• Breaking Cycling Records

Local wellness leader set to cycle 390 miles in 24 hours in a quest to break 2019 record: Shreveporter Tim Fitzgerald has been passionate about personal health and wellness and a passionate supporter of the Y all of his life.

On Aug. 29, Fitzgerald is attempting to break the 2019 record in his age group in the National 24 Hour Challenge, the oldest and largest ultramarathon cycling event in the nation (https://www.n24hc.org/).

His goal is to ride 390 miles in 24 hours and raise $390,000 (or $1,000 for every mile he plans to ride). Fitzgerald has chosen three organizations to be equal focuses of his campaign, one of which is the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana.

Fitzgerald will begin his ride at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, from Rainbow Farms Inc. on 12538 Ellerbe Road.

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofi ts strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

• Wiggins’ Research Published

Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists cardiologist Dr. S. Scott Wiggins was a member of a research group that studied the impact of cardiac implantable electronic device infection (CIED). The study was recently published by the American Heart Association.

Cardiac implantable electronic devices is a term that refers to pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defi brillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices.

The research evaluated the clinical and economic impacts of CIED infections from the hospital, payer and patient perspectives in the U.S. The team analyzed mortality rates, quality of life, costs and other areas related to CIED.

The study found that CIED infections severely impact mortality, quality of life, and cost to the United States’ health-care system.

Dr. Wiggins is a senior partner at Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists.

He authored the study along with Bruce L. Wilkoff, Giuseppe Boriani, Suneet Mittal, Jeanne E. Poole, Charles Kennergren, G. Ralph Corey, John C. Love, Ralph Augostini, Syein Faerestrand, Sherman S. Wiggins, Jeff S. Healey, Reece Holbrook, Jeffrey D. Lande, Daniel R. Lexcen, Saray Willey, Khaldoun G. Tarakji and WRAP-IT Investigators.

• Louisiana Sports Writers Association Honors Tony Taglavore

Tony Taglavore, a freelance writer for 318 Forum, recently won first place in the General Feature/ Class II category of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s annual contest.

Taglavore’s winning entry was a profile of Tim Fletcher, long-time radio host of “The Tim Fletcher Show. “It was the cover story of the June 5, 2019, edition of 318 Forum.

Taglavore, who is also a freelance broadcaster, won two awards in the LSWA’s “Radio” category. He and analyst Jimmy Martin teamed up to win second place in the “Best Live Broadcast Team” division for their call of Captain Shreve High School football games. Taglavore, the “Voice” of Northwestern

State University’s women’s basketball team, tied for third place in the “College Radio Play-by-Play” division for his call of last season’s NSU vs. Grambling basketball game.

• Grace And Mercy Gifts Cindy St. Amant follows her inspiration

Grace and Mercy Gifts has opened in the former Stephen Miller Jewelers building at 6425 Line Ave.

Owned by Cindy St. Amant, the store offers religious items.

A member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, St. Amant calls her store a religious and inspirational gift shop. It has items from many vendors, some local.

St. Amant offers items that help anyone live their faith.

Included are jewelry, holy medals, rosaries, home décor and candles. Saints inspire the candles and their scents. There are artworks, statues and vintage pieces as well as sacramental items for baptism, communion and confirmation.

Prices range from inexpensive to what you would expect to pay for a one-of-a-kind, St. Amant said. She also carries products from Holy Angels.

"I'm Catholic, but I don't want to exclude anyone," she said. There is a room with devotional books that patrons can borrow. St. Amant is also happy to display material from the religious community such as the Love Life Amendment and Eternal Word Television Network schedule.

A team member for Adoration, Community, Theology and Service (ACTS), St. Amant also carries the retreat's bracelets.

A year ago, St. Amant was searching for a quality gift, and it hit her to open her own store. She said she took her time to create a calm and relaxing shopping experience.