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1st Lake Blog

1st Lake Properties Sponsors the JEDCO Challenge

1st Lake Properties’ Bella Ridge Apartments, which recently opened in the Elmwood neighborhood of River Ridge, is a proud sponsor of the JEDCO Challenge culminating on March 25 during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week.

jedco challenge

A Challenge for Jefferson Parish Entrepreneurs

The JEDCO Challenge in partnership with First NBC Bank is an opportunity for five local startups and entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas for products or services not yet funded. The winner will be awarded a prize package valued at over $60,000 which includes Jefferson Chamber membership, website design and development, social media consulting, training workshops, insurance consulting, public relations assistance, 12 hours of strategic and competitor research and one year of free office space.

The Jefferson Parish Econominc Development Commission’s mission with this challenge is to empower local entrepreneurs by providing them the tools, resources and relationships to succeed. Out of the 40 companies that applied to participate in the challenge, the top five were selected. The finalists are Alexander Girau; Alex Goss and Michael Angle; Blaine Lindsey; Sean Carrigan, Jason Palmer and Mike Melito; and Terry Ancar in the health, medical technology, mobile technology, online and manufacturer industries.

These five contenders will be scored based on pitch, business plan and crowd vote. 1st Lake Properties would like to wish each finalist the best of luck and is excited for the execution of the winning idea!


Celebrate Italian Heritage at the Kenner Festa Italiana

1st Lake residents of Kenner can attend a fun-filled, weekend-long festival April 8-10, 2022 right in their own neighborhood. The 21st annual Festa Italiana hosted by the Kenner Italian Heritage Foundation is coming to Kenner’s Rivertown district for a full-blown Italian celebration.

You can experience many aspects of Italian culture at the festival. Come enjoy live music, local artisans, Italian food and other specialty cuisine, a St. Joseph’s altar display and more. There will also be a children’s area with inflatables, giant human hamster balls, fun activities, and crafts.

Host of the event, former Kenner Police Chief Nick Congemi said, “We invite everyone to come out and be Italian for a weekend with us. We think of this as a huge family reunion where everyone is invited to take part.”

Festa Italiana is a fun-filled kenner festival that you won't want to miss this April!

A crowd gathers for live music at the Kenner Festa Italiana

There will be live music each day of the fest. Past lines have included fun local artists like August Rush, Paper Chase, and the Victory Belles from the National WWII Museum. This year’s lineup is still yet to be announced and will be available on the festival’s website soon. 

If you are looking for something to do in Kenner, the search is over. We’ve got your weekend plans right here – just another perk of being a 1st Lake resident! Check out all of our prime New Orleans area apartments in the middle of all the action!


Spring Cleaning Apartment

Spring is finally here and that means change and new beginnings, not only with the weather, but in your own apartment, too. Part of making room for the new is getting rid of the old, and one of the best ways to do that is to take inventory of your possessions and evaluate what you want to keep and what your don’t really use anymore that you can pass on to others in need. After you’ve gone through your drawers and closets and sorted your discarded items in a donation section, decide where and how to give them away. Use these places below for ideas.

Shelters – Community shelters in your area are a great option to donate your clothes and household items. Shelters can always use donations and there will always be people who are in need of clothing and other items.

Online – We live in a digital era where most things are done online. Freecycle, Craigslist and EBay are free and easy online tools to use to give away your old clothes or appliances. You can manage the entire process by listing the items you want to give away for free or sell, and coordinate your own shipping or delivery.

Clothing Swaps – Another great way to pass on your unwanted items to someone who might be happy to take them, plus discover some new treasure of your own, is to participate a clothing swap. A clothing swap is a gathering of people who all contribute clothing that doesn’t fit or that they don’t need anymore, and anyone can take someone else’s clothing if they choose. If you don’t know of anyone having one, host your own and invite family and friends!

Salvation Army – The Salvation Army is always a great option that accepts all types of donations to sell for a discounted price to underprivileged people, or anyone looking for a bargain. Check your area for Salvation Army drop-off locations.

