Build Your Vocabulary One Word A Day

If you’re interested in words, their origins, their beauty as part of a living language and you’d like to expand your understanding and use of them, try subscribing to Wordsmith’s Word A Day service. You’ll receive an e-mail every morning with a word and its definition, pronunciation, derivation, an example of its use in a sentence and, as a bonus, a pithy quotation.

http://wordsmith.org/awad/

Looking For A Used Book?

You could come to the Library and check out our on-going book sale. All items are half-price through June. In case you want to broaden your search, here’s are 2 links to antiquarian and used book stores in CT–with links to lists of similar stores in nearby states as well.

http://www.bookdirectory.org/ This is the CT Antiquarian Booksellers Directory.

http://www.abaa.org/books/abaa/databases/bookseller_search.html This is the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America website.

How To Get Rid Of Unsolicited Junk Mail

Save a tree, actually, save millions of trees by opting out of receiving unsolicited junk mail and catalogs. Here are a few ways:

Go to: www.optoutprescreen.com to stop unsolicited credit card offers.

Go to: www.catalogchoice.org to select the catalogs you want to receive and opt out of receiving others.

Go to the Direct Marketing Association’s website for consumers at: http://www.dmachoice.org/consumerassistance.php to remove your name from mailing and call lists that are used by most advertisers.

One Thing You Can Do

Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell recently announced a new edition of the One Thing movement in the state: a new website– http://onethingct.com/

“A OneThing is a simple step you take to save energy. But it’s more than that. It’s also the mindset that you can make a difference. A movement to get everyone involved. And a solution to help ensure a better energy future here in Connecticut.”

Here at the Essex Library, we would also encourage everyone to do another thing every day: Read. Read for pleasure, read for intellectual pursuit, read to be a role model for your children, read for whatever reason motivates you.

What’s Your Mileage?

Want to know what mileage you’re getting with your car? Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Vehicle Guide to look up your car model and see its highway and city fuel economy statistics.

http://epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do;jsessionid=8230fd1ea45a325b1866

The CIA World Fact Book

The CIA, yes, the Central Intelligence Agency, provides some of the information they gather about world countries in a nicely organized format that is available for free online. If you want to know more about Myanmar, for instance, just look it up–under Burma. There you will find information on the geography, politics, people, economy, government and more. The Fact Book is now updated regularly instead of annually.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

Nine Free Must-Have Computer Applications From Windows Secrets

If you’re looking to improve your PC or laptop’s performance, look no further than the Windows Secrets newsletter- “Everything Microsoft Forgot To Mention.” The particular article I’m referring readers to today is the one about nine free-ware must-have applications. They, like Consumer Reports, have test driven apps that have been recommended by others (PC Magazine, Computer Shopper, PC World, for instance) and here are the nine that pass muster.

http://windowssecrets.com/2008/04/24/02-Nine-must-have-freeware-apps-rise-to-the-top

Read Roger

If you’re looking for an amicable blog with erudite things to say about books–both adult and children’s–and other interesting cultural swimming pools, check out Roger Sutton’s Read Roger. Written by The Horn Book’s Editor-in-Chief, who has also been a children’s and young adult librarian, Read Roger is serious opinion with a humorous icing.

Securities And Exchange Commission For Seniors

Whether you are nearing — or already enjoying — retirement, it pays to stay on top of your finances. Nearly one-third of all U.S. investors are between 50 and 64 years of age, and approximately 5 million senior citizens succumb to financial abuse each year. The SEC provides a website with advice for being a smart and safe investor–no matter what your age. Specific topics of advice include:

• avoid investment scams that target particular groups, such as seniors.
• the basic questions you should ask about your investments and the people who sell them.
• what you need to know about managing risk and not keeping “all your eggs in one basket.”
• how to identify and steer clear of potential frauds.
• your legal rights, how to deal with cold calls, and how to stop them.
• questions you should ask yourself before you invest a large payment.
• what you need to know about professional designations.

http://www.sec.gov/investor/seniors.shtml