Category Archives: Ascension

Ledyard King and Mike Stucka| USA TODAY NETWORK

As federal officials debate pouring billions of dollars into broadband access, data suggests many of Louisiana's schoolchildren and adults who preferred to work from home spent the pandemic with sub-par access to high-speed internet, particularly in the state's least-wealthy parishes.

Advocates say that "digital divide" across the United States is due largely to two factors: a lack of internet infrastructure in the country's rural reaches and the relatively high cost of broadband that has made the service unaffordable for many in urban centers.

In about half of Louisiana's parishes 33 of 64 measured by a Federal Communications Commission study, broadband access is available to at least 72% of residents. Yet in about half of the state measured by Microsoft 33 of 64 parishes no more than 17% of households actually have high-speed access, a USA TODAY analysis shows.

President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of Senate moderates have reached a deal on a far-reaching infrastructure plan that would direct $65 billion to increase broadband connectivity from coast-to-coast. Despite the agreement, it's unclear whether it would address the solutions some lawmakers want to see such as continued broadband subsidies for low-income families, greater competition among wireless providers and continued buildout of high-speed networks in poorer, rural areas.

The Biden administration estimates 30 million Americans live in areas that lack broadband infrastructure to provide minimally acceptable speeds.

>> READ MORE: United States lags in broadband access, but will billions of dollars fix it?

In Louisiana, 14% of residents don't have adequate broadband infrastructure and 60% live in areas that have only one internet provider, according to the White House.

Locally, on the FCC and Microsoft measures:

The proportions of Louisiana households that have high speed access varies widely: In Catahoula Parish, it's just 2%; in Jackson Parish, it's 2%; and in Red River Parish, it's 3%. Leading the state are St. Tammany Parish with 60%, Lafayette Parish with 52% and Ascension Parish with 52%.

A USA TODAY analysis of data nationwide found a wide gap between rich and poor parishes, as measured by median household income. The chasm varies depending on state and county.

Among Louisiana's wealthiest parishes: 52% of Ascension Parish has access, 60% of St. Tammany Parish has access and 39% of St. Charles Parish has access. Among the least-wealthiest parishes, access rates are 10% in East Carroll Parish, 3% in Tensas Parish and 6% in Claiborne Parish.

>> Interactive Map: See how broadband access compares across the U.S.

Among the state's most populated parishes: Some 42% of East Baton Rouge Parish households have broadband access, as well as 38% of Jefferson Parish households and 34% of Orleans Parish households, the Microsoft data shows.

The complete USA TODAY story on national broadband is available on usatoday.com.

Erin Mansfield and Matt Wynn contributed to this report. The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Microsoft, the Federal Communications Commission and the White House.

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In Louisiana, many still lack broadband access - The Town Talk

BATON ROUGE, La. A pastor came to Kecia Wires place of work when her son was maybe 8 or 9 with a question about the young boy. Hed heard about Cameron Wires size. Then he saw it himself.

Is he interested in playing football? the pastor asked. But Wires first love was basketball. Playing football had never truly occurred to him. Still, Kecia was going to hear the pastor out, so a few days later he sent former NFL tight end Shawn Nelson an East Ascension High (La.) alumnus and youth coach Jeff Daniels to the Wire home to pitch them on football. They showed Kecia a video of the local team, the Prairieville Broncos, and explained what Wires future could be if he committed himself to this game.

Football history is littered with tales of large young athletes with all the upside in the world and the mission to get the most out of those large frames.

The rest is here:

LSU's Cam Wire and his path from 'baby giraffe' to potential starting left tackle - The Athletic

SAGINAW, MI - Middle and high school athletes will get a chance to get their sports physicals taken care of for free in Saginaw.

Ascension Medical Group Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, in conjunction with Field Neurosciences Institute, will offer free sports physicals and concussion baseline assessments for middle and high school students on Monday, July 26 and Tuesday, July 27 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 4677 Towne Centre Road, Medical Arts Building 3, on the second floor. The physicals will be performed by the medical team of sports medicine physicians, orthopedic sports surgeons, physical therapists, athletic trainers and Central Michigan University family medicine residents, according to a press release from Ascension.

