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#NPRreads: 3 Stories To Check Out This Weekend

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Read about how robots could save the Great Barrier Reef, why Americans work so much, and what art projects veterans are making to help them recover from post-traumatic stress disorder. Reported by NPR 15 hours ago.

New Charity Campaign Inaugurated by Bowker Insurance Group in Livonia, MI Raises Funds for The Freedom Center to Provide Hospitality for Travelling Military Personnel

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As part of Bowker Insurance Group’s ongoing community enrichment program, a new charity campaign is now active in support of U.S. military personnel traveling through the Detroit Airport. A supply drive is currently underway for The Freedom Center, which provides hospitality to all members of our armed forces and their families when they travel.

Livonia, MI (PRWEB) January 09, 2016

Bowker Insurance Group, a full service firm with offices in Livonia, Canton and Plymouth, celebrates the beginning of a new charity campaign as part of its continuing community involvement program. The Freedom Center at Detroit Metropolitan Airport provides welcome hospitality to our military heroes and their families as they travel. A supply drive for various items in demand is now underway at the agency’s three area locations. Monetary donations are also being accepted through the designated donations page at https://www.crowdrise.com/havenforheroesenrout/fundraiser/cherylbowker.

The Freedom Center is a privately funded hospitality center located in the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which is open every day of the year and staffed entirely by volunteers. Their mission is to provide world-class reception and hospitality to Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel and their families, as well as to military cadets, retirees, veterans and those from allied military services. The Freedom Center has hosted over 200,000 people in the four years they have been open, striving toward a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere which meets the needs of the heroes they serve. Bowker Insurance Group is now accepting supplies of individual-sized snack food, travel-sized personal health items, beverages, Hot Hands/Toes, air freshener, dryer sheets, gallon-sized Ziploc bags, CDs, DVDs, word game puzzle books, hand-held games, Frisbees and nerf footballs.

“We are truly touched by The Freedom Center’s mission,” attested Cheryl Bowker, the agency’s owner. “Our military and their families sacrifice so much for our country. We’re honored to help provide a comfortable haven when they travel – it seems a great way to show our heartfelt thanks for all they do.”

The team at Bowker Insurance Group is hard at work mobilizing their network of customers, business partners, friends, family and staff to help spread the word about the initiative for The Freedom Center, and hope all will forward the information to others in their circles of influence. The agency’s monthly magazine, Our Hometown magazine, which is delivered to thousands of households in the western Detroit area, reserves a full page to feature the campaign’s details. The electronic Flipbook version of the current issue may be accessed here: http://www.bowkerinsurancegroup.com/Our-Hometown-Magazine_41.

The campaign page at http://www.bowkerinsurancegroup.com/Haven-For-Heroes-En-Route_24_community_cause is currently active for anyone who wishes to contribute to this worthy cause. The agency itself has pledged to donate $10 to The Freedom Center for every recommendation they receive for an insurance quote, with no purchase necessary. Readers wishing to contribute to the supply drive for The Freedom Center may find office locations and further information here: http://www.bowkerinsurancegroup.com/.

Bowker Insurance Group will continue to work with individuals and nonprofits in the area to identify new worthwhile opportunities to support the community, every 30-90 days. Members of the community are invited to submit information on groups, families or individuals who would benefit from a helping hand to be considered for future campaigns at: http://www.bowkerinsurancegroup.com/Add-Community-Cause_47. The selected worthy causes will be contacted by a representative of Bowker Insurance Group’s Community Program. More information regarding past and current campaigns supported by the agency may be found at http://www.bowkerinsurancegroup.com/community-cause. To volunteer or find more information on The Freedom Center, please visit http://mifreedomcenter.org/.

About Bowker Insurance Group

Serving the families of western Detroit from offices in Livonia, Canton and Plymouth, Bower Insurance Group has a simple mission: to provide the best insurance and financial products in the industry, while rendering consistently superior service. Cheryl Bowker and her team of caring professionals believe in protecting all the things which are most important to their clients (their families, homes, cars and more), and in helping to prepare long-term strategies to enable financial success. The dedicated experts at Bowker Insurance Group may be reached at 734-525-9610 (Livonia) 734-738-0300 (Canton) and 734-456-6066 (Plymouth). Reported by PRWeb 14 hours ago.

Running Across America / Joliet Man Beaten to Death / Sneezy Goes to Jail / Veterans Cemetery Damage

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Running Across America / Joliet Man Beaten to Death / Sneezy Goes to Jail / Veterans Cemetery Damage Patch Joliet, IL -- Recent Will County news: Fiber Internet comes to Plainfield / Heroin motel hookup busted / Judge sets bail for accused mom stabber Reported by Patch 14 hours ago.

Here's a walk in Manhattan Beach that's all about the grass instead of the sand

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Everyone goes to Manhattan Beach to swim, surf or walk on the Strand to look at the ocean. But here's a long, grassy walk you can do without getting sand in your shoes.

1. Begin near Herondo Street and Valley Drive, at the southernmost point of Veterans Parkway. This wide, 3.5-mile-long green belt... Reported by L.A. Times 12 hours ago.

