Month: May 2015

Otmane El Rhazi : From the Bureau of Land Management: This year marks an…

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.


Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Utah by Bob Wick


Sonoran Desert National Monument in Arizona by Bob Wick


Carrizo Plain National Monument in California by Bob Wick


Handies Peak Wilderness in Colorado by Bob Wick


California Coastal National Monument in California by Bob Wick


Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado by Bob Wick


Slinkard Wilderness by Bob Wick


Vermillion Cliffs-Paria Canyon Wilderness (the Wave) in Arizona by Bob Wick


Umpqua Wild and Scenic River in Oregon by Bob Wick

From the Bureau of Land Management:

This year marks an important milestone for the BLM’s National Conservation Lands – America’s newest conservation system turns 15! These lands include 30 million acres of National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Scenic and Historic Trails, and Conservation Lands of the California Desert.

We invite you to celebrate with us, and VISIT, SHARE, and SUPPORT your National Conservation Lands throughout the year.

VISIT any of the anniversary events or some of the 874 sites in the system of the BLM’s National Conservation Lands. Find an event. 

SHARE your experiences on National Conservation Lands with hashtag #conservationlands15 on social media. View the Twitter conversation. 

SUPPORT National Conservation Lands through service opportunities and volunteer events. Learn about how you can get involved. 

Otmane El Rhazi : From the National Archives: What happens to groceries at the…

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

From the National Archives:

What happens to groceries at the White House in a Presidential transition?

The sudden death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt threw both the Truman and Roosevelt households into disarray. Eleanor Roosevelt had over 12 years of accumulated household goods to move from the White House to her home in Hyde Park, New York.

The White House Kitchen also contained enough food to feed the President, the First Lady, their staff, and any potential guests. Rather than move the food, Bess Truman bought most of it from Eleanor Roosevelt. 

In addition to this note from Eleanor, written on this day in 1945, the Truman Library has the check, signed by Bess and endorsed by Eleanor, for $100.26.

-from the Truman Library 

Otmane El Rhazi : Simple Tips for Safe Boating

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

Cabin Cruiser to Canoe, These Guides Apply

If you go out on a boat anytime soon, you won’t be alone. Memorial Day weekend kicked off the recreational boating season, and craft of every type will be out on the waterways this summer. Whether yours is a sailboat, a motorboat, a kayak or jet ski on a lake, river, bay or ocean, these few steps will help keep you safe:

  • Wear your life jacket. 
    • If you fall overboard, or your boat sinks quickly, having one on board is not good enough.
  • Prepare a float plan.—the who, what, when, and where of your outing. 
    • Leave a copy of your plan with a friend or family member to alert authorities if you don’t return as planned.
  • Don’t drink and boat. 
    • It’s as dangerous as drinking and driving. Even if you’re not operating the boat, it can impair your ability to escape safely if your boat capsizes or you fall overboard.

Otmane El Rhazi : Connect with Veterans this Mental Health Awareness Month

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, Harold Kudler, M.D., U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ chief consultant for mental health, discusses ways to support mental health recovery and improved quality of life for Veterans.

All too often, we hear or read about Veterans who are in distress or having difficulty adapting to life after military service. Although these stories are troubling, we also know that hundreds of thousands of Veterans are changing their personal headlines by taking steps to live healthy, productive lives with the help of resources that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Service Organizations, and community-based organizations provide.

It is our civic duty to be a support system for Veterans. We can serve those who have served us by sharing their stories of resilience and recovery and by dismantling perceptions of stigma that too often prevent Veterans from seeking support for mental health challenges. Our actions strengthen the already powerful movement of Veterans who are telling their stories of reaching out for help.

Consider Arthur, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. When he came home from his deployment, he had a hard time adjusting to civilian life but didn’t know how to talk about it. Unable to cope, Arthur fell into a cycle of anger, drugs, and gambling. Eventually, his girlfriend encouraged him to visit a VA doctor who diagnosed Arthur with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Arthur was able to get treatment for his condition and joined a support group for Vietnam Veterans. By connecting with other Veterans, Arthur found the support he needed to change his life for the better.

Trista served 16 years in the Marines, Navy, and National Guard, and experienced military sexual trauma during her service. This resulted in feelings of isolation while she was in the military and outbursts toward her husband after she left the service. With her husband’s encouragement, Trista began seeing a psychologist at VA. That counsel helped her make progress in her recovery. Now, Trista is sharing her story through Make the Connection, and by doing so, she is encouraging fellow Veterans to access similar resources for recovery.

Arthur, Trista, and hundreds of other Veterans and their family members have generously shared their experiences, but reaching other Veterans depends on people like you. Visit http://ift.tt/1ekJ1ny, where every day during Mental Health Awareness Month you can find new strategies and actions to help make Veterans’ concerns about mental health stigma a thing of the past. This Web portal provides easy-to-share messages and tools that will help improve the lives of Veterans and their families.

The full website, MakeTheConnection.net, features videos of hundreds of Veterans, like Arthur and Trista, talking about the steps they took to lead happier, healthier lives. This unique resource gives a voice to Veterans talking openly and honestly about their life journeys and encourages their peers to do the same. That’s why Make the Connection is so effective — it’s by Veterans for Veterans.

Share http://ift.tt/1ekJ1ny with the Veterans you know to further their journey toward treatment and recovery.

Otmane El Rhazi : What’s the Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend and
sometimes we get asked what the difference between Memorial Day and
Veterans Day is. According to the Veterans Administration:

Many people confuse Memorial Day
and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring
military personnel who died in the service of their country,
particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained
in battle. While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING
veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to
our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that
all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and
done their duty.

Otmane El Rhazi : Check if your car is part of the Takata recall

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

If your vehicle is manufactured by BMW, Chrysler, Daimler Trucks, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru or Toyota, you might be affected by a national recall on air bags. Check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website using the VIN search tool to confirm whether your individual vehicle is affected by this recall, or by searching by VIN on a specific vehicle-maker’s site. Check back regularly as automakers confirm which vehicles are affected.

The recall found that the airbags are made with materials that can rupture over time and have been blamed for six deaths worldwide. This Takata inflator recall affects nearly 34 million vehicles.

As manufacturers supply a complete list of affected vehicles, NHTSA will include updates on its recalls page.

Otmane El Rhazi : From the Department of Interior:‪Sunrise‬ from Mesa Arch at…

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

From the Department of Interior:

‪Sunrise‬ from Mesa Arch at Canyonlands National Park in Utah. Kathryn Dannay captured this shot as the sun rose above the La Sal Mountains and caused the arch to glow. Photo from http://ift.tt/18oFfjl.

Otmane El Rhazi : Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Share Your Story to Help Others

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

How can
choosing a healthy lifestyle help others? When others see friends or
family making a positive change in their lives, they are often inspired
to follow those examples.

On May 18, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) kicked off National Prevention Week. SAMHSA invites everyone to join the “I Choose Campaign”
and submit photos and messages about why substance abuse prevention and
mental health are important to you; and how you maintain a healthy
lifestyle. You can include sports, hobbies, or other interests you have.
You can participate by:

Submitted and shared photos will be showcased at the live kick-off event in Washington D.C., via social media, and on SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week website. You can also join the  discussions taking place on Twitter during this yearly observance by following or using the hashtag #NPW2015.