Are you thinking of adopting a vegetarian diet? Many people have, but there are important facts to know to make sure you stay healthy and get all the nutrition you need on a restricted diet. How to Become Vegetarian: 5 Key Steps (& Famous Vegetarian Celebrities) offers information and lots of links for further research that you may find helpful if you're considering vegetarianism. Even if you're already veggie, there is a lot of good info here that you may not have seen before.

For several months now David Cole has been interviewing Canadian writers of crime, mystery, and/or suspense for Mystery Fanfare in his column Cool Canadian Crime. Cole recently interviewed Vicki Delany, a favorite of mine. Scare the Light Away Delany's debut novel was highly acclaimed when it was published in 2005.

The Crime Writers Association has announced the 2009 CWA Gold Dagger Awards' shortlist.  The winners will be announced on October 21, 2009 at the SpecSavers Crime Thriller Awards in London and will be shown on ITV3 later in the month.

If you like mysteries where all of the main characters are stuck in some kind of confined environment (a large, scary, old house) trying to solve some kind of crime or love the Agatha Christie novels when Poirot dramatically explains the crime's solution at the end of his books to the group of suspects, should enjoy these authors/characters:

Margery Allingham's Albert Campion 

Carolyn Hart's Henrie O'

M. C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin 

Date: September 12-13, 2009
America's longest running antique car show fills the grounds of Greenfield Village with the sights, sounds, and smells of hundreds of authentic vehicles from the 1890s through 1932. Enjoy a self-guided tour, attend a presentation, talk to proud car owners, or just sit back and watch the parade of cars go by. Old Car Festival is free to members and free with Greenfield Village admission.

Are you a Canton resident who is unable to come to the library due to a permanent or long-term illness or disability? Are you an older adult (65+) without a way to get to the library? The Canton Public Library offers Books by Mail service to Canton residents. Every month a librarian will select 4 books based upon your reading preferences, to be delivered to your home postage free. Read the books, then return them to the Canton Public Library in the postage-paid mailer provided. To enroll you will need a Canton Public Library card and complete the Books by Mail application available at the Adult Reference Desk, by mail, or online.

No matter what your age, you would like to be able to retire comfortably some day. You need to learn how to set up objectives, plan the moves, and follow through. Perhaps the retirement guides by Morningstar Library Services are helpful to you. There are three guides for the three distinct age groups:

• The Grand Generation Retirement Guide - for the retired, or at least semi-retired
• the BabyBoomer Retirement Guide - for those nearing retirement
• the Echo Boomer Retirement Guide - for the younger investor with a long investment horizon

Tips abound in all three.

The 7th Annual Kerrytown BookFest is coming to the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market on Sunday, September 13 from 11:00AM-5:00PM. Jane & Michael Stern, authors of Roadfood will speak at Noon and at 2:00PM Aunt Agatha's presents Mysteries to Cook By with JoAnna Carl, Julie Hyzy, and Miranda Bliss a.k.a. Casey Daniels. Featured guest, Jeffery Deaver will speak at 4:00PM.

The Canton Seniors Book Group will meet on Wednesday, September 23, from 2:00-3:00PM at the Canton Seniors Center in The Summit. This month we're reading the 2009 Pulitzer Prize winner, March by Geraldine Brooks. It is the story of Rev. March, father of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, and March's year as a chaplain in the Union Army. Pick up a copy at the Canton Public Library Adult Reference Desk. To register, contact the Canton Seniors Center.

Positive parenting pays off more than you might think. Researchers at Oregon State University have released the results of an extensive study which shows that positive parenting has lasting impact on children and on the way those children parent when they have their own children.
For more info, check out the multitude of parenting resources available to you here at CPL.

image Family Story Minute by sean dreilinger used under Creative Commons license

September is National Sewing Month, and whether you're an experienced seamstress, a novice, or just an appreciator of the art, CPL has the resources for you. You can check out materials on how to sew or stories about sewing. Admire the amazing textile creations pictured in Camio, the Catalog of Art Museum Images Online.

Great book called "A Gift"  gives excellent pointers on setting goals, changing your self-talk, believing in yourself and taking control of your time and your life.  Along, with many other tools that we have and can use to make our dreams come true.  The book relates to a winning, goal-oriented organization and one that was filled with heart, which is the gift of "Arbonne".   From first hand experience Arbonne has great products.  If interested check it out for yourself and here's the website:   arbonnewisconsin.myarbonne.com.

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures by Amanda Blake Soule
This book includes over thirty projects you can easily make from materials you may have around the house or could easily find in thrift shops or on clearance at retail stores. The projects range from hot pads to tote bags to blankets to hats, and all are easily accomplished by someone with basic sewing skills. The photographs feel like those you'd find in your old family albums and the handmade items have a homey, very doable feel.

Staying in Canton during Labor Day weekend? Enjoy a walk along the Lower Rouge River Recreation Trail. The walk is Monday, September 7^th from 5-7pm and Trail Bingo will be provided by the Canton Leisure Services Staff. Having just recently taken a bike ride on the trail, I can tell you first hand that it is a beautiful piece of Canton that everyone should go out and enjoy.

If you are interested in reading about new cultures or how we adapt or don't adapt may we suggest...

If you're happy and you know it...write a letter. Seriously.

The library is applying for the Library of Michigan Foundation's State Librarian's Excellence Award, which is given annually to a library that exemplifies excellence in customer service. The recipient will receive a trophy and prize sponsored by the Roger & June Mendel Fund.

We need your help to win this prestigious honor. If we've done something you think merits praise - a program, a collection, our general staff demeanor and library culture - please address a letter to the State Librarian's Excellence Award Committee, telling them why you think the Canton Public Library gives great service, and send it to Kathie Gladden c/o Canton Public Library - 1200 S. Canton Center Road - Canton, MI 48188.

The deadline for us to receive recommendation letters is Tuesday, September 8.

If you like Kay Hooper, author of romantic suspense you might also enjoy these authors:

The Michigan Attorney General's office has established an online resource center for Michigan's seniors at Senior Brigade. This website is a clearinghouse for helpful information on consumer protection, financial matters, health care issues and veterans' services. It provides links to a wide variety of state and federal programs to help make informed decisions that can benefit you and your family. A calendar of senior events around the state is also available. The website is maintained by Attorney General Mike Cox's office.

As summer begins to wind down and fall begins to rev up, keep the fun going! Visit one of Michigan's great fall Festivals & Fairs.
The Michigan State Fair is going on now through Labor Day. See www.absolutemichigan.com for a schedule of events.
Check out www.Michigan.org for the many festivals and fairs available in just about every city.
Visit our large selections of materials on festivals and fairs. Some to check-out are:

• Food Festivals: eating your way from coast to coast
• Festivals of the world
• African-American holidays, festivals,and celebrations

A special meeting of the Canton Public Library Board of Trustees has been scheduled for Thursday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m., at which time the board will study the proposed 2010 budget. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.