Accommodations, Airplane Rides and More for Youth Groups The U.S. Air Force provides a variety of free, unique experiences for our nation's youth, especially national scouting groups. The Air Force opens its facilities to these groups for special events, such as olympics, jamborees, conferences, and meetings. Overnight accommodations ranging from camping sites to beds in barracks are also available. Youth can participate in training exercises, obtain orientation plane rides, and take tours of the Air Force facilities. Aerospace education, career programs, and sometimes surplus properties are also available. Films, on topics as diverse as expert motorcycle riding, space communications, the history of the Air Force, and missile development in space can be borrowed. For information, assistance or support in any of the above areas, scout and youth groups should contact the Youth Organization Project Officer at the Air Force Installation where they wish to conduct an activity. Address correspondence to: Base Commander, (List Appropriate Name) Air Force Base, State, Zip Code, Attention: Youth Organization Project Officer. For national and regional events, youth groups should write the appropriate regional liaison officer or the director. A list of these officers appears below. Director, Air Force Office of Youth Relations, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas 78241-5000/512-925-5384. Northeast Region, Air Force Office of Youth Relations, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey 08641-5000/609-724-2905/3728. Southeast Region, Air Force Office of Youth Relations, Dobbins Air Force Base, Georgia 30069-5000/404-424-4990. East Central Region, Air Force Office of Youth Relations, O'Hare ARF Facility, Illinois 60666-5000/312-694-6088. South Central Region, Air Force Office of Youth Relations, Carswell Air Force Base, Texas 76127-5000/817-735-7134. North Central Region, Air Force Office of Youth Relations, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri 65305-5000. Western Region, Air Force Office of Youth Relations, Travis Air Force Base, California 94535-5260/707-438-5100. Adopt-A-Horse In order to control the population of wild horses and burros grazing on public land, the U.S. Department of the Interior offers these animals for adoption to qualified applicants. For further information and adoption applications contact: Adopt-A-Horse, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240. Anger - Helping Children Cope A free pamphlet entitled "Plain Talk About Dealing with the Angry Child" (502N) suggests ways of helping a child cope with feelings of anger and aggression. Available from: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Anorexia Nervosa A 7-page booklet entitled "Facts About Anorexia Nervosa" (411N, 50 cents) describes symptoms, causes, and treatments of this potentially fatal eating disorder. It also gives sources for more information and assistance. Available from: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Art Musxeum Exhibits For Rent The Smithsonian Museum provides specially designed exhibts to organizations and institutions across the country, and abroad, at the lowest possible rental fees. More than 120 exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, decorative arts, history, children's art, natural history, photography, science and more are circulated every year. Contact: Smithsonian Institution, 900 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560/ (202)-357-3168. Art on Loan Educational materials, including color slide programs, films and videocassettes based on works in the National Gallery of Art's collection and special exhibitions can be borrowed without charge. A free catalogue is available. Write: Extension Programs, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC 20565. Arts America The International Communication Agency assists qualified artists and performers in arranging private tours overseas. Its aim is to present a balanced portrayal of the American scene. ICA has sponsored: a major exhibition of American crafts shown in China; a modern dance company's visit to the USSR, Spain, and Portugal; and a jazz ensemble's tour of Nigeria, Senegal and Kenya. Contact: Arts Liaison Advisor, Office of the Associate Director for Programs, International Communication Agency, United States Intelligence Agency, 301 4th Street SW, Room 568, Washington, DC 20547/202-485-2779. Art Slides from the National Gallery Slides of the Gallery's collection are available on a loan basis to organizations, schools, and colleges without charge. Contact: Slide Library, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC 20565/202-737-4215. Best and Worst Food Buys for Coming Months A free subscription to the National Consumer Buying Alert will keep you informed about which foods will be cheaper or more expensive in coming months. The monthly publication also provides general consumer tips, such as how to deal with a wet basement, how to insulate your home or how to reduce gas consumption. For a free copy write: Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009. Bibliographies Free listings of Government publications on more than 240 subjects ranging from accounting to veteran's affairs can be