Old Algiers Annual Reunion Dance

The hubby and I attended the Old Algiers Reunion Dance last night, at Mardi Gras World in Algiers Point and it was fantastic!

 Whether you grew up in Algiers (like we both did) or you’ve lived here for just awhile, the room was filled with over 400 familiar faces who all came out to spend a Saturday night catching up and visiting with each other while enjoying food, drinks and dancing to the sounds of the Midnight Special Band.   The band was so good that you’ll get to hear them again at the 2009 Krewe of Choctaw PowWow…the Captain and some of the officers of the Krewe were at the dance and hired them on the spot!

Everyone started arriving at Mardi Gras World around 7 pm, toting their food and ice chests and finding their way to their tables.  While most of them were reserved, there was still some room for last minute attendees and I saw quite a few of those.  A silent auction of NFL memorabilia was held and some great Algiers posters were for sale, with Blaine “Mr. Mardi Gras” Kern standing by to autograph them personally.  A bargain at only $20, I’ll be bringing mine to a frame shop this week to add to my collection of local art.

 

We ran into folks who don’t live in the city anymore, but made their way back just for the dance and the opportunity to reconnect with their old friends and neighbors and also met some new Algiers residents who are diving right into the community.  Even if you didn’t know anyone when you arrived, you had friends by the time you left at the end of a wonderful evening.

 

Congratulations to the Blue Knights of Holy Name of Mary for hosting another successful event!

 

 

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When buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans or relocating to the New Orleans West Bank, you deserve local expertise and advice. Lisa Heindel provides full time, professional real estate services to buyers, sellers and military transferees in Algiers, Algiers Point, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego and more.

 

 

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Here’s the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Wednesday on the Point: A Street Party in Algiers Point

Picking up where Wednesday in the Square left off downtown, Wednesday in the Point is proving to be quite a success! 

While I missed the first two weeks of performances, we were able to get out to Aunt Leni’s Cafe this week for the third installment of the street concerts in Algiers Point.  The sidewalk tables were filled and the street was lined with the lawn chairs of the spectators.  Like any other function in Algiers, it was filled with familiar faces and lots of great local music, with the entertainment provided this week by the Marc Stone Band (turns out that Westbank Mike, who was also scheduled to perform, is on vacation this week). 

With the band playing, the food cooking and the drinks flowing, we were caught up in saying hello to everyone and catching up with friends we had not seen in awhile.  Not a bad way to spend a summer evening…

 

Where but New Orleans will you find a street party on a Wednesday afternoon?

 

 

 

Next weeks event will be held right down the street at Tout de Suite Cafe, on the corner of Alix and Verret Streets, from 5:30 to 8:30pm…hope to see you there!

 

How NOT to Raise Your Credit Score

A couple of weeks ago, these bright yellow signs were stuck all along the neutral ground on General de Gaulle Drive in Algiers.

I removed the phone number because I don’t want to be a part of sending customers to someone who advertises via illegal signs in our city (that’s a whole ‘nother rant).    I guess the city figured out that these were not approved signs, because they all disappeared after the grass cutters made their rounds.

Then today, I saw these….

 

The phone numbers were just a couple of digits off, so I suspect that it’s the same company.  This time they are offering help for the low price of $47.  Why $47? 

I still won’t give out phone numbers for people who can’t follow the sign ordinances, but it made me realize that there must be a market for these services.

How many people are out there trying to fix their credit, trying to get back on the right track and maybe even one day be able to buy a home of their home?  I’m sure it’s a lot of them, but I’m also sure that there is a better way to do it than to call some company that can’t even be bothered to have real signs printed.

There are credit counselors and mortgage professionals who are well versed in creating a solid plan for folks who want to buy a home but have less than stellar credit.  Is it always easy?  No.  Is it always quick?  No.  But, it’s a lot better than paying $47 for someone to tell you to live within your means and pay your bills on time.

 

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When buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans or relocating to the New Orleans West Bank, you deserve local expertise and advice. Lisa Heindel provides full time, professional real estate services to buyers, sellers and military transferees in Algiers, Algiers Point, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego and more.

              

 

Here’s the disclaimer part:  The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the author, but you are free to share yours in the comments.  All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Algiers Friendship Day 2008

If you missed Friendship Day this past Sunday, what were you thinking?? 

The sun was shining, the hot dogs and cabbage were delicious and the green beer was flowing!  I’m always taking pictures wherever I go, so I thought I would share some of them.  If you have photos you would like posted, just drop me an email at lisa@lisaheindelsells.com and I’ll add them here.

David Frank and Chef Emile

Look at the crowd!

Yum!

Thanks to these guys for volunteering at the beer table.  Who knew that Larry was a mixologist?

    

Who needs a sled – we have cardboard!

  

  

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Ouch! That Stings…

It’s that time of year again in New Orleans…buck moth caterpillar season.  I remember my first experience with these nasty little critters.  We had moved into a house in Algiers that had a huge oak tree in the front yard.  I loved that tree.  It gave me the perfect spot to plant some shade loving flowers and kept the front of the house from getting hit directly by the hot, summer sun.

But the very first spring we lived there, all of sudden we were seeing these fuzzy, black caterpillars crawling across the porch and the sidewalks.   They were everywhere!  On the cars, in the driveway and worst of all, literally falling out of the trees.

Photo courtesy of:  urtica at flickr.com

One day, my oldest son (who was small at the time) started screaming at the top of his lungs while in the front yard.  It turned out that one of the caterpillars had fallen out of my beloved oak tree and stung him on the back of his neck.  Thank goodness for dear Mrs. Robinson, who lived across the street, who promptly ran out with a tube of toothpaste to put on the sting.  Don’t ask me how it works, I just know that it did.

Thus began the annual tree spraying every spring in my yard.  The street we live on now is lined with oak trees, so I coordinate with my neighbors and we all get our trees sprayed at the same time.   If you have an oak in your yard, I highly recommend you do the same!

From the LSU Agricultural Center website:

Buck Moth
Hemileuca maia Drury
This purple-black caterpillar has a reddish head and small round white spots over its body. Several spiny structures are located on each segment of the body. When touched, these spiny structures cause a burning, itching and reddening of the areas stung. Buck moth larvae tend to cluster on branches and move about in a follow-the-leader fashion. Primary hosts include oak, willow, wild cherry, rose and several other deciduous plant species. The larval state of this species is prominent in April and May, but larvae have been collected in late May.

For more information on getting your trees sprayed:

Parkway Partners offers tree spraying for $75 per tree.  (You must sign up for spraying by March 31st)

Adrian’s Tree Service in Algiers

Tree Man, Inc. in Algiers  (504) 394-4207.  This is MY tree guy and he will offer discounts to neighbors who all get their trees sprayed at the same time.

Here’s to a sting free spring!

p.s.  My youngest walked through the room while I was writing this and saw the picture of the buck moth.  His response was “Man, those caterpillars are MEAN”!

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When buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans or relocating to the New Orleans West Bank, you deserve local expertise and advice. Lisa Heindel provides full time, professional real estate services to buyers, sellers and military transferees in Algiers, Algiers Point, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego and more.

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Copyright 2008. Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.