National Library Week is coming, April 13-19, 2008. El Dia De Los Ninos is April 30 every year. School Library Media Month is April every year. What better time to inform yourselves on Intellectual Freedom. Strong libraries help build strong minds.

That very question is posed in Searching for Bobby Fischer when a chess teacher talks with the father of a 7-year-old boy, Josh, who shows an amazing gift for playing chess. The teacher goes on to say that, "Bobby Fischer got underneath it like no one before and found at its center, art." And what's Josh's answer? When talking on the phone with a buddy, Josh explains, "Chess. It's a game, like Monopoly."

If you've never seen this flick, check it out. And, if you enjoy playing chess, come this Sunday, April 6 (1-4 p.m.), to Pittsfield Branch for Chesstastic. It's a chance to play a whole variety of opponents from the youngest age to senior citizens.

Second City

The improvisational comedy troupe known as The Second City will bring their shenanigans to The Ark in Ann Arbor on April 10 & 11. Second City was founded in Chicago in the late 50s and has been a springboard for much comedic talent, including Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Chris Farley, Dan Aykroyd, Joan Rivers, John Belushi, Alan Arkin and many others. Join the troupe for “One Nation, Under Blog,” an evening of improvised and scripted sketch comedy that is current, interactive and gosh darn funny. Feel like reading too? Check out The Second City almanac of improvisation.
Thursday April 10, 8pm & Friday April 11, 7:30pm. Visit The Ark’s website for more info and ticket information.

Don’t miss the last AXIS Coffeehouse for the spring this Friday at the Malletts Creek Branch. If you’ve never been to the coffeehouse, it’s an open mic night for teens in grade 6-12. Perform your own work, or your favorite by somebody else. Recruit one of your friends, and perform something together. Don’t feel like going up to the mic? No problem! Just hang out, enjoy the free snacks, and enjoy the company. All teen performers will receive a $5 fine forgiveness coupon.

Settlers of Catan

Join us for an afternoon of strategy and fun gameplay - this Sunday, March 30 from 1:00-4:00 PM @ the Downtown Library (in the MP room)! The library owns copies of the award-winning Settlers of Catan, Carcassone, Condotierre and Chrononauts, but attendees are welcome and encouraged to bring along their favorite Euro-style board game (no Monopoly or Sorry here!). Bring friends, learn to play a new game, or teach someone to play your fave - Teens in grades 6 & up and adults are welcome! These may be no-tech games, but there are definately not no-fun. Alex Horvath, owner of the store Get Your Game On (on Packard @ State) will be there to play games and offer a coupon to his store for attendees. Snack and drinks will be served - see you there!

Ann Arbor home

Are you planning for retirement in the near or distant future? New housing options such as The Village Model are becoming more common for people who want to remain in their own home after retirement. To learn more, come to the Aging In Place program presented by Blueprint for Aging on April 5th at 1pm at the Malletts Creek Branch.

AADL-GT Pad Logo

No school Friday! So, what to do? How about a high score contest across 8 vintage videogames at our third annual Retro Octathlon? How about a 42" TV in the back of the room running nothing but Super Smash Brothers Brawl ALL DAY LONG? You can have both in the MP Room at the Downtown Library Friday, from 1-8 pm. And, just in case that's not enough smash for you, there will also be open Melee during the Wii Tennis Doubles Tournament, Saturday from 1-5 pm. Prizes for Retro High Total Scorers and for Wii Sports, plus snacks. See you there! Read on for full Retro Octathlon Details.

Learn how to access Learning Express Library to take practice tests for either the ACT or SAT. Join us from 10:30-12:00 p.m. in the Pittsfield Computer Training Center.

basement arts

The University of Michigan's Basement Arts program is a hidden gem of their theater department. Begun in 1987 in a space no larger than a storage room, the idea was to offer free quality performances produced by U of M theater students. The performances now take place in Studio One at the new Walgreen Drama Center. Their current production, "Mock Rock," is a "riotous evening of song parodies" by members of this U-M student theater troupe. Time is 11 p.m., this Saturday, March 22 at the Walgreen Drama Center, 1226 Murfin, North Campus. Call 764-6800 for more information.

Iceberg

UM Exhibit Museum of Natural History presents the last Polar Science Adventures in the series! Explore the effects of the melting of land ice and sea ice. How will it affect polar animals or people? What can we do to help right now?

Join this workshop for children ages 6-11 and an adult to learn about the Artic and Antarctica. Activities are designed to be accomplished with collaboration between adults and kids. Register at any public services desk or call the library at 327-4200 and choose a session. Walk-ins are also welcome!
Pittsfield Wednesday, March 26th, 4:30-5:30 PM
Malletts Creek Saturday, March 29th, 10-11 AM
Northeast Saturday, March 29th, 2-3 PM