Are you interested in becoming a paramedic? Are you curious about what goes on inside an ambulance? If you answered yes to either of those questions then the following program may be just what the doctor ordered.

The Huron Valley Ambulance facility is hosting HVA Behind the Scenes. This is a free, interactive 6-week program where participants explore what it takes to provide quality emergency medical services to HVA's multi-county service area. HVA Behind the Scenes runs for six consecutive Wednesdays starting April 4 through May 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at HVA's headquarters located at 1200 State Circle in Pittsfield Township.

HVA Behind the Scenes participants will learn how 9-1-1 medical calls are dispatched, be trained in the latest CPR techniques and visit Pittsfield Public Safety for an up close look at fire and police operations.

Register as soon as possible. The total enrollment for HVA Behind the Scenes is limited to 25 participants. Registration is open to adults living in any of HVA's service areas with priority given to residents of Washtenaw County or one of the following western Wayne County communities: Belleville, Plymouth, Plymouth Township, Sumpter Township, and Van Buren Township.

Also, the library carries many resources for people interested in becoming emergency medical technicians. Consider checking out our books and videos on the profession.

A few years ago the Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Dept. began an evaluation of the social and recreational programming at the Ann Arbor Senior Center in Burns Park. The strategic recommendations finalized in 2011 contain some interesting findings. With more than 30,000 people over 50 living in Ann Arbor, only 250 actively use the AASC, and most of them are over 70. Some reasons given for this are the many offerings this culturally rich area provides that mature adults participate in as well as the general good health and wealth the mature population who live here enjoy. Even the term “senior” is questioned because it’s a label many don’t care for.

2nd Annual Mini-Comics Day | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Saturday, March 10, 2012 | Duderstadt Center

If you like making comics and meeting other cartoonists, here's your chance to complete a mini-comic, photocopy it, and swap with fellow artists all in a day. You can work alone or with others. Your mini-comic may be any number of pages. If you've never made a mini-comic before, no problem, come and find out what it's all about. For more details check the Mini-Comics Day FAQ.

Registration is now open-- send email to minicomics-2012@umich.edu to sign up!

Looking to read a book and join a discussion on it? Check out Crazy Wisdom’s monthly book discussions, which take place at 7 p.m. at Ann Arbor's Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. Titles to be discussed in the near future that you've still got time to read are:

March 23: The Best Spiritual Writing 2012, edited by Philip Zaleski

April 13: The Holographic Universe, by Michael Talbot

There is no registration, just show up! Check here for more details, and for more information on each title. AADL owns both titles! Do any spark your interest? If these don't, check back to see what the next Crazy Wisdom Monthly Book Discussion series will be.

Reading is big business in Ann Arbor! During the month of March, we have a chance to contribute our enthusiasm for reading to the national stage by participating in Read Across America. This year, Read Across America will be celebrating The Lorax in anticipation of the movie premiere on March 2nd.

How will you celebrate reading during the month of March? Perhaps you can sign the pledge. Maybe you'd like to sing the Read Across America song. Or, you could get creative and plan a fun activity of your own! No matter what you do, your contribution will help to build a nation of strong and enthusiastic readers while also working to increase literacy in our community and beyond.

What better way to celebrate reading than to visit the library on March 2nd for Preschool Storytime or Baby Playgroup? And don't forget to join us at the library on March 15th in a Toast to the Truffula Trees to celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss!

The Ann Arbor VA Medical Center is hosting the Homeless Veterans Stand Down & Resource Fair on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 8:00am to 4:00pm at the medical center auditorium. The Washtenaw Stand Down is a community-based initiative designed to connect Washtenaw homeless veterans with the resources needed to begin rebuilding their lives. The resource fair will provide health assistance, clothes, blankets, personal hygiene supplies, housing assistance, refreshments, snacks, VA benefits enrollment, job assistance, and much more.

The 54th Annual Southeast Michigan Science Fair happens on March 9 and 10, 2012 at Washtenaw Community College's Morris Lawrence Building.

If you are in Grades 6, 7 and 8 from any school in the region you are eligible to enter Individual or Team projects in the Middle School Division. If you are in grades 9 through 12 from any school in the region are eligible to enter Individual or Team projects in the High School Division.

To enter your science fair project you must pre-register by Friday, February 17.

The regional Southeastern Michigan Science Fair is affiliated with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. This event is sponsored by the University of Michigan and Washtenaw Community College in cooperation with public and private schools in the five county regions.

This Valentine's Day, you can send a card to patients at the Veterans Hospital and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital! Make or buy a Valentine's Day card, fill it out, and drop it off at any AADL location from February 5 - 11. You can specify which hospital or let AADL staff decide. We will make sure it arrives safely!

Please avoid glitter and leave the envelope unsealed. Because many of the patients at these hospitals are long term, please do not include any messages about getting well or feeling better.

Thank you for making this Valentine's Day a little better for children and veterans!

New York Times and International Herald Tribune columnist, Roger Cohen, will be speaking at the University of Michigan on Monday, February 6th at 6:00p.m. in the Rogel Ballroom of the Michigan Union. The Union is located at 530 South State Street. Cohen’s discussion will focus on how closely Israel has adhered to its ideals in the 63 years since it was founded as the Jewish state. The talk is part of a symposium entitled, “Up Against a Wall: Israel in a Changing Middle East.”

In addition to his journalistic works, Cohen is also the author of three books: Hearts Grown Brutal: Sagas of Sarajevo, Soldiers and Slaves: American POWs Trapped by the Nazis’ Final Gamble, and In the Eye of the Storm, a biography he co-authored about the life of General Norman Schwarzkopf.

Are you a fiction writer? Have you ever wondered about the writing techniques of a journalist? Well, now is your chance to get your questions about journalism answered! 826michigan’s “How to Write Like I Do” writing workshops presents: The Reported Imagination: Journalism Techniques for Fiction Writers. Heading up this workshop is none other than V.V. Ganeshananthan, Zell Visiting Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Michigan and author of the critically acclaimed 2008 novel, Love Marriage. Topics of discussion will include how fiction writers can use journalism techniques, such as interviewing and arduous editing, in their craft.

This fun event is for adults only, and takes place on Saturday, February 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 826michigan. Participants will be treated to Zingerman’s coffee and pastries.

Cost for this event is $25 per participant. However, 826Michigan is running a Bring-a-Friend special that allows you to purchase two tickets for $40! All proceeds from the event go to support 826michigan’s free creative writing program for youth ages 6-18 in Washtenaw County. So, get out your pen and paper or computer, and come join V.V. Ganeshananthan in a discussion about incorporating journalism techniques in your fiction writing!

Date: February 4, 2012
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Place: 826michigan
115 East Liberty Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Cost: $25 for 1 person
$40 for 2 people (the Bring-a-Friend special)
Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com