On Today in New York this morning, there was a segment on one of our top resolutions for the new year–losing weight and getting healthy!  PC Mike’s article lists a number of apps that will make your goal easier to attain.  And, I’d like to add my personal favorite, Lose It! which will be getting a workout from me!  Now we just need an app to give us will power!

~mary anne
Follow Us OnTwitter! @wiltonlibrary
Like Us On Facebook: Wilton Library Association

2011 has been a pretty terrific year!  Technology has only gotten better and the newest gadgets (e.g., tablets) have many options and price points.  Here’s Mashable’s list of the best emerging technologies from 2011. . . .  The future is now!  Happy New Year to all!

~mary anne
Follow Us OnTwitter! @wiltonlibrary
Like Us On Facebook: Wilton Library Association

It’s Christmas Eve and one of my favorite activities is tracking Santa!  NORAD has many ways for you to see where he is and it’s a great way to travel the Earth vicariously.  Read this Huffington Post article to know when to have your cookies and milk ready!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. . .

~mary anne
Follow Us OnTwitter! @wiltonlibrary
Like Us On Facebook: Wilton Library Association

Have you ever passed through airport security only to find that you now have a rather long flight delay?  Keep an eye open for a new service–Minute Suites–that is beginning to open at some airport hubs.  The small rooms have a desk, Internet access, and a daybed.  No plumbing; you must use the airport restrooms.  The biggest plus is privacy and the cost is $30 for the first hour; $7.50 for each additional 15 minutes with discounts after a four-hour stay.  More details are in this New York Times article by Christine Negroni.  Happy travels!

~mary anne
Follow Us OnTwitter! @wiltonlibrary
Like Us On Facebook: Wilton Library Association

Buying a laptop, cell phone, eReader, or tablet is a very personal choice.  The look, feel, weight, and size matter in different ways to each of us.  It’s also important to read reviews on these products as they can be rather expensive and you want to make the best choice possible in your price range.  In his article, Donald Bell of cnet lists the 10 worst tablets of 2011.  You might want to read his article before you do your last minute shopping.

~mary anne
Follow Us OnTwitter! @wiltonlibrary
Like Us On Facebook: Wilton Library Association

Did you go to Google (www.google.com) and type “let it snow” into the search box?

Hope you are having a happy holiday season!

~mary anne
Follow Us OnTwitter! @wiltonlibrary
Like Us On Facebook: Wilton Library Association

The 2012 Golden Globe Award nominations have been announced and we will learn who the winners are on Sunday, January 15, 2012.  Our media librarian, Melissa Baker, keeps our shelves stocked with the latest and greatest movie titles for you.  Click here to search for your favorite DVD.  You may reserve your choices online and even pick them up (after we call you) at our drive thru window.

~mary anne
Follow Us OnTwitter! @wiltonlibrary
Like Us On Facebook: Wilton Library Association

If you haven’t already heard, today is the day that Facebook begins rolling out its highly anticipated Timeline. This article by Sam Biddle of Gizmodo tells us about it, shows us what it will look like, and notes that all of your life can be chronicled in one place. The Today Show is giving a preview of Ann Curry’s page as I write this and the map feature they are highlighting is very interesting too. If you travel extensively or want to chronicle information on your ancestors, you will want to check this out.  Timeline hasn’t hit my account yet but I want to remind you that anything you post anywhere on the Internet will be there (in some fashion) forever.  I’ll let you know what I think when it arrives in my account!

~mary anne
Follow Us OnTwitter! @wiltonlibrary
Like Us On Facebook: Wilton Library Association

This article by Matt Richtel of The New York Times advises us that the name showing up on your Caller ID may not be from the caller it says it is from. Increasingly, spammers and scammers are using technology in bad ways, identifying themselves as Humane Society and other legitimate charities.

In this time of need, when real charities are trying desperately to help those less fortunate, be very careful when answering calls from charities, investment opportunities, and the like. If you want to make a donation, call the charity directly–get their phone number from the phone book or online.  Do not divulge personal information to anyone who calls you.  One never knows who is on the other end of the phone.  Keep yourself safe by not giving information to anyone who cold calls you.

~mary anne
Follow Us OnTwitter! @wiltonlibrary
Like Us On Facebook: Wilton Library Association

People often ask “what would I use Excel for”?  Here’s something I’ve been doing for years and it truly simplifies my Thanksgiving menu shopping.  Our Thanksgiving menus do not often change dramatically from year to year so once you do this, it just takes minor tweaking to update it each year.

I created a spreadsheet with five columns:  Recipe, Item, Amount, Measurement, and Store.  Then, I enter rows for each menu item as follows:

Baked Stuffed Mushrooms     Mushrooms, Fresh       24      Pieces         Grocery

Baked Stuffed Mushrooms      Pecans                             1         cup              Grocery

Mulled Cider                               Apple Cider                     1         gallon        Grocery

Red Wine                                     Pinot Noir                       4        bottles         Liquor Store

Be sure to convert measurements to a standard.  That is, for Butter, I convert sticks and cups to tablespoons.  Once all the menu items are entered, sort the list by Item.  This will group all instances of Butter together, all instances of Celery together, etc.  Then, subtotal for each change in Item.  This will insert lines in the spreadsheet totaling how much Butter you need, how many stalks of Celery you need, etc.

I print the subtotaled list, cross out all the items I do not have to buy and then shop for what’s left.  If I change one or two recipes the following year, I just delete the rows for those recipes, add rows for the new recipes, sort, subtotal, and print.  It is amazing how much time is saved by keeping this spreadsheet!  Time to get ready to go out to pick up my Thanksgiving groceries.  Our best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful Thanksgiving from all of us at Wilton Library.

~mary anne
Follow Us OnTwitter! @wiltonlibrary
Like Us On Facebook: Wilton Library Association