Audubon Nature Institute's Okapi Will Have A New Baby

 The New Orleans and San Diego zoo organizations have come together to breed endangered species. Asili, an okapi is one of these endangered species and she is now pregnant.

“It’s a very big deal” in the zoo world, according to Michelle Hatwood, General Curator at the Audubon Nature Institute’s Species Survival Center in Algiers.

“She’s doing great, she’s huge,” Hatwood said. “She’s already a big female, so now she’s got this big belly on her.”

The okapi, also known as the giant pandas of the hoofed-stock world, is an endangered species from Central Africa. Asili, who looks like a horse and zebra came together, lives on a 1,200-acre site along the Mississippi that Audubon leases from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The 1,200 acres are used by both Audubon and San Diego Wildlife Alliance to allow these endangered species to live and roam. So far, they have produced 52 mammals that were eight different species and 83 birds from six different species.

The main goal is to breed these animals for zoo populations but the bongo has been successfully re-established in the wild. The Bongo is a highly endangered species that lives in Central Africa. They are now trying to re-establish the whooping cranes which became extinct in Lousiana years ago. So far Audubon is slowly adding the bird back into the wildlife population around Lake Charles.

"If we don't step up, who is going to?" said Ron Forman, Audubon Nature Institute president and CEO. "This alliance is going to make a difference."

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Tips To Find The Right Home Builder

 Building a home can be one of the biggest life changes you make. Not only is it a big event in your life, but also is one of the biggest investments that you will make. If you are planning on building a home, choosing the right builder can be very important. Not only should your builder be professional and experienced but also needs to be the right fit for your needs and situation.

1. Get Prepared Before You Search.

Just like when making an offer to a seller without a pre-approval makes no sense, looking for a builder without a pre-approval for a construction loan doesn't either. You will want to get pre-approved so that builders you inquire on will know that you are serious.

Before you begin your search you need to determine what type of home you want to build and how much you are willing to spend. There are tons of builders out there with great credentials, but a first-time homebuyer is not going to choose a luxury custom home builder. Find a home builder that builds something in your price range.

2. Be Clear And Look For Experience.

When speaking with a builder, you want to be clear and concise with what you want in your new home so you can compare what each builder may offer. If you want hardwood floors but forget to mention this, then a builder can give you an accurate proposal.

Not only do you need to be transparent with exactly what you want in a home but you also need to ask questions. Ask the builder how long they have been in business? If it is a company with several builders, then ask how long the company has been in business and how long has its principals been building homes. The more questions you ask, the better you will see if the builder is right for you.

3. What's Their "Happy Homeowner" Quotient?

If you are building in a certain community, ask around and see what the neighbors think of the builder. Several questions to ask would be, would they build another home with their builder, would they recommend their builder to a friend or relative, how is the builder's service or how are they at communicating? If you are building on a single lot, ask the builder for references from previous homebuyers.

Another good source is to ask the experts. Lenders, Real Estate Agents, Building Material Suppliers, Builders Associations, and Code Inspectors work closely with builders and can tell you who to go with or who not to go with. Ask them who their top 3 to 5 builders in the area are and why.

4. Make Sure You Are Protected.

Make sure each builder you are considering has a license and is insured. There are several states in the country that do not have laws in place to make sure all builders are covered. Ask to see verification that you, the company, the builder, and the builder's employees are covered if there is a loss or accident.

Another thing you want to make sure to have is a warranty. Many products you purchase come with a warranty, so why shouldn't a large investment such as a home not have one? A promise from the builder is not enough, make sure your home should come with a long-term written & insured 3rd party warranty, not just a promise from the builder to perform.  This covers you even if the builder goes out of business.

Remember building a home is a big investment and you do not want just any Joe builder to come along and build it. Make sure you have gone above and beyond the steps mentioned here to make sure your builder is a professional with a clean slate.

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Owning A Home Is Not Only Smarter Than Renting, It Is Also Cheaper

 Even though house prices are on the rise and mortgage rates are starting to increase, buying a home is still a smart move. ATTOM Data found that owning a home in 2022 is more affordable than renting across most of the country.

“. . . Owning a median-priced home is more affordable than the average rent on a three-bedroom property in 666, or 58 percent, of the 1,154 U.S. counties analyzed for the report. That means major homeownership expenses consume a smaller portion of average local wages than renting.”

Not everyone is in agreement with ATTOM Data. CoreLogic's Single-Family Rent Index revealed that single-family rent saw a huge growth year-over-year. Single-family rent growth hit its sixth consecutive record high. . . . Annual rent growth . . . was more than three times that of a year earlier.

