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November 30, 2005
For those of you with a passion for men's fashion...
In the 1970s, John T. Molloy's bestselling book Dress for Success initiated a generation of men into the world of fashion. Geared toward the business professional, the book provided advice on selecting shirts, shoes, ties, and accessories. The phenomenon of male fashion books did not end with Dress for Success. The works of Alan Flusser, author and clothing designer have been particularly noteworthy over the years. More recently, a wide range of men's clothing books have been published. Here are a few examples available for checkout from the Hinsdale public library:
- Kressley, Carson: Off the cuff : the essential style guide for men and the women who love them
- Lands' End business attire for men : mastering the new ABCs of what to wear to work
- Nicholson, JoAnna: Dressing smart for men : 101 mistakes you can't afford to make-- and how to avoid them
- Gross, Kim Johnson: Dress smart--men : wardrobes that win in the new workplace
In today's world, books are no longer the only game in town; some of the best information on men's clothing can be found on the Internet. Here are a few examples:
How to tie a tie from tieguide.com.
Ten most common men's fashion mistakes from Ask Andy About Clothes.
A series of four articles on men's fashion by The Morning News:
- Part One: Suits
- Part Two: Dress Shirts
- Part Three: Pants
- Part Four: Conclusion
For diversity of opinion and lively discourse on a topic, few Internet resources surpass discussion forums. Ask Andy About Clothes and The Style Forum are fantastic sources of information. The regular members of both forums are passionate about clothing and won't hesitate to share their opinions or offer advice. As with all other Internet discussion groups, it's considered polite to spend some time reading existing messages before posting, as you may have a common question which has already been answered several times. Topics range from the general (e.g. What type of shoe should I wear with navy blue trousers?) to the brand-specific (e.g. Should I get a Hickey Freeman or J. Press suit for my job as an accountant?).
Here are a few recent topics for discussion on the Ask Andy forum:
- A Discourse on Shirtings
- Chukka Boots--For Old-Timers Only?
- First Suit Advice (The verdict is...)
- Tuxedo: Peak or shawl lapel?
Similarly, here are a few selections from The Style Forum:
- French Cuffs or Barrel Cuffs
- The best tie knot. Ever
- Best value in men’s dress shirts?
- Watches under $500
- The interview
Using the information sources listed above, you'll become a style guru in no time. You'll be able to recommend a collar style to a coworker, describe outfits in which a balmoral cap toe oxford might be a better choice than a blucher, and explain the benefits of bespoke suits to your significant other.
[MBO]Posted by hinsdalereference at 1:02 PM
November 29, 2005
Tackle Your Taxes
Beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2006, and continuing as we receive them, the library will make available free copies of the most requested preprinted tax forms and publications. We will put the forms out as we receive them in cabinets in the entry hallway. Please be aware that some forms, especially the Illinois forms, don’t arrive until February. We also receive printed publications from which you can make photocopies.
The library subscribes to the Federal Tax Guide, a two-volume looseleaf service published by Commerce Clearing House. It and its supplements explain income and other types of federal tax law. We also own J. K. Lasser’s Your Income Tax and other popular guides.
If you’d like to get a head start, try these Web sites and phone numbers for forms and assistance.
Forms
Internal Revenue Service
(800) 829–3676
Illinois Department of Revenue
Federal and State Tax Forms
Links to sites containing federal tax forms and tax forms from all of the states.
Help!
Internal Revenue Service help number
(800) 829–1040 (individuals) or (800) 829–4933 (businesses)
Contact My Local Office in Illinois
IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, Downers Grove
2001 Butterfield Rd. in the Mega Site/Esplanade Bldg., 12th floor
(630) 493–5291
Monday–Friday 8:30 A.M.–4:30 P.M.
Illinois Department of Revenue Taxpayer Assistance
(800) 732–8866 (individuals) or (217) 524–4772 (businesses)
Taxpayer Answer Center (Illinois)
Librarians’ Internet Index
In the search box, type “taxation” to retrieve sites with regulations, history, forms, answers to questions, and even humor.
[NI]
Posted by hinsdalereference at 2:37 PM
November 28, 2005
Shop (Wisely) Till You Drop
While the holiday shopping season traditionally kicks off the day after Thanksgiving with ”Black Friday,” the National Retail Federation (and countless news outlets) are touting the rise of “Cyber Monday,” so named because many online retailers see a sales spike on the Monday after Thanksgiving (a phenomenon fueled in part by consumers who take advantage of the high-speed Internet connections available at work to shop for gifts on the Web).
But whether you’re wired for Cyber Monday or waiting for post-Christmas clearance sales at the mall, there are steps you can take to be a savvy shopper. Try to avoid Internet fraud with holiday shopping tips from the Federal Trade Commission and the National Consumers League. Battling cyber thieves and looking for bargains? Check out CNNMoney’s article on how to get the best online deals and Consumer Reports’ evaluation of popular shopping-comparison Web sites. Meanwhile, both online shoppers and those sticking to bricks-and-mortar stores might benefit from MSNBC.com’s Tips to Keep You Sane During Shopping Season and Consumer Union.org’s 2005 Holiday Shopping Keys.
[ARM]
Posted by hinsdalereference at 4:49 PM
November 21, 2005
Is an HDTV on your holiday gift list? Tech Talk can help you make an informed decision.
Anyone who has spent time evaluating high-definition television sets knows that the terminology and choices involved in selecting a set can be daunting. Tech Talk takes a close look at High-Definition TV in a two-part series available online and throughout the library.
Part I covers things like how HDTV differs from standard television and how to find high-definition content to watch.
Part II takes a close look at some popular technologies used in HDTVs (e.g. plasma screens) and helps you determine the best TV size for your room.
High-definition televisions have decreased in price significantly over the past few years. Maybe this holiday season is the perfect time for your family to make the switch to HDTV.
[MBO]
Posted by hinsdalereference at 4:58 PM
November 17, 2005
Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens (Or Murder Most Fowl)
On the third Thursday of November the President of United States traditionally “pardons” the official White House Turkey. Read President Bush’s address pardoning last year’s (2004) turkeys, Biscuits and Gravy.
The US Census Bureau estimates that 263 million turkeys did not share their good fortune.
This Thanksgiving ConAgra Foods celebrates the 25th anniversary of their Turkey Talk-Line. Butterball experts will offer turkey safety tips, recipes, and last-minute substitutions for the culinary challenged. Besides the traditional telephone support, the Turkey Talk-Line will accept email questions and their Web site offers video demonstrations.
For those looking for alternatives to the “commercial turkey” or the “Broad Breasted Bronze”, as it’s known in the poultry world, many local farmers offer heritage or standard breed turkeys.
Heritage breed turkeys differ in at least three ways: They are allowed to breed naturally, their lifespan is seven to nine years versus a mere 15 months for the Broad Breasted Bronze, and they grow slowly.
Heritage turkeys were the standard until the mid-20th century when factory-farmed hybrids where introduced. For a primer on the four varieties with in the breed visit traditionalist William Rubel’s Web site. While there you will also find Eliza Leslie’s 1851 recipe for cranberry sauce and Mr. Rubel’s redaction.
Posted by hinsdalereference at 7:28 PM
November 15, 2005
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Otto von Bismarck reportedly said, “Laws are like sausages; it is better not to see them being made.” For those who don’t feel the same about Congress’s attempts to pass a budget, we offer some overviews of the budget process and debate about the deficit and national debt. How does the budget process work and where does our money go?
The Budget of the United States Government is a collection of documents issued by the Office of Management and Budget. Download, browse, or purchase a print copy here.
The Citizen's Guide to the Federal Budget
Introduction to the Federal Budget Process
from the Congressional Research Service
Budget
from the U.S. Senate’s Virtual Reference Desk
These nonpartisan organizations research, analyze, and disseminate information about the federal budget and how it affects our lives:
National Priorities Project
“Showing how federal tax and spending policies impact your community.”
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The Center conducts research and analysis to inform public debates over proposed budget and tax policies and to help ensure that the needs of low-income families and individuals are considered in these debates.
The Federal Budget
Public Agenda seeks to inform both the public and policy makers.
In Focus: The U.S. Budget Deficit
Analysis and commentary in a series of articles by fellows of the Brookings Institution.
The library owns books on the subject of budget deficits. Some recent titles:
Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day: The Real Deal on How Politicians, Bureaucrats, and Other Washington Barbarians Are Bankrupting America, by Joe Scarborough
Running on Empty: How the Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It, by Peter G. Peterson
Restoring Fiscal Sanity: How to Balance the Budget
Feeling wonky? For more budget documents, executive and legislative activity, a calendar, books, and news and commentary, see
U.S. Government Documents: The Budget Process
from Columbia University’s Lehman Library.
[NI]
Posted by hinsdalereference at 10:54 AM
November 14, 2005
SAM is Coming!
Who—or what—is SAM, you ask? SAM is a reservation and printing system for the library’s PCs. This system already is being used successfully at several area libraries. With SAM:
You can log yourself on with your library card—no waiting at the desk for a librarian to do it for you.
You can reserve sessions in advance.
If you accidentally log out, you can easily sign yourself back in.
You won’t need to fumble for change—just print and go with a prepaid SAM account.
SAM will be installed in December. You will need a library card from Hinsdale or your home library to use the computers. Please remember to bring it when you come to the library. If you live in an unincorporated area, the Circulation Desk can provide you with a temporary guest card.
Posted by hinsdalereference at 2:12 PM
November 8, 2005
Consumer Resources in the Reference Department
Making a purchase or looking for a service provider? Be an informed consumer! Consumer Reports is just the beginning; the library subscribes to Consumers Digest and many other sources that evaluate and rate products of all kinds.
Chicago Consumers Checkbook rates services in the city and suburbs such as appliance repair, veterinarians, bike shops, dentists, and roofers, accompanied by articles about how to select the providers.
Better Buys for Business evaluates office equipment such as copiers, scanners, and printers, with specification and price charts for comparison. Each issue covers a category, such as The Color Copier Guide.
Here are a few of the Web sites we search for product ratings and consumer information.
ConsumerSearch
Summarizes and cites published reviews of consumer products of all kinds.
Epinions
Customers who actually use the products review cars, movies, goods for the home, electronics, office supplies, and much more.
Consumers' Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings for Heating and Water Heating Equipment If you plan to replace your furnace or hot water heater, this is the place to compare brands.
GreenerChoices.org
Save money and the planet at the same time. Consumer Reports provides free ratings of appliances, electronics, cars, and other products according to energy efficiency, toxicity, and other factors that affect our environment.
eco-labels.org
How meaningful are labels like organic and free-range, and how valid are the claims? Find out at this site from Consumer Reports magazine.
Consumer Guides and Protection
A-to-Z list of sites helpful to consumers from FirstGov.gov, the U.S. government’s Web site.
The reference librarians are always happy to show you how to search or to search for you. Please visit, call, or email us for consumer or any other kind of information. We’re here to help!
[NI]
Posted by hinsdalereference at 3:27 PM
November 7, 2005
Flu Season
You can hardly open a newspaper or magazine or turn on the radio or TV without reading or hearing about the flu. Don’t panic—at least not before you read these suggestions.
Try to avoid getting the flu by following these Flu Prevention Basics.
A flu shot might help. Both the DuPage County Health Department and the Cook County Department of Public Health are holding clinics for flu and pneumonia vaccination. Or try the Flu Clinic Locator Site from the American Lung Association. It’s a good idea to phone first; at this writing, Walgreen’s has canceled its flu shot clinics due to a shortage of vaccine.
What is the flu, exactly, and what should you do if you get it? Here’s advice from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.
Is it a cold or is it the flu? Take this quiz from the Mayo Clinic to find out how well you can tell the difference.
If you prefer an alternative or integrative approach, take a look at Dr. Weil’s recommendations for preventing and treating colds and flu . Or try Holistic online.com's Cold/Flu Infocenter for Conventional, Alternative, Complementary, and Integrative Approaches to Treating Colds and Flu (Influenza).
WebMD has facts, news, Q&A, and resources about bird flu.
The official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza gathers information from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, and other government agencies about influenza and pandemics in general and bird flu in particular. The sites discuss prevention, transmission, outbreaks, vaccines, advice for travelers, research, and government planning and preparedness.
Could another pandemic happen? The library owns these accounts of the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and assessments of whether an infectious disease could overwhelm our public health system today.
The Monster at Our Door: The Global Threat of Avian Flu, by Mike Davis
Beasts of the Earth: Animals, Humans, and Disease, by E. Fuller Torrey
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History, by John M. Barry
Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus That Caused It, by Gina Kolata
[NI]
Posted by hinsdalereference at 11:32 AM