Blog Post
Sing "Down by the Old Mill Stream" and others.
by Maxine
Have you ever wanted to sing in a barbershop quartet? Well, here's your chance. Every Monday, the Motor City Metro Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society invites all male singers to join the weekly rehearsals of this local barbershop harmony chorus. It's all happening at Oz's Music Environment, 1920 Packard. Free to visitors ($130 annual dues for those who join). 474-1155. Contrary to popular knowledge, barbershop harmonies originated with African-American men who formed these pick-up quartets, sometimes in front of barbershops or at other local gathering spots.
Blog Post
Shazam!
by anned
Jeff Smith's take on Captain Marvel is finally available in the collected edition, Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil, and it's one of my favorites from 2007. Those of you who know and love Smith's Bone will not be disappointed. Captain Marvel has been brought into the present day world, but Smith has nailed the childlike quality of the hero perfectly. His art, his story, his dialogue, pacing, the sheer sense of wonder on display all reflect the age of the hero, young Billy Batson. Great story, great art.
Blog Post
Book'em
by muffy
Newspapers Beef Up Online Book Coverage: according to a recent articles in Publishers Weekly.
Among the best regional dailies are The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Book Page, Chicago Tribune; San Francisco Chronicle; and The Dallas Morning News. Most include reviews, blogs and some (Dallas) include excerpts of new books.
But no one does it like Los Angeles Times; The New York Times; and the The Washington Post. They all include an active blog community, first chapters, podcasts, and other unique features like bestsellers, Editors Choices, e-newsletters, and forthcoming title alerts. Bookmark them to stay ahead of the herd.
Blog Post
National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
by kidlit
The Librarian of Congress has named author Jon Scieszka as the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.
"This position was created to raise national awareness of the importance of young people's literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people."
Scieszka is a Michigan native. He was born in Flint and graduated from Albion College. He is the author of many books, including the classics The Stinky Cheese Man and Math Curse. He writes the Time Warp Trio series for young readers. His latest endeavor is Jon Scieszka's Truck Town. This series for the very young will feature of fleet of very loud crashing trucks and will appear in several different formats.
Mr. Scieszka is also the author of www.guysread.com. One of his pet causes is getting boys to read and keeping them as lifelong readers.
This appointment is good news for the world of children's books.
Blog Post
No. It's not the Jabberwocky...
by Maxine
Do you like to dance? There's a great opportunity this weekend when the Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Music and Dance presents its 1st Saturday Contra and International Dance, Potluck, & Silent Auction. International dances will be taught at 7 p.m. followed by contra dancing (also taught) at 8. Music is provided by the band Twas Brillig and the Mazel Tovs. No partner is needed. Dancing will be preceded by a potluck at 5:30 and a silent auction of "holiday gifts which would be happier in another home." Also, a free jam for string and other musicians, 3-6 p.m. Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. (1/2 mile south of I-94). $10 (members, $9; students, $5). 769-1052.
Blog Post
American Girl goes way back to the 70's!
by StoryLaura
In the midst of a caucus cacophony, even young people may be in the mood for an election story. Meet Julie, one of the newest American Girls (who makes me feel old). In 1974 she runs for president of the student body when something unfair happens to her at school. Just like today's presidential candidates, Julie needs diligence and creative campaigning to pull off a win.
Blog Post
Free to Be You and Me
by Sarah T
Have you ever had the desire to see both Michael Jackson and Kris Kristofferson sing on the same DVD? Well, lucky for us all, in 1974 Marlo Thomas had the foresight to adapt the skit Free to Be You and Me into a movie. The movie attempts to instill good self esteem in children by tackling issues such as gender identity, reminding us that it’s alright to cry, reminding boys that it’s ok to love their dolls, and doing it all with puppets and 1970’s pop stars. Stars include Dionne Warwick, Mel Brooks, Tom Smothers, and many others. Not only does the film present some refreshingly progressive ideas (even today) but also offers some good laughs. After all, who wouldn’t want to see a young Michael Jackson singing about how he’ll never change when he grows up? If that isn’t worth a watch, I don’t know what is.
Blog Post
Darwin's famous journey
by Maxine
It was on December 27, 1831 that Charles Darwin sailed from England on the HMS Beagle. During this trip to South America and the Galapagos Islands, Darwin explored the rainforests and made some amazing discoveries about the plants and animals he found there. It was on the Islands that Darwin began to formulate his theories that later became the groundbreaking book, The Origin of the Species, a book that would create one of the greatest scientific controversies of modern times.
Blog Post
Making Money
by Cherie Lee
While perusing the blog I noticed that, while there are two posts concerning the news about Terry Pratchett's health, there are none with a full review featuring his latest book. So I've decided to remedy this by providing one myself.
Making Money continues the adventures of Moist Von Lipwig and his lady friend Adora Belle Dearheart from their introduction in Going Postal. Moist, who is currently the Postmaster General, has managed to make the City of Ankh-Morpork's once ruined Post Office into a well-run machine. Unfortunately, this makes his life horribly hum-drum. In the absence of the sobering Adora Belle (don't let the name fool you, she's quite formidable), Vetinari, the City's Patrician (aka. Tyrant), convinces Moist to take on the job as master of the Royal Bank and Mint. Danger, intrigue, and hilarity ensue in this witty satire of how money and banking really work.
Oh, and there's little dog named Mr. Fusspot. He's very important. But you'll have to read it to find out why.
Blog Post
Fun for the kids over winter break!
by manz
The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is featuring a family day themed "The Big Freeze" running December 26-31 from 10am-5pm. You'll be able to check out liquid nitrogen demonstrations, hands-on ice cream making, arctic facts and live reindeer. Check the museum's full schedule for those days to see what activities are happening when!
Hands-on Museum, $8 (members and infants free), 220 E. Ann St. 995-5439.