Remember even if the house prices are rising along with rent prices, you benefit from owning. When you rent the increased monthly payments go directly into your landlord's pocket. A monthly mortgage payment is a form of savings in a sense. You are building equity which you will get back once you sell your home. Homeownership also takes up a smaller portion of your paycheck.

If you are in the market to purchase a home, now is a great time. Contact a Realtor who can help you through this process. Having a trusted advisor on your side is the smart way to go.

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Louisiana Will Receive $2.7 Billion for Levee Infrastructure Projects

 South Louisiana residents know the damage flooding can cause to the levee systems around the area during a hurricane. The Lousiana levee systems are very important to the area and its residents. Last month, it was announced that the area will receive $2.7 Billion towards completing the Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane levee system along with several dozen levees, flood control and other infrastructure projects.

Congress recently approved the two bills that provide the $2.7 billion, the Hurricane Ida Disaster Supplemental Appropriations bill approved in September and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act approved in November.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has allowed $1.3 billion dollars in their annual 2023 budget which will be spent over 12 months beginning July 1. Included are 144 projects statewide, including $1 billion to be spent on the construction of 76 projects.

“After Louisiana suffered a direct hit from Hurricane Ida, I am pleased to see the Corps include over $1 billion for projects in Louisiana’s First Congressional District," Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, who originally opposed the bill, said. "As our state’s recovery continues, I am committed to pushing the Corps to ensure South Louisiana has the resources necessary to restore and improve protection for our citizens and communities.”

"The federal funding released today builds on years of work by Congressman Scalise on these flood protection projects," replied spokesman Hunter Lovell. "Congressman Scalise, along with Congressman Garret Graves, secured the language in a House bill that allowed the Morganza-to-the-Gulf project to receive federal construction funding for the first time in its history."

The Morganza levee system already has received $12.5 million in 2020 and $19 million in 2021. The $378.5 million from the infrastructure bill is the largest federal contribution towards the level system. The Morganza levee is a 92-mile levee system. Because the state requires 35% to be matched for the federal funding, Louisiana, Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes have given $1 billion towards the construction.

The money allotted by the bill will also help pay to improve several floodgates which include Minors Canal Floodgate, Humble Canal Floodgate, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway East and West floodgates. It will also help redo the Lockport to Larose levee reach and the Reach A South levee.

The Southwest Coastal Louisiana Hurricane Projection will be allotted $125 million to help raise structures in Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermilion parishes. The program's goal is aimed at reducing flooding problems and restoring wetlands in areas south of Lake Charles.

Another $783 million will be given to the Corps to allow the hurricane levels in Plaquemines Parish to be elevated to levels able to withstand overtopping from storm surges with a 2% chance of occurring in any year. The West Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee will also receive $453 million which is slated to be completed by end of 2025.

The remaining funds will go to improvements to the Atchafalaya Basin floodway, repairs to levee slides at two Atchafalaya Basin locations, and for dredging of a shoaling area in the basin near Morgan City, build the Bayou Sale East-West tie-in, design and partially build drainage projects in Algiers and repairs to Mississippi River levees and channels throughout the state.

The New Orleans area will also get some of the money to help raise the area's levees. In the Corps budget for the area, the proposed to spend $3 billion over a 50 year period. This will help keep the levees raised to the 100-year surge protection level.

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Airborne X Adventure Park Now Open on the West Bank

 Harvey has a new multi-million dollar entertainment complex that has just opened, Friday, February 4, 2022. The 30,000 square-foot amusement center is located at 901 Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey on the West Bank and is called Airborne X Adventure Park.

The new Airborne X is in the building that once housed Bed Bath & Beyond in the Westbank Village Shopping Center. This will be the second Airborne X location as the first location opened in Denham Springs in 2018. Owner Alex Xiao decided to open the trampoline park after seeing the success the Denham Springs location has had.

The entertainment complex has over twenty arcade games, a cafe, and five birthday party suites. It also includes sky riding over the trampoline park, obstacle courses, freestanding climbing structures, a rope course, and a three-level soft play area for the younger kids. It will employ around 80 employees both part-time and full-time.

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2022 Kitchen Trends To Use In Your Home

The new year has brought new trends and design ideas for your kitchen. Here are 15 unique ideas to use in your kitchen this year.

Glazed Tile Backsplashes

This is all the rage in 2022 for your kitchen. Glazed tiles are covered with enamel or liquid glass before they are fired in a kiln. This process gives the glazed tile a nice shiny look. These tiles come in all different colors, sizes, shapes and designs. They can be incorporated into any style of home.

Mixture Of Modern And Vintage

This is like a sweet and salty delicacy. A modern farmhouse design has used this platform but this year it has bumped up a bit. Now modern materials, cabinets and appliances are mixed with a couple of large vintage elements. An example would be taking a modern kitchen space and adding a vintage-style kitchen island.

