For the 2nd Friday in a row, I've had air conditioner issues. Fortunately, there are several reliable Lake Charles air conditioning company options. Air Conduit is one. Last week it was one of my office units with a problem at 5:05 PM.Yesterday, around noon, I receive a call from a residential tenant that the AC was blowing hot air.  This would be tough for anyone, but in this case, the tenant has an infant. And, my second office unit didn't seem to be doing it's job. Worried about the Friday afternoon timing, I called Lake Charles Air conditioning company Air Conduit immediately, gave them the tenant's phone number and let them know about my office unit. Within an hour, I noticed an Air Conduit truck pulling up to my office.  My first thought, "No guys, you need to take care of the ren... 06/19/2010

I'm normally a planner, but cannot take credit for the "food theme" of my blogs this weeks. Between Chili's in Sulphur is Going to the Dogs and Strawberry with Cream, Please there is ample evidence that I should decline an invitation to DeAngelos tonight But, hey, this is Southwest Louisiana where cuisine is king! Anyway, last week, I determined to use my blog to promote local businesses that provide exceptional service.  It happens that the first one is a restaurant. Be advised that my quest for excellence has no business boundaries. The subject of this blog, Happy Hippie Pizza on Broad Street was, however, one of the inspirations. I first met Jennifer, one of the owners of Happy Hippie Pizza when she came to my assistance during a get-a-house-ready-for-a-mutual-friend-in-a-hurry-emerg... 06/18/2010

The Lake Charles Downtown Development Authority (DDA) unveiled the renderings of the new Lake Front and Downtown Development Future Plans at a pre-advertisement conference today in the Contraband room at the Lake Charles Civic Center.  The DDA and Architect, Randy Goodlow provided animations of projected visions of downtown and lake front upon completion.  Numerous drawings and renderings are also available to assist all in picturing the completed project. There was a little more serious reason than to tease the public with anticipation of what is to come for our future Lake Front and Downtown enjoyment. We enjoyed the view of what will come in the future, while Contractors and sub-contractors came to complete a serious days work.  They were there to become familiar with the scope and a... 06/18/2010

170+ Year Old Historical  "Calcasieu Manor" Tree Helps Coastal Waters in Louisiana Upon first glance this appears to be just an old established oak tree.  What you can't see unless pointed out to you are the chains and pulleys that run through the tree.  It turns out this is no ordinary oak tree, instead this tree is a historical oak with a conservation purpose. I love historical properties! Today I previewed an old historical home located on Shell Beach Drive in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  The house has been in the same family for generations and is one of the grandest  old southern estates you will find on Shell Beach Drive.  1401 Shell Beach Drive is listed for $2,350,000. This waterfront estate sits on 7 acres complete with a carriage house and guest house. This property is where the ... 06/17/2010

06/15/2010

The photos of the landscape are my across-the-street neighbor's yards in Margaret Place. The photos of the ducks are just 2 blocks away on Griffith Coulee, also in the Margaret Place Historical District. Margaret Place is generally considered the oldest recorded subdivision in Calcasieu Parish. We have our own website and Facebook page. I LOVE Margaret Place!           06/14/2010

Shopping in Lake Charles, Louisiana Continuing my blog series of Shopping in Lake Charles, Louisiana, today we are visiting one of my favorite stores which is locally owned. Heading South on Ryan Street past Southgate Shopping Center, you will find Cayton Place with a few shops set back off of Ryan Street in the corner.  Emily's Children's Store and My Favorite Things are resident favorites. My Favorite Things Locally owned by Al & Betty Ellender and their daughter Paige, this is a unique friendly gift store.  My Favorite Things opened originally on S. Ryan Street in 1997 as a small cottage shop  and then moved next door to Synergy Salon on Pujo Street in downtown Lake Charles.  The store quickly outgrew this location and then moved to their current location in Cayton Place   You will f... 06/14/2010

Historic Buildings in Lake Charles, Louisiana    Lake Charles is full of architectural wonders and historical buildings.  I have written several feature Blogs  on Downtown Lake Charles and historical places in Lake Charles.  I gave readers an insight into The Charleston Hotel, Lake Charles Historical Churches and the 1912 US Post Office/Courthouse. When researching the history of First Presbyterian Church and the 1918 hurricane in Lake Charles, I learned that Temple Sinai was one of the buildings that remained undamaged. Next door to Temple Sinai, is the old Lake Charles Masonic Temple.  The Masonic Temple is a grand building with very impressive architectural details.  Many Lake Charles congregations met here before their home churches were established in the early 1900's. Both of thes... 06/14/2010

Real Estate Attorneys in Lake Charles, Louisiana Welcome to Lundy, Lundy, Soileau & South, LLP  Lundy Lundy, Soileau & South is located in the old historic 1900's courthouse/post office at 501 Broad Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The firm of Lundy, Lundy, Soileau & South has invested in restoring this beautiful building to its 1900 grandeur. I am here often for my  Lake Charles real estate closings and the attorneys and closing agents always make my clients feel special.  The closing process is a pleasure and the staff keeps an open line of communication during the transaction keeping everyone informed.  Its a great feeling to have confidence and security knowing that all documents will be recorded in a timely manner and handled with professionalism. I recently had a real estate clo... 06/13/2010

Speechless Sunday in Lake Charles, LA 06/13/2010

Recently, within a blog entitled Buying a home in Lake Charles, I reminded those relocating to the Lake Charles area as to the benefits of visiting the buyers section on Derenda.com. As my primary website, it contains a great deal of information about the Lake Charles area. Today, I also want to remind buyers about SWLAShowcase.com, a more customized site that is used to market my listings. Why do I have multiple websites to market my Southwest Louisiana listings? There are a variety of reasons, but one of the main ones is to provide larger photos in a more customized format, including embedding my real estate shows onto the landing page for the listing.  2846 Henderson Forest Lane in South Lake Charles is an example.   06/12/2010

