June 2010 Archives -

FCIC- Five Summer Swimming Safety Tips

June 30, 2010 by sitedandblogged

Drowning Prevention Video

Nothing says summer vacation like warm days spent at the pool or a quick weekend retreat to the beach. Whether you’re jumping waves in the ocean or splashing around in a pool, these tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center will help keep you and your family safe this summer.

Teach your kids to swim. Check for swimming lessons in your area on USA.gov. Giving your kids the basic water skills they need will go a long way in keeping them safe.
Keep an eye on your kids. With lots of kids splashing around in public pools, it’s easy for someone to get dunked by accident. Know where your kids are so if you see them go under you can make sure they come right back up.
Check your drains. If you have your own pool, make sure your drains meet the safety standards. Drains that don’t could catch children’s hair and pull them to the bottom of the pool very forcefully.
Don’t panic in a riptide. Before you or your kids go in the ocean, make sure you all know what to do if you get caught in a riptide. The key to staying safe is to try to swim parallel to the shore. Don’t fight your way directly back to the beach, but swim sideways until you are out of the current. Wave for a lifeguard and they’ll help get you back to shore safely.
Play it safe in the lake. Lake water can be murky, making it hard to see what hides below the surface. Wear water shoes to protect your feet from sharp rocks or other debris. And don’t swim too far from shore. You may not realize how far you’ve gone until you try to stand and canâ€™t find the bottom.

For more ideas on how to stay safe in the water, check out the advice in Water Safety for Swimmers.

Playing in the water should be a fun family activity. Use these tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center and your family can stay safe while cooling off.

***

To receive New for Consumers releases by e-mail, send a request to jonathan.rubin(at)gsa.govor call (202) 501-1794.

For up-to-date consumer information, follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/pueblo81009 , Facebook, www.facebook.com/pueblo81009 or our blog, GovGab.gov.

The Federal Citizen Information Center connects people with government benefits, services and information through its family of websites, including pueblo.gsa.gov, USA.gov,GobiernoUSA.gov and ConsumerAction.gov; by phone at 1 (800) FED-INFO and with publications by mail from Pueblo, Colorado. FCIC is part of the U.S. General Services Administration’s Office of Citizen Services.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Words and Wednesdays….

June 29, 2010 by sitedandblogged

Diana from Diana Rambles in in Alaska on a 5 week road trip.

She’s got some amazing pictures like this

You can check them out here

More cute stuff…

sevenclownbutton Ever driven on Stremnaya Road?

Are you a fan of Friday-Follow? Take this survey and help us make it better!

Filed Under: Wordless Wednesday

Celebrating 20- Mile 0

June 29, 2010 by sitedandblogged

We’ve actually gone 2350 miles in 5 days and made it to the start (mile 0) of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, BC. Days 2-5 were ALL 12.5-13 hr days, but that is going to change today. We are way further than we thought we’d be so we are slowing it down. The kids have done GREAT and neither Eric nor I have had many meltdowns, but we were sooo tired when we pulled in at 10pm last night. Yesterday we traveled 514 miles in about 13 hours. Lots of hills so many times we were going 25-35 MPH. We thought we would have hit mountains by now, but it’s continued to be hilly.

We stayed up pretty late last night. We’re in another time zone now so it’s actually 2 hours behind IL. Whatever time we actually arrived and went to sleep…I still only got about 6.5 hrs. But like the night before they were solid. I think I could have slept longer but Eric was awake…and when you are in such close quarters little sounds and movements wake you. We are trying to stay as quiet as possible so the kids keep sleeping. They too were up too late.

