READATHON: THE BI-CENTENARY OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

The bi-centenary of the publication of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was celebrated yesterday with a 'readathon' in Bath. Fans and experts read aloud the whole novel in a 12 hour web broadcast, linking up with Jane Austen societies around the world. Have a shot at it. Societal norms have changed since, but given some people are still forced to seek marriages of convenience for economic security, have things shifted so?

ANTI-ANXIETY OBJECTS: DESIGN IN THE AGE OF XANAX

ARTINFO Newsletter has just posted an article that relates the increasing use of anti-anxiety medications and mood-calming beverages, with the design, production and launching of new artifacts. Take, for instance, the Ostrich Pillow, that allows a nap anywhere. Or a striking commercial: The Present, an annual clock that tells time in seasons. Mirroring this trend, check out Selfridges' initiative last weekend: 'Silence Rooms'. Designed by architect Alex Cochrane, and provided for customers to  unwind. Shoes, phones and talking are forbidden. Bliss.

BRITISH COUNCIL ON iTUNES U

Visit the British Council on iTunes U. You can download or listen to a wide range of audio and video resources from LearnEnglish. Over 150 series of podcasts and videos providing insights into British culture, and listening materials  with free activities that you can do on your computer while you listen, or print out and do whenever you want. Food, sports, environment, jobs, there is a large number of topics available. Worth playing on your iPod, iPad or Mac. 

WAVE OF EVICTIONS LEADS TO HOMELESS CRISIS IN SPAIN

Headlines all over the world reflect recent suicides after evictions. These dramatic events have forced Spain's conservative Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition to agree measures to stop banks evicting the most vulnerable people. Only yesterday banks announced they will freeze mortgage-related evictions for two years in cases of extreme need as a public outcry mounted over suicides by homeowners. Three days after a woman jumped to her death as officials arrived to evict her from her home, public anger mounted. Four years since Spain's property market crashed, an estimated 350.000 family homes have been repossessed. Read the New York Times or the BBC site to learn more.

HOW TO HELP - HURRICANE SANDY

I'm sure many of you know, the New York Marathon was called off,  but many of the runners got out and headed to Staten island to help out with relief efforts. For those of us both near and far who would like to give a hand, I would suggest donating money to the Red Cross by text or through iTunes, helping out on eBay or Amazon, or local Food Banks.

GREEN GUERRILLAS

In the early 1970's Green Guerrillas began rallying people in New York City to use community gardening as a tool to reclaim urban land and bring people together to solve problems in their neibourhoods. Get some information about ongoing projects.