Halloween Part I

Hi All,

Just a few links to 'things related to Halloween' today...I might have a part II entry if this one is popular enough....or not.  But remember, Halloween is this Saturday - so get your costumes and candy ready.  The trick-or-treaters will be coming to score the loot!!!!

Want to Know if Your Halloween Costume is Unoriginal? Just Ask Google.

Halloween movies that just aren't scary.

Halloween movies that are scary. No seriously...

Halloween movies for kids....awww...how cute.

Halloween parties on Long Island

Best Halloween Events on Long Island for Kids 

Halloween Party Checklist

How to Plan the Perfect Halloween Party

Top 10 Halloween Candy - List I
America's Favorite Halloween Candy - List II
And America's Favorite Halloween Candy - List III - because I'm really, really thorough!  :)

Enjoy the links!

Regards,
Stu

Money, Money, Money....

Hi All,

I've got a riddle for you.  What is green, everybody wants more of it, some people have a lot of it, and some people don't have a lot of it?   Take a guess...

It's money.  Yep - we all need it to get by in this life and world.  And even though I've shied away from blogging about websites that discuss or cover money over the first few years of this blog...I've recently been writing about it a bit more. 

Today's entry is a poorly named site - Rockstar Finance - but it has lots of good, quality, useful and interesting money/finance/saving related articles.  Rockstar Finance bills itself as 'a collection of awesome money articles'. Basically it finds money and investing and budgeting articles from other blogs and sites from around the web and publishes them...interesting.  And its a good place to find lots of useful and timely money related articles.

There really isn't any index or summary on the site - just a long page of interesting, timely money related articles arranged chronologically. 

There is a category section beneath the top mast of the page though. It has 17 or so categories.  Highlights of these categories include budgeting, building wealth, debt, early retirement, frugality, home ownership, minimalism and retirement.

Examples of the types of articles on the site under the 'budgeting' category include:
Why Car Payments Suck
Everything We Know About Money on Index Cards
The Power of Not Budgeting
20 Things I'd Tell My 20-Year-Old-Self
How MacArthur Geniuses Handle Their Windfalls
3 Tricks I Use to Spend Less....
My 12 Year Old's Secrets to Saving Money

Enjoy the sites and hopefully the advice and ideas will pay off - or at least you'll find the articles interesting and useful.

Regards,
Stu

Civil Service Job Assistance

Hi All,

Some folks might be preparing for local civil service examinations and need assistance in studying for the test.  Welcome (and thank you) New York State Department of Civil Service!  This link has test guides and resource booklets for local examinations.

Examples of jobs on the page - as of 10/20/15 at least - included the following:

• Account/Audit Clerical Series(263KB)
• Caseworker Series(271KB)
• Clerical/Steno/Typist Series, Entry-Level(274KB)
• Correction Officer Series, Entry-Level(337KB)
• Custodians and Janitors Series, Entry-Level(229KB)
• Custodians and Janitors Series, High-Level(253KB)
• Director of Facilities Series(918KB)
• Fire Chief/Assistant Fire Chief Series(398KB)
• Firefighter Series(136KB)
• Higher Level Account Clerical Series(423KB)
• Investigator Series(168KB)
• Local Civil Deputy Series(305KB)
• Local Court Security Series(344KB)
• Police Chief/Assistant Police Chief Series(204KB)
• Police Officer, Entry-Level(87KB)
• Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff Exam - Frequently Asked Questions
• Police Supervisors/Investigators Series(404KB)
• Second- and Third-Line Police Supervisors Series(299KB)
• Public Health Technician Series(84KB)
• Safety and Security Series(439KB)
• Senior Stenographer/Senior Typist Series(347KB)
• Social Welfare Examiner Series(289KB)
• State and Local Identification Series(275KB)
• Toll Collector Series(1.04MB)
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator/Trainee Series(224KB)

Some of the job titles might be helpful to you - others not so much.  Note also that the documents open in Adobe Acrobat - the number in parentheses is the size of the document.  Also not that test guide are made available to the public on this site 60 days prior to the date of the written test.

Also note that they (civil service) suggest going back to the site each week to see if any new job announcements are posted.  It changes from week-to-week.

For a quick look at the Nassau County Civil Service website, click here.

On this site users can find examination announcements, a section of Frequently Asked Questions, Physical Fitness Requirements,  information on Section 85 A/B Civil Service law and links to the main Nassau County website.

Hope the links and the sites help you secure the job that you want!

