It's good for you, for your pocketbook, and for the environment. Bicycle to work or to a transit stop once a week over eight weeks instead of driving alone and track your trips on the online calendar.

Learn what you can do to stay healthy from the MN Dept. of Health and CDC.

Alina Tugend of the New York Times describes the benefits of a sabbatical from your job.

A recent article in Der Spiegel asks whether "2009 is the new 1929."  Our own Federal Reserve, on the other hand, detects an easing of the recession in recent weeks.   What do you think?

If you're looking at new or used car prices, try the online Kelley Blue Book or the NADA Appraisal Guide.

Use HCL's  H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) page to keep you up to date on current developments.  Check the latest news on Google.

I received a phone call past midnight this week, with an automated voice saying they were from my bank, that they had put a stop on my account, and to press a number to speak to a person.  I hung up on them, and called my bank when they opened.  My suspicion was right, this was phishing.  When in doubt, call your bank!

The MN Dept. of Education is working closely with the MN Dept. of Health in response to Swine Flu. Read State Epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield's memo to school district officials addressing prevention and response measures.

Local magazine Family Times is a "road map" for parents who want new ideas, fun things to do, and experts to call upon to help them navigate the sometimes bumpy roads of parenting.

From the U of MN Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy. From the CDC, Swine Flu & You or La Influenza Porcina.

Livemsp.org encourages home ownership in Minneapolis and St. Paul and links to maps and information and videos on neighborhoods in these cities.

How do recruiters select job candidates online? Read how HR pros adivse their colleagues to find the right prospect for a job, in the online publication HRworld.

EarthDay.gov provides ideas for protecting the environment at home, work or school. Earth Day history and information from other federal agencies about the environment also available on site.

Get health information from the CDC by destination, relevant vaccinations, outbreaks and common diseases; how to travel with children; and ensuring safe food and water. Read Your Survival Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel.

The 2009 Pulitzer Prizes have been announced. The winners include David Barstow of the New York Times, who reported on conflicts of interest in television war coverage. The St. Petersburg Times was cited for its online database PolitiFact, which fact checks statements by politicians and the media.

Need to know if your TV is digital?  Consumer Reports has a blog posting that will help you figure it out.

Spice and Slice of Asia: Get a glimpse of how cultural heritage influences the daily living and work of Asians and Asian Americans. Local artists and authors will show slides and discuss their work.
Vietnamese Legends and Rituals
Augsburgs Park Library: Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m.
Brooklyn Park Library: Saturday, May 9, 1 p.m. 

Looking for Asian America
Ridgedale Library: Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m. 

Hmong Art, Photography and Writings:
Brookdale Library: Thursday, May 28, 6:30 p.m
 

As we recover from the recent deadline of filing our income taxes, here's a look at the first Income Tax form from 1913 when Congress passed the law creating the right to impose the tax. 

Teaching your child how to use 911 in an emergency could be the most important lesson you'll ever share.  With these three numbers, you can reach the fire department, the police on an ambulance.

Find the latest information on the Franken-Coleman Senate election recount, trial and appeal from the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

More cargo vessels hijacked following the recent rescue of American captain held hostage by pirates.  Follow the news using Google News.  Learn more about Somali pirates on the BBC News website.

Wired reports that participating in Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. has been shown by a University of Melbourne study to help sharpen workers' concentration.

The Minnesota Historical Society has just thrown open the doors to the archives of its fabulous magazine, Minnesota History  . The magazines have been scanned and are now keyword searchable.  The results are the actual articles from the magazine-in living color. Years available include 2009 to 1915. Most current issue is not available online.

The National Weather Service provides timely information on weather conditions throughout the U.S..  Features include warnings and forecasts, national maps, air quality and satellite imagery.  With the severe weather season approaching, check out the section on tornadoes.  This area provides a look at the fascinating world of storm chasers as well as some valuable tips on tornado safety.

The School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon has announced its 2009 recipients of the Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism.

Answer:  "The parts of a computer that can be kicked."  For more amusing definitions, take a look at  BusinessDictionary.com's entertaining compilation of business terminology.

Look at freshwater issues, and worldwide water supply data through the web site, World's Water.

David Brooks of the NYT shows both sides of the question.    He also cites two recent, seminal articles that espouse each argument:  "The Quiet Coup" by Simon Johnson (greed) and Jerry Z. Muller's "Our Epistemological Depression" (stupidity).    If only we could turn back the hands of time!

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck central Italy.  Follow the latest news on the BBC website.  Get information on the earthquake in Italy and other recent earthquakes on the USGS earthquake page.

Thinking of changing careers? Explore ISEEK. Recently revised & enriched, this website has resources for the newly unemployed, immigrants, people with disabilities, students, all job seekers, career counselors and HR professionals.

Festival Online lists many types of festivals, arts and craft shows throughout Minnesota. You can find the location, date and other details.

The Minnesota Courts Self Help Law Centers have legal forms for use in Minnesota court proceedings.  Southdale, Brookdale and Ridgedale Libraries also have dedicated computer terminals for downloading legal forms from the Self Help Law Center. The Legal Forms from Thompson Gale database is appropriate for "transactional" legal issues, such as real estate, power of attorney and other matters.

Each April new members are inducted into Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For information on all past and present inductees vist The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

This opinion piece in Der Spiegel explores a taboo subject:   the continuing promiscuous printing of unsecured American dollars.   

Global Voices offers a diverse collection of  topical opinions and observations  from around the world via an assortment of online media.

The Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota  promotes opportunities for adults to become mentors to youth throughout the state. Join them at a public celebration, Wired for 2020 on Saturday, April 18.

Wall Street's future?   Read this recent article in the New York Times to find out.

The NIH Rocket Boys:How NIH Gives Health and Hope to Kids and the World. Read how the public library, the Center for Scientific Review of NIH and a nine year old's request for $10.00 impacted the future.

The ink on recently signed federal economic stimulus legislation was barely dry when "stim scam" artists began working on the gullibility of their fellow citizens. Both the Federal Trade Commission (includes webcast) and the Better Business Bureau have issued warnings on offers of  "free" advice on how to obtain government grants. Report this scam, among others, to the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, who offers the dire assessment: "During a bad economy, scams go up."

Rolling Stone is profane and irreverent in places.   But it pierces the obfuscation surrounding the toppling of the world's economic structure by naming names and departments and amounts.   A second article that appeared a few days later in ABCNews justifies Matt Taibbi's scurrilous stance.