more... > Parishes > Rapides > Family & Consumer Sciences > Keep Food Safety in Mind When Cooking Out This Summer [Image: backyard barbeque] Tips on keeping food safety in mind to prevent foodborne illness during summer holidays where cooking out is popular. H1N1 (Swine Flu) Fact Sheet [Image: Person washing hands] This article contains general information on how to protect yourself from the nationwide flu outbreak. Louisiana School for Agricultural Sciences Provides Children’s Activities to State Emergency Shelter [Image: LASAS School] Students from the Louisiana School for Agricultural Sciences (LASAS) visited the state e\Emergency shelter located next to LSU-A on Dec. 10, 2008. Links to Hurricane Information [Image: Picture of hurricane] The LSU AgCenter provides consumers with helpful information on what to do before and after a storm.  more articles... Child Care Provider Classes [Image: Jane Jones, new childcare provider trainer] Classes for child care providers and child care centers are posted quarterly. For Class A and in-home caregivers, the price is $7.50; for Class B providers, the price is $42.50. The orientation class is mandatory for in-home caregivers, and the price is $10 for that 4-hour class. Ways With Figs [Image: "Brown Turkey" Fig] This article contains useful information on preparation and storage of figs. It also contains a fig preserve recipe and the often requested Strawberry-flavored Fig Jam. Rice Cook-Off Image Gallery [Image: Rice Cook off] The Fourth Annual Rice Cook-Off for the Rapides Senior Citizens Centers Inc. took place on Thursday, September 17, 2009, at the Woodworth, La., Senior Citizens Center. Images from the Central Region Health Expo & Blood Drive [Image: Health Fair] The September 11 Lunch and Learn was held in conjunction with the Central Region Health Expo and Blood Drive at the Dewitt Livestock Facility. Disaster Food Stamps - Apply Today [Image: Disaster Food Stamp Program logo] The LSU AgCenter is helping the efforts of the Department of Social Services to get the word out about applying early for Disaster Food Stamps. Use Family Mealtime to Build More Healthful Lifestyle [Image: Family Meal] This article describes how family mealtime promotes healthy nutrition habits for children and adults, as well as giving tips on meal preparation and a recipe for a B.L.T. in a Bowl. Child Care Providers Learn Ways to Encourage Literacy [Image: Literacy Class] Two three-hour child care provider training clases were hel on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at the Christian Care Children's Center near Pickering. Childcare Article: Is It O.K. to Spank? [Image: Parent disciplining child] This childcare article gives parents and caregivers alternatives to "spanking". Lunch 'N Learn Series: "Fun with Veggies" Image Gallery [Image: Qunicy Cheek displays different types of knives] Images from the Lunch 'N Learn Series held in April 2009 on learning about culinary knife skills and the importance of vegetables in the diet. Childcare Corner: Spend Time with Children to Give them a Good Start in Life [Image: reading to toddler] The article describes how spending time with children is critical in determining whether he or she reaches their goals in life. Click for more information...