Michigan in the Civil War at the Saline Library

Your teen will appreciate the chance to learn local histroy as the folks at the Saline Area Historical Society puts on the the first of three Fall Education Programs for the fall. On Sunday, September 11, 2:00-3:30 p.m., join John Gibney, Civil War history specialist from Eastern Michigan University and Director of Monroe Historical Museums to understand more about Michigans involvement in the Cival War. The program takes place at teh Saline District Library (555 N. Maple Rd., Saline)

Mr. Gibney is known near and far as a Civil War buff and reenactor. He participated in the filming of Gettysburg, Glory, and Gods and Generals, as well as numerous radio and TV documentaries and specials. John Gibney was named one of the official state partners for the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, charged with coordinating Museum and Round Table activities. Education Programs are always free and everyone is welcome.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Building Workshops for Kids!

Seems everyone is getting into the transportation mood this month for the various kid's building clinics. So get on-board and take your tyke to one of several fun workshops this month. Don't forget to sign up early though...

• September 10: Wooden Police Car with Flashing Light - Lowe's
• September 24: Fire Truck with Working Siren - Lowe's
• October 1: Fire Rescue Helicopter - Home Depot

Lowe's (3900 Carpenter Rd., Ypsilanti and 5900 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor) offers their kids Build and Grow Building Clinics two Saturday's a month at 10:00 a.m. The workshop fills quickly and provides kids the opportunity to use real tools (a hammer, nails, screws and screwdrivers) to build toys and other usable objects. The Home Depot's Kids Workshops (3300 Carpenter Rd., Ypsilanti and  45900 Michigan Ave., Canton) offer useful projectsfor kid's age 5-12. The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Their workshops run the first Saturday of every month 9:00 a.m. - noon. Both clinics give children their own apron and a certificate of completion or a patch!

Storytime: Times and Locations Fall 2011

School is getting back on track, so why not take your younger child to one of the many storytime programs for babies, toddlers and pre-school age children available in the area.

MONDAY:

Ann Arbor District Library Playgroup Storytime
Location: 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Age: Babies to 24 months - No older siblings, please.
15 minutes of stories, rhymes and songs, followed by open playtime. Parents/guardians must remain with their children. 

Dexter District Library Toddler Storytime
Location: 3255 Alpine St., Dexter
Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Age: 18-months to 3 years
Children must be pre-registered at the library. Begins week of September 19.

Ypsilanti District Library Baby Brigade Storytime
Location:5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Age: Infant to 18-months
Introduce your child to the wonders of reading with stories, songs, and an occasional craft, led by our creative youth librarians. Beginning September 12.

Ypsilanti District Library Kid's Club Storytime
Location: 229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Age: Pre-school aged children
Introduce your child to the wonders of reading with stories, songs, and an occasional craft, led by our creative youth librarians. Times and locations should be verified.
Dexter District Library Pre-school Storytime
Location: 3255 Alpine St., Dexter
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Age: 3-5 years
Children must be pre-registered at the library. Begins week of September 19.


TUESDAY:

Ann Arbor District Library, Malletts Creek Playgroup Storytime
Location: 3090 E. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor
Time: 10:00 –11:00 a.m.
Age: Babies to 24 months - No older siblings, please.
15 minutes of stories, rhymes and songs, followed by open playtime. Parents/guardians must remain with their children.

Ann Arbor District Library Preschool Storytime
Location: 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
Time: 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Age: 2-5 years - Siblings are welcome. 

Ypsilanti District Library Superior Storytime
Location: 8975 MacArthur Blvd., Ypsilanti
Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Age:
Introduce your child to the wonders of reading with stories, songs, and an occasional craft, led by our creative youth librarians.

Ypsilanti District Library Toddler Storytime
Location: 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Age: Toddlers
Introduce your child to the wonders of reading with stories, songs, and an occasional craft, led by our creative youth librarians. Beginning September 13.

Ann Arbor District Library, Traverwood Preschool Storytime
Location: 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor
Time: 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Age: 2-5 years - Siblings are welcome.

Dexter District Library Pre-school Storytime
Location: 3255 Alpine St., Dexter
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Age: 3-5 years
Children must be pre-registered at the library. Begins week of September 19.

WEDNESDAY:

Ann Arbor District Library, Malletts Creek Preschool Storytime
Location: 3090 E. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor
Time: 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Age: 2-5 years - Siblings are welcome.

Dexter District Library Toddler Storytime
Location: 3255 Alpine St., Dexter
Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Age: 18-months to 3 years
Children must be pre-registered at the library. Begins week of September 19.

Ypsilanti District Library Toddler Storytime
Location: 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Age: Toddlers
Introduce your child to the wonders of reading with stories, songs, and an occasional craft, led by our creative youth librarians. Beginning September 14.

