Swimming with Sharks

I would love to swim with sharks in the near future (preferably with Great Whites). I found The Sharkman's website a couple of years back and was grateful to see many people feel the same way. These gorgeous, misunderstood creatures are fascinating and I hope to learn more about them.

The Sharkman, also known as Alex Buttigieg, lives in Malta.

People tend to ask "Where in the world is Malta?" It is a tiny island in the Mediterranean Sea located just below Sicili. Apparently, it is very beautiful.

The Invasion of the Russian and Autumn olives

I am investigating the Russian and Autumn olives for a journalism course. They are invasive species of plants that have an advantage compared to native U.S. plants.
Their roots are home to a bacteria-like organism that provides nitrogen. This helpful organism, actinomycete, thrives on carbon that is given off by these bushy trees. Since plants need nitrogen to grow, this relationship benefits both parties.
The Autumn olive is native to China and Japan. Its leaves are long blades that share branches with clusters of red berries. The plant was introduced to North America in 1830 where it has primarily spread throughout the east of the U.S.
The Russian olive comes from Europe and western Asia. The leaves have a more silver ash color and the plant produces fragrant yellow flowers before the olives appear. This species was introduced to North America in the late 1800's and has invaded mainly the west of the U.S.

SIUC's Saluki Times covered a story about Andrew Somor, an alum from Palatine, who won an undergraduate research award for an experiment he continued by studying the Autumn Olive and its nitrogen levels in soil water.
The Nature Conservancy provides some more information about both species and leads you to Autumn Olive jam, fruit leather and wine recipes.

For Fun

• O net is an occupational tool that includes job searches and descriptions, resume writing help and career training information.
• Better Business Bureau
• Hostel look up is extremely helpful when you need to find an affordable place to sleep and you've found yourself in another country.
• The National Cartoonists Society
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Useful Search Engines

Google advanced search

Google maps
Phone number directory
Reverse directory
Expert search

Some Favorite News Sources

Chicago Tribune
New York Times
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Digg.com
The Daily Egyptian

Investigative Reporting

I am taking JRNL 419 with Bill Recktenwald. He has a very useful website for aspiring journalists.

Other useful websites:
Investigative reporters and editors website
FOIA
Handy letter generator

PR Watch