We left Carstairs, AB and traveled north towards Edmonton. When we stopped at a rest area about an hour or so later, there was a little restaurant. Eric saw the Poutine sign and HAD to get some. He and the kids devoured it while I talked to a couple from IL. They were parked near us at the campground in Carstairs but we never crossed paths there. The kids got a little chance to run around too.
We went around Edmonton via a SW bypass. We stopped in Spruce Grove at a Rotary park (lots of Rotary and Lions parks up here), made lunch, ran into Walmart, and got some cash at a bank. We don’t want to pay 3% fees on credit card purchases so we are just using cash in Canada. I did get an ATM fee with the first withdrawl at a C-store, but there were NO fees at TD Canada Trust yesterday.We stopped into the visitors center (also LOTS of those up here) and she told us the distances to Grande Prairie and Dawson Creek. It was around 2, so we knew that our original goal of Fox Creek would be lazy…so we set our sites on Grande Prairie. We did stop for some frozen treats around 5pm as we needed a little break and we didn’t want the kids napping any longer. We also knew it would be 6:30 before we got to Grande Prairie so we needed a little snack to tie us over.We gassed up in Grande Prairie ($3.56/gal) and then went across the street to the WM parking lot to prep dinner. It was chili dogs, so I opted for tomato & cheese on tortillas. I had picked up some YUMMY cherries and a HUGE tomato at a road side stand, which was a nice alternative. I checked with some people camped out in the parking lot and they said 1.5 hrs to Dawson Creek, so we decided to push it. We hit some big hills (both up and down) and Eric smoked a crane on one. LOL!! We are usually the slowest vehicle.

When we got to the Mile 0 traffic circle and didn’t see anyone around, I told Eric to pull into the lot to get the shot of the rig at the start of the Mile 0 sign. There are actually 2 Mile 0 signs (about a block apart), but we got the one you see on so many photos. We’ve heard that there is often a line to get your photo there, so we thought it was a good time to stop. A local woman drove up and took several photos for us.The campground was sold-out when we arrived but he had some no-shows so we got a spot. We were very thankful cause we didn’t want to go looking for other spots or return to Walmart on the other end of town. There is one big caravan group camped here til Friday and a few people from some other caravans. I might email ahead this morning and see if I can get a reservation for tonight.

Plan for today? We haven’t discussed it yet, but I think we will return to our original plan and head up to Ft. Nelson, which is 200-some miles. That would mean we have less than 200 miles on Friday to get to Laird Hot Springs. I would use a hot spring soak RIGHT now! We are in a back in space and have the Jeep unhooked, so we will probably load up in a little while and go to the other mile marker for pics and hit the visitor center for info. Maybe see what else there is in town.

As always, we don’t know when we will have internet again. We’ve done all our updates and have loaded video to You Tube and photos to photobucket. See the Trip Pics and Vlog links below the header to see those. We are not posting all pics & video entries here on the blog.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Hurricane Prepardness

June 29, 2010 by sitedandblogged

“As hurricane season approaches, FEMA is coordinating with state and local officials to ensure that all communities along the coast are prepared to respond,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “But we can only be as prepared as the public, and so it’s important that everyone take steps now to help keep their family safe in the event of a hurricane or other emergency. These steps include making a family communications plan, putting together an emergency kit, staying informed of risks and weather forecasts in your area, and considering flood insurance.”

Flood insurance is available through approximately 85 insurance companies in more than 20,800 participating communities nationwide. Most everyone can purchase flood insurance – including renters, business owners and homeowners. Flood insurance is also affordable, with policies starting at $119 a year. Individuals can learn more about their flood risk and flood insurance options by visitingwww.FloodSmart.gov or calling 1-800-427-2419.

To learn what you can do to prepare for hurricane season, visit www.Ready.gov. FEMA also recently launched a mobile version of its Web site, making it easier to access critical information regarding emergency preparedness and what to do before and after a disaster from a smartphone. The site can be accessed at m.fema.gov.

To learn about your flood risk, visit www.FloodSmart.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

FEMA is urging residents to be prepared for their personal safety and survival in case a hurricane threatens their community. To assist in these efforts, FEMA, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is helping to raise awareness of steps that can be taken to help protect citizens, their communities and property.

