Before I head back over to Gretna for the final day of the Heritage Festival, I thought I would share some photos from Saturday.  The weather was gorgeous, the food was incredible and music was being played on 7 different stages all day and into the night. I missed the big name acts, since I was working at the Krewe of Choctaw booth, but I did manage to take a stroll around and catch some of the local artists (who are my favorite anyway) and sample some of the dishes being put out by the other non-profit organizations.  I hope they were are busy as we were - so far this weekend, we have served over 1,000 pounds of fried shrimp...not to mention the fried catfish and the crawfish pies! Here's a peek at some of Saturday's events.... The crowds were amazing - I'm sure that this year is brea... 10/05/2008

I just wanted to share a few photos from the first day of the 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival with you. I didn't get a chance to see everything, but I'm heading back out today to capture some more! Things kicked off with the West Bank's own Chicken on the Bone on the Market Stage: After the band finished, it was off to the Krewe of Choctaw booth for the best shrimp po-boys around. The kids had a great time checking out all of the rides and carnival-like games. The crowds were the largest I have EVER seen on a Friday night at the festival. With today's forecast including more sunshine, I'm sure that Gretna will be overflowing all day. If you get a chance, check out the booth with the sparkly fleur-de-lis and S&WB logo shirts - they are inexpensive and cute, cute, cute. Hope to see you ther... 10/04/2008

The festival is here! The festival is here! My absolutely must attend West Bank festival is taking place this weekend in the City of Gretna and I can't wait to get out there and hear some great music, eat some fantastic food and try to keep at least a little cash in my pocket while drooling over the beautiful arts, crafts and jewelry that fill the booths. Starting at 4 pm on Friday, the 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival kicks off with my favorite local band Chicken on the Bone rocking the market stage. Disclosure: I'm just a little biased since my hubby is in this band! The music continues all weekend with performances by Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, KC and the Sunshine Band and Montgomery Gentry. Loads of local musicians will be on tap as well: Allen Toussaint, Galactic, Amanda Shaw, Bucktown... 10/03/2008

I ran into my favorite local hairdresser, Alise Lavergne at Regis Salon in Oakwood Mall, last night and found out that the salon will soon be participating in a national campaign to raise funds to fight breast cancer. On October 18, 2008, Regis Salon will be offering $15 hair cuts with all proceeds for the day being donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Can't make it on the 18th?  $15 vouchers will be available for purchase and will be good for a hair cut through the end of November. In preparation for the event, donations of gift basket items are being accepted.  The gift baskets will be raffled off throughout the day, raising even more money to help defeat a disease that has impacted too many. For more information, appointments or to make a donation, please contact: REGIS SALON ... 09/21/2008

My absolute favorite festival on the West Bank is the Gretna Heritage Festival, held the first weekend of October each year. There are enough things for the kids to do and ride and eat and play on that I could easily go broke in 3 short days, but we've learned to make them budget their money for the weekend to avoid that sad scenario. Since I belong to the Krewe of Choctaw carnival club, I spend the entire weekend at the Festival, alternately having fun checking out all of the art, crafts and jewelry and then working at the booth we sponsor, selling the best shrimp po-boys and crawfish pies and people watching - one of my favorite activities. The music line up for the 2008 Festival has been announced and it looks like another stellar year of entertainment, with both local and national ... 08/16/2008

Garden Park is a well established and high demand neighborhood located inside the city limits of Gretna, Louisiana.  Winding, tree lined streets and a range of home ages make it a very pleasing place to call home.  The neighborhood is actually divided into 2 sections, Garden Park on the south side of the Expressway, and Old Garden Park on the north side.  Mature trees and some fabulous landscaping line the streets.  Conveniently located, it's a hop, skip and jump to get to the New Orleans Central Business District, NAS JRB New Orleans, NSA New Orleans or the Manhattan shopping corridor. Homes in Garden Park range from the mid to upper $100s for an entry level home to over $300,000 for one of the large custom homes in the neighborhood.    Living in Garden Park Jefferson Parish Public Sch... 08/03/2008

Stretching from Belle Chasse Highway to the south side of Lapalco Boulevard, Timberlane Estates is one of the shining stars of Gretna, LA real estate. Originally developed in 1959, Timberlane has continued to grow through the years with new homes still being constructed in this prestigious golf community today. Living in Timberlane Estates provides easy access to Timberlane Country Club, the oldest country club on the West Bank, with an 18 hole golf course, tennis courts and an Olympic size swimming pool offering year round outdoor activities for the entire family. The clubhouse is available for private events and has an onsite catering and wait staff to take care of all of your needs. The driving range at Timberlane Country Club With such a convenient location, Timberlane Estates is a ... 03/23/2008

