Hennepin County Library - TeenLinks: News Flash

Express Yourself! - News Flash for Jun 30, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:14:07 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

Explore the Express Yourself Teen Topic on TeenLinks to find great resources on writing, dance, music, performance, visual arts and more! The Twin Cities has lots of cultural resources to help you discover your inner artist for fun or for passion. There's also a ton of online resources to help you discover your muse as well. Check it out today!

Guantanamo Bay - News Flash for Jun 23, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:25:35 CDT

Minisha from Teens Online

What to do with the "enemy combatants" at Guantanamo Bay? The area, long ago claimed by the US as territory has up until now been the site of many controversies and policies regarding the rights and status of persons held within its confines. As it reigned over the headlines during the end of the Bush Administration, during Obama's first few days in Office, he signed a bill closing the prison to a overwhelming majority vote in Congress.

The question lies now on what exactly to do with the remaining prisoners. Some have been taken by other countries such as France and Belguim (largely based on superficial agreements) and the 250 detainees there to date remain not knowing their future.

Upon arrest and arrival, prisoners in Guantanamo immediately lose all rights. This is wherein lies much of the controversy. Should the prisoners be granted a right to fair and speedy trial by jury as slated in the Constitution? Or is ad infinitum, keeping them in prison indefinitely, because of their "status" right? Much lies on ones morals and ethics. However many, like Dick Cheney, believe it is in the interest of the US in order to keep America safe and its border's safe from another 9/11.

Recently, although Guantanamo Bay is officially closed, proceedings there are far from over. In order to close it, money must be spent. In order to spend money, it must be approved by the Senate, which just the other day, it did not do. The Senate, even from the Democratic Majority overwhelmingly vetoed a bill that appropriated money to close Guantanamo because Obama did not have a plan of attack.

So, here is the question that is flying back and forth in the media these days:
Will this change in policy and closure of Guantanamo and possible trial (and acquittal) of these suspects hinder or help the national security of the United States?

Read Advanced Copies of Books for Free Online - News Flash for Jun 17, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:33:44 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

From the Pulse It website, "What's Pulse It, you ask? Only a way to read amazing teen books for free online, and have your voice heard as a reviewer, trend-spotter, and all-around expert. So if you want early access to great books and earn points, join this community of fellow readers and become part of the "it" thing! "

The site is from Simon & Schuster who publishes authors such as Cassandra Clare, L.J. Sheff, Neal Shusterman, Holly Black and more.

Need to Volunteer? - News Flash for Jun 12, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:52:16 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

Looking for things to do this summer? Check out TeenLinks' Teen Topic, Get Involved to find volunteer opportunities, leadership and cultural organizations, and ways to become an activist about issues you believe in. Have fun exploring a world of possibilities this summer!

Summertime is Finally Here - News Flash for Jun 5, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:41:36 CDT

Lewin from Teens Online

FINALLY the best time of the year is finally here! Summer. Lots of time to chill with friends, relax, sleep in, shop, or just be lazy. This is our reward for all the hardships and stress that school brings. There's only one hitch: the end. I know it's way too early now to look toward the end of summer, but one must have foresight, or at least a little bit, right?

We all know that just as the summer is heating up -- it's over. Oftentimes it is out of nowhere that your mom announces, "It's time to buy school supplies." And we are completely unaware that June had even ended yet. So before you start the summer relaxation make a little plan on what you should do over the summer.

Don't go all nerdy and plan to study for 5 hours everyday, but maybe you could touch up on a few things. Worse are obviously we sophomores who have the SAT and ACTs to look forward to in junior year and then maybe we shouldn't completely shut down. Not only studying but also volunteering and just being productive is a good plan for your summer. I remember that last year I kept thinking that I would exercise more often and turn my twiggy arms into, well, acceptable arms at least. Sadly without a plan I never followed through and turned up with my same weak arms at the end of the summer. So make a plan and do something with the 3 months that you can show, other than your tan.

That�s not to say don't have fun. In fact I think that the first week should be totally carefree, a reward for the end of school. We made it through the 9 grueling months so we definitely deserve a reward. I know my summer plan. I will rest the first week and then it's time to pick up a book and maybe study a little bit. Yeah it sounds like the worst thing to do over summer vacation, but what's worse -- 30 min everyday to brush up on your vocab or cramming it all in right before the SAT in April? I would definitely prefer the former no matter how painful it is right now, the long-term gain is worth it. So remember have fun, be productive and visit your local library often over this summer vacation!

Marijuana Debate - News Flash for May 29, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:03:28 CDT

Minisha from Teens Online

Governor Pawlenty has just vetoed a bill legalizing marijuana for use to treat terminally ill patients. Those in favor of the bill advocate its use in a controlled, federally controlled environment, so what is the issue? The problem is behind those who believe legalizing marijuana for one purpose could cause drug use to race wildly out of control. While opponents generally sympathize and understand the benefits the drug is capable of giving, they see first the rampant burden and dangers of setting a precedent that could greatly affect the population of Minnesotans of all ages. For, could legalizing marijuana create greater efforts to legalize a number of other illegal drugs, citing their beneficial use to certain symptoms and diseases?

However, something to think about is the fact that currently we already have a drug that is legal, widely used, and federally regulated: Alcohol. Many do not think that it is a drug, but indeed it is as classification (and health class!) tells us so. Perhaps we should learn from the Prohibition era, where bootleggers and flappers abounded in light of alcohol�s "illegalization". Alcohol is now commonplace, with set guidelines and restrictions and no one causes much of a ruckus.

Should Minnesota and its legislators choose to continue the fight to success, Minnesota would be the 13th state to recognize medical marijuana if the bill had passed. It is already law in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Interlibrary Loan - News Flash for May 21, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:02:57 CDT

Rohit from Teens Online

I'm not sure how many of you know about the library's AMAZING service, Interlibrary Loan. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it allows you to request materials that another library owns but Hennepin does not to be transferred to your library temporarily. They check whether your book is available in many Minnesota libraries, and will have it transferred to your library. While this may not sound very helpful, it can be a great boon if the library doesn't have something you really want to read.

However, before you jump straight into using it, PLEASE check whether the Hennepin County Library has the item you are looking for first, as it costs the Hennepin County Library system money for each item you check out.

Happy reading!

Tips on Using MnLink

Battle of the Books - News Flash for May 15, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:44:06 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

School Library Journal hosted an awesome blog series in April and May called Battle of the Kids' Books. They had authors' judge two books by other writers, and the insight into why the book is cool and the craft of writing behind them is fascinating reading. Sixteen titles duked it out for first place, with 15 celebrity author judges. Lois Lowry had the tough job of picking which book would be number one, The Lincolns by Candace Fleming or The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Turns out there was an avid reader following this whole thing. Check out this YouTube hip-hop song she wrote about it!

Spring Fever - News Flash for May 8, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:53:24 CDT

Maddy from Teens Online

Lately, there has been something in the air. It pervades the lives of many people, especially teenagers. It strikes with little warning and many different symptoms. And no, it is not the swine flu -- it is spring fever! Now that May has officially arrived, kids in school everywhere are distracted, restless, and prone to both daydreaming and procrastination. I too have succumbed to these behaviors. While doing homework-- if I even get to it in the first place-- I find myself skimming instead of reading, jotting notes and bullet points instead of actual sentences. I can more or less make it through my morning classes, but after lunch I am completely checked out. It takes a lot of effort to focus during fifth and sixth hour, and my seventh hour study hall is devoted to chatting with friends, going online, or dozing instead of doing homework. Every afternoon when I get home from school, my uniform is swapped for shorts and a t-shirt in less than five minutes. People at school are all talking about prom and their plans for the summer, whether it is a job, vacation, or camp. My stops at Caribou or Starbucks now involve smoothies and iced mochas or frappuchinos, compared to my winter staples of apple cider or hot cocoa.

If you realize that anything the same as or similar to what I have mentioned above applies to, it is clear you too are probably experiencing spring fever. How does one cure spring fever, you ask? For me, I have a few simple tricks. First, make a list of what you have to do. This will help you feel less frazzled and frantic, and you will love the feeling that each time you cross something off -- it means that you are that much closer to summer. Second, spend as much time as possible outside and satisfy your desire for sun and nice weather. Do your math problems or literature readings while sitting on a bench or under a tree. Play a game or go for a bike ride on the weekend. Finally, remind yourself that you are almost done. Don't waste a whole year of hard work for a few weeks of fun when you will soon have an entire summer. If you can buckle down now for one last month of school, summer will be that much sweeter when it arrives. That's it! Good luck in your last month of this school year, and best wishes for a great summer!

Audio Books - News Flash for Apr 30, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Rohit of Teens Online

In today's world, iPods and other music players are everywhere, and it's hard to go anywhere without seeing someone wearing earbuds. This rise has somewhat been accompanied by a rise in audiobook usage. Audiobooks are spoken versions of books, usually by professional voice actors/book readers. Many people enjoy the flexibility to "read" books on the go, or while doing boring household chores. However, comprehension with audiobooks is generally less than with real books, especially because of the difficulty in skipping back. I personally can never manage to concentrate on listening to an audiobook, and have extremely poor comprehension with them.

What do you think? How do you like audiobooks?

Links:

Wikipedia article on Audiobooks
Dowloads from Hennepin County Library

Books and e-Books - News Flash for Apr 24, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:00:03 CDT

Rohit from Teens Online

Many of you have probably heard of Amazon's e-reader, the Kindle (now in version 2). The Kindle, other e-book readers, and e-books in general have started a huge controversy and conversation amongst book lovers everywhere. Many people feel that no electronic device can possibly replace the feel of a book, or still allow a reader to "disappear" within the novel. Many e-book reader proponents argue that e-book readers allow abilities impossible with books: one of the Kindle's main selling points is its ability to instantly download many books from Amazon's store.

I personally have never used an e-book reader, so I can't comment on their practicality, but I find it hard to believe that one can truly "forget" that one is reading on a device. I do feel however, that the ability to be able to instantly get books on the go is amazing, especially if paired with some sort of paid rental system.

What do you think? Do any Kindle-lovers or Kindle-haters have comments?

Peep Time! - News Flash for Apr 16, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:54:50 CDT

Maddy from Teens Online

Spring has sprung! For many people, this means sandals, Easter, and sun. In Saint Paul, MN, however, some Minnesota residents have another spring going on that, while very quirky, is also very sweet. For a number of years, the Saint Paul Pioneer Press has sponsored a Peeps Diorama contest. Yes, a contest involving the bright, squishy, and almost sickly-sweet marshmallow candy Peeps. Contest entrants labor to build a creative and innovative diorama centered on these marshmallow animals. The results are amazing. People produce a myriad of colorful and highly amusing creations.

The winners from this year's competition focused on events or themes that included the recession, the Franken-Coleman Senate race, and the "Miracle on the Hudson" landing of the US Airways flight. The Peeps used in the contest are most often the Chicks and Bunnies, both of various pastel colors. However, the Just Born Inc. candy company recently released a new type of Peep. Now there are chocolate mousse teddy bear Peeps. This year's contestants were certainly resourceful in utilizing this new addition to the Just Born Inc. family.

Surprisingly enough, Peeps are much more popular than one may think. Even though the springtime chicks and bunnies are the most well-known Peeps, there are in fact Peeps for a variety of holidays and seasons, such as Christmas, Halloween, and Valentine's Day. Also, Saint Paul is not the only city to host such a diorama contest. Other cities and newspapers, such as the Washington Post, host their own annual Peep contest. To find out more about these contests and the Peeps that make them possible, check out the Official Peeps website, as well as the websites for the Saint Paul Pioneer Press and the Washington Post.

Cyber Threat - Are Our Computers Safe? - News Flash for Apr 10, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:40:16 CDT

Richard from Teens Online

We like to think that our computers, with a little protection from firewalls and anti-virus software, are safe and reliable. However, hackers can turn even the most secure computers into deadly machines, capable of espionage and destruction. According to the Associated Press, the researchers at the Information Warfare Monitor have recently discovered a vast cyber-spy network which has infiltrated and hacked important computers, stealing classified files from governments and private organizations in 103 countries.

The IWM researchers are a coalition group that began to investigate reports of Chinese espionage on the computers of the exiled Tibetan Government, including computers from the private office of the Dalai Lama. After 10 months of researching, the IWM released its report last month, uncovering the massive cyber terrorism network. Based mainly in China and Russia, this network has reportedly hacked into over 1,295 computers, many from the embassies of important countries including India, Iran, Pakistan, Germany, and South Korea (BBC News article).

The computers are hacked by malware programs which are hidden in fraudulent e-mails as attachments. The hackers, whose identities remain unknown, went to great lengths to make the e-mails look legitimate and seem to be from friends or colleagues. When the unsuspecting user clicked on the attachment, the malware would download onto the computer and infect it with hidden programming designed to seek and install certain types of malicious software. This software is capable of hearing and, with the help of webcams, actually seeing the users of the host computer. The computers have been used to spy on many important e-mails and files.

A similar network has been reported to have infiltrated key computers in the United States, leaving behind software capable of shutting down our power grid. According to the Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano, software has been left in the United States that is able to shut down sections of our power grid, capable of leaving entire cities without power (BBC News article). Although this software has been present, the government reports that it has not yet been used. However, during times of war or heightened tension, this may change, and hostile countries could potentially cut our power.

This kind of cyber warfare has been used successfully on more than one occasion. According to CIA reports, a glitch shut down the Browns Ferry nuclear power plant in Alaska on August 2006, overloading the recirculation pumps and forcing administrators to temporarily shut down the plant (Popular Mechanics). Scary, huh? It blows my mind to think that someone out there is capable of not only hacking into my computer, stealing my files, and watching me, but also able to shut down power to entire regions our country. Luckily, the government has taken immediate steps to counter this. President Obama is set to review a "bottom-up" review of cyber security and enact measures to counter cyber terrorism. I hope that private companies and organizations will also take initiative to combat this threat.

The New Frontier: LASER WEAPONS - News Flash for Apr 3, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:43:37 CDT

Minisha from Teens Online

Once upon a time during WWI somebody perfected the machine gun. A little bit later in WWI came the might of the Air Force. Prepare for WWIII with the Laser -- kidding. But seriously.

Laser weaponry is now only in its infancy but when available may become a raging adult with the possibility of rendering damage beyond belief. A laser is an extremely concentrated beam of light. The energy created ranges from your harmless laser pointers used to confuse teachers in class to powerful rays of energy used in LASIK surgery.

The effort to seek a new frontier in military technology are part of the Pentagon's Joing High Power Solid State Laser (JHPSSL) program. The defense contractor Northrop Grumman reported a solid-state laser to fire a beam with a potency of 105.5 kilowatts, stating "[that] even though 100 kilowatts has long been the 'proof of principle' sought for weapons systems__in fact, many militarily useful effects can be achieved by laser weapons of 25 kW or 50 kW, provided this energy is transmitted with good beam quality, as our system does."

As soon, as the coherence is perfected, the military will begin testing lasers beamed from air craft to test the accuracy of targets on the ground. If successul, it could lead to an extremely effcient (and deadly) form of warfare. It will definitely not be your ordinary game of LASER TAG.

Recently, this has caused quite the controversy. What do you think? Do you think that it is a waste of resources? Or is it a necessary inevitable step in the innovation of our world?

