Hurricane Irene from the International Space Station, 2011
Well, it’s that time of the year again! Just as we’re starting to feel a bit more free to move about after the peak of Covid-19, we stop in our tracks as we realize it’s now HURRICANE SEASON. The way 2020 has been going, it’s no shock that it’s predicted to be a busy season. We already have our first named storm- Cristobal– in the Gulf, and forecasts are showing it’s likely to head our way. What’s more, the NOAA is speculating 13-19 named storms will arise throughout the season. Of those storms, it’s predicted that 6-10 could be hurricanes, including 3-6 major storms. Yikes.
While this is all speculative, it’s always best to be prepared. That’s why we’ve made this list of essential ways to prepare your home when a hurricane is imminent. While we hope you never have to use this list, we hope it’s helpful in the unfortunate event a hurricane is bearing down on us.
When I think of my favorite Northshore neighborhoods, one of the first that comes to mind is River Oaks Estates. Located conveniently close to everything both Mandeville and Covington have to offer, and within the premier Mandeville school district, River Oaks is the best of both worlds- an established neighborhood with the fresh-feel of a well-maintained subdivision.
Flanked by beautiful, mature trees, the winding streets of River Oaks are home to some 275 families. The lots are generously sized, giving the neighborhood an open, uncluttered feel.
River Oaks offers some fantastic amenities, as well. Their community pool is large and immaculately maintained and features a small kiddie pool. During the summer, lifeguards are provided for a large portion of each day.
River Oaks offers a large clubhouse that opens to the community pool, both of which can be rented by homeowners for private parties.
River Oaks also has a beautiful tennis court, which was freshly resurfaced in 2019, and a small playground area adjacent to the pool.
Tennis court, located adjacted to the pond at the front River Oaks Estates Charcoal grill with small playground in the distance
Ask River Oaks residents, and they will tell you how much they adore their neighborhood. Close to shopping, hospitals and tons of restaurants, with easy access to 190 and the interstate, the location doesn’t get much better. Add blue ribbon schools and fabulous amenities to the mix, and you have a pretty perfect place to live!
Interested in finiding out more about River Oaks? Contact us!
It’s that time of year again! Although we might not do it as big as NOLA, the Northshore has a pretty impressive 2020 parade lineup. Also, note that Mandeville’s Krewe of Orpheus will not be rolling this year, unfortunately. Check out the full Northshore parade schedule below…
2020 Northshore parade schedule
Which Northshore parade(s) are you most looking forward to and why? Comment below! Laissez les bon temps roule!
Wondering where you can ring in New Years Eve 2020 on the Northshore? Here’s a list of some amazing (adult-only) parties to consider!
New Years Eve Roaring 20’s Speakeasy Party at Mandeville Social
9PM-1AM
Includes small plates, appetizers, house special alcoholic beverages, music, beer tasting, giveaways, roaming photographer, midnight champagne toast and MORE!
800 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 1D, Mandeville, LA 70448
985-951-2116
Advanced Tickets are $40pp or $70 per couple (plus EventBrite Fee)
Looking for something holiday-related to do on the Northshore this weekend? Check out these fun activities!
Santa makes an appearance at all of these events!
Mandeville- Winter on the Water: This is the 22nd year of Mandeville’s Winter on the Water– presented by The City of Mandeville and the Old Mandeville Business Association. The fun begins at 11AM this Saturday, December 7, at the lakefront gazebo. Gather ’round to listen to the Mandeville Elementary bell ensemble play Christmas tunes. You can also take pictures with Santa, have your face painted, and listen to Benny Grunch and the Bunch! Santa’s Walking Parade will begin at noon. This is a free activity that’s fun for the whole family!
Mandeville- Holiday of Lights @ the Koop Drive Playground: Celebrating its 20th year, the Holiday of Lights is a free, fun-filled event for the whole family. Festivities begin at 5:45 the nights of 12/6-7 and 12/12-14. Come out to the Tammany Trace Kids Town Pavilion & Kids Konnection Playground to enjoy spectacular holiday decor, twinkling lights, and free performances and kiddie rides. Santa pictures will be available and printed onsite for $20. While admission and rides are free, refreshments will be available for a charge.
Slidell- Christmas Under the Stars: On December 6 & 7 and 13 & 14, head down to Griffith Park in Olde Towne Slidell from 6-9PM for the 31st annual Christmas Under the Stars Celebration. You’ll have a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, tour life-size Christmas cottages, sing songs, and enjoy lights, decorations and the Parade of Trees. Admission is free!
Covington-Christmas at TerraBella: This friday, 12/6, from 6-8:30, head out to TerraBella Village for their annual Christmas at TerraBella celebration. Featuring free admission, live music, hot chocolate, Christmas crafts, letters to Santa, and rides on the TerraBella express, this is a holiday event that’s sure to please everyone! For $10, you can take a pic with Santa, too!
