·http://geneed.nlm.nih.gov/index.php

The GeneEd website was created by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a helpful resource for the teaching and learning of genetics. On the site, visitors can find labs and experiments, fact sheets, and teacher resources on topics including DNA forensics, genetic conditions, evolution, and biostatistics. First-time visitors will want to start their journey by looking over the Topics tab at the top of the page. There are 40 different thematic areas here consisting of articles, video clips, webcasts, and links to additional quality resources vetted by the GeneEd web team. The Labs & Experiments section includes virtual labs that explore the genetics of different organisms as well as links to resources provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Young people may also wish to take a look at the Careers in Genetics section as it features interviews with scientists that will inspire and delight. [KMG]

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·http://www.tbf.org/~/media/TBFOrg/Files/Reports/Charters%20and%20College%20Readiness%202013.pdf

The world of charter schools is quite intriguing and as conversations about transforming the landscape of public education continue, scholars and policy advisors continue to weigh in on their value. This 54-page report from The Boston Foundation and NewSchools Venture Fund takes a look at the way charter schools prepare their students for college. Published in May 2013, this report was researched by the Foundation's colleagues at the School and Effectiveness and Inequality Initiative at MIT and notes that the charter schools in Massachusetts appear to have a long term positive effect on student outcomes and educational attainment. The report contains seven chapters detailing the group's findings, along with two appendices, a bibliography, and endnotes. It's a work that warrants close consideration and education scholars and journalists reporting on these issues will want to give it their close attention. [KMG]

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·http://nationalethicscenter.org/

The Ethics CORE Digital Library, funded by the National Science Foundation, "brings together information on best practices in research, ethics instruction and responding to ethical problems that arise in research and professional life." It's a remarkable site where visitors can make their way through ethics resources for dozens of different professions and activities. The Resources by Discipline area is a great place to start. Here you will find materials related to the biological sciences, business, computer & information science, along with 14 additional disciplines. The Current News area is a great place to learn about the latest updates from the field. Of note, these pieces can easily be used in the classroom or shared with colleagues. The dynamism of the site can be found at the Interact with Ethics CORE area. Active learning exercises can be found here, along with instructional materials and visitors' own lessons learned. [KMG]

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·http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/HFrame.html

The HyperPhysics website is a rather intriguing site where visitors can examine thematic segments in order to learn about dozens of physics-related concepts, such as atomic mass units, Avogadro's number, and acceleration. Hosted by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Georgia State University, the site offers visitors the ability to join a live study group in order to share information and problems related to physics. Visitors can also use the list on the right-side of the page to look for specific topics of note. Clicking on each of these topics will bring up a definition of each term or topic, complete with graphs, diagrams, and in some instances videos. People with a sense of whimsy and fun will appreciate the "crushing Coke can" video as it is illustrative and edifying. [KMG]

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·http://www.alternateroutes.ca

This journal, dedicated to critical social research, started in 1977 with a small group of dedicated volunteers. Their focus today is on promoting the publication of non-traditional, provocative, and radical analyses that may not find a forum in conventional academic venues. On this site, visitors can view all of their back issues, including special thematic issues such as "Uniting Struggles: Critical Social Research in Critical Times" and "Saving Global Capitalism: Interrogating Austerity & Working Class Responses to Crises". Also, visitors can search the journal content by issue, author, title or by keyword. For persons with an interest in sociology, labor studies, Canadian studies, and other related matters, this site is worth several visits. [KMG]

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·http://research.udmercy.edu/find/special_collections/digital/coughlin/

The University of Detroit-Mercy has created this digital exploration of Father Charles E. Coughlin in order to scholastically examine his role in influencing the hearts and minds of Americans from the late 1920s through World War II. In the 1930s, Coughlin was well known for his support of FDR and as a social commentator concerned with predatory capitalism. Later, in his radio-broadcasting career, his commentaries turned quite anti-Semitic and he was roundly chastised in many quarters. On this site, visitors can read a biography of Coughlin and also consider educational materials related to his life and times. These materials include a detailed bibliography, lesson plans, and a range of primary materials, such as transcripts of his radio broadcasts and images from his newspaper, "Social Justice." [KMG]

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·http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/collection/169/korean-war-armistice

