During the lifetimes of contemporary immigrants, however, the ready availability of telephones, fax machines, and e-mail has made letter writing and the keeping of diaries almost a lost art. Fortunately, oral history provides a way to access contemporary immigrants' narratives about their experience. Such primary sources represent nothing less than history in the makingfirsthand accounts captured at a distinct moment in the acculturation processthat may prove vital to historians and other researchers later attempting to understand the larger picture of American immigration and assimilation.

Allesandro Portelli commends oral-history research for its firsthand insights into people's interpretations of their personal and historical experiences. Donald Ritchie says oral history may well be the modern substitute for the written memoir.

Mini-van strikes pole, sending 4 to YRMC

Two of four children injured in a Wednesday morning car accident were flown to Phoenix for treatment of serious injuries, while two others were being treated at Yuma Regional Medical Center, Yuma police said. The children were injured when a southbound minivan driven by Carlos Robles, 27, crossed over into northbound lanes of 4th Avenue and struck a light pole in the 1200 block shortly after 8 a.m., Yuma police said. After striking the pole, the van hit a fence encircling Sergio's House of Carpets at 1245 S. 4th Ave. The impact knocked the pole down onto the sidewalk. The four children, whose names were not available, were all under the age of 5, according to police. "Whether child safety restraints were in use at the time is still under investigation," said Clint Norred, police spokesman.

Magical trip through the mousehole

Mary McCarthy's "A Closer Look" issues an affectionate challenge for children to "look closer" and look yet again. It's a philosophical picture-book idea: vision is more than a matter of sight. It requires patience and perspective. So a big black circle on a red field might be any number of things - and as McCarthy pulls farther and farther back, she invites guessing games. (The black dot belongs to a ladybug.) The same goes for a flower and a hummingbird. But my favorite images are those McCarthy saves for last, when we reel back far enough to see bug, flower, and bird, and farther still to view the summer garden of which they are all a part.

She accomplishes this in paper collages that are bright, bold, child-friendly, and child-engaging. The youngest naturalists will naturally love this.

2007 TOP LIONS STORIES: Dewayne White glad to be a Marinelli man

When Dewayne White became a free agent, he came straight to Detroit. Other teams were calling, but White did not set up any other visits. He wanted to see if he could work out something with the Lions first. Yes, the Lions, who had just gone 3-13.

Davidson Calendar: Feb. 22- March 3

Oscar Night America Party: Watch the Academy Awards telecast in high definition and enjoy foods from area restaurants along with a silent auction. The Academy will provide party guests in Nashville the same official program distributed to guests at the Oscar presentation in Hollywood. Copies of the 80th Academy Awards commemorative poster also will be available. Ticket pricing: $75 Superstar level includes gala; $150 Red Carpet VIP level includes Patron's Party, gala with priority seating and official program; $500 per table of two Glitterazzi Patron level includes admission for two to Patron's Party, gala, VIP reserved table seating/wine tasting and official program; $1,000 per table of four Executive Producer level includes admission for four for the Patron's Party, gala, VIP reserved table seating/wine tasting and official program.

Do you know him? Robbery suspect caught on tape

The suspect is a white man in his 30's with scruffy facial hair. he was wearing a stocking hat and gloves.