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

To see current severe weather reports for the U.S. as a whole, and for local watches, warnings, and advisories by state, visit the FAQ at USA.gov.

Forty-one years ago today, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history as the first people on the moon. Six manned missions have made it to the moon. Visit the FAQ at USA.gov for links to NASA videos, photos, and history of the moon landings.

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.

Do you want to know the capital of Alabama, or which hockey teams are in California? What about general facts about the U.S., such as how its size compares to Russia and China? Visit the FAQ at USA.gov for websites that can give you the answers.

Do you want to know if sex offenders live in your community? Visit the FAQ at USA.gov for links to national and state sex offender databases.

Visit the FAQ at USA.gov to locate a public library near you or view a list of state libraries.

I am very excited about this Fourth of July . I will be spending it in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with my whole family. It has been a long time since we were all together for a fun celebration. The “foodie” in me is already contemplating what culinary delight I can make to wow the family at our get-together. Of course, fireworks are a “must have” for a great July 4 th celebration, but each year there are an estimated 10,000 people treated for injuries related to fireworks , and many of these injuries involve children under the age of 15. Even something as seemingly innocent as a sparkler requires safe handling. Did you know a sparkler burns at 1200° F? Here are some basic safety tips to follow while handling fireworks. Also, know the laws in your state regarding the purchase and use of fireworks. While Iowa limits the use of individual fireworks, Cedar Rapids, like many communities, has an Independence Day celebration that will have a great fireworks display. To locate local 4 th of July celebration websites you can use the USA.gov search and type in your city or county to find out what activities are in your area. I wish you all a safe holiday with good times and great food. During your festivities this Sunday, take a moment to reflect and be grateful that we live in such a great country. Remember those who came before us, those who created, fought for, and secured our freedoms.

The Liberty Bell, which rang when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, is now symbolically tapped each July 4 in Philadelphia. To learn more about the Liberty Bell, visit the FAQ at USA.gov.

Visit the FAQ at USA.gov for links to preventing heat-related illnesses, and using the heat index calculator, which tells how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature.