Website of the Week Archive
Fireworks Photographyhttp://www.nyip.com/ezine/holidays/firewksintro.html
Capture the explosive excitement of the 4th of July through photography.
Learn the best techniques for taking pictures of fireworks.
Whether you want to photograph professional pyrotechnic displays or backyard sparkler fun, try this New York Institute of Photography website.
Date Posted: June 26, 2009
All About Jazz
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/
Love jazz?
Find concert information, CD reviews, articles, interviews, biographies, videos, and podcasts all about this great music. And there's a free daily download of a jazz tune.
"One of the things I like about jazz, kid, is I don't know what's going to happen next. Do you?" -- Bix Beiderbecke
Date Posted: June 18, 2009
If I Live to Be 100: Lessons from Centenarians
http://www.ifilivetobe100.com/
What can you learn in 100 years?
Listen to the stories of these centenarians. Read the profiles of their lives. This website contains excerpts from the book and the National Public Radio series "If I Live to Be 100".
Date Posted: June 12, 2009
Twitter: USA.gov
http://twitter.com/USAgov
Get the latest U.S. government news and info on this site or sign up for Twitter updates. Watch government agencies' videos. Find travel tips, employment advice, tax news, and lots more through the many links. Here's an easy way to know what's going on in your country.
Date Posted: June 05, 2009
Native Plants
http://www.wildflower.org/explore/
Planning a garden? Why not use native plants? Adapted to the type of soil and climate of the region, native plants are a good choice for an easy to maintain garden.
This Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website contains a searchable database, the Native Plant Information Network. Other features include "Ask Mr. Smarty Plants", articles on gardening, regional spotlight information, and 23,770 plant images.
Date Posted: May 15, 2009
Digital Karnak
http://dlib.etc.ucla.edu/projects/Karnak/
If you can't travel to Egypt to see the actual site of Karnak, the largest temple complex in the world, try this Digital Karnak website. Ancient history comes alive with videos, virtual reality models, and a digital timemap. There is also a great deal of text information and good links to other ancient Egypt sites. "The Digital Karnak Project was designed and built at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) under the direction of Dr. Diane Favro (director of the ETC) and Dr. Willeke Wendrich (editor-in-chief of the UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology)."
Date Posted: May 08, 2009
H1N1 Flu
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
H1N1 - Formerly known as swine flu!
Get the latest facts from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Find out reliable statistics, drugs, precautions, care, and travel notices.
Date Posted: May 01, 2009
Shakespeare
http://www.pbs.org/shakespeare/
In Search of Shakespeare, based on a PBS program, explores the life and times of William Shakespeare.
Who, in fact, was he? Another PBS website investigates the theory that Shakespeare was really an Elizabethan noble. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shakespeare/.
OpenSource Shakespeare is a collection of all of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. This George Mason University website includes a concordance and searching by genre, character, and keyword. http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/.
Date Posted: April 23, 2009
The Bizarre History of White House Pets
http://blogs.static.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/19928.html
A pygmy hippopotamus! A badger! A pair of alligators!
And now we have Bo, the Obama's Portuguese water dog. The White House has been home to many cats, dogs, and more unusual pets. Enjoy this fun blog entry from the Mental_Floss Magazine. Then, check out the "Times Topics", New York Times articles on White House pets at: http://topics.nytimes.com.
Date Posted: April 17, 2009
Stem Cells
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/stemcells/
What is a stem cell? What is the goal of stem cell research? And what are the issues involved?
Find the answers on this University of Utah website. Check out the "Additional Resources" for links to other credible sites.
For further study, go to the National Institutes of Health Stem Cell Information page at http://stemcells.nih.gov/.
Date Posted: April 10, 2009
What's happening to the Earth's glaciers?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/extremeice/
Extreme Ice, a PBS NOVA program, features the perils and problems of melting glaciers. See the maps of rising sea levels. Find out about the disruption of traditional Eskimo life. And view the spectacular photos of the changing Arctic environment.
For more information, go to NASA's Earth Observatory article, Dwindling Arctic Ice at http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/ArcticIce/arctic_ice4.php.
Another related website is All About Glaciers from the National Snow and Ice Data Center at http://nsidc.org/glaciers/.
Date Posted: March 27, 2009
Green Cleaners
http://www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=1400
"Save money, protect your family and the environment by using safe, simple ingredients to clean your home."
Check out these environmentally friendly home-made cleaning options. Find out why it is important for you and your family to go green. This website is sponsored by the Metro Regional Government of Portland, Oregon.
For more green tips, go to Co-op America's National Green Pages at http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages/greentips/march.cfm?notext=t.
Date Posted: March 20, 2009
AcademicInfo Online Degrees in Psychology
http://www.academicinfo.net/psych.html
Passionate or just curious about a career in Psychology?
This resource guide provides information on degree and distance learning programs in the field of psychology. Students and professionals will find useful information exploring the links to books & periodicals, subject guides, tutorials, and psychology blogs.
"AcademicInfo is an online education resource center with extensive subject guides and distance learning information. Our mission is to provide free, independent and accurate information and resources for prospective and current students (and other researchers)."
Date Posted: March 13, 2009
Women's Education Evolves
http://www.clements.umich.edu/womened/
This University of Michigan website presents the history of American women's education from 1790 - 1890. Resources include "digitized selections of key primary source materials, such as letters from students and women teachers, diaries of missionary teachers, various schoolbooks, sermons, and catalogs." The scope of this literature includes curriculum, student life, teaching, religion, race, culture, and educational institutions.
This Women's History Month, celebrate our foremother's quest for learning.
Date Posted: March 06, 2009
NASA Images
http://www.nasaimages.org/
View faraway galaxies, a star's death, our solar system, and Earth from outer space. Follow the Spaceflight Timeline and find pictures of space travel history. These spectacular photographs are from NASA to be used for educational or informational purposes.
Date Posted: February 27, 2009
Where is Your Money Going?
http://www.recovery.gov/
"Recovery.gov is a website that lets you, the taxpayer, figure out where the money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is going."
Barack Obama's Economic Stimulus Plan of February 17, 2009 involves billions of tax dollars. Read the bill, study the graphs of spending categories, check out the timeline, analyze the impact, and share your recovery story. This optimistic website is from the White House.
Date Posted: February 20, 2009
Civil Rights Digital Library
http://crdl.usg.edu/voci/go/crdl/home
Civil Rights Digital Library - Documenting America's Struggle for Racial Equality is a great website for Black History Month. The University of Georgia has created an excellent resource for researching the Civil Rights Movement. Search by events, places, people, topics, media types, or contributing institutions. Useful classroom tools are available under "Educator Resources". "Collections" A-Z links to over 140 collections of text, photographs, and film and audio clips from educational, governmental, and organizational U.S. institutions.
Date Posted: February 13, 2009
Alternate Fuels
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/science/alt_fuels/index.html
Would you like to improve your car's fuel economy while reducing CO2 emissions? Maybe, the way to go is with an ethanol, hydrogen, electric, biodiesel, or natural gas running vehicle. Explore this PBS website to learn about these alternate fuels. Try the "How does your your stack up?" interactive feature to find out the costs per year and average emissions of your car versus comparable advanced automobiles.
For more information, go to the U.S. Dept. Energy's Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center at: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/.
Date Posted: February 04, 2009
Music as Torture/Music as Weapon
http://www.sibetrans.com/trans/trans10/cusick_eng.htm
"Acoustic weapons" and "no touch" audio torture are controversial ways of playing music. Blasts of loud music are being used to disorient and confuse hostile crowds and snipers. Music torture in prisons, including Guantanamo, keeps detainees sleep deprived. This article is from Trans, the Transcultural Music Review, promoted by the Society for Ethnomusicology.
A History of Music Torture in the "War on Terror" is available from the Huffington Post website. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-worthington/a-history-of-music-tortur_b_151109.html.
Barney? Eminem? Neil Diamond? What music do they play?
Check out the Torture Playlist with sound clips from the Mother Jones website. http://www.motherjones.com/news/featurex/2008/03/torture-playlist.html.
Date Posted: January 30, 2009
Ah Choo!
http://coughsafe.com/index.html
Stay safe this cold and flu season by using proper sneeze and cough techniques. "Why Don't We Do It In Our Sleeves?" is an entertaining 5 minute video stressing the importance of using the CDC's guidelines for infection control. And then watch the amusing "Soap & the City" video on handwashing. These fun videos are presented by OtoRhinoLounsburgology Productions. Let's all keep our germs to ourselves!
Date Posted: January 23, 2009
2009 Presidential Inauguration
http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp
Enjoy the excitment and tradition of the historic presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. This Washington, D.C. website provides bios, events, maps, fun facts, photos, and links to other official inaugural websites.
For more historical information on the inaugurations since 1789, go to these sites:
Library of Congress "I Do Solemnly Swear..." at http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/pihtml/
Smithsonian Magazine's " Inaugural Firsts" at http://www.smithsonianmag.com
Bartleby's "Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States" at http://www.bartleby.com/124/
The United States Senate's "Presidential Inaugurations: Invitations and Tickets" at http://www.senate.gov/
PBS's "Inaugural Fashions" at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/inauguration/fashion.html
Date Posted: January 15, 2009
Currency Converter
http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic
If you're traveling abroad, you need to know the rate of money exchange. Try this currency converter from OANDA, a trading and currency information service. Find up-to-the-minute, as well as historic rates of exchange. You can also print a handy personalized currency cheat sheet at http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet.
Date Posted: December 20, 2008
Healthy Toys
http://www.healthytoys.org/
Arsenic? Mercury? Lead?
These toxic chemicals do not belong in toys. Find out the safety level of the children's products you buy. Discover the worst and best toys. Search by specific product, commercial brand, or toy type. And learn how you can take action to assure all children have healthy toys.
Date Posted: December 12, 2008
Piracy At Sea
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/p/piracy_at_sea/index.html
How can the pirates of Somalia be brazen enough to attack huge cruise ships and freighters?
Read about piracy of today at this New York Times website. The articles, interviews, multimedia shows, photos, maps, and documents explore the problem of terrorism on the high seas of the world.
Date Posted: December 05, 2008
How Lame is a Lame Duck President?
http://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/lame-duck-president.htm
1. lame duck president
Used to describe a President during the period of time between losing an election (or being term limited) and the actual swearing in of the new President.
2. lame duck president
A President that already served his/her first term. It usually means that the President can focus on different things now since they know they have nothing to lose (usually).
"George W. Bush is a lame duck president now!"
Definitions taken from UrbanDictionary.Com.
Read about what former presidents have (or not have) accomplished in their final days in office. Then follow the links for related political information in this "How Stuff Works" Lame Duck entry.
Date Posted: November 21, 2008
Bottled Water Quality Investigation
http://www.ewg.org/reports/bottledwater
10 Major Brands! 38 Pollutants!
How safe is the brand of water that you drink?
Read the results of this recent chemical test of bottled waters. Try this Environmental Working Group site for news and research of environmental issues, including health, farming, and natural resources.
"The mission of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment."
Date Posted: November 14, 2008
Encyclopedia of the Earth
http://www.eoearth.org/
Do you need reliable, non-biased information on topics like coral reefs, greenhouse gases, or animal behavior?
For authoritative articles, current events, encyclopedic entries, and an interactive forum on the Earth's ecosystems and environment, try this searchable wiki. Written by experts from over 60 countries, this website's information is compiled and controlled by a Boston University editing staff. It is sponsored by the Environmental Information Coalition of the National Council for Science and the Environment.
Date Posted: November 07, 2008
The Domesday Book
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/domesday/
In 1086, William the Conqueror commissioned a land survey and census of the English people, including their possessions. After 900 years, this early record of British history is still a fascinating account of life in the Middle Ages. Search the volume, view images of the original pages, and learn about people, places, and events of the 11th century. This website is sponsored by the National Archives of Great Britain.
