Entry bubble Think Local

By: Nancy | June 05, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

As much as the national and world news get splashed across our TV screens, when it comes down to it, what seems to matter most in our lives is what's going on at home, in the neighborhood and around town. We honor our local heroes, passionately discuss local politics and are rediscovering that some of the best food we can get may be right in our own backyard or around the corner.

Keeping it local, USA.gov has a wonderful section to help you locate in-person services near you.

couple walking through neighborhoodIf you're the kind of person, like my mom, who prefers to do business with the government face to face, you can find links to locate local offices of federal agencies like Social Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and passport offices.

Have a consumer complaint? Find your local consumer protection office or check out contractors with your local Better Business Bureau before you hire them.

Looking for a doctor or dentist nearby you can trust? Search the National Institutes of Health's online directory. You can also find other health resources, like mammography facilities, nursing homes and your nearest Red Cross chapter, so you can help counteract the summertime donation shortfall and give blood.

Save time and gas by doing a little research online before you run errands. You can find out which service station in your town has the cheapest gas prices and check the hours of places like your local post office or division of motor vehicles.

From finding the nearest pet rescue and adoption center to locating the closest place to get the installation of your child's car seat checked, you can find some really unexpected and extremely helpful local links in USA.gov's "Locate In-Person Services Near You" section.

Now...what are we missing? What other kinds of local services or resources would you like to see us list and link to on USA.gov?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [1] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: consumer   doctor   gas   local   nancy   services  

 

Entry bubble Shopping at Local Farmers Markets

By: Nicole | May 30, 2008 | Category: General

Yesterday, when I stepped outside to walk my oversized puppy, I discovered a lovely sunny evening. As we wandered down the path, I was greeted by the distinct smell of fresh cut grass and the sweet scent of honeysuckle. Summer is definitely just around the corner. Sure, that means blistering hot days and relentless humidity, but it also means extra hours of sunlight and the occasional perfect evening.

I have another reason to be excited about summer: it’s the season for fresh produce. Farmers markets should be regrouping across the country, offering fresh local fruits and veggies, as well as dairy and meat products. The USDA farmers market search can help you find nearby markets and their hours of operation. Many of these markets begin in April or May and continue though November. Some places are lucky enough to have year-round markets.

Produce Stand

Gov Gab bloggers have written before about the benefits of organic gardening and cooking with locally grown foods, but many folks (like me) can’t grow a garden. For us, there are farmers markets.

Rest assured, there are lots of rewards for buying local produce in this time-honored fashion. You can support local farmers, especially those who practice organic, humane, and sustainable farming techniques. You won’t have to worry about a middle-man taking most of the profit, and you can make more informed decisions about what you buy. In addition, you’ll be helping the environment. Conventional stores often transport food from distant regions, which is expensive and requires additional fuel, especially if the food needs refrigeration.

Last but certainly not least, you’ll get to experience the wonderful flavor of fresh-picked fruits and veggies. One of my seasonal favorites is fresh asparagus (with a hint of butter). What’s yours?

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: environment   farmer   fruits   local   market   organic   produce   shop   vegetables  

 

Entry bubble Parking Tickets

By: Colleen | January 25, 2008 | Category: General

parking ticketI got a parking ticket the other week because I have high arches in my feet.

Kind of.

While home in Philaburbia, I was on a quest for new sneakers. But not just ANY kicks.

A daily runner, I beat up my footwear pretty quick. And my feet? They're "special." (read: I have an insanely high arch - making me the ideal en pointe ballerina. Having the grace of an elephant hinders this somewhat, however.)

Thus, I buy running shoes made specifically for people with Everest-like arches. These are not always available at general sporting goods stores that have sprawling free parking lots.

My mission led me to a running-specific store in Bryn Mawr, PA. I park at a meter. It was Saturday. I checked for signs indicating whether or not one had to pay meters on weekends. No such sign existed. Proceeded to store. Bought shoes. Everyone wins.

Not so much.

Back at my car I was greeted by a crabby meter-maid and a hand-written bright yellow ticket. (Apparently Lower Merion Township is pretty old-school.)

Ticked off but distracted, I tossed the ticket onto my passenger's seat and there it remained.

Yesterday, my Dad called. "Colleen, do you care to explain the letter I received in the mail from the Lower Merion Police Department?" Apparently a township that still hand-writes their tickets likes to be paid rather promptly, and when your Dad's name is also on the title of your car, they send failure of payment notices his way.

The meter thing still bothers me. I decided to do some local government research to see what the real deal is with parking meters.

Turns out, "All may park, all must pay"- including Saturdays. I stand corrected, even with my high arches.

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: colleen   government   local   parking   running   shoes   ticket