Mutilated Currency

If you have a large stash of cash and something horrible happens to it -- like it's seriously damaged in a fire or a flood -- is there any way to get it replaced?  Possibly.  "The Bureau of Engraving and Printing redeems partially destroyed or badly damaged currency as a free public service."  The guidelines on what qualifies as "mutilated currency" and a link to the instructions for submitting a claim can be found on this page: 

http://moneyfactory.gov/uscurrency/damagedcurrency.html

Once you get your replacement currency, you may want to reconsider the wisdom of keeping it in your mattress. 

Brain Eating Ameba

It isn't quite Halloween yet, but this scary little monster has been in the news quite a bit lately.  Naegleria fowleri is more commonly known as the brain eating ameba.  This page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will help you learn how to avoid encounters with this potentially deadly parasite: 

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/

One thing's sure, you may want to start swimming with a nose clip again whether it looks geeky or not.

First Responders

With the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaching, you may want to stop this week and thank a first responder for their service.  One way to do that might be to make them aware of the FirstResponder.gov website maintained by the Department of Homeland Security: 

http://www.firstresponder.gov/Pages/Default.aspx

The site "provides first responders with information on technology, resources, products, programs, standards, testing and evaluation, and best practices."  It helps the helpers stay on top of their game.  You could also thank them by baking cookies, but this website has fewer empty calories.

Flags of the World

Sheldon Cooper isn't the only one who can have fun with flags.  With the help of the Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook Flags of the World site, you can too! 

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/flagsoftheworld.html

The site shows dozens of national flags and gives a brief description of each, which often includes information about the history or meaning of the design.  For instance, in Afghanistan's flag "black signifies the past, red is for the blood shed for independence, and green can represent either hope for the future, agricultural prosperity, or Islam."  So, it really isn't easy being green.  In any case, read all about these flags and see which ones make you salute.

Okeanos Explorer

There's a ship.  It's mission is to explore, to seek out new life, and to boldly go where no remotely operated vehicle has gone before.  It's the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Okeanos Explorer:
 
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/welcome.html

It's "the only federally funded U.S. ship assigned to systematically explore our largely unknown ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge."  It just finished a mission to explore the Northeast U.S. Canyons.  You can see photos and data from that and other recent expeditions on the Okeanos Explorer site.  Bring your shark repellant and dive right in!

Flood Zone Maps

Do you know what zone you're in?  No, I don't mean the Twilight Zone, I mean your flood zone.  If you purchase flood insurance your zone determines how much you'll pay for it.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, allows you to search for and view online your local flood zone maps from their Map Service Center:

https://msc.fema.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/FemaWelcomeView?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1

Once you locate the map for your address you also have the option to buy print copies.  Elsewhere on the site there's a link to "Definitions of FEMA Flood Zone Designations."  With the map and the definitions, and an umbrella and some rubber boots, you should be prepared to purchase your flood insurance.

Healthcare.gov

Many provisions of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) will take effect in January 2014, so now is the time to start preparing.  The Healthcare.gov site maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services explains the basic tenets of the law and who will now be required to purchase health insurance.

https://www.healthcare.gov/health-insurance-basics/

The site's Health Insurance Marketplace won't be available until October 1, but starting your research now will give you extra time to shop and compare plans later on.  If you have questions, there's a link to chat live with an expert who can help you.  There is, of course, a remote chance that Congress will eventually be successful in its attempts to repeal some or all of the Affordable Care Act, and if that happens, this site will surely tell you about that too.