For more information, try these sites:
The Domesday Book Online at http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/
National Archives Learning Curve, Focus on Domesday at http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/focuson/domesday/
Date Posted: October 31, 2008
P2008: Race for the Whitehouse
http://www.gwu.edu/~action/P2008.html
"Make our democracy work. Make your vote an informed one."
For information about the presidential campaigns, the media coverage, the debates, and links to many political sites, go to this Democracy in Action's 'P2008: Race for the Whitehouse, a Framework for Understanding and Following the 2008 Presidential Campaign'. The site is sponsored in part by George Washington University's Institute for Politics, Democracy & the Internet.
Date Posted: October 17, 2008
All About Cupcakes
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring07/Ayers/index.html
"More Than Just a Dessert"
Read about the history, current craze, and design and recipes of cupcakes at this All About Cupcakes site. Other websites to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings are:
History of Cupcakes at the Food Timeline at http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodcakes.html#cupcakes
Cupcakes Take the Cake blog at http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/
Martha Stewart: Cutest Cupcakes at http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/cutest-cupcakes
Date Posted: October 10, 2008
Simpler Spelling
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/11491356.html
Flew, flu, or flue? Rain, reign, or rein? Cite, sight, or site?
Wouldn't it make more sense if English words were spelled the way they sound?
Read the 2006 article, "Advocates Push for Simpler Spelling" from the Minneapolis-St.Paul Star Tribune.
Then explore Welcome to Wyrdplay.org. Peruse the various alternate spelling systems and follow the links for spelling reform. This English language site is at http://www.wyrdplay.org.
Date Posted: October 03, 2008
Banned Books Week
http://bannedbooksweek.org/
September 27 - October 4, 2008 is Banned Books Week. Check out the most challenged titles, discover the international scope of events, and find out what you can do to fight censorship.
For more information go to:
University of Pennsylvania's "Banned Books Online" at http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/banned-books.html.
ABFFE's (American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression) "Banned and Challenged Book List" at http://www.abffe.com/bbw-booklist.htm.
NCTE's (National Council of Teachers in English) "The Students' Right to Read "at http://www.ncte.org/about/over/positions/category/cens/107616.htm.
NCAC's (National Coalition Against Censorship) "Censorship in Schools" at http://www.ncac.org/education/schools/.
Celebrate the freedom to read!
Date Posted: September 26, 2008
Fall Foliage
http://www.usna.usda.gov/PhotoGallery/FallFoliage/
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus
Enjoy the colors of fall with this United States National Arboretum website. View the photo gallery. Read about the hows and whys of fall color. And, if you are a gardener, explore the list of good fall color plants.
For more photos and information go to the University of Illinois Extension's "The Miracle of Fall" at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/fallcolor/.
Date Posted: September 19, 2008
Urban Dictionary
http://www.urbandictionary.com/
Putting lipstick on a pig? Hurrication? Bus surfing?
Check out this site for the newest slang words and idioms. Over three million evolving terms and definitions have been submitted since 1999. Besides using the alphabetic dictionary, you can add, edit, or chat about the various entries.
Caution: some "slang d'jour" can be racy.
Date Posted: September 12, 2008
Food Irradiation - What Is It?
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/irradiation/
Meats, fruits, and vegetables are treated with radiant energy waves to keep foods fresh and free from pests. Read this Iowa State University website to learn the basics of this process.
Is the irradiation process safe? Explore the Center for Food Safety concerns at: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/food_irrad.cfm.
What are the government regulations? For government, consumer, and industry information, along with links to many other sites, go to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's website at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opairrad.html.
Date Posted: September 05, 2008
The Candidates in Print
http://www.time.com/time/2007/candidates_books/biden/
To understand the current presidential race candidates' views and beliefs, read their own words. View summaries of books like Obama's "The Audacity of Hope", Biden's "Promises to Keep", and McCain's "Worth Fighting For". This Time magazine website presents excerpts of the major political figure's writings. Then, follow the links to Time's stories of the candidates.
Date Posted: August 29, 2008
Bigfoot - Real or Hoax?
http://www.bfro.net/
Bigfoot/Sasquatch - is it a hoax, a legend, or an elusive scientific reality?
Explore this fascinating creature through articles, reports, legends, exhibits, and FAQ's. Browse the Bigfoot sightings by region (including the 65 reports in Illinois). Buy Sasquatch merchandise or report your own Bigfoot sighting. This site is maintained by the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), an "all volunteer scientific and investigative organization."
Date Posted: August 22, 2008
The Springfield Race Riot of 1908
http://library.thinkquest.org/2986/
One hundred years ago on August 14 & 15, 1908, Springfield, Illinois erupted in a riot of destruction, murder, and racial strife. This peaceful town was turned into a battleground for two days. The costly and painful disaster focused the country's attention to the problems of racial conflict. Outraged by the violence in Lincoln's hometown, black and white reformers founded the NAACP.
This ThinkQuest presentation narrates the historical event with text, photographs, and a map.
For more information, go to the Northern Illinois University Libraries site at: http://www.lib.niu.edu/1996/iht329622.html.
Date Posted: August 14, 2008
2008 Beijing Olympic Games
http://en.beijing2008.cn/
One World One Dream
Follow the feats, spectacles, and stories of the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. This official website contains news articles, schedules & results, athletes & teams, ceremonies, Beijing culture, and lots of photos, sound bites, and videos.
Join the world in this celebration of athletic achievement.
Date Posted: August 07, 2008
Guinness World Records
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com
Who made the largest omelette? What is the smallest living dog? Who is the fastest harmonica player?
Find remarkable feats and oddities in the fields of sports, nature, science, technology, society, and the arts. This searchable database contains all the stories and statistics of the popular book, Guinness Book of World Records.
Date Posted: July 31, 2008
Explore Mars Now
http://www.exploremarsnow.org/
How can man live on Mars? What components are necessary for a Mars habitat? What will it look like?
Explore this interactive Martian space station. View the layout, exterior, work and living spaces, greenhouse, and robot rover. Learn about the details of this virtual base on Mars. Then follow the links for more information on the red planet.
This website is from Nexterra, a not-for-profit team of design professionals.
Date Posted: July 25, 2008
Take a "Staycation"
http://www.vagablogging.net/08-06/take-a-staycation-vagabonder-style.html
"A staycation is a vacation minus the vacating part" says Rolf Potts on his Vagabonding weblog. If you cannot find the time and money to travel, you can learn to enjoy your hometown resources. Check out the many suggestions for a fun and memorable summer.
Or you can enjoy travel through the stories and photos of others, like Rolf Potts' travel writing website at http://www.rolfpotts.com/. Another source of travel news is the Everywhere blog at http://www.everywheremag.com/blog/.
Date Posted: July 17, 2008
50 Things Being Blamed on Rising Oil Prices
http://blogs.wsj.com/buzzwatch/2008/07/03/idea-watch-50-things-being-blamed-on-rising-oil-prices/?mod=fpa_blogs
Angry squid fishermen! Robot military aircraft! Golf cart regulations!
This 7/3/08 Wall Street Journal blog entry lists 50 casualties of rising fuel costs. Every item is linked to the article or television story that explains the problem. You can add a comment or read the many responses to this thought provoking list.
Date Posted: July 10, 2008
Fireworks!
http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/fireworks/fireworks.htm
This 4th of July, enjoy the colors, lights, and sounds of fireworks shows! But how are fireworks created to perform so spectacularly?
The University of Wisconsin's "Chemical of the Week" website explains the scientific details. Read about the history, chemistry, and safety of these brilliant light displays.
Date Posted: July 02, 2008
Comedy Central's Indecision 2008
http://www.indecision2008.com/index.jhtml
Whether you are intrigued by or sick of the presidential election, try this Comedy Central website of "something approximating election news with something approximating honesty". Enjoy Jon Stewart's and Stephen Colbert's political opinions. Read the satirical candidates' profiles. View video clips of the Comedy Central humor. Take the indecision test, answer the off-beat poll questions, and explore the outrageous blog entries. And don't forget to vote!
Date Posted: June 26, 2008
Gas Prices
http://www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/brochures/gasolinepricesprimer/
What do we pay for in a gallon of gasoline? Why do gas prices fluctuate? And why are prices different in different regions?
The Primer on Gasoline Prices answers all these questions. This site is from the Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy.
How can we find the best gas prices around?
Try the AAA Gas Price Finder at: http://csaa.kivera.com/csaa/gaspricefinder.jsp.
Date Posted: June 10, 2008
Free Rice
http://www.freerice.com/
"Play and feed hungry people."
Improve your vocabulary with this word & definition game. For every correct answer, 20 grains of rice will be donated to the United Nations World Food Program.
What a win-win situation! You can work on English skills while helping to provide food for the world's needy.
Date Posted: May 16, 2008
Go Fly a Kite!
http://www.drachen.org/
Learn about kite types, history, sports, cultures, and building techniques. Enjoy workshops, exhibits, and other special events about this international pastime. Read issues of Kite Journal.
This site is sponsored by the Drachen Foundation, a non-profit educational corporation devoted to kite knowledge and activities.
Date Posted: May 09, 2008
Triple Crown History
http://www.horse-races.net/library/links-tchistory.htm
Relive the excitment of the Kentucky Derbies, Preaknesses, and Belmont Stakes of the past. Horse-races.net provides links to Triple Crown charts, statistics, articles, and photos through the long tradition of American thoroughbred horse racing.
Date Posted: May 02, 2008
Land, Air and Sea
http://www.landairandsea.com/
Have you ever seen an Amfibidiver? Or flown in a Benson Amphibious Gyrocopter? Or traveled in a Trippel Aquaterra?
The Museum of Creative Invention website exhibits a variety of unusual and versatile vehicles. This "collection of mechanical ambition, enthusiasm and aspiration" is fun and inspirational. And there are lots of links to flying & amphibious cars, submarines, hovercrafts and more.
Date Posted: April 25, 2008
Illinois Earthquake
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
Did you feel the 5.2 magnitude earthquake early this morning? Research the history of Illinois seismic activity at this U.S. Geological Survey website. Explore the cause and effects of earthquakes through facts, maps, photos, a glossary, links, and lots of scientific and historical data.
What do you before, during, and after an earthquake? Check out this American Red Cross site at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_583_,00.html.
Still curious about earthquakes? Try this University of California, Berkeley site on "Earthquake Engineering" by VV. Bertero at http://nisee.berkeley.edu/bertero/index.html.
Date Posted: April 18, 2008
The Question of Tibet
http://www.cfr.org/publication/15965/question_of_tibet.html
What is going on in Tibet?
Read this April 9, 2008 article from the Council on Foreign Relations, a Nonpartisan Resource for Information and Analysis, website. Then follow the links to related stories and commentary.
To research Tibet further, try the BBC "Regions and Territories: Tibet" at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/4152353.stm.
Another interesting site about Tibet's political problems is the "International Campaign for Tibet" at http://www.savetibet.org/.
What's going on with Tibet? Read the literature and decide for yourself.
Date Posted: April 11, 2008
AKA Houdini
http://www.akahoudini.org/htdocs/index.php
Harry Houdini, the most famous magician in history, has mystified generations with his magic tricks, dramatic escapes, and psychic promises. Explore his life through this Outagamie County Historical Society exhibit website. Enjoy the interactive trivia game and the "try this at home" magic tricks.
For more information, go to these Houdini sites.
Houdini, the Man Behind the Myth, is a PBS American Experience program. This site lets you view film clips, a gallery of advertising posters, and a timeline of his life.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/houdini/index.html
Houdini, the Life and Times of America's Greatest Magician will allow you to continue your exploration with more biographical info, trivia, and lots of links.
http://www.magictricks.com/houdini/
Date Posted: April 04, 2008
Three Mile Island: The Inside Story
http://americanhistory.si.edu/tmi/index.htm
On March 28, 1979, the worst nuclear disaster in American history occurred at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. Explore the details of this radioactive leak through images, diagrams, and text taken from an exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Continue your search through this site's links and references.
