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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Ball, LA

Home Care Ball, LA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Louisiana's Old State Capitol gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Ball, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Ball, LA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July, 2022. My husband needs daily care and we have been more than pleased with the caregivers that they have provided. The Staff is so professional and efficient, yet like family at the same time. Their focus is on their patients and the families. They have made my life so much easier. Highly recommend!!”

Tusi
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TESTIMONIALS

“My Grandmother is a client with Dementia and wanted to stay in her home. Always Best Care has allowed her to do so, and our family is forever grateful. Thank you Always Best Care!”

Cynthia W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude. I will definitely be using her again when I’m ready to sell. I highly recommend her.”

Joseph P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”

Kimberly M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14 days. During that time our wonderful caregiver has agreed to be “on-call”. We are so grateful for her and there is no way we could take this trip without the peace of mind that her presence gives me! Thank you ABC for the service that your company provides and for the personal touch that you and your sister provide. Marilyn Get Outlook for iOS”

Marilyn H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice and you will never find a better place to work and they are very respectful, understanding and caring bosses. They pair you up with clients that matches your personality. I really love working for this company and how they treat their employees.”

Betty W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She loves her job because she gets to find the perfect home for her clients. I highly recommend Summer to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”

Tiffany S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family”

Corey W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care of Monroe. They've been very helpful and the caregiver that we have working for us is fantastic. I would give them a very high recommendation. They started in July and have done exactly what we wanted them to do for our needs, and met those needs.”

Marilyn
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TESTIMONIALS

“They have been taking care of my mother for the past 8 years. Their care providers have been the absolute best in the industry. Our mom has been very happy with all the care providers we have used through Always Best Care.”

Patty A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They provide the best care! The Owners are nurses and have been in the business for over 25 years.”

Ruben T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They have been taking care of my mother for the past 8 years. Their care providers have been the absolute best in the industry. Our mom has been very happy with all the care providers we have used through Always Best Care.”

Rhonda S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family Cotton Bradford”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Ball, LA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Ball, LA

Types of Elderly Care in Ball, LA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Ball, LA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Ball, LA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting town Park,Ball Louisiana with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Ball, LA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Restaurant R'evolution or visit Old Governor's Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Ball, LA

Benefits of Home Care in Ball, LA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Ball, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Ball, LA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your LA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Ball, LA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Ball, LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Ball, LA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Ball, LA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Ball Senior Citizen Center
  • Alternative Concept Care Services
  • Louisiana Community Care Inc.
  • The Blake at Colonial Club
  • The Oaks Center
  • Lambeth House Retirement Community - Independent & Assisted Living
Home Care Ball, LA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Ball, LA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Ball, LA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Ball, LA

Latest News in Ball, LA

See pics of Paris Hilton, Ryan Seacrest, and more at iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2023 in L.A.

The star-studded event also featured performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Niall Horan, and more.0 seconds of 36 secondsVolume 0%This video file cannot be played.(Error Code: 224003)Oh the weather outside may be frightful, but the performances at iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2023 in Los Angeles on Friday night sure were delightful.The sold-out annual concert, which was held at the Kia Forum, kick-started the holly-jolly holiday season off right with sleighing performances from ...

The star-studded event also featured performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Niall Horan, and more.

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This video file cannot be played.(Error Code: 224003)

Oh the weather outside may be frightful, but the performances at iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2023 in Los Angeles on Friday night sure were delightful.

The sold-out annual concert, which was held at the Kia Forum, kick-started the holly-jolly holiday season off right with sleighing performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Niall Horan, Sabrina Carpenter, (G)-IDLE, Doechii, and more.

Scroll on to see EW’s exclusive pics of all the celebrities at the star-studded event, including Paris Hilton, Tori Spelling, and Ryan Seacrest.

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Paris Hilton

Sliving legend Paris Hilton was the true star Friday evening, flaunting a sparkling silver dress.

