Poetry Open Mic (March 10)

College Library will host an evening of Illumination’s talent with an open mic reading in the Open Book Café (Room 1250) beginning at 7:00 PM. Participants are invited to bring a poem or short prose selection to share—be it from their original work or from the collections of a favorite writer. Coffee and hot chocolate will be served.

Illumination: the Undergraduate Journal of Humanities provides a terrific publishing venue for students to showcase their talents in art/design and creative writing.

Pandora Internet Radio

As a research librarian, I must confess that I am charmed by search engines—particularly ones that can be customized or that can run nifty algorithms to tease-out related records or files to the query I have entered, often prefaced by such phrases as “find more like this one” or ‘find similar or related’ records. While a hallmark of such products as Amazon and other commercial sites, this feature is making its way into many of the libraries’ subscription databases, including Academic Search and Web of Science, among others.

Music fans, though, may be interested in the fun and free, Pandora Internet Radio site, where the site user can enter an artist or song in order to discover similar music as codified by the Music Genome Project. Essentially, each song in the Music Genome Project has been analyzed and assigned a set of attributes, fleshing out a particular identity for that song, be it by such attributes as genre, recording artist, instrumentation, vocals, lyrics, etc. Searches by a favorite song or artist/album will produce a list of attributes and similar music that you may also enjoy and can listen to instantly. By choosing “create a station” you can listen to selections of that similar music, as you would a radio station, thereby identifying other artists/music of interest.

Signing on to a free account enables the user to save and to customize his/her “station” of suggested music. See Pandora's FAQ for more information.

Women's History Month (March)

What began as a grassroots movement in the late 1970s to raise awareness of women’s history with, what was then, “Women’s History Week,” now enjoys month-long reflection with a collection of informative sites from the Library of Congress and other government agencies—including the US Census Bureau with its Facts for Features data column.

Should you wish to find research literature on any number of topics within women’s history and/or gender studies, do consider using the following campus library databases, accessible via the E-Resource Gateway (SubjectBrowse, Choose Category "Social Sciences", then Sub-Category "Women's Studies").

• Contemporary Women’s Issues

• GenderWatch

• Women’s Studies International

Additionally, the Women’s Studies Librarian’s Office supplies a rich listing of online resources and bibliographies.

Speak for the Trees

Today, March 2, would have been the 105th birthday of one of the most beloved among authors, Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Geisel, 1904-1991).

And, in musing upon his enormous contribution to the canon of children's literature, I cannot help but think fondly of my favorite character amidst his work--the Lorax, whose message proves the most enduring, in light of our real world awareness of the price paid when immediate gain diminishes common sense, sustainable practice.

I was raised among people who planted trees, with one of my earliest memories being that of casting soil upon the roots of one planted for me. I saw the oaks that surrounded my home as benevolent, worldly creatures with which I would carry on conversations.

And, today, as then, the Lorax, in his attempts to defend his ecosystem, can move me to tears.

If you are so given to conversing on all things Seuss, do consult with your favorite librarian to locate one of the several biographies and critical works available in campus library collections.

Additionally, Steenbock Library has many titles devoted to arboriculture, biodiversity, forest ecology, and sustainability in its many aspects, among other topics. Again, consult with library staff for assistance locating these and more from the collections.

Do you have a favorite character from Dr. Seuss? If so, reply to this post.

Good Eating with CSAs

Despite the chill in the air, it is not too early to consider your options for getting terrific fresh produce from area growers.

The MACSAC organization (Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition) will host an open house at Olbrich Gardens, March 28, from 1:00-4:00 PM.

At the open house, you will be able to chat with growers and to evaluate the different share options—often weekly or every-other-week deliveries of seasonal produce, eggs, cheese, honey or meat depending upon share plan and CSA farm. (And, many of these same growers also participate in the area farmers’ markets).

In order to plan ahead, take a look at the MACSAC 2009 Farm List to consider farms and share options that will best satisfy your appetite for produce and level of participation. Many of the farms have application forms that you can submit now.

In addition to supporting a local economy and savoring the fresh produce, there are some other incentives. Many health plans furnish rebates for CSA participation. Shares can also be donated to assist families in our community in need. And, less we forget, there are opportunities to volunteer and to learn more with an internship at an area farm or MACSAC event.