Author: Emily Gautreaux

New Orleans Levee System is Completed ahead of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season

A celebration was recently held to commemorate the completion of the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System, an expansive levee system consisting of gates and flood-walls that will defend the Greater New Orleans Area against severe storms, according to this feature by Nola.com.

Known colloquially as “the Great Wall of Louisiana,” the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS)’s completion was celebrated by Gov. John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and various other state, local, and federal officials. The completion of the Greater New Orleans Hurricane System came just under two decades after Hurricane Katrinaprompted Congress to provide $14.5 billion to begin constructing a system that would provide the Greater New Orleans area with a protective system to help fend off future storm surges. That initial $14.5 investment allowed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to apply the latest data science and engineering practices in the design and construction processes.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards spoke of the project and the massive achievements of those involved in its completion by saying, “the HSDRRS is the largest civil works project in the Corps’ history and is the result of nearly two decades of hard work and collaboration at the local, state, and federal level. The people of New Orleans have experienced the worst Mother Nature has to offer, and with the completion of the system, they’ll be protected by the best of engineering, design, and hurricane protection.”

Now that the construction is completed, the federal government has formally turned over the completed system to Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority for purposes of operation and maintenance. Chip Kline, the chairman of Louisiana’s CPRA, called the system “one of the greatest engineering feats in the history of the world.” Kline went on to say, “this is a monumental day for Louisiana. In the past year, the state’s coastal program has made historic investments in restoration and hurricane protection across South Louisiana, and the turnover of the HSDRRSis yet another critical step in this effort. With its completion, nearly a million people and over $170 billion in assets are better protected.”

Because two New Orleans-area flood protection authorities will be taking over the maintenance and operations of the system upon its completion, both the East and West Louisiana Flood Protection Authority will fund the upkeep and operation of the levee system. This amounts to about $7.8 million for the west bank and $25 million for the east bank.

While forecasters are already predicting a particularly active hurricane season for the Gulf Coast, Louisiana State Officials are already determined to make it clear to residents that this levee system project will not eliminate all risk factors and that people should still make evacuation plans ahead of time. The Governor’s office reminded citizens that as the state and Greater New Orleans region enter into the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the HSDRRS should never be considered to be a “life safety system.”

Commander of the USACE New Orleans District Col. Stephen Murphy spoke of his confidence in the project’s final form by saying, “we know that eventually, we will face a surge greater than the 1-percent elevations so we designed the HSDRRS to be overtopped. With all of the armoring now in place, this system enters the 2022 Hurricane Seasonstronger than it has ever been.”

Due to the detrimental active Hurricane season of the past two years, not only is the completion of this “Great Wall of Louisiana” greatly appreciated, but it should be noted that it is only one component of an individual or the state’s overall hurricane preparedness plan. For the state of Louisiana, that means the local, state, and federal emergency response plans, which are coordinated and rehearsed throughout the year, are also an integral part of preparing for the storms to come.

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What to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Located on the eastern border of Tennessee is the delightful mountain town of Gatlinburg. Supplied with its 5,000 residents and thousands of tourists who cannot resist the Appalachian charm of this must-visit treasure of the south, Gatlinburg is the perfect summer spot for anyone seeking remarkable experiences in nature, culture, and more. So check out this handy travel guide from Southern Living before hitting the road so that you can get the most out of “the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains,” Gatlinburg, TN.

Due to the fact that this mountain resort city is so besieged by ever-changing fall foliage, vibrantly-blossoming springtime flowers, and mythical morning fog in the summer, it’s no wonder why tourists and locals alike attribute a sort of magic quality to this destination’s ever-growing list of attributes. So, if you’re interested in experiencing Gatlinburg first-hand in order to see what wonders are in store for you, then look no further than this list of attractions, experiences, and opportunities that will showcase the best of the mountain town just for you.

Peaking at the top of nearly every visitor’s guide to Gatlinburg is arguably the best chance to see literally everything going on in the town and the surrounding area. Of course, this is in reference to the 680-foot SkyPark, otherwise known as the longest pedestrian suspension bridge on the continent of North America. Honestly, if you want to take in a survey of the mountainous areas, trails, and bodies of water to explore during your stay, there’s really no better vantage point than SkyBridge or the Gatlinburg Space Needle, which stands at a height of 400 feet in the air and accessible via a glass elevator.

If you’re allured by the miles-long legend of the feuding Hatfields and McCoys, then you might want to seek out a trip to Pigeon Forge and take in a Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show so that you can be entertained by a dramatized version of the conflict. While it’s not the most historically accurate representation of this iconic feud, the performers are enthusiastic in their retelling, the country cuisine is enticing, and the atmosphere in the rustic barn-style theater is guaranteed to add some family-fun entertainment to your trip.

Alternatively, if you want more of a nature-fueled adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, then consider embarking on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a 5.4 round trip hike leading you to winding pathways, each to their own waterfall. Make an effort to embark on a hike that’s practically mythical: the Rainbow Falls hike, which leads you to a massive 80-foot tall waterfall that is the highest single drop of cascading water to be found in the entire park. If one waterfall isn’t enough for you, then you can venture out to the Place of A Thousand Drips to see dozens upon dozens of tiny cascading waterfalls. Otherwise, if you’re seeing more of an experience, you can take another pathway, the Trillium Gap Trail, that takes you to the impressive, 25-foot high Grotto Falls, a breathtakingly beautiful spot that lets you walk in the quiet secrecy that is the backside of a waterfall. This is the only spot in the entire National Park where you can experience the behind-the-waterfall perspective.

On the more commercial side of things, Gatlinburg is flush with opportunities to be entertained in all things spectacular, curious, and imaginative. Namely, Gatlinburg is home to several event centers that are an essential part of the “Ripley’s Believe it or Not!” franchise. For instance, if you need a high-quality, family-fun arcade to pass the time in, there’s Ripley’s Super Fun Zone, Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse, and (perhaps most-notably) Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Odditorium.

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Barbecue Grilled Chicken with Tangy Sauce and Side Salad

Become the hit of your next summer barbeque with this excellent recipe from Epicurious for a sweet and tangy grilled chicken platter and an excellent accompaniment in the form of a delicious side salad, complete with grilled tomatoes, onions, and pickled green beans.

Ingredients for Barbecue Grilled Chicken and Salad:

Directions for the Grilled Chicken and Salad:

  1. You’re going to want to start this recipe by preparing a grill for a 2-zone heat. If using a charcoal grill, bank approximately two-thirds of your coals over one side of the grill and scatter the remaining the coals over the other side; if you’re using a gas grill, you’ll want to set one burner to medium-high heat and the remaining burner(s) to medium-low heat. Clean the grill and lightly oil the grates.
  2. Next, mix your apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne red pepper, and ½ cup of mustard in a medium-sized bowl. Once it’s all combined, set this marinating mixtureaside for later.
  3. At this point, season your chicken breasts and whole legs on all sides with 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons of salt. Preferably, you’re using gloves or thoroughly-washed hands to firmly pack the salt into the chicken. Then, you’ll grill your chicken with the skin side facing down over direct heat. Whenever there is a flare or halfway through the total 5-8 minutes, turn the chicken until it’s lightly charred.
  4. Move the chicken to a cooler part of the grill, cover it with a lid, and continue to cook and turn the chicken while keeping it covered in between flips. You’ll cook the chicken for about 15-20 minutes and stop once an instant-read thermometer that’s inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers at 140°F. As it typically goes, the smaller pieces will cook more quickly, so you can cut and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet until the remaining pieces are ready.
  5. After the entire chicken is cooked and registered at a safe temperature, you’ll go ahead and uncover the grill and return any pieces from the baking sheet to the heated grates. Using a brush, generously baste the chicken with your reserved sauce from earlier. Continue to grill the chicken while turning every 1-2 minutes and base the opposite side until the internal temperature of the thickest and densest part of the chicken breast registers at 155°F and the sauce is lacquered and shiny. This will take approximately 6 minutes. After the chicken pieces are at this temperature, you’ll transfer them to a cutting board. Remember that you can transfer the smaller pieces as soon as they’re ready to expedite the process.
  6. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before separating the drumsticks from the thighs and slicing the chicken breast in half. While the chicken is resting, gently toss your onions, vegetable oil, and salt in a medium bowl. When tossing, be careful to not break your onion rounds into rings. Then, you’ll grill the chicken over medium-low heat and turn it over once until it’s charred on both sides. It should be tender after 10-15 minutes.
  7. One of the final steps in this recipe is to whisk 2 tablespoons of the bean pickling liquid and the remaining 2 tablespoons of mustard in a large bowl. Drain the beans and then add them to the bowl alongside tomatoes and grilled onions. Toss it all to combine and then season with salt.
  8. Arrange your chicken onto a large platter and serve with a side salad.

Note:

If you’re feeling proactive, you can prepare and make the sauce up to three days ahead of time. Once done, just cover and chill until you’re ready to cook.

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Supreme Rice Invests in New Crowley and Mermentau Facilities

One of the leading processors of rice in the state of Louisiana, Supreme Rice, recently announced that they are investing $16.2 million in the development of new parboil facilities in the towns of Crowley and Mermentau, according to The Advocate and a statement from the Governor’s office.