Sports physicals are expected to take 15 minutes while physicals done with a concussions baseline test will take approximately 30 minutes, said the press release.

A concussion baseline assessment is performed to measure normal functioning in multiple areas of the brain that are commonly affected following a concussion, explained the press release, and assessments are done using the TRAZER where simulations mimic active gameplay and provide detailed data about an athletes performance capabilities. According to Ascension, baseline assessments allow for comparison of post-injury state to baseline parameters for accurate diagnosis and proper return to play protocol.

Each student will need to bring a completed Michigan High School Athletic Association medical history/consent form and baseline consent form signed appropriately by a parent or guardian. Parental attendance is required for students under 18. Forms are available online at http://www.fni.org.

There are a limited number of appointments available, according to Ascension. Those interested are asked to call 989-497-3118 to schedule a time.

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Saginaws Ascension offering free sports physicals and concussion testing for 2 days - MLive.com

Some Ascension Parish residents took to social media over the weekend to air their concerns over some members of the East Ascension Drainage Commission seeking to remove and replace the parish president as leader.

The special meeting of the commission June 28 was called to void the contract between the district and Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment. It called for the establishment of a Chief Executive Officer of the district, and approval of a contract with William Roux LLC as interim CEO.

The agenda also called for an intergovernmental agreement with the parish to continue administrative functions as part of the four percent annual fee with additional conditions as to the separation of personnel and assets.

WilliamRoux LLC was registered June 24, according tothe Louisiana Secretary of State's business records.William "Bill" Roux is a retired parish drainage director.

In the days leading up to the meeting, commissioners Teri Casso and Aaron Lawler appeared in local television reports stating the parish needs a drainage professional at the helm.

Chase Melancon, who serves as Vice Chair of the EADC, said in a social media post June 24 that he received a call notifying him of the meeting at 1 p.m. to remove the president as drainage director.

Melancon said it was the first time he had been made aware that any such actions taking place.

"I can only assume I was intentionally left out of any conversations being had about the idea. So that's what I know, and not a thing more," Melancon stated.

Cointment released a statement via social media touting the more than 100 million dollars worth of projects started in just 18 months.

"We know there is still work to be done, though we feel that over $100 million dollars of projects in 18 months is a good start!" Cointment stated.

Over the weekend, Lawler thanked everyone who respectfully expressed their opinions to him regarding EADC leadership.

He suggested creating a spot on the commission for the parish president and allowing the commissioners to "appoint someone to sit in their stead if they wish."

Days earlier, commissionerJoel Robert said he was "befuddled" by the "blatant disregard for The People" in an attack on Cointment and his administration's progress.

Gonzales resident Jeff Pettit, in commenting to the Weekly Citizen, agreed more drainage work has been accomplished in 18 months, despite the pandemic, than in a decade and a half.

Pettit said he suspects the commission's move is a step to revert back to the former policy jury system, and eventually, to eliminate the parish president position and hire a parish manager.

"Put it to a vote of the people. Put it on a ballot. If ten east bank council members automatically become drainage commissioners, then the parish president can automatically become drainage director," Pettit said.

Nicole Halford Fall also commented, saying parish residents are tired of not being heard by the people elected to be their voice.

She recalled the last meeting of the full council when the public hearing was held on the proposed 12-month moratorium on new developments. Ultimately, the council voted for a nine-month version.

"A handful of builders and developers spoke out against the presidents plan, yet when the vote was done, the majority of the council voted against what the people clearly supported," Fall said.

A Facebook group called Ascension Citizens for Change has been gaining traction, she added. As of late June 27, the group had more than 500 members.

"There is a petition that was created on Saturday that is gaining momentum. We will be at the meetings and out talking to our neighbors to take this parish back," she said.

Back in 2017, a group called A Better Ascension sought to change the parish home rule charter and create a parish executive position, following the leadership structure large companies have.

