The New Times links presented here are based on our monthly ONLINE Reviews by Maria Marsala, a nationally known Life and New Business Coach, Speaker, Author and Seminar Leader. Visit her web site at www.coachmaria.com where you can subscribe to free newsletters, enter a coaching contest or request a free 45 minute coaching consulation! Maria Marsala describes the gems that she finds in cyberspace in our monthly Website page in the "Review" section. Elana Lindquist began the column in late 1997, and connected us with "Coach Maria" who, in May 2000, took over this feature. Elana Lindquist publishes Fun with Success Online. You can sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.seanet.com/~lindquist, e-mail lindquist@seanet.com, or call (253) 858-7969. Our links are organized into six sections, For Fun, Internet Resources, Healthy Living, Publications and Directories, Spirituality and Personal Growth and Worldly Affairs. Have fun and be sure to share your findings on our bulletin board!

HEALTHY LIVING

Aspartame No! No! Get the scoop about the real dangers of aspartame as well as follow links to learn about stevia, a natural sugar that is banned in the U.S. http://www.dorway.com/stevia.html

Steven's Recovery Page Read the courageous story of Steve and his recovery from narcotics addiction. Take time to also read the Gurus Anonymous; it may surprise you how many "gurus" you know. http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/lig/z/i/ziderz/ Japanese Food Guide Easy-to-use recipes for your favorite dishes from Japan, complete with searchable database and tips on Japanese table etiquette! http://www.japan-guide.com e/e620.html

SPIRITUALITY AND PERSONAL GROWTH

Expressions of Spirit Visionary Art Gallery Please take a moment to explore this uplifting, nurturing site filled with exquisite art and inspiring articles that will really make your spirit soar. http://www.expressionsofspirit.com/ Feng Shui and the Spirit of Change This splendid overview of Feng Shui concludes, "Love and Embrace your environments as part of you and it will joyously give back to you Love and Universal Peace. This is Feng Shui in its purity." http://www.bartlettdesigns.com/ bart1.html Many Paths and the Art of Change Built to give people a sense of comfort and knowing that they are not alone. Try the chat room areas for some especially enlightened discussions on topics such as inner balance, living spiritually, and fears http://www.manypaths.com Soul Life Bookmark this resource for future needs to empower your soul. If you are in a crisis, you can get insight and tools for helping you to understand what is going on and what you can do to resolve it. Check out the "Negative Traits vs. Inner Self Qualities" area for a mini-taste of all the wisdom here. http://www.soullife.com Talk City Religions and Spiritualities Forum for Peace and Comfort on Our Journeys www.talkcity.com

Heartprints <http://www.geocities.com/ SouthBeach/Tidepool/6517 /page8.html> Very touching site for warm cuddles! The Compassionate Friends Grief support after the loss of a child. www.compassionatefriends.org Affirmations Online "Affirm what you want, rather than what you want to get rid of." http://www.io.com/~rga/affirm.html Personal Development Central A comprehensive directory of self-improvement resources. The article on perfectionism begins, "Perfectionism comes from childhood. It comes from trying to please a parent who was psychologically unable to be pleased. It starts to change when we realize that this was their problem, not ours." http://www.personal-development.com Positive Saying of the Day http://positivepress.org Psychiatry: Education's Ruin - Destroying Lives The consequences of psychiatric drugs on our children from the Citizen's Commission on Human Rights. Eye-opening and disturbing. http://www.cchr.org/educate/index.htm

FOR FUN

Smiley Land Unexpected pleasure awaits you here; saying more would spoil the surprise. http://www.justsaywow.com/smile.htm

Sun Angel Need an energy boost? Get a numerology reading or visit the resident alchemist for a dose of joy! www.sun-angel.com

THE INTERNET

For a Computer Break...Dance! If you or someone you know has been sitting too long at the computer, here's the perfect lighthearted antidote. http://www.mrznet.com/smile2.html Poor Richard's Web Site Creation for Non-Geeks Read the top ten mistakes to avoid when setting up a Web site. http://www.PoorRichard.com

High-Tech Dictionary http://www.currents.net/ resources/dictionary/dictionary.phtml http://www.infoplease.com/ These Internet dictionaries are must-haves for beginners. Dogpile www.dogpile.com To simplify searching online, try this multiple search engine. It will get hits from up to nine different engines on any subject.

PUBLICATIONS AND DIRECTORIES

Alternatives Magazine Alternatives works (and plays) with the ideals and activism of our emerging culture and provides a forum to express and/or locate the holistic ideas, goods and services that support a life well lived. http://www.alternativesmagazine.com/ Awareness Magazine Articles about wisdom, insight, health, and family. Read "Healthy Bones or Holey Bones" in the January/February 1999 issue for a no-nonsense explanation of how to prevent osteoporosis. http://www.awarenessmag.com Center of the Peaceful Light Healing stories to touch your soul with love. Webmasters: download the "flame of hope" image to put on your Web page. http://www.reiki.com Concepts Magazine Inspiring, empowering articles that will help you look at life in a new way or will support your own understanding of where you are right now. A special jewel online! http://www.conceptsmagazine.org

Natural Choice Directory is the "healthy yellow pages" for Western Washington and beyond. It includes extensive listings under sections Bookstores, Education & Spiritual Resources www.naturalchoice.net Online Phone Book Just type in the name, city, and country of your friends to learn their phone numbers. http://www.infospace.com /info.trader/index_ppl.htm Chopra Online Sign up for Deepak Chopra's e-mail newsletter, "Namasté." Talk with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on December 31. www.chopra.com Soul Love Transforms Relationship satisfaction test and articles about making your relationships healthier. Insights from articles: "Every relationship teaches us either about our true self or our false self - the illusion-based persona we develop to cope in the world." "Did you realize that your health depends on who you put first in your life?" http://www.SoulLoveTransforms.com

WORLDLY AFFAIRS

Beware of the risks of debit-card fraud Discover the difference between debit cards and credit cards and learn how to protect yourself. <http://www.seattletimes.com/ news/lifestyles/html98/ altreal_19990422.html> Kidscape Great tips for protection from bullying. Among my favorites were trying not to show that you are upset or angry and asking the bully to repeat what he said. http://www.kidscape.org.uk/ Human Service Alliance An all-volunteer organization (no one is paid, no one is charged) in North Carolina that provides round-the-clock homelike care for the terminally ill, respite care for developmentally disabled children, mediation, and health and wellness counseling for those with chronic illnesses. http://www.hsa.org The Hunger Site Click on the "Donate Free Food" button, cosponsored by several corporations. With each click, a donation will be made to an international organization that distributes food to the hungry. http://www.thehungersite.com PR Professional Daily! Words rule online! For tips on how to say what you want to get the results you want, try this free e-mail newsletter service. http://coolsheets.com/pr/

dialpad.com <http://www.dialpad.com/> An alternative to expensive phone bills From the Window www.rmplc.co.uk Discover Hero Joy Nightingale, a 14-year-old British girl who is severely handicapped, very intelligent, pretty, and charismatic. Read her journal of September 20, in which she requests help from the British government so she can live with dignity. Rashana's Magic Garden Magical growing flowers, wonderment, and deeply moving healing stories by nurses. Of interest is the story of the SIDS baby and an angel's answers about death. www.starwater.com/rashana.html Pro$perity Place Fun resource directory on everything New Age, from Feng Shui to crystals, as well as free color therapy readings. "Did you know that lime green can cheer you up, writing in turquoise ink will enhance your creativity, and wearing red will energize and help you take charge?" http://prosperityplace.com/ Sierra Club Learn how to protect our water from factory farm animal waste and how the EPA is failing to keep our drinking water, rivers, and lakes clean. Other topics include environmental news about preserving forests and wildland. http://www.sierraclub.org