Below are upcoming events of interest to Southern Heights.
Future Commercial Development near Southern Heights – Your Feedback Needed
This vacant 6-acre site has the potential to significantly impact our neighborhood. BuildBR seeking community input on what types of uses, amenities, or services would best support residents and the broader area.
Take the Survey to make your needs heard!
Notes from the Shadda Development Open House – Thursday, March 1, 2026
The session was well-attended and included breakout sessions where teams fleshed out community needs and desires across eight (8) categories. Groups also identified key factors for success as well as challenges to be avoided.
Four SH residents attended the open house: Gary Clark, Henry Clark, Eileen Kennedy, and Angela White. Thanks to all for being engaged in our community!
Support your community – Join our HOA
We’re launching our membership drive! Dues are $40 per year and payable by Zelle or Check.
*Use this link to access our automated Member System to create your member account and pay dues. The system allows you to:
- Create your member account
- Make HOA payments
- Provide emergency contact information
- Update member & household information
- Access the SHPOA member directory
- Create member announcements to SHPOA members (future)
- Create & access our SHPOA vendor listing (future)
*Also accessible via the SHPOA Membership menu on SHPOABR.com
Film, Refreshments & Panel Discussion – Tues., Mar. 17th – 11 am – 12:45 pm
5th Annual Black American & Senior Health Fair – Sat., April 11th
Pre-registration strongly recommended.
Check YOUR Voter Registration – Closed Primary Election Voting Begins in 2026
The new “closed party primary system” affects whether YOU can vote in primary elections for US Senate, US House of Representatives, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Learn more about the changes here.
Check/update your voter registration via Geaux Vote Online Voter Registration System.
General Primary Election: May, 16, 2026
ELECTION Calendar Dates
| ACTIVITIES | DATES |
| In-Person, By Mail Registration Deadline | 04/15/2026 |
| Geaux Vote Online Registration Deadline | 04/25/2026 |
| Request Mail Ballot from Registrar Deadline (other than military & overseas) | 05/12/2026 |
| Registrar to Receive Voted Mail Ballot Deadline (other than military & overseas) | 05/15/2026 |
| Early Voting Begins | 05/02/2026 |
| Early Voting Ends | 05/02/2026 |
*Spring Household Waste Collection Day – May 9th from 8 am – 12 noon
Location: LSU Cow Pasture Parking Lot – Across from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine – Skip Bertman Drive
*EBR Residents only. Waste generated by a business will not be accepted.
Below are notices that you may find of interest. Check regularly for updates.
Women’s History Month – Pioneers in Southern Heights
Jewel Limar Prestage (August 12, 1931 – August 1, 2014) was an American political scientist, citizen activist, educator, mentor, and author. She is the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate in political science in the United States. She earned this achievement in 1954 at the age of 24. Dr Prestage lived in Southern Heights, and raised five children, with her husband Dr. James Prestage.
She taught at Prairie View and Southern University. Dr. Prestage served as chair of Southern University’s Political Science Department for 18 years. During her tenure, the department became the nation’s leading catalyst for the development of African-American PhDs in political science. She mentored many in her field and received the title, “The Mother of Black Political Science.”
Dr. Jewel Prestage conducted significant research on African Americans’ role in the political process, bridging the gap in research about African Americans in American politics. In 1977, she co-authored the anthology A Portrait of Marginality, which examined the political socialization of Black women. Another one of her articles, in 2013, “The Case of African American Women and Politics,” explored the Black Women’s role in the political arena.
Dr. Prestage was instrumental in the founding of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. In 2002, the National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS) recognized her role in its’ founding. They created an award in her honor, the Jewel Limar Prestage Faculty Mentorship Award, which is presented to political science professors who demonstrate exemplary leadership and mentorship at a Historically Black College or University.
The Jewel Limar Prestage Public Policy, Polling and Research Center (JLPC), established at Southern University, is inspired by her life and work.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we celebrate history-making residents in Southern Heights.
Yard Maintenance Checklist
Energy Bills got you DOWN?
