Do you like to travel?  My husband and I have enjoyed travelling over the last ten years.

     Two of our favorite spots are Ireland and the state of Hawaii.

      We went to Ireland with Kelly Tours in 2006.  We joined the second tour that visited three spots in

Northern Ireland.  This was of particular interest to me because my father was born in Belfast and lived

there until he was eighteen.  My husband and I watched 3 tapes which highlighted many interesting locations in Northern Ireland and Ireland.  The titles of these medias are

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.

It is remarkable that 40 years ago - prior to cell phones, Blackberry's, and laptops - the mission to send men to the moon was accomplished with astronauts who carried sliderules.   Astronaut Buzz Aldrin writes about his journey as the second man to step foot on the moon in his book, Magnificent Desolation.  It begins with his trip to the moon in 196

The award-winning "Pure Michigan" tourism campaign has received another accolade, this one from Forbes, naming it among the 10 all-time best travel campaigns. This recognition is further proof Michigan is making its mark when it comes to travel and tourism. In the words of Governor Granholm "This campaign is helping travelers choose Michigan while diversifying and growing our economy".

Today is so beautiful out, friends! Take advantage of the sunshine and warm weather and make a trek outside. Celebrate Nature Photography Day and create some art by capturing the world around you.  Michigan is full of parks, lakes, and gardens. Check out an old favorite or discover a new one. Good luck and happy snapping!

There is no excuse for being bored this summer in Michigan. From the pristine beaches of the UP to miles of Lake Michigan beaches, there is something for everyone here, be it swimming, snorkeling, kite flying or just sleeping in the sun. Stay for the sunset too, each one is more beautiful than the day before! Michigan's best beaches

The U.S. National Park Service will waive entrance fees at more than 100 national parks during three special weekends this summer. Designed to promote tourism and help budget strapped families at the same time, these weekends are scheduled for June 20 & 21, July 18 & 19 and August 15 & 16. If you are thinking of packing up the car and heading out, be sure to stop by the library and& check out one of our many National Park Guidebooks.

 

Frommer's is the name you can trust for great travel bargains. Fifty years ago, only the rich vacationed in Europe. Then came the guidebook"Europe on $5 a day". Travelling changed forever. The acclaimed $-a-day series is for travelers with taste, who demand comfortable accomadations at reasonable prices. Frommer's guidebooks

Looking for some fun ways to spend a day? Well, why not spend it exploring our own great state of Michigan? Fun With The Family In Michigan: Hundreds of Ideas For Day Trips With The Kids offers up wonderful suggestions for day trips all over the state. Pick up a copy and see all that Michigan has to offer!

Just in time for summer vacation, Park & Read passes have arrived at the library. A joint venture of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Macy's, the Hammock Company, and the Library of Michigan, the Park & Read program provides a free one-day vehicle permit to any Michigan State Park & Recreation Area - and at many parks, a free hammock to use for the day. Like the popular Museum Adventure Pass program, the passes are "checked out" for seven days; you pick the day you want to use it. So come in for a pass & a book to read while lolling in that hammock.

Wayne County parks are 90 years old this year and they are celebrating with a host of activities throughout the park system. From Movies at Dusk and Jazz on the River, to Pirate Palooza or Mud Day, there's something to appeal to all tastes. Pick up your copy of the 2009 Wayne County Parks Schedule of Events brochure in our lobby and find the event that's right for you.

The database "Culture Grams" gives facts and photos of all the world's countries including specific flags, recipes, and famous people hailing from that nation.  New features are the video clips and slideshows where one can watch and hear music performances on instruments indigenous to the culture or see slides of the Great Pyramids of Egypt, monasteries of Armenia, houseboats of the Netherlands, and a plethora of other possibilities. Tune in to Culture Grams today!

Memorial Day is this weekend!  If your plans lean more towards grilling at home than campfire hotdogs and smores, don't forget to stop at CPL for a movie!  It's perfect for a family movie night at home.  It's also great for that long car ride to the cabin up north. Here are some vacation themed films to get you started. 

Features searchable database of lodging, attractions, and activities for families planning travel vacations.It also provides helpful advice for packing and traveling with children of all ages. Family Travel

 

Planning a voyage, but have no idea which line best fits your personality? Turn to the cruise 101 story.They take a hard look at 15 cruise lines strengths,weaknesses and price points. Cruises

New York City, the most fun city in the world. It has something(s) for everyone. 
Times Square, Broadway, Museums, Central Park, Rockefeller Plaza (esspecially at Christmastime), the subway (what an adventure), the Brooklyn Bridge, awesome buildings, and many, many restaurants.

Edsel, the only child of Henry Ford I & Clara Bryant, married Eleanor Clay in 1916. The Fords began building their dream home in 1926 at Gaukler Pointe in Grosse Pointe Shores, a fashionable new suburb on Detroit's eastern boundary. The family moved in at Christmas 1929. Built along the shores of Lake St. Clair, the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House is an impressive yet unpretentious home featuring exquisite architecture by Albert Kahn and landscape design by Jens Jensen.

Running out of things to do on Spring Break? Besides your favorite programs at the library, there are many places to go and things to see in the Metro Detroit Area. You can access many attractions through the library’s Museum Adventure Pass program, explore Michigan recreation online, sift through Everything Canton for fun activities, or find books filled with things to do!

Recently I spent time in Savannah, GA, where, on a local hotel TV channel, I viewed John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  He described how he fell in love with Savannah and decided to live there for a while.  His book not only details the murder that took place at the historical Mercer house, but also depicts Savannah's history, beauty, and some of its idiosyncratic residents.  Upon returning home, I checked out the book and the mo

Most Michiganders know Cancun and Cozumel well. Both are among the closest and nicest spots in Mexico for travelers from the eastern half of the United States. But when it comes to the Pacific side of Mexico, we're more hazy. Which town is which? What are the major attractions? And how do you get there from Detroit? Here's a brief Mexican Pacific primer on three great destinations: Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta.