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St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer – Baton Rouge

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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and there are little Baton Rouge warriors in the fight of their lives that need our support. 16,000 children and teens will be diagnosed with cancer this year in the U.S. 1 in 5 U.S. children diagnosed with cancer won’t survive. Doctors often send their toughest cases to St. Jude because they have the world’s best survival rates for some of the most aggressive childhood cancers. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

St Jude

On September  16th, St. Jude supporters in Baton Rouge will join together at A.Z. Young Park- Downtown Baton Rouge  {Intersection of N. Third St and Spanish Town Rd.} to participate in the the St. Jude Walk/ Run to End Childhood Cancer, an inspiring, family-friendly walk/ run to raise money for the children of St. Jude. September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to rally the community in support of the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. All participants are encouraged to form walk/ run teams with their friends, family and co-workers and fundraise to support the lifesaving work done at St. Jude.

“The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.”

St. Jude Baton Rouge

Register today

Walk – Free
5K Run – $20 – ages 6 and up
Little Ones – Free

  • Registration: 7 a.m.
    Walk Start: 9 a.m.

Raise money to support St. Jude patients

  • Raise $100 and earn your official event T-shirt.
  • Raise $250 to become a member of our Fearless Fundraiser Club and earn additional St. Jude gear as you fundraise.

How your support helps:

  • Thanks to committed fundraisers like you, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
  • St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.

Hurricane Harvey: Here is what you can do to help Texas flood victims

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More than 1,000 people have been rescued from record flooding in the Houston area and over 1000 people have yet to be rescued; it’s all too familiar.  Just a year ago, we here in Baton Rouge were going through our own natural disaster and in need of help and assistance.  We know many in our community are still struggling from last year’s floods; this is definitely a time to take care of ourselves and our loved ones as Harvey brings last year’s flood memories to the forefront. We’re praying that Harvey will not dump too much water on us. 

Our neighbors in Texas showed up in numerous ways to assist, donate and volunteer in our time of need and our hope is that we can return the favor. The rain continues, with flood waters rising amid dire concerns about the days ahead.  The Cajun Navy is currently en route to help our neighbors to the west in Houston and we here in Louisiana can help too! 

Officials say some parts of Texas could be uninhabitable for months or even years to come. If anyone can empathize with what Texas is going through, it’s us. Aid groups are taking stock of the situation and rushing help to evacuees. We have put together a list of ways to get involved and help the victims of this massive storm. 

Aid Hurricane Harvey victims:

  • Legacy Collective is committed to finding and partnering with organizations who are doing great work, with boots on the ground and leaders from the affected community, who are committed to sustainability. As we consider the great need that is before us in serving those affected by Hurricane Harvey, our commitment to you is to make sure we partner with LOCAL organizations and leaders who will use the resources we provide in the best possible way.Today you can either give a ONE TIME DONATION that will be used 100% for hurricane relief or JOIN our giving community in make a lasting impact!
  • The Salvation Army: To donate visit givesalvationarmy.org or call 1-800-725-2769.
  • Catholic Charities USA: Visit catholiccharitiesusa.org to donate 
  • Save The Children: Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. By transforming children’s lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.
  • North American Mission Board Disaster Relief: Online donation: Click here Phone: 800-634-2462 (Continental U.S. & Canada)
  • Billy Graham Rapid Response Team: Online donation: Click here
  • Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund: The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund was established by the Austin Disaster Relief Network to provide for the immediate and long-term physical needs of families impacted by Hurricane Harvey.  
  • Houston Food Bank, San Antonio Food Bank, Feeding Texas: Food banks are an important asset during hurricanes, as they provide relief to families and residents who have lost access to food and water during the disaster. 
  • Animal Defense League of Texas, SPCA of Texas, or the San Antonio Humane Society: Donate to Texas animal shelters like the 
  • Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – Meets the urgent needs of communities in crisis, from serving food to volunteers in rebuilding communities.
  • Driscoll Children’s Hospital – This hospital will be taking in evacuated NICU babies.
  • Direct Relief USA offers prescription drugs and other medical supplies to those who need it in emergency situations, and works with clinics and primary care doctors to ensure that people are able to get what they need when they need it. They’re accepting financial contributions.

 

The Texas Diaper Bank is in need of donations to help families affected by Hurricane Harvey. According to the diaper bank, diapers are not provided by disaster relief agencies. Disaster relief kits with donation supplies will go to those affected by natural disasters in Texas with diapers. If you or someone you know is in the area, they can drop off items at their location on 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, TX 78238. If you’re not in the area, you can click here to make a cash donation.

We will continue updating this list daily as we receive news of more ways to help and assist the victims of Tropical Storm Harvey. 

Walmart Online Grocery Pickup Service Expanded in the Baton Rouge Area

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If there is one thing moms rarely look forward to, it’s grocery shopping. Time always seems to be an issue and if you go with kids in tow it can make for a longer, more expensive trip. Between kids, rushing through isles, standing in line and going back and forth for the three items you forgot… I think it’s safe to say most would opt for a grocery shopping fairy if they could. Well, now you can! There’s a new service in the Baton Rouge area that can make every grocery shopping woe disappear… Walmart Online Grocery Pickup Service!

Walmart shoppers are now able to order grocery items online and pick them up curbside at no additional charge at Eight Baton Rouge area stores. {See below}

How Walmart Online Grocery Pickup Service Works

We recently tried the Walmart online grocery pickup service and it was quick, user-friendly and saved us money! It never fails, you can go into the grocery store prepared with a list in hand but you add 10 to 20 items that you forgot or impulse buy on the spot. The first thing I realized with ordering our groceries online was that I followed my list and only purchased what I needed, in turn, saving us money. When illness strikes or during busy seasons such as the holidays, this service is a priceless life saver! I found this out firsthand when I became ill last month and ended up home-bound for close to thirty days. LIFE-SAVER!

Walmart Online Grocery Pickup Service Baton Rouge

You can shop by searching for your items or shopping by department, with more than 30,000 items available for pickup, ranging from fresh produce and meat to canned goods and diapers.  Choose a day and time for pickup, pay for your items and your done. The Walmart Grocery interface is seamless, fast, easy. My entire online shopping experience took 30 minutes, saving me a ton of time! 

Specially trained Walmart employees go through your order and select items, including produce, they pick the freshest items – guaranteed, or your money back.

Once you arrive at Walmart you will see signs leading to the pickup area, park at the designated curbside pickup and call the number listed on the sign in front of your parking space.  When you call the number an employee will notify someone to bring and load your groceries for you. You never have to leave the comfort of your car. (Can I get an Amen!)

You can also use Online Grocery Mobile Check-in by downloading the “Walmart Grocery” app. The app will not show the store your exact location, but will let them know how many minutes away you are so they can prepare for your arrival.

What happens if they don’t have what you ordered?

Walmart will make substitutions for items that are unavailable on the day your order is packed unless you change your substitutions setting in My Account. In cases of expensive items such as electronics or items where features are very important, they will contact you by phone to describe alternatives and get your approval before they substitute that item. If they are unable to contact you, the unavailable item will be canceled. If you choose not to allow substitutions, any items that are not available will be left off of your order.

When I picked up our groceries the Walmart associates showed me the substitutions that were chosen and I was able to accept or decline them on the spot. Your order will not be charged to your card until you have signed and accepted your groceries.

Walmart Stores Offering Online Grocery in the Baton Rouge area:

Neighborhood Market 
11550 Coursey Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70816

Neighborhood Market
11825 Hooper Road
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70818

Supercenter
2171 Oneal Ln
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816

Neighborhood Market
5255 Highland Rd
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808

Walmart Supercenter
308 N Airline Hwy
Gonzales, LA 70737

Walmart Supercenter
904 S Range Ave
Denham Springs, LA 70726

Walmart Supercenter
17585 Ailine Hwy
Prairieville, LA 70769

Neighborhood Market 
15047 Airline Hwy
Prairieville, LA 70769

It’s definitely worth a try and we have a coupon code to share that will take $10 off your first online order! Get $10 off your 1st order w/ code WOWFRESH. $50 min.

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated BRM via a cash payment, gift, or giveaway. Opinions expressed herein are that of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the sponsor.

Baton Rouge Dermasurgery Center Botox Giveaway {$700 Value}

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When you’re having any kind of medical procedure, you want to know you’re in the best hands possible. At the Baton Rouge Dermasurgery Center, you can rest assured that whether you’re having Mohs surgery for skin cancer, a laser procedure, a medical dermatology visit, or a aesthetic treatment such as Botox®, injectable fillers, or a chemical peel, you can be certain you’re in the hands of a caring expert.

