ontheOutsontheouts.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/On-the-Outs-12in-sample … · gets all crunk and tell dem’ kids to “Leave a brother be.” Next day, some little punk steps

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ontheOutsVol. 1, No. 0 / January, 2019Published bi-monthly by Success

Reentry, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

http://ontheOuts.org Supporting the Reentry process for a positive life after incarceration.

TMFREE

The FIRST STEP ActWhat does it mean for California?Page 3

ontheOuts.org

THUG NOTES

Dr. Sparky Sweets is reppin’ down south with To Kill a Mockinbird by Harper Lee.

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Can Felons Vote in Cali?

Find out who the State of California says can and can’t register and vote.

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IS HIP-HOP APASSING FAD?

Stars like DMX (pictured) are breathing new life into old-school hip-hop and rap.

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Photo: Pixabay

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On the Outs (ISSN 2637-4048) is pub-lished bi-monthly for $5 per year by Success Reentry Inc., PO Box 582155, Elk Grove, CA 95758-0036. Periodicals postage pending at Elk Grove, CA, and additional mailing offices.

Editor/DesignerMark T. Arsenault

Assistant EditorSpencer Warner

Additional MaterialCourtesy of Wisecrack.

ColophonAdobe InDesign CC and Adobe Photo-shop CC were used in the design of this publication.

Legal NoticeOn the Outs copyright © 2019 by Suc-cess Reentry, Inc. All rights reserved. On the Outs and ontheOuts are trade-marks owned by Success Reentry, Inc.

Yo’ what it is? Sparky Sweets again. And this week we reppin’ down South with To Kill A Mock-ingbird by Harper Lee.

This book focuses on three little homies by the name of Scout, her crippled brother Jem, and some homeboy by the name of Dill. Now, Scout’s papa is a righteous lawyer with the badass name of Atticus. Since there ain’t nothing to do in Alabama, Scout and her crew spend a summer harassing a nearby shut-in named Boo Radley.

Now, ain’t nobody seen Boo Radley for years. Scout and her crew try to pass Boo a note to see if he wants to chill, but Atticus gets all crunk and tell dem’ kids to “Leave a brother be.”

Next day, some little punk steps to Scout and straight up calls Scout’s daddy, Atticus, a “N— lover.” Mmmm! Turns out, Atticus has been hired to defend some ashy playa’ named Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping the daughter of a shady cat named Bob Ewell.

At the trial, my boy Atticus spits mad game up in that court room. In fact, he discover it was Ewell’s daughter that was puttin’ the moves on Tom. Turns out she wanted some of that “dark chocolate,” know what I mean? After seeing his daughter makin’ advances on a brotha, Mr. Ewell smack that bitch up raw, while Tom peaced out. But since we

talkin’ about Alabama here, them white folks convict him anyway. Why? Cuz’ he black.

That honky Ewell be pissed that Atticus made him look like a fool up in court, so Halloween night, Ewell downs too much of that juice and gets the drop on Jem and Scout. Just when he about to rough up my girl, Scout, crazy cracka’ Boo Radley comes in outta nowhere, and shanks that fool. Whoo! He dead.

Sick and tired of his stupid lip, the town authorities decide that Ewell got too drunk and fell on his knife. Boo gets off Scott free. Why? Cuz’ icing him, like my girl Scout says, would be like “Shootin’ a mockingbird.”

Now, you all don’t know sh*t about the title until you read this here quote on page 90: Only a jive-ass fool would pop a cap in a mockingbird, cuz’ all dem bitches do is just drop next level beats for your enjoyment. So what my girl, Harper, tryin’ to say is that rattin’ on Boo Radley wouldn’t do no good. It only rid the hood of one more true blue playa. They already done f*cked up once by con-victin’ Tom, so they ain’t got to pop another mockin’ bird.

Now this book right here is a straight up criticism of the South during The Depression. The courts, the schools, the church: all

of ‘em were run by crooked ass crackas.

