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Baton Rouge Fourth of July Guide – Fireworks, Parades, Events and More!

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Get out your red, white and blue and celebrate America’s Independence! Enjoy some family time at these family-friendly events; our guide is loaded with fireworks, festivals, parades, food, fun and other Baton Rouge Fourth of July celebrations! 

Baton Rouge LawyerBaton Rouge Moms will always bring you the best in Family Friendly events in Baton Rouge and beyond. We have gathered the latest list of Family Friendly events for 4th of July festivities, thanks to our sponsor, Smith Shanklin Sosa!

 

Baton Rouge Fourth of July

Baton Rouge 4th of July

 

Kenilworth Independence Day Parade
Wednesday, July 3rd at 6:30 pm

The annual parade is a Baton Rouge tradition, and this year will mark the 47th time we gather to celebrate our great nation!

  • Parade Theme – “Peace, Love and Independence”. 
  • Grand Marshal – Jay Grymes, WAFB Chief Meteorologist
  • Kenilworth Resident of the Year – Dr. James & Joan Wharton, long-time KCA Resident

The 2019 parade is scheduled to roll at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, July 3rd.  It lasts about an hour and rolls as long as weather permits.  The route begins and ends at Kenilworth Science & Technology School on Boone Drive.

Fourth of July Celebrations in Baton Rouge

Kick off your 4th of July weekend next Wednesday at Superior Grill Highland for the #KenilworthIndependence Day parade!
Happy hour is from 3:00 – 6:30 p.m. 🍹
The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. 🎺
Our float will pass by the restaurant and throw beads, cups, candy, and parade toys to all guests on the patio!
PLUS, join us afterward outside of the restaurant for a special performance by the 610 Stompers! 😎

 

USS KIDD’s 4th of July Spectacular!
Thursday, July 4, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

The USS KIDD has been hosting a 4th of July celebration in the downtown Baton Rouge area for over two decades. In that time, it has developed into an incredible family event that celebrates our nation’s freedom. The evening culminates with WBRZ’s Fireworks on the Mississippi River sponsored by the USS KIDD! Over the past several years, the KIDD’s 4th of July Spectacular has become synonymous with the patriotic activities that attract thousands of families from across Louisiana and the southern United States. According to the Downtown Development District, the Baton Rouge 4th of July Fireworks Celebration brings in between 75,000 – 100,000 visitors per year. The celebration is made possible in part by the USS KIDD Veterans Museum, WBRZ News 2, the City-Parish of East Baton Rouge, community partners, area sponsors, and volunteers.

Baton Rouge Fourth of July

********East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced Friday safety precautions will be put into place for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations downtown. Events will continue as scheduled, but out of an abundance of caution, due to high river levels, people will not be allowed on the levee after 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 4 beginning where the levee passes underneath I-10 north to North Street. Source: WAFB 

4th Fest
Thursday, July 4th 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

4th of July Festivities in West Baton Rouge! From 4-11pm, featuring music by Parish County Line as well as Foret Tradition, and the best seat for fireworks over the Mississippi! Face painting, kids’ entertainment, food & beverage vendors. Come out for food & fun on the 4th. (No ice chests, please) WestBatonRouge.net/Fourth 

Baton Rouge Fourth of July

 

Walker

Independence Day Celebration:
Thursday, July 4, 3 PM – 9 PM

The City of Walker will be celebrating Independence Day on Thursday, July 4, 2019 at Sidney Hutchinson Park starting at 3:00. There will be games, inflatables, live music at 5:00, food sold by non-profit organizations and of course FIREWORKS at dark.
Also, be on the lookout for the Dinosaurs.
https://www.facebook.com/thedinosaurexperience/

Donaldsonville Independence Day Fireworks on the River
Wednesday, July 3rd 2:00pm-10:00 pm

Located at Frank Sotile Pavilion. Vendors open at 4. Fireworks at 9:45. Bring your lawn chairs! No ice chest.

4th of July

Iberville Parish

July 4th Hometown Celebration
Thursday, July 4 – 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm

The City’s annual July 4th Hometown Celebration, set Thursday, July 4, includes a fun patriotic boat parade. The parade will still line up on Bayou Plaquemine at the Bayou Road boat landing across from the jail. 

July 4th Hometown Celebration

Pointe Coupee Parish

False River Annual 4th of July Boat Parade :
Festival – Wednesday, July 3, 6 PM – 9:30 PM
Boat Parade – Thursday, July 4, 2 PM – 5 PM

New Roads Presents the 4th of July Boat Parade and Music Festival, July 3 – A Fun-Filled 2 Day Celebration. Enjoy Food, Music & Family On The River!
Featuring
~Kids Activities
~Boat Parade & Awards
~Live Entertainment, Special Guest Taylor Frey

False River 4th of July Boat Parade on July 4th at 2:00PM in Downtown New Roads! Participants are encouraged to decorate their boats reflecting this year’s theme. At 2:00PM, boaters will cruise by the front deck of False River Paddle Club, next to Satterfield’s, to be judged by a panel of voters. Trophies will be handed out around 3:00PM.

