Local Property Tax for Funding Our City Transport System

We talked about transport systems in the city of Baton Rouge where funding comes from several include local property tax:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : CATS Transport System in Our City Baton Rouge, LA

Image 1- Electric bus (credit to Fuels Fix)

Local Property Tax is a tax of resident properties in the city or state. Our city property tax is quite lower, 0.61% only.

Previously, commuter in Baton Rouge was operated by private company, Railway and Lighting Company with mule-driven trolley cars, then upgraded with electric cars.

From pure private company evolved to current system. The name changes as well, namely “from the Baton Rouge Bus Company to Metro Transit to the present-day Capital Area Transit System.”

Image 2- One of streets in the morning

Image 3- No passengers yet

Since 1999, CATS served for people almost every day in a year. Available:

- seven (7) days a week
- and 363 days a year

I myself take CATS sometimes. I love to hear the conversations between passengers, topics could be anything:

- from politics to economy
- from social to current events in the city
- and to private things.

In addition, there are a lot of jokes and funny things.

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Summer is a Perfect Time to Ride a Motorbike

This month temperature is around 86* F (30* C) in our city, Baton Rouge, LA. The hottest day around July to August could reach 104* F (40* C), but quite rare in the middle of day.

Image 1 – Motorbike ready to run.

For some people, especially in my neighborhood in respect to motorbikes, it is a good time to:

- ride a motorbike
- buy a new motorbike
- sell a secondhand motorbike
- etc

There are 5 famous motorbike brands in my city, and neighborhood. What are they?

Image 2- Motorbike stand on the front house

Image 3- Honda motorbike from left side

Image 4- Honda shadow motorbike

Image 5- Ready to ride

Top 5 brands in my areas (neighborhood) are: Harley-Davidson, BMW, Ducati, Honda and Kawasaki

These brands come from 4 well known countries in term of automotive relate industries: USA (Harley-Davidson), Germany (BMW), Italy (Ducati) and Japan (Honda and Kawasaki)

The above 5 photos (Image 1 to Image 5) show Honda Shadow with specifications: colors of black and chrome, 750cc engine, and year 2001.

Finally, do you love to ride motorbike?

What brand you favor?

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CATS Transport System in Our City Baton Rouge, LA

Our city has transport system called as CATS stand for Capital Area Transit System.

Image 1- CATS wait for passenger

CATS has 29 bus routes to cover the capital areas, Baton Rouge, Louisiana with operation hours from 5.00 AM to 11.00 PM.

This is not government institution, but an independent agency. Its funding from multiple sources include:

- state government
- federal administration
- city of Baton Rouge government
- East Baton Rouge parish
- and local property tax (a local millage).

Image 2- Our neighborhood, just illustration

Off course no free rides for common people, we must buy ticket to commute around town.

Image 3- CATS on the road

There are four types of ticket available:

- pass for 31 days with price US$ 56
- US$ 24.5 for 15 days ride pass
- pass for 7 days with price US$19
- and all-day pass with price US$ 4.

Free for students during weekdays, and free for certain communities on Saturday and Sunday with designed routes such as from specific stops to shopping areas (supermarket complexes)

The CATS sell special ticket for football seasons. The games start from September and end in November each year. Ticket price was US$ 60.

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Weekly Farmer Market at Our Neighborhood

We have at least two daily farmer markets close to our neighborhood. The market open from Monday to Sunday.

Image 1- Few tents of farmer market.

Weekly farmer market on Tuesday only. Very small markets. Open hours very short, about 3 to 5 hours:

- from 8.00 AM to 1.00 PM during late winter to spring.
- from 3.30 PM to 6.30 PM during late spring to summer.

Actually, the hours could be little bit shorter or longer, depend on number of factors such as:

- customers
- sell items
- and weather conditions.

Image 2- Fresh corn

Market in the parking areas of our city, Baton Rouge main library. Sellers come from the groups of:

- real farmers
- food artisans

Image 3- Corn on the cob, ready to grill

Uniquely, we can’t find bananas and mangoes, because they are import produces.

Image 4- One of favorite fruits

All produces are grown by local farmers. The farmers are member of association called as Red Stick Farmers.

Image 5- Vegetables on the table

Off course, the weekly farmer market is not big market, just very few farmers participate. I guess no more than 6 tents (farmers) every week.

Local produces sold in the market may include:

- fresh fruits and vegetables
- meats
- homemade foods (pies and bread)
- honey, milk and cheese
- native plants and herbs
- specialty food items.

Do you have weekly farmer markets in your neighborhood?

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Parks for Dogs in My City Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Part 2

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Parks for Dogs in My City Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Part 1

Fig 01- Dogs play in the park

I visited City Brooks community park several times. Not specific for dogs, but for families or every body:

- old
- young
- and kids.

The park is administrated by an agency called Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC).

Fig 02- Dogs in neighborhood

Fig 03- Street, just for illustration

Fig 04- A dog in the park

The main purpose of the park is to provide recreational opportunities for families from nearby areas.

Size of park is more than 150,000 acres, in addition to green areas, it covers many facilities such as:

- tennis courts and ball fields
- a swimming pool and a fishing lake

The area for dogs is quite big, hence we can find separate areas for small and big dogs. The pups playing area is available as well.

How many dog parks in your city?

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Parks for Dogs in My City Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Part 1

Since I don’t have dogs, I didn’t aware that my city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana has plenty of parks for dogs.

Fig 01- A dog in the park.

I just knew one dog park, it is because I drive through near by park when I go to my work place, five days a week.

The dog park belongs to private company, Raising Cane’s. A fast food restaurant, selling fried chicken.

It is opened for public just several years ago. Then, I think that the park looks crowded day by day.

I am curious to find out: is it the only dog park in the city?

Fig 02- A dog on the street

Fig 03- Flowers at the garden

Fig 04- A little dog at the park

Fig 05- Several dogs play in the park

Moreover, I got the list of more than ten parks in our city, among the favorites parks are:

- Dog park at Burbank park
- Cypress lake dog park
- City Brooks Community park
- Forest community park
- Flannery road dog park
- Baton Rouge city park

# To be continued to Part 2

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A Bird on the Exit Sign in the Library – Part 2

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Bird on the Exit Sign in the Library – Part 1

Fig 01- Birds, just for illustration

Actually, crows are urban residents, not only found a lot in my current city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but also seen across cities in the USA.

Naturally, this omnivorous bird eats everything in nature such as:

- animals
- vegetables
- and wild fruits.

Fig 02- Spring white dogwood flowers, just for illustration

Fig 03- White azalea

Fig 04- Crow in Baton Rouge (Credit to LSUAgCenter)

In respect to animals as foods, this bird love to consume:

- other birds
- bird eggs
- insects and small rodents

Since the birds live in the city, they might search foods in the garbage cans at neighborhood.

The black crows are illegal to be harmed or to destroy their active nests, it is because they are protected by federal law.

Penalties could be maximum to 6 months in prison and a fine to maximum US$15 thousands.

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A Bird on the Exit Sign in the Library – Part 1

When I came to the library in my town, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, it was surprising me that a small black bird on the exit sign.

I saw from a quite distance, I thought it was really bird.

Fig 01- A cute bird sitting on the Exit sign.

How come the bird could enter library?

I ask myself.

After walking closer….,

Aww…

A fake little cute bird, a sign for whoever lost their way in the library, especially for new visitors.

A quite smart way to get attention from visitors.

Fig 02- An area outside library

Fig 03- Purple lily at garden

Fig 04 – Trees and white Azalea

I guess the bird is a black crow, where Corvus capensis is its scientific name.

Some people call American crow or Cape crow. Their length size is quite larger with about 49 cm in length.

Sure, the bird is completely “dark” or black.

The birds are easily seen throughout USA. I myself often observe the birds in my backyard.

They are perching on the branches of my trees.

# To be continued to Part 2

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Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to You and Yours

It was yesterday when I had been quite busy working on pinwheel and peanut Christmas cookies.

I got to back and forth to the grocery store, Walmart Neighborhood. Actually not that far from my home, about 15 minutes by driving.

Fig 01- A gift with a snowman

I did grab and pay for the Hershey's Kisses holiday for decorations, but when I was about to use them, I could not found them.

No where to be found.

I spend over than one hour to look for them. Try to find at every corners and rooms of my house.

Fig 02- A Christmas decoration

Fig 03- A Christmas ornament

So, I run back to the grocery store and got them, another one hour:

- 15 minutes to go
- 30 minutes to search and pay the items
- and another 15 minute to drive back home.

Hectic days!

It is Holiday Season!

The Christmas Eve!

Now, Holly Jolly Christmas!

Wishing you and family have wonderful holidays and very Merry Christmas.

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