Four quick things every citizen should know from Governor Rick Snyder's new Dollars & Sense: How State and Local Governments in Michigan Spend Your Money guide to the public's checkbook. State Treasurer Andy Dillon says Lansing is about to experience "shock therapy."

Seniors have more affordable options for health coverage. At HealthCare.gov you can explore your coverage and pricing options viewing the vidcast at this site. Find out which private insurance plans, public programs, and community services are available to you. HealthCare.gov is a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services — 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. — Washington, D.C. 20201. (Image Credit: HealthCare.gov)

Does your baby, toddler, or preschooler need help sleeping peacefully through the night? Kim West, also known as The Sleep Lady, has the guide for you. West's book, The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook will teach you techniques for giving your child a good night's rest. Covering the newborn stage up to age five, this book offers many solutions for the tired household. Check it out from the Parenting section in the Children's Department.

The U. S. Surgeon General has created an online tool called My Family Health portrait to help families gather medical information. Because many diseases have a genetic component, families can become more aware of the health risks they may face. The Surgeon General recommends learning the medical history of at least three generations. The tool they've developed has questions you should ask. The website assures complete privacy for participants.

When is memory loss cause for concern? Possible signs are forgetting common words and using odd ones in their place, asking the same questions repeatedly, becoming lost in familiar places, mood swings, misplacing items in odd places… In these instances it is important to seek medical help sooner rather than later in the event it is Alzheimer's. However, simple forgetfulness could be the result of fever, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, poor nutrition… To sharpen the brain experts recommend memory games and crossword puzzles. To boost your memory, post a large calendar to record appointments and make a to-do list.

This is an inspirational story about a mother's unconditional love for her child. Knowing Jesse by Marianne Leone is about a family's remarkable journey with their son Jesse, a child born with cerebral palsy. You may recognize the father's face on the book cover. It's Academy Award actor, Chris Cooper.

In a New York Times article about Alzheimer's Disease called The Vanishing Mind, the benefits of chocolate as a soother for aggitated nursing home patients was extolled. This is just one of alternative ways to treat individuals with Alzheimer's Physicians researchers are investigating.

AARP’s “We Need to Talk” online seminar sponsored by The Hartford provides practical tips and advice on how to recognize when it’s time to limit or stop driving and how to discuss the topic with loved ones. AARP recommends you complete the three modules in sequence. Each takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and you will learn what value driving has to older adults, how to objectively assess driving skills, and how to discuss limiting and/or stopping to drive.

It's that time of year when the hustle and bustle during the holiday season starts to take its toll. Being in crowded malls, family gatherings, and office parties brings us together in close proximity and that means more opportunities for cold and flu viruses to spread more rapidly. Here are some tips to avoid getting sick and check out this book, The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick.

Things happen. Emergencies of all types happen. Sometimes we are prepared, sometimes we are not. The Department of Homeland Security has developed Ready Kids, a website for kids and their families, aimed to help everyone be ready for many different types of unexpected situations! There are activities and information to help your family get prepared for a variety of emergencies, from fires to tornadoes to earthquakes. Let the Mountain Lion family guide you through the planning process so you can graduate from Readiness U!