El Dorado County Library's What's New on the Internet for the Week of May 4th, 2009

What's Hot on the Internet This Week
Week of May 4th, 2009
The arrow indicates a recommended site and a points to a site with local information.

Luxury or Necessity? The Public Makes a U-Turn

By Rich Morin and Paul Taylor, Pew Research Center (April 23, 2009): "From the kitchen to the laundry room to the home entertainment center, Americans are paring down the list of familiar household appliances they say they can't live without, according to a new national survey by the Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends project. No longer do substantial majorities of the public say a microwave oven, a television set or even home air conditioning is a necessity. Instead, nearly half or more now see each of these items as a luxury. Similarly, the proportion that considers a dishwasher or a clothes dryer to be essential has dropped sharply since 2006." Thus begins the summary of this report written by staff at the Pew Social & Demographic Trends; you can view the complete version at Luxury or Necessity? The Public Makes a U-Turn. (NOTE: The report available here has been saved in the Portable Document format (.pdf) and requires that you download and install the latest version of Adobe Reader to view the charts and text.) (Subject(s): Consumers, Economy & Public Opinion)

NMAH | Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life: "His story is as familiar to Americans as any children’s fable. He was born in a log cabin. He became the 16th president. He freed the slaves and saved the Union. He was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre. How did an unschooled, backwoods politician rise to the presidency and guide the nation through its greatest crisis? Who was this individual who helped to define our country’s future through the force of his leadership and intellect?" The National Museum of American History has created this site on the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth to honor the man and his legacy and to display some of the artifacts and personal objects given to the Smithsonian by the President's family. (Subject(s): Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865)
WebMD - Allergies Health Center: "At least one out of every 5 Americans suffers from allergies. Common causes of allergy symptoms include food allergies such as peanut allergy or milk allergy, and seasonal allergies resulting from grass, weed, tree pollen, or various molds. Cat allergies and dog allergies can also cause miserable symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and wheezing. Allergic skin conditions can cause a rash and itchy skin." This site from WebMD helps explain the many causes of allergy attacks and the methods of mitigating such reactions. (Subject(s): Allergies)
America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places: "This year marks the 22nd annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Since 1988, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has used this list as a powerful alarm to raise awareness of the serious threats facing the nation’s greatest treasures. It has become one of the most effective tools in the fight to save the country’s irreplaceable architectural, cultural and natural heritage. The list, which has identified 211 sites through 2009, has been so successful in galvanizing preservation efforts across the country and rallying resources to save one-of-a-kind landmarks that, in over two decades, only six sites have been lost. Dozens of sites have been saved through the tireless work of the National Trust, our regional offices, statewide and local partners, and preservation organizations across the country. Many more sites are considered “favorable” and are on the path to a positive solution. Still others remain threatened and the National Trust and its partners continue in their efforts to protect these important endangered places." (Subject(s): United States--Civilization, United States--Description and Travel & United States--Historic Houses, etc.)