Kenny Matassa, who was parish president at the time, stated the group was backed by special interestsand wanted to take away residents' right to vote for a president, as they have for other leadership positions like sheriff and mayor.

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Residents angered over East Ascension Drainage attempt to replace president - Weekly Citizen

NEW YORK, June 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Every soul is on a unique journey and the path to healing is never the same. People have unique experiences and past traumas. That is why the path to healing must also be personalized, so every individual can experience more freedom, joy, love, and fulfillment in all areas of their lives. Jen Peters of Ascension The Whole Journey is one such multidimensional healer who offers the Heal Your Inner Child program.

The Heal Your Inner Child program is a six-week transformational process to unlock, release, restore and heal past trauma keeping people stuck. Oftentimes, people struggle with dysfunctional relationships, attracting emotionally unavailable partners or even narcissistic dynamics. Other times its being held back by hidden blocks within themselves or their career. This is where Jen helps her clients overcome these challenges and accelerate their healing so they can experience the deep transformation and self-actualization thats available to them.

The Heal Your Inner Child Program

The Heal Your Inner Child is a 6-week transformation process to bring unconscious, hidden trauma and blocks to light and dissolve them at the origin so people can finally unlock a life of purpose, achieve self-mastery within themselves, their career andtheir relationships. According to Jen Peters "The experiences we had as children form the foundation for how we live the rest of our life. When we heal our inner child - we heal our life."

The program is designed for people who are tired of feeling stuck or held back by invisible walls that keep them repeating the same dysfunctional cycles within themselves, their relationships, or their career. Instead, they're ready to experience the freedom to fully expand and reach their highest potential and achieve success and purpose in all areas of their life.

Through the Heal Your Inner Child program, members can expect to experience tangible shifts from their very first session and every session after. Jen Peters works deep within the subconscious mind to untether her clients from where they are right now and guide them to where theyre being called to be so that they can create an expansive and deeply fulfilling life of purpose, empowerment and self-actualization.

Jen Peters uses a blend of Quantum Healing Techniques, Multidimensional Healing Tools, Conversational Hypnotherapy, and Intuitive Coaching in her Heal Your Inner Child program. She works in synergy with her clients own soul and ascension team and accesses their subconscious mind and akashic records to dissolve trapped emotional trauma, blocks, and debris that keep them enslaved to distorted and limiting patterning and beliefs.

Conclusion

The Heal Your Inner Child program is the perfect option for people who want to heal their inner child wounds, dissolve hidden blocks or codependency at the origin within the subconscious mind as well as healing following narcissistic abuse. Theyre free to move beyond limiting subconscious programming and step into self-mastery and purpose in their relationships, careers and within themselves.

According to clients Working with Jen Peters has accelerated my personal growth and deepened my understanding of myself. Sessions with Jen have enabled me to clear debilitating, life-long patterns and limiting beliefs at a rapid pace. I feel calmer, a sense of inner peace and trust, and my outer reality is starting to fall into place as my inner world heals and aligns. Thank you Jen Peters for the important work that you do.

Jen Peters of Ascension The Whole Journey and her Heal Your Inner Child program are helping people untether from a life that they no longer align with and instead are turning their pain into empowerment and creating a life of alignment, purpose and freedom!

Check out the Heal Your Inner Child Program HERE

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b2450828-bf02-40f4-b90e-ef676031d830

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Jen Peters of Ascension The Whole Journey Announces The Heal Your Inner Child - GlobeNewswire

Amateur Radio sets Field Day

On Saturday and Sunday, the Ascension Amateur Radio Club will be participating in the national amateur radio Field Day exercise at Cabelas in Gonzales.

Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of amateur radio. The event is from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday.

For more information about Field Day or amateur radio, contact aarc@k5arc.com or visit http://www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio.

"Wonderful Watercolors" will be taught June 28-July 2 and July 5-9 at River Region Ascension Association gallery in Gonzales.

