LII: New This Week

The Blurb

This week includes Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, frugal fun, flash floods, staycationing, what urban planners are reading, and ice cream under the microscope. Bon appetit from librarians Maria, Jennifer, Wendy, and Charlotte.

Tip of the Week

If you're leaving the house for your vacation, plan your trip with some of our sites on budget travel.

California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN)

This California organization is "working to evolve health care from a one-size-fits-all approach to a system that works for people from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds." Its website features data, county facts sheets (for Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego), legislative updates, and reports such as the 2008 "The Path to Healthy Communities: Mapping California's Priorities" on the community factors that influence the prevalence of health conditions.

Thrifty Fun

This is "an interactive Web site where you can post questions and contribute answers to others who are trying to have fun while saving money." Frugality is the theme reflected in the recipes, crafts for children, creative projects using castoff materials, and general hints for consumers. Free registration is required to post messages or comments.

Backyard Cooking: A Guide

This illustrated guide to grilling features tips for grilling specific types of meat and game (including quail and elk), ideas for sauces and rubs, bratwurst cooking tips, a comparison of grill types (such as gas and infrared), and an assortment of humorous grilling ideas. From Outside magazine.