Baroque: Style in the Age of Magnificence: This is the companion exhibit for a program currently on display at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London: "Baroque was the first style to have a significant worldwide impact. It spread from Italy and France to the rest of Europe. Then it travelled to Africa, Asia, and South and Central America via the colonies, missions and trading posts of the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and other Europeans. The style was disseminated through the worldwide trade in fashionable goods, through prints, and also by travelling craftsmen, artists and architects. Chinese carvers worked in Indonesia, French silversmiths in Sweden, Italian furniture makers in France. Sculpture was sent from the Philippines to Mexico as well as Spain. London-made chairs went all over Europe and across the Atlantic. The French royal workshops turned out luxury products in the official French style that were both desired and imitated by fashionable society across Europe. But Baroque also changed as it crossed the world, adapting to new needs and local tastes." (Subject(s): )
Citizen Media Law Project: "The Citizen Media Law Project (CMLP) is jointly affiliated with Harvard Law School’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society, a research center founded to explore cyberspace, share in its study, and help pioneer its development, and the Center for Citizen Media, an initiative to enhance and expand grassroots media... The mission of the CMLP is to provide legal assistance, education, and resources for individuals and organizations involved in online and citizen media. We also provide research and advocacy on free speech, newsgathering, intellectual property, and other legal issues related to online speech. We seek to build a community of lawyers, academics, journalists, and others who are interested in facilitating citizen participation in online media and in protecting the legal rights of those engaged in speech on the Internet." (Subject(s): Consumers & Law)
Cleopatra Tomb Site Found? Video -- National Geographic: "An alabaster bust of Cleopatra and a mask that might have belonged to her lover Marc Antony are part of a slew of treasures found north of Alexandria, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities announced on Monday. The artifacts were discovered inside the Taposiris Magna, a large temple in what is now Abusir that was built during the reign of Ptolemy II, which lasted from 282 to 246 B.C." This is a video report from the tomb site by Zahi Hawass, secretary general of the antiquities council, who has "been at the site leading a team searching for the lost tombs of Antony and Cleopatra." (Subject(s): Cleopatra)
CoffeeKid - a Home Roasting Primer: "Why Homeroast? Is this something only the truly obsessed and tyros out there are doing? Have you even heard of the act of "home roasting" your coffee? Maybe three or four years ago it was something that the average coffee enthusiast never thought possible, but today, thanks to the Internet, things are changing. Homeroasting, once done by everyone then done by no one, is now being "done" again." This site will explain what tools are need, the methods you'll use and the benefits of "doing it yourself." (Subject(s): Coffee)
College Scholarships, Colleges, and Online Degrees: "The College Scholarships, Colleges, and Online Degrees page is designed to offer college-bound, graduate school-bound, and career school bound students of all ages information easy access to information about a wide variety of subjects which include: Free college scholarship and financial aid searches. SAT and ACT test preparation tips, and more. Colleges and universities throughout the United States. [and] Online degrees and distance education. We have put together an online directory of college and university admissions office email addresses and telephone numbers, college scholarship and financial aid office email addresses, and links to the home pages and online applications of more than a thousand colleges and universities. And, we have assembled a page of links to the very best college and university admissions, college scholarship, and financial aid pages on the web. You will even find information on graduate schools, the GRE and GMAT examinations, MBA programs, the TOEFL, community colleges, historically African-American colleges, and campus life. " (Subject(s): College Choice)
The Complete Guide to Central Park and Central Park Zoo: This Website bills itself as "Your first stop for information on Central Park New York City and The Central Park Zoo! Event listings, maps, photos, walking tours, history, attractions, sports, essential info for tourists and CentralPark.com Store." (Subject(s): Central Park (New York, N.Y.--History)