This will be a journey in the fun use of watercolors as you draw and paint while developing a story that will be made into a book. Students will use watercolor and make each of the pages into a collage. Get you ideas for the story and book and join the class in June or July. To register, go to riverregionartassociation.square.site to pay by credit card. If you wish to pay cash or check visit the group's Facebook page for the registration form and schedule of classes for the summer and mail in your payment and registration to 320 E. Ascension St., Suite C, Gonzales, LA 70737. For more information, text (504) 452-2616.

Learn the secrets of teaching a dog to jump through a hoop, fetch and retrieve, dance and more. Michelle and her magical poodles present an entertaining and educational experience learning all about dogs. Ascension Parish Library, Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office and Veterans Memorial Park present the program that teaches the history of dogs, animal awareness and safety, and the importance of service dogs. And be sure to stick around after the show for a hands-on meet and greet with the animals!

Michelles Magical Poodles will perform two outdoor shows: Thursday, July 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hickley M. Waguespack Center, 1201 Maginnis St., Donaldsonville; and Friday, July 2, at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, located on South Irma Blvd., Gonzales. Parking will be available at the Gonzales library location.

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Michelles Magical Poodles will perform four indoor shows: Thursday, July 1, at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Ascension Parish Librarys Galvez location; and Friday, July 2, at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Ascension Parish Librarys Dutchtown location. For these indoor shows, registration is required. Space is limited and masks are recommended. To register, call the library in Galvez at (225) 622-3339 or the library in Dutchtown at (225) 673-8699. Visit our website at myAPL.org for more information.

Join River Parishes Community College from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 29 for an open house at its Gonzales campus. There will be free food and the chance to learn about the college's four campuses, programs of study, training opportunities and funding sources. Free COVID-19 vaccines will also be available. Sign up for your vaccination at http://bit.ly/RPCCVaccine.

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Around Ascension for June 23, 2021 | Ascension | theadvocate.com - The Advocate

The all-district baseball teams were recently named, with several Ascension Parish players making the lists.

2021 District 5-5A All District Team

1st Team

Pitcher: Braden Billingsly, St. Amant

Pitcher: Slade Zeppuhar, St. Amant

Pitcher: Tanner Hebert, East Ascension

Pitcher: Nathan Monceaux, Dutchtown

Pitcher: Nick Gisclair, Dutchtown

Catcher: Jacob Falgoust, EA

Catcher: Caleb Ickes, Dutchtown

Infield: Lee Amedee, St. Amant

Infield: Josh Denton, St. Amant

Infield: Payton Cooper, Dutchtown

Infield: Will Delaune, Dutchtown

Outfield: Dominick Regira, EA

Outfield: Jordan Goodlow, EA

Outfield: Brayden Kuriger, St. Amant

Outfield: Ethan Mayeaux, Dutchtown

Utility: Reggie Hebert, St. Amant

Utility: Tanner Vadnais, Dutchtown

Utility: Kael Babin, EA

Utility: Brock Hebert: EA

Gold Glove: Kael Babin EA

Most Valuable: Nathan Monceaux Dutchtown

Second team

Pitcher: Beau Cheveallier, Dutchtown

Catcher: Blake LeBouef, St. Amant

Infield: Landen Gautreau, EA

Outfield: Rueben Williams, Dutchtown

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Outfield: Cole Poirrier, St. Amant

Utility: Chance Mire, EA

Utility: Will Dotter, Dutchtown

Utility: Cameron Planch, St. Amant

Utility: AK Burrell, Dutchtown

District 7-1A Baseball

1st team:

Utility/Pitcher: Jacob Dunn, Ascension Catholic

Pitcher: Baylor Leonard, Ascension Catholic

Infielder: Bryce Leonard, Ascension Catholic

Catcher: Lex Melancon, Ascension Catholic

DH: Jacques Husers, Ascension Catholic

Infielder: Joel Landry, Ascension Catholic

Outfield: Brooks Leonard, Ascension Catholic

Pitcher/Infielder: Aubrey Gathright, Ascension Christian

Infielder: Braxton Hudnall, Ascension Christian

Outfielder: Brandon Tregre, Ascension Christian

2nd team:

Infielder: Baylor Leonard, Ascension Catholic

Pitcher: Bryce Leonard, Ascension Catholic

Outfield: Demarco Harry, Ascension Catholic

Pitcher: Jacques Husers, Ascension Catholic

Pitcher: Wyatt Burrat, Ascension Christian

Infielder: Brennan Hunt, Ascension Christian

Outfield: Brady Gueho, Ascension Christian

DH: Jack Markey, Ascension Christian

MVP: Jacob Dunn, Ascension Catholic

Coach of the Year: Gee Cassard, Ascension Catholic

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All district teams announced | Ascension | theadvocate.com - The Advocate

UPDATED with audience award winners. The Tribeca Festival has announced its Audience Award winners: Catch the Fair One for Best Narrative Feature, Blind Ambition for Best Documentary Feature and Ferguson Rises for Best Online Feature. The winners of the narrative and documentary categories will receive a cash prize of $10,000.

Tribecas 20th edition wrapped up on Sunday.

PREVIOUSLY: Lauren Hadaways The Novice, about a queer college freshman who joins her universitys rowing team and undertakes an obsessive physical and psychological journey to make it to the top boat, has won the Best U.S. Narrative Feature Film prize at the Tribeca Festival.

Star Isabelle Furman won the best actress prize, and Todd Martin took cinematography honors for the film, the first feature for Hadaway, a former competitive rower.

Related StoryBlisters And Betrayal: The Novice Explores Obsession Through College Rowing Tribeca Studio

Brighton 4th, directed by Levan Koguashvili, won the fests Best International Narrative Feature Film prize, taking that honor as well as best actor for Levan Tediashvili and screenplay for Boris Frumin. Ascension, directed by Jessica Kingdon, won the top Documentary prize, while Kingdon also won the Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary Director.

Competition awards were given in Tribecas U.S. Narrative, International Narrative, Documentary, Short Films, Immersive and the first-ever Podcast and Games categories.

Second Place for Best Narrative Feature went to Last Film Show, written and directed by Pan Nalin.

The fest on Thursday also bestowed its annual Nora Ephron Award to Chanel James and Taylor Garron for As of Yet. The award, which includes a $25,000 prize, honors excellence in storytelling by a female writer or director embodying the spirit and boldness of the late filmmaker.

Heres the winners list:

AUDIENCE AWARDS

NarrativeCatch the Fair One, directed and written by Josef Kubota WladykaProduced by Mollye Asher, Kimberly Parker, Josef Kubota Wladyka

DocumentaryBlind Ambition, directed by Robert Coe and Warwick Ross, written by Warwick Ross, Robert Coe, Paul Murphy, Madeleine RossProduced by Warwick Ross and Robert Coe

U.S. NARRATIVE COMPETITION

The Founders Award for Best Feature FilmThe Novice, directed and written by Lauren HadawayProduced by Ryan Hawkins, Kari Hollend, Steven Sims, Zack Zucker

Best ActressIsabelle Furman, The Novice, directed and written by Lauren HadawayProduced by Ryan Hawkins, Kari Hollend, Steven Sims, Zack Zucker

Special Jury Mention: Kali Reis, Catch The Fair One

Best ActorMatthew Leone, Gods Waiting Room, directed and written by Tyler RiggsProduced by Tyler Riggs, Suvi Riggs

Best CinematographyTodd Martin, The Novice, directed and written by Lauren HadawayProduced by Ryan Hawkins, Kari Hollend, Steven Sims, Zack Zucker

Best ScreenplayHannah Marks, Mark, Mary, and Some Other People, directed and written by Hannah MarksProduced by Hannah Marks, Pete Williams, Jon Lullo, Brendan Walter, Jonathan Duffy, Kelly Williams, Stephen Braun

Special Jury Prize for Artistic ExpressionDirector Nana Mensah,Queen of Glory

INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE COMPETITION

Best Feature FilmBrighton 4th, directed by Levan Koguashvili, written by Boris Frumin, Levan KoguashviliProduced by Irakli Rodonaya, Olena Yershova, Michel Merkt, Kateryna Merkt

Best ActressBassant Ahmed & Basmala Elghaiesh, Souad, directed by Ayten Amin, written by Mahmoud Ezzat, Ayten Amin. Produced by Sameh Awad.

Best ActorLevan Tediashvili, Brighton 4th, directed by Levan Koguashvili, written by Boris Frumin, Levan Koguashvili. Produced by Irakli Rodonaya, Olena Yershova, Michel Merkt, Kateryna Merkt.

Best CinematographyElisabeth Vogler, Roaring 20s, directed by Elisabeth Vogler, written by Franois Mark, Elisabeth Vogler, Nomie Schmidt, Joris Avodo. Produced by Laurent Rochette.

Best ScreenplayBoris Frumin, Brighton 4th, directed by Levan Koguashvili, written by Boris Frumin, Levan KoguashviliProduced by Irakli Rodonaya, Olena Yershova, Michel Merkt, Kateryna Merkt

Special Jury Mention: Cast ensemble ofRoaring 20s

Best New Narrative DirectorNana Mensah, Queen of Glory, directed and written by Nana MensahProduced by Jamund Washington, Kelley Robins Hicks, Baff Akoto, Nana Mensah, Anya Migdal

Special Jury Mention: Mack Fisher, Cinematographer ofGods Waiting Room

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

Best FeatureAscension, directed by Jessica KingdonProduced by Kira Simon-Kennedy, Jessica Kingdon, Nathan Truesdell

Best EditingShannon Swan, The Kids, directed by Eddie MartinProduced by Shannon Swan

Best CinematographyBing Liu & Joshua Altman, All These Sons, directed by Bing Liu, Joshua AltmanProduced by Zak Piper, Kelsey Carr, Bing Liu, Joshua Altman

2021 Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary DirectorJessica Kingdon, Ascension, directed by Jessica KingdonProduced by Kira Simon-Kennedy, Jessica Kingdon, Nathan Truesdell

Special Jury Mention:The Neutral Grounddirected by CJ Hunt

NORA EPHRON AWARD

Chanel James & Taylor Garron, As of Yet, directed by Chanel James, Taylor GarronProduced by Ashley Edouard, Taylor Garron

SHORT CATEGORIES

Best Narrative ShortRongfei Guo, Girl With a Thermal Gun, directed and written by Rongfei GuoProduced by Du Yating

Special Jury Mention: Leylak

Best Animated ShortReza Riahi, Navozande, The Musician, directed and written by Reza RiahiProduced by Eleanor Coleman, Stphanie Carreras, Philippe Pujo

Special Jury Mention: Dirty Little Secret,directed by Jeff Scher, andTry To Fly, directed by The Affolter Brothers

Short Documentary AwardRyan White, Coded, directed by Ryan WhiteProduced by Christopher Leggett, Jessica Hargrave, Conor Fetting-Smith, Rafael Marmor, Marc Gilbar

Student Visionary AwardRobert Brogden, Six Nights, directed and written by Robert BrogdenProduced by Robert Brogden, Kelley Zincone, Izrael Lopez

PODCAST AWARD

Non-FictionHouse of Pod and Wild Bird Trust, Guardians of the River

FictionJames Kim and Brooke Iskra, Vermont Ave.

Special Jury Mention: Brooklyn Santa

TRIBECA X AWARD

Best FeatureDear Santa, Director: Dana Nachman; Brand: The United States Postal Service

Best EpisodicBlack Owned, Director: Rodney Lucas; Brand: Square

Best ShortChinese New Year-Nian, Director: Lulu Wang; Brand: Apple

ImmersiveCurrent, Creator: Annie Saunders; Brand: Brookfield Properties

GAMES

2021 Games AwardNorco, from Geography of Robots, published by Raw Fury

IMMERSIVE COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Best Immersive Narrative Competition AwardMichle Stephenson, Joe Brewster, Yasmin Elayat, The Changing Same: Episode 1

Best Creative Nonfiction Competition AwardAnnie Saunders, Current

Storyscapes AwardFelix Gaedtke, Gayatri Parameswaran, Kusunda

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Tribeca Festival Winners: Catch The Fair One And Blind Ambition Nab Audience Awards, Joining Juried Nods For The Novice, Brighton 4th, Ascension -...

