The Hurricane Protection Office is hosting an “Industry Forum” to explore the potential use of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) also known as Construction Management at Risk (CM@R).  The forum will be held on October 21, 2008, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in District Assembly Room “A” at the New Orleans District headquarters, 7400 Leake Ave., New Orleans, LA.   The Industry Forum will be informational in nature, with a briefing by Corps personnel followed by an opportunity to ask questions.

The ECI Forum is free, but R.S.V.P. is required. Interested parties must respond by identifying the represented company and name(s) of individuals, and respective telephone numbers of those planning to attend. Responses should be directed to Mr. Adam Jones via e-mail: adam.jones@usace.army.mil or telephone (504)862-1839 no later than 12:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time on October 17, 2008.

The purpose of this forum is to inform interested parties including potential offerors, end users, government acquisition and supporting personnel, and others about the ECI contracting methodology and potential project uses.  A Sources Sought has been posted on FedBizOpps and the Corps is conducting market research to improve the understanding of government requirements and industry capabilities, thereby enhancing the Government’s ability to procure services using this contracting method.

George Rodrigue

Governor Bobby Jindal announced the appointment of George Rodrigue as Louisiana’s Artist Laureate.

According to statute, the governor appoints an artist laureate for the State of Louisiana, who shall serve during the term of office of the appointing governor. 

George Rodrigue, of New Iberia, is an internationally acclaimed Cajun artist whose works are in major museums and collections across the country. Rodrigue’s paintings have been featured in several books/monographs, and have been the subject of numerous traveling exhibitions and advertising campaigns. Rodrigue is also a community activist promoting causes that benefit Louisiana.  Through his “Blue Dog Relief: George Rodrigue Art Campaign for Recovery program”, he has raised funds to support recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Rodrigue was born and raised in New Iberia and now resides with his wife Wendy in New Orleans. Rodrigue currently runs art studios in New Orleans and Lafayette.      

Jobs

Area veterans and the general public will have the opportunity to meet with a variety of employers with immediate job openings at the Baton Rouge Business & Career Solutions Job Fair, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Holiday Inn Select at 4728 Constitution Ave.

The first two hours, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., are reserved for veterans only.  Veterans should present their DD-214 discharge papers, VA card or military identification to participate.  The final two hours, from 11 a.m.

to 1 p.m., are open to everyone.

The job fair was originally scheduled for Sept. 11 but had to be rescheduled because of Hurricane Gustav.

Businesses confirmed to attend include:  Acadian Ambulance, Apprenticeship Programs – Louisiana Workforce Commission, Associated Grocers, BREC, CC’s Community Coffee House, Capital One, CINTAS, City of Baton Rouge, Cox Communications, Entergy Services, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Hancock Bank, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana State University, NBC 33/Fox 44 and The Shaw Group.

Corps

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, has released the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement discussing the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock Replacement Project for a 45-day public review.  The public review period is from Friday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Nov. 24.  A public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School, 1617 Caffin Ave., will provide an overview of the SEIS’s content and allow the public the opportunity to comment on the report.

“We’ve reached a project milestone,” said Larry Poindexter, senior project manager of the Industrial Canal Lock Replacement Project.  “The draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement recommends the Corps replace the lock with a new lock to be located within the current project right-of-way.”

The new lock would be partially constructed in five modules at an off-site location, called a graving site.  The modules would be floated into place at the new lock site located north of the Claiborne Avenue Bridge.  The project would also require replacement of the St. Claude Avenue Bridge.

“A new, modern lock would reduce congestion and ease traffic concerns of navigation,” added Poindexter.

The draft SEIS and appendices are available at: http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/prj/ihnc/

Printed copies of the document are available for public review at the following locations:

•           St. Bernard Parish Library, 7701 Judge Perez Dr., Arabi, LA

•           Orleans Parish Library Main Branch, 219 Loyola Ave. (3rd Floor), New Orleans, LA

•           Martin Luther King Branch Library, 1611 Caffin Ave., New Orleans, LA

•           Alvar Library, 913 Alvar St., New Orleans, LA

Questions about the draft SEIS and the Industrial Canal will be answered during the public hearing open house which is from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 12.  A formal presentation begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be followed by a comment-only period.  Responses to questions and comments received during the comment period will be addressed in the final SEIS.

Hard copies and electronic copies of the draft SEIS are available.  Please send all requests, inquires, or comments to:

            U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (PM-RP)

            c/o Richard Boe

            P.O. Box 60267

            New Orleans, LA 70160-0267

            Phone: (504) 862-1505

                     Fax: (504) 862-2088

            E-mail: ihnclockreplacement@usace.army.mil.

Louisiana homeowners and YOUR Hurricane deductibles
 
The League of WoMen Voters will sponsor a panel presentation for different points of view on the hurricane deductibles and Louisiana's homeowners policies on Thursday, October 16th at "Lunch With the League.

Registration opens at 11:15 a.m.     Questions from the audience are encouraged after the presentations.

The public is invited.  Tickets are:  $25.00, which includes lunch.  Members Discounted rate is $20.00.  Reservations are recommended to ensure seating.  Please e-mail lwvbr@lwvbr.org
or call 225.334.9999.The League of WoMen Voters of Baton Rouge has invited a diverse panel to discuss:
Invited Guest Speakers in alphabetical order are:

Guest Speakers:

                                                               1.  Senator Tory Hebert - Member, Senate Insurance Committee
                                                               2.  Representative Charles E. "Chuck" Kleckley - Chair, House Insurance  Committee 

                                                               3.  Jim Donelon - Commissioner of Insurance or his designee

                                                               4.  Kevin Cunningham - Esq., Insurance Company representative

                                                                    Other panelists may be added.

Questions from the audience are encouraged after the presentations.
 
  Please make your reservations today.
The selection menu will be e-mailed to you with your confirmation!
Seating is only guaranteed with reservations.
  Any one making reservations and who does not show up by noon,
unless prior arrangements are made will be billed for the ticket.

The public is encouraged to attend.  Tickets:  $25.00; 
  LWVBR Member's Discount rate:  $20.00
Please make your reservations by sending your name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address
to lwvbr@lwvbr.org or call League Voice Mail with this information: 334.9999
Your reservation confirmation will be e-mailed to you.