Idaho Military Behavioral Health Alliance to Present Conference on the Growing Trend of Alternative Therapies

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The “Beyond Words Alternative Therapy” Conference will offer education on alternative therapies and a hands-on approach to treating the invisible wounds of war.

Boise, ID (PRWEB) January 09, 2016

Join the Idaho Military Behavioral Health Alliance and local practicing therapists Friday, Jan. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a one-day “Beyond Words Alternative Therapy” conference on new alternative therapy options. The conference will offer education on alternative therapies and a hands-on approach to treating the invisible wounds of war.

Currently, a number of health care providers located in the Treasure Valley are using alternative therapy in their practices to combat and heal the stresses of war. Although evidence-based practices remain the benchmark for mental health treatment, alternative therapies are a growing trend among health care providers, including those who treat military patients. These holistic approaches are increasingly being recognized as a complement or one more option in the clinician toolbox. For those service members and veterans who have experienced trauma, alternative therapy may just be the answer to a boost in overall wellness.

The “Beyond Words Alternative Therapy” Conference is designed to educate and motivate discussions, offering attendees a deeper understanding of these therapies and ways in which they may support service members and veterans who are seeking mental health treatment. The conference is being held at the College of Idaho Simplot South Dining Hall located at 2112 Cleveland Boulevard in Caldwell, Idaho and it is open to all service members, their families, veterans, as well as practitioners, behavioral health professionals and others who support the state’s military in the course of their professional work.    

“Alternative therapies are shifting the ways we approach mental wellness, and we want to provide a platform for conference attendees to explore and interact with a variety of interesting modalities in order to express and process emotions and behaviors that are “beyond words”,” said Jean Kuty, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Licensed Acupuncturist, Psychological Health Coordinator Idaho Army National.

During the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions presented by local practicing therapists who will speak on alternative therapies such as writing-assisted therapy, equine-assisted therapy, art and music therapy, power breath and mindfulness and resilience education.

The “Beyond Words Alternative Therapy” Conference is made possible by the Idaho Military Behavioral Health Alliance, including the Army OneSource, the College of Idaho and the Idaho National Guard Family Programs. Free Continuing Education Credits will be offered at the conference along with a special presentation on suicide intervention skills, as well as an information fair. Light refreshments will be available throughout the day.

For more information and to register for this free event, visit http://beyond-words.eventbrite.com.

Media Contact:
Sheila Warner, State Community Support Coordinator, Army OneSource, (208) 660-5607, swarner@afsc.com.

### Reported by PRWeb 11 hours ago.

5 ways the Golden Globes nailed it big with its nominees this year.

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Here are five reasons to watch the Golden Globes 2016.




*The Golden Globes are Jan. 10, 2016. Get excited!*

Why? Well, first of all, that means award show season is officially upon us. Secondly, alcoholic beverages are served during the ceremony (a rarity for televised award shows), which guarantees no shortage of interesting watercooler conversations the following day.

*And thirdly, just look at this year's nominees! You'll see the Golden Globes really has its pulse on today's issues more than ever before, as reflected by who's getting recognized for what (although based on who wins, I may have to eat my words here). Here are five ways that's evident this year.*

*1. People of color are actually well-represented in TV categories.*

Thanks to series like "Empire,""How to Get Away With Murder," and "Orange Is the New Black," performances by people of color are getting noticed — something that's not always (read: almost never) been the case. Actors Aziz Ansari, Taraji P. Henson, Gina Rodriguez, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, and Uzo Aduba are among the many people of color being honored for their praise-worthy performances in 2015.

Gina Rodriguez is nominated for her role in "Jane the Virgin." Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for iHeartMedia.

Nominees in the film categories, however, paint a slightly different (monochromatic) picture — one that, in many ways, mirrors the overwhelmingly white Oscar nods of 2015. And there's certainly a need for improvement when it comes to diversity among this year's presenters as well.

*2. Thanks in part to "Concussion," chatter around football's traumatic brain injury problem is going mainstream.*

"Concussion," starring Will Smith (who is up for best actor in a drama for the role), tells the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist whose research suggested a link in brain injuries to playing football. His efforts to shed light on the issue were ... let's just say ... not welcomed by the NFL.

Will Smith is nominated for his role in "Concussion." Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images.

The film, released on Christmas, got some important facts wrong about the real story (and then possibly took it easy on the NFL out of fear of ruffling feathers), so it faced its fair share of criticism. But it came on the heels of more recent research from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Boston University that found a whopping 87 out of 91 deceased former NFL players examined by analysts tested positive for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease of the brain, The Atlantic reported. So it seems like Omalu was onto something important (and I'm glad Will Smith is helping move the discussion forward).

*3. Feminist storylines are dominating this year's categories.
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Feminism: Yes, it may have been one the clickiest, trendiest buzzwords of 2015, but that doesn't mean it didn't push gender equality forward offline as well.

Melissa McCarthy is nominated for her role in "Spy." Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images.

