Category Archives: Ascension

Archbishop William E. Lori consecrates a new altar at Church of the Ascension in Halethorpe May 28. (Christopher Gunty/CR Staff)

editor@CatholicReview.org

HALETHORPE Weve got a consecrated altar now, Father John Williamson, exclaimed to a parishioner greeting him in the narthex of the Church of the Ascension after a Mass May 28 in which the altar was blessed and the new sanctuary was dedicated.

Archbishop William E. Lori remarked in his homily that a lot of things changed at the church since he had last celebrated Mass at the parish.

The $200,000 renovations were accomplished in about nine weeks between January and Palm Sunday, said Father Williamson, pastor of Ascension and St. Augustine (Elkridge) parishes.

A new altar and ambo were installed, with carved-wood fronts. The altar depicts the Last Supper and the ambo, from which the readings are proclaimed, depicts the Ascension of the Lord, which was also the reading for the day for the dedication Mass, on the parishs patronal feast.

The orange carpet throughout the church was replaced with tile. The Stations of the Cross and statues of Mary and Joseph are the same as before, but their backgrounds were redone in blue to match the new color of the wall behind the altar and tabernacle. The tabernacle, which was originally from the Good Shepherd Sisters convent, was restored as part of the 2017 renovations.

Archbishop William E. Lori greets parishioners at the May 28 blessing of the renovated sanctuary at Church of the Ascension in Halethorpe. (Christopher Gunty/CR Staff)

The corpus for the crucifix was retained, but it is now on a new cross. New candlesticks and new sanctuary furnishings rounded out the interior renovations. Outside, the old bells remain in the bell tower, but they are now accompanied by a new carillon system that pealed both before and after the Mass.

In his homily, Archbishop Lori noted that the Risen Lord is present in all the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

Thats why its so wonderful that were consecrating a new altar in this church today, the archbishop said. For it is upon this altar that the one sacrifice of Christ is offered day after day, upon this altar that bread and wine become the body and blood of the risen Lord, and from this altar that we receive the strength of Christ in the Holy Spirit to be the Lords disciples and witnesses in the midst of our daily lives.

Catholics are called to make the Gospel known through their words and actions and to undergo what Pope Francis calls a missionary conversion so that they can share the joy of the Gospel, not just as individuals, but as a community of faith, he said.

In other words, our parishes too must undergo a missionary conversion as we seek to reconnect those who, for whatever reason, are unconnected with the Lord and with his body, the church, Archbishop Lori said.

As part of the dedication, the archbishop placed a stone in the altar that contains a relic of St. Genarius, which had been part of past altars at the parish, providing continuity to the past, Father Williamson said. The altar also contains relics that came from the Good Shepherd convent of Saints Mary Euphrasia, John Vianney, Maria Goretti and Pius X.

Father Williamson said the parishioners have been overjoyed with the results of the renovations. Everyone has been very happy, he said.

He said the number of weddings scheduled has doubled now that the sanctuary looks better, which is a good sign that more young people are eager to be married in the church.

As of July 1, the parishes of St. Augustine and Ascension will be formally merged into a single parish, the Catholic Community of Ascension and St. Augustine. Father Williamson has been pastor Ascension since 2008 and also became pastor of St. Augustine in 2011. Since that time, the parishes have been working together.

The merged parish will be one of the pilot pastorates in the parish planning process that was announced in May. With 2,200 registered families at St. Augustine and 840 families at Ascension, the combined parish will be one of the largest in the archdiocese.

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The Catholic Review > Home > Renovations, new altar dedicated at ... - The Catholic Review

Written byDr. Judith Brown, Director of Conservation and Fisheries, Ascension Island government

The U.K. government has taken a proactive approach to marine conservation, committing to marine protection around both its own shores and those of its overseas territories in what is known as its Blue Belt commitment. Whilst an honorable statement, now comes the hard work in determining what form that protection should take and how best to deliver marine reserves that really achieve notable conservation benefits to important marine biodiversity. On Ascension Island, a small but dedicated team of marine scientists has been working hard to gather the baseline data on inshore fisheries and biodiversity over the last few years, but their work is spreading to include all of the 200 nautical mile maritime zone the waters that the Ascension Island government is responsible for managing. But gathering data in this larger and less accessible area is much harder and comes at great costs, with the need for a wider team of experts. Fortunately funding has been made available, not least by the U.K. government, to allow these scientific knowledge gaps to be addressed, alongside financing patrolling the waters in search of illegal vessels. Two external grants awarded by the EU Best Initiative and the U.K. governments Darwin Initiative, combined with this ground-breaking National Geographic project, have enabled a dedicated trip to study the practically unknown seamounts that lie within Ascensions waters. These areas were provisionally selected to fall within the zone closed to commercial fishing but they are in desperate need of research to justify if they really are the biological hotspots that we presume and therefore should be included in the final Ascension Island Ocean Sanctuary.

