Ascension Parish Coffee Talk- Part 3 of Episode #23. Linda Burt.
Linda Burt explains the exhausting process of rebuilding with having flood insurance. There are no real answers that have been giving to her by FEMA and she is unsure if she will be able to restore her home which sits on a 10-acre lot in Denham Springs Louisiana. Sondra Richard interviews Ms. Burt extensively to try to understand why FEMA isn’t helping her with answers and if she will be able to stay on her land with the FEMA trailer that was provided by the federal government.
The answers are unclear from the government, Although Ms. Burt is grateful for the home she was given temporarily, she’d still like to know if she will be able to keep her beloved home.
One year after the 2016 August flood many families are still struggling to get back home. Delay’s with the response from the federal government has left many with only a few months in their FEMA trailers left until the deadline. There has been no official answer if these families will be forced from their temporary housing, some of them including JD Pence, wasn’t given his trailer until February of this year. Please watch his story all the way to the end, he more than deserves to be heard.
John MacMillan was kind enough to let me stop in and give the people of Ascension Parish a private tour of Louisiana Nursery Home & Garden Showcase. This is not just a place for plants, they have got a ton of items for your outdoor needs.
Their selection of outdoor plants will work perfectly with our Louisiana climate they also have pottery, outdoor decor, wind chimes and bird feeders, the list goes on and on. You can spend hours here just looking around but if you need more help with your outdoor garden and yard their friendly knowledgeable staff are more than eager to help.
John also said that if you have any issues with your plants they can help you with the correct type of treatment for them. Bring a picture of the diseased plant and a clipping then they can prescribe the right kinds of chemicals to bring your plants back to life. Such a great service to offer the people of Ascension Parish.
If you’d like to call before hand you can reach out to them at 225-677-7984, They also have a Facebook Page (click here https://www.facebook.com/LouisianaNurseryPrairieville/ to “like” and comment) or visit their website http://louisiananursery.com/
If you haven’t been here, you have to stop by, When you do, Tell them the Your Real Estate Whisperer sent ya.
“Because YOU Matter”
The Following Comes Straight From the Louisiana Nursery Home & Garden Website.
Roger Mayes started the business from scratch as a family owned retail Garden Center in February of 1983 with his son Mitch, and wife Marilyn. In March, he turned over the lead position to Mitch, who now serves as President. Roger remains actively involved as Vice President. Their business has expanded to 3 locations over a 25-year span.
Louisiana Nursery has been selected as a Baton Rouge Favorite Store for 10 straight years by the readers of Parents Magazine. We are also recognized as a “Top 10 Southern Nursery” (#48 Nationally) by Nursery Retailer Magazine.
Louisiana Nursery is also proud of the 25 Louisiana Certified Nursery Professionals that we have on staff! Come to our experts for answers to your questions!
A Note from Roger Mayes:
LOUISIANA NURSERY was established in 1983 with one Baton Rouge location. The business has grown dramatically over the years to become one of the 10 largest independent retail gardening centers in the south. (45th in the US.)
We now have 3 Baton Rouge area locations, each with 2.5 or more acres, and each uniquely different. Our stores are definitely a fun place to visit at any time of the year.
Besides our year round stock of plants, we also offer a unique gift department, several collectible departments, and a huge Christmas decorating selection.
Our goals are to provide you with a good selection, good quality, and good service. We hope our web site will help you.
Thanks,
Roger Mayes
Kristina Smallhorn
info@yourrealestatewhisperer.com
ksmallhorn@gmail.com
kristina.smallhorn@exprealty.com
Your Real Estate Whisperer
eXp Realty LLC
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601
225-246-1812
Office (225) 412-9982 ext# 149
https://www.facebook.com/YRRealEstatWhisperer
https://twitter.com/RealEstateWhisp
https://www.instagram.com/prairievillerealestate
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0LUzFvtwb5B8EfVCF5uwg
Kristina Smallhorn is a licensed REALTOR® with the state of Louisiana
Ascension Parish Coffee Talk #21, The Uniform Post.
Is it that time of year again? Back to school! As parents hum the lyrics “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” kids grumble under their breath that the time has come for back to school shopping.
When I think back to school my first thought is “The Uniform Post” owned by Shawdell Anderson. Her friendly staff has clothed my school children for the past 10 years since moving to Louisiana. Her quality products last through out the school year and that’s why I personally have said they are Ascension Parishes “Premier” school uniform store.
If you are not from here, in Louisiana, many Parishes have public school and private school children wearing uniforms, Ascension Parish is one of them. Each school has their own colors that must be worn. If you are new to the area and are unsure you can always stop the into Ascension Parishes own local uniform store, The Uniform Post and they can help you out with all you will need.
They have shorts, skirts, spirit shirts, polos, sweater shirts, jackets and can even add the school’s logo that’s in compliance with schools policies. The Uniform Post in Gonzales has been in our area since 1999 so they are more than familiar with the rules so no need to worry if your jacket or polo shirt is in compliance with your school’s rules.
Follow them on Facebook for their sale items and special offers, The website, owner Shawdell Anderson says is more informational. So you to know the good offers Facebook is the best place to find those.
Be sure to stop in before school starts and tell them “Your Real Estate Whisperer” sent ya! “Because YOU Matter”!
Kristina Smallhorn
kristina.smallhorn@exprealty.com
Your Real Estate Whisperer
Serving The People of Ascension Parish and Surrounding Areas.
eXp Realty LLC
2000 Lake Street
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601
225-246-1812
Office (225) 412-9982 ext# 149 Follow Me On Facebook Tweet Me On Twitter See My Photo’s On Instagram Watch My Videos On YouTube
Kristina Smallhorn is a licensed REALTOR® with the state of Louisiana
When you are stuck in traffic, want a meal replacement or an after workout protein shake, Sunset Smoothie has you covered. Their large menu of custom made smoothie will suit just about everyone’s palate.
These are not the typical ice down smoothies you may get at other places, their recipe calls for milk and their own in house made protein powder. Not a fan of milk, lactose intolerant or vegan? They have those bases covered as well, all you have to do is ask.
Tyler Terrebonne shared that his shop added sandwich wraps over time that has been a big hit (I personally tried one and it really was amazing) Tyler also said for the super busy he provides a meal prep service. Perfect for the busy body builder or person training for a big event and doesn’t have the time or energy to do it themselves.
If you are looking for a cool down to beat the summer heat make sure to visit Tyler Terrebonne @Sunset Smoothie and tell him The Real Estate Whisperer sent you, “Because YOU Matter”Kristina Smallhorn
ASCENSION PARISH COFFEE TALK #19, NIKI’S PET SERVICES!
This week in keeping with the theme of “Pets” I was able to have Niki Hatampa of “Niki’s Pet Service” come to my home to talk about what her local business does for our Ascension Parish pets.
Niki is a personalized pet sitter, she lovingly takes them in, creating a warm friendly home away from home for your special fur babies. I could tell after the first phone conversation I had with her that she really loves her career and take care of all the animals as if they were her own. She doesn’t just play with them or take them for walks, she also will give your furry friend his/her medications including ones that need daily shots.
There are also many ways you can reach her if you want to have your animals taken care of when you’re out of the in Ascension Parish. You can visit her website @ http://nikispetservices.webs.com, Instagram@ Nikis.Pet.Services, Facebook @ Niki’s Pet Services or you can find her on the ROVER app/website.
I know for many residents of Ascension Parish it can be hard to know what to do with your animals when your home is on the market, “Niki’s Pet Services” is just another option I wanted you to know about, “Because YOU Matter”
**** The background music came from http://www.bensound.com/, Make sure to mention this website if you plan on using the music for projects on social media unless you buy a license****
Ascension Parish Coffee Talk #17- Help Save Ali’s Sweet Shoppe!
I’ve always had a soft spot for young people taking life by the horns and trying to make a business at an early age. I met just that person this week, Ali Duplessis of Ali’s Sweet Shoppe, opened a Sno-Ball stand right outside the Tanger Mall in Ascension Parish. This twenty-one-year-old woman took her idea, own money and bought herself a Sno-Ball stand. She carefully made sure to get the proper license, approvals and lease from the Tanger Mall so she could be located right where the action is. As you know, It gets hot going from shop to shop around the Tanger Mall and she had the wherewithal to set up her Sno-Ball stand and do it the right way. Hours after opening her first day, she was approached to shut down the stand, told she wasn’t allowed to have it at the location she was given permission to be at but they would give her a special pass for a few days to find a new location.
Ali had made her business plan early on and made sure she would have the location she desired the correct way. Only to be shut down a few hours into opening because someone else had made a mistake, This is a costly mistake for a young girl just starting off in business but the part that burns my hide is that she made sure prior to putting up the stand. She HAD planned ahead, she did all the right things but that didn’t matter.
My goal for this young entrepreneur is for the people of Ascension Parish to rally for Ali’s Sweet Shoppe so Ali will be able to keep the location she worked hard to get in the first place. Please Share this video with everyone you know so they can help her save her location. We are counting on YOU Ascension Parish.
The Fourth of July is quickly approaching so I stopped into one of my favorite local Ascension Parish’s firework stores, Louisiana Fireworks!, located right off Hwy 44 in Gonzales (Close to the Lowe’s Hardware Store)
Tim Tullier was kind enough to show me around some of his top-selling fireworks as he describes how some of them fire off, He also tells of several safety tips to keep you and your family safe this year and years to come.
I’ve added the safety tips from the Nation Council of Firework Safety below, this came directly from their website at fireworkssafety.org
“Because YOU Matter”
PROMOTING SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS
Recommended Safety Tips
Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children.
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
FAA regulations PROHIBIT the possession and transportation of fireworks in your checked baggage or carry-on luggage.
Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.
And let’s not forget the safety of our pets!
Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.
If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
Make sure your pet has an identification tag, in case it runs off during a fireworks display.
Never shoot fireworks of any kind (consumer fireworks, sparklers, fountains, etc.) near pets.
Because of tropical storm Cindy, my scheduled interview had to cancel. In their place, my daughter came to the rescue and decided to show the people of Ascension Parish how the make the pioneer woman’s, Chicken Alfredo with bowtie pasta. Aubrey does most of the cooking after Sydney bails out to talk to one of her friends. Aubrey takes the position of head chef seriously as she explains all the steps in detail to the residents of Ascension Parish.
Cooking is something that has always been a way for my family growing up to be a part of. I’m so happy to pass on this tradition to my children. They both have been cooking on the stove ever since they could reach it. This has been such a wonderful help to me on nights when I get too busy to cook for them. I like having home cooked meals, they love stepping in when I get busy assisting home buyers and home sellers to make some of their favorites. The one featured today is on the top of their favorite list.
I hope you like it, just to let you know, this recipe feeds a family of four pretty easily. It goes great with steamed asparagus. Please give Aubrey a BIG “GREAT JOB” to show her support and be sure to like, and comment below.
(This is the original recipe from the pioneer womanthepioneerwoman.com/cooking/bowtie-chicken-alfredo/)
Ascension Parish Coffee Talk, Episode #15- Chad Blouin of Ascension Parish News Network.
I was able to catch up with CEO Chad Blouin of the Ascension Parish News Network. Chad pontificates his story of how he acquired the little know online news source in October of last year after the great flood of 2016 that affected nearly 110,000 homes over the Greater Baton Rouge area, Livingston Parish being the hardest hit. One-third of homes in Ascension Parish were affected by flood waters according to The Advocate in an August 2016 article written by Andrea Gallo and Gordon Russell.
As horrible as the flood was, Chad was able to be a voice for many in Ascension Parish when many major news stations were barely even mentioning the fact we had flooded. He acted as a reporter too many who were concerned about loved ones they couldn’t get to dues to high waters around their own home. Facebook was his a platform to get our voices heard and Chad amplified his loud and clear voice, in turn, the Ascension Parish News Network was posting his reports and his posts were shared hundreds of times during this period of distress. It opened the door for Chad to acquire the news organization several months later when the owner of Ascension Parish News Network called to thank Chad for his updates. Chad was no stranger to being in the public eye after working in sports news casting on many major news networks and also hosting his own radio show for many years.
Life hadn’t always fallen into place so easily for Chad Blouin. Chad explained that he wasn’t always doing the right thing in life, but after giving his life to the Lord and following his message the doors of opportunity came his way. He lovingly explains that none of his blessings would have come his way if he had taken the direction that God was giving him. He truly is a man dedicated to his faith and expresses that in some of the logo’s he uses in his advertising for Ascension Parish News Network.
Now that Chad has taken over the Ascension Parish News Network it has literally exploded here in Ascension Parish. You see it nearly daily in the newsfeeds of many Ascension Parish residents Facebook pages. With gift card giveaways and interviews of local businesses, Chad and his news network have really become a one-stop shop for all your local news and events. Make sure to download their new app here’s a link, New App Link Click HERE!
I was pleased to finally meet the man behind the now revamped Ascension Parish News Network. As for Chad Blouin’s future? He says he doesn’t really know, He just knows he’s going to keep doing the job he loves, in the Parish, he admires with the people of Ascension Parish that he adores and the rest will fall into to place as long as he keeps following Gods plan for him.
“Because YOU Matter”
Kristina Smallhorn
Your Real Estate Whisperer
http://kristinasmallhorn.brl.exprealty.com/
eXp Realty LLC
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601
225-246-1812
Office (225) 412-9982 ext# 149
https://www.facebook.com/YRRealEstatWhisperer/
https://twitter.com/RealEstateWhisp
https://www.instagram.com/prairievillerealestate/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0LUzFvtwb5B8EfVCF5uwg
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