In today's topsy turvy financial world, investors have a right to be nervous.  How to invest and what to invest in is a big dilemma for most of us.  Where does one turn for the right advice?  Since 1965, the answer to that question is Value Line.  According to their website, their mission is "to provide investors with the most accurate and independently created research information available, in any format they choose, and teach them how to use it effectively to help meet their financial objectives". Well, for many years, that format was print only.  That was fine for a long time, but there were drawbacks: Only one person could use it at a time, there were three different volumes to look through, and issues could be delayed in the mail or even stolen.  When I previewed the on-line version, I was impressed.  Patrons could use it at home or at work, mutual funds were included, and the print-outs of the reports was sharp and clear, better than a photocopy.

I've discussed historical-set speculative fiction in the past, specifically the popularity of steampunk and the weird West.  Today I'd like to introduce you to steampunk's fey cousin, gaslamp fantasy.  If you like fantasy and you enjoy period novels, gaslamp fantasy will be right up your cobblestoned alley.  Think of it as urban fantasy with a 19th-century twist.

The term "gaslamp fantasy" covers fantasy fiction set in the Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian eras, though some will stretch the definition as far as the early years of the 20th century, up the first World War.  While steampunk found its origins in the likes of Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, and the innovative marvels of the Industrial Age, gaslamp fantasy's wonders generally stem from more uncanny sources.

Do you love breakfast more than any other meal? There is nothing like waking up leisurely to the smell of freshly brewed coffee with the sound of sizzling crisp bacon, fried eggs over easy and well-seasoned home fried potatoes. Added to this dreamy breakfast are baked blackberry muffins with a pecan streusel topping, flaky orange cranberry scones and decadent cinnamon sticky buns floating out of the oven onto the table. This picturesque meal beckons me to come out of my luxurious sleep.  Maybe I'm still dreaming…

Have you ever said or done something you later regretted?  Or worse, have you not said or done something, and spent the rest of your life wondering how things might have been different "if only..."?  Even if you're content with the choices you've made, it can be hard to let go of some of those missed opportunities.  And if you're not entirely happy, those poor decisions and unresolved endings can really haunt you.

Now imagine the regret in question is a person you once loved.  What do you do when that once-special someone suddenly walks back into your life?  It could be that friend you crushed on in college, but never had the courage to approach.  He's single now... and he's moving into your building.  Perhaps it's your ex-- he's in recovery from the very issues that drove you away, and he's looking for a fresh start.  Sure, you could ignore him, and let the history between you keep you apart.  (After all, you had good reasons for breaking up with him in the first place, right?)  Or....

Thanks to the excellent schools in Clarkstown, we librarians have faced many challenges in helping  our students. We have dealt with numerous difficult assignments over the years, involving the Supreme Court, the penal code, shark taxonomy and those ever-popular math honor reports. An important part of a librarian's job is to see that we have sufficient materials to supply to students so that they can successfully complete their work.  It is important that we provide that support for students who come to us for help, and we take thiis responsibility  very seriously.