Resource(s) Used:

Cnet News Article

How Lasers Work

So You Want to Be a Wizard - News Flash for Mar 27, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:44:29 CDT

Rohit of Teens Online

So You Want To Be a Wizard is a not very well known book, the first in the Young Wizards series by Diane Duane. The book follows Nita Callahan and Kit Rodriguez as they understand their new wizardly powers they obtained after reading "The Wizard's Oath" in a mysterious book. After Nita's favorite space pen is stolen by a bully, the two young wizards accidentally pull in a white dwarf star from a distant portion of the universe while attempting to retrieve the pen. The book then follows their exploits while they try and retrieve the pen, and as they are forced to confront the very source of evil itself.

The book has won the ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers award, and is often recommended for what to read after reading the Harry Potter series.

For more about this book, check out the Wikipedia article about So You Want to Be a Wizard and this article about the Young Wizards series.

So have your read this book? What do you think?

Vegetarians - News Flash for Mar 20, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:43:33 CDT

Sarah of Teens Online

Is vegetarianism truly a healthier way of life or just radicals trying to deprive us of our right to eat meat? A vegetarian diet is a healty way of life. Most people think that with a vegetarian diet you can't possibly get the nutrients you need. Also, people think it's acceptable to eat meat and kill animals, most vegetarians think differently.

Some people don't completely understand what a vegetarian is. So, what is a vegetarian? Vegetarianism describes a group of voluntary diets, loosely characterized by a reduction or elimination of animal products. Types of vegetarians are often classified by what a particular person will eat. Vegetarians that eat seafood are called pesca-vegetarians, that eat eggs are called ovo-vegetarians, and that eat dairy products are called lacto-vegetarians. There are also more strict vegetarian diets such as veganism. I personally am a lacto-ovo-vegetarian. That means I include eggs and dairy in my diet.

Being a vegetarian has many health benefits that most people don't consider. Did you know that animal products are the major souce of saturated fats and cholesterol? By eliminating animal products and having a well planned, varied, not too restrictive vegetarian diet you would be healthier. Many vegetarians are proud to claim to have a lower cholesterol level than meat eaters. People who consume a vegetarian diet are known to have a reduced chance of chronic degenerative diseases including coronary artery disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer. Also, people don't really like to think about harmful toxins building up in their colons or in their arteries but it's often a by-product of a carnivorous diet. Becoming a vegetarian is a natural step for many of us who are concerned about weight loss, long life, and health. The national obssession with this is so strong that it is almost impossible to ignore. Part of the reason is that many companies are making a lot of money selling us ways to live healthy and lose weight. What the companies don't want you to know is that you don't need pills or expensive programs. You can live a healthier life, naturally, by simply being a vegetarian.

One of the other main reasons people choose to become a vegetarian is the thought that killing animals is not morally acceptable. For most people, they eat meat without thinking about it. They don't think about the animal that was killed so that they could have a meal. Some animals are treated badly and then killed. For example, in some places animals have their legs cut off just so they could fit in a cage. Others are killd inhumanely. I personally don't think it's right. You wouldn't eat your pet dog, so why kill a cow, chicken, pig, or some other animal?

Vegetarianism is a good way to go. It's healthy and animals don't have to suffer. What is your opinion on being vegetarian?

Stress! - News Flash for Mar 12, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:22:13 CDT

Shelby from Teens Online

This time of year most high school students are feeling the pressure. What with all the finals, report cards, standardized tests, GPA's, and (oh geez) AP tests. Most everyone who cares about college prep, myself included, is freaking out. If this seems like you, would you consider the question, does school ask too much of us?

With all the community service projects, mission trips, leadership roles, and other extra curriculars colleges like to see, how are any teens supposed to have time to eat? Plus, on top of that, school piles on homework, projects, speeches, and tests that all have rapidly approaching deadlines. Is it possible to do it all? Maybe for the all-star student, but for many it can be overwhelming. So, how can you do it all when skipping school would only put you farther behind? The answer is simple and yet easier said than done: time management.

This term is especially hard for the practiced procrastinators to grasp, and equally challenging for the lazy. If you are either of those, you may have to give a little more effort. However, if you are proactive, you should be fine.

Write yourself a schedule. Block out a time of the day strictly for school work. I know, that seems the opposite of fun, but sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do.
Prioritize. Write a list of all the things you have to do in order of what needs to get done first. This way, you can always just turn to your list to see what you should be doing instead of Facebook.
Don't procrastinate. If you finish things early, then the projects won't pile up as much close to the deadline. Plus, this cuts back on all-nighters which, while fun, can be tiring for days following.
Get enough sleep. If you're only half awake, you can't really do well. Plus, sleep is pretty much the best part of the day!
Eat breakfast. I know you may think the whole eating in the morning thing is a bad idea, but trust me. The better the beginning of the day, the better the day.
Don't stress! Everything will get done eventually, even if it does get a bit frantic. Take any free time you have to just let yourself relax. Listen to music; hang out with friends, whatever. Just don't burn yourself out.

Basically, if you take the time to organize your schedule and assignments, you'll be good to go! Just make sure you don't go crazy with the planning, because then you won't have time for the work. Happy resume building!

Teen Tech - News Flash for Mar 6, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:13:26 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

The library's a great place to explore new technology. March is Teen Tech Month, based on the Young Adult Library Services Association Teen Tech Week, an initiative to reveal the programs and collection available to you at the library. Check out local library events here.

What kind's of technology do you like to use?
Can you recommend anything to other teens?
What would you like to see more of at the library?

College - News Flash for Feb 27, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:43:16 CDT

Maddy from Teens Online

For many high school students, college seems like a large target, looming in a far-off future. This is true for many people I know, except for all those seniors who have finished with their applications. Even though college may seem light-years away, one should consider beginning to prepare now. There are a myriad of simple, stress-free steps that all students, even freshmen, can take that will help in the long run.

Grades

These are one of the most important factors that influence college admission. Make sure you are working hard at school in challenging classes. If they are available and you can handle them, take as many AP or honors courses as possible.

Standardized Tests

These include the SAT, ACT, and AP test. While there are many people who think that your score determines your college future, the truth is that, while it is important to do well, these tests are only one part of a larger application. Take the test that will exhibit your strengths -- many schools require only one or the other of the SAT or ACT. AP tests are a great option. If you do well, some colleges will give you course credits or allow you to test out of basic classes in a given subject.

Activities

Extracurricular activities are an integral part of any college application since they help show a complete picture of the student. The major rule for activities is to pursue what you love. Admissions officers do not want to see a laundry list of activities someone joined just so they could put them on a list. They want to see commitment and activities that reflect a teen's passions. So, choose something you love and stick with it.

All of these tips are something that any student of any age can work on. It will not hurt to get a head start if you are young, and making sure that everything is in order is good if you are already a sophomore or junior. Above all, just be yourself in high school and the rest will fall into place. For more information, check out these websites:

The College Board offers information on schools, financial aid, the SAT, and AP courses and tests
US News and World Report Rankings offers detailed rankings and profiles of many schools
The ACT Website offers information on the ACT

Speak Out! - News Flash for Feb 19, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:28:27 CDT

Lewin from Teens Online

What is the number one fear people have in America? Amazingly enough it is not death but rather public speaking. Why is giving a speech in front of others so frightening to so many people? Public speaking is just communicating, like talking to your friends. Often times when we are giving a presentation it is to our peers whom most of us hopefully consider to be our friends.

