Have a question? Email me c21rebecca@rocketmail.com and get it answered on my blog!

Rebecca Melancon

Rebecca Melancon
For information in SWLA area click my picture!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Burn Ban in effect for Calcasieu Parish


A burn ban is now in effect for Calcasieu Parish. This covers the following cities: Carlyss, DeQuincy, Iowa, Lake Charles (Parish Seat), Moss Bluff, Prien, Sulphur, Vinton, Westlake. Please stay safe this summer and no bon fires for the next 30 days!



The following is a news release from the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury:

The Calcasieu Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security has issued an outdoor burn ban. Restrictions have been placed on any outdoor burning activities for a period not to exceed 30 days.


Current drought conditions potentially threaten the health and safety of Calcasieu Parish citizens. Officials experienced in these matters along with predictions from the National Weather Service have determined there is not sufficient precipitation to minimize the effects and problems created by these dangerous drought conditions.


Parish Fire Departments are empowered to extinguish all fires in direct violation of this notice. Police Jury President, Guy Brame, ordered the outdoor burn ban in accordance with the Louisiana Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act and the Code of Ordinances of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.


For more information contact the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security at 721-3800.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Hero's for Holden

There will be a benefit held at the Burton Coliseum Sunday May 5th from 11am to 10pm. Entertainers will include Tracy Byrd, Wayne Toups, Jerry Jeff Walker, Zona Jones, Foret Tradition, Damon Troy, Jivin’ Gene, Skeeter Jones and The Beer Can Band. A non-profit organization is attempting to raise $500,000.
For a little bit of background, Holden’s mother cut off his genitals. He has had major surgeries and will need many more through the course of his life. He looks like such a happy child. If you can make it please come by, if not, the family is accepting donations. No child should ever have to endure what this sweet little boy has.


Thursday, May 26, 2011

Boudin - A Cajun Delight!

Each area has something they are famous for. Down here in Cajun Country there are several; one of which being Boudin.

 Pronounced boodan, it is a staple for most Cajun families. Simply put, boudin is a type of sausage. One of the earliest recipies for boudin can be traced back to a French Fur Trapper by the name of Toussaint Charbonneau. He was contracted by Lewis and Clark and although he provided very little information to them, he did make sure their bellies were full!

 
There are MANY different types of boudin. Boudin Blanc, Crawfish boudin, Shrimp boudin, Alligator boudin, Hot boudin, Mild boudin, Smoked boudin just to name a few. We even have the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail. It gives you 29 different stops in Southwest Louisiana that provide boudin along with plenty of attractions along the way.


Two other great links are the Southern Boudin Trail and The Boudin Link. You might be able to get boudin outside of Louisiana, but it ain’t Cajun!


Thursday, May 19, 2011

What's Going on in Lake Charles - June 2011

Martini's and Music
June 1-August 17
Repeats every Wednesday
Times: 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Cigar Club
Address: 1700 East PRIEN LAKE ROAD STE 5 Lake Charles, LA 70601



Downtown at Sundown Concert Series

5/13/2011 thru 6/3/2011
Recurring weekly on Friday
Times: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Downtown Lake Charles
Address: Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Denise Fasske
Phone: 337-491-9159
Email: dfasske@cityoflc.us
Admission: Free

Party by the Pool's Liquid Society: Sick Puppies
6/2/2011
Times: 7 p.m. (Series of Concerts runs Thursdays May 5 - August 11)
Location: L'Auberge du Lac - by the Pool!
Address: 777 Avenue L'Auberge, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: 337-395-7569
Admission: $10


Downtown at Sundown Concert Series: City Heat
6/3/2011
Times: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Corner of Broad & Ryan Streets
Address: Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Denise Fasske
Phone: 337-491-9159
Email: dfasske@cityoflc.us
Admission: Free


Catch - A - Concert
6/6/2011 thru 7/4/2011
Recurring weekly on Monday
Times: 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays
Location: Lake Charles Civic Center- Arcade Pavillion
Address: 900 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Denise Fasske
Phone: 337-474-7968
Email: dfasske@cityoflc.us
Admission: Free


Party by the Pool's Liquid Society: Marc Broussard
6/9/2011
Times: 7 p.m. (Series of Concerts runs Thursdays May 5 - August 11)
Location: L'Auberge du Lac - by the Pool!
Address: 777 Avenue L'Auberge, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: 337-395-7569
Admission: $10


Louisiana Swashbucklers vs. Houston
6/11/2011
Times: 7 p.m.
Location: Lake Charles Civic Center
Address: 900 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Thom Hagar
Phone: 337-310-PASS (7277)
Email: thager@labucs.com
Admission: $12-$70


