Culture and Arts

A new book about John Singer Sargent and the women he painted: "Like characters in an Edith Wharton novel, these women challenged society’s restrictions, risking public shame and ostracism. All had forbidden love affairs; Lucia bravely supported her family despite illness, while Elsie explored Spiritualism, defying her overbearing father. Finally, the headstrong Isabella outmaneuvered the richest plutocrats on the planet to create her own magnificent art museum." more »

Julia Sneden wrote: A couple of the teachers dragooned some of the mothers to bring their sewing machines to school, to sew up "dinosaur pillows" which were patterned from the children's huge drawings on unfolded newspaper. For the most part, the teachers scorned published educational programs and workbooks that made boring the process of learning, and taught their students directly, thrillingly, energetically and in partnership – which also describes the way the children learned. more »

Get your maps. Some public lands are remote areas along unmaintained roads and are often inter-mingled with private land, so know where you're going. Contact your local Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, or Forest Service offices for camping and jurisdiction maps. Before you head out, make sure you are familiar with the area you are going to and ensure you have appropriate gear, equipment, and supplies. more »

Jo Freeman writes: Unlike the other social sciences, psychology is thriving. While the supply of trained psychologists in the labor force has remained constant since 2005, the demand has grown. Quite a few employers purchased booths in the exhibit area just to advertising that they were hiring and interview potential recruits. They ranged from clinics in Hattiesburg, MS to New Zealand. more »