grin. The Dry Dock Café and Bar is packed with the usual lunch crowd. And on the river, steamboats whistle as they travel to their next destination.

Residents of Algiers Point call it “New Orleans’ best-kept secret” that has a quaint ambiance all its own. They know all about what people who flock

to New Orleans -- and even longtime residents -- are missing out on.

For those who live in Algiers Point, the community is an escape from the wild, crazy atmosphere in the city. It is a haven from crime, the stagnant smells of Bourbon Street and crowds that jam the streets during Mardi Gras.

Residents enjoy the break from sirens, the clean streets and the neighbor that lives across the street. Here, everyone knows your name.

It is that down-home feel that draws residents and keeps them here. *** How far would you go for love?

Would you cross the Atlantic Ocean and move to another continent?

Well, a lovely lady and a love for blues, history and culture led England native Kevin Herridge to do just that and land in Algiers Point.

“I visited in 1993 and moved here in 1994,” Herridge said.

Herridge met his wife, Wendy, at Tipitina’s, a popular bar in New Orleans. He spent some time with her the next day, then he canceled his flight back to London. He stayed another

two weeks and canceled his flight again. This time he stayed until his visa ran out.

For 13 months, Wendy and Kevin traveled back and forth from New Orleans to London to see each other before they decided to wed in 1994.

The couple bought a home in the newer section of Algiers and traveled to Algiers Point often to ride the ferry downtown and tour the community.

Crime became a problem in their neighborhood during the late ‘90s. So they moved to historic Algiers Point.

In 1998, Herridge opened the House of the Rising Sun Bed and Breakfast at 335 Pelican Ave. Since its opening, hundreds of people have stayed in the renovated shotgun house.

Herridge always had a passion for researching. In England, he traced his family history and when he arrived in Louisiana, he traced his wife’s family history as well. He knew many facts about the South, slavery and the African-American culture. When he settled in Algiers Point, he wanted to know more about the neighborhood.

“I didn’t want the sanitized, white

version of Algiers’ history,” Herridge said. “I wanted the real true history.”

Herridge said history books about Algiers Point never told the “black side” of the story. He formed the Algiers Historical Society in 1999 so

Estate receives landmark status

tle convincing and many visits before she settled in Algiers Point.

“The charm of this neighborhood is what moved me here,” said Trepagnier, a longtime resident of New Orleans who lived in Kenner, La., for the past six years.

After moving to Algiers Point, she opened a coffee shop. She transformed an old barber shop to Bon Vie Naturelle in January. Trepagnier, who lives across the street from the shop, enjoys the diversified community that she serves. The easy access to downtown and frequenting tourists are great for her business. Safety and community support are also why the shop owner thinks the Point is a great place to be.

“This is a friendly community with people from all over,” she said.

Trepangier’s sister has lived in Algiers Point for 10 years and persuaded her to relocate.

Trepangier said she decided to move because she wanted to be closer to her family, and life was getting bland living in the city.

“The quality of life over here is better in more ways than one,” she said.

Don R. Hecker, The New York Times, Director

DESIGNERS Madia Brown Norfolk State

By Titus Ledbetter III NYT Institute

A tour group exploring Longue Vue House and Gardens entered the dining room of the estate.

“Is this the original wallpaper?” asked Gail Margolis, 65, a former attorney from Chicago.

“Yes, you can even see the original stains on the wall,” quipped the energetic tour guide, dressed in a plaid shirt and a black skirt.

The artwork, furniture and even family photos have been in their original state since 1980, the last time the house was occupied.

The estate was created for cotton broker Edgar Stern and his wife Edith Rosenwald, Sears Roebuck and Co. heiress, between 1939 and 1942.

After Margolis’ 3 o’clock tour, she said she was impressed.

“It gives you a picture of what affluence can do,” Margolis said. “A lot of times money and good taste do not go together. But, it did in this case.”

The landmark may be the only living space in Louisiana that features a grandfather clock from Wales, a rug from Turkey, figurines from around the world and the view of a country club, the New Orleans Country Club.

In April, Gale Norton, Louisiana’s Secretary of the Interior, designated Longue Vue one of 51 “National Historic Landmarks.” It is the highest honor the estate could receive. Fewer than 2,500 places in America have the title.

To receive national historic recognition, the Department of the Interior

both sides of the story would get told, he said. *** Carlos Barona is from Columbia and came to this part of Louisiana with his brother 20 years ago.

“You are near New Orleans, but you’re not quite there,” Barona said.

“There is a lot of history and a lot of stuff happening here.”

In May, Barona opened Sortez Café at 141 Delaronde St., near the ferry landing.

“I used to work for several hotels as a chef,” Barona said. “I wanted to feature the traditional Creole and Cajun cuisine,” he said.

The café opens at 6 a.m. on the weekdays and stays open late on the weekend. Sortez Café offers a variety of foods such as pastries, soups, salads and snowballs, which is a New Orleans favorite.

The building where the café is located used to be an old slaughter house and Barona renovated it. He also renovated his home where he lives. *** For Angela Trepagnier, it took a lit-

Robbyn Mitchell Florida A&M University

Frenchi Johnson Savannah State

Diamond Washington Florida A&M University

Sheena Johnson North Carolina Central

REPORTERS

Titus Ledbetter III Hampton University

Eba Hamid Hampton University De’Eric Henry Grambling State Stacy Anderson Howard University Photographs by JOSHUA L. HALLEY/ NYT Institute

Fountains and gardens are just two of several elaborate features that the historical house Longue Vue , built from 1939 to 1942 for the cotton broker Egdar Stern, has to offer tourists.

‘Each garden and room has its own personality.’ had to conclude the landmark had exceptional value in “illustrating or interpreting” the nation’s heritage.

Longue Vue was placed on the National Register of Historic Places list by the Department of the Interior in 1991.

“From a national perspective, it will provide us with the recognition that we have significance greater than the local area,” said Bonnie Goldblum, the executive director of the landmark.

“The house and gardens will resonate outside the community and it can benefit people outside of the community. The recognition is a good seal of approval.”

Longue Vue was designed by Ellen Shipman with brothers William and Geoffrey Platt.

Shipman has designed more than

PHOTOGRAPHERS Aaron Daye North Carolina Central Marci Fuller Dillard University Joshua L. Halley Southern University Tara-Lynne S. Pixley Florida A&M University

A semi-spiral staircase is topped by a rotunda made of glass. The staircase is one of the estate’s best details 600 gardens in America, but few of them remain intact today.

“Each garden and room has its own personality,” Goldblum said. “People are most intrigued by the flower arrangement room and the gift wrapping room. Most people don't have that. These people lived a life that was truly special.”

A press release said more than

1,500 at-risk children visit the Longue Vue gardens each year.

Goldblum said that the Wildlife Garden was built for the children in 1998, and has been a great attraction ever since.

“Even the children’s garden is fun.

We weren’t expecting that,” said Anne Kisly, a 49-year-old resident from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Nick Birdsong Florida A&M University Terrell Bryant Benedict College Tanya Caldwell Florida A&M University LeMont Calloway Florida A&M University

EDITORS

Malachi Daraja Morgan State

Elizabeth Bertrand Lincoln University

Jessica De Vault North Carolina A&T

Shawn Chollette Grambling State

Markel Eskridge LeMoyne-Owen

Alexander Ford Hampton University

Bravetta Hassell Hampton University

Ebony Horton Stillman University

Linda Hobbs Clark Atlanta

Shaka Lias Clark Atlanta University Ayesha Rascoe Howard University Rebecca Rousell Dillard University Jessica Young Spelman University

The New York Times Student Journalism Institute is held the last two weeks in May every year. Applicants must be students from historically black colleges or universities affiliated with the Black College Communication Association.

All expenses, including transportation to and from the Institute, are paid. More information can also be obtained by calling (212) 556-1576.

For more articles, photographs and graphics by institute journalists, and an application: nytimes-institute.com

LIFESTYLE

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

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From jail to courtroom, law clerk inspires others

By Nick Birdsong NYT Institute

Lynell Desdunes Sr. does his job from behind a desk filled with law books. As the law clerk in Section A of the Orleans Parish Criminal Court, under Judge Charles L. Elloie, he handles fines and fees and helps ex-offenders on probation complete their community service.

Every day, Desdunes sees dozens of defendants have their day in court.

He understands what they are going through. Desdunes served eight years in prison.

In 1976, he bought a 1966 Cadillac from a used car lot for $600. Turns out, Desdunes says the car was stolen. He spent his 18th birthday behind bars, convicted of possession of a stolen automobile.

That’s where he met the love of his life, the law.

“I always tell people,” Desdunes said. “I got bit by the legal bug when I was 18 and I’ve been sick ever since.”

His daily grind, doing research, dealing with probationers and writing judgments for the court is often interrupted by the ins and outs of visitors.

A young woman walked in.

Dressed in a purple blouse with matching shoes and a pair of creased jeans, she opened her mouth, revealing two gold teeth. She said she’d worked in his office two years ago and knew Christina, one of his two daughters. She hoped to get her record expunged. In Louisiana, any arrest that isn’t prosecuted can be removed from a person’s record after a successful probation, which includes fines and fees. Desdunes quickly made the transition from compassionate to complete professional, telling her the fee was $325.

“Thank you for your time,” she

said. She didn’t have the money.

Since his release from prison in 1994, Desdunes has given much of his time to ensuring that kids don’t get a record in the first place. He works on the Pupil Project, sponsored by Elloie, a child of the housing projects. The program brings elementary, middle and high school students to visit Section A and see where bad decisions could lead them.

A program like Pupil Project could have helped two of the sons of Bernadette Tyler. She was in Desdunes’ office so he could sign off on her community service hours.

