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3 Ways to Transform Your Home’s Outdoor Spaces

Misty Boggs
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3 Ways to Transform Your Home’s Outdoor Spaces

With a bit of creative energy, you can transform your standard yard into a versatile area to relax and entertain, extending your living space outdoors and adding value to your home.

Here are three improvements to consider.

Full-Fledged Bar

Anyone who has hosted a party outdoors knows that one of the biggest challenges for keeping guests happy is keeping drinks refilled. While a cooler suffices for chilling beverages, a fully-stocked bar outdoors can expand your hosting capabilities and save you the trouble of going in and out of the house unnecessarily.

It can be as simple as a small serving station with room for a few barstools or much more involved, depending on your space and needs. To protect against both rain and shine, consider a covered bar so both you and your guests can stay comfortable.

Take into account your landscaping and design style when making decisions. Whatever material you opt for, make sure it is waterproofed for longevity.

Modern Fireplace

A fireplace makes an excellent year-round focal point and can enhance outdoor entertaining.

“A contemporary fireplace is a sophisticated way to extend your living space beyond the walls of your home,” says Monica Turner, product manager for Heat & Glo.

Contemporary, innovative designs are allowing homeowners to execute this upgrade with style and an expectation of durability — like the Palazzo from Heat & Glo, which features a linear design with a clean look and is built to withstand the elements. The Palazzo features marine-grade premium stainless steel that will maintain its luster for years, outdoor-rated, multi-colored LED lights that shine through crushed glass for visual appeal, and an industry-first retractable Power Screen that ensures safety, moving up and down at the press of a button and preventing debris from entering the fireplace. For more information, visit heatnglo.com.

Rethink Furniture

Patio furniture has come a long way in recent years. No longer do you need to sacrifice complete comfort when spending time in the great outdoors — you can outfit your deck or patio with couches and daybeds. Cushioning made from state-of-the-art fabrics designed for the outdoors is making it possible to transform a deck into a veritable living room.

Complete the feel with all the entertainment trappings you could expect to enjoy indoors, such as speakers or even a television.

This season, spend some time outdoors. A few key additions to the space can offer maximum comfort and fun.

Angelina College Student Publications Earn TIPA Awards

Gary Stallard
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Angelina College Student Publications Earn TIPA Awards

Contests Include Students from Two-, Four-Year Institutions

Members of Angelina College’s newspaper staff earned Texas Intercollegiate Press Association awards during on-site competitions at the annual TIPA conference in Dallas held March 31 through April 2.

Angelina College students Bethany Baldwin (left) and Jennifer Harvey pose with awards earned at the recent Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) conference held in Dallas. Baldwin earned second-place in the on-site news writing contest, and Harvey earned honorable mention honors in the on-site feature writing contest. AC’s Student Publications members earned nine awards in the competition featuring students from both two- and four-year institutions. (Contributed photo)
Angelina College students Bethany Baldwin (left) and Jennifer Harvey pose with awards earned at the recent Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) conference held in Dallas. Baldwin earned second-place in the on-site news writing contest, and Harvey earned honorable mention honors in the on-site feature writing contest. AC’s Student Publications members earned nine awards in the competition featuring students from both two- and four-year institutions. (Contributed photo)

Bethany Baldwin earned second-place honors in the on-site News Writing contest, and Jennifer Harvey earned honorable mention honors in the on-site Feature Writing contest. A total of four AC students, including Baldwin and Harvey, participated in those competitions.

The conference features students from both two- and four-year colleges and universities from around the state. Those students compete in timed contests including photography, writing, broadcast announcing and design.

TIPA also issued awards for previously published contests. Nine AC students placed in those competitions. Representing AC’s “The Pacer” – the student publication – Justin Cheyenne Wilson placed second in Feature Photo; Harvey received honorable mention in Ad Design; and Nick Sheehan, Devan Hadnot and Ernesto De La Paz placed third in Feature Page Design.

Other AC students receiving awards included Sheehan, first place in Sports Action Photo; Hadnot, second place in Editorial Cartoon; and De La Paz, third place in Editorial Cartoon.

Hadnot also received honorable mention in Picture Story for his work with the student-published magazine, “AC View.”

Angelina College instructors Libby Stapleton (Communication-Journalism) and Jan Anderson-Paxson (Art/Communication-Journalism/Graphic Arts) attended the conference as well.

Information from Bethany Baldwin’s story for “The Pacer” was used in this article.

