This year's Palm Sunday Events will be dedicated to the memory of long-time Margaret Place Historical District (MPHD) resident, preservationist and my friend, Ben Mount.

You can learn more about this announcement and the weekend activities on the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society's (CHPS) website. Briefly, the tour has been expanded to include the following to help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Margaret Place.

- Margaret Place Fan Tour on Saturday afternoon/evening, March 31st
- 100th Anniversary Brunch at 121 Artisan's Bistro on Sunday, April 1st  Two seatings.
- Free Exhibit at ICCS that will include Margaret Place Artwork by Sue Zimmerman
-Palm Sunday Tour of nine private homes in Margaret Place
- Blocked streets to better enjoy the vintage cars that will be on display
- Optional, complimentary civic center parking with transporation and historical insights provided by a docent on the Lake Charles Trolley
- Carriage rides by reservation with J&R Carriage
- Full color program

This effort is under the direction of a significant joint committee comprised of hard working representatives from CHPS, MPHD, the SWLA Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Arts and Humanites Council, and the City of Lake Charles.

Tickets to the Fan Tour and Brunch (two seatings) are limited

You can purchase tickets on-line now.

Tickets can also be purchased by check by printing out a multi- purpose form that also provides for those wishing to volunteer, advertise and/or  serve as a sponsor.

My bias to restaurants in the Margaret Place and Downtown area is not a secret. However, I do venture out, especially when one of my favorite clients come to town.  Such was the case today for lunch.  

We were greeted at an open door by none other than Nick Hunter, the ever competent owner of The Harlequin. Nick has an absolute knack for making customers feel welcome.  Combine this friendly and welcoming atmosphere with a menu that delivers tremendous quality and you'll quickly discover why The Harlequin is one of the most popular restaurants in Southwest Louisiana.

I'm also aware that The Harlequin has agreed to purchase vegetables from the new Garden of Hope, an effort by the Potter's House. Of course, this is only one of many community projects endorsed by The Harlequin.

Great food, great service, and a civic minded owner! Doesn't get much better than Nick Hunter and The Harlequin Restaurant.

A NAR Benevolent Foundation is proposed, but needs our help to see it become a reality.  Please read this post and take action so that we REALTORS can truly do our part to take care of each other by relieving some of the pain and suffering caused by tragedies described in this post.

Monday is not a regular night for me to visit my favorite dining establishment, DeAngelos.  After meeting the new bartender, Jacob Trevino, that may change. 

First of all, let me say that I adore each and every one of the current bartenders who cater so well to the regulars as well as those new to one of the finest restaurants in Lake Charles.

So, why blog about Jacob?  Like his counterparts, he is friendly and at ease with the customers.  The difference is... Jacob is entertaining.  He's one of those who can juggle (literally) the bottles and conduct  other theatrics to delight his clientele without skipping a service-beat.

Tonight, Jacob enthusiastically suggested I consider one of his "100 drinks you must drink before you die" offerings. I can't remember the name of the concoction, but I do remember it has 19 different ingredients! To his credit, once Jacob understood that I was  going easy on the booze in my weight-loss effort, he quickly moved on to my next choice and helped me with my decision as to which red wine I would enjoy with my meal.

So, local friends, fellow Margaret Place fans of DeAngelos and/or those who may visit Lake Charles.  Feel free to join me next Monday to watch Jacob at work at DeAngelos!

Tish Lloyd is a broker in Wrightsville Beach, NC and one of my favorite bloggers.  This morning, she has issued a challenge that is worth noting/taking.

Her "Charity begins at home" message is one most of us adopt, but it begs the question...can we do more? 

Of course we can.  Some of our giving/doing is private, but the nature of some programs is that we need to help spread the word. 

I'm going to take her challenge and will write a separate blog about a few of the organizations in the Lake Charles area that I respect and support.

Most of my colleagues accept the fact that, for the most part, I'm a stay-in-the-office-broker.  I receive the mass mails for agent open houses, but generally only attend those in the Shell Beach Drive and/or Charpentier or Margaret Place areas. 

But, when Tony Cornner left me a personal voice mail with an invitation to three open houses yesterday, I knew I would travel to The Providence Subdivision in South Lake Charles.

In his voice mail, Tony enthusiastically described that each house was being staged by a different furniture company and were show-ready. Sadly, staging is not the "norm" in our area, so I wanted to see and support his efforts and the results of furnishings by 505 Imports, Household Furniture, and Howell Furniture.

Tony did everything right. Served a great Casa Manana, lunch complete with deserts, had plenty of help, marketed via personal invitation, e-mails, signage, and news coverage. The amount of work and coordination to make this happen reminds me of the Lucille Ball quote that goes something like, "If you want something done, ask a busy person."

Kudos to all!  The staging was beautiful and I was quite impressed to see artwork by local talent Vicki Singletary.

This issue of Jambalya Magazine provides details and photos of the staging efforts as well as several quotes by Tony.

I arrived early and was as impressed with the initial turnout as I was with the office support exhibited by Tony's fellow CENTURY 21, Mike D. Bono agents. In fact, one of the first people I noticed was fellow broker Mike Bono.  As a member of the Louisiana Real Estate Commission, I suspect Mike is quite busy, but not to busy to take time to personally visit each of the Providence open houses.  

I enjoyed meeting some new agents and visiting with several agents that I've known for more years than any of us care to admit.

Members of the public can experience what the real estate community public enjoyed yestereday as all three homes will be open this Sunday from 1-3:00.

Last night around 6:15, three of us from Margaret Place rode our bikes through Downtown Lake Charles, then east on Kirby Street through a portion of the Charpentier District.  Minimal traffic, beautiful historic homes, and a fall evening made for quite an enjoyable and peaceful bike ride with friends.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog with the intent of showcasing the locational advantages of Lake Charles.  In that post, I mentioned a day trip to Houston made with a friend to attend a panel discussion and an exhibit of art contained in the new book, BEFORE DURING AFTER: Louisiana Photographers' Visual Reactions to Hurricane Katrina.

As I had not sought permission, no photos were included in that first post. Evidently a few readers inquired and/or ordered the book based on the link I provided. 

The publicist for the book found the post and notified author Elizabeth Kleinfeld.

Elizabeth remembered me from that day trip to Diverse Works in Houston and thanked me for the plug via Active Rain's e-mail. system.

I responded with an invitation for her to send me photos from BEFORE DURING AFTER along with permission to post them here.

The first set of photos are three of Elizabeth Kleinfeld's submissions.

The second set are those featured in the book from photographer Rowan Metzner.

I deeply appreciate and thank Elizabeth for forwarding these 6 photos.

Those interested in purchasing or learning more about BEFORE DURING AFTER can do so at this page on OctaviaBooks.com.

I was unable to attend the installation of the state association's leadership for 2011, but want to take this opportunity to recognize Lake Charles REALTOR and fellow Active Rainer, Derenda Grubb.

Derenda was installed last week as the PRESIDENT of our state association, Louisiana REALTORS.

Very few from Lake Charles have served as President of the state association so a huge CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS to Derenda for this significant accomplishment AND commitment.

See photos of Derenda on swlar.org as well as other Lake Charles REALTORS in attendance at banquet which was held at the beautiful Camelot Club in Baton Rouge.