Financial Rating Series Online

Find the Safest Bank or Credit Union in Your Area

Avoid the Weakest Insurance Companies ... and Find the Best Ones

Pick the Best-Performing Stocks

Find the Best Mutual Funds ... to Make Sure Your Retirement Funds are Safe.

With all the talk about bank failures and the stock market these days, our new database couldn’t come at a better time. The user friendly interface allows you to easily research the financial strength ratings for more than 21,000 banks, credit unions, or insurance companies. Each company is given a grade from A+ through F (they even give out an E, a very weak rating). This information come from Weiss Ratings, a provider of independent ratings on the nation’s life and annuity insurers, property and casualty insurers, and health insurers, including HMOs. You can also find ratings for over 6,000 stocks and 16,000 mutual funds. The stock and mutual information come from TheStreet Ratings, a leading provider of investment ratings and analysis covering thousands of Bond & Money Market Mutual Funds, Stock Mutual Funds, Exchanged-Traded Funds and Common Stocks.

The database provides users with more than just ratings. There are helpful worksheets and other free financial planning tools. You'll also find a comprehensive glossary of banking and investment terms.

Library Journal wrote a wonderful review about the new database. Click here to read the article and then go here to check out the database.

Showcasing local talent

Last Wednesday night the library hosted Cheryl Syminink, a young glass artist who demonstrated how to create gorgeous glass beads that could be combined together to make unique pieces of jewelry. Cheryl showed us how she turned jewel toned glass rods into multicolored beads using not much more than a high temperature propane torch. We all sat mesmerized as she painstakingly created a frit bead and then a stringer bead. As she patiently heated the glass to a molten state, she took the time to explain how each tool was used, she answered questions, and even told us a little about herself. Her energy and passion for glass art was so contagious, patrons were discussing their plans to take lessons from Cheryl as they walked out the door.

It turns out Cheryl is a Monmouth County resident. As I watched her manipulate the glass into a bead the size of a cheerio, I started to wonder how many other talented artists reside locally. In September one of our reference librarians (an Aberdeen resident) will be teaching a hands-on class on how to assemble beaded earrings. I love the idea of local residents sharing their talents with other residents. Are you an artist or a hobbist who would like to demonstrate your skills to others? Or do you know someone who might like to share their talent? If so, please call Jill at the library or email me at jstafford@lmxac.org. We would love to learn from you!

Summer Reading week 5

The raffle prize this week doesn't have much to do with our summer reading theme, Novel Destinations, but it has everything to do with summer. Summer is the perfect time to tackle those home projects and repairs so this week we are making that easier by giving away a portable tool kit, a home repair book titled Better Homes and Gardens Big Book of Home How-To, and to help get you started with those repairs we've included a gift card to Home Depot! The drawing for this prize is on Monday, July 25 so keep reading to earn those raffle tickets.

The Novel Destinations Wednesday movie this week is Under the Same Moon, a touching story of a young Mexican boy trying to locate his mother who is working illegally in the United States. The movie is in Spanish with English subtitles. Join us Wednesday, July 20 at 3 PM to watch the film.

Summer Reading - week 4

In the spirit of our summer reading theme, Novel Destinations, the raffle prize this week transports us directly to Italy. Who hasn't dreamed of traveling to Rome or Florence or Naples to dine on Italy's famous pasta? The gift basket this week includes an Italian cookbook, Italian pasta, Vincent's pasta sauce (straight from Little Italy), and a $20 gift card to Livoti's Old World Market in Aberdeen. Everything is bundled together in a colander lined with a pretty white tablecloth. So keep reading to receive those raffle tickets. The more you read, the more tickets you receive, the better your chances of winning! Buon appetito!

Summer Reading week 3

In honor of our first After Hours Music Program this week, the summer reading raffle prize for week 3 is be a ukulele and a beginners ukulele lesson book. I don't know about you, but it seems like I am seeing ukuleles everywhere these days. I've read their popularity can be attributed to several factors. For example, they are very portable, they are relatively easy to learn how to play, and ukuleles are affordable, making them popular during difficult economic times.

Don't forget to join us at the library at 7 PM this Friday to hear Craig and the Frenchman. Read about them here in this Matawan-Aberdeen Patch article titled A Unique New Sound.

Programs galore!

Last week we were very fortunate to have two dynamic speakers present at the library. On Monday, June 27th Dr. Michael Rothman of MD Wellness & Spa lectured about The Power of Nutrition: How the Foods You Are Eating Are Making You Sick. Dr. Rothman spoke to the crowd for over an hour and then fielded questions from the audience as they tried to digest the information about the dangers of processed foods. On Thursday, June 30th, Judith Krall-Russo entertained us with Tea Traditions from Around the World. As she spoke, the audience left New Jersey and traveled the world, learning about all the various accoutrements (see top photo above) used by different cultures in their tea ceremonies. Both presenters are incredibly knowledgeable on their respective topics and we hope to have them back at the library in the near future.

This week on Wednesday, July 6th at 7 PM we will be hosting Dick Handschuch and Sal Marino, co-authors of the book The Beach Bum’s Guide to the Boardwalks of New Jersey. These two gentlemen have strolled all the legendary boardwalks in New Jersey, several times in fact! Check out their story in this Asbury Park Press article from June 27th.

The photo of Dr. Rothman is courtesy of Joesph Lisnow, a freelancer for the new Matawan Aberdeen Patch website

Summer Reading week 2

Summer Reading is in full swing here at the library. There are already over 500 adults signed up to win raffle prizes just for reading books or listening to audiobooks! Above you’ll see the photo of the raffle prize for week 2. This week we are giving away a basket full of gardening supplies. Among the goodies are gardening tools and gloves, flower seeds, a book on gardening in small spaces, and a gift card for Morganville Flower Farm. The gift card does not expire so it can be used next year if you have already finished your planting for this year. Please note that the drawing will be held on Tuesday, July 5th since we are closed for the holiday on Monday, July 4th.
As part of our Novel Destinations Film Series, we will be showing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on Wednesday July 6th at 3 PM. This breathtaking film won four Oscars in 2001, including Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography. Crouching Tiger was filmed in Mandarin and has English subtitles.
Also on July 6th at 7 PM Dick Handschuch and Sal Marino, co-authors of “The Beach Bum’s Guide to the BOARDWALKS of NEW JERSEY”, will be at the library to entertain us with history, statistics, and facts about the wonderful boardwalks in our state. I hope to see you there!