Consumer Reports

I’m fairly certain that while growing up, my sister and I didn’t miss a single opportunity to watch any cartoon special on TV. Because of this, we have some pretty obscure movie lines we use regularly for nearly any life situation. Unfortunately, because most kids were much cooler than us, nobody has a clue that every time we say, “To the beach, Jon!” it is a reference to ” Garfield in Paradise ” circa 1986. One of our favorite specials was ” Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown .” In this cartoon epic, the Peanuts gang travels to Europe allegedly to participate in a student-exchange program. For reasons never explained, Lucy doesn’t get to cross the pond, but yells, “Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown, and don’t come back!!” as the rest of the troops board their flight. Since then, this has been our standard way to say “goodbye” to each other. Today, I am saying, “Bon voyage, and don’t come back!” to my regular Wednesday blog entry on Gov Gab. When I first arrived at the Federal Citizen Information Center over three years ago, Gov Gab was merely an idea, with a different name. Since then I’ve been able to write about everything from Root Canal Awareness Week , to Smoking Bans , and all things in-between, including an open letter to Punxsutawney Phil . During my time spent in this office, I’ve realized that there really are many, many resources available to the public from your government to help you out. USA.gov (newly re-designed!) has a wealth of information available- most of which you probably might not even think of as “government” related. The fine people at the National Contact Center (1-800-FED-INFO) passed the ultimate test- dealing with my Mother - and are there to assist you with your needs over the telephone. For your brochures or pamphlets on government services or programs, pueblo.gsa.gov is at your service to send printed information. But behind all these great services and more, are government workers who really do care, and take pride in their work. I know there is a stigma of the typical bureaucrat worker- but please believe there are people who work tirelessly on weekends and after-hours to do the best we can to make sure the government is working for YOU. I’ve loved interacting with you readers via the comments section and email. Even the ones who gave me a hard time. That’s what the government and this blog are all about- making your voice heard. I am setting out to continue my education in a sunny and warm location, but leave with nothing but fond memories and experience. I’ll continue to read Gov Gab regularly- so you may see me in the comments section from time to time! So instead of saying, “Bon voyage, and don’t come back!” I leave you with, “Welcome to Great Britain.” “We’ll never get to England now!” And if you can name that movie , you are a shoo-in for Gov Gab’s reader of the year. Go Phillies! ~Colleen

On July 17, 2010, Gulf Coast Assistance Day, the IRS will help individuals and businesses affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill resolve tax issues. Visit the FAQ at USA.gov for the time and locations.

I got my first passport when I was fifteen and going on a school trip to England and France. This means I spent the following 10 years flashing a picture of me in braces and with hair styling fresh from basketball practice. When it was due for renewal I snickered when I realized that renewing my passport actually cost me more than applying for one originally. By this time, they stopped letting you smile in your picture and I couldn’t show off the fruit of my years of orthodontic labor. As of yesterday, passport fees have gone up once again. An adult will be charged $135 (up from $100) to get a passport. A minor’s passport is $105 (up from $85). For renewals, an adult will be charged $110 (up from $75). The State Department says the increase in fees are to cover the costs of production of the physical book itself as well as implementing new technology, operating expanded processing facilities and providing aid and emergency services to U.S. citizens overseas. Will the higher fees deter you from traveling abroad?

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of road trip season, when families all across the nation pack up their cars, trucks and SUVs and take off for destinations across the country. Why do they drive? To save money on airfare, airport parking and the stress of air travel, instead packing multiple family members into one over- cramped vehicle. But with gas prices reaching an average of nearly 60 cents more than this time last year, do the savings really add up? At the current national average of $2.86 per gallon of regular gasoline, budget-conscious consumers will want to take steps to avoid filling up more often than necessary. So whether you’re traveling to the Rocky Mountains or to the grocery store for some Rocky Road, heed these efficient driving tips to avoid that old seasonal affliction - pain at the pump. Read more…

Over the last week, the National Contact Center has received many questions from people who want to volunteer to help the Gulf of Mexico recover from the Deepwater Horizon incident . Louisiana , Mississippi , Florida and Alabama all have created webpages for those interested in volunteering and you can also call 1.866.448.5816 for opportunities. Some people have also asked us about making charitable donations to help recovery efforts. No organizations are soliciting in-kind donations at this time. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does have a place where people can submit a technology solution for the spill . Also if you have a dog, you can actually donate your pup’s hair to help . As far as where you can give money, advising people on proper financial donations is always a risky business. As we have told you before, you need to be careful with your charitable donations , especially after a disaster because of scams. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is already soliciting tips about suspected spill fraud on its phone lines. There are some funds that have been set up specifically for the gulf coast oil spill . Do you plan to help with the recovery?

