PTSD

Independence Day is just around the corner and most Americans are looking forward to family, friends, food, and fireworks. However, those who've recently returned from active duty in the military may get less enjoyment from the "rockets' red glare" and "bombs bursting in air."  They may, in fact, be suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  To read more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of PTSD, see this site from the VA's National Center for PTSD: 

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/basics/symptoms_of_ptsd.asp

If you're aware that one of your neighbors has recently returned home from active duty, maybe you could think about going to the community fireworks display this year rather than setting off your own.  Our heroes may need a little peace and quiet.

State & County QuickFacts

Need to know how many people live in your state or home town?  Need some basic facts about the businesses in your area?  The Census Bureau's State & County QuickFacts site may fulfill your needs: 

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html

After you select a geographic area, the site provides a quick statistical overview of the population, housing, and businesses in that area, along with the number of square miles occupied and the persons per square mile.  It also provides totals for the U.S. as a whole, and for the younger information seeker, there's a link to "Student State Facts." 

In case of zombie apocalypse, it might be very helpful to know that Georgia has 168.4 people per square mile, but Washington, DC has 9,856.5.  (Wyoming, with 5.8 people per square mile, is the place you'd want to be.)

Father's Day

It's almost time to celebrate another Father's Day. If you're a father and would like some tips or suggestions about being the best father possible, the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Family Assistance may be just what you need. It's a "...national resource for fathers, practitioners, programs/Federal grantees, states, and the public at-large who are serving or interested in supporting strong fathers and families:"

https://www.fatherhood.gov/home

You can even sign up and take the President's "Fatherhood Pledge."

Happy Father's Day to all the dads!

LGBT Pride Month

Caitlyn Jenner is just one of many people celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month throughout June.  Anyone who watched the Tony Awards last night knows that the LGBT community has made outstanding contributions to music and theater, but this month recognizes their achievements in other areas of our history and culture as well.  This site from the Library of Congress describes the origins of the observation and provides links to numerous resources from its collections: 

http://loc.gov/lgbt/

To those who are celebrating, happy Pride Month!

Hurricane Season

June 1st marks the beginning of a new hurricane season.  Even though predictions seem to agree that this will be a relatively calm season in the Atlantic, that may not be true in the Pacific.  To keep up to date on all the latest developments, see this site from the National Hurricane Center:   

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Not only will it show you the predicted paths of any active hurricanes, it tells you about the outlook for this season and how to be prepared.

If the predictions hold, we may make it all the way to November 30th without ever seeing hurricanes Larry through Wanda.