Monthly Archives: April 2023

ASCENSION, by Nicholas Binge

Mountains have long loomed over humanity, both physically and in our imaginations. The home of gods and demons, they are simultaneously sacred and as any viewer of alpine climbing documentaries can attest hostile. Theyre ideal settings, in other words, for horror-tinged speculative thrillers, including Nicholas Binges Ascension.

The novel, Binges second and the first to be published in the United States, opens with a mystery. Harold Tunmore, a genius physicist, vanished decades ago, leaving a series of bizarre letters in the possession of his brother, Ben. When Ben is alerted to Harolds presence in a psychiatric hospital, he finds his brother alive yet seemingly driven mad by his experiences. More of Harolds letters are there, too. No one can read them, Harold warns. If we should know what we are. That night, Harold burns himself alive.

This intriguing frame narrative is the first puzzle of many. The rest, and the bulk of the novel, are delivered in the form of Harolds collected letters. Harold, an engaging narrator, describes being recruited in 1991 by a well-funded yet shady organization to explore an inexplicable phenomenon: A mountain far larger than Everest has appeared in the middle of the Pacific. How does nobody know this is here? Harold asks. Until a couple months ago, it wasnt, he is told. Harold is coaxed along by the scientific enigma and a personal one: Waiting on the giant rock is his ex-wife, Dr. Naoko Tanaka, who is the last survivor of the previous expedition.

Harold joins fellow top scientists from various disciplines, as well as a few gun-toting military types. Their mission? To climb the impossible elevation. This mountain it rejects language. It renders it impotent, Harold writes. All that exists in its place is an utter disbelief. And what they find is equally unbelievable: Microbes that defy scientific understanding. People who develop ESP. Time that becomes elastic. And tentacled creatures stalking the frozen crags.

Believe it or not, I havent spoiled the book. These are only a sample of the mountains secrets. Although the characters ascend, mysteries accumulate like a snowball rolling downhill. Harold contains his own traumatic secrets that spill out in flashbacks. The novel is smartly paced, deploying twists and turns strategically to keep the reader moving. Between reveals, characters theorize about extra dimensions, alien life and the meaning of existence. We also get more than a few references to the mythical climber Sisyphus.

Binges crisp prose moves well between science fiction concepts, Gothic terror and fast-paced action sequences. Some of the supporting characters, including, frustratingly, Naoko, remain as thin as the upper atmosphere. But the ideas are big and the journey is a whole lot of fun.

We have discovered either something very new, or something very old, Harold writes. What is this mountain? Is it from another time? Another planet? Another universe? The only way to understand is to keep climbing and see how the various mysteries are tied together at the novels somewhat rushed peak.

Granted, mysteries arent necessarily surprises. Binges collection of devices may feel familiar to science fiction fans: brilliant but troubled scientist, doomed expedition, tesseracts, tentacled monsters. Many readers will be reminded of recent films like Interstellar, Annihilation and Arrival, or, better yet, the boundary-pushing works by Jeff VanderMeer and Ted Chiang that the latter two were adapted from. Others will think of H.P. Lovecrafts tales of eldritch monsters inhabiting impossible structures.

But familiarity, done well, can be a great literary pleasure. Ascension deploys popular-for-a-reason conceits with an intriguing setting and memorable scenes. Even with recognizable puzzle pieces, the complete picture is as unique as the vast mountain at the books center. For fans of well-wrought science fiction and cosmic horror scares, Ascension is worth the climb.

Lincoln Michel is the author of the story collection Upright Beasts and the novel The Body Scout, which the Book Review named one of the best science fiction or fantasy books of 2021.

ASCENSION | By Nicholas Binge | 344 pp. | Riverhead Books | $28

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Book Review: Ascension, by Nicholas Binge - The New York Times

In the closely disputed public high school rivalries of Ascension Parish, there have been four combatants for the past two decades: Tigers, Griffins, Spartans and Gators.

In the fall of 2024, a new challenger is expected to sweep in from the skies of Prairieville, a force of nature known as the Hurricanes.

Ascension Parish officials announced Friday that the mascot and branding for the parish's newest high school, Prairieville High, will revolve around the tropical storms out of the Gulf of Mexico.

The colors for the Prairieville High Hurricanes will be navy and green.

