As the space shuttles make their final flights to museums on both coasts of the United States, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) closes an important chapter in human space flight. Throughout the 30-year history of the program there have been incredible achievements and devastating setbacks.
NASA’s official Space Shuttle site is loaded with information about the Space Shuttle and other programs. This resource includes links to images, videos, and official mission reports.
This site provides links to details about every shuttle mission. Information includes crew, milestones, mission objectives, launches, landings, and mission highlights.
NASA has announced the locations where the retired shuttle fleet will be housed. Other parts and equipment from the program will be sent to a number of museums as well.
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The original suspense writer is once again in the news due to the current cinematic release named for Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem “The Raven.” Poe (1809-1849) wrote many poems, short stories and a few essays that live on in the literary world. His macabre style attracts many current readers. Here are some resources about the man being immortalized on screen.
Visit the virtual site of this museum that was established in 1922. Visitors may sift through letters, newspaper articles and photographs of Poe and those he was closest to. Samples of his most famous and lesser known works are also available to read.
The Academy of American Poets maintains this informative web site to provide not only poems, but also poet biographies, recordings of poetry, interviews with poets and essays. Along with biographical information about Poe, sixteen of his poems are available to be read.
The fascination with Poe has been evident for many decades. The New York Times created an entire site that chronicles the various times Poe has been covered by this legendary paper. Articles from as far back as 1984 up to as recently as two weeks ago are included. There are also slide shows available that detail both the history of Poe and the celebrations of his works.
Nevermore: The Edgar Allan Poe Collection of Susan Jaffe Tane (find it on ipl2)
Cornell University celebrated Edgar Allan Poe with a special exhibit during 2006 and 2007. This web site was intended to provide users with an online version of the exhibition. The site includes both history about Poe’s life and digitalized primary sources of the varities of works he created (poems, lectures and editorials). “The Raven,” his most famous poem is also profiled.
Thank you for supporting the ipl2. We hope you found these resources informative.
Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2′s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2′s News and Information WordPress blog. Subscription is free and open to all!
Mental health is an important, but often misunderstood, aspect of our lives. Understanding the various mental disorders is vital for all, which is one of the reasons that May is designated as Mental Health Month.
To learn more about several common disorders, check out the resources below. Topics include:
Depression
This disorder afflicts many American adults and is often misunderstood. The following resources help those investigating this disorder and provide resources for those who are currently affected.
Depression: Out of the Shadows (find it on the ipl2) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/resources.html
This specific link will provide resources about both the statistics about depression and the different associations that seek to help those suffering from depression. These are a result of the PBS-produced special dealing with the current stigma connected to depression.
Depression and Unipolar Varieties on MentalHelp.net (find it on the ipl2) http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/center_index.php?id=5
This site includes resources that allow a user to understand the symptoms and mood episodes associated with depression. Forums and Question/Answer areas are provided for those seeking personal or general information.
Depression on the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (find it on the ipl2) http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_depression_overview
This site allows individuals who suffer from depression or are close to a person who suffers to find information about the kinds of depression and treatment options. The intent is to provide users with knowledge so that they can feel less discouraged when dealing with depression. There are other publications available through the site.
Anxiety
This mental health issue is often related to stress. Many people who suffer with anxiety must deal with other disorders as well. Depression is one of the disorders that frequently accompany anxiety.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America (find it on the ipl2) http://www.adaa.org/
This association seeks to provide users with knowledge about preventing, treating, and curing disorders connected with stress. The website is constructed to allow a person with stress-related questions to find information, help, and methods to take action. There are also links to connect with a professional if needed.
Anxiety-Panic Disorders on HealingWell (find it on the ipl2) http://www.healingwell.com/anxiety/
This site seeks to provide users with practical information coupled with testimonials of encouragement. There are blogs, forums, videos, and even a live chat with a doctor.
ADD/ADHD
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that is found most commonly among children. Lack of attention, impulsive behavior, and issues of distraction characterize this disorder.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (find it on the ipl2) http://www.add.org/
This resource provides information and networking opportunities to help adults with ADD. The site is also intended for professionals who serve those with ADD. It contains factual information, advocacy, lists of various kinds of resources and support, event calendars, webinars, and webcasts.
