Who: Local leaders, pastors and LifeSongs’ very own Daniel – rappelling the building of One American Place!

Why: To increase awareness of the nearly 500 adoption-eligible children in Louisiana’s Foster Care Program. A strong part of Louisiana’s culture is quality time spent with family. Residents cherish the moments spent loved ones. Unfortunately, many of these foster children have never experienced this healthy Louisiana tradition. They have never had a stable family, engaged mother and father, or a place to call their home. Each of these children desire to be a part of a family. Louisiana Family Forum’s goal is to see every child that is eligible for adoption in the state of Louisiana placed with a caring family.

When: Friday, May 31st from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Where: One American Place, 301 Main St. in Baton Rouge

View Larger Map

FMI: 225-344-8533 or click here.

Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival – Thursday, 5/16 – Sunday, 5/19

Where: On F Edward Hebert Blvd. just off Woodland Hwy in Belle Chasse

The Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival celebrates the rich heritage of the people of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Enjoy great local seafood and other unique, local food specialties. The festival offers continuous live music, including traditional Cajun music, plus crafts from local artisans, carnival rides, sandbagging contests, helicopter rides that offer a view of the Mississippi River, and more!

Call 504-394-6328 or click here for more details.

Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo – Friday, 5/17 – Sunday, 5/19

Where:  Bayou St. John at Orleans Avenue in New Orleans

A full lineup of local bands play on three stages along the bayou. There’s also an arts and crafts area, food and more. Plus, admission is FREE! On Sunday morning, Bike Easy is having a bicycle second line. The 11-mile ride starts at Bayou St. John at 11:00 AM, and concludesat the Bayou Boogaloo. (So you can get some exercise before having fun at the festival, naturally.) AND on Sunday, Second Harvest Food Bank will host the 4th Annual Rubber Duck Derby at the Bayou Boogaloo!

Click here for more details. 

BioBlitz 2013 – Friday, 5/17 – Saturday, 5/18 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Where: Jean Lafitte’s Barataria Preserve

What’s a BioBlitz? It’s a partnership between the National Park Service and National Geographic where scientists, naturalists, and anyone with an interest in science and nature team up to see, count, identify, and map every plant and animal possible. It’s a Biodiversity festival sharing the nature and cultures of Louisiana and featuring music, food, and exhibitors with hands-on activities. It’s family-friendly and it’s FREE!

Click here for more details.

Westwego 4th Annual Crawfish Cookoff – Saturday, 5/18 from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Where: Westwego Farmers & Fisheries Market, 484 Sala Ave. at 4th St.

Live music, prizes, and (of course) CRAWFISH! What’s not to love? (And, though the image suggests otherwise, the crawfish will NOT be the ones doing the cooking.)

Call 504-341-3424 or click here for more details.

Movies In The Park – Saturday, 5/18 at 8:00 PM

Where: Heritage Park on Williams Blvd. in Kenner

Rivertown’s Movies in the Park continues with this FREE screening of the animated movie “Wreck-It Ralph.” Enjoy a night out under the stars (weather permitting) while watching the film on a 25-foot outdoor movie screen. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs!

Call 504-468-7231 or click here for more details.

The day starts with a buzzing alarm clock at 4:01am. Nowadays, that snooze button is hit for at least half an hour, sometimes until my back up emergency alarm clock chimes in at 5am. My arrival at work is dependent upon how many snoozes occur. Ideally, I’d arrive around 5am.

The morning show runs from 6am-10am. And I’m not just saying this, it is one of my favorite times of the day. I love singing along with the music and I’m so glad there’s an “off” button for the mic. (You would be too!)! I love when you take time to call in a traffic update. Or email in response to something you’ve heard. You truly are so thoughtful. I love spending that time with you.

Many assume that once I’m off the air, I’m done for the day. If only that were true! My official title is “Operations Coordinator.” Or as my misprinted business cards say “Operations Coodinator.” My tasks include an ever-changing variety of responsibilities. But one of my favorites is planning our promotions/ events/ community service projects. I’m not a creative person, but I work with creative people who come up with some really great ideas. My contribution is taking care of the details.

Around 1pm, I leave work and pick up my 3 year old son, Finn at Mom’s Day Out. I’m always anxious to see him, because I haven’t seen him yet today! And when he sees me, he cries “No Mommy! Go away! I don’t wanna go!” Nice greeting, eh? So I tempt him out the door with the promise of M&M’s in the car. And once his M&M’s are devoured, the exhausted kid meltdown begins.