Date Posted: March 21, 2008
American Women Through Time
http://www.mtsu.edu/~kmiddlet/history/women/wh-timeline.html
This March, for Women's History Month, explore the history of American women chronologicallty. View the timelines by decade. Then, link to notable women's sites, other timeline sites, and other women's history sites. American Women Through Time is maintained by Ken Middleton of the Middle Tennessee State University.
Date Posted: March 07, 2008
Ethical Traveler
http://www.ethicaltraveler.org/
Are you a tourist, a traveler, an explorer, or an ambassador?
Think about your vacation plans and your impact on other places. The Ethical Traveler, a project of Earth Island Institute, is a website devoted to cultural, environmental, and educational awareness of the world. This site contains country information, guidelines for the "Accidental Ambassador", and many links to travel-related websites and blogs.
"Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity. We are dependent on each other in so many ways that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities." --His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Date Posted: February 29, 2008
30-Second Bunnies Theatre Library
http://www.angryalien.com/
Don't have time to sit through cinema classics like Casablanca, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, March of the Penguins, or Snakes on a Plane?
You can enjoy these movies in 30 second reenactments - by animated bunnies. Angry Alien Productions is the source of these fun, entertaining, and rather strange bits of Hollywood satire. Get out the popcorn and enjoy!
Date Posted: February 22, 2008
Literary Forensics
http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/literary/1.html
The Lindbergh ransom note! The Unabomber manifesto! The Jack the Ripper diary!
All of these criminal documents have been the subject of document and handwriting analysis. Read about how crime labs investigate this kind of evidence. And explore some of the most famous crimes in history. These TruTV articles are written by Katherine Ramsland, forensic psychologist.
Date Posted: February 15, 2008
Love and Romance Through the Ages
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Valentin/English/index.php3
This year, send the perfect Valentine!
Explore the many faces of love and romance. Be inspired by historical Valentines or send an e-delivery card. This Virtual Museum of Canada exhibition provides the history, traditions, literature, and art of Valentine's Day.
To research more old-time Valentines, try this Victorian Comic Valentines site at http://www.scrapalbum.com/svcomic/svc_p1.htm.
And for further inspiration, go to this Virginia Tech website of Civil War Love Letters at http://spec.lib.vt.edu/cwlove/.
Date Posted: February 08, 2008
Black History Month - A Medical Perspective
http://www.mclibrary.duke.edu/hom/exhibits/blkhist/
This Duke University website celebrates black history in the medical field.
Highlights include: influential people, black medical education, black hospitals, folk medicine, and a chronology. The bibliography contains books, articles, and websites for further study.
Date Posted: February 02, 2008
Language Learning Library
http://www.languagelearninglibrary.org/
Want to learn Chinese? Need a little extra help with your German? What are the Russian holidays?
The Language Learning Library can help you with Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Chinese, Japanese and Russian language study. Besides the usual words, phrases and grammar, you can explore the culture of each country. There are also links to language dictionaries.
Aprecíe!
Date Posted: January 25, 2008
Visual Dictionary Online
http://visual.merriam-webster.com/index.php
View 6,000 illustrations and diagrams of 20,000 English words. Search by word or theme. Find definitions and audio clips of pronunciations.
This interactive Merriam-Webster Visual Dictionary is an educational aid to the ESL student. And it's useful and fun for the English speaker.
Date Posted: January 17, 2008
Audubon Christmas Bird Count
http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/
From December 14, 2007 until January 5, 2008, the Audubon Society will conduct its 108th Christmas Bird Count. Explore the tradition and history through the annual summaries. Investigate the details of the 2007 results. Read the articles, including one on how birds are responding to the global climate change. And enjoy the gallery of bird photographs.
For more information on birds, try these related sites:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds.
and "Bird IQ Explore the World of Birds", sponsored by ConocoPhillips and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, at http://www.birdiq.com/.
Date Posted: December 14, 2007
Design of Desire
http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/design/
Why do we want stuff?
How are we lured into stores?
Who influences what we buy?
This American RadioWorks website reveals many aspects of our consumer behavior. Listen to the audio and read the transcript of this radio documentary. View the Mall of America shopping experience to see how retail design affects your shopping. Take the "Tightwad or Spendthrift" survey. Explore the articles on America's buying habits. And have a happy shopping season!
Date Posted: December 06, 2007
World AIDS Day 2007
http://www.avert.org/worldaid.htm
What can you do to support World AIDS Day?
There are an estimated 33.2 million people infected with HIV world-wide. You can educate yourself, raise awareness in others, fight prejudice, donate money for research, get tested, and show your care and support for the infected population.
For the history of AIDS and more information, explore Frontline's The Age of AIDS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/aids/.
And for up-to-date research and statistics, go to the CDC's HIV/AIDS webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/.
Date Posted: November 28, 2007
Solemates: The Century in Shoes
http://www.centuryinshoes.com/
High-buttoned! Ruby slippers! Spectator pumps! Saddle shoes! White bucks! Go-go boots! Platform soles! Air Jordans!
Explore the 20th century through the shoes, fashions, and history of the times.
For more shoe history, go to the website of the Bata Shoe Museum of Toronto, Canada. Their online exhibit "All About Shoes" shows the diversity of shoe styles of different cultures through history and world-wide.
http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/
Date Posted: November 16, 2007
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
http://www.greenroofs.net/
Cheaper energy costs! Improved air quality! Beautiful greenery! A haven for urban wildlife! Effective sound insulator!
CLC's new Southlake building is a local example of green roof technology.
Although more expensive to construct than a typical roof, a green roof provides many ecological and aesthetic advantages. Read about the benefits, techniques and practicality of a green roof at this Green Roofs for Healthy Cities website.
Learn more about the green roofs industry at: http://www.greenroofs.com/Greenroofs101/
Date Posted: November 09, 2007
25 Secrets of the Mona Lisa
http://www.livescience.com/history/071018-mona-lisa.html
Did the Mona Lisa have eyebrows?
What did da Vinci's masterpiece look like before centuries of pollution, varnish and other alterations?
Pascal Cotte of Lumiere Technology scanned the famous painting with a multi-spectral imaging camera. The digitization found numerous details that had been unseen for many years.
You can further explore these findings at "True Colors of the Mona Lisa Revealed" at: http://www.lumiere-technology.com/Pages/News/news3.htm.
Date Posted: November 02, 2007
State Cell Phone Driving Laws
http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
Is there a connection between car crashes and the use of cell phones while driving?
See how each state is treating this issue. Then, explore each state's laws on other highway issues: drunk driving, helmet use, seat belt use, work zone speed limit, and more.
The State Cell Phone Driving Laws website is sponsored by the Governor's Highway Safety Association, a non-profit organization representing state safety offices.
Date Posted: October 25, 2007
The Costumer's Manifesto
http://www.costumes.org/
What will you be for Halloween?
Do you need a quick & easy monster head? How about a fake blood recipe? How can you copy a character from your favorite movie?
The Costumer's Manifesto is a compilation of hundreds of websites about making, buying, and history of costumes. Explore information on ethnic dress, weird & kinky clothing, religious dress, armor, make-up & masks, and much, much more.
This costumes.org site is maintained by Tara Mcginnis, a theatre department professor at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Date Posted: October 19, 2007
History of Fitness
http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/history.html
What did prehistoric man do for exercise? We can guess that his life with filled with physical challenges just to survive.
When did fitness become something beyond a subsistence requirement?
Discover the history of fitness at this University of New Mexico website.
To promote your own fitness routine, try this Fitness Jumpstart site at: http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner.
And find news, articles, tutorials, quizzes, statistics, a dictionary, organizations, and directories at the Medline Plus Exercise & Physical Fitness site at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseandphysicalfitness.html.
Date Posted: October 12, 2007
Dilophosaurus Discovered
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/dilophosaur/intro.html
Listen to a narration of the discovery of dinosaur bones.
Learn about the dinosaur's features and habits.
And find out why you have seen this particular dinosaur, diloposaurus, in your lifetime.
This University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley website describes and links you to lots of dinosaur information.
Date Posted: October 05, 2007
World Drug Report
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/WDR.html
"The World Drug Report presents the most comprehensive statistical view of today's illicit drug situation."
This United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime website details the world drug market, international drug trafficking, production, prices, and consumption. This online publication contains trends, statistics, data, and analysis of the world drug situation. Previous reports are also available.
Date Posted: September 28, 2007
Cartoon America
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/cartoonamerica/cartoonamerica-home.html
Cartoon America, a Library of Congress exhibition, presents dozens of examples of the evolving art form of cartoons. From an 1830's book illustration to the comic strips of today, these images evoke the changing styles, issues, and culture. Categories include illustration, political cartoons, caricature, animation, single panel cartoons, and comic strips. Every image is annotated with artist, description, and publication information. Further research can be done through the bibliography and related cartoon website links.
Date Posted: September 21, 2007
Quackwatch
http://www.quackwatch.com/
Personalized Vitamins? Get Slim Slippers? Magnetic Bracelet? Clarified Butter as a Health Food?
What works to keep you healthy?
Quackwatch is "your guide to quackery, health fraud, and intelligent decisions". Evaluated by an advisory board of professionals, this non-profit site attempts to combat "health related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies and misconduct". This searchable website links you with hot topics, consumer protection, questionable products, services, and theories.
Date Posted: September 14, 2007
The 1900 Storm, Galveston,
http://www.1900storm.com/
Long before Katrina, Galveston was slammed with the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history. Over 6,000 people died and 3,600 buildings were destroyed on that disastrous day of September 8, 1900. This Galveston Newspapers, Inc. website tells the story through articles, personal narrations, photographs, film clips, and facts & figures.
Where will the next forceful hurricane strike?
Check out The Weather Channel's Vulnerable Cities site at: http://www.weather.com/newscenter/specialreports/hurricanes/vulnerablecities/
Date Posted: September 07, 2007
Coupons!
http://couponmonth.com/pages/home.htm
September is National Coupon Month!
Who uses coupons? Where do they find them?
This Promotion Marketing Association site will answer these questions. Find shopping worksheets, clipping tips, saving statistics, and links to sponsors with online coupons.
Smart shoppers save money. Be one!
Date Posted: August 31, 2007
Test Prep Review
http://www.testprepreview.com/
Find free online practice tests for over 50 standardized tests. Review the SAT, ACT, GED, ASVAB, HOBET, TOEFL, CLEP tests and many, many more. Discover test preparation tips, test taking strategies, and student loan information.
Although the website links you to full-scale programs and books for purchase, these mini tests are a good gauge to the format and skill level of each test.
Date Posted: August 24, 2007
MLA Language Map
http://www.mla.org/map_main
A Modern Language Association Language Map depicts the linguistic and cultural composition of the United States.
Design your own map by language and geography (county or zip code).
Compare maps side by side.
Research statistics and comparison charts.
Use the tutorial to understand the depth of information available.
And follow the links to sites on immigration, teaching languages, and U.S. Census publications.
Discover the diversity of our great country.
Date Posted: August 17, 2007
Race for the White House
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/index.asp?cycle=2008
"After six months of fundraising, the candidates for president in 2008 have already raised more than $265 million. No presidential money chase has ever started so quickly. By some predictions, the eventual nominees will need to raise $500 million apiece to compete--a record sum."
Go to this Opensecrets.org site to find out which candidate has raised the most money. And discover the sources of these campaign funds.
Date Posted: August 09, 2007
Hot Dog!
http://www.hot-dog.org/
Love that ballpark and backyard staple - the hot dog?
Learn about frankfurter history, red hot trivia, sausage recipes, wiener statistics and hot dog etiquette at this National Hot Dog & Sausage Council website.
To find out how wieners are served in different U.S. cities, go to "Hot Dogs as America", an American Museum of Natural History (New York) exhibit. http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/baseball/hotdogs/
Date Posted: August 03, 2007
Computer History Museum
http://www.computerhistory.org/
Explore the Computer History Museum of Mountain View, CA. Research computer pioneers in the "Hall of Fellows". Investigate the chronology of computer technology in the "Timeline". Learn about major technological events in "This Day in History". Enjoy the special exhibit, "History of Computer Chess".
