Project Grow Gardens

Fri, 11/17/2006 - 8:09pm by Mazie

If you don't have the space to plant your own flowers and vegetables, you might want to contact Project Grow. You can fill out an application for one of the organization's community gardens online. They are available now!

Hard copies of the applications will be available in the winter newsletter, coming out in late January or early February 2007.

You can also call 734-996-3169 for more information.

It's never too early to start dreaming about next year's garden and its bountiful pleasures.

Feeling Crafty?

Thu, 11/16/2006 - 5:55pm by anned

This Fall, the makers of Make magazine released a new creation, Craft magazine. If you are a current crafter or aspiring to become one, take a look at their wonderful website. It contains a blog where crafters post photos of their creations and often instructions for you to make them too.

Want even more information on crafting? The library has hundreds of instructional craft books for you to check out.

Not a do-it-yourselfer? Don’t fret; you can jump on the craft bandwagon by supporting local artists at the upcoming Winter Shadow Art Fair in Ypsilanti. This two day event runs Friday, December 1 (8pm to midnight) and Saturday, December 2 (11am to 8pm) at the Corner Brewery. Visit the website for more information.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Wed, 11/15/2006 - 10:41am by Debbie G.

The new Washtenaw County Trial Court web site is now in session. Potential jurors can check the web site to see if they need to report, read the Juror's Handbook and get directions to the Courthouse. The Calendar link lists the docket for each Trial Court and is updated daily. Over 150 web pages are available on every division of the Courts.

Open for Business

Tue, 11/14/2006 - 5:00pm by Debbie G.

Hurrah! West Stadium is back – no more cones or detour lanes. Cranberry muffins at the Portofino Coffee House, grandbaby books at Nicola’s, fresh peanut butter at Arbor Farms Market, door knobs to die for at Expressions in Hardware, gourmet stoves at Big George’s, down home meals at Zingerman’s Road House. Ace Hardware (best tablecloths in town), University Aquarium & Pet Shop (love those crazy cats), too many merchants to list. Take a drive down beautiful, smooth, West Stadium Boulevard and shop ‘til you drop.

November Books to Films

Tue, 11/14/2006 - 3:39pm by muffy

Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, a bio-pic of the celebrated photographer, is based loosely on Patricia Bosworth's Diane Arbus: a biography. There is plenty of Oscar talk for Nicole Kidman who plays Arbus.

A Good Year with Russell Crowe, Albert Finney and the young beautiful Aussie Abbie Cornish is based on Peter Mayle's novel about a London financial barracuda who inherits a Provençal chateau and vineyard.

Remake of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale. Published in 1953, it was his very first James Bond novel. This 2006 film version features a brand new 007.

A young and edgy cast with Greg Kinnear, Avril Lavigne and Ethan Hawke, and directed by Richard Linklater will delight you in an adaptation of Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, a hard hit on the fast-food industry.

Historic Preservation – The Revised Edition

Thu, 11/09/2006 - 4:23pm by Debbie G.

The City of Ann Arbor is holding public meetings to discuss proposed revisions to the Historic Preservation ordinance, Chapter 103. The meetings will be held on Thursday, Nov. 16th at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. at Bach Elementary School. The meetings will explain the proposed changes, how they will affect our community and provide an opportunity for residents to comment on the draft ordinance.

Ann Arbor's 15th Tellabration

Wed, 11/08/2006 - 5:04pm by Mazie

The Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild is bringing Elizabeth Ellis from Dallas to town for eight days of performances and workshops. The kickoff is this coming Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Clare's/Temple Beth Emeth (2309 Packard).

Tickets for an Evening of Storytelling for Grownups are $8 at the door. Other performers on the program are guild members Jeff Doyle, Rob McCabe, and Carol Pranschke.

Check out the rest of the workshops and programs that are planned for the entire week.

Conger Fall Home Tour

Sun, 11/05/2006 - 2:34pm by Mazie

Want to peek inside some of Ann Arbor's loveliest homes?

On Thursday November 9, 2006 from 10 am to 4 pm you can help a good cause and indulge your interest and curiosity by joining the annual Conger Home Tour from 10 am to 4 pm.

This year the Tour is happening a month earlier than usual to offer participants more time to visit the homes. And the homes will not be decorated for the holidays but have been chosen for their unique artwork and decoration that stand out year round.

The Conger Holiday Market will happen on Tuesday December 5 and your Home Tour ticket will get you in the door.

The proceeds from the Tour support scholarships for women at the University of Michigan through the Lucile B. Conger Alumnae Group.

Tickets are $20 at the door and $15 in advance for this tour of four Ann Arbor Homes. You can also call 734-433-9698 for further information.

Feast of Love and Popularity

Fri, 11/03/2006 - 3:25pm by Eartoground

Borders has the best bookstores, followed by Nicola’s Books and Shaman Drum. The best local authors are Charles Baxter, Elizabeth Kostova and Steve Amick. Those are among highlights of the third annual Readers’ Choice Awards, published this week by the Ann Arbor News. The whole list - restaurants, stores, etc. - is in an insert to the Nov. 1 paper, available in the periodicals areas of the Downtown Library and at our branches.

Youmacon is here!

Wed, 11/01/2006 - 8:48pm by joy k

Youmacon, “Metro Detroit's first and only anime con,” is being held this weekend, from November 3-5, 2006 at the Hilton Detroit/Troy. The full programming schedule has now been posted on the con web site. Be sure you don’t miss the featured guests, who include Caitlyn Glass, voice actress for Winry in Fullmetal Alchemist, and Matt Hill, voice actor for Kero in Cardcaptor Sakura.

Don’t worry if you missed pre-registration--on-site registration will be available!