Happy Thanksgiving, How to Stretch Your Food Dollars

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving, with extra gratitude to all Veterans and current military!

Military.com shows a variety of discounts for military and veterans at: http://www.military.com/discounts/

Here’s a timely cheat sheet about how to stretch your food dollars farther

National Rural Health Day, SVA Shares Facts, Links to Help Student Veterans, AZ Dept of Vet Services Employment Survey

“National Rural Health Day events help bring attention to rural America, putting the spotlight on the many positive aspects of rural life as well as the health care needs of those living in rural communities. We at VA have the opportunity and the responsibility to ensure all Veterans, regardless of where they live, have access to the high quality health care they have earned.”- Secretary Eric K. Shinseki  See more about Rural Health at: http://celebratepowerofrural.org/ or http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/

The Student Veterans of America (SVA) is doing a great job at sorting through statistics to find out the truth about Student Veterans.  Here are some of the latest factoids they have shared: 85% are over 24 years old, 47% have a family, 27% are female  (from http://studentveterans.org/index.php)

Veterans may find these links on our YC Veterans Services webpage helpful to navigate through all of the different VA and educational benefits, see: http://www.yc.edu/v5content/veterans/links-forms.htm

Arizona Department of Veterans Services is seeking feedback from employers, employment services, and job-seeking Veterans in order to develop their plan for the upcoming year.  Have your say in that plan!  See their explanation at: http://www.azdvs.gov/ or go straight to their survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013AZEmployment

Helping Verde Valley Veterans, NAU Tops Veteran-Friendly List, Veteran Jobs Bank, Outdoor Jobs for Veterans, Hot Job List

Great news for Veterans in the Verde Valley: The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program will be operating at Catholic Charities in Old Town Cottonwood, offering a variety of services aimed at helping Veterans at risk of homelessness.  Case managers will help Veterans with their urgent needs and craft an individualized plan to help create long-term housing and employment stability.  Toll-free phone: 855-256-9419, e-mail: svvf@cc-az.org, or webpage: http://catholiccharitiesaz.org/ServicesForThoseInNeed/VeteranServices.aspx  

Congratulations to NAU for being recognized for their efforts on behalf of Veterans!  NAU was named the Top AZ School for Veterans: Don't forget, NAU is available online, in-person in Flagstaff and multiple locations around Arizona, and at NAU-Yavapai in Prescott Valley.  See the whole story at: http://news.nau.edu/northern-arizona-university-named-best-college-military-vets/

Reminder about the Veteran Jobs Bank at: http://www.veteranjobsbank.com/  This site is a great tool for searching for a good job opening that's a match to your skills - they also have a Facebook site that you can Like and stay current on some tips/tools/strategies to get hired.

The Grand Canyon News highlighted the Park Service’s Veterans in this photo at: http://grandcanyonnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=74&SubSectionID=114&ArticleID=10671
Can you imagine a more beautiful place to work in Arizona (or anywhere)?  Outdoor work is ideally suited to many Veterans, check out the list of popular post-military-service careers at: http://govcentral.monster.com/careers/articles/13797-lose-the-cubicle-govcentrals-best-outdoor-careers  or the ‘hot job list’ at: http://content.gijobs.com/hotjobs  No matter what career you plan on pursuing, Veterans Upward Bound can help get you started on your path.  See our services at: www.yc.edu/vub or call 928-717-7686.

Chester Nez Code Talker, TBI College Tips, Military Records, SVA Conference in AZ, Groundbreaking Wine Center, Mine Tech Preview Day

In Today’s Video: WWII Hero Chester Nez, speaks of his experience as a Code Talker at: http://youtu.be/geczhEC3Z4Y The Navajo code was never compromised or cracked.

Traumatic Brain Injuries are one of the most common injuries of today’s Veterans.  Here is one downloadable guide that may help college-bound Veterans with TBI with some of the challenges for learning at: http://www.dvbic.org/material/back-school-guide

Curious about what military records are maintained or accessible? Here's the website with all the details: http://www.archives.gov/research/military/veterans/online.html

The Student Veterans of America (SVA) has a blog you can follow for updates on student veterans issues at: http://studentveterans.tumblr.com/ and they have a conference coming up in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 2-5 entitled: Pioneering Social Change.  See more at: http://www.studentveterans.org/on-campus-veteran-support-group/programs/national-conference.html

Reminder that tomorrow is the groundbreaking event: The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Southwest Wine Center at the Verde Valley campus of Yavapai College is November 19th at 2 p.m. at 601 Black Hills Dr. in Clarkdale. See what’s happening in this growing local industry & program for YC at: http://southwestwinecenter.org/

Are you looking for a well-paid career? Interested in technology and hands-on careers? Interested in scholarships and internships? Then check out the Preview Day on December 14th - make your reservation with Stephanie at 928-717-7107.

