February 2008 Archives
Enjoy new releases or old classics on your MP3 or PC through the Jefferson County Library System. You are bound to find something you'll enjoy among the great selection of titles, such as:
Memoirs of a Geisha Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
100 Ways to Motivate Others Novels by Danielle Steel
Pride and Prejudice Make Money, Not Excuses
Even the kids can enjoy favorite books, like the Junie B. Jones collection, Hunckleberry Finn, or The Spiderwick Chronicles. (Yes, first choice is for the children to actually read their own books, but these works can offer company to them during chores like room cleaning or a ride to grandma's).
All you need to get started is your library card number to log in to the Jefferson County Public Library website and download the necessary free software. Some titles can be burned to CD; those downloaded as MP3s expire after two weeks. While nothing replaces the pleasure of a good read for yourself, being able to listen to a story while handling other tasks has to be the next best thing for a busy mom.
Government contracts have been essential to the growth and prosperity of many small businesses, and if you have a woman-owned business, the federal government wants to show its support.
In fact, the UAB Small Business Development Center is conducting its seventh annual Business Opportunities and Industrial Conference March 12 & 13 at the Hill Center on UAB's campus. Here you may join exhibitors representing not only federal and local government entities but also the large companies who sub-contract to small businesses. Experts in marketing and partnering with government interests will present recommendations and be available to answer questions. In particular demand right now are small businesses providing IT, clinical, and maintenance/janitorial services.
Registration is required and the individual fee is $85 through the SBDC website.
Not ready to go big time yet? The Small Business Development Center will also assist you in developing a business plan (this includes stay-at-home and marketing/sales businesses). In addition to regular educational programs, counselors will review your business plan and provide suggestions and analysis at no charge. Call 934-6868 to schedule a counseling session.
Here's a handy diversion for your child: Teletales, a free audio recording of a children's short story provided by the Hoover Public Library. Dial 205-444-7838 and hear a new story each week. This number is helpful for the wait at the doctor's office, a long line at the checkout, or simple practice dialing a phone number. Save this number in your cell phone directory and you are ready to dial up a story at a moment's notice, perhaps avoiding a meltdown for both of you.
Since you're organizing your closets and clearing clutter anyway, you might as well turn some of those perfectly good but outgrown kids clothes, toys, and baby items into cash. The spring consignment sale season is quickly approaching, and now's the time when you can recoup some of the money you spent outfitting the kiddos.
There are two approaches to consigning: the consignment shop and the consignment sale. Shops are open year-round and take current and upcoming season merchandise, and after a specified time you return to the shop to collect your check and pick up unsold merchandise. Consignment sales, on the other hand, are events lasting only a weekend, and all accounts are settled within days of the sale. In both cases, of course, the seller keeps a portion of proceeds from the sale of your goods and provides a venue, merchandising, promotion, and (most importantly), a check for your items.
If you choose to go the sale route, read further on how to prepare now for upcoming sales.
