Anthony V. “Tony” Ligi, Jr., a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 79 since 2008, located on the populous south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Representative Ligi received his Juris Doctor degree from the Loyola University School of Law, and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania in Mansfield, Pennsylvania.
We wish to thank him for taking the time to speak to our association.
Blitch/Knevel Architects is a partner in the design team (with NBBJ) for the new University Medical Center to replace the 68-year-old Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans (MCLNO), closed following Hurricane Katrina. The 1.2 billion facility is part of the new medical district which also includes a replacement Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
The projects brings a new world-class academic medical center to downtown New Orleans. The design incorporates the best practices of evidence based design, sustainability, operational efficiency, and anticipates flexibility & future growth. These new enviroments are designed to completely transform the patient experience and attract the best and brightest staff. The level 1 trauma center is designed to respond to the most critical cases on a 24 hour basis.
The new medical center campus will include an inpatient of 424 beds; a diagnostic and treatment pavilion, an ambulatory care pavilion and support structures including a parking structure and central engergy plant. All of the structures are designed above the flood levels of Katrina, and to be self-sustaining in the event of a catastrophe.
The entire development is serving as a major economic anchor in the post-Katrina recovery of the region.
Billy Solitario
”Recent Works”
August 6-September 24, 2011
Opening Reception: “White Linen Night”:
Saturday August 6, 6-9 p.m.
LeMieux Galleries is pleased to present an exhibition of new paintings by Billy Solitario. The exhibition will open during “White Linen Night”, Saturday, August 6, 2011, from 6-9 p.m., and will remain on view until September 24, 2011. LeMieux Galleries’ is open Monday-Saturday from 10-6. Solitario paints what he sees. By dissecting his subjects he is better able to understand them and find beauty in all the little details. “Recent Works” will combine all of his favorite subjects; cloudscapes, Mississippi Gulf Coast scenes and still-lifes, into one exhibition. Billy Solitario received his MFA from Tulane University and his BFA from the University of South Florida. He currently lives in New Orleans with his wife and child and teaches at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art. He has received many awards and honors for his work, including being one of the “21 under 31” in Southwestern Art in 2002.
Ron Blitch, Blitch/Knevel Architects announced the completion of “The Food Court at Memorial Hospital Gulfport”. The new food court at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport features exhibition cooking as part of its new servery.
The multiple food presentation areas include sandwiches, hot plates, pizzas and salads. Vending machines and warming areas are also provided.
A large open area provides flexible seating options. The food court functions as a connector of the hospital with the Medical Office Building and 750 car parking garage, also designed by Blitch/Knevel. This location allows convenient meal service for visitors and staff with minimal walking through the medical center campus.
A decorative window wall of clear glass and colored panels visually separates the servery from the dining area and provides security during non-operating hours. Bright colors and accent lighting provide an energetic ambiance. Undulating countertops edges, multiple ceiling levels and floating open grids are also used to provide visual excitement.
Gaspar J. “Buddy” Stall
Through Buddy’s writings, UNO and Tulane teaching assignments, numerous radio and television appearances, guest lecturing at almost every university and college in Louisiana and personal appearances, Buddy Stall has taught the history of Louisiana to more people than any other person in the history of this colorful state.
“Gaspar J. Stall isn’t your run-of-the-mill history buff. He is more like a preacher – comedian – history teach – salesman all rolled into one dynamic package. He is adept on all fronts
Pictures from the evening social and visitation at the Rose Garden, a wine and cheese tasting.
Last night GNOEA held its “Evening Social/Visitation” at the Rose Garden of Jefferson. We had 32 members and their guests in attendance and everyone enjoyed the selections of champagnes, wines and cheeses. Joseph DiMaggio, Rose Garden of Jefferson made sure we had plenty of delicious hors d’oeuvre for our enjoyment. Expert, Ms. Pamela Connors with Glazers and her staff were on hand to inform us on each of the many wines and champagnes.
A big sincere “Thank you” to Joey & Vita DiMaggio for volunteering to hold this event at their facility and going above & beyond our expectations.
Great Job!!!
Congressman Steve Scalise was re-elected in November of 2008 and again in November of 2010 to continue serving Louisiana’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Scalise is known as a staunch conservative who advocates for the principles of fiscal discipline, lower taxes, a comprehensive national energy policy, ethics reform, a strong national defense and traditional family values.
We wish to thank Congressman Scalise for taking the time out of his busy schedule to visit with us and Don Chailland for arranging his visit!
Rev. Anthony McGinn, S.J., President of Jesuit High School.
Father McGinn, who has served as president of Jesuit High School since 1992, will step down from his administrative post after the 2009-10 academic year. A 1966 Jesuit graduate, Father McGinn was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1979 and served as principal at Jesuit High School for three years beginning in 1982. After serving as principal of Jesuit High in Tampa, Fla., from 1988-92, he returned to New Orleans as president of Jesuit. His tenure as president is the longest in the school’s history.
Father McGinn said while he has no firm plans for his ministry beyond this year, he does not expect anything about his job this year to change. “I’ll do the same things I’ve always done, which is to place emphasis on being present and doing whatever needs to be done,” he said.
We wish to thank Stanton Murray for arranging our speaker and Rev. McGinn for a great program!
Eric Skrmetta, the Public Service Commissioner
Eric Frederick Skrmetta, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner from District 1, including suburban New Orleanss, the eastern Florida Parishes, and the River Parishes. The Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC), is an influential regulatory agency which was the political springboard for former governors Huey Long, Jimmie Davis, and John McKeithen. Mr. Skrmetta is a native of New Orleanian, who graduates from LSU’s School of Industrial Technology, and a cum laude law school graduate with a master’s degree in maritime and admiralty law from Tulane.
A success in his own law practice, he has managed over 15,000 cases. Recruited by the Louisiana Department of Insurance after Hurricane Katrina, Eric has presided over more than 700 mediations between homeowners and their wind insurance carriers, settling almost 90% of those disputes.
Since being elected, Eric has been instrumental in overhauling, among other things, the gift & lobby rules governing Public Service Commission employees. As a result of these reforms, in order to support his family, Eric finds it necessary to continue working a second job in the profession of law and mediation administration.