Designs for Democracy: "Over the course of its history, the U. S. Government has prepared, commissioned, received, or approved designs for millions of objects. From bridges to ships, from forts to flags, from monuments to costumes, the Federal Government has had a hand in the artistic and utilitarian outcome of myriad projects. These designs were created in fulfillment of a wide range of Federal policies and programs. Each represents the Government's need for a rendering of an object. Most were the inspiration of professional artists, engineers, inventors, draftsmen, and graphic artists. A few were submitted by citizens—amateur designers who wanted to share their imaginative ideas with their Government. "Designs for Democracy" is an exhibition of nearly 125 design drawings selected from the vast holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration and its Presidential Libraries. The designs, all permanently valuable Federal records, were selected to illustrate 200 years of Government drawings. They are also works of art. Displayed here are elegant watercolor paintings, exquisite ink and wash drawings, bold charcoal and pencil sketches, and finely executed engineering details. Some bear a well-known designer's or artist's signature or the imprimatur of approving Government officials, but many are unsigned and their creators unknown. This exhibit is organized chronologically to demonstrate changing styles and technological advances, as well as to illustrate the evolving role of the Federal Government in American life." (Subject(s): United States--History--Art)
Digital Photography Tips Central. Online Guides, Useful Ideas and Resources: "Digital photography tips by and for photographers of all levels. Get helpful digital photography hints and techniques; discover inspirational ideas and practical advice." "Whether you are a beginner in desperate need of direction on how to improve your digital photography, a keen photo enthusiast , or a professional photographer, you will find helpful digital photography tips and techniques, discover inspirational ideas and tons of practical advice." (Subject(s): Photography)
The Eliasaf Robinson Tel Aviv Collection: "This year marks the centennial of the city of Tel Aviv. In the spring of 1909, when Palestine was still under Ottoman rule, sixty-six Jewish families purchased lots in Karm al-Jabali, on the northern outskirts of the ancient port city of Jaffa near the Mediterranean coast amidst dunes, vineyards, and orchards. The Ahuzat Bayit (literally, Housing Property) “garden suburb” soon had its name changed to Tel Aviv, or Hill of Spring. This was a scriptural allusion – the prophet Ezekiel [3:15] mentions a place in Babylonia called Tel Aviv – that also possessed a contemporary political resonance: The Hebrew translation of the book Altneuland (Old/New Land), in which the Zionist leader Theodor Herzl outlined his utopian vision for the Holy Land, bore the title Tel Aviv." "At the end of 2005, the Stanford University Libraries acquired a rich collection of books, pamphlets, magazines, printed ephemera, posters, postcards, photographs, maps, architectural plans, and original documents about the early history of "The First Hebrew City." It was assembled over a span of forty years by Eliasaf Robinson, a Tel Aviv native and Israel's most prominent antiquarian bookseller. The Eliasaf Robinson Collection on Tel Aviv - as it is now known - comprises approximately five hundred printed volumes (books and periodicals) and twenty linear feet of archival materials. It is already among the most sought-after resources in the Stanford University Libraries." (Subject(s): Tel Aviv--History)
Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal Homepage | CDC EID: "Emerging Infectious Diseases is a peerreviewed journal established expressly to promote the recognition of new and reemerging infectious diseases around the world and improve the understanding of factors involved in disease emergence, prevention, and elimination. The journal is intended for professionals in infectious diseases and related sciences." (Subject(s): Diseases)
Evaluating Information Found on the Internet: "The World Wide Web offers information and data from all over the world. Because so much information is available, and because that information can appear to be fairly “anonymous”, it is necessary to develop skills to evaluate what you find. When you use a research or academic library, the books, journals and other resources have already been evaluated by scholars, publishers and librarians. Every resource you find has been evaluated in one way or another before you ever see it. When you are using the World Wide Web, none of this applies. There are no filters. Because anyone can write a Web page, documents of the widest range of quality, written by authors of the widest range of authority, are available on an even playing field. Excellent resources reside along side the most dubious. The Internet epitomizes the concept of Caveat lector: Let the reader beware. This document discusses the criteria by which scholars in most fields evaluate print information, and shows how the same criteria can be used to assess information found on the Internet." -- Elizabeth E. Kirk, The Sheridan Libraries, Johns Hopkins University. (Subject(s): Internet Searching--About)
SDNHM - Field Guide for the Californias: The Field Guide has been prepared as part of the services offered by the San Diego Natural History Museum (SDNHM) and features information on "the indigenous species of Southern California and Baja California." The Museum provides a whole series of online illustrated guides for a vareity of plants and animals such as: Arthropods, Reptiles and Amphibians, Fossils, Mammals, Minerals, Sharks and Plants. (Subject(s): )
Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy: "The Institute for Food and Development Policy/Food First shapes how people think by analyzing the root causes of global hunger, poverty, and ecological degradation and developing solutions in partnership with movements working for social change." "The purpose of the Institute for Food and Development Policy - Food First - is to eliminate the injustices that cause hunger." (Subject(s): Food, Hunger & Public Welfare)
Food Network: "FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network and Web site that strives to be way more than cooking. The network is committed to exploring new and different ways to approach food - through pop culture, competition, adventure, and travel - while also expanding its repertoire of technique-based information." Also, joining the "Food Network" is this site which accents Eating Well. As with the FoodNetwork this site also features recipes and cooking ideas, but also special help for those with food allergines and for those with light or stringent dietary concerns. (Subject(s): Food & Recipes)
The GREAT NATURE of Chiura Obata: "Online exhibit about California artist Chiura Obata (1885-1975), known for his paintings of the Sierra Nevada region. Features background about Obata (who was first taught to paint in Japan when he was 7), details about the sumi painting technique, and a gallery of selected works such as "El Capitan," "Yosemite Falls," and the Tanforan, California, relocation center, where Obata was interned in 1942. From the Sierra Nevada Education Project." -- annotated note from staff at the Librarian's Internet Index. (Subject(s): Obata, Chiura)
Hall of Jades: All About Jades: This online exhibit has been produced by staff at The Field Museum, Chicago: "Discover the stone that is more than a stone in The Field Museum’s newly renovated Elizabeth Hubert Malott Hall of Jades. This stunning permanent display of more than 450 objects from the Museum’s collection takes you on a walk through China’s history, from prehistoric burials through two thousand years of the world’s most enduring empire." "Jade is a stone. Actually, it’s two different kinds of stone. And it isn’t just green; jade is found in many different colors, all over the world. Take a look at jade—its mineral structure, how patient carvers shape it into beautiful objects, and where in the world it can be found." (Subject(s): Jade)
HealthMap | Global Disease Alert Map: "HealthMap brings together disparate data sources to achieve a unified and comprehensive view of the current global state of infectious diseases and their effect on human and animal health. This freely available Web site integrates outbreak data of varying reliability, ranging from news sources (such as Google News) to curated personal accounts (such as ProMED) to validated official alerts (such as World Health Organization). Through an automated text processing system, the data is aggregated by disease and displayed by location for user-friendly access to the original alert. HealthMap provides a jumping-off point for real-time information on emerging infectious diseases and has particular interest for public health officials and international travelers." (Subject(s): Diseases, Health & Travel)

How to Avoid Spyware

This page is part of the How Stuff Works Website. It was written by Peter May: "The brief history of personal computing is replete with advances in productivity, processing power and entertainment. From word processing to e-mail to the World Wide Web, computer technology has forever changed the way we work and play. As with any new technology, however, these advances have also provided new methods for criminals to separate us from our money. One of those methods is spyware... Spyware is software that resides on a computer and sends information to its creator. That information may include surfing habits, system details or, in its most dangerous form, passwords and login information for critical applications such as online banking. Many spyware programs are more annoying than dangerous, serving up pop-up ads or gathering e-mail addresses for use in spam campaigns. Even those programs, however, can cost you valuable time and computing resources." After learning all about this insidious software, learn about the methods you can follow to rid your PC of this evil stuff. (Subject(s): Internet--Security Measures)

IDEAS: Economics and Finance Research: This large database has been created by the University of Connecticut's Department of Economics: "Welcome to the largest bibliographic database dedicated to Economics and available freely on the Internet. Over 700'000 items of research can be browsed or searched, and over 600'000 can be downloaded in full text! This site is part of a large volunteer effort to enhance the free dissemination of research in Economics, RePEc." (Subject(s): Economics)