She is a working mother of eight.

But there she was just known as No.

‘People see me at my job working in the criminal justice system. They don't even know I was a criminal my whole young life.’

37. One of her sons is already in the ground and another is facing 10 years in prison for possession of rock cocaine. She’s done time herself.

Barely holding back tears, Tyler told Desdunes that no killer had been found for her son who was murdered, in broad daylight. “I was incarcerated at the time my child was buried,” she said. “And the State of Louisiana didn’t even let me out for the funeral.”

Growing up down the street from the Lafitte Housing Projects, Desdunes says he probably would have been one of what he calls the “big pants boys.”

As a teenager, he began to experiment with marijuana, which led to other drugs. By 14, he was caught up in a cycle of petty crime.

“Once you go to jail two or three times, you get kind of desensitized,” Desdunes said. “Sometimes, the only thing that deters a child from committing crimes is the fear of going to jail.” Jail is where he first began to read law books. Inside them, Desdunes found a way out.

In his trial for car theft the prosecution had listed the price of the Cadillac at $6,000. That was the price the owner paid when it was new. Desdunes had paid $600. He filed a handwritten motion for a new trial, succeeded, and was found not guilty on the grounds that the district attorney had not introduced the used value of the car.

Friday is the busiest day in Section A. It’s drug court day. The courtroom was filled nearly to capacity with college-aged black men.

But there wasn’t a suit in sight.

Dressed mostly in tall white cotton T-shirts, baggy Marithe Francois Girbaud jeans and classic Reebok sneakers, the men were casual to a T. One by one, the men walked up and updated Elloie on their progress in the free world. Then, they patiently waited to be given another court date or be sent to jail.

Elloie praised some and chastised others, as if they were his own children. “Instead of those long shirts, get you a shorter shirt,” said Elloie, shouting down from his seat to one young man wearing a multicolored Rocawear shirt. “And when you get that shirt, get you some nice pants and tuck that shirt in your pants.”

Desdunes was hired as a paralegal in 1996 by Elloie before he was elected to the bench. After the election, Elloie brought Desdunes along with him as his law clerk.

“I initially got some flack,”

JAZZ from C1 “New Orleans is charming because of the historical value. I believe that there’s still a bunch of great musicians in New Orleans.”

New Orleans has been called the native land of jazz -- the place where Dixieland found a voice.

The story’s been told before: During the early 20th century, jazz in New Orleans was like hip-hop in the late ‘70s in the Bronx or rock in Seattle during the ‘90s -untouchable.

Creole musicians pushed the art form of what was once called “jass” forward; they “rocked out” early venues like in the historic Storyville area of New Orleans, wearing proper-looking suits and nice shoes.

Early players like Buddy Bolden, Clarence Williams, Joe “King” Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton became New Orleans elder statesmen. Then, a young, trumpet soloist named Louis Armstrong blessed brass and paused time.

Eventually, the New Orleans jazz popularized in the annals of musical beginnings, tall tales and innovations slowed down, and some say the old form is no longer important.

Like ‘60s psychedelic, it died out like a flame left burning at Woodstock.

Of course this is depending on whomever you ask. For 19-year-old Calvin Johnson, nephew of famed New Orleans jazz clarinetist Ralph Johnson, jazz in New Orleans is as alive today as it ever was.

Johnson said he often hears the “lifeless rumor” from those not native to New Orleans. “I’m not too offended when I hear that,” he added. “But the modern jazz scene in New Orleans is still thriving.”

Johnson, who has played tenor sax for 10 years and is a member of the New Orleans jazz orchestra, said he usually goes to several local jazz spots to listen, sit in or play a gig every night of the week.

One night, he showed up at Snug Harbor, leaned up against the wall in the back of the dimly-lit room, and

JOSHUA L. HALLEY/ NYT Institute

Since his 1994 release from prison, Lynell Desdunes Sr. is now on the other side of the law. He is a law clerk for Section A of the Orleans Parish Criminal Court.

Elloie said. “But not from judges or people in the courts, from ignorant people.”

Back in the office, Desdunes was operating business as usual, his way.

A man, fresh out of jail the day before with twists in his hair, handed Desdunes a Camel and told him his situation. He had to pay his court fees the same day he came home.

“I been in jail the whole time,” said the man, as he tied a camouflage bandanna around his wrist.

“They told me I had to pay today or have another warrant out.”

Desdunes gave the man advice on how he can stay free.

“Everybody has money problems man. Many people will say, ‘Well I didn’t have the money so I didn’t come back,’ ” said Desdunes, showing the man a calendar. “Nobody is going to jail because they are broke.

They are going to jail because they don’t come back.”

“The system is being supported by the poorest people in the commu-

nity,” Desdunes said. “If you are not compassionate, that’s not a fair system. Crime pays, just not for the criminal.”

He leaned his portly frame over the fragile wooden desk, raising the cigarette to his dark lips, inhaling the smoke and exhaling the rest of his story.

Desdunes dropped out of high school during his senior year and earned his GED at night school. He eventually wound up repairing old cars for a used car company.

But the company paid him bad checks, Desdunes says, and after he cashed them he ended up being charged with forgery.

That was February 1987. He can still remember it all, down to item numbers of police reports, the arresting officer’s name and the name on the checks that landed him in prison.

It was called the biggest forgery case in Orleans Parish history.

Desdunes defended himself in a highly publicized three-day trial that

included 50 witnesses, 40 handwriting samples and 37 police reports. He lost.

At 29, he was sentenced to 25 years. Instead of letting the time do him, Desdunes sharpened his legal mind and built his reputation in the law community.

Eventually, a friend spoke on Desdunes’ behalf to the judge that sentenced him. The court decided that he’d served enough time. On April 14, 1994, he was resentenced and then released.

“People see me at my job working in the criminal justice system,” Desdunes said. “They don’t even know I was a criminal my whole young life.”

He’s working on the right side of the law now. Despite his nearly 30 years of studying law, he’ll never get a law degree, doesn’t want one.

“I have a problem with having someone’s fate in my hand,” he said.

“What if I lose? That person’s going up the river. I have more fun developing change in the law.”

Two Dillard theater majors graduate to the small screen Chris, a cocky music producer on UPN’s “As If” in 2002, Marine paramedic Latrell Griffith on two episodes of “Third Watch” during the 2002 season, Two Dillard University graduates appeared in and Jaspar Goodwin in 1997’s “The Big Easy.” the season finale of “Law and Order” Wednesday Jackson said his next move is to relocate to Los night.

Angeles later this month.

John Duwayne Jackson and Leslie Elliard made Leslie Elliard, a 1999 Dillard graduate, already cameo appearances on the cop drama, which ranked enjoys the best of both coasts. Elliard starred as third in prime time television, according to Nielsen lead detective on Wednesday night’s “Law and Media Research spokesman Matt Tatham.

Order” episode, “Locomotion.” He is an estabApproximately 12.4 million viewers watched the lished actor on Broadway, starring in Regina two products of Dillard’s theater department.

Taylor’s “Crowns” as the only male lead in 2003.

Jackson graduated in 1997 with a degree in Elliard has also starred as Mufasa in “The Lion speech communication and theater.

King” for the past year and nine months.

He said he first showed interest in acting as a Elliard graduated from Dillard with a bachelor’s sophomore in high school. “I took acting as an elecdegree in speech communication and theater. Hyatt tive,” he said. “My teacher thought we were clowns said Elliard also contributed to the theater departand let us audition for a school play instead of ment at Dillard. doing a paper.”

“He’s a very talented guy,” Hyatt said. “Leslie Jackson first went to college at Florida A&M filled the spot when J.D. left as our lead actor. He’s University, where he gained the attention of Garey what you call a triple threat. He can sing, dance and Hyatt, a former FAMU professor. act.”

“Mr. Hyatt had such an influence on students,” The alumni worked together in 1997 when Jackson said.

Elliard was stage manager for “Shades of Gray,” a In fact, Jackson transferred to the University of play produced by the theater department while Louisiana-Lafayette and Dillard Jackson was director. The alumni University as his mentor received saw each other at the cus‘My teacher thought we briefly job offers at the schools. tom fitting for the season finale were clowns and let us for “Law and Order,” but didn’t Hyatt, who taught at Dillard University from 1995 to 2005, audition for a school play film any scenes together. praised Jackson. He recalled a day instead of doing a paper.’

The Detroit native also in his introduction to theater class recounted what he learned from at FAMU when Jackson read the Dillard. “It was the opposite of role of Eugene in the civil rights nurturing,” Elliard said. “It movement-themed play, “Contribution.” forced students to fend for themselves, how to be “I saw something in him when he read,” Hyatt aggressive in pursuing what you wanted. You had to said. “That boy has some talent.” After the class, do it on your own or find people with the same pasHyatt urged Jackson to read for a play on campus sions to collaborate.” called “Checkmate,” which features only four cast Along with acting, Elliard has produced music members. Jackson quickly proved his skills and with his roommate, another Dillard alumnus, Jamal earned a role in the play.

Sterling. “We get to dabble in it all before we settle.

After graduating from Dillard, the Battle Creek, There’s possible career expansion,” Elliard said.

Mich., native attended graduate school at Temple His most recent project includes the University, where he earned his master’s degree in “Barbershop” series for Showtime, which is schedfine arts with a focus in theater. Upon graduation in uled to air Aug. 10. “I’ve been so wrapped up in 2000, Johnson headed to New York to pursue his ‘Barbershop.’ It’s every actor’s dream being in a career in theater and acting. series,” he said.

Jackson has more than 10 credits which include Elliard will reprise Sean Patrick Thomas’ character a snitch on CBS’s “Hack” during the 2003 season, as Jimmy, the proper, educated and well-spoken barber.