This current National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition has come at a critical time bringing together a core team of scientific experts from a diverse range of disciplines from those who study the bottom of the food chain, the plankton, to the unique benthic communities, to the top level predators, the sharks. This biological research combined with the oceanographic data and the seabed mapping information allows the team to study the entire ecosystem an opportunity very rarely brought together in one expedition. This research is addressing the key priorities in the Ascension Island governments scientific roadmap a detailed plan of information needed to allow management decisions to be made based on scientific evidence. Whilst the data still needs processing we can see that the trip has been an enormous success and already we have witnessed what special habitats the Ascension seamounts are. New records (and very likely) new marine species have been discovered here and bioacoustic data have identified high levels of marine species abundance over the seamounts. Sharks are a species of particular interest due to their susceptibility as by-catch in commercial longline fisheries and here we have gathered unique footage of a not just a diverse range of shark species but evidence of high abundance of silky sharks. When in larger numbers sharks are often less cautious to approaching baited hooks, meaning that at these areas when the sharks are in greater abundance, they are likely to be more susceptible to being caught and a single longline could have a potentially devastating impact on the population found around the seamount. Bigeye and yellowfin tuna have also been seen and tagged during this project to investigate how long they stay around these undersea features and understand the importance of the seamounts to these species. All of this data, when reviewed and processed, will allow us to understand the seamount ecosystems and their wider importance within Ascension waters. However, already we can see they are sufficiently unique and rich in life to make them key candidates to fall within the Ascension Island Marine Protected Area.

Personally this voyage has been a fantastic opportunity to get the chance to work with such enthusiastic and knowledgeable scientists alongside the hardworking and helpful crew of the two vessels is such a positive experience. The logistics to make such an expedition happen goes on unnoticed behind the scenes but was by no means an insignificant feat. The Ascension Island Government Conservation team extends a huge thank you to the National Geographic for making this trip possible and the scientists from the British Antarctic Survey, University of Windsor, University of Western Australia and University of Exeter, not to mention the amazing assistance from the captains and crew of the RRS James Clark Ross and Extractor.

The Pristine Seas team is currently conducting an expedition to the remote island ofAscension, in partnership withtheAscensionIsland Conservation Department, the British Antarctic Survey, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and The Blue Marine Foundation.

Read all Ascension Island 2017 expedition posts.

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Towards an evidence-based Ascension Island Ocean Sanctuary - National Geographic

Nowhere is Deajah Stevens sudden rise to stardom more apparent than in the increased popularity of her Instagram account.

Last year at this time she had 700 followers. Today she has more than 34,000.

Fame, it seems, has caught up to the Oregon junior.

On the track, however, only a few of her competitors have had the same luck.

After quietly arriving at Oregon 18 months ago and slogging through the early months of her transition to big-time collegiate track, Stevens went from an intriguing prospect at the start of the 2016 outdoor season to a world-class sprinter by summers end.

And that was just the beginning.

Its been a pretty amazing ascent to this point, Oregon associate head coach Curtis Taylor said.

After not winning an individual conference or national title last season, Stevens surprised many including herself with a second-place finish in the womens 200 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in July, nearly catching Tori Bowie at the line for the title. She then made the Olympic final and finished seventh at the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Stevens carried that momentum into this season, and the results have been impressive.

She won Pac-12 titles in the 100 and 200 last month and goes into the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship meet this week at Hayward Field as the form-chart favorite in both races.

Stevens owns the fourth-fastest times in the world this season at each distance, having run 11 seconds in the 100 this season and 22.09 in the 200. Both times are personal bests, and her 200 time is also an Oregon school record.

Im a way stronger version of myself than I was last year at this time, Stevens said.

And much more popular too.

Born to run

Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, N.Y., is undergoing a rebirth after years of neglect forced its closure.

The crumbling brick stadium once hosted concerts by James Brown and the Jackson 5, as well as several decades worth of high school and semi-pro sporting events for teams throughout Westchester County.

Its also where Stevens learned to run as a youngster growing up in the suburb just north of the Bronx.

To hide the blight of the decaying stadium as it awaits renovation, the city recently built a wall that doubles as a mural dedicated to Mount Vernon Legends. First on the list of honorees was Stevens, who is pictured running in her Olympic uniform with an American flag waving behind her.

Its so nice, Stevens gushed. When my friends drive by it back home they send me pictures of it. Its really funny.

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas dedicated the mural in January by declaring Stevens, a girl who knew she could run, but did not know how far she could go until she set foot on the track here at Memorial Field. When she discovered her potential she ran all the way from Mount Vernon to Rio.

It wasnt the first time her hometown had honored Stevens.

In September, just a few weeks after her return from Rio, Stevens was treated to a parade through the streets of Mount Vernon, riding in a car with her mom, sister and the mayor.

If Stevens didnt comprehend before how popular she had become since making the Olympic team, she quickly learned that weekend.

Ive gotten so much love from people on social media and from people here in Oregon, but when I got home, it was really shocking to me how much people were supportive and happy for me, Stevens said. Just meeting adults and kids and people my own age who were like, Oh my God, its you! Its still uncomfortable to me, but Im getting better.

Mount Vernon is also where Stevens spent her first year out of high school.

Denied entry into South Carolina her first school of choice after it was discovered she was one credit short, Stevens sat out a year before enrolling at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif.

She went on to become the California junior college champion in the 200 and 400 in 2015. One year later, she was at Oregon, joining a womens sprint team that included 2015 World Outdoor Championships qualifier Jasmine Todd, future 2016 Olympian and two-time NCAA champion Ariana Washington, and Hannah Cunliffe, who would sweep the Pac-12 100 and 200 later that season.

We knew she was talented, the extent of which I dont think we really knew until we started doing speed testing on her, Taylor said. We found out she has very high levels of speed and power, and if we did it right we could kind of convert all those qualities into a really good sprinter.

Flashes of brilliance

Stevens showed flashes toward the end of the collegiate season last year, finishing second in the 200 and third in the 100 at the Pac-12 Championship meet in Seattle. She was second in the 200 at the NCAA meet as well, behind Washington.

Then came the Olympic Trials.

Stevens entered the final as a longshot in a race that also included Bowie, Allyson Felix and Jenna Prandini.

Theyre peers to me now, but its funny, when I went into the Trials I was so nervous and I felt so young, Stevens said. It was just super crazy to me. Allyson Felix to this day is someone who is so inspiring to me but now shes also a competitor to me, and thats crazy. Thats mind blowing.

It flipped when I made the finals. It dawned on me that I have to stop looking at it like, I guess, starstruck. I had to snap out of it quick.

Bowie led the whole race but it was Stevens who was hot on her trail after coming off the curve. She ran the last 10 meters with a look of disbelief on her face as Prandini was forced to edge out Felix in a photo-finish for third.

While Stevens has said she stunned herself by making the Olympic team the original goal had been Tokyo 2020 her coach could see it coming.

Surprised probably isnt the word, Taylor said. A lot of these kids out here have the ability, its just a matter of if theyre going to put it together or not. So whenever they do really well, youre not surprised because you know they have the capability in them. Its just exciting to see them start to realize what their capabilities are.

Sustaining success is a different challenge, and one Stevens took seriously coming into the 2017 season. Now its time for the payoff.

The NCAA meet wont come without its challenges. LSU junior Aleia Hobbs is the NCAA leader in the 100 at 10.85 and UNLV junior Destiny Smith-Barnett has recorded a wind-aided 10.97. Washington, the defending national champ, is also among the collegiate leaders at 11.06.

In the 200, Stevens is the NCAA leader and also a contender to qualify for the 2017 World Outdoor Championships in London during the U.S. Track & Field Championships in Sacramento later this month.

Im not going to worry about USAs while Im at nationals because those are just two different meets, Stevens said. Im trying to get through nationals healthy and Im trying to train up until USAs.

Theres also another decision looming for Stevens, who will have every chance to turn pro and forgo her senior season at Oregon.

Im going to finish and keep my mind clear through nationals, she said. I need to stay in this space for now and Im trying not to think about it. I really have to talk to Curtis after nationals and see what my best options are. Im not completely opposed to coming back to school, and Im not completely opposed to going pro. I just dont know.

Whatever decision Stevens makes, history suggests more fame will follow.

Follow Chris on Twitter @chansen_RG .

More Oregon Track & Field articles

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Oregon Ducks' Deajah Stevens makes a fast ascension in American sprinting ranks - The Register-Guard

Playing on a team that wins a state title can help a player attain postseason honors. No titles in either Class 1A or Division IV proved to be no problem for players from Ascension Catholic, Catholic-Pointe Coupee and False River Academy.

The three metro area schools placed players on the Louisiana Sports Writers Associations Class 1A All-State baseball and softball teams.

Ascension Catholic, a Division IV semifinalist in baseball and a quarterfinalist in softball, put four players on the LSWA squads. Division IV Catholic-PC has two players on the softball squad, while FRA has one softball player

LaSalles Keeley Parham and Ascension Episcopals Jeffrey Elkins lead the 1A squads. Parham was voted the Outstanding Player for softball after hitting .500 with 41 RBIs. She also had a 10-4 mark in the circle for the 1A champions. Elkins, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette signee, led AES to the Division IV title with a .626 batting average with 11 home runs and was voted the Outstanding Player for baseball.

LaSalles Michael Duke (baseball) and Derek White (softball) received the Coach of the Year honors after leading their teams to 1A titles.

Ascension Catholic senior baseball standouts who are also LSU-Eunice signees, Landon Clifton (10-4, 1.95) and Nick Bellina (.420, 39 RBIs), are part of the LSWA baseball squad. The Bulldogs Ceily Grisaffe (.417, 19 RBIs) and Isabelle Abadie (.373, 20 RBIs) made the softball squad.

Sisters Ryann and Blaire Bizette represent Catholic-PC on the softball squad. Ryann Bizette, a Northwestern State signee, was 15-7 with a 1.59 ERA, while Blaire Bizette batted .487 with 18 RBIs. False Rivers Sarah Allen (.397, nine homers, 27 RBIs) completes the list of BR area players on the squads selected by a panel of sportswriters from across the state.

BASEBALL

Pos. Player School Class Avg.