The Influenza Pandemic of 1918: "The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the Great War, known today as World War I (WWI), at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster." This brief history of the 1918 "pandemic" has been written by Molly Billings. More historical info about the deadly epidemic can be found at The Great Pandemic : : The United States in 1918-1919; this site has been placed on the Web by the Department of Health and Human Services. (Subject(s): Influenza--History--1918- )
Intelligent Spanish: "Would you like to learn Spanish? This website offers a free interactive course to help you learn to speak Spanish. It aims to be a complete resource to teach Spanish. The exercises focus on you and your individual needs! No matter what level of Spanish you know, with this system you will understand Spanish the fastest way possible. And the best part is, it's free!" And there is a companion site to those who already speak Spanish, but would like to learn English. Universidad Ingles: "¿Quisieras aprender ingles? Esta página ofrece un curso gratis e interactivo para aprender ingles. Intenta ser el recurso completo para enseñar ingles. ¡Los ejercicios se enfocan en ti y en tus necesidades! No importa en qué nivel de ingles estés, este sistema te ayudará a aprender ingles de la manera más eficaz posible. ¡Y lo bueno, es Gratis!" (Subject(s): English language--Self-Instruction & Spanish language--Self-Instruction)
Jamestown Rediscovery: "Welcome to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities' Jamestown Rediscovery archaeological project. Jamestown Rediscovery is investigating the remains of 1607-1698 Jamestown on the APVA property on Jamestown Island, Virginia." To find where in what area of the historical village they are now working and what they have discovered, visit this Webpage Where are We Digging Now? (Subject(s): Jamestown (Va.)--History--17th Century)
CSUS | Japanese American Archival Collection (JAAC): "The Japanese American Archival Collection (JAAC) ImageBase presents about 1400 images in a searchable database of selected photographs and images of artifacts related to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This award winning collection is housed in the Special Collections and University Archives of California State University, Sacramento." "The Japanese American Archival Collection ImageBase contains digital reproductions of select photographs, documents, artifacts, artwork, clothing and textiles from the Japanese American Archival Collection. The focal point of the digital image collection is the incarceration and exclusion of Japanese Americans from Sacramento and the Northern California region during World War II." (Subject(s): Japanese Americans--Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945, Japanese-Americans--History & World War, 1939-1945--Evacuation of Civilians--California)
Library Of Congress's Channel - YouTube: "Timeless treasures and contemporary presentations from the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. As the world's preeminent reservoir of knowledge, we are the steward of millions of recordings dating from the earliest Edison films to the present. In addition, we sponsor events, lectures and concerts that are free and open to the public." Available here are films and audio files from the Library's collection as well as concerts, lectures, talks and videos of other events happening at the Library now and in the past. (Subject(s): Library of Congress--Video Recordings)
The March King: John Philip Sousa: This Webpage is part of the Library of Congress' Performing Arts Encyclopedia: "An online presentation of selected music manuscripts, photographs, printed music, historical recordings of the Sousa Band, copies of programs and press clippings, and more from the Sousa Collection at the Library of Congress." It contains a biography of the composer/musician, photos, sheet music, print materials and audio files of his music. (Subject(s): Sousa, John Philip, 1854-1932--Biography)
Minimum Wage Laws in the United States: OK, so you're unemployed and thinking of moving to a neighboring state where you might be able to find a job. Well, what would you wage be? Would you be getting the "minimum" allowed under law? Well, here's the official list of "minimum" salaries each State allows as compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor. (Subject(s): Wages--United States)
The Museum of Public Relations: "Welcome to the Museum of Public Relations. Established in 1997, this is the place to go to learn about how ideas are developed for industry, education, and government, and how they have been applied to successful public relations programs since the PR industry was born." (Subject(s): Public Relations--History)
