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Third in our monthly series of local experts talking about interesting stuff
Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 7pm-8pm, Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale,MI

Wrongful Conviction in the American Justice System

Third in our monthly series of local experts talking about interesting stuff
Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 7pm-8pm, Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale,MI

The Virtues and Vices of Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories are quite prominent in current American life.  Often the use of “conspiracy theory” is derogatory in nature, allowing a rejection of the proffered theory out of hand.  However, I believe conspiracy theories can be useful tools for thinking about the nature of reasoning and explanation.  This presentation will look at some of the recent academic and popular literature on conspiracy theories in order to explore reasoning, explanation, and other topics of philosophical interest.

Mark Huston is currently an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Schoolcraft College located in Livonia, MI.  His philosophical interests are in the areas of mind, epistemology, aesthetics, and film.  He has published in the journals Ratio, The Journal of Philosophical Research and Film and Philosophy.  He has also published book reviews in the magazine Philosophy Now.  Additionally he has essays in the book Tennis and Philosophy: What the Racket is All About and in Golf and Philosophy: Lessons From the Links.

Ferndale’s renovated library has recently been the subject of a significant amount of public attention, particularly from organizations that have praised its energy efficiency.  

Two of the best recent articles are here:

Beautiful photographs of the library are among the highlights of a feature spread in DTE Energy’s “Energy Smarts of Michigan” Winter 2011 edition which can be found online here: http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/productsPrograms/electric/energySmartsMagazine.html

A short version containing just the Ferndale article can be found here: Ferndale Public Library 2011

At the same time, GreeningDetroit.com has published a nice piece on the recent tour of the library hosted for the local chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC): http://www.greeningdetroit.com/2011/12/05/ferndale-public-library-re-defines-public-place/

Our Neighborhood Professor series continues into its second month with a discussion by Wayne State University professor of law and political science Brad R. Roth at 7pm on Wednesday, December 7th.

Professor Roth will be speaking on Pearl Harbor and its Lasting Effects. This presentation will focus on the daunting questions about the role of law in bridling the exercise of power, both at home and abroad, in the service of national security. Legal precedents from that conflict continue to haunt U.S. constitutional jurisprudence. 

You can find more about Prof. Roth in a recent profile by Ferndale115.com here: http://ferndale115.com/nuevo/2011/11/18/professor-roth-to-talk-about-pearl-harbor-and-effects-on-american-law-on-dec-7-at-library/.  If you have any questions, please contact us at ferndalefriends.org@gmail.com

Spooktacular, 6:30 to 8pm, Friday, October 28.

A note from our fabulous children’s librarian, Jillean McCommons, asking for volunteers for Friday.  Please contact her at jilleanmc[at]gmail[dot]com, call 248-546-2504 or visit the Children’s Desk at the library

Hello,

I’m sending out another friendly (pun intended) call for volunteers for our Halloween Spooktacular happening this Friday, October 28 from 6:30-8.

We also need people to help with decorating from 5:30-6:30 and lots of hands to hand out candy from 6:30 on.  Costumes are welcome.

Thanks in advance for sending this out and for your continued support!

Jillean

Congratulations to Mollie Clarahan who won the manicure from Tantra.

And Nan Kerr-Mueller who won the up-do from Flip

For everybody else, there is one more chance to win.  This time the prize is a makeup application from Rouge.  But you can only win if you buy tickets by midnight Wednesday, October 12.

Remember, prom will be Saturday night at 8pm.  Hundreds of people will be there having fun.  You should be one of them!

Buy your tickets by midnight tonight (Friday the 7th) and you’re eligible to win a manicure from Tantra Spa.

Everybody’s doing it.

• http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2011/10/05/news/doc4e8ceaebea3f9161850529.txt
• http://www.candgnews.com/event/adult-prom-fundraiser

Sure you’re coming to the Friends of the Ferndale Library’s 80′s Prom, but why not come in style.  Buy your prom tickets by midnight October 8th and win a free manicure from Tantra Spa, 23059 Woodward Ave.  For every ticket you buy gives you a chance to win, and those who do not win will be eligible for later drawings for prom-prizes from Rouge and Flip.

• When: October 15, 8pm to midnight
• Where: The Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile
• Why: Fun, fun, fun, and proceeds to the library’s teen books and teen services
• How much: $20 per person if you pre-order, $30 at the door.  $5 discount per person for Friends of the Library Members.  Please order below through pay-pal.

The moment you have all been waiting for.  The chance to relive your prom–as an adult–and to contribute to the library’s programs for the teens of today (who will some day host their own retro-prom reliving the 2010′s).

On October 15, 2011 the Friends of the Ferndale Library will host an 80′s prom complete with era-appropriate music, dancing, decorations, snacks and drinks including our signature Depeche Mojito and Pacman Punch (pre-spiked).

• When: October 15, 8pm to midnight
• Where: The Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile
• Why: Fun, fun, fun, and proceeds to the library’s teen books and teen services
• How much: $20 per person if you pre-order, $30 at the door.  $5 discount per person for Friends of the Library Members.  Please order below through pay-pal.

The Friends have saved up their best sale books for this week’s DIY Street Fair.  Find us in the library courtyard on Saturday between 10am and 4pm for great deals on great books.  And while you’re at it, sign up for a ticket for our Prom!!!

Big day tomorrow at the library:

• 10am: Special Library Board meeting to decide on new director     http://www.ferndale.lib.mi.us
• 11am-3pm: Help us set up and sign up for the Summer Reading Program
• 3:30: Friends of the Library Annual Meeting.  We need a good turnout for a quorum and to plan for the future so please show up if you’re a Friend.

A note from Library Trustee Jim O’Donnell:

Friends:

You are cordially invited to a community reception for Library Director Candidate Kate Pohjola, to be held at the library at 7:00 PM on June 14th. Come with questions to ask her or just say hello. Do come with a light appetite, as light refreshments will be served. Please see the flyer for more information.

You are, of course, invited to stay for the library board’s second interview with Ms. Pohjola.
Regards,
Jim O’Donnell
Library Trustee

The Ferndale Science Fiction Book Club will take a break in April and resume on Wednesday, May 11 at the Ferndale library (222 E. Nine Mile) at 7pm.

The last time the book club met was November of 2010.  By some quirk of fate–or power of prediction–we managed to read Margaret Atwood’s “The Year of the Flood” just days before a fault in the plumbing system poured 15,000 gallons of water into the library.

Interviews for the Ferndale Library Board position will be held Monday, October 4th at 7:00 p.m. Three applicants will be interviewed at the Library to serve the remainder of resigning Board member Mary Ann Neal’s Trustee position. The Board will appoint an interim successor to hold the position until the next general election. The meeting is open to the public.

Mary Ann Neal, Longtime Ferndale Library Trustee, Resigns. Board Seeks Applicants to Fill Term

August 27, 2010

For Immediate Release
For Additional Information Contact:
Ann Warner, President, Ferndale Library Board 248.546.1850 or annwarner@wowway.com

Mary Ann Neal, a Ferndale Library Board Trustee for 18 years, has resigned effective October 1, 2010.

She stated that during her service on the board she “saw both the board and the library change and grow. My dream of a newly expanded and renovated library has come to pass and it is time for me to move on to other challenges.”

“To say that Mary Ann put her heart and soul into the board and the library is an understatement,” said Ann Warner, President of the Board. “Her hard work and dedication over these many years were unwavering and her determination to serve until her dream of a new library in Ferndale was realized is admirable. The board, the library, Ferndale residents and library patrons have all benefitted from her many contributions.”

Ms. Neal’s resignation leaves an open seat on the six-member board, which will appoint an interim successor to serve until the next general election. Persons interested in being appointed to fill the seat should send a resume or letter outlining their qualifications and stating why they wish to serve on the board. Letters should be addressed to the Ferndale Library Board and may be sent via e-mail to ferndale.libboard@gmail.com or may be mailed to or dropped off at the library at 222 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, Michigan 48220. Applicants must be Ferndale residents. The deadline for applying is Monday, September 20, 2010. Applicants will be interviewed at a Special Meeting of the board to which they will be invited via an e-mail or letter from the board.

For those of you who have not yet heard, we just received the following bit of news:

The Ferndale Public Library will reopen for business on Monday August 2 at 9:00
a.m.  We’re looking forward to seeing you!”

Thanks to all those who showed up at the library for Sunday’s afternoon of fantastic music and poetry, crepes, coffee, wine and roses.  The day of Sant Jordi is our new big day and next year will be even bigger and better.  Thanks especially to Elie Boudt and Nuria Garrote i Esteve (http://www.eliewine.com/) for their incredible generosity in making it all possible.  We are deeply grateful.

And so from one Sunday to the next, we invite everyone to a one hour meeting on April 25th from 3pm to 4pm to learn about the library and to become involved with the Friends group that will bring it alive.  Here are the facts:

Be the first on your block to learn about the new library and about specific ways–both big and small–that you can help the library and build connections with your neighbors.

Start enjoying the benefits of membership with Friends discounts for the June 25 Sneak Peek Gala, and a raffle of free Sneak Peek tickets and other valuable prizes (including one provided Elie Wine).

If you lend us your ear, we’ll provide the popcorn and lemonade and story time and babysitting for your kids.