Both the House and the Senate have recently voted to delay the switch from over-the-air analog signals to digital from February 17 to June 12, 2009. President Obama has promised to sign the legislation, granting a reprieve to the as many as 10 million consumers who are still unprepared for the digital transition. The government's $1.5-billion program to send $40 coupons to analog TV owners toward the purchase of a converter ran out of money last month. It is estimated that there about 3.2 million coupon requests on the waiting list. For more information go to dtv.gov.

February 12, 2009 marks the 200th birthday of America's 16th - and perhaps greatest - president, Abraham Lincoln. He is being celebrated in ceremonies all over the country, including at an exhibit in Plymouth, Michigan called "In the Presence of Lincoln" which will run through November 4.

Celebrate Jane Yolen’s 70th birthday by checking out one of her books in our collection.  From picture books to poetry, teen fantasy to fairy tales and short stories to science fiction, it sure seems like she’s written something for everyone.  One of my favorites is Twelve Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

Awww shucks. I know that's hardly a usual way to begin a book review, but it was my immediate response to finishing Matthew Quick's heart-warming, humorous, and soul-satisfying first novel, The Silver Linings Playbook.

With thoughts of spring upon us, shorts and swimsuit weather is getting near.  Whether you need to drop a few pounds or simply want to get your muscles moving again after a long cold winter, the Wii My Fitness Coach might be just the thing you need.  It offers an exercise program to meet your individual needs right in the comforts of your own home, and it doesn't require the Wii Fit.  You can customize your routine using

It's not quite as cold outside, but it still isn't a tropical paradise. If you wish you could escape the snow and slush, but can't afford a plane ticket, look on our new bookmark for a romance set on beaches, islands, and other hot spots.

 

The Everything Canton FAQ (or Frequently Asked Questions) page has hard-to-find facts about the Canton Community. If you have ever been asked what is the altitude, or the latitude and longitude, we have it here.

While Michigan does have a shorter warm season than many would like, paintball is an exhilarating sport to play during the early Spring and Summer months and then especially throughout the Fall. Get your equipment ready for play and check out some of our materials on paintball .

If you know of a paintball field location or Website that is worth noting, leave a response so that others will know about it.

Leaving a comment saying "I'd like to play sometime" will also hopefully connect people with other locals who have this interest.

#10: The Next 100 Years presents a fascinating picture of what lies ahead. George Friedman turns his eye on the future by offering a lucid, highly readable forecast of the changes we can expect around the world during the 21st century.

Heart shaped bathtubs, long walks near the falls, the sights of Clifton Hill on a "starkly beautiful" winter day in the Niagara Region. What could be more appealing on Valentine's Day which is fast approaching.

Based on the novel Q & A by Vikas Swarap, the film Slumdog Millionaire built on its positive buzz at the 2008  Toronto Film Festival to become this year's favorite underdog.

The 1st of this 2-disc video set about Spanish Architect, Antonio Gaudi, (1852-1926), is accompanied by music and is almost entirely without narration.  The viewer experiences Gaudi's unique forms unencumbered by analytic information, so their beauty, fluidity and integration with nature are abstracted from their utility. The 2nd disc provides biographical information about Gaudi’s life and work.

The 2009 Edgar Award nominees were recently announced by the Mystery Writers of America.  The awards will be given at the 63rd Gala Banquet on April 30 in New York.

iGoogle is a version of the Google home page that allows you to add boxes, called Gadgets, to display the weather, stocks, Gmail, Facebook, and more. To get started with iGoogle:

1. Go to http://www.google.com/ig
2. If you already have a Google Account for their other services, just sign in.

I just returned from a vacation on the Pacific coast of California.  Here's a photo I took.  A book I used to plan my trip is Experience the California Coast and here is a map of the area from the library's collection.

I just read “The Totally Interactive Keyboard Bible” by Steve Lodder. This is an incredible resource for any piano or keyboard player. This set is appropriate for all levels of players. It starts right at the beginning with how to read music and progress from there well into advanced intermediate material.

It covers many styles with exercises and example.

Did you know AARP offers a Driver Safety Program for drivers age 50 and older? For over 25 years, this refresher course has taught experienced drivers current rules of the road, how to operate their vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and adjustments they may need to make to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. For more information call AARP's Detroit Information Center (313) 832-6846 during business hours or AARP's website.

If the winter weather is getting you down and your next vacation is months away, you may want to join with others who are "warming up" cruising on the high seas via a series of mystery books written by Stella Whitelaw.  You will be guided by her dancer turned sleuth "cruise director" Casey Jones while she deals with disappearing passengers, over the hill performers, and -oh yes, a gorgeous ship doctor while visiting exotic ports of call.

Best known for her long running role in the acclaimed TV series Homicide, life on the street, veteran character actress Melissa Leo has been nominated as Best Actress for her role in the independent film Frozen River.

Airing this Saturday February 7th on TNT, don't miss the TV movie "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" starring Cuba Gooding Jr.  Dr. Carson's  incredible life story is that of a young and poor black boy who overcame poverty and racism to become a world-renown pediatric neurosurgeon.