MyPyramid: "The Dietary Guidelines for Americans give science-based advice on food and physical activity choices for health. The 2005 edition of the Dietary Guidelines remain the current guidelines until the 2010 edition is released. What is a "Healthy Diet"? The Dietary Guidelines describe a healthy diet as one that * Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products; * Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and * Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars. The recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines and in MyPyramid are for the general public over 2 years of age. MyPyramid is not a therapeutic diet for any specific health condition. Individuals with a chronic health condition should consult with a health care provider to determine what dietary pattern is appropriate for them. MyPyramid helps individuals use the Dietary Guidelines to: * Make smart choices from every food group. * Find balance between food and physical activity. * Get the most nutrition out of calories. * Stay within daily calorie needs." The 2005 Dietary Guidelines remain the current guidance until the 2010 Dietary Guidelines are published. (NOTE: The Dietary Guidelines booklet has been saved in the Portable Document format (.pdf) and requires that you download and install the latest version of Adobe Reader to view the pictures, charts and text.) (Subject(s): Diet & Health)
Obama: The First 100 Days | Online NewsHour | PBS: "As Barack Obama's presidency reaches 100 days, the NewsHour is examining the impact of the president's policies and the economic crisis in St. Louis, where Obama will mark the milestone April 29th." This report and others have been collected at this NPR site to investigate the effect and problems of Obama's first one-hundred days in office. (Subject(s): Obama, Barack)
Pandemic Flu: This Website is from the American Red Cross: "In April 2009 an outbreak of human cases of swine influenza (H1N1) was discovered in North America, and cases are being found in a growing number of states and countries. The World Health Organization has increased its alert level to reflect the spread of the outbreak, and public health and government officials have been working to assess the spread and severity of this flu.... Currently, the American Red Cross is monitoring the developing situation and is in close contact with federal and state officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security. For several years, scientists have been informing organizations in the U.S. and abroad about the significant possibility of an influenza (flu) pandemic occurring. At this time the best action the public can take now is prepare and prevent further spread of the virus." (Subject(s): Influenza)
Phishing: This Website provides newbies with a description of a potential dangerous Internet scam: "Phishing is a scam where Internet fraudsters send spam or pop-up messages to lure personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims." It is part of the OnGuard Online Website, which "provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information." (Subject(s): Internet--Security Measures)
Prenuptial Agreements: "Welcome to PrenuptialAgreements.org! If you are about to get married and are considering a prenuptial agreement, you will find a wealth of material here, all written by an attorney. Feel free to add our blog to your feed reader, or subscribe to our blog via email." (NOTE: "Legal Information is Not Legal Advice. This blog provides information about the law designed to help readers better understand the legal issues surrounding prenuptial agreements. But legal information is not the same as legal advice — the application of law to an individual’s specific circumstances. Although we have conducted research to better ensure that our information is accurate and useful, we insist that you consult a lawyer if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is accurate.") (Subject(s): Law & Marriage)
Ragtime: "Ragtime, a uniquely American, syncopated musical phenomenon, has been a strong presence in musical composition, entertainment, and scholarship for over a century. See, hear, explore and learn!" This Website for the Library of Congress and their Performing Arts Encyclopedia will explain the music through audio video feeds as well as a wealth of printed material, including biographies of its most famous composers, Scott Joplin, James Scott and Ben Harney. (Subject(s): )
A Real Companion and Friend: The Diary of William Lyon Mackenzie King: "Increasingly, William Lyon Mackenzie King is viewed as one of Canada's greatest Prime Ministers. However, King's accomplishments are not restricted to the realm of politics. Throughout his entire adult life, King was a dedicated - one might even say driven - writer. Although King was an exceedingly prolific correspondent and the author of numerous books and articles, by far his most important literary project was the ongoing, daily writing of his diary, which began in 1893, while he was an undergraduate at the University of Toronto, and ended in 1950, a few days before his death at his beloved Kingsmere Estate. Taken together, the diary texts comprise nearly 30,000 pages (more than 7,500,000 words) and arguably represent one of Canada's greatest literary achievements. According to the noted critic Robert Fulford, King's diary "might turn out to be the only Canadian work of our century that someone will look at in 500 years." A Real Companion and Friend: The Diary of William Lyon Mackenzie King, 1893-1950 website serves to introduce King's extensive diary to contemporary readers. This background section of the website is intended to serve as an introduction, exploring these remarkable texts, both as revealing personal narratives and as an invaluable record of Canada's political and social history during six formative and crucial decades." (Subject(s): King, William Lyon Mackenzie)
