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New tennis courts now open at the Henry J. Calamari Memorial Tennis Center

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer was joined by members of the Slidell City Council, Slidell Tennis Association and the public on Monday, Oct. 2, to officially open the new Henry J. Calamari Tennis Center in Slidell.

The new tennis facility now includes eight tennis courts, a small pavilion, and new walkways that allow easy access to restroom facilities and Veterans Memorial Park. The City broke ground in February of 2023 and construction was completed in September 2023. The tennis courts were designed by Kyle Associates, LLC, and built by Cobalt Construction, Inc. for a cost of $2.4 million.

“This is one of the premier tennis facilities in our area. We wanted to make sure that this was a first class facility for our community and we fortunately had some surplus money and grant opportunities to make this project a reality,” said Mayor Cromer. “These new tennis courts, along with the planned outdoor pickleball courts and skate park at John Slidell Park, shows that we listen to what the public asks for. We heard you and we delivered!”

The original tennis courts were built in the 1960s. Over the years, the old courts were repaired and resurfaced numerous times, but the crumbling concrete slabs eventually needed to be replaced. When the orginal courts opened, it cost $1 an hour to play, and players had to go to Slidell City Hall to reserve a court and purchase the ticket. Over the years, Mr. Henry Calamari and his wife Gayle organized many family fun play days, tournaments, and United States Tennis Association events on the courts. They were both instrumental in forming the Slidell Tennis Association in 1977.  Their daughter, Julie Calamari Champagne, taught junior tennis camps during the summers and has been teaching those camps for the last 29 years. She has also been the tennis coach for Pope John Paul II High School for the last 29 years, and Pope students have been practicing on the courts for 40 years.

In 1995, Mr. Calamari tragically passed in a boating accident. Former Mayor Sam Caruso and the Slidell City Council voted to rename the tennis courts in his honor. On Sept. 24, 1995, the Sidell Tennis Courts were officially named the Henry J. Calamari Memorial Tennis Center.

The tennis courts are located at 2600 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. The courts are open to the public from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and admission is free.

For more information about the Slidell Tennis Association, please visit their website at SlidellTennis.com.

 

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UPDATE: Boil Water Notice issued rescinded for small section of Gause Blvd.

UPDATE: The Boil Water Notice has been lifted.

The City of Slidell has issued a Boil Water Advisory due to a loss of pressure while repairing a water main for the following addresses:

  • 1662 Gause Blvd. – TA Truck Stop
  • 1682 Gause Blvd. – Red Roof Inn

All affected addresses have been notified by the City of Slidell. The Boil Water Advisory will be in effect until the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals analyzes all the water samples. It usually takes several days. Everyone will be notified once the advisory has been lifted.

For more information on what to do during a Boil Water Advisory: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking/drinking-water-advisories/boil-water-advisory.html.

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The Bucktown All-Stars celebrate Bayou Jam’s 20th anniversary with free concert on Friday, Oct. 6

The City of Slidell is proud to welcome back the Bucktown All-Stars when they return to Heritage Park on Friday, Oct. 6, to help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bayou Jam Concert Series. The concert starts at 5:30 p.m. and admission is free.
“The Bucktown All-Stars played at the very first Bayou Jam concert and we are truly honored that they are returning to help us celebrate Bayou Jam’s 20th anniversary,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “We want to remind everyone that Bayou Jam concerts are now on Friday evenings, so come start your weekends with us in Heritage Park with some great music, food, and fun!”

The Bucktown All-Stars have been performing since 1992. They are a brass-driven New Orleans band specializing in 1960s Classic R&B and Soul, ’70s Funk and New Orleans jams.  They are a multi-year winner of Gambit Reader’s Poll, “Best Band That Doesn’t Fit Any Of These Categories” and the ten time winner of the prestigious Offbeat Magazine Best of the Beat Awards. The horn-powered All-Stars’ New Orleans shows are legendary in the Crescent City and surrounding areas. Their raspy vocals, rollicking piano, and corrupt horn section fuel an unorthodox mix of second line funk and Motown soul. For more information about the band, visit their website at bucktownallstars.com.

