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.

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.

Who will win the Run for the Roses in the 136th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs?  Lookin At Lucky, Sidney's Candy, Devil May Care or the long shot Make Music for Me. Tune in Saturday on NBC for the fastest two minutes of sports and find out. In the meantime, visit CPL for a taste of racing fever with books such as Two Minutes to Glory : The Official History of the Kentucky Derby , The 10 Best Kentucky Derbies and the new soon to be movie !

vs.
Well, hockey fans, we have made it to Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Wasn't really sure we would get there, based on how the Red Wings played at the end of the season, but very glad to see it happened. In other hockey news, the Pittsburgh Penguins have also raced into Round 2 of the Playoffs. Will these two teams meet up in the finals? I know that my nails will be bitten off in anticipation. Check out the Red Wings and Penguins websites for updates and tickets! Go Peng-wings! (I do have divided loyalites, after all!)

Ahhh Spring! Nature is at it's best right now. Pack up your fishing gear and head over to the Canton Fishing Derby from 9:00AM to 1:00PM on Saturday May 1. Check out a great book on fishing basics at the library.

We wanted to show just how fast and easy it is to self-check your items:

Well, hockey fans, it is that time of year once again — the Stanley Cup Playoffs! Now, although our Wings had us in a state of nail-biting curiosity to see if they were even going to make the playoffs, we can breathe a sigh of relief, that they are here to play another day. While you are eagerly waiting for the next game in the series, check out one of our great hockey books or DVD's to keep you in the know until the buzzer sounds and the next game begins!

If you are new to the area, new to biking, or simply want to explore new routes, check out Washtenaw County Bike Rides: a Guide to Road Rides In and Around Ann Arbor by Joel D. Howell. All the routes are paved and start from Ann Arbor. The difficulty of the rides and areas that require caution are clearly noted. Route maps for Dixboro, Dexter-Chelsea, Gallup Park, Hell, Huron River Drive, Manchester, Waterloo and more are included. A perfect weekend outing for the motivated rider who loves a challenge!

Downtown Detroit is the place to be for the NCAA Men's Division I Hockey Frozen Four Championship and the Detroit Tigers' home opener! The action begins Thursday with the college hockey Semifinals and concludes with Saturday's Championship game at Ford Field. Tickets are still available at a reasonable price.
The Tigers are back at Comerica Park for a six game home-stretch beginning with Friday's home opener against the Cleveland Indians. Michigan native and comedian Tim Allen will throw one of the first ceremonial pitches along with servicemen representing each branch of the military. Game time 1:05pm. Go Get'Em Tigers!!

The Michigan State Spartans are one of the "Elite Eight" in the NCAA Men's College Basketball Championships. Watch the 2010 Midwest Regional Final between Michigan State and Tennessee on Sunday March 28th as the Spartans look to advance to their sixth Final Four in the last 12 years. Tip time set for 2:20 pm ET on CBS.

After seventeen days of incredible and exciting winter events the 2010 Winter Olympics will come to an official end in Vancouver's BC Place Stadium on Sunday, February 28th. As with the Opening Ceremony, everything is hush-hush about the Closing Ceremony and who will perform. One thing is for sure, Nordic combined gold medalist, Billy Demong, will carry the U.S. Flag. The ceremony will also capture the spirit and personality of Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada. Coverage starts on NBC @ 8:00pm EST, tune in!

Photo courtesy of AP Images

Wow, to just take a look outside is breathtaking. I love the snow and these past few days we certainly have gotten our fair share. Sometimes I stare at it and wonder, wouldn't snowboarding just be a blast on all this snow! I have never actually snowboarded, so I better check out some of these books on snowboarding! Be sure to check them out too. Happy swooshing!

Well sports fans, we are now half-way through the 2010 Winter Olympics in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. I don't know about you, but after watching all those skiing events in that gorgeous mountain country, it makes me want to visit the Vancouver area pronto. Luckily, they have got us covered! Check out the website www.hellobc.com for all the great information you will need to plan your next vacation to their amazing city. If you go soon, you can still check out some great Canucks action before hockey season ends! Happy trails!

Billions will watch tonight's top-secret Opening Ceremony for the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver British Columbia. This is the first Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony to take place indoors at Vancouver's BC Place. NBC begins coverage at 7:30PM. Who will light the cauldron officially marking the opening of the games? Athletes from across the globe will come to compete in 86 separate events running through February 28th. Want to know more?

This year, Super Bowl XLIV makes its way to Sun Life Stadium, "Official Home of the Miami Dolphins," in sunny South Florida. So grab your snacks, spirit wear, and pom poms and get ready for Super Bowl Sunday on February 7th! The New Orleans Saints make their first appearance against the Indianapolis Colts. Tune in 6:00PM on CBS to see whether Brees or Manning lead their team in hoisting the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Apparently there's a larger-than-normal sporting event going on this weekend. If you're not quite ready for the big game, here are some links that may interest you:

• Slate magazine shows what it would be like if famous filmmakers 'directed' the Super Bowl [via kottke]
• Freakonomics Blog at NYT ponders what it would be like to play football without a helmet, among other amusing things
• Mental Floss tests your knowledge of the Bud Bowl in their latest lunchtime quiz
• Lifehacker suggests using baking powder to make restaurant-quality wings at home
• The Onion covers the Super Bowl the way only they can
• Macworld gives some pointers for setting up your HDTV for the Super Bowl and Olympics
• Macworld also collected a list of great Super Bowl-related iPhone & iPod Touch apps
• Cooking Light presents a Super Bowl menu makeover that looks quite appetizing

Here are some books that may interest you this weekend, available here at CPL:

Football for dummies, 3rd edition by Howie Long, John Czarnecki

The ultimate Super Bowl book : a complete reference to the stats, stars, and stories behind football's biggest game-- and why the best team won by Bob McGinn ; foreword by Michael MacCambridge

A little something : more than 150 snacks, hors d'oeuvres,and appetizers for every craving and occasion by Susan Epstein