What We're Listening To: Tracy

Space-Age Bachelor Pad Music, by Esquivel.

Classic, kitschy lounge music: the perfect background sounds for a vintage theme party. Tune it in, and tune out the modern world!

What We're Watching: Tracy

Land of the Lost: The Complete Series. Produced by Sid and Marty Krofft; starring Spencer Milligan, Wesley Eure, and Kathy Coleman.

"Marshall, Will and Holly, on a routine expedition, met the greatest earthquake ever known. High on the rapids, it struck their tiny raft, and plunged them down 1,000 feet below...to the Land of the Lost..." If you grew up in the 1970s, chances are you can sing along to those famous lyrics that opened the cult classic TV show, Land of the Lost. The complete series has now been released on DVD, just in time for the premiere of the new Land of the Lost film starring Will Ferrell. There is also a special limited edition set that includes a reproduction of the original Land of the Lost lunchbox!

What We're Reading: Tracy

Gnomeland: an Introduction to the Little People, by Margaret Egleton.

While we tend to think of gnomes today as kitsch objects, they actually have a much more illustrious history. Learn about their origins (Germany), famous makers and styles (numerous), and current market values (surprisingly high for rare examples) in this fun book.

Registration for Youth Services programs starts Monday

Registration for three Youth Services programs starts this Monday, June 1. Sign-up will take place either online at www.shpl.net or by calling (586) 446-2644. Click HERE to link to our online registration calendar.

Programs necessitating registration are:

Star Wars Day: Get your picture taken with costumed characters from the 501st and Rebel Legions, try out the Stormtrooper Blaster Range, get in some lightsaber practice and take part in a Star Wars Character Bounty Hunt on Saturday, June 20 at 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 12:45-2 p.m. and 3:15-4:30 p.m. EVERYONE, including parents and family members, HAS TO REGISTER.

Young Rembrandts Junior Cartoon Camp: Get hands on training with basic cartoon techniques on Tuesday, June 23 at 11 a.m. For ages 5-7 only.

Young Rembrandts Anime Cartoon Camp: Explore the world of anime, creating original characters and placing them in comic book scenes on Tuesday, June 30 at 11 a.m. For ages 6-12 only.

Please note that phone lines become extremely busy. Self-registration online is the quickest method. If you find you can not attend after registering, please call to cancel.

What We're Watching: Tammy

Iron Man / Paramount Pictures presents a Marvel Studios production; produced by Avi Arad and Kevin Feige; starring Robert Downey, Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Shaun Toub, Gwyneth Paltrow.
A wealthy industrialist is held captive in enemy territory and escapes by building a high-tech suit made of armor. When he returns home, he decides to use his money, talents, and suit to save the world. Rated PG-13 A very entertaining comic book character movie with the origin story not too drawn out. It leaves room for a sequel.

What We're Reading: Laurie

The Right Stuff
by Tom Wolfe

Close calls, high speed, claustrophobic spaces, hours of grueling mental, emotional and physical tests, not to mention months away from family and friends, create the winning combination for the "right stuff." Tom Wolfe tells the story of the top seven U.S. pilots chosen to become the first Americans to participate in the very beginnings of the space program. Wolfe describes this unbelievable, sometimes frightening, story with a hilarious slant that makes the book difficult to put down.

What We're Reading: Laurie

Grit, Noise and Revolution: The Birth of Detroit Rock 'N' Roll
by David A. Carson

This book chronicles the beginnings of the Detroit rock scene from the mid 1960s through 1970. The main focus of the book is about the rise of the MC5 and the Grande Ballroom, but it also discusses the birth of obscure local bands such as Scot Richard Case and The Frost. Carson also covers the history of The Stooges, Mitch Ryder, The Amboy Dukes and The Bob Seger System.

Sterling Heights Public Library in Memorial Day Parade

The Sterling Heights Public Library's Bookcart Brigade, comprised of library employees, strutted their bookcart stuff down Dodge Park Road as part of the city's Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25. Check out photos and video from the event!

Brush up on resume writing and interviewing skills

Job seekers looking to revamp their resumes and brush up on their interviewing skills will find help at the Sterling Heights Public Library this summer. Join Carol Brady from Macomb Community College Career Services Wednesday, June 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Library Programming Center. From resume and cover letter writing to preparing for a great interview, this information workshop covers a broad range of job seeker skills and tips. Macomb Community College Career Services is committed to making sure that you have the resources needed to effectively find employment. Registration for this workshop is MANDATORY. Please call (586) 446-2640 or visit www.shpl.net.
The Sterling Heights Public Library is located at 40255 Dodge Park Road at Utica Road.

Hope for Homeowners: Prevent foreclosure

The best bet for residents struggling to pay their house payment is to seek assistance and be proactive. A program planned at the Sterling Heights Public Library in June can help.
In conjunction with Advantage Realty, Inc and Philip F. Greco Title Co., the library will be offering an information session on the new HOPE for Homeowners federal program, loan modification, rate modification and short sales Thursday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Programming Center. REGISTRATION HAS ALREADY BEGUN FOR THIS PROGRAM.
Homeowners should attend even if they think they might be having issues in the near future. The federal HOPE for Homeowners program will refinance mortgages for borrowers who are having difficulties making their payments, but can afford a new loan insured by HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Other modifications to the current mortgage can also be the answer. This program is intended to help families keep their homes and avoid foreclosure.
Registration is mandatory. Call (586) 446-2640 or visit www.shpl.net. The Sterling Heights Public Library is located at 40255 Dodge Park Road at Utica Road.