The Korean Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953, effectively ending hostilities and bringing an end to the Korean War. The Wilson Center has curated this fine collection of documents related to the armistice negotiations from the period of 1951 to 1953. These various papers, reports, and telegrams written originally in Russian, Polish, and Chinese shed light on North Korean, Soviet, and Chinese strategic thinking on the conflict and coinciding armistice. The 62 documents are arranged in chronological order and visitors can scroll through individual items or read transcripts along the way. Items of note include cables from Joseph Stalin to Mao Zedong, along with formal telegrams and reports from the National Security Council. [KMG]

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·http://archive.org/details/tobaccoarchives

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Tobacco Industry Video collection contains over 3700 items documenting the advertising, manufacturing, marketing, sales, and scientific research of tobacco products and other materials gathered and produced by tobacco control advocates. Some of the items covered include historic ads for cigarettes, recordings of cigarette focus groups, corporate communications, and recordings of television news coverage on tobacco issues. Visitors can browse around by subject or keyword and they can also look at the "Most Downloaded Items Last Week" area to get a sense of what other folks are finding particularly interesting. [KMG]

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·http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/collections/maps/midwest/

How was Cincinnati zoned in 1925? What about Bloomington, Indiana in 1927? This remarkable trove of maps from the University of Chicago Library's Map Collection brings together several dozen planning maps of Midwestern cities in the 1920s and 1930s for those with an interest in all things urban. The collection also includes a census-block map of Detroit, a fascinating parking-lot map of central Detroit, and a map of Milwaukee's Parklawn, which was one of the country's first housing projects. Professors of urban planning, history, architecture, and design will find these maps quite delightful and they are a wonderful addition to existing digital collections. [KMG]

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·http://cdi.uvm.edu/collections/getCollection.xql?pid=lettersHome&title=Letters%20Home%20From%20Congress

The University of Vermont Libraries Center for Digital Initiatives has crafted this intriguing collection to bring together letters from members of Vermont's congressional delegation during the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection features over 440 letters, including those from Senator Warren R. Austin, Representative Jacob Collamer, and Representative Samuel C. Crafts. The letters document travel to and from Washington by horse, boat, train, and airplane, along with commentaries on the New Deal, social life, and John Brown. Visitors can select Browse Options on the left-hand side of the page to look over materials by place, genre, format, topic, or contributor. For anyone with an interest in the state of Vermont and the lives of its politicians, this collection is quite a find. [KMG]

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·http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/life-and-death-in-assisted-living/

What can one expect in an assisted living facility? It can be hard to evaluate their seemingly bucolic surroundings based solely on their websites and promotional literature. The team at Frontline teamed up with Pro Publica to craft this well-done documentary on the assisted living industry in the United States. Visitors can watch the entire 53 minute documentary online or explore the site's wealth of extra features. Users shouldn't miss the interviews with two of the nation's largest assisted living companies or the very compelling live chat transcript with the filmmakers, titled Is Assisted Living Safe for Your Parents? Journalists, in particular, will appreciate the section How "Life and Death in Assisted Living" Was Reported. [KMG]

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·http://www.toledomuseum.org/exhibitions/online-catalogues/

If you want to explore the Ashcan school of art, miniature storytelling via engraving, or the local art of Toledo, Ohio, this website is perfect for you. Created by the Toledo Museum of Art, these online catalogues explore some of their best and most interesting exhibits. Currently, there are seven complete online catalogues including George Bellows and New York, 1900-1930 and The Dramatic Image: Baroque Prints of the 17th Century. This last one will fascinate and arouse the artistic passions of even the most casual art aficionado as it features dozens of works by masters of shading and light like Stefano della Bella and Jan Both, the old Dutch Master. Of course, lovers of New York City will find the work by George Bellows to be magnificent, especially his wonderful "Artists' Evening." [KMG]

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·http://www.ptec.org/

Created by staff members at the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers, the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PETC) is a network of institutions committed "to improving the education of future physics and physical science teachers." On this site, visitors can look through the Library area which contains curricula, help for new teachers, information on teacher preparation, and ten other topics. The Latest Additions area is a great way to learn about what's been added to the site in recent days and weeks. In Special Initiatives, visitors can find information about PETC programs designed to create a groundswell of support for physic education across the country. Also, visitors can learn about Conferences & Workshops that the PETC sponsors for educators. [KMG]

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·http://www.bandmusicpdf.org/index.html