ADHDNews.com (find it on the ipl2) http://www.adhdnews.com/
This site includes general information about ADHD, such as a glossary and collection of articles, links, and other resources about the condition. There are also message boards, blogs, and places for individuals and families to share their stories. It also includes information about treatments, including medications and side effects, diet, behavior modification.
ADDinSchool.com (find it on the ipl2) http://www.addinschool.com
ADDinSchool.com provides information and resources for school-aged people who suffer from ADD or ADHD and their families. It is also a resource for the teachers who have them in class, providing interventions, such as tips for increasing time on task and how to present your lesson to ADHD students. There are some commercial products sold.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that primarily revolves around anxiety and coping mechanisms that the individual has developed in order to handle that anxiety. Many people have OCD, but it can be hard to understand. The following links provide information and resources regarding this disorder.
International OCD Foundation (find on the ipl2) http://www.ocfoundation.org/
The International OCD Foundation is a resource for people all over the world that suffer from or want more information on obsessive compulsive disorder. They provide links to assist in finding help for those that need it, recommend a list of books and materials about OCD, and more. In the words of the ipl2, the International OCD Foundation is “[a]n international organization of over 10,000 members [that] offers explanations, resources, and access to annual conferences on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and related disorders.”
Anxiety Disorders Association of America: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (find on the ipl2) http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
ADAA provides a wealth of information on multiple anxiety disorders, including an in-depth section on OCD itself. They explain symptoms, treatment for OCD, news and research on the disorder, and have a special section on hoarding, which can stem from OCD. ipl2 says, “This site has descriptions and treatment options for generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It includes resources for practitioners and the public, including a therapist finding aid listing members of ADAA.”
PsychCentral: Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (find it on the ipl2) http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx26.htm
PsychCentral, a website that has made Time.com’s 50 best websites list, has information on various personality disorders, including OCD. They give an overview of the disorder, discuss symptoms, how the disorder is diagnosed, causes, and various treatments that are available.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that causes one to go through extreme manic and depressive episodes. In addition to these mood swings, one can also experience hallucinations or delusions.
NEW! Bipolar Disorder by Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/ds00356
This source provides background on bipolar disorder as well as various treatments, such as medicinal, home, and alternative remedies. The Mayo Clinic also discusses how one can best prepare for a doctor’s visit if one has recently been diagnosed or suspects he/she may be suffering from the disorder.
A Complete Guide to Bipolar Disorder (find it on the ipl2) http://www.bipolarhome.org/
This resource is dedicated solely to helping those with this specific mental condition. It details the symptoms of the disorder and also differentiates between the different stages that one can experience. The website also offers help for parents whose children have been diagnosed and provides support on living with the affliction, including how to tell others that one is bipolar.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is a mental health disorder affecting one out of every eight senior citizens in the United States. It affects not only those with the disease, but also friends and family members who have to learn how to adjust to a loved one’s condition. This section provides resources for people of all ages to learn about Alzheimer’s.
The Forgetting: A Portrait of Alzheimer’s (find it on the ipl2) http://www.pbs.org/theforgetting/ The Forgetting: A Portrait of Alzheimer’s is an Emmy award-winning documentary which was originally aired by PBS in 2004. This website includes the full documentary as well as stories from people with Alzheimer’s, information about the disease, and information for people who have been recently diagnosed. Most of the information is in video form, making this an excellent website for visual learners.
Alzheimer’s Association: “Just for Kids” (find it on the ipl2) http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_just_for_kids_and_teens.asp
The Alzheimer’s Association’s “Just for Kids” page includes information which helps kids and teens who have family members with Alzheimer’s understand the disease, as well as resources for parents and educators. Information is provided via videos, articles, and an interactive tour.
Alzheimer’s Disease Research (find it on ipl2) http://www.ahaf.org/alzheimers
Alzheimer’s Disease Research provides a comprehensive website with information about risk factors, symptoms, stages and treatments. In addition, the site provides detailed information about life with Alzheimer’s, from legal and financial matters to everyday living. There is also an “Ask the Experts” section for any questions you may have.
