Planning a wedding for less
Rowan Public Library
by Lynn A. Denison

With the average cost for a wedding in the United States today ranging from $21,000 to $28,000.00, it is not surprising that many couples are looking for ways to cut expenses. At Rowan Public Library, we have several new books that may be helpful to the prospective bride and groom as well as to their parents. Stylish Weddings for Less: How to Plan Your Dream Wedding on a Budget by Catherine Sabino helps couples find ways to have that fabulous, always-dreamed-of wedding without ending up with a mountain of debt. This book is in an easy-to-reference format and covers everything from finding bargains on rings, gowns, and wedding cakes to locating incredible reception sites at affordable prices and getting the best deals on photography and honeymoon travel. This book is sure to be an indispensable resource for cost conscious young couples.
Another new title is Do It For Less Weddings: How to Create Your Dream Wedding Without Breaking the Bank. Author Denise Vivaldo has planned and catered more than 10,000 parties and offers her considerable expertise to help couples with menus, recipes, thematic decorating plans, charts and checklists. She includes more than 500 cost saving tips, ideas and professional advice on all aspects of a wedding. Step by step the author encourages couples to think outside the box, use resourcefulness and careful planning, and make every dollar count toward the perfect wedding.
A quote from Oprah, “If you’re getting married you need this book!”, refers to Bridal Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget by Denise and Alan Fields. The Fields give a money back guarantee with their book, stating that if their tips don’t save the engaged couple at least $500 on their wedding, they can receive a complete refund of the purchase price. Not surprisingly, Bridal Bargains is America’s top best-selling wedding book.
A companion to Bridal Bargains is the Bridal Bargains Wedding Planner by the Fields. This book complements Bridal Bargains and is packed with invaluable worksheets, budgets, and to-do lists in a handy, spiral-bound format.
In addition to the books mentioned above, the library has a large selection of wedding related books. If there is a wedding in your future, be sure to put a visit to Rowan Public Library at the top of your “to do” list!

Study renewable energy sources at library

By Edward A. Hirst

Rowan Public Library

With the high energy costs associated with our past winter, it seems like a good time to investigate renewable energy sources. I found the following books available at Rowan Public Library.

"Wind Energy Basics: A Guide to Home and Community Scale Wind Energy Systems," by Paul Gipe, offers a how-to for home-based wind applications, with advice on which wind turbines to choose and which to avoid.

He guides wind-energy installers through considerations such as renewable investment strategies and gives cautionary tales of wind applications gone wrong.

"The Solar House: Passive Heating and Cooling," written by Daniel D. Chiras, is a well thought-out guide for embracing an eco-friendly home. "The Solar House" is recommended as a do-it-yourself home reference for the general reader with an interest in making their home as comfortable and environmentally friendly as possible.

"Got Sun? Go Solar: Harness Nature's Free Energy to Heat and Power Your Grid-Tied Home," by Rex A. Ewing and Doug Pratt, is a well-written book that cuts through the hype and explains how grid-connected homeowners can think their energy future.

Solar and wind-generated electricity, solar water heating, passive solar techniques and geothermal heating/cooling will allow homeowners to save money and protect themselves from rising utility rates.

"Solar Power Your Home for Dummies" provides the homeowner a good introduction to how solar energy can be put to practical, everyday use. This is a great book for someone who doesn't like to read a lot of technical jargon. The book has a list of references for more information as well as practical projects for the person with experience in the solar energy field.

"The Passive Solar House Book: Using Solar Design to Heat and Cool Your Home," by James Kachadorian, is an excellent resource for anybody planning to build a solar house in the future.

Provided examples walk the homeowner through all the necessary calculations which are necessary for effective solar structures. Many different types of backup heating systems are discussed, including how they work together with the solar heating system. This book focuses on a single "solar slab" design concept and only mentions other designs in passing.

"The Renewable Energy Handbook: Updated Comprehensive Guide to Renewable Energy and Independent Living," by William H. Kemp, explains everything you've ever wanted to know about creating your own energy. You will find information on solar, wind, hydro, bio-fuels and practical applications for each. There are also real-life examples from people who are living every day through renewable energy. They share their stories and what has and has not worked for them.

Save some of your own green by checking out these books and see what else the Rowan Public Library has to offer.