New Roads fourth of July

St. Mary Parish

Party in the Park – Morgan City’s Independence Day Celebration
Thursday, July 4, 5 PM – 8:30 PM at Lawrence Park. 

5:00 – 8:30 Driftwood takes the stage
9:00 Fireworks over the Atchafalaya River
Children’s Activities
Famous Fair Burgers
BBQ Plate Lunches
Soft Drinks & Popsicles
Cold Beer
The Long Allen Bridge (old bridge) will be shut down to traffic at 8:30 to allow pedestrians to walk up the bridge to view the firework show!

Fou

There’s something for everyone to celebrate this year’s Independence Day! We hope you have a fun, safe and Happy Fourth of July with your families!

*Dates and schedules subject to change. Please confirm with local convention and visitors bureaus before making your trip. Did we miss an event? Please 

Thanks to our sponsor, Smith Shanklin Sosa! Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Baton Rouge. Smith Shanklin Sosa is committed to helping you navigate complex legal issues while protecting your rights.

 

National Adoption Day in Louisiana – Meet Elijah

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Elijah Evans, a then 15-year-old young man from LaFayette, Louisiana, defied every one of the many myths of adoption and foster care. Like most children, he entered foster care through no fault of his own. Tragically, he suffered abuse at the hands of the very person who was supposed to love and protect him, his biological mother.

Needing special care to address the damage left from being placed in a bathtub of scalding water as a baby, he met a nurse named Lynore who not only helped him heal, but ultimately became his mother. Today he is a thriving teenager who through his foundation, No Use for Abuse, is reaching out a loving hand to kids just like him to offer them hope and help achieving their dreams.

2013 New Orleans Saints Season New Orleans Saints 23- San Fran 49ers 20 in the Mercedes Benz Super Dome on November 17th.

National Adoption Day

This annual, one-day event has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with policymakers, practitioners and advocates to finalize adoptions, and create and celebrate adoptive families. Communities across the county celebrate every Saturday before Thanksgiving.

It is one day each year set aside to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care still waiting for their forever family. This year, National Adoption Day is particularly focused on the more than 23,000 children each year who reach the age of 18 without ever finding forever families. That’s nearly 1 in 4 children from foster care who age out of the system with no place to call home, no family to support them, no table to join for Thanksgiving.

The fact is that the current U.S. foster care system is very much built to support the false premise that the older a child gets, the less they need a family. As both a daughter and a mother, my life experience has shown me that we never outgrow our need for a family. I am 41 years old and still rely on both my parents and my siblings for guidance and support in life. And my soon to be 10 year old daughter, Grace, very much looks to her dad and me to help support her in her quest to discover who she is as a person and what she wants to be one day. There is no doubt in my mind that both her courage and confidence comes directly from her knowledge that we are there to catch her when she falls. This is no less true for kids in foster care.
National Adoption Day

So what can be done to bring about change? First, more people need to help in challenging the general public’s belief that there is such a thing as an unadoptable child. There is no such things as unadoptable children – there are just unfound families.  And while one would think that most people would agree, a recent Harris poll sponsored by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption found that only 51% of those surveyed agreed that every child is adoptable. And an even smaller number (27%) said that they would personally consider adopting a child over 12.

Louisiana adoption

Second, if you have not already, consider stepping up to play a role in the life of an older child in foster care. Those who have already answered their calling to parent these children will be the first to tell you that becoming a parent to a teenage child is no less magical than the birth of an infant. In fact, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption recently captured some of these parent’s hearts in a moving video.


And finally, speak out for these children. Tell your local, state and federal policymakers it is unacceptable that our system is putting more than 23,000 kids out on the streets to fend for themselves each year. Demand better for them than group homes. Push for more programs that are specifically designed to connect these children with permanent, loving families.

If you are already an adoptive parent, you can help too. The National Adoption Day Coalition has created the One Day Project to give hope to children waiting in foster care, and to encourage others to adopt, by sharing their stories of what their “one day” in the adoption process is like. Help us spread the message that adoption changes lives by submitting a short video about your adoption story, a few words of encouragement or why you support National Adoption Day.

For more information about the events taking place locally and foster care adoption, please visit nationaladoptionday.org.

Kathleen Strottman
Kathleen Strottman served as executive director of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). National Adoption Day is supported by a coalition that includes CCAI, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Freddie Mac Foundation, Children’s Action Network, and Alliance for Children’s Rights.

 

Cirque du Soleil Crystal – A breakthrough ice experience. – Giveaway

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Cirque du Soleil carves electrifying moments, breathtaking artistry and its unique creativity into ice in a fresh innovative spectacular: Cirque du Soleil Crystal. World-class ice skating, surreal aesthetics and artistic prowess fuse together. So let reality slip away as Cirque du Soleil Crystal glides above a most unusual reflection.  A young woman shatters through reality to reach the surreal world of possibility. Beyond the surface, she pursues the life that has been glistening beneath. Sometimes, we must first leave solid ground to find our true footing. 
Discover Cirque du Soleil Crystal – A breakthrough ice experience. Skate on the edge of reality.