The Tribeca Film Festival, which was the first major film festival to hold in-person screenings and live events since Sundance 2020, celebrated its 20th anniversary

Founded in the wake of 9/11, Tribeca Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary as the cinephiles of New York emerged from the shadow of a pandemic. It was the first major film festival to hold in-person screenings and live events since Sundance last year.

Fortunately, for those who couldnt possibly make it in-person, the festival also offered at-home online screenings. Unfortunately though, not all films like the Warner Bros titles In the Heights and No Sudden Move decided to participate in the virtual leg.

Indeed, one doesnt really attend Tribeca or Sundance for the big studio fodder, but to identify the new voices and talent in independent filmmaking. Tribeca again championed a fresh batch of storytellers, giving them a conduit to have their films seen by the widest possible demographic. The festival truly stretched its format by adding video games to the official selections for the first time this year, going beyond the norm of traditional film festivals. To embrace this evolution, it dropped the film from Tribeca Film Festival.

We only had access to the films, which ranged from the mostly watchable to the mostly forgettable with the odd gem thrown in. Now that the festival is concluded and with it the feeding frenzy, we weeded through the mixed bag to bring you the films to watch out for.

Ascension (dir. Jessica Kingdon)

Ascension - Tribeca 2021

The meaning of the word Orwellian may be overused and overstretched nowadays, but its really the most fitting descriptor for Jessica Kingdonsabsurdist portrait of contemporary China as the worlds factory. How else would you describe these everyday scenes from the film? The compliant working-class sort out used plastic bottles and assemble busty sex dolls like impassive humanoids themselves. The go-getters attend seminars on how to become influencers and butlers to better serve Chinas rising upper class. Each one of them have been conditioned to believe they are a vital cog in the China machine. Kingdon offers a fly-on-the-wall perspective of this structured and standardised ecosystem through the lens of consumerism. The tone echoes that of a sci-fi comedy, as its vignettes unfold with a strikingly absurd sense of humour.

as of yet (dir. Chanel James, Taylor Garron)

as of yet - Tribeca 2021

Writer/co-director/star Taylor Garrons confessional comedy tries to process what the isolation has done to our social lives. Single, alone and jobless, Garrons 20-something Brooklynite Naomi funds her lockdown life with unemployment checks. To counteract the enormous disruption, she establishes a daily routine of sorts: FaceTiming with family and holding virtual happy hour with friends. Shes also been chatting with a guy named Reed (Amir Khan), and considers breaking quarantine to meet him. Only, her white roommate Sara, whos gone home to Florida, isnt too happy about it, even though she herself has been guilty of doing it. Worse, Sara is tone-deaf. In what has to be the white girl summer moment, she bemoans the Black Lives Matters protests turning violent, asking: Do you have to destroy Target to make a point? Naomi is forced to reassess her friendship with someone who not only invalidates her struggles, but must be constantly educated on the plight of being a Black woman in America. A confident debut from an emerging talent, as of yet is a refreshing take on lockdown life and singlehood.

All My Friends Hate Me (dir. Andrew Gaynord)

All My Friends Hate Me - Tribeca 2021

College reunion doesnt go according to plan for Pete (Tom Stourton), an insecure man who hopes conversations and camaraderie will get picked up from where they were left off. When old flames and friends dont treat him the way he expects them to and a mysterious outsider overshadows him as the life of the party, Pete falls prey to paranoia in Andrew Gaynords anxiety-inducing film. Ostensibly a comedy, All My Friends Hate Me packs in packs in more than laughs, using psychological thriller grammar to maintain a tense rhythm throughout. Passive-aggressive mixed messages turn Pete into a ticking bomb of a panic attack, replicating the same feeling in the viewers watching too. The whole thing is held together tightly with that distinctly British razor-sharp wit.

