Goodnight Goon

Michael Rex is a big fan of Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon but he thought it “severely lacked big-toothed monsters and small creatures in peril” so he came up with Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody. And how fun it is! Full page color illustrations keep your eyes looking everywhere for eyeballs and bats and other cute and scary treats. Say goodnight to all the creatures, skulls, tombs, martians, goons, bones, bats, and mummies who rub their tummies. And perhaps leave that nightlight on as you try to doze after reading it.

Trick Or Treat

Are you or the kids just not getting the same build-up of excitement for the neighborhood Trick or Treating? Why don’t you try Trick or Treating from a boat! The Ann Arbor Canoe Liveries are hosting a “Trick or Treat Down the River” where you can enjoy trick-or-treating by canoe or kayak. The event is Sunday, October 26 running from noon to 4pm, but you can begin your trip anytime between noon and 4pm. Starting at the Argo Canoe Livery (1055 Longshore Drive, Ann Arbor), people of all ages can take their boat along the Huron River stopping along the way for candy and “swamp muck” from costumed characters.

Bring the whole family! It is $22 per boat, and pre-registration not required. Check out The Ann Arbor Canoe Liveries’ website for more information. Happy Haunting!

Pumpkin

Want to get in the Halloween spirit? Here are several events from AADL and the surrounding area for several age groups that should jump-start your Spook-a-Thon!
The Dark Side of Saline's Oakwood Cemetery by Saline's Historical Society
Sunday, Oct. 12: 5:00 pm
A guided walking tour that discusses disturbing Saline citizens who led unusual lives, or died suddenly, and are buried in the cemetery.
Weird Science Halloween Party
Sunday Oct. 26, 2008: 3 pm - 4 pm at the Pittsfield Library Branch
Ghost Hunting & Paranormal Investigations with The Southeast Michigan Ghost Hunters Society
Thursday Oct. 30, 2008: 7 pm - 8:30 pm Downtown Library (Grade 6 - Adult)
AADL's Halloween Party!
Friday Oct. 31, 2008: 9:30 am - 10 am & 10:30am - 11am Downtown Library (Infant - Grade 3)
Main Street Treat Parade
Friday, Oct.31: 11 am - 5 pm

Henry Ford

Come to The Henry Ford July 2-5 at 6pm and celebrate with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra! This year is the 16th annual "Salute to America" at the Henry Ford. Come when the gates open, get a good seat and even enjoy a picnic from home. The evening is then filled with patriotic marches and a tribute to our veterans of all ages. The night ends with the 1812 Overture along with a fireworks show and a real cannon! Check out the website for ticket information and celebrate our independence. Read about Greenfield Village in A home for our heritage : the building and growth of Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum, 1929-1979.

fireworks

Grab the blankets and head to the Fireworks Extravaganza on Saturday, June 28th at Hudson Mills Metro Park. Fireworks begin at 10:00 p.m. but come early for the concert by Big Pinky & the Joint Effort Band.

In honor of Mother's Day, following are two books and one film that tell the stories of three remarkable mothers:

From Harvey River: A Memoir of My Mother and Her Island by Lorna Goodison describes this local poet's mother, Doris who grew up in a privileged family in Jamaica but then married a chauffeur, moved to urban Kingston and raised nine children.

A Remarkable Mother by former President Jimmy Carter is his loving tribute to Lillian Carter, a nurse serving troops in World War I and in her later years a Peace Corps volunteer in India.

My Flesh and Blood is a documentary about Susan Tom, a single mother, who adopted eleven special needs children.

Need to generate some real Christmas spirit?

Full of incident, local New York City color, and excitement (both romantic and suspenseful) Silver Bells is a lovely, quick Christmas read.

Christopher Byrne, widowed Nova Scotian Christmas tree farmer, brings his trees to Manhattan each December, bringing his son and daughter. Last year his teen-age son ran away while in New York.

Catherine Tierney, widowed New York librarian, lives in a row house in Chelsea near Christy Byrne's treelot.

Might they meet, might the son reappear?

Hurry, there are eight copies on the shelf right now.

If you’re trying to plan a holiday meal, but find yourself short on time, Nigella Lawson, has 130 quick recipes to help you out.

Listen to her recent Talk of the Nation interview and then check out Nigella Express: 130 Recipes for Good Food, Fast.

For a sneak preview, find a few of Nigella’s recipes on the NPR site.

santa

CTN Channel 17 will broadcast the Santa Satellite Network LIVE from Santa's workshop on Thursday, December 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. Mrs. Claus and Elf Mindy will help Santa take your calls at 734.997.1050. So make that list, check it twice and give Santa a ring!

ecologo

Looking for a way to live and give green this season? Try Eco-Libris for ideas on “sustainable reading.” Eco-Libris is committed to seeking out books and practices that are easier on the environment. They offer a handy Holiday Green Gift Guide for Book Lovers and information on how you can sign up to plant a tree for every book you read, for a dollar a book.

Relatedly, The New York Times recently ran an interesting article on the idea of simplifying gift-giving in eco-conscious ways. Is it simplifying? Is it preaching “ecological responsibility?” Is it worth all the to-do? Will you be giving energy-efficient light bulbs as gifts, or snickering at those who do?