Cirque du Soleil Crystal - A breakthrough ice experience.

WHAT: Cirque du Soleil Crystal – A breakthrough ice experience.
WHERE: CAJUNDOME –  Lafayette, LA
WHEN: Oct 5-8, 2017

A breakthrough ice experience where world-class ice skating and unexpected acrobatics fuse to create the first on-ice experience from Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil Crystal at the Cajundome from October 5th through October 8th. Get your tickets now at cirquedusoleil.com/crystal.

Cirque du Soleil Crystal  – TWO –  Family Four Pack Giveaways

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Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide: Sand Bag Locations, Lists, Numbers, Apps & Resources

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There is still a lot of uncertainty with Harvey over Louisiana. Currently, rainfall is the main concern for our area. The National Weather Service is predicting that Southwest Louisiana will see 10 to 20 inches of rain between tonight and tomorrow, Central Louisiana one to five inches of rain, and South Central Louisiana two to eight inches of rain, East Baton Rouge Parish is expected to receive 4-10 inches of rain over the next seven days. Stay safe, be prepared! While they don’t predict this to be a repeat of the August flooding, Harvey is here and expected to bring torrential rains and cause flash flooding and possibly tornadoes in some areas of Louisiana. The National Weather Service says the slow-moving system is expected to impact Louisiana over the next seven days. 

Residents are urged to have an emergency plan in place and be prepared {sand bag list below}. Having been through hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, Rita , Issac and the Great Flood of 2016, natural disasters are something I have become accustomed to preparing for. 

As with most things, preparation is key. Issac, sneaked up on me. When I finally made it to the store to get the basics, all I found were empty shelves.  

Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Resources

Resources

This Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide is an excellent, comprehensive resource! From identifying the most likely risks to providing sheltering information, evacuation routes, listing supplies to identifying special needs and more. This Guide should be YOUR Guide to personal planning and business planning.

Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide

Top 10 Emergency Preparedness Apps

  • Red Stick Ready (iOS) The East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness strives to provide critical information to the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish to help them prepare for, respond to and recover from all emergency situations.
  • iMapWeather Radio (iOS) this is by far my favorite app but it does cost $9.99.  You will receive critical voice and text alerts on threatening weather events. Your iPhone will “wake up” and also “follow you” with alerts wherever you go. Listen to local weather forecasts while you are on the move. Enjoy the power of a NOAA Weather Radio, with all the convenience and precision of a smart phone. Winner of MediaPost’s Appy Award in the weather category.
  • Get A Game Plan – FREE – Get-A-Game-Plan is the most complete and easy way to access emergency preparedness information on a mobile device. The Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness created the app for the citizens of Louisiana to provide access to important information relevant to preparedness in the event of a security or natural disaster event.
  • Hurricane Tracker –(iOS) $2.99 offers detailed storm maps, National Hurricane Center info, threat level maps, audio/video forecast updates, real-time feeds and push alerts.
  • Hurricane — (iOS) FREE American Red Cross for both Android or iOS is a newer, totally free addition to Android’s growing hurricane-tracking stable, but it’s more than just a tracker — this app lets you “monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out
  • iMPrepared –(iOS) FREE iPad App—iMPrepared helps plan for disasters with one convenient app that includes a compass, flashlight, disaster RSS feeds, and a S.O.S. signal.
  • FEMA Install the FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices.
  • StopDisaster-   $1.99 If you can’t stop the calamity, you can stop it from turning into a disaster if you are organized. The app provides a handy series of items you’ll need on hand for various emergencies – floods, earthquakes, high winds etc.
  • Phone Aid –  $1.99 CPR is one of the things not covered by most basic preparedness courses (it’s standalone training) this app offers a series of slideshows that will help jog your memory if you’ve done CPR training and, if not, provides some first aid measures to do while you wait for emergency services.
  • Disaster Alert – (Andriod) – Disaster Alert (by PDC) – Current global disaster info on an interactive map Disaster Alert (by PDC), Active Hazards on an interactive map and in a list as they are occurring around the globe.  Additional hazard information can be viewed and shared.

Preparation Before the Storm:

— Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.

— Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind.

— Clear gutters of debris.

— Reinforce the garage door.

— Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.

— Fill a bathtub with water.

— Get full tank of gas in one car.

— Go over the evacuation plan with the family, and learn alternate routes to safety.

— Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.

— Evacuate if ordered and stick to marked evacuation routes, if possible.

— Store important documents — passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds — in a watertight container.

— Have a current inventory of household property.

— Leave a note to say where you are going.

— Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.

— If possible, turn off the electricity, gas and water for residence.

Emergency Preparedness list:

— A three-day supply of water, one gallon per person per day.

— Three days of food, with suggested items including: canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt-free crackers, energy/protein bars, trail mix/nuts, dry cereal, cookies or other comfort food.

— A can opener.

— Flashlight(s).

— A battery-powered radio, preferably a weather radio.

— Extra batteries.

