We know you’re all out of school, but we’re going to attempt to keep you abreast on Terrapin news this summer with a new feature. Similar to Fresh Cream, Ripe Produce will feature local Maryland news that’s “ripe for the reading.” Here are six summer stories you must know.

* What would you do if there was a flu pandemic? Hopefully not die, right? Well, that is what the University of Maryland Medical Center staff is practicing, how to handle a pandemic situation. You’ve got to love someone trying to save lives!

* Bet you never thought you'd be homeless, huh? Come fall semester you may not have a home on your lovely campus. That's cool, now you have the ability to party and not have that pesky R.A. breathing down your neck!

* According to The Earth Times, mechanical engineers at the University of Maryland have discovered how to save canaries from being used as air quality checkers in mines. Thank God, because I LOVE Tweetie Bird!

* No wonder the U.S. government is so in debt, they are throwing their money all over the place.  The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute received $2.5 million from the Department of Defense to investigate "threats." Whatever that means.

* Is your dog going crazy in your tiny apartment? Now you have somewhere to take that hyper pooch, the new dog park! Look out for the steaming piles though.

* There has been an increase in public funding for higher education in Maryland. Yeah!  You can use all that money you saved and put it toward beer!