Mother Nature Network blogger Robin Shreeves shares information about preventing the spread of swine flu among families and communities.

The outbreak of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is growing every day. But don't hit the panic button! Dori and Val root around inside the media coverage and find the basic facts you need to know, with help from hip blogger Robin Shreeves. Learn about symptoms, prevention, travel, news, numbers and rumors that are spreading faster than the flu! Also, the Hipsters report from ChicoFest and snort along with Snoutbreak '09.

Beer: We're filling our sails with Widmer Bros. Drifter Pale Ale. 'Tis a nice hoppy brew for a day on the boat or the beach.

Chocolate: Our new favorite listener is Lena, who sent a local North Carolina favorite: the Beaufort Bar by Escazu. That mix of dark chocolate and sea salt paired perfectly with the pale ale. Thanks again for the t-shirts Lena!

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! As a cherry lover, Val is all too aware of the mess involved in the pitting process. That's why she's loving the Deluxe Cherry Stoner. Just pour in a pile of cherries, push the plunger and enjoy fruity flesh that's ready to bake, can, freeze, dehydrate or eat on the spot! (cuz you might have the munchies...heh heh)
• Dreaming of electric sheep? Now your PC can get a good night's sleep. Somniloquy is a plug-in system that lets your computer transmit and receive while in sleep mode, saving energy.

• Please don't eat the poppies! Afghanistan celebrated Earth Day by designating its first national park. Band-e-Amir is a series of six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams made of travertine, a rare mineral deposit.

Ya gotta glove it! Now that we've pretty much lost the frost, put one of those mateless mittens to use. Slip your sunglasses inside to keep them stylishly safe and scratch-free through summer!

Swine Flu & You

The outbreak of this new influenza virus in humans continues to grow in the US and abroad. Should we panic? Put on masks? Throw out our bacon? Mother Nature Network Blogger Robin Shreeves shares information about how to keep yourself and your family safe, while not overreacting to the onslaught of media coverage.

• Pork is not the enemy! Robin's blog on the Mother Nature Network covers the basics we all need to know about the epidemic.
• Updates from reputable sources like the CDC and WHO will keep you informed without scaring your socks off.
• Travel to Mexico is not advised unless it's an emergency. Check with your airline before you fly to see if your plans are affected.
• Ground Zero for the outbreak is thought by some to be an industrial pork plant owned by Smithfield Farms.
• Google has a handy map to help you track the spread of the virus.
• Twitter provides up-to-the-minute news in 140 characters or less! Follow @CDCemergency and @Veratect.

• Kate shares an article from Mother Earth News about turning grain bins into houses. Cool!
• Melinda wonders if Glade's new soy candles are just greenwashing. Well, consider the source.
• Ali is a new listener bursting with questions! She reminds us that fish tank water is excellent fertilizer for plants and shrubbery. But keep the fish poop off the edibles.
• Kevin shares a great resource: the Green Parents Network. We signed up!
• Tamilyn sent along her recipe for a rib rub that combines coffee and cocoa nibs. Ribgasm.