What better format through which to explore science than comics? Jim Ottaviani does a splendid job of introducing us to the scientists who shaped the 20th century (including one of my all time favorites Richard P. Feynman). His informative writing is enhanced by the illustrative stylings of many talented artists.

Jim Ottaviani will be at the Kerrytown Book Festival this Sunday (September 9) appearing on the Future of Comic Art panel with Jerzy Drozd, Kay Fedewa, and Chad Sell.

Dawn Farm

Walking past Peaceable Kingdom earlier this week, I noticed an adorable poster in their window. Arranged in layers like a barnyard trifle, a thoughtful cow, an orderly row of puffy chicks, and a stout pink pig announce the 34th annual Dawn Farm Jamboree. The event takes place this Sunday, September 9, which happens to be the same day as the Kerrytown BookFest and the AAUW Book Sale here in Ann Arbor. All those pastoral animals marching by make me want to reach for James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small, or perhaps a little Dick King Smith. That’ll do, pig.

Taking the ACT or SAT soon? LearningExpressLibrary can help you get ready. Join us 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Pittsfield Computer Training Center and take an e-practice test.

Celebrate National Stepfamily Day on Sunday, September 16, with a family picnic. Have a private backyard picnic or join in on a city park picnic. Visit the National Stepfamily Day website for more information on this annual event. A local picnic is being held at Kensington Park in Milford, Michigan. Find out more about this event before checking out some good books and movies at the library. Like Yours, Mine and Ours, Maxx Comedy: the Funniest Kid in America, Stepsister from the Planet Weird, and Boundless Grace.

Fall is nearly here, and you know what that means- the corn mazes are open for business! Nothing else will get you as into the mood for Halloween or Fall itself as a trip through a corn maze once the weather has cooled down. Stop and imagine it: hot apple cider, the leaves changing color, piles of pumpkins, and racing to beat your friends or family through a maze. Try out these local thrills:

Plymouth Orchard and Cider Mill
Obstbaum Orchards
Talladay Farms Three Cedars Farm
Wiards Orchard

Hear ye, hear ye! Be sure to check out the Michigan Renaissance Festival! It runs in Holly this year every weekend from August 18- September 30th and provides a day of entertainment for just about everyone! There are plenty of events, activities, and unique shopping experiences to draw in all sorts of people. This upcoming weekend features the Buccaneer Beer Fest. Argh! If you would like to attend the festivities in costume, feel free to check out one of the library's books on Renaissance clothing, such as Vecellio's Renaissance Costume Book by Cesare Vecellio.

AADL-GT Pad Logo

OK, guys, it's time for the start of the 4th Annual AADL-GT Super Smash Double Dash championship season! Round 1 is just days away, but first, we've got something new that you may be interested in: the AADL-GT Podcast studio. We're producing a short podcast about the next season, and this Tuesday, August 21, from 3-5 PM, you can come to the downtown library and find out how to produce your own AADL-GT Podcast! Maybe you want to make your predictions for the season; maybe you want to do a monthly podcast about your clan and its prowess. Maybe you want to take your trash talk to the next level... or maybe you'd like to discuss the subtleties of smash attacks. You tell us! Come to get familiar with the tools on Tuesday, and then make a studio appointment to record your podcast. We'll then publish your podcasts here on aadl.org where anyone can subscribe to your show. See you there!

But, that's not all. We'll warm up for the start of the season in the Downtown Library Multipurpose Room with an All-Ages Dance Dance Revolution Tournament, Friday Night, 8/24 from 6-8:45 PM. We'll then have Super Smash Double Dash Round 1 for grades 6-12, Saturday, 8/25, from Noon - 5 PM, and then something new: an All-ages Mario Party tournament, Sunday, 8/26, from 1-4 PM. So, get registered, get your clan together for the start of the clan season, and we'll see you at the events!

Mentos Fountain

Get in on the action and try out some fun chemistry at EXPLODapalooza on Wednesday, August 15 at 2PM at the Malletts Creek Branch. Make your own Alka-Seltzer rocket and bask in the joy of a mentos fountain. It will be a glorious, exploding hour. Hope to see you there!

Program is for children in 4th grade and up. Please note that the program was incorrectly published as starting at 7 PM in a local publication.

This Saturday, Michael Nagara, a local artist and Sunday Artisan Market regular, will present the process by which he designs his hand-altered digital prints. Nagara creates his work using software similar to that used by animation studios like Pixar and Dreamworks, and he never borrows imagery or manipulates photographs. Besides gleaning some of Michael’s technique, attendees will all get to take home a print signed by the artist.

Thinking about getting digital yourself? The Library owns a number of books on creating digital art, as well as guides to software like Adobe Photoshop. Get inspired on Saturday, and then get started!

Join us this Monday @ the Downtown Library’s Multi-Purpose Room from 2:00 to 4:00 for the last meeting of the Animanga Club. Gear up for this fall’s Naruto Nation by watching episodes of the anime and making your own ninja headband. Can you name all the members of Team 8, or match the signature move to the character? You won’t want to miss our trivia quiz—there are cool prizes from Wizzywig for those with high scores. We’ll also have updates on our fall anime/manga events. Snacks and drinks will be provided. See you there!