Robert Niles' Journalism Help: Finding Data on the Internet: "You've cast your lines into the sea of sources, but still aren't finding the information you need. That's what happens when you don't know the right place to look. Scroll down to the links below (sic) and your days of coming up empty while reporting are over. You'll soon be checking facts and downloading reputable data on everything from public safety to campaign contributions ... you name it." (Subject(s): Internet Searching)
Security in Mexico: Implications for U.S. Policy Options: This is a report written by Agnes Gereben Schaefer, Benjamin Bahney, K. Jack Riley for the Rand Corporation: "Violence in Mexico has spiked over the past four years and is increasingly affecting the United States. In response, both the Mexican government and the U.S. government are searching for ways to improve security in Mexico. This monograph examines the security situation in Mexico and assesses its impact on the United States. In addition, it outlines a number of policy options that the United States can consider in its efforts to assist the Mexican government in improving internal security in Mexico. This monograph should be of interest to U.S. and Mexican policymakers and analysts involved in efforts to improve security policy in Mexico, as well as to those interested in security reform in general." (Subject(s): Security--Mexico & Security--United States)
Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum: "Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum is a multimedia, interactive online museum presenting the rich history, culture and natural history of the Sierra Nevada. Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum is a project of Sierra College students, faculty, and staff; The Center for Sierra Nevada Studies; and the Sierra Nevada regional community. Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum is a nonprofit, educational website maintained for the education and enlightenment of the public." (Subject(s): Sierra Nevada (Calif. and Nev.)--History)
The Smart Set: "The Smart Set is an online magazine covering culture and ideas, arts and science, global and national affairs — everything from literature to shopping, medicine to sports, philosophy to food. The Smart Set strives to present big ideas on the small, the not-so-small, and the everyday. The Smart Set updates daily, Monday through Friday, with a mix of columns and features — high quality writing and photography presented in a broad range of genres including reportage, personal and critical essays, travel writing, memoirs, and stories. The Smart Set is an independent magazine, generously supported by Drexel University." (Subject(s): )
SFMOMA | William Kentridge: Five Themes: "Combining the political with the poetic, William Kentridge's work has made an indelible mark on the contemporary art scene. Dealing with subjects as sobering as apartheid and colonialism, Kentridge often imbues his art with dreamy, lyrical undertones or comedic bits of self-deprecation, making his powerful messages both alluring and ambivalent. Perhaps best known for his stop-motion films of charcoal drawings, the internationally renowned South African artist also works in etching, collage, sculpture, and the performing arts, opera in particular. This exhibition explores five primary themes that have engaged Kentridge over the last three decades through a comprehensive selection of his work from the 1980s to the present. Concentrating on his most recent production and including many pieces that have not been seen in the United States, the exhibition reveals as never before the full arc of his distinguished career. Acknowledging the profound significance of the theater in Kentridge's work, SFMOMA will present his restaging of Monteverdi's opera The Return of Ulysses in conjunction with the exhibition." For more info about the Museum hosting this exhibition, visit their Website San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). (Subject(s): Kentridge, William)

Weekly Economic Wrap: Slight Pullback in Consumer Mood

by Dennis Jacobe, Chief Economist: "Consumer spending continues to show no improvement." "PRINCETON, NJ -- Gallup Poll Daily tracking for Monday, April 20 through Sunday, April 26 finds that consumers' mood has become slightly more negative, compared to the positive surge of the previous week, and that consumer spending remains weak; at the same time, the data suggest the deterioration of job-market conditions has eased a little during the past couple of weeks." In addition to the mild change in consumer confidence, Gallup also found that a change in investor confidence changed and those measurements were documented in the report titled U.S. Investor Optimism Levels Off in April. (Subject(s): Consumers--United State & Economy--United States)


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