Welcome to the 156th 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:

- Wild Africa
- Wood That Works
- Skyscrapers 
- Short Takes
- Cultures on Edge
- Useds Car Internet Style
- Amateur Film Critic
- Taxi Dreams
- Splash Challenge
- Subscribers' Sites


Wild Africa

Living in America, it is easy to forget that there are still places on Earth that remain unexplored and uninhabited. Central Africa is one of these pristine places, home to breathtaking natural environments filled with exotic animal species, many of which have never laid eyes on human beings.

With help from National Geographic, visitors can relive conservationist Micheal Fay's intrepid expedition of The Green Abyss, a wild swatch of territory situated between The Congo and Gabon in Central Africa. The journey, dubbed a Megatransect, spanned fifteen months and twelve hundred miles, and is documented by Fay with a strenuous attention to detail.

http://www.tricksandtrinkets.com/wildafrica.htm

Wood That Works 

'Wood That Works' is an art website dedicated to the displaying David C. Roy's mesmerizing wooden sculptures. His pieces are kinetic mechanisms that seem to move almost randomly.

In addition to showcasing and interpreting Mr. Roy's work, the site also provides a biography of the artist, insight into his techniques and artistic processes, as well as the ability to purchase individual pieces of art (most start at about a thousand dollars). His work is also for sale in galleries across the United States.

http://www.woodthatworks.com 

Skyscrapers 

Born in the early twentieth century, these breathtaking tall buildings were given a poetic title and dispatched into the heart of most major cities as austere symbols of power and progress. Located in New York City, the Skyscraper Museum pays tribute to these architectural monoliths, their history, symbolism and construction.

The website behind the museum is equally interesting, complete with virtual exhibitions that examine topics such as urbanism, architecture and business. Don't miss 'Building the Empire State', a look into the 'design and construction' of the most famous skyscraper of all.

http://www.skyscraper.org/ 

SHORT TAKES:

Quackwatch

The Internet is 'a hypochondriac's worst nightmare'. It is an unregulated playground where anyone with a keyboard can dole out medical advice as if it were gospel.

Dr. Stephen Barrett has created a non-profit website that will help you to find safe, viable medical advice on the Net, whether you're choosing a chiropractor or a health insurance plan.

http://www.quackwatch.com/

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Book of Changes 

The I Ching was originally developed by Chinese Seers to help predict the outcome of endeavors taken on by their many patrons. This ancient oracle is now available to online seekers. The site, created by author Greg Winthrop, offers insight into the millennia-old history of the I Ching, as well as links to related sites all over the Web.

http://www.pacificcoast.net/~wh/

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Shoot the Breeze 

O Pine is a quiet corner where visitors can speak their mind on matters large and small, without interruption … like shooting the breeze with a best friend. Share ideas just for the heck of it and know there is no right and no wrong. 

http://neptune.spacebears.com/opine/

Cultures on Edge

'Cultures on the Edge' is a quarterly online magazine whose mission is to preserve and promote awareness of different cultures around the world. The publication is a gathering ground for 'cultural visionaries' from both modern and developing countries, a medium in which people can use writing, art and experience to educate, learn and share with one another.

The website is broken up into several sections, including a 'Gallery' that contains articles and art projects from a variety of contributors. Currently on display is an interesting look into one man's lifelong relationship with the sounds, colors, customs and cultures of Southeast Asia. 

There is also a section entitled 'News and Events', which contains upcoming, site-related happenings as well as an 'archive' of past issues.

http://www.culturesontheedge.com/gallery/

Used Cars Internet Style

Anyone who has ever shopped for a used car knows the potential perils that await those with a limited knowledge of auto mechanics and haggling. While buying a used vehicle can be a dangerous and costly endeavor, it can also be an exciting experience that will reward you with years of driving pleasure.

Thanks to Vladamir Samarin, a benevolent engineer from Toronto, car novices can now make informed, intelligent decisions about the used vehicle they may choose to purchase. 

The site offers tips for evaluating condition of cars (including its brakes, engine, transmission, etc.), where to look for used cars, and how to look into the car's history. There are also links to DMV's around the world as well as tips on how to sell your 1955 Jalopy.

http://www.samarins.com/

Amateur Film Critic 

With so many film critics, it is difficult to know whom to trust when it comes to choosing a movie to see. James Berardinelli has emerged from the anonymous chaos of Internet film reviewers to receive kudos from such seasoned experts as Roger Ebert.

This movie buff, a full time electrical engineer, has created 'ReelViews', a website that offers insightful reviews of today's current releases. The honesty and knowledge with which he writes his reviews are impressive, while he faithfully avoids revealing too much detail about the film.

http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies.html

Taxi Dreams

If you've ever ridden in the backseat of a New York taxi, you know how perilous the driving experience can be. Who are these men and women who risk life and limb for our convenience, who keep on driving despite the terrible tips and tantrums they regularly get from their customers?

Once again PBS comes to the rescue with 'Taxi Dreams', an in-depth portrait of five immigrant cabbies trying to 'make it' in the Big Apple. The website provides biographies of the five main 'characters', a look into the history of taxis, as well as a television schedule of when the program airs.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/taxidreams/ 

Splash Challenge 

While many designers create simply for the pleasure that it gives them, other artists prefer to test their skills against their peers. Splashchallenge holds a series of online competitions, each one focused on a highly original design concept, complete with an objective jury, a grand prize and a fixed number of entries.

The Splashchallenge site lists detailed descriptions of current contests, displays artwork from previous winners and runner's up, and has current art news and events. Be sure to check out one of the current challenges, an interpretive design melee based on the psychological exam known as the Rorschach Test.

http://wallsite.com/splashchallenge/

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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

~My Child is Blooming!

~Celine - The Ultimate Diva.

~ Eddie's Support Group

~Nutrition and Kids - You beat the Dr. Jr.

~Allen & Nichols - Profit from humor.

~Danny's Domain - A man, a legend, a way of life.


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OOo-(_)-oOOo--------

Sitting quietly, doing nothing,
Spring comes, and the grass
Grows by itself.

Zen saying

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Have a great weekend.
Charles Kessler