Welcome to Episode 3 of the More Than Books Podcast: Library on the Go Edition!
Description: Welcome to the More Than Books Podcast: Library on the Go edition. Episode 3! In this episode Jessica, Allison, and Sierra discuss the history of Christmas in New York, and how the Christmas Classic Miracle on 34th Street has become the classic that we all know and love today.
Every November, a number of United States institutions like the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Smithsonian, the National Park Service, and more come together to celebrate and pay tribute to the history of Native American people. This is commemorated as Native American Heritage Month.
The National Native American Heritage Month website includes online exhibitions of Native American Constitutions and Legal Materials, photographs from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many other archival and virtual collections from museums around the country. It also has a section for teachers, which can be used as teaching aids to help tell the stories of Native American tribal communities.
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the Bellevue University Library is hosting a Lunch and Learn presentation titled “Standing Bear: Walking Towards Justice.” This Lunch and Learn, hosted by Rick Galusha, will occur today in the Library from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. The presentation will also be available via Zoom. It will also be recorded and made available to the entire Bellevue University community. In this presentation, Rick Galusha will discuss the figure Standing Bear and his contributions to history.
Resources:
While the internet has matured over the last few decades, so have cyber threats. Because of this, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) designates October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The event, now in its 18th year, is designed to raise awareness of cybersecurity best practices to help keep you safe online.
This year’s theme, “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart,” is a continuation of last year’s theme. Each week of the month focuses on a different aspect of cybersecurity, with weekly themes including “Be Cyber Smart,” “Phight the Phish!,” “Explore. Experience. Share,” and “Cybersecurity First.” These themes highlight different online threats, and the tactics needed to avoid falling prey to them.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is part of the “STOP. THINK. CONNECT” campaign to educate users on common cyber threats. When doing anything online, be sure to #BeCyberSmart.
Other Cybersecurity Resources:
Reliable and trustworthy news is harder to come by these days, as more and more newspapers utilize paywalls to make up for falling digital advertising revenue. Luckily, many local, regional, national and international newspapers are available in full-text via the NewsBank Access World News database.
In this day and age, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the constant deluge of negative information from 24-hour news cycles, social media, and more. Self-care is often overlooked, but vitally important in maintain both mental and physical health. While there are no easy answers to stress, anxiety, depression, and other similar conditions, it is important to focus on what you can control and work on your own wellness. Luckily, August is National Wellness Month, and is the perfect opportunity to make time for self-care.
The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” Their website focuses on a model that includes 6 dimensions of wellness, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental. All of these factors make up an individual’s overall wellness, and are important for living a healthy life.
Here are some activities you can do to work on your physical and mental wellness today:
National Wellness Month is the perfect time to work on your overall wellness. Even little steps can have dramatic effects over time.
Summer time is the perfect time to go outside and get cooking, which is why it is appropriate that July is National Grilling Month! Whether you are making simple burgers and bratwurst, or cooking up barbecue brisket and ribs, the grill is the perfect cooking companion on a nice summer evening.
Interested in grilling, but not sure where to start? Chef, columnist, and author of “The Food Lab,” J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, has created many how-to videos that will help you become a grill master in no time.
Whether you prefer charcoal, propane, or pellet grills, there is no better time than now to fire up that grill and try a new recipe!
June is here, and with it comes rising temperatures, sunshine, and summer vacations! It is also the perfect time for National Camping Month, which has been celebrated every year in June since the 1970s. Camping is not only a great way to get in touch with nature and enjoy the outdoors – it can also be an inexpensive way to see the world, with campsite rentals being far cheaper than hotels.
From lightweight backpacking tents to fully loaded luxury RVs, there are many different ways to camp depending on your budget, comfort level, and expertise. Interested in camping, but aren’t sure how to get started? Research your local state parks and recreation areas! Nebraska has 8 state parks and over 40 recreation areas that allow all kinds of camping. While some are designed for more primitive camping, others have full electric and water hookups for each camp site.
A number of “hike-in” tent campsites are also available in Western Iowa, at Hitchcock Nature Center and Preparation Canyon State Park. These sites are off the beaten path, and offer great privacy in nature. Hike in with all your equipment, and enjoy a weekend fully immersed in nature.
Not interested in the backcountry experience? Try Mahoney State Park or Platte River State Park! These larger parks are between Omaha and Lincoln, and have plenty of camp sites for tents and RVs, as well as modern facilities to ensure a comfortable experience. They also include plenty of activities, including horseback riding, hiking, swimming, and much more. No matter what your comfort level, there is no better time to enjoy nature than during National Camping Month.
Spring is here, and the weather is warming up just in time for National Bike Month! The annual event every May is the perfect time to dust off your bicycle, oil the chain and gears, pump up those tires, and hit the trails. Started in 1956, National Bike Month is dedicated to demonstrating the benefits of bicycling for exercise, the environment, and fun. This event is supported by the League of American Bicyclists, and organization founded in 1880 to advocate for cycling and infrastructure.
There are a number of great trails and events in the Bellevue area for those wanting some new scenery. Mountain bike trails are located at both Jewell Park and Swanson Park near Bellevue. These trails wind through hilly and wooded areas, and provide a great challenge for those wanting a more off-road experience. The greater Omaha metro area also has over 120 miles of paved, interconnected bike trails that go all over the city. The Big Papio Trail, Keystone Trail, Field Club Trail, and more provide a great way to get around town and enjoy the weather.
Want a more social experience? There are great opportunities at weekly bike events in the area. One popular event is the Taco Ride, which occurs every Thursday starting in May. Ride the West Papio Trail to the Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch, for tacos, margaritas, and live music. There is also the Nebraska Beer Ride and Omaha Brew Tour, which is a group bike ride to a number of local breweries near the Omaha trail system.
Biking is a great activity to get out of the house, get some exercise, and have fun. With plenty of great places to bike, and plenty of fun activities, May is a perfect time to celebrate National Bike Month!