May 2023 Archives - SB Magazine

EVERY WARRIOR NETWORK

SB Magazine — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 07:00:24 +0000

an Organization You Need to Know About.

BY ADAM BAILEY

Bossier City. Take a stroll down Viking Drive in Bossier City, and hopefully you’ll notice the headquarters of a non-profit organization that serves currently serving active/guard/reserves military members in the Shreveport-Bossier community and reaching around the world. Its name— The Every Warrior Network. What is it? Simply put, it’s an organization comprised of civilians supporting our military community. And if you don’t know about them, you should.

To say they are doing great things for our military doesn’t begin to tell you what they are all about.

Prior to 2014, Trey McGuire, the Founder and Director of Every Warrior, began noticing a trend—and that trend was unacceptable to him. While he was serving in his local church, he saw that the more military service members he met, the more he noticed that they were alone. And that was unacceptable to him, and he set out to do something about it. So, around Thanksgiving of that year, he organized a potluck holiday dinner for active military members who did not have a place to go. According to McGuire, “I wanted to show them some love during that time.”

That initial Thanksgiving meal was held at the Old Reeves Marine building—where approximately 200 military members and families were fed. Afterwards, while cleaning up, McGuire and company hatched a plan to incorporate an organization with the mission to “support, connect, equip, and mobilize the very core of every warrior.” McGuire recalls, “I made a few phone calls, raised a little bit of money, got as many turkeys as we could find.”

Soon after the very first Warrior’s Thanksgiving Feast, Every Warrior Network was formed. In May of 2015, the Network began with “a passion to serve military members by building relationships with men, women, and families to meet their emotional, relational, physical, mental, and even spiritual needs. The Network’s actions reflect their motto that “This Is Family” as its heart and soul.

“Our mission is not about buildings, it’s not about our events. Our mission is to make sure that every single service member that’s hurting finds love, care, and knows that we have their back,” says McGuire. “We want to be that family for them—that herd of support around them—so when life happens, they get the opportunity to go through it with people who really do care for them.”

In addition to their Thanksgiving events, which served upwards of 6,000 Warriors and families between 2014 and 2022; Every Warrior Network provides counseling services, financial support, a free venue space, disability support, food insecurity support, job location services, volunteer opportunities, and transitioning services, and a Warrior Warehouse—which provides temporary household items for moving military families.

In essence, according to McGuire, ‘family’ has become the identity of the Every Warrior Network—and out of that identity, they have identified multiple things that they believe their Warriors bring to the table. A culture of radical and selfless care, born out of the very pain and experiences of Trey’s personal life, has become the foundation which they build on to help Warriors around the world. This culture is one that fights for every Warrior to understand the fact that their own personal experiences are not just what has happened to them, but rather, is what prepares them to use their God-given abilities to influence their world around them.

And while the Warrior’s Thanksgiving Feast is what they’ve been known for—it’s not what they are all about. In truth, Trey McGuire is a civilian leading a military support organization and he, alongside their entire team, strives to have the utmost of integrity so the constant rotation of leadership feels comfortable to continue to allow them to operate in-and-around their installation.

Every Warrior is also affiliated and partnered with many organizations throughout our area, including the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Riverpark Church, Broadmoor Baptist Church, Barksdale Federal Credit Union, Origin Bank, Clint Davis Counseling, the Simple Church, multiple Rotary Clubs, and more.

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FISHING WORLD RECORD

SB Magazine — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 14:08:36 +0000

In March 19, 2023, the Bossier Parish High School Bass Team hit Caney Lake, located in Jonesboro, and made their mark on the Louisiana High School BASS Nation circuit. Fishing the “Hawgfest” tournament on Caney Lake, Mason McCormick, 18, and Alexis Virgillito, 15, caught the heaviest stringer ever recorded in a high-school fishing tournament. Anchored by a 9.22-pound largemouth bass, their five-stringer weighed a staggering 37.13 pounds, beating out the second-place stringer by more than 13 pounds. Winning the qualifying tournament in Louisiana also secured the team’s spot at the league’s National Championship tournament later this year.

Alexis attends Parkway High School, while Mason is a senior at C.E. Byrd High School. This was the third time with Bossier Parish High School Fishing they had teamed up together. When they left that bitterly cold morning, unbeknownst to them, they were the team to beat.