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Ryan Seacrest

The American Idol and soon-to-be Wheel of Fortune host has definitely solved one puzzle: how to look flawless for the holidays.

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Tori Spelling

Forget Beverly Hills — Tori Spelling was feeling extra festive in Los Angeles this weekend.

04

Flava Flav

If anyone knows when it's time to get in the spirit, it's the "gangster wrapper" himself, Flava Flav.

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Rachel Leviss

Vanderpump Rules alum Rachel Leviss dazzled in a sequined dress.

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(G)I-DLE

K-Pop stars (G)I-DLE certified their tomboy status with edgy leather ensembles.

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Teddy Swims

Singer-songwriter Teddy Swims knows it's the simple things that make an outfit truly rock — like a damn fine hat.

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Maddie Ziegler

Dancer Maddie Ziegler is ready to sashay her way through the yuletide season.

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Teddi Mellencamp

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp knows the holidays are all about time with the fam.

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Ian Ziering

So does Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Ian Ziering, who brought his daughters with him.

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Ben Higgins and Jessica Clarke

No mistletoe was needed for The Bachelor star Ben Higgins and his wife, Jessica Clarke, to cozy up.

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Doechii

Here's hoping rapper Doechii doesn't have to eat some Yucky Blucky Fruitcake this year.

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P1Harmony

K-Pop group P1Harmony were chicly in sync before taking the Jingle Ball stage.

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Dixie D'Amelio

TikTok star Dixie D'Amelio took in the sights and sounds of the season IRL.

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Ryan and Trista Sutter

More than 20 years since they met on the very first season of The Bachelorette, Trista and Ryan Sutter's relationship is still going strong.

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Gunnar

To celebrate the season of giving, Gunnar was giving effortlessly cool.

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T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach

Former GMA3 anchors T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach made their first red-carpet appearance as a couple.

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Joelle James

Singer Joelle James' Christmas story? A Canadian tuxedo and the fiercest high ponytail of the season.

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Charlieonafriday

Charlieonafriday did, indeed, step out on a Friday, this time to perform at the Jingle Ball concert.

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Sabrina Bryan

Cheetah Girls star Sabrina Bryan brought some Big Cheetah Sister Energy to the proceedings with her spotted ensemble.

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Ariana Greenblatt

Barbie star Ariana Greenblatt celebrated her banner year in style with a bright-red lip.

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Christopher Briney

Sorry, Oct. 3, but Mean Girls movie musical star Christopher Briney has his sights set on Dec. 25 right now.

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Paul Russell

Rapper-singer Paul Russell had nothin' but love for the Jingle Ball.

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Jennie Garth

Beverly Hills, 90210 star and 90210MG podcast host Jennie Garth was dreaming of a black Christmas.

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Jenna Ushkowitz

Jenna Ushkowitz looked downright glee-ful.

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AJR

Indie-pop pals AJR brought their best smiles (and plenty of fur) to the gala.

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Nessa Barrett

Don't let her dark take on "Santa Baby" fool you. Singer Nessa Barrett has a festive side too.

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Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan

No couple could compete with sharply dressed NBA athlete Marcus Jordan and The Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa Pippen.

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AleXa

Goodbye wonderland, hello Jingle Ball! American Song Contest winner AleXa was ready to rock on Friday.

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Rachel Recchia

Former Bachelorette Rachel Recchia kept things simple but sexy.

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Susie Evans and Justin Glaze

Bachelor Nation's Susie Evans and Justin Glaze were a true gift — bows and all!

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

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Let’s Play Ball: Holiday ball drive is in full swing with new sponsors

December is here, which means it’s time to break out the wrapping paper and the gifts from the closet — and likely panic and actually begin holiday shopping.Despite the hustle and bustle of the holidays season, we’re hoping you’re not too frazzled to think about the at-risk children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor.Bill Spinelli, secretary to the board of the LA Sportswalk of Fame Foundation, with a collection of balls that will be donated to the Daily Breeze’s Let’s Play...