Soldier's Best Friend, AZ Earn to Learn, Google Grants for SVA & VFW, Veterans Writing Project

CBS 5 - KPHO
Soldier’s Best Friend is an Arizona non-profit organization that helps match Veterans with rescued dogs, and they were featured last night on KPHO news.  See more of how the pairs help each other heal and adjust to their new lives at: http://www.kpho.com/story/23961891/arizona-veteran-is-paired-with-dog-he-believes-saved-his-life

How would you like to earn $8 for every dollar you save?  AZ Earn to Learn is a program supported by AZ public universities, grants, and matching donations that is dedicated to helping low-income students afford a quality education that will help them break the cycle of poverty.  Through financial education, a structured monthly savings plan, financial coaching, and scholarship assistance, students may receive up to $4000 in matching funds.  Find out more at www.AZEarnToLearn.org and take the short survey at www.participantsurvey.org to see if you qualify by November 15.  Learn life-long good financial habits and get funding for college!

Google has awarded multiple grants to SVA, VFW, and other organizations to determine college completion rates for Veterans and policies that help improve those rates – see more at: http://www.google.com/giving/global-impact-awards/veterans-global-impact/

Share your story: The Veterans Writing Project offers seminars and a handbook for Veterans to help develop their stories, poems, and narratives about their experiences.  Part of the goal is to document the stories, part of it is to heal wounds through storytelling, and part of it is to inspire a new crop of writers.  See more at: http://veteranswriting.org/, or their journal at: http://o-dark-thirty.org/

Team Rubicon, Good Deed Day, Operation Deep Freeze, Wellness Resources, ASU Pat Tillman Veterans Center

The story of Team Rubicon and one Marine’s experience with his efforts in overcoming the wounds of war is found in this TED Talk… http://youtu.be/l6Zf-kWhuU8  Team Rubicon, the Veteran-led emergency response team, is currently responding to the typhoon in the Phillipines - see more at: http://teamrubiconusa.org/

In the Verde Valley: Community Service “Good Deed Day” is November 17th, with indoor and outdoor projects needing volunteers to do everything from painting and yard work, to sewing and crafts, to card writing and gift bag assembly for Veterans.  Each year over 350 Verde Valley participants complete 240 projects with 8400 hours of good deeds.  See: www.mitzvahdaysedona.com and call 928-649-0135 or email Barbara Litrell to sign up at: blitrell@aol.com

In the Prescott area: OPERATION DEEP FREEZE is an emergency winter shelter, operated by the Coalition for Compassion & Justice. The shelter opens when the overnight temperature is predicted to be 25 degrees or colder. Guests can come to Open Door between 5-8 p.m. They will receive a hot meal, perhaps watch a couple of videos, then bed down on the floor. All guests will leave by 8 a.m. CCJ can use commercially prepared dinners, like pasta or pizza to serve 25-30 people. If you, your business or club would like to provide dinner one night, contact Open Door at 928-776-0353 for details. Location is 505 W Gurley, within the Prescott United Methodist Church – thanks to Debbie Stewart for providing this information.

One of my favorite Stress/Wellness resources is this site with videos, articles, and little quizzes to help me stay mindful that wellness is a full-time job: http://worksmartlivesmart.com/stress-wellness-resources/  See if you find it useful too, and share your favorites.

ASU showcases their services for Veterans at this site: https://veterans.asu.edu/ Learn more about the Pat Tillman Veterans Center, Veterans Week events Nov 11-16, scholarships and ASU Student Veteran leaders.

Marine Corps Birthday, Veterans Day, Homeless Veterans Resources, Art Show, Gettysburg Events, Southwest Wine Center

Today's Video: Here’s a well-done Tribute Video called Distant Shores, with great photos of several war memorials and Honor Flights, shared by Ed Donegan at: http://youtu.be/F2BGvjCynPY

Happy 238th Birthday, Marine Corps!  And to all Veterans and military families, thank you for your service and enjoy your Veterans Day holiday.