Officials said the mascot and logo will help builda community culture around the new school. In addition to T-shirts and other merchandise, Dutchtown High, for instance, has a popular burger spot, the Griffin Grill, next to its campus along La. 73.

"The progress toward opening Prairieville High School is exciting to watch and be part of, said Carli Francois, Ascension's director ofsecondary schools."We cannot wait to welcome the Hurricanes onto their brand-new campus in Fall 2024."

The new high school south of La. 42 in Prairieville on Parker Road has been under construction and is expected to open in the fall of 2024. School officials are close to selecting three final proposed plans for attendance zones to start sending students to the new high school.

The future high school is Ascension's first since the early 2000s, when Dutchtown High opened and brought the Griffins to the parish.

Public review of attendance plans is expected in mid-June after a community survey in May. The zones are expected to be finalized in December, school officials said.

School officials said that typically the principal of a school helps develop school branding and logos.

But Francois, Jeff Parent, supervisor of planning and construction, and Jackie Tisdell, the schools' public information officer, developed the brand with the Dallas, Texas, firm Torch Creative, so the brand could be incorporated into the new school's design and construction.

School officials said they solicited public input and said further branding for the school, including a school seal, will be set after a principal is hired.

The custom-designed logos developed by Torch Creative include a primary school logo and a secondary mascot logo with a hurricane design.

The primary school logo features a hurricane symbol embedded in the letter "P."

The secondary mascot logo consists of the silhouette of a figure with long hair blowing sideways with a capital letter "P" on the figure's chest and holding a quindent in front of a custom hurricane symbol.

The quindent, which is a staff with a five-pointed fork at the end, signifies that Prairieville High School will be the fifth high school in the Ascension district, school officials said.

The logos have been trademarked with the state.

Founded in 2005 by Brad Bishop and Michael Thurman, Torch Creative's design studio has a heavy focus on branding, logo design and development, illustration, and typography design.

Torch has worked with LSU, Texas A&M, Michigan State, Rice, Ohio State, Disney, Lucasfilm, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, the NBA and the NHL, school officials said.

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A new mascot is storming into Ascension Parish. Meet the Prairieville High Hurricanes - The Advocate

David Chisa and Kristian Ross are launching a new comic together, Immortal Ascension #1 from Fairsquare in theirJuly 2023 solicits.

David Chisa and Kristian Ross are launching a new comic together, Immortal Ascension #1 from Fairsquare in their July 2023 solicits and solicitations, alongside the Beyondtopia collection, Rodolfo Santullo and Leandro Fernandez's Far South one-shot.

FAIRSQUARE COMICS LLCMAY231777MAY231778 IMMORTAL ASCENSION #1 (OF 2) CVR B RACHLIN 9.99(W) David Chisa (A / CA) Kristian RossiWhat if an Elektra type of character was thrown in an arcade game fighting style adventure? She'd be the GodKiller! Gear up for an epic tale of redemption and combat!Meet Rose, once known as the GodKiller, a fierce warrior who's seen it all from brutal beatdowns to painful punishments. Now seeking peace and solitude, she's about to face her biggest challenge yet! As a master of the art of combat, she'll need to level up and rescue her students from the monstrous Hell Ghouls gang.The comic debut of American writer, cinematographer and musician David Chisa, with art and color by Argentine storyteller Kristian Rossi (IDW, Marvel, DC Comics), Immortal Ascension will take readers on a wild ride, with action-packed scenes that will have them button mashing for more! This the ultimate beat them up for comic book collectors!With covers by Kristian Rossi and fan favorite artist Bella Rachlin (over 146K followers on Instagram!)In Shops: Jul 05, 2023SRP: 9.99

FAIRSQUARE COMICS LLCMAY231776(W) Bryan Valenza, Henry Barajas (A) Sami Basri, Garrie Gastonny, Kriswanto Why, Sweta Kartika, Afif Numbo, Aris Naka Abee, Miralti Firmansyah, Rhoald Marcellius, Rahmat Handoko, Yusuf Idris, Donny Hadiwidjaja, Ian Waryanto, Ario Anindito, Chis Arieswendha, Hendry Prasetya, Arief Russanto, Risza Perdhana, Haykal Erlanda (CA) Stephen SegoviaWhen the past is the future. Where unknown myths and legends are discovered. Witness the birth of the Mystic Universe! here comes BEYONDTOPIA: LEGENDSFrom the mind of Indonesian visual artist Bryan Valenza (Marvel, Image,) BEYONDTOPIA: LEGENDS is an anthology series blending a variety of folklores, heroes and legends all reimagined for American and international audiences with a unique flavor. Horror, magic, social justice warriors, fantasy, sci-fi There's something for everyone in the Mystic Universe.Co-spearheaded by Award-Winning LatinX author Henry Barajas (HELM GREYCASTLE, LA VOZ DE M.A.Y.O.: TATA RAMBO, BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS), the anthology brings together the best artists from Indonesia and the world, including Sami Basri (HARLEY QUINN, GREEN LANTERN), Garrie Gastonny (ODYSSEY) and many more!In Shops: Jul 12, 2023SRP: 29.9

FAIRSQUARE COMICS LLCMAY231779MAY231780 FAR SOUTH THE GREAT UNION SCORE CVR B RISSO (MR) 9.99(W) Rodolfo Santullo (A) Leandro Fernandez (CA) Matias BergaraWhatever the hell happens in the Far South stays in Far South! Montoya's bar has seen it all. Everyone who lives in the area frequents it, and those who don't, won't take long to do so. Everyone's a regular: scoundrels, prostitutes, thieves, truckers, bandits. There's wine and grappa to last for ages. Darkness is the only color you see there. So when the Police is looking for a culprit, they know where to knock first.The hardboiled brutal land of the Mobsters and Gauchos continues to unfold, as bestselling international author Rodolfo Santullo and THE OLD GUARD superstar artist Leandro Fernandez present a new set of blood-soaked Noir tales, a must-read for fans of gritty crime fiction.Featuring covers by revered artists Eduardo Risso (100 Bullets) and Matias Bergara (Step by Bloody Step)In Shops: Jul 26, 2023SRP: 9.99

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Immortal Ascension #1 in Fairsquare's July 2023 Solicits - Bleeding Cool News

Recently the news about Dr. Devon Hoover left the public in shock. The tragic death of Dr Devon Hoover is come very hard on his family and friends. His contributions to the medical profession are unremarkable and the impact he leaves on his family. The public has been very interested in his life and his professional life. They over the internet to know about his life and the reason behind his death. The death of Dr. Devon Hoover is very unusual for people. So, here for our readers, we bring all the information they want to know about the death of Dr. Devon Hoover.

The Detroit community and medical community have been shocked by the terrible loss of Dr. Devon Hoover, a 53-year-old board-certified neurosurgeon. Renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Hoover specialized in neck and back conditions. He had been working for the past five years at Ascension Michigan, a renowned healthcare organization in Michigan, where he was well-known for his extraordinary abilities and kind disposition. Devon was well-liked by his coworkers and had a reputation for giving his patients the best care possible. Ascension Michigan patients and colleagues have been devastated by the news of Dr. Hoovers unexpected passing and are still coming to terms with the loss of a valued doctor.

The renowned Dr. Devon Hoover was 53 years old. Neurosurgeon and employee of Ascension Michigan, he was found dead on a Sunday evening at his residence. The discovery was made by Detroit Police officers while they are doing the routine wellness check. It was confirmed by the police that the reason behind the death of Dr devon Hoover is a gunshot wound. After this tragic Incident left the medical community of Detroit and the wider Detroit community shaken by the loss of a compassionate doctor who was very dedicated to helping others.

The Police are aggressively looking into the incident, employing a variety of strategies to gather evidence and question witnesses who might know something that could help them. The Detroit Police Department is aggressively looking for information on the person(s) who killed Dr Devon Hoover. The reason for the murder is also being looked at, but details about the case are still scant. It might be difficult and time-consuming to identify a suspect and determine their motives. However, the Police are committed to following up on all leads to bring Dr. Hoover and their family to justice. The investigation is still in progress, and its likely that the Police are closely inspecting the crime scene and gathering potential evidence to determine what happened.

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Dr Devon Hoover Obituary: Ascension Michigan Neurosurgeon Shot To Death - PKBnews.in

Staff Report| Gonzales Weekly Citizen

Ascension Parish Public Schools announced the Support Personnel of the Year for 2022-23.

