March 2013
65 posts
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The State of OUR Environment
By Jeanethe Falvey, EPA State of the Environment Project Manager
Our rivers no longer burn, nor do our lungs. Chemicals can no longer be dumped carelessly without consequences.
Forty years ago, EPA set out to document the state of our environment: in photographs. In a historic project known as DOCUMERICA, the country’s best photojournalists were given a doorway and ran through it: into mine...
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how can i avoid sweepstakes scams?
Asked by an anonymous Tumblr user.
A recent research poll showed that more than half of all American adults entered sweepstakes within the past year - most of which were legitimate and law-abiding. However, con artists try to capitalize on the popularity of these offers by disguising their illegal schemes.
The Federal Trade Commission receives thousands of...
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Find Videos in American Sign Language →
The government has information on a number of topics in American Sign Language. Find videos on our YouTube playlist:
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Celebrate Generations of Women's Accomplishments
Every March Women’s History Month honors and celebrates the contributions of women throughout United States history.
This year’s Women’s History Month is the one hundred year anniversary of suffragists marching on Washington to promote women’s rights. In recognition of the anniversary, the National Archives created a Pinterest board where you can view photos, letters, a cartoon, and other...
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How to Decipher Nutrition Labels on Your Food →
Knowing what’s in your food is key to making healthy choices. Here are some tips on reading food labels.
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What is the threshold income requirement to file taxes?
Asked by iwasjustsayin on Tumblr.
The answer depends on your age and filing status — whether you are single, a head of household or married.
Table 1 from IRS Publication 501 (PDF) can help you determine if you need to file a 2012 tax return.
Sometimes it makes sense to file even if you don’t have to, and these questions can help...
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How to Put your Mail on Hold →
Are you planning a vacation? Don’t let your mailbox fill up. Use this online tool to put your mail on hold.
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See If You Qualify for Free File Tax Software
If your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $57,000 or less, you may qualify to use a brand name tax software to prepare and e-file your taxes for FREE. Answer a few questions on IRS.gov to help you determine your eligibility to use Free File tax software. If your AGI is more than $57,000, you can still use Free File fillable forms for your federal tax return. Learn more about Free File for all...
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Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to Receive Monthly... →
Text messaging and data rates apply.
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Don't Drive or Walk Through Flooded Roads. Turn...
Flooding can occur in almost every part of the U.S. and during any month. In 2012, 39 percent of flood fatalities occurred from driving into flood water and 18 percent from walking into it.
If you’re driving or walking and encounter flood water, turn around. Don’t drown.
It only takes six inches of water to knock over an adult and cause loss of control of a vehicle. A foot of water...
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Cancer Prevention Starts in Childhood →
Here are some tips to reduce your children’s risk of cancer later in life.
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Protect Your Family From Accidental Poisoning
Every year more than two million poisonings are reported nationwide, and more than 90 percent of these poisonings happen in the home. The majority of non-fatal poisonings happen in children.
With so many of these incidents happening at home, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers these tips during National Poison Prevention Week (March 17-23) to protect your family every week of...
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How You Can Help Feed the Hungry in Your Community... →
Senior citizens in your community may be suffering of hunger. Find out how you can help them with Meals on Wheels.
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For People with Disabilities, There’s a “Ticket”...
By Bob Williams, Associate Commissioner for Social Security’s Office of Employment Support Programs
Today, more than 13 million working-age people in the U.S. receive Social Security disability benefits. That’s almost one in every 15 adults. I know firsthand that for these individuals, finding and maintaining work can be particularly challenging, especially in today’s economy. For those who have...
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Save Money and Water by Fixing Drips
American households waste more than 1 trillion gallons of clean drinking water each year because of leaky pipes, toilets, shower heads and other fixtures.
These types of leaks are often easy to fix. You might only need a few tools and hardware, and these simple repairs can pay for themselves in water savings.
As part of Fix a Leak Week (March 18-24), learn how to find and fix leaks in your...
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Why is Today the First Day of Spring? The Science...
The vernal (or spring) equinox occurs just after 7 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 20. If you live in the United States or other places in earth’s Northern Hemisphere, spring began for you at that time.
The Latin word equinox means “equal night.” On the day of an equinox, daytime and nighttime are almost the exact same length. This will happen again on the autumnal equinox in exactly one half...
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What is Unclaimed Money and How Can You Get It? →
Find out if the government owes you money.
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FTC Releases Top 10 Complaint Categories for 2012
The Federal Trade Commission released its top 10 complaint categories for 2012.