Date Posted: July 26, 2007
Sunscreen Summary
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summary.php
Sunscreens - what works and what's safe?
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has investigated 785 name-brand sunscreens to find the safest and most effective. Their website contains best and worst lists, top selling brands, and lots of information on sunscreens in regards to health risks, standards, and related websites.
Have a sunburn-free summer and a skin cancer-free life!
Date Posted: July 19, 2007
DogFriendly.com
http://www.dogfriendly.com/
Need a vacation but hate to leave your dog at the kennel?
Take Fido with you!
DogFriendly.com provides U.S. and Canadian travel guides for dog owners. Find lodging, outdoor restaurants, parks, beaches, attractions, and events that you can enjoy with your pet. Research dog etiquette, travel considerations, dog laws, and airline policies. Use the many dog links to find all kinds of canine information.
Date Posted: July 11, 2007
Virtual Religion Index
http://www.virtualreligion.net/vri/index.html
This Rutgers University site is an annotated directory of internet resources on religion. Research the ethics, philosophy and psychology of religion. Explore everything from ancient practices and tribal cults to the world's great religions of today.
Date Posted: July 06, 2007
How to Build an Invisibility Cloak
http://discovermagazine.com/2006/nov/building-invisibility-cloak/article_view?b_start:int=0&-C=
Can scientists duplicate Harry Potter's invisibility cloak?
This Discover Magazine article describes the possibility of creating new materials that would mask objects from visible light. Learn the physics and potential uses of this disappearing technology.
Date Posted: June 29, 2007
History of Toys and Games
http://www.history.com/exhibits/toys/index.html
Remember Lincoln Logs, Monopoly, Slinky, and G.I.Joe?
Discover the history of your favorite toys and games at this History Channel website. Enjoy the timeline, quiz, and information on inventors.
For other sites to explore familiar playthings, try these links.
National Toy Hall of Fame at Strong Museum (Rochester, N.Y.) is at http://www.strongmuseum.org/NTHoF/NTHoF.html.
Toys and Games Collections of Hampshire (England) Museums Services is at http://www.hants.gov.uk/museum/toys/.
Date Posted: June 13, 2007
ASL University
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/
Need to communicate better with a baby, or with a hard of hearing or deaf person?
Want to know more about American Sign Language?
"ASL University is an online curriculum resource for American Sign Language students, instructors, interpreters, and parents of deaf children."
Become fluent in ASL through fingerspelling lessons and quizzes. Learn the grammar and history of this complete, natural language. Discover baby's first 100 signs. Explore the syllabi, dictionary, bibliography, deaf jokes and Spanish text version.
ASL University is a website from Dr. Bill Vicas of California State University, Sacramento.
Date Posted: June 07, 2007
Night Sky Network
http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/
Share an interest in astronomy through this NASA site for amateur astronomy clubs. Explore pictures, movies and data on the universe. And find out about sky watching organizations throughout the United States.
For information on a local astronomy club, go to the Lake County Astronomical Society site at http://www.lcas-astronomy.org/.
"Luminous stars and galaxies, the things that shine, are mere white caps on a dark invisible sea, controlled by influences beyond our vision." - Kenneth R. Lang, astronomy author
Date Posted: May 30, 2007
The British Monarchy
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp
Americans were fascinated with Queen Elizabeth's recent trip to Jamestown, Kentucky, and Washington D.C. Read more about this historical visit at the official website of the British Monarchy. Learn about the queen's daily life and official duties. Enjoy the biographies, photos, videos, and audios of the royal family. Luxuriate in the images of the crown jewels, the royal art collections, and the stately palaces. Research the history of the English throne from Anglo-Saxon times to the present.
This site is certain to bring out the Anglophile in each of us!
Date Posted: May 09, 2007
How Laughter Works!
http://people.howstuffworks.com/laughter.htm/printable
What is laughter? Why do we laugh? How do we laugh?
Why can’t I tickle myself? What’s funny? What’s not?
Celebrate World Laughter Day on Sunday, May 6, 2007 by exploring this "How Stuff Works" website.
And try the "Humor & Laughter: Health Benefits" website at: http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm. Find laughter’s effects on the body from this HelpGuide.org. site. Then go to their links for online sources of humor and jokes to let laughter work for you.
"The art of medicine consists of keeping the patient amused while nature heals the disease." - Voltaire
Date Posted: May 02, 2007
Reduce Waste! If Not You, Who?
http://www.reduce.org/
"The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper each year."
This Earth Week, learn how to reduce waste at home, at the office and at school. Read suggestions on eco friendly gifts, non-toxic homes, organic gardens, smart shopping, and a simplified lifestyle. Find more information through the dozens of links. Reduce.org is sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Date Posted: April 24, 2007
The Pulitzer Prizes
http://www.pulitzer.org/index.html
The 2007 Pulitzer Prizes were announced this week. Check out the new winners!
This site contains a history of the Pulitzer, including an interactive timeline since 1917. Read many of the honored articles, view the winning photographs and editorial cartoons, and listen to the chosen music clips.
For Nobel Prize winners, go to Nobelprize.org at: http://nobelprize.org/index.html. Learn about the winners and their contributions. Check out the information about Alfred Nobel, the Nobel Foundation and the Nobel Museum. And test yourself with the educational games.
Date Posted: April 17, 2007
Cicadas in Illinois
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cicadas/index.html
They're Coming!!!
This May, northern Illinois will be home to billions of periodical cicadas (aka 17 year locust). Learn about the types of cicadas, their life cycle and possible control measures from this University of Illinois Extension site.
For more information, try the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (Insect Division) site at: http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/michigan_cicadas/Periodical/Index.html.
Another good website is the Library of Congress Science Reference Services at: http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/selected-internet/cicadas.html.
And to get the most out of this locust plague, go to Cicada-licious, Cooking & Enjoying Periodical Cicadas at: http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/pdf/cicada%20recipes.PDF.
Date Posted: April 10, 2007
Geoffrey Chaucer Hath a Blog
http://houseoffame.blogspot.com/
Read the "most fresshe and newe postes" about Chaucer and his times. This blog site is a fun way to connect with other Chaucer lovers.
For more information on Chaucer's life, literature and times, explore these websites. Harvard College's "The Geoffrey Chaucer Website" is at http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/.
The University of Glasgow's "The World of Chaucer" is at http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/exhibns/chaucer/index.html.
"In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle,
That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde."
Date Posted: April 04, 2007
Museum of Hoaxes
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/
"Examining dubious-sounding claims and mischief of all kinds!"
What are the top 10 April Fool's Day hoaxes - and the 10 worst April Fool's Day pranks? What are the most famous frauds and oddities throughout history? And how gullible are you?
Explore this website from the "Museum of Hoaxes". You can search the entries by time and subject. Take the gullibility test, submit stories and comments, or browse the forum.
Date Posted: March 22, 2007
National Traffic and Road Closure Information
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/
Planning a road trip? Get all the road condition information before taking off.
This U.S. Department of Transportation site gives traffic conditions, local and state transit links, weather, and construction areas.
Have a safe and uncomplicated trip!
Date Posted: March 14, 2007
Dressed to the Nines
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/exhibits/online_exhibits/dressed_to_the_nines/index.htm
Dressed to the Nines: A History of the Baseball Uniform is an exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Baseball's long tradition is now gearing up for another exciting season. Relive the history and the details of the baseball uniform at this website. Sections include: an historical timeline, parts of the uniform, a searchable uniform design database, and activities for kids from grade school through college. Enjoy the images, the quotations and the history of America's favorite pastime.
Date Posted: March 07, 2007
M.C. Escher: The Official Website
http://www.mcescher.com/
Enjoy the mathematically inspired graphic artwork of Dutch artist, M. C. Escher. This site contains a biography, bibliography, links, quotes, and interviews, along with images of his works. Take a virtual ride through some of his intriguing pictures.
For more visual fun, go to the Totally Tessellated website at: http://library.thinkquest.org/16661/index2.html.
Date Posted: February 28, 2007
Blogossary
http://www.blogossary.com/
What is a plog or a vlog or a doppelblogger?
Discover the vocabulary of blogging on this blogosphere's dictionary. This informal site welcomes readers' input of new terms and definitions.
Date Posted: February 21, 2007
Cosmic Evolution: From Big Bang to Humankind
http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/cosmic_evolution/
Explore the history of the cosmic universe over 12 billion years. Delve into the galactic, stellar, planetary, chemical, biological or cultural aspects our our evolving universe. This searchable Tufts University site contains movies, a glossary, references and links to related sites.
Date Posted: February 14, 2007
Black History Hotlist
http://www.kn.sbc.com/wired/BHM/bh_hotlist.html
This Black History month you can investigate dozens of internet sites on the Black History Hotlist. Explore links to sites on various topics, issues, incidences, people, poetry and historical events. Interesting websites include those about Buffalo soldiers, the Million Man March, church burnings, Martin Luther King, Jr. speeches and Rita Dove poetry. The hotlist is from the AT&T Knowledge Network Explorer education program.
Date Posted: February 07, 2007
Groundhog Day
http://www.groundhog.org/
February 2nd is Groundhog Day. Will the groundhog see his shadow? And will winter last another 6 weeks?
Check out Punxsutawney Phil's prediction at this official site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.
For more information, try these fun and interesting sites:
The Noble web site contains history and many links at http://www.noblenet.org/year/groundhog.html.
The Stormfax Weather Almanac site has more history and includes Phil's prognostications since 1887 at http://www.stormfax.com/ghogday.htm.
And the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web site contains detailed information and pictures of marmota monax (aka groundhog or woodchuck) at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Marmota_monax.html.
Date Posted: January 31, 2007
Procrastination Central
http://webapps2.ucalgary.ca/~steel/Procrastinus/index.php
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow."
Mark Twain
Start this semester right by not becoming a procrastinator. You can begin by taking a quiz to assess your own habits. Then, get suggestions on how to reduce procrastination. This Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary website contains research materials, bibliographies, quotations, along with academic and fun links.
"Procrastination is like a credit card: it's a lot of fun until you get the bill."
Christopher Parker
Date Posted: January 24, 2007
Snow Research
http://snow.usace.army.mil/snow_mainpage2.html#Link
We enjoy a building a snowman, skiing or just viewing a pretty snow covered landscape from indoors. But there is also a great deal of serious research about the flaky white stuff.
This U.S. Army site provides data, images, maps and links about scientific and engineering research on snow.
For more information about snow flakes and crystals try the Cal Tech site, Snow Crystals at: http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/.
Date Posted: January 17, 2007
On This Day
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/
What events occurred on this date in history?
Find facts, birthdays and news articles on this New York Times website.
For a more historical perspective, go to Today in History at: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/.
This Library of Congress American Memory site contains text, images and links to related information.
Learn something new every day!
Date Posted: January 10, 2007
Holiday Giving Guide
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/content.view/cpid/518.htm
"50% of all charitable giving by individuals is done between Thanksgiving and Christmas."
What charities can you trust?
To research charities, try these two sites:
Charity Navigator (address above) is a non-profit organization that evaluates and rates the major American charities.
Give.org is the website for the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. This site provides giving tips along with detailed reports of nationally soliciting charitable organizations.
http://www.give.org/index.asp
Give wisely and generously this holiday season.
Date Posted: December 12, 2006
Ocean World
http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/index.html
Dip your toes into an ocean of information on coral reefs,
icebergs, fisheries, weather and much more!
This Texas A & M Dept. of Oceanography site provides information for educators and students (from kindergarten through graduate school). Young people can check out the images, text, glossary and quizzes. College students can download the textbook, "Introduction to Physical Oceanography". Further research can be explored through the hundreds of ocean-related links.
Dive In!
Date Posted: December 05, 2006
2006 "10 Worst Toys" List
http://www.toysafety.org/worstToyList_index.html
See what not to give this Christmas!