In fact there are actually some of your peers who participate in public speaking competitions. To most of us those people are crazy. Speech is a necessity of every day of our lives yet we hide in fear every time presentation day comes around the corner. It is however very apparent when someone is speaking whether or not the person speaking is good at it. We often associate a good speaker by varied tones, good volume, appropriate gestures, but the most important feature is confidence. The good speaker displays an air of poise around him. We can see by watching him speak that he knows what he is talking about and he is comfortable to watch. Many of the best public speakers hold these characteristics, including President Barack Obama or Bill Clinton.

To be more feared than death is definitely a special role for any activity. It is speculated that the reason we have such a large fear of public speaking may be that we feel we are unprepared. That is why many times during presentations the speaker will use a note card. But from an audience member's point of view the note card definitely appears a hindrance and will not help the speaker either, as having a note card often makes a speaker reliant on it. Another reason we sometimes feel scared is that we are the center of attention. Although many people claim that they crave attention most dislike having so many eyes focused on them. It is believed that while we are up there we feel emotionally naked. But how can we also cure our fear of public speaking and be one of those speakers that we admire?

To be able to conquer our fear we must first realize that there is no cure for the phobia that hurts many of the people in our nation. First we must, like most fears, accept that we have the fear. Next we must practice our speech multiple times before giving our speech. When they say "practice makes perfect," they aren't lying. The better you know something the better off your presentation will be. Finally, the last step is to remember that the people that you are presenting for know you. Other then that evil person in the back row they all want you to do well. The audience is your friend. Act like you're talking to a bunch of friends and the speech will be much easier. Follow these steps and you too can start to not have a complete phobia of public speaking.

What do you Love? - News Flash for Feb 15, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:28:00 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

What do you love to do? What's your passion? Are you into sports? Music? Reading? Knitting? Learning a foreign language? Something else?

The Library has an amazing collection of books, magazines, music CDs, films, databases and other online resources. You want to learn how to do something, chances are you can find something in the collection to learn how to do it or more about your interest. You want to try something out to see if you like it, check out that new author's book or new artist's CD or that weird film everyone keeps talking about.

Search for the things you love or think you might grow to love here at the Library!

The Facebook Craze - News Flash for Feb 5, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:35:43 CDT

Maddy of Teens Online

Today (February 4, 2009) the social network site Facebook.com turned five years old. Originally a somewhat obscure network that was originally intended for college students, Facebook has become an international phenomenon, with over 150 million members worldwide, according to Facebook. I think that is amazing --150 million people is roughly half of the U.S. population. Facebook is extremely popular among young people in the United States. Go to a high school, junior high, or college, and chances are that the vast majority of students have a Facebook account. But what about those few who don't have one? I currently am not a member of Facebook. GASP! When people learn that I am without a Facebook, I am bombarded with shocked expressions and torrents of questions. How do I live? By what means do I stay updated of the events and news in my social circle? And ultimately, Why don't I have one? The answer is simple: I don't want one.

I admit, I tried it out for a few months my freshman year of high school. For a while it was fun. I enjoyed being able to send messages to friends, seeing what everyone was up to, and being notified of fun events. I became so excited every time someone wrote on my Wall, or posted new pictures. I found myself spending more and more time on my account, just waiting to see updates and notifications. Each time I turned on my computer to do homework, it was as if the Facebook link was a magnet -- my mouse cursor was drawn to it, and I was powerless to resist clicking on it. I would tell myself, "Okay, just ten minutes online and then I will start typing that English paper." But ten minutes turned into thirty, and then into an hour, and before I knew it I had just wasted away two hours staring at the computer like a zombie. It was official. I was hooked on Facebook.

Fairly soon after I realized this, I deactivated my account. The time lost just wasn't worth it. In my opinion, Facebook also depersonalized some aspects of friendship by conducting relationships over the computer. I had survived before Facebook. Surely I could continue to survive after it. When I wanted to talk to a friend, I called them. If I needed to know about the next party, I would chat about it at the lunch table. Granted, Facebook has some good to it. The website is a very convenient way to stay in touch with people if they live far away from you. But for me personally, I disliked how easy it is to while away the time, and also how it made some of my friendships feel less personal. In short, the novelty of Facebook wore off for me, and I realized I did not want an account.

As a junior in high school, I am beginning to think about college. The thought about reactivating my account once I leave for school has crossed my mind. My friends and I will be scattered across the country, and in that case I can understand how Facebook would be useful. For now, however, I choose to remain Facebook-free. To read about another person who has chosen to not use Facebook, check out this Newsweek article called "Why I'm Quitting Facebook".

Homework - News Flash for Jan 30, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:16:20 CDT

Rohit from Teens Online

Homework. We're all familiar with it. But what's its purpose? Generally, it is to reinforce material that is being learned and to provide practice. Generally, homework does accomplish this goal, but it also accomplishes something less positive: it makes people hate school. Often, teachers give homework for the sake of giving homework (busywork), or give homework on material that everyone understands. This leads to time wasted without any purpose. A further problem is that not everybody needs the same amount of practice: a student who didn't fully understand the material would benefit from doing the problems, but a student who has done the material before and understands it would not feel the need to do the extra practice. Thus, in my opinion, the problem is not homework, it is mandatory homework.

I believe that optional homework is the best solution. It allows people who feel the need for extra practice to get said practice, and it does not force people who feel they don't to do busywork. In addition, the teacher can still recommend to people who are studying that they do the homework.

What do people think? Is homework a good thing? Is optional homework a good idea? See link to Time's "The Myth about Homework": http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1376208,00.html

Books to Movies - News Flash for Jan 22, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:10:56 CDT

Maddy from Teens Online

The middle of January: this means first semester finals for a lot of high school students. As this was the case for me, I buckled down earlier today and headed out for the Edina Library to get some studying done. I was walking in the library's inviting door, with Spanish verbs and math formulas swirling in my head, when a colorful display caught my eye. I stopped walking towards the tables and couches, and veered off in that direction.

Sitting in the case were a number of books, DVDs, and boxes of movie candy. Being a book fiend and avid movie-goer, as well as possessing a sweet tooth, I was intrigued. The display was about all sorts of great books, short stories, and other literature that has been adapted to film. Some of them were obvious, and I recognized them right away: J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter, Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. My eyes scanned more titles, finding some of my own favorite books and movies (The Devil Wears Prada, The Chronicles of Narnia, Pride and Prejudice, and The Bourne Identity) as they moved across the shelves.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how much books pervade the movie industry. Granted, there are many fabulous original screenplays, but there is still a great deal of movies adapted from a previous source. One of Hollywood's most popular films, Forrest Gump, is even based on a novel which was written by Winston Groom in 1986. After research, I found that one of this winter's box office bestsellers, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, was adapted from an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story of the same name. Come to think of it, lots of this holiday season's movies came from books: The Tale of Despereaux, Marley and Me, Revolutionary Road, and Twilight.

To delve further back in history, film adaptations of books have been happening for a long time. The 1939 Oscar winner for best picture, Gone With The Wind, is based on Margaret Mitchell's novel. Going way back, Shakespeare wrote plays that have been turned into movies: She's the Man (2006) is from Twelfth Night and 10 Things I Hate about You (1999) is from The Taming of the Shrew.

Looking at the display, I wished I could put off finals to go find a great movie/book combo. Unfortunately, I could not -- vocabulary flashcards were waiting. Finals will be over soon, however, and then I will be left to peruse great movies and books to my heart's content. You can, too. One of Hennepin County Library's TeenLinks' suggested reading lists details book-to-movie adaptations. There are some great ideas listed there. Maybe after looking at it you will find a new favorite book or movie, or both!

Finals Mania: Good or Bad? - News Flash for Jan 16, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:33:22 CDT

Richard from Teens Online

It's the end of the semester, and that means the dreaded final exams. A week full of studying, reading, homework, and cramming. Personally I have had so far, four unit tests, and quiz, two finals, and several days of pulling all nighters and cramming this week. Can this stress be possibly good for the body?