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Both the trilogy and the movie adaptation of the first book in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins have become smash hits not just in the United States, but across the world. This series, which has captured the attention of both youth and adults, has been making waves for its symbolism and depiction of an incredibly dystopian future. The following resources will prove highly useful for anyone interested in learning more about this provocative series.
New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources can already be found in the ipl2 collection.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins on Scholastic.com
This page, maintained by Suzanne Collins’ publisher, offers a wide variety of informative content. Videos and interviews with the author are provided, along with synopses of the books and downloadable content. Those new to the series have the opportunity to preview the first several chapters of the novels and can watch a trailer for the new movie.
Informative and thought-provoking, this book guide is excellent for promoting insights and assisting readers of the series in understanding more of the nuances that can be found in the trilogy. Whether the book guide is for a single reader or a group, the summaries of the novels and the discussion questions will be stimulating for all.
Paul Bond’s article discusses the political side of the trilogy and the movie adaptation, which have been making wide ripples in the world of government. The article provides multiple views of the political messages that can be found in the books and movie, which allows the reader to see how the work has impacted the country in a fashion much larger than domestic box office figures.
This website will be highly useful for those who are interested in the film adaptation of Collins’ novels. It provides links to the film’s social pages to make it easy for fans to connect and get up-to-date news on what is happening with the trilogy, along with links to news and articles on the film, which include discussions on the merits of the novel versus the movie and the female role model that Katniss has become, and even examples of how the series has had an impact on the world of fashion (“Capitol Couture”).
IMDB provides a fantastic array of information about the movie version of the first book in the trilogy. Photos, trailers, trivia, cast information, and reviews can be found on this site, along with other facts about the film and links to over 8,000 news articles.
Thank you for supporting the ipl2. We hope you found these resources informative.
Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog. Subscription is free and open to all!
April 17, 2012—that’s the last day to file individual federal income taxes for 2011. (The traditional tax return filing deadline is April 15 but this falls on a Sunday in 2012 and April 16, 2012 is Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia, so the last filing date is April 17 in 2012). With so many people either writing checks to the IRS or expecting a check from the IRS, the month of April leaves many people thinking income taxes. This month’s blog provides quick links to:
History of the Income Tax
Government Services and Income Tax Forms
Evaluations of Tax Preparation Services
Free Non-Governmental Services and Advice
More Resources on the ipl2
History of the Income Tax
During the first century of American history, income taxes were considered only during times of war (when expenses for military expenditures went up and income from international tariffs went down). The first peacetime income tax was imposed by congress in 1894, but the modern income tax was created by the 16th Amendment to the constitution in 1913. One major force behind the creation of the income tax during this progressive era was the prohibition movement. Income rates have varied widely over the last 100 years.
Most standard tax forms are available free of charge at your post office and all forms are available free of charge on-line. The Internal Revenue Service also provides free advice for taxpayers on many issues. The IRS website is the usually best “first stop” for any tax related question.
The Internal Revenue Service Homepage (find it on the ipl2) http://www.irs.gov/
This is the home page of the IRS. It provides links to a wide array of governmental resources and materials.
Interactive Tax Assistant (find it on the ipl2) http://www.irs.gov/ita/index.html?portlet=105 The IRS provides a free interactive online tax assistant. This service provides answers to the most commonly asked questions (e.g., “Do I need to file income taxes?” “Who can I claim as a dependent?” and “Am I eligible for a Child Tax Credit?”). This site answers all of the most commonly asked questions in plain English, which is accessible to people with average reading and math skills (the site is also linked to a Spanish language version of the site).
Evaluations of Tax Preparation Services
Many different tax preparation services and software options are available across a wide range of prices. It can be difficult to decide which option is right for a given tax situation. The sites listed below include reviews that attempt to evaluate tax preparation services and provide a breakdown of the functionality for each service.
Top Ten Reviews (find it on the ipl2) http://tax-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
A side-by-side comparison of 10 tax preparation software programs and electronic filing (e-filing) services. Factors include price, basic features, e-filing options, tax assistance support, and technical requirements. Also includes details about ratings for each program. From a publisher of product reviews for software and Web services.
