• Your Solutions to Government Challenges



    The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has partnered up with Challenge Post to launch an incentive based online challenge platform where the public can offer their ideas and talents in order to solve challenges posed by the government.

    Challenge.gov  invites you to get involved and let your voice be heard  by identifying solutions to problems or accomplishing a particular goal. Open to the public for free, all ages are welcome to share their ideas and solutions to any number of challenges posted. However, Challenge.gov currently does not accept registrations from children under 13 years old. If you are under the age of 13, you must have a parent or guardian register, letting them submit your great ideas or innovations for you. You'll still be able to win challenges and prizes while your parents will be able to make sure that you're protected.


    What is a challenge?



     A challenge is exactly what the name suggests: it is a challenge by one party (a “seeker”) to a third party or parties (a “solver”) to identify a solution to a particular problem or reward contestants for accomplishing a particular goal. Prizes (monetary or non–monetary) often accompany challenges and contests.

    A government challenge takes place when an agency challenges the public to innovate or solve a problem. Challenges are a great way to engage the public to create solutions, increase awareness about a product or program, and encourage participation. A challenge can take many forms. For example, the government can challenge the public to:


    •  develop an app or graphic
    • submit a healthy recipe for kids or an idea or story through photos or videos
    • improve a product or process
    • solve a problem previously thought unsolvable

    Once a challenge is created, other people can join the challenge to propose a solution, discuss the challenge, and show support. Incentives, which are payable only if a challenge is solved, encourage others to solve a problem and earn their rewards.




    Even if you don’t have solutions to offer, you can still get involved.  Log on to add your name as a  Supporter of challenges that interest you and to subscribe to updates. Spread the word about specific challenges and ideas with your friends and family through email, Facebook or Twitter. Through this platform, the public can find all challenges/contests taking place across the Federal Government and participate in those challenges that are of interest to them by discussing the challenge, proposing solutions, and showing support for challenges.

    This information provided via Gov Gab.


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  • Deaf Day at Busch Gardens

    Enjoy Half-Off Admission for the Hearing Impaired

    Find yourself in the heart of the dark continent as you trek through African-inspired landscape, brave heart-stopping rides and incredible animals in their natural habitats. Experience up-close encounters, take an unforgettable safari across the Serengeti Plains, test your courage on pulse-pounding roller coasters, take in a stage show, and colorful live entertainment at Tampa Bay's Busch Gardens.

    Saturday, September 18th, Busch Gardens is offering half-off admission prices for the hearing impaired as well as their guests.
    Sign-Language Interpreters will be available throughout the day to interpret the various shows and live entertainment Busch Gardens has to offer. A tentative schedule is listed below.


    Guest Relations is situated inside the turnstiles on the left hand side as you enter. Guests with disabilities are welcome to stop by Guest Relations for any assistance they require.


    Busch Gardens
    10165 N McKinley Dr
    Tampa, FL 33612
    1-888-800-5447

    Information provided by the Deaf Service Bureau.

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  • Low Vision & National White Cane Awareness Days





    The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind is hosting two events in the upcoming month:
    Low Vision Awareness Day
    October 5, 2010 (Tues.) from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
    Seventh Day Adventist Church
    7333 Dairy Road
    Zephyrhills, FL
    (Gall Blvd. and Pretty Pond Road)

    This event is open to persons who have experienced vision loss, their families and friends, and to organizations wanting to learn more about how to help clients with low vision gain and maintain independence.

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    National White Cane Awareness Day
    October 15, 2010 (Fri.) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    Delta Woods Park
    3400 Deltona Blvd.
    Spring Hill, FL
    (US 19 and Forest Oaks Blvd.)

    Activities include a walk in the park, free picnic, games and more!
    White Cane Awareness Day is held annually to educate drivers and to keep walkers with visual impairments safe. It is open to the public and everyone is invited!


    The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind is a non-profit organization that provides vision habilitation and rehabilitation and adjustment to blindness services to people of all ages who have experienced vision impairment. Their mission is to provide blind and visually impaired persons with the skills needed to achieve their maximum independence through independent living classes, orientation and mobility training, job readiness training, Braille, and adaptive computer training. Lighthouse services are provided at no cost to clients and their families.

