Join us Thursday, May 13 at 7:00PM in the Community Room for the shared stories, methods, and inspiration of local authors. If you have ever dreamed of being an author yourself, or if you simply want to enjoy and support the efforts of some local talent, please join us. We'll hear everything from Haiku to families dealing with serious health and/or emotional issues. Let the stories begin.

Our Exchange Day programs begin this month with a coupon exchange on Wednesday, May 12, 10AM-Noon. We provide the space, you provide the coupons to swap, share and exchange with others. Trade diaper coupons for dog food coupons, restaurant coupons for recreation coupons or whatever works for you. No sales or compensation allowed and all items "as is" so read the fine print. It's fun and it's free so join us and see what you end up with. [Photo courtesy of Flickr user jek-a-go-go / license]

Celebrate a taste of the rich Asian Pacific culture by joining us for our 3rd annual APA Heritage Month Program on May 20, 6-8 p.m. in the Community Room. This year will feature a virtual author visit with Mitali Perkins at 7pm, a dance performance at 6pm by BollyFit Kids, the University of Michigan Go club, henna tattoos, crafts and some yummy snacks!

Need a gift for mom but don't have any cash? Teens in grades 7 through 12 can come decorate a vase and fill it with a bouquet for Mother’s Day on Saturday May 8th at 1:00PM. Registration is required!

Hey kids! Be sure to sign-up for the next 3rd grade Book Discussion. Registration starts at 9:00AM on Wednesday, May 5th and the Book Discussion will meet on Wednesday, May 19th at 5:00PM. This month's book is The Phantom Tollbooth by Norman Juster. See you there!

Age Strong! Live Long!
May is Older Americans Month and the focus is on getting strong to live long. So why not join the Senior Wii Bowling league on May 4, 2010 in the library's Community Room? For additional information call Marcia Barker at (734) 397-0999 x1079.

Age Strong! Live Long! is the focus of the Administration on Aging's Older Americans Month 2010. National Aging Services Network of state, tribal, Area Agencies on Aging such as The Senior Alliance, and community services providers such as Canton Seniors Center offer a wide variety of activities in May and throughout the year. Via AOA:

This year’s Older Americans Month theme — Age Strong! Live Long! — recognizes the diversity and vitality of today’s older Americans who span three generations. They have lived through wars and hard times, as well as periods of unprecedented prosperity.

The Michigan Humanities Council will present the 2010 Michigan Author Homecoming, "Writing War: Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam," with noted writers Benjamin Busch, Philip Caputo, and Doug Stanton

• May 18 in East Lansing
• May 20 in Marquette

The events will celebrate the conclusion of the Council’s Great Michigan Read. Each event will be a moderated, panel-style discussion focusing on the impact of war on culture, particularly in relation to recent United States conflicts (Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam). There will be a book signing. Tickets are available online or by phone at (517) 372-7770.

Don't miss the Ann Arbor Book Festival, May 14-16, featuring poetry readings, Breakfast with the Authors, writers' conferences, and culminating with the Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair on Sunday, May 16.

Debra Drummond, president of the local Women Marines Association, will speak of the opportunities and excitement of being a woman in the United States Marine Corps. She also will share the many benefits that are available to former military women who might not be taking full advantage. Join us at 7:00PM on Thursday, May 6th in the Community Room for a great video and informative conversation.

