USA.gov Blog Daily Update - 3 Jan 13

Posted:  3 Jan 13


On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 1:17 PM, USA.gov Blog Team <subscriptions@subscriptions.usa.gov> wrote:

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Video Description: A beautiful solar prominence eruption on the...

01/03/2013 03:00 PM EST

Video Description: A beautiful solar prominence eruption on the east side of the Sun, recorded over several hours in April 2012 and played back at different speeds. For some perspective on the size of this eruption, the diameter of the Sun is 100 times greater than that of the Earth. That means the eruption was about 10 Earths long. The event was seen by NASA’s SDO satellite.

A solar prominence is a large, bright feature extending outward from the Sun’s surface. Prominences are anchored to the Sun’s surface and extend outwards into the Sun’s hot outer atmosphere. A prominence forms over timescales of about a day, and stable prominences may persist in the corona for several months, looping hundreds of thousands of miles into space. Scientists are still researching how and why prominences are formed. 

The red-glowing looped material is plasma, a hot gas comprised of electrically charged hydrogen and helium. The prominence plasma flows along a tangled and twisted structure of magnetic fields generated by the sun’s internal dynamo. An erupting prominence occurs when such a structure becomes unstable and bursts outward, releasing the plasma.
Video courtesy of NASA

Green Marketing Claims: How to Tell Fact From Fiction

01/03/2013 01:00 PM EST

You have probably seen products with labels claiming that they are “eco-friendly”, “all-natural”, or “made from recycled materials”. The challenge with these statements is that there is no clear definition of these terms. Here are some tips to help you sort through green marketing:

• Look for specific (ex. “contains 75% post-consumer recycled materials”) rather than vague statements about environmental impact.
• Determine whether the green marketing claims apply to the packaging, the product, or both.
• Beware of fake third-party certification. Visit Consumer Reports’ website to find reliable environmental labels.

Get more tips to help you go green.

Learn How to Host International Leaders Visiting the United States

01/03/2013 10:00 AM EST

Learn How to Host International Leaders Visiting the United States:Did you know you can volunteer as a “citizen diplomat” and host international leaders visiting the United States? Learn how.

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The White House -- 83 Photos You Don't Want to Miss

Posted:  3 Jan 13


On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 8:25 AM, The White House <info@messages.whitehouse.gov> wrote:

Your Daily Snapshot for Thursday, January 3, 2013   83 Photos You Don't Want to Miss By all accounts it's been a historic year at the White House, and we're excited to share some of our favorite photos from behind the scenes in 2012. The White House Photo Office compiled some of the year's best, with commentary from Chief Official White House Photographer Pete Souza. Check out 83 photos you don't want to miss. In Case You Missed It Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

The Seven Things You Need to Know About the Tax Deal We know that that a lot of people have questions about the deal, so we've pulled together some of the most important facts. Here are the seven things you need to know.

The Year in Review: Joining Forces to Hire American HeroesIn August of 2011, President Obama challenged the private sector to hire or train 100,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013. In August of 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama announced that 2,000 American companies had stepped up to the challenge, and had already exceeded that goal -- hiring 125,000 veterans and military spouses more than a year ahead of schedule.

A Digital Milestone in 2012: 100,000,000 Video ViewsEarlier this month, we reached a milestone with the news that our videos have been viewed more than 100,000,000 (that's one hundred million!) times since we launched the official White House

YouTube channel on Inauguration weekend in 2009. Today's Schedule All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST). 7:00 PM: The Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden attend an event with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute to welcome new Hispanic Members of Congress

Get Updates Sign up for the Daily Snapshot Stay Connected     Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr Google+     Sign Up for Updates from the White House The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111

Message From CONGRESSMAN MILLER: Sworn-in Today 1/3/13

Posted:  3 Jan 13


On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 1:29 PM, Rep. George Miller <CA11GMima@mail.house.gov> wrote:

Today as I was sworn in as a member of the 113th Congress, I reflected on how honored I am by the confidence shown in me by the residents of Contra Costa County. I consider it my highest responsibility to do everything I can to meet their expectations. 

As a part of that responsibility, I pledge to continue standing up for middle class and working families. A strong middle class makes a strong America, and as such we must ensure that hardworking families still have the American dream within their reach. To that end I will remain strongly committed to finding a balanced approach to deficit reduction, strengthening Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, making college more affordable, improving the quality of public school education, and pushing toward a renewable energy future.

Another, equally important responsibility is to protect and enhance one of the most fundamental rights in our democracy – the right to vote.

Americans shouldn’t have to wait for hours and hours to cast a ballot – and the fact that they had to do so in the 2012 election is absolutely unacceptable. Today I introduced the SIMPLE Voting Act, which would require at least 15 days of early voting in each state for federal elections prior to Election Day and would ensure states provide all voting precincts adequate resources to guarantee that no voter must wait in line for more than one hour to vote. While this bill does not fix all our electoral problems, it does ensure voters do not have to choose between meeting their daily responsibilities to their families or employers and casting a ballot. 

I look forward to staying touch with you during this new Congress.  Let me know what issues are important to you as the 113th Congress gets underway by contacting me at facebook.com/repgeorgemiller or on twitter at @askgeorge.  Thank you for your interest in the issues facing Congress and our community.

Sincerely,

GEORGE MILLER
Member of Congress
GeorgeMiller.house.gov

   

FRESH PRODUCE IN BAY POINT

Posted:  3 Jan 13


There is a great produce market in Bay Point, reminiscent of a road-side stand along the highways passing through farm country.

There is a huge array of fresh food, trucked-in daily from local and nearly-local farms, reasonably priced.

I "rediscovered" it yesterday, to my delight, as I was re-exploring our neighboring town, to the west of Pittsburg, on a magnificent California winter day.  Thought others might welcome a reminder, too.