P Tyler Alexander Oberlin Sr. 10-5

P Blake Hidalgo Central Catholic Sr. 8-1

P Landon Clifton Ascension Catholic Sr. 10-4

P Sean Michael Bradley Ascension Episcopal Sr. 8-2

C Avery Reed LaSalle Jr. .520

IF Hunter Sims LaSalle So. .467

IF McCade LeBlanc Houma Christian Jr. .465

IF Kade Pousson Grand Lake Sr. .471

IF Nick Bellina Ascension Catholic Sr. .420

OF Jace Moss Cedar Creek Jr. .461

OF Caleb Seitz Covenant Christian Sr. 391

OF Jeffrey Elkins Ascension Episcopal Sr. .636

UTL Kohl Milligan Oak Grove Sr. .479

UTL Gregory Leger Central Catholic Sr. .427

UTL Sam Philley Oak Grove Sr. .460

UTL Kade Delcambre Grand Lake Jr. 9-3

UTL Eli Stringer LaSalle Jr. 5-2

OUTSTANDING PLAYER:Jeffrey Elkins Ascension Episcopal

COACH OF THE YEAR:Michael Duke, LaSalle

Honorable mention:Christian McClendon, Oberlin; Blane Durio, Oberlin; Austin Champagne, Covenant Christian Academy; Drake Angeron, Central Catholic; Zach White, St. Marys; Zach Parks, Delhi Charter; Weston Swanner, St. Frederick; Brock Theriot, Houma Christian; Dylan Trahan, Houma Christian; Logan Arceneaux, Covenant Christian; Ry Clark, Oak Grove; Thomas Garber, Central Catholic; Christian Maldanado, Oberlin; Kellon McCleon, Oberlin; Jaylan Jefferson, Varnado; Derrian OCon, Montgomery; Elijah Ward, Delhi Charter; Jeff Polk, St. Frederick; Mitchel Lemoine, Central Catholic; Drew Young, Grand Lake; Bryce Fontenot, Grand Lake; Alex Guillory, Grand Lake; Mason Zeringue, Ascension Catholic; Logan Graves, Montgomery; Blade Beaubouef, LaSalle; Austin Pennington, Delhi Charter; Mason Kilgore, Convenant Christian; Mason Baker, Catholic-PC; Dylan Hurst, St. John.

SOFTBALL

Pos. Player School Class Avg.

P Carlee Carter Montgomery So. 17-9

P Taylor Snow LaSalle Fr. 16-2

P Mary Terrel Cedar Creek Sr. 17-8

P Ryann Bizette Catholic-PC Sr. 15-7

C Blaire Bizette Catholic-PC 8th .487

IF Maria Bienvenu St. Marys Fr. .404

IF Carlee Newton Oak Grove So. .351

IF Isabelle Abadie Ascension Catholic .373

IF Hallie Autin Central Catholic Sr. .545

OF Ali Long LaSalle Jr. .472

OF Katelin Cooper Cedar Creek Jr. .440

OF Jayden Stephenson Oak Grove Sr. .425

UTL Keely Parham LaSalle Jr. .500

UTL Sarah Allen False River Jr. .397

UTL Anna Larr Roberson Cedar Creek So. .418

UTL Lexi DeBarge South Cameron Sr. 15-6

UTL Ceily Grisaffe Ascension Catholic So. .417

OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Keeley Parkham, LaSalle

COACH OF THE YEAR: DEREK WHITE,LaSalle

Honorable mention: Kelsie Travis, Oak Grove; Katlynn Beebe, Northwood-Lena; Alison Fontenot, Oberlin; Kelsey Ardoin, Oberlin; Amber Sullivan, Oak Grove; Faith Pierce, Houma Christian; Jaycee Carter, Montgomery; Ragan Hale, St. Marys; Kinsley Long, LaSalle; Abbie Clendening, East Beauregard; Taylor Abshire, Vermilion Catholic; Ainsley Mallet, Vermilion Catholic; Harley Stoufflet, Covenant Christian Academy.

Read more here:

Class 1A all-state baseball, softball: Ascension Catholic, Catholic-Pointe Coupee, False River make their mark on teams - The Advocate

Finally, the weekend is upon us. What better way to kick it off than with the latest installment of "Funeral Doom Friday". For those who arenew to this column; each week features a new or classic album from the realm of extreme doom. Much of funeral/death doom's might comes from an oppressive emotional weight and the useof death or black metal motifs (played at a trudgingpace, of course.) Pioneers likeMournful Congregation,Evoken, andEsoteric have mastered this blend of dirge and destruction. For 25 years, they have methodically built compositions that stretch for dozens of minutes all while keeping fansenthralled.Time has elapsed since the days of Thergothonand much like the world around us, the genre has evolved. Today's modernbands contortthe very construct of the genre, breeding darkly refreshing new work. Their workthankfully gives this column plenty of material to share.

Enjoy this week's post and check out prior features here. Feel free to also share thoughtsor suggestions for future installments in the comments section below.

Germany'sImperceptum continues to be a favorite of this column. The one-man force known as Void has made cosmic, blackened funeral doom for roughly the last 18 months. Each effort is as suffocating and hypnotic as the last. Now Void welcomes another new effort through an (almost) surprise release. The album cover and tracklist for a new, two-song EP called Ascension toA Higher Plainof Existenceappeared on FacebookMonday. Within the next 24 hours, it emerged onImperceptum's Bandcamp page much to the delight of this column.

Many of the blackened elements that populated the previous releases have taken a back seat.Ascension instead opts for a more atmospheric funeral doom. Void's guitars unleash droning riffs throughout much of the EP. Drums meanwhile heavily feature a seven strokeroll in lieu of a classic blast beat. This is not to say they are not present. In fact, these blackened rhythms are sparse. They are a means to emphasize moments where his vocals almost take a barbaric turn. They are crescendos of dying stars thaterupt to swallow the listener. Overall, it is a refreshing turn inImperceptum's still blossoming discography.

Pick up a copy of the EP atImperceptum's Bandcamp as well as Void's other releases. Listen toAscension to A Higher Plain of Existence below.

What do you think? Leave a Comment

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Funeral Doom Friday: IMPERCEPTUM's Reign of Cosmic Dread Continues On Ascension to a Higher Plain of Existence - Metal Injection.net

Froedtert Hospital recently announced it will implement a rate adjustment that will increase gross patient revenue by 4.9 percent beginning July 1 to compensate for below-cost reimbursement from government programs and the increased cost of providing care.

Thats compared to its last increase of 5 percent, which was implemented on July 1, 2016.

Froedtert Hospital

Hospitals are required to report rate increases to the state and community if the increase is greater than the consumer price index, which is 2.5 percent.

The average price increase at Wisconsin hospitals in 2017 is 4.07 percent as of May 18, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. In 2016, the average price increase was 3.73.

Health care systems typically raise rates between 2 and 10 percent at the beginning of the systems fiscal year. Earlier this year, Aurora Health Care and Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin raised their rates 4.5 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ascension, whichacquired Wheaton FranciscanHealthcare in 2016,recently announced a rate adjustment that will increase gross patient revenue by 3 percent at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Francis in Milwaukee, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Joseph in Milwaukee, Elmbrook Memorial in Brookfield and Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Franklin. It also announced a rate increase of 3.3 percent at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Franklin.

In recent public notices announcing the rate increase, both Froedtert and Ascension said its necessary to increase prices to keep pace with the increasing costs of providing care with below-cost reimbursement rates from government programs and other payers.

Rate increases are only on charges the amount a hospital bills for a patients care rather than a price increase on the actual care. The amount collected by a hospital for each service is almost always less than the amount billed.

The new prices typically have little impact on the average patient with commercial insurance because all major health care providers have contracts with insurance companies that use the hospital rates as a starting point for negotiations.

Rates dont apply to Medicare or Medicaid patients. Both programs pay hospitals a set rate based on the patients diagnosis and the procedure.

Froedtert Hospital recently announced it will implement a rate adjustment that will increase gross patient revenue by 4.9 percent beginning July 1 to compensate for below-cost reimbursement from government programs and the increased cost of providing care.

Thats compared to its last increase of 5 percent, which was implemented on July 1, 2016.

Froedtert Hospital

Hospitals are required to report rate increases to the state and community if the increase is greater than the consumer price index, which is 2.5 percent.

The average price increase at Wisconsin hospitals in 2017 is 4.07 percent as of May 18, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. In 2016, the average price increase was 3.73.

Health care systems typically raise rates between 2 and 10 percent at the beginning of the systems fiscal year. Earlier this year, Aurora Health Care and Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin raised their rates 4.5 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ascension, whichacquired Wheaton FranciscanHealthcare in 2016,recently announced a rate adjustment that will increase gross patient revenue by 3 percent at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Francis in Milwaukee, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Joseph in Milwaukee, Elmbrook Memorial in Brookfield and Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Franklin. It also announced a rate increase of 3.3 percent at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Franklin.

In recent public notices announcing the rate increase, both Froedtert and Ascension said its necessary to increase prices to keep pace with the increasing costs of providing care with below-cost reimbursement rates from government programs and other payers.

Rate increases are only on charges the amount a hospital bills for a patients care rather than a price increase on the actual care. The amount collected by a hospital for each service is almost always less than the amount billed.

The new prices typically have little impact on the average patient with commercial insurance because all major health care providers have contracts with insurance companies that use the hospital rates as a starting point for negotiations.

Rates dont apply to Medicare or Medicaid patients. Both programs pay hospitals a set rate based on the patients diagnosis and the procedure.

Continue reading here:

Froedtert, Ascension post rate increases - BizTimes.com (Milwaukee)

THURSDAY

LIBRARY BOOK CLUB: Noon to 1 p.m., Ascension Parish Library, Donaldsonville branch. For information on book club meetings at any location, call to see if space is available. Registration is required. For more information, visitmyapl.org.

LOSS AND GRIEF EDUCATION AND SUPPORT MEETING: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., St. Elizabeth Hospital, Sister Linda conference room,1125 W. La. 30, Gonzales. For anyone who has experienced loss of any kind. A group facilitated by the Grief Recovery Center to help with the grieving process. Meets every Thursday. For more information, emaildiane.hodges@steh.comor call (225) 621-2906.

LIBRARY BOOK CLUB: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Ascension Parish Library, Dutchtown, Gonzales and Galvez branches. Registration is required. For more information,visitmyapl.orgor call Gonzales at (225) 647-3955, Galvez at (225) 622-3339, or Dutchtown at (225) 673-8699.

PELICAN CLUSTER DOG SHOW: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day,Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, 4-H Building, 9039 S. St. Landry Ave., Gonzales. Approximately 800 dogs representing 190 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club will be competing for both Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show trophies. Admission is free, but only dogs registered for the shows will be admitted inside the buildings. For more information, visitakc.orgortourascension.com.

END OF SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Jump-N-Jive, 17573 Old Jefferson Highway, Prairieville. Celebrate the end of the school year. Dance is open to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. Bracelets are $12 presale, $15 at the door. Only 500 bracelets will be sold. To order presale, call (225) 532-4225.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., This That and More Indoor Flea Market, 43123 La. 429, Gonzales. Call (225) 773-8934.

MARKET ON THE SQUARE: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Louisiana Square/Railroad Ave., Donaldsonville.A day of arts, crafts and farmers market. Vendors are welcome. For vendor information or questions, emaildfdassociation@outlook.com, text (225) 772-1191 or call (225) 445-1383.

COLLEGE PREP SELF DEFENSE: 9 a.m. to noon, LA Karate Academy, 15522 La. 44, Gonzales. Help a recent graduate prepare for college with self-defense and awareness. Must-know tips to keep teens aware with techniques to keep them safe. Hands-on training. $40 for a 3 hour class. Register atfearlessfab.com/contact.

SHOW CAKES LLC FIRST BIRTHDAY: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Show Cakes LLC, 39379 La. 74, Gonzales. Call (225) 938-3279 or visit showcakesbr.com.

DIP INTO THE PERFECT PARTY FOOD: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cabela's, 2200 W. Cabela's Parkway, Gonzales. Sample all the dips Cabela's has to offer. Call (225) 743-3400.

MADE EASY MEALS: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cabela's, 2200 W. Cabela's Parkway, Gonzales. Come see how easy it is to create traditional slow-cooker methods or learn how easy it is for backpackers and campers to enjoy fine dining while traveling light using prepared backcountry meals. For more information, call (225) 743-3400.

DISNEY PAINTING EVENT: ROSE OF LOVE: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Painting with a Twist, 17540 Airline Highway, Suite A, Prairieville. Bring a snack and something to sip on. We have unique coloring sheets from Disney for everyone who signs up. Class is for ages 10 and up. For more information, call (225) 744-7273. To register for this event, call or go to paintingwithatwist.com/prairieville.

CRAZY RALPH'S CRANK IT UP-MECA: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Crazy Ralph's Car Stereo, 720 N. Airline Highway, Gonzales. Concert Car Showdown and SPL Smackdown. Spectators free. Registration and clinics start at 4 p.m., judging starts at 5 p.m. For a complete list of the rules and for more information, visit mecacaraudio.com.

DOWNTOWN LIVE: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Crescent Park, Donaldsonville. Join us for this free concert series as Rhodes Spedale provides the tunes. Don't forget a lawn chair. No glass containers or ice chests. For more information, call (225) 445-1383 or email lee@visitdonaldsonville.org.

DIP INTO THE PERFECT PARTY FOOD: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cabela's, 2200 W. Cabela's Parkway, Gonzales. Dips are a cheap, quick and easy option for entertaining or just because. Come sample all the dips Cabela's has to offer. We'll even show you the great recipes that the dip mixes can be used for to add some zing to your next weeknight dinner. For more information, call (225) 743-3400.

FRYERS, CUTTERS AND FRIES, OH MY!: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,Cabela's, 2200 W. Cabela's Parkway, Gonzales. Homemade french fries are the best, but they don't have to be hard. Try it yourself with our french fry cutter so you can see just how easy it is, then the satisfaction of your not so hard work with our different french fry seasonings. For more information, call (225) 743-3400.

PELLET GRILLS ARE ALL THE RAGE: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,Cabela's, 2200 W. Cabela's Parkway, Gonzales. From standard grilling to slow smoking, pellet grills are one of the most versatile grills available for backyard gourmets. Create amazing dishes that are hard to replicate with propane or charcoal. See one in action. For more information, call (225) 743-3400.

BRAINY BOOTCAMP: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Carriage House Weddings, 12138 W. Main St., Gonzales.The Brainy Bootcamp is a program inspired by students who find themselves struggling in class, who lack in academic confidence, and who are looking for that extra push over the summer to further be prepared for their preceding grade. This program is designed for exiting first- or second-grade students for whom summer school programs are not offered through their public schools. This program runs Monday through Friday. For more information, visit unwrapd.org.

FREE SMALL-BUSINESS COUNSELING & MENTORING: 9 a.m. to noon, Ascension Parish Library, Gonzales branch.This includes help on the business plan, financial forecast, marketing and sales, legal and accounting suggestions, business insurance needs and bank loan package preparation. Call (225) 381-7130 for an appointment.For more information, contact Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales at (225) 647-3955.

ALZHEIMER'S SERVICES OF THE CAPITAL AREA CAREGIVER NETWORK: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., St. Elizabeth Hospital, 1125 W. La. 30, Gonzales, Sister Vernola conference room. Monthly supportive meetings for caregivers to network with one another. Meets first Tuesday of each month. Free; no registration required. For more information, call (225) 924-0029.

THRIVING WITH DIABETES: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., St. Elizabeth Hospital, 1125 W. La. 30, Gonzales, Sister Vernola conference room.Come join this educational support group to learn how to keep your diabetes under control and prevent complications. Mary Campos, a certified diabetic educator, will lead a fun, interactive session on understanding diabetes. For more information, call (225) 924-0029.

AL-ANON MEETING: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.,St. Elizabeth Hospital, 1125 W. La. 30, Gonzales. Sister Linda conference room. Free. Call (225) 924-0029 for more information. Meets every Tuesday.

KOKUSAIKA: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Ascension Parish Library, Gonzales branch.Learn about Japanese culture. This program is open to all teens ages 12-18. Call the Gonzales branch library at (225) 647-3955.

TRUTH AND CHALLENGES WITH WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: 6:30 p.m., Ascension Parish Library, Dutchtown branch. Join Dr. Drake Bellanger for this seminar on the truth and myths about weight loss and discover treatment solutions including weight-loss procedures to improve your health and resolve medical problems. To register, call (225) 673-8699.

LOSS AND GRIEF EDUCATION AND SUPPORT MEETING: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., St. Elizabeth Hospital, Sister Linda conference room,1125 W. La. 30, Gonzales. For anyone who has experienced loss of any kind. A group facilitated by the Grief Recovery Center to help with the grieving process. Meets every Thursday. For more information, emaildiane.hodges@steh.comor call (225) 621-2906.

