Blog Post
Windows to the soul...and body
by Maxine
This coming Wednesday, September 16, at 7 p.m. at the Downtown Library, holistic health practitioner, Cindy Klement, will be speaking about iridology, a technique that proponents claim can determine your current and future health through the examination of the iris of the eye. Ms. Klement has lectured widely both on iridology and other holistic health related topics. She is also a nutritional consultant and herbalist. Come hear this popular speaker whose presentation will be lively and informative.
Blog Post
Kid Bits - Tricky Troubles
by ryanikoglu
There was a "T" in Ms. Rachel's letter box this week for Tricky and Trouble and Tigers. You can find the stories from Storytime and remember where the tricks and troubles and tigers come in:
Sam And The Tigers: a new telling of little black Sambo by Julius Lester and pictures by Jerry Pinkney.
Anansi And The Moss-Covered Rock by Janet Stevens.
You may be interested in the original text of Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman, with new illustrations by Christopher Bing.
The most memorable part is not the trick or the trouble ... the best part is the tigers turning into delicious tiger butter and being spread on pancakes for dinner. Yumm!
Blog Post
Fifth Avenue Fun!
by StoryLaura
Shouldn’t bear be home by now? Could he be out in the storm? We are bearly hanging in there at the Tuesday 10 am and Wednesday 11 am storytimes at the Downtown Library next week as big bumbling bears get into all kinds of trouble.
Blog Post
Where the Wild Things Are: Not Just a Book
by manz
The film adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved Where the Wild Things Are will be released in theaters on October 16th. You can catch a sneak preview of the film on October 6th at the Michigan Theater, and tickets go on sale this Thursday, September 10th here and at the LSRS&R Shop on 115 E. Liberty. All proceeds will benefit 826Michigan, who is putting together the screening, which will also feature a post-film Q&A session with Dave Eggers. The week leading up to the screening will also include various Wild Things events around town.
The film is co-written by 826 founder & author Dave Eggers and Spike Jonze, who is also the director. Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers and monsters? Amazing! (Apparently Jonze was approached by Sendak to do the adaptation. Here is an interesting NYT article on Jonze.) The story stars young Max, who is rather mischievous, and after getting into trouble he sets off on an adventure to the land of Wild Things, where one is free to do as he pleases. The film features a blend of live puppetry, actors, and computer animation to bring Max and the monsters to life. Be sure to reread the book before you go!
Blog Post
The HomeGrown Festival is this Saturday!
by manz
Ann Arbor’s Homegrown Festival is headed to the Kerrytown market on Saturday, September 12, from 5-10pm. The festival’s website boasts, “The HomeGrown Festival celebrates local food and community and seeks to focus broad mainstream attention on the community-wide benefits (and pleasure!) of eating from our own foodshed.”
In addition to the wonderful food vendors who will be there, there will also be a number of other activities to partake in, including tomato tasting, a beer garden, chef demos, kids’ activities, non-profit booths, and live music. Sounds like good times! Admission is free, food is available for purchase.
Ann Arbor has such a wonderful community with great support in local food efforts. (Think Slow Food Huron Valley.) Celebrate wonderful food and wonderful Michigan farms at this event!
Blog Post
September Gaming Weekend at The Pittsfield Branch
by dubaym
Back in School, with nothing to look forward to but June? Come to the Ann Arbor District Library's Pittsfield Branch for our September Gaming Weekend. This Month is Round Two of the Smash Kart Championship Series 2009. We also have Rock Revolution on Friday Night and PL2:Public Library Pokemon League on Sunday Afternoon. So spend your weekend at the Library (No, you can't spend the night.)
Rock Revolution Rock Band & DDR Tourney
Friday, September 11 6pm to 9pm
Smash Kart Round 2
Saturday, September 12 12pm-5pm
Pokemania PL2:Public Library Pokemon League
Sunday, September 13 1pm-5pm
YOU THINK, YOU GOT GAME? BRING IT!
Blog Post
New Orleans Photo Exhibit
by StoryLaura
Check out the photo show on the 3rd floor of the Downtown Library this month. Like many eager volunteers from around the country, Emma Raynor decided to move down to New Orleans for a few months and help with rebuilding. She had never visited NOLA before the storm. She fell in love with the city as it was, and her show represents a new generation of young adults who are exploring and discovering New Orleans in the raw post-Katrina phase. Ok, I should admit right here that I am the photographer’s proud Mom, who just happens to work at the library, but I know these photos are a tribute to an amazing place! While you're here, check out Patricia Smith’s inspiring poetry collection about Katrina.
Blog Post
Speaker Discusses Fall Safety
by iralax
Approximately 30 percent to 40 percent of senior citizens fall each year, which places falls as the leading cause of accidental death among older adults in the United States. Although it is impossible to prevent all falls, geriatric specialists suggest both improving balance through exercise to avoid falls and employ "fall-proofing" behaviors in and around the home to reduce risks. AADL, in partnership with UM Geriatrics Center, will present a talk by Neil Alexander M.D. on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2:00-3:30 pm to help us understand why falls are not an inevitable part of aging. Dr. Alexander is Director of the UM Mobility Research Center. For those with mobility problems, drive into the parking lot off Huron Pkwy. and take the elevator under the Traverwood Branch for easy access to the library.
Blog Post
That 1 Guy and more at Riverside Park's Jamboree
by katieh
That 1 Guy is bringing his Magic Pipe to Ypsilanti on Saturday September 5 for The Jamboree at Riverside Park! Hailing from Berkeley, California, That 1 Guy (Mike Silverman) is a classically trained upright bassist who broke out in the progressive jazz scene in the '90s. He played percussively, banging on the strings and body of his instrument, but became frustrated when his musical ideas still couldn't come to fruition. Thus the Magic Pipe was born. Standing 7 feet tall and constructed from steel pipes and orchestral bass strings, the instrument has been electronically wired and contains 13 triggers which are then mapped to various sound effects and samples. In more recent years he has added a smoke machine to the Magic Pipe, as well as a Magic Boot (played like a drum), and a Magic Saw. That 1 Guy slaps, bows, plucks, and even utilizes drum sticks to create his quirky, innovative, and completely groovable sound.
The Jamboree at Riverside Park takes place this weekend, Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5. Tickets can be purchased at local vendors (a complete list can be found here) or at the gate on the day of the festival. All proceeds will be given back to the community. Other acts include The Ragbirds, Orpheum Bell, Daisy May and Seth Bernard, and the Ann Arbor favorite The Macpodz.
Blog Post
Music abounds
by Maxine
There are some great musical events coming up later this week. I will highlight two of them that caught my interest. Tom McDermott is a New Orleans pianist whose music, some self composed, is influenced by ragtime, jazz and Brazillian choro music. He will be performing at Kerrytown Concert House this Thursday, September 3 at 8 p.m.
Every Sunday from this Sunday, September 5 until October 11, you can watch a live broadcast of "Radio Free Bacon," a show at the West Park Bandshell featuring Terry Farmer and the Roadhouse Revival Band, interviews, comic sketches and guest performers, all broadcast on radio station WQKL, 107.1 FM. A fun pastime for a Sunday afternoon.