Despite the inclement weather on Friday that postponed the Krewe of Cleopatra, I still got to ride with the Krewe of Choctaw on Saturday. It was cold and misty in the morning as we headed to the breakfast provided by the great folks at Bennigan's in Algiers to fill up on coffee, eggs, grits, bacon and sausage, biscuits and more. The face painter was busy making up the court members for their long awaited ride...
After breakfast, we were off to the parade route to load up the floats and get ready to ride. Controlled chaos best describes the scene when a parade is lining up. The face painter handled a line of krewe members who preferred a painted face to the masks. Floats were pulling into the correct positions. Bands lined the streets, practicing that one last time before beginning to march.
Finally, it was time to roll! As we rode through Terrytown and Gretna, the faithful parade goers who braved the weather were showered with throws from all of the floats.
It was an exhausting but spectacularly fun day!
Sunday morning dawned overcast, but by the time we made it to the parade route on General de Gaulle, the sun was shining just in time for the Marine Corps Band to march down the street.
After watching the court and other royalty pass by, we zipped over to Gretna for the Family Gras celebration. We arrived just in time to hear the end of Irma Thomas' set. While waiting on the next performance, we grabbed a bite to eat and visited with friends that we ran into all over the street. At around 2 pm, Blake Shelton took to the stage and had a great response from the waiting crowd. I'm so glad that Gretna is participating in the Family Gras celebration and bringing it to the West Bank.
After the band finished, we met up with other friends to see the entire Krewe of Alla parade.
With over 30 floats, it was a full afternoon. Whew....home to sleep and get ready for the coming week.
Happy Mardi Gras to everyone!
It looks like it might be a wet start to the West Bank Carnival season this weekend, so put on your rain coat, bring your umbrella and let the good times roll!
Cleopatra rolls through Algiers and Terrytown starting at 6:30 pm Friday with the theme Cleopatra's Bits and Pieces of the Past. Following the traditional Algiers/Terrytown route, the all female krewe kicks off the West Bank parade weekend with 21 floats and a dozen marching bands and units. See the entire parade route here.
In a return to their traditional parade day, Choctaw will roll on Saturday at 11:30, immediately followed by the Mystic Knights of Adonis. With the theme Worldly Travels, Choctaw features 24 floats and multiple bands and marching units. Adonis is celebrating it's 10th anniversary with the theme Adonis Celebrates 10 Screamin' Years for the 14 float procession. See the entire parade route here.
As Choctaw turns onto Franklin Avenue in Gretna, they will pass the site of the Gretna Family Gras festival, featuring live music at the corner of Stumpf Blvd. and Franklin Ave. Workers have been setting up the stages this week, in anticipation of a great turn out to hear the sounds of the Dixie Cups, Bobby Cure and the Summertime Blues and local favorite Irma Thomas. Admission to Family Gras is free, but the area will be gated and no ice chests will be allowed inside the gates.
pssst...Look for me on float #17, driver's side...I've got some great plush spears to throw!
Krewe of Alla ParadeSunday starts early! Alla Gras, a family friendly celebration, will begin at 9 am on the neutral ground of General de Gaulle, between Kabel Drive and Rue Parc Fontaine. Featuring local musical acts Rockin' Dopsie, the Algiers Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins and more, the event is free. Food and drinks from local restaurants will be available for sale. The party will continue as the parade passes and wind up at 4:00 pm. Get there early to set up your chairs and snag a front row seat for the parade!
At 11:30 am, the Krewe of Alla will roll on the traditional Algiers/Terrytown route with 34 floats, a marching band contest and the Budweiser Clydesdales. The theme for this year's parade is Name That Tune. Alla is one of the few krewes still throwing doubloons and if you are lucky, you can scoop up the special turquoise and gold doubloons being thrown only from the Captain's float.
Be safe, stay dry and have a great West Bank weekend!
The West Bank Real Estate spotlight this week is on the Stonebridge subdivision. Stonebridge is a large, limited access community with homes in both Gretna and Harvey, LA. Low association fees of $400 per year support the active home owners association and provide subdivision security patrols.
Built around three 9 hole golf courses, Stonebridge offers a wide array of custom built homes with the most desirable locations lining the courses. Entrances on Wall Blvd. in Gretna and Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey make Stonebridge a quick commute to anywhere on the New Orleans West Bank, with nearby shopping, dining, playgrounds, libraries, churches and schools. Easy access to the West Bank Expressway and the Crescent City Connection means that you are only minutes from downtown New Orleans.
The clubhouse at the Stonebridge Golf Club has recently been renovated and is now open, featuring a pro shop, banquet facilities and the Lounge at Stonebridge, which is open to the public.
Stonebridge Golf Club memberships are available for individuals, families and corporate members. Only 150 memberships will be accepted for 2008, so don't delay in applying for yours!
