Author: Emily Gautreaux

Highest Rated Campgrounds

As summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to pack up your vehicle for a lifetime of memories that can only be found in a proper camping trip, and with this article by TravelPulse, rating the best campgrounds around, it’s never been easier to lace up your most durable footwear and “rough it” out of doors.

In 2021, the outdoor adventuring review website, Campendium, released its list of the 527 National Park Campgrounds, free camping sites, and RV parks that received an average of 4-5 star reviews as a part of its Campers Choice Awards series.

And seeing that summer 2021 has many looking to the great outdoors for that summer vacation, these particular camping experiences are those to make the trip for, as they aim to offer an unforgettable experience, landscape, and scenery.

Best National Park Campground:

Gros Ventre Campground; Jackson, Wyoming

The majesty that is Grand Teton National Park cannot be overstated; the entire park hosts over two hundred miles of trails, extraordinary wildlife, and flawless lakes, so while you’re exploring all that this magical landscape has to offer, there’s no better home base than the Gros Ventre Campground, located in the southeastern section of the park. These grounds are near the Gros Ventre River and provide a perfect vantage point for observing the Grand Teton Range, Blacktail Butte, and the bison and moose often traveling nearby.

Best National Forest Campground:

Nomad View Dispersed Camping; Wall, South Dakota

Located in the Buffalo Gap National Grassland, this dispersed campsite was also featured as one of the Best Free Campsites by Campendium. Nomad View is a small point that beholds a grand scene of the rocky earth landscape known as “The Wall,” which is contrasted with the green grassland above it. Campers love this spot for the striking, singular view it offers its visitors, and honestly, it can only be truly “seen” in person.

Best BLM Camping:

Sacred White Shell Mountain; Mosca, Colorado

BLM, or Bureau of Land Management Camping, is a type of outdoor accommodations that is organized by the United States Bureau of Land Management with sites that range from an RV at a modern-amenities-laden campground to a simple sleeping bag under the night’s sky. Colorado’s Sacred White Shell Mountain has a wide area in which campers can park for the night and see a starscape like never before, and being that it’s all projected above the practically fluorescent Sacred White Shell Mountain, this is one site (or sight) you won’t want to skip.

Best RV Park:

Mountain View Campground; Hiawassee, Georgia

For the fourth year in a row, this southern campground has won the title of the highest-rated campground in the nation, and with its breathtaking backdrop that is the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia, it’s no secret why. Mountain View Campground obviously has an excellent vantage point in which to see the mountains, which are among some of the oldest ranges in the United States, but with full RV hookup, wifi, covered pavilions, warm showers, and a community fire pit, there’s clearly something going very right in Northern Georgia.

 City Park Campground:

Junction City Park; Junction, TX

Located in both Junction and Kerrville, Texas, the Kerrville-Schreiner Park is an impressive accomplishment in terms of scenery that looks almost “too grand for Texas,” a phrase that can be agreed upon by anyone who has had to make the drive through the state’s western expanse. Though, it’s specifically Junction, Texas’s City Park that has residents and tourists alike returning time and time again to the small town. Stop in sometime and take a leisurely stroll down the Llano River and maybe you’ll get lucky and find some fallen pecans from the nearby trees.

For more travel-related news and information, click here.

 

Walker, LA Recently Held its Inaugural Spring Festival

After a particularly harrowing year in terms of live performances, concerts, and large gatherings, the City of Walker, Louisiana is gaining a new celebration with its inaugural Spring Festival that aims to become an annual tradition, according to BRProud.

What’s being called Walker’s first annual Spring Fest consisted of a three-day, family-friendly event on Sidney Hutchinson Park’s 100 acres. It was held on Friday, April 23rd from 5-10 pm, Saturday, April 24th from 12-10 pm, and Sunday, April 25th from 12-7 pm.

The Livingston Parish festival aimed to have families and the general surrounding community come together to experience a truly impressive offering of events, attractions, and culture, all of which were seen as all-too-needed these days, according to the city of Walker’s community outreach coordinator, Sandi McGrew, who said, “it’s the first festival that we’re having. The mayor (Jimmy Watson) really has a vision to bring more people into the park and do more things for the community, especially after everybody’s been at home for the last year.”

McGrew also expressed her hope for this family-orientated event to be seen by the public as a community event to gather around, especially after the trying year endured by the coronavirus pandemic that pushed communities apart from one another. Spring Fest implemented the state of Louisiana’s latest safety guidelines in an effort to not let this first annual festival be its last.

