This is the most comprehensive guide to ski and snowboard areas in Michigan. No matter your skill level, Michigan is the place to go downhill skiing. With more than 40 Michigan downhill skiing resorts, the silvery slopes of Michigan offer the best Alpine skiing in the Midwest. So let's head up the lift and get a little closer to the bright blue sky where the beauty of downhill skiing is Pure Michigan.

Now that we have made it past Thanksgiving, and with Christmas right around the corner, Rose Bowl time is very quickly coming upon us. This year, on January 1, 2011, we will be able to watch the 122nd Tournament of Roses Parade (my favorite part of the day) followed by the 97th Rose Bowl Game. Wish I was in California to see that (well, mostly the parade, but I am sure the game is fun too)! Check out the Tournament of Roses official website for more information. Also, be sure to check out our great books on the Rose Bowl. Happy reading!

The Detroit Red Wings are back in town for a three game homestretch which includes the Ducks, Coyotes and Predators. After a good start to their season, the Wings hope to continue the trend. Chris Osgood remains three victories away from his 400th NHL career win. Tune in this season to see him capture it!

Photo courtesy of AP Images

Celebrating a birthday today is Reidel Anthony, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is turning 34 years old today! Some ways you can celebrate include checking out a book on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, peek at the Tampa Bay official website, or go outside and toss around the ol' football with some friends. Maybe even eat a little cake, too.

1. 1983 Michigan Panthers win USFL Championship
2. 1984 Detroit Tigers are World Series Champs
3. 1986 Michigan State Spartans win NCAA Men’s Hockey Championship
4. 1988 Detroit Drive win first ArenaBowl Championship
5. 1989 Michigan Wolverines win their first NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship
6. 1989 Detroit Pistons win their first NBA Championship
7. 1989 Detroit Drive are ArenaBowl Champs
8. 1990 Pistons win NBA Championship
9. 1990 Detroit Drive win ArenaBowl Championship
10. 1991 Detroit Turbos win the National Lacrosse League Championship
11. 1992 Detroit Rockers are National Professional Soccer League Champions
12. 1992 Detroit Drive win their fourth and final ArenaBowl Championship
13. 1995 Plymouth Whalers are the OHL Champions
14. 1996 Michigan Wolverines win NCAA Championship in Men’s Hockey
15. 1997 University of Michigan Wolverines win share of NCAA Football Championship with Nebraska
16. 1997 Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup, first in 42 years
17. 1997 Detroit Vipers are IHL Champs winning their only Joseph Turner Memorial Cup
18. 1998 Michigan Wolverines win NCAA Men’s Hockey Championship
19. 1998 Red Wings are Stanley Cup Champions
20. 2000 Michigan State Spartans win NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship
21. 2001 Detroit Dogs win American Basketball (ABA 2000) Championship
22. 2002 Red Wings win their 10^th Stanley Cup
23. 2003 Detroit Shock win WNBA Championship
24. 2004 Detroit Pistons win their third NBA Championship
25. 2006 Shock are WNBA Champs
26. 2007 Michigan State Spartans win Men’s NCAA Hockey Championship
27. 2007 Plymouth Whalers win OHL Championship
28. 2008 Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup
29. 2008 Detroit Shock are WNBA Champs
30. 2010 University of Michigan wins NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championship

Will the Spartans retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy when they travel to the Big House for the in-state battle with the Wolverines?? Wear your team colors and tune in Saturday, 3:30PM to find out! It's sure to be an exciting game as both teams are undefeated and ranked; Michigan State 17 and Michigan 18. The two schools have played over 100 times and the rivalry has been played continuously for 64 seasons.

Only six more chance to see the Detroit Tigers this year at Comerica Park and it happens this week and weekend. Experience Fan Appreciation Weekend when the Tigers take on Minnesota and get free givaways beginning Friday. Don't miss out on a camouflage baseball hat, a knit hat or free poster, order tickets today!

It's official… football pre-season is upon us. The Detroit Lions have come roaring out of the gate this past weekend with a win over the Cleveland Browns. Tune in and gear up as maybe this will be a sign of good things to come. While you are waiting for the next tramplefest, be sure to check out the great books we have on the Detroit Lions. Grrrrr!