Ann Arbor District Library Preschool Storytime
Location: 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
Time: 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Age: 2-5 years - Siblings are welcome

Ann Arbor District Library, Pittsfield Playgroup Storytime
Location: 2359 Oak Valley Dr, Ann Arbor
Time: 11:30 a.m. - noon
Age: Babies to 24 months - No older siblings, please.
15 minutes of stories, rhymes and songs, followed by open playtime. Parents/guardians must remain with their children.

Dexter District Library Storytime
Location: 3255 Alpine St., Dexter
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Age: 18-months - 5 years
Children must be pre-registered at the library. Begins week of September 19. Begins week of September 19.

Ypsilanti District Library Pre-school Storytime
Location: 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
Time: 1:30-2:00 p.m.
Age: Pre-school age
Introduce your child to the wonders of reading with stories, songs, and an occasional craft, led by our creative youth librarians. Beginning September 14.

Ann Arbor District Library, Traverwood Preschool Storytime
Location: 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor
Time: 6:00-6:30 p.m.
Age: 2-5 years - Siblings are welcome. 

THURSDAY:

Ann Arbor District Library, Traverwood Preschool Storytime
Location: 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor
Time: 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Age: 2-5 years - Siblings are welcome. 

Dexter District Library Toddler Storytime
Location: 3255 Alpine St., Dexter
Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Age: 18-months to 3 years
Children must be pre-registered at the library. Begins week of September 19.

Ypsilanti District Library Jump-Start Storytime
Location:5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Age: Pre-school aged children
Introduce your child to the wonders of reading with stories, songs, and an occasional craft, led by our creative youth librarians. Beginning September 15.

Dexter District Library Pre-school Storytime
Location: 3255 Alpine St., Dexter
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Age: 3-5 years
Children must be pre-registered at the library. Begins week of September 19.

Ann Arbor District Library, Malletts Creek Playgroup Storytime
Location: 3090 E. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Age: Babies to 24 months - No older siblings, please.
15 minutes of stories, rhymes and songs, followed by open playtime. Parents/guardians must remain with their children.

Ann Arbor District Library, Pittsfield Preschool Storytime
Location: 2359 Oak Valley Dr, Ann Arbor
Time: 7:00-7:30 p.m.
Age: 2-5 years - Siblings are welcome.

FRIDAY:

Ann Arbor District Library, Pittsfield Preschool Storytime
Location: 2359 Oak Valley Dr, Ann Arbor
Time: 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Age: 2-5 years - Siblings are welcome.  

Ann Arbor District Library, Traverwood Playgroup Storytime
Location: 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor
Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Age: Babies to 24 months - No older siblings, please.
15 minutes of stories, rhymes and songs, followed by open playtime. Parents/guardians must remain with their children.

SATURDAY:

Ann Arbor District Library, Malletts Creek Storytime
Location: 3090 E. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor
Time: 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Age: Any age
Library staff will read aloud stories that the whole family, all ages, can enjoy together. 

Ypsilanti District Library Super Saturday Storytime
Location: 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Age: Any age
Introduce your child to the wonders of reading with stories, songs, and an occasional craft, led by our creative youth librarians. Alternate Saturday's.

Saturday Storytime With Mr. Bones / Barnes & Nobel Storytime
Location: 3235 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Age: 3-6 years old
LibClassics, favorites and requests are chosen reads. Sometimes he has special visitors like Spot the Dog or Curious George and maybe cookies and activity sheets too!

Weekly Storytime at Nicola's Books
Location: 2513 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Age: 7 and under

The Saline District Library also has storytimes, however they are by registration only. See the Saline District Library for storytime dates, times and sign-up. Look under Youth tab on the website.

Information was pulled from the various library websites. For accuracy, always verify times and locations with your local library.

Holiday Weekend Events

Feeling energized to do something this holiday weekend? Check out one of the few great events happening around town:

Get twisted at the Twisted Balloon Workshop at Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) today at 11:00 a.m. Learn about how to inflate and twist balloons into fantastic shapes without popping them! Pumps and balloons included for the workshop and kids can keep everything they create.

Through the weekend, make sure to stop in at the Saline Community Fair for great fair food, a few rides and some fantastic displays of agricultural excellence! Including my award winning pepper jelly (yes I know let the accolades begin!).

Let the music be heard and join in the fun at Dancing in the Streets (Corner of Main and Washington Streets) in downtown Ann Arbor 2:00-6:30 p.m. Sunday - This once a year festival is great fun for children of all ages! Find dancing, plus a dedicated children's area with crafts and an instrument petting zoo.

We Can Do It - Spend Labor Day at the Henry Ford for Free!

Monday, September 5, is the final Target Family Fun Day at the Henry Ford. Spend Labor Day learning about the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well being of our great nation with free admission to the museum. The entire family will enjoy the many live musical performances, scavanger hunts and make and take activities happening throughout the day as well as the wonderful dramatic presentations with “Rosie the Riveter”!