Tattoo Artists Showing Their Stuff

Thu, 10/30/2008 - 11:43am by Beth Manuel

The creative energy in this community is mind-blowing, evidenced by the current exhibit at the Gallery Project. From 10/29 thru 12/7/08 take a look at Flash, an exhibition of original graphic art of tattoo culture worldwide. The artists include Jeff Zuck, Kerri Baker, Leo Zulueta,and Dianne Mansfield, all currently from Ann Arbor. Pssst.... Leo is world renowned and will be presenting in the MPR downtown in February 2009. Stay tuned!

Religion and Peacemaking in the Middle East

Tue, 10/28/2008 - 1:59pm by annevm

Among noted speakers Nov. 8-10 at the Morikawa Conference will be Msgr. Elias Chacour, whose autobiographical We Belong to the Land I am liking quite a bit. Other internationally known people scheduled to speak at the conference are Dr. Ingrid Mattson, author of The Story of the Qur‘an: Its History and Place in Muslim life, and Rabbi Marc Gopin, whose books include Healing the Heart of Conflict.

Spooky Stuff This Week

Sat, 10/25/2008 - 11:52am by amy

Celebrate Halloween all week at AADL: Kids in grades 4-5 can join us for an alien autopsy at our Weird Science Halloween party on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 3-4 p.m. at the Pittsfield branch or make pirate costumes and treasure maps on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Traverwood branch. Grades 6-adult will hear chilling tales of investigations by the SouthEast Michigan Ghost Hunters Society on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room, and younger kids can dress up for our annual Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 31, with stories, songs and treats at 9:30-10:00 a.m. or 10:30-11 a.m. in the Downtown Multi-Purpose Room (just prior to the Main Street Area Association's Downtown Treat Parade at 11:00 a.m.).

Pittsfield Grange Family Dances

Fri, 10/24/2008 - 1:55pm by iralax

The season of Grange Family Dances has begun! David Park Williams, John Freeman, and Ed Vincent will call the square dance or contra dance for parents and/or grandparents to participate in with children. Live music provided by David West on piano and Donna Baird on fiddle, followed by Grange-baked cookies and cocoa or lemonade (depending on whether you need to warm up or cool down). The dances are on the third Sunday of the month, from 2:00-4:00 - next one is Sunday, November 16 - at the Pittsfield Union Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Road. There is a nominal fee. For more information contact Joan Hellmann at hellmann@umich.edu.

Career Jam

Fri, 10/24/2008 - 12:21pm by MarilynG

Are you a middle school or high school student thinking about your career options? Then come to Career Jam on Thursday, October 30 from 4pm to 7pm at the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. Discover the exciting career options and job opportunities here in Washtenaw County. There will be plenty of hands-on demonstrations to give you a taste of what your future could hold. Door prizes and a limited number of t-shirts will be available for youth who participate. For more information, contact the Teen Center Without Walls or ETCS.

The Chicken Ordinance

Tue, 10/21/2008 - 2:56pm by Stewart

Interested in raising your own chickens? If you live in Ann Arbor you can keep up to four hens...with the consent of your adjacent neighbors.

Check out these library materials for more information about raising chickens...
How to Raise Chickens
The Complete Handbook of Poultry Keeping
and for the kids,
From Chick to Chicken
and The Joy of Chickens

Check out the cool chicken coops at Back Yard Chickens and My Pet Chicken.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Thu, 10/16/2008 - 4:52pm by iralax

Twenty years ago Congress declared October to be National Disability Employment Awareness Month to educate all of us about the employment needs, contributions, and barriers that still exist for Americans with disabilities to achieve equal opportunity in the workplace. It's a time to learn about the progress America has made and look closely at our city, home and work environment as to how accessible it is for all people, including the elderly.

Play the game GO!

Wed, 10/15/2008 - 5:53pm by Bertha

What's the oldest board game in the world?

If your answer is Go, a game of skill created in China about 4000 years ago, you'd be right. The outcome of this game is said to be determined by the quality of the decisions each player makes along the way. Click here for 10 reasons to try Go.

This Sunday, October 19, 2-3:30pm come join the Ann Arbor Go Club enthusiasts at Traverwood and learn to play Go!

Try Go Basics or Go for Beginners or just show up on Sunday.

Beyond Foreclosure: Facts, Steps and Solutions

Wed, 10/15/2008 - 2:45pm by iralax

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2:30-4:30 pm at Ypsilanti District Library on Whittaker Rd. is the first of two free seminars for those 55 and older about how to get control of your life if your home is now in foreclosure or after this happens. You will hear a panel of counselors discuss options during the redemption period, dealing with the grief of foreclosure, building financial skills, and exploring rental housing options. The seminar is offered as a public education program by The Housing Bureau for Seniors of the University of Michigan Health System, Washtenaw County Treasurer, and Michigan State University Extension. A repeat session will take place at Ann Arbor Downtown Library on Dec. 4, 6:30-8:30 pm.

A Book in 6 to 12 Minutes

Sun, 10/12/2008 - 2:43pm by Stewart

Espresso Book Machine

The University of Michigan features an Espresso Book Machine in the lobby of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library. The Espresso Book Machine is made by OnDemandBooks and will be used to print out-of-copyright books and materials from the internet archive. The service is available to faculty, students and the public.

Click here for current titles and cost and here for frequently asked questions.