There are a lot of geese these days in a small pond near our house.  Yesterday three geese families were lined up along the bank, with each set of gosslings only a week or two older than the others.  One family has 11 babies.  This picture of the oldest group shows that there is some competition for territory.  The oncoming adults causing all the ruckus must have another nest with new eggs somewhere nearby.  The big daddy goose here is obviously protective but looks like he's setting a good example for the younger one helping him out.

I love this photo ... had to share it.  My camera was set on continuous shooting, and I took this one as I was backing away and not really seeing what was going on.  When I downloaded the photos it was a nice surprise.

My daughter took this photo in our backyard this morning.  In a comment earlier this week I told Richard Weisser that we always feel like Spring is here when the Japanese magnolia blooms (actually I think this is a Star magnolia).  She took this picture with her i-phone and a downloaded app called "shake-it".  Don't ask me ... I know nothing!  Hope you all are having a great weekend and feeling very springlike in your neck of the woods.

Never throw away a book.  Unless a book has been mangled by the dog or soaked with coffee, someone will be willing to pay a small price for the opportunity to read your used book.  Even if books are not in good enough condition to be sold, libraries accepting the donations will often "re-gift" and donate those books to schools and troops overseas.  Give a used book to a friend, sell it on Ebay, or donate it to a local library.  The more we read the smarter we are!

The Friends of the LSU Libraries are getting prepared for their annual book bazaar which is open to the public.  Proceeds will help to fund purchases for library collections.

Thursday, March 4, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Friday, March 5, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 6, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The bazaar is located in two buildings:  the 4-H Mini-Barn, which is the red building next to the Parker Coliseum, and the Nelson Building next door to the mini-barn.

GET THERE EARLY.  Customers start lining up at 6:00 a.m. on opening day. 

All of the books being sold at the bazaar have been donated by the general public.  Donations are accepted at Kean's the Cleaners locations and at the Book Barn located behind the LSU Printing Office, off of River Road, just north of the LSU Veterinary Medicine complex.

*** Books are not currently being accepted while volunteers are cataloging and sorting to get ready for the bazaar.  After the bazaar they will begin to accept donations again.

Interested in cheap books during the year?  You don't always have to wait for the Book Bazaar.  The Book Barn is the Friends' used bookstore, open for the sale of books on:

               Mondays from 9:00 a.m. until noon and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Over 30 Book Barn volunteers work throughout the year to make the Book Barn operations a success.

This a great way for teachers to purchase books for their classrooms.  You know books have a way of walking.  With the inexpensive purchase of books at the Book Barn you don't have to be concerned if those voracious readers don't return a book. 

There are loads of textbooks for students.  While they are not normally the most recent edition required for a particular class, supplemental textbooks give the student additional study material as well as chapter problems and questions to help study for that big test.

Parents will also find a lot of books at reasonable prices for their children and, of course, for their own leisure reading.

A lot of people have donated many hours of their time to making the Book Barn a success.  I hope you and your family will have the time and the opportunity to enjoy this experience.

What's a Red Stick?  Have you ever wondered about that moniker? 

RED STICK is the English translation of the French words ... Rouge Baton.  

And there you have it ... a nickname for the city called Baton Rouge.

The city was named back in 1699 when French explorers saw a red cypress tree marking the boundary between two tribal hunting grounds.  The tree was called "le baton rouge."

While I expect that most people living around this area will be familiar with this little bit of history, I thought it could be fun to explain how our Keller Williams Realty office came by our franchise name.  Our Zachary, LA, office is Keller Williams Realty Red Stick Plus.

Red Stick is a prevalent title for all types of ventures in the city:

• Red Stick Sports shop
• Red Stick Refinishing
• Red Stick Farmers' Market
• Red Stick Animation Festival
• Red Stick Fly Fishers

For more information about "RED STICK" properties for sale, you can contact me at:

sallie@SallieWilliams.com

I had been a Realtor for less than a year when I received a phone call from an internet subscription service.  It was one of those afternoons when I just needed someone to convince me that I could do this.   He talked, I listened, and I bought it, hook, line, and sinker, as they say.  The same ol' story:  you only need to sell one house to more than cover the cost of the subscription.  So I paid for one year.  While only one of my internet conversions came directly from that subscription, those clients became good friends.

They selected me from the internet because my photo reminded Mrs. Client of one of her aunts.  That's okay with me.  They were a delightful couple, and we toured an area of the parish that I needed to become more familiar with.  He did not accept the job for which he interviewed, so they did not relocate after all, but we are still good friends.

In place of any paid internet service, I now have ActiveRain.  My goals this year include making the most of all the options we have here for gaining internet dominance.  Not a day goes by that I don't learn something new, or at least, discover those things that I need to learn more about and pay more attention to.  I will be an internet lead conversion expert.

"For other methods of converting internet leads, be sure to check out giftofshift.com/activerain where you can purchase a limited edition hardcover of Gary Keller's book SHIFT, which comes with a free version of the eBook Soci@l: Attract Friends, Followers and Connections to Your Business, written by Ben Kinney and Jay Papasan (in which Ben shares his 'ten days of pain' lead conversion method) as well as free audio versions of Millionaire Real Estate Agent and Millionaire Real Estate Investor all for $19.99."

