Resolutions

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, January 2009 written by Lisa Pearson.

You don’t have to be much of a soothsayer to realize that 2009 is going to be all about conservation. We’re all going to be looking for ways to pinch pennies, lower our energy bills, shed a few pounds and live a little greener. As always, the library will be there with new resources to help you meet those goals. The simple act of using the library’s free movies, music and books – as opposed to giving your credit card number to Netflix, iTunes or Amazon.com – can save you hundreds of dollars a year. For other helpful ideas, check out some of our new books.

“The Homeowner’s Guide to Renewable Energy” by Dan Chiras is written for a broad audience, and some of the information on solar power and passive cooling is either impractical or unnecessary for our climate. However, the chapters on wind power, wood heat, microhydropower and general conservation tips are very helpful for life in Ketchikan. For instance, Chiras’ book will help you determine if your property is suitable for a wind turbine, and what types of turbines would work best for you (the RenewableResource DataCenter states that areas with a wind power class of 3 or above have the potential for wind energy, and Ketchikan’s wind class is a 4). The information Chiras presents concerning microhydropower is especially interesting, since running water is not a hard thing to find on this island. Don’t forget to check into any necessary permitting, however.

“Budget Makeovers: give your home a new look” is from the editors at Woman’s Day. Rather than a step-by-step manual, this book shows you the range of ways in which you can transform your home. From a $16,000 kitchen remodel that includes all new appliances, flooring, lighting and cabinets to a $280 refurbishment involving new paint, chair cushions and curtains, the examples in this book demonstrate just how much can be accomplished by doing it yourself. A simple coat of paint can completely change the look of a room and cutting down the clutter can really revitalize your home. For those of you with no decorating or craft experience at all, the back of the book contains clear instructions on how to replicate some of the projects that were showcased in the book: building simple shelves, making cushion covers, sewing curtains and creating headboards.

“The Smart Cookies’ Guide to Making More Dough” is written by five young women who solved their own financial difficulties by forming a money group. According to the Smart Cookies, a money group is similar to a book group, in that you meet on a regular basis and have a serious, thoughtful discussion. However, instead of discussing books, you discuss one another’s finances and brainstorm ways to cut spending and save money. The thinking is that if getting regular exercise is so much easier when you have a gym buddy, being financially responsible would be easier with a money buddy. After laying out the group’s history, and how the individual members were able to drag themselves out of a financial quagmire with the advice and mental support of their friends, the book gives you advice about how to start your own money group and some of the general steps you can take to get your own finances onto more solid ground. This is an innovative approach to a problem that people usually keep hidden away. Knowing you’re not alone can help you feel less powerless, and the emotional support of others can keep you from backsliding during your new, tighter financial regimen.

We have an absolute slew of fitness videos and diet books. I personally think that whether a weight-loss system works or not depends entirely on the person who’s following the system (A low-carb diet and kickboxing might not be your thing, but it could work wonders for someone else). So I’ll just mention one of our newer DVDs as an example. David Zinczenko, editor-in-chief of Men’sHealth Magazine, has come up with “The Abs Diet for Women”. We have both the workout video, which includes two short fat-burning routines that blend pilates, weights and yoga, as well as the book. The book bills itself as a 6-week plan that will get you to tighten your abdominals, lose weight, and feel generally fitter. Zinzenko includes exercises, menus, success stories and tips for cutting calories and boosting your activity levels. It might not work miracles for you, but six weeks and a couple of 3-pound hand weights seem like a small investment to make to feel and look better. And if that doesn’t work, you can always try our “Elmocize” video. Threat or incentive? You be the judge…