easily obtained. For a brochure on the subjects covered write to: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402/202-783-3238. Biking and Hiking Maps Brochures with maps of trails throughout the National Park Service are available free of charge. When placing your order, specify the geographical area you are interested in. Contact: U.S. Department of Interior, 18th and C Streets NW, Room 1013, Washington, DC 20240/202-343-4747. (Note: If you call, you will at first hear a recording. Stay on the line if you wish to speak with someone.) Birthday and Anniversary Greetings from the President The President will send birthday greetings to individuals 80 or over and anniversary greetings to couples married 50 years or longer. You must notify the President of the event, in writing, at least 2 weeks (preferably 1 month or more) before the celebrated occasion. Include in your letter: the name(s) and address, including zip code of the person(s) to be honored, and information about the event including the date, number of years being celebrated and whether it is a birthday or anniversary. Write: White House, Greetings Office, Washington, DC 20500. Boating Lessons A variety of free courses, ranging from 1 to 13 classes, on safe boating are offered by the U.S. Coast Guard. For further information contact your local U.S. Coast Guard Office, or Commandant (G-BAU-1), U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC 20592/202-426-1077. Breast Cancer A pamphlet is available summarizing information about breast cancer, biopsy, mammography, reconstruction and rehabilitation. For a free copy write: Public Inquiries Office, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20205. Brides Information Package Available to new homemakers, this packet contains an assortment of home and garden bulletins relating to budgeting, consumer tips, cooking, etc. Contact: Your Congressman, U.S. Congress, Washington, DC 20515/202-224-3121. Business Loans for Children and Teenagers The U.S. Department of Agriculture lends up to $10,000 to youths from ten to 21 years of age. The loans can be used to support both farm and non-farm ventures, such as small crop farming, livestock farming, roadside stands and custom work. They are normally made in conjunction with youth groups and require parental consent. Contact: Production Loan Division, Farmers Home Administration, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250/202-447-4572. Calendars Each congressional office has a large stock of hanging wall calendars, containing beautiful photographs of Washington Scenes. For a free calendar contact: Your Congressman, U.S. Congress, Washington, DC 20515/202-224-3121. Child Support Handbook The "Handbook on Child Support Enforcement " is a "how-to" guide for getting the child support payments which are owed to you and your children. Information is provided about applying for child support enforcement services, obtaining help in finding the absent parent, establishing paternity, collecting child support, and collecting payments in another state. The free publication is available by writing: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Christmas Trees Free Christmas trees are available to nonprofit organizations. Commercial organizations and individuals can obtain trees at fair market value, and for $1.00 you can cut your own tree. The trees are located on federal land in ten western states. Contact: Your local office of the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, or: Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, Room 5620, Washington, DC 20240/202-343-3229. Chronic Pain A free booklet describing causes and possible cures for pain, including headaches, lower back pain, cancer pain and arthritis pain is available from: Chronic Pain, National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, Room 8A-06, Building 31, Bethesda, MD 20205. Coaches-Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program A nationwide program, developed in conjunction with the National High School Athletic Coaches Association, is designed to help coaches prevent drug and alcohol abuse. Free information packets, publications, a slide show and video tape are all available to coaches. Clinics and workshops for coaches will be held throughout the United States at which Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agents, professional athletes, and amateur sports figures will address a variety of topics pertaining to drug and alcohol prevention. Contact: Preventive Programs, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice, 1405 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20537/202-633-1437. Baldness Treatments (553N) This freebie discusses products which are supposed to restore hair or prevent hair loss. Write: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Computerized Databases - Free Public Access For the price of a phone call, computer users, with telephone link-up equipment, can dial directly into several data bases operated by the federal government: alternative fuel data bank AFDB, designed for direct public access, can be searched by most home computer users having a telephone linkup. The data bank contains information about the utilization of alternative fuels. It