In fact, a recent Advocate Article commented on the inaugural Spring Fest by stating, “ It will be a busy weekend and a sign that residents are ready to get out of their houses. But festival organizers are encouraging safety with masks and social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”

Outside of providing Livingston parish with a three-day event that they can look forward to, Spring Fest featured live musical performances by Clifton Brown and the Rusty Bucket Band (Friday), the Eddie Smith Band with Floyd Crown and Kenny Cornett (Saturday), and student performances from Overtones Music (Sunday).

In addition to the impressive musical acts, the festival also included nearly a dozen fair rides such as a Ferris Wheel, as well as, local vendors selling their specialties and the notorious staples of “Fair Food” on site. Additionally, both a local farmer’s market and a car show were featured on the festival grounds on Saturday, April 24th, arguably the park’s biggest day.

Outside of its attention-grabbing music lineup and features, the city of Walker had a wholesome, ulterior motive when selecting Sidney Hutchinson Park as the festival’s location. Both McGrew and Mayor Watson wanted the public to see for themselves all of the natural hallmarks available to them, such as the walking trail and various fishing ponds. With this being the inaugural event, it’s a chance to show local residents what can come in the future alongside hefty community support and goodwill. Festival participants got an inside look at Sidney Hutchinson Park’s soon-to-be-completed outdoor exercise equipment and all-inclusive playground. Spring Fest’s admission and musical performances will be free to all who enter, but rides, fair games, concessions, and Saturday’s farmers market were note.

In an effort to keep Louisiana residents informed about live events, safety, and all things music, “97.3 The Dawg” has released a rundown on the 2021 Louisiana Festivals that are still ready to open. Among those listed, such as the NOLA Crawfish Festival, Sunset Herb and Garden Festival, Mid City Bayou Boogaloo, and Kite Fest Louisiane, special attention was paid to announce Spring Festival as Walker’s first, and hopefully, there will be many more to come in the years ahead.

For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

 

Louisiana Tutoring Initiative Given Spotlight by US Department of Education

A specific Louisiana tutoring initiative program that was created by Louisiana’s Department of Education in Fall 2020 has not only captured national attention but it’s being used as the country’s standard in the U.S. Department of Education’s latest school reopening guidelines, as told by a press release from Louisiana’s own Department of Education.

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused the Louisiana Department of Education to close school on March 13, 2020, a lot was left hanging in the balance. As a result, state educational leaders collaborated for months on an initial, comprehensive set of guidelines for reopening schools, which has only become more thorough upon its revisions.

Similarly, the United States Department of Education (ED) releases two volumes of its own “COVID-19 Handbook.” The first volume, which was released to the public this past February, aimed to give faculty and staff members some realistic, practical examples for restarting in-person learning. In addition to this, Volume 1 referenced a large number of strategies for educators to navigate the instructional gap of 4-6 months that was caused by the closing of schools.

In April 2021, ED released the second volume of its handbook; it bore the title: “COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students’ Needs.” As its main focus can be ascertained by its naming convention, this volume focused on an in-depth analysis of the recovery of lost instructional time caused by the school closures and/or transition to and from virtual learning.

This latest volume will be the framework for the 2021-2022 school year, as it stands right now because it provides a variety of additional strategies for the safe reopening of in-person learning at all American schools as well as the promotion of educational equity or the supplying of individual resources to various students in an effort to have them all succeed and meet a goal. ED plans to address and achieve national educational equity by appropriately addressing the opportunity gaps that lie in the pandemic’s wake, and one of the best ways to address these is through the tactical use of high-quality tutoring to make up for the lost instructional time.

It is in this effort, the provision of high-quality tutoring, that Louisiana’s Department of Education is being used as a national example of a program that’s designed to support teachers and students concurrently. The initiative, called Accelerate, supplies entire school districts with structures, curriculum, presentations, webinars, and educational resources to not only accelerate students’ learning but also keep all instruction aligned to what’s taught in the current school day.

In response to this national attention, State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley said, “it’s reaffirming to see the work we’re doing in Louisiana called out as a strategy schools around the country can use to help children get back on track. Not only is Louisiana a national leader for safely providing in-person instruction, but our students are benefitting from academic strategies proven to move students forward.”

The specific wording of Louisiana’s Accelerate initiative reads as follows in the US Department of Education’s Second Volume: “One example of statewide use of tutoring is being provided by the Louisiana Department of Education, which is encouraging tutoring for all students, recommending that it occur in high-dosages (at least 30 minutes 3 times per week), and providing comprehensive materials aligned to state academic standards through the Accelerate program. In 2007, four studies reviewed by the Department’s What Works Clearinghouse found that peer tutoring had positive effects on English language development for English learners. By contrast, less formal, inconsistent tutoring, that is held in larger groups unconnected with classroom content is unlikely to help students.”