Regards,
Stu

Funny Amazon.com Reviews

Hi All,

Amazon.com is - as many of you know - a huge online retailer. Of everything.  From books, to motorcycles to diapers to deodorant to car parts and much, much more. It sells everything - and fast. 

What's more, it allows customers to review products that they have purchased.

So, of course, people being people, some folks like to write funny, clever, interesting product or book reviews. It all makes for very interesting reading - if you have time.  So...here are a bunch of websites that combine 'funny Amazon.com product reviews'.  Enjoy the sites - but more to the point, enjoy the funny reviews from customers!

Funny Reviews - from the Amazon site
WordStream Version of Funniest Amazon.com Reviews
16 Hilariously Inappropriate Amazon Reviews 
The MarySue - 50 Funny Amazon Reviews 
TheKitchn - 5 Funniest Reviews 
Business Insider - 11 of the Most Hilarious Amazon Reviews

Enjoy the sites and the reviews.

Regards,
Stu

Saving Money Is Where It's At!

Hi All,

Back in December 2014, Yahoo Finance! published an article with the title '11 Websites That Will Make You Smarter About Money'. 11 websites were mentioned, but I want to discuss the first one - heck, I might even revisit the article in the future and discuss other sites mentioned in the article - or not...I'll see.

Anyway the site in question is Wise Bread. It bills itself as 'personal finance and frugal living forums'. It also bills itself as 'Living Large on a Small Budget' on the masthead of the website. So if you want to learn how to save money from everyday people, this is the place to go.  Wise Bread writers share both their own experiences and tips...so the site is really, really good for advice on the everyday challenges of spending less and saving more.

Wise Bread has sections on Credit Cards, Personal Finance, Frugal Living, Career, Life Hacks, Best Deals, Top PF Blogs and more.  Note also that the site has a search box at the top right side of the screen.  Discussing each of these sections in detail would result in far more than a simple blog post. It has the makings of a chapter of book.  So I'll discuss just one section of the Wise Bread website: Frugal Living.  Readers can click this link to go to the main Wise Bread page and peruse the rest of the site on his or her own...besides, isn't that half the fun of the web?

The Frugal Living section of Wise Bread is broken up into sub-channels: Budgeting, DIY, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Green Living, Health and Beauty, Home, Lifestyle, Shopping, Style and Travel.

Under the various sub-channels are popular articles and the latest articles in budgeting.  As of 10/14/15 the top 3 articles on budgeting were:
1. How Much Engagement Ring Can You Actually Afford?
2. These 5 Apps Will Help You Finally Organized Your Money?
3. Best Money tips: Common Mistakes in Your Family Budget

And the list has at least a dozen other articles that readers might do well to read.  Readers can make comments on the various articles, share them via Facebook, Tweet them via Twitter and Pin them via Pinterest.

Finally, readers can subscribe to the site by clicking on this link.  Content is powered by Feedburner and users can subscribe using a variety of web-based news readers. 

So if you are interested in saving money, or learning about personal finance or getting career information or getting the inside scoop on credit cards, you might want to visit Wise Bread!

Regards,
Stu

Easy Reading...

Hi All,

Introducing our new Easy Reading collection! Read on for more information on this new, exciting, modern collection of material for the easy reader in your life!



Who: For patrons who want or need easy reading books.

What: Easy Reading books are less complicated, interesting, current and modern fiction titles.

When: All the titles in the collection were published between 2013 and 2015.

Where: The collection is located in our Teacher's Center which next to the Quiet Reading room under the clock in the library on the first floor.

Why: Because we're a library and we want to help readers of all ages and abilities to well, read!

How: We bought a bunch of titles for the collection including:

The Boom Room - Rick Blechta
The Thirteenth Rose - Gail Bowen
The Artful Goddaughter - Melodie Campbell
The Goddaughters' Revenge - Melodie Campbell
Dirty Work - Reed Coleman
The Boardwalk (A Gulliver Dowd mystery) - Reed Coleman
The Night Thief - Barbara Fradkin
Beethoven's Tenth (A Frank Ryan mystery) - Brian Harvey
A Woman Scorned - James Heneghan
Just Gone - William Kowalski
Him Standing - Richard Wagamese

Enjoy the titles and if you have any questions about this new collection come back to the Reference Desk and ask a Reference librarian!

Regards,
Stu

Internet Speed Tests

Hi All,

It takes bandwidth - think lots of fiber optic cables and such - to get your videos, chats, pictures, Instagram stuff and more to your house.  But how fast is my computer you might be asking?

Good question...there are lots of internet speed tests out there on the web.  Some might ask you to download software in order to perform the test...I prefer not to download software due to the spam/virus/malware threat that software downloads can create...

