LGBTQ Heritage Theme Study

The U.S. National Park Service, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is charged with researching and maintaining many of America's most beloved historic sites. Some of those sites relate to the civil rights struggles of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) population. A special heritage theme study of LGBTQ sites and history was published this year. It's extensive, peer-reviewed, and covers many sub-populations:

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/lgbtqthemestudy.htm

Whether you're interested just in historic closets, or also in the people who emerged from them, this study might well have valuable information for you.

Everyday Mysteries: Fun Science Facts from the Library of Congress

There are many questions that mystify most of us. Is a coconut a nut, a seed, or a fruit? Does your heart really stop when you sneeze? What causes the sound of thunder? The Library of Congress has attempted to answer many of these questions on its Everyday Mysteries page:

http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/archive.html

One question I hope we'll never be able to answer is, "Where would we be without libraries?"

Postal Explorer

Do the rules and procedures of the U.S. Postal Service ever confuse you? If so, the sources available on the Postal Explorer site might help to answer your questions. According to the site, "Postal Explorer is a virtual library of postal information and tools designed for U.S. Postal Service customers, business mailers, and employees. It puts a wealth of postal requirements for mailing and shipping domestically, internationally, and to APO/FPO/DPO destinations, at your fingertips in an easy-to-use format:"

http://pe.usps.gov/

If this site doesn't provide all the answers you need, just send Uncle Sam a postcard to complain.

Astronomy Picture of the Day

If you're increasingly tired of events on this planet and would like to imagine living somewhere else for a while, NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day site might be just what you need. "Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer:"

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

A little "spacing out" each day might be very therapeutic for us all.

Drones and Privacy

Is the annoying buzz you hear outside your window someone trimming their lawn, or is it a drone hovering nearby and spying on you? These days, one never knows. If you're concerned about drones and privacy, you may want to attend/watch the Federal Trade Commission's Oct. 13 workshop/webcast on this issue. Details about how to participate can be found on the FTC site.

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events-calendar/2016/10/fall-technology-series-drones

It doesn't say, but I'm going to assume you can't "attend" by sending a drone with a camera to sit in for you.

Parents Get Involved

School has started once again and parents may already be helping their children deal with homework, bullying, teachers they don't like, or other school-related problems. Fortunately, the Kids.gov site also has a lot of information for parents:

https://kids.usa.gov/parents/get-involved/index.shtml

Even though parents may no longer be in school themselves, having children is always an educational experience.

Antibacterial Soaps and Body Washes

If you're a big fan of antibacterial soaps and body washes, you may want to run out and stock up. The Food and Drug Administration has issued a new rule that manufacturers will no longer be able to sell products with certain antibacterials ingredients. This announcement from the FDA explains why:
 
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm517478.htm

Germaphobes can still rest easy--hand sanitizers are not affected by this rule.