Once home, it is rest time for the whiney boy & lunch time for the whiney hungry Mama. This gives me a midday break for about an hour to relax and prep for the last stretch of the day. Around 3pm, it’s playtime with Finn – another of my favorite times of the day!

My husband works late most weekday evenings, so it’s just Finn and me. So I keep a simple routine: dinner at 5, bath at 6, and bed at 7pm for Finn. Bedtime for me is shortly after, so I have the hope of getting 8 hours of rest before that alarm clock buzzes at 4am.

And I do it all again the next day. It’s a long day. But there are many times during the day I think, “This is my favorite part of the day!” How blessed is that!?! I just wish I had more time to enjoy it all…

I absolutely love nature. Although I don’t spend nearly as much time as I’d like to in the great outdoors (due mostly to my busy schedule), I do try to get outside for an extended amount of time at least a couple of times a month. I am sad to say that after living in Sportsman’s Paradise for almost seven years, I only recently experienced fishing in Southeast Louisiana…terrible, I know!

It is now the month of May, and the sun is shining brightly! Although we do still have an almost perpetual threat of rain, we experience a lot of warm, sunny days this time of year as well. And I would encourage you to take advantage of those days, and take advantage of some of the great resources we have in our literal back yards!

Here are some of my favorite things to do outside, many of which are either free or come at a very low cost:

1. Frisbee Golf: Regular golfing is fun, but takes a lot of skill, money, and equipment. Frisbee golf, on the other hand, is free and only takes the small investment of a few discs! In the New Orleans area, there are at least two Frisbee Golf courses. One is at City Park, and the other is at Lafreneire Park. Both can be loads of fun for beginners and pros alike.
2. State Parks: There are several State Parks in or quite near the Southeast Louisiana region. Bayou Segnette State Park is on the Westbank of New Orleans and features a fun water park with a wave pool. Lake Fontainbleu State Park is on the Northshore near Mandeville and features a nature trail, a water playground, and numerous campsites.
3. Plantation Homes: Baton Rouge is referred to as Plantation Country, and for good reasons. Throughout the area, you will find plantations notable for beautiful antebellum mansions, cottage style architecture, enormous Spanish moss covered cypress trees, and gorgeous landscapes. Typical tours cost between $5 and $10, and reservations are recommended. Yet another outdoors adventure, this time combining architecture, culture, and history!

Hopefully, if you don’t already, you will begin to take advantage of the many outdoor opportunities that our area has to offer. Too many times, we get stuck in an indoor, television driven mindset, and miss out on the beauty that God has given us. Get outside and have some fun, before it gets too hot!

-Daniel

Here are a few retail tips to help you have a successful garage sale.

First, tell me when and where! (I’m a sucker for used vacuum parts, athletic socks, old telephones, records and collectible McDonald’s drinking glasses. Okay, only some of that is true.)

Here we go with the REAL tips…

1. Neatness counts! Display your goods off of the ground, preferably at waist height so they are easily accessible.

2. Set the scene. Try adding background music (LifeSongs on the radio!) and concessions to your sale (bottled water, snacks), and keep a few toys around. Occupied kids = shopping parents.

3. Prep work counts. Set up the night before as much as possible, and start the sale early on a Saturday to draw the best crowds. Those earlybirds really DO want to get that worm.

4. The price is right. Price your goods at approximately 1/4 of their current retail cost. Only go higher on your price tags if you enjoy negotiating.

5. Jingle jangle jingle! Be sure you have PLENTY of change on hand.

6. Spread the word. Advertise your garage sale by posting bold signs and fliers. You can also use the internet for free advertising (with a post on craig’s list or a similar site), and an ad in the local paper can also drum up business. On the day of the sale, tie balloons and a sign to your mailbox.

7. Prime Time. Have one really big item you’re getting rid of, like a washer/dryer, tv, bike, etc.? Highlight that prime sale item to attract attention to your sale.

And, if you’re on the opposite side of that garage sale cashbox, keep this in mind. While bargains are great, and pretty much irresistible to me, it may be smart to exercise a little restraint. Reader’s Digest suggests caution, and recommend you cross these 21 gross, broken, and unsafe items off your list when you head out to garage sales. Happy selling (and bargain hunting)!

-Libby