Roger Chard, a local lawyer and well-known musician, who is also blind, will discuss how SELF-DETERMINATION makes life worth living. Roger's presentation will mix vocation and avocation and demonstrate how he strove for self confidence and esteem, and also strove to become an emissary for tolerance and persistence, aiming for self deportment and worth. This event will also address the impact of changing technology and will draw upon Roger's observations and experiences as a champion high school and college debater, fifty years of being a musician, forty years of practicing law, and twenty years as a down hill skier.

Learn how GOOD HEALTH can make your life worth living when Pete Thomas, motivational speaker, teacher, weight-loss coach and consultant returns to the Library to share his experiences and demonstrate how we all can achieve good health through fitness and weight control. In November, 2005, Pete Thomas walked away from the finale of NBC's The Biggest Loser a winner - and a loser. The prize he won was $100,000 for losing the most weight of all the contestants that season. What he lost was 185 pounds in only nine short months ... and with it an unhealthy lifestyle. The new Pete Thomas walks around with a body fat percentage near the single digits, compared to the 51% body fat he dragged around in his 400+ pound pre-Biggest Loser days. Pete has appeared on ABC's The View, The 700 Club, and eXtra as well as being featured in People Magazine, Runners World, TV Guide, The Detroit Free Press, inTouch Weekly and Real HealthThis event is co-sponsored by the Taubman Health Science Libraries and The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR).

Richard Glaubman will make a special appearance in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area as part of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2011. His book, 'Life Is So Good,' the true story of a man who learned to read at the age of 98, has been chosen as the focus of the 2011 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads program. Glaubman will discuss this book and his friendship with George Dawson, the remarkable 103 year old African-American man who is the co-author and subject of the book (Dawson died in 2001).A booksigning will follow and books will be on sale at this event, courtesy of Borders. This appearance is a key event for the 2011 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti reads program, which this year focuses on the subject 'What Makes Life Worth Living?'.

The theme for Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads 2011 is 'What Makes Life Worth Living?'. Joan Broggi demonstrates how FAMILY makes life worth living. Her son, Alex, has epilepsy and has experienced numerous grand mal seizures throughout his 19 years. But his innate wisdom has taught his family, friends, and educators invaluable life lessons. The impact Alex has had on other people's lives has been remarkable. Joan realized the breadth of Alex's impact when she experienced the love and joy bestowed upon him at his high school graduation. This outpouring of affection led Joan to put pen to paper and write 'Bursting with Joy - Discovering Universal Truths Through Our Special Son.' A book signing will occur at this event and books will be on sale.

Join Wystan Stevens, local history buff and Former Kempf House Museum Curator, and Kingsbury Marzolf, retired UM Architecture Professor, for a delightful look back in time as they present photographs from the very rare local history book, Art Work of Washtenaw County, published in 1893. Photos include buildings, Main Street scenes and more. Marzolf and Stevens will provide delightful commentary for each.This event is co-sponsored by the Washtenaw County Historical Society and is also held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan.

The Great Lakes have undergone massive environmental change since European settlement. Landscape alteration, water use, industrial processes, overfishing, and introduction of exotic species have all contributed. Future trends for the Lakes are also difficult to predict because new species or problems intervene before the current trends are completed. So, what lies ahead for our Great Lakes - and what is their current condition today?Join us for this fascinating presentation by James Diana, Director of the Michigan Sea Grant College Program at the University of Michigan. This event is held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan and Jerry Dennis' award-winning book The Living Great Lakes: Searching For The Heart Of The Inland Seas.

For decades, the auto industry has been the main economic engine for our state. But even as we struggle to recover from a disastrous recession, massive layoffs, and widespread factory closings, there is no guarantee that the industry will regain its former dominance. Green energy may be the key to reviving Michigan's industrial legacy. At this panel discussion, three experts will discuss the future of green energy in our state and the effect that this burgeoning industry will have on our economy. Larry Kaufman of DTE will discuss solar energy, Trista Gregorski of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth will discuss wind energy; and Sean Reed of Clean Energy Coalition will discuss biofuels and local initiatives.This presentation is held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan and Jerry Dennis' book 'The Living Great Lakes: Searching For The Heart Of This Inland Seas.'

This presentation will offer a broad overview of Michigan's history from the time of its earliest native inhabitants up through the present day. Among the themes to be emphasized will be: migration, mobility and diversity; the importance of geography in Michigan's past; Michigan's extractive industries; the rise of the auto industry; environmental history; the legal landscape; and urbanization and post-industrialism. Martin Hershock is Assistant Professor and Department Chair of History at the University of Michigan, Dearborn. The event will be held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan.

What does the future hold for this industry in Michigan? What trends can be spotted from this year's Auto Show? David E. Davis, Jr. is an automobile journalist and magazine publisher whose career in the automotive industry spanned from race car driver, factory worker and car salesman to ad salesman with Road & Track and copywriter for Corvette advertisements before becoming a writer for Car and Driver magazine in 1962. He wrote for that publication until 1967 and later became its editor and publisher before leaving to found Automobile magazine. This event will be held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan.

From muskrat dinners to Coneys, Michigan has variety of unique foods as well as many fascinating traditions surrounding them. Learn more when Yvonne R. Lockwood, Curator Emeritus of Folklife and Senior Academic Specialist Emeritus at the Michigan State University Museum, shares images and stories about local and regional foods in our state. This presentation, adapted from the Michigan Eats: Regional Culture Through Food exhibit on display last year at MSU, is held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan and Jerry Dennis' book 'The Living Great Lakes: Searching For The Heart Of The Inland Seas.'