There will be a lot of activity coming soon to the corner of Phoenix Square Avenue and J.W. Davis Drive . The non-profit Gulf Coast Housing Partnership is ready to begin construction on the Phoenix Square subdivision. A total of 44 homes will be built over time. Eight homes will be built in Phase 1 of the project with immediate construction beginning on two of those eight homes.
The land for the Phoenix Square subdivision was donated by the City of Hammond. The water and sewer systems as well as subsurface drainage has already been completed.
The new homes will feature 3 bedrooms and 2 baths with square footage ranging from 950 to 1,500 square feet. The homes will be priced between $110,000 and $145,000.
The Phoenix Square project is part of Hammond 's initiative to provide affordable housing to the working-class. The City of Hammond received an honorable achievement award from the Louisiana Municipal Association for its initiatives in providing workforce housing. Workforce housing is defined as housing affordable for those earning a gross income of $22,000 to $49,000 annually.
Today, I checked our multiple listing service to see how many homes on the market match the $110,000 - $140,000 price range with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. There are 34 single family homes in Hammond matching this criteria. Current interest rates are hovering just below 5%. You don't have to wait for the new homes to be built. There is affordable housing available in today's marketplace.
You do not want to miss the January 17th edition of Alley Oop in the comic section of your newspaper. This very special edition will be featuring the art work of one of Hammond 's own!
Erin Holloway won the national Alley Oop contest. She will be honored by having her Alley Opp drawing featured in the Daily Star this Sunday. Look for the dinosaur (Tyrannosaur) holding a Happy Birthday sign. This is the drawing submitted by Erin .
This is not the first drawing contest Erin has won. She took first place in a Tangipahoa Parish drawing contest about ways to protect our environment. She drew a picture of people with trash bags picking up litter.
Erin is 12 years old and is home schooled. She is also a student in the Southeastern Louisiana University Community Music School . Erin loves the arts, she likes to sing, act, draw and do sculptures. Of her sculptures Erin says, "My sculptures are either modern art or Cattitudes - which are cats with attitude." She has also played in several local theater productions with the Octavians.
I am sure we will be seeing and hearing much more about this very talented little lady in the future.
You are invited to attend the world premier of three movies on January 29th at 7:00 pm in the Tangipahoa Parish School System building located in Amite City. 
For the ninth consecutive year the Talented Theatre group has received a grant from the Louisiana Division of Arts for the production of movies which explore social challenges facing America 's high school students. The project has been recognized nationally and has received two national awards.
The movies were created by the Talented Theatre students of Amite and Sumner High Schools . Movies to be premiered are: Piano Lesson, Pranks, and Blackmail. Each feature is twenty minutes in length. The students not only created the movies but star in them as well.
An original score was written for each movie by Will Vance, Bobbie Levie and James Bass. Editing, sound and light technicians were Kirk and Butch Lee of Vivid Video shoot.
Charley Vance, instructor was also the screenwriter, director and producer of the films.
Piano Lesson was created by the Amite High students. Music becomes the refugee of a misunderstood high school student suffering from Asperger's Syndrome.
Pranks was created by the students of Sumner High (9th - 12th grades). The story line concerns practical jokes which soon become more than just jokes.
Blackmail was also created by Sumner students (10th - 11th grades). In this movie a student tells too much during an online chat and becomes the target of a cyberstalker.
Funding provided by: 
Louisiana State Arts Council
Louisiana Division of the Arts
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge
First Guaranty Bank
Bank of Greensburg
Peoples Bank
Fire and Ice is the theme, once again, for the Ginger Ford Habitat For Humanity fund-raiser to be held tonight in the old Schwegmann Building . The New Year's Eve gala should prove to be a wonderful evening for all those in attendance. Over 500 guests are expected.
Volunteers from all walks of life in our community have hammered and nailed to transform from vacant building to a winter wonderland ballroom. The empty grocery store now features a chandelier, dining area, martini bars and a stage for the band. Decorations include snow and 30 beautiful Christmas tress.
Entertainment will be provided by the dance band After 8 and a silent auction will take place from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Chef Tommy Masaracchia of Tope La has prepared a marvelous buffet dinner for the party goers. The Crescent will be providing a full bar, champagne and party favors for the guests.
The Fire and Ice theme was so popular that it was decided to keep the theme for this year's gala. Many of the materials and decorations from last year's event have been used for this year's New Year celebration in an effort to save money and provide a greater profit from the fund-raiser. A special "thank you" is owed to Mr. Hoover who allowed the organization to store last year's materials in his building making this money saving move a possibility.
The Ginger Ford Habitat for Humanity in Hammond builds an average of three homes each year.