Tonight, May 3, 6:30-8 p.m., CPL welcomes over 20 colleges, institutes and specialty schools to the Summit on the Park ballroom for the second annual Key to Your Success night. This open house is perfect for high school students considering options for the fall and adults looking for retraining or a whole new career. Admissions associates will be on hand to provide information on programs, admissions requirements and more. Learn about options to finance your education from representatives of U of M-Dearborn, the Canton Community Foundation and the Michigan Education Trust. A partial list of attendees includes:

• Irene's Myomassology Institute
• U of M-Dearborn
• Schoolcraft College
• Walsh College
• Lawrence Tech
• Specs Howard School of Media Arts
• L'Esprit Academy
• Wayne State University
• Davenport University
• International Bartending School
• ITT Tech
• Art Institute of Michigan
• Center for Film Studies
• Concordia College
• Eastern Michigan University
• Dorsey Business School
• Armed Forces Recruiting
• DeVry University

It's time for the fourth annual Local Author Event. There are still a few slots open for local authors to share their stories and books with us on Thursday, May 13 at 7:00PM. Please contact Marcia at (734) 397-0999 x1079 if you are a published author and would like to participate. The authors will each be given a few minutes to speak and will then retire to their respective tables to sell their books and talk with fans.

DIA Exhibit April 2010 through Sunday August 8, 2010. This exhibition explores the variations and dynamics of cultural exchanges between Africans and Europeans over 500 years. Illustrates how African artists from diverse cultures have used and continue to use visual forms to reflect their attitudes toward Europeans. The exhibit features objects in wood ivory, metals and textiles.

We're celebrating Earth Day all week (April 18 - 23) and want you to join us! There will be events for adults, teens, tweens and children, including:

• Earth Week Mural Art Creation — Sunday, April 18, 1:00-3:00PM
• Recycled Crafts — Tuesday, April 20, 5:00-5:45PM
• How to Become a Master Gardener — Tuesday, April 20, 7:00-8:30PM
• A Michivore Life — Wednesday, April 21, 7:00-8:30PM
• Energy Alternatives — Thursday, April 22, 7:00-8:30PM
• Scrapbox Fun! — Friday, April 23, 10:00-11:00AM

Also, be sure to share your green tips and tricks with the community by posting on the Electronic Green Board.

Families with children ages 4-9 can come and join us Wednesday, May 5th at 7:00PM for our Target Family Fun Night. This month, our program will be all about dinosaurs and presented by Cranbrook! Registration begins Wednesday, April 21st. Space is limited.

Tom Bloomer, co-founder of Michivore.com, will give you all the facts on eating locally grown fruits, vegetables and meats plus tips on doing this easily and inexpensively in his presentation A Michivore Life on Wednesday, April 21 from 7:00-8:30PM. This program is for both teens and adults. No registration is required for this program.

Considering putting solar panels on your home or perhaps installing some wind turbines? Join Dave Strenski from solarypsi.org on Thursday, April 22 from 7:00-8:30PM as he shares his knowledge in his presentation Energy Alternatives. It may save you time and money as well as help the global warming problem. This is an adult program. No registration is required for this program. [Photo courtesy of AP Images]

Do you want to make your green thumb even greener? Earth Week is a great time to learn how to grow and care for your own vegetables, herbs, fruit trees and flowers. Master Gardener Anita Callendar will be at the Library on April 20 with an overview of the Master Gardening Program presented by the Michigan State University Extension. Join her and other future gardening gurus in the Community Room from 7:00-8:30PM. No registration is required.

Children of Dust a memoir written by Ali Eteraz reveals Islamic fundamentalism and madrassa life in rural Pakistan, the culture shock of moving to the U.S., and a journey of reconciliation to the modern Middle East. Author Ali Eteraz will speak on Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 at 12:00pm in the University of Michigan's Hatcher Graduate Library, Gallery - Room 100 (use Diag entrance).

The Author’s Forum Presents
A World Without Ice: A Conversation with Henry Pollack & Richard Rood

Wednesday, April 14, 2010, 5:30PM
Gallery/Room 100, Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library
913 S. University, Ann Arbor

A World Without Ice is a book about ice and people — the role ice has played in the development of Earth’s landscape, climate, and human civilization, and the reciprocal impact of people on the planet’s ice. Today, U-M’s Henry Pollack and Richard Rood discuss why ice matters, the delicate geological balance between ice and climate, and the pending crisis of a world without ice.