I see a lot in newspapers and on TV and radio stations about this bright thing in the sky  —  some kind of source of heat, light of day and happiness all over. With it, you're able to wear light clothing.

I'm told it's called the land of the Sunshine State. Just where would that be? Is it part of the Southeastern of the USA, or do I need a passport to get there?

I did live in the vacation land of the world for four years  —  warm to hot 99 percent of the time; a nice place to visit, but you would not want to live there.

So, if anyone out there knows where this thing they call the sun is, please tell me where, so I to can enjoy the warm aspect of life with Ms Jacquie.

And, oh yes, one other item: If anyone knows of a riding lawnmower with pontoons, I would like to use it.

I have grass up to my — yes that's where it's at. 

It pays to have a rowboat in your yard.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Floridian homeowners now need a rowboat

It's time to start thinking about what you'd would like to accomplish on the first of the year. 

The Crestview Public Library has thousands of resources to help you accomplish your goal or goals.

Here are some great items available to you for free if you have a valid Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative library card:

Weight loss:

●"Shred-It with Weights," with Jillian Michaels

●"Zero Belly Diet," by David Zinczenko

Quitting smoking:

●"The Easy Way to Stop Smoking," by Allen Carr

●"Never Smoke Again: The Top 10 Ways to Stop Smoking Now and Forever," by Grant Cooper

Learning a second language:

●"Drive Time Spanish"

●"Teach Yourself Beginner’s Chinese," by Elizabeth Scurfield

Trying to de-stress:

●"Stopping Stress before It Stops You: A Game Plan for Every Mom," by Dr. Kevin Leman

●"10% Happier:  How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works — A True Story," by Dan Harris

And don’t forget, we have an abundance of resources through our website, www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php.

 Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library's assistant director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GARCIA: 8 books to aid your New Year's resolutions

The countdown to 2016 has begun. If you’re like many people, you might be mulling over some New Year’s resolutions, such as hitting the gym more, learning a new language or taking a cooking class.

All are worthy goals, but why not add some financial resolutions?

For example …

Pay yourself first. Even if you aren’t living “paycheck to paycheck,” you probably don’t have much trouble spending your money — because there’s always something that you or a family member needs, always a repair required for your home or your car, always one more bill to pay.

But if you are going to achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you need to invest consistently.

So before you pay everyone else, pay yourself first by having some money automatically moved from your checking or savings account each month into an investment.

Take advantage of your opportunities. If you have a 401(k) or similar plan at work, take full advantage of it. Contribute as much as you can afford — or at least enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered — and choose the mix of investments that give you the potential to achieve the growth you need at a level of risk with which you are comfortable.

Focus on the long term. In the short term, you might be excused for not wanting to invest. The headlines are typically scary, the financial markets are frequently volatile and the future often looks murky.

Yet, if you can look past the uncertainties of today and keep your focus on tomorrow, you will find it easier to follow a disciplined investment strategy that gives you the opportunity to meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

Don’t be driven by fear. When the market is down, investors tend to react with fear. Specifically, they rush to sell their investments, afraid that if they don’t “cut their losses,” they might sustain even bigger ones.

If you can get past this feeling, you may find that a down market can offer you the chance to buy quality investments at good prices.

Forget about “hot stocks.” You’ll hear friends, co-workers and talking heads on television tout today’s “hot stocks.” But by the time you might hear about them, they may have cooled off – and, in any case, they might not be appropriate for your needs.

Forget about “getting rich quick in the market”  —  it probably won’t happen. True investment success requires patience and persistence.

Cut down on your debts. It’s easy to pile up debts, but a lot harder getting rid of them. Yet, if you can reduce your debt load even moderately, you’ll free up money you could use to invest.

So look for ways to conserve, cut back and consolidate  —  it will be worth the effort.

Making these resolutions, and sticking to them, can help you as you work toward achieving your financial goals. 

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Time for some New Year’s (financial) resolutions

In 2016, follow best management practices when applying fertilizers. 

You should implement best management practices, or BMPs, to decrease the amounts of pesticides, fertilizers, animal wastes and other pollutants from entering water sources, and to conserve water supply. 

You can follow BMPs whether you are growing vegetables, row crops, pastures, lawns or even wildlife food plots.

Why BMPs are important

Nitrogen can leave soil by volatilization, soil erosion, runoff, leaching and crop removal, but the greatest nitrogen loss, globally, is due to leaching, erosion and runoff. 

You should minimize nitrogen fertilizer losses for environmental and economic reasons. 

Phosphorus also can leave soils. This usually is through runoff, erosion and crop removal, but minor leaching can occur. 

Nitrogen and phosphorus that leach or run off into waterways can disrupt nutrient cycles and thus impair waterways. 

BMP examples

1. Test the soil. Remember: "If you don’t test, it’s just a guess."

Why throw away fertilizer?  That’s not good for your wallet or the environment.

Soil test results give you the pH and the current level of nutrients in the soil, and recommended fertilizer rates to optimize crop growth. 

You must first adjust your soil pH.  Without the optimal soil pH, essential nutrients will not be available to the plant. 

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Soil Testing Lab can perform your soil test for just $7. 

Contact the Okaloosa County Extension Office, 689-5850, for more information.

2. Right time. Apply fertilizer when the crop is actively growing.

Do not apply before a heavy rain; this will cause nutrients to leach down past the plant's root zone. 

In addition, split applications of nitrogen and potassium are recommended for optimal growth and less risk of polluting the environment.

Adopting just these two BMPs will make a huge impact on our environment and will save you money. 

The goal is to use just the right amount of fertilizer to supply what the crop needs when it needs it. 

Good luck in your growing endeavors in 2016. 

Jennifer Bearden is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BEARDEN: New Year's resolution to implement soil best management practices

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HOT TOPIC :Crestview residents speak out about anti-Muslim sentiment

Here's how Laurel Hill School teaching assistant Jessica Stokes created the Hobo mascot’s head.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 4 steps to build the Laurel Hill Hobo mascot's head