It's that time of month again - time to take a look back at the single family home sales on the West Bank.   Here are the monthly reports for the City of Gretna (zip code 70053) and unincorporated Gretna and Terrytown (zip code 70056).City of Gretna Home SalesSales of single family homes in the city of Gretna increased from 2 in January 2008 to 9 in February.  There were 15 homes pending sale at the end of January, so obviously a few didn't make it to closing.  Inspections and financing continue to be the primary reasons for a purchase agreement to be canceled.  As of 3/2/2008, there are 10 homes under contract/pending sale in Gretna, indicating that demand is remaining steady so far this year.Average sales prices in the city of Gretna are continuing to climb from last year's 12 month a... 03/03/2008

In my continuing review of gated communities on the West Bank, this week's focus is on The Commons in Gretna, LA.  Developed by Willow Builders in 1999, The Commons is centrally located on the West Bank of New Orleans off of Wall Blvd. with easy access to the Central Business District, NAS JRB New Orleans, the Metairie business district and more.  Is your office in one of the new developments on Manhattan Blvd.?  The  Commons offers you a commute time of less than 10 minutes!  Travel time to the Naval Air Station in Belle Chasse is only around 20 minutes.Nearby shopping includes Target, Lowe's, WalMart, Sam's Club and more.  Dining out is close and convenient with the wide selection of local and national chain restaurants within minutes of your front door. Things to know about The Commo... 02/24/2008

The January sales reports are in for the City of Gretna, LA, zip code 70053 and for unincorporated Gretna and Terrytown, LA, zip code 70056.City of Gretna Home SalesWhile the average sale price has increased by almost 38% from January of 2007, the increase cannot be used as a market indicator with only 2 homes sold in January 2008.  After our early Mardi Gras, the usual increase in spring sales should start a little sooner this year.  I know that my phone has been ringing more often as more agents are calling for appointments on my West Bank listings, which is always a good sign of increased market activity. January 2008January 2007# Sales26Average Sale Price$161,250$117,000Average Days on Market16153Total Sales Volume$322,500$702,000There are currently 57 active listings in the City of... 02/06/2008

As we close the calendar on 2007 and enter a new year, take a look back at the historical trends for home sales in the City of Gretna, zip code 70053.  Some highlights worthy of mention:99 homes were sold in 2007, a decrease of over 21% from the number of homes sold in 2006.   This marks the smallest number of home sales in the area in 5 years.  87 (88%) of the homes sold in 2007 had a list price of less than $200,000. Days on market for homes sold was an average of 56 days As of 1/2/2008, there are 57 active listings and 12 homes with accepted offers that have not closed yet.  Based on 2007 sales, this amounts to a 7 month inventory in the 70053 zip code if no more homes are listed. Average home sale prices increased slightly from the 2006 average of $138,380 to $143,628, a 3.79% incre... 01/02/2008

 As a little girl, I loved putting on my Christmas dress, pulling up my tights, strapping on my shiny new patent leather Mary Janes and standing in the line to visit Santa Claus.  While my younger sister was terrified (and cried every year) I couldn't wait to jump up on his lap and whisper in his ear all of the things I was longing to find under the tree on Christmas morning.  Oh, please...I want a Barbie...and some roller skates...and a new bike...the list went on and on. It brings back so many memories to look at those old photographs that Mom had to order....we were so impatient waiting for them to arrive in the mail.  Did we smile?  Were the tears still in my sister's eyes?   Flash forward...in 2007 you can get your digital photos with Santa printed while you wait and even pick up a... 11/20/2007

 What's on tap for this week in Gretna? Gretna City Council Meeting11/14/2007 beginning at 5:30 pmGretna City HallThe public is always welcomed at the monthly City Council meetings.   Visit the Gretna Farmer's MarketSaturday, 11/17/20078:30 am - 12:30 pm at the Gretna MarketHuey P. Long between 3rd and 4th StreetHere is your last chance to pick up your fresh veggies for Thanksgiving!   Gretna Fall Concert Series on the Riverfront - FINAL PERFORMANCE!11/16/2007  6:30 pm to 8:30 pmThis week's performance by Irma Thomas marks the end of the concert series.  It has been a great way to spend Friday evenings, surrounded by friends, food and great music...all with the backdrop of the Mississippi River and a skyline view of New Orleans.  I'll be sorry to see this come to an end - thank you Gret... 11/13/2007

