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Social Security or SSI economic recovery payment

Thursday, May 28, 2009 – 3:38 pm

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for the one-time payment of $250 to individuals who get SSI or Social Security benefits.
If payments have not been received by June 4,  those who believe they are eligible should contact the SSA,
1-800-772-1213
(TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Beneficiaries may report suspicious activity to the Social Security Fraud Hotline Web site
or by calling 1-800-269-0271.


Posted in Economic Stimulus Checks, Social Security/SSI | Permalink | No Comments »

Passport Fair at Shadle Library

Saturday, May 23, 2009 – 10:21 am

Starting June 1, 2009, you must have a passport or other approved documentation if you are traveling to Canada by land or sea. For more information on these restrictions, go to this special page by the US Dept of State. Representatives from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office will be on hand at the Passport Fair to discuss the changes.
Passport Fair at Shadle Library : Wednesday, May 27;
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.;
Shadle Library; West 2111 Wellesley Avenue; Spokane, WA 99205; call 509-353-2374 for more information.


Posted in travel | Permalink | No Comments »

New Naturalization Test

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 – 5:35 pm

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently completed a multi-year redesign of the naturalization test. Use the chart to determine if you will take the old or redesigned (new) test. A list of FAQs and study guides is found at the bottom the page about the Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test.


Posted in citizenship | Permalink | No Comments »

Maps

Tuesday, May 12, 2009 – 4:26 pm

The Spokane Public Library Downtown branch has received some topographical maps and some BLM maps and Forest Service maps. Find them on the second floor in our Topo Map drawers, and in our Travel Vertical Files, and on the Documents Reference Shelves under A 13.1: and I 1.2:.
See also our page on Federal Government Resources - Maps.
The Bureau of Land Management  and the  Forest Service Office will have information about their maps, both online or at their offices. 1103 North Fancher, Spokane, WA.  phone:  509-536-1200
For information about USGS map products: USGS maps.   The USGS map library in downtown Spokane is open by appt only; call at least 48 hours in advance to make an appointment before visiting the USGS library in the old Post Office on Riverside. 368-3101. They have a set of older topo maps of WA, ID, OR, and MT.  I don’t know if they have a photocopy service.
Northwest Map & Travel Book Center has maps for sale.  525 W Sprague ; corner of Sprague Ave. and Howard St.
Store Hours: M-F 9:00-5:00.   phone:   509-455-6981


Posted in maps | Permalink | No Comments »

pandemicflu.gov

Thursday, April 30, 2009 – 10:37 am

pandemicflu.gov: One-stop access to information about the swine, avian and pandemic flu information. See their FAQ page for Questions and Answers about this new 2009 Flu.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is investigating human cases of influenza A (H1N1) in several states and is working with the World Health Organization (WHO). For local information, see the Spokane Regional Health District.


Posted in health | Permalink | No Comments »

Finding Federal spending

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 – 7:28 pm

USAspending.gov: find government contracts, grants, loans, and other types of government spending.
Expectmore.gov : try a google search to combine a program name with the website name;  for example, search the words:   ROTC and Expectmore.gov
Statistical Abstract of the United States: type your keyword into the “Search the Abstract” box on the right side of page.
The Consolidated Federal Funds Report:  find federal expenditures in state, county, and sub-county areas of the United States.   Search by Geography, Agency, or Program.  The Government Accounting Office (GAO)  investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) provides Congress with information and estimates and analyses required for the Congressional budget process.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assists the President in the preparation of the federal budget.


Posted in US public debt, United States Budget, government, public records | Permalink | No Comments »

April is Financial Literacy Month

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 – 3:55 pm

Go to MyMoney.gov  to learn the basics about financial education.   Or call 1 (888) MY MONEY to get the free “My Money Toolkit,” a collection of popular booklets that can help you learn to get your spending, saving and investing on track. You can check out the publications online or order copies for yourself, your friends or family.


Posted in consumers, money | Permalink | No Comments »

Snow Rollers: Unusual Phenomena

Friday, April 10, 2009 – 5:36 pm

Snow rollers are extremely rare because of the unique combination of snow, wind, temperature and moisture needed to create them. They form with light but sticky snow and strong (but not too strong) winds.  These were east of Craigmont in the southern Idaho Panhandle,  across  rolling hay fields, on March 31st, 2009.  See pictures of them at the NOAA website above.


Posted in Uncategorized | Permalink | No Comments »

April is Financial Literacy Month

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 – 12:11 pm

Go to MyMoney.gov  to learn the basics about financial education.   Or call 1 (888) MY MONEY to get the free “My Money Toolkit,” a collection of popular booklets that can help you learn to get your spending, saving and investing on track. You can check out the publications online or order copies for yourself, your friends or family.


Posted in money | Permalink | No Comments »

phishing, e-mail scams and bogus IRS Web sites

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 – 5:30 pm

The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through e-mail.  If you receive an e-mail or find a Web site you think is pretending to be the IRS, here’s the official IRS page on how to report phishing, e-mail scams and bogus IRS Web sites.


Posted in IRS, consumers | Permalink | No Comments »

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