Saturday, February 28, 2009

Upcoming Events at HPL Michigan Department of Civil Rights Tuesday, March 3 2:00 - 5:00 pm Torrent House. Money Management Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 – 7:30 pm A representative from the Michigan State University Extension office will be at Hackley Public Library to discuss personal money management. She will cover: Becoming more aware of spending habits and how making small changes add up significantly in a years time. The importance of setting a monthly spending plan and sticking to it. Having a file system. Saving ideas for home, at the gas pump, on gifts, and on food. Needs vs. Wants. Paying with Cash, Credit, Cash Advances, Rent-To-Own The program is free, but in order to have enough handouts, please call the Library at 231-722-7276 to register. Muskegon County Genealogical Society Tuesday, March 3 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Meets at the Torrent House Computer Class--Intro to Computers Wednesday, March 4 6:00 - 7:30 pm Introduction to computers will offer an introduction to what a computer is and how to use it. It is designed for beginners with little or no knowledge of computers. Topics covered will include an explanation of Windows and files, how to turn on a computer, and how to use the mouse. Class size is limited. Please call ahead to register (231-722-7276).Registration starts on February 1. The class will be held at Hackley Public Library. Computer Class--Intro to Computers Wednesday, March 4 9:00 - 10:30 am Introduction to computers will offer an introduction to what a computer is and how to use it. It is designed for beginners with little or no knowledge of computers. Topics covered will include an explanation of Windows and files, how to turn on a computer, and how to use the mouse. Class size is limited. Please call ahead to register (231-722-7276).Registration starts on February 1. The class will be held at Hackley Public Library. SEIU Meeting Thursday, March 5 5:00 pm Torrent House. How to get Published Tuesday, March 10, 6:30-7:30 pm Have you written a book but don’t know what steps to take next to get it published? Roger Rapoport, of RDR Publishing, will discuss the steps to getting your book in print and share his extensive knowledge of the publishing industry. Mr. Rapoport is a published author whose latest book is “Citizen Moore: the life and times of an American Iconoclast”. The program will take place at the Library at 6:30 on March 10. This is a free program but seating is limited. Pleases call ahead to register so we can provide enough seats. Call the Hackley Public Library at 231-722-7276 for more information. Rotary Meeting Tuesday, March 10 12:00 - 1:30 pm Torrent House. Ulysses Group Tuesday, March 10 10:00 am Book Discussion Group. For more information call 231-722-7276. MS Support Group Wednesday, March 11 5:30 - 7:30 pm Torrent House. Muskegon Lumberjacks Hockey Stars Wed. March 11 6:30 PM Meet players from Muskegon’s IHL hockey team at Youth Services. Kids will get a close up look at the game, equipment and life as an athlete. One lucky volunteer will play one-on-one Sock Hockey against a Lumberjack. The Door Prize winner will go home with 4 free game tickets. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Yarnspinners Wednesday, March 11 7:00 - 9:00 pm Torrent House. Storytelling Group. Michigan Department of Civil Rights Thursday, March 12 2:00 - 5:00 pm Torrent House Hands On Genealogy Workshop Saturday, March 14 Learn how to do Genealogy research in the Local History Department, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. “Ruff Reader” - Kids Read to Dogs! Saturday, March 14 2 PM The Reading Dogs are back! Kids will boost reading skills at this popular program from last fall. Sign up for a private read-aloud session with a trained Listener Dog. The friendly pooches are from West Michigan Therapy Dog, Inc. Read aloud sessions are 15 minutes. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. 3:22:51 PM     Reminder: Librarian guide on the Federal Budget Process. With the release of President Obama's budget this week, I wanted to draw your attention to a "Guide of the Week" I did last July: Guide of the Week: Federal Budget Process Jerry Breeze's guide hasn't been updated for FY 2010, but I assume it will be when more FY 2010 budget docs are released. As is, it's really good background for people who are just starting to pay attention to the federal budget. [Free Government Information (FGI) blogs] 3:06:22 PM     USPS Postal Price Calculator Gives Quick Cost to Send via Snail Mail [Snail Mail] . The USPS Postal Price Calculator is a simple web app hosted by the US Postal Service that helps you quickly suss out the cost of everything from delivering a postcard to Dubai to posting a package to Peru. (See what I did?) It's quick and simple, but very useful if you send a lot of parcels via snail mail. [Postage Price Calculator] [Lifehacker] 3:05:44 PM     Remodeling: Do It Yourself or Contract It Out Before I get into my topic, I want to thank the folks who read my blog about the "shower/toilet brush incident" and expressed their concerns by sending 57 toilet brushes, 92 bottles of shower gel, and 131 shower brushes. Kidding! Instead, I got a bunch of bad puns and some razzing from my co-workers. I did get a bottle of shower gel and a new shower brush from a concerned co-worker which will come in handy when our bathroom renovation is completed. We are giving our 70's bathroom a facelift. Normally, my husband and I are "do-it-yourselfers." Over the years we have done quite a few renovation projects. Because we are already working on a kitchen project for my husband's mother, we decided to contract out the work this time for our bathroom. When considering doing-it-yourself home improvements versus contracting out there is a lot to think about. The labor portion of any project is the most costly aspect. By doing home renovations yourself, you can potentially save a lot of money, but don't forget to figure in the cost of tools and other supplies you may need to purchase. If you make mistakes during the project, they are on you to fix and it may cost you more than you planned. The outcome of a project depends a lot on the amount of skill that went into the work. If you don't have the correct skills or tools, you may end up with work that is less than satisfactory. My tip for building your renovation skills: find people with professional-level skills (friends of friends willing to barter or work small projects for extra cash) who are willing to let you work along side them as they teach you. You can use those skills in future projects. Working with a contractor may require a lot of schedule juggling, and nothing is more frustrating than taking time off from work only to have the scheduled contractor not show up. The down side to doing the work yourself is that it may take you a lot longer to finish than a professional. If, after considering all of these factors, you think it would be best to find a contractor, here are some helpful links that can guide you: FCIC Consumer Focus on Home Maintenance Home Sweet Home Improvement Home Improvements and Repair : Selecting a Contractor Consumeraction.gov Home Improvements and Repair HUD Home Improvements page The contractor just finished the bathroom and while I am pleased with the result, my final word on the subject is that I think we will go back to doing-it-ourselves. What can I say? I have a sledge hammer and I like to use it! So, how about you? Are you a do-it-yourselfer? How do you feel about home contractors? Have you had good experiences or bad? - Ginger [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 3:05:04 PM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 3/2/2009; 11:02:42 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien