The 2011 Duffer Awards: Legendary Characters. Ridiculous Awards!

For the month of June, AlafairBurke.com will host the first annual Duffer Awards. Each day she will post a new poll featuring two beloved characters.

Post a comment beneath your vote, and you'll be automatically entered to win weekly prizes including signed copies of Alafair's books and $50 gift certificates to your favorite bookseller.

And while you're there, read about her new book, Long Gone, coming out June 24th and available for preorder.

Follow up on Joplin - please help!

The Joplin Public Library has established a fund to assist the ten employees
who lost their homes and were injured during the tornado. Please send checks
to the Joplin Public Library Staff Relief Fund, c/o Jacque Gage, Joplin
Public Library, 300 South Main Street, Joplin MO 64801. The library is on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/joplinpubliclibrary and messages of support are
appreciated.

The Missouri Southern State University Foundation has also established a
fund to assist faculty, staff and students who lost their homes and were
injured during the tornado. You can donate online at www.mssu.edu then click
on Giving, or by check to Missouri Southern Foundation, 3950 East Newman
Road, Joplin MO 64801. Please write: Tornado Emergency Relief Fund on the
memo line of the check.

The Joplin Public Schools were very hard hit by the tornado. Seven students
and one staff member were killed, and many have lost their homes and were
injured. Three schools, including the high school, were completely
destroyed; three schools were severely damaged, two schools have possible
roof damage, and several district support facilities were damaged. The
school district has also established a relief fund. You can donate at any
U.S. Bank in the country or send checks to Joplin Schools Tornado Relief
Fund, Attn: Kim Vann, 102 North Gray Avenue, Joplin MO 64801. You can follow
the Joplin Schools recovery on their web site at www.joplink12.mo.us.

St. John's Regional Medical Center was severely damaged by the tornado and
six people were killed. Many hospital employees lost their homes and were
injured. The medical librarian and her family are safe and unhurt. The
hospital has already established a temporary facility to continue to treat
patients. You can donate to Mercy Co-Worker Tornado Relief online at
www.mercy.net/#search-mercy and click on Donate Now.