Link of the Week: Dec. 31 - Jan. 6
USGenWeb
Have you ever tried to trace your family history, or someone else's? If so, perhaps you used USGenWeb. The USGenWeb Project consists of a group of volunteers working together to provide Internet websites for genealogical research in every county and every state. Even if genealogy doesn't interest you, you will find gems on this site that will. For instance, I got a kick out of the old county maps for NC on our state's project site (remember back in 1700, when we had five counties?). The USGenWeb research page has helpful tools (and links to tools) including a "Surname to Soundex Converter" for spellings of names that sound alike, a list of links to historical Census information, and instructions on genealogical research for beginners.

Please Contribute
This is the only time of year that we take time out to ask for your support, and if you can us with a contribution, we'd appreciate it. If you've given to us in the past, you will receive a request from us soon. If not, please send your pledge to us at fire@ncpress.net, along with your name and address, and we will send you a contribution form. Or, you can send a contribution to our address. Either way, you will be helping us serve WNC for yet another year! Thanks for your consideration!

<<<<<<Hey, What's That?
Glad you asked! That box on the lower left border side of the page is a new way to keep up with FIRE. Type in your e-mail, hit subscribe, and we'll do the rest! You'll get occasional updates from us about new workshops, links and assorted FIRE services. We won't barrage you with e-mails or distribute your e-mail address. Please sign up today.

Rolling Thunder Democracy Tour
FIRE is teaming up with other WNC nonprofit organizations, media, businesses and individuals to bring the Rolling Thunder Democracy Tour (RTD2) to the region. For more information on how to get involved locally, contact us. We'll post a link to the local page once it is online.

Apply for IRE Reporting Awards: The contest "recognizes the best investigative reporting in print, broadcast and online media, and helps identify techniques and resources used by entrants." This is the annual contest of the Investigative Reporting and Editing, Inc. (IRE). For entry forms and additional information, visit the contest page at IRE's site.

2003 CAR Conference in NC: IRE has also announced that the Annual Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference will be held on March 14-16, 2003 in Charlotte, N.C. The event features panels by the best in the business on every beat and topic including Census, crime, education, local and state government, freedom of information and transportation. Hands-on classes will be offered featuring spreadsheets, database managers, mapping, statistics and the latest in cutting-edge technology. IRE sponsors the event along with the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting (NICAR). This year's event is hosted by The Charlotte Observer and NBC News. See IRE's site for more details and registration information.

Help Put a Local Paper on the Web!: If you have some spare time to give to a good cause, we could use your help! Please visit our new volunteer opportunities page.

Tell Us What You Think
Are you enjoying our "link of the week" and "article spotlight" features? Please let us know.

"Nonprofits Online"
Information is posted regarding this free workshop. At least one more workshop will be scheduled, so please contact us to get on our mailing list (regular and/or e-mail) or waiting list. You can also take a tour of our workshop page.

Welcome to FIRE, a non-profit organization which provides community media resources to the Appalachian region. You can use the search box on this page to search our online archive of media outlets throughout the area. If you are a local journalist (or want to be), visit the "Resources for Journalists" section. You'll find resources that will improve your community reporting skills and will enable area residents to easily locate your published articles online.

FIRE's purpose is to promote citizen participation and community-based media. Please contact us if you would like to participate in our programs or if you have any feedback that will improve this Web site.