The Bossier Parish Bass Team was captained by Bradley Virgillito, Alexis’ father, who accompanied the pair on the water. According to Bradley, the tournament circuit requires each team to have an adult captain onboard who’s in charge of running the boat. To a certain extent, the captain is allowed to advise the team, but it’s up to the anglers to get the bass in the livewell.

“Team captains like me can advise them where to fish, or with lure selection, but they’re fully in charge of the fishing,” he says.

And fishing they did—all the way to a world record.

But taking the podium with wasn’t the first time Alexis Virgillito made high-school bass fishing history. In March of 2022, while participating in FLW’s Louisiana High School State Fishing Championship, Alexis and her teammate Taylor Bacot brought in a five-bass stringer weighing 30.3 pounds—becoming the first all-female duo to win a high school fishing tournament in any state.

“Last year Alexis and her team partner Taylor Bacot won the FLW Louisiana state high school bass fishing championship, the first all-female team to do so,” Bradley says proudly. “They fished the championship on Pickwick Lake in Tennessee but didn’t place. Just competing on that level is incredible, just like this year will be for Alexis and Mason.”

Bradley says Mason and Alexis are already looking forward to the upcoming National Championships, which will likely take place sometime in September.

Dubbed the unicorn dental office, Miles for Smiles is a mobile dental facility that provides excellent dental care right at the school. By providing on-site care, parents can rest assured that their child is receiving the best dental care and education possible without having to leave the school grounds.

The Miles for Smiles mobile office is equipped with all the top-notch dentistry equipment you’d find in a brick and mortar building so that the MFS Team can perform everything from cleanings to x-rays. They are the only facility that offers mobile dentistry in this area. The services are not free, but they do accept most insurance.

MFS offers dental care and dental education for all students in Caddo, Bossier, and Webster Parishes throughout the entire school year. Mrs. Simms Alexander’s career as an educator and her husband’s career in dentistry began to mesh in 2010 when Dr. Simms Alexander was inspired to bring mobile dentistry to the SBC while working with another mobile school-based facility in Atlanta.

“My role within the company is as an Education Coordinator. I am a former educator and I facilitate the transition between the clinical aspect and the educational aspect. We coordinate and provide resources by partnering with school districts,” says Anneka Simms Alexander, Miles for Smiles Education Coordinator/PR Partner and SRAC board member.

Interested in catching your own bass this summer? Here are a few spots to consider in north Louisiana, as recommended by team captain Bradley Virgillito:

Caddo Lake

Situated northwest of Louisiana near the Texas border, around 25 miles northwest of Shreveport, Caddo Lake is a perfect answer to where to fish in Louisiana. This lake is home to Caddo Lake State Park and acts as a wildlife management area. Besides fishing, visitors at the state park enjoy hiking, camping, and boating. There are numerous piers and boat launches surrounding the lake, making it easier to fish at your preferred spot. Largemouth bass, catfish, bream, and crappie are among the fish species you can land here.

Grand Bayou Reservoir

Just north of Natchitoches, the Grand Bayou Reservoir holds a large population of trophy largemouth bass. Though only a little longer than three miles, the reservoir has an excessive number of green behemoths swimming through these Western Louisiana waters. While the fishing remains decent all year, the reservoir peaks during the summer months when bass head to the depths of the reservoir’s main channel.

During spring and fall, you’ll find bass roaming the grass beds and tributaries in search of easy prey. The winter yields far less action than the warmer months, but with a deep diving crankbait, anglers can still come back with a respectable catch. Periodically stocked by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries with Florida-strain largemouth bass, the population of green giants is anything but jolly when you throw spinnerbaits in the mix. With an artificial reef close to the dam and some runoff ditches, anglers have several options when searching for a trophy largemouth.

Cypress Bayou Reservoir

Cypress Bayou Reservoir provides a bass angler’s paradise just north of Bossier City. This 3,875-acre reservoir is popular amongst fishermen for a good reason. Although also thick with crappie and catfish, the main attraction for anglers in the reservoir is the robust population of spotted and largemouth bass.

During the colder months, anglers can work the docks with jigs and soft plastics, casting from upstream and dragging the lure past the structure. Late spring through summer finds the bass cruising along the grassy shorelines and shallow flats. Summertime anglers will find the most success during the morning and evening, and then working Carolina rigs hooked with worms or shiners at mid-day. The spring spawn brings excellent catches of crappie, while the topwater bass fishing peaks from April until June.

One of the best times to be on the water in the Cypress Bayou Reservoir is in the fall. Here, the grass and lily pads don’t die off until late in the year, while the cooling water means the fish are transitioning from summer habitats and stocking up for the winter. Anglers can work spinnerbaits and buzzbaits to significant effect while still hitting the deep water with Carolina rigs during the middle of the day.

With many dozens of docks in the southern portion of the reservoir and a northern shoreline marked by channels, islands, and vegetation, anglers have plenty of real estate to fish without running out of options.

Red River

The Red River is one of the top-rated bass fishing destinations in Louisiana. There is a red tint in the water—hence the name— and the river has five areas divided by five dam systems. But no matter where you cast a line, you should expect to see great action. The Red River flows 260 miles from northwest Louisiana to central Louisiana and feeds numerous lakes, including Black Lake. Channel catfish, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, walleye, mooneye, lake sturgeon, sauger, and bullheads are among the fish species commonly found in the Red River.

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DWARF HAMSTERS

SB Magazine — Tue, 23 May 2023 19:34:32 +0000

Dwarf hamsters can make great pets for the right person. They are cute, small, and relatively easy to care for, making them popular for people looking for a small pet. Whether you’re looking for your first pet or something for your kids, hamsters can make great pets and can be really friendly with humans once they’ve been tamed. There are several different species of dwarf hamsters commonly kept as pets, including the Roborovski dwarf hamster, Campbell’s dwarf hamster, and the Winter White dwarf hamster. Each species has its own unique personality and care requirements, so it’s important to research and choose the one that best fits your lifestyle.

When caring for dwarf hamsters, providing them with a clean and safe living environment is essential. This means regularly cleaning their cage, providing them with a variety of toys and activities to keep them mentally stimulated, and feeding them a balanced diet of hamster food and fresh vegetables. It is also important to handle your dwarf hamster regularly to socialize them and help them bond with you. Like any new friendship, it takes time to get to know someone and feel comfortable with them. After a few days of giving them food and water, you should have a new furry friend!

Whether or not you should get a dwarf hamster as a pet ultimately depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. Four little paws, two bright eyes, and a set of twitchy whiskers. There’s nothing cuter than a pet hamster! But before getting a dwarf hamster as a pet, remember to consider your lifestyle, living arrangements, and ability to provide for their care. They are also nocturnal animals, which means they are most active at night and may not be suitable for everyone’s schedule.

Here are a few reasons why someone might consider getting a dwarf hamster as a pet:

Small size
Dwarf hamsters don’t take up a lot of space, making them a good option for people who live in small apartments or people who don’t have a lot of extra space in their homes.

Lifespan
They have a relatively short lifespan of about 2-3 years, although some may live longer with the correct care.

Low-maintenance
Dwarf hamsters are relatively low-maintenance pets, making them a good choice for someone who wants a pet but doesn’t have a lot of extra time. They don’t require daily walks or grooming like some other pets, and they’re generally self-sufficient.

Entertaining
Dwarf hamsters are cute and fun to watch, especially when they’re running on their wheel or playing with toys. They can provide entertainment and companionship for their owners.

Affordable
Compared to some other types of pets, dwarf hamsters are relatively affordable to purchase and care for. They don’t require expensive equipment or specialized diets, and their veterinary care is typically less expensive than that of larger pets.

Educational
Caring for a dwarf hamster can be an educational experience, especially for children. They can learn about the responsibility of pet ownership, as well as the behaviors and habits of these interesting little animals.

Ultimately, if you’re considering getting a dwarf hamster as a pet, it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re prepared to provide them with the care and attention they need to thrive. This medium-maintenance pet is a wonderful option when making the big decision to get a pet. But remember, they are active creatures, meaning that they love to explore and play, and they thrive in an interactive environment. This means you will be an essential part of their life and they will develop a relationship with you. They are small, adorable, and entertaining animals that can fill life with extra fun, joy, and companionship.

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Miles for Smiles

SB Magazine — Thu, 18 May 2023 18:22:57 +0000

By Ursula Brantley

Dental office on wheels

Serves children in Caddo, Bossier, and Webster parishes

Did you know that Louisiana is ranked among the lowest when it comes to the oral health of its citizens, especially the K-12 population? Though there are young Louisianians with dental benefits through Medicaid or private insurance, there are still not enough students being seen by physicians on a consistent basis.

