FREE Week long Camp Africa Summer Camps for ages 7-12 at Wright Museum 7/10-8/11

2017 Summer Camp Africa will teach kids to think BIG....

Camp Africa is a FREE week long day camp open to children ages 7-12 featuring creative and fun activities that allow campers to think big about their future.  There will be activities to explore arts and science and also careers such as engineering.

Each session runs from Monday - Friday, 8am to 3pm daily.  Camp dates are -

* July 10-14
* July 17-21
* July 24-28
* July 31-August 4
* August 7-11

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD

The Wright Museum
315 East Warren Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202


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FREE Dearborn Main Library Blockbusters Film Series - December 2015 January February 2016

Blockbusters Free Film Series

HFCL Auditorium

16301 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI

(313) 943-2330

Monday Evenings

7:00 p.m.

DECEMBER 7—TOMORROWLAND (2015) - Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (George Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey, a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever. Exciting family adventure! (124 min. Rated PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and peril, thematic elements, and language.)

DECEMBER 14—FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953) - HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, FRANK SINATRA! Celebrate The Chairman of the Board’s December 12, 1915 birthday with this special screening of his Oscar-winning performance as Maggio in Fred Zinnemann’s World War II classic. Also starring Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr. (118 min. Not rated.)

DECEMBER 21—INSIDE OUT (2015) - Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it's no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters as the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school. Another funny, touching classic from Pixar! (94 min. Rated PG for mild thematic elements and some action.)

DECEMBER 28—JURASSIC WORLD (2015) - A new dinosaur theme park is built on the original site of Jurassic Park. Everything is going well until the park's newest attraction--a genetically modified giant named Indominus Rex--escapes containment and begins terrorizing the island. It then falls to raptor tamer Owen (Chris Pratt) and park manager Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) to save as many people as they can before it’s too late. One of the biggest hits of 2015! (124 min. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril.)

JANUARY 4—MAX (2015) - Max, a precision-trained military dog, serves on the frontlines in Afghanistan alongside his handler, U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott. But when things go terribly wrong on maneuvers, Kyle is mortally wounded and Max, traumatized by the loss of his best friend, is unable to remain in service. The only human he seems willing to connect with is Kyle's teenage brother, Justin. Justin's growing trust in Max helps the four-legged veteran revert back to his heroic self, and as the pair race against time to unravel the mystery behind Kyle's death, they find more excitement and danger than they bargained for. A great family film. (111 min. Rated PG for action violence, peril, brief language and some thematic elements.)

JANUARY 11—TRAINWRECK (2015) - Since she was a little girl, Amy (Amy Schumer) has been told by her rascal of a dad that monogamy isn’t realistic. Now a magazine writer, Amy lives by that credo—enjoying what she feels is an uninhibited life free from stifling, boring romantic commitment—but in actuality, she’s kind of in a rut. When she finds herself starting to fall for the subject of the new article she’s writing, a charming and successful sports doctor named Aaron Conners (Bill Hader), Amy starts to wonder if other grown-ups, including this guy who really seems to like her, might be on to something. (125 min. Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use.)

JANUARY 18—NO PROGRAM—MLK HOLIDAY

JANUARY 25—ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL (2015) - Winner of the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is the uniquely funny, moving story of Greg, a high school senior who is trying to blend in anonymously, avoiding deeper relationships as a survival strategy for navigating the social minefield that is teenage life. He even describes his constant companion Earl, with whom he makes short film parodies of classic movies, as more of a 'co-worker’ than a best friend. But when Greg’s mom insists he spend time with Rachel – a girl in his class who has just been diagnosed with cancer - he slowly discovers how worthwhile the true bonds of friendship can be. (105 min. Rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug material, language and some thematic elements.)

FEBRUARY 1—ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (1976) - SPECIAL 40TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING! Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman star as Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in this Oscar-winning film of their investigation into the 1972 Watergate break-in with ties leading all the way to the White House. Also starring an Academy Award-winning Jason Robards as Post editor Ben Bradlee. (138 min. Rated R for language.)

FEBRUARY 8—THE BLACK CAT (1934) - PART OF THE BIG READ DEARBORN. Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi star in this creepy adaptation of the Edgar Allen Poe story about American honeymooners in Hungary trapped in the home of a Satan-worshiping priest. (65 min. Not rated.)

FEBRUARY 15—NO PROGRAM—PRESIDENTS DAY HOLIDAY

FEBRUARY 22—HOUSE OF USHER (1960) - PART OF THE BIG READ DEARBORN. A man, upon entering his fiancée's family mansion, discovers a savage family curse and fears that his future brother-in-law has entombed his bride-to-be prematurely. Starring Vincent Price and based on the Edgar Allen Poe story. (79 min. Not Rated.)

FEBRUARY 29—BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969) - Paul Newman and Robert Redford star as the amiable outlaws Butch and Sundance in director George Roy Hill’s classic Western. Winner of four Academy Awards including one for the Burt Bacharach song “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” (110 min. Not Rated.)


