COMMUNITY

CONNECT community

THE SUMMER OLYMPICS ARE HERE

Get ready to watch the world’s greatest athletes swim, spin, and sprint in Tokyo for the 2021 Summer Olympics. After Tokyo postponed its Olympics last summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is now ready to safely showcase some of the best athletic talent that you can watch from your favorite couch at home. Gymnastics, swimming, skateboarding, surfing, cycling, basketball, track and field, and wrestling are among the 399 events featured this summer. Will the United States bring back some gold? Will Simone Biles and Caleb Dressel set world records? Keep up with your favorite competitors starting Friday, July 23 through Sunday, August 8. You can find the schedule for each sport online. ■ olympics.com

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has voted to stop manufacturers from marketing infant sleepers and other products that do not align with medical recommendations for safe sleep. The new rule will take effect next year, and the products in question have been linked to more than 100 infant deaths. Sleepers meant for babies five months and younger must meet existing safety standards, and the products that will no longer be allowed to be marketed include inclined sleepers, in-bed sleepers, baby boxes, sleep hammocks, and bassinets without a stand. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies sleep alone, on their backs, and on a firm, flat and stable surface free of soft bedding or restraints. ■ saferproducts.gov

An alternative to screen time while still enjoying technology is to listen to audiobooks or podcasts. Librarians are the best at recommending the best books in all formats for young readers, but finding a good, engaging podcast can depend on word-of-mouth. Common Sense Media and Apple Podcasts have partnered to bring families a new feature, Kids & Family collection, that brings podcasts geared for children together in one click. The curated collection of themed sets of new and popular shows is organized by age group, and all shows are researched by Common Sense Media. The content will be regularly updated to keep things fresh for young listeners and peace of mind for their parents. ■ apple.co

BABY SLEEP PRODUCT CHANGES

NEW WAY TO FIND KIDS PODCASTS

LASM EXPANDS BLUE STAR PROGRAM

LASM now provides free admission year-round for veterans, active duty military, first responders and their families as part of the expanded Blue Star Museums Program. Sponsored by Special Risk Insurance, Inc., the program is presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and other participating museums across America. “This free admission program is a small way that we can show appreciation for our nation’s heroes,” says Serena Pandos, LASM’s President & Executive Director. “LASM has been a long-time participant in the Blue Star Museums program. The generous sponsorship of Special Risk Insurance has enabled us to expand the program this year to include veterans.” ■ lasm.org

LANE RECEIVES TECH MAKEOVER

Lane Regional Medical Center will receive a $50,000 technology makeover as the “security” winner in the Connected Workplace Makeover Contest from Insight Enterprises in partnership with Intel. More than 1,200 U.S. companies entered the contest, which will help the winning small and mid-sized companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, who were particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt their IT systems and processes to meet the changing needs created by the pandemic. The center will receive new 11th generation Intel core processor computers and free up their IT budget to spend on other critical infrastructure upgrades. Lane is the primary healthcare provider for more than 200,000 area residents. ■ lanermc.org

Young artists are invited to enter Art Flow Junior, a juried competition from the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. Students entering grades 3 through 12 in the council’s 11-parish region–Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Feliciana, and West Baton Rouge–are eligible to apply. This year’s theme is “Art Making Waves.” Each student can enter up to three pieces of art, and two-dimensional, three-dimensional and digital media are accepted. Applications are due by Saturday, July 31, and winners will be notified in August. The winning art will be exhibited in September at the downtown River Center Library as part of the Ebb & Flow Festival season. ■ artsbr.org

SEEKING YOUNG ARTISTS’ WORKS

CONNECT COMMUNITY

GRANTS SUPPORT MATERNAL HEALTH IN LOUISIANA

Seven organizations across Louisiana that work to improve maternal health outcomes have received $275,000 in grants from UnitedHealthcare. The recipients serve expecting mothers and their babies throughout the state. Locally, Family Road of Greater Baton Rouge received $50,000 to provide wraparound services including prenatal classes, teen parenting programs, support groups, health screenings, and mental health counseling. Other grant recipients are Birthmark Doula Collective, Common Ground Community, Inc., Foundation for LA/National Birth Equity Collaborative, Health Start New Orleans, Louisiana Center for Health Equity, and Saul’s Light. ■ familyroadgbr.org

TAYLOR SCHOLARS AWARDS PROGRAM EXPANDED

A free visit to Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, and the New Orleans Museum of Art is now available to students statewide in grades 6 through 12 who maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. This year, the Taylor Scholars Awards Program has been expanded to include sixth graders. Audubon Nature Institute and NOMA have partnered with the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation to expand the program, which provides the scholar and up to four guests admission on Taylor Family Free days. “The Taylor Scholars Awards Program has been a bright spot for students during a particularly difficult year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Audubon President and CEO Ron Forman. ■ pftaylor foundation. org

DREAM COURT UNVEILED FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

The Boys & Girls Club of Metro Louisiana was recently awarded a new outdoor basketball court. The state-of-the-art “Dream Court” will give kids a safe place to play and learn lessons about working as a team and good sportsmanship. Donated by Nancy Lieberman Charities, in partnership with American Airlines, the court serves to honor Glen “Big Baby” Davis, a former LSU basketball and NBA player. The Dream Court program’s goal is to provide safe places for children to play basketball and make friends for kids who are from economically disadvantaged communities. The local club was selected due to its prime location for many area kids and its programming. The new court is located at the Boys & Girls Club at University Terrace on Alaska Street in Baton Rouge. ■ bgcmetrolouisiana.org

OLOL TRANSFORMS KIDS’ IMAGING EXPERIENCES

Getting an X-ray for a broken bone may be a childhood right of passage, but the nerves or anxiety that can come with such a procedure no longer has to be. The radiology department at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital is undergoing a colorful transformation to make the experience of all types of scans and imaging services more calming, an idea that originated from the hospital’s Child Life team. After checking in, each patient receives a passport and their adventure begins with custom Louisiana scenery and animal ambassadors. Using their imaginations as a distraction from the procedure, kids are able to be more at ease. The artistic upgrades cost $300,000 and were funded through donations. ■ ololchildrens.org

MEET AUTHOR JULIE STERNBERG

Reading during the summer is great for keeping tweens’ minds fresh before they head back to school. On Sunday, August 1 at 3 p.m., families are invited to meet the author behind some of their tween’s summer favorites at the EBR Main Library on Goodwood. Award-winning author Julie Sternberg will be there to discuss her latest work, Summer of Stolen Secrets, and share stories from the Goudchaux’s/Maison Blanche depart-

ment stores. There will also be an exhibit featuring beloved objects and images commemorating the stores. Summer of Stolen Secrets tells the story of Catarina, a city girl who spends the summer in the South and learns the secrets of her estranged extended family. This event is free and open to the public. ■ ebrpl.com

VIRTUAL THERAPY FOR EDUCATORS

Last school year was difficult for students, parents and teachers. The Louisiana Department of Education has partnered with Ochsner Health to launch a virtual therapy program to help educators. More than 166,000 public school teachers and support staff across the state will have access to free mental health virtual visits through Ochsner Anywhere Care, a telehealth platform. “Louisiana educators have done hero’s work through a pandemic and one of the most active hurricane seasons on record for our state,” says State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “They have been there for our children and families during this stressful year, and this partnership with Ochsner is one way we can be there for them.” ■ ochsner.org