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There's some good news just off the press: Baton Rouge is one of the top ten "Hottest Real Estate Markets in 2009" according to Housing Predictor, This independent market forecaster defines "Hottest Markets" as "areas of the country where there is stronger employment, prospects of growth and promises of prosperity. They represent exceptions in a cascade of deflationary housing markets that are projected to appreciate despite an economy that has years to fully turn around." Now, that's some really good news for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area!
Baton Rouge shares this honor with cities in Texas Wyoming, Mississippi, Utah, North and South Dakota, and Idaho.
Additionally it was announced this week that Census 2010 is creating 1200 new jobs in the Capital City.
If you have younger children or grandchildren, there are those days where it's too cold or rainy to play outside. Here in Baton Rouge there is a solution to working off some of that pent up energy! It's a play area called Monkey Biz. This indoor play area is child and parent firendly. 
They even have an enclosed play area for little toddlers with soft mats and steps and a playhouse. 
A third area of activity is the rides. There are numerous rides all designed for the younger family members. Some move and shake. Others, like the rocket ship, move up and down.
This morning on Twitter, I came across a link shared by John Jamieson in Detriot Michigan that inspired me to write this post and share his link. There is so much negative press and many of us have seen our real estate business fall away and our markets become difficult. Many have lost jobs, homes, and suffered much grief. In the ever day hum drum our lives can loose meaning and focus. This family kept their focus and turned their difficulties into opportunities that have gone on to inspire many other people all over the world! 
Recently CBS did a story on a family that will warm your heart: 
PEP keeps you up to date on our East Baton Rouge Parish schools. Their recent January 2009 
There was good food and fellowship and much amazement at the power of Twitter to call such a diverse group on short notice. It was a first one here and no one knew quite what to expect. College students, Gatorworks techies, grandparents, bankers, outfitters, poker players, Realtors. There were even 3 of us Active Rain bloggers there, some who didn't know each other and hadn't found each other on Active Rain until last night!
Their were many neighborhoods areoung Baton Rouge lighting up. This is one example.