Be Prepared for 2010

Hurricane Preparedness from Ready.gov (PDF 27KB, TXT 6KB)
The Disaster Declaration Process (PDF 278KB, TXT 6KB)
Hurricane Season and Flooding (PDF 278KB, TXT 4KB)
Inland Flooding (PDF 30KB, TXT 4KB)
Preparing for Your Pets (PDF 30KB, TXT 7KB)
Use of Social Media Tools (PDF 106KB, TXT 12KB)

Filed Under: Uncategorized

We may be eating 67 pesticides? Food Safety Basics

June 28, 2010 by sitedandblogged

The Environmental Working Group. says that we may be ingesting 67 pesticides in the fruits and vegetables that we eat.
The group is a nonprofit focused on public health. In a reprt from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration they mention what fruits and vegetables we eat have the highest, and lowest, amounts of chemical residue.

Most alarming are the fruits and vegetables dubbed the “Dirty Dozen,” which contain 47 to 67 pesticides per serving. These foods are believed to be most susceptible because they have soft skin that tends to absorb more pesticides.
The group suggests limiting consumption of pesticides by purchasing organic for the 12 fruits and vegetables.
The Dirty Dozen
Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Domestic blueberries
Nectarines
Sweet bell peppers
Spinach, kale and collard greens
Cherries
Potatoes
Imported grapes
Lettuce

The group found a number of non-organic fruits and vegetables dubbed the “Clean 15″ that contained little to no pesticides.
The Clean 15
Onions
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Mango
Sweet peas
Asparagus
Kiwi fruit
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet potatoes
Sweet onions

FYI- the cdc Suggest this food Safety Basics for Fruits and Vegetables

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommend that you eat fruit and vegetables everyday to help promote good health. As you strive to meet your individual recommendation, remember that proper handling and preparation can reduce the risk of food contamination and foodborne illness.

To minimize your risk, keep these in mind when selecting and preparing fruits and vegetables.

Carefully select fresh fruits and vegetables. When shopping, look for produce that is not damaged or bruised and make sure that pre-cut produce is refrigerated or surrounded by ice.

Rinse all fruits and vegetables before eating. This recommendation also applies to produce with rinds or skins that are not eaten. Rinse produce just before preparing or eating to avoid premature spoilage. Follow these simple steps:

Clean all surfaces and utensils with soap and hot water, including cutting boards, peelers, counter tops, and knives that will touch fresh produce. Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling fresh fruits and vegetables.

Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten, under clean running water and avoid using detergents or bleach. Remove the outer leaves of leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage before washing. Produce with firm skin, such as potatoes, may require rubbing with a vegetable brush while rinsing under clean running water to remove all soil.

Dry fruits and vegetables with a clean paper towel and prepare, cook, or eat.

Packaged produce labeled “ready to eat,” “pre-washed,” or “triple washed” can be used without further washing.

clean, seperate, don't cross-contaminate, refrigerate

Keep produce separate from raw foods like meat, poultry, and seafood, in your shopping cart, grocery bags and in your refrigerator. Throw away any produce that will not be cooked if it has touched raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs. Do not use the same cutting board without cleaning with hot water and soap before and after preparing fresh fruits and vegetables.

Refrigerate all cut, peeled, or cooked produce within 2 hours. After a certain time, harmful bacteria may grow on produce and increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Filed Under: midlife parenting

FCIC Cell Phone Tips

June 28, 2010 by sitedandblogged

Be Smart with Your Smartphone

The prospect of getting a wireless phone, with the newest technology and applications can be exciting. However, this decision requires you to consider not only the phone’s capabilities, but also the service provider, and the type of plan you need. And now that can use your mobile phone to access the Internet and applications, you also need to remember the same safety and privacy concerns that you follow when using your computer.

Assess Your Communication Needs

There are two basic types of mobile phones: conventional cell phones and smart phones. The conventional cell phone is suitable if you only want to make and receive calls and send text messages on your phone. Features such as voicemail and speaker phones also come standard on a conventional phone. Smart phones are more like miniature computers that allow you do the same basic phone functions along with advanced features, including browse the Internet, access email, interact on online social networks, listen to music, watch videos, upload pictures, manage your calendar, and allow use of aQWERTY keyboard to facilitate texting and emailing. Before you sign up or start shopping for a phone, you need to assess your needs:

Where can you make and receive calls? Locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.
Will you just use your phone occasionally or will this be your primary communication tool?
Is a family plan option available?
What phone features will you actually need?
What will happen if you decide to cancel your service?
Do you prefer to pay monthly for a set number of minutes or would you prefer a “pay as you go” plan?
Is there a trial period? Some phones may work well in the retail store, but have limited reception once you take it home.

