Beginning January 4, 2011, UMBC has a 2-week trial of the Accessible Archives database.

Accessible Archives contains the rich, comprehensive material found in leading historic periodicals and books. Eyewitness accounts of historical events, vivid descriptions of daily life, editorial observations, commerce as seen through advertisements, and genealogical records are available in a user-friendly online environment.

Resources include: African American Newspapers, Godey`s Lady`s Book, The Liberator, and much more.

The trial runs through January 18, 2011.

For off-campus access, please login via VPN first (http://vpn.umbc.edu). Then follow the link under "News & Events" on the library homepage. For more info on remote access, see http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/services/remoteaccess.php

Feedback is encouraged. Use the form below or send directly to Drew Alfgren: alfgren@umbc.edu

Your environment effects how you complete your job and cubicles are definitely not conducive to creative working! These offices allow an open layout that develops a more community-style workspace. commonvision practices this same design aesthetic, allowing us to communicate constantly with our coworkers and encourage creativity in each other.

Bruce Goldfarb ’85, Emergency Health Services, intends to challenge the newly-copyrighted word “Hon,” according to the Baltimore Sun.

The Catonsville writer, who runs WelcometoBaltimoreHon.Com, plans to start selling coffee mugs featurning the word.

Read the full story here.

Gelahto has just rolled out a new series of delicious smoothies, shakes, and floats. I had the chance to sample some of the flavors thanks to Mark Tarkanick and Brittany from Chartwells.

First of all, what is “gelato,” you ask? Gelato is Italian ice cream “prepared from all natural fresh ingredients” (Info poster next to Gelahto). There are two categories: Fruit flavors and cream flavors. The water-based fruit flavors contain absolutely no dairy and are considered “true sorbettos.” The cream flavors are dairy-based and made with whole milk.

Now, let’s start the sampling!

Rootbeer Float Gelato

First up is the All American Favorite. This rootbeer float has the foam you are looking for! Made with vanilla gelato, you can top it with the rootbeer from the soda fountain to create your own frothy treat.

Creamsicle Gelato

Remember those orange Popsicles from your childhood summertime? Now enjoy it in float form with the Creamsicle! This orange Fanta flavored float is also based with vanilla gelato. Bring on the summer!

Berry Coke Gelato

For all of you fruit-in-your-soda lovers, the Berry Coke float is the perfect choice. This smooth blend is wild-berry gelato mixed with Coke for a drink that is sure to satisfy your thirst.

A Refreshing Kiss

This Sprite and lemon sorbetto mix lives up to its title: Refreshing Kiss. This blend is accented by the lemonade flavor. Another summertime treat!

Strawberry Sorbetto Lemonade

Did I mention you can create your own flavors? Any flavor you see can be blended to order. This popular request is strawberry and lemon gelato mixed with lemon sorbetto. The fruit-punch flavor is very smooth and a delight to drink.

That’s it for the Floats, now on to the Shakes!

The Monkey Monster Shake

The Monkey Monster: a thick chocolate shake complete with a fresh banana blended right in. My favorite sample of the day (I’m a chocoholic); this is one of the most popular items from the new menu. Chocolate lovers rejoice!

Strawberry Shake

Another made-to-order blend, the Strawberry Shake is a smooth, creamy mix made with real strawberries. Don’t limit yourself to the menu! Anything you crave can be blended for a treat unique to your desires.

And finally, the Smoothies:

Wildberry Smoothie

Need some fruit in your life? Try the Wildberry Smoothie. With a strong kick of fruit, this blend will leave you thirsting for more!

Raspberry Lemon Smoothie

Raspberry Lemon rounds out the sampling session. This pink blend is a another summer-inspired mix, starring the sorbetto lemonade complemented by real raspberries.

So, stop by Gelahto, say “hello” to Brittany, and treat yourself to a satisfying treat! With the wide range of flavors, you can customize the perfect mix you’re searching for.

Hello Brittany!

Thank you Brittany for preparing the samples, and Mark Tarkanick for setting up the session!

Photo Credit: Mark Tarkanick

Washington DC braces for invasion of New Republicans

What’s going on in Arkansas?  100,000 fish float dead in a river while thousands of birds fall from the sky!

Watch out iPad! 80 new tablets are rolled out at electronics show

How much is Facebook worth to you? If you are like millions of other folks around the world it is worth a few minutes of your time each day.

To the Financial giant Goldman Sachs it is worth a little more… in fact about $50 billion more (yes, that is Billion with a B).

At that price, Facebook would be worth more than Ebay and TimeWarner.

Sachs recently invested a hefty sum of money in the Internet giant raising speculation that Facebook might be preparing to go “Public”. Currently Facebook is a private company headed by founder and Time magazine 2010 Man of the year Mark Zuckerberg.

If the owners of Facebook decide to go public and sell shares of the company, Goldman Sachs and Zuckerberg would be poised to add billions to their already sizeable wealth.

But how could Facebook be worth so much? True, a good portion of web surfers are spending (wasting?)copious hours on the site.

But how can the owners of the site monetize Facebook without driving away visitors?

If you were Mark Zuckerberg, what would you do?

Have a creative idea or research plans?

· URA provides up to $1500 to undergraduate students to support their research or creative work with a UMBC faculty mentor

· Students of all years and disciplines may apply

· Start now: Proposal Deadline — March 3, 2011

Applications accepted as early as February 1, 2011

Contact Janet McGlynn at mcglynn@umbc.edu if you are interested in this opportunity

Explore other students' paid creative work:

http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad_ed/research/ResearcherProfiles/FrankiTroutProfile.htm

http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad_ed/research/ResearcherProfiles/PatrickRifeProfile.htm