Maci's Make a Wish and Make a Difference Fundraiser
6/11/2011
Times: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Lake Charles Civic Center, Coliseum
Address: 900 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Nikki Fontenot
Phone: 337-802-7932
Email: nikkifontenot@yahoo.com
Admission: $10


Party by the Pool's Liquid Society: O.A.R.
6/16/2011
Times: 7 p.m. (Series of Concerts runs Thursdays May 5 - August 11)
Location: L'Auberge du Lac - by the Pool!
Address: 777 Avenue L'Auberge, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: 337-395-7569
Admission: $25


Party by the Pool's Liquid Society: Molly Ringwalds
6/23/2011
Times: 7 p.m. (Series of Concerts runs Thursdays May 5 - August 11)
Location: L'Auberge du Lac - by the Pool!
Address: 777 Avenue L'Auberge, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: 337-395-7569
Admission: $10


Vince Gill in Concert
6/24/2011
Times: 8:30 p.m.
Location: L'Auberge du Lac Event Center
Address: 777 Avenue L'Auberge, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Admission: $85 floor; $70 stadium


Party by the Pool's Liquid Society: Puddle of Mudd
6/30/2011
Times: 7 p.m. (Series of Concerts runs Thursdays May 5 - August 11)
Location: L'Auberge du Lac - by the Pool!
Address: 777 Avenue L'Auberge, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: 337-395-7569
Admission: $10


Art By Anita LeJeune
5/19/2011 thru 6/23/2011
Times: Mon - Fri. 10 a.m. - noon, 1 - 5 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Henning Cultural Center
Address: 923 Ruth Street, Sulphur, LA 70663
Contact: Thom Trahan
Phone: 337-527-0357
Email: trahan@brimstonemuseum.org
Admission: Free


Kiss Me Kate- ACTS Theatre
5/28/2011 thru 6/12/2011
Times: Vary
Location: ACTS Theatre
Address: 1 Reid St, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Marc Pettaway
Phone: 337-433-ACTS
Email: information@actstheatre.com
Admission: $30 for regular admission, $20 for students under 25


Moon For The Misbegotten
6/4/2011 thru 6/19/2011
Times: Performances are 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on Sundays)
Location: Lake Charles Little Theatre
Address: 813 Enterprise Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: 337-433-7988
Email: info@thelclt.com

Randy Travis in Concert
6/4/2011
Times: 7:00pm
Location: Isle of Capri Casino Hotel
Address: 100 Westlake Avenue, Westlake, LA 70669
Phone: 1-800-THE-ISLE
Admission: $25


All Star Benefit Concert
6/5/2011
Times: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Location: Burton Coliseum
Address: 7001 Gulf Highway, Lake Charles, LA 70609
Contact: KIT WYATT
Phone: 337-477-3349
Email: cajunkit75@yahoo.com
Admission: $25.00


Tidbits of History: Plantation Homes
6/7/2011
Times: 10 - 11 a.m.
Location: Carnegie Memorial Building Meeting Room
Address: 411 Pujo Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Linda Gill
Phone: 337-721-7110
Email: sburwell@calcasieu.lib.la.us
Admission: Free


Children's Museum Popsicle Day
6/8/2011
Location: Children's Museum, Lake Charles
Address: 327 Broad Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Allyson B. Montgomery
Phone: 337-433-9420
Email: allyson@child-museum.org
Admission: $7.25 for adults & kids over 23 mths; $6.50 military; $5.50 for seniors

Beginning Genealogy Workshop: Getting Started
6/16/2011
Times: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: Carnegie Memorial Building Meeting Room (411 Pujo Street)
Address: 411 Pujo Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Linda Gill
Phone: 337-721-7110
Email: sburwell@calcasieu.lib.la.us
Admission: Free


Jazz Brunch
6/25/2011
Times: Noon
Location: Treasures of Marilyn's
Address: 3510 5th Ave, Lake Charles, LA 70607
Contact: Trish Trejo
Phone: 337-439-7436
Email: trish.trejo@lcdiocese.org
Admission: $100 per ticket


Peter Shire: Chairs Exhibition
4/8/2011 thru 6/18/2011
Times: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 1911 Historic City Hall
Address: 1001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Denise Fasske
Phone: 337-491-9159
Email: dfasske@cityoflc.us
Admission: Free


Ali Exhibition
6/10/2011 thru 7/30/2011
Times: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 1911 Historic City Hall
Address: 1001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Denise Fasske
Phone: 337-491-9159
Email: dfasske@cityoflc.us
Admission: Free


