Valentine's Cupcake

We're kicking it old school with cookie and cupcake decorating. Frosting and lots of toppings are the name of the game. Eat them yourself or save some for a sweet gift. For grades 6-12. See you this Sunday, Feb. 11 from 2-4 PM at the Downtown Library...

snowflake

Embrace the icy weather by visiting the Ice Carving Extravaganza on Main Street. Watch members of the UM ice carving team carve ice into detailed sculptures on the sidewalks of downtown Ann Arbor on Feb. 9 from 6-10 PM and Feb. 10 from 10-6 PM. The sculptures will remain on display as long as the wintry weather continues. Bundle up!

On your walk downtown, stop at the library to warm up and pick out some good books to read by the fire. Some of my favorites are Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and One Winter’s Day by Christina Butler

Weird Science

Ages 9 and up
DT Youth Story Corner 4-5pm February 7

Want to do some cool science experiments at the library after school? Learn how to make your own tornado, a cool paper airplane, marbleize paper, and other weird and wacky science activities at the Downtown Library.

You found SOMETHING HIDDEN! And here it is: MARBLEIZEDTORNADO

Even as winter is deepening, dedicated gardeners are beginning to think about and plan for their spring and summer gardening activities. To heighten environmental awareness Project Grow is partnering with the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship program to offer a series of special classes to gardeners designed to help protect groundwater and the local watershed. The classes are free and will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 pm. in the Leslie Science Center Nature House. The classes will include topics such as Rain Gardens (March 7), Green Roofs (March 14), and Organic Lawn Care (March 21). Additional classes in April will be offered to help gardeners with visual impairments. These will take place on Wednesday April 11 and April 18 at 3:00 p.m. Applications for Project Grow's Community Gardens will also soon be available. To register call 996-3169.

DSKitteh

Beginning Monday, February 5 the Downtown Youth Department will start taking submissions for the "Pet & Wildlife Photo Contest." Students in grades K-12 are eligible for the contest. Here are the details: Limit of 2 entries per person. Each photo must have your name, phone # and either your pet's name or a photo title on the back of the photo and be accompanied by a signed entry form (available at the time of photo drop-off). Photos may be black & white or color, must be no larger than 5x7" and must be glossy prints only. Photos will be judged based on subject, originality and creativity. One winner and one honorable mention will be named in each of 4 categories: Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8 and 9-12. Entries may be dropped off at the Downtown Youth Department Reference Desk during library hours beginning Monday, February 5 at 10:00 AM through Thursday, March 8 by 9:00 PM. Every photo entered will be displayed in the Downtown Youth Department during the month of March., beginning Friday, March 9. Photos will be returned to participants and can be picked up anytime during the first week of April.

If you missed Tracy Kidder’s Jan. 25 appearance at Washtenaw Community College, here’s your opportunity to see his presentation. During February, CTN (channel 19) will broadcast this outstanding Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads event at the following times:
Premiere: Thurs., 2/1, 8:00 pm
Replays:
Sat., 2/3, 1:00 pm
Sun., 2/4, 8:00 pm
Mon., 2/5, 7:00 pm
Tues., 2/6, 11:00 am
Wed., 2/7, 3:00 pm
Thurs., 2/8, 3:00 pm
Fri. 2/9, 7:00 pm
Sat., 2/10, 1:00 pm
Sun., 2/11, 8:00 pm
Mon., 2/12, 7:00 pm
Tues., 2/13, 11:00 am
Wed., 2/14, 3:00 pm
Fri., 2/16, 7:00 pm
Sat., 2/17, 1:00 pm

We will be tossing beans to keep those demons away and celebrate Setsubun, at our Japanese Family Cultural Celebration this Sunday at 2:00 pm at the Downtown Library. We will begin the festivities with a story and a demon mask craft upstairs, then parade downstairs for music with Miyabi and pocky treats. Families with children of all ages are invited to attend and while you are here, check out Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories and other folktale collections.

We did "things that go" in Baby PlayGroup this week. You can go home with books like Beep Beep Let's Go; Sail Away Little Boat; Sheep In A Jeep; Jiggle Joggle Jee; Giddy-Up! Let's Ride; or I Love Trucks and GO some more.

Harley the groundhog will be taking a break in her long winter’s nap this Friday to join us at the Pittsfield Branch for a Groundhog Gathering. Harley is one of a pair of female groundhogs at the Howell Nature Center. While Harley spends the day making diplomatic visits, her best friend Woody has an important job closer to home—she’ll be predicting the weather from her habitat at the center. According to an article in the Detroit Free Press, Woody is almost never wrong—she’s correctly predicted the spring weather six of her eight years. For a further celebration of groundhog girl power, the Downtown Storytime at 11am this Tuesday will feature Punxsutawney Phyllis, the tale of a female groundhog determined to succeed, despite her gender.

science fair

Stumped for ideas? Don't know if your idea will fly? Join us for an informational open house! Librarians will be on hand to assist you with our collections, show you resources you didn't know we had, and offer guidance on what's on the web that would be helpful. Dan Ezekiel and Maureen Michael, AAPS Science Teachers, will be on hand to talk about your project and give advice. See you on Monday, Jan. 29 from 6:30-8:30 at the Downtown Library in the Youth Department.