                    Property Value Report for Homes Sold, 2001-2009

The Lake at White Oak Subdivision is in southeast Baton Rouge, bordering the Amite River which forms the boundary line between East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes.  It is, in effect, on the "outskirts" of the city.  There are a little over 500 homes, most of which would be valued in the range of $250,000 to $390,000.  They are mostly one-level homes with 4 bedrooms and 2-3 baths.  Currently, there are only five homes for sale.

Beginning in 2001 the average price per square foot for sold homes steadily rose from $90.13 in 2001 to $117.93 in 2007.  While the rest of the country saw a peak in prices, the effect of Hurricane Katrina on this area was to continue to place upward pressure on prices into 2007, as many residents from New Orleans moved here. 

Price per square foot declined in 2008, down to $111.37 based on the sale of 28 homes.  In 2009, based on the sale of 13 homes, prices climbed back up to $116.44 per square foot.  Based on supply versus demand considerations, as more homeowners might have been waiting for the bottoming process in the market, fewer homes for sale on the supply side evidently had the effect of pushing up prices for buyers who held a serious preference for buying in this particular neighborhood.

If you are interested in learning more about the Lake at White Oak, you can visit the website at www.lakeatwhiteoak.com.

Interested buyers and sellers can contact me at 225-266-3562 or send email to sallie@SallieWilliams.com

 Mardi Gras Krewes of Baton Rouge ... 2010

 It's Mardi Gras.  Throw me somethin, mister!

In Louisiana, the holiday season doesn't seem to stop until after Easter.  Even though Mardi Gras Day is February 16, the Mardi Gras season starts with King Cakes.  They are already on the shelves of bakeries and grocery stores all over the city.  Parades and balls start on January 30.  So we have a whole month to put on the pounds.  Then we can lose them while jumping and running for beads at the parades or by dancing them away at the balls.

While Mardi Gras is historically a party season, the krewes in Baton Rouge are organized for more than fun.  They are very supportive of community and fund-raising activities. 

Krewe of Jupiter is the first night-time parade krewe in Baton Rouge.  This year's theme is "Jupiter Rocks the Universe."  The parade is scheduled for January 30, 2010, at 6:30 p.m.

Mystic Krewe of Mutts Dog Parade is sponsored by the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society.  The parade takes place on North Boulevard, Sunday, January 31, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Krewe of Artemis is an all-female krewe.  Founded in 2002 it is fairly new to the Baton Rouge Mardi Gras scene.  The night parade will be downtown, February 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Krewe Mystique de la Capitale  is the oldest parading krewe in Baton Rouge.  The parade is family oriented and suitable for all family members, young and old.  It will roll on February 6 at 2:00 p.m.

Krewe of Orion, founded in 1988,  is aptly represented by Orion, the mythological hunter of the skies.  The parade will be held downtown on February 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Krewe of Southdowns rolls through the Southdowns subdivision on February 12, 7:00 p.m.

Krewe of Spanish Town parade has floats entered by numerous small krewes throughout the city, e.g., Wasted Krewe and Krewe of Roadkill.  The parade's mascot is the pink flamingo.  This year's theme is "XXXpress It."  The parade rolls downtown on February 13 at 12:00 p.m.

Krewe of Poseidon, the newest krewe, was formed in 2009.  The parade is scheduled for February 13, 4:00 p.m.

 COME OUT TO JOIN US FOR A FANTASTIC MARDI GRAS 2010

 Actually, this photo was taken in New Orleans, but it's my favorite.

MYSTIC KREWE OF MUTTS

Mardi Gras Dog Parade, Sunday, January 31

The Capital Area Animal Welfare Society (CAAWS) has announced that the 11th annual Mystic Krewe of Mutts Mardi Gras Dog Parade will be held on Sunday, January 31.  The parade will take place on North Boulevard in downtown Baton Rouge.  A change in date was made to avoid a potential conflict with the Super Bowl where the Saints just might be catching everyone's attention. 

To register for the parade, visit the CAAWS website at www.caaws.org.  This is a fun-filled event with hundreds of dogs parading with their families.  A king and queen of parade are announced, and prizes are awarded in a number of fun categories.

This event is CAAWS's largest fundraiser.  The organization has shelter facilities for dogs and cats.  It also supports

• SPAY DAY AT LSU program

• BARK IN THE PARK:  bring your pets to the softball game

• animal education in summer programs for children

• Christmas photos with Santa Paws

   Sallie Williams. MBA

   Keller Williams Realty, Baton Rouge, LA

    Happy New Year to all my friends on ActiveRain

Happy New Year to all of my new friends.  This photo was taken a few years ago at the Sandestin, Florida New Year's celebration.  They have a fantastic fireworks display around the lake at the Baytowne Village which is designed architecturally with a French Quarter flair.  Lots of fun with friends, drinking champagne, and smoking cigars.  Lots of memories. 

Thanks for sponsoring ListingMoves.  I am reblogging now.