Rich blocks, poor blocks

From the Reno Gazette Journal:

The American Community Survey project of the U.S. Census has posted a fascinating money map of neighborhoods.

You can sort the map by income or by rent. The photo above shows Reno areas by income — red is lower and green is higher. The boundaries are U.S. Census tracts. Once you're into the map, clicking on the different areas shows you more detailed info for that area.

Check out the map here.

The President and Gun Violence

The White House has release its plan for reducing gun violence today. The plan " Now is the Time: The President's plan to protect our children and our communities by reducing gun violence" can be found here.

U.S. Census will offer online option

From CBS News:

"For the first time, the Census Bureau is giving U.S. households a chance to respond to government surveys over the Internet, part of a bid to save costs and boost sagging response rates in a digital age.

The new online option will supplement the traditional census mail-out operation. It is a major shift for the agency, which has relied almost exclusively on paper forms since 1970 but is now moving toward a more Internet-based system after spending a record $13 billion on the 2010 census....."

Researching Native American ancestry

Interested in researching your American Indian roots? This publication by the U.S. Department of the Interior explains what the ancestry is, why you'd want to confirm it, and how to start. A clear guide on a subject that's often confusing!

Child Passenger Safety Week

From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: 

Car crashes are the number one killer of children 1 to 12 years old in the United States. The best way to protect them in the car is to put them in the right seat, at the right time, and use it the right way.

There are so many car seat types and models, how do you know which one is right for your child? The right car seat or booster fits your child and your car, and is one you will use correctly every time you travel. Not only will your child ride as safely as possible, you will be establishing the foundation for a lifelong habit of seat belt use every time your child travels.

Look for more information here.

 

August has World Breastfeeding Week

...and the government has lots to say about it.

The FDA highlights the use of pumps/medical devices used to get breast milk here.
The CDC has lots of breastfeeding resources and statistics on its page here.
USA.gov provides handouts and guides to promote breastfeeding on its page here.

CDC does zombie preparedness

Check out this comic from the CDC on being prepared for a zombie attack!

Federal document about Nevada

Check out this USGS publication on a unique feature in Nevada called Devils Hole.

The environment of Devils Hole is apparently so unique that it supports its own isolated and endangered species of fish called the Devils Hole Pupfish. You can read about fish at this U.S. Fish and Wildlife page.

Database company to take over Statistical Abstract

According to Booklist, database vendor ProQuest will take over publishing the Statistical Abstract in 2013. This is great news as the government has had to cut funding for this valuable resource.

"ProQuest will rescue one of researchers’ most valued reference tools when it takes on publication of the Statistical Abstract of the United States beginning with the 2013 edition. The move ensures continuation of this premier guide to an extraordinary array of statistics, which has been published since 1878. The U.S. Census Bureau, responsible for publishing the work, announced in March 2011 that it would cease production of the Statistical Abstract after the 2012 edition, prompting widespread concern among librarians, journalists, and researchers about the disappearance of this essential research tool."

Check out the rest of the press release here.

The Census Bureau publishes some facts about Mother's Day

It's a little early yet, but you can take a look at some motherhood statistics compiled and published by the Census Bureau here.

They've previously released statistics on other holidays and occasions; you can view those here.

Top Five Formerly Top Secret Documents

Check out an article from Duke University librarian that discusses no-longer top secret documents. View it here.

To learn more about the government transparency-highlighting initiative mentioned in the article, Sunshine Week, take a look at the initiative's website, www.sunshineweek.org.

Washoe County Online Voter Registration Coming Soon

From Washoe County press release:

"For the first time ever, voters in Washoe County will soon be able to register and make changes to their current voter registration online. Beginning in mid-April, the Washoe County Registrar of Voters office, working in collaboration with the Nevada Secretary of State’s office, will make the switch to Nevada Online Voter Access (NOVA); allowing citizens to go directly online and register to vote, or update their current information...

When online registration is up and ready to go in Washoe County, citizens will be able to go directly to the Registrar’s webpage at www.washoecounty.us/voters and click on a tab that will take them directly to the Nevada Secretary of State’s website in order to register to vote or make changes to an existing registration."

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is providing public access to the newly discovered audio tape recording of conversations between various individuals in Washington and Air Force One pilots and officials on board during the flight from Dallas to Andrews Air Force Base following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.