By Stacy A. Anderson NYT Institute

JOSHUA L. HALLEY / NYT Institute

Snug Harbor has remained the premier jazz club in New Orleans by allowing hopeful contemporary jazz artists the opportunity to play. just watched a local quintet jam. He said he’s reminded everyday of just how much the jazz scene is flourishing.

“Ever since I was a child, it has always been there in my face. It kind of chose me and I chose it.”

Modern jazz, once anchored in the flamboyant enclaves of New Orleans’ swampy bayou backdrop, found a home in burgeoning cities such as New York.

Avant-garde trumpeter Olu Dara, 64, finds that now the lust for New Orleans modern jazz is lost.

“It (jazz) really mattered during Louis Armstrong days, during that era. The sound was funkier and the musicians had more exciting personalities,” said the Louisville, Miss., native who migrated to New York City in 1963.

“They’re not as apparent as they used to be. They stick to the same songs they did years ago.”

Dara, who performs every other year in New Orleans at spots like Congo Square and Tipitinas, said that the contemporary power of the city’s jazz is “a tourist thing.”

“Jazz is basically instrumental music and there hasn’t been any innovation there. It went more academic. New York is the center of jazz now,” he said from his home in

Harlem.

Johnson finds the “tourist” aspect of New Orleans entertainment inevitable.

“A major part of the economy here is tourism, so that’s a part of it,” he said. “But New York isn’t the birthplace of jazz. They (artists) had to be cultivated in New York. We have a large number of people who come to recruit musicians from New Orleans.”

History notes that before the Big Apple welcomed New Orleans’ musicians with open arms during the artistic renaissance of the roaring ‘20s, it was Chicago that first took note of the movement. This is when artists like clarinetist Johnny Dodds, Louis Armstrong and his mentor, cornet player “King” Oliver, found a stomping ground.

New York eventually caught on.

The swing era of jazz (an era with big bands, bouncy cymbal swishes, and horn wailing cultivated by the likes of Duke Ellington) began to take shape. And like another black art form polished in America, hiphop -- which went through phases of nursery rhymes, droll story-telling, political awareness, “gangsta” posturing, hypnotic jazzmatazz, “ice” tales, and crunk -- jazz had its own phases to weed through.

C8

LIFESTYLE

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Hair as beauty, culture and now art

By Stacy Anderson NYT Institute

Women of all complexions and ages align the sitting area on a busy Saturday at Premiere Hair and Nail Salon, awaiting their turn in the raised chair. Stylists shuffle from the sinks to their personal stations, trying to cater to their client's needs. Tucked in the back of the salon stands coowner Michelle Jones, quietly circling her client. She clips each section of hair with precision and ignores the rapidly spinning world around her.

“To me, it’s an art,” Jones said. “There’s a technique. You give your mark or signature. I may cut for an hour to perfect that.”

Jones’ efforts represent the often overlooked aspect of being a stylist: Hair design is an art form, one that has evolved over the years and provided expression for many.

Kim Curry-Evans, curator of “HairStories” at the Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans, agrees.

“Black hair is often buffooned,” said Curry-Evans. “It’s not just a fashion statement. It provides a lot of historical commentation.”

She added that the cultural significance of hair has been evident since slavery and even before in Africa when representing tribal status. She also said that the subject of black hair is prevalent in all types of art, including music and poetry.

“HairStories” examines the essence of black hair in four themes: individual expression; barbershops and beauty salons serving as a meeting place; the social and political symbolism; and good hair versus bad hair.

Mona Simon, who has been a hairstylist for 23 years, said hair trends and personal expressions have evolved over the years.

“When I first started, Jheri curls were real popular,” she said with a laugh, as she applied a chemical relaxer to a client’s scalp.

“Black hair is unique,” Simon said. “We can do a lot because of the texture -- straightening, different cuts, braids. There’s so much versatility to it.”

Simon, who now works out of

her home, said recent hairstyle trends promote care for healthy hair over a fashion statement.

Most of her clients prefer soft hairstyles, which include using relaxers, flat irons and roller sets.

“People are conditioning and are not putting on as much heat,” Simon said.

However, Jones said many of her clients prefer the natural trend. “It’s convenient, looks better, looks healthier, and lasts longer.”

Simon said the weather plays a major part in how black women wear their hair. For many black women in New Orleans, pressing their hair straight using heated combs is not popular because of the humid weather.

Not only is the beauty salon a place to change one's look, it is also a haven for gossip and community current events. “It’s the starting point for dialogue,” said Curry-Evans.

Simon said meeting at the hair salon gives people a chance to socialize. “You find out what’s going on in the news, in the city, in the schools,” Simon said. “It brings people together. Clients talk about family and children.”

“Girl, we're like psychiatrists,” Jones said.

Salons and barbershops also promote entrepreneurship. “I wanted my own business and incorporated it at home,” Simon said. “It’s more private and less expensive without all the overhead.”

Jones said her grandmother pressed and curled for $2.50, so many of Jones’ relatives were skeptical about her career choice.

“They said, ‘How you gonna make any money,’ ” she mimicked. She said she now has over 200 clients.

Curry-Evans said black hair can be an expression of cultural and political symbolism, and it can affect how the world perceives black images and how blacks perceive themselves.

Stereotypes are also part of those elements.

“It is very much about identity,” she said.

One section of the exhibit that encompasses what black hair represents for society includes photos of Angela Davis’ bold Afro, Bob Marley’s dreadlocks sway-

Photographs by TARA-LYNNE S. PIXLEY/ NYT Institute

Mona Simon gives a “blow out” to one of her faithful customers from her home salon.

Cynthia Wiggins' "Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful."

A common sight: sweeping up snipped hair after each cut.

ing on a concert stage and Nat King Cole’s cool swagger in pressed waves.

A painting by Beverly McIver titled “Transformation” includes a client sitting in the styling chair with blackface. This art poses the question of whether Blacks are trying to change their appearance to assimilate and fit the stereotypes imposed upon them or simply relaying their sense of style.

“HairStories” credits Cicely Tyson with introducing cornrows to the public in the 1963 television series “East Side/West Side.”

Another piece of artwork that explores black hairstyle trends in the media is “Closely Guarded”

by Kori Newkirk. It portrays bas-

tory. Hair described as course, kinky or tightly-curled can be considered “bad” by some, while straight, fine-textured hair could be labeled as “good.”

Evans-Curry said the issue is very personal for her. She recalled the pain of burns when her mother pressed her hair straight as a child. She eventually cut her hair into a cropped Afro and has worn it that way for the past decade.

“There’s a difference in how people approach you,” CurryEvans said. “There is a dynamic of treatment in the hairstyle.”

The exhibit also showcases artifacts significant to the image of blacks including displays of Totally Hair Barbie, old school

Dancing, exercising for a cause

hot combs, and fist Afro pick.

“HairStories” was inspired and compiled in 2000 after a dance performance of the same name by the Urban Bush Woman, a New York dance troupe. It includes over 60 pieces of artwork from 27 artists from across the country.

The exhibit will remain at the Center for Contemporary Art in New Orleans until June 19.

Curry-Evans said the exhibit “takes a great look at blacks’ impact on culture,” but is not only limited to the appreciation of black people.

“It’s a topic very familiar to everyone. Everyone in the community can come and share their stories.”

Low power doesn’t mean more music

By Terrell Bryant NYT Institute

By Frenchi Johnson NYT Institute

It could have been a scene from Mardi Gras. The floats, music, dancing and energy on Saturday were invigorating for the 200 people who came to “Jazzercise,” all in the name of charity.

Fitting in with the backdrop of shining dragons, dinosaurs and jesters, exercise students and instructors, wearing colorful spandex, came from all over the country to step to the beat of the Jazzercise Art & Soul Tour.

The fundraising event, in its first year, will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The tour made its fourth of 10 stops at Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World.

An energetic Cindy Cambrae, 42, said she registered for the tour because she had been jazzercising for years and felt an obligation to support the cause for personal reasons. “My mother had breast cancer,” she said. “I would do anything to give to research for cancer.”

All participants were expected to raise a minimum of $150. The

ketball goals made of braids and beads. The caption explains that celebrity athletes’ style, such as Allen Iverson's intricate cornrows and Kobe Bryant's mini-Afro or close cut, influence pop culture.

“Self-Portrait #1” by Nadine Robinson is a canvas completely covered with Chinese human hair extensions that the artist wore over a four-year period.

“It is a testament to the time and money we put in hair,” said Curry-Evans. She said it also recognizes the “need and desire” to acquire hair from others.

“HairStories” also explores the ongoing debate of “good hair” versus “bad hair.” In the black community, this can be a touchy subject because of its his-

AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

Jazzercise participants strike a pose during the first Jazzercise Art & Soul Tour. tour has raised $200,000 toward its $1 million goal.

“One instructor put a flyer in the break room of her business.

She raised more than $300,” said Emma Mattei, New Orleans district manager for Jazzercise.

“We've had others raise more than $1,000.”

Participants’ reasons for supporting the event varied. Mattei said some do it because they enjoy exercising, while others do it because of personal reasons.

“You never know what is touching people,” she said.

Judi Sheppard Missett, Jazzercise's founder and CEO, said she is touched by the art and

the soul of jazzercise.

Missett, 61, started Jazzercise 35 years ago after being a professional dancer and teacher with a Chicago dance company. She said in her professional class, members would often drop out rather than learn the techniques of dance.

Jazzercise leaders decided to put together the tour in memory of a longtime instructor, Pam Mader, who died from cancer.

“Because our program is dedicated to women, I have always thought it important to educate and pay attention to health issues,” she said. “She (Mader) inspired me to put all of this together.”

Local musicians have always relied on radio to get their songs played in hopes of making it big.

In New Orleans, residents and visitors alike say they would like to hear more local artists on their radios. The Low Power Radio Act of 2005 now in Congress offers the promise for more communities to have a voice with the introduction of low-powered local FM stations.

While this could mean a variety of new stations, most of them will probably not be providing new music choices.

In the New Orleans area, there are 16 applications for licenses to operate low-wattage stations. The majority are from religious, educational and civil organizations, which may have music in their programming, but are more likely to carry community messages.

At Tower Records in New Orleans, sales clerk Wes Harris, 51, said he believes there should be more locally oriented radio.

“Too much of the programming comes from Los Angeles, Dallas or someplace else. New Orleans is large enough to support more than one low power,” he said.

Peaches Records and Tapes manager Ryan Graffagnini said

he was not too familiar with LPFM, or low-powered FM, but would support it if it provided more alternatives for local music.

“With some of those big stations, it is hard for a lot of good artists that could make it to break out of here and have a chance.

Without any radio play, artists have to do a lot of word of mouth, and all kinds of other promotions.

Low powers could definitely help with this,” Graffagnini said.

The Low Power Radio Act of 2005, which is sponsored in the Senate by John McCain, Republican of Arizona, would allow the licensing of new lowpower FM stations. The bill would also decrease the distance on the radio dial between stations, allowing more stations in any region, and allow more local stations in metropolitan areas.

In New Orleans, Metairie and Marrero, 16 organizations applied when the FCC first offered the licenses in 2000. Of those, 11 were education or community organizations.

The FCC has received more than 3,400 applications for licenses, including 65 from Louisiana.

But after the FCC had granted about 300 licenses to nonprofit organizations, Congress called a halt, prompted by opposition

from the National Association of Broadcasters, which represents more than 8,000 major commercial stations, and National Public Radio. McCain's bill would permit the FCC to begin issuing the licenses again.

The NAB and NPR said they feared the low-powered stations would cause interference with their signals. “We have nothing against low-powered FM’s,” said Jeffrey Yorke, an NAB spokesman. “It is the interference we have concerns with.”

The low-powered stations have support from one person who works for their high-powered brothers. Gabou Mendy, a programmer for 90.7 MHz, WWNO, a non-profit high-powered radio station, said, “I would like to see more community news, along with environmental issues in the New Orleans area covered. I think LPs are an alternative to other stations.”

“When I travel I like to listen to other types of music, especially music on the left side of the radio dial where many are located,” he said. “You can learn something and I bet you would not hear the same song twice in one hour-in on a low power. I am not worried they would be competition. I believe they will bring something new to the dial.”

LIFESTYLE

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Even more food, wine in the city

Whole Foods hungry for new market

By Jessica De Vault NYT Institute

Relocates to Metairie, leaves former customers feeling a little empty Photographs BY MARCI FULLER/ NYT Institute

The Whole Foods Market on Veterans Blvd. draws in large numbers to their grand opening.

By Tanya Caldwell NYT Institute

Every morning for about three years, Geoff Douville visited Whole Foods Market to get his favorite breakfast: an oatmeal raisin cookie and a small cup of medium-roasted, fair-ground coffee.

But on May 18, there were no cookies and coffee for Douville.

There hasn't been for nearly a month now. And there's no telling if or when he'll ever be able to buy those things from the grocer on the corner of Esplanade Avenue and Mystery Street again.

All that remains is a sign on the storefront window: “This neighborhood has been fantastic, funny, crazy, caring and fun. We're grateful to everyone who made this one of the best experiences of our lives.”

In short: We're closed.

“It’s knocked a hole in my diet,” said Douville, 39. “I haven't made the adjustment yet.”

Things have changed since the Esplanade Avenue Whole Foods Market closed down on April 20.

All that remains are a couple of empty crates around the back of the building and some large coolers that were used to keep its organic foods fresh.

Katina Caldwell, who works at the bakery next door, said the neighborhood is a tight-knit community. The loss wouldn’t have

been so rough if the store was in an urban area like New York City, she said.

“It wouldn't have been that big of a deal,” she said. “I guess they felt like this was their store.”

Since the closing of the store, business at the bakery and other shops along Esplanade has been slow, Caldwell said.

“They were very, very upset when the store closed.”

But the store just wasn't meeting the company's expectations anymore, said Whole Foods Market spokesman Scott Simons.

“We didn't want to move that store,” Simons said. “There would be no reason if the sales were what they needed to be.”

The fate of the empty building on Esplanade is still undecided.

Two bidding grocery companies Lakeview Fine Foods and Matassa's Market - want to take over. They’re scheduled to meet with the public at a hearing May 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Cabrini High School on 1400 Moss St. Simons said both companies are contractually acceptable. He said the public's say will be a big factor for the store's future.

“We just have a long-standing relationship with the community and we really wanted to make sure they were served,” Simons said.

“Community feedback is really going to weigh heavily on the final decision.”

C9

Esplanade's other businesses just hope the change won't take away its longtime customers.

“I'm a little nervous, just a little,” said Karen Terranova, whose husband, Benny, owns the 80-yearold, family-owned Terranova Grocery. “We get nervous every single time somebody comes.”

Terranova, 46, has posted green fliers in the bakery and other shops along Esplanade, asking the residents what organic foods they need so Terranova Grocers can sell them to its neighbors. She said she's hoping whatever company takes over will decide to keep the store a source for organic foods so it won't directly compete with her store.

But Simons said the two companies vying for the store would be conventional grocery stores.

“They’re both open to carrying more organic foods, if that's what the community wants,” Simons said.

Terranova said she'd be at the meeting on May 19.

About five miles away in Metairie, a new grocery store was booming. May 18 was the grand opening of the Whole Foods Market on Veterans Boulevard and the place was packed.

People driving Lexuses, Mercedes and other cars beeped their horns and crammed their way in and out of the parking lot and the surrounding streets. They parked behind the store in the load-

The closing of the Whole Foods Market on Esplanade Ave. is deeply missed by its local consumers. ing dock and down the street at the mechanic shops.

Inside, the new store boasts a full-service, sit-in restaurant; a sushi station; two salad bars and more.

Customers were enjoying samples, everything from hand soaps to three-milk cake, as they shopped.

It’s bigger and better here, if you ask John Lacarviere, who worked at the Esplanade store for almost two years.

“It's the same (community) feeling, but there's just more of it,” he said.

Simons said Whole Foods relocated to improve advancement opportunities as well as sales.

“It wasn’t happening in

Esplanade,” he said. “Esplanade had about 65 to 75 team members.

The new store has about 275 members. That’s many more job opportunities, for team members and for management.”

Back at Esplanade Avenue and Mystery Street, Douville is still looking for a decent place to buy a cookie. He said he's not going to the new, larger store on Veterans Boulevard.

“The greatest thing was that it was a local store,” he said. “It’s a drag that you’re losing a store for some corporate box being put up in Metairie.”

Until something new opens up at the corner market, Douville said he’ll start going to the other shops on Esplanade.

The 14th annual New Orleans Wine and Food Experience brought locals and tourists together to enjoy good eats, vintage wines, authentic antiques and fine art.

The five-day event, which runs from May 25 to 29, also offers cultural seminars and features more than 25 art galleries and antique shops.

Thursday’s featured attraction, the Royal Street Stroll, attracted experienced and novice art collectors to one of the French Quarter's better-known art streets.

“This is one of our best events that we participate in,” said Becky Cheffer, owner of Bee Galleries. She said that by 6 p.m., her gallery had already sold a number of paintings by the featured artist, Martin LaBorde.

Visitors walked through galleries and were able to sample some of the finest wines, champagnes and hors d'oeuvres for $55.

Mary Bonney, owner of the Williams and Joseph Gallery, said she has participated in the festival for the last five years.

“It’s a big to-do,” said Bonney, who hired chef Yvette Yates to prepare an extravagant buffet that included octopus salad and duck confit canapés.

Mark Ramy, a sales consultant for the gallery, said that although the menu was extravagant, sales rarely increased during the event.

“We found it really doesn’t do to terribly much for sales,” Ramy said.

However, New Orleans Crab Bag owner Lynn Abide said her business did quite well.

“Everything is going great,” Abide said. “I would say from last year, it has actually doubled.”

Not every gallery on Royal Street signed up for the festival.

The owner of Le Jardin Glass Art, Heather Newell, was not an official participant, but offered wine and finger foods at her gallery.

“There's been lot's of people,” Newell said. “The sales are definitely different.”

Sales are not necessarily the main focus for the participating galleries and antique shops, according to Ramy.

“We just like to party,” he said, adding that some patrons “just seem more interested in the wine.”

Friday and Saturday's featured event will be a Grand Tasting. The Wine and Food Experience ends Sunday with Bubbles and Brunch.

Whether creamy, spicy or thick, classic crawfish dish pleases the palate

By Elizabeth Bertrand NYT Institute

Crawfish étouffée is a traditional Cajun dish that can be made in a thousand different ways and still be called classic. Every recipe calls for the same basic ingredients: rice, butter, onions, bell pepper, cayenne pepper, flour, water, green onions, and - of course - crawfish. Tinkering with the ingredients, whether at home or in a restaurant, makes each variation distinctive.

Crawfish étouffée can be creamcolored, brown or orange. Orange is typically my favorite and is considered the most traditional. I want my crawfish étouffée to be spicy, but not overpowering. Étouffée can be soupy, creamy or thick. Usually a watery étouffée makes me cringe. Étouffée should be eaten with a fork, not a spoon. But the étouffée from The Half Shell Restaurant in New Orleans is an exception. It was thin, but the dish's flavor and spices made up for its consistency.

