(Photo by Jill Furmanovsky As the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" movie opens, towel-carrying fans are eager to watch Douglas Adams' characters come to life on the big screen. Adams first introduced Arthur, Ford, Trillian, Zaphod, and the rest of the eccentric crew on radio. He later turned their story into a series of books, a TV show, and a computer game, and was working on the long-awaited film version when he died in 2001. In addition to these "Hitchhiker's" variations, Adams wrote a variety of books, games, and TV and radio scripts. Thanks to the Internet, he finally realized his vision of a collaborative guide to life, the universe, and everything. Suggested Sites... h2g2 - unconventional, volunteer-written encyclopedia inspired and founded by Adams. Douglas Adams Continuum - tribute site dedicated to the man and his work. Last Chance to See - while Adams is best known for science fiction, he also wrote a radio series and book about the most endangered animals on Earth. Hitchhiker's on BBC Radio 4 - finishing the saga in its original medium. The Hitchhiker's Guide Project - a reference to characters, planets, and hoopy froods.

Directory categories: Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker's Guide Book, Hitchhiker's Guide Movie

Archived under: Authors, Entertainment, Literature, Science Fiction

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(From Early Vegas) Planning a trip to Las Vegas and thinking of staying at a Sin City landmark like the Sands, the Dunes, or the Desert Inn? Think again, because they are all gone -- imploded to make room for mega-resorts on the crowded Las Vegas Strip. Developer Steve Wynn started the implosion trend in 1993 when he took down the Dunes to make way for the Bellagio hotel and casino. Most recently, Wynn collapsed the Desert Inn to accommodate his latest property, Wynn Las Vegas. Making its debut today, the 2,716-room resort boasts 18 restaurants, 26 stores (including a Ferrari-Maserati dealership), two wedding chapels, an art gallery, a convention center, and 50 stories that tower above the Strip. No wonder Wynn put his name on this one! Suggested Sites... History of Las Vegas Implosions - KLAS TV Las Vegas chronicles the many hotel implosions in Las Vegas. Wynn Las Vegas - take a peek at Las Vegas' newest mega-resort. Wikipedia: Steve Wynn - biography of the casino resort developer who is making his mark on the Las Vegas Strip.

Directory categories: Hotel Implosions, Las Vegas Casinos, Las Vegas City Guides

Archived under: Casinos, Las Vegas, Travel

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They Might Be Giants As the kids boogie to the Down Under darlings The Wiggles or shimmy to a certain purple dinosaur, many parents pine for good ol' rock 'n' roll. But it doesn't have to be that way. Several former rockers -- after having children of their own -- have redirected their talents. The zany duo They Might Be Giants of Dial-A-Song fame appeals to kids of all ages with their goofy, playful songs and videos. Former Del Fuegos front man Dan Zanes and his merry band of guest musicians, including Sheryl Crow and Aimee Mann, are releasing CDs that have the whole family tapping their toes. And if these tunes don't enliven the sound around the house, there's always The Beatles. Suggested Sites... CD Baby Kids - cool source for kid music that parents can love. Ralph's World - Ralph Covert is bent on banishing bad music. Steve Burns - he used to play Steve in Blue's Clues, now he plays great music. Rhodes Tavern Troubadours - aka the RTTs. Rocking out for the whole family.

Directory categories: Children's Music, They Might Be Giants, The Beatles

Archived under: Entertainment, Kids, Music, Rock and Roll, The Beatles

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(from Amnesty Magazine) Diamonds have dazzled us for centuries, but ethical violations in the industry have tainted their brilliance. Major diamond deposits are located in politically unstable countries of central and west Africa, where rebel African militias use the raw gems, known as "blood" or "conflict" diamonds, to fund brutal wars. These conflicts have resulted in slave labor and thousands of human mutilations and executions. Human rights organizations continue the struggle to alert the world to stop the illicit trade of conflict diamonds. Suggested Sites... United Nations: Conflict Diamonds - explains the resolution adopted by the U.N. on the role of diamonds in fueling conflict. About.com: Avoiding Conflict Diamonds - contains information on buying diamonds that don't fund terrorism. Articles About Conflict Diamonds - selection of important articles from Diamonds.net. Blood Diamonds Are for Never - overview and facts about conflict diamonds and efforts to end their trade. Amnesty International USA Diamonds Video - short video summarizing the diamond trade problem in Sierra Leone.

Directory categories: Conflict Diamonds, Human Rights, Issues and Causes

Archived under: Human Rights, Jewelry and Watches, Society and Culture, War

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(from Micropolitan Museum) From flowing abstracts to amazing symmetry, tiny creatures become works of art under electron and light microscopes. While a single protozoan may not make a dramatic statement if hung over the couch, under extreme magnification, protozoa and other microscopic organisms reveal themselves to be not only scientifically intriguing but also visually captivating. Learn how photomicrography can transform these nearly invisible beings into museum-quality art. Suggested Sites... eye of science - glimpse life in the microcosmic world. The Micropolitan Museum of Microscopic Art Forms - stroll through the freshwater and marine organism halls, or take a look at the insect eye exhibition. Droplet: Amateur Microscopy of the Protozoa - single-cell organisms captured in drawings and photographs. Ernst Haeckel: Die Radiolarien - 19th century illustrations depicting the intricate siliceous skeletons of radiolarians. Molecular Expressions: Exploring the World of Optics and Microscopy - peruse galleries of color photographs taken through an optical microscope.

Directory categories: Diatoms, Radiolarians, Electron Photomicrography, Light Photomicrography

Archived under: Arts, Biology, Photography, Science

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