What do you do when you don't know the solutions to your teens' math homework? We can help! Join us on Wednesday, September 26 from 6 to 8 pm at the Malletts Creek branch for Homework Resources for Teens, Parents and Caregivers. AADL staff will demonstrate how to take advantage of online skill-building tools, homework help, and other resources, including those available on aadl.org.

The library has a new children's language learning database called Muzzy. Currently there are 8 different languages to choose from: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and Russian. You can use it at home or at the library. The Muzzy animated story and games are a captivating way for kids to learn another language. It was originally a BBC program so those from Europe may recognize it. Learn more about this database here. We also offer the Muzzy multilingual series (it includes a choice of learning English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish) and the separate traditional Chinese language learning version for checkout.

With television shows such as American Pickers becoming increasingly popular, people across the country are realizing that the old saying is still true, "one man's junk is another man's treasure!" From flea markets to garage sales, thrifting culture is now more popular than ever, and America is on the hunt!

Once every blue moon, it is known that some folks over in Ann Arbor's neighboring city of Ypsilanti throw together a community event - "The Ypsi Flea" - that combines local vendors featuring everything from used clothing and records to crafty things and live music.

The Ypsi Flea will be happening this Sunday, September 23rd from 12pm-8pm, and will be held at Woodruff's at 36 East Cross Street in Ypsilanti.

Come out and hunt for some treasures of your own, or just to enjoy some live local music; either way, the event is free, all ages and held in the name of fun and community expansion!

The Michigan Park and Read program runs through Oct. 1, so why not take advantage of the fall weather? To check out a pass, visit any AADL location with your library card. Your Park and Read pass allows you to avoid paying the Recreation Passport entry fee into Michigan state parks and recreation areas. In Southeast Michigan the list includes Pinckney Recreation Area, Maybury State Park, and Waterloo Recreation Area. Passes are also good at 11 museums and historic sites, including Mann House and Walker Tavern. You can use your pass during daytime hours for seven days from checkout. Some parks loan hammocks, in case you'd like to stretch out and read a good book or magazine you may want to check out. Very tempting!

Are you or a member of your family at increased risk of getting the flu or experiencing flu-related complications? If so, you may want to receive a flu shot. The University of Michigan Health System will have an open flu shot clinic on Thursday September 27 from 1:00-6:0 PM at the West Willow Community Resource Center. If you are unable to make it that day, perhaps you'll find another option in Washtenaw County here. If you would like to know more about Influenza, take a look at our select sites. These are websites vetted for you by our aadl staff, and are very informative.

If you're looking for a dramatic interlude this fall, consider heading to Performance Network, where The Glass Menagerie plays Sept. 27 to Oct. 28. Some consider this play the greatest masterpiece written by American playwright
Tennessee Williams. Tickets are here.

Join me at the Children's Literacy Network Bookfair this Saturday! This festive celebration was created by the awesome Family Book Club, now called Children’s Literacy Network. I’ll be representing AADL and sharing stories at 11:30 am.

If you're looking to brighten up this first cold grey day of the season, why not head over to Wolverine State Brewing for Bluegrass Night? You can sample their impressive selection of lagers which span the range from light to amber to very, very dark. Then kick back and enjoy the sounds of local artists Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys, the unofficial Bluegrass Night house band who can be found there most Tuesdays. No cover and the band goes on at 8:30pm.

Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea will perform the play Superior Donuts Sept. 20 - Dec. 15. The comedy/drama was written by Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts and is directed by Guy Sanville. The PRT website summarizes the plot: "Arthur Przybyszewski has just about given up on everything: a social life, the chance of romance and most of all his family’s long standing Chicago donut shop. But when idealistic dreamer Franco Wicks walks through the door of his vandalized storefront, Arthur realizes through their unlikely friendship that life still has more to offer him." Letts won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play August: Osage County. Ticket information for Superior Donuts is here.

Are you a policy wonk? Then you should enter this contest!!

This Year's Theme: Message to the President

C-SPAN is asking students to consider what issue the president should address in 2013, and create a video documentary explaining why it's important.

This Year's Theme is : Message to the President

What do you think is important and should be addressed by the president? Make a short film and enter it in this contest for a chance to win some cash!!. It will be fun to do and a great item to put on your resume (some day!).

Now in its ninth year, C-SPAN's national competition invites all middle school students (grades 6-8) and high school students (grade 9-12) to produce a five- to eight-minute video documentary using C-SPAN programming.

This year, students will have the opportunity to produce a documentary focusing on "A Message to the President: What's the most important issue the president should consider in 2013?"

The C-SPAN Education Foundation supports the contest by awarding 75 student and 11 teacher prizes, totaling $50,000 in cash.

Entries must represent varying points of view, and incluide C-SPAN video that supports the documentary's topic. Students, working alone or in groups up to three, must upload their videos by January 18, 2013, and winners will be announced in March. A full list of guidelines, FAQ's and past winning videos can be found at studentcam.org.

If enough students enter from Ann Arbor we can reserve a night to run the documentaries and you can invite all your friends!!