The 2nd annual Paws in the Park event returns to Canton's Heritage Park this Saturday and Sunday, August 28-29. The weekend is packed with fun activities for the whole family — including your four-legged friends, so don't leave Fido at home! Take your dog through an agility course and the "Chase It" lure course, participate in the Paw Walk to benefit the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV), enter the dog costume and float contest, cheer on your favorite Ultimate Air Dogs competitors (jump into a 40-foot pool) and visit the pet adoption and pet vendors areas. Other don't-miss shows: Rock n' Roll K9s and Pawsitive Vybe disc dogs. Admission is free for dogs and children 10 and under and $5 at the gate for everyone else. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit HSHV.

While the skies maybe a bit on the gray side this morning, here's hoping the weather holds for the Tigers to host the Cleveland Indians tonight at Comerica Park. Don't have tickets? Well, then, come and check out our great books on both the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians. Get your gloves ready… it's going to be a great game!

Michigan International Speedway's NASCAR season culminates this weekend with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400. Enjoy a full weekend of events with family and friends beginning with Friday's Pole Day. Saturday brings the CARFAX 250 where Nationwide Series regulars battle the Sprint Series stars. Sunday's CARFAX 400 race is sure to be riveting as Bad Brad and Killer Carl take to the track. Don't miss the excitement, get your tickets now!
[Photo courtesy AP Images]

Kids, do you like Baseball? Do you find yourself rooting for the Tigers at the Detroit Zoo and wondering where their balls and gloves are hidden? Do you want peanuts and hot dogs for every meal? If this is you, then check out Baseball A to Z by Michael P. Spradlin. It's a new book in our picture book section. Be the next person to add your name to the hold list. You wouldn't want to be sliding into home without reading this book first!

Want to go back in time? Then experience a vintage baseball game as the Early Risers Base Ball Club of Detroit and the Northville Eclipse Base Ball Club play in a fundraiser for ALS in Canton. Players will wear period reproduction uniforms and the game will be played using the rules and customs of the 19th century. ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease is one of the most common neuromuscular diseases worldwide, and people of all races and ethnic backgrounds are affected.

Looking for some places to visit and recreational activities that will excite the kids? What better way to spend a summer day, weekend or longer--or even a short vacation in the spring or fall--than to have that getaway in Michigan! This Special Collection will help you discover a variety of opportunities for a Michigan-style good time.

Books

The Complete Guide to Michigan Sand Dunes by Jim DuFresne: With its comprehensive explanation of dune formation and variety, the book also includes information about activities at the dunes, including hiking, skiing, picnic and swimming areas.

A little bit of everything: football stories, murder mysteries, steamy football romances, and even some football-related science fiction.

Judging time by Leslie Glass

Double reverse by Tim Green

Outlaws by Tim Green

The red zone by Tim Green

Let's get our cleats on and root for Team USA! Right now we are standing strong having tied our game with England over the weekend. Root our boys on as they kick, pass, and score their way to the top. For all the latest FIFA information check out their website www.fifa.com and be sure to click on the page for Team USA. Also, be sure to check out our books on soccer so you can hone your skills and maybe someday be playing for Team USA!

The top 32 soccer teams from around the globe compete in the most competitive and most watched sporting event the world has ever known, the FIFA World Cup. South Africa hosts the World Cup and becomes the first African nation to do so. The Cup kicks off on June 11th and continues until July 11th. Team USA takes on Slovenia, the smallest country at the World Cup, on Friday June 18th. Check out some of the new World Cup Soccer materials here at the library.

It's a sad day in Hockeytown as our Red Wings have become Shark food. Sigh. It was a painful series to watch overall, but then again, this has not been the best season for the Red Wings either. Until Hockey season starts back up again in October, you can relive the past glory days of our dear, Detroit hockey club with items in our sports section. Enjoy the vacation boys! See you next fall!

There's a new way to play ball called Pickleball. It's a combination of ping pong and badminton. If you're up to trying something new, open pickleball sessions are held at the Northville Recreation Center.

Get some basics at the Pickleball Lessons Blog.