Hi All,

As if you didn't know already, the Super Bowl is being played this Sunday.  Click on this link to learn more about the big game!

However, I want to do something a bit different this year!  I want to talk about the various alternative things that folks can do if they do NOT watch the Super Bowl this year.

This link - from Gawker - has a bunch of different ideas that you can try if you don't want to watch the Super Bowl. Some of their ideas include eating out at a restaurant, going to the theater or a gym or go shopping....

Interestingly enough, ESPN has a bunch of ideas for things to do if you don't want to watch the game...click here for ESPN's take on the topic. 

The Huffington Post chimed in on the topic as well.  Click here for details - and they list 9 different things that you can do instead of watching SB49! Wisebread has an even larger list of 49 (!!) things you can do on Super Bowl Sunday - other than watch the game! 

Finally, Hubpages.com has an article titled, 'I Hate Football! 25 Things to Do Instead of Watching the Super Bowl'.  

That should give you enough options to figure out what to do for the 4 long, interminable hours that the Super Bowl takes to be played. 

Enjoy the links - hope you enjoy staying busy!

Regards,
Stu

Hi All,

What does the number 529 mean to you?  Is it a batting average or a birthdate?  In terms of education - specifically your children - does it mean anything? Well...it does have a pretty darn important meaning if you want to send your children to college. 

A 529 plan is a college savings plan that is a tax-advantaged program that is created to help families save for a child's future education expense. (The name '529' comes from the IRS Code section that specifies the plans' tax advantages.)

Click on this link to learn about the general characteristics of 529 college savings plans, how it can help you save for college, what kinds of plans are available and choosing a 529 plan. In addition, this website has links for parents, grandparents and family & friends.

And, since many folks - okay, probably 95% of you - who read this blog live in Farmingdale/Long Island area, you might want to visit the New York State site for 529 plans.  Clicking on this link enables users to learn about the plan benefits, investments, open an account, a section of FAQ's and resources about 'all-things-529-related'. 

Finally, readers would be well advised to take a look at the site called 'Savingforcollege.com' - this particular link has an entry called 'Which is the best 529 plan available?' Alternatively, users can click on this link from the Huffington Post, titled, 'The Best and Worst 529 College Saving Plans of 2014'.

Finally, to learn more about the best and worst 529 plans, users can do a simple Google search for the phrase 'New York State 529 Plans Best Worst'.

Hope the post was educational and helpful.

Regards,

Stu

Everything Snow Related

Hi All,

Because of the anticipated major (possibly historic) snow storm that is expected later today and tomorrow, today's blog post is ALL ABOUT THE SNOW!

Click on this link for Mayor DiBlasio's recent statement about the impending blizzard.

What is the difference between a snowstorm and a blizzard?  Click on this link to find out!

How to be safe in a blizzard? Click on this link for advice on how to drive safely in a blizzard - if you have to drive that is. And click on this link for even more blizzard driving tips. 

Click on this link for a more general set of 'things to do' when preparing for a blizzard. 

Under the stock up section: And...this link discusses what to stock up with when you are the supermarket and preparing for a blizzard.

What to do during a blizzard - especially with kids and children.  And this link for more things to do with kids when you are stuck inside during a blizzard.

Once the snow has stopped and you are outside....click on this link for how to make a snowman.  And this link on how to make snow angels.  And this link on how to make an igloo.

Finally, click on this link for some awesome images of mounds and piles of snow, snow, snow!!!  After about Tuesday night you'll be sick and tired of these images....

Enjoy the blizzard and drive safely.

Regards,
Stu

Hubble Site - Science For You!

(Hubble Space Telescope pictured at left)


Hi All,

Just a quickie post on this grey, rainy/snowy, cold winter Saturday afternoon...

Hubble Site is the website for the Space Telescope Science Institute (STSCI).  What does that mean for you?  Well, simply put there are videos, galleries, education links, links to the Webb Telescope and Astronomy Exploration for folks who visit the website. 

What I wanted to share today were the photos from the Gallery section of the site.  To say the photos are awesome is an understatement!!!  Click on this link for a bunch of Hubble Space Telescopes' Top Shots.  Click on this link for Hubble Telescope Wallpaper for your computer!

Learn a bit about how the pictures were generated by clicking on this link!  And for the latest news releases click on this link - the HubbleSite Newscenter link.  (It is a complete collection of every Hubble Space Telescope new release and supporting materials.  Additional tools and resources to learn more about astronomy are included!)

And if you are completely obsessed - or just a bit interested in the Hubble Space Telescope - users might want to click on this page - the Stay Connected page which lets users access Hubble images, news, updates and video anytime, anywhere from your smartphone!  How cool is that.  And, users can be put on an email list by visiting the Stay Connected page as well.

Enjoy the photos and the videos from the Hubble Space Telescope - they are awe-inspiring.

Regards,
Stu

DIY Forms at NYCourts.gov

Hi All,

Regular readers of this blog will remember that I recently was chosen for jury duty.  While serving - and waiting to be called - I walked around the courthouse.  And low and behold I found a very interesting (and helpful) website: NYCourts.gov.

This very helpful site has links for Families & Children, Abuse & Harassment, Problems with Money, Small Claims Court, Homes & Eviction, Name Change, Guardianship and When Someone Dies. 

Also on the site is a section for DIY forms.  DIY stands for 'Do-It-Yourself'. 

There are forms on topics as varied as Divorce, Child Support, Paternity, Problems with Money, Name Changes and more. 

Click on this link to visit the Nassau County Bar Association and this link (Lawyer Referral Service) to find attorneys who will work with you for free - if you need their assistance.

I hope the links are helpful!

Regards,
Stu