Measles

Most people who go to Disneyland come home with just mouse ears and a sunburn, but several recent visitors have also come home with the measles.  Measles was "eliminated" from the U.S. in 2000, but it's still common in foreign countries, so international travelers bring it to the U.S. with them.  People who don't have an immunity to measles from a vaccine or from having had the disease can, and do, become infected.  This site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about the symptoms of measles, as well as statistics, news about the recent outbreaks, and tips to help you avoid getting the disease:

http://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html

If you do contract the measles and decide to play "connect the dots," please remember not to use a permanent marker.

Project Blue Book Files

"The truth" about the Air Force's Project Blue Book has been out there for some time on microfilm (http://www.archives.gov/foia/ufos.html), but now a lot of it is also available online.  This story from the Air Force Times has all the details:

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/tech/2015/01/17/air-force-ufo-files/21812539/

You'd think that since the majority of the population walks around with a camera in their hand all day every day we'd have lots more recent proof of UFOs, but I suppose you can't spot a UFO if you never look up at the sky.

SBA Learning Center

Have you been toying with the idea of starting your own small business?  Or, do you already own a small business and feel like you still have a lot to learn?  If so, the Small Business Administration stands ready to help.  In addition to all the basic information about starting and managing a small business provided on the SBA website, it also includes a "Learning Center" that offers detailed training materials like online courses, videos, and chat sessions: 

https://www.sba.gov/tools/sba-learning-center

Dealing with government rules and taking advantage of government assistance may be some of the biggest challenges you'll face as a business owner, so who better to learn from than the government itself?

Super Tracker

Here at the beginning of a new year many people will be starting new diets or fitness programs.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has created the Super Tracker site in order to support those efforts:

https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/default.aspx

It includes a "Food-a-pedia" with nutrition information about more than 8000 foods, a "Food Tracker," a "Physical Activity Tracker," and several other helpful features.  The site allows users to create a profile and track their progress toward meeting their goals.  Best wishes to those who, like me, will be trying to achieve a healthier lifestyle this year.

Holiday Tips

As everyone prepares to celebrate Christmas (or Hanukkah, or Kwanza, or the Winter Solstice, or simply a few days off from work), the USA.gov website has some tips for you on celebrating safely, finding seasonal employment, traveling without hassles, watching your weight, and more:

http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Happy-Holidays.shtml

And for those who'd like to track Santa's progress on Christmas Eve, don't forget the NORAD Santa Tracker - http://www.noradsanta.org/.  Happy holidays!  :-)

Senate Report on CIA Interrogation

Yesterday the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released its "Study of the CIA's Detention and Interrogation Program - Foreword, Findings, and Conclusions, and Executive Summary."  The study is linked from the Committee's home page: 

http://www.intelligence.senate.gov/

The report's findings, that the harsh interrogation techniques used by the CIA right after the 9/11 attacks were "torture" and did not result in significant new intelligence, are quite controversial.  Many current and former CIA officials are defending the effectiveness of the methods that were used.  The report is 525 pages, heavily redacted, and includes graphic details about the techniques used by the CIA.  Simply reading it might well qualify as "torture."

Unclaimed Money

Are you planning on doing some shopping, or possibly some traveling before the end of the year?  Wouldn't some extra money come in handy right about now?  After you've checked your car and couch cushions for loose change, another place to look is your state or federal government.  They may have money waiting for you and all you'll have to do is claim it.  This site from USA.gov provides a list of places to look for many types of unclaimed money, from tax refunds, to bank accounts, to pensions, and savings bonds:

http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Government-Unclaimed-Money.shtml

If you don't find any money waiting for yourself, look for your family members.  If you find enough loot for them, perhaps they'll pay you a finder's fee.  Happy hunting!