has three types of data: bibliographies of publications, synopses of ongoing research activities and discussions of topics of current interest. AFDB focuses on the use of non-petroleum sources and non-conventional fuels from petroleum sources in transportation. Examples of fuels covered include syncrudes from shale, coal, alcohols, hydrogen, ethers and broadcut. Information is collected from periodicals, abstract news service publications, technical society papers, conference proceedings, and project progress and final reports. Data retrieval programs are interactive and designed for easy use by the general public. Searches and direct-access privileges are available free of charge. Contact the Center to obtain a free user's manual and I.D. number. If you don't have the equipment to search AFDB yourself, the Center will query the system for you and send you a printout. Contact: Alternative Fuel Data Bank, Bartlesville Energy Technology Center, P.O. Box 2128, Bartlesville, OK 74005/918-337-4267. Climate assessment data base. This database designed for easy public access provides users with information about short-term climate conditions in the United States and throughout the world. Anyone with a compatible terminal (most home computers are) and telephone linkup can obtain a password and dial directly into the system. Users can then select from a menu of 12 databases summarizing meteorological data on a weekly, monthly and seasonal basis. Examples of data include: temperature, precipitation, weather indexes, heating and cooling days, energy conditions, and assessment of climate on crops. The system contains global surface data collected from 8,000 stations worldwide. Currently, most data is in tabular form, but plans are under way to include graphical presentations. To obtain a password for this system contact: NOAA, National Meteorological Center, W353, WWB, Room 201, Washington, DC 20233/301-763-8071. Computer standards and technology bulletin boards. The Institute for Computer Science and Technology sponsors two free electronic bulletin boards which provide information about conferences, articles, and other literature dealing with new standards and technology in computers and software. One bulletin board deals with computer performance evaluation and the other microprocessors. Contact: Institute for Computer Science and Technology, National Bureau of Standards (NBS), Washington, DC 20234/301-921-2731. Crude Oil Analysis Data Bank. This data bank contains analyses of nearly all crude oils discovered in the United States and representative crude oils from foreign countries. COA is the world's largest collection of data about crude oil physical properties, distillation and refining. Examples of retrievable properties include: gravity, sulphur content, nitrogen content, viscosity, color and pour point. Other retrievable information includes the oil's geochemistry, its source and financial value. The database can be searched by any parameter in the analyses (i.e., type of oil, location, specific property, etc.). The system is designed for easy use by the general public. COA was started in the 1920's and it currently contains more than 10,000 analyses. Searches and direct access privileges are available free of charge. If you don't have the equipment to search COA yourself, the Center will query the system for you and send you a printout. To obtain a free User's Guide or more information, contact: Crude Oil Analysis Data Bank, Bartlesville Energy Technology Center, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 1398, Bartlesville, OK 74003/918-336-2400 (ext. 256). Time database. The U.S. Naval Observatory Automated Data Service (USNO-ADS) collects the latest available time data, and most owners of home computers with a telephone hook-up can dial directly into the system's numerous files. By inputting appropriate information, users can obtain data such as: the time of sunrise, sunset, twilight and moonrise on a given day at any location on Earth; the times when transit satellites will pass over their area during the upcoming 25 hours; the direction and distance (in nautical and statute miles) between any two points on Earth; the Universal Time; and much more. The Naval Observatory has designed most of the programs on ADS, but they will help individuals and organizations (such as universities) run their own programs on the system. Staff will also search their database for you at no cost. Contact: Time Service Division, U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington, DC 20390/202-653-1527. Computerized Decisionmaking for Consumers, Families, Businessmen, and Farmers The Computerized Management Network (CMN) is a software system of more than 60 interactive programs developed to help the decisionmaking process for farmers, consumers, families, and businessmen. Designed to be used by non-computer-oriented individuals, the system covers areas such as: finance and accounting; taxes and estate planning; human nutrition and health; home, farm, and crop management; information retrieval; and much more. You can obtain access to CMN through most Cooperative Extension Service (CES) offices nationwide. Subscribing CES offices will either search the system for you or