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‘Salad Days’ Student Art Exhibit Now on Display at Slidell City Hall

On Friday, March 21, 2025, student artists from around St. Tammany Parish were joined by family and friends in the George Dunbar Gallery in the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall for the opening reception and award ceremony for the 34th annual Salad Days Juried Exhibition of Student Art.

“As I walked through the George Dunbar Gallery viewing the artwork, I was impressed by the quality and creativity on display,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “Slidell and St. Tammany Parish have some amazingly talented artists, and these students have demonstrated artistic abilities well beyond their years. This exhibit not only showcases their talent but also reflects the strong arts education programs in our schools.”

Mayor Borchert with Lily Claire Hatt

This year’s juror is Charlotte Collins, a lifelong artist and educator whose passion for creative expression, education, and community enrichment has defined her career. With a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Memphis College of Art, Charlotte has combined her talents as an artist, professor, and advocate for the arts. Her professional achievements include internationally published articles, presentations on art history and education, and teaching abroad. A dedicated member of the Slidell community, Charlotte has served as Director of Non-Credit Programs at Southeastern Louisiana University, bringing educational opportunities to learners of all ages. As Director of the Olde Towne Arts Center and founder of the Krewe of Mona Lisa and MoonPie, she has fostered a deep appreciation for the arts and local culture.

The exhibition features works from a diverse group of talented young artists including Jane Alphonse, Aaliyah Atamanyuk, Nolee Autin, Taylor Bordelon, Hanna Bradley, Parker Brennan, Tyson Bright, Laura Chin, Brynn Fontana, David Goleman, Harper Hakin, Lilly Claire Hatt, Shannon Hoitenga, Sydney Hough, Chloe Landry, Dylan Landry, Olivia Loomis, Ashley Mannino, RJ Mora, Emerald O’Toole, Catherine Owen, Ruby Paganuzzi, Christian Pastoret, Henry Patience, Edyn Qualls, Morgan Roberts, Salma Shahid, Adah Singleton, Ella Steele, Autumn Turner, Hattie Wells, and Olivia Yi. Each artist brings their unique perspective and creative vision to this remarkable showcase of student artists. Salad Days entries are divided into four age categories. First, second, third and honorable mentions were awarded in each category.

Ashley Mannino

Category A (Ages 5–8)

  • 1st Place: Lilly Claire Hatt, “Ballet in Color”
  • 2nd Place: Emerald O’Toole, “Birds of a Feather”
  • 3rd Place: Tyson Bright, “Christmas Tree”

Honorable Mentions:

  • Tyson Bright, “Pumpkin”
  • Lilly Claire Hatt, “Golden Wings”

Category B (Ages 9–11)

  • 1st Place: Christian Pastoret, “Duckcano”
  • 2nd Place: Autumn Turner, “Jenna Ortega”
  • 3rd Place: Autumn Turner, “On the Look Out!”

Honorable Mentions:

  • Ruby Paganuzzi, “Black and White Dog”
  • Dylan Landry, “Magnolia”
  • Nolee Autin, “Sunset on Alligator Lane”

Category C (Ages 12–14)

  • 1st Place: Aaliyah Atamanyuk, “Fred”
  • 2nd Place: Ashley Mannino, “Dig In”
  • 3rd Place: Aaliyah Atamanyuk, “Sound of Movement”

Christian Pastoret

Honorable Mentions:

  • Ashley Mannino, “Selfie Time”
  • Olivia Yi, “Blue Winged Fairy”
  • Harper Hakin, “Baby Opossum”
  • Aaliyah Atamanyuk, “Light My Fire”

Category D (Ages 15–19)

  • 1st Place: Hanna Bradley, “They are dying to get in here”
  • 2nd Place: Ella Steele, “The Cleansing”
  • 3rd Place: Jane Alphonse, “The Beauty of Hummingbirds”

Honorable Mentions:

  • Brynn Fontana, “Entombed”
  • RJ Mora, “Stalkers”
  • Catherine Owen, “Limes”
  • Sydney Hough, “Vulpecula”
  • Jane Alphonse, “Flower Field”

The Slidell Cultural Center is located at 2055 Second Street inside Slidell City Hall. Gallery hours are by appointment only, Monday–Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. Admission is free, and same-day appointments are available. Please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375 to schedule your tour.