My absolute favorite crawfish étouffée is not from a fancy or oneof-a-kind restaurant; it's from Piccadilly Cafeteria, which was founded by Tandy Hamilton in Baton Rouge, La., in 1944. There are now more than 130 restaurants in 15 states.

It's where I had my first crawfish étouffée, and to me, it's still the best.

But as it turns out, it's not the location that mattered - it was the thickness of the roux, a combination of

flour and oil or butter.

“The key to doing anything like that is, ‘How do you brown your roux?’ ” said Matt Koontz, associate general manager of the Piccadilly restaurant in New Orleans on Veterans Highway. “The darker the roux, the more buttery it tastes.”

Another restaurant that makes really good, thick crawfish étouffée is Mulate's.

"We use a little bit more flour and a little bit more water to make it a more consistent sauce - a little thicker," said Monique Boutté Christina, the manager of Mulate's in New Orleans.

She added that the crawfish étouffée they make at Mulate's is thicker than what she makes at home.

Ernest Prejean, who is chef of Prejean's in Lafayette, La., said he uses chicken base and lobster base in his étouffée, in addition to traditional stocks.

However, when you look at the cookbook that the restaurant sells, their crawfish étouffée recipe for the lobster base is not listed. That's the main difference between the étouffée in the restaurant and the étouffée in their cookbook.

Prejean's cookbook has paprika, garlic, chicken bouillon and celery in its recipe.

Chef Emeril Lagasse, who, as you know, is famous for taking it up a notch, uses two bay leaves, thyme, fish or shrimp stock, tomatoes, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire

ELIZABETH BERTRAND/ NYT Institute

Crawfish étouffée from Pampy's Restaurant and Bar. sauce, lemon and salt in his crawfish étouffée.

Chef Austin Leslie, of Pampy's in New Orleans, makes his étouffée with Worcestershire sauce, thyme, one bay leaf and tomatoes. He uses “heavy cream.”

Some people include tomatoes as a way to give the food its orangish color. A recipe from www.creoleman.com said to use Rotel tomatoes.

But my favorite recipes don't include them.

However, the New Orleans restaurant, Seafood & Co., uses finely chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, and the étouffée there is magnifique!

Jamal Mousa of Seafood & Co.

explained his method for making the tasty étouffée: always use fresh ingredients, make the sauce yourself, listen to what other people say about it and don't use tomato sauce.

“I don't use tomato sauce because it can give people heartburn,” Mousa said. “I use tomato paste.”

I don’t even have to tell you how people take shortcuts when making this dish at home. Sometimes they bypass making a roux for their crawfish étouffée. They use Campbell's cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery instead. I can describe my feelings on the matter in three words: “Don't do it!”

Some recipes call for more, some for less butter. I say, use more butter.

Christina outlines her ideas in her self-published cookbook, “Recipes from Mulate's and Other Family Favorites”: “All you need to cook a good meal is a little skill and lots of patience. Cooking isn't just about the recipe. Recipes are only guidelines for cooking a good meal. True cooking is putting your heart and soul into the dish.”

Christina's father, Kerry Boutté, originally established Mulate's in Breaux Bridge, La., in 1980. They added the New Orleans location in the French Quarter in 1990. The Breaux Bridge location has been enlarged three times and now occupies a 10,000 square foot building.

Shirley Bartmess and Jackie Roark, who lunched at Mulate’s one week day, called it “very good.” They had eaten at the Breaux Bridge location and enjoyed the food there, and they liked the fact that Mulate’s is “famous” as it says on the door.

They are not your average customers. Bartmess is the owner of Jim Bowie’s Relay Station, a restaurant in Enterprise, a small town in northern Louisiana.

Roark said the crawfish étouffée that Bartmess makes “is a little more orange than brown.”

When asked why Jim Bowie’s Relay Station did not have crawfish étouffée on the menu, Bartmess said, “We have thought about having it on our menu, but I would be the one to cook it, and I don’t want to cook it.”

Crawfish Etouffée 1 ½ cups butter, divided ½ cup flour 2 small onions, finely diced ½ cup finely diced bell pepper ¾ cup finely diced celery ¼ cup chopped green onion bottoms 2 tablespoons paprika 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon black pepper ¾ teaspoon garlic 3 tablespoons chicken bouillon 1 quart water 2 pounds crawfish tails ½ cup chopped green onion tops 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Combine ½ cup butter and ½ cup flour in a small saucepan. Stir while cooking for three minutes over medium-high heat; keep warm. In a four-quart saucepan, add ½ cup butter, onion, bell pepper, celery and green onion bottoms; cook over medium heat while stirring for eight minutes. Add paprika, peppers, garlic and chicken bouillon. Cook two more minutes while stirring. Add one-quart water and bring to a boil for five minutes. Add reserved roux, stirring well with wire whip.

Reduce heat to medium, and boil for three minutes. Add crawfish, onion tops, and parsley; then stir in last ½ cup butter. Turn heat to low until ready to serve. ©2004 Prejean's Used with permission.

C10 May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

DOH!

WITH A FRENCH ACCENT

I

n 1862 the original Café Du Monde was established in the New Orleans French Market. The café is still around, thanks to being open 24 hours, seven days a week, and serving its famous beignets. A beignet is a square piece of dough that is fried until it is golden brown and then covered with powdered sugar.

Beignets are normally served in orders of three. But you can’t get them on Christmas day and during bad weather, when the café is closed.

After a fun-filled day, a local Girl Scouts troop takes a powdery break in Café Du Monde.

During the breakfast rush, the urgency is seen on the staff’s faces (above). But servers still find time for a smile (left). The café’s busy hours are between 9 a.m. and noon on weekdays.

Photography and text by Marci Fuller Page Design by De’Eric M. Henry

D1

AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

From left, Frenchi Johnson conducts a phone interview, Meghan Irons, copy editor for The Boston Globe, edits a story and Nick Birdsong gets help with his project from Merrill Perlman, director of copy desks at The New York Times. Other student reporters and editors work on their stories in the makeshift newsroom at Dillard University in New Orleans.

2005

CLASS OF

THE NEW YORK TIMES STUDENT JOURNALISM INSTITUTE

I AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

Ayesha Roscoe,19, a Howard University junior, discusses her story with Arlene M. Schneider, the New York Times copy desk recruiter. Students worked directly with professional journalists during the program.

AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

Rebecca Roussell flashes a smile at the start of her day.

JOSE R. LOPEZ/ NYT Institute

Don Hecker, director of the institute, right, delivers remarks to the class of 2005 during the opening afternoon session at Dillard University. Students also participated in training sessions aimed at preparing them for the professional world of journalism.

t was Year 3 of The New York Times Student Journalism Institute, where 30 young journalists from historically black colleges gathered in New Orleans this May to get intensive on-the-job training.

The students covered real news, posting their work on www.nytimes-institute.com and producing a newspaper.

Housed on the campus of Dillard University, they experienced all the stress and satisfaction of a professional newsroom. They shared pizza as they worked late on stories ranging from the heart-breaking to the glamorous to the funny.

Lending guidance were journalists from The New York Times, The Boston Globe and regional newspapers of the Times Company.

D2

PROFILES

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Stacy Anderson

LeMont Calloway

Howard University

Florida A&M University

If experience is the greatest teacher, then Stacy Anderson studied with the best.

Anderson, 20, an Atlanta native, has had many experiences as a journalist, in hopes of having a diverse career.

“I eventually want to become an editor of a newspaper, have my own publishing company, and produce an entertainment news program geared toward young people,” Anderson said.

The first opportunity to flex her writing skills came through Headz Up! magazine, a nonprofit publication distributed through Atlanta-area middle and high schools. She became entertainment editor when she was 14.

Anderson said the experience began her journalism career.

“I learned how to investigate, how to research, basically the whole journalism process in general,” said the Howard University junior.

Since she began college, she has interned at CNN International as an administrative assistant and the following year she assisted producers by researching and booking guests for CNN. In spring 2005, she completed an internship at BET.com and this summer she will intern at United Press International in Washington.

And during the 2005-06 school year she will serve as business and technology editor for The Hilltop, the campus newspaper.

Elizabeth Bertrand

AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

Markel Eskridge talks to New Orleans Saints player Ikechuku Ndukwe while covering one of their practices. Eskridge said meeting NFL players was a memorable experience. "I realized they were down to earth, just like me,'' he said.

Lincoln University

She says she has many passions, but one purpose. When asked what that purpose was, Elizabeth Bertrand replied quickly, “To serve God.” Bertrand has been from South Africa to Israel evangelizing, feeding the hungry and working with the underprivileged. Her desire to make a change in the world is as large as the ministry she's taken on each summer for five years.

The pictures of foreign places she has captured with a disposable camera hint at her skill, though she has never had any formal photography instruction. But they account for only a portion of her life story.

Bertrand is a young, white woman who chose to attend a historically black college. She initially planned to attend Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., before transferring to another institution that had promised her a scholarship. However after getting to Lincoln, she said she loved the school so much, she decided to stay.

At Lincoln, she read the campus newspaper and decided she could contribute to improving its editing. She's been a copy editor at the student newspaper, The Lincoln Clarion, for two years.

As an elementary education major with a minor in print journalism, Bertrand is open to a future of teaching and copy editing.

The daughter of a nurse and a copy editor, Bertrand grew up in a newspaper office and looked for errors in copy -everywhere.

“I would always find typos in my ‘Babysitter's Club’ books,” Bertrand said.

Nick Birdsong

Florida A&M University It was Nick Birdsong's dislike for a teacher that sparked his detour into a professional journalism career.

“My high school Spanish teacher was annoying,” he said.

“So I went to my guidance counselor and begged her to remove me from my Spanish class.”

Newspaper journalism was the only class available. He wrote a few sports

‘My most memorable experience is witnessing the organized chaos of the professional newsroom.’