For more education-related information, click here.

Five Ways to Prepare Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Whether you’re looking to eat healthier in general or are just looking for a new set of kitchen skills for the preparation, cooking, and serving of skinless chicken breasts, then this curated list from Food52 will supply you with enough recipe ideas to make the most out of your chicken dinner.

Often a value-purchase at your local supermarket, the six-pack of boneless, skinless chicken breasts calls to us all sometimes, and while it’s not a bad idea to incorporate the chicken breast (devoid of bones and skin) into your weekly routine, an improperly-seasoned entree can have an adverse effect on any dinner guest or chef. With that being said, it’s best to go into the kitchen prepared, lest you be tempted by the fat-filled chicken skins that we all know would taste oh-so-good in the air fryer. So without further ado, here are our favorites from the larger list:

Grilled Herbed Chicken Breasts with Radicchio

Inspired by a restaurant in Portland, Oregon, this dish has a sweet-tart dressing that pairs perfectly with the chicken breast that’s seasoned enough to give you a little kick in the mouth with every bite. The full meal is incredibly satisfying, and what’s more is that the dressing, which incorporates pickled red onions, can last in the refrigerator for a week, giving you more salads or meals to experiment with.

Elegant Easy Chicken

Though this dish is named “easy chicken,” the seasoning on these sliced cutlets is anything but provincial or simple. What makes this 30-minutes or less chicken recipe special enough to be paired with almost any dish is the preparation that includes champagne as well as fresh cream, minced tarragon, and rosemary, all of which will leave your mouth watering the second your eye or nose catches it coming out of the oven.

Vietnamese Mango and Chicken Salad

Adopted from a Vietnamese banana flower salad recipe, this dish utilizes the green mango, which holds a flavor that is tart but not particularly bitter in its bite. What has resulted is a lovely, lively dish that can stand on its own as a light meal or pair perfectly with any Asian cuisine dish such as a burry or vermicelli noodle bowl. The brightly-colored salad has the often-skipped “umami” flavor that can only be achieved if the recipe is followed closely with the sometimes-hard-to-find ingredients like “rau ram” or Thai basil. Luckily, many Asian Markets house these pieces of the puzzle, so visit your local spot today, and get started!

Chicken Marsala

This classic dish can be made at home but still be of restaurant quality. The delicious, velveteen sauce of the Chicken Marsala is made possible by its incorporation of sweet Marsala wine and heavy cream for a texture that not only tastes good but it’s perfectly absorbed by the bed of freshly-coiled linguine that it rests upon. Serve this dish alongside Parmesan risotto or simply keep the entree traditional, either way, it’s sure to impress.

Cheater’s Chicken Schnitzel

Named after its substitutive “frying” technique that uses panko breadcrumbs and a mustard-mayonnaise marinade in place of the typical flour, egg, and milk affair, this entree is perfect for those who require a unique texture with their food. What results from the immediate integration of marinade and panko is a highly crispy outer layer that is satisfying to the touch, taste, and mouthfeel. Moreover, top these strips with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, or place the schnitzel itself atop your favorite salad creation for an anything-but-boring lunch.

For more delicious recipes, click here.

California Vacations for Every Traveler

For over a century now travelers have been drawn to the state of California, but with it being the most populated area that is not its own country on the continent of North America, it can be tough to decide where to visit. Thankfully, this curated guide of California vacation ideas, as written by the travel blogger The Points Guy, makes the decision a whole lot easier.

As it’s the third-largest United State by land size alone, California is certainly huge, but it’s also incredibly populated. It’s the 34th most populated state in the world with well over 39 million residents living on its over 163,000 square miles of surface land. This is also not to even mention that on that massive expanse there are internationally-renowned theme parks, metropolises, movie studios, resorts, spas, national parks, and 900 miles of Pacific Ocean-adjacent beach property.

With that being said, booking a trip to the Golden State can be overwhelming even for the more accomplished traveler, so here are a few suggested trip proposals depending on your vacation style.

Looking for Aesthetics?

When you spend a full season of Winter in New England or the frigid Midwest, suddenly the sunny beaches and palm trees of the California Coast are calling your name. If postcard-worthy sites are what you’re after, then look no further than the city of Palm Springs, California. Known as a fashionable location for tourists and Southern California Residents alike, this city has magnificent sights to be seen inside and out. For instance, one needs only to walk through the Moorten Botanical Garden or feed a literal Giraffe at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens to see both the flora and fauna of this amazing city. If in town, be sure to pack some “athleisure-wear” for your hike up Tahquitz Canyon so that you can partake in a real-life waterfall oasis in the middle of a desert or see the wonderful state of California from above on an aerial gondola ride that takes you over Coachella Valley in an unforgettable canyon-hugging ride of your life.