Available on FDsys, this digitized version of the two hour and twenty-two minute recording was donated to the National Archives by the Raab Collection. The tapes were found among other papers and memorabilia of Army Gen. Chester "Ted" Clifton, Jr., who served as senior military aide to President Kennedy. The White House Communications Agency (WHCA) provided the tapes to Gen. Clifton. The conversations were captured by WHCA, which routed all phone calls and radio traffic. The recording includes references to new code names and incidents, among them are:

* A private conversation by head of the Secret Service Jerry Behn about the disposition of the President's body.
* An expanded conversation about how to remove the President's body from the plane and where to take it.
* An urgent effort by an aide to Air Force Chief of Staff Curtis LeMay to reach General Clifton; and attempts to locate various Congressmen from Texas.

Check it out here.

Nevada Career Information System adds new features!

Nevada Career Information System is put together and maintained by the State of Nevada's Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. It contains job descriptions and topics that cover the working conditions, physical demands, preparation, skills, abilities and knowledge required of each occupation. The occupation file also contains labor market information such as wages, job outlooks and the licensing and/or certification requirements to work in an occupation.

NCIS also provides the ability to locate schools that provide training for a given career as well as tools for job searching. It is licensed to all Nevada residents and includes a "junior" addition for youths. Check it out here.

Free Tax Assistance

From the Reno Gazette-Journal:

"The Internal Revenue Service has partnered with nonprofit and community organizations to open more than 12,000 free tax preparation sites nationwide for low- to moderate-income and elderly taxpayers." Read the rest here.

Also get free tax help at your local library. WCLS tax assistance schedules for this year are:

Downtown Reno Library: Mondays and Tuesdays, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., February 6-April 10. Walk-ins only.
Northwest Reno Library: Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 3 p.m., February 2-April 12. Walk-ins only.
Spanish Springs Library: Thursdays, 1-4 p.m., February 9-April 12. Appointments and walk-ins accepted.

IRS Certified VITA/TCE Volunteer Preparers: Earn It Keep It Save It--A United Way Collaborative:

North Valleys Library: Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., February 2-April 14. Appointments required; can be made in person or call 972-0281.
Sierra View Library: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.., February 2-April 17. Appointments can be made in person.
South Valleys Library: Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., February 1-April 14. Appointments recommended: call 851-5190. Walk-ins are welcome.
Sparks Library: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., January 28-April 14. Appointments recommended; can be made in person or call 352-3200.

Computer glitch creating delay in Nevada unemployment insurance benefit payments

From the Reno Gazette-Journal:

On Tuesday, the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) discovered that a computer error is causing issues processing claims for benefits for this week. This issue could result in some claimants receiving their unemployment insurance benefit payments late, said Frank Woodbeck, DETR Director.

See the whole article here.

Obama wants better digital archive of federal records

"President Obama on Monday ordered agencies to make wider use of digital-based record-keeping systems in what aides promise will be the most significant change to government archiving since Harry S. Truman’s presidency...."

See rest of the article here.

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has released its first mobile Web application (app), which provides the public with quick, easy access to information on Members of Congress. Based on the Guide to the House and Senate Members and information in the Congressional Pictorial Directory, the app allows users to browse for Members of Congress by last name, state, chamber, or party. Additionally, users can search by first and last name.

Of the new app, Public Printer Bill Boarman says, "GPO has experienced an incredible transformation in its 150 year history from handset type to handheld devices. We are very excited to release our first app for the public and provide a tool that will connect the public with Members of Congress. GPO looks forward to developing more apps in the future to provide the public with new options for accessing Government information."

To access the app on your mobile device, go to <http://m.gpo.gov/memberguide> or scan the QR code with your mobile device that is available at <http://www.gpo.gov/mobile/>.

Supported Devices

* iPad or iPhone (iOS 4.3.3 or higher)
* Android devices (Android 2.1 or higher)
* Blackberry devices (Blackberry 6.0 or higher)

Farewell, Statistical Abstract.

A source for free government photos and images

Looking for photographs or images to use that are in the public domain? Start your search at usa.gov with U.S. Government Photos and Images. It includes many images that are in the public domain and can be freely used and that are broken down by topic. See the link here.

(Original article discussing freely available government images ran in Spring /11 Documents to the People by Rebecca Hyde and Lucia Orlando; issue is available here.)