There are plenty of nominees to choose from in both TV and film categories that feature feminist characters and themes. "Mad Max: Fury Road,""Inside Out,""Spy,""Trainwreck,""Orange Is the New Black,""Transparent," and so many others — all empowering, thought-provoking, complex, depictions of women that, in ways both big and small, throw outdated gender norms out the window.

Also, can we take a moment and appreciate the amount of feminism squeezed into the Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy category this year? Lily Tomlin? Amy Schumer? Jennifer Lawrence? Yes, please.

*4. And speaking of women killin' it, take a look at the nods for best film. *

One quick scan over the Golden Globes' top film nods proves 2015 was a stellar year for leading ladies and the films they starred in.

Jennifer Lawrence is nominated for her role in "Joy." Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images.

Three of the five films up for Best Comedy or Musical feature women in lead roles (shout out to "Joy,""Spy," and "Trainwreck") — an impressive feat considering that — yes, even in 2016 — we're still arguing whether woman are as funny as men. And films featuring female leads aren't just snagging nominations, by the way — they're cleaning up at the box office, too.

What's more, in the Best Drama category, female-led "Carol" and "Room" are nominated, along with "Mad Max: Fury Road," which featured a helluva badass (and feminist) performance from Charlize Theron.

*5. For the second year in a row, LGBTQ characters and their stories are sharing the spotlight in powerful ways.*

This year's awards will continue 2015's groundbreaking year of content giving a voice to LGBTQ characters and their stories.

Jeffrey Tambor is nominated for his role in "Transparent." Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.

Movies like "Carol" (which tells the story of a lesbian love affair) and "The Danish Girl" (a biopic about Lili Elbe, one of the first-known recipients of gender confirmation surgery) are up for big nods. And in the TV realm, trailblazing series like "Transparent" and "Orange Is the New Black" continue being recognized for their thoughtful, eye-opening storytelling and characters.

Although some have criticized "Transparent" and "The Danish Girl" for casting cisgender actors in roles that should be reserved for trans folks (who face enough casting discrimination as is), it's difficult to argue projects like these haven't expanded visibility and promoted inclusion in big ways.

*So there you go. If you didn't have a reason to watch the Golden Globes 2016, now you have five.*

From opening doors for marginalized communities to shining a light on public health concerns, the Golden Globes are proving themselves relevant in 2016. Bravo! (And, if for no other reason, you can always tune in to see if anyone goes overboard at the open bar.)


Reported by Upworthy 6 hours ago.

Raw: Anti-North Korea Protest in Seoul

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Around 200 South Korean war veterans gathered in the center of Seoul on Saturday to take part in a rally denouncing North Korea over its claim of a fourth nuclear test (Jan. 9).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Reported by USATODAY.com 5 hours ago.

Now, guru-shishya tradition gets a modern twist

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In business, the value of having a mentor has been well established, and most B-schools take their mentorship programmes very seriously. Many companies too have internal programmes so that young professionals can learn from seasoned veterans. Reported by IndiaTimes 4 hours ago.

Prince Harry to sign up for Sahara desert trek 

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Prince Harry to sign up for Sahara desert trek  He has already joined injured veterans on treks around Britain and to the ends of the Earth and now Prince Harry is set for another gruelling test – by walking across the Sahara. Reported by MailOnline 2 hours ago.

Army chief backs Iraq troops over 'vindictive' investigations

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Senior army commander condemns the "witch-hunt" against Iraq war veterans, saying years of legal actions and inquiries were damaging the mental health of his men Reported by Telegraph.co.uk 21 hours ago.

'I'd rebuilt my life, I don't want this dragged up again by unfair Iraq investigation'

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Three British Iraq war veterans are to be investigated for the third time over the death of a looter in Basra nearly 13 years ago, in a move denounced as "vindictive" Reported by Telegraph.co.uk 21 hours ago.

Plans well underway for first Torbay Airshow

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Plans well underway for first Torbay Airshow A NUMBER of sponsors have already been confirmed for the first Torbay Airshow which is taking place from Friday, June 10, to Sunday, June 12, at Paignton Green. The event is free of charge and is expected to attract 150,000 visitors. Saturday, June 11, will be Armed Forces Day with a range of military displays and a parade including military veterans. Evening aerial displays are planned for Friday, June 10, with a VIP launch. Land based activities will include a large event village on... Reported by Torquay Herald Express 18 hours ago.

There is a war for talent on Wall Street (GS, C, WFC, JPM)

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There is a war for talent on Wall Street (GS, C, WFC, JPM) The fintech industry's budding startups keep bringing on Wall Street establishment firms as investors. 

And they are hiring big Wall Street names, too.  

At a time when money coming into the fintech sector has risen, startups looking to disrupt Wall Street's top banks are emboldened, armed, and ready to hire talent from the industry behemoths with which they compete. 

Online lenders, trading data providers and consumer finance apps are now trying to pry both banks' clients and talent from high-paid Wall Street gigs with the promise of equity and a brighter future.

Here are the heavy hitters top startups successfully integrated into their growing businesses. 

