COMMUNITY

A new gallery could soon be at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM). For the last few months, the museum has been raising funds in order to renovate its Science Station Gallery into The Seed, an innovative space for young artists and scientists and their families to explore STEAM-based concepts through hands-on exhibits and activities. The Seed will be a living lab of creativity, imagination, and innovation that is focused on engaging children ages 6-12. Through the creator space, art and science connect, allowing children to explore the wonders of the natural and man-made world, while also developing 21st century skills as they become our next generation of artists and scientists. Above all, children will experience empathy for the living world. ■ lasm.org

For the seventh year, Baton Rouge has been named a Top 10 Digital City by The Center for Digital Government, joining other leading cities like Alexandria, Virginia; Bellevue, Washington; and Fort Collins, Colorado. “This recognition validates all the hard work and advancements our City-Parish has made over the past several years to integrate technology and innovation into all we do in East Baton Rouge Parish,” says Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. “From public safety and human services to transportation and drainage projects, technology is a foundational part of our approach to delivering quality programs, services and investments that help build a strong quality of life for our residents and community.” ■ govtech.com

Anna’s Grace has become a part of Maddie’s Footprints, an Acadiana nonprofit. With the joining of these two nonprofits, Maddie’s Footprints has expanded their reach to the parishes that make up Greater Baton Rouge. As of January 1, Maddie’s Footprints will begin assisting families who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss in: Lafayette, Vermillion, Iberia, St. Landry, Acadia, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Jeff Davis, St. Martin, St. Mary, Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana. Their vision is to help families who have experienced miscarriages, stillbirths, or the loss of an infant. ■ maddiesfootprints.org

A seven-month-old female jaguar that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rescued from wildlife trafficking has found a new home at Audubon Zoo. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums reached out to Audubon due to the staff’s experience and zoo’s ability to house two jaguars. “This rescue effort was an amazing example of how zoos, government agencies, and conservationists work together for the greater good,” says Audubon Zoo’s Curator of Primates Liz Wilson. “She is adjusting well to her new environment, and we cannot wait for our guests to meet her.” To prepare for the new jaguar, the Zoo has added additional jumping and climbing platforms to increase vertical usage of the space, while also allowing guests to see the jaguar up close. ■ audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and Louisiana was recently awarded a $1.5 million grant by the United States Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime that will be used to improve outcomes for child and youth victims of human trafficking. The grant is a multi-year award that will be administered by the newly established Louisiana Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention and will help fund the Louisiana Child and Youth Trafficking Collaborative Accessibility Initiative. “This funding will greatly assist our state in implementing programs and practices that will promote greater healing and recovery for victims and survivors,” says Gov. John Bel Edwards. ■ gov.louisiana.gov

Three Woman’s NICU nurses were recognized by the March of Dimes at its recent Signature Chefs Gala with the Excellence in NICU Nursing Award. Christina Bell, BSN, RN, Darla Mathews, MSN, RNCNIC, and Stephanie Powers, BSN, RNCNIC, were selected as top five honorees for the state, with Bell winning the top honor for Louisiana. The Level III-S, 84-bed NICU at Woman’s is the largest in Louisiana. It serves as a regional referral center for surrounding area hospitals. The unit has neonatologists, physician specialists, and specially trained NICU nurses, respiratory therapists and technicians available around the clock to provide quality care to infants who are premature, critically ill, or require surgical intervention. ■ womans.org

A new study shows COVID-19 antibodies in mothers are present in their breast milk. The study, co-authored by researchers at University of Rochester Medical Center and NYU, has found that mothers with two types of immunity from COVID produced breast milk with active antibodies. “The study does not imply that children would be protected from illness, and breast milk antibodies may not be a substitute for vaccination for infants and children, once approved,” says study co-author Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo, PhD, M.D. Researchers are now researching whether vaccination and illness-acquired immunity provide antibodies against other seasonal coronaviruses. ■ jamanetwork.com

Lane Regional Medical Center was named 2021 Acute Care Hospital of the Year by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation and the Louisiana State Nurses Association. The Center was recognized for excellence in nursing and quality service in the nursing and healthcare industry. The Nightingale Award for Acute Care Hospital of the Year is based on four criteria: innovation through nursing leadership and management within the hospital, organizational initiatives supportive of nursing practices, evidence of registered nurse decision making and participation in management decisions, and recognition of registered nurse achievements and support of nursing participation in professional organizations. ■ lanermc.org

Chuck E. Cheese, the nation’s No. 1 family entertainment and dining venue, has unveiled a brand-new look, featuring the latest technology and new games. New signature elements at the Baton Rouge location include an interactive dance floor that is programmed with seasonal, dynamic graphics and serves as the “center stage” for Chuck E. Live! shows, a large-format video wall, screens and audio connected throughout the venue to provide a more immersive experience for guests and parties, and an oversized wall mural. Chuck E. Cheese plans to remodel all of its locations over the next three years. Baton Rouge is one of nearly 30 remodeled locations slated for this year and one of just two Signature locations open nationwide. ■ chuckecheese.com

Not everyone knows all of the ways to support someone who is living with ADD or ADHD. Helping them manage the symptoms can also be difficult, however, discovering how to navigate through this is incredibly important. Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge (FHFGBR) will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, January 18 from 10-11 a.m. on strategies to help parents and caregivers provide support and manage those ADD/ADHD symptoms. The webinar will be led by Rubie Scere, a licensed professional counselor of Scere’s Mediation and Counseling Services. Registration for the webinar is required and is open now. FHFGBR is a family-directed resource center for individuals with disabilities and their families. ■ fhfgbr.org

You can follow a trail of hearts in downtown Baton Rouge and in Scotlandville, thanks to the help of community members. The original Heart Trail was a product of a partnership between the Arts Council and Baton Rouge-based planner and artist Taylor Jacobsen, and is a 3.1-mile walking trail throughout downtown Baton Rouge. The trail was inspired by Jacobsen’s heart health journey. Following suit, the new Scotland-

ville Heart Trail is a 2.5-mile trail that combines health, art, and public spaces with the goal of increasing daily exercise and promoting mental health. The trail includes wayfinding materials that guide visitors through Scotlandville, providing connections to historic and cultural points of interest. ■ artsbr.org

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves and Congresswoman Julia Letlow recently introduced the Parents Bill of Rights Act. This legislation “will put practices in place that facilitate meaningful dialog between a family and their child’s school, and lead to more input throughout the learning process.” The Act is built on five core principles that would apply to all schools nationwide that receive federal funding. “Education is the key to unlocking our children’s potential and is most successful when everyone is pushing in the same direction–parents, teachers, the administrators. This bill helps to ensure the appropriate role of parents and transparency in the relationship with schools,” says Graves. ■ garretgraves.house.gov