February News and Activities

Library News 
To find out about events and activities not shown on our blog call 313-481-1822.
You will also find more photos of past events on our Facebook page.  Click the link on the right.

Cartiyay and the Bee

Cartiyay, one of Redford Branch Library's illustrious fourth graders has earned the SPELLING BEE MEDAL for her Herculean efforts in spelling. Congratulations from the entire staff.







Future Foundations
February 1 - 29
Mondays & Wednesdays
3:30 - 7:30 pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays
 2:30 - 5:45 pm

Detroit Math Tutor
Part of the Solution

Wednesdays
 February 1, 8, 15,22 & 29
6 - 7:30 pm
Get help with Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus
Teens
NO CHARGE

Toastmasters
Wednesdays
February 1 & 15
Toastmasters fosters confidence, the ability to communicate, persuade and lead.

Center for Creative Studies
Art for Middle School Students
Saturdays
February 4, 11, 18 & 25
For Middle School students with a serious interest in art and strong family support.  This workshop helps students prepare their personal art portfolio and encourages them to apply to Detroit's quality high school programs.

Hollywood Golf

Saturdays

February 4, 11, 18 & 25

10 - 1pm

Hollywood's goal is to expose young people to educational opportunities through the sport of golf.  Emphasis is on golf, citizenship and good living.

Young people ages 4 -23.

See more photos on our Facebook page, click the link on the right.

That's right, gather the children and bring them to the library on February 4, from 1 - 5:30 pm.  There will be storytime, crafts and give aways for exploring your Juvenile Library.

Teachers Choice

Teach your students how to use the library for homework help by bringing them on a field trip.  We offer several types of programs including "Library Lessons and Stories", "Research Basics", and training on select Detroit Public Library databases.  For grades 1 - 8.

Reservations Required

Ma'at African Studies
Saturday
February 4
1 - 3 pm
Study ancient African History and culture

Become a Literacy Tutor

Share the joy of reading with someone by becoming a volunteer tutor.  For more information go to

www.detroit-reads.org or call 313-481-1362

Understanding How to Stay Healthy Workshop

Wednesday

February 8

5 - 7 pm

Learn how to stay beautiful, handsome and strong through nutrition.  Learn natural pain relief, how your body works anatomically and physiologically.

 Scrapbooking

Saturday

February 11

12:30 - 5

Scrapbookers, bring your pictures and paper, create your pages in the company of other scrapbookers.

Family and Reading Science Program
Monday
February 13
5 - 6:30 pm
Chase away the winter blues, spend quality time with the family and learn some sweet science all at once!

Talented Young People Needed

AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012 3:00PM-5:00PM

LOCATION:

REDFORD BRANCH LIBRARY

21200 GRAND RIVER

DETROIT, MI 48219

Looking for young people to work on our upcoming production of the stage play, “A Dream that Never Sleeps.” If you are between the ages 14-21 with a background in theater, music or dance we strongly encouraged to audition. If you love performing and are willing to reach for creative excellence, please join us.

NO need to schedule an appointment. Just show up between the times indicated.

Casoe Youth Theater

A Division of
The Casoe Group, Inc.
Ms. Janice Smith, President/Founder

Mr. Mark Evans, General Manager
Need more details, call

(313) 340-0829 (313) 622-9381

Stitch-In-Time

Saturdays

February 18 & 25
1-4 pm

From beginner to advanced sewing skills

Redford Readers Book Club

Saturday

February 25

11:30 - 1

Michigan Reads Book Selection for this month:  Arc of Justice by Kevin Boyle

Stop by the circulation desk and pick up your copy today.

Computer Classes

All computer classes are held on Saturdays, from 11 - 1 pm

February 4 - Introduction to Microsoft Word
February 25 - Basic Computer Skills


Community News

CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM     

  “BLACK HISTORY MONTH MEMBERSHIP DRIVE”

 THE FUN STARTS HERE……….

 DATE:  THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012

                                              TIME: 5:00PM – 10:00PM                                               

 PLACE:  FLOODS

 731 ST. ANTOINE   

 MEMBERSHIPS:   FAMILY $50.00

 INDIVIDUAL:  $25.00

 SENIOR:         $10.00

CONTACT INFORMATION: 313.494.5853

+   DONATIONS  ACCEPTED   +

Community Policing Awareness Workshop Feb. 2

Mark your calendars! The 6th/8th precinct Community Relations Unit will host a Community Policing Awareness Workshop on Thursday, Feb. 2 from 6-8 PM at the Boys and Girls Club, 16500 Tireman, in Detroit.

Guest speaker Detective Brian Fountain of the Police Community Services Unit never fails to entertain. For more information, call 313-596-5617.

---

Sponsored by the Detroit 300
City-Wide Block Club Meeting on Feb. 9

Calling on all neighborhood associations and block clubs from the East side, the West side, the North End, and the Southwest areas -- it's the 2nd annual City-Wide Block Club meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9 from 5:30-8:30 PM at the Northwest Activity Center, 18100 Meyers in Detroit.

Sponsored by the Detroit 300, this very useful crime-fighting event features the release of a FREE manual, "How to Secure & Take Back Your Neighborhood: A community's proven methods to reduce crime," by the Detroit 300 and DPD Detective Brian Fountain.

Invited guests include Mayor Dave Bing, Detroit City Council, Wayne County Sheriff, and the Detroit Police Department. For more information, call the Detroit 300 at 313-826-2040 or email to detroit300@gmail.com.


Free Tax Preparation

 Accounting Aid Society provides free income tax preparation services for low and middle income households in southeast Michigan. Each year, millions of dollars in tax refunds are unclaimed by those who need them the most.

If you need quality, free tax preparation assistance, Accounting Aid Society can help. Click for more information or to find a tax site.

 Be sure to file for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), to see if you
qualify go to: www.irs.gov/eitc and click on FAQs.


Scholarships - High School Seniors Need to Apply
KFC Colonel's Scholars ® is looking for high school seniors with
entrepreneurial drive, strong perseverance, demonstrated financial
need and who want to pursue a college education at an accredited
public institution in the state they reside.

The KFC Colonel's Scholars Program is about you, your dreams and
aspirations, and the perseverance to succeed. This program is offered
to high school seniors planning to attend a public in-state college or
university. Students who meet the criteria may apply online to become
a KFC Colonel's Scholar. Students selected for this scholarship are
eligible to receive up to $20,000 to complete a bachelor's degree
program.
Apply by Feb. 8, 2012
www.kfcscholars.org

Scholarship Opportunity from Kroger
February is Black History month and Kroger would like to invite students to participate in its 5th annual "I Can Make History" contest. Kroger will award more that $60,000 in scholarships, laptop computers and family field trips to student winners in four categories: art, essay, music and poetry.

The "I Can Make History" contest is open to Michigan students in the Michigan Kroger Division in the 4th throught12th grades. Entries must be each student's original work, with one entry accepted per student per category. All entries will be judged by an independent organization and winners will be notified by March 14, 2012.

Every student entering must fill out an application and submit a signed authorization form. The latter will give Kroger permission to display each winning entry at designated venues in Michigan. Visit "icanmakehistory.com" for more information and to download registration forms.

NABS Scholarship
Scholar Guidelines
The National Association of Black Suppliers (NABS) scholarship is a stipend of up to $5000 per year for up to five years that can be used for tuition, room and board and fees at a college or university of the awardees’ choice. It is awarded to African-American students who have graduated from high school, demonstrated outstanding academic and community leadership, and who enroll full-time in engineering, technology, business or a related curriculum.
The NABS Scholarship Purpose
The intent of the NABS scholarship is to provide financial and academic support to high achieving African-American students who intend to pursue careers in or related to the automotive industry. The scholarship efforts are intended to meet three goals:
o To encourage students to develop entrepreneurial skills, as this may lead to an increase in the number of African-American automotive suppliers.
o To recognize the accomplishments of outstanding African-American students and encourage their entry into technology and business careers.
o To provide highly qualified African-American recruits to meet the hiring objectives of NABS trade association members.
Eligibility
To be considered for the NABS Scholarship, potential scholars must meet the following criteria:
o Be a graduating African-American high school senior.
o Be a U.S. citizen
o Plan to be enrolled in a full-time (12 credit hours or more) undergraduate
engineering, technology, business, or a related curriculum of interest to NABS.
(Actual enrollment is required before any awarded funds can be disbursed.)
o Posses a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale throughout your high school career.

For more details and to get an application click  http://www.nabssf.org/
The deadline is March 1, 2012
 

Events Coming to the
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 East Warren Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48201

 The Witches of Gambaga is the extraordinary story of a community of women condemned to live as witches in Northern Ghana. Made over the course of 5 years, this exposé is the product of a collaboration between members of the 100-strong community of ‘witches’ and women’s movement activists determined to end abusive practices and improve women’s lives in Africa. Painful experience and insight come together to create an intimate portrait of the lives of women ostracized by their communities. Winner of the 2010 Best Documentary Film Award from the Black International Film Festival. A discussion with the director follows the film. This film screening is free and open to the public. For more information call (313) 494-5800.

Sunday, February 12, 2012    2  - 4 pm

Henry Ford Health System presents Black Health Empowerment workshops every Saturday  (3 - 5 pm) in February. HFHS doctors and specialists will be discussing a variety of topics including:

• childhood obesity
• men's health issues
• women's health issues
• heart disease and stroke prevention

These events are FREE and open to the public. For more information please call (313) 494-5800.

Sankofa Film Screening

Sankofa tells the story of a self-absorbed Black American fashion model on a photo shoot in Africa who is spiritually transported back to a plantation in the West Indies where she experiences first-hand the physical and psychic horrors of slavery, and eventually the redemptive power of community and rebellion as she becomes a member of a freedom-seeking Maroon colony. Sankofa: "going to the past, remembering it, and with it, turning to the future."

 Sun, Feb 19 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

This film screening is free and open to the public. For more information call (313) 494-5800.

Events Coming to the Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI
313-833-7900

Storytelling:  African & African American Stories and Music
Sunday, February 5, 2 pm
Join storyteller Rosie Chapman as she narrates African & African American
stories accompanied by traditional instruments that audience members will be
invited to play.

Puppet Performance:  Underground Railroad, Not a Subway
Sunday, February 19,  2 pm
Experience the story of a young boy who decides to escape slavery and run
North.  Discover if he makes it north in this performance from puppeteer
Schroeder Cherry.

Brandee Younger
Sunday, February 19,  1 & 3 pm
Harpist Brandee Younger is a versatile musician who defies genres
and labels and has created a unique niche in both traditional and
non-traditional harp arenas.

Healthy Living

What's Really on Your Plate??

Genetically engineered foods are appearing on supermarket shelves with increasing frequency. More than 80 percent of crops like corn and soy are genetically engineered. Some 60 to 70 percent of processed foods available in American grocery stores likely contain some genetically engineered ingredients. We eat these common foods almost every day, without being fully informed about their content.


We have a right to know how the food we are eating is being produced so that we can make the right choices for ourselves and our families. By not requiring labeling, the FDA deprives us of that choice.
As part of the Just Label It campaign, EWG is working hard to make sure you get the information you need to make healthier choices. But we need your help. The FDA needs to hear from you, today, that you want the facts about what you are eating. Please take a moment to sign our petition.

Click here to sign the petition.