Autumn Computer Classes

It's autumn and there's no time like the present. If you want to develop your computer skills by all means join me. I'll be teaching two beginning computer classes for the fearless and the fearful this November --- Internet Basics at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 and Microsoft Publisher Basics at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 21. Basic keyboard and mouse skills are a prerequisite for the Internet Basics Class. Basic familiarity with Publisher is required.

If you need to hone your keyboard skills or improve your coordination skills in handling the computer mouse, we have some terrific tutorials on our website. While you're there, check out all of Omaha Public Library's computer classes and register for one (or more.)

All computer classes at Omaha Public Library are free!

Thank you ladies for your interest!

Wow! I imagined there would be at least a little interest in the topic of women and money, but I didn't expect such a wonderful response -- so far there are 19 people signed up! I have room for one more.

Usually, a book club would enjoy a full attendance, but in this case I am sort of hoping that not everyone shows up at once. I do hope everyone reads the books though, whether or not they're able to attend the discussions. Because the women in my club have such varied interests we've decided to select two books at a time. The first book, as I've mentioned in my previous posts, is Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny by Suze Orman, and the second one is Pay It Down: From Debt to Wealth on $10 a day by Jean Chatzky.

In her book, “Women & Money,” Orman says that women have a “dysfunctional relationship” with money. Women have made extraordinary progress over the last four decades; but Orman’s investigation discovered that when it comes to money, very little has changed – women “hand over money matters and refuse to take responsibility as they do in no other area of their lives.”

These are terrific books. I carefully selected the books so that we'll be reading books on varied topics. Another book, Money, a Memoir: Women, Emotions, and Cash by Liz Perle, reads like a novel and is very well written. I look forward to our upcoming discussions.

Have a great day!

Our First Book Club Meeting

With wonderful ladies in attendance, our first meeting last night was a productive and delightful gathering. Aside from getting acquainted, we discussed my proposed BOOKLIST (a final version). We decided to select two books in advance to read over the next two months, and this is how we will continue to select the books to read, two at a time. As you may know, our first read is Suze Orman’s Women & Finance, which we’ll discuss in November. The second book is Pay it Down!: from debt to wealth on $10 a day by Jean Chatzky, which we’ll discuss in December. You can reserve a copy (or copies) of the book(s) online, or call us at 444-5299, or drop by any Omaha Public Library. Register HERE.

Women have made extraordinary progress over the last four decades yet Suze Orman’s research reveals that when it comes to money very little has changed. Women are quick to hand over their money matters to others. This book club belongs to its members and the purpose is to learn and share information about women and finances – from money management and debt reduction to investments; budgeting; building wealth with little money; the economy; the health care crisis; and any other topic that might interest you in particular. The material will be varied and interesting.

If you would like a copy of my final booklist and a meeting schedule please call me at 402-444-5392 and I can email the information to you, or stop by the library (Omaha Public Library's Florence Branch, 2920 Bondesson, Omaha) to pick up copies of the information.

Feel free to drop by our book discussion (every third Tuesdays of the month) as your schedule permits. We welcome your participation. Post a comment -- I’d love to hear from you.

Have a great day!

Get a Handle on Your Computer Skills

Computer classes are scheduled for this fall and winter. If you want to learn how to use the Internet, or get creative with a desktop publishing program, or just brush up your skills, consider taking a free computer class at the Florence Branch Library. Classes are an hour long and packed with information you can use immediately. There are only three computers on which to teach a class but get on the waiting anyway -- if you don't mind buddying up we'll pair you with a partner.

Register HERE.

Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny

Suze Orman, author of many books on personal finance, discovered that a surprising 90 percent of women who were surveyed in 2006 (by Allianz Insurance) rated themselves as feeling insecure when it came to their finances. According to the same survey, women are nearly twice as likely to retire in poverty as men.

Orman’s book, Women & Money: owning the power to control your destiny, is the first book we’ll read for our Women & Finance book club. I am excited that six women so far have signed up for the club. If you are at all interested in money matters stop by and join us at our first meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Omaha Public Library’s Florence Branch, 2920 Bondesson St. Call 402-444-5299 or CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Request a copy of the book now and get started reading it. We’ll discuss it at our November meeting.

By the way, here’s a short list of money related books:

1. Women & Money: owning the power to control your destiny by Suze Orman (15 copies)

2. Money, a Memoir: women, emotions, and cash by Liz Perle (5 copies)
3. Rule #1: the simple strategy for successful investing in only 15 minutes a week! by Phil Town (11 copies)
4. Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich: 75 avoidable mistakes women make with money by Lois P. Frankel, PhD (9 copies)
5. Pay It Down!: from debt to wealth on $10 a day by Jean Chatzky (10 copies)
6. Investing Made Simple: the complete guide to understanding personal finance and individual investment opportunities by Anthony Loviscek (8 copies)
7. Live Well on Less Than You Think: guide to achieving your financial success by Fred Brock (10 copies)
8. The Long Tail: why the future of business is selling less of more by Chris Anderson (12 copies)
9. The Motley Fool You Have More Money Than You Think: the foolish guide to personal finance by David and Tom Gardner (9copies)
10. Freakonomics: a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything by Steven D. Levitt (20 copies)
11. Girl, Get Your Credit Straight: a sister’s guide to ditching your debt, mending your credit, and building a strong financial future by Glinda Bridgforth (6 copies)

Autumn Computer Classes

It's autumn and there's no time like the present. If you want to develop your computer skills by all means join me. I'll be teaching two beginning computer classes for the fearless and the fearful this October --- Internet Basics at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 and Microsoft Publisher Basics at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 21. Basic keyboard and mouse skills are a prerequisite for the Internet Basics Class. Basic familiarity with Publisher is required.


If you need to hone your keyboard skills or improve your coordination skills in handling the computer mouse, we have some terrific tutorials on our website. While you're there, check out all of Omaha Public Library's computer classes and register for one (or more.) All computer classes at Omaha Public Library are free!

Open House to Feature George Walker

This season we have a special holiday event planned for all of our wonderful customers and friends. On December 23, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Omaha's own George Walker, jazz musician, will be featured at our annual Holiday Open House at Omaha Public Library's Florence Branch. He will entertain us with his own jazz arrangements of standard holiday music as well as some traditional holiday tunes. George has worked and recorded with Lou Rawls, Bill Cosby, Barry White, Paul Humphrey and many more.

Our Holiday Open House is our way of saying thank you and spreading a little holiday cheer. When the threat of Florence Branch closing seemed immenent, so very many of you rallied to keep the library open. You voiced your objections and raised more than $35,000! Your efforts paid off and your library will remain open. We hope you'll make a note to stop by for some great holiday music and refreshments.