— A first aid kit, including latex gloves; sterile dressings; soap/cleaning agent; antibiotic ointment; burn ointment; adhesive bandages in small, medium and large sizes; eye wash; a thermometer; aspirin/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly, having the best inversion table for back pain is also a plus and it will help a lot with any pain emergencies.

— A small fire extinguisher.

— A seven-day supply of medications.

— Vitamins.

— A multipurpose tool, with pliers and a screwdriver.

— Cell phones and chargers.

— Contact information for the family.

— A sleeping bag for each person.

— Extra cash.

— A silver foil emergency blanket.

— A map of the area.

— Baby supplies.

— Pet supplies.

— Wet wipes.

— A camera (to document storm damage).

— Insect repellent.

— Rain gear.

— Tools and supplies for securing your home.

— Plastic sheeting.

— Duct tape.

— Dust masks.

— An extra set of house keys.

— An extra set of car keys.

— An emergency ladder to evacuate the second floor.

— Household bleach.

— Paper cups, plates and paper towels.

— Activities for children.

— Charcoal and matches, if you have a portable grill. But only use it outside.

Current Baton Rouge Sandbag locations:

– BREC Airline Highway Fairgrounds – 16072 Airline Highway

– BREC Alsen Park – 601 Old Rafe Meyer Road

– BREC Doyles Bayou Park – 7801 Port Hudson-Pride Road

– BREC Flannery Road Park – 801 South Flannery Road

– BREC Hartley-Vey at Gardere Park – 1702 Gardere Lane

– BREC Memorial Stadium – 1702 Foss Street

– BREC Lovett Road Park – 13443 Lovett Road

– St. George Fire Department Headquarters – 14100 Airline Highway

– Chaneyville Volunteer Fire Department – Station 40 – 22790 Reames Road

Residents are urged to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags. Real-time information about the locations can also be found at:

http://gis.brla.gov/emergency

Recover

  • Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home.
  • Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.

Sources: American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Hurricane Center

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Elf on the Shelf Help is here with “Shhhelf Help”

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We’ve already started seeing the Elf on the Shelf memes, helping a little Elf entertain through the holidays is hard work. We are busy, especially through the holidays and remembering to move the little Elf at all is a miracle, let alone coming up with creative and imaginative ways to entertain said Elf. A young Shark Tank enthusiast from Mandeville has come up with the perfect solution to make life through the holidays a tad easier with “Shhhelf Help”.

Elf on the Shelf Help

Shhhelf Help will be delivered to your door in an unsuspecting white box that holds 25 days of Elf on the Shelf activities and includes everything you need (Elf not included) to entertain your Elf and the kids!

A note from our Junior Entrepreneurs mom:

My family has enjoyed shark tank for years. My daughter and I discussed the project for a good while when all of a sudden Halloween was upon us. She hired three high school students to help her with assembly and she used a unoccupied suite next to my dental office.

shhhelf-help-giveaway-49-99-value

You can check out her Etsy shop and purchase your own “Shhhelf Help”  kit here: http://bit.ly/ShhhelfHelp

GIVEAWAY:
We are hosting a two day Flash Giveaway on our Facebook and Instagram pages, enter to win a “Shhhelf Help”  kit or make sure you get yours today and buy one before they sell out! http://bit.ly/ShhhelfHelp

 

 

Pokémon Go, explained – what parents need to know.

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By now you’ve surely heard about the new Pokémon GO app that has thousands of people glued to their phones as they capture Pokémon monsters in a battle to “Catch ‘Em All”. The Pokémon Go app is currently the top downloaded free app, and the top grossing app, in both the Apple and Android stores.  (The app does have optional in-app purchases) 

Pokemon Go - What Parents Need To Know

Just days after the Pokémon GO app launched in the US, hundreds of Pokefans are joining forces outdoors to find their favorite pocket monsters throughout their neighborhoods and cities, including Baton Rouge! The app’s use of GPS and internet services turns the whole world into a Pokémon region map. Parents are thrilled to see kids getting off the couch and out the door for adventure on foot, on bikes and via the family car. However, this game is not just for kids, families are enjoying the fun together and many adults are reliving their childhood love of Pokémon.

Once the app is downloaded, players can customize their Pokemon trainer name. Through the phone’s camera, the cute characters are animated into your real surroundings, with players swiping vertically to catch them. The interface on their phone will show person walking on a Google Maps-type layout through the phone’s GPS.

How to play Pokémon GO

The maps show surrounding landmarks such as statues, lakes, parks and train stations which represent pokestops. The aim of the game is to capture new monsters with a display at the bottom of the player’s phone showing which monster species are near and how far away they are. They can pop up anywhere and it’s your job to catch them.

You’ve found a Pokémon! Now what? When the game enters capture mode, you’ll see a wild Pokémon juxtaposed into real life through your phone’s camera. You’ve got Pokéballs to throw at it, and there’s a colored ring circling the Pokémon’s body.

The color of the ring when catching Pokémon tells you how hard it is to capture said Pokémon.
Green = Easy
Yellow = Moderate
Red = Difficult

The more difficult the Pokémon is to catch, the less likely it is to be caught simply by throwing a Pokéball at it. However, there are special Pokéballs you’ll earn as your Trainer levels up.