NEW YEAR'S EVE FIRE & ICE GALA 2008
DECEMBER 31, 2008 8 PM - 1 AM
HOOVER/SCHWEGGMAN BUILDING
1000 S. MORRISON BLVD , HAMMOND , LA
For tickets call: 985-542-6866
Ginger Ford Habitat For Humanity Links:
Restore: http://www.gingerfordhfh.org/restore/index.php
Donation options: http://www.gingerfordhfh.org/donate/index.php
Volunteer opportunities: http://www.gingerfordhfh.org/volunteer/index.php
As a Realtor®, it is always my pleasure to deliver good news to homeowners and home buyers. The timing on this news make a perfectly wonderful Christmas present for those considering a home purchase in 2009.
The mortgage interest rate has fallen to a historic record low of 5.17%! In just two weeks, the rate has fallen from 6% to the new rate.
A lower interest rate means that more people can qualify for a loan. It also means that qualified buyers have two great choices. They can purchase a home in their price range for a lower mortgage payment or they may choose to buy more home for the same payment as they could have purchased previously.
A lower interest rate gives home buyers more buying power. At today's rate compared to the rate a few weeks ago, a home buyer who qualified for a home loan of $100,000 may now be able to qualify for a loan closer to the $115,000 range.
That is happy news for everyone; the home buyer and the nation. A critical factor for the recovery of our national economy is greatly dependent on the recovery of the national housing market.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Yvonne
Yvonne Martin, providing real estate services for buyers and sellers. Areas servedL Hammond, Ponchatolua, Tickfaw, Loranger, Amite, Robert, Kentwood, Albany, Covington, Springfield, and Livingston.
Free Relocation Package Ask the Experts Special Report
I once heard a saying that "People don't care what you know until they know you care." That saying has become my standard in real estate. I want each and every client to know that I do care.
With my focus on Technology and my tremendous investments in marketing programs and my constant increases in advertising venues I strive to be the best real estate agent in the market, never losing focus on what is important, you, the client.
If you want an agent, who displays dedication and competence; someone who knows the area, and someone who cares about you and your family, then call me. When you are ready to buy or sell, I make this pledge to you: That I will be the hardest working, most trustworthy and simply the right person for you to hire.
This is the business that I have chosen. This is the business that feeds, clothes and shelters my family. I tell you this to let you know that if you want quality service, a name you can trust and a person working hard for you, then hire me. You'll see that I am different from most. I rely completely on this business and so I treat each and every client as if they were a true friend and most are.
If you are moving into the area or if you have been here for years and are ready to step up or down. I am here to help you "come home". I specialize in the Hammond, Ponchatoula, Covington and surrounding areas' real estate market. I strive for excellence to ensure quality service and a real estate team you can trust.
My family has been in the area since the 1850's. I have been a Realtor in the area for several years. I understand the unique niche that the Hammond, Covington, Ponchatoula, Springfield, Albany, Amite, and surrounding communities have to offer. I have been here a while and I understand the complexities of the region and the people that I serve.
Here's What They're Saying:
Thank you Yvonne, I have never been happier. I was looking for a nice home and surroundings to retire in and very happy with our choice. We couldn't have done it without you and I will always remember that and I will continue to spread yyour name. A lot of people know about you but aren't ready to make a move yet, but I still feel that they will....sooner or later. Thx much!! - Mike Lutz
~~~ I wanted to take a m-nute to thank you again for all the hard work you did in assisting my husband and me in purchasing our first home. Without your help we would have been totally lost. I was awed by your knowledge and expertise. You guided us through the entire process with professionalism and dedication. I'm sure ours was a small purchase compared to other clients'; however, you made us feel just as important. You were readily available to answer questions, you returned calls promptly, and you went out of your way to complete and deliver paper work in a timely fashion. I was amazed at how well the entire purchasing process flowed. I remember first seeing the house on June 11, and we had the closing on June 27. We could not have had such a quick and problem free transaction without your guidance.
It's been three months now, and we are completely satisfied with our decision. We were well-informed buyers due to our wonderful agent.
Thanks again for your hard work. We will definitely recommend you to anyone we know. _ Ora Lynn Anderson Smith
~~~ Yvonne Martin was my agent three years ago. Prior to my meeting her, I had been looking for the right house for one year, to no avail. I was exhausted and frustrated when we met. She was amazing. After my first meeting with Yvonne, she got a firm grasp on the type of house I was looking for. Within days, I had a purchase agreement on my dream home. She was a pleasure to work with, and extremely effective in carrying out her duties. She later sold a property for me, which again, she did an exceptional job. All I had to do was show up to sign the paperwork at closing. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a new home. - Jennifer V. Daigle
~~~ Yvonne is a great agent! She sold our house quickly despite difficult market conditions. Through Keller Williams, she has access to current market data, which she used to help us price our home and develop strategies for marketing it. She was prompt in getting our house featured in their on-line sites and also in returning phone calls. She was diligent about contacting potential buyers, and showed our home often while it was on the market. She advised us well throughout the process. Working with Yvonne was a very good experience, and we would certainly use her services again in the future. - Carl and Toni Phillips
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