So...you might want to do an internet speed test using any of these free speed tests...
AT&T Speed Test
Test Your Broadband Speed
SpeakEasy Speed Test 
TestMy.net
Top Tips to Speed Up Your Internet Service

Enjoy the sites - hope your upload and download speed are really, really fast!

Regards,
Stu

SeniorNet - EAC Network - Computer classes

Hi All,

SeniorNet just sent the Farmingdale Public Library a very helpful pamphlet. Its filled with lots of information about the SeniorNet computer class program. 

EAC's SeniorNet Computer Learning Centers make learning easy and fund for seniors. So, what kinds of classes are offered?  Classes include computer basics, Windows 7, Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, email, searching the internet, the iPad and more.

One time classes for busy folks are available on topics like smartphones, internet security, social media and Facebook.  But wait...there's more!

Classes are held at three locations on Long Island:

Town of North Hempstead Dept of Services for the Aging
470 Old Westbury Road, Roslyn Heights

William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Park
28 W. Carl Street, Hicksville

The Bristal Assisted Living @ North Hills
99 South Service Road, North Hills

SeniorNet computer clases are offered four times a year:
Winter classes begin in January
Spring classes begin in April
Summer classes begin in June
Fall classes begin in September

Registration for each session starts about one month before classes begin.  If you are interested call SeniorNet at 516-529-0150 ext 130.  If you need to leave a message there is voicemail.  A volunteer will return your call the same day.  Future students can download class forms by clicking on this link.  Click on SeniorNet under 'Opportunities For Seniors' for forms and mailing information.

Enjoy the programs and services - and enjoy your new found knowledge of computers!

Regards,
Stu

Old Farmer's Almanac

Hi All,

The Old Farmer's Almanac.  It's old - the first issue was published way back in 1792! And it is an almanac!  Click on this link to visit the The Old Farmer's Almanac website.

So, what does the site include you ask?  It has lots of juicy nuggets on topics as varies as tide tables, sunrise/sunset charts, recipes, forecasts and much, much more.

Click on the following links to learn more about TOFA take on that topic: Weather, Astronomy, Gardening, Calendar, Food, and Advice.

Best known for its weather advice and forecasts, the link to Weather enables users to enter a location by city, state or zip code. 

A four day weather forecast is also shown.  But wait, there's more! Complete 7 day weather forecasts are available as if the long range weather forecast.   Weather history is available - which is a rarity on the web these days.

Long Range weather information is available for various regions around the United States.  For example,  the weather report for the Atlantic Corridor can be found here.

Free newsletters are also available from the TOFA. Topics include the Almanac Weekly Companion, The Almanac.com General Store, Almanac Recipe Box  and the Great Almanac Giveaway. 

The TOFA Gardening link has a myriad of links and vital information for gardeners of all stripes.  For example there is a gardening question of the day, a planting calendar, a link to gardening articles, growing guides to vegetables and more, a section on garden pests and disease and links to gardening for beginners.  

What a site - now we know why The Old Farmer's Almanac has been around since 1792.  Its filled with useful, timely information!

Enjoy the site.

Regards,
Stu

Khan Academy - Educational site for Students

Hi All,

You might have heard about it, or read about it...its a very valuable, free, educational website for students from 1st grade to college!  What is it you ask?

Khan Academy. Khan Academy's mission is to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.  Now that's a broad, ambitious goal...but check out the site and the various topics they cover.  You'll be impressed with the coverage and broad array of topics available for study.

Subjects covered at the Khan Academy include Math, Science, Economics/Finance, Arts/Humanities, Computing, Tes Preparation, College Admissions and Coach resources. But wait, there's more.  Subjects are available for students from Kindergarten all the way up to the college level. 

Specific topics run the gamut of geometry, algebra, calculus, linear algebra, microeconomics, biology, chemistry, physics, art history basics, computer programming, SAT, MCAT, GMAT preparation and much,much more. 

Once users sign on to the site and choose the topic they navigate there way to videos that will explain the topic or the problem(s) that they are interested in.   Also, community questions are available for students to review and question answers are readily available for students.

More than likely, users will get the best possible experience from the Khan Academy by logging in and creating a free account. ,

Khan Academy partners include Dartmough College, The Aspen Institute, MIT+K12, NASA, The Brookings Institution, Pixar in a Box and NOVA Labs. 

Finally, for more information, click on this link for the Khan Academy blog.

Enjoy the site - and I hope it helps you to get better grades in school!

Regards,
Stu