BEST OF THE WEB: Wednesday's Coolest Features from Newspaper Web Sites

By: Kathryn Blaze Carlson Each day Kathryn Blaze Carlson combs the Internet to bring you some of the best features that newspaper Web sites have to offer. Here are her latest picks.

The Daily Mirror: History Mystery -- Photo Detective
Los Angeles Times
Blog
By Larry Harnisch

"I love this 1882 story! The council tables a law to regulate driving cattle and sheep through the city," writes Larry Harnisch in his recent post to the L.A. Times' Daily Mirror -- a blog that reflects on L.A's crime and cops from 50 years ago. Harnisch digs up old photos and stories, looking back on what once was. His recent post goes on to describe a fountain which was "7 feet, 1 and 1/2 inches tall, topped by a 'beautiful female figure.' In 1892, the fountain was destroyed in a spectacular accident in which a runaway team of four horses belonging to D.F. Donegan raced down Temple Street." For more crimes and criminals of the past, check out the blog's main page here.


Unsafe Haven: A Watchdog Report on Troubled Nursing Homes
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Online Report

Whether you're deciding the next step for Ma or Pa, looking toward the future for yourself, or simply curious about the state of nursing homes, be sure to take a look at this Milwaukee Journal Sentinel online report. The investigative feature offers tips for selecting a nursing home, sizes up homes based on violations and turnover, provides a compilation of federal data, puts forward a case study, and lets people chime in with personal experiences and opinions via editorials.


Olympic Pin-Trading Tradition
The Wall Street Journal
Video
By Loretta Chao

Athletes aren't the only ones with something to lose or gain at the Olympics -- year after year, seasoned pin traders put their collectibles on the line, too. This Wall Street Journal video walks viewers through the tradition of pin trading, offering trading protocol and tips on ensuring the best gets. A 12-year Olympic pin-collecting veteran offers the inside scoop (pins from official sponsors, media organizations, and those with movable parts are the most desirable), and provides some sound advice for rookie traders ("get a new pin and make a new friend"). Check out the video to find out how Loretta Chao, the reporter on the story, fared with her very own WSJ collectible pin.


David Eulitt's Scenes From Beijing
Kansas City Star
Photo Gallery
By David Eulitt

This Kansas City Star photo gallery, featuring shots by David Eulitt, gives viewers an up-close-and-personal view of Olympic athletes as they go for the gold. Featured events include swimming (yes, Phelps is the star of this series), synchronized diving, fencing, and gymnastics. Props to Eulitt for his impressive action shots, and for capturing what are likely some of the most memorable moments in the athletes' careers.


The Pea-Pod Protest
The Denver Post
Video

There isn't really much to say about this 18-second video, except ? well, ha ha. The video captures the "pea-pod protest" and its mascot -- a man wearing a pea-pod suit with his face acting as a pea, and McCain and Bush's faces as the other two peas in the pod. Nothing like seeing a protester dressed up as a pea pod.