NEW! NextAdvisor Online Tax Preparation Reviews http://www.nextadvisor.com/online_tax_preparation_services/index.php NextAdvisor is an independent source for “comparing the most valuable new Internet services.” Their Online Tax Preparation Review chart provides a current comparison of the best tax services along with an FAQ section that answers basic filing questions.
NEW! About.com Top 7 Tax Software http://taxes.about.com/od/taxsoftware/tp/taxsoftware.htm
Tax professional William Perez tests seven different tax software programs by putting them each through three tax scenarios and offering a detailed review for each service.
NEW! CNET Tax Preparation Reviews http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-6438_7-0.html This CNET page on tax preparation software allows users to select criteria that are important to them such as price, manufacturer, computer platform, and licensing agreements. The search results can be sorted according to any of these criteria. A quick snapshot of each service is provided and the user can set up a price alert.
NEW! PCMag Accounting and Tax Reviews http://www.pcmag.com/reviews/accounting-tax-software PCMag’s Accounting and Tax page provides editor ratings and detailed reviews for tax preparation software packages. Users can filter by price, company, and rating and can also submit their own reviews of each service.
Free Non-Governmental Services & Advice
Preparing your taxes on your own can be difficult. Fortunately, there are lots of free tools and services available on the web. Whether you’re looking for forms, have questions about exemptions or are looking to file online for free, the following sites can help.
Tax Resources on the Web (find it on the ipl2) http://taxtopics.net/
This comprehensive list of online resources acts as a “gateway to tax resources available on the World Wide Web.” It includes information on federal taxes, California taxes, retirement resources and news about taxes.
NEW! Web Tax Center http://www.webtaxcenter.com/
This tax resource offers free tax tips, tax FAQs, and links to all current tax forms (federal and state). It also provides links to a free e-file service offered through FreeTaxUSA.
NEW! AARP Tax-Aide http://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/
AARP provides free tax help for those 60 and older. This website includes FAQs and a locator to help you find an AARP tax-aide site in your area.
NEW! Tax Act http://www.taxact.com/taxes-online/free-online-tax.asp
Prepare, print and e-file federal tax returns for free through Tax Act. This resource includes links to popular help topics. A tools & reference section includes a tax dictionary, tax rate calculator and iPhone tax applications.
NEW! H&R Block http://www.hrblock.com/
Prepare, print and e-file federal tax returns for free through H&R Block. Their website includes tax calculators, tax tips and applications for mobile devices. A tax answers section provides easily searchable answers to many common tax questions.
NEW! TurboTax http://turbotax.intuit.com/
Prepare, print and e-file federal tax returns for free through TurboTax. This website includes handy tax calculators, tax tips, and tax FAQs.
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In many parts of the world, particularly in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, springtime comes with the potential for severe storms, including tornadoes. Tornadoes are normally formed when cold, dry air meets warm, moist air and are typically preceded and accompanied by severe thunderstorms known as “super cells.” Tornados can last from a minute or less to over an hour and dissipate when their cyclonic energy is exhausted. We have compiled several sources on the meteorology of tornadoes, preparing for tornadoes, and on the history of tornado events.
In the past month, we have also experienced a different kind of storm that is much further away—the space storm. At the end of January, there was a radiation storm in space that, save for a few disruptions of GPS systems, airline communication systems, and satellites, did not impact general phone or internet connectivity and resulted in dramatic aurora borealis displays, also known as northern lights. We have put together a list of sources that deal with such space storms.
The science behind these kinds of weather phenomena can be difficult to understand, especially for children. We have put together several resources that explain all sorts of weather events in a basic way that kids (and everyone!) can understand.
New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources are already listed in the ipl2 collection.
NEW!The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Tornado Safety Guide http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/tornadoguide.html Information on the National Severe Storms Laboratory page on the NOAA website explains both how citizens should prepare for tornadoes and how they should respond to tornado watches and warnings.
NEW!The Tornado History Project http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/ Users of site can search for storms in United States by dates and locations and learn about the specific injuries and deaths associated with specific storms. The database contains details about storms from 1950 to the present (photos and videos are included for more recent events).
Space Weather
NEW!Space Weather Center http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/index.html This site provides very simple, easy to understand explanations of all aspects of space weather. There is a “space storms” portal that includes an explanation of the impact that space weather can have on Earth, as well as links to current conditions. There is also an education section with resources dedicated to teachers and students.