Delta Blues Pilgrimage
6/10/2011 thru 8/20/2011
Recurring daily
Times: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 1911 Historic City Hall
Address: 1001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Contact: Denise Fasske
Phone: 337-491-9159
Email: dfasske@cityoflc.us
Admission: Free

Robert Earl Keen in Concert
6/10/2011
Times: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Longhorn Entertainment Complex
Address: 2374 Hwy. 109 S., Vinton, LA 70668
Phone: 337-589-5647





Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Worst Advice - MSN Article Review

MSN has an article up today in their real estate section titled "House Hunting? Time for Homebuying Negotiation Bootcamp." All I can say is Wow! Don't hire a buyers agent and if you do don't tell them your max? Really? I did not get into real estate to screw over my clients! I have plenty of clients tell me, "Hey I qualified for $180,000 but I really don't want to spend more than $130,000." It is my job as their agent to provide them with excellent service and heed their wishes. I'm also not a pushy agent. There is a certain sparkle in someones eyes when they have found the right home. An agent just knows when it's the right one. Even then I don't push my clients into the home just to make the sale.


So lets pick this apart!!

1) I agree & disagree - gather as much information as you can. But then again that is what I do. Any good agent is going to do this. I do NOT agree with this statement, "One of homebuyers' biggest mistakes is that "(t)hey went to talk with their friendly real-estate agent much too early - and much too openly for their own good." There is nothing at all wrong with being open with your designated agent! The more information you give your agent the quicker they will find you a home and the more likely you will get exactly what you are looking for!

2) This entire paragraph is garbage. If you cannot be honest with the agent you have then it is time to get a new agent! Your agent has a responsibility to you. And it is NOT to increase their commission. If you feel your agent is only out for money, then fire them.

3) If you have an agent there will NEVER be a need to deal with the sellers agent unless you decide to use the seller's agent as your agent. Even then the agent has a responsibility to you as well as the seller. It's called Dual Agency. In Dual Agency the agent has promised a duty of confidentiality, loyalty and full disclosure to both parties simultaneously.

4) "One of the advantages of dealing with a seller's agent is that a seller's agent often discloses more" I disagree. There are so many repercussions for the agent if this happens. The agent has a duty confidentiality to their client. Informing someone that their client is going through a divorce is a breach unless the client gave the agent the permission to disclose this fact.

5) You run the risk of losing the home. If you are ok with this then this approach can be used. I don't "urge" any of my clients into making an offer. I suggest to them if they want the house they would want to make an offer. The last thing you want is to get into a bidding war.

6) This one can be dangerous. If you offer too low, the seller coud be insulted reject every offer sent them after that.

7) "For all you know, I might have deliberately hiked up my asking price to well in excess of what my home is worth"Well...if that's the case then it will come out when an appraisal is done. If you are using an agent then the agent should already know about what the home is worth before an offer is EVER put in.

I'm skipping the last one because this has been long enough!

What it boils down to is, get a good agent. If you are not comfortable enough to tell your agent any of the above then it is time for a new one.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Home Warranty - Why do I need it?

You see it in the comments all of the time. “HOME WARRANTY INCLUDED!” Or “SELLER WILLING TO PURCHASE A HOME WARRANTY!” But what is it?


 A Home Warranty is protection. It is a contract that protects a resale home buyer or current homeowner against the cost of unexpected repairs or replacement of major systems and appliances that break down due to normal usage. Let’s say you live here in Southern Louisiana. In the middle of July, your Air conditioning fan goes out. What should have cost you a ton in labor and parts is a set standard fee. It depends on the type of Home Warranty plan you or the seller purchased as to how much. The average Home Warranty Plan costs about $450 and the average fee you would pay to have someone come out to fix that AC Fan would be about $75.

Home Warranty’s also save you the trouble of having to find a reputable repair person. If you are a seller, a home warranty can be used to entice a buyer to purchase your home. For a buyer, it’s a must!

If you would like more information on Home Warranty’s or if you are interested in buying or selling your home, feel free to contact me or visit my website at http://www.rebeccaworking4yousite.com/!

Monday, May 16, 2011

St. Jude - In Honor of Wanda D. Kendall

Wanda D. Kendall - Tribute Page

I recently created a tribute fund through St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please help us make a difference by contributing in honor of our loved one.


St. Jude Hospital has become a world renowned research facility in the area of pediatric cancers such as leukemia. Children from all across the U.S. as well as 60 foreign countries have been admitted to St. Jude without regard for the family's ability to pay.

