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| New This Week for December 18, 2008 |
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This Week This week we added sites on David Frost and Richard Nixon, "Sleigh Ride," and 50 years of Alaskan statehood, and got a jump on the International Year of Astronomy. Bon appetit from librarians Charlotte, Jennifer, Maria, and Wendy. Tip of the Week This is the last newsletter of 2008. Over the next couple of weeks we'll be busy with site maintenance and our next newsletter will appear January 8, 2009. We wish you all happy and safe holidays and a bright new year. |
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Arts and Humanities
Ice: A Victorian Romance
Companion to an exhibition of rare books and journals commemorating the British "infatuation with the Arctic," which began in 1818 "with the Admiralty trying to find an outlet for naval officers and seamen who had been idled by the end of the Napoleonic wars." The online exhibit features annotated images on topics such as initial encounters, private ventures, and voyages to Antarctica. From the Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, Missouri.
URL: http://www.lindahall.org/events_exhib/exhibit/exhibits/ice/index.shtml
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27084
Business
10 Recession-Proof Holiday Bonus Ideas
This December 2008 list provides ideas for end-of-year bonuses in forms other than cash. Ideas include paid time off, gas, a holiday meal, and coupons. From About.com.
URL: http://entrepreneurs.about.com/b/2008/12/03/top-10-recession-proof-hol...
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27502
About Tar Sands
Fact sheet about tar sands, or oil sands, "a combination of clay, sand, water, and bitumen, a heavy black viscous oil. Tar sands can be mined and processed to extract the oil-rich bitumen, which is then refined into oil." Discusses tar sands locations, the industry ("only Canada has a large-scale commercial tar sands industry"), extraction and processing, and related topics. Accompanied by photos. From the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
URL: http://ostseis.anl.gov/guide/tarsands/index.cfm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27465
Forget the Bonus, 2008 Is About Job Security
This December 2008 post from a daily business column for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) radio discusses "why, even in times of economic uncertainty, ... some companies still give holiday bonuses." The post also notes that no matter your bonus "job security is still going to be an issue in 2009."
URL: http://www.cbc.ca/money/moneytalks/2008/12/kira_vermond_forget_the_bon...
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27504
Hewitt Survey Finds Companies Providing Holiday Bonuses Despite Weak Economy
Press release about a "2008 holiday survey of more than 160 organizations [that] reveals that of the 42 percent of companies offering holiday bonuses, this year more than half ... will provide them in the form of cash." The release notes that "most companies will continue to provide employees with holiday bonuses this year, although the value may be slightly lower than in the past" From Hewitt Associates, a human resources consulting firm.
URL: http://www.hewittassociates.com/Intl/NA/en-US/AboutHewitt/Newsroom/Pre...
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27503
South Provides Global Appeal for Foreign Auto Makers
This 2007 report describes the rise of foreign auto factories in the southern U.S. "Almost every foreign auto factory that's opened since the '90s has sprouted below the Mason-Dixon Line." Features a map and timeline showing timing and location of international automobile factories in the U.S., an interactive feature on how international auto plants follow population booms, and links to articles on foreign automakers impact on small U.S. towns, and related matters. From CNN.
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/01/auto.south/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27400
Government
Alaska 50: Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission
Official state government website for the 2009 celebration of "Alaska's 50th anniversary of admission as the 49th state of the United States of America." Features history of Alaska statehood, historical photos, a listing of events starting in early January 2009, details about commemorative items (such as a stamp and "The Great Land" Alaska quarter), press releases and news, and other material about the anniversary. From the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission.
URL: http://gov.state.ak.us/ASCC/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27270
Alaska Statehood: Golden Anniversary
The Anchorage Daily News "commemorates the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood with a series of photos and articles drawn from [its] archives of material published in 1958, a series leading up to the official date of admission, Jan. 3, 1959." Includes options to discuss topics and to read and share stories, photos, and videos.
URL: http://www.adn.com/statehood/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27271
Illinois Has Long Legacy of Public Corruption
This December 2008 article provides an overview of political corruption in Illinois, where "at least 79 elected officials have been convicted of wrongdoing since 1972." It traces the "culture of corruption dates back to the late 19th century, when a gambling-house owner ... created ... [Chicago's] first political machine." Also covers three former Illinois governors who had been imprisoned. Provides a links to a scholarly history of organized crime in Chicago. From MSNBC.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28141995/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27457
Illinois Issues
Website for this magazine "dedicated to providing fresh, provocative analysis of public policy in Illinois." Features archives back to December 2007, addressing issues such as the 2008 election, Illinois efforts to collect federal highway funds, and coverage of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Also includes a blog with updates about the December 2008 Blagojevich arrest (with a link to the criminal complaint). Illinois Issues is a publication of the University of Illinois at Springfield.
URL: http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27456
Home & Housing
6 New Year Traditions From Around the World
Brief description of New Year traditions for Ecuador (Años Viejo, or Years Old, when effigies of those who have made a negative impact during the year are burned), Scotland (Hogmanay), Spain (eating twelve grapes and wearing red underwear), Netherlands (eating apple fritters), American South (eating pork, black-eyed peas, and greens), and Germany and Scandinavia (watching the British comedy sketch "Dinner for One"). From the blog of Mental Floss magazine.
URL: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/10821
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27347
Paper Snowflakes
Illustrated, set-by-step instructions for making six-pointed paper snowflakes. Also includes links to instruction for making five-pointed and six-pointed paper stars and Moravian Pennsylvania German woven stars. From a company that sells paper craft supplies.