Here's their basic information:

Bill Bly's Ranch Market
2815 Willow Pass Road
Bay Point, CA 94565

Open 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
About 4 blocks west of the intersection of Bailey and Willow Pass Roads.

SAFE-DRIVING PLAN ~~ NEW YEAR'S EVE 2012/13

Posted:  31 Dec 12

1.  PURPOSE

To assist fellow humans in crossing tonight's annual milestone, intact

Credit:  The idea for this article was triggered by a posting on the Facebook page of "Mike's Beef and Brew," Oakley, CA (encountered by random chance).  The trigger was placed by Jim Nestor.  Thanks, Jim.

2.  ASSUMPTION

It is entirely possible to imagine that many of tonight's inevitable mishaps might be avoided, if people have enough good information to plan their behavior, ahead of time, so as to have a safe evening for themselves and without harming another.

This article tries to make such information readily available.  

The hope is: (a) that the article might give each reader some extra advantage and (b) that they, in turn, can use this information -- to help others -- who may have not made due preparations -- for the predictable and unpredictable -- possibilities of the night.

3.  THREE RELEVANT QUESTIONS

As usual, this article directs you to some of the available concepts, tips, and resources that try to make it as easy as possible for people to "do the right things" -- leaving less excuse for doing the "wrong things."

3.1  What is New Year's Eve "supposed" to be about, at least in the free world?

The New Years Eve custom, around the world 

(including the US, of course) - Wikipedia discussion

3.2  What are some good ideas to have in mind, BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER the year becomes new again?

• Here's a Google search on "new years safe driving alternatives, in general."

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Google search for MADD and the Main MADD website

3.3  What practical services are in place to insure safe arrival home, following the festivities, while doing no harm?  

DESIGNATED DRIVERS 

• Wikipedia discussion
• Google search)

SAFE RIDES IN OUR TERRITORY

• Safe Rides for New Year's Eve in the United States  (Google search)
• Safe Rides for New Year's Eve in California (Google search)
• Safe rides for new years eve in San Francisco Bay Area (Google search)
• Safe Rides for New Year's Eve in Contra Costa County  (Google search)
• Safe Rides for New Year's Eve in East Contra Costa County (Google search)
• Safe Rides for New Year's Eve in Pittsburg Area, CA  (Google search)  

Here's wishing that the new year begins for you with the fondest of memories... 

rather than horrific ones 

(and that this will continue).

All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

Happy New Year from Railroad Book Depot

Posted:  1 Jan 13

Happy New Year from Railroad Book Depot Greetings Valued Customer!    Wishing you happiness and prosperity in the New Year. Thank you for being our customer. We look forward to continuing our relationship in the coming year.   Sincerely,   Railroad Book Depot - Sales Team Where will you be to ring in the New Year and pledge your New Year's Resolution?     Wherever you are, make it your New Year's resolution to read more, for reading every day can help in nearly every aspect of your life. Here are a few ways that reading can improve the quality of your life in the upcoming year: 1. Enhanced your Smarts, which can be used to increase your Finances Reading helps in almost every area of smarts. Those that read have higher GPA's, higher intelligence, and general knowledge than those that don't.  Reading, in general, makes you smarter, and it keeps you sharp as you age. No matter what you want to do or become, you can't do it without more knowledge. Reading has the ability to get you where you want to go as well as grow your income. 2. Reading reduces stress When reading a book, your mind shifts gears. Where you might have had a stressful day, a book can easily distract you. Fiction is fantastic for this. Reading an awesome fiction book is perfect right before bed time, although sometimes it's hard to put the book down if it's really good. Still, you'll be relaxed :-) 3. Greater tranquility Reading can soothe like no other. Given that you might be a pretty high-energy driven person, reading forces you to sit, focus and be still. This daily act of making yourself be quiet and still is nothing short of miraculous cure for the "fidgety factor". 4. Improved analytical thinking That's right; your analytical thinking is boosted by reading. Readers improve their general knowledge, and more importantly are able to spot patterns quicker. If you can spot patterns quicker, your analytical skills receive a boost. 5. Increased vocabulary It's no secret that reading increases your vocabulary and improves your spelling, but did you know that reading increases your vocabulary more than talking or direct teaching? Reading forces us to look at words that we might not have seen or heard recently. Increased vocabulary is especially crucial for bloggers or writers. All successful writers will tell you that in order to write well, you need to read every day. You'll be surprised at the words you start incorporating into your writing and speaking. (A beefier vocabulary isn't just for writers though. Knowing what other people are saying and using the perfect words to convey your feelings is a critical part of being a better human. Better listeners are more successful in life.) No time? No money? If you think that you don't have enough time to start reading you're wrong. Why?  We make time for the things that are important to us. How much TV do you watch? How much time do you spend surfing the web? You could easily replace reading with those activities. If you're worried about the cost of books, we'll come down to the Rail Road Book Depot (650 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg, CA-  In the Heart of Old Town Pittsburg) Where our motto is:  MAKING READING AFFORDABLE TO ALL Now you see, there's really no excuse to start reading on a regular basis.   Looking forward to seeing you at the Railroad Book Depot...    Happy New Year, Railroad Book Depot Marketing Department Join Our Mailing List!

Forward this email Railroad Book Depot | 650 Railroad Avenue | Pittsburg | CA | 94565

A NEW AGE OF EXPLORATION -- National Geographic

Posted: 1 Jan 13

Let's Explore. For 125 years, we've been at the leading edge of exploration, conservation, and scientific research. Now technology is allowing us to go places and make discoveries never possible before. This is a new age of exploration, and we're glad to have you with us on the journey. Let's explore. Subscribe to a National Geographic magazine. Go Copyright © 2012 National Geographic Society. All Rights Reserved.