December is here, which means it’s time to break out the wrapping paper and the gifts from the closet — and likely panic and actually begin holiday shopping.

Despite the hustle and bustle of the holidays season, we’re hoping you’re not too frazzled to think about the at-risk children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor.

Bill Spinelli, secretary to the board of the LA Sportswalk of Fame Foundation, with a collection of balls that will be donated to the Daily Breeze’s Let’s Play Ball campaign benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor. The foundation’s board allocated $500 to buy balls for the campaign. (Photo by Margaret Spinelli)

The Daily Breeze’s Let’s Play Ball campaign is in full swing and the 24th annual sports ball donation campaign can use as much help as possible as we try to reach or surpass this year’s goal of 3,000 balls.

So while you’re doing your shopping for relatives and friends, consider adding just one ball to your shoping cart. It’s super easy to do online with our Amazon gift list and even easier (and cheaper) to do it if you stop by a Big 5 Sporting Goods location while doing your holiday shopping to take advantage of their 25% discount on donated balls.

While every little ball helps, our campaign would not be successful without the generosity of new sponsors who donate in multiples.

The L.A. Sportswalk of Fame Foundation is one of those heroes.

The Sportswalk honors local sports phenoms and puts their names in bronze on downtown San Pedro sidewalks. And now, the foundation has signed on to be a sponsor for Let’s Play Ball.

When Sportswalk board members were approched about a sponsorship, it was a slam dunk, with little discussion, said Bill Spinelli, secretary to the board.

“We’d never thought about what our mission is and how the ball drive helps,” he said, adding it’s just such a natural fit since both support local sports programs and development.

First, the foundation set up a collection area at board member Dr. Tim Ursich’s Marina Sports Medicine office. Then, the foundation’s board allocated a generous donation of $500 to buy balls.

The LA Sportswalk of Fame Foundation’s board voted to allocate the funds in November. Spinelli said he ran right out and used that money to purchase the balls. When I spoke to him on Friday, Dec. 1, he was in the process of inflating them all.

“My wife told me I better buy the playground balls because kids love those,” he said. “So, that’s why I purchased so many of that type.”

Sportswalk, though, isn’t new to donating to the Boys & Girls Clubs. In 2018, it gave $15,000 in scholarship money to the Harbor Area and Long Beach clubs. And once the foundation closes out the books from its 2023 induction event, Spinelli said, its plans to gift more scholarships this year.

Spinelli said he appreciated the opportunity to be hands-on this year.

“It felt really good (purchasing the balls),” he said, “and I’m hoping they get into the right hands of the kids and that it really helps them.”

Who knows? A beautiful, pumped-up, brand new ball might just inspire the next LA Sportswalk Hall of Famer.

Let’s Play Ball

Help us reach our goal of 3,000 athletic balls, which will be distributed at a holiday drive-thru event at BGCLA.

New balls of any type are great, just make sure they are still in their original packaging. Several commuity partners will serve as drop-off locations, including local Big 5 Sporting Goods — which will offer 25% off any regularly priced ball that gets donated to the drive.

The deadline to donate is Dec. 15.

How to donate

Easy online ordering: Simply click here for the Breeze’s Amazon Gift List. Be sure to add the shipping address, BGCLAH, 1200 South Cabrillo, San Pedro, CA 90731.

In-person: Donate at the following locations:

How to become a sponsor

The response to our pleas for sponsors has been great. Thanks to the Los Angeles Angels for their donation of three dozen baseballs. Our other partners include the LA Kings, which reports they have two huge bins of hocky gear ready to donate and BCS Flag Football Club, which will collect during their championship games.

If you want to help, please send an email to [email protected].

