May 13 to 19 is National Police Week. How appropriate that National Police Week comes at this time. This is a time to remember that a good police officer can be your best friend. These officers are to be applauded and thanked.

What's going elsewhere: In Canada to honor Queen Victoria's birthday, Victoria Day is celebrated the Monday before her birthday. This year the celebration is May 21. For more information visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/victoria_queen.shtml For additional information visit https://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/canada/victoria-day.php

Monthly - May 2012

ALS Awareness Month. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, causing paralysis and death. ALS Awareness Month seeks to bring the lives, words, and images of the ALS community into focus while publicizing progress toward treatments and a cure. For more information visit https://www.alsa.org/news/public-awareness/als-awareness-month/ or https://www.lougehrig.com/about/als.htm

Get Caught Reading Month. Founded by the Association of American Publishers, Get Caught Reading Month is designed to remind people of all ages how much fun reading can be. Be a forever learner, read a book. For more information visit https://www.getcaughtreading.org/

Healthy Vision Month. Millions of people living in the United States have undetected vision problems, eye diseases, and conditions. Established by the National Eye Institute in May 2003, Healthy Vision Month is set aside to emphasize vision as a health priority for everyone. For more information visit https://www.nei.nih.gov/hvm/

National Hamburger Month. Celebrate in your own backyard, grill a burger and serve with your favorite (healthy) sides. Visit any number of sites celebrating this.

Weekly Events

Be Kind to Animals Week, May 6-12. American Humane Association’s Be Kind to Animals Week celebrates the role that animals play in our lives, promotes ways to treat them humanely, and encourages everyone, especially children, to do the same. For more information visit https://www.americanhumane.org/interaction/programs/be-kind-to-animals-week/

National Stuttering Awareness Week, May 6-12. Stuttering is a communication disorder involving disruptions, or “disfluencies,” in speech. The cause of stuttering is unknown, but scientists do know that stuttering is not caused by emotional problems, is not a “nervous” disorder, and is not the fault of the family or of the person who stutters. For more information visit https://www.stutteringhelp.org

National Women’s Health Week, May 13-19. This nationwide initiative encourages women to make health a top priority and take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life. For more information visit https://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/

National Police Week, May 13-19. President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962, and establishing the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Decades later, National Police Week has grown to encompass a series of events attracting thousands of law enforcement officers and fallen officers’ survivors to our nation’s capital each year. For more information visit
https://www.policeweek.org/

Daily Events

Law Day, May 1. The theme of this year’s Law Day celebration, sponsored by the American Bar Association, is “No courts, no justice, no freedom.” For more information visit https://www.lawday.org/

Free Comic Book Day, May 5. The first Saturday in May each year 'participating' comic book shops in the US and around the world give away comic books to anyone who walks through the door. Now how great is that?

National Teacher Day, May 8. Take time to honor your local educators and acknowledge the crucial role they play in making sure every student receives a high-quality education. For more information visit https://www.nea.org/grants/1359.htm And don't forget to thank a teacher.

Mother’s Day, May 13. We should show mom we love her everyday, however this is a special day to let her know with a little token. A card, flowers, dinner out, rent a special movie that she loves.

Endangered Species Day, May 18. An opportunity to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and our nation’s disappearing wildlife. For more information visit https://www.stopextinction.org/esd.html

Memorial Day, May 28. Remember those who gave their lives in defense of our country. For more information visit https://www.usa.gov/Topics/Memorial-Day.shtml Enjoy the parade and the cookout, but don't forget the real purpose of this day.