Author: Emily Gautreaux

Louisiana School Districts Awarded Fast Forward Initiative Grants

According to a Louisiana DOE press release, eight Louisiana school districts  have received $50,000 in grant money to increase the number of high school graduates earning associate’s degrees or taking part in apprenticeship programs before graduation.

As discussed in an earlier January 2021 blog post, the Fast Forward Initiative was first announced during a joint meeting between the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and the Board of Regents last December. Since then the initiative has gone on to receive resounding support from both boards, the Dual Enrollment Task Force, and the Louisiana Legislature.

The Louisiana Department of Education released applications for the Fast Forward Initiative this past January for planning grants to be awarded to a region’s lead secondary school system and its higher education partner from each of Louisiana’s eight BESE districts. The total grant cost came to a total of $400,000, with The Department of Education and Board of Regents splitting the cost.

As announced in March 2021, the recipients of the Fast Forward Regional Planning Grants are:

After receiving the $50,000 grant, each school district will collaborate with postsecondary institutions, business partners, and economic development organizations to increase the number of Louisiana graduates earning a Jump Start TOPS Tech Career Diploma or a TOPS University Diploma while simultaneously participating in a high-demand apprenticeship opportunity or earning an associate’s degree, a much-valued resource.

According to 2019 graduation cohort data, only 0.0037% of Louisiana High School graduates earned both an associate’s degree and high school diploma upon graduation, despite a spike in Louisiana School Systems offering associate’s degree programs at the high school level. This is unfortunate because the program comes at no cost to those participating, thus resulting in the Louisiana associate’s degree becoming a vastly underutilized resource.

The average associate’s degree program is earned over two years from a post-secondary institution with students earning 60 semester-credits per program. Though, many institutions offer these degrees on an accelerated program,benefiting students wanting to pursue their education while also working a job or raising a family.

In addition to this flexibility, those earning an associate’s degree in Louisiana also qualify to continue education as a part of a 2+2 program (or Louisiana Transfer Degree), in which students then transfer to another college or university for two additional years, thus earning a bachelor’s degree.

According to the National Center for Higher Education Management (NCHEMS), the average annual pay for Louisiana Jobs requiring an Associate’s Degree is $39,157 a year, ranking 37th in the nation. Additionally, the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce foresees at least 55% of open jobs in Louisiana requiring some type of career credential or college degree soon.

Because of this increased demand for a qualified, degree-holding Louisiana workforce, it’s imperative that Louisiana graduates take advantage of the Fast Forward initiative. If they complete the program, they will have a beneficial advantage over other future applicants in the increasingly more competitive Louisiana job market.

Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education, commented on the value of the program saying, “ we must be intentional in connecting students to their lives beyond high school graduation. By further personalizing the high school experience, we will better prepare students and be responsive to the needs of our communities and state.”I’m both excited and thankful for the relationships being developed between PK-12, higher education and the workforce. This initial opportunity holds promise to improve Louisiana as a whole in the long term.”

For more education-related information, click here.

 

Five Can’t-Miss Roadside Attractions for Your Next Road Trip

Once you embark on the great American Road Trip, it’s important to not only make pit-stops out of necessity but you should also plan to “stretch your legs” at some truly unforgettable roadside attractions, like these that were curated by Country Living.

Road trips are an undeniable travel resource that allows you to get to your desired destination at your own pace. Sure, you may have a set window in which you should arrive at Point B, but it’s in the transitional aspects of transit that the truest memories are forged. However, it’s not likely that you’ll select gas station #8 to reminisce about once it’s all said and done. This is exactly why every roadtripper should make it a point to include at least one of the following roadside spectacles on that travel itinerary on their next cross-country voyage. As always, be sure to check recent CDC recommendations and travel restrictions before you pack up the car.

Lucy the Elephant

Standing guard in front of Margate, New Jersey is a 65 ft. tall elephant statue named Lucy. Since being built in 1881,Lucy has served as a spectacle and tourist attraction, tavern house, summer residence, and she is the 12th tallest statue in the United States as well as the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in America. In fact, Lucy became an official National Historic Landmark in 1976, joining the ranks of such notable United States Landmarks as the Hoover Dam and Statue of Liberty, and not only can you visit Lucy, but for a small fee, you could even take a guided tour through the gigantic architectural marvel yourself! 

Prada Marfa

Despite its name, this bizarre art project that resembles a Prada boutique stands isolated in Valentine, Texas. Created in 2005, this permanent land art project was a co-production between Ballroom Marfa and the Art Production Fund, and it stands as a testament to pop art, fashion, and baffling juxtaposition. While you can’t enter the shop and peruse the luxury goods from Prada’s 2005 fall collection at this roadside attraction, Prada Marfa will make any picture in which it’s in the background truly unforgettable.