If you happen to see rustling leaves on the map, it’s is an indication that a wild Pokémon is nearby! You can get a good idea of what kind of Pokémon it is based on the menu in the lower right of the main screen.

“Get on your feet and step outside to find and catch wild Pokémon. Explore cities and towns around where you live and even around the globe to capture as many Pokémon as you can. As you move around, your smartphone will vibrate to let you know you’re near a Pokémon. Once you’ve encountered a Pokémon, take aim on your smartphone’s touch screen and throw a Poké Ball to catch it. Be careful when you try to catch it, or it might run away! Also look for PokéStops located at interesting places, such as public art installations, historical markers, and monuments, where you can collect more Poké Balls and other items.” The Pokemon Company

When you reach level five you can join teams, battle in gyms, and begin the real game. You can learn about the more advanced options of play here.

Pokémon GO

The Pokemon Company

Pokémon GO Plus

A portable device called the Pokémon GO Plus will enable Pokémon GO players to enjoy the game even while they’re not looking at their smartphones. The device connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth and notifies the player about events in the game—such as the appearance of a Pokémon nearby—using an LED and vibration. In addition, players can catch Pokémon or perform other simple actions by pressing the button on the device. Look forward to the launch of the Pokémon GO Plus accessory in late July 2016.

The Downside to Pokémon GO

The game allows you to create either a Pokémon account or to use your Google account. Tons of websites allow you to use your Google account for credentials instead of creating a separate login. But here’s the problem, unlike other apps and websites that only grab permissions for a few things, Pokémon GO is given full access to your Google account–and it takes it without permission. We recommend setting up a Google account just for sign ups such as this.

“Pokémon GO” is a battery hog, especially when you go on a long walk and want to make sure the app is searching for Pokémon the whole time. Luckily, there’s a really handy “battery saver” mode that will help you get a lot more mileage off a single charge.” Go here for full instructions.

Pokémon GO Safety Tips:

  • Tell your kids about stranger-danger. The way that the game is designed can bring people together in the real world as they search for Pokemon in common areas called gyms and pokestops.
  • Set limits on where your kids can go.
  • Look up, and pay attention to your surroundings! A number of people – both kids and adults – have been so engrossed while staring at their phones and following a map, that they’ve walked right into the street, into objects and even had car accidents, my good friend had an episode lithe this one, thankfully J. Trevino injury attorney is taking care of it! Do not play and drive!!
  • Play in pairs or groups or make it a family adventure.
  • If a Pokémon is a water species, like a ‘magicarp’ or ‘squirtle’, they will likely be found in locations where there is real water around. Be sure to talk with kids and teens about being safe.
  • Heed the warnings that the game gives you every time you log in

Take a family Pokémon Go adventure and enjoy a sense of imagination and wonder that most other games do not offer. Enjoy your surroundings through a different lens and find local treasures you didn’t know existed.  Pokémon Go gives you the opportunity to explore the beauty around you while catching some Pokémon along the way.

Sources: businessinsider.com, howtogeek.com

Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set – Giveaway

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Just in time for summer, by now you’re all probably familiar with the hottest new toy to hit Louisiana, the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set. Envisioned and born here in Louisiana by New Orleans businessman, Steven Forster, the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set has sold more than 5,000 play sets, and they’re on back order for the next eight weeks. I think it’s safe to say the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set is on fire!

Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set

News segments, articles and online media coverage of Steven Forster and the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set have flooded the interwebs and with good reason. It’s not just adorable but it passes on a tradition that Louisianans hold dear, the earlier we can pass it on the better!

The Lil Bit brainstorm came about in 2014 at a friend’s crawfish boil when Forster’s three young sons, ages three, five and eight, wanted in on the boil action. The host of the crawfish boil provided the boys with a stew pot and a wooden spoon and a light went off for Forster.

“I’ve been watching my boys play with this set for over a year. They were my little test group, so when daddy was bringing prototypes home to try to find which size pot, play with the crawfish, if those claws break off, they were my control group,” said Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set creator Steven Forster.


 

“It’s such a huge part of being from the South, everything revolves around food and drink around here, so to see our kids try to take on that tradition and watching them play with it and pretend to be grownups, where they’re boiling crawfish. It’s all based on tradition,” said Steven’s wife Kellie.

Baton Rouge’s own, Giggles, has been pre-selling the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set with great success! Emily Guidroz, owner of Giggles Toys & Candy, was thrilled when Stephen reached out to her about the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set. “We are always looking for new and unique toys and gifts for children. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be hit! It is such a creative idea and is perfect for all of the bayou babies in our town!” As of today, Giggles has pre-sold more than 100 crawfish sets. Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set It’s a tradition soaked in family, friends and cayenne pepper that we pass down from generation to generation. Now you can share this tradition with your little chef as you boil side by side, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

GIVEAWAY:

We have partnered with Giggles Toys & Candies and Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set to giveaway not one but TWO Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Sets! Simply log in to the Rafflecopter giveaway widget below and enter with multiple entries to have a chance at winning a Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set! Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set includes a 2.5 gallon kettle, a sieve, eight crawfish, two potatoes, one ear of corn, a toy box of seasoning and a wooden stirring paddle. Retails for $34.95 at Giggles!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Learn more about  Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set on their website lilboil.com  and Facebook. Check out Giggles on their website and on Facebook and be sure to visit the store on Perkins Road between Bluebonnet and Siegen at The Settlement at Willow Grove.