-Vinayak Gurjar is Commonbond's Chief Risk Officer-

After graduating B-school at the University of North Carolina, Vinayak Gurjar would spend one year with Capital One, and nearly eight with Standard & Poor's before joining Citigroup. Today, he's the chief risk officer at online lender CommonBond in New York. He's joined by other finance veterans Morgan Edwards (CFO of CommonBond), who has experience at Macquarie Capital, Bear Stearns and Morgan Stanley; and Beth Starr, its head of capital markets, who worked at Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and Jefferies.-Angela Galardi Ceresnie co-founded Orchard Platform after getting Wall Street experience-

Angela Galardi Ceresnie is co-founder and CFO of Orchard Platform, an online lender. She brings years of risk management expertise to the role. She spent about five years working at American Express, departing with the title of director of risk management, and went to Citibank, her LinkedIn profile says, where she was VP of risk. -Mike Cagney launched lender SoFi after working with a big bank and a hedge fund-

Before he founded online lender SoFi, Mike Cagney spent a decade as co-founder and managing partner of a hedge fund. But he also spent six years with Wells Fargo, developing proprietary trading code, among other roles. As SoFi expands from personal and student lending into new arenas — like mortgage finance — other SoFi execs he'll lean on include Nino Fanlo, CFO, who has experience at KKR, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo; and former Sallie Mae general counsel Rob Lavet, among others. 
See the rest of the story at Business Insider Reported by Business Insider 14 hours ago.

New crime fiction: adventure in China, a Seattle yoga mystery

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Adam Woog rounds up new crime fiction, including books by Seattle author James Thayer, Tracy Weber and Martha Crites, as well as new work by veterans Benjamin Black, Håkan Nesser, Ian Rankin, Christopher Fowler and Mick Herron. Reported by Seattle Times 13 hours ago.

Here's Who The Obamas Invited To The State Of The Union Address

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The White House on Sunday announced the guests who will be joining Michelle Obama in the first lady's box as President Barack Obama delivers his final State of the Union address to Congress.

Among the lucky few are a businessman who helps low-income residents afford solar panels, an opioid reform advocate from West Virginia, a famed plaintiff in last year's landmark marriage equality case, a once-homeless veteran from Las Vegas, a Syrian refugee and the woman Obama credits with coining the "Fired up! Ready to go!" chant popularized by both of his campaigns for the presidency.

Read the full list below, via the White House:

*A Vacant Seat for the Victims of Gun Violence*

Last week, the President took a series of commonsense steps to help reduce gun violence in America and make our communities safer.

 

We leave one seat empty in the First Lady’s State of the Union Guest Box for the victims of gun violence who no longer have a voice – because they need the rest of us to speak for them. To tell their stories. To honor their memory. To support the Americans whose lives have been forever changed by the terrible ripple effect of gun violence – survivors who’ve had to learn to live with a disability, or without the love of their life. To remind every single one of our representatives that it’s their responsibility to do something about this.

 

*Sue Ellen Allen (Scottsdale, AZ)*

*Criminal Justice Reform*

Sue Ellen Allen knows the difficulties that formerly incarcerated individuals face after prison – both as the co-founder of a nonprofit helping inmates reenter society and as a former inmate starting over after her release in 2009. Her organization, Gina’s Team, supports women in Arizona prisons and upon release, gives them the resources they need and teaches them how give back to the community. Named for her cellmate in prison who died in incarceration, Sue Ellen started Gina’s Team with Gina’s parents in an effort to provide women a path out of prison, back into the community and out of additional trouble with the law. She wrote the President to thank him for the launch of a new pilot program that enables incarcerated Americans to receive Pell Grants and to encourage a national dialog that includes women in prison reform. Sue Ellen is proud to be accompanied to Washington by Gina’s mother, Diane, whose daughter gave her a renewed purpose in life.

 

*Gloria Balenski (Schaumburg, IL)*

*Letter Writer*

Like many American families during the Great Recession, Gloria and Norb Balenski faced real economic struggles: Gloria lost her job after 34 years at a major electronics company, the money they invested for their son’s college dried up in the free-falling stock market, and Norb’s job at Chevrolet was threatened when the auto industry cratered. But the actions the President took when he came into office to pull us away from the brink of depression and to secure quality, affordable health care for millions of Americans, helped safeguard Norb’s job and his health insurance. And just in time as he suffered a major heart attack in 2012, racking up $400,000 in medical bills. Gloria and Norb wrote the President a letter last year thanking him for the economic priorities he pursued at a time of turmoil, which Gloria credits with helping her family to bounce back. Today, Gloria is retired, her husband has recovered, and her son recently married, has a job and purchased a new home.

 

*Jennifer Bragdon (Austin, TX)*

*Community College Student*

Jennifer Bragdon’s story showcases how community colleges can adapt to the needs of students. Jennifer, 42, and her husband, George, work full time to pay for bills and provide childcare for their one-year-old daughter, and Jennifer’s other responsibilities restrict her to one class at a time. Even though she won’t graduate for a few more years, she plans to complete her degree and become a middle school teacher. She enrolled in a new developmental math course at Austin Community College (ACC) after being out of a traditional classroom for more than 20 years, and has now successfully completed her college algebra requirements. In March, Dr. Biden met Jennifer at ACC and learned about the campus’ high-tech learning lab that provides more than 600 computer stations for individualized learning and small group sessions, highlighting the ways community colleges are providing flexibility and support for students to stay on track to earn their degrees. Jennifer works as a massage therapist and lives in Austin, Texas with her family.

 

*Edith Childs (Greenwood, SC)*

*Greenwood County Councilmember*

When then-Senator Obama visited a June 2007 campaign stop in Greenwood, South Carolina, a small group of 38 supporters captured the enthusiasm and drive that defined the election. And Edith Childs, a Greenwood County Councilmember, summed up the passion with a simple chant: “Fired up! Ready to go!” When she noticed Senator Obama’s surprise at a fairly small gathering, she sought to energize the crowd calling out, “Fired up!” to which they replied “Fired up!” “Ready to go!” she countered. This call and response captivated larger and larger crowds, and became widely recognized as the unofficial slogan of the 2008 and 2012 campaigns. In December 2009, President Obama invited Edith to the White House for the first holiday celebration hosted by the Obamas in recognition of her ability to distill the enthusiasm that helped carry him to the White House. Edith lives in Greenwood with her husband, Charles. They have three children and six grandchildren.

 

*Cynthia “Cindy” K. Dias (Las Vegas, NV)*

*Veteran, Veterans Homelessness Advocate*

Cynthia “Cindy” K. Dias is a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War in a hospital ship as a registered nurse. She managed care for wounded soldiers, and worked alongside the Chaplin as the designated official to provide notification and care for families of wounded and deceased officers. After her service, she worked as a registered nurse in Florida and Louisiana and eventually moved to Las Vegas, where she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and lost her job before eventually also losing her home. She found a place to live at Veterans Village, a non-profit working with the city of Las Vegas to provide resources for homeless veterans. She now volunteers with Veterans Village, and she works to care and advocate for veterans in the city. In November 2015, Las Vegas announced it had housed every homeless veteran as part of the Administration’s Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. This challenge was launched in 2014 by First Lady Michelle Obama as part the First Lady and Dr. Biden’s Joining Forces initiative.

 

*Mark Davis (Washington, D.C.)*

*Small Business Owner*

A former basketball player in Washington, D.C., Mark Davis was inspired by the President’s focus on climate change to do something to protect the planet and help his community. Mark took classes, got certified, and started a small business that trains low-income individuals to install solar panels and prepares community members for local green tech jobs. Mark’s company, WDC Solar, is growing, profitable, and giving back. Since 2012, WDC has installed more than 125 solar systems in D.C. at no cost to homeowners with good credit through tax credits and private funds. One of Mark’s proudest moments was working with D.C. Sustainable Energy Utility to start a low-income program that has provided funding to install panels on more than 300 homes. And once the panels are installed, the extra power results in a profit every month – money going back into the community he’s working to transform. In 2016 he plans to implement similar programs in New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

 

*Cary Dixon (Huntington, WV)*

*Mother, Opioid Reform Advocate*

In October, Cary Dixon joined the President at a community forum in Charleston, West Virginia, on the opioid epidemic and spoke candidly about the struggles of having an adult child with a substance use disorder. Prescription drug abuse and heroin use have taken a heartbreaking toll on too many Americans and their families, while straining law enforcement and treatment programs. The President believes that resources should be put toward preventing substance use disorders from developing and getting effective treatment to those who need it. As many families have learned, substance use disorders do not discriminate and Cary has turned her experience into action, speaking up for those who are often too stigmatized to say anything. “For too long, we've been silent,” she told the panel. “And I think that is holding us back. We need to open our voices so that people don't feel ashamed. This is a disease. It is a sickness.”

 

*Lydia Doza (Klamath Falls, OR // Anchorage, AK)*

*College Student, STEM Advocate*

Originally from Anchorage, Lydia Doza’s upbringing in three Alaskan tribes – Inupiaq, Tsimshian, and Haida – as well as her grandmother Joanne’s influence taught her the value of an education and the importance of mentorship. She discovered her passion for engineering early on through her high school robotics team, and, through her involvement with the Administration’s Generation Indigenous initiative to support Native American youth, she’s engaging with rural youth in disciplines across the STEM fields to apply their skills and education. Lydia, 24, is currently pursuing a degree in software engineering technology at Oregon Tech, where she’s also an event organizer for Engineering Ambassadors, which focuses on outreach to kids as young as three years old through high school to encourage a career in engineering. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, Lydia hopes to work full time as a software engineer while continuing her involvement in the community to promote the importance of STEM and higher education. Lydia ultimately hopes to pursue a master’s degree in data science and encourage more women to go into STEM. Lydia’s mother, Maria Graham, and two brothers, Dorien and Leland, live in Wasilla, Alaska.