Liveball Is the Edgy Version of Tennis Taking Over Courts This Summer

Move over, Pickleball.All six of the Echo Park Tennis Courts are full most weeknights, and each main tennis player type is well represented. There are serious singles players and casual groups of doubles, leathery old dudes still out there after a full day of hitting, and friends who barely know the rules hacking away for laughs after work. But on Monday nights, one group stands out: About a dozen stylish and young-ish players flow in tight circles around the court, playing quick-moving points and shouting encouragement as music thu...

Move over, Pickleball.

All six of the Echo Park Tennis Courts are full most weeknights, and each main tennis player type is well represented. There are serious singles players and casual groups of doubles, leathery old dudes still out there after a full day of hitting, and friends who barely know the rules hacking away for laughs after work. But on Monday nights, one group stands out: About a dozen stylish and young-ish players flow in tight circles around the court, playing quick-moving points and shouting encouragement as music thumps from a little boombox. This is no ordinary tennis clinic—it’s an LVBL.Club session, the game that’s giving tennis culture its cool, artsy edge back.

A standard LVBL session starts with a warm-up and proceeds quickly into the game itself, a King of the Court style mini-match in which a team of randomly paired challengers on one side are fed a series of balls as they attempt to take down the champions across the net. Points are sharp with little downtime in between, designed to encourage friendly chatter and gentle competition and to give you a good workout all at once. It is also the rare group tennis class that moves fast enough to get you into a flow state, where the rest of the world melts away and time seems to stop, a meditative and calming sort of focus coveted by athletes across all sports.

Sometimes one pair of champions dominates an entire session, and sometimes no one does. Sometimes competition is fierce and intense, and other times the vibe is chill, like a pleasant exercise class. But the one thing that always seems to happen over a couple of hours of group tennis is that people make friends. The mid-game chatter is supportive, and after the session wraps, people hang out in little clusters, talking tennis and setting up future games but also just chatting.

And that’s the essence of it for LVBL founder Guy Logan. LVBL was born out of Logan’s love for tennis, but it was also the result of a love of the game's social side. Logan is a longtime player who used to host an informal meetup called the Los Feliz Tennis Club, a casual weekly doubles game with music and a beer cooler in Griffith Park. He has always found the easy camaraderie that forms over sports refreshing, a different way of socializing beyond the standard-issue small talk. “I’ve played with people for over a year, and I don’t even know what they do,” he says.

He fell away from tennis as life things happened, kids and work and all the usual suspects, but he found his way back during the pandemic, as so many did. That’s when he learned about liveball and fell in love with the game he calls a “competitive tennis party.”

Logan has worked in entertainment, and he ran a creative agency, and he’s been an entrepreneur, but it wasn’t until he started playing liveball and had a little free time that it hit him. “You know how you do that Venn Diagram of life, like with ‘What do you love?’ and ‘What are you good at?’” he says, “for me they intersected in tennis.”

He teamed up with several friends, including the folks at legendary tennis shop The Racket Doctor, CBD company Dad Grass, the sporting goods company Wilson, Spencer Nikosey of KILLSPENCER and tennis coach and visual artist Gunner Fox, and put on a liveball tournament with scoring and prizes and the whole shebang. It filled up and sold out, and they were off to the races, expanding to multiple liveball sessions per week at a variety of locations around town. They play at the public courts in Echo Park and at Mar Vista Rec Center, but there are also games at the Luxe Hotel in Brentwood and on a private court in South Pasadena; tournaments have been held at La Cañada Country Club and the Ojai Valley Tennis Club. LVBL is also a fun way to get into some otherwise inaccessible places.

Logan’s passion for the game shows through in every session he attends, whether he’s hanging out and chatting or jumping into a game himself. And his background on the creative side of the business world shows through too. LVBL is fun, engaging, and social, and it is also thoroughly cool. Their aesthetic choices, from the logo and the on-court energy to their merch and social media presence, are immaculate and appealingly stylish without being intimidating. Together it paints a portrait of precisely the kind of thing you want to do on a warm summer evening.