World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.), a Massachusetts charitable non-profit corporation, exposes potentially dangerous toys to the general public.
For the List of Top Holiday Safety Tips from the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07032.html.
And to find the best toys for children with special needs, try the AblePlay site at: http://www.ableplay.org/.
Plan for a safe and fun holiday season!
Date Posted: November 28, 2006
Worldmapper
http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/worldmapper/index.html
"Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest." These unusual maps visually show the importance of the countries of the world in terms of population and many other criteria. Maps include information on immigration, tourism, transportation, imports & exports, employment, housing, education and health.
View your world and your country in many new ways.
Date Posted: November 08, 2006
Body Art
http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/exhibits/online_exhibits/body_modification/bodmodintro.shtml
Tattoos! Piercing! Painting!
People have been decorating their bodies since the 9th century B.C. Explore the "Bodies of Cultures: A World Tour of Body Modification", an exhibit at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
What does body art mean today?
This site includes submitted comments and reactions to popular and cultural personal decoration.
Other interesting websites about body markings are:
"Body Art: Marks of Identity" from the Australian Museum at http://www.amonline.net.au/bodyart/
"Tattoos, Piercing, & Body Markings" from the National Geographic Society at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tattoos/
and "Tattoo History: A Sourcebook" at http://tattoos.com/jane/steve/
"The human body is a canvas for the expression of cultural ideas of men and women throughout time and around the world" --Liz Sands, Bodies of Cultures site developer
Date Posted: November 01, 2006
F.A.A. Travelers
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/
Traveling by air in the coming holidays? Can you bring your knitting? (yes) Can you wear your comfy gel shoe inserts? (no)
Save time and frustration at the security checkpoints by knowing what you can bring and what's prohibited. Check out delays and weather before the trek to the airport. Find helpful information for passengers with disabilities and those traveling with children or pets. Learn what to wear, how to pack along with practical travel tips.
This Federal Aviation Administration site will answer most of your air travel questions. Have a great trip!
Date Posted: October 25, 2006
Artcyclopedia: The Fine Art Search Engine
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/
Find easy access to information on 8,200 artists, 2,100 art sites and 180,000 works of art on this searchable art encyclopedia. Artcyclopedia is a good place to start research on an artist, a work of art or an art movement. Browse the museum directory links, current articles on art topics and art glossaries. View images of paintings, photographs, sculptures, architecture and decorative arts. Although there is a lot of commercial information (poster and book sales), this site is a great supplement for art research projects.
Date Posted: October 18, 2006
Apples & More!
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/apples/
Apples are abundant and delicious this time of year. Explore apple history & legend, recipes, horticulture, festivals and facts. This University of Illinois Extension site is full of practical and fun information along with dozens of links.
Nor is it every apple I desire, Nor that which pleases every palate best;
'T is not the lasting Deuxan I require,
Nor yet the red-cheeked Greening I request,
Nor that which first beshrewed the name of wife,
Nor that whose beauty caused the golden strife:
No, no! bring me an apple from the tree of life!
- Henry David Thoreau
Date Posted: October 11, 2006
Gadget Lab
http://wired.com/wired/archive/gadgetlab/
Do you lust after the latest tech toys?
Would you love a pre-programmed electric guitar or a top of the line
cordless mouse or a waterproof MP3 player?
Then check out the Wired Magazine's Gadget Lab for weekly reviews
of the newest and most exciting electronics.
Even if you are not in the market for the latest & greatest, you can
enjoy this fun and irreverent look at our society's "stuff".
Date Posted: October 04, 2006
Representative Poetry Online
http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/display/index.cfm
Love to read poetry? Investigate thousands of poems by hundreds of authors on this University of Toronto poetry website. Search the poet index or poem index to find favorites. And explore the timeline, calendar, glossary and criticism links.
Love to write poetry? Try Poetry Magic, a British site devoted to budding poets. Find help with themes, word choice, meter & rhyme and publishing. http://www.poetrymagic.co.uk/
Date Posted: September 27, 2006
International Business Etiquette
http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
How do I dress for a business meeting in Brazil? If I am invited to an Egyptian home, what gift should I bring? What are acceptable topics of conversation in Sweden?
Executive Planet provides culture guides for the international traveler. Before you go, learn the customs and protocol unique to each country. This site contains online discussion, expert advice and useful links.
Date Posted: September 20, 2006
What Makes a Planet?
http://www.astro.cornell.edu/~jlm/planet.html
So what is Pluto now?
This Cornell University Department of Astronomy site discusses the controversy of "What makes a planet?"
Whatever the status, NASA is sending its New Horizons spacecraft on its first mission to Pluto, scheduled to arrive in 2015. This website allows you to track the position of the spacecraft, view images and link to articles & related sites. Besides a great deal of scientific information, there are also FAQ's and Fun Facts. Learn about (along with NASA and the scientific world) the farthest reaches of our solar system.
http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/index.php
Date Posted: September 13, 2006
Online Conversion
http://www.onlineconversion.com/
What is the metric equivalent of a certain amount? What time is it in New Zealand? How many days are left until you can retire? What is your weight on other planets? How old are you in dog years?
"Convert just about anything to anything else": clothes sizing, cooking amounts, currency, science & math measures and much more. This interesting website contains articles along with over 50,000 conversions.
Date Posted: August 30, 2006
Obscure Commercial Holidays
http://www.stayfreemagazine.org/archives/13/holidays.html
National Clown Week! Bad Poetry Day!
Check out the variety of holidays with commercial sponsors. This esoteric list is from Stay Free!, a "magazine that explores the politics and perversions of mass media and American (consumer) culture."
And a Happy Kiss and Make Up Day to you!
Date Posted: August 22, 2006
Terrorism
http://library.nps.navy.mil/home/terrorism.htm#iraqnews
Terrorism has become a part of the American news and life. For an extensive listing of web links directly or indirectly associated with terrorism, go to this Dudley Knox Library of the US Naval Postgraduate School site. Topics include Attack on America, Iraq, Afghanistan, Detainee Operations, Casualty Lists, Federal Agencies, Directives & Executive Orders, Archives, Documents, Reports, Discussion Groups and much more.
Date Posted: August 10, 2006
Kaleidoscope Painter
http://www.permadi.com/java/spaint/index.html
Online doodling? Create your own digital kaleidoscope or
view an automatic exploding pattern of color.
For more symmetrical design painting, try the program at: http://www.zefrank.com/dtoy_vs_byokal/
Enjoy!
Date Posted: August 04, 2006
Green Energy Calculator
http://www.nwf.org/energy/greencalculator.cfm
How much impact do you have on the environment?
The Green Energy Calculator can help you estimate the amount of carbon dioxide you generate towards global warming. This National Wildlife Federation site provides tips to lower energy usage, save money and help the Earth.
Date Posted: July 28, 2006
Roller Coasters
http://www.rcdb.com/
What are the newest, fastest, or tallest roller coasters?
Thrill seekers can search the "Roller Coaster DataBase" to find thousands of coasters in American and European amusement parks.
"Roller Coasters: Inventing the Scream Machine" explores the history of the carnival favorite. This Encyclopedia Britannica site can be accessed at: http://search.eb.com/coasters/.
"Amusement Park Physics, What Are the Forces Behind the Fun" explains the actual danger of these death defying machines. To learn how and why roller coasters work, go to this Annenberg Foundation teaching resource at: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/.
Date Posted: July 19, 2006
Rembrandt 400
http://www.holland.com/rembrandt400/consumer/gb/
Celebrate the 400th birthday of the Dutch painter Rembrandt by learning about his life, works, themes and techniques. This official website for the commemoration of his birth showcases the special events planned for this occasion in Holland.
For more information and pictures of Rembrandt paintings, explore the Art Institute of Chicago "Rembrandt's Journey" site:
http://www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/rembrandt.html
Date Posted: July 14, 2006
The Happiness Formula
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/happiness_formula/default.stm
Happiness - how can we find it? Psychologists have mapped out a Happiness Formula. Does it work? This BBC website explores the causes and motivations of human happiness. There are tips, video clips, stories, a poll and even a quiz to measure your own happiness.
"Remember that happiness is a way of travel - not a destination." Roy M. Goodman
Date Posted: July 06, 2006
Motorcycle Helmet Laws
http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/helmet_use.html
How effective are helmets?
How do helmet laws affect motorcyclist deaths and injuries?
Do other countries have mandatory helmet use laws?
Explore this controversial issue on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website. And for more information, go to the Current U.S. Motorcycle & Bicycle Helmet Laws site at: http://www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/helmet_current.html.
For Motorcycle Safety, try this National Highway Transportation Safety Administration site at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.d7975d55e8abbe089ca8e410dba046a0/.
Date Posted: June 29, 2006
A - Z Lyrics Universe
http://www.azlyrics.com/
Now, what were the words to that song?
Check out the lyrics to more than 50,000 songs by 1500 artists. Search by singer/band or song/album title. (Besides lots of ads) this website has soundtracks, reviews and links to related sites.
Be one of the 360,000 visitors to this site daily. And sing with confidence!
Date Posted: June 15, 2006
FIFA World Cup
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/
Catch the excitement of this year's international soccer tournament in Germany!
This official website offers articles, team information, schedules, scores, videos and more. FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) provides a wealth of information in several languages.
Date Posted: June 08, 2006
Zoos Worldwide
http://www.zoos-worldwide.de/index.html
Check out the world's zoos, aquariums, animal sanctuaries and wildlife parks. You can plan your next outing or view the animals online through the zoo cams. This site can be searched geographically. Other features include animal of the month, website of the day and lots of links to animal-related sites.
Date Posted: June 01, 2006
Fiction Connection
http://www.fictionconnection.com/welcomeclouds.asp
Find great books for summer reading!
Fiction Connection from Bowker helps you discover new titles similar to your favorites. Or search by genre, topic, location, setting, timeframe or character.
Another literary aid is Series & Sequels from the Los Angeles Public Library. Read your favorite series in order.
http://www.lapl.org/resources/indexes/sequels.html
For more book related websites go to Bookspot, which contains links to genre sites, award winners, reading lists and much more.
http://www.bookspot.com/
Date Posted: May 10, 2006
Encyclopedia of Chicago
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/
From Abbott Laboratories to Zoroastrians, the Encyclopedia of Chicago covers thousands of subjects related to the Windy City and its surrounding counties. Explore essays, maps, tables, images, and timelines. This searchable database was developed by the Chicago Historical Society, the Newberry Library and Northwestern University.
Date Posted: May 03, 2006
Fuel Economy
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
Struggling with high gasoline costs?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Fuel Economy website offers gas mileage tips, links to find the lowest prices and data on alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles. You can also compare new and used cars in terms of mileage, emissions, air pollution ratings and safety information.
Date Posted: April 26, 2006
Virtual Instrument Museum
http://learningobjects_devel.wesleyan.edu/vim/
Have you ever heard a ntrowa or a bonang or an itotele?
You can listen to audios, view videos and see images of these on the Virtual Instrument Museum website. Searchable by genre, geographic location and material, the site provides information on hundreds of unusual instruments. This World Music Collection is a project of the Wesleyan University Music Department.
Date Posted: April 19, 2006
The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/info/1906/
How big was the April 18, 1906 San Francisco earthquake? When will it happen again? This U.S. Geological Survey site answers these questions, along with photos, eyewitness accounts and lots of scientific data on earthquakes.
For more historic information, try these websites:
San Francisco After the '60, a collection of photographs from the California Museum of Photography. http://photo.ucr.edu/california/projects/sf1906/
Earthquake & Fire Centennial Exhibition from the San Francisco Public Library. http://sfpl.lib.ca.us/librarylocations/sfhistory/equake-browse.htm
100th Anniversary: San Francisco Earthquake April 18 from the U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/006580.html
Date Posted: April 12, 2006
Oddly Enough News
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsChannel.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews
Toilet training for cats! Survival by eating frogs! Reuters news wire compiles strange-but-true news articles and videos daily. Explore today's news and articles from the past month on this unusual site.
