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FEDINFO E-Letter
Issue 2007-6

Welcome to the November/December 2007 edition of the Federal Citizen Information Center's (FCIC) FEDINFO E-letter! These subscription e-letters from Pueblo are sent six times a year with helpful updates, practical information, and special offers to make your life a little easier. You can always find the latest information on our family of websites: Pueblo.gsa.gov, USA.gov, ConsumerAction.gov, GovGab.gov, and Kids.gov.

This issue includes:

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Feast Safely and Sensibly This Holiday Seasonturkey

If you’re planning to host Thanksgiving dinner, the Feast on Food Safety package can help you serve a meal that’s safe to eat. This package of free publications includes a chart of safe minimum temperatures and guidelines for cooking the perfect bird. Brush up on safe food handling procedures now, and relax in the knowledge that you will send your guests home happy, not ill. Complete the order form to request your package, or call 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO.

If you’re looking forward to the season but dreading the customary weight gain, check out these tips on sensible eating over the holidays. Commonsense advice on safely navigating the buffet table, staying active, and allotting your calories wisely will help you to enjoy the festivities guilt-free.

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Free Resources for Teachersteacher

Free For Teachers, the FCIC’s newest web page, provides a variety of resources for middle and high school teachers to help open the door to savvy everyday life skills and a wealth of government information for 6th-to-12th graders.

Downloadable lesson plans guide students through their first car purchase, safer online shopping, writing a complaint letter, and other practical tasks. Teachers can order free FCIC publications for teenagers to take home and share while they’re learning to navigate life’s everyday challenges. Entertaining posters, timely email updates and website links are all available.

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Giving Back Wiselyvolunteer

It’s the season for giving. Show your thanks by volunteering over the holidays. Not sure where to begin? Catch the Spirit, written as a student’s guide to volunteering, is a great place for anyone to begin exploring the world of volunteer opportunities. There are many reasons to volunteer. But one should be universal—volunteer for something you can enjoy.
 
Websites like USA Freedom Corps and Volunteer Match allow you to match your interests with volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood, making it that much more convenient and rewarding to donate your time.

Before donating money, check out these tips for giving wisely from the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI. The FTC also has guidelines for avoiding charity-fraud. A number of nonprofit groups, including the American Institute of Philanthropy and Charity Navigator have websites for rating charities.  Charity Navigator also provides a helpful 6 Questions to Ask Charities Before Donating.

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Maintaining Your Privacy – Online and Offcomputer

You may be following the news on the proposal for a “Do Not Track” list to protect Internet users from targeted online advertising. The Do Not Track list, advocated by consumer groups including the Electronic Privacy Information Center, would be similar to the National Do Not Call Registry that protects consumers from unwanted phone solicitors.

While the FTC researches the options, there are a number of resources currently available for protecting your privacy. Check out this FCIC Consumer Focus article on online safety and security, as well as our Privacy Resources page, which links to federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations that can help protect you and your family’s personal information and privacy rights.

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Beating the FluA boy is getting a flu shot.

Every year, more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized as a result of the flu. About 36,000 die.

Most adults with the flu can spread it to others starting one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. That means that you may pass the flu to someone else before you even know you are sick.
Getting vaccinated is the single best way to prevent catching and spreading the flu. To raise awareness of this fact, the Centers for Disease Control has declared Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Get prepared for the season. Learn more about preventing and treating the seasonal flu with this pamphlet from the Food and Drug Administration. To find out where to get a flu vaccine locally, visit the American Lung Association’s flu clinic locator.

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Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Cars and Home Improvements

Considering a “green” move with the purchase of a hybrid vehicle or a new Energy Star furnace? There’s still time to take advantage of tax breaks for some cars and many home energy efficiency improvements. But they end Dec. 31, so make your move now.

For updates on which cars still qualify, visit the FCIC News and Notes page . For information on tax breaks for your car and home, visit this Department of Energy page. DOE offers a wealth of information on improving your home’s energy efficiency. 

To find the best ways to save energy in your home, try the Home Energy Saver online calculator.  And take advantage of these free publications on Weatherizing Your Home, Financing an Energy Efficient Home, Elements of an Energy Efficient House, and Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home.    

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Check out the Winter Consumer Information Catalog Winter Catalog Cover

The winter 2007-08 edition of the Consumer Information Catalog hits the streets this week, with new, timely publications, including:

  • Green Scaping: The Easy Way to a Greener, Healthier Yard
  • 51 Ways to Save Hundreds on Loans and Credit Cards
  • Keeping Your Best Friend Active, Safe and Pain Free (for dog owners)

The Consumer Information Catalog has something for everyone with more than 200 free and low-cost publications on cars, computers, education, employment, family life, federal programs, food, health, housing, money, small business, travel, and more.  You can read them all online by using the red buttons down the left-hand side of the FCIC home page.  To order copies, just use the online order form and we’ll wave the usual service fee.

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Previous issues of the FEDINFO E-letter can be found at: www.pueblo.gsa.gov/fedinfonews/fedinfoarchives.htm.

You can change your subscriptions, password, or e-mail address or remove yourself from this service at any time on your User Profile page. All you need are your e-mail address and password (if you selected one).

This service is provided free of charge by the Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) at Pueblo, CO, your one-stop source for information about consumer problems and government services. Visit us at www.pueblo.gsa.gov.

For questions or problems with this subscription service, e-mail updates@pueblo.gsa.gov. For inquiries related to FCIC, email us.

Issue 2007-6