Did you ever want to know

The idea for the theme of this issue came to me while I was trying to fix a stopped-up drain in my tub. I needed some how-to advice to solve the problem (which fortunately, my husband was home to supply), and the experience got me thinking . How many other things could I use a little how-to advice on? Rebalancing my investment portfolio to weather the recent downturn? Kicking up my workout routine? Packing for our upcoming Florida vacation so I don't lose stuff because of new TSA rulings? I pitched the idea of creating a How-To issue for PRIME readers to my sales manager, Terry O'Donnell, who thought it was a great concept, and one that would dovetail well with the annual Life Enrichment Expo which PRIME co-sponsors every April with the Springfield Jewish Community Center. My columnists were enthusiastic too, suggesting topics they thought readers would find interesting and in many cases, turning in their columns much earlier than normal. So here you have it, PRIME's first-ever issue devoted entirely to the concept of learning howto do something from picking a lawyer to networking your home computers to making your own herbal teas, poultices and decoctions. The only difficulty I encountered in collecting the stories for this issue was space. I ended up with too much good stuff! So, this month you'll find some of the stories that didn't make the print edition how to create a life portfolio, how to budget in retirement, how to gear up for a weight-lifting program, how to avoid ID theft, how to make your own natural beauty products, and the monthly Marci's Medicare Answers column rotating onto our web site www.resultspublishinggroup.com/primeonline beginning the week of April 9. Be sure to check back every Tuesday for new How-To's and shoot me an e-mail at dgardner@reminderpublications.com to let me know if you like this concept. Thanks, Jim! I heard through the grapevine here at Reminder Publications that PRIME's March cover personality, Jim Polito, was a recent guest on WAQY's Rock 102's Bax & O'Brien morning show. Seems he gave PRIME a pretty good review. We're grateful for the positive publicity! Debbie Gardner PRIME Editor dgardner@reminderpublications.com