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Cafe Reconcile
is the recipient of the tenth annual Harmony Award, presented by the local chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. The nonprofit Central City restaurant provides workplace training and job experience in the hospitality industry to at-risk youths. The cafe was recognized not only for offering opportunities to young people, but for playing a major role in revitalizing its Oretha Castle Haley neighborhood.

National Philanthropy Day award winners
were recently honored by the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The honorees were: Jeri Nims, Outstanding Philanthropist; Chevron Texaco, Leadership in Corporate Philanthropy; Libby-Dufour Fund, Outstanding Foundation; Helen Nalty Butcher and Elizabeth Nalty Smither, Volunteer Fundraisers; and Laurie Conkerton, Outstanding Fundraising Professional.

Bombay Club
was named one of the top restaurants in North America by Santé magazine. Bombay Club owner Richard Fiske was invited to an awards ceremony in Sonoma, Calif., to accept the award for "Top Restaurant/Bar" from the industry publication for fine-dining professionals. The awards recognize "the highest level of professional wine, spirits, food service, and hospitality."

The Orleans Parish District Attorney's office,
during Harry Connick's last year in office in 2002, kept such poor records that state auditors questioned the validity of more than $2.5 million the office charged to federally funded grant programs. Essential payroll documents were missing from 10 programs, including the Juvenile Diversionary Fund and the Domestic Violence Intervention Program. Auditors found several other flaws in the accounting system at the D.A.'s office, which says it is taking corrective steps.

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