Supreme Rice, known for being one of the largest rice-milling operations in the state of Louisiana, plans to begin the construction of the new two facilities by the fourth quarter of 2022. The plan is to develop a new parboil mill inside of Crowley’s existing facility and to build a new greenfield facility in Mermentau for the company’s parboil operations and to partially cook rice for a new product line. Both facilities are projected to create 20 direct new jobs in addition to the company retaining the 181 jobs present at its current locations. Additionally, the Louisiana Economic Development estimates that the expansion project will create 79 indirect jobs, resulting in a total of nearly 100 new jobs for the citizens of Acadia Parish.

Supreme Rice CEO Bobby Hanks commented on the imminent project by saying, “our new parboil facility in Mermentau will allow us to market this product line to customers. The new parboil rice products will create another value-added milled rice offering that further supports the stability of Louisiana-grown rice.”

In order to properly secure the project in Acadia Parish, Supreme Rice was awarded a competitive incentive package of $750,000 from the state’s Economic Development Award Program. The incentive package was awarded by the state of Louisiana, and Supreme Rice is also expected to utilize both the state’s Enterprise Zone and Quality Jobs programs throughout the project’s completion.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards spoke of the $16.2 million project by saying, “as a processor of one of Louisiana’s key crops, Supreme Rice is both a cultural ambassador and an agribusiness leader for our state. This expansion and the new jobs it will generate in Acadiana will help to sustain the growing momentum of our rural revitalization efforts.”

Also commenting on their appreciation of Supreme Rice’s expansion into their towns was Crowley Mayor Tim Monceaux who said, “Supreme Rice Mill is a very important economic engine for Crowley, Acadia Parish, and the State of Louisiana. We are pleased and excited to have this expansion realized and look forward to the continued success and growth of this business. Under Bobby Hanks’ leadership, the rice mill has grown substantially, and we wish him the very best in his endeavors.” Similarly, Mermentau Mayor Darla Istre was also appreciative in speaking of her anticipation of the project’s completion and the economic boost that will accompany it.

Previously, in a 2019 statement, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Supreme Rice President and CEO Bobby Hanksannounced the $20 million expansion of 25,000 square feet that was added to the Crowley facility. Ideally, it was a no-brainer for Supreme Rice to adapt the manufacturing space for these new parboil operations. Governor Edwardsspoke in that 2019 announcement with words that are still resonant today, given the news of Supreme Rice’s new project; he said, “Louisiana’s natural resources and geographic position have blessed us with an agricultural bounty that is the envy of the world.” The Governor proceeded to thank the “landmark Crowley company” which was celebrating 85 years in business at the time. In conclusion, he said, “I congratulate the Supreme Rice team on this expansion and on the securing of great jobs in Acadiana,” and as stated above, Governor Edwards’ statement and sentiment still ring true as Supreme Rice continues to invest in Louisiana, its citizens, and its resources.

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American Attractions That You Shouldn’t Pass Up

Whenever you’re traveling across the United States of America, you might have the proclivity to visit the notable and famous landmarks that make this country iconic, outstanding, and special such as Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, Nevada’s Hoover Dam, or South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore National Monument. The only problem is that because these are some of the most notable tourist attractions in the country, countless other travelers will have already beaten you to the destination, which can lessen the experience. Thankfully, TravelPulse has compiled a list of the most underrated American attractions to be found in each state in the country, allowing you to explore unforgettable hidden gems like peculiar rock formations, often-forgotten national parks, and one-of-a-kind museums without a crowd of tourists at your heels.

While the total list features one American attraction per each of our fifty states, below is only a snippet of a few locations that each stands out from the pack in terms of iconography, natural majesty, and peculiarity. Be sure to independently look into any attraction before setting off to visit, as many have specific visiting guidelines and operations hours.

Downtown Oklahoma’s “Center of the Universe”

Located on the street north of Tulsa’s Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is an attraction that is said to be the “Center of the Universe.” In reality, this is a quirky acoustic anomaly that looks pretty unremarkable; it’s a small concrete circle located within a larger circle of bricks, but it’s the auditory sounds of this attraction that make it a must-visit for whenever you’re in Tulsa. When someone stands in the center of the circle and makes a noise, the sound is then echoed back several times louder than it was initially made, remarkably creating one’s own private echo chamber.