Recent studies say no. In order to understand the link, the scientists have examined how a major exam at the Karolinska Medical Institute affects feelings of stress, stress hormone levels, the immune system and lung function amongst students taking the test. There were two tests the first with the students during a calm period of study with no exam in sight, and then shortly before a major exam. Twenty two students participated.

Scientists showed that a group of cells that are central to the human immune system known as regulatory T cells increased sharply in number in response to mental stress. A regulatory T cell is a kind of white blood cell that controls the activity of a number of other types of immune cells. The study also showed that blood concentrations of a group of inflammation products called cytokines had changed and shifted against a pattern associated with allergic inflammation, leading to a weaker immune system. [Science Daily] Science Daily reported "It is hardly surprising that important exams are stressful for students---Research now shows that this mental stress also affects the student's immune defense systems, particularly amongst those suffering from allergies."

Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in the body. It can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. So, do are finals too much? Is it smart to put so many tests together in a short amount of time? How has stressful tests affected you?

Palin Addiction - News Flash for Jan 7, 2009

Hennepin County Librarians — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:31:13 CDT

Lewin from Teens Online

A quick browsing among the most popular articles in the Associated Press show a stunning trend over the past few months -- something about Governor Sarah Palin has always shown up. Starting from John McCain's announcement and the large boost in the polls to today the discussion on whether Palin's daughter and her fianc� are dropouts. The country has been I think stunned at this politician who seems to be lacking on an intelligence basis compared with other politicians. Also another notable event may be the election of Tina Fey, who portrayed Palin on Saturday Night Live, as AP's entertainer of the year.

At first the selection of Palin seemed to be the best possible thing for the Republican party, she really energized the party base and gave McCain a huge boost in the polling. But then she opened her mouth. During the Republican convention right here in Minnesota, Palin gave her famous Hockey Mom speech, which was not criticized at the time. Her other rousing speeches seemed to deem her as the perfect match for McCain, and people even began talking about it becoming Palin - McCain instead of McCain - Palin. But then came her interview one on one with ABC's Charlie Gibson, and then with CBS's Katie Couric.

First when Couric asked her about McCain's acts to reform Wall Street, Palin couldn't list any, and after constant pressuring said that "I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you." Later came talk about foreign policy and this. "As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border--"

Palin also did not know what former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger actually stood for on terms of negotiations with Iran. Palin claimed that he did not believe that meeting Iranian officials without preconditions was the right thing to do, while the direct opposite was true. Of course no one can forget Palin's Russia quote that was actually "They'e our next-door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska." However most remember Fey's version "I can see Russia from my house!" which I can personally see Palin herself saying. After those few interviews I remember the Palin part being taken off of the McCain political ads, from Palin - McCain to just McCain.

Now after the election the country is still in a Palin craze. I remember that some political analysts thought that if former senator Ted Stevens, indicted on falsely reporting large sums of money that helped renovate his home, were to win and resign upon being elected Palin could run in the special election. Think about it Palin you stopped her once, but just a few weeks later she might try to come to Washington again. Now with the controversy with her daughter, something people used to be able to associate with, now being viewed as a disappointment on her daughter's behalf. Also with all the jokes starting with the Russia quote to all the other ones questioning her intelligence I have to wonder is Palin the new Bush? The only thing anyone loved about Bush with how easy it was to tease him, is Palin the next politician to fall into this infamous category? Only time will tell.

America and Americans - News Flash for Dec 29, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:23:52 CDT

Minisha from Teens Online

A quick glance at the front page of the Star Tribune or the St. Paul Pioneer Press and one is by now resigned to the daily news of some business or multi-million dollar "Ponzi scheme" and if its not the economy, its crime or tragedy. A murder that killed 5 people by the ex-boyfriend of a former lover or the suicide of the man who inadvertantly set of a fire in the woodlands.

I have often times wondered why the news is filled with such pessimism. Surely, society isn't characterized by negative news. Or is our inherent curiousity with what is not status quo overpower our intuition that tells us to participate for the greater good and follow our morals and display ethical behaviour? Whatever the case, it is interesting to note the daily interactions between people and the myriad of different things they come in contact with in life. Whether it's their homes, family, land, the government, their nation, their jobs, everybody is unique.

To cap off 2008, if you are need of some enlightenment, I suggest you read America and Americans by John Steinbeck. They are a set of extremely profound essays that explain the relationship of American people to their society. Every single detail and analysis included in the essays resonate in our lives today. I hope that after you read it, that you will never see society the same way again. I hope that everything you do, or read, or see will have some connection with a part of that work because it is truly a classic that will never stop emanting the spirit of a society.

If you are like me and have little patience with the nosy reporters that inundate Barack Obama every second, you will find Steinbeck's words very reassuring:

Sample Excerpt:
"The relationship of Americans to their President is a matter of amazement to foreigners. Of course we respect the office and admire the man who can fill it, but at the same time we inherently fear and suspect power. We are proud of the President, and we blame him for things he did not do. We are related to the President in a close and almost family sense; we inspect his every move and mood with suspicion. We insist that the President be cautious in speech, guarded in action, immaculate in his public and private life; and in spite of these imposed pressures we are avidly curious about the man hidden behind the formal public image we have created. We have made a tough but unwritten code of conduct for him, and the slightest deviation brings forth a torrent of accusation and abuse," (Steinbeck 343).

The Two Miracle Foods - News Flash for Dec 23, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:27:31 CDT

Jenny from Teens Online

Ranch dressing and peanut butter: what food you can't put on one you could most likely put on the other.

It was only a year ago that my brother told me about one of his friends who had set up a challenge he was sure he would never have to defend: to find one food that you can't put either Ranch dressing or peanut butter on.

Amazingly enough this was harder then it sounded. We came up with some combinations that I would not necessarily call delicious, but were still quite edible.

As many hours as my family has spent trying to come up with a food that would challenge my brother's friend, we have yet to succeed! So I say to you with the utmost hope that you can imagine, the next time you are in the grocery store or looking through your kitchen and come upon a bottle of Ranch dressing or a jar of peanut butter to stop and think for a second, if you can name one food that does not go with the two miracle foods.

Let It Snow - News Flash for Dec 19, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:00:05 CDT

Maddy from Teens Online

Minnesota has recently been hit with a deluge of fresh, fluffy, pristinely white snow! To get specific, the city of Minneapolis, according to the National Weather Service, has received 11.0 inches during this month to date (12/17/08). That is 5.9 inches more than the average for this time in December.

While some may grumble about traffic jams and cold temperatures, many loyal Minnesotans are excited with the prospect of a fun, beautiful winter. There are so many entertaining activities to partake in -- if one is more adventurous, one might attempt skiing, a snowball fight, or sledding. A step more tame brings ice skating, snowman building, and snow-angel making.

If being cold is not your cup of tea, it is also a great deal of fun to get cozy inside with hot chocolate and a good book, and to enjoy the sight of falling snow through a window. Need a snowy movie idea? Try Frosty The Snowman or White Christmas.

While snow can be lots of fun, like in the activities above, there can be times when it is a bit dangerous. If you are a lucky teen with a license and car, DRIVE CAREFULLY! Also, make sure you are dressed properly for cold weather. You do not want frostbite! Ladies, this is a great opportunity to accessorize -- hats, scarves, and mittens-- all very cute! With this in mind, go have some fun with the new snow, and take advantage of the winter wonderland we live in.

We're almost there - News Flash for Dec 10, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:52:31 CDT

Lewin from Teens Online

It's almost that time of year again, the days before winter break where everyone one has his or her calendar out. People are sharing vacation destinations, gifts, and places to hang out over break.

