Back in June, we were contacted by Jael McHenry, author of The Kitchen Daughter. She liked our blog and agreed to come visit. On Thursday, August 18th, Ms. McHenry will be at the Downtown Library at 7 pm. She will talk about her debut novel and sign copies (Don't worry if you don't have yours yet. Copies will be available for purchase).

Jael is also an enthusiastic amateur cook. Her food blog SIMMER is very popular with foodies. Bring questions about food, cooking and writing for an evening of great discussion and fun.

AND she is bringing us FOOD! We were sure that the TSA won't let her bring them on the plane but her mom is going to step in and BAKE! So come and taste one of the fabulous recipes in The Kitchen Daughter. Are we in for a treat!

BTW, if you don't already know... since our blog was published in April, The Kitchen Daughter was named "Pick of the Week" in the Boston Globe's Word on the Street, and in June Oprah picked it as one of this summer's "Tantalizing Beach Reads."

Due to circumstances beyond our control the upcoming 826MI Robot Workshop for this Saturday, August 6 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Downtown Library has been canceled. This event has been re-scheduled for Saturday, August 27 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Downtown Library in the 4th Floor Meeting Room. This event is for kids in grades 4 & up and Teens in grades 6-12.

So far this summer we've had a magician and a juggler. Now it's time for a ventriloquist. Join us this Tuesday, July 26 at 2:00 p.m at the Pittsfield Branch for a great show by ventriloquist Vikki Gasko and her charming friends from around the world. The show will be repeated at the Downtown Library at 7:00 p.m that evening.

Have you ever tried ventriloquism? Start here.

We'll be painting on Masonite board in the staff lot (off of Williams) at the Downtown library this Friday, July 22, 11 AM - 1 PM. We'll supply paint, the boards, easels and cold water; you provide the creativity. All art work will be in a summer exhibit at the Downtown Library from July 26 - August 30. Three winners will receive gift certificates for art supplies ($75, $50 and $25). Grades 6-12. Local artist Joanie Newberry will be our Judge this year.

Check out the winners from previous years.

Thirty artists showed up on a hot day to express themselves and turned out fine pieces of art that will be on display at the downtown library until Tuesday, August 31st. All paintings will be in the Multi-Purpose Room and also on display on the third floor.

1st Place - 'Ocean Sunset' - artist Drew Hirzel
2nd Place - 'Untitled' - artist Lillian Xie
3rd Place - 'Rose' - artist Deanna Shih
Honorable Mention - 'Heart on Fire' - artist Popi Vorias
Honorable Mention - 'Thinking 4 Art' - Grace Tanvi

Our Judge this year is Joanie Newberry local visual artist and the top three winners will receive gift certificates for art supplies from Michigan Book and Supply, ($75,$50 and $25)

This Month is packed with all sorts of games! We've got Madden, Marvel vs. Capcom, Smash Bros. Brawl, Mushroom Wars and Mario Kart Wii, Not to mention THE ARCADE MASTER SERIES! The Arcade Master Series is a retro gaming high-score contest with a new retro game to play at each AADL-GT event. Come to different gaming events throughout the season and rack up high scores to earn an invitation to the Arcade Master Tournament in January.

Friday July 22 6:00pm-8:30pm @ the Downtown Branch

Madden Grid Iron Throwdown: Coach your favorite NFL team to victory in our Madden 2011 tournament for PS3.
Marvel vs. Capcom: You think you've got the skills to reign supreme? Time to show what you've got!

Saturday July 23 1:00pm-4:00pm @ the Downtown Branch

National Smash 2: Wanna play some Smash Bros. Brawl? Come to the Library and defend the AADL's national standing. This event will include both a national tournament against other libraries all over America and a House rules tournament.

Sunday July 24 1:00pm-4:00pm @ the Downtown Branch

All-Ages Mario Kart Tournament: prizes in novice and pro brackets!
Mushroom Wars: We've also got a crazy fun take on the speed risk genre of games, Mushroom Wars!

Monday July 25 1:00pm-4:00pm @ the Downtown Branch

PokeMonday: As always you'll need to bring your Nintendo DS or DSi and a copy of your Pokemon game(Black and White won't work Sorry.) Big screen and Union Rooms battles are used for admittance into the finals, so be sure to have Pokemon of all levels trained for battle!

It's going to be a very exciting week in Ann Arbor. Along with the Art Fair there are always many interesting activities. We're going to provide you with one of them. On Tuesday, July 19 Juggler Jason Kollum will be coming from Chicago to the Library for two shows. At 2:00 p.m. he'll be performing at the Pittsfield Branch. At 7:00 p.m. he'll be at the Downtown Library.

These shows will be fun to watch!!

To learn how to juggle yourself, click here.

You are never too young to be an artist! Join us on Saturday, July 16 at the Downtown Library Multipurpose Room from 10:30-11a for Little Ones and Creative Fun. This sensory art experience is designed for 0-2 year olds and their caregivers, and provides a bonding experience through art that allows for early expression of creativity. Michelle Freund and Kelly Zechmeister of UM Child Care will guide us through the activities.

chess

Come to this strategy session, led by chess expert, Jennifer Skidmore! Learn key tips to master the chess board, and then, play some chess!

This event compliments the Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World exhibit (which will be on display at the Downtown Library until July 8. According to Ben Franklin, "The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it."

Thursday, June 23 | 7 - 8:30 PM | Downtown-Multi-Purpose Room | Grades 4-Adult

Wild Swan Theater has been delighting young audiences by staging original versions of classic myths and tales for 31 years! A big reason it is so loved, besides their awesome energy and talent, is because they integrate American Sign Language, audio descriptions and touch tours as key components of everything they present. AADL invites everyone, grade 4 and up, to experience how this is done on Thursday, June 2, 7-8:30 pm at the Downtown Library. Artistic Directors Hilary Cohen and Sandy Ryder will give an interactive workshop on how they weave accessibility into all their productions to create inclusive, live theater at its best.

patrick jones

Patrick's first novel for teens, Things Change, was named by the Young Adult Library Services Association as a best book for reluctant readers. He will announce the winners of It's All Write, the teen short story contest held annually at AADL. This year, 340 teens entered stories, which were judged by topnotch authors for teens.

All Finalists have been notified and will be honored at Saturday's program. The top three winners will receive $250 for 1st Place, $150 for 2nd Place, and $100 for 3rd Place in 3 grade categories. All finalists will receive certificates honoring their achievement. For those of you interested in tips and resources check out this fact sheet. We hope to continue to see lots of stories from this talented bunch of writers!
Saturday, May 21 | 1:30-3:00 pm | Downtown Library-Multi-Purpose Room