Bayou Jam concerts are are held on select Friday evenings in September and October. Guests are invited to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets to the park to enjoy the free concerts. Scout BSA Troop 562 and Dat Fiyah Food Truck will be onsite selling great food and drinks for a nominal charge.

The Bayou Jam Concert Series concludes on Friday, Oct. 27 with the Bayou Jam Halloween Bash with Vince Vance and the Valiants.

The Bayou Jam Concert Series is produced by the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs with the assistance the departments of Parks & Recreation and Public Operations. These Olde Towne Slidell Main Street and Louisiana Cultural District events are sponsored by the City of Slidell’s 2023/2024 Cultural Season Sponsors, including Edge of the Lake Magazine and the Lake 94.7; Plus+ Publications; The Slidell Independent; Slidell Magazine; Slidell Savings Magazine; Councilman Bill and Laura Borchert; Lori’s Art Depot; Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien Insurance Agency; CiCi’s Pizza; Mayor Greg Cromer; Pizza Platoon and Slidell Historic Antique Association.

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 sign up for our e-news updates, and follow us on the “City of Slidell” Facebook page.

In the event of inclement weather, please check the city’s website or Facebook page for the latest information. Cancellation decisions will be made by 1 p.m. on the day of the event.

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Slidell 9/11 Patriot Day Ceremony

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer, the members of the Slidell City Council, and the City of Slidell invite you to join us at 6:30 pm on Monday, Sept. 11, for the 9/11 Patriot Day Ceremony in Heritage Park’s Memorial Plaza.

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Bayou Jam Concert Series Returns on Friday, Sept. 22 featuring 5eaux4

Get ready for another exciting season of great concerts in Heritage Park as the City of Slidell proudly presents the 20th Annual Bayou Jam Concert Series this fall. The concert series returns on Friday, Sept. 22, with a performance by 5eaux4 starting at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

“Slidell is celebrating the twentieth year of Bayou Jam concerts, and we are thrilled to announce that the concert series will move to Friday nights. This change allows even more people to come enjoy free concerts in the heart of our city,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “Bayou Jam concerts have become a beloved tradition for our citizens that unites our city through the power of music and community. I invite you to join us at Heritage Park for fantastic Friday nights filled with music, food, and fun!”

Mark your calendars for these upcoming Friday night concerts at Heritage Park:

  • 5eaux4 – Friday, September 22
  • Redline – Friday, September 29
  • Bucktown All-Stars – Friday, October 6
  • Vince Vance and the Valiants – Friday October 27

Concerts will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Guests are invited to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets to the park to enjoy the free concerts. Concessions will be sold for a nominal charge during the event.

5eaux4 is a high-energy, multi-genre four piece band seasoned in playing your favorite songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s all the way to today’s hits. For ore information about the band, visit their website at 5eaux4music.com.

“This year introduces an exciting change, as concerts will now take place on Friday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.,” said Alex Carollo, Director of the City’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs. “This change provides a perfect opportunity for our citizens and visitors to unwind and start their weekend with great music!”

The Bayou Jam Concert Series is produced by the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs with the assistance the departments of Parks & Recreation and Public Operations. These Olde Towne Slidell Main Street and Louisiana Cultural District events are sponsored by the City of Slidell’s 2023/2024 Cultural Season Sponsors, including Edge of the Lake Magazine and the Lake 94.7; Plus+ Publications; The Slidell Independent; Slidell Magazine; Slidell Savings Magazine; Councilman Bill and Laura Borchert; Lori’s Art Depot; Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien Insurance Agency; CiCi’s Pizza; Mayor Greg Cromer; Pizza Platoon and Slidell Historic Antique Association.

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 sign up for our e-news updates, and follow us on the “City of Slidell” Facebook page.

In the event of inclement weather, please check the city’s website or Facebook page for the latest information. Cancellation decisions will be made by 1 p.m. on the day of the event.

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City Offices Closed Sept. 4 in observance of Labor Day

In observance of Labor Day, city offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, and will reopen during regular hours on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
 
Essential personnel will remain on duty. If Slidell residents experience problems with their water or sewer service, they should call the City Services 24-hour emergency hotline at (985) 643-6140.
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Romualdo Costa celebrates a century of art at new Slidell Cultural Center exhibit

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer is inviting the public to view the City of Slidell’s newest art exhibit, “Romualdo Costa: A Century of Faith, Love and Art.”