Selecting a Phone, Service Provider, and Service Plan

As you shop for a phone, you should consider that you are not only shopping for the phone itself, but also for a wireless service provider and appropriate service plan. Consumer Reports is one resource where you can get updated reviews of both phones and service providers. You should also ask trusted friends and family about their satisfaction with their phones and service providers. As you shop, consider these tips:

Consider the shape and size of the phone.
Make sure you can easily use the keypad to make calls or send messages.
Ask if a data plan is required and if so, how much does it cost?
Take advantage of special pricing and promotions.
Make certain to know the return and cancellation policies.
Be wary of buying phone insurance.

Many of the large carriers adhere to a Voluntary Consumer Code that helps consumers know what they can expect before signing a contract with a service provider, in terms of rates, service maps, contract termination, fees, and customer service.

If there is a particular phone model you are interested in buying, investigate which service providers actually carry the phone. If your service provider carries the phone, they may require you to renew or extend your current contract; you may also be required to upgrade the service plan you have in order to access all of the phone’s features. Some phone models are available exclusively with only one service provider. This may require you to terminate a contract with your current provider and start a new contractual agreement with a new provider. Under the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC’s) local number portability rules, so long as you remain in the same geographic area, you can take your phone number with you when you move from one service provider to a different one.

Filed Under: consumer goodies

Cell Phone-Privacy and Safety Concerns

June 27, 2010 by sitedandblogged

Along with all of the valuable features on new phones today come some new privacy and security challenges. While small in size, in reality mobile phones are miniature computers and could potentially be affected by the same big problems you face on your desktop computer, such as viruses, mobile malware, spyware, and text message spam. However, unlike your personal computer, cell phones do not generally have anti-virus protections or firewalls to protect you. Therefore, you should take precautions with your phone, including:

Protect your passwords for websites you visit from your mobile phone, particularly financial institutions.
Register your phone on the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry.
Refrain from posting your mobile phone number or email address publicly online.
Many mobile phones come with an email address that includes your mobile phone number in the address. Contact your service provider to have this email address changed.
Delete texts or emails from people that you don’t know. Don’t click any links in these messages.
Be careful about clicking on ads, as they can contain viruses.
Be careful about unlocking your cell phone from the manufacturer or service provider; this makes the phone more vulnerable to attack from malware.
Turn off your Bluetooth when not in use. They can be used by hackers to compromise your phone.
Encrypt passwords and other sensitive data saved on your cell phone.

Cell Phones Under Attack: How to block text spam and viruses
FCIC

Filed Under: consumer goodies

Disposing of Your Old Cell Phone

June 26, 2010 by sitedandblogged

Even after you get a new mobile phone you may be wondering what to do with your old phone and charger. There are safe ways to dispose of your cell phone that can even be helpful to others and not hurt the environment. Before you dispose of it, make sure toclean the phone to protect your privacy:

Remove the subscriber identity module (SIM) card from the phone.
Delete the contacts in your phone book, text messages, voicemails, saved photos, and web search history.
Clear out your call and text history (both calls and texts received and made).

Note: Contact your phone manufacturer if you have questions about how to properly clear the phone’s memory and contents.

After you have taken these steps, you can now determine how to dispose of the phone. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you not throw out electronics with your other trash, because they contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. It is recommended that you:

Recycle it. Many wireless service providers will accept your old phone at their retail stores. Similarly, you can send the phone and accessories to the phone manufacturer.
Donate it to an organization that can use it for charitable purposes.
Resell it.