Sources: lilboil.com, WGNO, Nola.com

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.

Baby Safe Homes Louisiana – Giveaway

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Each year, children are injured by hazards in and around the home. Household injuries account for the most visits to the ER in children under the age of 3 , and nearly 70% of the children who die from unintentional injuries at home are 4 years old and under.

Thankfully, the risk of injury can be reduced or prevented by using child-safety devices like the popular wifi baby monitor that let monitor your baby all the time . Safety devices should be sturdy enough to hinder access and yet easy for you to use.

Most importantly, to be effective, they must be properly installed. This is where Baby Safe Homes Louisiana comes to the baby proofing rescue!  Baby Safe Homes Louisiana offers BABY/TODDLER proofing and they come to YOU!

Baby Safe Homes Louisiana Giveaway

What is Baby Safe Homes Louisiana?

Baby Safe Homes are a professional, same-day baby proofing service. It is their mission to provide families with peace of mind by creating an environment for their babies and toddlers to explore, learn and grow safely, visit website to get the most adorable baby toys there are.

From infant to toddler safety, Baby Safe Homes offers everything that you need to baby proof your home. Their trained baby safety consultants recommend specialized safety products; they will help design the solution that is right for you and your family to help keep your baby safe.

GIVEAWAY

Baby/Toddler proofing for YOUR HOME!! Win a baby safety gate (Value $100) OR select $100 in products from Baby Safe Homes Louisiana PLUS a FREE In-Home Inspection & Consultation ($95 Value) Total GIVEAWAY VALUE $195

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sources: Kidshealth.org

Gumbo 101- Recipes, Tips, Video and more.

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This post was featured on Today.com – Louisiana Cajun gumbo: Today_Show_logo1

{Updated version} With more cold weather on the way, it’s the perfect time to make a nice big pot of Gumbo {originated in southern Louisiana during the 18th century} for your family. Living in Cajun country, this is the stable meal that most want to know how to make, it can also be the most intimidating. However, it need not be so, you can whip up a delicious gumbo in 30 minutes or try your hand at an elaborate gumbo from scratch that takes a bit longer. Whether you go for the traditional gumbo or a quick an easy version, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for time.

Cajun Gumbo Recipe

Gumbo is often cited as an example of the melting-pot nature of Louisiana cooking, but trying to sort out the origins and evolution of the dish is highly speculative. The name derives from a West African word for okra, suggesting that gumbo was originally made with okra. The use of filé (dried and ground sassafras leaves) was a contribution of the Choctaws and, possibly, other local tribes. Roux has its origin in French cuisine, although the roux used in gumbos is much darker than its Gallic cousins. – Dr. Carl A. Brasseaux

Gumbo 101

Every good gumbo begins with a roux. In Cajun cuisine, roux is made with bacon fat or oil instead of butter. Clarified butter, vegetable oils, bacon drippings or lard are commonly used fats.  There are varying degrees of the color of a roux beginning with blonde to dark. Blonde is for an etouffee and the darker roux is usually for gumbo, however, some do prefer a lighter roux.

Roux á la Microwave – Combine oil and flour in a microwavable cup. Start your microwave for 3 minutes. Take out and stir. Every time you take out be sure to stir completely. Then microwave 1 minute, take out and stir. Do this about 3 times. You must stir between minutes!  Then go down to 30 second intervals and stir after each 30 seconds. Do the 30 seconds until the roux is the color of a copper penny or dark golden brown. Patience is key!

 Stove top Roux – Put even parts oil and flour in a cast-iron or enameled cast-iron pot over medium heat. Stir slowly and constantly. After 5 minutes, the mixture will begin to foam. This foaming may continue for several minutes. The roux will begin to darken as it cooks and will have a nutty aroma. For a blond roux, cook for 10 to 15 minutes. For a medium brown roux, cook for 30 to 35 minutes. For a dark brown roux, cook for 40 minutes.
 
When finished, roux can be cooled, then stored for 1 month in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When it cools, the roux will separate. Before using, stir to blend and bring the roux to room temperature.