Key Strategies for Energy Usage Reduction
| Heating and Cooling (Highest Impact): Thermostat Management: Set to 78o or higher in summer and 68o or lower in winter. Maintenance: Change HVAC filters regularly. Alternative Cooling: Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioning. Insulation: Seal air leaks around doors and windows to retain heat/cool air. |
| Lighting and Appliances: LED Bulbs: Replace old bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting. Unplug “Vampires”: Use power strips to turn off electronics (TVs, chargers, computers) that consume power even when off. Efficient Usage: Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads and use cold water. Cooking: Use smaller appliances like toaster ovens or microwaves instead of the main oven. |
| Water Heating: Lower Temperature: Turn down the water heater to 120o F. Usage: Take shorter showers and use low-flow showerheads. |
| Behavioral Change: Natural Light: Utilize daylight instead of lamps. Laundry: Hang dry clothes instead of using a dryer. Shading: Close curtains/blinds during the day to keep homes cool. |
Energy Programs
Natural Gas Bill Payment Assistance
Delta Utilities and United Way of SE Louisiana have partnered to provide short‑term financial relief to households experiencing difficulty paying their natural gas bills. The program prioritizes households that may be especially vulnerable, including older adults, individuals with disabilities, and families living within ALICE income thresholds.
| Eligibility | How to Apply |
| Must have: Active Delta Util. natural gas account Residence within the Delta Utilities service area | Must provide: Current Delta Utilities bill Matching ID |
Free Weatherization Services from Quad Area CAA
Entergy’s FREE Energy Efficiency Services for Homes and Multifamily Properties
Entergy is providing free services to help reduce your energy bill.
Call 844-829-1300 or click here for more information on free thermostats, air conditioning maintenance services, duct cleaning, air leak inspections, and more for single-family homes and multi-family properties. Scroll down the webpage for full information (pictured below).
Reduce Vehicle Break-ins
| Leave NOTHING visible inside your car. |
| At 9 pm – Use your car’s key fob to lock your car. Check your doors & windows to make certain they are locked. |
Make these habits a part of your daily routine:
In the event of a break-in, call the police at 225-389-2000. Call 911 in life-threatening situations, such as a crime in progress.
Thanks for keeping your property & our neighborhood SAFER!
US Postal Service Scam Alert
If you get a text or email claiming to be from USPS about a package awaiting action or a delivery failure,
Don’t click it: Take the actions outlined below for text & email scams.
This is an attempt to steal your personal information. Find out how to protect yourself by following the steps below.
Text Scams – USPS will not send customers text messages or e-mails without a customer first requesting the service with a tracking number, and it will NOT contain a link. So, if you did not initiate the tracking request for a specific package directly from USPS and it contains a link: don’t click the link!
Email Scams – Some postal customers are receiving bogus emails featuring the subject line, “Delivery Failure Notification.” These emails appear to be from the U.S. Postal Service® and include language regarding an unsuccessful attempt to deliver a package asking you to confirm your personal delivery information by clicking a button or downloading an attachment, that, when opened, can activate a virus and steal information—such as your usernames, passwords, and financial account information. The Postal Inspection Service is working hard to stop these emails and protect your information. Forward USPS-related spam emails to spam@uspis.gov, then delete the email.
Report Litter & Dumping
Too Much Air Flight Noise Overhead?
Yes, there seems to be a change in air flight patterns over Southern Heights. This impacts SH overall and especially areas that were not retrofitted to reduce overhead flight impacts in the 1970s & 1980s.
Why Should YOU Care?
Some homes in Southern Heights received new windows, HVAC systems, insulation and roofing to address aviation flight impacts. The number of Southern Heights homes in the airport flight pattern has increased and we may qualify for improvements to address flight pattern impacts.
What YOU Can Do?
We need volunteers to track the daily frequency of flight noise and report the occurrences using the FAA’s Aviation Noise Complaint Process. Call 225-205-7566 to be a SHPOA volunteer.
Instructions:
- Click the I AGREE button on the pop-up window
- Identify yourself (My Information)
- Provide noise occurrence information (your location when you heard the noise; date and time the noise started and stopped; description of noise; noise source (jet, drone, helicopter, propeller, multiple); airline name & aircraft description; airport (BTR)
- Indicate other requested information. NOTE: BTR indicates that the noise complaint should be reported directly to the FAA.
- Mark that you are not a Robot (bottom of page) and go to the upper right top of the webpage to submit the complaint.