Dental visits usually mean parents and guardians must sacrifice needed time at work and students miss learning time at school having to be checked in and out for dental visits. SBC natives Dr. Jeremy Simms Alexander and his wife Anneka Simms Alexander have made it their mission since 2015 to do their part in providing quality dental care for the K-12 population in this area.

She explains, “It’s a true collaborative partnership with school districts. Once we are in partnership with that school district, from there we usually have some type of administrative leadership team meeting. At those meetings, the district leaders make all school site principals aware of Miles for Smiles services. After that, I go in. I’m kind of like an outreach coordinator. I meet with each school leader individually, and each campus is just like each child. I tell people, just like no child is alike, no school campus is alike. So, we plug in, we feel the climate and the culture of the campus, and we literally become an additional resource to what that campus already has.”

She partners with the school principal to determine an initial start date, and then Miles for Smiles works on a four-week or six-month basis to make sure students have access to services.

In August 2022, MFS opened dedicated office building on Mackey Lane. Being that the mobile unit is already visiting the schools throughout the school year, the location near the corner of Mackey Lane and Walker Road will be for summer breaks and other school breaks. Summer 2023 will be its first summer servicing out of the office. This year, MFS will be partnering with SRAC to present two awards, literary and visual, at Artbreak. The yearly award will revolve around art that represents smiles or teeth and will be open to all grade levels.

Dr. Simms Alexander, who was named a DentaQuest Health Equity Hero in 2021, always knew that he wanted to do something impactful that would change people’s lives. He and his wife, Anneka, together believe their calling is oral health and education. They are dedicated to this mission and vision of continuing to provide quality oral health outcomes to students. Their devotion to these kids just makes you want to…smile!

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Does Your Brain Need a Vacation?

SB Magazine — Thu, 18 May 2023 18:22:11 +0000

Self-tanner, bikini and coverups on order! Vacation plans have started as summer quickly approaches. We get the flights, the hotels, and the beachwear ready but we often fail to plan for the brain. We work hard all winter and keep our heads down wearing and stressing our brains. Then we plan to relax and recharge our bodies but often forget that our brain needs a recharge too.

Using the environment to recharge your brain is an easy way to stay cognitively fit even while traveling! Repetition, especially in mental tasks or high intensity career work, causes extreme mental fatigue so taking a nature break is a great idea. But a break doesn’t have to wait for the beach. Taking mental breaks from those things that stress us allows nature to expose us to sensory input from natural sources.

Using nature to help the brain and body recalibrate their sensory-processing capabilities helps us to understand that we can teach ourselves to do anything, under any conditions, but not indefinitely as we are still physical beings. The brain is housed in a body that is very much rooted in the physical world and the toll we take on our bodies and brain must be paid. Becoming better than we are requires that we take this into account and work with it, rather than seek to separate the brain and the body hoping that it would somehow learn to work differently. Work smarter not harder. Use the environment as an aid to your cognitive skills and abilities.

We hear about summer brain drain and the summer slide for kids who are out of school. In order to work positively to counteract this, we assume that means we need as much academic push as possible. What it actually means is that we need to pace our brains rather than stress and stop. Pacing allows our brains and bodies to develop a natural or automatic rhythm rather than the fight or flight of stress and anxiety. The pacing includes using time “off” to still challenge the mind and body in a lesser stressed way, but still building towards a goal.

Olympians practice constantly but they also take breaks consistently because they understand that pacing is important to developing muscle memory and brain function. The summer slide or brain drain is real, not because our brains do nothing, but because we are not working them in a manner to stay fit. Picture it as a strict exercise regimen for 9 months then a complete nothing for 3 months. This is not sustainable to the body nor the brain. Consistency is the key.

Follow the ABCs of Summer Tips to avoid that summer slide or brain drain while not over tasking:

Absorb nature. Shut off technology and shut out a sense to take a sensory break. You can put on headphones and just observe through your eyes, nose, mouth, and touch without hearing anything, so no music while you do this exercise. You can close your eyes and take a sensory journey through your hearing, your olfactory, taste buds and touch. You can do both hearing and vision sensory journeys by depriving both and tuning into your other senses in nature. Just imagine the beach through a sensory only experience. Make sure someone is with you guiding you if you choose to move during this sensory walk. Sensory walks can be done without any deprivation if you just tune that particular sense because this activity can strengthen your attention too. You would choose to tune in only to what you are feeling while ignoring sounds and visuals; often this causes you to become very sleepy so be prepared!

