August 2011 Archives

The government's Internet Crime Complaint Center reminds us to watch out for fraudulent charitable appeals following Hurricane Irene. If you receive an email asking for money to help someone recover from the hurricane, beware. Here is info on how to recognize and sidestep such scams

As Maryland and much of the U.S. East Coast warily anticipate Hurricane Irene, Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library has put together a helpful page of Web resources on hurricane preparedness, quickly linking you to vital information from authoritative sources such as the National Hurricane Center and FEMA.

The library hopes everyone is safe this hurricane season.

To celebrate World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations is running a contest. Make a video in which you pitch an idea--in 30 seconds--that can change the world. Contest winners will travel to New York to discuss their world-changing idea in person at the United Nations. Contest deadline is September 8, so get those video cameras rolling!

For more information on how to help people in crisis around the world, visit the World Humanitarian Day Web site.

The Department of Health and Human Services provides Hospital Compare, an online tool that helps you locate hospitals and see how they are rated in categories such as:

• Patients' Hospital Experiences
• Surgical Care Improvement
• Use of Medical Imaging

Another excellent Web site for consumer health information is MedlinePlus. To begin a health-related class research project, use the UMUC Library's Health and Medicine and Health Care Administration subject guides.

According to the White House Obama Foodorama blog, this is National Farmers Market Week. Over 1,000 new farmers markets have sprouted up in the past year, bringing the US total to 7,175.

To buy locally sourced, farm-fresh foods, locate a market near you with the USDA's farmers market directory. 

The White House blogged about a new initiative to help veterans reenter the workforce. As the White House notes, President Obama outlined proposals today that "use every available avenue to make sure that veterans have the skills employers want and that employers understand the value of hiring a veteran."

For UMUC students, including those who are veterans, UMUC Career Services offers career-related support and resources, including the UMUC 2011 Fall Job Fair, October 18.