IHOP Offers New Ways To Enjoy Flavors Of Neighborhood Bakery

Grace Baldwin
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IHOP Offers New Ways To Enjoy Flavors Of Neighborhood Bakery

Cupcake Pancakes, Red Velvet Crepes, and Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast Offer a Bakery Experience, Any Time of Day

Beginning April 11, guests visiting their local IHOP® restaurant will encounter the sights, scents, and sweetness of their neighborhood bakery when the breakfast leader brings innovative new twists on fresh bakery favorites available for a limited time including new Cupcake Pancakes, new Red Velvet Crepes, or Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast. See the lineup of Bakery Favorites here: http://www.ihop.com/about-ihop/tv-commercials

Each of these Bakery Favorite items – perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner – was inspired by the flavors and nostalgic memories of delicious bakery treats like yummy cupcakes, warm cinnamon rolls, and rich red velvet cake:

  • NEW! Cupcake Pancakes – IHOP restaurants’ signature buttermilk pancakes filled with festive rainbow sprinkles, then topped with cupcake icing, and whipped topping.
  • NEW! Red Velvet Crepe – A delicate, chocolaty crepe filled with IHOP restaurants’ sweet cream cheese, drizzled with cream cheese icing.
  • Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast – Thick slices of Brioche French toast topped with rich cinnamon roll filling and delicious cream cheese icing.

“There’s something unique about the inviting aromas and mouthwatering flavors you find in your neighborhood bakery that inspired us to create these fun, delicious treats in a way that only IHOP can,” said Marie Grimm, Vice President, Menu Development and Innovation, International house of Pancakes, LLC. “The excitement of a cupcake created with a pancake, the luscious indulgence of red velvet in a crepe and the classic taste of a cinnamon roll captured in our brioche French Toast are all irresistible.  And unlike some neighborhood bakeries, every one of these items is freshly made just for you!”

Guests can enjoy their choice of a Bakery Favorite item any time of day as part of a sweet and savory combo with eggs, made to order, their choice of IHOP restaurants’ signature hickory smoked bacon, pork sausage links or a slice of perfectly grilled ham, and golden hash browns.

To make the offer even sweeter, as part of IHOP restaurant’s “Kids Eat Free” promotion, from April 11 through May 6, from 4pm to 10pm, when Breakfastarians order an adult entrée, children 12 and under will receive a free entrée from the “Just for Kids” menu at participating restaurants. And for a limited time, the Kids’ Menu will feature a Kids’ Cupcake Rooty Jr. Combo.

Bakery Favorites will be available at participating IHOP restaurants between April 11 and June 5, 2016.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES, LLC

For more than 57 years, International House of Pancakes, LLC has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, any time of day. The chain offers 65 different signature, fresh made-to-order breakfast options, a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items as well as meals under 600 calories. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. As of December 31, 2015, there were 1683 IHO P restaurants in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam as well as Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and the Philippines. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN). For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit  www.IHOP.com. Follow IHOP on Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat (username:IHOPRestaurant).

Woodland Heights Medical Center Announces NICU Transport Team

Misty Boggs
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Woodland Heights Medical Center Announces NICU Transport Team

Woodland Heights Medical Center will soon offer its own transport team for babies needing care in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  Beginning April 18, Woodland Heights will have an ambulance stationed at the facility 24 hours a day, at the ready to pick up babies locally and in the surrounding area that need a higher level of care.

“This is one of our growing resources available to serve the needs of our smallest patients who need extra help at a critical time,” states Kyle Swift, CEO of Woodland Heights.  “The addition of this transport team proves a commitment to doing what it takes to offer these babies access to care quickly.”

Nurses and staff have been through extensive training with medical transport professionals and are prepared to stabilize and transport these babies from local facilities or facilities further within the large deep east Texas region Woodland Heights serves.  Previously, a transport team from Houston had to transport infants to the hospital.  Now, this service will be offered locally and save precious time in getting these fragile patients the treatment and care they need.

This addition is timely as the facility began a $9.8 million construction project last year, part of which will increase the number of NICU beds from 6 to 15, growing the footprint of the unit that opened in 2013.  Since then, the physicians and staff in the NICU have cared for more than 200 babies.

About Woodland Heights Medical Center

Established in 1918, Woodland Heights Medical Center was Lufkin’s first hospital.  Now, more than nine decades later, Woodland Heights is recognized throughout Deep East Texas as the leading provider of high quality, innovative health care services. Accommodating a wide range of clinical specialties, Woodland Heights has achieved excellence in key medical and surgical areas including cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine/rehabilitation, vascular surgery and obstetrics and gynecology.  Woodland Heights also offers a full range of outpatient diagnostic services including advanced imaging, laboratory, outpatient surgery and emergency services.  Through its Rehabilitation Center, Woodland Heights offers cardiac rehabilitation, stroke recovery and physical and occupational rehabilitation.  The facility also houses the only Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the deep East Texas area.  Woodland Heights is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.  Combining modern facilities, leading technology, an exceptional staff and a commitment to the communities it serves, Woodland Heights Medical Center remains at the forefront of quality health care in Deep East Texas.