Be Focused, then Be Relaxed. This trains cognitive flexibility which is the top-rated skill employers hire for according to the Workplace survey. Find one point of interest to fully focus on and then deliberately begin ignoring parts of it. This allows creativity to flow stimulating different perspectives of vision and thought. Since we discussed being at the beach, try focusing on the horizon or the water and gradually start ignoring that which surrounds it until you are wholly focused to the details. Begin to let those details go one at a time. Therapists often use this technique to assist with pain management. If you can begin to focus on exactly where the pain is in your body, delving deep until you get to the exact point, you can often begin to release it, especially if it is nerve or muscle related.

Downtime. Time to be without the stimulation of life is important and downtime can also be a time of boredom that stimulates creativity too. Each brain needs boredom or downtime without any stimulation to recharge. Even our devices need downtime and recharging so imagine how much more the brain needs this. Downtime can be taken in 5-minute increments or on a lovely vacation. But I have seen many people (including me) come back from a vacation in more stress and less rested than before because they did not truly take the time away. We all need downtime of complete disconnection from everything around us. Many times, we get this through naps or rest but making the time to manage your downtime is important to your brain. Brain dumping is extremely important to long term memory health. Whenever you take in a lot of information, it is important that you take time to brain dump that info in a manageable amount into your download memory bank. Research tells us that brain dumping should take place every 15-20 minutes and for young children even more often.

Even the simple pleasures of life, such as sitting down with your favorite TV drama, can help you get an hour of peace in the day. As streaming services become increasingly competitive and their content pool seems to shrink, finding a good provider for cable TV in your area can help you get back into some good old-fashioned TV watching, where you don’t have to constantly decide exactly what to spend your time on next.

This can be as simple as stopping and rephrasing to yourself. Restating what you just heard or even doodling while note taking. Brain dumping is a critical piece of downtime and can assist with acquisition of new memories.

Eat Well. Choosing the right foods and hydration is one of the most important things for the brain and body health. While on vacation, we often tend to consume too much of things we enjoy, splurging and then paying for it later. By planning, we can make better choices and truly eat well. We can enjoy the environmental attributes of the food offered and still stay on target with our goals. We can choose and should choose high hydration especially if we are in a hot environment.

Fun. Find fun. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune as fun can be had in board games, car games and just memory sharing. Fun is one of the most important and rewarding skills for brain health. Laughter is good medicine and almost as important as meditation. It is good for the soul and spirit. Grab a joke book or a funny movie. Get an app that creates fun songs from your photos. Seek out fun in your environment of travel from chasing crabs on the beach at night to splashing water on your friend or family and paying for it!

Get Going! While I could probably list things that are good for the brain from A-Z, the space is limited in this article so G = go for it! Get a vacation or a staycation planned. It might not be the vacation of your dreams, but your dreams can take backstage to a fun time if you plan to enjoy yourself and take time to do so. Why wait? Go for it!

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Le Tour des Jardins: Garden Tour

SB Magazine — Thu, 11 May 2023 14:33:52 +0000

A Garden Bazaar will be held during the tour in South Bossier city at the Red River Research Station, with food trucks and vendors and the opportunity to tour the Louisiana Super Plants gardens. Mark Wilson, Northwest Louisiana Horticulture Extension agent, will be on hand to discuss Louisiana Super Plants and answer any questions.

Want to see some of the most beautiful gardens in the Shreveport-Bossier area? It’s that time of year again for the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners annual spring garden tour.

Hedy and Don Hebert Garden. This Benton, Louisiana garden has a beautiful lake view, and a lovely greenhouse and gazebo are interspersed with roses, palms, cannas, hostas, and many other exotic plants. Definitely a tranquil spot.

Mary and Rodney Roppolo Garden. Also located in Benton, this home is definitely a rose lover’s delight with thirteen different varieties. The beautiful gardens are also filled with althea, caladiums, magnolias, and water features, along with a prolific vegetable garden including cucuzza gourd and much more. A must-see garden!

Gretchen Henry Garden. Located in Broadmoor subdivision in Shreveport, this whimsical cottage garden has pollinators galore, wonderful yard art, clematis, Peruvian lilies, angel trumpets, and a fish pond filtered by pickle weed. This garden has a wide variety of blooming beauties and should not be missed.