 

*Refaai Hamo (Troy, MI)*

*Syrian Refugee*

Growing up in Syria, Refaai Hamo lived what seemed to be the kind of life associated with the American Dream – the son of a farmer and housewife, he worked construction at night to pay his way through college on his way to a PhD, married his college sweetheart and built a family together. This life and happiness changed forever when a Syrian government anti-personnel missile tore through the complex Refaai designed and where his family lived; in total seven of his family members died, including his wife and one daughter. After the bombing, he fled to Turkey but couldn’t make a living without a residence permit and was diagnosed with stomach cancer in a country where he couldn’t seek treatment without insurance or health benefits. After two years in Turkey, he received refugee status to move to Troy, Michigan. Refaai’s story was featured on the website Humans of New York, where he received an outpouring of support and sympathy – including from the President. The President wrote in response to his story, “Welcome to your new home. You’re part of what makes America great.” Refaai arrived in Detroit with his three daughters and son on December 18, and like other families displaced from their homeland, they hope to find a new one in America.

 

*Lisa Jaster (Houston, TX)*

*Major, U.S. Army Reserve, Ranger School Graduate*

Major Lisa Jaster became the first female Army Reserve officer to graduate from the Ranger School, the elite leadership course of the Army. The 37-year-old engineer and mother of two is only the third woman to graduate from Ranger School, which began including female soldiers last year following an Administration directive to lift the ban on women in combat. Lisa graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York in 2000. She was on active duty for seven years and deployed in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom before leaving active duty in 2007 to work at Shell Oil Co. In 2012, Lisa returned to service, joining the U.S. Army Reserve, and took a leave of absence from Shell last April to pursue Ranger School. She is married to a Marine with whom she has two children, aged seven and three.

 

*Mayor Mark Luttrell (Shelby County, TN)*

*Shelby County Mayor*

Throughout his career in public service, Republican Mayor Mark Luttrell has built partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, and his unique background has focused him on criminal justice reform. As mayor of Shelby County, Tennessee, he helped create specialty courts for drug, mental health, and veterans’ cases to provide resources for effective rehabilitation instead of ineffectual incarceration. The county also put in place measures to reduce recidivism by streamlining and pooling resources to better provide formerly incarcerated individuals with the tools they need to re-enter society. Afterward, he was appointed as Director of Corrections for Shelby County, Tennessee and served there until he was elected Sheriff in 2002 and subsequently as Mayor in 2010. Mayor Lutrell and his wife, Pat, have three children and six grandchildren.

 

*Gov. Dannel P. Malloy (Hartford, CT)*

*Connecticut Governor*

Currently in his second term as Governor of Connecticut, Dannel P. Malloy has pursued many of the progressive priorities that the President laid out to make America stronger. From his criminal justice reforms, including a “Second Chance Society” initiative that emphasizes successfully reintegrating individuals with nonviolent offenses into society, to common-sense gun safety laws following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, Gov. Malloy has balanced important social reforms with strong economic priorities: Connecticut led America as the first state in the country to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 and pass legislation guaranteeing paid sick leave. Gov. Malloy also oversaw the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act, driving down the state’s uninsured rate to historic lows and delivered the best job growth since the 1990s. Gov. Malloy and his wife, Cathy, have three sons, Dannel, Ben and Sam.

 

*Braeden Mannering (Bear, DE)*

*Let’s Move!*

After attending the White House Kids’ “State Dinner” as part of Let’s Move! and hearing the President and First Lady’s challenge for kids to make a difference in their own communities, Braeden Mannering, 12, was inspired to act. Braeden started his own nonprofit, Brae’s Brown Bags (3B), which provides healthy food to homeless and low-income individuals in his community. His mission is also to raise awareness about the problems of food insecurity and poverty, and to empower and inspire youth across the nation to become part of the solution. To date, Braeden has activated more than 2,600 volunteers, provided more than 4,500 “brown bags” of healthy food, and raised more than $52,000 for hunger relief. He co-hosted the first “hunger conference” in Delaware to include youth, and he continues to spread his mission in Delaware and other states, speaking at schools, conferences, and legislative sessions. Braeden is in sixth grade at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School and lives in Bear, Delaware with his mother Christy, stepfather Brian, brother Finnegan and sister Amelia. Braeden’s father, Michael, his fiancée Jennifer and their son Michael live in Middletown, Delaware.

 

*Satya Nadella (Bellevue, WA)*

*Microsoft CEO*

Satya Nadella is Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft, a position he’s held since February 2014 at the company he joined in 1992. Microsoft has been a leader in expanding access to computer science in K-12 classrooms, and in Teach.org, a private public partnership to increase awareness of and support for the teaching profession. In September, the company announced a new $75 million effort to expand computer science education, including opportunities for engineers from Microsoft and other companies with teachers to team-teach computer science. In October 2015, under Satya’s leadership, Microsoft increased its paid leave benefits by eight weeks and now includes 20 weeks of paid leave for new mothers and 12 weeks for non-birth parents. Originally from Hyderabad, India, Satya received a master’s in computer science and a master’s in business administration from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and University of Chicago, respectively. Satya and his wife, Anupuma, have three children.*Jim Obergefell (Cincinnati, OH)*