The top employees were selected by their respective school peers. On April 25, all honorees will be recognized at 5:30 p.m. before an Ascension Parish School Board meeting at Bluff Middle School, where the district will also recognize the following level winners: Lakeside Primary's Sherri Villar as Primary School Support Person of the Year, Gonzales Middle's Jacquelyn Warren as Middle School Support Person of the Year, and St. Amant High's Paula Gayden as the High School Support Person of the Year.

"Our support employees perform essential duties that contribute each and every day to our overall purpose of ensuring that students leave us one day, equipped to pursue the dreams of their choice. These valuable employees work to ensure that every function of our organization, whether instruction, administration, or operations remains elite," said Ascension Public Schools Superintendent David Alexander. "They are great teammates who promote teamwork, embrace learning for personal growth and improvement, lead others with by bringing encouragement and positive influence, and embrace our work around service to students. Thanks to each one for their hard work, their commitment to others, and their big smiles that we depend on each day!"

Adline Griffin, Secretary A, APPLe Digital Academy and Career Training Center

Shirell Oatis-Honora, Secretary A, Donaldsonville High School

Sandra Webb, Secretary B, Dutchtown High School

Bevanne Ramirez, Career Coach, Early College Option

Holli Zeringue, Secretary B, East Ascension High School

Paula Gayden, Secretary B, St. Amant High School (DISTRICT WINNER)

Chelsea Ghere, Registration Clerk, Bluff Middle School

Desiree James, Secretary B, Central Middle School

Kim Tregre, Paraprofessional, Dutchtown Middle School

Tricia Bourgeois, Registration Clerk, Galvez Middle School

Jacquelyn Warren, Registration Clerk, Gonzales Middle School (DISTRICT WINNER)

Andrea Landry, Registration Clerk, Lowery Middle School

Bertha Lee, Food Service Technician, Prairieville Middle School

Andrea Oubre, Paraprofessional, St. Amant Middle School

Lakayla Washington, Paraprofessional, Ascension Head Start

Ora Spears, Registration Clerk, Bluff Ridge Primary School

Michelle Beasley, Paraprofessional, Bullion Primary School

Lauren Petho, Paraprofessional, Central Primary School

Shandreka Phillips, Paraprofessional, Donaldsonville Primary School

Trenell Knockum, Librarian's Aide, Duplessis Primary School

Stacy Allemand, Secretary A, Dutchtown Primary School

Virginia Arens, Registration Clerk, Galvez Primary School

Tamika Jackson, Paraprofessional, Gonzales Primary School

Jamie Caronna, Paraprofessional, G.W. Carver Primary School

Sherri Stevens, Cafeteria Manager, Lake Elementary School

Sherri Villar, Secretary B, Lakeside Primary School (DISTRICT WINNER)

Katherine Richardson Cohn, Secretary B, Lowery Elementary School

Sandy Harvey, ISSP Aide, Oak Grove Primary School

Peggy Kern, Secretary B, Pecan Grove School

Trinette Belle, Facility Manager, Prairieville Primary School

Bonita Haydel, Paraprofessional, Sorrento Primary School

Dena Tripp, ISSP Aide, Spanish Lake Primary School

Tiffany Brignac, Paraprofessional, St. Amant Primary School

Lon Jeanette Bowen, Librarian's Aide, Sugar Mill Primary School

Individual photos of the Support Personnel of the Year can be found athttp://www.ascensionschools.org/spoy.

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Ascension Public Schools honors Support Personnel of the Year for ... - Weekly Citizen

Elizabeth Ann Seton Board Gala to raise funds for womens and reproductive services that Ascension has gutted at other facilities around thecountry

Registered nurses employed by Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas (ASMCA), will greet and educate attendees of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Board Gala, an event to raise funds in support of womens and reproductive health services, including postpartum care, neonatal intensive care, and other programs at the hospital. The nurses will be handing out informational flyers to call attention to the hypocrisy of Ascension, one of the largest nonprofit Catholic health care systems in the country: fundraising in the name of womens and reproductive health services when Ascension has closed five such units nationwide over the last year. In addition, Ascension fails to safely staff these units at ASMCA.

The ASCMA nurses, union members of National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC), an affiliate of National Nurses United, voted to join NNOC last September and are bargaining for a first contract. The RNs held an informational picket on April 5 to demand safe staffing and quality patient care.

