Search results matching tag 'news'

Let's get Evansville on the (Google) map!

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:31:00 GMT

Evansville is one of 6 international finalists in Google's 2012 "Model Your Town Competition."

Evansville native Randall Crane created a 3D model of Evansville's downtown using Google SketchUp and Google Earth. Google selected Randall's model as one of 6 finalists from a pool of 200+ entries submitted worldwide.

It's now a popularity contest, with the public being able to vote for their favorite. The winner will receive a $25,000 prize for local schools from Google, Inc. The deadline for voting is May 1st, so let's get those votes in!

How to Vote

Go to http://www.google.com/intl/en/sketchup/competitions/modelyourtown/vote.html.
Select Evansville.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page & click the "Vote for this town" button.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

More Info

Google Earth: Tour the model yourself! Requires the Google Earth program.
Evansville one of six finalists in Google's 3D Initiative: Evansville Courier & Press article.

How to check traffic problems before leaving for work

googler@evpl — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:55:00 GMT

We've been following a good number of Evansville Twitter users, and it's been quite interesting. It's a real community out there. (To find the tweeters we've found, just check out the list of who we're following on our Twitter page, although there are a number of non-Evansville accounts in that list too.)

One of my favorites is twitter.com/EvansvilleWatch, run by Bill Merkel. Bill monitors Evansville area dispatch agencies and other local sources and provides updates on breaking and developing events as they happen. One of their most useful functions is providing timely information about traffic problems. Check out their Twitter page during any rush hour and you'll see what I mean. Or go to Twitter's advanced search and simply put the word "traffic" in the first word box and "evansville" in the place box. That search will return Bill's traffic-related tweets and a few others too.

(Note that you don't have to be registered with Twitter to view twitter.com/EvansvilleWatch, or to use the Twitter search.)

Evansville Watch also has a blog. The additional space a blog provides over Twitter means, for instance, their weather updates can include maps and lots of detail.

Thanks, Bill, for providing this service!

An unusual perspective on world news

googler@evpl — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:10:00 GMT

Even news junkies might not know about all the global news they're missing. GlobalPost is here to change that. Founded by two media veterans, this site aims to "redefine international news for the digital age ... relying on the enduring values of great journalism: integrity, accuracy, independence and powerful storytelling." They've assembled a staff of journalists living in the 53 countries they report on. And special attention is given to geographic areas that Americans so often hear almost nothing about. The site is rich with multimedia and offers an easily browsable context for today's important world stories.

You'll find important, fascinating stories here -- dip in to the site as you have time, and share what you find.

New Webzine Looks at Area Lifestyle Trends

potentate@evpl — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:55:00 GMT

Evansville Intelligencer is a new webzine launched in April 2009 with content on area health, dining, society, natural and architectural sites, and politics. It's free, easy to use, and readers may comment on the posts.

Mayor Announces New Web Site for Arena Project

potentate@evpl — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

In a press conference this afternoon at the Centre, Mayor Weinzapfel announced the creation of a web site for the arena project. Here you'll find all sorts of information about the project, including plans for the building, news reports, and information about the project's financing. I've already had a few calls this afternoon from people wanting to know where they can see renderings of what the arena will look like.

The Best Medicine

wag.mado@evpl — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:56:00 GMT

Every three weeks we have a Lobby Book Display at Central Library on a different theme or topic. Some topics are naturally more popular than others. However, "Laugh Out Loud" in the month of March was such a favorite that we found it difficult to keep books on the display. The books were fiction and nonfiction titles that were generally written to make people laugh.

Now, I've always known about the importance of laughter since I first saw the "Laughter is the Best Medicine" section in Reader's Digest as a child. And as an adult, I learned about the psychology of laughter while studying Norman Cousins in my college psychology classes and later in a cancer support group I attended. But none of this prepared me for the speed at which those humorous books flew off the book display.

Just about the time I was preparing the book display, I heard that the economic recession was having an effect on the demand for humorous speakers.

Then, about two weeks ago came a news story regarding a new scientific study by Dr. Lee Berk which shows that "mirthful laughter" can raise good cholesterol, reduce inflammation and reduce levels of three detrimental stress hormones in high risk diabetic patients. And, according to a 2006 study by Dr. Berk, just the anticipation of laughter can boost health-protecting hormones and reduce potentially harmful ones.

Next, I discovered that May 3 was World Laughter Day and that it was being promoted by a group who practices Laughter Yoga. Who knew!

So, this got me thinking. Are people attracted to humorous things because they feel better just thinking about that funny stuff? Do they subconsciously know that a laugh is just what they need to get them through these stressful times we live in? Well, I think so.

So my proposition is this: Why not pull a humorous book or movie off the shelf every time you visit the library. Hold it in your hand and look at it often. Even if you don't ever get around to reading it or watching it, just the anticipation alone should be enough to make you feel better. And if you do read or watch it, just think of all those health-protecting chemicals that will be floating around inside you for the next 12 to 24 hours.

Do Not Flush!

wag.mado@evpl — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:28:00 GMT

You may remember a time when it was common practice to flush outdated/unused medications down the toilet. Well, that practice has caused some disturbing consequences resulting in the FDA promoting guidelines on proper disposal of drugs. There are still a few drugs that should be flushed, but the majority are to be disposed of following specific guidelines in order to safeguard life and protect the envioronment.

If you want to dispose of things once a year, you can always take your unused meds and other toxic substances to "Tox Away Day" at Robert's Stadium on September 12, 2009. A list of environmental pollutants can be found on the City of Evansville's website along with the hours they will be accepting materials for disposal. Tox Away Day is for Vanderburgh and Posey County residents only.

Maybe you are interested in learning more about what type of pollutants are making their way into our water. If so, you can listen to NPR's Fresh Air for April 20, 2009 where Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Hendrick Smith reports that disturbing chemicals from our everyday activities are showing up in water supplies around the globe. He is interviewed by Terry Gross to promote PBS's Frontline - Poisoned Waters, which airs on Tuesday April 21, 2009.

Since protecting our environment can seem like a monumental task, many people decide to start with small basic steps and gradually add something new each year. As Earth Day approaches this week, maybe each of us can add one thing to our daily routine which would help lessen the burden on our beautiful planet. And, what a better time to do it than now.

Changes to the Evansville Courier & Press

Guatemama@evpl — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:32:00 GMT

Many of you have probably seen or heard about this article that appeared in the newspaper last month announcing some upcoming changes in the style and format of the Evansville Courier & Press. These changes will go into effect on Monday, April 6 and will include a more local focus to the paper and the elimination of information that can readily be found elswhere. If these changes are leaving you lost, news stories from around the world, stock quotes, and other such information is just a click away at these many helpful, news websites:

http://www.usatoday.com/ http://www.cnn.com/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com http://abcnews.go.com/WN

http://www.foxnews.com/ http://www.usnews.com/

http://www.worldpress.org/ http://www.reuters.com/

http://www.propublica.org/ http://www.worldnetdaily.com/

Or you can stop by any of your favorite EVPL branches and we would be happy to help you find the exact information you seek!

Natasha's lesson saves Ohio girl

googler@evpl — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:02:00 GMT

Natasha Richardson's recent death from a head injury may have you asking yourself, when does a head injury require medical attention? That's a very good question. This article, about a seven-year-old girl who experienced an epidural hematoma but had no symptoms for two days, gives a list of what to watch for after someone has suffered a head injury. Symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, headache and confusion, and sudden changes in symptoms, are the red flags.

And you'll also be happy to know that the little's girls parents, alerted to the dangers of head injury by a news report about Natasha, were able to get her to a doctor in time, and she's fine now.