Any one who lives in St Tammany Parish whether Madisonville or Slidell are very aware of the abundance of waterways in our area.  in fact this is one of the big reason many choose to live here.  Eden Isles , Oak Harbor and Clipper Estates are some of the waterfront communities that abound in Slidell.  well if you have a boat you may want to attend the safety class being held April 26, 8a.m. to 5 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 433 Erlanger Street, Slidell.This class costs $25.  Louisiana law mandates that a person born after January 1, 1988 may not operate a boat powered by a 10 horsepower motor and above unless they have completed such a class.For further info call Gus Maggiore 781-1220, Jeff Huse 649-3108. 04/02/2008

This coming Saturday April 5, 2008 will be Slidell's third annual air show.  It will be held at Slidell's airport.  The Army will reign this year.  The two parachute teams the Golden Knights and Black Daggers will perform.  Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children.  Children younger than 6 will get in free.  Their will be free shuttle service for attendees.  park on the North side of Northshore square mall.  This promises to be a really fun time for any one. 04/02/2008

Many a people are working to see the old I-10 twin spans become a fishing pier once they are no longer needed.  I think this would be great for Slidell.  I remember as a child my dad and I would go out on the bridge when they weren't opened yet.  we would catch crabs and an occasional fish.  We were after the crabs more than the fish.  It would be a shame to destroy this whole bridge, when plenty of people could put it to use. 03/29/2008

The Henry J. Calamari Memorial 2-mile roadrace will be held this year on April 26. The race will be run through the streets of Westchester Estates subdivision.  This date correlates with Our Lady of Lourdes fair.  The race will start as always at the school and end at the school.  Race begins at 8 a.m..  The fee is $10 in advance and includes a T-shirt.  The fair will open at 9 a.m. and offers plenty of food, music and lots of fun. 03/29/2008

The Hospice Foundation of the South's annual crawfish cook-off will be held April 19, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Fritchies park in Slidell.  Tickets are on sale now for $20 in advance and $25 at the gate.  Tickets are available in advance at Whitney Bank branches.  Entertainment will be by the Top Cats, 4 Unplugged and the Lost Bayou Ramblers.  There will be thousands of pounds of crawfish to be eaten. 03/22/2008

Lakeside Swim Association at 497 Cumberland St. in the Westchester Estates subdivision is in need of lifeguards to work this summer.  You must be certified and can submit a resume to P.O. Box 39, Slidell LA 70459.This is a great chance to earn some spending cash and work on your tan.  Imagine getting paid to work on your tan.  My daughter used to swim here and the people are some of the nicest you will ever meet in your life. 03/21/2008

Volatility remains the key word when discussing rates, stocks, credit markets and the financial markets in general.  30 Yr fixed Rates started the year at 6.25 and have gone as low at 5.5 (only for about an hour) and as high as 6.875 in the last 3 months.  Currently the 30 yr fixed rate is hovering between 6% and 6.375%.  Normally long-term rates don't move more than .25% in any given quarter...we've seen swings as high as 1% in a day! That being said...where are we headed?  As we discussed in our last update the chances of the economy going into a recession were 20% at the beginning of the year.  Based on recent employment, retail and GDP growth it appears that we are currently "in" a recession.  It is still to early to call but there is not a lot of positive news that suggests otherwi... 03/17/2008

I have been bloged about this day for the past couple of days.  Everybody was Irish today.  The weather couldn't have been any better.  Clear blue skies and temperatures in the low seventies.  This parade rolls through Olde Town Slidell every year.  The crowds are well behaved and is really a family atmosphere.  They throw cabbages, potatoes, carrots and onions.  All you need is the corn beef to make an Irish stew. 03/16/2008

Mark April 5 for the Slidell air show.  Come to the Slidell Municipal airport this April 5, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  There will be flyovers and aerobatics.  Admission is $7 per person and $3 for children 6 and older.  Park at North Shore square mall and there is a free shuttle to and from the airport.  For more information visit www.slidell.schultzairshows.com. 03/11/2008

Once again I have to blog about this Sundays St Patricks Parade.  The parade will take place in olde town Slidellthis coming Sunday.  The parade starts at 1 p.m.  Wear your green and bring something to carry plenty of cabbages.  This parade rocks and is a good time for even those who hate parades. 03/11/2008

There will be a block party this Friday in olde town Slidell.  From 6-9 p.m. it will stretch from First street to Cousin street.  There will be music from Kilts of Many Colours out of Abita Springs and Johnny J and the Hitmen.  There will also be a classic car and truck display along with the Slidell Art League display.  This will be a very good time.  Come by and have some fun. 03/11/2008

This week was another volatile one for rates and stocks alike.  The week ended with conforming 30 year rates heading to 6.50%.  FHA's rates have consistently been lower than their cousin Fannie - FHA rates ended the week @ 6.00% HUD finally announced the new maximum mortgage limits for our area, raising the loan limit on a singe family home to $287,500.00.  This was welcome news for those of us who have been waiting for a more realistic loan size to accommodate buyers in our market.  While FHA increased our loan size, Fannie Mae released its announcement that our area would not be included in their recent increased loan size.  Fannie Mae has decided to extend higher loan limits only to the very high median home price areas in the US, i.e. California, Florida.   This was disappointing ne... 03/09/2008

There will be a new mens Basketball League on Wednesday nights in Slidell.  They will start this coming Wednesday at Cross Gates athletic club in Slidell.  Members 18 and older and non-members 25 and older are welcome.  The team fee is $225.  For more information call 643-3500.  Time for you to get in shape and have some fun. 03/08/2008

SBBA starts its T-ball program at four years of age.  At the T-ball level boys and girls play together and a score is not kept.  After T-six the boys move to baseball and girls go to softball.  Dues are $100 per child with reduced rates for more than one child.  For more information call 985-643-9805. 03/08/2008

March 11 is the deadline to enter the SlidellSt. Patrick day parade.  The parade takes place in Olde Town Slidell.  The parade lineup is determined by the order in which applications are received.  This years king and queen is Kevin and Linda Young.  The parade is March 16 at 1 p.m.  Award are given for best umbrella, marching group, dance team, costume, and best float.There are some fees to enter.  For more information please call Brad Champagne at 985-643-3151. 03/05/2008

The Slidell Elks Lodge 2321 is holding a car, truck, motorbike and bicycle show this coming Saturday.  The show will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.There will be games, door prizes and numerous other booths with crafts and food.  Bring your antique car and show it off.  This will be a good time for all.  For more information contact Greg Hanrahan at 985-645-0706.  For vendor booths call Cathy Neight at 649-9883.s 03/05/2008

Looking for a good pet such as a dog or cat?  The Slidell animal shelter is the place to go.  Adoptions are available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2700 Terrace Avenue off Old Spanish Trail.  These animals have been spayed or neutered and tested for diseases.  The cost is $80 for dogs and $70 for cats.  All have microchips implanted also. 02/28/2008

Slidell LAwill be trying to get approval for a life style center of their own.  The complex will set on over 400 acres and contains grocery stores, clothing stores and hosing for single family homes and multi-family homes.  The complex will be located near the new Fremaux exchange for the I-10.  The UNO technical school has plans to build nearby as well.  This should increase values of the homes in the Eastern part of St. Tammany Parish.  I wait with baited breath. 02/17/2008

The krewe of Selene will parade tomorrow night (Friday) in Slidell.  This is the only night parade in Slidell.  The parade is an all womens krewe and the best in Slidell as far as I am concerned.  The weather will be chilly.  Dress the little ones up nice and warm.  Come out and have a good time.  The parade will start at Fritchie Park and ends at Rouses on Gause Boulevard. 01/31/2008

Congratulation's to Bridget and her daughter Jaime on the purchase of their new home.  This is a small but charming house.  This home was completely redone after Katrina.  With some plants and fertilizers the yard will look as good as the inside in the coming year.  Once again I hope they enjoy the home as much as I enjoyed working with her. 01/26/2008