possibly let you conduct a search yourself. Individuals and organizations can also obtain direct-access privileges for a minimum usage fee of $25.00 per month. The cost of running CMN programs varies from 50 cents for a very simple analysis to $15.00 for complex linear models. Contact your local Extension Service Office (listed under Department of Agriculture in your telephone book). Computerized Decisionmaking for Consumers, Families, Businessmen, and Farmers The Computerized Management Network (CMN) is a software system of more than 60 interactive programs developed to help the decisionmaking process for farmers, consumers, families, and businessmen. Designed to be used by non-computer-oriented individuals, the system covers areas such as: finance and accounting; taxes and estate planning; human nutrition and health; home, farm, and crop management; information retrieval; and much more. You can obtain access to CMN through most Cooperative Extension Service (CES) offices nationwide. Subscribing CES offices will either search the system for you or possibly let you conduct a search yourself. Individuals and organizations can also obtain direct-access privileges for a minimum usage fee of $25.00 per month. The cost of running CMN programs varies from 50 cents for a very simple analysis to $15.00 for complex linear models. Contact your local Extension Service Office (listed under Department of Agriculture in your telephone book). Congressional Pages and Interns Approximately 100 pages work for Members of Congress during the school year. More positions for pages as well as interns are available during the summer months. Contact your U.S. Senator and Representative for more information. Consumer Publications - Best Freebies List The Consumer Information Center is the main distributor of free and low-cost consumer oriented publications issued by the federal government. Below is a representative listing of some of the Center's most popular publications. For copies of these publications, or to order a free publications catalogue, contact: Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009. Cancer Prevention: Good News, Better News, Best News (571N) provides advice on what you can do to help protect yourself against cancer, including latest nutrition information. Child Support (501N) describes help available from the government to enforce child support obligations, locate missing parents, and establish paternity. Consumer Credit Handbook (591N) explains how to apply for credit, what to do if you are denied, and how consumer credit laws can help you. Student Guide -Five Federal Financial Aid Programs (513N) gives important information about five grant and loan programs for college, vocational, and technical school students. Back Pain (569N) describes common causes and treatments of this all too common ailment. Your Social Security (515N) explains all about Social Security and Medicare benefits, including who gets them and how to apply. Checklist for Going into Business (516N) discusses important considerations before starting a small business. A Consumer's Guide to Life Insurance (592N) this is a comprehensive guide to different types of policies, costs, and coverage; includes a glossary of commonly used terms. How to Choose and Use a Lawyer (601N) provides questions and answers about fees, advertising, referrals, and other legal resources. It also covers what to do when you have a problem with a lawyer. Some Things You Should Know About Prescription Drugs (560N) even prescription drugs can be dangerous; here are tips for safe use. How to Buy a Telephone (600N) gives facts about costs, selection, installation, and repair. Consumer's Guide to Telephone Services (618N) describes the best area services available. Consumer's Resource Handbook (613N). A comprehensive guide to how to complain and get results, this lists corporate consumer representatives, private consumer organizations, and federal, state, and local government agencies with consumer responsibilities. The 111-page guide is available free of charge from: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Contraception: Comparing the Options (554N). This free fold-out chart lists the nine common methods of birth control and the pros and cons of each. For a copy write: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Cosmetics A free pamphlet entitled "Questions Concerning Cosmetics" (548N) provides answers to seven commonly asked questions regarding ingredients in various cosmetics. Write: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Diet and Weight-Loss Gimmicks Below are 2 freebies available from: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. About Body Wraps, Pills, and Other Magic Wands (564N) this discusses weight-loss gimmicks, untested diet aids, and their potential dangers. Diet Books Sell Well But (566N) presents the fallacies and hazards of some popular diets, as well as advice about selecting a healthy diet to lose weight. Disaster Handbook In Time of Emergency - A Citizen's Handbook, provides information and guidance about what families can do to enhance survival in the event of natural or man-made disasters, such as fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, earthquakes, tidal