Andy Goldsworthy's Grand Rapids Arch

Mon, 02/20/2006 - 3:29pm by muffy

‘Using the often fragile and fleeting objects and elements of the natural world — snow, stones, twigs, streams—sculptor and photographer Andy Goldsworthy has emerged as among the most respected and influential artists working today.“

The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park’s newest treasure - The Grand Rapids Arch, is now permanently in place.

Check out Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working with Time and images of his other installations the world over. Looking for a little outing over spring break? Bring the family.

Grace Shackman presents Ann Arbor in the 20th Century

Fri, 02/17/2006 - 3:14pm by ulrich

Grace Shackman, local historian, author, and freelance journalist, whose articles on Ann Arbor history have frequently appeared in The Ann Arbor Observer, can be viewed on Community Access Cable Channel 17 next week, as she presents a slide lecture on her book Ann Arbor in the 20th Century: A Pictorial History. The program can be viewed on Tuesday, February 21 at 3:30 p.m.; Thursday, February 23 at 1:30 p.m.; Friday, February 24 at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 25 at 1:30 p.m. She is also the author of Ann Arbor in the 19th Century: A Pictorial History. Videos of talks on both books are also available for borrowing at the library.

The NBA...It's Fantastic!

Fri, 02/17/2006 - 1:59pm by Rich

The NBA's All-Star Weekend is upon us and that means we'll see plenty of incredible dunks, fancy passes, and long-range threes. And let's not forget the sloppy, playground moves and the non-existent defense!

The library has many books and videos related to the NBA, including the following:
Operation Yao Ming: The Chinese Sports Empire, American Big Business, and the Making of an NBA Superstar
Young, Black, Rich, and Famous: The Rise of the NBA, the Hip Hop Invasion, and the Transformation of American Culture
Basketball's Best Shots: The Greatest NBA Photography of the Century
(continued...)

Keepin' It Real: A Turbulent Season at the Crossroads with the NBA
Vintage Basketball: The Pioneer Era (1946-56)
The NBA at Fifty
The Official NBA Encyclopedia
Calling the Shots: My Five Decades in the NBA (by former referee Earl Strom)
Men at Work: The 2004 NBA Champions (the story of the 2004 Detroit Pistons)

Finally, as someone who grew up in the Chicago area as a huge Bulls fan, I am required by the unofficial rules of fandom to mention the following titles:
Chicago Bulls: The 1990s (4 Discs on the greatest teams in NBA history)
(3 Discs on the greatest player in NBA history)

Ballroom dancing sizzles on screen

Thu, 02/16/2006 - 11:23am by Eartoground

When pre-teens from New York City schools learn and compete in ballroom dancing, the visual results are magnificent. Simply the expressions on the kids' faces make this film worthwhile, but there also are plenty of rich, human stories. On a winter night at home, this DVD could provide family entertainment for children about 8 and older. Enjoy Mad Hot Ballroom!

Dangerous Mining

Wed, 02/15/2006 - 8:53pm by sstonez

Mining and mining accidents have been very much in the news lately, with four separate accidents claiming lives in the past weeks. As NPR’s Morning Edition discussed this morning, some critics of mining industry regulations are beginning to wonder about the industry regulators’ efficacy. The Federal Mining Safety and Health Administration is charged both with ongoing industry regulation and supervision as well as rescue efforts in mine emergencies. However, as the film Salt of the Earth explores, it takes a lot more than a federal agency to make real changes in miners’ lives.

Older and Wiser?

Thu, 02/09/2006 - 3:08pm by ryanikoglu

Do you wonder what's ahead in life? Did you enjoy Tuesdays With Morrie? More moving and unexpected treasures lie in Am I Old Yet? and the documentary film Sunset Story. Think on!

Video Art

Thu, 02/09/2006 - 10:52am by sstonez

Fluxus member and collaborative video, electronics, and performance artist Nam June Paik passed away January 29th, so it seems appropriate that University of Michigan art, dance, ethnomusicology, and electrical engineering professors are collaborating on "vidGod" February 10 & 11. Billed as an "electronic opera," this twenty-first century piece fuses the immediacy of live human performers with the possibilities of electronics and computer-generated sound and images. Two free performances on Friday, February 10th and Saturday the 11th at 8 PM. "vidGod" will be performed at the Duderstadt Center Video Studio, 2281 Bonisteel Boulevard at Murfin, North Campus. For more information please call (734) 615-3726 or see this news article from the Duderstadt Center.

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

Wed, 02/08/2006 - 10:02am by Rich

What is the introduction to the Constitution called? How many times may a Congressman be re-elected? Who wrote the "Star-Spangled Banner"? Can you name the thirteen original states? Can you name two senators from your state?

If you're applying to become a naturalized U.S. Citizen, you'll need to know the answers to these and other questions about U.S. history and government. The library has a number of books to help you study for the citizenship exam, including Citizenship Made Simple, Becoming a Citizen, United States Citizenship Handbook, Barron's How to Prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Test, and Nolo's Becoming a U.S. Citizen.

We also have a DVD series called Citizenship Interactive to help people prepare for the exam. This series is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese.

*To learn the answers to the questions above and other sample questions, click here

The Play Ground

Mon, 02/06/2006 - 2:03pm by Albert

Murray Burns. Chuckles The Chipmunk. Nick, Wilbur Malcolm, Theodore, Raphael Sabatini, Dr. Morris Fishbein, Woodrow, King, Rover, Lefty, Chevrolet, Big Sam Burns.
The Play Ground has never forgotten the first time he saw A Thousand Clowns with
Jason Robards, Barbara Harris, Gene Saks and Martin Balsam. Never mind that
cast of thousands himself, Barry Gordon as a very man-like child. Funny, tragic, sad.
Bring your tissues and your empathy to the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre from March 2-5 or
borrow the Robards version from our library.

Music in the Future

Fri, 02/03/2006 - 4:43pm by sstonez

You may have heard about Best Buy's new partnership with independent online music source CDBaby. What else will shape the future of music and the music industry? David Kusek's new book The Future of Music explores the cluster of issues around music and the recording industry as we move into the 21st century, as does the PBS Frontline documentary The Way the Music Died. I certainly don't know where music is heading, but I bet the future will sound something like this...