Malachi Daraja stories and began to take a serious interest in reporting.

“Journalism was the only thing I felt confident in. I never liked science and mathematics,” he said.

Birdsong was a talented high school basketball player who during his senior year traveled to Sweden and France as part of a Nike all-star team. He considered making basketball his career, but decided against it.

“I loved to play basketball but I didn't want to have to play it as if my existence depended on it.”

Birdsong, who had decided not to attend college, changed his mind and applied after being invited to a Florida A&M University football game.

He immersed himself in journalism, working on the campus newspaper, The Famuan, as an assistant sports editor, sports editor and co-news editor.

In the fall, the newspaper journalism senior will serve as managing editor of Journey, the campus magazine.

Madia Brown Norfolk State University It’s a tough world out there. Madia Brown’s life speaks to that without her saying a word.

The 21-year-old, a recent graduate of Norfolk State University in Virginia, says she is headed to the top despite setbacks earlier in her life.

“If you don’t stand for anything, you’ll fall for everything,” Brown said.

Her brother was killed in Liberia when she was considered too young to understand what happened.

When she was 3, her single-parent mother died in a hospital during surgery.

Family friends helped Brown’s grandmother raise her and her older sister.

“My goal is to prove people wrong,” the Walterboro, S.C., native said. “People assume that I’m going to be a statistic.”

Brown, who first wanted to be a fash-

ion designer, detoured into writing for the school newspaper after the high school yearbook staff was full.

In high school, after Brown had been promoted from reporter to section editor, her peers recognized her talent for page design and she eventually became a design editor.

At The Spartan Echo, NSU’s student newspaper, she was the design editor during her sophomore and junior years and was promoted to editor in chief her senior year.

Brown, who has interned with The Virginian-Pilot and The Detroit News as a Chips Quinn Scholar, is scheduled to go to Washington after The New York Student Journalism Institute as a design intern at The Washington Post.

Carolina Panorama and the other at Black College Wire, an online newswire specializing in black college news.

Bryant, who was only one of 10 mass communication students from Benedict to graduate, has snagged a job at The State, the largest daily newspaper in South Carolina. Bryant, who is interested in public relations, said he's looking forward to his position as a retail sales account executive. When he spoke, it was nearly impossible for him to hide a beaming smile.

“Life is too short for you to always be down,” he said. “If you have a pessimistic view on life, your soul is dead . . . without God I wouldn't be here.”

Tanya Caldwell

Florida A&M University

Terrell Bryant Benedict College

“I'm nosy,” said Terrell Bryant, justifying his decision to delve into journalism.

The 23-year-old says he first toyed with the idea of being an architect because of his awe of skyscrapers.

But somewhere in the industrial art mix, Bryant realized that journalists were much cooler.

“I always thought they were the smartest people,” Bryant said with a wide, toothy grin. It’s “such a respected field.”

Bryant noticed that he enjoyed being “in the know” before anyone else.

Writing became his path to glory. “I get to be in control,” he said.

The recent Benedict College graduate was editor of his monthly campus newspaper, Tiger News, which had a staff of no more than 10 news junkies. “And that included the adviser,” he added.

Though he described the setup as challenging, he was able to learn the ropes well enough to complete two internships during his time at Benedict, one at

For Tanya Caldwell, the start of a professional journalism career with the Tribune Company has come through her faith -- and the number 7.

When she was in the seventh grade she set a goal of owning a magazine, and then she prayed. After seven newspaper internships, she will report this fall to The Los Angeles Times as part of a two-year training program.

“My life is like one big leap of faith,” she said.

The recent Florida A&M University graduate counts among her opportunities being deputy news editor of The Famuan newspaper, managing editor of Journey, the campus magazine, and gospel music director of WANM 90.5 FM. In 2001, she earned her first professional internship at Florida Today in Melbourne.

From there Caldwell spent consecutive summers and fall semesters at The Providence Journal, The New York Times Regional Media Group's capital bureau, Sun-Sentinel's capital bureau and St. Petersburg Times. She is scheduled to be an intern at the South Florida SunSentinel in June.

It is a simple saying with a twist that has stuck in the mind of LeMont Calloway: “Where there is a will, there is a Calloway.”

Those words, spoken by his father when Calloway was 11, have been with him for the last 10 years. The lesson was taught when he was ready to give up as a budding basketball player disappointed with his team's losses.

Since then, Calloway has applied those words to his life and his ambition of becoming a journalist.

The Chicago native said he came from a family of sports fanatics. His love for writing and sports came together in his goal of becoming a sports reporter.

“There is always something going on in sports and there is always someone who wants to talk about sports,” he said.

After playing high school basketball, Calloway picked up a pen and notepad and started writing about sports, sparking his journalism career as a sports editor for his high school newspaper, The Evanstonian.

Calloway became assistant sports editor for Florida A&M University's newspaper, The Famuan, his sophomore year.

Now a senior at the college, he has risen to deputy sports editor.

Of his experience in the New York Times Student Journalism Institute, Calloway said, “I like the idea of bumping shoulders with those who have the same ambition that I do.”

After the institute, he will intern on the city desk at The Tuscaloosa News in Alabama and then at The Tallahassee Democrat in the fall.

Ultimately, Calloway wants to become an NBA beat reporter.

Stanley Chollette

Grambling State University Self-proclaimed comedian Stanley “Shawn” Chollette sees himself as a philosopher and a scientist.

The Louisiana Tech University senior copy edits for Grambling State University. Chollette, who is studying to become a biomedical engineer and a journalist, said he works hard while laughing in the face of adversity. “I have had a lot of setbacks in my life, but despite my setbacks I still rise,” Chollette said.

One of his tough decisions is choosing between engineering and journalism.

Chollette has decided to combine both passions.

“There is a lack on both fronts of young African-Americans in newsrooms and in the science and technology fields. There needs to be a liaison between the two, and I think I am quite capable of being that person.”

Chollette, a native of New Orleans, aspires to report on science and technological issues affecting minorities.

He had an internship with Black College Wire in the summer of 2004, a news wire service for historically black colleges, and has an upcoming Chips Quinn internship with the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette in Lancaster, Ohio.

Malachi Daraja

Morgan State University Malachi Daraja has always had his head in a book.

“I have never known a living environment that did not have at least four stacked bookshelves filled to the brim with books,” said Daraja, editor in chief of The Spokesman, the student newspaper at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

In elementary school, Daraja couldn't get enough of the Goosebumps books.

“I finished them in three hours,” said the 20-year-old senior from Long Island.

“I needed more than one and I filled up

PROFILES

May 28, 2005 Daraja turned his love for reading into a passion for journalism in college.

Starting as a staff writer at The Spokesman, Daraja became world news editor and eventually managing editor.

“I just got hooked,” Daraja said.

“When I became world news editor, I found something I really enjoyed.”

This summer he will intern in the public relations office at Morgan State.

Although Daraja said he’s open to all types of journalism, he wants to become a foreign correspondent. He is also interested in American politics.

He said that if African-Americans realized the power they had, it could bring about major change. “If the entire African-American community stood up and demanded improvement in education, we would get it,” Daraja said. “You can’t ignore that large a number. If we aren’t conscious, then we aren’t important.”

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Eba Hamid

Life at the Institute

Hampton University

JOSHUA L. HALLEY/ NYT Institute

AARON DAYE/ NYT Institute

Online research is a hard day's work for Jessica Young, a reporter with the Institute.

Marci Fuller was one of the four photographers at this year's Institute.

Eba Hamid seeks an educational opportunity when and wherever she can.

Last year she was one of five winners of the Knight Ridder Minority Scholarship Program, which offers $40,000 over four years, four summer internships, and a chance for employment with the company.

Born in Sudan, Hamid, 19, a Hampton University sophomore, moved to the United States with her parents when she was 3.

Hamid initially wanted to be a police officer, but said she changed her mind after her older sister persuaded her to write for their high school newspaper. Her interest changed as she discovered the many sides of the craft. She decided to rejoin the paper the following year at her teacher's request and later became the editor.

Now a staff writer for the Hampton Script, her college newspaper, she wants to try photography, page design and copy editing with the institute.

“I want to experience everything I can,” she said.

Aaron Daye

North Carolina Central University Aaron Daye is a busy man.

“On average, I only get about four hours of sleep,” he said.

Daye spends most of his time as a photographer and graphic designer. But the 22year-old also has been a T-shirt designer, event planner and painter and is a recent North Carolina Central University graduate.

In addition to being an entrepreneur, Daye is busy in the community organizing blood drives and fundraisers for Alpha Phi Alpha Faternity, Inc. He also is the fraternity historian, social chairman and Webmaster.

The fast pace of the New York Times Student Journalism Institute is nothing new to Daye.

“I'm pretty used to always being on the go,” he said. “Here I won't have all my other things going on keeping me from giving 150 percent.”

The former intern at The Herald-Sun in Durham, N.C., said he hopes the institute helps him become a better visual artist.

Daye has several plans for his future, including establishing a marketing, graphic design and photography firm, opening a barber shop and trying his hand at real estate.

With all his aspirations, sleep will be the last thing on Daye's mind.

Jessica De Vault North Carolina A&T

For as long as Jessica De Vault can remember, she has been a writer.

Growing up in Fayetteville, N.C., she entertained her friends by writing stories about them and designing comic strips.

But it wasn't until she entered North Carolina A&T University that she knew her career goals.

“I didn't realize I wanted a career in writing until college,” said De Vault, who started as a theater major and once played an evil stepsister in “The Cinderella Story.”

Now a journalism major, the 22-year-old is active on the school paper, The A&T Register. The senior is finally getting the position she has been waiting for: arts and entertainment editor, a job that usually goes to more experienced seniors.