However it is also this time where students blank out about their school subjects and go on "break mode". Remember we are almost there, don't zone out just yet, there are only a few more weeks until break and then freedom! At least freedom until January and then the tests after break, oh joy.

Until then, though, here are a few tips to stay awake in class:

Schedule for a pop quiz right before break, even though there might not be one it's always good to prepare
Reward yourself for every good grade you get; it might not be Christmas but it's something
Remind yourself to look at the board; one the most common ways to get sidetracked is to look out the window at the pretty white snow
Don't go to the bathroom every 15 min; if you need to go that often you might want to see a doctor
Try to not text everyone in your contacts about how boring school is; everyone knows and you aren't helping them by reminding them
Have fun with your teachers but remember it's not their fault, at least not completely; but if you want to dress up as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come and foresee death in your teacher's future, go right ahead

Twilight - News Flash for Dec 5, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:46:37 CDT

Maddy from Teens Online

A few weeks ago, the long-awaited movie adaptation of Stephanie Meyer's bestselling novel Twilight hit theaters. Twilight, the love story between a mortal girl and a vampire, has captured millions of fans. Many hypothesize that it arrived at the perfect time, filling the void left by Harry Potter.

Readers everywhere are obsessed with the captivating plot and characters, such as Bella, to whom many girls find they can relate, and Edward, who is unimaginably handsome. Reactions to the movie were mixed. Some raved, and others were disappointed. In my opinion, the casting was incredible. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson starred as Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. Each looked the part, and the personalities matched perfectly. The Cullen family was also cast very well, as were the antagonists (evil vampires) of the story. The acting was at times awkward, but the script was well-written.

The movie experienced enormous success. It was number one at the box-office the weekend it was released, raking in more than $70 million. Hoards of people camped out at movie theatres across the country to catch the midnight showing; one such person was my younger sister, who waited at the local mall for seven hours. All sorts of magazines and newspapers had articles and reviews about the movie and its stars. Many Twilight lovers were concerned as to whether or not the film adaptation would do the book justice. My advice? Head out to your local Hennepin County Library and read the book (it looks long but moves very quickly), then see the movie and decide for yourself.

Web Oddities - News Flash for Nov 26, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:10:29 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

I'm fascinated by websites that talk about the cool, the obscure, the weird, and just plain odd things that people do and create. Here are some of my favorites:

BoingBoing is "a directory of wonderful things" including technology, pop culture, the arts, and whatever its writers stumble upon.
Fabulist talks about music, art, fashion, pop culture and more.
TED truly is a site of "ideas worth spreading". Watch the world's leading thinkers and doers talk abou their passions.
Roadside America guides you to some of the strangest tourist attractions in the U.S. My goal is to see as many giant statues as possible.
Stumble Upon websites on topics that interest you by setting up a profile here and letting it guide you through the web.

What are some of your favorite websites?

Golden Compass Book Review - News Flash for Nov 18, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:04:25 CDT

Rohit from Teens Online

The Golden Compass, the first book of the His Dark Materials series, is a controversial book by Philip Pullman. The book was recently made into a movie, inciting a storm of protest by some religious groups who claim that the book negatively portrays the Church and religion. However, other church leaders have endorsed the book, saying that it only portrays oppression and religious dogmatism in a negative light. I strongly encourage everyone to read this book, which is a great read and also makes you think.

Just to give you a teaser, here is a summary of the beginning of the book: Set in a fictional version of earth, each person has his/her own "daemon", a sort of animal representation of themselves with its own body. The story begins with one Lyra Belacqua, a girl who does not know who her parents are and who knows little of her past, who resides at Jordan College in Oxford. One day, she witnesses the attempted assassination of her uncle, Lord Asriel, and her world will never be the same�

Have you read the book? What did you think of the movie The Golden Compass?

Barack Obama - News Flash for Nov 13, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:43:48 CDT

Jeff from Teens Online

On November 4th, 2008, Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States of America after prevailing against John McCain in a grueling election race.

Well, what will this mean for you, me, or anyone else? To begin, I would like to list some of his views that would most probably affect you or me.

Barack Obama is working for a higher minimum wage, bumping it up from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. For those of you who have jobs, you might be paid more.
Obama would like to increase wages for teachers. This COULD mean higher quality education, but it really depends on the teacher.
Obama proposes reducing U.S. oil consumption by 10 million barrels a day, or 35% by 2030. He is also intent on changing our automobiles to run more on electric power to provide cleaner and cheaper fuel.
Barack Obama is planning on a tax cut so that no family making an annual income of more than $250,000 a year would see their taxes rise. Middle class families could possibly receive over $1000 in tax relief.

These are all big issues, and big proposals. My concern is if he will be able to pull it all off, but his ideas sound very promising. His decisions will shape America in the next four years, and America is in an undoubtedly bad economical situation. If Obama can create reform, and turn the crumbling economy around, he will not only make history for being the first African American as president, but he will also be remembered as a leader who brought change. On the other hand, if he fails, America will sink into a deeper depression, and it will depend on the next President to reverse that.

What do you think about President-to-be Barack Obama? Is he good enough to become President?

Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

Elections 2008 - News Flash for Nov 7, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:36:57 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

The Elections & Politics Teen Topic on this website collects all sorts of information in one place for you if you'd like to follow the path of the United States' first African American President, Barack Obama. The country is faced with major problems and an informed citizenry can make a huge difference in how well these problems are dealt with.

How will Obama deal with these problems? What worries you the most about the future?

Interview with Adam Stemple, Author - News Flash for Oct 28, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:54:55 CDT

Jenny from Teens Online

This past month I got the privilege to interview Adam Stemple, co-author of the series Rock n Roll Fairy Tales with his mother, award-winning author and poet Jane Yolen.

Jenny: You wrote your first book Pay the Piper with your mother. What was that like?
Adam: Writing with my mother was a great experience. She is a very talented writer, and we worked well together. The only problem is that she writes a lot faster than I do, so the pressure to keep up with her was pretty intense.

Jenny: Where do you get your inspiration for your books?
Adam: Inspiration comes from everyone and everything around us. In a lot of ways, the ideas for books are the easy part -- the tough part is actually sitting down for hours a day for weeks, months, and sometimes years on end to get the idea onto paper.

Jenny: You're a talented musician; do you listen to music while you write? If you do, what do you listen to?
Adam: I do listen to music, but only instrumental music. If I try to write with lyrics playing they seem to get in the way of me forming new words. But instrumental music occupies the part of my brain that chatters away at me while I'm trying to concentrate and lets me sink into the writing fully. At last count I had something like 36 hours of instrumental music (or music in other languages) in my iTunes library.

Jenny: You run a poker coaching site. How did you get into poker?
Adam: I began playing a lot of cards, including poker, as a young kid against my grandfather. I've always had an aptitude for games, whether they were card games, board games, video games, you name it. And poker is the easiest one to make money at.

Jenny: Did you always want to be a writer? Or was it something that you recently started?
Adam: I have always written, but it was mostly songs for a long time. It wasn't until about 6 or 7 years ago that I began writing fiction seriously. Mostly, I always wanted to be a paleontologist.

Jenny: Do you feel pressure as a writer, being the son of Jane Yolen?
Adam: Yes, but I think it's mostly pressure I put on myself. Editors don't expect a certain something from me because I'm Jane Yolen's son. In fact, they don't care much at all whose son I am; they just want to read a good story.

Jenny: Are you currently working on any new books?
Adam: Yes. My mother and I are doing a third Rock 'n' Roll Fairy Tale based on the Jewish Golem, and I am working on an epic fantasy tentatively called "Duster" about aging war heroes, dead gods, and long-simmering hatreds between the races

To learn more about Adam Stemple, visit his website where he often gives his opinion on current events in his blog. Adam Stemple's books are available at your local Hennepin County Library.

