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Blog Post

Calling All High School Students!

by amy

Do you love local history? If so, you or your team could win the annual Ray Detter Local History Award for up to one thousand dollars! And our Oldnews team at AADL can help! Possible projects you could consider include, but are not limited to one of the following:

  • Document an historic site in Ann Arbor.
  • Assist with Ann Arbor Historical Street Exhibit tours.
  • Develop material for a local historical museum: e.g., Kempf House Museum, Cobblestone Farm, Museum on Main Street.
  • Produce media that promotes local history, e.g. Community TV; graphic novel.
  • Document an interview with a local historian.
  • Contribute to local history efforts at the Ann Arbor District Library.
  • Develop a program to promote this Award to all Ann Arbor high schools.

Watch this video for more information about the award, or email project director Ilene Tyler at historicA2@gmail.com.

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Blog Post

Mast Shoes Marks 75th Anniversary

by oldnews

In 1942, Ann Arbor High School graduate Walter Mast struck out on his own and opened Mast Shoe Store on S. Main St. No sooner had Mr. Mast opened the store than Uncle Sam called and Helen Mast took over running the store while Walter served in World War II.

In 1949 Mast Shoes added a Campus store on Liberty with elegant departments for women and men. Their stores featured the latest styles in sandals, winter boots, trendy boots, and top brands for men.

In 1968 the flagship store moved down to 217 S. Main and re-opened with much larger display areas. The Westgate store opened in 1993. In 1997, Tom and Greg Mast made the tough decision to close the Main Street store. In 2004, the Masts closed the Liberty St. store, concentrating their business to Westgate. Stop by Westgate and see the display of vintage photos they've put in the store to celebrate their 75th anniversary.

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Blog Post

Sweetwaters Westgate Anniversary Party

by valerieclaires

Our neighbors at the Westgate Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea are celebrating their one-year anniversary!

On Sunday, September 10 from 12 to 4 p.m., they'll host a big party full of family-friendly events like storytelling, chalk games, live music, and (of course!) birthday treat samples.

Join them for an afternoon of fun and celebrating!

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Blog Post

Consumer Reports Online

by lucroe

Consumer Reports database is now available to search online at the library or wherever you have access to the Internet, you just login to your online account. You can read reviews and ratings on products, cars, and various services as well as articles from current and past magazine issues (starting in 2012, located at the bottom of the page). So when you are in the market to buy a new washing machine, for example, just type that term in the search box at the top of the page and press enter. You will get ratings, recommendations, a buying guide, and a comparison of the top rated products.

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Blog Post

"Ride With Me Through the Journey of More Success" - Khaled Mohamed Khaled

by zurenkot

When Khaled Mohamed Khaled’s parents immigrated to the United States from Palestine in the 1970’s they came with the idea that the American Dream could work for them. And yet, while Khaled and his parents were selling clothes out of their van at New Orleans flea markets, they couldn’t have possibly dreamt of the success that their young son would eventually attain.

With a bevy of certified Gold and Platinum singles, collaborations with some of the most talented and most recognized rappers in the industry, major brand endorsements and an enormous presence on social media, DJ Khaled, as he's now known, has achieved everything his parents could have dreamed for him. But the best part is that DJ Khaled keeps dreaming.

In early 2016 DJ Khaled started posting short videos on social media in which the mogul/producer would lay out his keys to success. Everything from brushing your teeth, to recognizing loyalty within your circle of friends, were keys to success. And now, with the publication of Khaled’s first book, The Keys, those successes can be yours!

Being part autobiography, part self-help book, part business manual, layered with a whole lot of mogul talk make The Keys a must read for, well… anyone. Khaled’s keys to success can be applied across all disciplines and lifestyles. His writing is very accessible, and in some cases there is absolutely no denying his logic. The book is fun to read and has some surprisingly deep insights into social and business relationships.

So, if I were to ask you if you are the best library patron what would you say?

If you said no, then I am disappointed in you.

Because you are the best library patron.

We the best library patrons.

For more on DJ Khaled check out his Wikipedia page, or put a hold on his music or book.

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Lectures & Panel Discussions

Record Store Day Film Screening And Discussion: All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records

Saturday April 16, 2016: 3:00pm to 6:00pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
Grade 6 - Adult

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Blog Post

Small Business Funding Workshop at Washtenaw Community College

by monkk

Join Kory Scheiber from the Small Business Development Center and Harriet Hughes from the University of Michigan Credit Union for Money Talks – Do You Speak Its Language? The Legends and Myths of Small Business Funding on Thursday, January 28 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the WCC Business Education Building, Room BE270. This presentation gives current or prospective entrepreneurs insight into different types of funding used by small businesses including loans, lines of credit, and crowdfunding. Also discussed will be the criteria used by loan officers to evaluate a loan request. A team of experts will demystify the lending process, discuss the importance of personal credit history, debunk the myths about grants, and share real life examples of successful funding applications across the different platforms. Register now!

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Lectures & Panel Discussions

Where's It Hanging: Marketing Your Art

Wednesday March 9, 2016: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

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Blog Post

Old News Way Back Day: December 17, 1935

by oldnews

This month Old News travels back 80 years to December 17, 1935. Local news dominated the front page that day with the major announcement of the merger of three banks, Ann Arbor Savings Bank, the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, and First National Bank and Trust Co. The merger, in the middle of the Great Depression, was seen as reassuring move in an otherwise shaky banking industry. Economic conditions dominated other local news as the Ann Arbor Public School announced federal funding for nursery schools and adult education. The WPA plan for a "practice house" where girls from relief families would be trained as housemaids was also unveiled. Even the Letters to the Editor were concerned with the Depression as a citizen called on neighbors to drop their opposition to a home for orphan children in the 7th ward. Perhaps related to the dire economic conditions (or not), the Courts took up the case of the stolen hog.

Many of the holiday traditions familiar to Ann Arborites took center stage in 1935. A front page article predicted that thousands would listen to the University Choral Union's Messiah at Hill Auditorium. The Community Sing, begun in 1931, was promoted with a full-page display complete with lyrics to all the favorite Christmas songs for the expected 10,000 carolers. The University of Michigan's Subscription Dance was becoming so popular organizers had to limit ticket sales. The local schools were not to be outdone with the Tappan School students putting on a production of Dicken's Christmas Carol. Check out the list of players and you may recognize a Townie. The annual Yule Lighting Contest deadline was extended to give citizens plenty of time to decorate their yards.

Amateur sports were big, really big, in 1935. Amateur boxing nights at the Armory drew big crowds and prominent coverage in the News. Mill Marsh, the News sports columnist, mused on the growing popularity of Wolverine hockey and basketball. Intrepid wrestling coach Cliff Keen regaled the Ann Arbor Kiwanis with a description of the drama of Big Ten conference matches.

So what kind of routine news would you find in the Ann Arbor Daily News in 1935? Plenty. Birthdays were celebrated, marriage license announced, deaths noted, weather data recorded, and the ever-present promotional contests, with readers competing for prizes with funny verses. Readers looked to the radio listings for their favorite programs and the theater ads for the latest films from Hollywood.

Much has changed in Ann Arbor in 80 years but it's amazing to note how many business are still around. Moe Sport Shop, celebrating 100 years in 2015, had a gorgeous display ad to tempt holiday shoppers. Kroger Co. gave cooks a list of the most-needed holiday items. Arbor Springs reminded readers to stock up on water for the holiday dinners. Stay tuned to Old News for more Way Back Days.