St. Jude relies on the generosity of people like you to continue vital research and patient care programs, which are saving many young lives. Because of this support, St. Jude has seen the survival rate for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), the most common form of leukemia, increase from 4% in 1962 to 94% today.

Join me in becoming a St. Jude Champion. Together we can become a Champion to thousands of children at St. Jude and make a difference in their lives. To learn more about St. Jude Tributes, please visit http://www.stjudetribute.org/.

Sincerely,

RebeccaMelancon

To make a donation online, visit our fund center. You can also send a check to St. Jude at:

St. Jude Children's Research Center, Tributes Group, P O Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142

Short Sales - What are they?

Having trouble paying your mortgage can be frustrating.  There are options though.

Short Sales:
The term Short Sale has been a hot topic for the media over the past two years. But what exactly is a short sale? A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property's loan.

If you are trying to avoid a foreclosure this could be an option to pursue. However, if you sell your home for less than what is owed, the agreement will not release you from the deficiency. A deficiency is the remaining balance of the borrowed amount. For example, if you owe $100,000 on your home and you sell it for $90,000 you will owe the remainder.
If you decide that you are having trouble, the first step you should take would be to contact a HUD Counselor at the HUD Website. Their Foreclosure prevention counseling services are provided free of charge.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

What's Going on in Lake Charles - May 2011

There is always something going on in our city!



Take a look at a few things going on for the month of May.

May 11, 2011 –

Cigar Club
   Martinis and Music Wednesday 8:00pm to 11:00 pm.

May 12, 2011 –

AP Works
   May 12, 2011 at 8:00 AM through May 21, 2011 until end (9 days +)
   1911 Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center
L’Auberge Du Lac Casino Resort
   Party by the Pool – Liquid Society
L’Auberge Du Lac Casino Resort Event Center
   Gin Blossoms

May 13, 2011

Downtown at Sundown Concert
   Chubby Carrier
   Corner of Broad & Ryan Streets 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Westlake Family Fun and Food Festivle
   St. John Bosco Church – 5:00pm – 9:00pm

May 14, 2011 –

James E. Sudduth Coliseum
   WWE Smackdown World Tour
   7:30pm until
Westlake Family Fun and Food Festivle
   St. John Bosco Church – 10:00 am– 10:00pm

May 15, 2011

Westlake Family Fun and Food Festivle
   St. John Bosco Church – 9:00am – 5:30pm

May 19, 2011 –

L’Auberge Du Lac Casino Resort Event Center
   Fuel
The Porch Coffee House
   Daniel Whittington

May 20,2011

L’Auberge Du Lac
   Chris LeBlanc Band

May 21, 2011

Coushatta Casino Resort
   Whitesnake
L’Auberge Du Lac Casino Resort Event Center
   Bellator Fighting Championships

May 26, 2011

L’Auberge Du Lac Casino Resort Event Center
  Collective Soul

May 27, 2011

Delta Downs Racetrack and Casino
  Gloriana

May 28, 2011

Rosa Hart Theatre – Lake Charles Civic Center
  Louisiana Swashbucklers vs. Corpus Christi Hammerheads

May 29, 2011

Delta Downs Racetrack and Casino
  Jimmie Vaughan

Monday, March 28, 2011

2838 Wilson Road




Custom built one of a kind!  3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath home features a large lot, in-ground pool, fenced backyard, wood burning stone fireplace, dry bar, cathedral ceilings and much more!  Call Ellie at 794-9259 or Rebecca at 842-9250 to schedule your private showing. 

Saturday, March 12, 2011

3509 Taylor

4 bedrooms
2 baths
Ceramic Tile
Remote Control Ceiling Fans
Fenced yard
Storage shed
Appliances to remain
Move in Condition!!! Must See!





Open House!

1316 Kim Street, Sulphur, La
Sunday March 13,2011
1pm to 3pm


Sunday, February 6, 2011

3609 Louisiana Ave

 Great commercial opportunity!  Office, Warehouse Storage & fenced in back lot!  Ample parking!  Great location with plenty of traffic.  Currently zoned residential.  The buyer will only need to file an exception with the zoning office.  Very simple process!
Call 337-842-9250 today for your private showing!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

1316 Kim Street


·        4 bedroom
·        3351 Total Sq Feet
·        2 Living Rooms
·        Dining Room
·        2 ½ bath
·        Fireplace
·        Office/Study
·        Corner Lot
 AND MUCH MORE!

Call 337-842-9250 Today to schedule your showing!