Madisonville-Merry Madisonville: This Saturday, 12/7, from 2-8PM, you can celebrate the 11th annual Merry Madisonville, a day of fun for the whole family. Head to the Madisonville Town Hall because Santa arrives by boat from the Lake Ponchartrain Maritime Museum. Admission is free and you will also be able to enjoy caroling, activities and photos with Santa.
Do you know of any activities we haven’t mentioned? Comment below!
Growing up on the Northshore, I’ve seen my fair share of restaurants come and go. To put it in south Lousiana terms, they might have been good but they ain’t there no more. Some, however, have withshood the test of time- Nuvolari’s still offers its upscale Italian on Girod Street, Fazzio’s still churns out its tasty seafood/Italian fare in Mandeville, and Morton’s is still frying seafood on Water Street on the Madisonville lakefront as they have been for almost 35 years! But my absolute favorite Northshore restaurant, still thriving after its inception in 1974, is Sal and Judy’s.
A dining experience like no other, Sal and Judy’s offers Sicilian-Creole cuisine with an unparalled depth of flavor that can only be described as sublime. I’ve been eating at Sal and Judy’s for 30 years and I’ve never once been disappointed. You might think I’m exaggerating, but I’m really not. From the hand-crafted cocktails to the myriad southern-inspired appetizers and entrees, to the Kentucky Derby pie for dessert, everything is always amazing. And, while some restaurants seem to embrace the “less is more” policy when it comes to portion sizes, Sal and Judy’s definitely subscribes to the “give them enough for a second meal” policy, so you never leave wanting for anything else. Trust me, the food is so good that you’ll wake up the next day incredibly happy to have that to-go box in the fridge.
Fair warning, if you’ve never been and feel inspired to go, Sal and Judy’s is NEVER not busy. You’ll need a reservation; especially around the holiday season. Because of its popularity with locals, it also exudes energy and, depite its white table cloths and professional waitstaff, is not a super quiet and low-key experience. What you’ll find when you’re dining at Sal and Judy’s is tables of people laughing and reminiscing, enjoying amazing food and life in general. Is it a great date-night restaurant? Yes. Is it where you go if you want to sit in silence and stare into your significant other’s eyes? Probably not. But if you want incredible food and courteous, professional service (much of the wait staff has been there since I was a little girl!), Sal and Judy’s can’t be beat.
Redfish with Nicholas Sauce and fresh green beans
So, on to the food. What exactly is so good about it? Well…everything! To me, though, the secret is in the sauce. Their sauces are beyond reproach. Their arguably most famous sauce, called Nicholas, is butter-based and loaded (and I mean LOADED) with lump crabmeat, shrimp and mushrooms. Speckled with green onions and parsley, it’s decadent without being overly rich and the ingredients scream fresh.
Eggplant Louis
On our most recent visit, we tried a sauce we’d never had before- sauce Louis- and it didn’t disappoint! In fact, I think it’s my husband’s new favorite. Loaded with lump crabmeat, this creamy tomato-basil sauce was served over delicately fried eggplant, for the ultimate Cajun-Italian combination. Though I highly recommend trying a dish with a sauce, you really can’t go wrong with anything. From their fried seafood to their traditional lasagna, it’s all delicious.
One particular dish that deserves its own paragraph is the crab claw appetizer. Also offered in an entree size (for the die hard fans), this is my favorite dish of any restaurant…ever. It consists of dozens of meaty crab claws in a white cream sauce so delicious you won’t believe what hit you when you take your first bite. It’s served with a full loaf of warm, crusty French bread, perfect for slathering in the excess sauce. Need more bread? (Because carbs don’t count at Sal and Judy’s) They’ll bring you another perfectly warmed loaf without question…or judgement. So, I implore you, if you go to Sal and Judy’s, get the crab claws! You’ll thank me, I promise.
Crab Claw Appetizer
So, next time you are looking for incredible food in a warm and inviting atmosphere, I highly recommend you check out Sal and Judy’s. It’s been a Northshore staple for 35 years and I have a feeling it’ll still be here in 35 more.
Have you been to Sal & Judy’s? Do you agree with my review? Leave a comment below!
The northshore is filled with so many beautiful neighborhoods! All are unique, which is great because what appeals to one person in a neighborhood might not appeal to another. You don’t have to look far to find a neighborhood offering what you’re seeking on the Northshore! The options are plentiful.
Today we are going to spotlight Greenleaves subdivision in Mandeville. We will admit- we are somewhat biased when it comes to Greenleaves because I (Lauren) grew up in Greenleaves and my mom (Lynn) still lives in our family home of 30 years. Whenever I reflect on my childhood, it is filled with the happiest memories of growing up in Greenleaves. I spent many a summer day fishing in the pond right around the corner from my house and riding my bike along the bike/walking paths. I made so many wonderful friends in my neighborhood– many of those friendships still strong today.