waves, nuclear power plant accidents or nuclear attacks. Free from: Federal Emergency Management Agency, P.O. Box 8181, Washington, DC 20024. Duck Stamp Contest Artists are invited to participate in the Duck Stamp Contest, one of our nations' oldest and most successful wildlife conservati Generally, beginning in July of each year, artists can submit a rendition of any living species of North American migratory duck, goose or swan for the contest. A winner is selected, and he or she receives a sheet of stamps (worth $225) and owns the copyright of the painting which can be of great value. The stamps, which must be purchased yearly by waterfowl hunters, are sold by the U.S. Post Office for $7.50 each. The proceeds are then used to buy wetlands for the National Wildlife Refuge System. A free pamphlet entitled The Duck Stamp Story presents the background of the Duck Stamp Program. To order, or obtain further information, contact: Public Affairs, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC 20240/202-343-5634. Films You Can Borrow or Buy The U.S. Government has produced more than 13,500 films on subjects as varied as foreign relations, drug abuse, preparing your taxes, business management, space exploration and sexual assault. The Government's National Audio Visual Center catalogues, loans, rents and sells these films. Upon your request the clearinghouse will send you a listing of its holdings on any subject you choose. A free catalogue listing 3,000 titles on subjects of interest to the general public is available free of charge. Often there is a small fee for films borrowed from the Center. Contact: National Audio Visual Center, Information Services DW, Washington, DC 20409/202-763-1896. Several government agencies distribute films they have produced directly to the public. Listed below, by broad subject area, are agencies from which you can borrow films free of charge. Films offered by these offices range from expert motorcycle riding, courtesy of the Air Force, to recreational films from the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Most of these offices will send you a free catalogue listing films you can borrow or purchase. Agriculture motion pictures on a variety of agricultural subjects are available for loan through various State Extension Services film libraries. Contact: National Audio-Visual Center, Attention: Information Services, Washington, DC 20409 Air and Space films are available on topics such as the Apollo missions, the planets, earth-sun relationships, the atmosphere, weather, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration research projects. For information and a free film catalogue contact: NASA, Motion Pictures, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20546/202-755-3500. Air Force mation pictures for information on motion picture films created or acquired by the Air Force and cleared for public distribution, contact: DAVA-N-LD, Norton Air Force Base, CA 92409/714-382-2394. A film catalog, ""Air Force Regulations 95-2, Vol. 2,'' is available for $10.00 from: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402/202-783-3238. Air Force stock footage - footage of Air Force films is available from: DAVA-DAVCOM Divisions, Building 248, Motion Media Depository, Norton Air Force Base, CA 92409/714-382-2307. Army Films - Army films available to the public, contact: Commander, U.S. Army Audio Visual Center, 1010 MOAV-MO, Room 5A470, Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310/202-694-4548. Captioned Films - free catalog listing free educational and entertainment films for the deaf is available from: Modern Talking Picture Service, Inc., 5000 Park Street N, St Petersburg, FL 33709/813-541-7571. Citizenship Education - education films are available at no charge to civic, patriotic, educational and religious groups. There are also about 15 textbooks on citizenship available, consisting of teachers' manuals and student textbooks at various reading levels. These books are distributed free to public schools for applicants for citizenship. Contact: Naturalization, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice, 425 Eye Street NW, Room 7228, Washington, DC 20536/202-633-3320. Defense Logistics Agency - information on films available for public showing to present and potential contractors, contact: Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense, Cameron Station, Room 3C547, Alexandria, VA 22314/202-274-6075. Documentary Films and Newsreel Footage - approximately 91 million feet of documentary and newsreel footage and other government-produced films constitute this collection. Materials can be screened and footage may be purchased. For more information, contact: Motion Picture and Video and Sound Branch, National Archives and Records Administration, 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room G-13, Washington, DC 20408/202-786-0041. Drug Education - education films are available free of charge to civic, educational, private and religious groups. Contact: Preventive Programs, Office of Public Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice, 1405 Eye Street NW, Room 1209, Washington, DC 20537/202-633-1249. Education Films - ERIC - Clearinghouse described in the ""Information