Pro-Pinnacle, anti-Pinnacle campaigns under way
The media campaign for and against the proposed Riviere casino on River Road near Gardere Lane is heating up in advance of the Feb. 9 local option vote. Columbia Sussex, parent company of the Belle of Baton Rouge, is focusing on the increased traffic the new casino would create; advertisements the company mailed to homes recently urge residents to “say no to more traffic” and “vote no on the new casino.” Meanwhile, Pinnacle Entertainment, which would build and own the new casino, argues that Riviere would push Baton Rouge’s two existing casinos to improve their product. Pinnacle is running a television commercial touting performers who have appeared at their Lake Charles casino resort, L’Auberge du Lac, including comedians Bill Cosby and Jay Leno and singer Gretchen Wilson, and claiming Riviere will feature big-name entertainment. --David Jacobs
Realtors say rise in home sales sign of stability
The sale of existing single-family homes increased by 0.4% from November to October, a sign that the battered national housing market might be stabilizing. The National Association of Realtors released the figures this morning. Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist, said in a statement the news was a further sign that the market may be flattening out. "Mortgage interest rates are near historic lows, and the most current data shows decelerating price declines, along with a modest reduction in the number of homes on the market," he said. But Yun said further steps need to be taken to induce buyers back into the housing market, such as further price reductions to reduce the inventory of homes. According to the NAR, the median price of a home was $210,200, a 3.3% drop from November 2006.
Suzuki picks area rapper to help with street cred
An area rapper has been chosen by Suzuki for the advertising campaign for its Hayabusa sport bike, Ad Week reports. Dyesel, a rap artist from Reserve, is featured in advertisements running in Baton Rouge and five other U.S. cities. Suzuki hopes Dyesel and the other underground rappers can help promote the $12,000 motorcycles among the hip-hop crowd. Read the story here.
Poll: Most didn't make New Year's resolutions
Making resolutions may be a tradition for most people at the start of the year, but not for most Daily Report readers. Seventy-three percent of the people who responded to an online survey say they didn't make any resolutions at the start of 2007. Of those that did, 11% managed to keep their resolution for less than a month. Just 4% kept their resolutions for more than nine months. Nearly 450 people participated in the survey.
Today's question: Should this be John Brady's last season as LSU men's basketball coach?
Last day for business award nominations
Business Report and Junior Achievement are seeking nominations for the 2008 Baton Rouge Business Awards and Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors individuals and companies for a lifetime impact to the local free enterprise system, while the Business Awards note accomplishments in 2007. Nominations must be received by today. Any business or firm in the Capital Area can submit a nomination/application online here or call Junior Achievement at 928-7008. The 25th annual awards celebration will be April 24 at the Holiday Inn Select.
News roundup: Kona Grill opens in Perkins Rowe; Ad agency lists things to watch for in 2008; Mississippi congressman replacing Lott; Six bowl games set today
Restaurant in business: Kona Grill opened its first Louisiana location Sunday in Perkins Rowe. The restaurant features American and Asian fare, including sushi, in a casually elegant atmosphere that includes a 2,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. This is the 18th restaurant for Arizona-based chain. Here's what will be hot: The Beijing Olympics, foreign investment in Africa and actress Keira Knightley are some of the things that people will be talking about next year, say the folks at JWT, the world's largest advertising agency. The company released a list of 80 things to watch out for in 2008. Other items that made the list: "Eco-fatigue,” people bringing pets into the office, outsourcing business to Eastern Europe and higher education online. Wicker chosen: Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour this morning announced his choice for Trent Lott's replacement in the Senate: Rep. Roger Wicker, a conservative congressman. Wicker, 56, will serve until a special election is held. He is expected to be a candidate in the special election, which Barbour has scheduled for Nov. 4. Wicker was elected to the U.S. House in 1994 to succeed the late Rep. Jamie Whitten. He has been re-elected six times from the 1st District in north Mississippi. Wicker was resigning from the U.S. House. Bowled over: Are you ready for some football? Six college football bowl games are scheduled for today. California and Air Force meet in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl at 11:30 a.m. in Fort Worth, Texas (ESPN); Georgia Tech and Fresno State meet in the Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl at 1 p.m. today in Boise, Idaho (ESPN2); South Florida and Oregon play in the Brut Sun Bowl at 1 p.m. today in El Paso, Texas (CBS); Kentucky and Florida State play in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl at 3 p.m. today in Nashville, Tenn. (ESPN); Indiana and Oklahoma State meet in the Insight Bowl at 4:30 p.m. today in Tempe, Ariz. (NFL Network); and Clemson and Auburn close out 2007 in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl at 6:30 p.m. today in Atlanta (ESPN).
No Daily Report on Tuesday
Daily Report will not be distributed Tuesday because of New Year's Day. The newsletter will return Wednesday. Real Estate Weekly will also be online Wednesday. Have a safe and happy New Year.