Now when we first meet Scout, she’s sportin’ all that Southern racism and ignorance. But after kickin’ it with Boo and Tom Rob, she matures and starts keepin’ it real. Dis’ brings to one of the es-sential themes of this bitch: learn-ing valuable lessons by being ex-posed to people of difference. By hangin’ with a crazy cracka’ like Boo Radley and a righteous black man like T. Robinson, Scout has one of them paradigm shiftin’ moments, playa. She learns that these homies just be tryin’ to hustle like anybody else. Yo!

Check it. Jim’s crippled ass is a metaphor for America’s jacked up justice system. Jim f*ckin’ up his arm so young be one of them synecdoches* for a country that was born with backward ass ideals. Now, that sh*t might heal, but it gonna leave a disabling scar on the nation and ain’t no amount of cocoa butter gonna make that sh*t go away.

Yo! Thanks for readin’ Thug Notes. Tune in next time, playa.

* syn·ec·do·che (səˈnekdəkē): a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa, as in Cleveland won by six runs (meaning “Cleveland’s baseball team”).

Thug Notes: To Kill a MockingbirdBy Sparky SweetsCopyright 2013 by Wisecrack. Published under license.

Explore literature with yo’ boy Sparky Sweets, PhD. It’s classic literature, original gangster.

ontheOuts TM

Contents

Thug Notes ......................2

Feature Article ................3

Behind the Wall ..............4

Comics ............................5

Puzzles ............................5

Lifestyle ...........................6

Education........................7

Employment ...................7

Health & Wellness ..........8

Welcome to the first ever issue of On the Outs. This publication was created to support the reentry process for both people currently in custody who will be reentering society and formerly incarcerated people who have been released and are adjusting to life “on the outs.” It is published and provided free of charge by Success Reentry, Inc., a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization.

What you’re holding in your hands is issue number “zero,” a sample of what you’ll find in each issue of On the Outs. We hope you will enjoy this issue and find reason to continue reading it and supporting it.

—Mark Arsenault (“Mr. A”), Editor

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On December 21, 2018, Presi-dent Trump signed the “For-

merly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act” into law.

“The First Step Act will make communities SAFER and SAVE tremendous taxpayers dollars,” said President Trump. “It brings much needed hope to many families...”

The FIRST STEP Act has been called the most substantial crim-inal justice reform legislation in a generation. Contrary to what some people believe, however, the Act only applies to the federal system. This law doesn’t apply to anyone doing state or county time, period.

Here’s what the Act includes.Risk/Needs Assessment: The Act

requires the U.S. Attorney General to review existing prisoner risk and needs assessment systems. Prison-ers with similar risk levels will be grouped together in housing and assignments, where practical.

Sentencing Reform: The Act makes the reforms in the Fair Sen-tencing Act of 2010, which reduced the disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentences at the fed-eral level, retroactive. This alone will impact nearly 2,600 federal inmates.

It enacts fair, commonsense reforms, expanding the “safety valve” judges can use to avoid mandatory minimum sentences; eliminates the “three-strike” mandatory life sen-tencing provisions (now 25 years), and other changes that will, ulti-mately, lead to shorter prison sen-tences. It also gives certain offenders the ability to petition the courts for a

review of their sentences.Access: All prisoners have the

opportunity to participate in recid-ivism reduction programming or activities, according to their specific criminogenic needs. Priority for pro-grams will go to medium and high risk prisoners, and for activities to minimum and low risk prisoners.

Incentives: Prisoners who suc-cessfully participate in a program can get extra phone and video conferencing privileges (up to 30 minutes per day or 510 minutes per month), plus extra visitation time, as determined by the warden. They can also apply for placement in a facility closer to their release residence, sub-ject to bed availability, the prisoner’s security designation, and recom-mendation from the warden.

Increased Time Credits: Promotes prisoner participation in vocational training, educational coursework, or faith-based programs by allowing prisoners to earn time credits for pre-release custody.