A summer band concert in a white gazebo is always a highlight of small town life. The BandMusic PDF Library might just inspire such a musical gathering, as they offer up hundreds of pieces of band music at no charge. On their homepage, visitors can find Featured Content, such as the complete score for the Bacchanal from Samson and Delilah and the band music transcription of Verdi's Luisa Miller. Moving along, visitors can use the Search the Library link to look for pieces of interest, or they can just browse around by title, genre, composer, publisher, year, or keyword. Also, the Wish List contains items that the site is looking for, and perhaps a kind visitor can provide them with access to a copy so that others might enjoy said work. [KMG]

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·http://blog.metrotrends.org/

The Metro Trends section of the Urban Institute's site contains up-to-date information on metropolitan economies, complete with interactive maps, expert commentaries, and datasets. One of the highlights here is their well-crafted blog, which offers short and pensive observations from their various affiliates, associates, and policy analysts. Recent posts include thoughtful meditations on the racial wealth gap, evidence-based policy, and the prospects for Detroit's fiscal future. Each post contains links to additional resources, reports, websites, and other germane materials. Also, visitors can leave their own observations and share each post using a range of social media tools. [KMG]

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·http://digitool.fcla.edu/R/GYVU32S3Y83KH861CAJADGMKT8SAAJIUXYXTUKXRUP964XCS7L-00625?func=collections&collection_id=3019&pds_handle=GUEST

Circus lore and culture is fascinating. The Harrison Sayre Circus Collection is made up of a vibrant mix of posters and photos documenting the dynamic nature of this blend of showmanship, animal acumen, and acrobatics. These materials were donated to the State University Libraries of Florida by Harrison Sayre, a circus enthusiast. All told, there are over 210 items here culled from Sayre's personal collection. The posters are vibrant and dramatic, and visitors shouldn't miss those for the Big Apple Circus's appearances at Lincoln Center or the rare Polish circus poster by artist Waldemar Swierzy. The photos section contains images of everything from Allen Gold, celebrated lion tamer, to a rather adorable photo of baby elephants lined up before a performance. [KMG]

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·https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/rapidreddit/gkankeeflokehbfdkoooobelngkplpod?hl=en

RappidReddit allows visitors to browse top Reddit posts more rapidly, and is quite useful for those who use the site on a regular basis. The extension filters out posts that users have already seen and users can customize it to only display posts of specific interest. This version is compatible with all computers running Google Chrome. [KMG]

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·http://www.fotor.com/

The universe of free online photo editors is vast and deep, and Fotor is one that seems to stand out amidst these contenders. As a program that works across many platforms, Fotor also allows visitors the opportunity to create photo effects, clip art, and use mosaic tool to truly customize the appearance of their visual offerings. This version is compatible with all operating systems. [KMG]

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George Duke, keyboardist who crossed genre boundaries, dies at 67
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/arts/music/george-duke-crossover-musician-with-frank-zappa-dies-at-67.html?_r=0

George Duke dies at 67; keyboardist was jazz-fusion pioneer
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-george-duke-20130807,0,4635879.story

Jazz great George Duke played with the Cincinnati Symphony
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/arts/2013/08/06/jazz-great-george-duke-played-with-the-cincinnati-symphony/

The George Duke Interview: Funkatopia
http://funkatopia.com/funk-news/the-george-duke-interview/

George Duke puts his stamp on funk
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94103180

George Duke
http://www.georgeduke.com/

George Duke, master of the synthesizer and an artist who moved seamlessly between several musical genres passed away on Monday at the age of 67. Growing up in the Bay Area, Duke developed a passion for the piano after seeing Duke Ellington perform as a boy. After graduating from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music he went on the road with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Zappa encouraged him to try out the synthesizer and he did just that. Over the next four decades, Duke would release over three dozen albums and collaborate with dozens of performers, including Al Jarreau, Jean-Luc Ponty, Dianne Reeves, and Cannonball Adderley. Commenting on his mix of musical sensibility, Duke once noted "I really think it's possible (and still do) to make good music and be commercial at the same time. I believe it is the artist's responsibility to take the music to the people." [KMG]

The first link will take visitors to a piece from the New York Times' William Yardley on Duke's passing. The second link will lead interested parties to a fine celebration of his life from this Monday's Los Angeles Times. Moving along, the third link will take visitors to an archived interview between Duke and the Cincinnati Inquirer's Janelle Gelfand in 1999. The fourth link showcases another interview, this time from the Funkatopia website including video clips of Duke and his colleagues in performance. Next up, the fifth link leads to a 2008 interview with George Duke from NPR's Weekend Edition and, finally, the last link will take visitors to his official website. Here they can listen to some of his music and learn more about his life.