Space Weather page on Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (find it on the ipl2) http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/spaceweather/ A project developed through an “international collaboration between ESA and NASA to study the Sun from its deep core to the outer corona and the solar wind.” The space weather page includes explanatory videos and real-time space weather activity updates.
Current Space Weather Conditions (find it on the ipl2) http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ “The official source of space weather alerts, warnings, and forecasts,” providing current information on geomagnetic storms, solar winds, solar flares, and aurora activity. The education/outreach page features a FAQ, a glossary of solar-terrestrial terms, a primer on space weather (in English and Spanish), short essays on related topics, and classroom materials. From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Weather for Kids
Weather Wiz Kids(find it on the ipl2) http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-tornado.htm
This site was created by meteorologist Crystal Wicker to teach kids all about weather. The tornado page describes what tornadoes are, how they are formed, other weather phenomena associated with tornadoes and safety tips.
Wild Wild Weather(find it on the ipl2) http://www.wildwildweather.com/twisters.htm
Dan Satterfield, meteorologist and Earth Science blogger for the American Geophysical Union, created this site to share his love for weather. The page about tornadoes describes why they occur, shows current warnings across the U.S. and links to instructions for making your own tornado.
NASA’s Space Place (find it on the ipl2) http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/spaceweather/
Maintained by NASA, this site explains space weather in language that kids can understand. It includes lots of pictures, diagrams and videos to make the subject fun and interactive.
Ready Kids (find it on the ipl2) http://www.ready.gov/kids
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) teamed up with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create the Ready campaign to prepare Americans for emergencies. This site for kids provides Information on tornadoes, hurricanes and other weather events. It is divided into sections titled “Know the Facts,” “Make a Plan,” “Build a Kit” and “Fun & Games.
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The 84th annual Academy Awards ceremony took place last weekend and the media is still abuzz with Oscars gossip. Whether you’re a film buff, fashionista or history lover, the Oscars has something for everyone. Learn more about the 84th annual Academy Awards and the history of the Oscars.
New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources are already listed in the ipl2 collection.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences http://www.oscars.org/ (find it on the ipl2)
The official site of the Academy outlines the history and purpose of this professional organization. Links on the “Academy Awards” page detail the history of the awards and the voting process. An interactive “Oscar Legacy” page allows you to click on every year dating back to the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929 for facts, photos and video clips. “Research & Preservation” links include a searchable Academy Awards database that includes all nominees and winners past and present and an acceptance speech database with full transcripts.
The 84th Academy Awards http://oscar.go.com/ (find it on the ipl2)
The Academy’s official Awards page caters to fans who want the most current information about the Oscars. It lists all of the 2012 nominees and winners, includes photo galleries of the red carpet and after parties, and clusters celebrity tweets, blogs and videos.
NEW!Filmsite’s Academy Awards http://www.filmsite.org/oscars.html
AMC’s Filmsite by Tim Dirks is “an award-winning website for classic film buffs, students, moviegoers and anyone else interested in the great movies of the last century.” This Oscars page includes a brief background on the Academy Awards and links to Academy Awards history by decade and year, major awards by category, trivia, movie posters and more. It’s a great site for statistics buffs.
NEW!Every Host in the History of the Oscars http://www.buzzfeed.com/gavon/every-host-in-the-history-of-the-oscars
BuzzFeed provides popular information that internet users want to know, including this list of Oscars hosts from 1929-2011. Most Oscars sites omit this information. BuzzFeed’s list includes photos of every host and illuminates years with multiple hosts, no hosts, and cartoon hosts.
NEW!All About Oscar http://www.britannica.com/oscar/
This reliable Oscars site from Encyclopedia Britannica is very clearly organized and simply presented. It lists winners chronologically by major category, has a photo gallery that includes most years in the history of the Oscars and links to other Oscar-related sites. Write-ups on winners include movie synopses and interesting trivia.
Thanks for supporting ipl2. We hope you find these resources about the Oscars informative.
Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2’s News and Information WordPress blog. Subscription is free and open to all!
