Blogging Documents

The New York Times reported yesterday that as we become a more portly and plump nation emergency responders, such as fire departments and EMTs, are having to purchase equipment that can accommodate our increased poundage. So, it would make sense that we take active steps to relieve the strain on the individuals who have taken an oath to save and protect us by adopting healthier diets and lifestyles. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have a variety of resources that can assist in developing a healthier lifestyle.

A good place to start on the CDC website is Nutrition for Everyone. This site links users to tips and ideas for obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight including information on Body Mass Index (BMI) and nutrition basics. My favorite is fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov. This site touts the benefits of a diet rich in a variety of fruit and veg, offers up a fruit and veg of the month (April is the tomatillo & Asian pear – technically both fruits), will analyze your plate for calorie counts and provides a database of recipes to assist with incorporating more fruits and veg into one’s cooking repertoire.

The CDC is but one government agency that has resources available. For other ideas, visit the TCCL Gov Docs Health & Nutrition page. And if you won’t adopt a healthier lifestyle for yourself, do it for the EMT that, otherwise, will lug you to the hospital on a specially made reinforced cot.

April is Fair Housing Month. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Despite the act and attempts to educate the public and landlords of fair housing practices, last year alone, over 10,000 people filed housing discrimination complaints. In honor of Fair Housing month, several education opportunities are being hosted in the Tulsa area (phone HUD (918-292-8900) for additional information about either of these programs:

Fair Housing Seminar
Thursday, April 17, 2008 Registration: 8:30 a.m. - Program: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
First United Methodist Church - 400 E. Graham (Main) Ave. – Pryor, OK

Fair Housing for All Seminar
Thursday - April 24, 2008, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tulsa Housing Authority Conference Center
415 East Independence

Tuesday April 1 is another election day in Tulsa County, no fooling. This election will determine City Councilors for five of Tulsa’s districts (Districts 3, 4, 6, 8, & 9) as well as run off elections for the Glenpool, Liberty and Tulsa Technology School Boards.

If you’re not sure who to vote for the Tulsa World (www.tulsaworld.com) has run several articles offering background and insight to the candidates positions. Search the online Tulsa World for “city council election” or Tulsa’s Young Professionals (TYPros) has compiled a brief election guide : http://www.typros.org/news.asp?id=10&newsid=97).

Follow this link http://maps.cityoftulsa.org/DistrictFinder/DistrictFinder.asp if you need help finding your City Council district.

Also on the ballot are 2 propositions that would amend the City Charter. One would amend provisions for fall election days and the other would provide for voting eligibility if an individual moves within a period that would not allow for adequate time to amend their registration. (A bit confusing here, try reading it on the ballot.)

Sample ballots for Tuesday’s election are available on the Tulsa County Election Board website: http://www.tulsacounty.org/Apr012008Ballot.asp.

Finally, early voting is taking place at the Election Board office (555 N. Denver) today, Friday, March 28, and Monday, March 31 from 8am - 6pm.

If your customers have other questions, let me know, or have them phone the Election Board (596-5780).

In the internet age more and more of our private lives are becoming public. As a result there is a counter push to keep the private private.

This week the Oklahoma Supreme Court rescinded a rule that would have removed court documents from their website, OSCN.net. For librarians at the Tulsa City-County Library this potential rule would have put a crimp in a regular service we provide our customers. And although most seem to be hailing the Court’s decision (see March 26, 2008 Tulsa World) the Court is not completely done with this issue, viewing the inclusion of personal information such as social security numbers, dates of birth, and addresses in court documents as a potential for identity theft. The Court plans to collect additional public input while reevaluating the rule.

In the midst of the sub-prime mortgage meltdown the Federal Reserve has made several cuts in interest rates. The most recent cut on March 21, 2008 brought the short-term interest rate to 2.25%.

You might be asking yourself “What is the short-term interest rate anyway and why should I care?” To be honest, I’m not entirely sure… but I’m trying to figure it out.

According to CNNMoney.com Ask the Expert article What the Fed means to me: How are individuals affected when the Federal Reserve raises interest rates?(March 21, 2005) the Fed raises and lowers the target fund rate, which in turn affects everything else. “The biggest effect is on short-term rates, such as those charged on adjustable-rate mortgages, and credit cards as well as the rates banks pay on money-market accounts and short-term CDs…. Thus, people who already have balances outstanding on their credit cards or home equity lines will face higher interest charges, while people considering signing up for plastic or a home equity line will pay a higher rate.”

Note this article was written in 2005 as rates were going up, not down. As it stands now, those suffering over the rise of their adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) will feel some relief. And if you’re anything like a close family members of mine while the rates are low everything from houses to cars will be refinanced. But be careful, many banks are increasing fees to compensate for the lower rates.

Still confused on what all of it means? The Federal Reserve offers an online tutorial, Financial Education for All: Interest Rates, that provides a greater explanation of interest rates and the role the Fed plays. Another great resource for tracking the Fed and staying on top of what’s happening in the U.S. and World economies is Liber8. Liber8 keeps you apprised of current economic indicators (another subject for another posting), provides current economic research, and even tracks U.S. and world inflation.

Ultimately, what we know and do as consumers effects what’s going on. So, it’s good to have at least a rudimentary understanding of how the U.S. economy works and what the talking heads mean when they mention all of those rates.