Those pristine vibes aren’t just in service of the business, though. They also bring out a different sort of tennis player than you might find in an average group class. LVBL players are drawn in by the idea of community, a casually competitive game for people who want a workout and to find a flow as much as they want to refine the minutiae of their groundstrokes or think about how to best construct a point. There are no gender divisions and no overall scorekeeping. That means the crowd trends mellow, sporty but not intense, with tennis strokes refined by YouTube and Instagram videos instead of in private lessons at country clubs or on high school varsity teams. There are advanced classes, too, with players who can really rip it, but the overall ethos remains intact even there. That is to say, it is a welcoming game, inclusive and encouraging to newcomers and people who might otherwise be intimidated by what is, frankly, a hard-ass sport to learn.

“Tennis at its core is really cool, it’s powerful and it’s edgy,” Logan says. It may be tempting to connect tennis with the hush of Wimbledon, champagne and strawberries and finely manicured grass, but Logan points to Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, and Serena Williams, trendsetters and rebels, icons in the sport but also in fashion, outsiders unbothered by institutional expectations. That is the ethos Logan wants to convey.

People in LA have responded, and Logan and the crew are consistently adding more time slots and locations. And they’ve got big plans for the future—they’re setting up more local events, like a Wimbledon watch party and clinic day on July 16, a co-production with Racquet Club LA. And they’re exploring other parts of the country too; there will be LVBL events in partnership with Wilson in Chicago around Lollapalooza, in Miami for Art Basel, and in New York for the US Open, and they’ve partnered with Swimply to help connect people to private courts.

The big goal is to launch their own app by the end of this year, a tennis lifestyle hub for players to connect to all aspects of the game, from setting up matches to style and culture. That could be huge, and it’s something that’s been sorely lacking in recreational tennis games. For now, though, you can find Logan out on the court most evenings, trying to find a flow and making some friends in the process.

Why did referees award LA Lakers a timeout despite a loose ball? Crew Chief Josh Tiven explains controversial call

The LA Lakers held a 105-103 lead with 11.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns. LeBron James inbounded the ball to Austin Reaves who was closely hounded by Devin Booker. The Suns guard’s pressure caused Reaves to fumble with the ball just as Kevin Durant came over to help. As the trio battled for possession, the ball suddenly came loose and rolled towards Grayson Allen. Phoenix could have ...

The LA Lakers held a 105-103 lead with 11.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns. LeBron James inbounded the ball to Austin Reaves who was closely hounded by Devin Booker. The Suns guard’s pressure caused Reaves to fumble with the ball just as Kevin Durant came over to help. As the trio battled for possession, the ball suddenly came loose and rolled towards Grayson Allen. Phoenix could have easily tied the game as Allen was under the Suns’ basket and no one was close to him.

One of the referees, though, signaled that a timeout had been called by “King James” during the scramble for the ball. Booker couldn’t believe the call as the Lakers shouldn’t have been given one. “AR” hardly had possession of the ball when he called the timeout.

After the game, the crew chief of Tuesday night’s game between the LA Lakers and Phoenix Suns explained. Josh Tiven said:

“During live play, the official felt that LA still had possession of the ball when LeBron James requested a timeout. Through postgame video review in slow motion replay, we did see Austin Reaves had his left hand on the ball while it’s pinned against his left leg, which does constitute control.”

Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller, who was calling the game for TNT, expressed what most fans felt during that sequence.

“The ball was a loose ball. How come it could have been a timeout when no one had possession? Let’s see here [watches review]. No one has possession! How can it be a timeout? When did LeBron [James] call timeout? No, the ball was loose.”

Phoenix Suns coach Frank Vogel, who formerly coached the LA Lakers, asked for an explanation during the game. The referees told him that the call was non-reviewable so there was nothing they could do about it.

Devin Booker expressed disappointment after the LA Lakers escaped with the win

At stake in the game between the Phoenix Suns and the LA Lakers was a ticket to Las Vegas to play the New Orleans Pelicans. The winner was scheduled to play in the semifinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament.