Looking for a great New Orleans area apartment? Check out what’s available at our Metairie, Kenner and River Ridge locations!


Apartment Improvement Projects: Do It Yourself

Making your own home-improvement projects yourself instead of hiring someone or purchasing expensive furniture and housewares not only saves on cost, but is fun and instills a sense of gratification from your own accomplishments. Here are some ideas for at-home DIY projects to spruce up your apartment.

Use rugs – Does it feel like something is missing in your apartment? Is there a room that just seems too bland that needs something extra to spice it up and pull it together? The answer might be as easy as a floor rug, and they come in many different shapes, sizes and patterns for virtually every room in your apartment. Check out these ways to use rugs in your apartment for that finishing touch.

Felt and fabric coasters – Instead of buying overpriced clunky coasters, enjoy the accomplishment of making them your own with soft fabrics! You can buy new fabric or use leftover scraps you may have in storage. What you’ll need to make six coasters is ¼ yard of patterned fabric, one 18”x18” square of white wool felt and one 18”x18” square of gray woof felt, or whatever contrast color you would like. Use these tips from Apartment Therapy on how to construct your fabric coasters.

Painted pillow cases – Tired of your boring, solid color pillow cases or can’t ever find a design or pattern that you love? Create your own by simply creating designs on one of your old pillowcases or a new one by applying paint with a sponge in whatever shape you like. Get creative – you could make crescent moon, heart or star shapes or just abstract shapes.

Milk paint – If you have an old piece of wooden furniture that maybe you found at a yard sale that needs a makeover, consider making your own milk paint for a low-cost solution with charming rustic results. If you’re not sure what milk paint is, it’s a very easy wood finish you can make using a powder found at a hardware or home improvement store, mixed with equal parts warm water. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, then apply to your piece of sanded wood and let sit for at least one hour. To experiment with a weathered look, sand again once the paint is dry, and reapply another coat if necessary, until you’re happy with the look.


March 2014 Apartment Specials From 1st Lake Properties

March marks the beginning of spring, the season for new beginnings! Let one of those new beginnings be a new 1st Lake Properties apartment. Embrace the changing of the seasons with a fresh new place to call home, and with these exclusive deals and specials at several quality apartments in the metro New Orleans area, you’ll be sure to find one that fits your criteria and budget.

new orleans apartments

Metro New Orleans Apartment Deals

Palmetto Creek – At Palmetto Creek, you will find luxury apartment living at its finest with the best in amenities including elaborate landscaping, gazebos, jogging trails, tennis court, fitness center, swimming pool and more. This month, the River Ridge apartment community is offering two weeks of free rent, totally $1,200 off the annual rental rate.

Hickory Creek – Check out these great River Ridge apartments, offering special reduced rates on two bedrooms in March. Apartments come with spacious closets, full size washer & dryer, free movie rentals, 24 hour maintenance and more.

Chestnut Creek – Another lavish River Ridge apartment community, the Chestnut Creek apartments are offering reduced rents, half off deposits and waived move-in fees. Find bonus features like wood burning fireplaces, sunrooms, extra-large walk-in closets and more.

Turtle Creek – Find privacy, rest and relaxation at this peaceful Metairie community with a recreation area and swimming pool. This month, the Metairie apartments are offering one week of free rent on select studio apartments, so call now to schedule a tour.

Lakes of Chateau Estates North – In addition to all the exterior features like fountains, walking paths, bridges, a tennis court and swimming pools, these luxurious Kenner apartments are offering $1,125 in savings on select apartments plus reduced move-in costs.

Crossings – These Metairie apartments not only have large floor plans, are minutes away from New Orleans and have an on-site service team, this month the Crossings apartments are offering special rates on two and three bedrooms!

Boardwalk – The Boardwalk apartments in Metairie have extra space for sunrooms and home offices, plus a pool, modern design and amenities, plus reduced move-in costs this month. Call today to learn more!