A celebration of countries and cultures, the Festival of Nations is a great way to meet people and hear languages from around the world. This year, the festival celebrates its 80th anniversary - come join the fun! 

With baseball fever in the air, catch the latest scores on this award winning website. In addition to a wide variety of sports, check out the latest news on health care, immigration reform, and global warming. Regardless of your interest, this site will have something for everyone.

Minnesota Business First Stop and the federal government's BusinessUSA are new one stop websites developed to provide easier access to the services and information businesses need, whether they are a new startup or an established firm.  These government sites cover everything from starting a business or exporting a product, to information about a program to compensate fisherman for fishing gear lost to oil and gas activities.

Visit the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library to find state documents and historical information including House and Senate seating charts, vote totals going back a century, flow charts showing the legislative process, and much more. You can even take a virtual tour of the Capitol.

HomeSpot allows homeowners to set up maintenance schedules, plan home improvement projects, and keep a history of their home.

You don't have to be a Master Gardener to plant your own bit of earth. Join us at Nokomis Library on Tuesday, April 24, 6 p.m. 
to learn about fertilizers, common pests, and diseases.

Urban Expedition: LIBERIA!
Musser Cortile; 1 to 3 pm; FREE
Travel the world without leaving St. Paul!  This program will feature the music, dance, food and crafts of Liberia. Featuring main stage performances by Universal Dance Destiny. For more information call 651-292-3267 

Hennepin County provides low-cost child and adult immunizations (shots) to people who don't have adequate health insurance.

According to an infographic from Mother Nature Network, the number of Americans growing food and the size of food gardens has increased.  The National Gardening Association's report, The Impact of Home and Community Gardening in America, also indicates that food gardening is on the rise.  

If this inspires you to join the ranks, take a look at this chart from The Cheap Vegetable Gardener to help determine the Most Profitable Plants in Your Vegetable Garden.

Don't forget that we have online tutorials for using a mouse (in several languages), and links for help with Microsoft Office and Open Office.

On April 21, celebrate Earth Day learning about edible landscapes at Northeast Library.

The Wildlife Rehab Center of Minnesota has a tip sheet and FAQ list on what to do when you find young wildlife, such as an orphaned  bunny or a baby bird that has fallen out of a nest. You can also find a link to the center on the Animal subtopic page of the Science Subject Guide.

Check out the government website fraud.org for assistance and filing a report.

Watch the video Light Up The Night which celebrates HCMC's role as our state's first and most influential teaching hospital.

Parent Hacks has collected some tips for Summer Fun. Explore categories like summer activities, learning, organization and quick clean up tips, meals/snacks/treats, health, and low-effort summer "fashion."

Looking for Summer Camps? Want to plan a vacation using our Countries & Travel subject guide? It's not too early to start. Hope you have a great summer!

April 14-15 marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster. Read an excerpt from the U. S. Senate's final report on the investigation into the sinking of the ship. Visit the Minneapolis Central Library to read the print version of the full transcripts of the hearings issued on May 28, 1912 by the 62nd Congress. A report from the British Government is also available in the U. S. Senate document collection. Visit the second floor iDesk for more information.

The annual rite of spring is underway: college tours by prospective freshmen. Each one is searching for the school that provides right fit for his or her individual requirements.  But what if "fit" is not something to be found, but something that develops over time, something that involves work and change rather than comfort and predictability? The Chronicle of Higher Education hosts this challenge to the concept. Read it here or find it in our Academic Search Premier database. 

If you are a senior or a caregiver, the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging can connect you with community services including financial assistance, in-home help, transportation, health insurance counseling, and more.

Volunteers and organizations coordinate with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for neighborhood clean-up. No pre-registration is required. 9:30 a.m.-Noon. A volunteer coordinator is available at each site to assist volunteers and answer questions. 

A visual dictionary is excellent for reinforcing language learning, and is also a great tool for the traveler.  Check out these and other visual/picture dictionaries at your local library!

If you are thinking of attending the 2012 London Olympics now is the time to purchase your tickets and make travel arrangements! The Library has plenty of guidebooks on London, too.

If you're interested in doing business with government agencies plan to attend the SADBOC Government Procurement Fair on April 25 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center.  Combining education with marketing strategies, this event provides small businesses an opportunity to meet with representatives from Federal, State and local departments, commercial/prime contractors, and nonprofit organizations;  access available technical assistance;  and learn about upcoming contracts.  
Sponsored by the Federal Executive Board's Small and Disadvantaged Business Opportunity Council, in cooperation with PTAC and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

1040 Central has all the information you need to file your federal income tax on time, April 17. Don't forget to see if you qualify for the Earned Income Credit.  Minnesota income tax is due the same day.  If you are curious as to why the deadline is extended, the IRS explains that since April 15 is a Sunday and April 16 is Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia, the deadline for filing is Tuesday April 17.

Bankrate.com is a good starting point for any debt management plan. Enter all of the credit cards and outstanding installment loans balances. Find out how much is owed and how long it will take to pay it off.

Lavender notes the start of the 14^th year of the “Untold Stories: Labor History Series”, presented by the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. Occurring at various venues around the Twin Cities, the series includes lectures, performances, and discussions, and runs from April 12 through May 21.

In a recent report the Federal Trade Commission called for greater regulation of the personal data companies compile on millions of consumers. The FTC also asked for a provision that would allow people access to the information collected on them.

Looking for the cheapest gasoline price close to home?  Try fueleconomy.gov linked to MN cities.

Want to explore some of the areas history? Look into the Minneapolis Landmarks and Historic District page to find some exploring ideas.

Learn about local and regional food systems, who participates in them, and their role in economic and community development. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides an interactive map showing supported food projects across the country.

School will be out soon. Do you know where your children will be? Minnesota Monthly has a review of summer camps tailored to meet a variety of interests: music, math, art, theater, outdoor adventures and more. 

Training and employment opportunities are available in renewable energy, building systems, manufacturing and construction in the metropolitan area for those who meet the income guidelines of the RENEW program. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act this program is administered by local governments and implemented by many agencies and educational organizations to promote employment in "green" industries.