LA came out hot but Phoenix showed heart and guts on the road. The Suns cut the Lakers’ deficit to 83-83 entering the fourth quarter. Basketball fans got their money’s worth as both teams exchanged haymakers in the last 12 minutes of the game.

As many expected, the outcome was decided late. The timeout given to the LA Lakers following LeBron James’ desperate attempt to save possession played a big impact in the Phoenix Suns’ loss.

Devin Booker had this to say to reporters about the call (via Malika Andrews):

“You know what happened. … The whole world seen it. I just got off on social media and other players around the league have seen it so, it is what it is. Refs miss calls sometimes but when they’re a bit that obvious, it’s tough. … We’re not asking for favoritism, just a fair chance.”

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The LA Lakers and the Phoenix Suns can still face each other in the playoffs. It will be a seven-game series that basketball fans will be thrilled to see.

“More Difficult:” LA Golf CEO Blasts the USGA for Making Golf “Less Fun” While Ball Roll Back Policy Awaits an Official Debut

USGA has one less ally on its side. Another original equipment manufacturer blasts the golf ball rollback introduced by the R&A and USGA. After TaylorMade Golf expressed their disappointment, the LA Golf CEO laces into the USGA for coming up with an absurd rule that will make the game “more difficult and less fun”, while turning off the amateur crowd as well that once enjoyed playing.America’s Favorite Video TodayThe golf ball rollback policy is aimed at curbing the distance the golf ball travels. A...

USGA has one less ally on its side. Another original equipment manufacturer blasts the golf ball rollback introduced by the R&A and USGA. After TaylorMade Golf expressed their disappointment, the LA Golf CEO laces into the USGA for coming up with an absurd rule that will make the game “more difficult and less fun”, while turning off the amateur crowd as well that once enjoyed playing.

America’s Favorite Video Today

The golf ball rollback policy is aimed at curbing the distance the golf ball travels. As per the two rule-making bodies, driving distance has increased due to high-tech equipment coming into play. This has resulted in golf courses lengthening their holes, which they deem is unsustainable in the long run. However, Reed Dickens, the LA Golf CEO, lambasts the claim as misleading and inaccurate.

No warm welcome for USGA

NuclrGolf tweeted the LA Golf CEO’s official statement on its X (formerly Twitter) profile. The 47-year-old CEO criticized USGA for creating difficult rules. “I have said for years that the USGA wakes up every morning and tries to find new ways to make golf more difficult and less fun for amateurs & they have truly outdone themselves with the ball rollback.

Reed Dickens feels this will make the game harder for amateurs. The CEO claims that over 80% of amateurs have never gone over the 100mph driving speed. As per the data shared by him, average male golfers can hit only 200 yards. “Over 80% amateurs have never broken 100 and the average male can only drive the ball just over 200 yards.”

Reed fails to see any logic behind the golf ball rollback policy as it “flies in the face of any rational view of the data.” He further adds, “Swing speed has remained flat for several years and golf courses have actually gotten shorter, in spite of their statements to the contrary.

There has been a noticeable increase in the shorter par-3 courses. R&A acknowledges that too, while making changes to handicap rules. However, for them, it was not germane to the golf ball rollback policy. Contrarily, the governing bodies feel this will make it more accessible and appealing to the amateurs.

Are amateurs hit too hard by the golf ball rollback policy?

The latest announcement does away with the Model Local Rule (MLR). MLR allowed local governing bodies to decide whether they were going to implement the policy or not. There was a chance this could have created bifurcation between amateurs and pros, where the former might have to play with low-flight balls, while the top 1% continued to play with the same balls.

Will USGA and R&A’s Rollback Policy Affect LIV Golfers?

Notably, the golf ball rollback policy does not come into effect till 2028. Even then, only top amateurs will tee off with the low-flight balls in 2028. For recreational golfers, the rule will take effect in 2030. As per officials, the average amateur will witness a reduction of only 5-7 yards in their driving distance.

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