In celebration of the drink loved around the world, check out some of our coffee offerings here at the AADL. The Coffee Book : Anatomy of An Industry From Crop to The Last Drop will answer many of your questions, and probably offer up some facts you didn't even know, about this tasty beverage. The Joy of Coffee : The Essential Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying will guide you to coffees suited to your particular tastes. Making Your Own Gourmet Coffee Drinks : Espressos, Cappuccinos, Lattes, Mochas, and More! will assist you in the kitchen along with I Love Coffee! : Over 100 Easy and Delicious Coffee Drinks. Confessions of a Coffee Bean : The Complete Guide to Coffee Cuisine is yet another journey into the world of coffee.coffee

Are you one of those people that can quickly list words that start with Q but don't require a U? Or perhaps you delight in the use of the word "loxodrome"? We look forward to seeing you at our Traverwood branch this evening for Michael Betzold's discussion of his book Bingo! The Secret to Scrabble Success. If you can't make this event, we have plenty of other Scrabble offerings here at the library. Check out Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in The World of Competitive Scrabble Players for a journalist's look into this quirky subculture. In a similar vein, we offer Word Wars: Tiles and Tribulations on The Scrabble Game Circuit on DVD. We also have copies of The Official Scrabble Word-Finder, The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, and The Official Scrabble Players Handbook for all of your gaming needs.

scrabble

ZionSearching for the perfect fall getaway? Look no further than Zion National Park! I just spent three terrific days at Zion, hiking by day (in 100 degree heat!), and relaxing in the charming desert hamlet of Springdale, Utah, by night. Whether you're a casual visitor or a seasoned adventurer, Zion has trails for every level of hiker, from the peaceful Riverside Walk to the steep and arduous Angels Landing. Though short, the trip was one of the best vacations of my life and I can't recommend this beautiful and majestic park enough. And if you do decide to go, don't forget to check out one of our many park guides.

gallupStaying in town over Labor Day weekend? There are plenty of sights to see and things to do right at home for little to no cost. Here are a few ideas to entertain you and your family during the last few days of summer.

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens are an obvious choice for a serene and beautiful afternoon. If you’re looking for the quirkier side of gardens, be sure to visit before the month is over: pink lawn flamingos, bedecked and bedazzled by local artists, currently populate Matthaei.

One of my favorite things about Ann Arbor is its abundance of art, most of which is free to enjoy. Try a walking tour of downtown galleries, including Ann Arbor Art Center, Jean Paul Slusser, Warren Robbins, and Work Galleries (featuring art from U of M’s School of Art & Design), University of Michigan Museum of Art, Clay Gallery, Barclay Gallery, Selo/Shevel Gallery, and the many others you’re sure to pass by while strolling through the downtown and campus area.

Take a trip to the Kerrytown Farmers’ Market on Saturday between 8am and 3pm for delicious locally produced food.

And get don’t forget the many parks throughout the city. Perhaps a picnic, some frisbee, or simply some outdoor reading is in your future?

Riders competing in the world's most prestigious cycling race, Le Tour de France, completed Stage 2 of 21 today, climbing from Bruxelles to Spa in the magnificent country of Belgium (they enter France in Stage 3). The soggy weather caused one major crash that slowed many cyclists in the peloton down, including American Lance Armstrong, who has said this will be his last Tour.

The televised, three week event will test the limits of international riders with over 2200 miles of picturesque -- yet arduous -- French countryside. This year's Tour began on July 3rd, and the champion will be crowned on July 25th. If Le Tour has you excited about bicycle racing then check out the AADL's collection of books and magazines on the sport of cycling.

bowling

How often do you get to go bowling when the Kids Bowl Free? You and your kids can take advantage of this offer throughout the summer! Lots of bowling lanes across the state are participating, including Ypsi-Arbor Bowling, Bel Mark Lanes and Colonial Lanes. Need more info? This link will explain it all. Before you go, brush up on your skills by watching this DVD! Personally, I like to use bumpers when I bowl...

Self-propelled recreation is awesome! And the library now carries the magazine Silent Sports: Driving Human-Powered Recreation since 1984 which covers outdoor activities and sports such as bicycling, paddling, running, walking, paddling, triathlons, biathlons, duathlons, adventure racing, inline skating, rock and ice climbing, and when the weather is right, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Whew!

What's really handy is the Calendar of Events in every issue that is organized by month, activity, and location. Locations include Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Ontario.

Of course, you can also check-out their website.

Here are just a few of the events listed in Silent Sports coming up in June.

Bicycling:

June Dairy Days Classique Bike Tour in Wisconsin.
Udder Century in Illinois.
Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival in Michigan.

Running:

Sour Grapes Half & Half in Minnesota
Tooth, Fang & Claw Run 10K & Swamp Party and Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Run-Walk in Michigan.
Hog Wild Days 5k Run-Walk in Iowa.

Paddling:

Go With the Flow Yak & Yoga Chestnut Mountain in Illinois.
Huron River Canoe Challenge in Michigan.
Kettle River Paddle Festival in Minnesota.

Multisports:

Bigfoot Triathlon in Wisconsin.
Trinona: The Battle for the Bluff in Minnesota.
Triceratops Tri in Michigan.
Copper Creek Triathlon in Iowa.

westpark

Hold the Teddy Bears! The bad news is . . . West Park will be closed March - September 2010. The good news . . major improvements to every aspect of the park. In addition to the nitty gritty stormwater, flood control and bioswale improvements, there will be new pathways, access stairs, bandshell seat walls, basketball court and parking lot. The City is even planning a native prairie and wetland planting with a boardwalk and overlook. Until West reopens, visit nearby Maryfield Wildwood and Waterworks parks. For more info on the improvements to West Park contact Amy Kuras at akuras@a2gov.org or at 734.794.6230, ext 42590.

Planet Rock 101

Friday February 26, 2010: 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm @ Planet Rock @ 82 Aprill Drive

Teens in Grades 6-12 have you tried rock climbing yet? Whether you've never tried it or you're an advanced climber, meet us at Planet Rock, 82 Aprill Dr. (off Jackson Road) for an afternoon of climbing fun! Beginners and beyond are welcome! This is a great thing to do while you're on break from school! NOTE: Parents must sign a waiver before you climb (available electronically or when you arrive at Planet Rock). REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: Register online, in person at any AADL location, or call 327.8301. This event is FREE of charge.

Pioneer Theater Guild presents its mid-winter musical -- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee -- Feb. 12-21 in The Little Theater. This is a one act musical comedy about a spelling bee at Putnam Valley Middle School, where six quirky adolescents compete in a bee organized by three odd adults. Sounds fun. The web page says the show "features spontaneous and hilarious audience participation!" Sounds like even more fun. Check out our CD of the original 2005 Broadway cast recording. The show also is being performed this month at Encore Theatre in Dexter.