Available Stonebridge Properties - Gretna, LA
There are currently 17 homes currently available on the Gretna side of Stonebridge, priced from $296,900 to $1,200,000. Available homes have 3-5 bedrooms and range in size from 2,450 square feet of living area up to an extremely large 8,152 square feet. 2 homes are under contract (pending sale), priced from $319,000 to $325,000. In the last 90 days, 6 homes have sold on the Gretna side of Stonebridge, for prices from $275,000 to $805,000. Recent average sales price is $391,667 and recent average days on market is 148. Based on current sales and inventory, there is an 8 1/2 month supply of homes for sale in this area.
Available Stonebridge Properties - Harvey, LA
There are currently 22 homes available on the Harvey side of Stonebridge, priced from $239,000 to $439,900. These available properties have 3-4 bedrooms and range in size from just under 2,000 square feet of living area up to 3,682 square feet. 4 homes are under contract (pending sale), priced from $249,900 to $347,500. In the last 90 days, 5 homes have sold on the Harvey side of Stonebridge, for prices from $187,007 to $360,000. Recent average sales price is $307,551 and recent average days on market is 93. Based on current sales and inventory, there is more than a 13 month supply of homes for sale in this area.
Lots for Sale in Stonebridge
Want to build your own custom West Bank home? Then consider one of the vacant lots available in Stonebridge. There are currently 8 home sites for sale in Stonebridge, including 2 golf course lots, priced from $69,900 to $149,000.
Buying a Home in Stonebridge
With so many homes to choose from, in such varying price ranges, 2008 appears to be a good year for home buyers looking to purchase their next home in Stonebridge. As always, visiting with your lender, determining your price range, and getting pre-approved remain the first steps when starting on the path to home ownership. Whether you are interested in finding a Stonebridge home in Gretna, LA or Harvey, LA, contact Lisa Heindel, REALTOR®. I'll be happy to help you find the perfect place to call home!
Get new West Bank Real Estate articles delivered to your email
West Bank Homes for Sale - Find a home for sale on the West Bank or other New Orleans metropolitan area.
Contact Lisa Heindel for help buying or selling your New Orleans area home
Free Online Home Evaluation of your New Orleans West Bank home
Copyright 2008. Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.
Despite the fact that Saturday dawned cold, windy and rainy, the Krewe of Choctaw River Parade was still a great success, with over 200 people in attendance.
After running through the rain to the Gretna Ferry Landing, we boarded the Steamboat Natchez, where it was warm, cozy and dry. The steam tables were filled with jambalaya, red beans and rice, sausage and bread pudding. Of course, the longest lines were at the bar, where the terrific staff was serving up their famous Blood Mary's, which were a meal by themselves with all of the garnishes!
We sailed up and down the Mississippi River, around the crescent of the river at Algiers Point and had a great view of the city as we cruised along.
Inside, the sounds of Carnival were playing as the court, krewe members and guest danced the morning away. Much too quickly, we were back at the ferry landing...left wanting more and waiting for next weekend's street parade.
Be sure to come to Terrytown or Gretna on Saturday, January 26th for the Krewe of Choctaw Parade, starting at 11:30 am. I'll be on float #17 on the driver's side. Yell to me and I'll throw you something, mister!
Visit the krewe's website for the complete parade route.
Happy Mardi Gras!
We've heard the songs again and again, since childhood. 
Carnival Time, The Second Line, Mardi Gras Mambo. We know the words and sing along.
We've seen the mega parades. Bacchus, Endymion, Orpheus. We line the streets of uptown and downtown and hope that the crowds aren't 15 people deep if we are stuck in the middle.
We know the only appropriate colors to wear if not masking during the season are purple,green and gold.
There exists a Mardi Gras tradition that only a few are aware of or have participated in. A tradition set atop the currents of the Mississippi River, with the city skyline providing the backdrop. An opportunity for ordinary citizens to rub elbows with Carnival royalty and their court while enjoying music, dancing and a terrific view of the city while cruising the mighty river. Two hours of revelry that is the unique hallmark of the West Bank's Krewe of Choctaw...the River Parade.
The Krewe of Choctaw held their first river parade in 1946, celebrating the return of Mardi Gras to the West Bank after World War II ended. The tradition has continued each year, making Choctaw the only krewe to hold both a street parade and a river parade.
The 2008 River Parade will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2008 aboard the Steamboat Natchez. Boarding will begin at 9:30 am at the Gretna Ferry Landing. The River Parade will sail up and down the Mississippi River, returning to the ferry landing at noon. Chief Choctaw, Frank Ruiz Jr., his Princess, Jina Hughes Ellingburg and the court and officers of Choctaw welcome you to attend. Open to the public, tickets are available online at www.kreweofchoctaw.com with a $15 donation.
