LII Newsletter Archive
See All Archived LII Newsletters
In January 2010, the LII Newsletter was renamed
"The Link: The Official Newsletter of the ipl2" and
was published on the ipl2 WordPress Blog.
Links listed within these archived pages are not maintained.
The Journey of Christopher Columbus: Beyond the Textbook
This site provides information about the 1492-1493 journey headed by Christopher Columbus from Spain to the "new world." The site features background about how Columbus obtained support for the journey, a voyage timeline with excerpts from journals, information about the native people Columbus encountered (such as the Tainos and Caribs) and his activities after his return, and a map. From the McGraw-Hill textbook publishing company.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19367
Off the Map
This presentation looks at the "backyard paradises" created by visionary artists (outsider or self-taught artists "who didn't necessarily go to school to be artists"). Includes profiles of the artists (from the U.S., France, India, and South Africa), images and videos of the art (such as Bottle Village, the Owl House and Camel Yard, and Watts Towers), a create-your-own backyard paradise feature, and related material. From Independent Lens and the Electric Shadows Project.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19397
Bureau of the Public Debt
"The Bureau of Public Debt [of the U.S. Department of the Treasury] is responsible for the accounting for and reporting of the debt in accordance with statutory direction." This site explains the difference between the public deficit and debt ("accumulated deficits plus accumulated off-budget surpluses"). It includes a FAQ, information about government securities (such as savings bonds and Treasury bills), fraudulent schemes involving alleged U.S. securities, and related material.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19395
Dry Ice Safety
"Dry Ice is frozen carbon dioxide. Unlike most solids, it does not melt into a liquid, but instead changes directly into a gas. This process is called sublimation." This site describes safety precautions for using dry ice, such as not touching it with your skin, never placing it in an unventilated area, and not storing it in a freezer. From the National Weather Service Forecast Office, Las Vegas, Nevada.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19373
Indoor Air: Mold
Documents about mold, covering topics such as mold and moisture, mold cleanup, asthma and mold, and mold in homes, schools, and commercial buildings. Includes links to information about floods, indoor air quality, and related topics. Some material available in Spanish. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19374
Media Briefing on Canine Influenza
Transcript of a September 2005 briefing for the media that discusses "the publication of a Science Journal article, 'Transmission of Equine Influenza Virus to Dogs.'" The transcript addresses the transmission of the disease from horses to racing greyhounds and domestic dogs, mortality rate, treatment of the disease, and related matters. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19349
Collection of documents about mold and its effects on human health. Includes a FAQ, fact sheets on specific molds, cleanup and remediation guidelines, discussions about mold and dampness in indoor spaces, and related material. Some material available in Spanish. From the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19371
New Dog Flu Spreads in U.S., But Death Rate Is Low
September 2005 news article about how "a new, highly contagious respiratory virus thought to affect only the greyhound racing industry is now being detected in family dogs. ... Canine flu was first discovered last year after an unusual illness began to appear at greyhound racetracks in Florida." Includes a list of "precautions to protect ... pooches from the virus." From National Geographic News.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19348
Safety and Health Topics: Molds and Fungi
Workplace safety information about indoor air quality concerns related to molds and fungi, including applicable OSHA standards, associated health effects, detection, and control and cleanup. From the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA).
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19375
A compilation of suggestions for table decorations and foods for Halloween parties. Includes information about using dry ice to create a fog around the table and placing nontoxic plastic glow sticks under gelatin squares; recipes for holiday-themed desserts, drinks (for adults and children), and edible Halloween makeup; and ideas for Halloween party themes. Includes a section on the Day of the Dead (Día de los muertos), with Mexican recipes. From Allrecipes.com.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19377
FEMP [Federal Energy Management Program] Designated Product: Gas Water Heaters
Consumer information about gas water heaters, covering efficiency recommendations, cost effectiveness, technology options (such as demand-type and solar assisted water heaters), and other tips for buying and using water heaters. Includes a cost calculator. From the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19391
The History of Halloween
A history of Halloween, traced from its origins in the "ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in)" to modern trick-or-treat, jack-o'-lantern, costume, and party activities. Includes creepy video clips, ghost stories, information about pumpkins, White House hauntings, and recipes. From the History Channel.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/8911
Fact sheet on water heating, which "next to heating or cooling ... is typically the largest energy user in the home." Discusses types of water heaters (storage, demand, heat pump, indirect, and solar), selection, efficiency, cost comparison, and upgrading your current water heater. From the online version of the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19389
Edward R. Murrow: Broadcasting History
This National Public Radio (NPR) segment looks at the 2004 biography of broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow, "Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism." Features an interview with the author, a book excerpt, and audio clips from some of Murrow's famous broadcasts (including one with Sen. Joseph McCarthy; the battle between Murrow and McCarthy is the subject of the 2005 film "Good Night, and Good Luck"), and links to related NPR stories and websites.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19352
FCC Consumer Facts: Children's Educational Television
Fact sheet on the Children's Television Act (CTA), which was enacted in 1990 "to increase the amount of educational and informational programming for children available on television." Discusses the requirements for programming and commercial matter, and the additional Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines set forth in 2004 and effective January 2006 (and which are being challenged by various media companies and groups), and provides links to related FCC policy material and documents.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19382
A Guide to Journalist Shield Laws
State-by-state guide to shield laws, which are laws that protect journalists from revealing confidential information sources. Provides definitions from the state statutes, links to the laws pertaining to journalists, and lists of related cases. From the Poynter Institute.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19355
Murrow, Edward R.
Profile of Edward R. Murrow, "the most distinguished and renowned figure in the history of American broadcast journalism. He was a seminal force in the creation and development of electronic newsgathering as both a craft and a profession." Features career highlights for Murrow, whose relationship with Sen. Joseph McCarthy is the subject of the 2005 feature film "Good Night, and Good Luck." Includes a brief bibliography. From the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19351
Official website of "playwright, director, actor, poet and political activist" Harold Pinter, who was awarded the 2005 Nobel Prize in literature. Features information about productions of his plays, selected poetry, information about his political activities, bibliographies of works by and about Pinter, images, and more.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19353
Companion website to a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) American Experience film about Alfred Kinsey, the "man who would become known as the greatest chronicler of America's sexual experiences," Includes features on what it was like "to sit in Kinsey's interview chair," public reactions to his Kinsey Reports, expert opinions, a timeline, letters to Kinsey, profiles, and related resources.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19393
Pinter at the BBC
In this feature from 2002, "Pinter's biographer Michael Billington answers your questions about the playwright, we trace his life and career in the Pinter Timeline and also present exclusive video clips" of scholars talking about this British author, best known for his plays, who went on to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2005. Also includes a quiz. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19354
Q&A: Putting Saddam on Trial
October 2005 article answering questions about the trial of Saddam Hussein by Iraq's Special Tribunal (IST). Discusses the trial process, charges against Hussein ("the killing of more than 140 men in the mostly Shia town of Dujail"), other officials on trial, concerns about the tribunal, and related topics. Includes links to other news stories about the trial. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19385
Saddam Hussein on Trial
Collection of audio files of news programs on the first Saddam Hussein trial (beginning October 2005) in which "he stands accused of ordering the massacre of 143 in the village of Dujail," Iraq. Discusses the war crimes tribunal established by Iraq's governing council, reactions to the trial, comparison of the trial with those in U.S. courts, and related material. From National Public Radio (NPR).
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19381
Día de los Muertos
This Day of the Dead site provides information on the foods, history, events, altars, and culture of the popular Mexican holiday celebrated on November 2. From The Arizona Republic.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/1856
10 Great Moments in Baseball Superstition History
This September 2005 article describes some baseball behavior based on superstitions. Examples include the "Curse of the Bambino, which mercifully ended its reign when the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series," and the related "Curse of the Billy Goat" associated with the Chicago Cubs, the "classic baseball superstition [that] requires that teammates must not talk to a pitcher who is working on a no-hitter," and more. From the Seattle Times.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19370
Tapping Into Oktoberfest
Article about how "a Bavarian celebration that became a German tradition is giving amusement parks and major cities a reason to celebrate in October." Provides a brief history of these beer-drinking festivals (which "began as a wedding celebration for a Bavarian crown prince in 1810"), and information about the event as held in Munich, Germany, and in cities and amusement parks in the United States. From the magazine for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19310
The California Backyard Orchard: A University of California Resource for Fruit and Nut Crops
This site provides material for backyard gardeners, consumers, and others about fruit and nut crop issues.
