Powerful Poetry, Senior Expo in Prescott Valley, USAA Veteran-Hiring Initiative, Disney-SVA STEM Scholarship, Bad-Day Video

“To This Day,” a spoken word poem by Shane Koyczan, has been put beautifully to art in this video, about childhood bullying, and how its effects last a lifetime.  See it at: http://youtu.be/ltun92DfnPY There are some wonderful programs encouraging Veterans to write their own stories, poems or explore the creative arts.  Here are some good links, if you are interested: http://veteranswriting.org/ and http://youtu.be/vwRQ5xRO3eI

Seniors, Family Caregivers and Senior Resource Providers are invited to attend the Senior & Caregivers Conference & Expo on Friday, March 14 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Come for the whole day, or just for topics that interest you. This free event will include presentations by local experts on some of the most sensitive issues relating to the challenges of being a Senior or Family Caregiver. Dozens of local Senior Resources Providers will provide free information about their products and services. Location will be the campus of Liberty Traditional School, 3300 N Lake Valley Road in Prescott Valley. Free admission - no reservations needed. Visit http://www.seniorconnection.us/Expo_Brochure.pdf for details or call Debbie Stewart at (928) 778-3747.

The CEO of USAA shares his thoughts about their ambitious Veteran-hiring initiative (USAA was created by Veterans and already employs a high percentage) at: http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140219123004-168502754-a-career-not-a-job To learn more about the company, which has locations in AZ, TX, CO, FL and in Europe, see: https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/about_usaa_corporate_overview_main

Reminder: The Disney-SVA Scholarship for Student Veterans studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is due April 1.  See more at: http://studentveterans.org/component/content/article/2-uncategorised/210-disney-sva-scholarship.html

Having a hard day?  Know someone who is?  Here’s a little uplifting video to share: http://www.upworthy.com/having-a-bad-day-heres-46-powerful-things-you-should-really-hear?c=ufb2

or on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/V7OGY1Jxp3o

Free Tax Prep Help, Financial Foundations Workshop in Camp Verde, Transferable Skills Tips, TBI Videos

Need help getting your 2013 taxes filed?  There’s free help available in Yavapai County at Yavapai College and Catholic Charities in Prescott, and at Catholic Charities in Cottonwood.  See the flyer for specific times, what to bring & how to schedule your appointment.

Catholic Charities is also offering a Financial Foundations workshop in Camp Verde on Tuesday, February 25th from 5:30p to 8:30p at Camp Verde Community Church (480 South 1st Street.)  To register please call Catholic Charities @ 928-634-4254 ext. 0. There are also classes throughout the state listed at: https://www.catholiccharitiesaz.org/financial-ed-upcoming-classes/00000y

Here’s some tips about transferable skills that will help you get hired (also helpful for promotions!) http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/15-qualities-hired/  Some of those qualities and skills include: leadership, adaptability, resilience, friendly, creative, trustworthy – and being able to show you have these qualities through specific experiences on your resume will help you get ahead.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are becoming commonly diagnosed for many Veterans, and this YouTube channel has some informational videos if you know of anyone dealing with this condition.  Here’s one video to get you started, but there are many to choose from at: http://youtu.be/UBmJNO1llks

Military-Civilian Divide Explored, Free Yoga for Veterans, Soldier's Best Friend Matches Vets with Companion Dogs, Quick Stress Relief Tips

This article was shared by Blue Star Families on their blog, and it’s about the current ‘disconnect’ between service members/veterans and the general public/politicians – very thought provoking: http://bluestarfam.org/blog/view/haynie-ted-talk Direct link to video: http://youtu.be/oSWhIUiGang  If you’re impressed by Dr. Mike Haynie, here’s more about IVMF (Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University) at http://vets.syr.edu/, Entrepreneur Bootcamp (http://whitman.syr.edu/ebv/), and the VetNet at: http://www.vetnethq.com/

A contributor asked if we knew about any free yoga classes for veterans…so here’s some links to explore (Thanks for the great question!):
• http://www.arizonayogacommunity.com/2013/01/special-programs-for-veterans-offered-at-the-yoga-connection/
• http://www.yogaforvets.org/resources
• http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/3187
• http://www.yogaconnection.org/yoga-for-veterans.html
• Contact local yoga studios/teachers/schools to see if they may offer something, or want to start offering a group targeting local veterans

Nice article in this weekend's Arizona Republic on Soldier's Best Friend, a Glendale-based non-profit that matches veterans with injuries with therapeutic companion dogs. See more at: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/living/articles/20140215veteran-ptsd-pitbull-mix-bond-loving-home.html

Quick stress-relief tips from Dr. Oz's team at: http://www.doctoroz.com/slideshow/shortcuts-conquer-your-stress

Volunteer Firefighting, Veterans Understand Shelter Pets, Local Veteran-Owned Businesses, Disney STEM Scholarship, American Legion TBI/PTSD Survey

Veterans, if you are interested in emergency response and firefighting, check out the opportunities in Arizona (and nationwide) at: http://volunteerfirefighter.org/district.php?id=VET

Here’s a great quote from our the latest installment from our friends at Pets for Patriots on their blog: “I think veterans need to understand they are uniquely qualified to adopt a dog (or cat) due to the ethos and values each service member or veteran has. Service members and veterans understand the never quitting and mission accomplishment. I highlight those two because a shelter dog can seem like a bit of a challenge at first. No dog, or cat, arrives at a shelter because of great circumstances. Because they are often abandoned, abused, or were unwanted, they can take time before they are completely comfortable in their new home and trusting of their owner(s). In our case, it took about three months before Izzie finally showed us all she has to offer.”  To read more, see: http://blog.petsforpatriots.org/mission-accomplished-army-officer-gives-abandoned-dog-new-leash-on-life/

Do you know of a local Veteran-Owned Business?  They can be listed here for free.  The list can be sorted right down to the county and city level too!  Here's Yavapai County's listing, and I bet there are lots of businesses missing: http://www.veteranownedbusiness.com/az/yavapai    Spread the word!