For Christians of all traditions, the most important holy days of the year are Christmas and Easter, yet each day is part of a much larger “holy season.” Christmas is preceded by four weeks of the “Advent” season; Easter is preceded by six and half weeks of “Lent.” Lent begins with “Ash Wednesday,” which is 46 days before Easter. Traditionally, Christians use the 40 weekdays between Ash Wednesday and Easter as a time of introspection and self-reflection. Christians often engage in some sort of self-denial during this period (the practice of “giving something up for Lent”) and engage in celebration and feasting on the six Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Christians around the world celebrate Christmas and Advent at the same time, but the Christian traditions engage in their Lenten practices at slightly different times. In 2012, Lent runs from Feb. 22 to April 8 for Roman Catholics and Protestants. For Christians in the Orthodox tradition, Lent runs from Feb. 29 to April 15. You can learn about distinctive Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Lenten practices by visiting the sites below.
Calculating the Dates of Lent
Because the dates of Lent are based on a lunar calendar rather than a solar calendar, the specific date of Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, varies from year to year. Additionally, Western Christians (Catholics and Protestants) celebrate Lent at a different time than do Eastern Christians (the Orthodox churches).
NEW! Naval Oceanography Portal – Western dates for Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter
Since 1583, Catholics and Protestants have celebrated Lent based on calculations determined by the Gregorian calendar. All dates for Lent from 1583 to 9999 are available on this site.
timeanddate – Eastern dates for Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter (find it on the ipl2)
The Orthodox Churches celebrate Lent based on calculations determined by the Julian calendar. Recent and upcoming dates for Orthodox Lent are available on this site.
Ash Wednesday as a Lenten Practice
The four most important dates within Lent are Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter), Good Friday (the traditional date of Jesus’ crucifixion on the Friday before Easter) and Easter (the final day of Lent when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus). The only one of these days which ever falls in February is Ash Wednesday, a day which many Christians celebrate by burning the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations and then using those ashes to draw a blackened cross on their foreheads. (The ashen cross is symbolic of repentance and remorse for sin and evil.)
This site provides an ecumenical overview of Ash Wednesday observances.
The Three Great Traditions of Christianity & Lent
Three great traditions of Christianity exist in the contemporary world: Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism. The Orthodox Church is the most common form of Christianity in Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East. The Catholic and Protestant Churches are the most common forms of Christianity in North and South America, in Western Europe and in Africa. Orthodox and Catholic churches all engage in Lenten practices. Not all Protestant churches engage in Lenten practices, but most do.
It is no secret that Facebook has quickly become one of the most influential companies of the 21st Century. On February 1, 2012, the social networking site officially filed for an initial public offering, which has become one of the most buzzed about IPOs since Google’s public debut in 2004. An initial public offering (IPO) occurs when a company first sells its stock to the public. Facebook’s IPO has sparked much speculation and analysis of what the IPO will mean for potential investors, competitors, and the company itself. Regardless of whether or not the Facebook IPO proves to be a successful endeavor, it is apparent that social networking is not just a passing trend and other social media companies will be watching closely to see how Facebook fares after the initial hype dies down. What follows are several excellent sources for in-depth information on the Facebook IPO.
New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources are already listed in the ipl2 collection
Inside Facebook is an independent news source that is part of the Inside Network company. The site provides “news and analysis on Facebook’s global growth, corporate developments, and product innovations” and also reports on trends that appear on Facebook.
This BusinessInsider page offers a complete breakdown of the important facets of the Facebook IPO. BusinessInsider offers news about current business information in the media, technology, financial, and other industry sectors.
This page aggregates news related to the Facebook IPO, complete with Mashable analysis. Mashable’s “About Us” page describes the company as “the largest independent news source dedicated to covering digital culture, social media and technology.”
Provides an easy to read timeline of Facebook’s increasing valuation from 2004 to January of 2011. DealBook provides financial news and analysis covering mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, initial public offerings (IPOs), private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, legal matters, and related topics. From the website of The New York Times.
Want to know about Facebook, Twitter or Steve Jobs? “CrunchBase is the free database of technology companies, people, and investors that anyone can edit.”
British online magazine offering a wealth of technology news stories, editorials by technology writers, and current events stories involving technology.