West Bank market update for Gretna and TerrytownOctober sales volume (number of single family homes sold) has declined from the 2006 level of 36 homes sold to 24 homes sold in October of 2007, a 33% decline in the total number of homes sold during the month. It should be noted, however, that homes sales remained stable from September to October 2007, contradicting the national media reports of continuing drops in home sale activity.           Conventional loans remain the preferred method of financing a home purchase, accounting for 58% of the home purchases in 2007, down from 69% in 2006.Average sale prices in Gretna and Terrytown have declined from $175,593 in October 2006 to $168,723 in October 2007, a decrease of 7% in average sold price.           Average days on market for October... 11/04/2007

The spotlight this week is on the Bellemeade subdivision in Gretna, Louisiana.The Bellemeade subdivision is divided into two sections, Bellemeade North and Bellemeade South.  Conveniently located, Bellemeade has easy access to both Belle Chasse Highway and Lapalco Blvd. making it a snap to get anywhere on the West Bank in minutes.  Have a golfer in the family?  Bellemeade is just around the corner from Timberlane Country Club and golf course. Bellemeade residents enjoy an active homeowners association (Bellemeade Civic Association) and a private swim club located inside the boundaries of the subdivision at 501 Brookmeade Drive.  Get more information about the swim club at http://bmswimclub.googlepages.com/. Here is a market snapshot of Bellemeade sales activity for 2007:Active ListingsT... 10/21/2007

Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded - Jess Lair Like a lot of others my age, when I was growing up, my mother did not work outside of the home. She was waiting when I arrived home from school at the end of the day, making sure I did my homework before I was allowed to go outside to play or ride my bike. Times have certainly changed.... Single parent families, families where both mom and dad must work to make ends meet, children being raised by extended family members who also have jobs. Where can these kids go after school if there is no one waiting at home?  On the West Bank, they can attend the newly reopened West Bank Boys & Girls Club in Gretna. The Boys & Girls Club has a mission of helping young people in need. They encourage and guide young people ... 10/19/2007

What a weekend! I am worn out from spending 3 straight days at the Gretna Heritage Festival, but it was time well spent. For those of you who missed it, here's my recap of the events: FridayThe festival kicked off on Friday afternoon at 4 pm. While it was overcast with some rain off and on, it didn't stop the visitors from coming through the gates. I was working at the Krewe of Choctaw booth, selling (and eating) shrimp poboys, crawfish pies and "Shrimp in Da Cup", so I did not get a chance to catch any of the musical entertainment on Friday. We did, however, see the brass band that paraded down one side of Huey P. Long Avenue to the river and then back up the other side. There was a group of second liners trailing behind the band, which was a great way to open the festival. The rides a... 10/08/2007

It's that time of year again.  The Gretna Heritage Festival is this weekend, starting Friday, October 5th and running through Sunday, October 7th - are you ready?The festival is held on the West Bank in the City of Gretna on the first weekend of October each year, just as the weather is becoming milder and being outside is fun.  Located at Huey P. Long and the Mississippi River, with so much to experience...the festival offers great food, music and fun.  Free public parking is available in the parking garage at 3rd St & Derbigny St.There will be an area with carnival games and over 12 rides for the young and young at heart.  This part of the festival always reminds me of a boardwalk with its "carny" atmosphere.  Popcorn, cotton candy, soft drinks.  A child's delight!  Pay one price ride... 10/02/2007

Gretna Heritage FestivalOctober 5th - 7th This is a great time in Gretna, LA. This festival has it all. The Bands this year include the Beach Boys, Irma Thomas, Clarence Carter; The Topcats just to mention a few. More information go to http://www.gretnafest.com/.The food court will have food for anyone taste. In addition, to food and music there are games and rides.   09/25/2007

There will be multiple open houses this Sunday, September 23, 2007, in Terrytown, RAIN OR SHINE. The Saints are not playing until Monday night, so it's a great opportunity to view those homes you've had your eye on, but haven't had a chance to see yet. Click on the addresses below for details and directions.222 Wall Blvd. In ground pool1813 Green Oak Dr. In ground pool572 Deerfield Rd. Fish pond521 Oakwood Dr. Renovated100 Willowbrook Dr. Corner lot712 Fairlawn Dr. Recently updated452 W. Butterfly Circle Recently updated501 Fielding Ave. Corner lotI'll be at 302 Amapola Circle from 1-3 pm. Please stop in and visit! Your West Bank Real Estate Specialist 09/21/2007