Arrival of Autumn - News Flash for Oct 22, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:59:49 CDT

Maddy from Teens Online

On this brisk morning, I met a friend at Caribou to grab a coffee. (Remember that in teen-girl speak, "coffee" can also mean "smoothie," "hot chocolate," or "some sweet concoction with far too many calories for 8am"). My favorites usually fall under the former category. Today, I had a Hot Apple Blast, a mix of apple cider, caramel, and whipped cream. The one I had today was my very first one of the season. As this was my first since probably February or early March, I was fairly excited. It meant that Fall was here.

Besides switching over from iced drinks to warm, toasty ones, I've noticed many other signs that Fall has finally arrived: Uggs are now seen as opposed to flip-flops, shorts have been traded in for sweatpants, and candy corn is now gracing the aisles of grocery stores. At school, notices about the records of all the Fall sports teams are being posted. When I leave home each morning, I need a scarf and mittens, and I blast the heat in my car so my hands don't go numb on the wheel. Speaking of blasting the heat, my mom recently dragged out all the heated blankets for the beds!

With Autumn come many fun activities. What is your favorite? Could it be the pumpkin patch, complete with a hayride to the nearby apple orchard? Are you counting down the days to Halloween (10!) -- and have you picked a costume yet? Perhaps you are buckling down at school, refreshed after MEA and looking forward to Thanksgiving.

There are so many great things about Autumn. The cool air makes everything seem sharper and more vivid -- especially gorgeously colored trees. A myriad of fun activities accompany it every year. Whatever it is that you enjoy about Fall, go out and enjoy it!

Going Green - News Flash for Oct 15, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:24:59 CDT

Sarah from Teens Online

A phrase frequently used in today's world is "Going Green". What exactly does this mean and why do we hear this so often? "Going Green" is referring to helping the environment. In modern days the environment is a very talked about issue. Why is it such a problem? Some people believe that if we continue hurting the Earth, global warming will also continue. What exactly is global warming? It is the temperature rising. The pollution in the air and many other factors are causing the ozone layer to slowly disappear. The ozone layer is what protects the Earth from the sun's rays. When it disappears it will get hotter on Earth. The ice could melt and flood the oceans. Another problem that is hurting the environment is the development of forests and wildlife habitats. People are cutting down trees to build more and more things we probably don't need. By cutting down trees there are consequences. For example, it is decreasing the production of oxygen. Also it is getting rid of many animal habitats. There are things you can do to "Go Green".

It is important that we all do our part to help the environment. You can start by finding out how you impact the environment. Measure your Ecological Footprint with one of these calculators: Environmental Protection Agency, GlobalEyes, or Australia's EPA. Take a simple quiz that will tell you how the things you do affect the environment. There are so many things you can do to help. One thing you can do is conserve energy. To do that you can turn off the lights when you are not in the room, turn off the TV if you are not watching it, and you can use light bulbs that use less energy. You can also conserve water. To do that you can take shorter showers and turn off the water when you brush your teeth. Something else you can do is recycle. There is so much you can do to "Go Green".

What are you doing right now to go green?

Teacher Talk - News Flash for Oct 8, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:18:11 CDT

Richard from Teens Online

Now that it's around mid-term we have all gotten to know our teachers. Teachers come in many personalities, some are the easy-going and fun type who lets you out early to lunch and gives you free time to talk to your friends, while other teachers are strict and touchy, who come up with rules like no chewing gum and no talking after the bell rings.

For example, my health teacher is the coolest teacher ever, one day during a presentation on dancing as a relaxation technique, we convinced her to do the "Solja Boy" dance in front of the entire class, it was funny watching our teacher dancing, and pretty soon the entire class joined in. On the other hand, my Chinese teacher is the complete opposite, there is no chewing gum, talking after the bell, working on non-Chinese related topics, or even whistling or singing quietly in your spot. Just the other day my friend got a punishment of copying 3200 characters and Saturday school for not spitting out his gum.

How are your teachers? Are they mean or nice? Feel free to include a few stories.

Social Networking - News Flash for Oct 2, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:55:45 CDT

Rohit from Teens Online

Many sites now exist for social networking, the most prominent being Facebook and MySpace. Most high school and college students, myself included, embrace these new ways to talk to their friends. However, there is much debate over whether these sites should be used. Opponents of social networking point to cases like Megan Meier's, who committed suicide after libelous things were posted on a fake MySpace account. Many students are also outraged at the way social networking sites are being used for investigations, and there have been several instances where people have been arrested, especially for underage drinking, after damaging pictures appeared on Facebook.

What do you think about Social Networking and events like those above?

Reference:
Use of Social Network Websites in Investigations

Cocaine Diaries - News Flash for Sep 25, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:12:22 CDT

Jenny, member of Teens Online

The BBC TV show Cocaine Diaries: Alex James in Colombia is not your normal reality show and is not meant to be. In the show Alex James, bassist of the Britpop band Blur travels to Colombia on invitation from Colombian President, �lvaro Uribe V�lez, to see and experience the effect that cocaine is having on Colombia and its people. Alex, a once active user of cocaine, claims that in the height of Blur's success he spent a million British pounds sterling on cocaine (which is roughly $1,843,006.00 U.S. dollars). Alex is given nearly unrestricted access to visit the cocaine farmers, the sellers and the enforcers of Colombia. As he learns how staggering the toll really is, Alex is quoted as saying "It's a long way from a cheeky line at a dinner party. It's terrifying."

Three facts about the cocaine trade in Colombia:

Super-speedboats transport at least two tons of cocaine and heroin, and now leave Colombia at a rate of more than a dozen a month
In 2005, Colombian biologists suggested the method of using captive-bred moths called Eloria noyesi to destroy illegally grown coca plants, which is one of the raw ingredients in cocaine
The cultivation of coca has three main impacts on the environment: destruction of forests and habitat from clearing the area for new growing fields; soil erosion; and the pollution of air, water and soil from fertilizers and pesticides

In truth these few facts are only the beginning of the horror that is the Colombian drug trade. Though we (the U.S.) are not directly responsible for creating this monster, we take our part in feeding it. To learn more about the Colombian drug trade watch Cocaine Diaries: Alex James in Colombia.

References:

What's a Nerdfighter? - News Flash for Sep 19, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:09:33 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

Author John Green started a year long video blog with his brother Hank called Brotherhood 2.0. One day John spotted a game in an airport that mentioned nerdfighters and shared his find on the vlog. In addition to being hilarious and thoughtful, the vlog had a great community of readers, many of whom thought of themselves as nerds and decided to embrace the term. After all, nerds fight against injustice and for good causes. And then a YouTube phenomenon was born: Nerdfighter Power Project for Awesome. Harnessing their creativity and awesomeness, the nerdfighters took over YouTube temporarily to promote their favorite causes. It was indeed awesome!

The Brotherhood 2.0 vlog is now retired, but the nerdfighters fight on through their own social network thing (ning) at Nerdfighters. Intrigued? Thinking about joining? Better practice your happy dance and be ready to share what you're passionate about. Want to meet the original nerdfighter himself? John Green is visiting the Ridgedale Library on Saturday, September 27 at 1 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Election 2008 - News Flash for Sep 11, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:49:30 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

Check out our Teen Topic Elections & Politics to explore resources about political issues and this year's election, and how you can get involved in the process.

Teens ages 16 and up can become trainee election judges, the people who staff the polling site and make sure everything is run honestly. Post how you feel about major issues online at My Two Cents for Change and the message will be sent to our Presidential candidates. In a program called Kids Voting Minnesota, learn about the rights, responsibilities, and mechanics of voting by going to a polling place and voting for your choices. Although not part of the official count, student votes are reported to schools and the media.

