Folk guitarist Richie Havens burst onto the scene at the famous Woodstock Folk Festival of 1969. Since then, he has been wowing audiences with his high energy guitar playing, powerful voice and stirring lyrics. Havens comes to The Ark this Sunday, May 11. You can buy tickets online at Ticketmaster or in person at the Ark ticket office, the Michigan Union or at the Herb David Guitar Studio.

Whether you're shopping used cars dealers or Craigslist, auto technology instructor Paul Kruthaup will tell you the things you need to know to buy a car that not only looks good but runs well too. This program, titled "Buy a Ride: No Clunkers, Lemons, or Junkers," will be held from 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, in the Malletts Creek branch program room.

Everyone is invited to hear four local citizens who walk, bike, carpool or take the bus to work explain why their commute is important to them. Audience members will also have a chance to talk about their favorite way of commuting. Click here for more information on this program, which takes place Thursday, May 8, 2008, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room. It's a great opportunity to get to know many people who want to make Ann Arbor a better place and live healthier by burning less fossil fuel. Cosponsored by getDowntown and the Ann Arbor Area Chamer of Commerce.

Come and play one of the world's most popular games with players of all ages! Chess sets are provided.

Join us 1-4 p.m., Sunday, May 4, 2008 at the Pittsfield Branch.

This Friday, May 2, The Women's Center of Southeastern Michigan will be hosting their seventh annual fundraising event, "Opening Doors," an auction and dinner at the Morris Lawrence Building of Washtenaw Community College. The Women's Center is an agency devoted to helping women acheive personal and economic self-sufficiency through personal and financial counseling, job coaching and support groups. They charge minimal fees so that any woman can take advantage of their services. For more information on the event or their services, call 973-6779.

We have a great collection of books at the library on women's issues that may also be helpful to women going through some life transitions.

Join AADL and YDL Sunday April 27 for Día from 1-4 downtown. There will be fun crafts for kids; storytelling (¡en Español!) & refreshments. We will feature the festive sounds of Mariachi Cora Jose Bueno so come on down! This event is for all ages to enjoy, and parking is free on Sundays. ¡El Día de Los Niños El Día de los Libros!

"There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew." ~Marshall McLuhan, 1964

Today, April 22 is the official anniversary of Earth Day which was first observed in 1970. Since then, both national and local groups hold celebrations, usually either the weekend before or after. In Ann Arbor, Earth Day festivities will be sponsored by the Leslie Science Center on Sunday, April 27. To become more knowledgeable about enviromental issues, check out the Library's wide ranging collection of materials on global warming and energy conservation.

Join us downtown in the Multi-Purpose Room from 9:30-10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 25, for Music & Motion. Babies and kids to age 5 will learn about the violin and piano, hear a story from Gari Stein, and dance to music from members of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. The program will be repeated from 10:30-11:00 a.m.

Are you happy with the results of your Google searches? Test your Search Engine Know-How on Thursday, from 1:00-3:00 pm, at the Malletts Creek Branch Training Center. Learn how to use search engines more efficiently and find out some tips and tricks for getting the results you want. Registration is required. Call 327-8367 to reserve a spot. (No charge for Library cardholders; $10 for non-cardholders).

Ann Arbor welcomes the 14th Dalai Lama this week for a two-day educational program, Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20, sponsored by Jewel Heart, Garrison Institute, and The Tibet Fund. The Dalai Lama is the subject of several works in the Library, including the recent book The Open Road: The Global Journey of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, currently on order; the award-winning film Kundun, by Martin Scorsese; and the DVD 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama. He's also written many books. For an excellent overview, try The Essential Dalai Lama: His Important Teachings. The Dalai Lama will deliver the Peter M. Wege Lecture on Sustainability at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in Crisler arena in conjunction with Ann Arbor Earth Day celebrations. A live broadcast will be carried on Michigan Channel 22 on Comcast cable in the greater Ann Arbor area and a live streaming video will be available at: http://umtv-live.rs.itd.umich.edu/pres/dalailama.asx.

Can you build a skyscraper out of lasagna noodles? A house out of marshmallow cereal treats? What about the Taj Mahal out of graham crackers? Come hang out at Mallets Creek Friday, April 11 from 2-3 pm for Edible Architecture.

Celebrate National Library Week, April 13-19, with a variety of events at the Ann Arbor District Library that promote this year's theme, "Join the Circle of Knowledge @ Your Library". National Library Week was first sponsored in 1958 by the American Library Association and libraries across the country to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and promote library use and support. This year Julie Andrews is Honorary Chair of National Library Week. Her recent autobiography, Home: A Memoir of My Early Years, is now available.

"Woman's Day" Magazine and the American Library Association are co-sponsoring a new health initiative. The magazine is asking readers 18 or older to submit stories of 700 words or less on how libraries have helped them improve their own or a family member's health. Up to four of the stories will be featured in the March, 2009 issue. Deadline for submissions is May 11, 2008. For submission guidelines, go to their guidelines page.

Bored this week? Come to the downtown library for open play this Tuesday, April 8, Wednesday, April 9th, and Thursday, April 10 for gamecube, ps2, and Wii open play! Each day, we'll welcome Kids from Noon until 3 PM and Teens from 3 to 6 PM. Will there be Brawl, you ask? OF COURSE there will be Brawl. Winner stays. How long can you stay in command? Come find out.

DTE Energy is offering a free energy efficiency seminar at The Ark in Ann Arbor. You’ll get suggestions and solutions from experts, suppliers and installers on managing energy costs for your new or existing home. As another resource, check out the new book This Cold House: The Simple Science of Energy Efficiency.
Saturday April 12, 2008, 11am. Doors open at 10:30 am. Free.
Make sure you register for the seminar here!