Join the American Immigrant Movement

Dear Editor,

We are launching a powerful movement to spread positive immigrant stories in response to recent anti-immigration rhetoric. We have partnered with Former Democratic House Majority Leader, Dick Gephardt and others to compile numerous life-changing immigrant stories and a new Kickstarter launched to create a documentary film around these stories. The American Immigrant movement is designed to combat the current climate.

Unfortunately, the politics of immigration have created a lot of impersonal dialogue. So, we’re working to bridge the gap, to reconnect the faces of real people to this controversial discussion.

Because of the significant importance of this topic, we would like to invite you to become a part of this movement by requesting you promote this to your audience. We would like to offer you an exclusive interview with Dick Gephardt, discussing The American Immigrant project, documentary, purpose, and our future plans.

Best, Courtney Link

 

What Riders Need to Know About ‘Check Your Helmet’ Month

April is National ‘Check Your Helmet’ Month. The average life cycle of a helmet is 3 to 5 years. However, many riders neglect helmet maintenance or falsely assume that if it ‘looks okay,’ then there is no reason to worry.

“The number of motorcycle crash fatalities has more than doubled since 1997,” says Ozzie Giglio, Principal of Windy City Motorcycle Company and avid Harley-Davidson rider. “We know that helmets save lives and reduce health care costs. In fact, according to Advocates for Auto and Highway Safety, motorcycle helmets are currently preventing $17 billion in societal harm annually… but $8 billion in harm could be prevented if all motorcyclists wore helmets.”

That is why April is a crucial reminder for motorcyclists to stay abreast of their helmet’s condition.

“It’s not just enough to wear a helmet,” says Giglio. “You have to make sure that is functional, well-fitting and able to do its job properly. Additionally, it’s important to be sure that riders properly maintain their helmets, otherwise they could greatly diminish its life-span and performance ability.”

Spring is the ideal time for this reminder, as Giglio says that many riders make unsafe choices about their helmets during the weather. “Many people leave their helmets in their garage, but if you live in a place like the Midwest that has fluctuating climates, that can be terrible for your helmet. We can swing from 100 degrees in summer to -20 in the winter, and helmets integrity gets questioned as it swells and shrinks in the Midwest weather pattern.

It is strongly recommended to always keep your helmet indoors (where the temperature stays more constant) and if you’ve mistakenly left yours in the garage instead of wondering if it’ll work if/when you might need it to, its best to get a new one.”

Giglio says, “Make sure that your helmet is not older than 5 years. “Check the ‘date of birth’ inside your helmet’s EPS liner,” says Giglio. “If it’s older than 5 years, it’s in need of replacement.” Consider the state of your liner. “Speaking of your liner,” says Giglio, “Make sure that you are cleaning it appropriately. weat, rain and the elements can make your liner warp or lose its shape, which in turn will impact the fit of your helmet.”

Check out the EPS regularly. How is it holding up? Does it show wear or tear? Is it cracking, ripping or does it otherwise appear compromised? If so, it’s time for a new helmet.”

Talk to a true professional. “At our locations, we take our time and truly pay attention to your specific needs,” says Giglio, “We won’t just measure you, we want to know the type of riding you do, as well as the way you plan to care for your helmet.” We can also work with you if you have neck pain, shoulder injuries, or other physical ailments that might impact the fit and feel of a helmet.”

Consider your hair products. “This sounds strange, but if you use a lot of hair product, over time the grease and oils can impact your inner lining. Your lifestyle will impact your helmet.”

Realize that technology improves every day. “Sometimes riders complain that buying a new helmet every few years is an annoyance,” says Giglio, “Yet most people don’t think twice about upgrading their phones or buying a new laptop…”

BRIDGET SHARKEY