Cutting back on spam

BY STEPHEN BACH, THE DIGITAL DOCS OWNER

Anyone who has ever had their email inbox filled with spam knows how annoying it can be. Spam emails can not only be a nuisance, but can also put your personal information at risk. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the amount of spam you receive.

Merrigan

So as the snow came drifted down in enormous flakes that day, we trooped out to our very long driveway. And this is how I learned to shovel water.

Back in Wyoming, it also snows a good deal. The liquid content of Wyoming snow, however, stands at about one-third to onequarter of what I have experienced thus far in Marblehead. But as on a 5 a.m. paper route or out on a farm, it all needs done, regardless of how you feel about it.

Shoveling water, as it turns out, is only slightly easier than attempting to hold water in your hand. Anyone who’s ever picked up a shovel here understands how you become a human snowplow. The snow quickly assumes a gravitational mass of approximately 3.7 tons per shovelful as it mysteriously transforms to slush and as you keep moving, to water. So you just keep pushing forward until you can’t. Then you start scooping. We’ve all been there.

For me, this work was way more Zen than meditating in a monastery on the far side of the world. Snow removal in the driveway was part of our shared responsibility to our neighbors and the community at large, from the postman to passersby on the sidewalk. Doing our part to keep the community safe and well-kept. In Marblehead, people look out for one another and we all look out for our town. This town doesn’t stay postcardlovely on accident. The snowfall was just an everyday opportunity to demonstrate how we all keep it that way.

First, you can report spam emails to your email provider. This will let your provider know which emails are spam, so they can apply filters to prevent more from getting through. You can also unsubscribe from any mailing lists you have inadvertently signed up to, HOWEVER, you should ONLY unsubscribe from legit sites!

When we finished, the two of us stood in our yard, muscles aching, hungry for breakfast. I put my arm around her shoulder. Just a moment together looking at our freshly hand-plowed driveway. No need to talk. We understand each other quite well, the two of us, as all that wet Marblehead snow reminded us.

I’ll be back soon with another Marblehead First Time. As always, shoot me an email at court. merrigan@gmail.com if you’ve got any suggestions for me.

DO NOT UNSUBSCRIBE from something you do not recognize. Here's an example: Most email programs also have the ability to filter out or block certain content. This is a great way to stop receiving spam emails. To further reduce the risk of receiving unwanted emails, you can also set up separate email addresses for online services, such as

Wash the lettuce leaves, swirling two or three times in a sinkful of cold water. Lift them out so that any grit stays behind. Shake and set to dry on paper (or cloth) towels. Then wrap loosely in dry towels and put it in the fridge to crisp.

To coddle the egg, crack it into a glass bowl and zap it in the microwave, 15 seconds. Now I can whirl together the egg, garlic, lemon juice, cheese and one to three anchovies in a blender or food processor. The anchovies dissolve, leaving only a hint of brine. Whirl in parmesan until the mixture is creamy.

Okay, salad time! Toss the components — dressing, croutons and greens — in a bowl that looks too big, so nothing shopping sites. If a site requires an email address to create an account, use a disposable email address instead. This will allow you to stay in control of what emails you receive.

By taking the steps outlined above, you can help reduce your risk of getting spam emails. Keep your email inbox clean and secure by reporting spam to your email provider, unsubscribing from legitimate mailing lists, setting up separate email addresses, and using disposable email addresses.

If it's too late, and you've fallen victim to one of these goes over the side.

Stuff you'll need:

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1 head romaine lettuce

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1/2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

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1 egg `

1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese

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2/3 tablesp oons lemon juice

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2 to 3 anchovies, bottled, not canned

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1 cup homemade croutons following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87878347282?pwd=enlwRX d3V2xmdHE3cy92SklTU1BTUT09 Dial in +1646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of spammers, The Docs suggest getting in touch with a computer professional (or your business IT department) to make sure you have not been compromised! the public space:

Additional kitchen wisdom: Find good anchovies — not the hairy ones — packed in glass jars.

Linda Bassett, a Marblehead resident, has worked as a cook, trained up-and-coming chefs, studied food history and led food tours. Her book,"From Apple Pie to Pad Thai," is about local cooks and cooking.

» New energy-efficient heating and cooling systems

Energy-efficient LED lighting system

» Improved, high-speed WiFi

» Upgraded and expanded fire alarm and sprinkler systems

A new elevator

New landscaping and new finishes throughout the space

“The renovated library will also include small meeting rooms, a maker space, an expanded teen room and an upgraded fireplace room with lots of comfortable chairs and tables for gathering,” Amberik, who also chairs the renovation’s oversight committee, said. “Our team has accomplished a lot since the early planning of the renovation project began over five years ago.”

Since October, the Eveleth Elementary School, 3 Brook Rd., has served as the library’s temporary home. Moving in was not only a five-week, Herculean effort but also took several months of planning.

Abbot Public Library Executive Director Kim

Grad said the renovation will help staff better serve

Marblehead residents and North of Boston Library Exchange patrons.

“Abbot Public Library takes on a vital role in our town in the promotion of literacy and lifelong learning, the freedom to read what we choose, the pursuit of knowledge and trusted information resources, providing free, inclusive and adaptive spaces for gathering and supporting civic engagement through collaboration and connection with our community,” she said. “We look forward to the moment when we can continue our work in the updated space.”

Amberik said the small gathering allowed all involved in the renovation to “get together and take a moment to appreciate all that we have accomplished.” People caught up on the project’s progress, peering over a slide show and chatting with each other. Donuts and coffee were served.

Nancy Perkins Arata, who serves on the renovation oversight committee, has been with the project since day one.

“The town’s citizens are truly getting a bargain for $10 million,” she said. “They are going to be so pleased when the library opens.”

She added, “I’ve gone through a demo, and it looks amazing.”

In June 2021, the request for an $8.5 million override to renovate and replace the failing infrastructure of the building at 235 Pleasant

Street was overwhelmingly approved by the town of Marblehead. Furthermore, the Abbot Public Library Foundation has raised an additional $1 million through private donations, which will be made available to the town for the renovation.

“The project is currently on budget, although it has certainly been challenging due to the record inflation and market escalation that we have all been experiencing,” said Amberik.