FCIC

Filed Under: consumer goodies

Fourth of July Cookouts

June 25, 2010 by sitedandblogged

More than 1 in 4

The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to 18.9 million hogs and pigs on March 1, 2010. This represents more than one-fourth of the nation’s total. North Carolina (9.1 million) and Minnesota (7.2 million) were the runners-up.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1086>

6.5 billion pounds

Total production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2008. Chances are good that the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on your backyard grill came from the Lone Star State, which accounted for about one-sixth of the nation’s total production. And if the beef did not come from Texas, it very well may have come from Nebraska (4.6 billion pounds) or Kansas (3.9 billion pounds).
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1101>

6

Number of states in which the value of broiler chicken production was $1 billion or greater between December 2007 and November 2008. There is a good chance that one of these states — Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi or Texas — is the source of your barbecued chicken.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1130>

About 1 in 3

The odds that your side dish of baked beans originated from North Dakota, which produced 34 percent of the nation’s dry, edible beans in 2009. Another popular Fourth of July side dish is corn on the cob. Florida, California, Georgia, Washington and New York together accounted for 66 percent of the fresh market sweet corn produced nationally in 2009.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1047> and <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1183>

Please Pass the Potato Salad

Potato salad and potato chips are popular food items at Fourth of July barbecues. Half of the nation’s spuds were produced in Idaho or Washington state in 2009.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1047>

More than three-fourths

Amount of the nation’s head lettuce production in 2009 that came from California. This lettuce may end up in your salad or on your burger.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1183>

7 in 10

The chances that the fresh tomatoes in your salad came from Florida or California, which combined accounted for 70 percent of U.S. fresh market tomato production last year. The ketchup on your burger or hot dog probably came from California, which accounted for 95 percent of processed tomato production in 2009.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1183> and <http://www.nass.usda.gov/QuickStats/PullData_US.jsp>

Florida

The state that led the nation in watermelon production last year (818 million pounds). Other leading producers of this popular fruit included California, Georgia and Texas, each with more than 500 million pounds.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1183>

76 million

Number of Americans who said they have taken part in a barbecue during the previous year. It’s probably safe to assume a lot of these events took place on Independence Day.
Source: Mediamark Research & Intelligence, as cited in the Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010
<http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab>, Table 1203

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Friday Follow: Building Friendships One Blog at a Time – June 25th

June 25, 2010 by sitedandblogged

Welcome to the 5th Friday Follow hosted by our awesome hostesses, Kmama at The Daily Dribbles, Elizabeth at The Crafty Charlestonian, and Brittany Ciara at Not Your Average Teen. Thank you ladies for being willing to host! Please stop by and see these awesome ladies.

We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to find many interesting blogs that you like. This is all about sharing and having fun.

We expect you to be on your honor and to have fun. These are only guidelines to make it more enjoyable for you. Here’s how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:

Link up your blog below.. One Link per blog
Grab our Friday Follow button include on your side bar, or post.. grab the linky information if you want it
Follow the Friday-Follow blog and the hostesses in slots 1, 2 & 3 that have volunteered today to host
Follow the blogs you want, leave comment saying you are from Friday Follow – use common courtesy
No spammers, or xxrated blogs – family friendly

If you need more guidelines about following see Friday-Follow.com

This list is new each week and closes on Saturday at 11:59pm EST. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

Congratulations to our first Three Friday Follow Winners!!!

Going Green with Noah

Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy!

Lucy’s Reality

Each week we will randomly draw from three (3) blogs from the links for the next week’s Friday Follow, and each blog chosen will be placed in the highly coveted number #7, #8, and #9 position on the blog hop. The first blog chosen will also be given the option of doing an interview which will post on Friday-Follow.com on Thursday the next week. We love your participation and want to give back to you! You could be next!

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Kim is offering a blog design giveaway to one (1) lucky person/flyer. Thanks Kim for your support. Please be sure to stop by and say hi!

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Spread the word about Friday Follow by grabbing our button for your blog and linky and come celebrate again every Friday. Feel free to also send out a tweet, blog, stumble or share the news in your own special way!

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Happy Flying!!

Filed Under: FridayFollowers

FCIC- Five Summer Swimming Safety Tips

Words and Wednesdays….

Celebrating 20- Mile 0

Hurricane Prepardness

Be Prepared for 2010

We may be eating 67 pesticides? Food Safety Basics

FYI- the cdc Suggest this food Safety Basics for Fruits and Vegetables