Hail the Chief!
 |
|
|
New Orleans West Bank Real Estate| Homes for sale in Algiers|Algiers Point|Belle Chasse|Gretna|Terrytown|Harvey|Marrero|Westwego| Louisiana|home buyers|home sellers|military transfers to NAS JRB
I live and work on the West (Best) Bank of New Orleans, listing and selling homes in Algiers, historic Algiers Point, Gretna and Terrytown, Belle Chasse, Harvey, Marrero and more. I have been a full time real estate agent since 2002, when I left the corporate world of banking after 19 years to follow my dream of being involved in the real estate industry. An Algiers resident, I take pride in all that the West Bank has to offer and welcome everyone relocating to our area. Whether you are moving from across the river or across the country, I am available to assist you in choosing the right West Bank neighborhood for you.
Military relocations to the Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base on the New Orleans West Bank are made easy with my in-house lender who offers many choices in VA financing, including direct VA lending. If you are being transferred to NAS JRB New Orleans, contact me for a list of available housing in the area and we can get to work making your relocation as smooth as possible.
Why choose Lisa Heindel as YOUR agent?
I LOVE HOUSES! Small or large, beautiful or ugly, I think every house has potential. OK...almost every house has potential. Being able to see the potential in each home makes it easier for me to focus on the positives when marketing them or helping a buyer to "see" what a home could be. Taking the most flattering photos possible, creating virtual tours, designing flyers for virtual distribution...these are all part of my services to every client, in every price range. Working with Sellers
In today's rapidly changing market, there is nothing more important to a seller than the ability to get your home in front of as many buyers as possible. I have been studying home staging and I am working to incorporate some of those principles into my listing plan. Helping my West Bank sellers put their correctly priced homes into prime condition and moving them towards a quicker sale is my primary focus. Today's buyers have more choices than ever in home ownership. This can be overwhelming to most people when faced with literally dozens of choices in the market. Assisting buyers has become a much more specialized effort, so I have teamed up with a dedicated buyer's agent as part of the West Bank Living Team. We can help you narrow down your wants and needs to find the perfect new neighborhood and home for your family. Need help finding a mortgage lender, a home inspector or a title company? Our proven team of partners can assist with every step along the way. Professional guidance through the buying process can eliminate most of the stress involved - let's make finding a new home the fun adventure it can and should be!
I specialize in homes for sale on the West Bank of New Orleans and West Jefferson Parish. Growing up in the area gives me a real appreciation for all of the great amenities the West Bank has to offer and how unique each area is. From Algiers to Avondale, the West Bank is a collection of diverse neighborhoods with homes ranging from historic to newly constructed, from affordably priced starter homes to multi-million dollar properties.
I work with both buyers and sellers, but my passion is being a listing agent. Putting together a marketing plan for a new listing is always very exciting and I want that excitement to shine through in all that I do. I believe that part of my success comes the open lines of communication that my clients have learned to expect from me. Weekly emails, updates after showings, "just touching base" calls, 24/7 web access and keeping my sellers up to date on the current market are all part of my standard services. I strive to always exceed the expectations of all of my clients.
When I list your West Bank home for sale, I guarantee you the following services: Please visit West Bank Living where you can:
NOMAR (New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtor) Silver Sales Award 2006, 2008
Latter & Blum Silver Sales Award 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Latter & Blum Gold Sales Award 2006
Member of:
Krewe of Choctaw A West Bank Mardi Gras family tradition.
StayLocal! is an organization dedicated to the support of locally owned and operated businesses in the New Orleans Metropolitan area. Please visit their website to see how your city can stay local too.
Client Testimonials:
Dear Terry and Lisa-
Bruce and I would like to thank you both for all of your hard work and perseverance in helping us buy our 1st home. We couldn't have done it without you! You both made this process less frightening and less stressful!!! We feel privileged to be the first closing you had as a team. You truly worked as a team in every sense and we appreciate it. Thanks again for being with us every step of the way. Catherine & Bruce
Dear Lisa,
We want to thank you for all you've done for us in the past few weeks - this one especially. We're hoping a real "thank you" comes with a closing! You have been invaluable to us - we're so glad we found your website!! Thanks again,
The Beatties
Hi Lisa:
Just to let you know, I was very impressed with all of your knowledge and handling of the sale of my house.
I was very satisfied with the efforts, hard work and service you provided in the sale of my ranch home on Rhodes Ave. If I may go one step further, Latter & Blum is so lucky to have such a fine professional working for them and that you are an asset to the company.
We will definitely recommend you to everyone we know in New Orleans. P.S. Come visit Colorado!
Sincerely, John R. Boutte
Lisa,
You have been a blessing throughout this whole process. Thank you again for all your help with my family and assisting my mother. We love this site of our new home, how awesome it that. If I know of any more military families coming to New Orleans I will definitely send them your way.
We are looking forward to moving into our new house and making it our home.
Thanks again,
Angela and Douglas
Lisa, Thank you so much for helping us find our new home in New Orleans! You've been wonderful to work with and have gone way above and beyond. We won't forget you and we'll be passing on your name and number to anyone looking in the area! Many thanks! The Jones Family __________________________________________________ Lisa, Thank you for all your hard work on the closing of our house. It was a pleasure working with you. We love our new home! Thanks, Charles & Jennifer
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