The Parthenon

You know the saying, if you can’t make it to Greece, Nashville’s the next best thing! Proudly located as the centerpiece of Nashville, Tennessee’s premier urban park, Centennial Park, is this full-scale replica of the Athens original. Inside the structure, the architectural focus is on a 42-foot statue of the goddess Athena, just as the original Parthenon.  In addition to this architectural feat, the Parthenon also serves as Nashville’s art museum, housing a permanent installation of 63 paintings by 19th and 20th-century artists. Be sure to add this to your list of roadside attractions if you are passing near the area.

World’s Largest Mailbox

Don’t trust a roadside attraction list if it doesn’t feature a notorious “World’s Largest” entry. This mailbox stands over 5,700 ft. high, overlooking Casey, Illinois where more “World’s Largest” attractions can be found. Though the mailbox holds one of the nine Guinness World Records for “largest things in the world,” but to receive that honor, it needed to be fully functional. So, guests are invited to visit the mailbox, climb the staircase, send a letter of their own, and raise the red flag to signal a mail carrier to deliver it. This attraction is a no-brainer when it comes to a possible photo opportunity, as it’s a perfect sight from the ground-level or within its metal structure.

Carhenge

Rounding out the list is a reliable roadside attraction with an appeal that’s immediately understandable; it’s a replica of the world-famous Stonehenge, but it’s constructed with cars instead of stones. This truly unique sight was constructed in 1987, and it’s open to the public for free during the daylight hours in Alliance, Nebraska.

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New Artificial Reefs Being Built in Lafourche and Terrebonne

The Louisiana Coastal Conservation Association is building three artificial reefs in the parishes of Terrebonne and Lafourche, according to an article from Houma Today.

These reefs comprise one-third of the total nine R.E.E.F. Louisiana projects that are set to be built by the end of the year. These projects are created in an effort to attract fish to the sites of various decommissioned oil platforms found along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast.

The Louisiana Coastal Conservation Association started the R.E.E.F. project in 2019 after local anglers, political leaders, biologists, and CCA members from across Louisiana wanted to repurpose the sites of former oil platforms. The project aims to build these nearshore reefs, which range in depth from 10 to 150 feet, on areas that were identified by anglers as former fishing hotspots for favorite species like the red snapper or speckled trout.

In early April, one artificial reef is set to be built at Bay Marchand Block 3, which is located just southeast of Port Fourchon in Lafourche. The reef will be made of recycled materials and be built at a depth of 45 feet. Composed of recycled concrete structures, the reef will aim to host shallow-water fish and create a mangrove habitat. Mangroves serve to not only establish a barrier between the mainland and the ocean, but they also prevent soil erosion and provide a habitat to numerous fish, mollusk, and crustacean species.

The CEO of the Louisiana Coastal Conservation Association, David Cresson, remarked that each reef is constructed in one week, and it only takes less than a month after a project’s completion for fish to begin inhabiting the area. And while each reef may cost between $250,000 to $500,000 to complete, much of the total cost of each project is reduced through the donation of materials from the state’s old roadway projects and the donated labor and time from various construction companies.

Artificial reefs built in shallow waters can be constructed from recycled highway barriers, culverts, and other road materials, while old pieces of oil platforms, retired marine vessels, and recycled concrete are used to construct reefs in deeper waters.

One such reef will be built at a depth of 125 feet about 25 miles south of Timbalier Island in Terrebonne Parish, where it is set to attract red snapper fish. Nearby, at a location only 15 miles south of Timbalier Island, a 300-foot barge will be deployed to also attract red snapper.

According to Cresson, the Louisiana Coastal Conservation Association has invested $15 million over ten years to build over 30 artificial reefs across the state of Louisiana. “We’re doing this to replace habitat loss after old oil and gas platforms are removed. It’s two-fold, we build new habitats and maintain the platform reefs that are still there. These project ideas come from local volunteers and supporters and they should be proud of their efforts,” said Cresson. “It’s a marriage between a non-profit organization, state and federal partners, and corporate organizations for this to all come to life.”

These R.E.E.F. projects have received financial support from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Artificial Reef Trust Fund, the Building Conservation Trust, and companies like Chevron and Shell.

For many, the concept of repurposing former oil platform sites to attract species of fish that are originally native to this region is an easy idea to whole-heartedly support, as it speaks to a unique, environmentally-conscious spirit that’s often found in Southern Louisiana.

For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

Roasted Chicken Recipes

A properly-prepared Roasted Chicken dinner has a near-universal, comforting appeal, and thanks to this collection of over two dozen recipes from Martha Stewart, you can leave the all-too-tempting rotisserie chicken under the grocery store heat lamp where it belongs.