Creative Writing Workshop planned for teens

Teens! Are you interested in becoming a writer? Want to learn more?
Join Sterling Heights resident and MFA candidate Sharon Cicilian as she guides you on your way to becoming a better writer during a special workshop for teens this June. The Creative Writing Workshop for Teens will take place on Tuesdays, June 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 2-4 p.m in the Library Programming Center. Learn more about creative writing, mixed media, poetry, and myths and their place in literature. If you already write and would like to share or workshop what you’ve done, bring your work along. Participants will have the chance to have their work published on the library’s Web site.
All four Tuesdays are part of the workshop. Registration is mandatory. Call (586) 446-2640 or visit www.shpl.net. The Sterling Heights Public Library is located at 40255 Dodge Park Road at Utica Road.

Watch for the library in the Memorial Day Parade

Head to Dodge Park Road this Monday, May 25 at 10 a.m. to see the Sterling Heights Public Library participate in the city's annual Memorial Day Parade! Library staffers are back with our book cart drill team this year, with some new moves. The parade routes runs from the city center to just north of Metropolitan Parkway. See you there!

What We're Reading: Kathryn

"Lighthearted, amusing vampire mystery" doesn't have to be an oxymoron! Fans of HBO's True Blood are sure to find the mystery series the show was based on just as dark and fun.
The Southern Vampire Series (or the Sookie Stackhouse series as it has come to be known) is written by Charlaine Harris. The first season of True Blood, very closely mirrors the first in the nine-book series, Dead Until Dark, published in 2001. The books are narrated by Sookie, a charming, funny and endearing barmaid, who just happens to be a telepath. She encounters a whole new world after The Great Revelation - when vampires officially reveal themselves in the United States and attempt equal status. They are helped out into the open thanks to TrueBlood (a synthetic blood for vampires to drink, and also the inspiration for the show's name). TrueBlood understandably eases the minds of vampires' potential sources of food - the living.
Harris manages to make vampires, shape-shifters, werewolves and witches, living in rural Bon Temps, La. along regular human counterparts, so entertaining you won't want to put the books down. The first season of True Blood, created and produced by Alan Ball (Six Feet Under), came out on DVD this week. The second season debuts June 14 at 9 p.m.

Mom's Club Book Discussion is Monday

Stay-at-home and part time working moms, this book discussion group is for you. Take this chance to get out of the house and meet other moms in the area. Feel free to bring the kids, too! Toys will be set up for children in the back of the room while the book discussion takes place. Moms should also feel free to bring another book title you enjoyed, be it a fiction, non-fiction or parenting selection, to share with the group.

On Monday, May 18 at 10 a.m. the group will discuss The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. Also made into a movie, this book takes readers to post-war Germany for a coming-of-age story that tackles the question of good vs. evil.

Light refreshments will be served. Participants are responsible for obtaining a copy of the title under discussion. Reservations are not required. For more information, call the library at (586) 446-2640.

Historical Commission program to feature documentary on Bath City

The history of Mount Clemens as a world famous bath or spa city is an exciting story of a once dynamic health industry from the 1870s to the 1970s. The beginning, growth and final demise of this exciting industry has been captured in a history rich documentary produced by Donald W. Green, Cindy Sue Donahue and Joe Peruzzi. Join Donahue and Green on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. in the Library Programming Center as they show “Mount Clemens: The Bath City” and offer a display of related historic artifacts.

Today there are only a few people who remember the flourishing activity that created 70 hotels, rooming houses and 11 bath spas and created thousands of jobs. The fame of the spa baths was promoted all over the United States and Europe. Every summer more than 50,000 people arrived each month and sought help from these curative waters with the “21-Day Treatment.” Green is a retired businessman and lifelong resident of Macomb County. He has made his interest in local and state history a full-time avocation while participating in more than a dozen historical organizations, including the Macomb County Historical Commission. Donahue is a Macomb County staff historian. Advisor to the County Historical Commission, Donahue is also in charge of the local displays in the lobby of the new county administration building.

This program is sponsored by the Sterling Heights Historical Commission.

Learn how to hunt for a new job online

These days you probably have to use the Internet to look for jobs. Learn about various help sites as well as how to look for jobs, post resumes, privacy and security issues and more at a Job Hunting demonstration Thursday, May 7, 10 a.m. - noon in the Library Programming Center. Registration is not required. For more information, call (586) 446-2640.

Explore the history of the Michigan Asylum for the Insane TONIGHT

The Michigan Asylum for the Insane opened in Kalamazoo in 1859 as Michigan's first state institution created solely for the care and treatment of the mentally ill. Explore the history of this fascinating facility as author William A. Decker, M.D. discusses his 2009 Michigan Notable Book, Asylum for the Insane: A History of the Kalamazoo State Hospital, Wednesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in the Library Programming Center.

In this outstanding history, complete with dozens of images and schematic maps, Dr. Decker, a former medical superintendent of the hospital, places emphasis on the treatments themselves, including hydrotherapy, electro- convulsive therapy and psychoanalysis, the various instruments used and the growth and development of the hospital's campuses and buildings. Please register at www.shpl.net or by calling (586) 446-2640.