*Activist*

Jim Obergefell was the named plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality case Obergefell v. Hodges, which ruled same-sex couples nationwide have the Constitutional right to marry. In 2013, Jim married his partner of 20 years, John, who was dying of ALS. Their marriage – performed in Maryland – wasn’t recognized in their home state of Ohio, setting off a legal proceeding over whether the marriage should be recognized under Ohio law and listed on John’s death certificate. While they won the initial legal battle, Ohio appealed, and their case eventually made its way to the Supreme Court, which declared marriage equality the law of the land. Jim considers himself an accidental activist, one who became entwined in a political statement larger than himself – a statement of equality and dignity that Americans have been fighting for since this nation’s founding – and he now remains committed to ensuring the civil rights for all Americans.

 

*Chief Kathleen O’Toole (Seattle, WA)*

*Police Chief, Community Policing *

Since 2014, Chief Kathleen O’Toole has led the Seattle Police Department in developing its approach to community policing, and her focus on improving officer morale, implementing new policies and optimizing department resources has received national attention. Under her leadership, the department tested a six-month pilot program for body-worn police cameras focused on public transparency, and the Department of Justice awarded the department a $600,000 grant to expand the program. Last year, the Seattle Police Department presented its policies at the White House Police Data Initiative as part of its renewed emphasis on accountability and transparency. Prior to Kathleen’s role as Chief, she served as Chief Inspector of the Gardia Síochána Inspectorate in Ireland, responsible for developing best practices of the Irish police service and rose the ranks of Massachusetts law enforcement, finishing as the first female Boston police commissioner in 2004. Chief O’Toole is married to a retired police detective, Dan O’Toole, and they have a daughter, Meghan.

 

*Ryan Reyes (San Bernardino, CA)*

*Activist*

Ryan Reyes’s partner Larry “Daniel” Kaufman was one of the 14 victims of the December 2 terrorist attack at Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. Daniel was a job trainer for adults with developmental disabilities at the Coffee N More shop, and he was on his lunch break at the time of the attack. He is credited with saving the lives of four people when he warned others, urging them to safety, before being shot and killed in the attack. Since Daniel’s death, Ryan, 32, has been vocal about the need for tolerance of all and rejection of the radicalized. “I speak for both Daniel and myself when I say that this attack should NOT encourage people to treat Muslims any differently than they would anyone else,” he wrote to media in the aftermath of the attack. “The twisted actions and beliefs of a few should not be used to view the majority.”

 

*Ronna Rice (Greeley, CO)*

*Small Business Owner*

A family-operated company since 1924 across five generations, Rice’s Lucky Clover Honey specializes in American raw and unfiltered honey for export globally. As CEO, Ronna Rice leads the business. The company has expanded across the U.S. and around the world, most recently in Japan, South Korea and China, allowing the company to grow domestically and hire more employees. Rice’s Lucky Clover Honey has export sales per year of about $500,000, and the 15 jobs in the company are supported by those exports. The company is based in Greeley, Colorado, and Ronna runs the company with her husband Jim, their three children, their son-in-law and a family friend.

 

*Cedric Rowland (Chicago, IL)*

*ACA Navigator*

Cedric Rowland is the lead navigator for Near North Health Service Corporation in Chicago. Working with people to find the best plans available at a price they can afford, Affordable Care Act navigators help people across the country take advantage of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, and are part of the success of the law. Since November 1, 2015, nearly 11.3 million consumers – more than 3 million of them new customers – have signed up for health care in this open enrollment alone. Our uninsured rate is at the lowest rate on record, coverage is affordable, and we’re seeing a historic slowdown in the growth of health care costs. Cedric’s role in this progress can be seen in the story of Stephanie Lucas. Stephanie has diabetes and no longer qualified for Medicaid, but with Cedric’s help she transitioned to a Marketplace plan that met her needs and let her keep her doctor at a price she could afford – $62 a month after tax credits. Stephanie will watch the State of the Union from the White House. She thanks Cedric, and navigators like him, for helping Americans enroll in quality, affordable health care under the Affordable Care Act. Cedric is a new father of a baby girl.

 

*Naveed Shah (Springfield, VA)*

*U.S. Army Veteran*

Naveed Shah, originally from Saudi Arabia, grew up in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Springfield, Virginia after immigrating to the United States with his Pakistani parents. Like many immigrants who arrive here as children, Naveed noted that his birth country felt foreign while America is home. The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 marked the ultimate distortion of Naveed’s faith – something he set out to combat, enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2006. He served our country for four years and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Naveed returned to his hometown in 2010 for college and to work with veterans groups assisting in the transition between military and civilian life. When not volunteering, Naveed works as a real estate agent in Virginia and lives with his fiancé, Ashley, and 7-year-old son, Yusuf.

 

*Earl Smith (Austin, TX)*

*Veteran*

Earl Smith first met then-Senator Barack Obama in February 2008 on the campaign trail at the Austin Hyatt Regency where he worked as the director of security. Encountering him in an elevator, Earl gave the Senator a military patch he had worn serving with an artillery brigade in Vietnam that sustained 10,041 casualties and received 13 Medals of Honor. Smith had held onto his patch for 40 years – from Vietnam, to his 1977 pardon after three years in prison for a wrongful conviction, to global work in the hospitality industry – before parting with it in the elevator that day. Then-Senator Obama carried the patch in his pocket for the rest of the campaign, but Earl had no idea of the impact his story had on the President until he heard it directly from him in the Oval Office in 2013. The patch will be archived in the Obama Library – a reminder of the people who made up the movement that led the President to the White House. Earl and his wife of nearly 35 years, Claudia, have two children.

 

*Spencer Stone (Sacramento, CA)*

*Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force*

While on a Paris-bound train with his childhood friends Anthony Sadler and U.S. Army Specialist Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone made headlines worldwide in August when the three Americans prevented a potentially catastrophic act of terrorism. Spencer, his two friends and a fourth British passenger subdued a gunman armed with a box cutter, a pistol, a can of lighter fluid, and an assault rifle with 300 rounds of ammunition as he tried to open fire aboard the crowded train. While restraining the suspect who repeatedly slashed with the box cutter, Spencer incurred injury to his neck and hand, nearly losing his finger, and upon return to the United States received a Purple Heart, the Airman's Medal, and a promotion to Staff Sergeant. The President invited the three friends to the White House where he thanked them in person for saving so many lives and for representing the U.S. with heroism and humility. The 23-year-old EMT hopes to continue his work in medicine and lives in Sacramento, California.

 

*Oscar Vazquez (Fort Worth, TX)*

*Veteran, DREAMer, STEM leader*

Like many DREAMers, Oscar came to the United States as a child in search of a better life. From age 12 when he moved from Mexico to Phoenix, Arizona, Oscar excelled in the classroom. He excelled as a STEM student at Carl Hayden High School and led an unlikely and inspiring story of a group of under-resourced Hispanic high school students who took on an MIT team in an underwater robotics competition and won. That opportunity led to a college education in the STEM field, earning a B.S.E. in mechanical engineering from Arizona State University in May 2009. But without legal status, he couldn’t secure a job to provide for his new wife and newborn child. He returned to Mexico to apply for a visa, and with help from Sen. Dick Durbin, who spoke from the Senate Floor about Oscar’s case, he was granted a green card in August 2010. Six months later, Oscar enlisted in the Army to serve the country he loves and calls home. Oscar served one tour in Afghanistan and is now a proud U.S. citizen. He now works for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railways as a business analyst in a web app development team, and is a passionate advocate on behalf on expanding STEM opportunities for Latino and other under-represented youth.


-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 10 hours ago.

Syrian refugee among first lady's guests for State of Union

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A Syrian scientist stricken with cancer and seeking a new start for his family in Michigan will represent Syrian refugees as a guest of first lady Michelle Obama for the president's final State of the Union address. President Barack Obama has committed to accepting an additional 10,000 Syrian refugees, but some Republican lawmakers and presidential candidates are critical of the expansion. The guests include several veterans and service members, including one of the three Americans who thwarted a terrorist attack aboard a Paris-bound train. The guest list includes a California man whose partner was killed in the San Bernardino attack, the first female Army Reserve officer to graduate from the Army's elite Ranger School and a plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case that found same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. Reported by SeattlePI.com 9 hours ago.

Former ombudsman 'gob-smacked' it took Ottawa five years to track homeless vets

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*By The Canadian Press*

OTTAWA — Pat Stogran, who was Canada's first veterans ombudsman, says he tried unsuccessfully for years to get the former Conservative government to recognize that homelessness among ex-soldiers was an issue.

And he says he is "gob-smacked" that it took until 2014 for the federal government to begin tracking the issue through a national data base, especially since he began urging individual shelters in 2009 to start collecting data and asking people whether they've had any military... // Read Full Article Reported by CJME 8 hours ago.

Ex-ombudsman shocked it took Ottawa so long to track homeless vets

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Pat Stogran, Canada's first veterans ombudsman, vividly recalls being hauled into the minister's office one day in late 2008, where an angry, red-faced Greg Thompson -- the veterans minister of the day -- upbraided him for making public the issue of homelessness among ex-soldiers. Reported by CTV News 7 hours ago.

Canada's 1st veterans ombudsman shocked it took 5 years to track homeless vets

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Pat Stogran, who was Canada's first veterans ombudsman, says he tried unsuccessfully for years to get the former Conservative government to recognize that homelessness among ex-soldiers was an issue. Reported by CBC.ca 7 hours ago.

Ex-ombudsman 'gob-smacked' it took feds five years to track homeless vets

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Pat Stogran, Canada's first veterans ombudsman, vividly recalls being hauled into the minister's office one day in late 2008, where an angry, red-faced Greg Thompson -- the veterans minister of the day -- upbraided him for making public the issue of homelessness among ex-soldiers. Reported by CP24 6 hours ago.
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