Concussion Can Alter Parent-Child Relationships

Misty Boggs
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Concussion Can Alter Parent-Child Relationships

The incidence of concussion is particularly high in the preschool years – up to around 2% of children aged 0 to 5 years per year. A study by researchers at CHU Sainte-Justine mother-child research hospital (affiliated with the University of Montreal), recently published in the Journal of Neuropsychology, reveals the adverse effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on the quality parent-child relationships. “The young brain is particularly vulnerable to injury because the skull is still thin and malleable. In the months following the injury, one of the first visible signs of social difficulties in young children is a decline in their relationship with their parents,” said Miriam Beauchamp a researcher at Sainte-Justine, professor of psychology at the University of Montreal and senior author of the study. Knowing that good parent-child relationships are synonymous with better social skills later in life, the researchers stress the importance for parents to monitor behaviour changes in their child in the weeks that follow the trauma and adjust accordingly during this period.

Given the relatively limited social and cognitive skills of preschoolers, a concussion at this age can slow the development of new abilities, for example, certain communication skills. “Very little data exists about the first signs of socialization problems in preschoolers after a concussion. Parent–child relationships represent the center of young children’s social environments and are therefore ideal contexts for studying the potential effects of mTBI on children’s social functioning,” said Gabrielle Lalonde, BSc, a doctoral student and first author of the study.

The laboratory recruited a group of 130 children aged between 18 months and 60 months, divided into three categories: children with concussion, children with orthopedic injury (usually a fracture or sprain of the arm or leg) but no concussion, and a control group of non-injured children. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of parent-child interactions six months post-injury. “We asked parents to fill out a questionnaire so they could evaluate their relationship with their child. At the same time, they participated in a filmed evaluation session in the laboratory in which they and their children took part in typical daily activities – such as free play and snack time – allowing the researchers to measure the quality of their communication, cooperation, and the emotional atmosphere,” said Miriam Beauchamp. “The quality of parent-child interactions following concussion was significantly reduced compared to non-injured children.”

“Given that parent-child interactions are influenced by the emotional and behavioural dispositions of both the parent and the child, more research is required to identify the factors underlying this decline in their relationship. It may be due to specific neurological mechanisms, to changes in parenting, or to stress caused by the injury. Identifying these factors will help develop more targeted interventions to positively influence the quality of life of children and their families,” said Lalonde.

“If, as parents, you notice the effects of the accident on your own psychological state, or behavioural changes in your child that make them interact differently and that persist more than a few weeks, you should talk to your family doctor or a neuropsychologist,” said Beauchamp.

Turn Dinner Time Into Family Time: Kids Eat Free At IHOP®

Grace Baldwin
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Turn Dinner Time Into Family Time: Kids Eat Free At IHOP®

From 4pm to 10pm Daily, Families Can Share Quality Time, Enjoy Great Food—and Save Money!

IHOP®  restaurants, which have been bringing people together over a great breakfast, anytime of day for almost 58 years, are now making it easier—and more affordable—for families to spend dinner time together.. From April 11 through May 6, from 4pm to 10pm, with every purchase of one adult entrée, one child 12 and under will receive an entrée from the IHOP restaurants’ “Just for Kids” menu, all of which are 600 calories or less, absolutely free.

“For more than five decades now, families have made indelible memories from time shared together over a great meal at IHOP.  That’s not only a tradition we’re proud of, it’s one we want to help today’s families continue,” said Kirk Thompson, Senior Vice President, Marketing, International House of Pancakes, LLC. “Our ‘Kids Eat Free’ promotion makes it convenient, affordable and delicious for families to spend dinnertime connecting and enjoying each other’s company. Quality time over a quality meal at an affordable price—another great IHOP tradition!”

A recent Columbia University study found that children who often eat dinner with their parents not only report being closer as a family, but that regular family dinners yield benefits such as better self-esteem and higher grade-point-averages in school. The same study has shown that eating dinner as a family is not only good for the spirit, but that dinner conversations help develop a child’s vocabulary more than reading.

IHOP restaurant’s “Just for Kids” menu offers a variety of choices, from more traditional dinner items like the kids’ Grilled Cheese Sandwich or items like the Jr. Chicken & Waffles. Junior Breakfastarians can also choose IHOP restaurant classic items like omelettes, French toast or classic buttermilk pancakes …because at IHOP restaurants, breakfast for dinner is not only just accepted, it’s encouraged.

“We’re hopeful that families will take advantage of our “Kids Eat Free” promotion to rediscover the joy of disconnecting from technology and daily stress and rediscover the joy of connecting with each other,” said Thompson.

