Some people just seem inherently cool.  Stacy Peralta is one of  those people.  He was an original surfing/skateboarding Z-Boy in the ‘70s and helped paved the way for skateboarding superstar Tony Hawk. 

Today Peralta is busy making noteworthy documentaries.  His current film, Crips and Bloods: Made in America, presents interviews with current and former Los Angeles gang members and draws a connection between modern problems and social injustices of the past.

And, if you have even the slightest interest in surfing you should definitely check out the visually awesome Riding Giants about big wave surfing and Dogtown and Z-Boys which documents the rise of skateboarding and its impact on youth culture.  Peralta also wrote the screenplay for the popular Heath Ledger film Lords of Dogtown.  

Domino ceasing publication was a sad day for many shelter magazine lovers everywhere.  Sure, we can still look at the book and there are plenty of great home design magazines and blogs out there but something was missing... until now.  Enter Michelle Adams. A former Domino employee, fabric designer, and Michigan State University graduate, Adams is Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the online magazine Lonny.  

Lonny's fifth issue is now online.  I suggest you take some time to explore it and the other four issues.  While not available in print, Lonny provides readers with the cool option of direct links to the stores and merchandise it features.  

Books have just been selected for our January and February meetings!

January 12 @ 6:30pm:  Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon

February 9 @ 6:30pm: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind : creating currents of electricity and hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Please join us for drinks and discussion!  We meet at Dublin Square Irish Pub in downtown East Lansing.

On November 10th we met at Dublin Square to discuss Dave Eggers' latest non-fiction book, Zeitoun.   This book not only tells the harrowing experiences of the Zeitoun family during Hurricane Katrina, but provides insight into the larger issues of government action in crisis, criminal justice, religion, race and ethnicity, and community.

If you haven’t read the book, it’s definitely a worthwhile read!  For additional information check out these links:

Video Interview with Abdulrahman Zeitoun The Zeitoun Foundation New York Times Book Review Voices of Witness 

The Graphic Novel Committee has some recommendations for you!  And, if you've read a good book lately let us know! 

Recommended by Jake: 

A Million Little Pieces / James Frey 
Recently I have read A Million Little Pieces, now before you roll your eyes, I knew from the start it was a fraud.  Even knowing it was a fraud, I still thought it was a moving and powerful novel.  I would highly recommend this to someone looking for a good book.  But be advised, this book has extremely graphic content.  So if you are the faint of heart, just skip this one. 

Recommended by Lawton:

Calling all movie buffs--go to The Oscars website to see if your favorite movies from the past year made the cut!

The 81st Academy Awards® ceremony will take place on February 22nd, 2009 at 8 p.m.

Want to find out what food products have been recalled?  The FDA and CDC websites have this information.  They provide frequently updated lists of recalled items, advice to consumers, and the latest news on the ongoing investigation.

Check it out--mtvU has created a new website geared towards educating teens and young adults about debt, both personal and governmental.  The website InDebtEd provides statistics, ways to get involved, and even a free movie you can watch online. 

Finished reading the Twilight series?  Hooked on the HBO show True Blood?  Check out The Vampire Library  to find out all about vampire fiction and what series to read next!

Did you know we have many of the popular TV shows on DVD?  Don't get Showtime? HBO? Cable?  No problem-- you can still watch their shows!

Here's a handful of the titles available for check out:

Big Love Season One, Big Love Season Two
The Closer Season One, The Closer Season Two, The Closer Season Three
Deadwood
Death Note
Dexter
Heroes
How I Met Your Mother
The Office
Psych
Sex and the City
Six Feet Under
Ugly Betty

Do you like Manga? Graphic Novels? Comics? Anime? If so, join the Graphic Novel Committee!!!

We meet every other Monday from 4:30pm-5:30pm. Next meeting 1/12/09

What we do: select new books for the Library's GN collection, have guest speakers, watch movies/Anime, write book reviews, create and update GN web pages for the Library, etc. For teens ages 13-18. Any questions? Information on the next meeting? Contact Jill at jabood@cityofeastlansing.com or 351-2420

Hi Gang!

Next Friday (10/17) there will be an after hours Mystery Night here at the library!  It's for teens in grades 7th-12th and it starts at 7pm.  Dinner will be provided. 

All you have to do is call 351-2420 and sign up!

Hope to see you there!