Prisoners can earn credits for successful participation in pro-grams (10 days for every 30 days of programs). Minimum and low recidivism risk prisoners can earn an extra 5 days credits for every 30 days of participation, effectively earning “half time.” These credits don’t apply to time spent prior to the date their sentence begins, to those sentenced for certain serious crimes (attempt-ed murder, terrorism, etc.), or to deportable alien detainees.

Prerelease Custody: When min-imum and low risk prisoners have earned program credits that equal

or exceed the remaining time on their sentence, they may apply for prerelease custody—either home confinement (“ankle monitor”) or a residential reentry center. Prerelease custody lasts until the prisoner has served 85% of their term.

Retraints on Pregnant Prisoners: The Act forbids the use of restraints on prisoners during periods of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery unless deemed an imme-diate and credible flight risk, pose an immediate and serious threat of harm to herself or others, or a healthcare professional determines restraints are appropriate for the medical safety of the prisoner.

If restraints are used in these cas-es, only the least restrictive restraints necessary to prevent the harm or risk of escape may be used.

Inmate Employment: The Act expands prison employment pro-gram opportunities through prison industries.

De-escalation Training: The Act provides for de-escalation training for BOP custody staff.

Drug Treatment: The Act pro-vides for evidence-based treatment for opioid and heroin abuse.

New Pilot Programs: Two new 5-year pilot programs are created, in at least 20 facilities: “Mentorship for Youth” and “Service to Abandoned, Rescued, or Otherwise Vulnerable Animals.”

Data Collection: The National Prisoner Statistics Program will be-gin reporting on the number of pris-oners who are US veterans, placed in solitary confinement, known to be pregnant, etc.

Healthcare Products: The BOP will make tampons and sanitary napkins available to prisoners for free, in quantities appropriate to the healthcare needs of each prisoner.

Funding: The Act also increases funding to research and further support state and local programs, and to facilitate collaboration among the criminal justice, juvenile justice, mental health treatment, and sub-stance abuse systems.

Hopefully this new law inspires more states to enact sentencing reform.

What is the First Step Act?By Mark Arsenault

President Trump speaks about the FIRST STEP Act. (Photo: White House)

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The following information is taken directly from the California Secretary of State’s website.

The short answer is: maybe. Individuals convicted of a felony are ineligible to vote while in prison and on parole. Voting rights are automat-ically restored upon completion of parole, and people on probation can vote. Ex-offenders should re-register to vote.

Who cannot register & vote:Currently imprisoned in:• State prison• Federal prison• Currently serving a state prison

felony sentence in a county jail (i.e., AB109 or “County Jail Prison” inmates)

• Currently in county jail await-ing transfer to a state or federal prison for a felony conviction

• Currently in county jail for a parole violation

• Currently on parole with the California Department of Cor-rections and Rehabilitation

Once you are done with parole your right to vote is restored, but you must re-register.

Who can register to vote:In county jail:• serving a misdemeanor sen-

tence (a misdemeanor never affects your right to vote)

• Because jail time is a condition of probation (misdemeanor or felony)

• Serving a felony jail sentence• Awaiting trial• On probation• On mandatory supervision• On post-release community

supervision (PRCS)• On federal supervised release• A person with a juvenile ward-

ship adjudication

If you are unsure of what type of sentence you are serving, ask your probation officer, parole officer, or staff at your correctional facility.

How to Register to VoteYou may request a voter regis-

tration card from the Secretary of State or your county elections office. If you are in jail, you are entitled to receive a voter registration card if you are eligible to vote.

Your voter registration applica-tion generally must be received or postmarked at least fifteen (15) days before Election Day to be eligible to vote in that election.

Voter registration cards and voting materials are available in English, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.

Vote by MailIf you are already registered to

vote at your current home address, you may request a vote-by-mail ballot application by contacting your county elections office. Once you receive your vote-by-mail ballot application, you must complete and return it to your county elections office at least seven (7) days before Election Day.

If you are not registered to vote at your current home address, you may register or re-register to vote and request a vote-by-mail ballot.

