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In this week's issue of
the Friday Facts:
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Census Releases New
Race/Ethnicity Data
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USPS Holiday Portal Helps Ensure
Timely Delivery of Gifts
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USA.gov Reminds that Winter is No Time
to Neglect Skin
Census Releases New
Race/Ethnicity Data
 Tuesday,
December 13, the U.S. Census Bureau started release of data from the
2010 Census Summary File 2, which contains detailed Race and Ethnicity
data not included in July’s Summary File 1 release. The first two states
to be released were Nevada and New Mexico. The remainder of data will be
released on a flow basis, with the next states announced within one week
prior to the release of data. Information will be available down to the
Census tract level. The Census Bureau has created a
press kit for stakeholders who need to be alerted.
If you would like to receive updates about
future releases from the 2010 Census, American Community Survey, and
other Census Bureau reports, please email
kspringer@library.in.gov
for a subscription to the Indiana State Data Center listserv. The Data
Center is also available on
Facebook
and Twitter. Follow along
as new data is released every day across the world, nation, and the
State of Indiana. Call the State Data Center Information Line for data
requests: 317-232-3733 or
use Ask-a-Librarian on the Indiana State Library website.
USPS Holiday Portal Helps
Ensure Timely Delivery of Gifts
 Despite
being the topic of rumors about office closures and layoffs, post
offices around the country are very busy in December. In order to ensure
your packages and cards get where they need to be on time, check out the
Post Office’s Holiday
Welcome website. They have a calendar that features important dates:
If you’re sending something Parcel Post to arrive by Dec. 25, yesterday
was your last day. Do you need something sent First Class? You’ll need
to send it by Tuesday, Dec. 20th. Don’t worry! You still have
a few more days to send items via Priority or Express Mail. The Post
Office has many other services designed to make your holidays easier –
You can order supplies like envelopes, forms, and postage online. You
can also use their Track & Confirm feature to make sure items are
getting to where you’ve sent them!
The Post Office is also
able to have a little fun this time of year. Post Offices around the
country have been receiving letters to Santa for over one hundred years.
Starting in 1912, postal employees were allowed to answer these letters.
Unfortunately, by 1940, the mail volume had become so big that they no
longer had the time to do this. Luckily, these letters can still be
answered! The Post Office allows individuals, businesses, and
non-profits to adopt letters – you can answer letters and even send
small gifts. Go
here to learn how to adopt a letter. Check out the
Operation Santa homepage for more information about the program.
USA.gov Reminds that
Winter is No Time to Neglect Skin
 With
much of the country already dealing with snowfall, it seems as if the
days of sunscreen and taking refuge under a beach umbrella are a distant
memory. However, the winter months are no time to neglect your skin. The
sun’s rays can cause damage whether it’s 85 or -5.
Use these tips from USA.gov
to help keep your skin healthy and protected, even if you’re outside
playing with Jack Frost:
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Think
sunscreen is just something you need only when it’s sunny? Think
again. The rays of the sun are just as potent, even when you can’t
feel them. Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 daily to
prevent skin damage and premature aging.
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To function at its
best, your body needs you to get plenty of rest—and your skin is no
exception. While everyone is different, an average adult needs 6-9
hours of
sleep every night. During your rest is when the skin rejuvenates
itself, and without enough downtime, it can’t properly replenish
moisture or trigger cell turnover.
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The right fuel makes a
world of difference for your overall wellbeing, and the condition of
your skin. Fresh fruits like blueberries and strawberries contain
anti-oxidants that keep your complexion fresh and healthy.
Eating right is key to youthful, radiant skin.
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During the winter
months, even people living in warmer climates can experience
dry skin due to dropping humidity levels and use of artificial
heat. To avoid itchy, flaky, skin, take shorter, lukewarm showers
and moisturize right after you bathe. Using a humidifier while you
sleep can help hydrate skin as well as your nasal passages, which
also dry out during the winter.
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Whatever you do, resist
the urge to go
indoor tanning! Having that “summer glow” in the middle of
winter comes at a high cost: increased risk of
cancer, premature wrinkling, and you can still get burnt.
During all the hustle and
bustle of the holiday season, cold weather, sledding and shoveling—be
sure not to neglect your skin, even though you’re not at the beach.
This article is
brought to you by USA.gov, as a courtesy of the U.S. General Services
Administration (GSA). For more information, visit
USA.gov. |