For the first time ever, the agency received more than two million complaints. Of the two million complaints, 18 percent were related to identity theft. Of those 18 percent, almost half were related to tax or wage fraud.
Here is a complete list of the top 10 complaint categories:
Identity Theft - 369,132 complaints
...
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Test Your Knowledge →
How much do you know about the population of U.S. cities and states? Test your knowledge with this fun bracket challenge from the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Buying a Car? Here’s What You Should Know
If you are thinking about buying or leasing a car, there’s a lot to consider before you make a final decision.
First, you need to decide what type of car will fit your needs and your budget. With so many choices available in the car market, setting a budget first helps you narrow down your search based on what you can afford.
Other important considerations include safety measures, fuel economy,...
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Tax Refund Thefts On The Rise
You’re not the only one waiting for your tax refund. Scammers are looking for it too. In fact, every year there are more and more scams designed to steal tax refunds.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says these kinds of thefts have increased substantially in the last few years. Between 2010 and 2012, the number of investigations opened by the IRS grew from 224 to 898, according to the...
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First Emoji Book in the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress recently added its first all emoji book to its collection, “Emoji Dick” by Fred Benenson which is a retelling of “Moby Dick.”
Emoji are the little symbols like smiley faces and hearts that you may have seen used in text messages or on social media.
Benenson funded his book through a Kickstarter campaign and then had thousands of people translate...
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Where on the internet can I find the SS death index?
Asked by an anonymous Tumblr user.
The Social Security Administration Death Master File is a record of deaths reported to the Administration.
The Death Master File is not available online from the Social Security Administration. You can purchase it from the National Technical Information Service.
Other websites offer the Death Master File,...
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Tornado Season is Here. Be Prepared! →
Tornado season is here. Get your family and home ready with the official Tornado App from the American Red Cross.
The app puts everything you need to know to prepare for a tornado in the palm of your hand. It also sounds an alarm when NOAA issues a tornado warning for your location, even when the app is closed.
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Don't Get Ripped Off by Fraudulent Health Products
Scammers have been selling fake health products for hundreds of years. They will promise everything from weight loss to a cure for cancer in exchange for your money. These scams aren’t only a waste of money, they can be dangerous. Unproven medical treatments can be damaging to your health and even deadly.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers these 6 tips to spot fake health products:
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How Many Federal Laws are There? →
It’s complicated. The Law Library of Congress explains.
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Preserving Family Papers and Photos
From the Preservation Division at the National Archives
This Thursday the National Archives holds its Preservation EXPO in Washington DC so you can learn more about how to preserve a whole range of media that document family history as well as our national history.
We would love to have you come. But maybe you can’t be in Washington DC March 14th to visit the National Archives Building for the...
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Warning About the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) iPhone... →
A free iPhone app called TSP Funds is currently being offered through the Apple store. It asks Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants for their account log in information.
This is not an official TSP app and the TSP does not recommend using this app to access your TSP account. Providing your information could result in a security risk to your account.
If you would like to access your TSP...
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What Are Sinkholes and Where Do They Occur?
If you heard recent news reports about a devastating sinkhole in Florida, you may be wondering how this type of event occurs.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), sinkholes are most common in karst terrain, or regions where the rock below the land surface is soluble. When water from rainfall moves down through the soil, the rock begins to dissolve, creating spaces and caverns...
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Find Volunteer Opportunities Near You →
Volunteering is a great way to become involved in your community. Find opportunities near you.
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TSA to Allow Small Knives and Sports Equipment in...
Update 4/23: TSA has delayed the implementation of the new rule to allow people to carry small knives on planes.
Starting April 25, the Transportation Security Administration will allow airline passengers to carry several previously banned items in their carry-on bags.
These items include
Small knives
Novelty-sized and toy bats
Billiard cues
Ski poles
Hockey sticks
Lacrosse sticks
Two...
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Learn Symptoms, Causes and Treatment for Eating... →
Eating disorders can be deadly. Learn about their symptoms, causes and treatment.
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International Women's Day: Working to End Violence...
Today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate and honor women’s contributions across the globe, and to bring awareness to women who are still suffering daily. This year’s theme is “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.”
The theme hopes to strengthen the international community’s commitment to ending violence against women worldwide. Countries all over the...
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Set Your Clocks Forward an Hour this Weekend →
Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday at 2 a.m. Set your clocks forward an hour. Learn more about Daylight Saving Time.