 Shopping Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana Offers Broad Variety   Continuing to share the shopping available in and around Lake Charles, today's feature is the popular new strip shopping center with a variety of shops--  Nelson Place.   South on Nelson Road is a new shopping center in South Lake Charles.  Nelson Place offers: Jilly's a trendy shop which carries Junior/Missy Fashion Apparel and Children's Gift items.  Located next to The Nail Spa, I am often distracted by the fashionable items displayed in Jilly's windows! Papa Murphy's is a pizza place where you design and pick up a pizza ready to cook at home a favorite for those who don't cook and families. Pigtails & Crewcuts is a children's hair shop.  Your child can sit in a special car while having his/her haircut! Pink & Blue Av... 06/10/2010

This weekend, I have a chance to change the fact that I've never been to a dog show.  That is because The Calcasieu and Acadiana Kennel Club (Lafayette) are having a combined AKC sanctioned confirmation dog show this weekend at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles June 10th-11th - The Acadiana Show June 12th-13th - Calcasieu Show There are approximately 900 entries and I'm wondering if they would accept Jackson, my Cajun Terrier.  If so, lots of questions: Should I get his hair cut? Does he have to behave? Will the competition change him? 06/10/2010

Bluegrass Music in Louisiana   Louisiana is known for its cajun zydeco music but did you know you can also hear some great bluegrass music right here in Lake Charles, Louisiana?  Thats right, banjo and mandolin folk tunes will make you feel like you are in the heart of Kentucky or the Ozarks where bluegrass mountain music is king! Let me introduce you to the Dippin Spits, a local Lake Charles Louisiana band of talented members Masson LeMeux, Mason Feduccia, Max Cagle and David Heart.  These gifted young musicians are performing at some of  the Hot Spots in Downtown Lake Charles, Sylvia's Bistro and Luna's If you are Relocating to Lake Charles, be sure to visit my Blog often where I feature "Things to Do in Lake Charles" as well as Lake Charles Real Estate!  Perhaps I will see you out an... 06/10/2010

My primary website is easily found! The URL is simple enough, my first name, Derenda.com.  Or, simply Google, "Lake Charles Real Estate" and you'll find me prominently. Newcomers and even locals buying a home in Lake Charles will find Derenda.com user friendly.  In fact, an entire section of my site is dedicated to those buying a home or land in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana. All of this and more within the "Buying" menu on Derenda.com. A recap of what you can find in my buying section: Property search Extensive Quality of Life section Education overview Pages dedicated to areas like Lake Charles, Moss Bluff, and Sulphur. There is a great deal more, so please visit the Buying section of Derenda.com.   06/08/2010

The following Southwest Louisiana websites represent sites that I respect and/or frequent often and/or recognize have value to those new to the Lake Area. They are in no particular order. Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitor's Bureau KPLCTV.com McNeese State University CPPJ.net Calcasieu Parish School Baord LakeCharles.com Calcasieu Parish Library Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society McNeese Banners Program Lake Charles Symphony 4 Paws Society Creole Nature Trail 06/07/2010

The local news tonight on KPLC TV discussed the latest consideration by the Downtown Development Authority insofar as the first phase for Lakefront Development in Lake Charles. Specifically Tract 1A, which is the parking lot area just south of the Civic Center was considered. In short, A 55 year lease with an option for an additional 10 year lease is proposed at a cost of $50,000 per month. The developer has 120 days from the  time the lease is secured to submit and application to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Learn more at KPLCTV.com.     06/07/2010

Re-visiting The Historic Charleston Hotel in Lake Charles, Louisiana Downtown Lake Charles, Louisiana is experiencing a re-birth of revitalization and renovation! There are many beautiful historic buildings in and around the downtown Ryan Street vicinity that could tell a story.  One of these grand buildings which has been renovated and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, is The Charleston Hotel which opened back in 1929.  The Charleston Hotel was the first "skyscraper" in Lake Charles with 10 floors!  Throughout the decades there have been many social events held at The Charleston Hotel located on the corner of Pujo Street and Ryan in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The beautiful exterior architecture of the building has been maintained and the interior features artisan blue ... 06/07/2010

Shopping the Cottage Shops in Lake Charles, Louisiana Continuing in my Summer Shopping Series in and around Lake Charles, today's Blog  feature is THE COTTAGE SHOPS   The Cottage shops are simply that...  cottage homes that house unique shopping found along the corner of Alamo and Hodges in Central Lake Charles.     Carol Henry is the owner of The Perfect Gift.  When Carol goes to market she brings back the hottest items to Lake Charles.  The Perfect Gift in Lake Charles has OKAb Flip Flops, belts, personalized drinkware, LSU items, fashion watches and jewelry.  You will spend hours in this shop until you find that Perfect Gift and Carol gift wraps for Free! Stay tuned and subscribe to my Blog for more information on shopping and out and about places in Lake Charles, Louisiana! 06/06/2010

Lake Charles Downtown Development Project I have posted previous blogs about the downtown Lake Charles improvements and the Boardwalk area. As with any major development project and the inception thereof, there are proposals and meetings to highlight the project presented and numerous suggestions to incorporate. The Cypress Group made this presentation to the Lake Charles City Council with reference to the Lake Charles Downtown Development Authority for developing Tract One A of the Civic Center Parking Lot (south of the Civic Center)  This preview highlights what will be included in the lakefront project.  There will be a total of 212 residential units with various floorplans.  Architecture will be in keeping with Louisiana incorporating ironwork, awnings and lanterns that will mark va... 06/02/2010