De Vault says she has major plans as A&E editor.

“I want to bring different stuff to campus before I leave,” she said.

What De Vault loves about being a journalist is the thrill of chasing the story. What she hates are the crazy hours and the paparazzi, which she says give journalists a bad name.

“People assume that we will do anything for a story,” she said.

De Vault is the only child of Ava De Vault.

Because of her mother's military background, she has traveled to France, Spain and Germany, where she lived for three years.

The fan of Oprah Winfrey and Katie Couric says that although she loves the business, she does have limits.

She will not go to war or compromise her values.

“I'm passionate about writing. But it ain't that serious.”

D3

Bravetta Hassell Hampton University

MARCI FULLER/ NYT Institute

Ebony Horton speaks with NAACP State Conference President Eddie Johnson while reporting on the NAACP march in the French Quarter.

Markel Eskridge LeMoyne-Owen College When 32-year-old Markel Eskridge departed the plane in New Orleans with a tattered copy of “French Quarter: History of New Orleans Underworld,” he turned a few heads. A few even stopped to ask what he was reading.

“They wanted to know what was holding a black man's attention,” said the Memphis, Tenn., native.

It wasn’t until he turned 30 that Eskridge decided to enroll in LeMoyne-Owen College in south Memphis.

“I walked into the financial aid office and said, ‘I want to go to school, but I don't have any money,’” said Eskridge, who is now a junior in print journalism.

The financial aid officer looked past his four gold fronts, baggy clothes and Memphis slang and helped him get admitted to LeMoyne.

“When I walked through the college doors, I didn't even know how to cut on a computer or type a paper,” Eskridge said.

“But at the end of the first semester I had a 3.0.”

As managing editor of The Magician, LeMoyne's campus newspaper, Eskridge hopes to use his experiences to further the voice of the urban black male.

“I want to put a twist and another voice in the newsroom,” Eskridge said. “I want to be the kind of journalist who gives somebody hope.”

Alexander Ford Hampton University Many people would describe earning a college diploma as one of the defining moments of their lives. Alexander Ford is not in that group.

Instead, Ford views his recent graduation from Hampton University as just another step in his journey to “taking over the airwaves.”

As the only child of a single mother, Ford, 22, grew up in Miami with a lot of

independence. “My mother did not spoon feed me,” Ford said. “She let me experience the world for myself.”

Now, he plans to dispel the myth that people from single-parent homes cannot succeed.

“People who complain about that foolishness, they’re holding themselves back,” Ford said.

Ford refuses to be held back by anything, especially hard work.

While at Hampton, Ford was the sports editor and copy editor for The Hampton Script, and urban music director at the campus radio station, WHOV 88.1 FM. He also produced a talk show about relationships called “He Said/She Said.”

His efforts have been paying off. After The New York Times Student Journalism Institute, he will begin an internship with Black College Wire. “I feel that I'm so ultratalented that by just doing newspaper, I would be limiting myself because of my potential,” Ford said.

Marci Fuller Dillard University It is amazing that Marci Fuller even found the time to write the 500-word essay required for this year’s New York Times Student Journalism Institute.

Fuller, 21, a junior at Dillard University, said she is involved in so many extracurricular activities she can't remember them all.

She is the photo editor of the university’s student newspaper, The Courtboullion; vice president of the school’s chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists; an on-air personality at the campus radio station, WDUB 660 AM; and a member of the Houston Club and the Student Government Association.

Off campus, Fuller has interned at Houston Style Magazine. The mass com-

munication and psychology double major from Houston also finds time to volunteer at Fairchild Elementary School. She said she loves the kids; just don't expect to see her in the classroom preparing pupils to prosper.

She said her mother, a teacher, encouraged her not to follow in her footsteps.

But she is just as ambitious in the classroom as she is in her various clubs and organizations. Fuller maintains a 3.4 grade point average and is a Gates Millennium Scholar, an award given to 1,000 students annually by Bill Gates.

Having mastered the art of multitasking, Fuller is on a mission to leave a lasting legacy.

Joshua L. Halley Southern University Joshua L. Halley’s professional photography career was unplanned.

“I started by accident,” said Halley, a sophomore at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he works for the Southern Digest.

Halley’s career began when he stumbled across an ad in his school newspaper seeking staff photographers. Eager to make extra money, Halley submitted his best work: photos he'd taken during his senior high school trip to Guatemala that included images of mountain ranges, small, impoverished villages and happy children.

These images earned him a spot on the staff.

Halley has always loved photography.

“I started taking recreational pictures when I was 4,” he said. “My dad was an amateur photographer, so I just played around with his professional equipment.”

In his freshman year, Halley took more than 5,000 pictures. The mass communications student said his sports photographs are the best.

He is particularly meticulous about feature stories and profiles. “I’m a perfectionist. I have an image in my head,” Halley said. “I keep shooting till I get it the way I want.”

Bravetta Hassell said a high school journalism program sponsored by The Washington Post changed her life.

The Alexandria,Va., native also attended a Scripps Howard journalism program that allowed her to cover Capitol Hill, elderly abuse of prescription drugs, the historical desegregation of schools, and the National Spelling Bee. Hassell has interned at The Washington Afro American newspaper, where she covered “American Idol” auditions and interviewed D.C. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton.

The print journalism major intends to minor in a foreign language. “Spanish is a marketable language. I need to know it,” Hassell said. “It makes me more versatile in my abilities to write and communicate.” She said she would like to work for a mid-sized newspaper and focus on education and general assignment.

Hassell, who will be editor in chief for the 2005-2006 school year, said she intends to improve the campus publication: “I want people to be proud of the Script and I want them to look forward to reading more than just one section.”

De’Eric Henry Grambling State University Growing up in Shreveport, La., De’Eric Henry spent several years trying to find his passion.

At 12 he took up dance, concentrating on modern, jazz and ballet.

In his late teens, he thought about a job either in the military or with computers.

However, upon entering Grambling State University, he decided to pursue mass communications.

“For a while, I didn't know what my passion was. I was a mass communications major, but I had no idea what I really wanted to do,” Henry said.

“After an internship one summer I realized that my creative niche, along with my personality, could sometimes be portrayed in the form of design.”

Now a senior, Henry is the presentation editor and page designer for The Gramblinite, Grambling's campus newspaper, and a performing arts minor through dance.

He won two second-place awards, both for front page design, one at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities National Newspaper Conference and the Louisiana Press Association.

This summer, Henry will work as an intern at the News-Star in Monroe, La., for a second year. He will be doing page design and copy editing.

D4

PROFILES

May 28, 2005

NYT Student Journalism Institute

Linda Hobbs Clark Atlanta University Linda Hobbs, a senior at Clark Atlanta University, is ready to dive into the field of journalism upon graduation.

Growing up in Detroit, the younger of two daughters, Hobbs, 21, was raised by her mother in a single- parent household.

“Like any other household, single or not, we had our ups and downs,” she said.

Granted, I didn't have the most privileged childhood, but I was blessed, and at an early age I knew what I wanted to do.”

Hobbs said that while growing up, she always found inspiration from VIBE magazine music writer Kevin Powell.

“In middle school I read his article called ‘Live from Death Row’ in a 1995 issue of VIBE magazine when the whole beef from Bad Boy and Death Row was going on.

“The way he was able to put the story together read like a good novel, but it was truth and journalism,” Hobbs said. “That is when I fell in love with music journalism.”

Hobbs has “gotten her feet wet” in the field of journalism with internships in the Detroit and Atlanta area such as the Metro Times, Upscale Magazine and Detroit Free Press.

Ebony Horton Stillman College Ebony Horton, 20, a senior at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala., said she knows her God-given talents and purpose.

“I believe that God gives each and every one of us a purpose, and that if we do not do what we are called to do, then God will give it to someone else.”

An English major and a print journalism minor, Horton began writing when the editor of her high school newspaper, The Talon, in Ozark, Ala., asked her to do a story on the track team.

Through reporting, Horton networked and gained valuable resources that led to her becoming editor of The Talon and receiving several scholarships.

Horton will graduate a semester early in December. After graduation, she plans to take a break.

Horton once aspired to be an English teacher, but has decided against it because of her passion for journalism.

Ultimately, she wants to teach and inspire others with her own magazine, which will target black female teenagers.

When asked the most important thing she's learned about life, Horton quoted her mother: “Hurry up … move with purpose, because a bunch of other people are trying to get what you want.” And she refuses to let someone else capture her dreams.

Frenchi Johnson Savannah State University If anyone wants to know what the nontraditional college student is like, Frenchi Johnson, a 24-year-old sophomore mass communications student at Savannah State University, might be a prime example.

Although her goals in college, like getting good grades and graduating, resemble those of the typical student, her road through life has been anything but normal.

As a student at Lakes High School in Lakewood, Wash., Johnson spent most of her time watching her brother and sister while her mother was transitioning out of the military and working.

The military has continued to be a fixture in Johnson's life. Her husband is currently stationed in Iraq.

“We talk every day because he has a satellite phone,” Johnson said. “This will probably be the first time we won't talk because I'm here.”

While in high school, Johnson hung out with friends whom she, upon reflection, described as the “wrong crowd.” It was in high school that Johnson gave birth to her

Diamond Washington

‘Meeting the artists of New Orleans was my most memorable and refreshing experience.’

Tara-Lynne S. Pixley two sons, who are now 6 and 8 years old.

She is proud of her children. Johnson said she is also proud she inherited some of the same qualities that her mother displayed when she was growing up.

“I don't think I've met anyone who works harder than her,” Johnson said. “There should have been plenty of times where I should have given up, but I don't. I just keep going.”

