Welcome to the 146th issue of the Cool Tricks and Trinkets Newsletter offering weekly insights into new, cool, useful, fun, unusual and interesting sites on the Internet. 

In this issue:

- Living Edens: Costa Rica
- The Blue Flame Cafe
- Supermarket Portal
- Short Takes
- Underwater Archaeology
- Bob Hope and American Variety
- Extraterrestrial Real Estate
- Graffiti Wall
- BMW Films
- Subscribers' Sites


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. 

<Note> I lived in Costa Rica for a year in the 1970's and found it to be one of the most delightful places I've ever been.

http://www.pbs.org/edens/costarica/

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. Just download your Real Player, relax and enjoy!!! 

http://www.onlineclassics.com/

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'.

http://www.groceteria.net/

SHORT TAKES:

Pets Welcome Here 

People love their pets, sometimes so much that they can't bear to go on vacation without taking them. Whether you're planning a road trip or your Honeymoon, if Fido is coming along for the ride you'll need to find pet-friendly place to stay.

PetsWelcome.com should be every animal lover's first step in planning his or her holiday vacation. The site lists thousands of hotels, motels, beaches, campgrounds, and ski resorts that accommodate our furry friends. There is also helpful information on air travel and international laws regarding pets. 

http://www.petswelcome.com/ 

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Fun Calculator.com

Doing math homework, the household bills or anything else that requires the use of a calculator usually ends up being a bit dull. At FunCalculator.com, you can liven up your time on the old math machine by downloading a more entertaining version of the original.

Each Calculator makes a specific sound every time you hit a number. Currently available are the 'Farting Calculator' and the 'Orgasm Calculator', each of which are special in their own way.

http://www.funcalculator.com/

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A Glossary of Hardboiled Slang

The highbrow slang used by legendary screen detectives like Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade and other 'too cool for school' characters, is no longer a part of our colloquial language.

Visitors to this website can learn to talk like Bogart by referencing this extensive glossary of 'hardboiled slang'. Check out the site, before some Dish sends a Chopper Squad to give you some Chin Music.

http://www.miskatonic.org/slang.html

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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. 

http://www.culture.fr/culture/archeosm/en/

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. 

Visitors will learn about Mr. Hope's career, read personal letters and jokes, and see original photographs of the great comedian and his family (don't miss the shot by Annie Liebovitz of Bob in his legendary 'Joke Vault'). 

http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/bobhope/

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Extraterrestrial Real Estate 

If you're thinking about retiring but can't afford to stake your claim in some beautiful, exotic locale, you may want to consider an exciting alternative…The Moon. In 1980, a gentleman by the name of Dennis Hope managed to acquire, through some ingenious legal loophole, rights to the lunar surface and the surfaces of all other planets in our solar system (with the notable exception of Earth). 

Welcome to the Lunar Embassy, the first and only company in the world that is legally licensed to sell 'extraterrestrial real estate'. The site, despite its sense of humor, is quite legitimate, has thousands of 'landowners', and has been recognized by television and Internet media organizations. 

Visitors will learn about the legal nature of their purchase, the company's immediate plans for lunar development, and will be given the opportunity to purchase acres of land on the Moon, Venus, Mars, and IO, one of Jupiter's many moons. If all that doesn't convince you, then the prices will (One lunar acre goes for about $15.99 US). 

http://www.lunarembassy.com/

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. 

http://www.zewall.com/

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. 

http://bmwfilms.com/

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SUBSCRIBERS' SITES - Many of our subscribers have fascinating on-line projects. This weekly section will introduce you to some of these sites. Please let me know about your project so that I might mention it in this section. Write me at info@tricksandtrinkets.com

~Find an Old Friend - Great service for locating people you've lost track of.

~TinyTechNews - Gadgets, Games and Entertainment.

~ Coffee: wonder of the world - Links, quizzes and fun facts about coffee. 

~Homework Help - Study guides, book summaries, online literature.

~Dedrianne's organic bath and personal products.

~Tales From The Road - Life is an endless highway.

~Free Newsletters and Web Resources

~Bearable Deals - Daily Newsletter filled with great deals and giveaways.


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Sun in heaven.
Abundance in great measure.
Supreme success
In the midst of impermanence.

TAO

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Have a great weekend.
Charles Kessler