The 2011 season debut of Canton's Farmers Market is Sunday, May 15, 10:00AM to 2:00PM (rain or shine) at Preservation Park, 500 N Ridge Rd (just 1/3 mile north of Cherry Hill Rd.). The open-air market runs every Sunday until Oct. 16 (except July 3) and features a variety of local Michigan-grown and made foods and crafts. You'll find seasonal produce, farm eggs, natural meats, sauces, pastas, artisan breads and cheeses, honey, plants, fresh-cut flowers, and crafts.

It doesn't feel warm enough, but Ozone Action season started May 1. Consider carpooling and using transit for cleaner air and the fuel savings.

The 100 thing challenge : how I got rid of almost everything, remade my life, and regained my soul by Dave Bruno — Do you ever feel like you have too much clutter in your life? Like maybe the stuff that surrounds you is threatening to take over? Dave Bruno had that feeling, and he decided to winnow his belongings down to only 100 items. This book talks about how he did it and the impact it had on his life, which was far greater than just having fewer possessions. His blog's motto is "Reduce - Refuse - Rejigger" and offers continued insights like those contained in this book.

Looking to buy local products including local veggies and grass-fed meats? Or simply looking to recycle, save energy and become a little greener? CPL's Canton Green Resources web page has a number of resources (most local) to help you in your quest to become green. The library can also help with your recycling efforts. We continue to collect paper with a collection bin in the parking lot and participate in the Cartridges for Kids program that recycles printer cartridges, small electronics and more. You can learn more about these programs and other great recycling resources through CPL's Canton Green Resources pages.

Hey Kids,
Being green is definitely the color to be these days, whether you're a kid or a frog. Kermit the frog from the Muppets is green and even sang a song about it. This fun program for 1st-3rd graders will be all about things that are green, as well as celebrating the coming of spring. Online Registration opens April 4.
Program Date: Monday, April 18, 11:00-11:45AM.

You've seen him at the Canton Farmer's Market with his delicious honey — now come meet Bob the Bee Guy on Wednesday, April 20, 7:00-8:30PM. You will learn about beekeeping and the environmental concerns about bee health in his presentation. There is no registration required for this adult program.

Libraries are the ultimate practitioners of the three Rs of the green lifestyle. Just think of the trees and money you'll save by checking out books from your local library instead of purchasing them, thereby reducing your consumption. And talk about reuse! You can read a book or watch a DVD over and over, then return it to the library for someone else to use. When it comes to recycling, you can donate your old materials to libraries for used book sales.

Dr. Craig Perdue will talk about behavioral ecology on Thursday, April 21, 3:00-4:30PM, in a presentation entitled "Bird Ancestors, Adaptations and Conversation." He will share his knowledge about working with birds of prey and other animals and explain how our actions impact their world. There is no registration required for this all ages program.

[Note: Dr. Perdue's program includes live birds.]

Learn about the benefits of vegetarian eating from Paul Krause, VP of VegMichigan on Monday, April 18, 7:00-8:30PM in his presentation Vegetarian Eating. Paul will talk about how to promote health, peace and the planet through a plant-based diet. Also (newly added to the program!) Susan Kline, author of "From the Earth with Love" will discuss transitioning to a vegetarian lifestyle. There is no registration required for this adult program.

We're celebrating Earth Day all week (April 18-22) and want you to join us! There will be events for adults, teens, tweens and children, including:

• Everything Green — Monday, April 18, 11:00-11:45AM (children, 1st through 3rd grade)
• Vegetarian Eating — Monday, April 18, 7:00-8:30PM (adult)
• Scrapbox Fun! — Tuesday, April 19, 1:00-3:00PM (all ages)
• Green Gardening — Tuesday, April 19, 7:00-8:30PM (adult)
• Recycled Crafts — Wednesday, April 20, 2:00-3:00PM (all ages)
• Bob the Bee Guy — Wednesday, April 20, 7:00-8:30PM (adult)
• Craig Perdue, Naturalist — Thursday, April 21, 3:00-4:30PM (all ages)

Join us at the Library on Tuesday evening, April 19 for a presentation by Jodi Cook, a local horticulturalist and green living advocate. Jodi will be speaking on how your garden impacts our environment, and how you can become a responsible caretaker while still having a beautiful garden. The program will take place in the Community Room from 7:00-8:30PM, as part of the Library's Earth Week celebration.

A friend's introduction to the live Eagle Cam at Norfolk Botanical Gardens is fascinating and quite an educational experience for all ages. This eagle couple has three chicks, or are they fledglings? Find the answer to this and the myriad questions you will have after viewing these majestic eagles. Check out this book on our nation's symbol Eagles and for adults, Eagles: Masters of the Sky.

Have fun reusing and recycling everyday items you might find around the house. All ages welcome!
Program Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2:00-3:00PM

Use recycled materials from the Scrapbox to make unique projects. All ages welcome!
Program Date: Tuesday, April 19, 1:00-3:00PM

Spring is a great time to clean out your file drawers for old documents and paperwork. However, many people worry about the safety of throwing away sensitive records and most home shredders are not powerful enough to handle large amounts of paper at one time.

If you are considering shredding for those piles of paper, Office Max offers a secure shred service for $.59 per pound. Those documents that are shredded are then recycled, making it an environmentally good choice as well.

Looking to get out of the rat race? Striving for less? Check out these books for great minimalist tips:

Philosophy of Simplicity

Enough already!: clearing mental clutter to become the best you by Peter Walsh

Simplexity: why simple things become complex (and how complex things can be made simple) by Jeffrey Kluger

Thursday, March 17, 4:00-7:00PM: Open House
This month at the Hatcher Graduate Library, the theme is “Mapping Science” in conjunction with the current Library Gallery exhibit Places & Spaces: Mapping Science, a traveling exhibit created by Dr. Katy Börner of Indiana University. The exhibit was created to demonstrate the power of maps to navigate and manage physical places but also abstract topic spaces. It introduces knowledge mapping techniques to the general public. It is meant to inspire cross-disciplinary discussion on how to best track and communicate human activity and scientific progress on a global scale. Allow time to view maps from the Map Library as well as the exhibit.

I now can identify certain birds by song thanks to this book. The Backyard Birdsong Guide: A Guide to Listening by Donald Kroodsma is a real treat — especially as Spring approaches. Look up a variety of birds located in Eastern and Central North America and you will find a photo of the bird, a brief description, information about their habitat, as well as information about their singing. But what is really nifty is that you can then punch in the number located next to the bird in the sound device located in the book and listen to the bird singing!

The revolutionary yardscape: ideas for repurposing local materials to create containers, pathways, lighting, and more by Matthew Levesque — When I see a garden or yard with cool planters, trellises, or other accoutrements, I always think about how pricey it would be to do the same in my garden. But with this book, you can make your own goodies from previously used materials — save some cash and go green at the same time. This book has lots of tips for making old items seem new. Isn't it time to add some useful art to your landscape?

The March/2011 issue of This Old House contains 52 Quick Fix-It Trricks, remoldeling money savers, how to problems and many other DIY shortcuts for your reading. This Old House is part of the CPL Adult magazine collection and also available at thisoldhouse.com.