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Slidell’s High Schools Take the Spotlight at Bayou Jam on March 30

Following last weekend’s amazing performance by Witness, the spring concert series continues this Sunday, March 30, with the Bayou Jam High School Band & Choir Showcase from 5 to 7 p.m. This free concert features Slidell’s talented student musicians and vocalists from the Northshore High School Jazz Band, Slidell High School Choir, Slidell High School Jazz Band, plus special guest band Audrie & The Saints.

“I invite everyone to come out to Heritage Park this Sunday for a special Bayou Jam concert,” says Mayor Bill Borchert. “After such an incredible turnout last weekend, we’re excited to showcase the remarkable musical talent being developed in our local high schools. These young musicians represent the very bright future of Slidell.”

The concert will feature music ensembles under the direction of three of St. Tammany’s finest music educators. The Slidell High School Jazz Band (under the direction of Landon Blocker) and the Northshore High School Jazz Band (directed by Jess Lambert) will showcase their impressive musical talents. The Slidell High School Choir (led by Melanie St. Cyr) rounds out this impressive lineup of student entertainers.

A special highlight of the evening will be Audrie & The Saints, a dynamic ensemble composed entirely of former Slidell High School talented music students. Formed in late 2024 for the St. Margaret Mary Slidell Food n’ Fun Fest, this remarkable group of musicians has been captivating audiences ever since. Led by the talented Audrie Saint, the band features Ronnie Williams on guitar, Chloe Canulette on keyboard, Aurora Knock on bass and acoustic, Connor Lasalla on bongos, and Aiden Sweetland on drums. The group’s impressive vocal harmonies are brought to life by background vocalists Abbey Caruso, Annie Schneideu, Julia Bay, and Hayley Bauer. These close-knit friends share an infectious passion for live performance, delivering an exciting repertoire that spans from classic 70’s disco to today’s contemporary hits. Their enthusiasm and musical prowess promise to make this year’s Bayou Jam an unforgettable experience.

All concerts will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in Heritage Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs and blankets. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be announced by noon on the day of the event through the city’s website and Facebook page.

For more information about this event, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For City of Slidell news and events, please visit MySlidell.com and follow us on the “City of Slidell” Facebook page.

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Section of Front Street Closed March 27-28 for Construction

The City of Slidell announces that a section of Front Street (between Jacob Street and Highway 11) will be closed to through traffic for construction work. The closure will begin Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. and continue until Friday, March 28, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes during this period. The City of Slidell appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation during these necessary infrastructure improvements.

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Good News in Slidell – March 24, 2025

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T-Mobile Awards Olde Towne Slidell Main Street $50,000 Hometown Grant to Transform Carey Street Park

The City of Slidell and Olde Towne Slidell Main Street have been selected as a recipient of T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant Program, receiving $50,000 to renovate Carey Street Park in Olde Towne. The official check presentation ceremony will take place during the Bayou Jam Concert with Witness on Sunday, March 23. The check will be presented at 4:45 followed by the free concert at 5 p.m.

“We appreciate our corporate citizens like T-Mobile, especially when they choose to reinvest in our community,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “Like T-Mobile, the City of Slidell is about connecting people to our community. This T-Mobile Hometown Grant will enable the City of Slidell, and our Main Street program, to expand and enhance Carey Street Park, creating a welcoming area in Olde Towne Slidell to help connect neighbors with each other and our local businesses. Thank you T-Mobile for reinvesting in Slidell.”

T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant Program is a five-year initiative to support small towns and rural communities across America. The program provides up to $50,000 in funding for community development projects, with grant applications reviewed based on detail, community impact, feasibility, and other considerations. T-Mobile has awarded over $16 million in Hometown Grants to 375 communities across 48 states and Puerto Rico.

The Carey Street Park renovation project will transform an underutilized green space into a vibrant community gathering place. The project aligns with T-Mobile’s partnership with Main Street America to advance shared prosperity and improve quality of life through place-based economic development.

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Cleco and Northshore Community Foundation add six EV charging stations in Slidell

A total of 17 charging stations installed in St. Tammany Parish through the Adopt a Charger initiative

Through their partnership with the non-profit, Adopt a Charger, Cleco and the Northshore Community Foundation installed six new EV charging stations in Slidell, bringing the total to 17 Level 2 EV charging stations in St. Tammany Parish.

The charging stations are located at three city parks – John Slidell Park, Fritchie Park and Heritage Park.  Each park is equipped with two Level 2 charging stations.  The stations use 240 volts of electricity, similar to household appliances like ovens, and provide approximately 25 miles of range per hour of charging.