    Further links provided by the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind:





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  • Teaching Kids Good Financial Habits




    It's it more important than ever that children learn from a young age how to handle money.  The following websites offer great resources to help kids of all ages get started on the right path to good financial habits:

    Information for Younger Children
    • Children in grades K-5 will be guided by Carmen Cents and learn all about the history and mission of the  FDIC
    • Become a smarter consumer at http://www.ftc.gov/YouAreHere/  which has a virtual mall where you can play games, design ads, chat with customers and store owners, and much more. You’ll learn key consumer concepts, such as how advertising affects you, how you benefit when businesses compete, how (and why) to protect your information, and how to spot scams.
    • Learn about the responsibilities of the Federal Reserve, as well as some basics of economics, at http://www.federalreserve.gov/kids/default.htm#system   


    Information for Tweens and Teens

    • MyMoney.gov, is a website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education. Whether you are planning for college, learning about balancing your checking account, or creating a good credit history, the resources on MyMoney.gov can help you do it better.
    • Teens will find a wealth of information about money management (saving, banking, investing, savings bonds, spending) here to help them start smart.
    • The FDIC website provides valuable information for young adults on topics ranging from common mistakes young adults make and how to avoid them to banking, credit cards, and buying a home or car.  Learn how to take control of your finances and the important steps that should be taken at key stages of life to successfully reach your financial goals.
    Check out the links below for more money management tips for kids, teens and parents about earning, spending and saving, banking, credit cards, and creating a budget:



    Having good money management skills will be beneficial for a lifetime, so it makes cents to start early.


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  • Protecting Your Social Security Number

    Deter - Detect - Defend

    According to the Social Security Administration, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Once a dishonest person has your social security number they can use it to get personal information about you, apply for credit in your name, or cause you any number of other problems.

    Identify thieves often get your personal information by:
    • Stealing wallets, purses and your mail (bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, tax information)
    • Stealing personal information you provide to an unsecured website, from business or personnel records at work and personal information at home.
    • Rummaging through your trash, the trash of businesses and public trash receptacles
    • Posing as someone who needs information about you
    • Buying personal information from inside sources

    So, what is the best way to protect yourself?

    DETER identity thieves by safeguarding your information. Keep your card, and any other document that shows your Social Security number on it, in a safe place. If you need to present your card for any reason be sure to return it to a safe place - don't get in the habit of routinely carrying it. Be cautious about sharing your Social Security number...ask why it is needed, how it will be used, and what will happen if you refuse.

    DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.

    DEFEND against ID theft as soon as you suspect a problem. If someone has misused your Social Security number or other personal information to create credit or other problems for you, there are several things you should do:
    • PLACE a fraud alert on your credit reports. Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the following three consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit report:
    TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com
    Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com
    Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com
    • CLOSE the accounts that you know have been opened fraudulently, or tampered with.
    • CONTACT the Internal Revenue Service Identity Protection Unit. An identity thief might use your Social Security number to file a tax return in order to receive a refund, or use it to get a job.
    • FILE an FTC ID Theft Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can find detailed information here to help you deter, detect and defend against identity theft.
    • FILE a police report with your local police, or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. The FTC Complaint can be incorporated into the police record for maximum protection.
    • FILE an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) which offers an easy to use reporting mechanism to alert authorities of suspected violations.

    Filing a police report, checking your credit reports, notifying creditors, and disputing any unauthorized transactions are some of the steps you must take immediately to restore your good name. To learn more about these steps and more, visit the DEFEND: Recover from Identity Theft section. To file a complaint, click here.

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      1. When will the 2010 U.S. Census data be available?



        The United States is taking part in Census 2010

        This year every household in the United States received a short questionnaire, in mid-March, asking for the name, sex, age, date of birth, race, ethnicity, relationship to head-of-household, and housing tenure of each resident living in the United States. Participation is mandatory and your personal information is protected by federal law.


        An accurate count is important to the U.S. Census Bureau because the data is used to distribute congressional seats to states, define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government. It is also used to decide which community services to provide and to help distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.

        The Census Bureau must count everyone and submit state population totals to the U.S. President by December 31, 2010. Data from the census will be released on a flow basis from April 2011 through September 2013.

        Please click here for a more detailed schedule of release dates from the Census Bureau.

        For additional information, you may refer to the Census Bureau's frequently asked questions about Census 2010 or call the Census Bureau's national customer service center at 1.800.923.8282

        This information was gathered from USA.gov.

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      2. Tips to Save Money on Gas



        Fuel economy is important, not only because it can help us save money on gas expenses, but it can help to reduce our oil dependence costs and reduce climate change .

        To find the cheapest gas prices locally and nationally you can make use of the price finder on Fueleconomy.gov .


        The Department of Energy offers some great tips to help get the best gas mileage from your car:
        • Drive more efficiently by driving sensibly, observing the speed limit and avoiding excess idling.
        • Keep your car in shape by keeping your car's engine properly tuned and the tires properly inflated.
        • Plan and combine trips to save you time and money.
        • Choose a fuel efficient vehicle and take advantage of Federal tax incentives.
        • Know the factors that can decrease MPG such as quick acceleration, heavy breaking and excessive idling.

        For more information, also check out the Top Ten misconceptions about fuel economy at http://fueleconomy.gov/feg/topten.jsp .

        Information provided by the Department of Energy.

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