Some of southeast Michigan's youngest elected officials - including Plymouth Library Board Trustee Eric Bacynski - want their generation to be champions for change in their communities. The "You-Go-Lead" Young Government Leaders Symposium provides information and guidance for college students, recent graduates and people under 35 who are interested in running for local or state elected office or in getting appointed to local boards and commissions. The symposium will be at UM-Dearborn on Friday, March 26 from 12:15-4:30. Free registration at www.umd.umich.edu/iflg or contact Kelly Young-Raymore at (313) 436-9179.

The Administration on Aging (AoA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently published A Profile of Older Americans: 2009. The annual Profile of Older Americans was originally developed and researched by Donald G. Fowles, AoA. Saadia Greenberg, AoA, developed the 2009 edition Just a few highlights from this report:

• The older population (65+) numbered 38.9 million in 2008, an increase of 4.5 million or 13.0% since 1998
• The number of Americans aged 45-64 – who will reach 65 over the next two decades – increased by 31% during this decade
• Over one in every eight, or 12.8%, of the population is an older American
• Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 18.6 years (19.8 years for females and 17.1 years for males)

In the past couple weeks, dozens (if not hundreds) of patrons have called or visited the library asking about the 2009 Michigan tax forms: Well, your wait is over!! Find supplies of all of the most common Michigan 2009 tax forms and instruction booklets (including MI-1040 and MI-1040CR-7, better known as the Home Heating Credit Claim) on the large work table inside our Copy Center. These are in addition to the 2009 Federal tax forms and instructions, which have been in stock for the past few weeks. For the less common tax forms, you'll find binders containing all reproducible 2009 Michigan and Federal tax forms (photocopy charges apply to these reproducibles) in the Copy Center, which also has a computer work station featuring direct links to Federal, Michigan, Other States' and City of Detroit tax form websites.

The United States Congress has approved a bill that will allow taxpayers to deduct recent contributions to the Haiti relief effort on their 2009 tax returns. To qualify the donation must be monetary and be made to a qualifying charity assisting in Haiti. For more details on how you can help visit the USAID website.

A new database is searchable via Gale Virtual Reference Library called Countries of the World and Their Leaders. A compilation of the U.S. Department of State, it reports on contemporary political and economic conditions, government personnel and policies, political parties, religions, history, education, press, radio and TV, climate, health conditions, and travel and passport restrictions in every country. Search all of Gale Virtual Reference Library or expand the heading under "Nation and World" to click directly and open up Countries of the World and Their Leaders.

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

November 11 is our nationwide observance of Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, to honor our U.S. veterans for their patriotism, love of country, military service, and sacrifice for the common good.

In addition to thanking all of the veterans you know, join the community at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill, which will host a Salute to Service for all area veterans, their families, and supporters this evening at 7:00; doors open at 6:00. This event is sponsored by the Canton Veterans Memorial Association and Canton Township, and is free and open to the public. The Michigan Military Moms will also be on-site collecting items for service men and women who are currently serving our country overseas.

Caring for an older family member or friend? Getting on in years yourself? NIHSeniorHealth.gov, the health and wellness website for older adults, has recently added seven short videos about Medicare coverage to its Medicare Basics for Caregivers.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has opened the very first CommerceConnect office in Plymouth, Michigan. This new service center, located in the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center on Haylard (near M-14 and Beck Road), is designed to connect business people with resources offered by the federal government - including research, analysis, market advice & financing options.

Millions of taxpayers started taking home more money in their paychecks this past April thanks to the Making Work Pay Tax Credit. However, changes to the IRS withholding tables cannot take into account single workers with multiple jobs or dual-income married couples for example. All these changes could mean a smaller refund or larger balance due next year. Now is the time to review and adjust your W-4 and ensure that you are withholding the correct amount. This IRS Withholding Calculator can help you avoid an unpleasant surprise come tax time.

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.

SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, has completed a draft of Direction2035, the region’s next long-range transportation plan, and is asking the public to review the plan and submit comments. Interested parties can read Direction2035 online or call 313-324-3362 for a printed copy. Details on how to submit your comments, including a schedule of public meetings, can be found on the SEMCOG website.

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.

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.

The Social Security office recently launched a national campaign "Retire Online. It's So Easy!" This campaign features a new online retirement application that can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. The application is available online and can easily be completed at any of our library computers.

On September 10, library supporters will rally at the State Capitol in Lansing to encourage legislators to save the Library of Michigan and the important shared statewide resources, such as MeL databases and MeLCat interlibrary loan, that Canton Public Library users value. The rally will start at 9:30AM and supporters are asked to wear red shirts to show their support for statewide joint services.

The Governor's Executive Order dismantles the Department of History, Arts & Libraries and places the services of the Library of Michigan — both physical and online collections — in jeopardy. State funding and federal matching funds for MeLCat interlibrary loan and 25 MeL databases are at stake; due to the local economy and cuts to local funding associated with the recession, the Canton Public Library does not have the funds to pay for interlibrary loan or online genealogical, historical, or reference products if the state legislature does not act to maintain statewide library services — Canton residents would lose access to these resources.

Vice President Joe Biden, along with Governor Granholm and other local officials, will be in Detroit on Wednesday to make remarks on the economy. Some public tickets to this event will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, on request Tuesday at the event venue, the NextEnergy building.
For more information about the event, see the White House Press Release.

President Obama announced yesterday his choices for the Medal of Freedom. CPL has numerous items about and by the recipients.

• Nancy Goodman Brinker
• Pedro José Greer, Jr. [Wikipedia]
• Stephen Hawking
• Jack Kemp [Wikipedia]
• Sen. Edward Kennedy
• Billie Jean King
• Rev. Joseph Lowery [Wikipedia]
• Joe Medicine Crow – High Bird
• Harvey Milk
• Sandra Day O’Connor
• Sidney Poitier
• Chita Rivera
• Mary Robinson
• Janet Davison Rowley [Wikipedia]
• Desmond Tutu
• Muhammad Yunus

Is it possible to imagine a world where cash is no longer accepted and Smart Cards and credit cards are used for everything, including vending machines? Where direct deposit is not only requested but mandated? Why is this scenario not only likely, but less expensive for the government, and actually lucrative in the long run?

The CAR Allowance Rebate System (CARS), commonly referred to as Cash for Clunkers officially began on July 24th. Under this $1 billion government program consumers qualify for a cash credit towards the purchase of a more environmentally-friendly vehicle from a participating dealer when they trade in a less fuel-efficient car or truck. This program is also designed to help energize the economy; boost auto sales and put safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles on the nation's roadways. Eligibility requirements and other details can be found at the official website for the program, CARS.gov.