“This is another investment in the communities we serve and aligns with our vision to support cleaner, all-electric technologies,” said Richard Biedenharn, Electric Vehicle Program Manager. “Our commitment to install up to 30 charging stations in high-traffic areas across St. Tammany Parish will expand Louisiana’s EV infrastructure and make it easier for EV owners to charge their vehicles.”

Adopt a Charger, established in 2011, works to accelerate the purchase of EVs by facilitating the installation of free public charging stations at popular locations, from parks to museums. Program representatives secure sponsors, like Cleco and the Northshore Community Foundation to cover installation costs; then they identify sites and recruit site owners to host charging stations.  Charging is free for the first three years.

“This project would not be possible without grant funds from Cleco Power and its partnership with the Northshore Community Foundation. Thanks to their support, we will be investing a total of $250,000 in the Northshore region,” said Kitty Adams, executive director for Adopt a Charger. “When people see an EV, they don’t automatically know it runs on electricity. The ‘aha’ moment happens when they see it plugged into a charging station. From there, they can talk to EV owners about their experience, which will help increase EV adoption.”

“These charging stations are part of our ongoing commitment to work side-by-side with people, companies and partners who share our mission to build healthy, safe and thriving communities,” said Leslie Landry, president and CEO of the Northshore Community Foundation.

In addition to the new Slidell locations, six charging stations have been installed at Pelican Park in Mandeville, two at the Maritime Museum in Madisonville and three across from the historic pavilion in Abita Springs.

“Through initiatives like Adopt a Charger, we hope to raise awareness about the benefits of electrification and encourage more residents and visitors to consider sustainable transportation options,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “Investing in EV charging not only supports economic growth but also contributes to a cleaner, greener community for generations to come.”

“Adding these charging stations at popular local spots near three major interstates, I-10, I-12 and I-59, will attract more visitors and boost tourism,” said Donna O’Daniels, president and CEO of Visit The Northshore.

Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC is a regional energy holding company that conducts its business operations through Cleco Power LLC, a regulated electric utility company that owns eight generating units with a rated capacity of 2,676 MWs and serves approximately 295,000 customers in Louisiana through its retail business and supplies wholesale power in Louisiana. For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.

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Slidell’s Bayou Jam Concerts Return on Sunday, March 23

Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Inductees Witness to Open Spring Season

The City of Slidell announces the return of its popular Bayou Jam concert series with an expanded spring lineup, featuring Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductees Witness for the opening concert on Sunday, March 23, starting at 5 p.m. in Heritage Park.

“We’re excited to move the Bayou Jam concerts back to Sunday evenings and expand our lineup to provide even more opportunities for our community to enjoy great music in Slidell,” said Mayor Bill Borchert. “These free concerts have become a Slidell tradition, and we invite everyone to join us at Heritage Park for what promises to be a great concert season.”

The spring concert series features eight performances, running from March through June:

  • March 23 – Witness
  • March 30 – High School Band and Choir Concert
  • April 13 – Soul Revival
  • April 27 – Lauren Murphy and the Psychedelics
  • May 4 – Big Al and the Heavyweights
  • May 18 – Some Enchanted Evening with the Northshore Community Orchestra
  • June 1 – Bayou Stampede
  • June 8 – Tease Me Band

Witness, a local band who jumped into Slidell’s music scene in 1991, began as a side project between drummer Joey Spinosa and his vocalist wife Missi, alongside guitarist Raymond Ybos. Their first paid performance at the opening of Southside Café marked the beginning of what would become a three decade journey of musical excellence.

The band’s impressive career reached a new milestone in October 2024 when they were inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Known for their versatile setlist of memorable cover songs and original music, Witness’ dedication to live entertainment, coupled with Missi Spinosa’s dynamic stage presence (which earned her the 2019 St. Tammany Parish President’s Arts Award for Musician of the Year), has cemented their status as one of the region’s most enduring and beloved musical acts.

All concerts will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be announced by noon on the day of the event through the city’s website and Facebook page.

For more information about this event, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For City of Slidell news and events, please visit MySlidell.com and follow us on the “City of Slidell” Facebook page.

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UPDATE: Boil Water Notice Lifted for parts of Monaco Drive and Michigan Ave.

UPDATE – 3/19/25, 12:45 pm: The Boil Water Advisory has been lifted.

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Water Shut Down Notice

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