Statement Range Hoods

This trend has been around and is still going strong. Homeowners love a statement range hood because they are sleek and eye-catching. They definitely create a focal point in the kitchen. If you have a range hood, a budget-friendly idea would be to cover the existing hood with inexpensive untreated wood.

Statement Lighting

Kitchen lighting is always a great way to add a designer dynamic touch. Statement lighting is a great way to do this. It adds an artistic element as well as creates an eye-catching look.

Natural Elements

Using natural elements in the kitchen is a big trend this year. Natural elements not only bring the outdoor elements indoors, they also give a calming refreshing feel. These materials include stone, greenery/plants, wood and natural light colors.

Wire Mesh Cabinetry

Glass cabinets have been a nice touch in an upscale kitchen. This year the trend is now wire mesh panels. The wire mesh panels give a nice rustic and vintage feel without giving up a sense of sophistication. Wire mesh panels can be brass, gray or black and can be made out of all types of wire.

Captivating Color Combinations

Color combinations that are well thought out and planned can make a huge impact in the kitchen. This year, black and dark blue combined with white and gold accents are popular. This gives a stunning look because of the balance between light/warm colors and dark colors.

Eye-Catching Statement Marble

A big trend in solid countertops this year is strongly veined marble. It comes in all colors and levels of veining. Marble has always given a space a luxurious and upscale look. To be even more dramatic, designers are taking the marble up making it the backsplash.

Wood Finishes

Just like the natural look, natural wood finishes are back in style. A great way to incorporate this is using a butcher block countertop. Natural wood tones are warm and inviting.

Mixed Wood Finishes

Using a mix of wood finishes and colors is a great option for this year. Thinking outside of the box is the way to go this year. A great example is to mix different colored cabinets such as a mix of brown, black and white cabinets.

The Green Trend Continues

Green is a popular color this year. A great way to do this is using green cabinets in your kitchen. Green is calming and gives a simplistic and subtle look to the kitchen. Using olive green cabinets with white counters is in demand.

Natural Light

Like natural wood and natural elements, natural lighting is always a must. This year this is used in a designer's tool belt. Natural lighting gives the kitchen an open and bright eye-catching feel.

Tuxedo Kitchens

Last year the trend was all-white and now it is using dark and light. The new trend is called the tuxedo kitchen. This is where two colors are incorporated in a light tone and a dark tone.

Pet-Friendly Accents

Pets are a big part of many homeowners' lives. Adding pet-friendly accents to the kitchen is a no-brainer for animal lovers. These can include built-in water and food bowls or a built-in pet bed. This not only is a convient idea but is also a great way to save space.

Glass Partitions

A glass partition is an awesome option especially when you have an open living space. A glass partition will help keep noise and odors down from the kitchen and give a nice stylistic element to the kitchen. These can come in many different styles and colors.

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Boost Your Curb Appeal By Painting Your Shutters

 A great way to update your curb appeal is to paint the exterior of your home. This can be a huge expense and might not be in your financial plan right now. If you have a smaller budget in mind, think about just painting your shutters to update your home's look and curb appeal.

If your shutters are dated, you might want to think about updating them to make sure the shutters fit your home. "Having an accurate ratio of shutter to window is pretty critical," says Greenville, South Carolina-based interior designer Taylor Hill. "You want to make sure your shutters are architecturally correct, meaning if they were to close, they would actually cover the window." Once this is achieved, follow these professional tips.

Play with Color…Correctly

Even if your favorite color is purple, you would not want to paint your shutters purple unless you live in a tropical area or an eclectic home. Remember to consider what type of home you live in. Many neighborhoods have HOA rules and regulations, so you have to be mindful of the HOA's color palette.

Consider a More Modern Monochromatic Look

Even a traditional home can have a nice clean modern look. One way to accomplish this is to paint your shutters the same hue as the exterior of your home. "It delivers a very chic look without being trendy," Hill says.

Take a Tone-on-Tone Approach

"If I'm starting with a neutral-colored house, I'll often look at the undertones present in the exterior paint color to help us determine a shutter color," Hills says. Hill confirms that this will add both contrast and balance to your curb appeal.

Embrace Classic Contracts

"I love a glossy black pop against a pretty red brick house," Chelsea Robinson, a Nashville interior designer, says. "Painted white brick might be really trendy right now, but you don't have to fall into a trend to make a big impact."

Keep it Natural

If you live near the coast, a natural-looking shutter is perfect for you. A natural wood shutter adds instant character with low maintenance. When you have a natural wood shutter, natural elements can improve their look by oxidating the wood and giving it a green or copper hue color.

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