Often praised as true comfort food, a roasted chicken combines aromatics, texture, flavor, and juices into a dish that can be served as a casual weeknight supper, elevated to a special occasion’s main course, or even saved for thefollowing day’s leftovers. The versatility of the roasted chicken is also attributed to its simple, yet classic preparation alongside fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables. So, take note of the different ways in which you can diversify your Roast Chicken game and ultimately provoke an after-dinner feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Spatchcocked Chicken with Chickpeas

It’s back to basics with this quick-cooking recipe as you spatchcock the bird by removing the chicken’s backbone and laying it flat atop a bed of cilantro and chickpeas in a cast iron skillet. While your chicken roasts in the oven, the juices will be soaked up by the roasting chickpeas, giving you a superb pairing of protein and legumes when it’s all said and done.

Crisp-Skinned Chicken with Rosemary Potatoes

To ensure great texture, crispy skin, and maximum browning for this roasted chicken, opt for a rimmed baking sheet instead of a high-sided roasting pan. While this recipe has you season the chicken with traditional spices and plenty of lemon juice, be sure to lay it atop a sheet pan that’s lined with cored fennel bulbs for a rounded-out meal that will be ready to devour as soon as the timer strikes.

Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

If you are a fan of garlic, it’s obvious that this recipe is calling your name. Hailing from the French countryside, this recipe has you roasting your butter-basted chicken in a skillet alongside dozens upon dozens of garlic cloves, a sprinkle of thyme, and other seasonings. The sheer quantity of garlic in this recipe ensures that the meat will remain tender and juicy throughout the cooking process, and if they thought of peeling that much garlic makes your skin crawl, be sure to check out the peeling cooking hack inside the recipe.

Herb-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Resting atop a bed of red potatoes, carrots, and leeks, this roasted chicken recipe holds a ton of flavor and juicy meat beneath its crispy skin, and it’s all because of what’s inside. You’ll stuff the heavily- seasoned chicken with plenty of fresh herbs, particularly thyme and parsley. Lay the bird on top of your vegetables for a one-pot dinner, and top it off with a little wine to bring out the proper aromatics during the roasting process.

Roasted Chicken Thighs with Tomatoes, Olives, and Feta

Inspired by the Mediterranean cooking tradition, this recipe has you roasting only chicken thighs alongside grape tomatoes, Spanish olives, shallots, and feta cheese for a highly unique flavor profile. And that flavor is all the more off-set by the inclusion of mint in this recipe, as the mint leaves add a layer of freshness that could not otherwise be attained.

Roasted Quartered Chicken with Herb Sauce

Choose this recipe the next time you’re looking to impress your dinner guests with elaborate plating and an intensely flavorful herb sauce. This cooking method produces toasty skin, as you’re only cooking thigh and leg pieces, but it’s truly the savory herb sauce that’s made from minced garlic, red pepper flakes, red wine vinegar, and parsley leaves that will undoubtedly elevate your next roasted chicken.

For more delicious recipes, click here.

Nicholls Culinary Institute Unveils new Art Installation

The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute recently installed and unveiled a $70,000 cuisine-inspired sculpture on Nicholls’s campus, according to a press release  from the school.

The “Herb Garden” sculpture stands proudly along Louisiana Highway 1 near Bowie Road, both welcoming students and faculty to the Culinary Institute and catching the eye of any La 1 drivers. The sculpture itself depicts Louisiana spices and herbs that are unquestionably essential to any home-cooked meal. Depicted in the sculpture are the culinary staples dill, okra, chili, sassafras, and parsley.

Arizona artist, Dr. Stephen Fairfield was inspired to create the art installation after seeing the increased use of a small, humble herb garden near the school’s Ledet Culinary Building. Nicholls’ Culinary students often tend to the garden, selecting fresh herbs to use in their recipes. Needless to say, this natural and genuine fusion of education, culinary intuition, and nature was certainly enough for the Arizona-based artist to be inspired by.

For a better part of the last decade, Dr. Fairfield has been focusing on creating steel public art sculptures, similar to the piece installed for the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, as well as new media projects. When speaking to Nicholls’ press about how he hopes the piece would be perceived, Dr. Fairfield said, “I hope the public experiences a sense of awe, wonder and appreciative pleasure when seeing the beautiful colors, forms and lighting effects as color waves move over the various parts of the sculpture. This sculpture represents an homage to Louisiana cuisine and to those who care so much about it that they have created a process to perpetuate this culinary cultural expression.”