Ready made roux – Yes, you can find roux in a jar {this is my personal favorite, please don’t judge} I like Savoie’s ready made roux best. It’s simple to use and the flavor is most similar to homemade roux.

gumbo 101

My two favorite Gumbo ingredients

Recipe: SAVOIE’S® AUTHENTIC CAJUN TASSO, SAUSAGE & CHICKEN GUMBO (you can also make a seafood gumbo by adding shrimp and crab)

Ingredients: 4 quarts water 4 heaping tablespoons of SAVOIE’S Roux (I add more) 1 large chicken (seasoned / a rotisserie chicken will work) 1 lb. smoked sausage or andouille 12 oz. tasso (optional) 1 large onion, 1 bell pepper, 2 pods garlic 2 stalks celery 1/2 cup diced green onions 1/2 cup chopped parsley (I buy the trinity diced up and ready to go}

Instructions: Dissolve roux in water over medium heat and let boil for 1/2 hour. Add cut-up chicken, sausage, tasso and chopped vegetables. Bring to a boil, lower to medium heat and cook until chicken and vegetables are tender (about 1-1/2 hours). Add green onions and parsley about 15 minutes before done and season to taste. Serve over cooked rice.

“Holy Trinity” is even parts of bell pepper, onion, and celery, finely diced. This combination is the base of most savory dishes, more often than not added to roux as the beginning of stew, soup, sauce, jambalaya, sauce piquant or almost any other Cajun main dish.

Traditional Gumbo Recipe

Louisiana Cajun Gumbo
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Ingredients
  1. 3/4 cup vegetable oil (canola)
  2. 1 cup flour
  3. 1 cup chopped onions
  4. 1 cup chopped celery
  5. 1 cup chopped bell pepper
  6. 3 pods diced garlic
  7. 3 quarts water or chicken stock
  8. 1/2 cup chopped green onions (scallions)
  9. 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
  10. 1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  11. 4 green onions, sliced
  12. Filé powder (optional)
  13. Hot cooked rice
  14. salt, black pepper, & cayenne to taste
  15. Meat of your choice (see below)
Instructions
  1. Use a whole cut up fryer cut into serving pieces or use chicken breast or thighs, duck, wild game or sausage or shrimp. The meats can all be used in combination, one with the other or individually.
  2. Make your roux (see above for recipe). Add onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic and cook approximately three to five minutes or until vegetables are wilted. Go slow and stir continuously so it won’t burn, the roux mixture is very hot.
  3. Bring your stock to a boil and add the roux mixture with vegetables gradually. Stir until roux is completely dissolved. Cook on low to medium heat about 20 minutes.
  4. Add chicken. If adding fresh or smoked sausage, add now. Cook another 45 minutes to an hour or until chicken is cooked thoroughly. You may have to add more water depending on whether you like thick or thin gumbo. If adding shrimp or oyster, add them in the last ten minutes of cooking.
  5. Blend in green onions and parsley in the last ten minutes of cooking. Remove gumbo from heat. Sprinkle with filé powder, if desired. Season to taste using salt and pepper and serve over cooked rice. Garnish if desired.
Notes
  1. Gumbo gets better with age, it always tastes better the next day. Gumbo can be frozen.
Baton Rouge Moms http://batonrougemoms.com/

 
With the information and recipes provided in this article, you should be well on your way to making a fabulous gumbo for your family. If you have a favorite recipe, have tips or questions, please share them with us in the comments below!

Sources: http://www.emerils.com, http://www.realcajunrecipes.com, http://www.southernfoodways.org

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parades & Events 2016

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Contrary to popular belief, Mardi Gras can be family-friendly. The festival seems like it was made for children, with floats derived from the depths of the most ingenious imaginations, costumes and masks that express an unending creativity, bold colors and joyous music abounds through parades. And, most importantly, the beads, doubloons and other treats thrown to the crowds from the floats are a child’s delight.

Mardi Gras 2016 is Tuesday, February 9

mardi gras

Baton Rouge Moms has put together a comprehensive Family Friendly Mardi Gras Guide with Mardi Gras  parades, a printable PDF and tips for parade goers.

Madri Gras Fun Fact: Rex selected the official Mardi Gras colors in 1872 to honor the visiting Russian Grand Duke Alexis  Alexandrovich Romanoff, whose house colors were purple, green and gold.

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parades 2016:

Please check the individual parade organizations’ websites for updated details.

Krewe of Artemis

Friday, January 29 at 7pm  – The Krewe of Artemis 14th Annual Mardi Gras Parade will roll through the streets of downtown Baton Rouge on Friday, January 29, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Join the excited revelers as they line the parade route while joining in the festivities and experiencing Baton Rouge Mardi Gras….Artemis style!!Revelers will be treated with themed throws, including the Krewe of Artemis’ signature High Heeled Shoe, along with footballs, tambourines, stuffed animals, float beads and lighted throws. Parade begins and ends at the corner of Government Street and St. Philip Street. 

Krewe of Mystique de la CAPITALE

Saturday, January 30 at 2pm – The Krewe of Mystique de la Capitale welcomes you to the 2016 Mardi Gras Parade as they celebrate 38 years of parading in Louisiana’s capital city. We are the city’s oldest parading Mardi Gras Krewe and we’ve shared 38 wonderful years of carnival fun in Baton Rouge. The parade is family oriented and promises fun for all ages. The parade consists of marching bands, 12 to 14 floats that represent the Krewe along with many local businesses, and charitable organizations.

