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.

The very first ship on the upper Great Lakes, LaSalle's Griffon, sailed only a single voyage before disappearing beneath the waves. Since then, thousands of other vessels, along with their crews, have met the same fate. What remains of these ships and cargoes beneath the mighty Great Lakes? Join us for a fascinating journey, as we tour the mysteries of the Lakes through excellent photographs and amazing underwater video with Detroit Historical Society curator Joel Stone. This event will be held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan.

Acclaimed author Jerry Dennis will discuss his book in the Towsley Auditorium of the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College (located at 4800 Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor Township) and offer his own thoughts on the Great Lakes and his personal 4-week journey through the Lakes as a crew-member on a tall-masted schooner. Dennis' book, 'The Living Great Lakes: Searching For The Heart Of The Inland Seas,' has been chosen as the focus of the 2010 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads program. This appearance is a key event for the Reads program, which this year focuses on the subject of Michigan. A booksigning will follow and books will be on sale at this event, courtesy of Nicola's Books.

Did you know that Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state? Join Nancy Finlayson, The Lighthouse Lady, for a slide show and lecture featuring tips, suggestions, and itineraries for putting a lighthouse or two (or more) in your summer vacation. Learn how to spend a couple of hours or an entire day visiting these intriguing sites that appeal to visitors of all ages. Nancy Finlayson, now known throughout Michigan as 'The Lighthouse Lady' is a former teacher with Riverview Community Schools.

Michigan is quickly becoming the movie making capital of the Midwest, thanks to the Michigan Film Incentive. Get an inside look at what the movie-making business is all about and why Michigan is such a hot spot for the motion picture industry when the creators of the new film "Trivial Pursuits" talk about their experience shooting a major movie in Ann Arbor. These film-makers will discuss everything that's gone into the making of the movie: from casting and catering to lighting and locations- and will answer audience questions.