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Living Edens: Costa Rica
Nestled in the heart of Central America, Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in
the world. The nation is so naturally diverse in wildlife, that over ten percent of its
territory has been designated, national parkland. Such efforts in preservation have allowed
Costa Rica to continue to thrive, and many consider it to be the closest thing to a real life
'Eden' on earth.
'Living Edens: Costa Rica' is a PBS series that takes a deeper look into this pristine and
diverse land. The website contains information about the series, including fascinating subjects
ranging from two thousand pound turtles to active volcanoes. Read all about Olive Ridley and
other intriguing marine species that inhabit the shorelines of Costa Rica. Users will also find
useful travel information as well as a television schedule of when the program airs.
pbs.org
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Classical Music Online
With all the hype about 'free music' from MP3 providers like Napster and Imesh, classical music
fans might feel a little bit left out of the musical melee. While Bach can be found on Napster
(we checked), more esoteric composers and works are often left out of the mix.
OnlineClassics.com is 'the website for the performing arts', a sanctuary where lovers of the
classical genre can download and listen to their favorite musical pieces. In addition to
downloading Orchestral, Classical and Chamber music, visitors can watch streaming videos of
Opera, Ballet and Dance performances of their choice.
Beginning June 26th, the site will launch 'Digital Classics TV', a new digital channel that aims
to deliver high-quality classical music performances on your PC.
onlineclassics.com
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Supermarkets Portal
According to site founder David Gwynn, supermarkets are a fascinating and reflective element of
American culture worthy of study and preservation. David has spent a good amount of his free
time documenting the history and evolution of supermarkets in our country.
The result of his research is a highly entertaining, surprisingly nostalgic website called
Groceria.net. Visitors will get a glimpse, through old photographs, into Gwynn's 'obsessive'
journey into the world of supermarket history and architecture. Don't miss the section on
'Safeway', which takes a profound look into the rise and fall of the 'Mother of all Markets'.
groceteria.net
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Underwater Archaeology
Archeology is an exciting field in which scientists search out ancient artifacts (tools,
writings, weapons, buildings, wreckages, etc.) in an effort to learn more about the people and
cultures that produced them. While a majority of archeological expeditions take place on land,
there is a wealth of history that remains buried beneath the many oceans and seas of our world.
Underwater Archeologie is a French website that focuses on the history of undersea exploration,
its techniques, pioneers and evolution. It is designed in a way that makes visitors feel as if
they are underwater themselves, bravely exploring the site's library of information on
underwater diving and archeology.
culture.fr
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Bob Hope and American Variety
At the beginning of the twentieth century, vaudeville was the most popular form of entertainment
in America. Emigrants like Bob Hope, and thousands of others, found an opportunity to perform
their music, comedy and dance acts on the stages of New York City's vaudeville theatres.
The Library of Congress, with the help of the Hope family, has created an online exhibition that
fondly remembers the lively birthplace of modern American entertainment. Using Bob Hope's
career as a guide, the exhibition tracks the development of vaudeville, motion pictures, radio,
television and other entertainment mediums from their roots, through depressions and wars, into
their heyday and beyond.
lcweb.loc.gov
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Graffiti Wall
Although it is illegal in the United States, many people recognize graffiti as a legitimate
underground art form. A wall painting or 'piece' can require as much thought and skill as the
more traditional artistic endeavors such as painting and sculpting, and is even more difficult
to create, because the 'artist' has to work quickly for fear of getting caught.
Artists can breathe easily at Zewall.com, where graffiti art is not only legal but encouraged as
well. While online graffiti lacks the danger of hanging from billboards and running from police
officers, it retains a high level of artistic talent and creativity. Visitors can paint their
own pieces or browse through the Hall of Fame for inspiration.
zewall.com
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BMW Films
Not satisfied just with making great cars, BMW has entered the film game at racing speed. The
company has already produced a handful of short films by esteemed directors such as Ang Lee
(Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and Guy Ritchie (Snatch). With a well-financed production team
and a bottomless advertising budget, watch out for BMW Films to become a major player in the
'independent' film industry.
BMW's website has a simple layout, making it easy for visitors to find their way around. There
are currently four films available for viewing, we recommend checking out 'Star' directed by the
aforementioned Guy Ritchie. One of the coolest features on the site is the BMW Interactive Film
Player, an online DVD player you can download and use to watch films in larger formats.
bmwfilms.com
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Source: tricksandtrinkets.com |
