Annual Christmas at the Southern Holiday Market, December 4, 2024

Make your list and check it twice and come to the Holiday Market in Covington.

Holiday Market

Southern Hotel
428 E. Boston St.
Covington, LA 70433

December 4, 2024
12pm – 7pm

This is a free event.

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14th Annual Economic & Real Estate Forecast Symposium, October 10, 2024

This event is will be held at the popular Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie.

Economic & Real Estate Forecast Symposium

Jefferson Performing Arts Center
6400 Airline Dr
Metairie, LA 70003

October 10, 2024
8am – 5pm

$60 – $85+

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Harbor Center Unveils Major Expansion, Offering New Meeting Spaces and Event Flexibility

On August 22, The Harbor Center in Slidell proudly revealed its long-awaited expansion, marking a new chapter in the facility’s history. The added meeting rooms have quickly captured the interest of event planners and individuals looking to host both intimate and large-scale events.

Harbor Center General Manager Kathy Lowrey expressed excitement about the versatility of the new space. “The best part about this new space is that it allows for such a diversity of events, from wedding receptions and baby showers to large corporate conferences needing breakout rooms,” Lowrey said.

The Harbor Center, which originally opened in May 2005, had always envisioned additional meeting space. However, financial limitations at the time delayed its construction, explained Ron Blitch, the architect from Blitch Knevel Architects who worked on both the original building and the new 9,000-square-foot addition. Blitch praised the result of the expansion, saying, “This expansion is the look we always hoped for. It is meant to look as if it has always been here.”

The newly unveiled space is designed to draw more events to St. Tammany Parish while also providing greater flexibility for existing users. A new second entrance now enables the Harbor Center to host multiple events simultaneously. The expansion’s centerpiece is a 6,500-square-foot multipurpose room, which can be divided into four smaller meeting rooms, each equipped with Wi-Fi, adjustable lighting, and a recessed projector screen. Without dividers, the room transforms into a spacious venue capable of accommodating 420 guests for a banquet, 306 in a classroom setting, or 650 in a theater-style arrangement.

The grand opening ceremony on August 22 featured a brass band leading a second line parade around the facility, showcasing the banquet-style layout of the fully opened space.

Sales and Marketing Manager Cody Bienvenu highlighted the broad appeal of the new space, saying, “We are seeing birthday parties, lunch-and-learns, and showers. We can accommodate every event from the corporate meeting to the franchisee gathering.” He emphasized that the expansion adds both options and flexibility for larger events like corporate conventions, as well as smaller, more personal gatherings.

Harbor Center Board Chairman Mark Myers hailed the expansion as “a meeting planner’s dream,” noting its potential to elevate the scope of existing events and attract even larger ones. Parish Councilman Larry Rolling of Covington echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the broader benefits the expansion will bring to the entire parish. “The economic impact from this upgrade will be seen throughout St. Tammany. It’s hard to find beautiful event space like this,” he said.

In attendance at the grand opening were St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper, Harbor Center Board members, and representatives from local business and civic organizations, including the East St. Tammany Business Alliance and the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. Architects from Blitch Knevel and builders from Voelkel McWilliams Construction were also present, alongside various government and civic leaders.

Looking to the future, Lowrey revealed that the next phase of the $3.3 million self-funded expansion project includes plans for a potential on-site hotel, which would be developed through a public-private partnership. Several developers have already shown interest, and Lowrey envisions a hotel connected to the Harbor Center with accompanying restaurants, further enhancing the venue’s appeal.

“A hotel that would attach to The Harbor Center in a public/private partnership, with restaurants to follow, would bring this space to the next level,” Lowrey added.

With its new facilities and future development plans, The Harbor Center is poised to become an even greater asset to the St. Tammany community and a prime destination for events of all sizes.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

Covington Three Rivers Art Festival, November 10, 2024

This is one of the largest juried art festivals in the region and is in Covington.

Three Rivers Art Festival

Columbia Street (Downtown)
Covington, LA 70433

November 10, 2024

Music Lineup:
Dr. Ben Redwine
Lake Ragan
Ghost Town Duo

Click Here for More Information.

Covington Three Rivers Art Festival, November 9, 2024

This is one of the largest juried art festivals in the region and is in Covington.

Three Rivers Art Festival

Columbia Street (Downtown)
Covington, LA 70433

November 9, 2024

Music Lineup:
Crispin Schroeder
Those Olivier’s
The Teche Two

Click Here for More Information.

Is It Time to Downsize? Here’s Why You Might Be Ready for a Smaller Home

In the pursuit of the perfect home, our wants and needs evolve as our lives, families, and priorities shift. The house that once seemed ideal might now feel too big, too overwhelming to maintain, or too expensive. If you’re contemplating a change, here are several reasons why downsizing to a smaller home might be the right move for you.

Your Kids Have Moved On

As children grow up and move out, many parents are left with empty rooms that no longer serve a purpose. While some choose to repurpose these spaces, others find they simply don’t need them anymore. Downsizing offers the freedom to choose a new home that fits your current lifestyle, enabling you to embrace a new phase of life without the burden of unused rooms.

Financial Savings

Downsizing is one of the most effective ways to cut costs. A smaller home typically means lower mortgage payments, as well as reduced costs for heating, cooling, maintenance, and insurance. Property taxes are often lower for smaller homes, and if you have significant equity in your current home, you might even become debt-free after the sale. Downsizing can be a smart financial move that frees up resources for other priorities like travel, hobbies, or retirement savings.

More Free Time

Maintaining a large home requires considerable time and effort. Between cleaning, routine upkeep, and yard work, you might find yourself spending hours each week caring for a house that no longer meets your needs. A smaller home offers an easier lifestyle, with less time spent on maintenance and more time available for leisure, travel, or spending time with loved ones.

A Simpler, More Intentional Lifestyle

Downsizing often comes with the added benefit of decluttering. Most people who move into a smaller space take the opportunity to let go of years’ worth of accumulated possessions they no longer need. This shift can lead to a simpler, more intentional lifestyle, free from the burden of excess belongings. Additionally, living in a smaller home discourages unnecessary purchases, helping you maintain a more minimalist, environmentally conscious way of life.

A New Location

One of the most exciting perks of downsizing is the potential to move to a dream location. With a smaller budget required for housing, you may be able to afford that beachfront property or a home in the heart of a bustling downtown area. Downsizing can open doors to new adventures and experiences that might not have been financially feasible with a larger property.

Managing Guests

Concerned about where guests will stay? The reality is, your children and other visitors likely won’t return as often as you think. Even if they do, the occasional cost of a hotel room is far less than the ongoing expenses of maintaining a larger home. Downsizing means you can enjoy your space year-round without feeling obligated to hold onto unused rooms for the sake of infrequent visits.

In conclusion, downsizing can offer a range of benefits, from financial savings and a simpler lifestyle to newfound freedom and exciting new possibilities. If any of these reasons resonate with you, it might be time to start considering a move to a smaller, more manageable home tailored to your current stage of life.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.