Date Posted: April 05, 2006
You Grow Girl
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/index.php
Spring - time to plan your summer garden!
"You Grow Girl - Gardening for the People" is a fun and searchable website to explore plants, gardening techniques, and outcomes. Read the plant journals, join the discussion forums, and browse the articles, tips and recipes.
For more traditional horticulture resources, go to:
Hort Corner from the University of Illinois Extention at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/hort/index.html,
Home Gardening from Cornell University at http://www.explore.cornell.edu/scene.cfm?scene=home%20gardening,
Library of Gardening Information from the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens at http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/
and Hort.net at http://www.hort.net/.
Date Posted: March 22, 2006
MLB Spring Training
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/events/spring_training/
Is 2006 the year of the Chicago cross town World Series?
Check out the Sox, Cubs and their rival teams in Spring Training.
This Major League Baseball site provides news, schedules, results and photos, along with video and audio clips.
Let's play ball!
Date Posted: March 15, 2006
Quotations
http://www.quotationspage.com/
"A quotation in a speech, article or book is like a rifle in the hands of an infantryman. It speaks with authority." Brendan Francis
Add interest and focus to your writing and speaking. Explore the Quotations Page database of over 24,000 quotes. You can browse or search by author, subject and keywords.
"I didn't really say everything I said." Yogi Berra (1925 - )
Date Posted: March 08, 2006
Secrets of the Dead
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/index.html
CSI meets history! Secrets of the Dead is a PBS series which uses crime scene investigation methods to solve historical mysteries. Explore cases like the Shroud of Turin, Salem witches, and the killer flu through background information, clues, evidence, interviews and deductions.
For forensic medicine history, go to the NLM site, Visible Proofs: Forensic Views of the Body at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/visibleproofs/.
And to find out how the FBI conducts investigations like these, peruse the Handbook of Forensics at: http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/handbook/intro.htm.
Date Posted: March 01, 2006
Earth Science World
http://www.earthscienceworld.org/index.html
Explore the beauty and complexity of our Earth through over 6,000 photographs in the Earth Science World ImageBank. Find pictures of volcanoes, waterfalls, minerals, space shots and much more from the American Geological Institution. Information on geoscience careers, books, games and earth science education can also be researched on this site.
Date Posted: February 22, 2006
Moments in Black History
http://www.momentsinblackhistory.com/index.cfm?When=Now
What notable events in Black History happened on this date? Explore African American History through these interesting and informative snippets.
And for a more expansive view of Black history, go to the University of Washington African American History Timeline at: http://faculty.washington.edu/qtaylor/aa_history_public/aatimeline_index.htm.
Date Posted: February 15, 2006
How to Write the Perfect Love Letter
http://www.writeexpress.com/How-to-write-a-love-letter.html
This Valentine's Day, send your sweetheart the perfect love letter. The Write Express website offers guidelines and suggestions for a romantic and unique note.
And for further inspiration, explore the Love Poems at http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5860. The Poets.org site also includes poems searchable by many categories, along with biographical information on the poets.
Enjoy a literary Valentine's Day!
Date Posted: February 08, 2006
Study Abroad
http://www.studyabroad.com/
Explore the world while you work on a degree. StudyAbroad.com can help you find an academic program overseas. Search by country, city or subject. This site includes information on traveling, living abroad, parents' concerns, financial aid and links to specific programs.
Date Posted: February 01, 2006
BMI-Body Mass Index
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/
Could you be overweight?
Calculate your body mass index at this CDC site. BMI "is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height" and categorizes results into underweight, normal, overweight or obese.
Then you can explore popular diets, like Weight Watchers, Atkins, and South Beach at Diets Guide.
http://www.dietsguide.com/
And find more good dieting information at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-loss Program site.
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/choosing.htm
Date Posted: January 25, 2006
Gold Rush! California's Untold Stories
http://www.museumca.org/goldrush/
On January 24, 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill touching off the California Gold Rush. Explore this fascinating episode in U.S. history at the Oakland Museum of California website. You can research text, photos, maps, audios and primary documents from their Gold Rush exhibition.
For more information, try The Sacramento Bee's site at: http://www.calgoldrush.com/.
And also explore the Library of Congress searchable database of first person narratives, "California as I Saw It" at: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cbhtml/.
Date Posted: January 18, 2006
New Year's Resolutions Guide
http://www.umm.edu/features/resolutions_guide.htm
What is your resolution this new year? Lose weight? Exercise regularly? Stop smoking? This University of Maryland Medical Center site provides tips and information on where to begin and how to achieve your goals.
Date Posted: January 10, 2006
Into the Wardrobe
http://cslewis.drzeus.net/
Explore the wardrobe and rediscover Narnia!
Into the Wardrobe: A C.S. Lewis Web Site brings you news & articles, biographic & bibliographic information, and links to other resources about C.S. Lewis.
To view a glitzier website about the movie, try The Chronicles of Narnia at: http://books.narnia.com/.
And for true Narnia lovers, explore Wheaton College's Marion E. Wade Center. This local library contains books & papers of C.S. Lewis and other British authors. Also on site are the original map of Narnia and the family wardrobe that inspired the beloved books. Go to: http://www.wheaton.edu/learnres/wade/.
Date Posted: December 16, 2005
Encyclopedia of Psychology
http://www.psychology.org/links/
Where's a good place to begin research in psychology? The Encyclopedia of Psychology has links to 2007 psychology websites. Topics range from careers to history, publications to theories, and important psychologists to organizations. This searchable site is sponsored by Jacksonville State University (Alabama).
Date Posted: December 09, 2005
Newsmap
http://www.marumushi.com/apps/newsmap/index.cfm
What is the news today?
Newsmap visually displays the patterns of today's news headlines. Search by country or color-coded category. This interesting concept emphasizes the bias of what is important to the contemporary news consumer.
And for the traditional view of these same news stories, go to Google News at: http://news.google.com/.
Date Posted: December 02, 2005
Winter Outlook
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/winter_outlook/index.shtml
Frigid? Snowy? Mild?
What kind of winter can we expect this year?
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center has posted their forecast for the 2005-2006 winter season's weather. We can then explore this U.S. government site for active weather warnings, weather and safety information, and climate trends.
Date Posted: November 18, 2005
Optical Illusions
http://www.archimedes-lab.org/index_optical.html
Intensify your brain power! Try these optical illusions along with puzzles, games and mazes on the Archimedes' Laboratory site.
For more illusions, go to these sites:
Grand Illusions at http://www.grand-illusions.com/
Sandlot Science Optical Illusions at http://www.sandlotscience.com/Illusion_Jump_Main/Master_Jump.htm
The Official Escher Website at http://www.mcescher.com/.
Date Posted: November 11, 2005
Daylight Saving Time
http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/
Now, we are enjoying an extra hour of sunlight in the morning, but darkness comes so early. What is the rationale behind Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time? Find history, anecdotes and interesting facts about this system.
And for further information, look at the California Energy Commission site at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/daylightsaving.html.
"Just as sunflowers turn their heads to catch every sunbeam, so too have we discovered a simple way to get more from our sun."
Date Posted: November 02, 2005
World Series: The Fall Classic
http://baseball-almanac.com/ws/wsmenu.shtml
Catch the excitement as the 2005 World Series begins this week.
This website contains history, statistics, rules, ballparks and loads of fun stuff like songs, jokes and puzzles.
Besides the familiar "Curse of the Billy Goat", learn about other baseball superstitions at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002518793_artmoments25.html.
And for creative baseball heckles go to Heckle Depot at: http://www.heckledepot.com/.
Enjoy the games! Have fun with this baseball lore! And GO SOX!
Date Posted: October 21, 2005
Bird Flu
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/
Experts fear the recent outbreaks of Bird Flu could potentially spread like the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic which killed 20 million people.
This CDC website contains information about the Avian Influenza or Bird Flu. Find out about updates, guidelines and the risks to human health.
For related news stories, go to NPR's "Health Officials Keep Close Watch on Bird Flu" at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4949542.
And for more information on the 1918 pandemic go to the PBS American Experience webpage at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/influenza/index.html.
Date Posted: October 14, 2005
Snacks!
http://snacks.cyberpunks.org/snacks.html
Hungry? What do you want - candy, chips, soda or pizza?
Find what you crave on this Writers/Artists Snacking At Work website. Over 210 snacks are described and reviewed.
For stories and newswires about the junk food industry go to Junk Food News at: http://www.junkfoodnews.com/index.html.
And for information on why you crave these snacks, try Snack Attack: Coping with Cravings at: http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/51/40783.htm.
Date Posted: October 07, 2005
Urban Experience in Chicago: Hull House
http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/urbanexp/
This fascinating University of Illinois at Chicago website explores Hull House through essays, images, maps and historic texts.
Immerse yourself in this important part of Chicago and social science history!
Date Posted: September 30, 2005
Languages of the World
http://www.ethnologue.com/home.asp
What do they speak in Mozambique?
Ethnologue, an encyclopedia of known living languages, provides information on the number of people speaking the 6,912 languages and dialects in 230 countries.
For samples of these languages, try the Language Museum at http://www.language-museum.com/.
And for links to more than 2400 language related websites, go to I Love Languages at http://www.ilovelanguages.com/.
Aprecie! Geniet van! Enjoy!
Date Posted: September 23, 2005
The Vertical Farm
http://www.verticalfarm.com/
Project yourself into the future when the population has grown and arable land is fully in use. How do we feed everyone? One solution is to farm vertically. This Columbia University site provides background, plans and related information on the ecology of an urban food-producing system.
Date Posted: September 16, 2005
Hurricane Katrina
http://lii.org/search/file/hurricanekatrina
The Librarians' Index to the Internet has compiled an extensive list of websites relating to Hurricane Katrina. Find maps and images, volunteer opportunities, news, information and how you can help.
Date Posted: September 09, 2005
Gas Buddy
http://gasbuddy.com/
Looking for the cheapest gas near home or on the road? Check out Gas Buddy to find the highest and lowest gasoline prices. Search by city and state.
If you are still in a state of shock over local prices, investigate the cost of gas around the world at this CNN site: http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/global_gasprices/price.html
Date Posted: September 02, 2005
Best Information on the Net
http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/
Where can I find good internet information a particular subject? Or how can I find a topic for a paper with many reliable websites? Try this user friendly St. Ambrose University directory of Internet resources. Look for links by subject or "hot paper topics". And find a wealth of good information.
Date Posted: August 26, 2005
The Worst Jobs in History
http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/W/worstjobs/index.html
Is your job sometimes difficult, boring or unpleasant? Compare it to the Worst Jobs in History like woad dyer, spitboy or nit picker. This British site examines unusual jobs of the past 2000 years. And it offers suggestions for offbeat careers of today.
Date Posted: August 18, 2005
Presidential Libraries
http://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/
Take an interesting and educational vacation - on line! The National Archives offers information and links to the Presidential Libraries.
And for the newest Presidential Library website go to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum at http://www.alincoln-library.com/home.html.
Date Posted: July 29, 2005
Beach Books and Beyond!
http://www.bookreporter.com/Summer/index.asp
Need a few reading suggestions for your summer vacation? Find some hot beach books or leisure reads by category on this Book Reporter website.
Other great sites to peruse summer reading lists are:
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh at http://www.carnegielibrary.org/dontmiss/adultsr/booklists.html
U C Berkeley at http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Instruction/readinglists/
and NPR at http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1084
Enjoy!
Date Posted: July 21, 2005
Kaboom!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/kaboom/
How do fireworks work? This NOVA site describes the anatomy and chemistry of pyrotehnics. Enjoy your 4th of July display with a little more understanding of the science of fireworks.
And for information on firework safety, explore the National Council on Fireworks Safety website at http://www.fireworksafety.com/home.htm.
