Beat the Heat!

As temperatures climb, what better way to beat the heat than to pick up some ice-cream from the Babcock Dairy Store?! Conveniently located in our neighborhood (1605 Linden Drive), the Dairy Store supplies its signature ice-cream (standard and feature flavors), milk, cheese and other treats. Additionally, a deli-counter prepares coffee, breakfast and lunch items.

Enjoy your break and we will see you back at the library (where, incidentally, we have books on ice-cream production and its culinary use).

Ask us for assistance should you wish to discover those collections!

The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen, 2011

When is it a good idea to consider purchasing organic produce? According to the folks with the Environmental Working Group, you may wish to splurge (that is, buy organic) on those produce items that bear a heavy pesticide burden when grown using contemporary "conventional" methods.

In tough economic times, it may not always be possible to buy organic 100% of the time, therefore one strategy is to pick and choose your food products wisely using such tools as the EWG’s Shoppers’ Guide to Pesticides.

The Dirty Dozen for 2011
(buy these organic; note: lower numbers=more pesticides):

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines--imported
7. Grapes--imported
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries--domestic
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

The Clean 15 for 2011 (lowest in pesticide residues when grown conventionally):

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe--domestic
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

Get Help, Data Plans for NSF Proposals

Due to requirements announced in January, applicants submitting grant proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF) must provide a two-page data management plan detailing the data collected in a project and how it will be managed, preserved, and shared.

If you need help determining: 1) what to include in your data management plan, 2) which data standards and formats are appropriate for your area, and/or 3) methods for documenting and sharing your data, Research Data Services can help. This cross-campus team of data and information specialists offers free consultations on writing data plans, improving your data management practices, and sharing your data.

Those facing NSF deadlines this summer may want to take advantage of these services right away. To get help, visit the Research Data Services site or email its team of campus staff (digitalcuration@lists.wisc.edu).

Print the flyer (PDF).

With thanks to the Research Data Services team for the content of this blog post.

A Place to Call Home, Campus Area Housing

Are you new to the Madison campus or need to find another place to live?

If so, then visit the Campus Area Housing Listing Service to conduct a free search for area options. The service, hosted by campus Visitor & Information Programs, is intended to assist faculty, staff and students with finding housing appropriate to their needs--whether this is an apartment, private residence hall, house or primary residence.

The site also includes links to handy area maps and Madison community information.

Color Your World, Allen Centennial Gardens

While you’re in our neighborhood, be sure to take a lunch or study break to soak in the color of the beautiful Allen Centennial Gardens, easily spotted through the library’s north-facing windows (corner of Babcock and Observatory Drives).

These 2.5 acres of teaching gardens, managed by staff affiliated with the university’s Department of Horticulture, surround what was formerly known as the 'Agricultural Dean’s residence.'

Today, the gardens feature a variety of landscaping designs and plant-communities--including experiments with culinary herb and kitchen gardens.

The gardens also afford volunteer and internship opportunities! Students and members of the public who are interested in contributing their time to a variety of gardening tasks are invited to contact Mr. Ed Lyon, Head Gardener, with that expressed interest and availability.

Keep up with what's happening in the Gardens with its blog and Facebook page.