Monday, May 18, 2009

Minority Business Blog. The Minority Business Development Agency (Dept. of Commerce) started a blog, Minority Biz Blog, in March. "The purpose of this blog is to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on minority entrepreneurship and business in the United States." Althought the blog is linked to from http://www.mbda.gov/blog/ , the actual blog is hosted at wordpress.com, not on a .gov server. [Free Government Information (FGI) blogs] 9:12:52 AM     New Child Support Web Site. The Department of Human Services has launched a web site for parents who pay or receive child support in Michigan to access payment information online. The MiCase website provides custodial and non-custodial parents access to individual child support account information, while reducing the state's costs for providing this information, said a DHS statement on Friday. Parents can view online payment summaries, amounts owed, child support case information, scheduled hearing dates and get Friend of the Court contact information. [Red Tape Blog] 9:12:19 AM     Armed Forces Day Note: Gov Gab may be unavailable this weekend due to server maintenance. My nephew, Tony, recently completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. I attended the graduation ceremony with his mom, grandma, and his younger brother who flew down from Iowa to show Tony that they love and support him. There were a lot of families there to show support for the young women and men on the day they would take the Air Force oath and officially become airmen. As the trainees marched onto the field and then marched past us in formation, it was very difficult to spot my nephew. Other than differing heights, the guys are all thin, wearing the same uniform, and pretty much bald (Who knew that hair is so important in being able to recognize another person). My younger nephew exclaimed, "It's like trying to find Waldo!" It was the first time I had been to such an event and I was impressed. The base commander led the oath and as these trainees repeated the oath, I got goosebumps and a little emotional. To see so many young people choosing to serve their country and possibly someday risking their lives for their country was one of those "wow" moments. Saturday, is Armed Forces Day. It is a day that was established so that the citizens of the United States could come together to thank the service men and women of the armed forces for their dedication and commitment in supporting our country. If you are interested in historical details, here is an Armed Forces Day photo archive from previous years. There are many ways that you can show your appreciation. To see what events are planned in your state, use this USA.gov search events results page. To narrow your search, add your state in the search box and select the Search button. You don't have to attend an official event to show your support. You may send a message, check out the America Reaches Out state map, or these homefront support groups. Please join me and the GovGab bloggers in expressing your deepest appreciation to all of the brave women and men who have dedicated themselves in military service to our country. - Ginger [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 9:11:48 AM     Health Insurance and Travel Heather Holland has been working for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) since 2004. She's traveled around the world and, except for a regrettable coral reef incident in Belize, has managed to stay healthy most of the way. As the days get longer, gazes turn wistfully toward the office windows. Let's admit it: we're planning our vacations. For some this means a family trip to the beach; others lucky enough to snag a travel deal might be headed to Europe. In the current economy, your trip might be to your own backyard. Whatever your destination, one thing's certain-you don't want to get sick. If getting sick at home is awful, becoming ill or injured away from home is infinitely worse. You're in unfamiliar surroundings, you don't have your own pillow, you don't know which pharmacy is open past midnight. Uncertainty over whether your insurance will cover your care only compounds the misery. Since deciphering your insurance policy is the last thing on your mind when hunched in a hotel bathroom with food poisoning, checking your health care policy should be an automatic part of your pre-trip planning. Depending on where you're going, you may want to buy additional short-term travel coverage. Getting rescued by helicopter from a fall in the Shawangunks mountains doesn't come cheap, so the peace of mind may be well worth the cost of a policy. It's also helpful to familiarize yourself with any local conditions that might affect your health. Will temperatures or altitude be a problem? Are there any scary diseases you should know about? Do you need to pack extra insect repellant? The Centers for Disease Control is a wonderful resource for the critical travel information that can make or break a vacation. You can also stay abreast of any official travel advisories and warnings. By the way, know that if you or your family members have Medicare, you can probably get care from almost any doctor or hospital in the country. Visit www.medicare.gov/Physician/Home.asp to find a local doctor that accepts Medicare. You might also want to sign up for "Ask Medicare," the new e-newsletter for caregivers (or anyone who knows someone with Medicare). The summer issue promises lots of tips on healthy senior travel. Bon voyage! - Editor [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 9:10:14 AM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 6/1/2009; 10:21:53 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien