Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

I think too much emphasis is placed on going to college these days. It’s important to further one’s education, but why should it be college? There are several alternatives. We are in dire need of tradespeople. There are many trade schools out there where one could learn to be an electrician, plumber, welder, or machinist, plus many more trades that …

I’m not sure how many young folks read this column, but I’d like to offer some pointers to those who do and are looking for a job. I’ve been retired for several years, so it’s been a long time since I’ve applied for any type of employment. During my working years, I’ve held more than a couple of jobs. I …

In recent columns, I’ve given a lot of attention to keeping and disposing of important papers and documents. Everyone carries some very important things with them all the time. I’m referring to your driver’s license, health insurance card and, of course, credit cards. These items are usually kept in a wallet or purse, both of which can easily be lost …

For as long as I can remember, there has always been a shortage of available blood at local blood banks. An appeal for blood donors is usually publicized during a local or national emergency. We have blood drives here in the Three Rivers area on a regular basis to ensure that a shortage of blood is never an issue. This …

We are now half way through the first month of 2018. I’ve been lucky so far and have written “2018” on all the checks I’ve written. Usually it takes me a whole month to get used to writing the correct year when dating something. Perhaps I’ve taken my own advice and slowed down a little when doing certain things. When …

A week or so ago, Mother Nature bared her teeth on some of those states way south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Tallahassee, Florida, even experienced some snow. I doubt if they even have snow shovels available in that part of the country. As a result, there were a lot of drivers who were more than puzzled as to how to …

A very Happy New Year to all! This is the time when most of us say, or at least think to ourselves, that we are going to do things better, starting today. Whether it’s losing a few pounds by eating more sensibly, or sticking to a budget better than we have in the past. These thoughts will stay with us …

Every year at this time, I usually come up with some lame comment like, “I’m taking the rest of the year off, so my next column will not appear until next year.” I try to be funny by saying something that I feel might come across as clever. Sometimes I succeed, and other times I feel stupid for even trying …

This week’s “Myth Buster”: Computers are more reliable, and they last longer when they’re left on all the time. FALSE. The theory was that thermal cycling, from powering computers up and down, stressed and broke the components. The fact is that thermal problems are usually from heat buildup and/or poor ventilation. In any case, it’s always better to shut the …

I’d like to start off this week’s column with the “Myth Buster”. When I switch an appliance off, it might still be using electricity. TRUE. Many electronic appliances, such as TVs, DVD players, and microwave ovens, draw a significant amount of “standby power”. In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while they …