Bob and Alexis Petrus Garden. Located in the Ellerbe Road area, a beautiful pool is the center of this garden with beds supplying color all around. Sunshine Ligustrum, roses, hydrangeas, althea, grape vines… the list is endless. This home is definitely a calming spot.

Lynn Estes Garden. As you walk up to this Ellerbe Road home, you will be drawn to the incredible hardscapes. Truly an entertainer’s delight! The beds are filled with tropical foliage, banana plants, sun patients, lantana, and day lilies in abundance. Take a minute to stroll along the bridges and pathway beside the stone creek.

Jessica and Stan McCallon Garden. This South Shreveport charmer has a beautiful sunny garden with plenty of annuals and perennials, plumeria, altheas, azaleas, a wonderful star jasmine wall, and a beautiful pool and patio at the center. Definitely a garden that leaves you feeling relaxed.

Proceeds from the garden tour fund future Master Gardener projects and help promote the Master Gardeners’ mission to enhance the quality of knowledge for gardeners in the community.

318.408.0984 or www.nwlamg.weebly.com

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ARTBREAK 37

SB Magazine — Thu, 11 May 2023 14:31:51 +0000

The Shreveport Convention Center was filled with 95,000 square feet visual, literary, performing, culinary, fashion, lighting design, and film art for ARTBREAK 2023 – now in its 37th year! ARTBREAK showcases the arts programs and artistic achievements of students in Caddo Parish and other regional schools with a free weeklong celebration and weekend festival.

More than 50,000 students, parents, teachers, and weekend festival goers celebrated the achievements of Caddo Parish Students during the largest student arts festival in the south. Award-winning student creations collected more than $20,000 in savings bonds and cash prizes, and two students from each school were offered a deep dive into several arts disciplines through master classes taught by expert artists.

ARTBREAK welcomed 2nd and 3rd graders to enjoy more than 50 hands-on, make-and-take S.T.E.A.M. learning activities under the guidance of professional artists.

There were school and community performances. Nationally renowned children’s entertainer based in Washington, DC, Uncle Devin, known as “The Children’s Drumcussionist,” also performed and KTAL-6 ARTBREAK’s Got Talent Show returned. The Los Angeles Dance sensation, Straight Up Abilities, was there showcasing the talents of children and adults with intellectual or physical disabilities.

ARTBREAK 37 had several new additions:

The Shreve Memorial Library performed a “Pete the Cat: Rockin’ in My School Shoes” play and hosted a Book Walk in the style of a cake walk.
Professional artist James Marks invited attendees to help him sculpt a life-size metal figure named Oscar Joseph, with colorful wire and pipe cleaners that will be showcased at SRAC’s ArtStation.
The Louisiana Division of the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation presented Poetry Out Loud, a dynamic recitation competition for high school students.
New Community Partners including the American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Louisiana Engineering Society (LES), the Noel Community Art Center, the Red River Revel Arts Festival, the Renzi Center, Robinson Film Center, Sanctuary Glass Studio, and SciPort Discovery Center invited ARTBREAK attendees to create art with them.

ARTBREAK is produced by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and Caddo Parish Public Schools and made possible by the generosity of grantors and community and business sponsors.

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Moms are #1 — and that’s no joke

SB Magazine — Thu, 11 May 2023 14:27:55 +0000

The setting of the old joke is Cell Block D, where night after night, different guys call out different numbers, randomly, and the rest of the inmates start laughing. They’ve heard the same jokes for so long, they just tell a joke by whatever number they’ve assigned it.

One guy hollers “4!” Chuckles everywhere.

“18!” Ripples of laughter.

“Hey guys…8!” Inmates start slapping their knees. Tears of joy.

Like that.

So one night a newbie inmate who’s been listening to this for a week waits until it’s quiet and then yells, “3!” He expects the usual explosion of laughter.

Silence.

He says it again, only with less confidence.

“3!?”

Nothing.

“Why isn’t anyone laughing?” he asks his veteran bunkmate.

“Well,” the old inmate says, “I guess it’s just that some guys can tell a joke, and some guys can’t.”

(If you’d been in prison, I wouldn’t have had to write all that. I could have just written, “187.”)

The point is that on this Mother’s Day, most moms should be in prison. No, wait. That’s not right. Most of us children of moms — that’s it — should be in some sort of Kid Lockup for breaking first Mom Laws. And to save them time and air and nervous breakdowns, moms should have a list of violations or Mom Sayings and a number that corresponds with each, like our comedian prisoners have.