PAJAMA STORY TIME: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.,Ascension Parish Library, Gonzales branch. Program is designed for children ages 7 and younger and their families. For more information, call the Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales at (225) 647-3955.

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Ascension Parish calendar for June 1-8, 2017 - The Advocate

Kade Keowen selected head coach for Spartan baseball

The East Ascension High School Spartans have a new baseball coach, but hes far from new when it comes to playing and coaching the sport. Kade Keowen takes over the helm as head baseball coach for the 2017-18 season. He's currently the assistant baseball coach at LSU at Eunice.

East Ascensions Principal Traci McCorkle was more than pleased by the number of qualified applicants vying for the head coach position. I feel fortunate to have found Coach Keowen, who we believe will be a fantastic addition to our school and our baseball program. We welcome him and his wife to our Spartan family and to our community," McCorkle said. "We know he will have a tremendous amount of support from our Forever Spartans, and we are looking forward to future successes."

Keowen has spent the past four years on the diamond at LSU-E and helped lead the Bengals to their fifth National Junior College Athletic Association national championship. His role at LSU-E was instructing the hitting aspect, coaching the outfielders and developing base running skills. Keowen also had a hand in the recruiting program.

Before taking a role in the collegiate ranks with the Bengals, Keowen held assistant coach stints at Denham Springs and Central high schools. He also held the head coach position at False River Academy.

Keowen graduated from Central High School and played collegiate baseball at LSU and LSU-E. In 2007, he was picked in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Boston Red Sox. Keowens stint lasted three seasons in the Red Sox organization, then he played one year with the Sussex Skyhawks, of the Can-Am Independent League.

Theres excitement in the air for both the Spartans and the Keowen family as a new journey begins. "My wife, Katelyn, and I are excited to be joining the Spartan Family. The rich baseball tradition, outstanding academics and tremendous community support were all factors in my wanting to become the next head baseball coach at East Ascension High School," Keowen said. "I look forward to meeting with the players and getting this train rolling!"

Keowen wont start officially until August, but he will begin working with the Spartans this summer.

St. Amants three-peat as a sports standout, Briggs Bourgeois took honors as the Boys Athlete of the Year award at The Advocates Athlete of the Year/Star of Stars banquet May 23.

Bourgeois signed with Southern Mississippi football as a kicker and punter while having the kind of year most athletes would dream about. He had a hand in leading the Gators to the quarterfinals in football. His abilities on the soccer field accomplished the same feat for the first time 2011. Bourgeois was chosen as the All-Metro MVP in soccer, and he earned all-state honors in football and soccer. Bourgeois also helped the baseball team make the playoffs.

As Boys Athlete of the Year, Bourgeois' stats were impressive. He helped St. Amants football team advance to the 5A quarterfinals for the first time since the 1990s with 66 catches for 836 yards and 13 touchdowns as a receiver. He averaged 40 yards per punt and made 13 of 15 field goals.

Bourgeois also earned All-Metro football honors as a receiver and a kicker and Class 5A all-state as a kicker. Bourgeois was the All-Metro MVP for Divisions I-II in soccer. He led the Gators to the soccer quarterfinals with 24 goals and 21 assists and was the MVP of the Louisiana High School Coaches Association all-star game. In baseball, Bourgeois played center field, batted .316 and scored 31 runs as a leadoff hitter.

The Gators Taylor Tidwell was a finalist in the Girls Athlete of the Year selections. The St. Amant junior doubled up in All-Metro honors in 2016-17. The LSU softball commitment was an All-Metro and Louisiana Volleyball Coaches Association all-state choice in volleyball with 417 kills, 23 aces, 380 assists, 197 digs and 64 blocks. She also was the Division I, District 4 MVP in volleyball, helping the Gators advance to the Division I semifinals.

Tidwells play on the diamond helped lead the Gators softball team to the Class 5A quarterfinals while playing shortstop. She batted .393 with nine home runs, 44 RBIs and 50 runs to earn All-Metro and 5A all-state honors from the LSWA.

In individual boys honors by sport, senior Sage Nugent took the crown in wrestling. In 2017, Nugent took double honors as the prolific wrestler won city and Division I state titles at 182 pounds for the Gators. Sage finished his senior season with a record of 48-3 and wrapped up his career with a 148-28 mark.

Bourgeois easily wrapped up the individual honor in soccer as he won All-Metro MVP honors for Divisions I-II. Bourgeois also helped to lead the Gators to the Division I quarterfinals with 24 goals and 21 assists. The four-time All-Metro choice earned all-state honors three times.

Ascension Catholic Highs junior Nick Milano took the honors in powerlifting. Milano lead the Bulldogs to a third place finish in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association state championships by winning the Division V 132-pound weight class with a total lift of 925 pounds. That total included a Division V record-setting bench press of 230 pounds.

Senior Trey Kauffman, of the Dutchtown Griffins, took top honors in bowling. Kauffman won 27 of 31 matches in his senior year and helped the Griffins advance to the LHSAA semifinals with a season average of knocking down 217 pins per game.

In baseball, senior Blayne Enlow took top honors with his pitching for St. Amant High. The Gators ace pitched five complete games in 11 starts, giving up just 10 earned runs for an ERA of 1.01 and struck out 101 in 69.2 innings. Just to add a little icing on the cake, Enlow made the USA Baseball team and picked up a win in the Pan American Games that help the team on its way to winning the gold medal.

East Ascension High School senior Mackenzie Westmoreland took the top honor in gymnastics. Westmoreland placed third in all-around competition at the LHSAA state meet. As the Spartans' top gymnast all season long, Westmorelands 37.600 total for that meet included a first-place finish on the balance beam.

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Ascension Athletics for June 1, 2017 - The Advocate

DONALDSONVILLE The Ascension Parish School Board, Sheriff's Office and Parish Council will be voting, for the first time, on a request for an exemption from property taxes by a manufacturer looking to build in the parish.

Since last June, manufacturers seeking industrial tax exemptions in Louisiana must first get the approval of the major taxing bodies where the new facility would be built.

The non-profit Ascension Economic Development Corp., which works to bring new business to the parish, is trying to find a way to streamline that process.

"We don't want to do this on a project-by-project basis," Kate MacArthur, president and chief executive officer of the AEDC told Ascension Parish School Board members Tuesday.

MacArthur said a parish-wide task force will be working to create a standard resolution that meets the wishes of the taxing bodies and can be used uniformly for requests for industrial tax exemptions.

But, in the meantime, the AEDCis working with four manufacturers who had begun their plans to build in Ascension Parish before the governor's executive order a year ago, but are nevertheless required to follow the new regulations.

The first is a manufacturer, whose name public officials have not disclosed at the company's request. It plans to build an $11 million container-manufacturing facility in Geismar that would employ 28 local workers.

The business, a 100-year-old company, would like to be in production by September, MacArthur said.

Before Gov. John Bel Edward's executive order in June 2016 changed the way large manufacturers get exemptions from paying local property taxes, the industrial tax exemptions were automatically approved and were the same across the state.

Now, a request for a property tax exemption requires the approval of the Sheriff, School Board and parish government as well as municipalities if applicable before the manufacturer can take their request to the state Board of Commerce and Industry.

The major taxing bodies in a parish can now choose to set a manufacturer's exemption from property taxes at a lower level than the allowed maximum up to 100 percent tax abatement for five years, with a potential renewal at up to 80 percent for three years.

Previously, all exemptions were 100 percent of local property taxes for two, consecutive five-year terms.

Detailed regulations for the governor's executive order are expected later this summer, MacArthur said, adding that manufacturers have, however, been abiding by the executive order since last June.

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After four decades of automatically approving applications to exempt large manufacturers fro

"There is going to be a matrix that comes from the task force, to create a general resolution" that the local taxing bodies can use for industrial tax exemption requests in the future, Superintendent David Alexander told board members Tuesday.

But before that, the School Board will vote on the tax exemption request from the proposed Geismar container manufacturer at its meeting on June 6.

The resolution, if approved, would provide an exemption from property tax at 100 percent for five years, and at 80 percent for three years.

MacArthur said she has brought the information on the container manufacturer to the Sheriff's Office and will present the information to the Ascension Parish Council at its meeting next week.

MacArthur told School Board members Tuesday that the new process for granting property tax exemptions to manufacturers also introduces a new level of competition.

Taxing bodies in one parish may choose to permit a lesser tax exemption; those in a nearby parish may grant the full tax break allowed, MacArthur said.

"It's not just competing with Texas or Georgia," MacArthur said this week. "Now we're competing with every other parish."

"We're all competing with our neighbors," she said.

Follow Ellyn Couvillion on Twitter, @EllynCouvillion.

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Ascension Parish public bodies mull streamlined process in new tax exemption rules - The Advocate

Time to prepare for hurricane season

Its June 1, and that means hurricane season is upon us. FEMA is urging Louisianans to prepare now to save lives and property later.

Start by updating your disaster kit. Ready.gov recommends gathering a three-day supply of nonperishable food and bottled water, a battery-operated radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, cash, medicines, a first-aid kid, pet foods and important documents.

Outside your home, cut down or trim damaged trees and clear debris from pipes and culverts.

Know your evacuation routes and make a plan to keep your family together and safe. Create a communication plan that includes a family member or friend out of state as a point of contact in the event of separation when a storm hits.

For more information, visit ready.gov/hurricanes or emergency.louisiana.gov.

Rhodes Spedale and Live Jazz Group featuring Lil Josephine on bass and Lloyd Cambre on drums is set to perform from 6 pm. to 8 p.m. Saturday in Crescent Park in Donaldsonville.

The free concert is part of the Donaldsonville Downtown Live @Crescent series.

For information, call (225) 445-1383.

The Donaldsonville arts, crafts and farmers market is set from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Louisiana Square.

Community Sisterhood is accepting applications to its 2017 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Camp sponsoring One Smart Cookie.

The camp is for students in kindergarten through eighth grade and will be held Monday through June 9 at First Pilgrim Calvary Baptist Church, 11453 La. 73, Geismar, and June 12-16 at Greater Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, 926 St. Patrick St., Donaldsonville.

Cost is 60 and includes breakfast, lunch and a snack. Register online at http://bit.ly/2r5GXJQ or email communitysisterhood@cox.net for details.

Learn how to keep diabetes under control and prevent complications with Mary Campos at 6 p.m. Tuesday in St. Elizabeth Hospitals Sister Vernola conference room. Campos is a certified diabetic educator and registered nurse.

The event is free to attend, but registration is preferred. Call (225) 621-2906.

St. Elizabeth Hospital offers a variety of support groups that meet on a regular basis.

All groups are free, and no registration is required.

Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1996; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate.com. Deadline: noon Monday.

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Around Ascension for June 1, 2017 - The Advocate