on Anything and Everything'' section of this Sampler, frequently loans audiovisual materials. For further details contact the ERIC Clearinghouse covering the subject in which you are interested. Encironmental and Recreation - Army Corps of Engineers offers public informational films on subjects including navigation, flood control, hydroelectric power, recreation, emergency operations management, environmental enhancement and boating safety. Various exhibits and audiovisual presentations produced by the Corps are available for touring. For short, descriptive lists and information, contact: Public Affairs, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, Department of Defense, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Room 8122C, HQDA (DAEN-PAV), Washington, DC 20314/202-272-0017. Requests for loan of these films should be sent to: Modern Talking Picture Service, Inc., 5000 Park Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709/813-541-7571. Geology and Mapping Films - about geology, topographic mapping, water resources, astrogeology, aerial photography, and other subjects are available. For information and a free film catalogue contact: Visual Information Services, U.S. Geological Survey, 790-National Center, Reston, VA 22092/703-860-6171. Law Enforcement films - and videotape recordings can be borrowed for education and information purposes. Contact: National Criminal Justice Research Service, 1600 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850/301-251-5500. Natural Resources Films - are available describing many of the country's natural resources. For information and a free catalogue contact: Bureau of Mines, Motion Pictures, 4800 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213/412-621-4500. Safty Relayed Films - are available on safety-related topics such areas as outdoor power equipment, playground equipment, poison prevention packaging, and toys. A free catalogue is available. Contact: Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington DC 20207/Hotline: 800-638-2772. Sexual Assault Films - explaining how to protect yourself against sexual assault, as well as how to help a victim of an attack, are available from: The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Rape, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 6C-12, Rockville, MD 20852/301-443-1910. Taxes - Internal Revenue Service loans a variety of films on subjects such as the history of taxes, how a tax return is processed, taxpayer rights, and how to organize a business for tax purposes. For a free film listing and information, contact your local IRS office or: Public Affairs Division, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224/202-566-6860. Foreign Relations History - four-part color film series, 30 minutes each, with accompanying discussion guides, may be bought or borrowed without charge. The series starts with the militia diplomacy of the Revolution and ends with the development of U.S. foreign policy through 1975. Contact: Films Officer, Office of Public Communication, Public Affairs, Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Room 4827A, Washington, DC 20250/202-632-8203. Youth Oriented Films - free booklet listing films, both informative and educational, for youth organizations is available from the Air Force. The films, on topics from expert motorcycle riding to space communications, as well as Air Force history, may be borrowed. For a copy of the booklet, "Air Force Films for National Youth Groups," contact: Aerospace Audio-Visual Service, United States Air Force Central Audio-Visual Library, Norton Air Force Base, CA 92409-6518/714-382-2307. Firewood Firewood, for personal use, is available for a minimal fee from 155 National Forests in the U.S. A local forest ranger will identify the fallen and dead wood which can be cut and/or carried away. Contact your local Forest Service Office for a free fact sheet. For a map showing Forest Service land write: Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2417, Washington, DC 20013/202-447-3957. Food Buying You will find the 2 publications described below helpful. Order from: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Making Food Dollars Count (409N, 50 cents) a two-week plan, including recipes, to help the shopper on a limited budget meet nutritional needs. How to Buy Economically: A Food Buyer's Guide (436N, 50 cents) this provides advice about how to cut costs on meat, poultry, eggs, milk, fruits and vegetables. It identifies months during which you can get the best buys on a variety of fruits and vegetables. Funeral Information A booklet entitled Consumer Guide to the FTC Funeral Rule (425N, 50 cents) explains your legal right to information concerning prices and options of funeral services. Available from: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Future Trends What's Next is a free bimonthly newsletter reporting about social, technical and political trends that could be important in the future. It is written to help Congressional Representatives think about the future as they prepare legislation. You too can subscribe by contacting: Your U.S. Congressional Representative's office and asking his/her staff to place you on the newsletter's mailing