Date Posted: June 29, 2005
Beyond the Fire: Teen Experiences of War
http://www.itvs.org/beyondthefire/
Beyond the Fire: Teen Experiences of War is an eye-opening view of the conflict zones of the world. 15 real teenagers tell their stories of survival. This site includes background information and links to resources about these countries, wars, and the effects of these conflicts.
Date Posted: June 16, 2005
Theme Parks
http://www.themeparkcity.com/
For summer fun, explore this directory of theme parks, zoos and waterparks. Find information on carnivals and circuses. Check out resources for studying the uses, visitors and histories of amusement parks. And then, have an exhilarating summer break!
Date Posted: May 12, 2005
Cool Works
http://www.coolworks.com/
"75,000 jobs in great places!" Looking for a summer job in a National park, or at a theme park or on a ranch? How about a position at a ski resort next winter? Find internships, volunteer opportunities and paid jobs on this weekly updated website.
Date Posted: May 05, 2005
Patently Silly
http://www.patentlysilly.com/
This humorous website features real patents registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Enjoy these unusual, interesting and sometimes absurd inventions. This site is updated weekly and contains an archive organized by subject and week .
Date Posted: April 28, 2005
Absolute Shakespeare
http://absoluteshakespeare.com/index.htm
To celebrate William Shakespeare's 441st birthday on April 23, explore these diverse and interesting sites. Absolute Shakespeare is a commercial website (lots of ads) which contains text of plays and sonnets, quotes, study guides and summaries. And there's lots of background info on Shakespeare himself and the Globe Theatre.
To view Shakespeare's original copies of the plays along with more Shakespeare information, try this British Library site at: http://www.bl.uk/treasures/shakespeare/homepage.html
And to learn more about Shakespeare's times, research Life in Elizabethan England at: http://renaissance.dm.net/compendium/
Date Posted: April 21, 2005
Do You Speak American?
http://www.pbs.org/speak/
What exactly is American English? Listen to samples of regional speech. Read essays on language preference, slang and dialects, and the future of global English. Quiz yourself on usage and knowledge of the language. PBS provides this fun and interesting website on American English.
Date Posted: April 14, 2005
Frank & Ernest's Tax Relief
http://www.frankandernest.com/view/theme-tax.html
Stressed out about tax time! Enjoy these Frank & Ernest tax cartoons.
Date Posted: April 07, 2005
Incredible Blogs
http://www.incredibleblogs.com/
Curious about weblogs? Discover blogs on all different subjects with this Incredible Blogs website.
And for the best in blogs, check out the Web Log Awards at: http://www.fairvue.com/bloggies/
Date Posted: March 24, 2005
AAA Fuel Cost Calculator
http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/
Are you traveling this Spring Break? You can calculate the cost of your trip on this AAA website. Just enter the starting city, destination, vehicle make, year & model and AAA will figure out your estimated gasoline costs.
Date Posted: March 17, 2005
PlanetQuest
http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/
Are we alone? How and why are we searching for new extrasolar planets? Discover the science, history, technology, and past, current and future missions of space exploration. This Nasa supported site also contains an extensive glossary and useful links.
Date Posted: March 10, 2005
Gender and Development
http://www.worldbank.org/gender/
Since 1970, the average life expectancies for women have increased by 15 to 20 years in developing countries. Explore the condition of women and girls worldwide in this World Bank Group site. Find out current programs and policy, reports and publications, and profiles of gender issues along with links to statistics and other resources.
Date Posted: March 03, 2005
Don't Gross Out the World
http://fekids.com/img/kln/flash/DontGrossOutTheWorld.swf
How do you show your host you like your meal in Japan?
Try out your international etiquette IQ with this fun and informative quiz.
By the way, in Japan you slurp your noodles as loudly as possible to make known your enjoyment.
Date Posted: February 24, 2005
Chicago Renaissance
http://www.chipublib.org/digital/chiren/
Celebrate Black History Month by exploring the rich African-American culture of Chicago in the 1930's and 1940's! This Chicago Public Library site contains images and text in the areas of literature, journalism, the arts, music, social science and institutions of the Chicago Renaissance.
Date Posted: February 17, 2005
"I Love You" in Many Languages
http://www.travlang.com/languages/iloveyou.html
What do you say to your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? Try something different this year - in Welsh or Farsi! TravLang translates "I love you" into 65 different languages. And to speak more than one phrase, TravLang offers free on-line translating dictionaries.
Date Posted: February 10, 2005
The Dickens Page
http://www.lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/Dickens.html
Everything you ever wanted to know about Charles Dickens - and then some! To celebrate Dickens' 193rd birthday (February 7, 1812), check out this amazing website. It contains his letters & speeches, his chronology and biography, hundreds of links to Dickens related sites, and lots more. And interestingly enough, this Dickens Page was compiled by Mitsuharu Matsuoka of Nagoya University, Japan.
Date Posted: February 03, 2005
QuickMath
http://www.quickmath.com/
Need an online calculator? Need one that can handle calculus, algebra, matrices, percentages and graphs? Try QuickMath, "an automated service for answering common math problems over the internet". QuickMath is a good way to check your homework calculations. There are also links to many other math websites with tutorials, resources (like math dictionaries), and online help.
Date Posted: January 27, 2005
The White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
The White House official website provides up-to-date news on president. Investigate the presidential issues, tour the White House, explore the history of the building, and learn about the presidents & first ladies with virtual tours, photos and text. And see the White House from a dog's eye view with Barneycam at http://www.whitehouse.gov/barney/
Date Posted: January 20, 2005
Asian Earthquakes and Tsunamis
http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/Asia_Tsunamis.shtml
FirstGov, the U.S. government's official web portal, links various sites related to the tsunami disaster. Find official news and information on U.S. citizens' welfare, health, travel, charity and relief efforts. Check out the scientific sites to understand the the physical causes and effects. And find out how you can help aid victims.
Date Posted: January 11, 2005
Food Network: Quizes & Games
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/et_games/0,1972,FOOD_9826,00.html
Where should you go for New Year's Eve? What is your true cooking style? How well do you know your food trivia? What is your wine IQ? Take these fun quizes available on the Food Network website. Then, check out the recipes, entertaining ideas, and food & kitchen games.
Date Posted: December 17, 2004
The Poinsettia Pages
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/
Beautiful poinsettia plants are abundant this time of year. Enjoy National Poinsettia Day on December 12 by researching the history, types, care and interesting facts available on this University of Illinois Extension website.
And for more holiday fun, check out the U of I Extension's "Christmas Trees & More" site at: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees/index.html
Date Posted: December 10, 2004
Declaration of Independence
http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/treasure/
What's on the back of the Declaration of Independence? The movie, National Treasure, alludes to a secret message on the back of the Declaration. Visit the National Archives website to find out what really is inscribed on the reverse. And while you are there, research the Declaration of Independence and other historic American documents.
Date Posted: December 02, 2004
How Volcanoes Work
http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/
How do volcanoes work? Pictures, maps, charts, quizes, puzzles and lots of very good scientific information on volcanoes can be found at this San Diego State University website.
For up-to-date information and images of Mount St. Helens, view their VolcanoCam at: .http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/.
Date Posted: November 18, 2004
Places Online
http://www.placesonline.org/
Created by the Association of American Geographers, this site provides links to maps, photographs and websites of places throughout the world.
Date Posted: November 11, 2004
Food Psychology
http://www.foodpsychology.com/
Why do we overeat? What are comfort foods? How do we shop for groceries? What tempts us on a restaurant menu - and why? A group of grad students from U of Ill. developed this site to answer these questions and give us insight into healthy food choices.
Date Posted: November 02, 2004
The Moonlit Road
http://www.themoonlitroad.com/welcome001.asp
It's time to brush up on your ghost stories! Discover the strange folktales that haunt the American South. The stories of the Moonlit Road are available in both text and audio form.
Date Posted: October 21, 2004
Presidential Debates
http://www.debates.org/index.html
President George W. Bush and Senator John F. Kerry debated the issues of the 2004 election three times: Sept. 30, Oct. 8 and Oct. 13. The website of the Commission on Presidential Debates provides the transcripts of these debates along with news articles concerning them. There is also a debate history section going back to the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates, (most with transcripts and videos).
Date Posted: October 14, 2004
The Chemistry of Autumn Colors
http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/fallcolr/fallcolr.html
Can we expect a spectacular fall this year? Read about how and why the leaves turn color. Dr. Shakhashiri of the University of Wisconsin - Madison has created a "Science is Fun" website full of interesting and factual chemical information.
Date Posted: October 07, 2004
VOTE 2004
http://vote-smart.org/
Vote Smart provides (in their words) "abundant, accurate, unbiased and relevant information" on national and state candidates and elected officials. Check out the bios, issue positions, voting records, campaign finance and interest group ratings of our public officials.
Other interesting websites include:
League of Women Voters Election 2004 http://www.congress.org/congressorg/34/?
RealClear Politics (latest polls) http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls.html
Annenberg Political Fact Check http://www.factcheck.org/
Comedy Central Indecision 2004 (election humor)http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/indecision2004/index.jhtml
Date Posted: September 30, 2004
Zen Gardens
http://academic.bowdoin.edu/zen/index.shtml?overview
Is your life too hectic? Imagine yourself in a tranquil Japanese landscape. View 24 gardens in still or moving photography. Learn the history and vital elements of these serene gardens. This Bowdoin College website also contains a glossary, a bibliography and a list of Japanese garden links.
Date Posted: September 23, 2004
Health Topics A to Z
http://www.cdc.gov/az.do
What should you do in a hurricane? Where can you get the latest, most credible information on fetal alcohol syndrome? Can you get sick from your dog? Health Topics A to Z is a database of articles, reports, statistics and publications created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From abrin to zoster, the topics cover a wide variety of health and safety issues. This CDC site is easy to use, searchable, and very reliable.
Date Posted: September 16, 2004
Avoiding Plagiarism
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed. defines plagiarize as "to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own." But how do you know when you need to cite ideas, accepted facts, or unique phrases in your papers? This Purdue website helps you to understand what needs to be documented to avoid plagiarism. For more information, go to: http://www.web-miner.com/plagiarism which links you to a huge number of plagiarism websites.
Date Posted: September 09, 2004
Labor Day 2004
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/002264.html
The U.S. Census Bureau has compiled a web page celebrating the 147.9 million American workers. Find interesting facts, statistics and links concerning labor in the United States.
Date Posted: September 02, 2004
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
http://www.grammarbook.com/
Need a brush-up on the basics before you write that first paper? Check out the Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. Although the site's main objective is to sell the hard-copy of the book, it contains a lot of solid information. There are also exercises and quizes to gauge your skills and improve your writing abilities.
Date Posted: August 26, 2004
Athens 2004 Olympics
http://www.athens2004.com/
Keep track of the 2004 summer Olympics in Athens via this official website. Along with sports news, this site contains biographies of athletes, coaches, referees, and horses (?). There are many links to Greek culture, Olympic history, and what's going on in Athens right now. Catch the excitment minute by minute!
Date Posted: August 12, 2004
How Far Is It?
http://www.indo.com/distance/
How far is it from Grayslake, IL to Hollywood, CA? The answer is 1733 miles. This Indonesian site contains an easy-to-use distance calculator. The service uses data from the US Census and a supplementary list of cities around the world to find the latitude and longitude of two places, and then calculates the distance between them (as the crow flies).
Date Posted: August 05, 2004
The 9-11 Commission Report
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/911/index.html
The final report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States is available in its entirety online. You will need Adobe Acrobat to access this 585 page document.
Date Posted: July 29, 2004
yourDictionary
http://www.yourdictionary.com/index.shtml
More than a dictionary, this website includes a thesaurus, translating dictionaries, word games and puzzles. Have fun writing your name in 14 languages, like Viking runes or Egyptian hieroglyphs. And check out the 100 most misspelled words and the 100 most mispronounced words. YourDictionary is an entertaining, educational, and useful site to browse or use regularly.