Looking for Recreation?

Have you truly been to California if you don’t visit an amusement or theme park that the state is famous for? Whether you’re traveling with loved ones, extended family, coworkers, or just friends, there’s plenty of fun to be had by anyone in the city of Anaheim, California. Home to the internationally-famous Disneyland, it’s almost impossible to imagine California without the iconic characters and attractions of the Walt Disney Corporation and their truly magical theme park experiences. Taking a walk through Downtown Disney or the state’s very own sister park, California Adventure,are the obvious choices that are guaranteed to help you regain any lost sense of childlike wonder. If you want to find more mature attractions, so to speak, then look no further than the world-famous Angel Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Angels or make the day trip to Catalina Island or Huntington Beach to soak in the sunny rays that the state is known for.

Looking for Extravagance?

Movie stars, top athletes, and some of the most successful people on the planet reside in California for its catering to a higher class of living. That being said, the city of San Francisco and its surrounding bay area are perfect for those wanting decadence on their vacation. This famed city is home to one of the most expensive properties owned by the Ritz-Carlton brand, and it’s for good reason. The property, known as the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, is one of the finest, most luxury-filled resorts on the planet with its decadent accommodations overlooking a cliff-side ocean view and its countless amenities such as its championship golf courses or award-winning yoga studios. While staying in the area, be sure to spend a day at the MoMa and breathe in the arts and culture of some of the most accomplished artists at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

For more travel-related news and information, click here.

 

LSU and Nexus LA to Offer Support for Louisiana Entrepreneurs

This summer, aspiring Louisiana entrepreneurs will be able to consult industry experts and business mentors thanks to a partnership between Nexus Louisiana and LSU’s Office of Innovation and Technology Commercialization according to a press release from the school.

The program is called Ignition, and it’s been designed as an accelerated entrepreneurial program in which aspiring businessmen and women can assess the practicality, viability, and overall effectiveness of their ideas. The Ignition initiative, which is set to last eight weeks throughout the end of spring, will also offer to its participants a panel of local business leaders and innovators who will guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the building, maintaining, and satisfying of a reliable client base.

In addition to the wealth of knowledge that can only be gained from experiences, Louisiana entrepreneurs and participants will also have reimbursable capital available to them through a grant from Louisiana State University. Candidates will have access to up to $3,000 in reimbursable funds, which they can apply toward what Ignition is calling “customer discovery efforts.” Such efforts may include, but won’t be limited to social media marketing campaigns, registration and attendance costs for a conference or expo, or even admission into product competitions.

The experts offering their two-cents to Ignition participants want to help connect customers with a great idea because often those aspiring inventors and innovators are expertly crafty in the creation of their product or service, but they might lack the business acumen or networking savvy to get their idea in the hands of customers. Thankfully, that’s literally the types of aspiring Louisiana entrepreneurs that Nexus Louisiana had in mind in creating the Ignition program.

Stephen Loy, the Executive Director of Nexus Louisiana Technology Park said of the initiative, “Ignition is ideal for entrepreneurs, dreamers, risk-takers, and anyone who has a business idea seeking to prove or disprove their product or service viability. Our goal is to help entrepreneurs keep from investing significant resources into an idea that might not be viable. We would rather someone decide whether their business idea will work early in the process than find out after they have mortgaged their home.”

The program commences on Wednesday, April 28th with an official program orientation and is set to last until Wednesday, June 30th with participants taking part in weekly innovation sessions. Towards the end of the program, Ignition will host a virtual “Demo Day,” sponsored by the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge as well as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. On the “Demo Day,” participants will be able to properly showcase and present their business ideas to a larger community.

The total Ignition initiative expects its participants to commit to actively shaping their overall business idea, strategy, and viability outside of class, with approximately five hours a week devoted to this effort. The program is limited to fifteen total Ignition participants with preferences being given to those candidates who submit an application and subsequent business proposal that shows the entrepreneurial promise, aptitude, and mindset required to not only complete the program but successfully launch a scalable, technology-enabled business of their own. While the program doesn’t guarantee success, the moment of the culminating launching of the business at the end of June requires a little bit of risk, just like any promising business venture.

All in-person sessions for the program will be held at the Louisiana Technology Park located in the Mid City area of Baton Rouge. Andrew Maas, the director for the LSU Office of Innovation and Technology Commercialization, said of the venture, “We are excited to be part of Ignition. We know from our experience that you really need to ask some tough questions before you even start a business. You need customers to be successful and customer discovery is the most logical place to start. We hope to give participants the tools and resources to be successful.”

For more education related information, click here.