Tons of bands will be live at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course
1751 Gentilly Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70119
April 28, 2023
11am – 8pm
Tickets: $85 – $300+
Music Line Up: Click Here
Click here for more information & to see full music line up.
The Hospice Foundation of the South’s signature event in Slidell.
Crawfish Cookoff
Fritchie Park
901 Howze Beach Road
Slidell, LA 70458
April 22, 2023
11am – 6pm
Tickets $35.00 in advance, $40 at gate.
Click Here for More Information!
There is light at the end of the tunnel hopefully for potential homebuyers. According to professionals in the industry, the trends are shooting toward more affordability. 
“Americans finding ways to make payments on a roof over their heads will drive the market next year,” says Zillow chief economist Skylar Olsen. “Affordability is going to be the biggest factor in housing for 2023, but there’s room for optimism on that front if mortgage rates recede.”
Those in the industry have five housing market predictions for 2023.
1. Housing affordability will improve slightly
Those in the industry say there are signs of both the home inventory and monthly mortgage cost will stabilize. Home values should not go down, but they will not keep skyrocketing to space. In fact, national home prices are predicted to remain flat, and they may even fall in some areas.
Inflation is showing some signs of easing up and mortgage rates are starting to also dip. The mortgage rates will continue to go up and down which can cause stress to the housing market.
2. The Midwest will grow in demand
The Midwest has not seen the home price increases like many of the other regions in the US. Professionals believe that this will attract homebuyers to the Midwest. Places like Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and Ohio have more affordable homes.
The mortgage-to-income ratios in many Midwest cities such as St. Louis, Missouri, and Toledo, Ohio, make them the perfect place for first-time homebuyers. There are also more sellers willing to list right now in these areas which mean there is more inventory than in most regions.
3. More friends and family will buy homes together
According to Zillow, 18% of homebuyers have purchased with a friend or a relative who was not a spouse. Buying with someone else helps with your debt-to-income ratio and helps with a larger down payment. The seller’s market has pushed buyers into thinking creatively.
4. New construction buyers may have more choice — and even bargains
Builders’ sentiment is rising and it is leading to more homes being built. A rise in new construction can mean better discounts for potential home buyers. It is reported that new homes under construction are up 50% since February 2020.
5. More homeowners may leverage their home as a source of income
Rental prices are rising higher right now than home values. This means that your home could net you income by renting it. Your rental income will more than likely be higher than your mortgage payment.
In a 2021 survey of home buyers, one-third said they were purchasing just to rent out the home. The record low mortgage rates in 2020 and 2021 made it easier to purchase second homes as income producers. If you are worried about finding a renter for a home, Zillow Rental Manager is your solution. Zillow Rental Manager allows you to screen tenants and collect rent payments. You can post your rental online and on the app for free.
Max and the Martians live in Abita Springs.
Abita Springs Busker Festival
April 2, 2023
11am – 7pm
Music Line Up:
Max and the Martians
Jacky Blair and the Hot Biscuits
Secret Six Jazz Band
Jump Houns
Deslondes
Tuba Skinny
Abita Springs Trailhead Park
22161 Level St.
Abita Springs, LA 70420
Price: Free
Click Here for More Information.
St. Tammany residents are very familiar with traffic congestion in the parish. There is faster growth in St. Tammany Parish than the road capacity can handle, especially at major corridors like Interstate 12. In fact, residents have gone to social media about such issues. 
“Treat yourself like I-12 and never stop working on yourself, no matter how inconvenient it is to everyone else,” a poster quipped on one Facebook page devoted to the topic.
According to the state Department of Transportation and Development, they are in the second phase of the $187 million project of widening I-12. This includes 3 miles from Lousiana 21 to US 190 and along with that stretch, they will widen the bridge over the Tchefuncte River. The third phase will include from Louisiana 21 to Louisiana 1077 which will be bid on in July 2023. Sec. Shawn Wilson noted that it is taking a long time because the interstate work must be done in phases.
Along with the I-12 project, there are several other road construction projects happening in St. Tammany. One to note is the new 20-mile four-lane highway that will stretch between Lacombe to Bush. Another one is the new Bridge on US 190 over the Bogue Falaya River in Covington.
“These are very impactful projects to ease traffic and make it safer,” St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper said.
Over the next year, the DOTD will spend around $172 million on 22 projects in St. Tammany Parish. Another one to note is Louisiana 3241 which is funded by the 4-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax.
“It should have been here 30 years ago,” Wilson said of the highway that will run from the juncture of I-12 and Louisiana 434 in Lacombe north to Bush.
Golf tournament that benefits the Chamber Scholarship Fund in St. Tammany.
Golf Tournament
Beau Chene Country Club
602 N Beau Chene Dr.
Mandeville, LA 70471
March 23, 2023
10:30am
Fees/Admission
$700 – Foursome
$175- Individual Golfer
Click Here for More Information.