Date Posted: July 21, 2004
Roadside America
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/index.html
Summer is halfway over and it's time to plan some memorable vacation trips. RoadsideAmerica.com, "your online guide to offbeat tourist attractions" can help you find your way to interesting, strange or fun places in the U.S.
Date Posted: July 15, 2004
Journey to Saturn
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/index.html
Follow the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn on the NASA website. Get the latest news updates, photographs and background information on this exciting exploratory voyage.
Date Posted: July 06, 2004
Chicago's World Fair
http://users.vnet.net/schulman/Columbian/columbian.html#TOP
In 1893, the world was focused on Chicago and the World's Columbian Exposition. 27 million visitors attended this great event. Share the sights and experiences of these 19th century attendees at this website. Other Columbian Exposition sites are: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA96/WCE/title.html and http://columbus.gl.iit.edu/
Date Posted: June 09, 2004
Urban Legends
http://www.snopes.com/
How many of these tales have been told to you? - as true stories! Snopes.com contains hundreds of familiar, bizarre, believable and ridiculous urban legends. These myths are arranged by subject and searchable by keyword. Now, what do you believe?
Date Posted: May 12, 2004
The Wars for Viet Nam
http://vietnam.vassar.edu/
The Wars for Viet Nam, 1945-1975 is a good starting point for investigating America's longest war. This Vassar site includes a concise overview, important documents, and many informative internet links.
Date Posted: May 05, 2004
What do you want to be when you grow up?
http://www.careervoyages.gov/index.cfm
Career Voyages, a web site developed by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education, is designed for students, career changers, parents and career advisors. This site emphasizes the hottest occupations (by state) and gives information on education, training and financial aid. Explore the possibilities!
Date Posted: April 28, 2004
Elizabethan Curse Generator
http://www.pangloss.com/seidel/Shaker/index.html?
How would Shakespeare insult you? Broaden your cursing skills and enjoy the imagination of Elizabethan English. There are over 388,000 possible curses available at this site.
Date Posted: April 21, 2004
Poet's Corner
http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/index.html
April is National Poetry Month. Enjoy a medieval ballad or an American Indian chant, an obscure poem or a familiar rhyme by browsing this searchable website of 6700 works and 780 poets.
Date Posted: April 14, 2004
Political Cartoons and Cartoonists
http://www.boondocksnet.com/gallery/pc_intro.html
Political cartoons in America date back to the days of Ben Franklin. Explore the history of these influencial drawings through this database. Or, if you prefer the contemporary version of the political cartoon, try Today's Best Cartoons at http://cagle.slate.msn.com/politicalcartoons/
Date Posted: April 07, 2004
Games We Play
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/games/index.html
What games do you play? Games have always been a source of amusement in all societies. Cornell University has created an exhibit on the evolution of these diversions. This creative website displays both antique and contemporary games, as well as vintage books on rules and strategies.
Date Posted: March 24, 2004
DNA Interactive
http://www.dnai.org/index.html
Up-to-date information about genetics and molecular biology can be found on this interactive website. Although designed for high school teachers, this site contains interesting and informative data for everyone.
Date Posted: March 17, 2004
Irish Literature
http://www.luminarium.org/mythology/ireland/
Fáilte - Welcome! Learn about everything Irish in time for St. Patrick's Day. Luminarium is a wonderful site to research Irish literature, mythology, folklore and drama. There are also links to Irish newspapers, Gaelic language sites, Irish history, food, shopping, travel and much more.
Date Posted: March 10, 2004
Ethics in Computing
http://ethics.csc.ncsu.edu/
This site contains links to a variety of articles related to computer use ethics -- including privacy, identity theft, copyright, risk and free speech.
Date Posted: March 03, 2004
Seussentennial
http://www.seussville.com/seussentennial/
March 2, 2004 is Dr. Seuss's 100th birthday! Celebrate the life and creations of this beloved children's author. Other Seuss sites are: http://www.esuess.com & http://www.seusville.com
Date Posted: February 25, 2004
See Your House From Outer Space!
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/default.aspx
See Soldier Field, the Statue of Liberty, or the Grand Canyon from above! You can search by maps, addresses or landmarks. Aerial views of the United States are provided by the U.S. Geological Survey through the Terra Server databases.
Date Posted: February 18, 2004
Science World
http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/
Science at your fingertips! Find descriptions and definitions of terms and concepts in the fields of astronomy, chemistry, physics and mathematics. This site also contains brief biographies of scientists and mathematicians.
Date Posted: February 11, 2004
Museums Around the World
http://vlmp.museophile.com/world.html
Can't travel around the world? You can view the treasures of museums located all over the globe. This directory of websites for museums is searchable by country and keyword.
Date Posted: February 04, 2004
Atlas of the Body
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/7140.html
The American Medical Association's Atlas of the Body is a searchable database of human anatomy. There are brief, understandable descriptions and clear illustrations.
Date Posted: January 28, 2004
Famous Trials
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/ftrials.htm
Hooked on Court TV? This site has information on the most sensational trials in history, from Socrates to the Lincoln conspiracy to OJ.
Date Posted: January 20, 2004
Bored.com
http://bored.com
Too much time with family this holdiay season? Instead of listening to Grandpa's war stories - again - try this online site. There's a little bit of a lot of things and something for everyone.
Date Posted: December 19, 2003
Dickinson electronic archives
http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/dickinson/
Happy Birthday Emily! Emily Dickinson's 173rd birthday is December 10. Check out this website which provides insights into her poetry and her life.
Date Posted: December 12, 2003
Flora Radiographs
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~agrxray/
Floral Radiographs is a gallery of beautifully x-rayed flowers. This unusual artform yields spectacular visual results.
Date Posted: December 05, 2003
Culinary History Timeline
http://gti.net/mocolib1/kid/food1.html
'Tis the season for holiday meals. Research the history of food, manners and menus on this yummy website, a gateway to a mouthful of sites on the international culinary tradition.
Date Posted: November 21, 2003
How Stuff Works
http://howstuffworks.com/
Did you ever wonder how tattos work - how to apply one - how to remove one? How Stuff Works will tell you the answers to all kinds of questions that you never thought to ask. Learn about St. John's wort, paintball, passports, rainbows, cloning, screensavers, tipping and tons of other topics.
Date Posted: November 14, 2003
Philosophy Pages
http://philosophypages.com/index.htm
Designed to help philosophy students, this website contains a dictionary of philosophical terms and names, a survey of the history of Western philosophy and biographies of major philosophers. There is also a study guide and links to other related sites.
Date Posted: November 07, 2003
SoYouWanna.com
http://www.soyouwanna.com
Just as the title suggests, this site can teach you how to do all those things you never got around to learning, like brewing your own beer or holding a séance or speaking with an Irish accent. This site includes "mini-wannas" where you can get a quick a lesson in your choice of lots of fun things.
Date Posted: October 31, 2003
The Costume Page
http://users.aol.com/nebula5/costume.html
Need some ideas or inspiration for Halloween? Try the Costume Page, a directory of links to all kinds of costume sites. Research historical, ethnic, theatrical and ,of course, Halloween costumes, makeup, and masks.
Date Posted: October 17, 2003
Ballparks of Baseball
http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/
Ballparks of the past, present and future are paid tribute on this site. Visitors can relate their own experiences at different ballparks throughout the country. The Features section includes attendance figures, seating charts and webcams, which almost take you out to the ball game.
Date Posted: October 10, 2003
European Space Agency: Mars Express
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/
Learn about the early attempts to explore Mars and to look for the possiblity of life. The site, by the European Space Agency, can track the Mars Express mission which lifted off on June 3, 2003. Visitors to this site will also learn details about the Beagle 2 Lander that will make its landing on Mars in December 2003.
Date Posted: September 26, 2003
HealthyFridge.org
http://www.healthyfridge.org
Here’s a site that mom would love---it shows users healthy ways to eat. It’s divided into four sections; the Heart of the Matter, the Healthy Fridge, Just for Kids, and Good Nutrition. There’s also a “Refrigerator Makeover “ program in which celebrities agree to have healthy foods incorporated into their refrigerators.
Date Posted: August 23, 2003
Introduction to Islam
http://www.mideasti.org/library/islam/introislam.htm
There are 1.5 billion Muslims in the world - what do you know about Islam? This site covers all aspects of Islam including the origins, basic teachings, arts and culture. Color Photographs and split screen format allow for easy navigation. This site stands out among the many others on the subject.
Date Posted: July 01, 2003
Looking for that Dream Job?
http://www.acinet.org/acinet/
America’s Career Infonet may be the right place to start. Find out what it takes to get the job, where to look, and what it’s like when you get there.
Date Posted: June 20, 2003
Don’t know much about Chemistry?
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/
You’ll find atomic structure, inorganic, and physical chemistry, sample tests and so much more. Take a look—you’ll find yourself bonding in no time.
Date Posted: June 10, 2003
Just in time for Mother’s Day…
http://www.art-design.umich.edu/mother/
The mother of all art and art history links will connect you to image collections and online art, fine art schools and departments, art museums, and research resources. Do you just need a certain work by a particular artist? Try the Web Gallery of Art at http://gallery.euroweb.hu/welcome.html
Date Posted: May 06, 2003
April is National Poetry Month
http://www.poetry-portal.com/styles.html
For writers and readers of poetry, the Poetry Portal is unquestionably the place to be. You’ll find information on events, poets, publishing, online poems, and criticism.
And don’t forget Shakespeare (his birthday is Apr. 24th) – http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/
Date Posted: April 21, 2003
The Invisible Web
http://invisible-web.net
This site is a companion to The Invisible Web: Finding Hidden Internet Resources Search Engines Can't See by Chris Sherman and Gary Price. It includes a directory of some of the best resources the Invisible Web has to offer--informative, of high quality, and containing worthy information from reliable information providers that are not visible to general-purpose search engines. We give precedence to resources that are freely available to anyone with Web access. However, there are some which have resulting fee-based content (such as News Library), or charge a small fee to search and a fee to access full-records. Some sites may be free to search and access full records, but require the user to register at no charge before granting access.
In general, we like the idea of comparing the resources available on the Invisible Web to a good collection of reference works. We encourage you to approach the Invisible Web in the same way-consider each specialized search tool as you would an individual reference resource.
Date Posted: April 14, 2003
Best of History Web Sites
http://www.besthistorysites.net
Best of History Web Sites is an award-winning portal created for students, history educators, and general history enthusiasts. Here you'll find sites, rated for usefulness and accuracy, that will help you study or teach a wide variety of topics and periods in History. BOHWS aims to provide quick, convenient, and reliable access to the best history-oriented resources online in a wide range of categories. This portal has been designed to benefit history educators and their students, but general history enthusiasts will find the site useful as well.
Date Posted: April 07, 2003
FAIR - Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting
http://www.fair.org
"FAIR, the national media watch group, has been offering well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship since 1986. We work to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press and by scrutinizing media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints. As an anti-censorship organization, we expose neglected news stories and defend working journalists when they are muzzled. As a progressive group, FAIR believes that structural reform is ultimately needed to break up the dominant media conglomerates, establish independent public broadcasting and promote strong non-profit sources of information." (description from the FAIR website)
Date Posted: March 31, 2003
The dmarie time capsule
http://dmarie.com/timecap/
Here's a site that's just for fun, featuring the top songs, books, toys, headlines, tv shows, and birthdays, for any year from 1800-2003. Plug in your birthdate and do a little time traveling.
Date Posted: March 24, 2003
Grayslake Hours: M - Th 8:00am to 10:00 pm* | Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm* | Saturday and Sunday Closed
Southlake Hours: M - Th 9:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm - 7:00pm | Friday - Sunday Closed
Lakeshore Hours: T - W 9:00am to 1:00pm | Thursday - Monday Closed
( *please note that the computer labs close 15 minutes before the library closing time)
Southlake Hours: M - Th 9:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm - 7:00pm | Friday - Sunday Closed
Lakeshore Hours: T - W 9:00am to 1:00pm | Thursday - Monday Closed
( *please note that the computer labs close 15 minutes before the library closing time)
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