Release from CustodyIf you requested a vote-by-mail

ballot but are released from custody before you receive your ballot, you can still vote. Just go to the polling place for your home address or any polling place in the county where you are registered and vote a provi-sional ballot.

If you change your name, home address, mailing address, or party preference you must complete a new voter registration card.

ResourcesFor more information, contact

your county elections office or the California Secretary of State:

California Secretary of StateElections Division1500 11th Street, 5th FloorSacramento, CA 95814www.sos.ca.gov

Voter HotlinesThe Secretary of State’s office pro-

vides voting-related materials and assistance in ten languages.

(800) 345-8683 – English(800) 232-8682 – español(800) 339-2857 – 中文(800) 339-2857 – हिन्दी(800) 339-2865 – 日本語(888) 345-4917 – ខ្មែរ(866) 575-1558 – 한국어(800) 339-2957 – Tagalog(855) 345-3933 – ภาษาไทย(800) 339-8163 – Việt ngữ(800) 833-8683 – TTY/TDD

Can Felons Vote in Cali?By Mark ArsenaultDecember 26, 2018

Caltrans Parolee Work Crew ProgramSource: CDCR

The Caltrans Parolee Work Crew Program is a part-

nership between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Butte County Office of Education (BCOE), San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) and the City of Oakland Golden State Works (GSW). This program provides transitional employment through litter abatement services for Caltrans.

The BCOE and SBCCD Day Reporting Centers (DRCs) work with Division of Adult Parole Operations. Parolees are assess for job readiness to legally and physically work on transitional work crews that require manual labor. Eligible parolees who have completed most of their Individ-ual Treatment Plan, are placed on a Caltrans work crew for up to 90 working days.

The GSW Program provides life skills education, employ-ment preparation, transitional employment, permanent job placement, appropriate case management, and employment retention services. Each parolee that completes the first five-day portion of Life Skills Education is also placed into transitional employment on a Caltrans work

crew for up to 90 working days. Parolees work four days per week on the work crew, and on the fifth day focus on employment and job placement services. Job referral and retention services continue for up to 12 months.

Currently, there are six crew locations statewide. The BCOE works with four DRCs in the fol-lowing counties: Fresno, Los An-geles, Sacramento, and Stockton.

SBCCD works in San Ber-nardino County. The GSW works through the City of Oakland in Alameda County.

The program lengths vary, up to one year.

Parolees attending a BCOE and SBCCD DRCs who have com-pleted a job readiness assessment, and legally and physically able to work on transitional job sites may be referred for enrollment by the Parole Agent of Record via CDCR form 1502, Activity Report.

In the GSW program, parolees complete an evidence-based em-ployment assessment to deter-mine eligibility and must also be referred by the Parole Agent of Record via a CDCR form 1502 Activity Report. Parolees in GSW who have a history of either penal code (PC) 457.1 (arson) or PC 290 (sex offense) may be exclud-ed on a case-by-case basis.

If convicted of a felony in California you may register to vote once discharged from parole.

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1. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the World Heritage site called Machu Picchu located?

2. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin word “veritas” mean in English?

3. MATH: What is another name for the term 10 to the 100th power?

4. TELEVISION: What was the name of the high school in the sitcom “Happy Days”?

5. FAMOUS QUOTATIONS: Which 19th-cen-tury philosopher/essayist once said, “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air”?

6. MUSIC: What is the difference in length between a petite grand piano (smallest) and a concert grand piano (largest)?

7. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president worked as a lifeguard during high school?

8. MEASUREMENTS: How long is a mara-thon race in feet?

9. MOVIES: Who starred in the 1950s mov-ie “Lust for Life” about the life of Vincent van Gogh?

10. HISTORY: In what year did humans first land on the moon?

© 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.