Features facts sheets and related publications on topics such as site selection, planting and maintenance, and pest control. Also includes material on specific crops, maintenance calendars, a glossary, and a guide to using the services of University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners program. From the U.C. Fruit and Nut Research and Information Center, University of California, Davis.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/2558
Life as He Knew It: Photographs of Black Los Angeles From the Walter Gordon Collection
Companion to an exhibition that "is part of a collaborative effort between USC [the University of Southern California] and other local organizations to preserve community memory. This display allows the public to interact with the fifty-eight photographs" from the collection of Walter Gordon, "a practicing attorney in Los Angeles for sixty-seven years ... [who] became acquainted with many notable members of the African-American community." Photos are from the mid-20th century.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19378
Making Wine From Rare Fruit
This page provides several recipes for wines made from unusual ingredients such as raisins, pineapple, mandarin oranges, papaya, mango, grapefruit, and lychees. Basic information on wine-making concepts and techniques is provided with the caveat that beginners would do well to consult a wine-making book with good illustrations and step-by-step instructions. From the California Rare Fruit Growers.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/11640
New Bay Bridge.org
"This site illustrates and describes every phase of the new East Span construction" of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Includes articles and photo galleries about all aspects of the construction process, individuals involved in the project, and history of the original bridge. Project drawings, primary documents, links to historical photos, study materials for middle school, glossary of bridge building terms. New material will be added as the construction proceeds. From the California Alliance for Jobs.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/2886
Timberland Reads Together
Website for the September and October 2005 community reading program organized by the Timberland Regional Library, Washington state, and centered around Sue Monk Kidd's novel "The Secret Life of Bees." Although some material discusses specific events and programs, the site also features book discussion questions, a message from the author, and suggestions for further reading and viewing (fiction, civil rights, beekeeping, and black Madonnas). Includes links to other reading lists from the Timberland Regional Library.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19329
BBC Food: Halloween
Ideas from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for celebrating this "predominantly American tradition ... [that] has its roots in Celtic Ireland." Includes a brief review of holiday traditions such as carving pumpkins and wearing costumes, and suggested Halloween party recipes (with a distinctly British sensibility as well as metric measurements) such as hot blood soup (tomato and chili soup) and devilish red cabbage. Also includes links to related information from the BBC.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19379
In Depth: South Asia Quake
Compilation of news articles and analysis about the powerful earthquake that struck close to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on October 8, 2005. Includes maps, photos, video clips, eyewitness reports, and background about Pakistan and earthquakes. Also includes a discussion of the potential effect of the quake on the political relations between India and Kashmir. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19356
North Caucasus: At a Glance
Profile of this "part of Russia that slopes up towards the main ridge of the Caucasus mountains, often considered the border between Europe and Asia." Provides descriptions of the republics and regions in the area (Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia) and the conflicts in this "volatile mountainous region." From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19346
Information about "a contemporary art award held at Tate Britain that has provoked debate since its inception in 1984." Features a FAQ, history of the award, profiles of artists nominated for the award with images of their artwork, a quiz, and related background information. From the Tate Britain museum in London.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19380
"The Greatest Discovery Since Fire"
"Many of us have heard how a Raytheon engineer walked past a microwave tube one day, noticed that a candy bar in his pocket had melted, and was struck with the idea of using microwaves to cook food." This article discusses the "years, even decades, of engineering and marketing" to make the microwave oven work. From the American Heritage of Invention & Technology magazine.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19392
Hot Topics: Science of Cooking
"According to the adage, you are what you eat. Now some experts think that it could be our cooking skills which raised Homo sapiens above the other apes." This site explores the science underlying the heating of food, including the chemistry of cooking, cooking tips from celebrity chefs (with scientific explanations), and a video on how to fry the perfect chip (French fry). From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19386
This site explains how microwave ovens cook food by heating water molecules. "The microwave oven generates electromagnetic waves (called microwaves) which makes water move. This motion leads to friction, and friction leads to heating." Includes interactive features. Part of the Physics 2000 website (written for the layperson) from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19390
The New "American Girl"
September 2002 article about the representation of history and ethnicity in the American Girl books series and accompanying dolls. The article focuses on the Kaya doll, which was released in 2002 and represents a member of the Nez Perce. From the National Review Online.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/9988
Pro-Life Action League
This organization was founded "with the aim of saving unborn children through non-violent direct action." The site provides an overview of activities (such as public protests and confronting abortionists), and information about current stances.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19347
The Washington Monthly College Guide
September 2005 ranking of the top 30 U.S. universities and top 30 liberal arts colleges, with comparisons to the U.S. News & World Report college rankings. Includes a note on methodology with a discussion of the scoring areas of community service, research, and social mobility. From the Washington Monthly.
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/19369
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