[Elfsea] (no subject)

[Richard Threlkeld]

The first pick this week was too good to let go. Since Pyro is at school today, I am sending this to the list to share.

Caelin

-----Original Message-----
From: yahoo-picks at yahoo-inc.com [mailto:yahoo-picks at yahoo-inc.com] 
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 6:07 AM
To: rjt at acm.org
Subject: Yahoo!'s Picks of the Week (September 22, 2003)


Here's the latest email installment of Yahoo! Picks. Thank you for your interest in our feature. As always, you can access the full document that surrounds these picks online at:

http://picks.yahoo.com/picks/

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Historic Tale Construction Kit

	http://www.adgame-wonderland.de/type/bayeux.php

The Bayeux Tapestry chronicles the 1066 Battle of Hastings in which King Harold of England was defeated by William the Conqueror. Elaborate embroidery and weaving depict the many people involved, including lowly peasants, valiant knights, and courtly nobles. Animals, architecture, and even Haley's Comet appear in this richly woven tapestry. Now thanks to this site, you can use pieces of the Bayeux Tapestry to construct your own historic tale. Set the scene by building a background and castle, and then choose a few medieval folk and brave warriors to populate your scene. Add beasts such as cows, horses, and birds, or throw in a dragon to liven things up. Type in a little text, and you've got yourself a tale for the ages.

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The Science Behind Drug Abuse

	http://www.teens.drugabuse.gov/

No matter the geographic location or socio-economic class, American teens are seriously affected by drug abuse. Rather than ignoring the issue, the National Institute on Drug Abuse provides teens with scientific facts and personal testimonies of young addicts to underscore the need to resist temptation. Think "E" is a harmless club drug? Read 17-year-old Daniel's story and think again. Learn what really happens to a brain on drugs, read about the risks of steroid use, and pick up the dope on dopamine in marijuana. Meet three teens whose lives are changed by nicotine, and see if kicking smoking is really mind over matter or a battle against addiction. Activities for teens, parents, and teachers help hammer the message home. The topic isn't always easy to discuss with kids, but NIDA presents a good place to start.

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Forgotten Detroit

	http://www.forgottendetroit.com/

Once a booming city fueled by the automotive industry, Detroit fell into a 40-year decline in which many of its grandest buildings were abandoned or destroyed. Over the past several years, the Motor City has experienced a renaissance of sorts. The recovery has prompted questions about the fate of certain buildings -- whether they should be demolished or refurbished. David Kohrman, the man behind this site, believes the only answer is restoration. He's spent a great deal of time photographing the interiors and exteriors of several buildings, including the United Artists Theater and the Michigan Central Depot. Kohrman hopes his work will help the public gain an appreciation for the history and continued survival of these structures. As his images attest, when history is torn down in the name of gentrification, we lose not just concrete and steel but decades of memories as well.

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Our Documents

	http://www.ourdocuments.gov/

In a time when instant messaging and email correspondence rule communications, this site preserves the United State's 100 most important and timeless documents. The elegant interface allows you to zoom in close to examine the handwritten calligraphy found on the Constitution, Articles of the Confederation, and Treaty of Paris. Relive high-school history class as the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the Homestead Act, and the Tonkin Gulf Resolution leap from the chronological list of 100 Milestone Documents. Drafted long before the days of keyboards, these papers are not only a reflection of American milestones, but are also a testament to the craft of language. This is one paper trail you definitely want to follow.

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tvtattle.com

	http://www.tvtattle.com/

The leaves are changing colors, the kids are heading back to school, and the new crop of vine-ripened television shows are ready for harvest. Keep up with the latest developments from the world of the boob tube on this informative TV weblog. Linking to reviews and news stories from around the Web, this site is an indispensible stop for small-screen fans. Keep up with gossip on personalities, gaffes from the world of reality TV, and critical huzzahs for successful programming. As the season revs into high gear, reviews for new shows are being compiled (starting with "The O.C" and "Playmakers"). Check back to see how this year's crop of laugh tracks, syrupy families, and crime-solving cab drivers stacks up against years past.

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City Creator

	http://www.citycreator.com/

There is something oddly therapeutic and addictive about this fun little site. Here you play part overlord, part urban planner -- without worrying about recriminations or bureaucratic red tape to hamper your grand plan. With a simple-as-pie UI, the site lets you drag and drop pieces of your city onto a blank canvas. Choose from medieval, modern, and winter wonderland motifs, then pick from a toolbox of all the architectural goodies you'll need -- turrets and gables, paved roads, and even igloos to build your municipal masterpiece. Placed a wrong turn in the road? No problem, drag and drop your mess into a dump truck and start all over. Turn night into day, mountains into molehills, all with a point and click of your almighty index finger. When you're satisfied, save your city and show it off to friends. Now how's that for a power trip?

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35th Infantry Division

	http://www.35thinfdivassoc.com/

This is the personal history of the 35th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, a highly decorated group of soldiers who fought on WWII's most pivotal European battlefronts -- Normandy, Rhineland, and Northern France. Maj. Norman C. Carey gives an account of Normandy Campaign and the capture of St. Lo, with audio narrative and an attack map to help you visualize the situation. He relays the feats of colleagues such as S/Sgt. James J. Spurrier, the "one-man army" responsible for the capture of Achain, who was later awarded the division's first Congressional Medal of Honor. For surviving soldiers and their families, this site offers reunion information and a personal tribute to division's collective tours of duty. For the rest of us, the site introduces some of World War II's bravest souls.