At the Baton Rouge Dermasurgery Center, we combine professional expertise with a personal touch. Designed to reflect our patient-centered approach, the atmosphere of the Baton Rouge dermatology centers is soothing, welcoming and peaceful.

Baton Rouge Dermasurgery Center

At Dermasurgery Center, their our goal is to provide a healing environment that enhances your sense of well-being. That’s why you’ll find lots of natural light, outside views, soft colors, and “green” materials throughout. You’ll be well cared for by a warm, professional staff dedicated to making your experience as pleasant and non-stressful as possible.

Baton Rouge Dermasurgery Center

Baton Rouge Dermasurgery Center – Benefits of Botox

When you want to look naturally youthful and refreshed, BOTOX can be the solution. The Baton Rouge Dermasurgery Center teams in Baton Rouge has been expertly injecting Botox for beautiful, natural-looking results for years.  And, over all of these years, they’ve not only developed quite a knack for delivering consistent, desirable results, they’ve also learned a lot about this long-standing facial relaxer. 

Botox is very safe and side effects are relatively rare.  Those side effects that are noted are generally mild and resolve quickly.  These may include temporary redness or light bruising at the injection site.  Your Botox provider can further discuss these and answer any questions during your initial consultation.

BOTOX GIVEAWAY {winner will receive up to 50 units ($700 value) Must be 18 years or older and redeem at the BR location}

It’s simple, follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit their website, www.derma.net, to learn more about their services!

Louisiana Tax Free Weekend Shopping

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Baton Rouge moms, it’s almost time for the 2017 Louisiana Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. This year, the “Annual Louisiana Sales Tax Holidays Act” provides an exemption from state sales tax on the first $2,500 of the purchase price of most individual items of tangible personal property for nonbusiness use on the first consecutive Friday and Saturday of August.

Here’s what you need to know before you go shopping, according to the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

Back to school Baton Rouge

2017 Louisiana Back to School Sales Tax Holiday Weekend

The 2017 holiday begins on Friday, August 4, 2017, at 12:01 a.m. and ends at midnight on Saturday, August 5, 2017.

Purchases Eligible for Exemption

The exemption applies statewide to all consumer purchases of tangible personal property, other than vehicles subject to license and title and meals furnished for consumption on the premises where purchased, including to-go orders, provided that the property is not for use in a business, trade, or profession.

What items are NOT eligible for exemption?

In addition to the specific exclusions in the Act for vehicles and meals, the state sales tax holiday does not apply to:

  • Purchases of taxable services (such as hotel occupancy)
  • Amusement, recreational, and athletic admissions
  • Repairs to tangible personal property
  • Laundry, cleaning, pressing, and dyeing services
  • Vehicle parking
  • The furnishing of cold storage space
  • Printing services
  • Telecommunication services
  • Leases or rentals of tangible personal property

 

Purchases Eligible for Exemption

The sales tax holiday applies to all consumer purchases of firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies. Firearms eligible for the sales tax exemption include shotguns, rifles, pistols, revolvers, or other handguns, which may be legally sold or purchased in Louisiana. Ammunition intended to be fired from a gun or firearm is eligible for the sales tax exemption. Hunting supplies are eligible for the sales tax exemption only if used for and designed for hunting. Eligible hunting supplies include:

  • Animal feed that is manufactured and marketed as being for consumption primarily by game, which can be legally hunted; this does not include food for animals kept as pets;
  • Apparel such as safety gear, camouflage clothing, jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, face masks and thermal underwear manufactured and marketed as being primarily for wear or use while hunting;
  • Archery items used for hunting such as bows, crossbows, arrows, quivers and shafts;
  • Bags to carry game or hunting gear;
  • Belts that are manufactured and marketed as being primarily for use in hunting;
  • Binoculars only if purchased to be used for hunting;
  • Blinds;
  • Chairs to be used for hunting; this excludes purchases by an individual of chairs or other furniture for household, business or other recreational use;
  • Decoys;
  • Firearm, archery, and other accessories designed for hunting;
  • Float tubes only if purchased to be used for hunting;
  • Hearing protection gear and enhancements that hearing aids queens ny recommended;
  • Holsters;
  • Hunting shoes or boots designed and used for hunting;
  • Knives that are manufactured and marketed as being primarily for use in hunting; this excludes the purchase of knives by an individual to be used for household, business or other recreational use;
  • Miscellaneous gear that is manufactured and marketed as being primarily for use in hunting; this includes other hunting-related gear or supplies not previously listed. This excludes the purchase of toy guns and vessels or off road vehicles utilized as children’s toys;
  • Off-road vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles designed and intended primarily for hunting; the exemption does not apply to golf carts, go-carts, dirt bikes, mini-bikes, motorcycles, tractors, motor vehicles which may be legally driven on the streets and highways of Louisiana, or heavy equipment such as cranes, forklifts, backhoes and bulldozers;
  • Optical equipment such as rifle scopes and impact resistant glasses for shooting;
  • Range finders;
  • Slings;
  • Tools that are manufactured and marketed as being primarily for use in hunting;
  • Trail cameras with ShootingAuthority
  • Tree stands;
  • Decoys; and
  • Vessels such as airboats and pirogues designed and intended for hunting.

Purchases That Are Not Eligible

Consumer purchases do not include the purchase of animals, such as dogs. Hunting supplies do not include the purchase of toy guns and vessels or off road vehicles utilized as children’s toys. Firearms other than those listed are not eligible for the exemption. Purchases made by a business or for business purposes are not eligible for the sales tax exemption.

Learn more here: Louisiana Tax Free Weekend

Parents Ultimate Guide to Insect Repellent for Kids

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In the first part of this series, we tackled understanding all about West Nile Virus.  Now, in this second article, we will look at the best way to protect yourself and your kiddos from those pesky, Southern mosquitoes which is with the use of insect repellant, since we all know that kids love playing outside, because what kid doesn’t love a good water fight.  So let’s take a look at the most common insect repellent ingredients.

N,N dimethyl-m-toluamide (DEET)– This compound has been used as an insect repellent since the 1940s, and it is the insect repellent that is likely most widely known. DEET insect repellents may last anywhere from 2-8 hours depending on what percentage of DEET is contained in the products.  On average, products with 10% DEET will last about 2 hours while those closer to 30% DEET will last closer to 8 hours.  There are products available with DEET concentrations higher than 30%, but studies show that these products do not provide any longer/additional protection.  DEET can protect against not only mosquitoes that transmit West Nile Virus and Zika virus but also against biting flies, gnats and ticks that can carry Lyme disease (although our ticks here in Louisiana do not carry Lyme disease).  Now, a quick Google search will produce results citing that DEET can cause neurologic issues namely seizures.  This sure makes for good headlines, but the bottom line is that there have been 10 reported cases of seizures in children after applying DEET products to the skin in over 50 years!! The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the risk of adverse reaction when DEET is appropriately used (i.e. applied only on the skin according to the recommended time intervals) is on the order of 1 per 100,000,000 people!

Insect Repellent

So what are the downsides to DEET? Well, if you have ever used a repellent containing DEET, you may recall a rather strong smell and a bit of a greasy feel.  Also, DEET can cause skin irritation for those with particularly sensitive skin.  Finally, DEET can cause damage to materials such as plastics, rubber, or leather so make sure to wash your hands prior to touching things like eyeglass frames, golf clubs or certain water bottles.

Recommendation for use: DEET 30% or less is ok for children 2 months of age and older.

Common Insect Repellent with DEET: Off! Familycare and Deep Woods, Cutter Skinsations and All Family, Repel Family

Picaridin– This product was approved by the Center for Disease Control for use as an insect repellent in April 2005 although it has been used for many years prior to this in other countries.  Picaridin is created from the extract of the leaves from the pepper plant and has really no odor, does not damage plastics, and has less risk of skin irritation when compared to DEET products.  Picaridin products are available in strengths from 5-20% with approximately 3-5 hours of protection with a 10% formulation.  Studies show that Picaridin can protect people from many of the same biting insects that DEET protects from including those pesky mosquitos that carry West Nile and Zika virus.

So what is the downside to Picaridin?  Since it is a relatively new product approved by the CDC and EPA, there are not as many long-term studies available here in the US.  However, based on what we kno