Pennsylvania’s Magic Gardens

The Magic Gardens of Pennsylvania aren’t just cutely-named; they are the features of truly transcendent ecosystems of beauty, wonder, and life that you’re able to visit and feel as though you’re in another point in time entirely. The Magic Gardens is a triple-threat: a non-profit organization, folk art environment, and gallery space that’s located on Philadelphia’s South Street. Spanning three city lots, the Magic Gardens is an expansive collection of works created by mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar, encompassed in the form of indoor art galleries, a large outdoor labyrinth, and bounding collections of botanical gardens. Outside of the city, you can step foot into iconic centers of flora and fauna spectacle by visiting the 50-acre public garden and National Historic Landmark at Bartram’s Garden; over 1,077 acres of woodlands, gardens, and meadows at the Longwood (botanical) Gardens; or the other-worldly grounds surrounding the 17th Century-style home and nationally-ranked garden at West Fairmount Park’s Shofuso Japanese House and Garden.

Clear Lake, Iowa’s Surf Ballroom

Supplied with Ames, Des Moines, and the actual Field of Dreams which is located in Dubuque County, the state of Iowa has a lot of attractions worthy of a pitstop or full-intentioned visit. Despite this, there’s only a singular location in Iowa, specifically the town of Clear Lake, that is in and of itself a Historic Rock and Roll Landmark that could honestly be considered the setting of “The Day the Music Died,” otherwise known as the final performances of Rock and Roll titans Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. These three greats all performed for the last time on February 2, 1959, in Clear Lake’s The Surf Ballroom, which is a destination that you can step foot in to see just what Don Mclean was singing about in the ubiquitous ballad “American Pie.” Inundate yourself in Rock and Roll history by touring the Surf Ballroom, a venue that has monumental importance to an entire genre indebted to it the next time you’re considering a trip to Clear Lake’s waterfront.

 

All of these American attractions are definitely worth the trip.  For more travel-related news and information, click here.

 

Inaugural STEM Fest Allows Acadiana Students to Explore Big Concepts

Approximately 600 elementary and middle school students from Acadiana got to learn about complex science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts in a fun, interactive, and fully immersive way at the inaugural Acadiana STEM Fest, according to The Acadiana Advocate.

The event, Acadiana STEM Fest, was held in the University of Louisiana Student Union and was the result of a partnership between Peter Sheppard, the executive director for UL Lafayette’s Center for Excellence in Education,and STEM NOLA, a nonprofit focused on exposing communities to STEM learning opportunities.

In total, 40 activities, which were provided by STEM NOLA, were installed inside and around UL Lafayette’s student union and manned by UL Lafayette STEM and education students as well as volunteers from industry partners such as CGI and Fenstermaker. These 40 activities allowed 600 students from Acadia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermilion parishes to explore STEM concepts in ways that were much more inviting than traditional lecture and research-based methods.

The event allowed students to learn in nontraditional ways that were enhanced by technology. For instance, they could learn about how radio waves controlled drones by actually operating drones in a controlled environment or even learn about structural engineering by crafting sturdy, resilient structures made out of uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows. The director of the event, Peter Sheppard, was reported as saying that he wanted the students to realize that opportunities to learn and apply their knowledge exist far beyond traditional classrooms.

Sheppard spoke on the value of Acadiana STEM Fest’s approach to nontraditional learning by saying, “I think curriculums are restricted. Schools are restricted in what they can do. Those restrictions aren’t there in the real world. Exposure to STEM activities gives them the space to think and to do it and to be curious without having to be evaluated or judged. It can be fun. It can be useful. It can be practical. It can be intellectual.”

Other than having the methods by which the students learn be different from their traditional classrooms, Sheppard also strived to remove any barriers to access for students who otherwise wouldn’t have frequent and free exposure to STEM programing, activities, and learning opportunities such as girls, minority students, and those students from underserved or under-resourced communities.

Speaking on the benefits of the set of skills that one can gain through STEM-based learning, David Hawkins, the director of operations for STEM NOLA, emphasized that the world is becoming more and more STEM-focused by the day, citing the “growing ubiquity of artificial intelligence and computer-controlled equipment and machinery.”

Hawkins stressed the importance of students developing themselves from a root center by challenging their minds; he said, “When we expose our kids to the possibility of being a tennis star or golf star, they put in the time, work, and effort for it. If we expose our kids to the possibilities of being teachers, engineers, doctors, scientists – we train them to move in that direction. Early exposure gives them encouragement and the motivation to move in the direction of STEM. The skillset you learn in the STEM fields transcends throughout your life. Regardless of what you do, you’re going to have to be analytical, solve problems and you’re going to be faced with challenges.”

According to Sheppard, Acadiana STEM Fest is the first of seven planned camp-style events that the Center for Excellence and Education and its Region 4 STEM Network Center are hosting at UL Lafayette in the next few months, which is branded as “STEMulating Summer 2.0.” These upcoming events as well as the inaugural Acadiana STEM Fest were made possible by grant funds from the Louisiana Board of Regents and its LaSTEM Initiative.

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