SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, announced that today, Monday, August 30 and tomorrow, Tuesday, August 31 are Ozone Action days. Although this weather may seem nice to some, the sunny skies, hot temperatures, and southerly winds compromise our air quality and enable ground-level ozone to remain high.

It is the little things that we all do on Ozone Action days that can have a positive impact on air quality. Here are tips for Southeast Michigan residents to help keep the air clean on Ozone Action days:

Young readers can turn to click magazine as a great alternative to clicking on the T.V. "Click," the mouse, is your narrator throughout the picture-filled pages. This fun science magazine offers stories, comics, interviews, and creative activities to encourage young curious minds. It is available in the children's department. So stretch your mind and click on something new today.

Did you miss the Perseid meteor shower due to the overcast evening? Or, perhaps, you decided sleep was more important? Or did you just forget? If you missed it, you may want to read this man's account of the meteor shower from a kayak on Lake Michigan. You might also want to check out theskyscrapers.org and mark your calendar for future meteor events. Be sure to have Falling Stars: A Guide to Meteors and Meteorites by Mike D. Reynolds by your side.

For all those kids who are thinking about a future in Science or Engineering, this is the website for you. The National Defense Education Program presents Lab TV. The site features dozens of webisodes that demonstrate research that is being done everyday to improve our world. So start challenging yourself to ask new questions and investigate some amazing research.

You hear it all the time, "Internet identity theft on the rise." If you have been searching for a resource on identity theft protection and more, look no further. OnGuard Online is a website from the Federal Government in collaboration with businesses in the technology industry, which provides tips to help you be on guard against internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. OnGuard Online's Net Cetera provides information on how to keep children safe and secure online. These websites provide information and tutorials on spyware, online shopping, and much more. A Spanish version of this site is also available.

Kids, do you want to be a scientist, game designer, sportscaster, or chef when you grow up? How about an engineer, meteorologist, or inventor? If you have ever thought about any of these careers, check out Math Apprentice to see why math is the basis for so many careers. Play any of these cool games, and let math help you become anything you want to be!

If you like science and are looking for a great time, join us Saturday July 10th from 11:00-11:45AM for our Stellar Science Program! We'll have a great time exploring, learning, and discovering the world of science. Program is open to children in the 3rd through 6th grade. Registration starts Saturday June 26th. See you there!

The bizarre and incredible world of plants by Wolfgang Stuppy, Rob Kesseler, Madeline Harley

Ever wondered what happens inside a seed? Or why some flowers are pollinated by bees, others by birds, and still others by bats? Curious what pollen looks like at a microscopic level? This book shows all of these and more, offering stunning color photographs of flowers and other plants. Gorgeous to look at and filled with scientific facts about the plants pictured, this book is enjoyable on several levels.

If wolves attack livestock or pets, do humans have the right to kill them, even if they're on the Endangered Species list? This long-standing debate has reached the states of Michigan and Wisconsin. Both states have requested permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to obtain permits allowing the killing of wolves, including gray wolves, which are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. There are roughly 600 wolves in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The FWS is accepting public comments on this issue through May 19. Email your comments to Regional Director Peter Fasbender at: permitsR3ES@fws.gov. For more information, check out FWS's web page.

We just expanded our Science collection with two cool new DVD series that make learning science concepts fun! The first is Science of Disney Imagineering. This series uses attractions from the Most Magical Place on Earth — Disney World — to demonstrate things like Gravity, Magnetism, Trajectory and the like. The second is a familiar and well-loved science staple finally gracing the shelves here at CPL — Bill Nye the Science Guy. Bill explains scientific concepts in funny, kid-accessible illustrations. Both of these video series often include experiment demonstrations that could be useful for Science Fair Projects. Take one home today!

A recent article on MSNBC's Lifeline: Health Reports from NBC cited seven (7) ways the mind and body change as we age. Contrary to popular belief, as we age we become more liberal. However, seniors do become more easily distracted, but need less sleep! Skin sags and stem cells reproduction slows down. Seniors laugh more and develop a more positive attitude.

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.

The Michigan State Police Forensic Lab presents its own version of CSI-style crime solving techniques, only this is the real thing! Trooper Nicole Bock, Forensic Scientist Guy Nutter and Laboratory Commander F/Lt. Charles Morden will present this fascinating look in conjunction with our popular Everyone's Reading program. The forensics tie in very nicely with Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent, the original courtroom thriller. Join us in the Community Room on Tuesday, March 16, at 7:00PM for a thrilling evening.

With school back in session, homework is inevitable. Come check out the J500 section for all your science homework needs. One series we have by author Dan Green, focuses on different science topics--astronomy, rocks and minerals, biology and physics.

Because I Love Her: 34 Writers Reflect on the Mother-Daughter Bond edited by Andrea N. Richesin

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America by Tim Egan

Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, Or How Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper

Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free by Charles P. Fierce

We all know that "Going Green" saves our planet Earth. But there's an added benefit, "Going Green" can also help you build personal wealth. In The Green Millionaire: A Practical Guide to Achieving Real Wealth While Helping to Save the Planet, author Nigel J. Williams explains how small changes like programming your thermostat or switching to rechargeable batteries can lead to savings. Then learn how to turn those green savings into wealth.

Phone registration is underway for Canton author, Charles Steele, to discuss his newest book, "Discovering God in Science." Did the Big Bang create the universe? Did life start by chance, all without a cause? Does God exist? Many scientists are putting forth the God Hypothesis as an alternate theory to the origin of the universe. If you are interested in a cutting-edge debate about science and religion, then Discovering God in Science is a must-read. Join new author Charles E. Steele as he offers insight into this ongoing debate on Thursday, November 19th at 7:00PM in the library Community Room.

There has been a lot of speculation about why honeybees have been disappearing, and now scientists have a new theory: it's because of us. Luckily there are many things you can do to help foster good environments for honeybees, such as planting a diverse garden with plants that are attractive to bees. And if you're looking for honey or info on how to raise your own bees, you can't get more local than Bobilin Honey from right here in Canton.

November is American Diabetes month. 24 million children and adults in the United States live with Diabetes. 57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 Diabetes. American Diabetes Association is launching a national movement to Stop Diabetes. Learn more about this by visiting stopdiabetes.com

The wind turbine pictured here is one of 32 harnessing clean electricity on Harvest Wind Farm in Elkton, MI. (I took this photo during a summer trip to the Thumb Area.) Michigan Wind 1, with 46 turbines, is another wind farm located just north of Elkton in Ubly, MI. Major energy companies like DTE and Consumers Energy are tapping into these and other wind farms in Michigan to supply electric power to their customers. Combined, both wind farms generate about 122 megawatts of electricity — enough to power roughly 35,000 homes.

Wind, solar and geothermal are among the most promising methods to generate clean, renewable energy. You can learn more about a clean energy future by reading Hot, Flat and Crowded, by Thomas Friedman, best-selling author and Pulitzer-prize winning columnist from The New York Times.