The “Herb Garden” sculpture was paid for by Louisiana’s “Percent for Art” program. Enacted in 1999, the program sets out to provide Louisiana citizens with an improved public environment by stipulating that whenever more than $2 million in state funds are used by a state agency for the construction or renovation of a state building, 1 percent of the state money should be expended for the acquisition, conservation, restoration, or installation of public art displays on the grounds of that building.

The “Percent for Art” program has been long-standing in Louisiana, as it serves as a dedicated reminder to preserve both the cultural heritage and artistic expression of the state and its people through the installation of public art projects.

The Culinary Director for the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, Chef John Kozar said of the installation, “We are excited to show off this centerpiece for our Bistro Ruth patrons, and for anyone who makes their way down La. 1. This artistic representation fits in with our farm-to-table emphasis for our students. These herbs are frequently used in classical Louisiana cuisine, and their placement within this piece of art is incredible.”

It was always in the initial conception of the project for the piece to be attention-grabbing, seeing that the work was on such prominent display along Louisiana Highway 1 and positioned in the front of campus. Fairfield had collaborated on the project with his colleagues from his New Media Public Art Collective, an internationally-accomplished group of artists that specializes in the merging of art and technology to create memorable displays of public art. The collective’s goal was to create a piece that not only grabs the attention of their audience but abstractly reminds them of the integral components of Louisiana cuisine.

Whenever you next find yourself entering the campus of Nicholls State University via La 1, be sure to keep a keen eye out for the impressively-sized, and emotionally-resonant “Herb Garden” sculpture that now makes a proud companion to the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute’s landscape.

For more education-related information, click here.

Top Staycation Spots to Consider this Spring

Though many places are starting to see restrictions lifted and travel picking back up, many are looking to book a spectacular “staycation” this upcoming spring break, and with TravelPulse’s curated list of the best spots for staying in, it’s never been more tempting.

Though the full list pairs each of America’s states with the ideal “hunker down” destination, it’s always a recommended practice to check with local advisories, rules, and restrictions, as things are constantly changing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Homer, Alaska

While it may be far from home, the quaint, charming town of Homer has both cultural attractions and cafés to rival the hippest, modern cities of the continental United States. If you’re planning to venture out for Spring Break, then you would be in luck, as the cozy town is actually known for having a very pleasant climate, making it an ideal spring destination.

Red Wing, Minnesota

Located on the “Mighty Mississippi,” the location, legacy, and aesthetic of the historic river town of Red Wing makes it perfect for a spring break staycation. Whether you’re walking river-side, taking a ferry ride, or exploring the nearby dramatic hills and bluffs around Red Wing, there’s plenty to love. Minnesota’s larger cities get the acclaim and the tourists, but only Red Wing has the niche wealth of interest-specific museums awaiting your patronage.

Overland Park, Kansas

The KC Metro area is known for many things, but during spring break, it’s typically a hotspot of tourists, so why not stop into the nearby Kansas City suburbs known as Overland Park? This gives you the perfect home base from which you’re in a prime location to explore the attractions of both the Kansas and Missouri side of the KC Metro area. Explore unforgettable attractions like the architecturally-stunning Museum at Prairiefire Entertainment District, such as the Overland Park Museum of Natural History. Afterwards, be sure to stop downtown and visit the stunning National World War I Museum and Memorial, the American Jazz Museum, and (of course) stop to feast on some of the finest barbecue the country has to offer.

Ocean City, Maryland

To many, there’s nothing more ideal or serene than a beach that’s practically all to yourself, and with the Maryland climate, you might just be that lucky when visiting Ocean City. The beaches typically run chilly, so you and your group might need a sweater for those early evening walks, but that just means that there will likely be more space to enjoy. After spending your time at the coast, stop by the nearby small town of Berlin to partake in its attractions ranging from the unforgettable landscapes of Assateague State Park to the Calvin B Taylor House Museum.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Stop in and stay awhile once inside the city limits of one of the most historic cities in America. When visiting or having a staycation, you’ll be surrounded by the spectacular Southwestern scenery that has given comfort to generations of travelers before you. Stop by the classic Georgia O’Keeffe Museum to acquire a new appreciation for the legendary artist before you trek on a local hike and blaze your own path forward. Before heading out of town, be sure to treat yourself to a tried-and-true New Mexican meal at one of the southwest’s most distinctive and authentic cuisines around.

Letchworth Falls State Park, New York

Start manifesting it now, you don’t need to busy yourself with the city that never sleeps just because you find yourself in New York, so leave the bustling Big Apple behind and truly reunite with nature and the fantastic spectacle of Letchworth State Park’s tranquil woods and rushing waters. Watch closely as the Genesee River traverses jagged rocks and ultimately cascades over three majestic waterfalls. Live in a postcard for a little while during this staycation, once you book at Letchworth.

For more travel related news and information, click here.