Sheena Johnson North Carolina Central University Sheena Johnson said her friends would describe her as “bubbly” and someone with a “kind heart who always has a smile on her face.”

But when Johnson first stepped into a newsroom when she was 19, she was not smiling. She was scared.

“I can't write like they write,” she told herself.

It was the beginning of Johnson's journey with journalism. The former business major had just switched to mass communications and was writing for The Campus Echo at North Carolina Central University.

That's where Johnson met Bruce dePyssler, the newspaper's adviser. “He kind of took me under his wing and showed me the ropes,” she said.

One year later, Johnson had a new take on tackling stories. She became the Echo's sports editor and covered sports for the News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. Her travels in the trade have even allowed her to interview NASCAR legend Richard Petty.

“Once I'm out on the field, it's like I'm stepping out of my comfort zone,” Johnson said. “I'm stepping out of the box.”

The recent graduate is gearing up for her internship on the metro desk at The Herald Sun in Durham, N.C.

Titus Ledbetter III Hampton University During high school in Germantown, Md., Titus Ledbetter III thought he had his career figured out.

“I was all art. I loved to paint and even took AP (Advanced Placement) studio art,” said Ledbetter.

Still, something gnawed at him: “a fear of ending up as a starving artist,” he said.

It left Ledbetter open to other options.

Soon he learned of Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, the Washington Post reporters who broke the Watergate story that led to former President Richard M. Nixon's resignation in 1974.

“During a journalism class my senior year of high school, we watched ‘All the President's Men,’ and I was really shocked by the influence that a reporter could have on the state of the world.”

With a print journalism degree from Hampton University in Virginia, he's ready to have the same kind of impact.

“I would like to be a part of a new culture of journalists that helps improve the state of education in the D.C. area.”

Shaka Lias Clark Atlanta University It may be easy for some people to become discouraged when they are met with failure.

However, for Shaka Lias her drive to succeed is only fueled by adversity.

“I get more motivated when I try to do something and don't succeed. It makes me work that much harder,” said Lias, a senior

at Clark Atlanta University. She is one of 30 students selected to attend the New York Times Student Journalism Institute for two weeks during the summer of 2005.

The road to the institute has not been an easy one for Lias. After not being accepted for the program last year, Lias remained confident. “I wasn't discouraged,” said Lias, who was one of at least four students from her university who applied for this year's institute. This year she made the cut.

Lias began writing as a way to articulate her emotions, after her stepfather died in 1995.

At 25, Lias is already accomplished. She has interned with the Crossroads News and worked as a researcher with the “Ryan Cameron Morning Show” in Atlanta. After her time at The New York Times Student Journalism Institute, she will intern with the Star-Banner in Ocala, Fla.

Robbyn Mitchell Florida A&M University “Midget completely full of herself” is how Robbyn Mitchell chooses to describe herself. No matter what she is doing, the 5foot-2-inch Washington, D.C., native uses confidence to her advantage.

So it might not be surprising that Mitchell, a junior at Florida A&M University, dove into journalism headfirst.

During her freshman year, she was a page designer at The Famuan. Since then she has climbed the ranks to become managing editor. Mitchell described her quick ascension as “working my way in like a comma -- I'm everywhere!”

Mitchell originally wanted to focus on magazine journalism, but she quickly concluded that newspaper journalism was the better choice.

“Newspaper journalism became my practicality,” Mitchell said.

After talking with several graduates of the New York Times Student Journalism Institute, Mitchell decided to apply. “This is the place to be,” Mitchell said. “I need to work on all aspects of journalism. I want to be 10 times better than I was when I came.”

Mitchell said she hopes to eventually land a job at a medium-sized newspaper as a copy editor. “I plan to work my way up the editor food chain,” Mitchell said.

Becoming a newspaper editor is a lofty goal, said Mitchell, but she remains optimistic: “I'm still shooting for the moon.”

Tara-Lynne S. Pixley Florida A&M University When children are asked “What would you like to be when you grow up?” the answers are often police officer, firefighter, teacher or astronaut. Not for Tara-Lynne Pixley. Her childhood career choices were dancer, photographer or marine biologist.

However, after an intense high school chemistry class, her dreams of studying whales and dolphins on an exclusive island with her 10 children soon vanished.

Now, the 21-year-old Atlanta native is pursuing another love: photography. As a child, she admired the photos in National Geographic magazine.

These days she is the photo editor for The Famuan, the campus newspaper at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla., and will be the copy desk chief for Journey, the campus magazine.

Pixley's experience in journalism has expanded her perception of photography.

During her junior year, she started freelancing for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution and other media companies.

Though she appreciates photojournalism, she realizes that portrait photography is her true passion.

Pixley has varied interests, but plans to focus on her summer internship as a copy editor for the Daytona Beach News Journal.

Ayesha Rascoe Howard Unversity Being a journalist has always been a dream for Ayesha Rascoe, but it took exam results to make her pursuit of journalism a reality.

“I was in a career class in middle school and we had to take an aptitude test and one of the careers, for me was journalism and it sparked my interest,” said Rascoe, a junior print journalism major at Howard University.

The 19-year-old Durham, N.C., native discovered that she had a passion for writing after reading numerous hip-hop magazines. She chose to attend Howard, a historically black university, because of the school's strong journalism program and sense of tradition.

“I love Howard Unversity because of my fellow students; they are very diverse and extremely intelligent,” Rascoe said.

Rascoe is serious about her education and future career, to which her 4.0 GPA is a testament. And as campus editor for The Hilltop, Howard's student newspaper, she spends long hours in the newsroom.

“Even though it's like a full-time job, I'm dedicated because this is what I want to do with my life,” Rascoe said. “It’s a lot of time, but in order for me to achieve my goals it's very necessary.”

Besides being a reporter and freelance writer for magazines, Rascoe also hopes to start a magazine that caters to young African-American women and is similar to Essence magazine.

Rascoe said she believes her experience with the The New York Times Journalism Institute will further her love of journalism.

“Getting accepted to the institute was definitely a form of validation for the work that I was doing,” Rascoe said. “And it just let's me know that I need to work as hard as I can while I'm here.”

Rebecca Roussell Dillard University Rebecca Roussell is an only child. Yet she has 66 sisters from whom she can draw strength and inspiration. She recently inherited several new family members when she officially became a member of Delta Sigma Theta, a historically black sorority built upon the ideals of scholarship, service and sisterhood.

The 20-year-old managing editor of Dillard University's Courtbouillon newspaper could not have been more excited when describing her feelings about her sorority.

“I fell in love with sisterhood and the service of the organization and formed a bond with 66 other women,” Roussell said with a smile. “I always wanted someone who I could call my sister or brother. … I love it to death.”

Though the Marrero, La., native spends much of her time working to strengthen the community, she also makes time to practice her craft as a journalist.

The senior mass communications student said journalism is the ideal profession for her because it allows her to provide a voice for the voiceless.

Roussell said she is not a fan of for idle conversation. Instead, she prefers to use her time wisely.

“Anybody can gossip,” she said. “But it takes a special person to formulate ideas into stories that are of public interest.”

In time, Roussell said she believes she will make her mark in print journalism and eventually make her way into the homes of millions as a TV personality working for either MTV or BET. She lists her parents as the inspiration who carry her through life and the force that keeps her on track.

“I always looked up to my mother,” Roussell said. “She always used to say that whenever one door closes there always is another open door or opportunity.”

Florida A&M University When it comes to her career choice, Diamond Washington is at a fork in the road.

Even though Washington is studying journalism and says she believes she practices the craft well, her real passion is interior design.

“Interior design is the thing I think about before I go to sleep,” said Washington, a senior at Florida A&M University.

“I plan to attend graduate school and focus on interior design and be a journalist on the side.”

The Miami native admitted that she is sassy and outspoken, but in a good way. She said these are the characteristics of a natural team leader.

“I can't think of any situation where I followed someone else,” Washington said, without sounding arrogant.

Washington enjoys treating herself monthly to different magazines such as Elle and InStyle. That is why it is so fitting that she is the new life and styles editor for Journey magazine at FAMU. “I plan to bring more appeal, more fashion,” Washington said.

“The magazine is great on content, but it needs a certain appeal to draw the reader,” she said. Washington said she would like to cover the type of feature stories that traditional newspapers won't.

Some have suggested that she take her love for interior design and combine it with journalism.

“I do not think that will happen,” Washington said. “I have a passion for one and I enjoy doing the other.”

Jessica Young Spelman College Jessica Young wants to be president -- of her college, that is.

The senior philosophy student at Spelman College has a love so strong for the institution that she molds her life by its credo: “To whom much is given, much is required.”

To start, Young became a pioneer in journalism.

Because of her persistence, the historically black college for women will offer paid positions at the school's newspaper, the Spelman Spotlight, for the first time in campus history.

“I felt there really should have been an incentive,” Young said.

Through the relationship she developed with the president of the Student G o v e r n m e n t Association, Young made it happen, along with other changes.

“I’ve made a constitution, bylaws, and rules and regulations,” Young said proudly. “Because we will be getting paid, I had to build some kind of structure.”

Young was eager to make her mark on the newsroom at Spelman. The only job open was business manager, so she took it. She also did some reporting, and it was not long before she became managing editor, another step toward a bigger goal: becoming editor in chief.

The Atlanta native said her father, who reported and produced news for CNN, sparked her interest in journalism. She started college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but transferred to Spelman, where she has furthered her passion.

“Going to Spelman was, by far, the biggest decision I had to make,” Young said. “At Spelman, I figured out what I wanted to do with my life.”

To Young, journalism is an outlet to use her knowledge and resources to make a difference.

“Being a journalist is almost the most significant part of communicating anything to a community.”

Spelman has given Young her purpose and success. And she plans to give back in a major way.