This is a reminder that 1998 brings a major change in our subscription options. In addition to your monthly print Journal you may add JCE CD 1998 or you may add JCE Online +. Or you may add both. Or you may choose to be all electronic and get JCE Online + and JCE CD 1998 - no paper. Brief descriptions of these options follow.

JCE CD 1998. To be published in January 1999, this will contain the text and graphics for all articles, features, and reviews published in all 12 issues of JCE during the preceding year, including the annual index. The text is fully searchable for any word, partial word, or phrase. The table of contents of each issue is linked to the articles so that a single mouse click takes you to the article. A single CD-ROM can be used with Mac OS, Windows, and Windows 95. Reserve your copy now.

JCE Online + . As of November 1997, JCE Online + will bring you the full text from every issue of the print version of JCE (from September 1996 through the current issue): all of the text, figures, tables, color - everything! In PDF format. In addition, it has all the supplementary materials plus abstracts of all articles plus the complete index plus all of JCE Internet plus all JCE Internet articles in open review plus all JCE Software information plus You can preview JCE Online + during the months of November and December 1997. Subscriptions begin as of January 1998.

JCE CD 1997. All of Volume 74 (1997) will also be available on CD-ROM. An abstract and order form appear on pages 1375 and 1376 of the November issue.

Renewals. Those whose subscription is up for renewal will find information about all of the above included with the renewal notices.

Upgrades. If your subscription is not expiring, you may still have any of the above options, at comparable and very reasonable prices. If you haven't received an upgrade notice in the mail you can expect one soon. You can also contact our Subscription and Book Order Department directly. While you are thinking about it, why not make sure that your library gets copies of our annual CD-ROMs. All libraries have a lack of shelf space, and this must surely help.

When Chemistry Makes the Headlines

There is one time during the year when chemistry is in the news, and the news is good news. That is when the Nobel prizes are awarded. The timing of the announcements this year allowed us to include not just the names of the winners but also to bring you background information about the science for which the award was made. Naturally we have included the Chemistry Prize for the work on ATP synthase, but we have also included the Prize in Physiology or Medicine, since we had a Chemistry behind the News feature on prions, the subject of that award (October 1996, page A232). Persons who want more information can visit the Web site of the Swedish Academy of Sciences, www.kva.se.

Book Buyers Guide and Chemical Education Resource Shelf

Many of you rely on our Book Buyers Guide (print, twice a year) and the Chemical Education Resource Shelf (JCE Online, always at http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/artscience/chemistry/books/). You particularly expect these services to have complete information about all possible textbooks. While book publishers have been supportive of these efforts, they are not always thorough and meticulous about sending information about every book or piece of software. Therefore, if you encounter something new or something that is just plain missing from the list, don't hesitate to tell Hal Harris (hharris@umsl.edu). He maintains the list and will appreciate your suggestions- as will fellow readers.

Contribute a Classroom Activity

The response to our Classroom Activity series of handouts for students has been overwhelmingly positive. This has meant that instead of having an Activity once every few months (as was planned), we have had one every month since their introduction in the September issue, something that we hope to continue.

Does seeing these Activities in the Journal remind you of a favorite experiment or hands-on activity, maybe one that is a sure hit with your students? If so, please consider sending it along for possible use in a future issue. There are a few obvious constraints: the activity should be safe, inexpensive, employ readily available materials; it should be understandable (and interesting!) to a high school audience; it should have a point to make; there should be ties to the curriculum so that it is easy for teachers to incorporate; it should be able to stand alone on one side of a page, without the use of color (teachers will be making photocopies for their classes). We endeavor to run an Activity at the time of year when a teacher might typically use it. Send your suggestions and we will happily try them out!