ASMCA is now the largest private-sector hospital in Texas to form a union, with more than 900 nurses represented by NNOC/NNU.

NNOC/NNU represents some 3,300 nurses in Texas and 2,000 nurses in three Ascension hospitals in Texas and Kansas. In their contracts, NNOC/NNU nurses in Texas have secured agreements from their hospitals that mandate stricter enforcement of staffing grids and improved infection control measures, including a provision requiring single-use optimal protection with a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 patient. Other notable Texas wins have included wage increases of up to 19 percent over a three-year period and the creation of committees to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in hospital recruitment, retention, and promotion.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with nearly 225,000 members nationwide.

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Nurses spotlight hypocrisy of Ascension at gala event - National Nurses United

Festival de la Prairie kicks off Friday

Festival de la Prairie starts Friday with food, music, rides and games behind St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 15208 La. 73, Prairieville.

The music kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with Dustin Guedry and continues at 7:30 p.m. with David St. Romain. On Saturday, Artemis plays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 and Praish Country Line perform from 8:45 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday's lineup includes That 70s Band and Chase Tyler Band.

The festival menu includes crawfish stew, jambalaya, sweets, funnel cakes, turkey legs, hamburgers, fried fish, pork spaghetti and other festival favorites.

A silent auction starts at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Azalea Estates Assisted Living Center in Gonzales is having a Spring Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 2305 S. Purpura Ave. Vendors will be on site selling a variety of items.

Cooks Tim and Philip Banker's jambalaya will be on sale to raise funds for community projects. For more information, call (225) 644-1028.

The next Donaldsonville Downtown Live at Crescent Park event will feature Artemis playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 6. Lawn chairs, food and beverages can be brought to the park.

River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville's Gospel in the Park is planned for noon to 7 p.m. May 13 at Jambalaya Park, 120 S. Irma Blvd., Gonzales.

The free event includes music, food and crafts.

Registration is underway for the Elks Vet's Classic golf tournament set for May 25 at Pelican Point Lakes Golf Course.

The tournament is a fundraiser for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Donaldsonville Lodge 1153 Veterans Service Program.

For registration information, call (225) 445-1383 or email info@elksdonaldsonville.

The Ascension Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Louisiana has been rescheduled to 9 a.m. May 5. The event starts at South East Ascension Complex Boulevard behind the Ascension Parish Assessor's Office. For details, visit https://visitlasweetspot.com/events/ascension-law-enforcement-torch-run/.

Community Sisterhood and Just One Word are teaming up for a STEM Camp for youths in kindergarten through eighth grade June 12-16. To register, visit tinyurl.com/y6ebmz22.

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Around Ascension for April 26, 2023 - The Advocate

The Ascension Parish Library's May calendar is filled with activities for the family.

Here's a few upcoming events. Visit myapl.org for more information on programs and activities

Many wild birds are found injured or fall out of nests and are abandoned by their parents yearly. The LSU Veterinary School Wildlife Rehabilitation Program saves, heals, releases and sometimes provides a home for animals that cannot be released.

Get a face-to-face view of hawks, owls, and other birds at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29 at the library in Galvez. Learn when to intervene in nature and what you can do to save these birds.

Registration is required. Call (225) 622-3339.

Create a glass jar with a quirky twist a metal lid topped with an eye-catching golden animal. On May 1, visit any Ascension Parish Library location to pick up one of these safari packets. Each contains an animal, gold paint, glue, a jar, and a brush. Once yours is complete, use it to hold cotton balls or whatever you need to store.

Ascension Parish Library has teamed up with the Capitol Area Agency on Aging for an evidence-based fall prevention program for adults 60 and older. Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention offers a gentle exercise option to help reduce the risk of falling by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.

This series of one-hour classes will be held twice a week through June 7.

Endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Arthritis Foundations around the world, Tai Chi is easy, enjoyable and safe for people with or without arthritis to learn. Medical studies have shown that the program can relieve pain for people with arthritis, improve their quality of life, and prevent falls for older adults, a news release said.

No prior experience is necessary; however, class size is limited. Call (225) 647-3955 to register and attend the 9 a.m. classes in Gonzales or (255) 622-3339 to register and attend the 11 a.m. classes in Galvez.

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At the library. Ascension Library offers variety of programming for ... - The Advocate