Trivia Test Answerst1. Peru ; 2. Truth; 3. Googol; 4. Jefferson High ; 5. Ralph Waldo Emerson;

6. Almost 4 feet; 7. Ronald Reagan; 8. 138,435 feet; 9. Kirk Douglas; 10. 1969

Posting Date December 31, 2018

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Most of us can’t imagine life without Internet ser-

vice at home. We use it every day for news and entertainment, as well as to research healthcare op-tions for our families; to connect with friends and family; to search and apply for jobs, scholarships, or schools; or to shop and save time.

Unfortunately, many low-in-come households in this country aren’t connected and they’re missing out on the life-changing resources the Internet has to offer

According to the U.S. Census American Community Survey, 81 percent of U.S. households have broadband Internet access, but only 63 percent of those

with annual incomes of less than $35,000 do.

For the past seven years, Comcast has been on a mission to do something about this so-called “digital divide” through its acclaimed Internet Essentials program, which has become the largest broadband adoption program for low-income families across the U.S.

The program has had an enor-mous impact on families and their children and, since its inception, more than six million low-income Americans have been connected.

To put that in perspective, six million people is larger than the populations of each city in Amer-ica except New York City. While

Low-Cost Internet Program Helps Connect Families, VeteransBy NewsUSA

Is Hip-Hop a Passing Fad?By NewsUSA

In the 30 years since hip-hop developed from basement

jams and Bronx block parties, it has run the gamut from fame (and infamy) in the late ‘70s through the ‘90s, to a somewhat recent fall from grace and every stop in between.

But rap is not dead.One has only to look at artists

like DMX and the Beastie Boys - both of whom are dropping new albums this year -- to know that hip hop is alive and well and enjoying something of a rebirth.

The point is underscored by noting that the Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and

Roll Hall of Fame this year and that the 40-year-old X, who was recently released from an almost one-year stint in prison in Arizo-na, is releasing his seventh album.

This, said Jake Shapiro, COO of Big Jake Music, a Los Ange-les-based indie record label that represents DMX, is a testament to the fact that hip hop may have started back in the ‘70s as a popular trend, but is still relevant today.

“Artists, like X, are hip-hop’s most beloved and influential peo-ple,” said Shapiro. “He embodies everything that is hip-hop - an amalgam of barking and rhym-

ing in loud bursts of manic ... energy.”

Born Earl Simmons in Decem-ber 1970, DMX was signed by a subsidiary of Columbia Records at the age of 22 and has enjoyed almost two decades of honors and accolades, including multi-plat-inum-selling records, and being the only artist in Billboard history to reach number one with five consecutive albums.

Even with various legal woes and drug problems plaguing him over the last decade, his support-ers are not about to count him out.

“We’re thrilled to be working with DMX,” said Shapiro.”His fan base continues to support him, and he is still clearly able to produce good music. We believe that great things will come from our partnership.”

With the help of his new record label Seven Arts Music, DMX has released the singles, “Already,” and “I Don’t Dance,” featuring Machine Gun Kelly -- both of which have received much radio play, prior to the release of the actual album.

To learn more about Big Jake Music and DMX’s newest album, visit www.bigjakemusic.com.

Stars like DMX (pictured) are breathing new life into old-school hip-hop and rap.

the numbers can be numbing, the individuals who have benefitted all have their own stories to tell.

“Low-income people face prob-lems when it comes to accessing technology and a lot of people are left behind,” says Pam Ogglesby, an Internet Essentials customer.

“I signed up for the program and I now see what I was missing. I feel connected now and it’s all because of Internet Essentials. I think this is going to change my life drastically. I intend to use the Internet to learn new things.”

In the beginning, Internet Essentials was offered to low-in-come families with children eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program.

Eligibility has also been extended to low-income seniors in more than a dozen markets, as well as to those households receiving HUD-housing assistance, which includes HUD’s Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, and Multifamily programs.

This year, the company is expanding eligibility again to low-income veterans living within the Comcast service area. About a third of the veterans in the U.S. do not have Internet access at home, and only about 60 percent even own a computer, according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey, creating a need for better options for the veteran community. As a

result, more than one million vet-erans across Comcast’s footprint are estimated to be eligible.

Comcast’s Internet Essentials program works with community partners to break down the main barriers to Internet access–lack of affordable service; lack of a com-puter or other device; and lack of digital training by providing high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month plus tax, the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for less than $150, and free digital literacy training in print, in person, and online.

To apply, visit www.internetes-sentials.com/apply, or call 1-855-846-8376. For Spanish-only speakers: call 1-855-765-6995.

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The mission of the Califor-nia Student Aid Commis-

sion is to help low-income and first generation college-goers complete the application process so they can access financial aid for education and career/technical training beyond high school.

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows students interested in attending eligible California Colleges, Universities and Career Educa-tion Programs to apply for state financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The Chafee Grant for Foster Youth is available to students if they are or were in foster care for at least one day, between the ages of 16 and 18 (as a depen-dent or ward of the court) and have financial need. You may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. You don’t have to pay this money back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while you’re in school. You can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states.

Through the March 2 Cal Grant deadline, students and families

can attend free Cash for College workshops across California for help completing the Free Appli-cation for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act (CADAA) and Chafee Grant for Foster Youth applications.

Below are the dates and loca-tions of upcoming workshops:

Calvine High School8333 Vintage Park DrSacramento, CA 95828Tel: 916-689-75021/15/2019 at 6:00 PM

Arden-Dimick Library891 Watt AveSacramento, CA 95864Tel: 916-575-21701/17/2019 at 6:00 PM

SEIU LOCAL 10001325 S St.Sacramento, CA 95811Tel: 916-554-13081/22/2019 at 6:00 PM

Foothill High School5000 McCloud Dr.Sacramento CA , 95842Tel: 916-566-34451/24/2019 at 6:00 PM

Mexico Consulate2093 Arena BlvdSacramento, CA 95834Tel: 916-329-35002/2/2019 at 9:00 AM

Free Cash for College workshops in SacTown

Source: https://www.ca.gov/learning/

The CSAC provides aid to undergraduates, vocational training students, and those in teacher certification programs.

What does the shortfall of truck drivers mean for the economy?By BPT

To truly understand the im-pact the trucking industry

has on our economy, walk into any business, retail shop or gro-cery store and take a look around. Nearly everything you see was delivered there by a truck. In fact, according to the American Truck-ing Associations’ (ATA) Freight Transportation Forecast, 70 percent of all freight in the U.S. is handled by trucks. It is awe-in-spiring to realize one industry has such an enormous impact on everything we do, purchase and consume in our everyday lives. Quite simply, trucks keep Amer-ica moving, and without them, America stops.

Imagine going to your favorite grocery store to pick up your fam-ily’s dinner and seeing the shelves empty, or stopping by the corner hardware store for light bulbs only to find they’re not available. If it’s not during the aftermath of a weather disaster, we can’t readily imagine such a scenario happening in this country. That’s because 3.5 million professional drivers are always on the job, working day and night to make the deliveries that keep our econ-omy humming.

But, it’s getting more and more difficult for the industry to keep up with demand. There’s a severe shortage of professional truck drivers on the road today, and it’s expected to get even worse. The ATA estimates that the industry will face a 175,000-driver short-fall by 2026. Ask any professional driver and they’ll tell you the same story: They get headhunting emails and calls from recruiters every day, and their own compa-nies are so short-staffed they need to put in extra shifts just to cover all of the routes.

That’s why the ATA is partner-ing with Pilot Flying J, the largest network of travel centers in North America, to raise awareness of the profession, recruit new

drivers, and celebrate the tremen-dous contributions of professional drivers to our nation’s economy.

It’s ironic that there’s a short-age in this profession, because those same drivers who remain committed to the industry and to keeping our economy moving will tell you how much they love the job.

“My father was a driver and as far back as I can remember, truck driving is all I’ve ever wanted to do,” says Steve Brand, a profes-sional driver who has spent 27 years with FedEx Freight. Brand is a member of the ATA Ameri-ca’s Road Team, a national public outreach program of professional truck drivers who share superior

(see Truck Drivers p.8)

The open road, independence and the flexibility to work how and when you want. Reasons why trucking is a great job.

Page 8

ontheOutsP.O. Box 582155Elk Grove, CA 95758

The mental and physical merits of walking are well

established, from helping ward off depression to preventing heart disease. Meditation, likewise, can help reduce anxiety symptoms and improve sleep quality. Have you considered combining these seem-ingly very different activities?

Walking meditation, which doesn’t take much of an invest-ment in time or money, can be a good way to reap multiple benefits.

Walking meditation isn’t a stroll in the park or an hour in the lotus position, rather something in between. The goal is to be self-fo-cused and mindful of your body in motion. To get started, consider these steps from UC Berkeley’s

Greater Good Science Center:• Find a place that’s relatively

free of distractions and where other people won’t make you self-conscious. Your path - wheth-er it’s a hiking trail or a little-used hallway - doesn’t have to be long; the whole point is to go nowhere, slowly - and safely.

• Relax your hands and arms, stand up straight and take a few deep breaths. Take 10 to 15 small, deliberate steps, counting them in your head. Be mindful of the way your feet feel as they rise and land on the ground, weight shifting from heel to toes.

• If your mind wanders, try to push out extraneous thoughts and focus on your breathing or the sights and sounds of your surroundings.

• Pause for a breath, turn around and start again.

Why meditate in the first place? Meditation may help cancer pa-tients by relieving their stress and fatigue. It may reduce blood pres-sure and alleviate some symptoms of menopause and IBS. There is also evidence that it improves the quality of life for female patients struggling with fibromyalgia by helping them deal with depres-sion and conflict, according to the

National Institutes of Health.Meditation can be good for

people of all ages. A Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease study found that meditation may help slow the cognitive decline that leads to Alzheimer’s and dementia. When college students added meditation to walking, they had lower levels of anxiety than when they merely walked for exercise, according to a study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

As you take a moment to slow down and practice walking meditation, keep in mind that the results can also be slow. Studies have shown benefits after as little as 10 minutes per session, but most were based on practicing four to six days per week for several weeks.

Walking meditation & why you should give it a try Truck Drivers (cont’d)driving skills and safety records. “Trucks move America forward and it’s a great feeling knowing I have a small part in that.”

Other benefits of being a driver?

Independence. When you’re in a big rig, nobody is looking over your shoulder telling you how to do your job. It’s like being your own boss.

Freedom. If an office job isn’t for you, trucking is a perfect choice. You’re out on the open road, and not tied to a desk.

Flexibility. There isn’t just one kind of driving. Want to see the country driving from coast to coast? You can do that. Want to come home to your family every night? You can do that, too, and myriad options in between.

Pay. ATA’s recent Driver Com-pensation Study found that the

average salary for a truck driver ranges from $53,000 to $86,000 depending on the type of employ-er and type of equipment operat-ed. Coupled with not having the crushing student debt that college graduates are carrying around, it makes for a very good living.

Opportunities. Since the industry is hurting for drivers, it’s a job seeker’s market out there. Recent grads from driving schools are in high demand, and can pick and choose the job that’s right for them.

Brand counsels potential recruits to choose a reputable school for proper training and then seek out a top-rated compa-ny, or find a company that has its own school.

“I go to bed happy and wake up happy knowing I’m making a difference,” he says.

Pilot Flying J is making a difference, too. As part of its partnership with the ATA, Pilot Flying J recently announced a $60,000 philanthropic gift to the ATA’s Trucking Cares Foundation to help support professional driv-ers and the future of the industry.

“Hardworking professional drivers make many sacrifices to keep our economy moving and our ways of life possible,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “As we face a growing driver shortage, our hope is that this contribution will help support the Trucking Cares Foundation’s mission to improve the safety, security and sustainability of the trucking industry and contrib-ute to the future growth of the industry through education and training.”

To learn more about becoming a professional driver, visit the ATA at www.trucking.org.