How do you plan to get involved?

Twilight - News Flash for Sep 8, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:02:35 CDT

Jody, Mentor for Teens Online

Are you a big fan of the Twilight series of books? The movie Twilight will be released on November 21. The author of the series, Stephenie Meyer, seems to like the way the book is being adapted into film. What do you think about the movie?

Have you read all the books? Which one is your favorite and why?

Stephenie Meyer is writing another book, told from Edward's point of view, called Midnight Sun. Some chapters from it were illegally posted to the Internet. Unfortunately, we don't know the release date of the book yet, but if you're a fan of this series, you have more to look forward to!

School's Back and So's Homework - News Flash for Aug 28, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:31:18 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

Hope your summer was wonderful and that going back to school is not too stressful! The Library's trying to make things a little easier for you by pulling together a bunch of resources in one place to help you with your homework. Do Your Homework collects databases (basically electronic reference books) and websites selected by librarians that will help you do research on all sorts of topics including history, math, science.

Need to have a question answered by a librarian? Ask a Librarian by phone, e-mail, or chat. The Ask MN chat reference we provide is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Our new Homework Hub program offers personal tutors at 13 different community libraries if you need some in-depth help with math, science, or other homework. Check the page for locations and times.

Need help? Don't forget that that's what we're here for!

If Music be the food of love� - News Flash for Aug 21, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:00:37 CDT

Jody, Mentor for Teens Online

Shakespeare's quote ends "play on". So how does music influence your life? Do you like to play an instrument? Does it provide the soundtrack for your life? Make dating more romantic, fun times more fun, and all that? What are you listening to? You can find some fun websites listed in our Teen Topic Arts & Entertainment.

Under Music you can find a Radio Locator to find streaming radio stations on the Internet. Discover what the lyrics actually are on Archive of Misheard Lyrics. Heard a song on the radio you're dying to track down? Try Yes to look at the playlists of hundreds of radio stations.

Teens' Top Ten Books - News Flash for Aug 13, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:33:21 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

The American Library Association sponsors a fun contest every October called Teens' Top Ten. Throughout 2007, selected teens from around the country read galleys (rough printed drafts) of books published later that year to find cool titles for this contest. It will be your turn to participate the week of October 12-18 when you can vote online for the top ten favorite titles. Don't worry, we'll post info about the vote here during Teen Read Month :)

Want to read the nominated titles so you can vote? Check out the Teens' Top Ten Nominees 2008 book list. Curious to see what other books have been winners in the past? Here's a book list called Teens' Top Ten Winners.

What have you read this summer that you think should get an award?

Animated State - News Flash for Aug 7, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:39:55 CDT

Jody, Mentor for Teens Online

Do you watch animated shows on TV? Are you a fan of Anime, Japanese animated films? Have you reached the stage where any of these things make you feel nostalgic? I still like to pour myself a bowl of cereal, lounge in my pajamas, and watch cartoons that make me laugh.

The Social in Networking - News Flash for Aug 1, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:04:52 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

How do you keep in touch with friends? Do you blog, have a MySpace page or Facebook profile? Have you found some of the fun new things out there? Here's a quick list of things you might want to try:

Twitter is microblogging. Basically you're texting everyone who follows you, although you can also narrow it down and send private messages directly to friends. You can upload and read Twitter through your phone or online.
Utterz lets you record a voice message that you can send out to people who follow you. You can post these messages to your blog, Twitter, Facebook or other web page.
Friend Feed lets you collect everything your friends post using social networking tools into one place you can log into. You can even create "imaginary friends" to allow you to feed in blogs by people who are not friends but you want to keep up with.

Do you use any other cool internet sites to keep in touch with friends and information?

Book Trailers - News Flash for Jul 23, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:28:12 CDT

Jody, mentor for Teens Online

Have you ever heard of book trailers? It's a new Internet phenomenon where you can find videos on YouTube and other places that promote books -- just like movie trailers make you want to go to a particular film. Found a few I'd like to share with you. Let me know what you think!

How "blonde" are you? - News Flash for Jul 17, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:22:10 CDT

Minisha from Teens Online

Everyone has his or her moments. Whether it is not noticing the toilet paper on your foot the whole school day or standing up in front of the class and forgetting what to say, people get into embarrassing situations every day! It is funny when we look in retrospect to ourselves, being utterly humiliated in public.

But at a certain level of clumsiness, do we start to question whether it is not inadvertent and may be a general characteristic of a person? Of course not. But over the generations, society has created a stereotype that is commonly associated with stupid comments and events. The phrase "dumb blonde" has seen a significant increase in our vocabulary as each day we encounter a mirage of events that clearly make us want to ask, "Did you really just say that?"

Just where did this phrase originate from? People actually have no idea. From the 1925 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes or from mainstream culture media, we have yet to uncover the answer!

Want to find out how "blonde" you really are? Take this quiz to find out!

[ ] You have screamed at an inanimate object for 'hurting' you.
[ ] You have run into a glass/screen door.
[ ] You have jumped out of a moving vehicle.
[ ]You have thought of something funny and laughed, then people gave you weird looks.
[ ]You have run into a tree/bush.

[ ] You know that it IS possible to lick your elbow.
[ ] You just tried to lick your elbow.
[ ] You never knew that the Alphabet and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star have the same rhythm.
[ ] You just sang them to make sure.
[ ] You have tripped on your shoelace and fallen.
[ ] You have choked on your own spit.
[ ] You have seen the Matrix and still don't get it.
[ ] You've never seen the Matrix.
[ ] You type only with two fingers.
[ ] You have accidentally caught something on fire.
[ ] You tried to drink out of a straw, but it went into your nose.
[ ]You have caught yourself drooling.

[ ] You have fallen asleep in class.
[ ] Sometimes you just stop thinking.
[ ] Sometimes when you are telling a story you forget what you were talking about.
[ ] People often shake their heads and walk away from you.
[ ] You are often told to use your "inside voice."
[ ] You use your fingers to do simple math.
[ ]You have eaten a bug accidentally.
[ ] You are taking this test when you should be doing something more important.
[ ] You have put your clothes on backwards or inside out, and didn't realize it.
[ ]You've looked all over for something and realized it was in your hand/pocket the whole time.

[ ] You repost bulletins because you are scared of what they say will happen to you if you don't.
[ ]You break a lot of things.
[ ] You tilt your head when you're confused.
[ ]You have fallen out of your chair before.
[ ]When you're lying in bed, you try to find pictures in the texture on the walls.
[ ]The word "uh/um" is used many times a day.
[ ] You had to use a calculator to add this up.

NOW, take that number and multiply it by 4 that is your percent "blonde"!

Summer Fashion - News Flash for Jul 10, 2008

Hennepin County Librarians — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:05:18 CDT

Jenny from Teens Online

A few reminders for summer fashion, everything you need to know about what to wear this summer:

Themes/inspiration:
African safari, British punk art deco, modified military

Prints:
abstract floral, sparkly, stars, mod. Antique upholstery, black & white variation, plaid

Colors:
white, light/muted gray, beige/khaki, navy, yellows (all shades) red (all shades), orange (also all shades in brighter tones black, grape, turquoise

Clothing styles:
deep V tops & jackets, baggy jackets, shrunken jacket, boat-neck tops & dresses, one-shoulder dresses, shift dresses, belted dresses, shirt dresses full mini-skirts, straight below-knee skirts, bermuda shorts, graphic tee�s, worn in jeans, layered tank tops, skinny jeans

Accessory styles:
hats - 30's and 40's style, fedoras statement necklaces, large bags, shiny exotic bags, square neck scarf , wide belts, t-strap shoe, peep-toe booties ankle-strap "gladiator style" sandals patterned wedges, old converse