When you think of Washington, DC, does your mind summon images of politicians debating in senate/house chambers, judges ruling on national legal matters, or the president going about the business of running our country? Washington DC is a place where serious, history-making decisions and events take place, but in early April, when parts of the city become canopied in delicate, pale-pink, cherry blossoms, the city takes on a softness that is absolutely stunning. We’ve all heard people say, “Pictures don’t do it justice.” DC in early April is one of those examples. Imagine walking under a delicate umbrella of thousands of barely-pink, cherry blossoms. A gentle, but crisp, breeze causes the petals to ripple, and across the shimmering water of the Tidal Basin, you see the white colonnades of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. At that moment, the world feels very alive, fresh, and full of promise. Although I no longer work in DC, whenever I think of my time there, I think of DC in April, and I immediately remember that feeling. If you want to see it for yourself, the National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 27 through April 11. To find out about festival events, peak bloom predictions, directions, reservations, and other details, check out these resources: Cherry Tree Locations and Types of Trees Frequently Asked Questions About the Festival National Cherry Blossom Festival Events National Cherry Blossom Festival History National Park Service Information Peak Bloom Predictions Preserving the Cherry Trees Washington.org While you are in DC, for those of you who have an interest in science, don’t forget to check out the National Academy of Sciences’ Einstein Memorial . It is one of my favorite places in DC. It’s a great place to eat a sack lunch, read a good book, or just ponder life’s big questions. The memorial is tucked away in a grove of trees across the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Constitution Avenue. If you get a chance to go to the festival or if you just make a trip to see the blossoms, drop me a line. I would love to hear your impressions. A word of caution, the festival and the blossoms are very popular. Getting around in a car may be a bit of a challenge. Your best bet may be taking the metro into the city. P.S. If you haven’t done your federal taxes yet, maybe on your way to the National Cherry Blossom Festival on March 27th, you can stop at one of the 180 Local IRS Offices to get help completing your taxes. Sorry… they made me put in that reminder.

This weekend, March 13 and 14, we will all be setting our clocks to Daylight Saving Time. The time change is a good reminder to check your smoke alarms. Read more…

Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour this weekend. Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 14, at 2:00 a.m. (which becomes 3:00 a.m.). For more information, including the areas of the U.S. that don’t observe the time change, visit the FAQ at USA.gov.

I’m looking forward to 2 a.m. Sunday morning like a little kid looks forward to Christmas. Why you ask? Because that is when we spring the clocks forward and Daylight Saving Time begins! Yes, it means we lose an hour of sleep, which I’m not a fan of, but the longer days totally make up for it. No more leaving work as the sun is setting and getting home when it’s pitch black. Longer days mean the arrival of spring and then summer, the end of the winter blahs , and hopefully warmer temperatures. Overall, longer days make me a happier person because I can spend more time in the sunshine soaking up the Vitaman D when I get off work. Are you looking forward to the time change as much as I am? Or are you a winter person sad to see your favorite season ending?

In September we told you about a new $300 million program that would offer rebates to buyers of energy-efficient appliances with the energy star label. At the time, states and territories, which were in charge of their own programs, were still in the planning stages. Some states and territories have started their appliance rebate programs. Last week people in both Minnesota and Iowa had trouble with websites and phone numbers the day the programs launched. Due to the popularity, both states had to end their programs after funds ran out. Many states will start them in March and April and each will have their own requirements for participation. For instance, the state of Virginia will have a mail-in program. To find out what’s going on with your state’s appliance program so you can beat the rush, you should visit this page . You’ll find a map where you can click on your state to see the status of your program. If you scroll down you’ll see a list of start dates and phone numbers for each state. What do you think of your state’s appliance rebate program?