_____LEADS
**1. BEHAVIOR: SECRET SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE. MARY JO FAY, author, national speaker and victim recovery consultant: "Statistics tell us that one in three girls and one in six boys are sexually abused in the United States before their 18th birthday. And yet, there are estimates that these numbers are nowhere near accurate as so many remain secret survivors. For some, the secret is always present. For others, memories may lay repressed for years and suddenly surface, leaving the victim overwhelmed, confused, lost, and frightened to have to face the nightmare again. Yet survivors can heal by coming out of the darkness and into the world of light and truth, and put the heartache behind them once and for all."
**2. GARDEN: PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY TREE INVESTMENT. DEREK L. VANNICE, director of certification at the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE: "As cities continue to grow, trees that were once part of a forest stand are now an investment on your property or street, and need proper care, even beyond air, water and light. Urban foresters provide a vital service to communities. Unfortunately, there are more communities in need of training and education than can be addressed by the resources available." The ISA and the U.S. Forest Service offers a scholarship program to provide communities with certified arborists and qualified tree care experts who can help train others in the community on proper tree care.
**3. LEISURE: PROPER BIKE FIT DURING NATIONAL BIKE MONTH. KENDRA WENZEL, owner and coach of WENZEL COACHING: "As bicycles hit the roadways in force this month and throughout the summer, one issue is important for all cyclists: proper bike fit. That's frame fit, crank length, shoe cleat position, as well as proper adjustment of the seat and stem. The difference between a good fit and a bad fit can make all the difference in the world." May marks the League of American Bicyclists' 49th annual National Bike Month, highlighted by Bike to Work Week, May 16-20, and Bike to Work Day on May 20.
**4. RELATIONSHIPS: COUPLES MAY WANT TO CONSIDER PRE-MARITAL AGREEMENTS. KEITH NELSON, family law attorney at MCCURLEY ORSINGER MCCURLEY NELSON & DOWNING: "It was an extreme display, but as we all saw in the case of Jennifer Wilbanks, who fled days before her wedding, deep emotions can spring big surprises in love and marriage. To prepare, brides- and grooms-to-be may want to consider pre-marital agreements, and learn their state's laws on annulment. They may not want to talk about these things, but if 'happily ever after' turns into 'I'm out of here,' they would have some protection."
**5. RETIREMENT: BUILDING AN IDENTITY FOR RETIREMENT. DWIGHT MOORE, Ph.D., industrial psychologist at MOORE & ASSOCIATES: "The average baby boomer who retires will live approximately 26 more years. After a short transition phase, the active phase of retirement lasts 20 years or so. Most retirees don't actively plan for their retirement career. When people are done building their careers and companies, it is time to start building their lives in a systematic way. The day after retirement, we don't want to be saying 'I used to work as a sales vice-president.' We want to be saying 'I am promoting the Sierra Club in my state.' Building an identity and planning based on one's interests and skills ensures a vibrant, valued and optimistic retirement future."
**6. TRAVEL: SMART TRAVELING FOR THE VALUE-CONSCIOUS. CECILIA DAHL, president of SMART DESTINATIONS: "This year, millions of people will travel across the U.S. enjoying their summer vacations. Top U.S. destinations include historic Boston, architectural Chicago, seaside San Francisco and San Diego, the lush Pioneer-Valley of Seattle and vacation capital Orlando." Dahl can share some smart travel tips for the budget-conscious traveler and how to make visiting top attractions in top cities simpler, more convenient and enjoyed at great values.
RSS