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With the rise of the Internet and Web 2.0 technologies, it is easier for people to engage in societal movements and to quickly see how their participation can make a difference. The current primary election and the national elections in November offer important opportunities for citizens to get involved in the political process. However the flood of political information available on the Web also can make it more difficult to identify quality sites with unbiased information and analysis.
We have compiled a list of sources dealing with many aspects of civic engagement and hope you enjoy visiting the sites we have chosen.
New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources are already listed in the ipl2 collection.
The Dates of the Primary Season
Each of the states sets the date for its state-wide primary elections. The rules for these elections and the criteria for establishing candidacy are largely determined by state and local governments. As long as the states comply with federal voting rights laws, state governments and their local party officials have broad flexibility in the management of these primary elections and caucuses. In 2012, the primary season runs from Jan. 3 (the date of the Iowa caucus) to June 26 (the date of the Utah primary). For a schedule of the primary elections and caucuses, visit:
This site is a blog dedicated to the 2012 national election and includes information on the Republican and Democratic primaries, debates, and general election news.
The Republican and Democratic Conventions
After all of the primaries are completed, the major parties gather in a convention to formally nominate their candidates and to establish their party platform. When the primary system was created in the 19th century and well into the 20th century, no one knew for sure which candidate would gain the party’s nomination until the convention was completed. In recent times, however, the nominees have been clearly established well before the convention and the conventions have served as opportunities for the parties to present their nominees to the American people. For an introduction to the Republican and Democratic conventions, visit:
Official site of the Democratic National Convention (Charlotte, NC, Sept. 3-7, 2012).
Alternative Political Parties & Conventions
Although the Democratic and Republican parties are clearly the largest political parties in the United States—so much so that most people identify the US as having a “two party system”—there are many less well known political parties in the United States. Each of these parties also sponsors a national convention of its own. The largest of these “third party alternatives” are the Constitution party, the Green party, and the Libertarian party.
This is a very simple, easy to use resource on the most popular issues of 2012. This is a good starting point to learn basic information about the various issues and the candidates’ positions on the issues that matter to you.
FAIR stands for Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting and has been dedicated to “offering well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship since 1986.” The organization works with both activists and journalists to provide insight into the media industry and the biases that come along with it. This is one of the few sites dedicated to media bias that does not lean right or left politically.
The ipl2 page on Election and Voting Resource is an extremely comprehensive guide to finding the best political information on the Web. The information is broken down into useful categories. The site provides information on federal, local, and state elections, on political parties, candidates, and issues, on voter information, as well as blogs and historical information. Rather than focusing on any particular election, the resources in the section provide general information about the full range of political processes and about the current political climate.
NOTE: Although this collection lists 2010 election resources, there are also many other resources that are relevant to current and upcoming election information.
Sponsored by the Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at the University of Texas at Austin, this site provides detailed, quality information on all aspects of both leading initiatives and volunteering for them. Information on the site includes how to engage the community and advice on advocacy and activism for online volunteers.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is an established organization that has been fighting for various issues since 1990. The site has a “Take Action” page that provides a list of current issues complete with links through which people can choose to participate. There is also a blog and a page dedicated to showcasing the work the organization has been involved with over the years.
TakingITGlobal is an “online community that facilitates global education, social entrepreneurship, and civic engagement for millions of youth worldwide.” It is a social network like Facebook or MySpace but with a focus on global citizenship. Members from over 250 countries and almost 3,000 schools interact through this site, which provides links and resources for students and educators looking to be more involved through virtual classrooms and social interactions.
The Center for Communication and Civic Engagement is “dedicated to understanding communication processes and media technologies that facilitate positive citizen involvement in politics and social life.” The site is a collaboration of faculty and students at the University of Washington. It contains original research, new educational programs, policy recommendations and a comprehensive list of web-based resources for citizens.
The mission of AmericaSpeaks is to “reinvigorate American Democracy by engaging citizens in the public decision-making that most impacts their lives.” Among other projects, AmericaSpeaks was behind the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site and the rebuilding of post-Katrina New Orleans. The site offers links to topics that are discussed during their 21st Century Town Meetings and ways to get involved.
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