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Entry bubble Visa Lottery

By: Joanne | October 27, 2009 | Category: General

statue of liberty

Would you, or someone you know, like to become a U.S. citizen? Then you should know that the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is accepting applications until November 30, 2009. Some call it the Green Card Lottery, but the official program name is the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Each year, this program makes 50,000 diversity visas available to people who want to be U.S. citizens. Winners are drawn by a random selection among all entries.

The eligibility requirements are strict, and to qualify, there are work experience requirements, education requirements, and a prospective immigrant has to come from a country that has low immigration rates to the United States. Still, it’s a great opportunity.

Over the years we’ve seen many websites posing as official U.S. government websites that charge a fee to help people enter the Diversity Visa Program. Don’t be fooled, you can apply for free.

Good luck!

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Entry bubble GreenGov Challenge

By: Colleen | October 21, 2009 | Category: General

GreenGov

Attention federal employees!

When people complain about the way the government operates, usually nobody knows how to fix it better than those who are caught in the eye of the storm.

Now, federal employees are welcome to share their ideas and voice their opinions in the GreenGov challenge.

GreenGov is part of President Obama's signing an executive order on Federal Sustainability- where the federal government commits to leading by example and building a clean energy economy based on how it operates.

The GreenGov website allows you to submit your ideas and suggestions directly. Some of these ideas will be presented later as agencies are building their environmental plans and long-term strategies.

What suggestions do you have to make your agency more efficient?

Even if you're not a federal employee- how has your company improved its carbon footprint?

**Colleen is losing sleep and years off her life because of Red October: GO PHILLIES!**

| Post a Comment | View Comments [8] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: carbon_footprint   efficient   energy   green   greengov  

 

Entry bubble National Public Lands Day

By: Ginger | September 25, 2009 | Category: General

I've worked in the federal government for over 18 years. When I first started my federal career, I never expected that I would stay in the government this long. I'm not a politician. I'm not involved in making laws, important decisions, or defending/protecting American citizens, but I take my commitment to serving both my country and the American people seriously. It makes me feel good to know that, in my own small way, I am making a contribution towards a better America.

Tree planting at San Antonio Missions National Park on National Public Lands DayOn September 26th, National Public Lands Day, everyone has a hands-on volunteer opportunity to participate in the caring and stewardship of America's public lands. It is a way for all citizens to lend a helping hand to our country in maintaining America's natural heritage, so that we will have something wonderful to pass on to future generations.

In 1994, 700 volunteers participated in the first National Public Lands Day. Those numbers, last year, rose to over 120,000 volunteers working together in every state in over 1,800 locations to build trails and bridges, remove trash and invasive plants, and plant over 1.6 million trees.

To find volunteer opportunities on public lands in your area, visit Volunteer.gov and type the keywords “National Public Lands Day.” You can also visit USA.gov. Type “National Public Lands Day” and your state name in the search box to see what is going on in your state. If you want to see the volunteers in action, check out photos of the volunteer efforts from previous years . Or, if you have a way with a camera, you can enter the photo contest for this year.

You can read about the volunteer activities of groups and individuals from the 2009 Take Pride in America National Award Winners. If you like the idea of giving back, but you aren't available to participate in National Public Lands Day, you can go to Volunteer.gov to search for other volunteer activities that you can participate in.

I just signed up to help out at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. If you are in the area, come join me! I promise, the feeling of pride you will get from giving back to your country will make you glad you did.

Note: I just got back from helping pick up trash and plant trees at San Antonio Missions National Park. It was a great experience and a great place to visit. Thanks to the park staff. You guys do a great job.

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Entry bubble First Day of Autumn

By: Joanne | September 22, 2009 | Category: General

colorful maple leaves

I thought I was the only one who felt a need for mashed potatoes, but apparently not. It seemed that everyone brought warm, heavy, satisfying dishes to the potluck this weekend. Then I was reminded that autumn is upon us.

Today is the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of fall for those of us in the northern hemisphere. If you want to get really precise, autumn begins when the sun is directly over the earth’s equator, which will be at 12:47 p.m. eastern time.

One of my favorite things about fall is the beautiful changing color of the trees. This is a great time of year to visit public lands if you really want to see a lot of color. The Forest Service even has a hotline you can call to hear predictions about leaf color, foliage peaks, scenic drives, and other fall activities in the different regions across the United States.

So get yourself ready for a new season. I’m looking forward to fuzzy, warm sweaters, local apples, hearty soups, pumpkin carving and taking in the fall colors.  What do you love about fall?

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Entry bubble Penn Station and Historic Preservation

By: Jake | September 21, 2009 | Category: General

New York's Penn Station circa 1911I'm a fan of the show Mad Men, which chronicles the exploits of fictional 1960s Manhattan advertising firm Sterling Cooper. Occasionally, historical events shape the show and on a recent episode the firm made their pitch to a prospective client who wanted to positively spin the demolition of New York City's Pennsylvania Station to create Madison Square Garden.

In its heyday, Penn Station encompassed two New York City blocks and sent trains throughout the country. Pictures from that time demonstrate the sheer size of the station. In the 1950s interstates and planes started to dominate the travel industry so it became expensive to maintain the building. The rights to the building were sold and the new owners came up with the concept for Madison Square Garden, which was heavily criticized.

While Madison Square Garden isn't the looker that Penn Station was, it's hard to argue against its importance in New York City--just think of the sporting, musical, and other events it has hosted. When I was in New York last week I did notice that signs surround the James Farley Post Office Building about the new Moynihan Station, so there may be a return to that 1960s Penn Station experience.

While there were historic and cultural preservation movements before Penn Station's demolition, the event brought international attention to historic preservation. Today the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation advises Congress and the President on national historic preservation policy. The General Services Administration's Office of Historic Preservation is charged with, among other things, determining if historic buildings are affected in the creation of new federal buildings.

How do you feel about historic preservation?

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