Port Allen chemical plant expanding

Criterion Catalysts & Technologies plans to shift production from a California chemical plant to a facility it is currently expanding in Port Allen, a move that will add up to 35 new jobs. The company will discontinue operations by mid-2010 at its facility in Azusa, Calif., and consolidate operations at its West Baton Rouge alumina plant. Alumina is used in the production of aluminum, certain chemicals, and in abrasives, among other purposes. CC&T announced plans last year for a $250 million expansion in Port Allen. The expansion will now, with the addition of the 35, create 75 to 85 new jobs and retain 17 jobs. The Port Allen expansion is set for completion in late summer. "This will allow us to get up and running quicker than anticipated," says Bill Howell, venture manager for CC&T. CC&T officials say Louisiana's pro-business climate was one of the factors in the move.—Timothy Boone

Pixel Magic to open studio in Lafayette

Pixel Magic, which creates digital visual effects for film and television, announced today that it would open a studio in Lafayette next month. The studio will be located at the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise center. Officials said the company would create 12 jobs within the first year and 40 jobs within three years. Pixel Magic has worked on movies such as Marley & Me, 300, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Company vice president Ray Scalice says Pixel Magic chose Louisiana because of its variety of locations, the growth of the film industry in the state and its lucrative tax breaks for film production and digital media. The company already was in Acadiana, doing work on Secretariat, now in production. "Pixel Magic's decision to locate in Louisiana will send a signal to Hollywood and to other leading digital media companies that Louisiana is a major player in the digital media industry," says Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Initial jobless claims rise in Louisiana

Initial claims for unemployment benefits in Louisiana increased last week. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 4,533 first-time claims for the week ending Oct. 31. The previous week, the state took in 4,287 initial claims. A rise in the number of claims from the construction and wood products sectors led to the increase. The number of people who continued to receive benefits — a sign of those still looking for work — rose to 60,755 from the previous week's 60,492. For the comparable week in 2008, there were 29,097 residents continuing to receive unemployment.

University High student blogs for 'New York Times'

Hannah Smith, a senior at University High, has written a column for the New York Times' blog about college admissions. She's looking at going to an all-woman's college, such as Mount Holyoke or Smith. Smith says because she wants a career in politics, going to an all-woman's college will give her an advantage. "At all-women’s colleges there is no fear of your intellect seeming unattractive. In fact, at these institutions women aren’t afraid that voicing their opinions may poorly represent their gender," she says. Read Smith's column here.

N.O. World War II Museum adds theater, restaurant and 'canteen'

Peter Vandyke's steps may have slowed some since he stormed Normandy Beach, but the Army uniform he first wore in 1942 still fits, and he wore it proudly today as he walked around the National World War II Museum's latest additions — a theater, restaurant and a replica of the "Stage Door Canteens" that cheered military men during the war. Vandyke, 91, was one of hundreds of World War II veterans — including 16 members of the Tuskegee Airmen and three Medal of Honor winners — on hand for the official opening of the new facilities in New Orleans. The new Victory Theater, Stage Door Canteen, and the American Sector restaurant make up a $60 million segment of the ultimately $300 million expansion of the museum that will continue through 2015.

Sports roundup: Man with B.R. ties catches Matsui home-run ball ... Hornets owner has prostate cancer

Big catch: Scott Myers, a Baton Rouge native, caught the home-run ball that led the New York Yankees to win the World Series. Myers, a Dunham graduate who now lives in New York, caught the ball Yankee slugger Hideki Matsui hit in the second inning of Wednesday night's game. Matsui was named World Series MVP and his homer led the Yankees to a 7-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Myers works as director of sales and trading for Mission Capital Advisors. He has reportedly received offers of up to $50,000 for the ball.

Pledges to battle disease: New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn says he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer but remains healthy and is optimistic that he will conquer the disease. "My wife, Denise, and I remain strong in our faith and will maintain a positive attitude as I battle this with intense fervor and drive," Shinn says in a news release issued by the Hornets today. A businessman from Kannapolis, N.C., Shinn, 68, has been the owner of the team since he received an expansion franchise in Charlotte, N.C. in 1988. He moved the team to New Orleans in 2002, and worked with the NBA to provide the team with a temporary home in Oklahoma City for the 2005-2006 season after floods from Hurricane Katrina virtually shut down the city for weeks and damaged the New Orleans Arena. Team spokesman Harold Kaufman says no details were available on treatment options for Shinn. In the news release, Shinn says the doctors he is consulting are optimistic.

Baton Rouge's bicycle boom

You might call this the year of the bicycle in Baton Rouge. Local legislators, urban planners, attorneys, physical therapists, police officers, BREC officials, entrepreneurs, Yahoo! groups, survey takers and charitable organizations are all talking up the benefits of the bicycle. Not coincidentally, the city now hosts more competitive and recreational riding clubs and events than ever before. Hippies, squares, athletes and pencil-pushers of all ages are doing it. Even the mayor’s right-hand man is an avid cyclist. To get the skinny on Baton Rouge’s bike boom, read the 225 magazine cover story here.