When you enter Greenleaves, you immediately notice the abundance of mature trees and the park-like setting. Not surprisingly, each side of Greenleaves Boulevard is flanked by gorgeous greenery. In addition, Greenleaves is home to 3 picturesque ponds, one at the front entry and two a small way from the front entrance. These ponds are home to families of ducks and, quite often, geese. Greenleaves also offers 2.6 miles of walking paths! At any point in the day, you can find families taking walks together along the paths, as well as runners and joggers out for exercise.
So, what else makes Greenleaves unique? Greenleaves is home to 1041 residences and, unlike most subdivisions on the Northshore, Greenleaves encompasses a group of 16 separate and smaller subdivisions referred to as parcels. A Greenleaves parcel is like a neighborhood within a neighborhood. Each parcel has its own representative board, but is ultimately under the governance of the Greenleaves Master Association. The GMA sets the deed restrictions and covenants by which all residents of Greenleaves must abide.
Each of these parcels is different from the other, and home sizes and prices within each parcel are similar to each other. So, for instance, the parcel of Cornerstone offers some of the largest homes within Greenleaves, while the parcel of Manor offers lovely condominiums that are smaller than detatched, single-family dwellings. Greenleaves parcels include single family detached homes, townhomes, condominiums and apartments. This means that Greenleaves can be an option for many people with a wide array of housing needs! Look through the pictures below to see how beautiful Greenleaves really is.
gazebo on walking path
walking path/gazebo
pond with fountain
walking path/pond
goose by pond
walking path
pond with fountain
Do you live in a parcel within Greenleaves and love it? Tell us which one and why!
This adorable, newly updated home has it all! It is completely move-in ready and is located on a quiet, dead-end street. It has never flooded! Features include:
4 bedrooms/2 baths
1590 square feet living
new flooring
freshly painted interior
3 cm granite
instant hot water
black granite under mount sinks
low decibel dishwasher and disposal
gas hookups behind stove
laundry room with built-in ironing board
office/computer area
large fenced yard with rear shed
carport for RV, boat or car storage
Scroll through the slideshow 👇👇👇
exterior
exterior
foyer/entry
spacious living room
living room
living room
living room
fireplace
kitchen
kitchen/living
kitchen/island
kitchen
kitchen
guest bath
guest bath
guest bath ceiling detail
master bedroom
master bathroom
bedroom 2
bedroom 3
bedroom 4
office area in garage
laundry room
laundry room
back yard
back yard
garage
carport
Contact us for your private tour of this beautiful listing! At this price and with these updates, it won’t last long!
The Northshore is filled with so many beautiful neighborhoods! We want to spotlight different neighborhoods each week to show what the Northshore has to offer. What’s so great about our area is the ability to choose between newer neighborhoods and older, more established neighborhoods. There are benefits to both and it ultimately comes down to your personal preference. Love mature trees and a mixture of architectural styles? An older neighborhood might be for you. Prefer the low maintenace of fewer trees and more modern homes? You might want to concentrate your home search on a more recently built subdivision.
The Neighborhood of Riverwood
Today we are going to spotlight Riverwood subdivision. Riverwood is one of the most established subdivisions in Covington, having been founded 1964, but it is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods, as well. It borders both the Pontchitolawa Creek and the Tchefuncte River and its 344 homes are all situated on at least 1/2 acre lots. Located in Covington, but close to Mandeville and the Causeway, Riverwood offers great convenience to New Orleans commuters, as well. Driving through Riverwood, its easy to see why its one of the most beloved Northshore neighborhoods. The beautiful, mature trees make for a serene and park-like setting while the large lots lend a feeling of openness and space.
Tree canopy in Riverwood
Amenities
Riverwood offers many amenities to its residents, including a pool, clubhouse, playgrounds, boat dock and boat launches. Riverwood does have a governing body called the Riverwood Improvement Association. Membership is mandatory for residents and the annual dues are $160. The pool, however, requires an additional annual fee of $230 for a family membership and $130 for a senior/single membership- not a bad price for the convenience of swimming right down the street from your home!
Home Ownership in Riverwood
As the square footages of homes in Riverwood vary greatly, so do the home prices. Currently, there are homes listed in Riverwood between $240,000 (with 2085 sq ft) and $620,000 (with 5307 sq ft)! So Riverwood presents home ownership opportunities for a wide range of potential homeowners. But one thing is common among every Riverwood resident- pride of ownership!
Check out some pictures of Riverwood and its great amenities!
Playground area with basketball courtPlaygroundclubhouse with poolgated entry to clubhouse/pool/boat docks/playground
Do you live in Riverwood? What else is special about it? What other neighborhoods would you like to see spotlighted? Leave us a comment below!
