Now that it is time to register for computer classes, let’s take a look at what is happening in January at the Downtown Library.

The Downtown Library will be offering a series of PC classes beginning with Microsoft Word Basics, and working through PowerPoint Basics and Excel Basics.

If the Mac world is of interest, the January classes will include an introduction of Meet The Mac to Microsoft Word for Mac and PowerPoint for Mac.

Adding to your new skills and level of knowledge are other exciting classes such as Digital Camera 101 and Digital Camera 102, iPhoto, Flickr: Share Your Digital Images, and iPod Fever.

Listening to joyous live music at AADL free of charge is one of the best ways to start the new year. The Armenian Music of Grikor Mirzaian Suni (1876-1939) will be performed by his great granddaughters (violins and oud) and their mother (piano), with two singers at the Downtown Library on Friday, Jan. 2 at 7-8:30 pm. Armena Marderosian devotes much time and energy preserving and recording her father-in-law’s music, and this is a rare local performance. There’s a rich history and folk culture linked to the Music of Armenia and Grikor Suni traveled widely collecting samples of the folk idiom to inspire his melodies. Join us for this unique cultural experience.

Come celebrate the publication of Hazen Schumacher’s A Golden Age of Jazz Revisited, on Sunday, December 14, 2-3:30 at the Downtown Library. The book makes the case that the years 1939-42 were the artistic highpoint of popular jazz, and it includes 2 CDs with the tunes he feels back up his claim. Schumacher, who was jazz radio host at UM for thirty years (WEMU-89.1 FM has taken over that role), will discuss and play recordings of the most loved jazz in Michigan and on the UM campus of the mid-twentieth century. He is a master of the genre and will entertain and enlighten new and old jazz lovers.

If you are indulging yourselves in a performance of the Nutcracker this season, make sure to stop in to the Downtown Youth Room and see the small collection of colorful Nutcrackers in the glass display case. Santa, a pirate, an artist, Robinhood and a royal nutcracker are awaiting your arrival.

It's December in Ann Arbor. You know what that means... a fresh infusion of salty brown slush. That, plus AADL-GT's 5th Annual Grand Championship Tournament Weekend! The action gets going Friday Night, 12/19 at 6 PM with our final Revolution Hero Tournament for All Ages featuring Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero tournaments for players of all skill levels. Then, at High Noon on Saturday 12/20, the 2008 SmashKart Wildcard Tournament and Grand Championships bring together players in grades 6 - 12 for Ann Arbor's hottest gaming event, with a Wii, iPod, and DS up for grabs to the Grand Champions! We wrap up the season with Public Library Pokémon League on Sunday 12/21 from 1-5 PM, and then finally the 2nd Annual GT Awards, Clan Cup Finals, and Grudge Buffet featuring the finest comestibles that Salsarita's has to offer, on Monday, 12/22 at 6 PM. All events at the Downtown Library in the lower level Multipurpose Room. Food and prizes at all events!

If you are caught up in the current foreclosure mess, bring your questions and concerns to a panel of local experts on Thursday, Dec. 4, 6:30-8:30 pm at the Downtown Library. Beyond Foreclosure will zero in on what you can do to survive and recover from the unfortunate experience of home foreclosure. Knowledge is power, so visit aadl.org for free access to a variety of online magazine and newspaper articles (including The New York Times), where you can learn more about how the government and communities around the country are dealing with this challenge.

This is the last week-end you can view the Migrant Project Exhibit on the 3rd floor of the downtown library. The work of Rick Nahmias is compelling and disturbing in that the plight of the migrant worker in America remains a contemporary issue. Despite improvements made since Edward R. Murrow’s documentary Harvest of Shame was aired on Thanksgiving Day in 1960, Nahmias writes: “There is no other sector in our country where people work so hard to earn so little”. Something to think about as we celebrate the harvest as a nation this week. For more startling anecdotes read With These Hands by Daniel Rothenberg or see Nahmias' book, new to our collection.

The weekend after Thanksgiving we have three straight days of video game heaven. Friday - Revolution Hero, Saturday - AADL-GT, and Sunday PL2. Who would believe your library could be this much fun?

Friday Night | 11/28 | 6PM-8:30PM - REVOLUTION HERO - Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution
-Two all ages tournaments with prizes for the top three in each
-High Powered Sound systems, Cobalt Flux pads
Saturday | 11/29 | 12PM-5PM - AADL-GT - Gaming Tournament series (middle & high school students only)
-Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart Double Dash
-Four tournaments with prizes and pizza for lunch.
Sunday Afternoon | 11/30 | 1PM-4PM - PL2 - Public Library Pokemon League
-Battle Revolution and Union Room Tournaments with prizes for the overall top three
-Bring your Nintendo DS and copy of Pokémon Diamond or Pearl and get ready to battle
-Open Play too!

This powerful film was an official selection of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Traces of the Trade was filmed by Katrina Browne, a first-time filmmaker who discovers after looking into her family history that her New England ancestors were the largest slave trading family in U.S. history. View clips here.

Thursday, November 20 | 6:30-8:30 PM | Downtown, 4th floor | Grade 9 - Adult

Or does Picasso pique your interest? We have hundreds of framed Art Prints for you to borrow to redecorate your home or office. Browse the catalog by Media if you know the title of a print or take a look on the second or third floors to see what we have available. It's a refreshing way to embellish your space and we have so Manet to choose from!