*Valid April 11-May 6, 2016.  Receive one free kids’ entrée with each adult entrée purchase.  Free entrée valid for Kids 12 and under on “just for Kids” menu items, for a limited time at participating locations.  Drinks not included unless otherwise specified.  Not valid with any other discounts or coupons.  Dine-in only.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES, LLC

For over 57 years, International House of Pancakes, LLC has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, any time of day. The chain offers 65 different signature, fresh made-to-order breakfast options, a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items as well as meals under 600 calories. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. As of December 31, 2015, there were 1683 IHOP restaurants in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam as well as Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and the Philippines. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN). For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit www.IHOP.com. Follow IHOP on Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat (Username: IHOPRestaurant).

Run for Your Life: Exercise Protects Against Cancer

Misty Boggs
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Run for Your Life: Exercise Protects Against Cancer

When you’re pounding along an icy pavement or sweating through a gym workout, you try to remind yourself of the many health benefits of exercise. Between gasps, you can say that a healthy, fit lifestyle helps prevents obesity, a worldwide problem of increasing magnitude that has been linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. But here’s one more—exercise may decrease cancer incidence and slow the growth rate of tumors. That’s the conclusion of a mouse-based study published in Cell Metabolism by Line Pedersen, Pernille Hojman, and colleagues at the University of Copenhagen reporting that training mice regularly on a wheel (the mouse version of a treadmill) decreased the growth of multiple types of tumors, including skin, liver, and lung cancers. Furthermore, mice that exercised regularly had a smaller chance of developing cancer in the first place. The beneficial effects of running went beyond tumor formation and growth, extending to cancer-associated weight loss, a process termed cachexia that is seen in cancer patients. Mice that exercised regularly showed no signs of cancer-associated weight loss in the researchers’ lung cancer mouse model.

The researchers say they identified several factors behind the anti-tumor effects of exercise. These anti-cancer effects are linked to the release of adrenaline (also called epinephrine), a hormone that is central to the “fight-or-flight” response. Adrenaline production is known to be stimulated by exercise. The researchers say that, the production of adrenaline results in a mobilization of immune cells, specifically one type of immune cell called a Natural Killer (NK) cell, to patrol the body. These NK cells are recruited to the site of the tumor by the protein IL-6, secreted by active muscles. The NK cells can then infiltrate the tumor, slowing or completely preventing its growth. Importantly, the researchers note that injecting the mice with either adrenaline or IL-6 without the exercise proved insufficient to inhibit cancer development, underlining the importance of the effects derived only from regular exercise in the mice.

Along with offering encouragement for joggers and lap swimmers everywhere, this research points to the use of NK cells as a potential therapeutic strategy for multiple tumors.

Newswise —

Cupcake Wars at the Public Library

Misty Boggs
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Cupcake Wars at the Public Library

The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites tweens and teens (ages 10-17) to a cupcake decorating challenge on Monday, April 11th at 6:00 p.m. It’s foodie versus foodie in this culinary battle.  Each contestant must create the most attractive and creative cupcake for the guest judge.  The winner will take home a special treat! More information is available at the library, on the library’s website at www.ci.nacogdoches.tx.us/library or at www.facebook.com/judybmcdonaldpubliclibrary.  Admission is free, but please call 559-2970 to reserve a seat.

 

Family Movie Night at the Public Library

Misty Boggs
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Family Movie Night at the Public Library

The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites the community to attend Family Movie Night on Friday, April 15th at 6:30 p.m.  The film is rated PG-13.  More information is available at the library, on the library’s website at www.ci.nacogdoches.tx.us/library or at www.facebook.com/judybmcdonaldpubliclibrary.  Admission is free, including light snacks and drinks.  Please call 559-2970 to reserve a seat.

April is National Poetry Month Poetry Contest

Misty Boggs
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April is National Poetry Month Poetry Contest

Don’t forget to get your entries submitted for the 4th Annual Poetry Contest at the Judy B. McDonald Public Library.  Entries are being accepted now until April 15th, 2015 in 3 categories:  Junior High, High School, and Adult.   The contest is open to anyone residing in Nacogdoches County.  Each individual may submit one (1) poem.   Entries may be on any subject matter, but must be suitable for a general audience, original, and not previously published.  First, second, and third places will be awarded in each category.  Copies of the poetry booklet with entries will be presented to each entrant.  The library reserves the right to print, in whole or in part, any entry in the contest.  ENTRIES WILL NOT BE RETURNED, so please copy your work before submitting it to the library!

Poems should be:

  • On any topic
  • Any style of writing
  • Typed, double-spaced on 8.5 x 11 (letter-size) paper
  • Submitted with entry form through email to askalib@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us, through U.S. mail or in person at the library.

**Name should appear on the entry form only.  Please do not write name on the poem.

Winners will be notified by phone or email and all poets are welcome to read their work at our Poetry Month Contest Recital on Thursday, April 28th at 6:00 p.m. in the library.  For more information, contact library staff at 936-559-2970.

 

 

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