Romualdo Costa is a 105 year old world-renowned artist who has recently made Slidell his home. And the public will have a chance to meet the artist on Friday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. during the opening reception at the George Dunbar Gallery in the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall.

“Mr. Costa is an incredible artist and the City of Slidell is grateful that he is sharing his God-given talent with our community,” said Mayor Cromer. “My thanks to the Slidell Commission on the Arts for bringing another great exhibit to the George Dunbar Gallery.”

The exhibit will remain on display through October 26. Gallery hours are Mondays – Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm by appointment only. Please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at(985) 646-4375 to schedule a viewing.

“We owe a big thank you to Kevin Chiri and the Slidell Independent for helping us discover Mr. Costa and his amazing artwork,” said Alex Carollo, Director of the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs. “Mr. Chiri ran a front page feature story on Mr. Costa earlier this year when he was celebrating his 105th birthday, and the department and the Slidell Commission on the Arts were so inspired by Mr. Costa’s artwork that we knew we needed to invite him to display his works in the Slidell Cultural Center so the public could view his works. We were honored that he agreed to share his incredible talents with all of us!”

Read more about Mr. Costa in the original Slidell Independent story here.

The George Dunbar Gallery at the Slidell Cultural Center is located on the first floor of Slidell City Hall at 2055 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. Admission is free.

 

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Request for Public Review and Comment for CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report

The City of Slidell invites public review and comment on the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the Program Year (PY 2022) of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).  The CAPER provides a summary of accomplishments and status of projects proposed during the 2022-2023 CDBG program year, and it summarizes the overall progress made in implementing goals and objectives identified in the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan.

The City invites public comment from Wednesday, August 30, 2023 to Friday, September 15, 2023.

A copy of the CAPER may be viewed at the City of Slidell Planning Department; 250 Bouscaren Street, Suite 203; Slidell between the hours of 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays; and  a summary of the CAPER may be viewed on line.

Citizens may submit their views and comments by email at cdbg@cityofslidell.org, by phone (985) 646-4320 or in writing to the following:  The City of Slidell Planning Department; Attention: CDBG; 250 Bouscaren Street, Suite 203; Slidell, LA 70459.

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White Linen and Lagniappe 2023 Digital Brochure – see what’s happening where in Olde Towne

Check out everything that’s happening for White Linen and Lagniappe! Join us in Olde Towne Slidell this Saturday, August 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free!

(Save the picture on your phone and use it as a digital map and brochure for the event.)
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Street closures in Olde Towne on Saturday August 12 for White Linen and Lagniappe

In preparation for White Linen and Lagniappe on Saturday, August 12, 2023, the City of Slidell is announcing that several streets in Olde Towne Slidell will be closed to traffic for this event.

On August 12, some Olde Towne streets will begin closing 6 a.m. Streets affected include areas of First Street, Erlanger Avenue, Second Street, Carey Street and Robert Street. Access to the U.S. Post Office in Olde Towne will not be obstructed.

From 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be limited access to Olde Towne via First Street, Bouscaren Street and Cousin Street for the Camellia City Farmers Market and for Olde Towne businesses.

At 1 p.m. all street will be closed so that artists, businesses and bands can start setting up for White Linen and Lagniappe.

Citizens should not park within the White Linen and Lagniappe street closure area on Saturday, August 12 from 1 to 10 p.m. For public safety, bollards will be placed throughout Olde Towne and any vehicles left inside the bollards will not be able to leave Olde Towne until the bollards are removed at 10 p.m.

Many Olde Towne business will be open for business on Saturday, August 12, but citizens should be prepared to park and walk to get to their favorite business.

Mayor Greg Cromer invites citizens to come view the works of over 50 artists and arts organizations that will be on display at over 30 locations throughout Olde Towne during White Linen and Lagniappe, plus live entertainment, hot food and cold drinks, antique and boutique shopping, and lots of lagniappe.

For more information about White Linen and Lagniappe, please visit the city’s website at MySlidell.com or call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375.

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