Swamp Fête Celebrating South Louisiana Culture

Louisiana’s Audubon Zoo will host Swamp Fête this November. The event celebrates South Louisiana culture. There will be fun activities for all ages including Cajun and Zydeco music, dancing, a Cajun menu and native Louisiana animals.

The live music will be at both the Capital One Stage and in the Cajun Dance Hall. The lineup for the Capital One Stage includes Roots of Music, The Pine Leaf Boys, Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, and Lost Bayou Ramblers. The Cajun Ballroom lineup includes Cajun Music Preservation Society, Sarah Jayde Williams, and T’Monde.

Patrons will learn about wetlands and wildlife conservation through presentations. The Swamp Exhibit will be the popular spot where you will see Sassafras the Louisiana black bear cub along with his friends two North American black bear cubs from Alaska.

Due to efforts of the wildlife experts the Lousiana black bear is now off the endangered list. This is good news for Louisiana’s official state mammal.

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Ways To Improve Your Home and Lower Your Insurance Cost

 Homeowners’ insurance can be very expensive but it is a necessity. The good news is that there are certain home improvements that can actually cut the costs of your monthly insurance payments. Here are several major renovations that will help reduce the cost of your homeowner’s insurance.

1. Upgraded windows

Windows in a home can not only update the look of your home and protect your home but also help reduce energy costs. If you live in an area that can have strong winds and hail storms, then an impact-resistant window can be a great investment. Your insurance company will take new windows into consideration and will give you a discount for upping the protection of your home.

2. New roof

A new roof is a very good feature to upgrade. When a roof is worn from elemental wear and tear, your home is prone to damage. A new roof is another strong defense against bad weather. This is an expensive investment but will pay for itself in the long run. You can potentially save hundreds a year due to a new roof.

3. Home security system

Incremental weather is not the only thing that can damage your home. Burglaries can also be part of a home’s damage. Fire can be another hazard that can destroy your home. A monitoring home security system is the perfect solution. The system will not only protect and warn of danger, but it will also get you a big discount on your homeowner’s insurance.

Remember that renovations not only will get you more money when it comes time to sell but will also put more in your pocket from the homeowner’s insurance savings. If you do not have an insurance company or agent, get one, and they can help you determine what renovations can help reduce your monthly insurance payments.

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Enhancing Your Curb Appeal This Fall

 Your curb appeal is the first thing you and others see when they pull home to your home. Professionals in the industry say there are small DIY projects that can really make a big impact on your curb appeal this fall.

1. Introduce Fall Color

One of the things everyone enjoys during the fall season is the trees changing colors. The fall months bring cooler temperatures which can kill off your beautiful flowers. Try adding some seasonal plants to your yard to keep the variety and color.

“My favorite way to increase curb appeal during fall is by incorporating seasonal plants and flowers. This not only adds a pop of color to your front yard but also creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere,” says designer, David Mason.

2. Seasonal Decor

Celebrate the fall with seasonal decor. A nice fall wreath and some pumpkins around your front door will give your home that inviting touch. If you are not into pumpkins, then use an ornamental cabbage or mums.

“Embrace the spirit of fall by incorporating seasonal decor elements,” suggests professional landscaper and founder of The Plant Bible, Zahid Adnan. “Displaying pumpkins, hay bales, and cornstalks around your entrance or garden area can instantly evoke the cozy ambiance of fall and grab attention,” he suggests.

3. Lighting

Lighting in an outdoor space can transform it into a cozy nice area. When the sun goes down, the outside of your home can still glow with a welcoming feel with warm lights on your porch. You can also string lights around your porch or use solar-paneled stakes bordering your yard.

4. Keep It Tidy

A nice yard with good curb appeal is based a lot on how tidy the area looks. During the fall this is especially important because of all the leaves falling off of the trees.

“Regular maintenance is key to maintaining curb appeal. Keep your garden well-maintained by raking leaves, trimming bushes, and cleaning up debris. A tidy front yard landscape not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also signals that your property is well-cared for,” says Zahid Adnan of The Plant Bible.

5. Lawn Maintenance

The last tip is to keep your lawn looking healthy and fresh during the colder seasons. During the fall and winter months, you will need to keep your lawn fertilized.

“Keep up with regular lawn care, including mowing and raking leaves, to maintain a tidy appearance. Your curb appeal will instantly be up,” says The Home Guidance blog, Mohammed Ahmed.