How do you commemorate Veterans Day?  Some ideas: attend community parades/events, family gatherings, give/send thanks to military families, do community service, interview a Veteran, visit a museum…

Prescott has a new resource for homeless Veterans, see more at: http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubsectionID=1&ArticleID=124969 According to the Courier, “The local NAVRC at 240 S. Montezuma St., assists veterans and their families with a variety of needs including rent and utility payments; employment training, and case management services, said Arizona site director Tom Isakson.” For more info, call 928-776-0766.  In the Verde Valley area, Catholic Charities also works with Veterans homelessness issues, see: http://www.catholiccharitiesaz.org/

Here’s some November Happenings at Yavapai College:
• Student art will be displayed in our Verde and Prescott Art Galleries Nov 8-Dec 14, with receptions from 5-7 p.m. at Verde Gallery on Thursday on Nov 14th, and on Prescott Gallery on Nov 15th.  See the great work our art students can create!
• Nov 12-17th The Gettysburg Symposium on the Verde and Prescott campuses will feature our faculty, movies, and music of the Civil War era.  Great topics by our fabulous faculty – check out the schedule online at http://www.ycpac.com/portfolio/gettysburg-symposium-lecture-and-film-series/
• Got Wine?  The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Southwest Wine Center at the Verde Valley campus of Yavapai College is November 19th at 2 p.m. at 601 Black Hills Dr. in Clarkdale.  See what’s happening in this growing local industry & program for YC at: http://southwestwinecenter.org/
• I encourage you to stay current on college events (all of the above are free!) through the webpage www.yc.edu or the YC Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCollegePrescott (Hint: Student Life/Campus Activities, Performing Arts Center (PAC), and Learning Centers also have their own Facebooks!)

TBI & Brain Scans, Veterans Day, End of Life Issues for Veterans, Student Video Contest, National Roll Call 11/8

Today’s Video is a TEDx talk by Dr. Daniel Amen (a Veteran himself) at: http://youtu.be/esPRsT-lmw8 The talk has excellent information on Traumatic Brain Injury, hope for improving brain health, and SPECT scans for use in help with diagnosis of a variety of conditions.

Veterans Day is a day to honor all the men and women who have served bravely on behalf of our country.  Learn more about it at: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/10677/coming-together-to-honor-our-veterans/

End of Life Issues for Veterans: We don’t like to talk about it, but here’s why we should.  According to the RAO Bulletin, “…26 million veterans are living in the United States today. Twenty-five percent of all deaths in the U.S. are veterans and more than 1,800 veterans die each day.  Although these statistics may be surprising, what is even more staggering is the fact that only 33 percent of veterans receive benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs…. Each veteran’s war experience is different and should be treated delicately, without prior assumptions. It is very important for the community, families and caretakers to be aware of the differences and sensitivities that veterans experience at the end of life. For more information visit www.WeHonorVeterans.org” RAO credited Laura Semmler, Mission Home Health Director, for this information.

Student Video Contest: The race to capture the video stories of WWII Veterans is on at: http://www.ihistoryprojectww2.org/

All the public is cordially invited to attend National Roll Call, this Friday on Prescott and Verde Valley campuses of Yavapai College.  Readers are still being sought for the Verde Valley event, please contact Bob Hoskovec at 928-776-2148 to volunteer for a 15-minute reading slot, if you are available.  At this event, readers state the name and rank of each soldier lost in the Iraq & Afghanistan wars – it is a solemn occasion to remember the sacrifices of military families.  Prescott event is in room 19-147, Verde Valley is in M-137 – both begin at 7:30 a.m. and continue until the last name is read.

Atomic Women, Vietnam at 50, Life Saving, Caller ID Spoofing Scam, Veterans Day Discount List

Reading recommendation: If you think that invisible towns and the girl-next-door being a secret agent are the stuff of fiction, read The Girls of Atomic City, by Denise Kiernan.  This is the true top-secret story of Oak Ridge women during WWII that enabled the dawn of the Atomic Age.

Stars & Stripes is running a series, and seeking your stories, on “Vietnam at 50” at: http://www.stripes.com/news/special-reports/vietnam-at-50

Here’s a well-deserved happy new beginning for one Afghan interpreter from CBS news: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57609947/afghan-interpreter-janis-shinwari-spent-years-helping-save-american-lives-now-u.s-soldier-matt-zeller-saves-his/

The RAO Bulletin noted that Caller ID spoofing is on the rise: This is where your caller ID says it is the Sheriff’s office, Immigration Department, a bank or local utility company – but it’s not!  Never give your personal info, bank info, credit card #, or send money orders based on a phone call.  Check out the scoop first, and see: http://www.bbb.org/scam-stopper/ for more info on the latest scams.

Veterans Day Deals and Discounts – check out this listing of special deals for Veterans and Active Duty Military on Veterans Day (some are for every day!) at: http://www.militaryconnection.com/deals.asp#vetdaydeals