The Novice (dir. Lauren Hadaway)

The Novice - Tribeca 2021

Isabelle Fuhrman stuns as Alex Dall, a young woman trying to rise up the ranks in her college rowing team. With Alexs mad obsession for perfection coming at great personal cost, comparisons to Whiplash will be inevitable. But Lauren Hadaway offers an equally punishing psychodrama. For obsession here becomes atmospheric. Alex is defined and driven by compulsive pursuits, majoring in physics only because its one of her weaker subjects. She wants to be the best in a sport she doesnt have a natural talent or strength for. Her quest thus demands extreme physical and mental toil, requiring her to practice until she is sweaty and bloody. As she finds herself pitted against another rowing novice, her obsession begins to enter the psychosis phase. And Fuhrman sinks her teeth into the role chillingly, turning The Novice into a riveting allegory for unchecked ambition.

The Lost Leonardo (dir. Andreas Koefoed)

The Lost Leonardo - Tribeca 2021

Thought to be the last known Leonardo da Vinci painting, Salvator Mundi comes with the sort of sordid history of changing hands that makes for a gripping film. Danish filmmaker Andreas Koefoed offers us a functional, if not revelatory, documentary on the inner workings of the art world, now a money-grubbing industry made up of dealers, auction houses, Russian oligarchs and Saudi Crown Princes. Testimonies from sceptics, believers, journalists, patrons and collectors chronicle how the painting of Jesus bought for $1,175 at a New Orleans auction house went on to be sold for a record $450 million to a mysterious buyer (later revealed to be Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman). The fact that the painting is collecting dust in some luxury yacht or some Geneva tax-free storage facility instead of a museum for everyone to see tells you everything you need to know about the modern art industry.

Other highlights: Catch the Fair One, Last Film Show, Poser, Queen of Glory, The Justice of Bunny King

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Tribeca 2021 highlights: Best films from this years virtual festival, from Ascension to The Novice - Firstpost

Special to The Weekly Citizen| Gonzales Weekly Citizen

Robert E. (Bob) Grounds and Judy Huston Grounds are celebrating 50 years of marriage. After a lovely backyard wedding on June 12, 1971 in Hobbs, New Mexico, Bob and Judy relocated to Donaldsonville for Bobs job at Shells Capline Pipeline at St. James - and have called Louisiana home ever since. Judy taught physical education at Ascension Catholic Middle School where she was known for her no-nonsense teaching and coaching style.Judy used those talents to found Judys School of Gymnastics a few years later.

In the late 70s, Bob & Judy moved across the river to St. Amant with their daughters Michelle and Alison. Judy expanded and relocated her gymnastics school to a new 6,000 square foot facility at the corner of Rouyea and Cantee roads that Bob the Builder helped to construct and maintain. Michelle began coaching with Judy shortly thereafter. In 1996, Judy expanded her business again to an expansive multi-purpose childrens activity center, AIM, located on Airline Highway in Prairieville. Throughout their careers, Judy and Michelle coached many talented gymnasts who went on to become collegiate athletes, coaches, teachers, and community leaders. After Judy retired, Michelle continued Judys legacy as the Managing Director of AIM and Bob the Builder continued his role as lead handy man.

Bob worked for Shell in various roles until the mid-90s when he retired to pursue his dream of being a professional golfer. After playing on the Heartland Players Senior Tour for many years, Bob returned to amateur status. At over 80 years young, Bob proudly still shoots below his age. True partners in life, business, and love, Bob & Judys marriage continues to be one of mutual support filled with boat rides, crafting (for Judy), golfing (for Bob), visiting friends and family, dancing, and laughing.

Congratulations! Love, Your Family

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Grounds 50th anniversary - Post South