URL: http://highhopes.com/snowflakes.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27335
Media
Breakfast With Frost
Companion website to this 1993-2005 news program hosted by Sir David Frost, who has interviewed numerous world figures including "the six most recent British Prime Ministers [and] the seven most recent Presidents of the United States." His post-Watergate interviews with President Richard Nixon (not part of this program) "achieved the largest audience for a news interview in history." View program highlights, a guest list (2001-2005), a FAQ, and more. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27370
Where Hollywood Meets History: Frost/Nixon
Interview with journalism professor Robert Zelnick, who "headed up the research team behind the historic 1977 interviews between disgraced former president Richard Nixon and British talk show host David Frost. The exchanges, and the tale behind them, inspired the 2006 play 'Frost/Nixon'" and its 2008 film adaptation. Read Zelnick's response to questions such as "How would you characterize Nixon the human being?" From BU Today, an online publication of Boston University.
URL: http://www.bu.edu/today/world/2008/11/14/where-hollywood-meets-history...
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27369
People
Gov. Blagojevich
Collection of articles about Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested and charged with political corruption on December 9, 2008. Covers topics including how Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat will be filled, U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald (who brought the charges), and Blogojevich actions with respect to the Chicago Tribune. Includes links to television coverage, blog posts, and related material. From the Chicago Sun Times.
URL: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/index.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27500
Leroy Anderson
Official website for this American composer born in 1908 and known for works such as "Sleigh Ride," "The Syncopated Clock," and "Blue Tango." Features a biography (also in Swedish and Spanish), photo gallery, and sound clips from dozens of pieces. Also includes information about Leroy Anderson centennial events during 2007-2009.
URL: http://leroyanderson.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27332
Once Upon a Sleigh Ride: The Music and Life of Leroy Anderson
Companion to a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) show about American composer Leroy Anderson, who was born in 1908 and is best known for the pieces "Sleigh Ride," "The Typewriter," and "The Syncopated Clock." Features a biography, audio clips of Anderson performing, a video clip about "Sleigh Ride," examples of Anderson's writing about music, and details about dozens of his works.
URL: http://www.pbs.org/sleighride/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27331
Regional: California
Bank on California
Website for this California government program, launched in December 2008, which will "help unbanked Californians open starter accounts and enter the financial mainstream, where they can begin saving, build a credit history, gain access to lower-cost sources of credit, and invest for the future." Provides lists of participating California cities and banks, identification requirements for opening an account, and related information about this public-private collaborative program.
URL: http://www.bankoncalifornia.ca.gov/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27501
California Association of Food Banks (CAFB)
CAFB was founded "to promote collaboration in response to emerging social, economic and legislative challenges impacting hungry people throughout California. California's food bank network distributes over 150 million pounds of food to 5,000 community based agencies each year." The site features a list of food banks in California, a description of volunteering and donating opportunities, testimonies from 2008 on the effect of the food crisis on food banks, legislative updates, and links to related information and sites.
URL: http://www.cafoodbanks.org
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/7011
Science
1909-2009 Peary Centennial Expedition: Homage to Polar Inuit
Website for "an epic 1,600-mile dog sled journey through the polar reaches of the high Arctic in the footsteps of Robert E. Peary and other explorers of his time. Provides objectives, team biographies, and other background about the project, which will begin in January 2009 with training and preparations (including living with the Polar Inuit of the Greenland's Qaanaaq district) for the journey starting on February 17. A daily blog starts in early 2009.
URL: http://www.pearycentennial.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27010
International Year of Astronomy 2009
Background and updates for this "global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery." Includes notices about activities and events (which start in January 2009), and details about specific project such as "100 Hours of Astronomy," "She is an Astronomer," and dark skies awareness.
URL: http://www.astronomy2009.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27024
Universe Awareness for Young Children (UNAWE)
Details about this "international outreach programme that uses the beauty and scale of the universe to inspire very young children in underprivileged environments." Features project background, a blog, international event listings, and educational materials (such as games and hand-on activities). Includes a Spanish version of the website. The project, which is part of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, is hosted at Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Netherlands.
URL: http://www.unawe.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27401
Society & Social Science
Feeding America
Website for this organization (formerly America's Second Harvest) whose "network of more than 200 food banks serves all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.The Feeding America network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually." Provides a food bank lookup by state or ZIP code, background and news about the organization's programs, and studies and public policy about food banks and hunger in the U.S.
URL: http://www.secondharvest.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/11301
Guardian UK: Assisted Suicide
News, background, and commentary about assisted suicide in the U.K. Provides coverage of the television screening of an assisted suicide (in December 2008), a FAQ on assisted suicide law in the U.K. and other countries, blog postings, and related material. From the Guardian UK.
URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/assisted-suicide
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27475
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Thanks for reading LII New This Week!
Jennifer English, Liaison to Califa Library Group
Wendy Hyman, Senior Editor
Maria Brandt, Associate Editor
Charlotte Bagby, Senior Weeder
| Copyright Notice Use of the annotations from this list must be accompanied by: Copyright 2009 by Librarians' Internet Index, LII. We encourage you to cite our records, to forward all or part of New This Week to colleagues and other discussion or announcement lists, to include citations to our resources in your pathfinders and training materials, and to otherwise leverage this publicly-funded resource. |
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| Funding and Support Primary financial support for LII (Librarians' Internet Index) from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. LII is also supported by the IPL Consortium, and hosted by The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology. Other sources include California Digital Library. |