Student Veterans studying science, technology, engineering or math (STEM): Apply for the Disney-SVA Scholarship!  See more at: http://studentveterans.org/component/content/article/2-uncategorised/210-disney-sva-scholarship.html  Disney is also known for its Veteran hiring program called "Heroes Work Here" - read more at: http://disneyinstitute.com/blog/2013/11/how-disney-hires-veterans-a-recap-of-disneys-veterans-institute/218/

The American Legion is launching an online survey to help Veterans with TBI or PTSD add their experiences of what treatment alternatives do and do not work. See more at: http://www.legion.org/veteranshealthcare/218406/legion-launches-tbiptsd-survey-veterans

Compare University Programs at Transfer Day, Growing Plants as Hobby or Career is Healthy

Are you pondering what’s next for you in your career or educational journey?  Here’s your chance to compare the programs at universities from Arizona and beyond – all at Yavapai College!  University representatives will meet you: Feb 26 from 10-2 at the Verde Valley campus (601 Black Hills Dr. in Clarkdale) in room M-137; or Feb 27 from 10-2 in Prescott (1100 E. Sheldon) in building 19.  Bring your questions about military and college transfer credits, tuition rates, support for Veterans, and scholarships.  Get all the facts, so you can make an informed career decision.

Growing something is good for you.  Whether it is a houseplant, patio plants, or a veggie garden, there are multiple benefits to having a hobby like gardening, see:  http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/07/08/why.gardening.good/
Here are some interesting gardening-related blogs, groups & websites to explore, if you want to learn a little more about it:
• http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/ This Phoenix-based site has several interest groups on sustainability, urban farming, and even ‘micro livestock’ (who knew?)
• http://azediblegarden.com/ Arizona Edible Gardening has all sorts of tips to take you from seed to dinner
• We also have local Master Gardener classes offered through University of Arizona Extension agents in Yavapai County – you can check out more about Master Gardeners at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yavapai-County-Master-Gardeners
• Think you might want to make a career of this?  Check out Veterans to Farmers at: http://veteranstofarmers.org/2013/08/the-rise-of-controled-environment-agriculture/
• Yavapai College also has courses/programs you can explore in agriculture, see more at: http://www.yc.edu/v5content/academics/divisions/ctec/agriculture.htm

Paralympics in Sochi, Pat Tillman Scholarship, News about Stress, Mental Health Facility in Prescott, Medication and Gender

The Paralympics (which include nine U.S. Veterans among the athletes) begin in Sochi on March 7, see the official site: http://www.paralympic.org/sochi-2014    These athletes are amazing in this preview story!  See the Video at: http://youtu.be/Cz1DMckJ2xE

The Pat Tillman Foundation’s annual scholarship competition is open until March 6th.  Check it out at: http://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply-to-be-a-scholar/

Make Stress Your Friend?  Really?  Really – it could save your life!  Check out this TED Talk by Dr. Kelly McGonigal at: http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend.html

Local News: Groundbreaking for VA Mental Health facility in Prescott last week, see more at: http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=128255

A fascinating story was on 60 Minutes about how research shows the under-studied effects of gender on medication dosage and effectiveness, especially in sleep and pain medications.  See more at: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sex-matters-drugs-can-affect-sexes-differently/  There are implications for further study regarding all sorts of health matters, according to the article.

Brains in the News, K-9 Reunion, Olympic Ceremony in Prescott, GI Bill Comparison, Student Leadership Opportunity

Interested in how the brain works?  This month's National Geographic magazine is a a treasure trove of new information - see it at your local library or see their online site at: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/

Here’s a new website that is dedicated to everything about the brain: http://www.brainmdreport.com/  It has special sections for most hot topics, like brain injuries, addictions, depression, and memory, but also unexpected categories like relationships and weight issues, and helpful links on brain-healthy foods and habits.

A great reunion story of a wounded soldier and K-9 is at: http://www.stripes.com/news/pup-gi-pal-reunited-after-being-injured-in-afghanistan-1.264410

The opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi will be broadcast at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center at 5:30 pm this Friday, 2/7/14.  Admission is free!  See more at: http://www.ycpac.com/portfolio/2014-winter-olympics-opening-ceremony/

Check out the GI Bill Comparison Tool which shows how colleges compare on tuition, loan default rates, graduation rates, and more at: http://department-of-veterans-affairs.github.io/gi-bill-comparison-tool/

Student Veterans: The Student Leadership Council at Yavapai College may be a great fit for your experience and talents, and would give you a voice to represent your fellow students! Deadline for next Fall's team is in April...check it out!  See more online at www.yc.edu/slc