For instance, a mom could yell “1!” Naturally, that would mean, “If Jimmy/Sally jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?”

“2!” might be, “Clean up your room!”

“3!” would be “Stop running!”

“4!” is “Hurry up!”

“5!” could be “Stop hitting your (brother/sister/grandpa/kitty cat)!” or it could just be “Stop!”

Consider “6!”: “Because I said so.”

“Because I said so.” A Mom Classic, right there.

This list is about as endless as a mother’s love. There’s “Make sure you put on clean underwear; you might get in a wreck.” And “I’m not your maid!” And “Have you done your homework?”

Sometimes they are challenging. “Well go live with THEM then!”

Or “What did you say? WHAT did you say?!”

And “ANSWER me when I ask you a question!”

Some Momspeak deals with numbers, like “I’m counting to three” or “How many times do I have to tell you?”

(I always answered “142.” Never went over as I’d hoped.)

At some point, often before breakfast, I would get on my mom’s “last nerve,” the double first cousin of “I’ve had it up to here with you today.” Funny, but I never got on my dad’s last nerve, for some reason. He had either more nerves or a shorter fuse. But then, battles with dads are usually fixed bayonets, quickly settled matters. Moms will give you more rope.

“Don’t make me have to say this again…”

But we did, and moms — without the handy number system — had to say it again.

And again. And again. And after time in Kid Lockup, we’d be on the loose. Again.

Thankfully, moms have short memories for what we did wrong and long memories for what we did right. Of course, that’s a much easier — and a much smaller — list to remember.

Teddy Allen is an award-winning columnist and graduate of Louisiana Tech, where he works as a writer and broadcaster.

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Get Your Child Moving!

SB Magazine — Thu, 11 May 2023 13:54:53 +0000

The month of May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, which highlights the importance of physical activity and the benefits of sports participation in youth. It is vital for kids to stay physically active; however, today that may be more difficult than ever with things like virtual schooling and the increased use of smartphones. While some screen time is productive and even enjoyable, an imbalance between screen time and physical activity can be detrimental to a child’s mental and physical health.

Physical activity is beneficial as children grow, as it promotes strong muscles and bones, a healthy weight, decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and even better sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that children ages 6 to 17 should have a minimum of one hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. Unfortunately, the United States is not doing well in meeting these guidelines, with the Physical Activity Alliance’s Report Card reporting a grade of D- in 2022.

Psychological Wellbeing
Being sedentary can also negatively affect a child’s mental health. A 2021 study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health Journal found that children’s mental health is negatively impacted by too much screen time and not enough physical activity. The study notes that when kids spent more time engaged in physical activity and less time on digital devices, they had improved psychological wellbeing. Those that spent more time on screens reported feelings of anxiety and depression and even had physical manifestations such as stomach aches. Researchers also noted that when kids were sedentary, they reported lower happiness levels regardless of the amount of screen time they had. Additionally, physically active kids were more likely to be better focused and successful in school.

Choices in Physical Activities and Sports
The physical activities a child chooses depends on their personality as well as their likes and dislikes. The activities will also look different as a child grows. Preschoolers need activities that involve play and help them to develop important motor skills. Activities like playing tag, hopping on one foot, or kicking or throwing a ball all assist with developing coordination and balance. Organized, competitive team sports are not recommended until a child is a bit more physically and cognitively mature. Recommendations currently state that children should be at least eight years old to be able to handle the physical and mental stress of competitive sports. For children under the age of eight, the focus of physical activity should be on fun rather than competition.

Physical activity can be promoted through team or individual sports. Participating in sports improves strength, endurance, and fine and gross motor skills. Individual sports teach motivation and allow youth to compete at their own pace. Examples of individual sports include archery, swimming, golf, and running. Team sports, like baseball, soccer, football, basketball, and volleyball emphasize patience, communication, resilience, and collaboration with others by working together as a team.

Increased Health Benefits
If possible, youth should participate in a variety of sports for increased health benefits. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Sports Science found that youth who participated in multiple sports were more likely to take part in recreational physical activity compared to those who did not play any sports or those who participated in only one. Further, kids who played a variety of sports were found to be less prone to injury.