Krewe of Orion

Krewe of Orion

Saturday, January 30 at 6:30pm – The Krewe of Orion’s 17th annual Mardi Gras parade will roll through downtown Baton Rouge on January 30, 2016! This family-oriented parade begins and ends at the corner of Government Street and St. Philip Street. Parade goers will be treated to a lineup of exciting, colorful traditional lighted and tractor-pulled floats. Rollin’ with the theme of “Jet Set” with Orion! Masked and costumed riders will throw plenty of Orion parade theme medallions, footballs, cups, plush animals, swords, doubloons, lighted throws, and beads. Marching bands, as well as riding and marching units will be among the great sights and sounds at this wonderful parade.

The CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts ParadeCAAWS MYSTIC KREWE OF MUTTS 

Sunday, January 31, 2:00pm  – The CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts is a family-oriented, fun-filled, parade and promises all a very special day. Mardi Gras colored costumes and pet-sized floats will roll along North Boulevard on Sunday, January 31st.  The CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts Paw Wars – The Furs Unleashed January 31, 2016 Downtown Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parade 2:00 Bark in the Park 10-4. Parade begins at North Boulevard and St. Ferdinand Street, turning North at 8th Street and ending at North Boulevard and Fourth Street.

FOR SAFETY PURPOSES, NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES ARE ALLOWED, NOR ANY LEASHES LONGER THAN 6′. Your dog should have a proof of current rabies vaccination tag. No puppies under 12 weeks, aggressive dogs, or dogs in heat are allowed.

Krewe of Southdowns 

Friday, February 5th at 7pm – This parade is Baton Rouge’s family-friendly evening parade that rolls through the Southdowns Neighborhood from Glasgow Middle School. The theme for the Southdowns 2016 parade will be “Under The Big Top”.

Krewe of Good Friends of the Oaks

Sunday, February 7th at 2pm – The theme for the 2016 parade will be CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF PORT ALLEN (history, local festivals, music, landmarks, celebrities, etc) The 32nd Krewe of Good Friends of the Oaks Mardi Gras parade will begin and end at the corner of the LA-1 Service Road and Oaks Avenue. The parade route is as follows: east on Oaks Avenue to Jefferson Avenue, north on Jefferson Avenue to Court Street, west on Court Street to Sixth Street, north on Sixth Street to Louisiana Avenue, east on Louisiana Avenue to Jefferson Avenue, south on Jefferson Avenue to Oaks Avenue, west on Oaks Avenue to LA-1 Service Road.

ADDIS MARDI GRAS PARADE

Sunday, January 31, 2016
1:00 pm  (NEW TIME)
MORE INFO TO COME
Theme of Parade:  ADDIS GOES TO HOLLYWOOD
 

Krewe Denham Springs

Saturday, January 30, 2016
3-5 p.m please contact Roni Juneau at carljuneau@cox.net or ronijuneau@yahoo.com for any information.
 

 

baton rouge Ultimate Mardi Gras Party

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival 2016

Saturday, February 6th, from 10:00am to 6:00pm – The Ultimate Louisiana Mardi Gras Party 2016 will take place Saturday, February 6th, from 10:00am to 6:00pm at North Boulevard Town Square, located at 247 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801. The event will showcase live bands and Krewes, with a Vendor Village, art exhibits, food and more. The event is free and open to the public. ‘Taste of Louisiana’ meal tickets and VIP tickets available at an additional cost.

family-gras_0

Family Gras 2015 in Metairie

JANUARY 29, 30 & 31 – This celebration of carnival and family takes place on the neutral ground of Veterans Memorial Boulevard across from Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, Louisiana.

Entertainment for 2015 Family Gras includes Cowboy Mouth, Amanda Shaw, former Journey member Steve Augeri, former members of the Electric Light Orchestra, Courtney Cole, Blood Sweat & Tears, Wilson Phillips and Montgomery Gentry. Local and regional artists set up in the Art Market, where you can buy their work throughout the whole festival.  Flambeau Food Court vendors will be there cooking up Louisiana favorites, like jambalaya, crawfish pasta, muffulettas, pizza and gator-on-a-stick. There will also be local goodies like bread pudding and king cake.

NOLA Mardi Gras

 If you are new to Baton Rouge  and or Louisiana, the only place you should avoid with kids is the French Quarter. It’s best to see the parades when they begin on St. Charles Avenue near Napoleon, since parades can go on well into the night by the end of the parade route. The Garden District are of St. Charles is also family area where you will see many families enjoying the day and planting themselves to see the parades.

The Sunday before Mardi Gras is particularly family oriented, with Thoth parading down Magazine Street and Bacchus rolling later in the afternoon.

The Krewe of Barkus is a delightful dog parade that rolls the Sunday prior to Thoth. It begins in Congo Square and parades through the French Quarter and is remarkable fun for children of any age.

On Fat Tuesday, visitors are encouraged to join the local tradition of masking. Zulu, an African American parade, leads the long day of parades on Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras itself. Children scramble for the much desired coconuts handed down by float riders.

Mardi Gras 2016 New Orleans Parade Schedule
Mardi Gras 2016 Northshore Parade Schedule
2016 Acadiana Mardi Gras Schedule