list. Employment Roadmaps The Congressional Caucus for Science and Technology, established to serve members of Congress, can tell you about the impact of science and technology on training and retraining. The Caucus plans to develop Employment Roadmaps which will highlight employment opportunities, as well as training and educational requirements, for current and prospective jobs. Staff can answer questions about high tech related legislation and they will refer science and technology oriented inquiries to the Caucus' research arm, the Research Institute for Space, Science and Technology. Contact: Congressional Caucus for Science and Technology, House Annex Building 2, H2-226, 2nd and D Streets SW, Washington, DC 20515/202-226-7788. Great Outdoors The free catalogue Recreation and Outdoor Activities (SB-017) is a listing of Federal government publications on biking, water sports, national recreation areas, winter activities and more. Available from: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402/202-783-3238 Handicrafts A pamphlet containing information and a bibliography about crafts, both as an art and as a business, is available free of charge from: U.S. Small Business Administration, 1441 L Street NW, Washington, DC or your local SBA office. Hotline to The President Call 456-7198 in DC area or 800-424-9090 elsewhere to hear the President announce the latest news from the White House. How to Strike It Rich in the Government Oil and Gas Lottery Individuals can participate in public lotteries which offer the rights to extract oil and gas from federally owned land. For an application and further information contact: Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior, 18th and C Street NW, Room 3560, Washington, DC 20240/202-343-5717. Exercise and Your Heart This free booklet explains the relationship between exercise and a healthy heart and it offers practical information about what you can do to improve your heart. Available from: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Information Office, Building 31, Room 4A21, Bethesda, MD 20205. Information Guides The Library of Congress has published more than 100 Tracer Bullets, which are reference guides designed to help a reader begin to locate information on a subject about which he or she has only a general knowledge. Examples of these bullets are listed below. Each cites books, reports, periodicals, abstracting services and organizations for a particular topic. To order a bullet or obtain further information contact: Science and Technology Division, Reference Section, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540/ 202-287-5580. Biotechnology, Japanese Science and Technology, Alcoholism, Extraterrestrial Life, Women in the Sciences, Manned Space Flight, Personal Computing/Home Computers, Aging, Stress: Physiological and Psychological Aspects, Human Diet and Nutrition, Chemical and Biological Warfare, Insomnia (579N) This freebie covers the common causes of sleeplessness and ways to cope without medication. For a copy, write: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. International Youth Exchange Programs Your Guide to International Youth Exchange (512N) lists guidelines for selecting the right exchange program as a student, host family, or community volunteer. The guide also contains a directory of selected programs and services. The 64-page publication is available free of charge from: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Depression and Manic-Depressive Illness This publication describes the wide range of depression states, the biological factors related to depression and the treatments available. To obtain a free copy write: Information Office, National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Room 5C305, Bethesda, MD 20205. Mailing Help All you ever wanted to know about certified mail, forwarding mail, express mail, return receipts, postage meters, COD, and much more is described in a free 21-page booklet called A Consumer's Directory of Postal Services and Products. Copies can be obtained from your local post office or by writing to: Consumer Information Center, Department 532, Pueblo, CO 81009. Medical Care Free or Low-Cost at 5,000 Places Nationwide Call 800-638-0742 in Maryland or 800-492-0359 elsewhere for information about free and low-cost care in hospitals and other health facilities nationwide. Staff will send you a list of facilities in your area participating in the federal Hill-Burton Free Care Program. They will also send you a brochure describing eligibility guidelines and advise you about filing any questions you have about the program or care you may have received. Information can also be obtained by writing: BHMORD-JRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD (Note: Residents of Alaska and Hawaii must write for information, as the toll-free numbers do not service either state.) Menstrual Discomforts A freebie entitled Doing Something About Menstrual Discomforts (574N) discusses common problems related to menstruation and treatments, including a list of non-prescription drugs that relieve specific symptoms. Write: Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Mental Health Services A Consumer's Guide to Mental Health Services (544N) provides information on services ranging from financial aid to different kinds of therapy. The 21-page guide is available by writing: Consumer Information Center. P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Military Service Records You can obtain the service record of anyone who retired from the U.S. Military 75 or more years ago. Under certain circumstances you can also obtain information about individuals who retired earlier. A free booklet describing the process for obtaining these records is available from: Public Affairs Office, Department of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301/202-697-5737. Mining, Prospecting and Drilling on Public Lands Prospecting is still possible! You can look for and mine "hard rock" minerals on public lands administered by the federal government. You can also lease certain public lands to obtain oil, gas, coal, geothermal resources, and other mineral products. For information and free publications about this opportunity, contact the local offices of your U.S. Forest Service (USDA), or Bureau of Land Management (Department of Interior). You can also contact: United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, 12th and Independence Avenue SW, P.O. Box 2417, Washington, DC 20013/703-235-8010. Missing and Exploited Children Resources Guide A free publication entitled Directory of Support Services and Resources for Missing and Exploited Children describes nonprofit or public support groups throughout the country dedicated to assisting missing and exploited children and their parents. For a copy contact: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1835 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20006/202-634-9821. Missing Persons Locator Both the Social Security Administration and the U.S. military offer locator services. The Social Security Administration will help you locate a missing parent, lost child or other close relative as long as your reasons are humane. To activate the search, write a letter to your missing person and send it with as much personal information as possible, e.g. date of birth and place of residence, to the Social Security Administration. If the Administration can locate the person in its files, it will forward your letter to him or her. The Administration will not, however, give you the missing person's current address. For further information contact your local Social Security Information Office or send your missing person letter, along with pertinent information to: Social Security Administration, Public Inquiries, Department of Health and Human Services, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235/301-594-5970. Past and present military personnel trying to locate someone who is, or has been, in the military? Each branch of the Armed Services has a worldwide locator number you can call for information. The operator needs the full name, and if available the birth date and Social Security number, of the military person you are trying to locate. This service is free for military personnel or members of the immediate family. All other users must pay a fee of $2.85 and submit their request by mail. Air Force 512-652-5774 Mailing Address:AF MPC/MPC D003 9504 IH 35 N San Antonio, TX 78233-6636 (Make checks payable to Air Force, Randolph Air Force Base) Army 317-542-3647 Mailing Address:USAEREC ATTN: Locator Branch Ft.Harrison, IN 46249-5301 (Make check payable to U.S. Treasurer) Marine Corps 202-694-1861 Mailing Address:CMC MMRB-10 HQs U.S. Marine Corps Washington, DC 20380 (Make checks payable to the U.S. Treasury) Navy 202-694-3155 Mailing Address:To find non-family members: Naval Military Personnel Command N 0216 Washington, DC 20370-5021 To find a family member: Naval Military Personnel Command N 036CC Washington, DC 20370-5021 DC 20370-5036 (Make checks payable to the U.S. Treasury) Office Automation and Working Women: Issues for the Decade Ahead This publication discusses the most important issues women workers face in the electronic office. Single copies can be obtained free of charge. There is a nominal fee for multiple copies. Contact: Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210 (202)523-6611 Overseas Travel Programs for Americans The United States Information Agency (USIA) will pay American experts, who can contribute to foreign societies' understanding of the United States, to travel abroad and participate in seminars, colloquia or symposia. Subjects covered by American participants have included economics, international relations, U.S. social and political processes, arts and humanities, and science and technology. A free booklet American Participants, which describes the program, is available. Contact: American Participants, Office of Program Coordination and Development, U.S.I.A., 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 200, Washington, DC 20547/202-724-1900. Pamphlets Unlimited The free leaflet Vacations Unlimited! catalogs many low-cost ($2.25 - $7.00) travel publications available from the Federal Government. Available from: Vacations Unlimited!, Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402/202-783-3238. nder certain circumstances you can also obtain information about individuals who retired earli