For the Less Athletically Inclined
It is well understood that some children may lack athletic ability, interest in physical activity or both. Further, some youth will fall into the category of being casual athletes: they may be interested in being active but may not want to be engaged in a competitive athletic environment. These less athletic youth can stay active by playing basketball in the driveway or playing catch with friends. To increase the likelihood of a non-athlete child exercising, choose activities that have the potential for lifelong enjoyment such as running, swimming, and hiking. These activities are wonderful because while they can be done individually, they also can be enjoyed with friends and family.

Parents Can Set the Stage
It is also important to remember that children learn by example and are therefore more likely to be physically active when their parents have an active lifestyle. If a parent is inactive, their child will most likely see physical activity as a low priority. Parents can prioritize being active by incorporating movement into their daily routine as a family through activities such as taking a walk after dinner, hiking, or going on bike rides. Participating in those simple activities as a family can lead children to be more active during their youth and propel them to become active adults. In a 21-year longitudinal study published in Pediatric Exercise Science Journal, youth who played sports and were physically active between the ages of nine to eighteen were five to six times more likely to be active into adulthood.

In summary, not every child will or should be a competitive athlete, but that does not mean they should not participate in team or individual sports to stay physically active. So, get your child involved in sports; participation can provide them with better physical and mental wellness, improved self-confidence, and better overall life satisfaction!

Marie Vazquez Morgan, PT, PhD, is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Wellness at LSU Health Shreveport.

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Greetings, beloved readers!

SB Magazine — Wed, 10 May 2023 21:32:22 +0000

Your SB Fashionista, Casey Craig, here! It’s the last month of spring, and with longer days and undeniably warmer temperatures, summer 2023 fashion trends are upon us! Hallelujah! It’s the perfect time to cue all the biggest styles, colors, and must-have pieces that will rule the season. Stay ahead of the biggest fashion trends with SB to flaunt your unique style while shopping with the ladies or going out for an evening on the town with your honey. You’ll know how to spot the latest must-have items on the high street, snatching up these coveted pieces before they inevitably sell out.

As your resident Fashionista, I’ve scoured the runways, fashion mags, and the internet to bring you a curated selection of the only trends you need to know this season to dress ahead of the crowds. Balmy eves are just around the corner. From colors and fabrics to accessories and styling, you’ll want to snatch up these items for transitioning your stellar spring wardrobe into summer!

Pastels have hit the fashion scene in a big way and are perfect for transitioning from spring to summer. Instead of reaching for the typical soft pink of seasons past, try a bold lavender, baby blue, or a sunny pale yellow this season. Shades of purple are especially making a huge splash on runways across the world!

Low-rise pants and shorts are making a comeback this season for a sultry nod back to the days of The Simple Life. These midriff baring bottoms are all the rage for summer 2023. Show some hip!

Cat-eye Sunglasses add a sharp, stylish accent to an outfit with whimsical class and sophistication. Embody your inner Audrey Hepburn with some sassy summer sunnies!

Metallics make you shine and stand out amongst the crowd. Try a slinky skirt or blousy unbuttoned top for a bit of futuristic flare.

Sheer fabrics add a sensual touch to any outfit. You can wear it under or over other items for an effortless layered look. Sheers of every color have been spotted on numerous fashion week runways this season. Be bold and dazzle in sheer!

Bralettes continue to prove to be ultra-trendy wardrobe pieces you can use to spice up any outfit, instantly taking it from daytime office to evening martinis. Wear with a longer skirt or pants and ditch your jacket altogether for an edgier look. Wear your confidence out..it looks good on you!

Oversized blazers have made waves in the fashion world recently and are gaining momentum as the season’s must-have outerwear statement piece, so stock up because this trend isn’t going anywhere any time soon! Bigger is better, so size up and go for the “I borrowed this from my boyfriend” look. Wear over a matching skirt or shorts for a tailored set feel – the fav look of the season. Or wear over mismatched bottoms for a more casual feel.

Big bags and totes are the chic, functional preference for summer 2023, with tiny handbags nowhere in sight.

Cutouts Dare to bare! This fashion trend has been spotted on runways across the world and is gaining momentum. Cutouts add a fierce, modern edge to your fun fit. It’s a modern summer expose!

Tank Tops may seem like a given during the summer, but a modern spin on the plain white tank top has hit the fashion runways by storm this season. Pair this wardrobe staple with breezy, wide leg trousers and chunky loafers for a perfect spring-to-summer look. Toss on your oversized blazer and cat-eye sunnies with a sleek low ponytail to complete the look!

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