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A New Development for New Orleans Six Flags Property

 Ever since the destruction of New Orleans Six Flags during Hurricane Katrina, the amusement park has sat rotting.  The 227-acre property

will be redeveloped by Bayou Phoenix.

Troy Henry the leader of Bayou Phoenix has big plans for the property which includes water parks, youth sporting facilities, two hotels, an 8.5-acre clear lake for swimming, a movie studio, an amphitheater, retail outlets and other amenities.

“Today is just the beginning. There is an incredible amount of work that needs to be done, but we are here for it,” said Jeff Schwartz, economic development director for the City of New Orleans.

The next year the plans will be drafted and the site cleared out.  After the old rides are demolished and junk removed, they can get a better lay of the land.  This means the plans might change during the project. With the help of Henry’s partner, Thomas Tubre, an owner of a local construction company, the project will be a success.

“They do all the technical stuff, all the crazy stuff most people cannot do,” Henry said. “So, once they get in there, we may have to move some of the components around. They’ll be the same components, but maybe not in the same place.”

“We look forward to bringing new commerce to New Orleans East. There’s significant untapped potential for family entertainment and travel sporting events,” said Henry.

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Live Music at the Dew Drop Inn

This fall is going to be great for the fifty-year-old Dew Drop Inn in Central City. For the first time in more than half a century, they will be hosting live music. The Dew Drop Inn is a staple in New Orleans and is said to be “the swankiest spot in the South. It has been New Orleans’ leading Black music venue for three mid-century decades.

The musicians who have played there date from the 1940s to 1970. Deacon John Moore is still on the scene and is helping with the renovation of the historic property. He is excited and hopes that they can book Irma Thomas who actually got her start at the club. The club has opened its doors and had many famous musicians play including Allen Toussaint, Earl King, James Booker, Charles Neville, Earl Palmer, Ray Charles, James Brown and Little Richard.

Curtis Doucette Jr, the lead developer is excited about the renovation. “I have to say, this is the very first time that I’ve fallen in love with a building. Before I fell in with the building itself, I fell in love with the history that was made in this building,” says Doucette.

The famous club started out as a barbershop at 2836 LaSalle St. in the 1930’s. In fact, there were several structures that housed a barbershop, restaurant, bar, hotel and entertainment venue. When it reopens, it will have all of these except the barbershop, explains Gabrielle Begue, a historic tax credit consultant.

So the hodgepodge that Gabrielle described, in various states of collapse, is what we’ve been propping back up and making better than ever. It’s been a real kind of labor of love to breathe new life back into these historic buildings,” describes Kristian Sonnier of Ryan Gootee General Contractors.

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Four Tips To Follow in September When It Comes to Your Lawn

 This time of year is the perfect time for your lawn because it is not scorching hot. Even though the weather is perfect for the grass, you still have to keep it up. The month of September is the perfect month to make sure your lawn will stay healthy through the cold winter months.

“By taking these steps, you set your lawn up for success during the dormant winter months and into the spring growing season,” says Bryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal.

1. Aerate The Soil

September is the perfect time to prepare your lawn before it gets too cold. You should do this by aerating the soil. This means letting the soil breathe. “Compacted soil is like traffic on a freeway – it stops everything from moving,” explains Bryan. A common way you can aerate your soil is by poking holes into your lawn with a spading fork.

2. Overseeding

This can go hand and hand with aerating your lawn, so you will want to follow up with this step. This will maximize the health of your lawn. “Simply put, aerating is great, but without overseeding, you’re only doing half the job. Overseeding is essentially throwing a seed party for your lawn, it can help to fill in gaps and build a thicker, more resilient turf,” instructs Bryan.

3. Fertilize

During the hot scorching summer is not the time to get out and fertilize your yard. “Your lawn needs essential nutrients to prepare for the winter and grow back strong in the spring. Although he warns of being responsive to your environment, if the weather is still particularly hot, avoid using chemical fertilizers as this could damage your lawn,” adds Bryan.

4. Mulch
“Adding mulch to flower beds and around trees helps retain moisture, enriches soil, and prevents weeds. It also acts as a protective layer against the cold in the winter months,” explains Bryan. Mulch will give your lawn extra nutrients that will help it to grow thick and healthy. The decomposing mulch will give off nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.

Remember that each lawn will need its own special care. “Every lawn is different, and conditions like your local climate and soil type can influence the best practices for your specific situation,” says Bryan.

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