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FREE Dearborn Main Library Blockbusters Film Series - September October November 2015

Blockbusters Free Film Series

HFCL Auditorium

16301 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI

(313) 943-2330

Monday Evenings

7:00 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 7—NO PROGRAM—LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

SEPTEMBER 14—FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (2015) - Independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a sheep farmer, captivated by her fetching willfulness; Frank Troy, a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood, a prosperous and mature bachelor. This timeless story of Bathsheba's choices and passions explores the nature of relationships and love - as well as the human ability to overcome hardships through resilience and perseverance. Based on the novel by Thomas Hardy. (Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence. 119 min.)

SEPTEMBER 21—GOODFELLAS (1990) - SPECIAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION! Released September 21, 1990, director Martin Scorsese’s classic mafia tale of gangster Henry Hill and his underworld rise and fall is arguably the most influential film of the past 30 years, filled with spectacular acting, camerawork, music and editing. Starring Robert DeNiro, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, and Joe Pesci, in an Oscar-winning performance. (Rated R for graphic violence and language. 146 min.)

SEPTEMBER 28—CINDERELLA (2015) - When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger. A terrific modern telling of the classic tale! Directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Cate Blanchett. (Rated PG for mild thematic elements. 105 min.)

OCTOBER 5—MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015) - In a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, two rebels just might be able to restore order: Max, a man of action and few words, and Furiosa, a woman of action who is looking to make it back to her childhood homeland. Together, they will attempt to rescue refugees from the clutches of Immortan Joe and his brutal minions to a place where hope may still exist. Directed by George Miller; starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. Intense, non-stop action! (Rated R for intense sequences of violence throughout, and for disturbing images. 120 min.)

OCTOBER 12—LOVE & MERCY (2015) - Love & Mercy tracks Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson through his turbulent creative peak in the 1960s and his emotional devastation in the 1980s under the unscrupulous watch of his psychiatrist. When Brian finds true love in Melinda Ledbetter, it is up to her to help deliver Brian from the mental oppression he faces. Wilson is played by two actors, Paul Dano (1960s) and John Cusack (1980s). (Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, drug content and language. 122 min.)

OCTOBER 19—WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (2015) - Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav are vampires who are finding that modern life has them struggling with the mundane - like paying rent, keeping up with the chores, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming roommate conflicts. Filmed in a documentary style, What We Do in the Shadows is a hilarious take on the modern lives of the undead. (Rated R for bloody violent content, some sexual material and language. 86 min.)

OCTOBER 26—IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS (1995) - With the disappearance of hack horror writer Sutter Cane, all hell is breaking loose...literally! Author Cane, it seems, has a knack for description that really brings his evil creations to life. Insurance investigator John Trent is sent to investigate Cane's mysterious vanishing act and ends up in the sleepy little East Coast town of Hobb's End. The fact that this town exists as a figment of Cane's twisted imagination is only the beginning of Trent's problems! Great psychological horror film from director John Carpenter is a cult classic. (Rated R for images of horror, and for language. 95 min.)

NOVEMBER 2—AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (2015) - When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it's up to Earth's mightiest heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans. (Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action, violence and destruction, and for some suggestive comments. 141 min.)

NOVEMBER 9—LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE (1992) - PART OF THE LATIN AMERICAN GRANT PROGRAM. Tita and Pedro are passionately in love, but their love is forbidden by an ancient family tradition. To be near Tita, Pedro marries her sister. And Tita, as the family cook, expresses her passion for Pedro through preparing delectable dishes where ordinary spices become a recipe for passion. Her creations bring on tears of longing, heated desire, or chronic pain as Tita and Pedro wait for their moment to finally be together! (Rated R for sexuality. 105 min.)

NOVEMBER 16—SAN ANDREAS (2015) - In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey with his ex-wife across the state in order to rescue his daughter. Stunning special effects highlight this epic adventure of survival! Starring Dwayne Johnson and Carla Gugino. (Rated PG-13 for intense disaster action and mayhem throughout, and brief strong language. 114 min.)

NOVEMBER 23—MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) - A whiskered old man named Kris Kringle serves as a last-minute substitute Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and is so convincing he becomes the department store’s full-time holiday Santa. Six year old Susan has her doubts about Santa Claus, but after meeting Kris—who is convinced he is the real Santa—Susan is given the most precious gift of all - something to believe in. A timeless classic to start the holiday week! Starring Maureen O’Hara, Natalie Wood and an Oscar-winning Edmund Gwenn. (Not rated. 96 min.)

NOVEMBER 30—LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA (2007) - PART OF THE LATIN AMERICAN GRANT PROGRAM. Florentino, rejected by the beautiful Fermina at a young age, devotes much of his adult life to carnal affairs as a desperate attempt to heal his broken heart. As decades pass, do Florentino’s hopes for a renewed romance become increasingly delusional? Based on the best-selling book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. (Rated R for sexual content/nudity and brief language. 139 min.)



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FREE Dearborn Main Library Blockbusters Film Series - June July August 2015

Blockbusters Free Film Series

HFCL Auditorium

16301 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI

(313) 943-2330

Monday Evenings

7:00 p.m.

JUNE 1 - UNBROKEN (2014) - Adapted from Laura Hillenbrand's enormously popular book, Unbroken brings to the big screen the incredible life of Olympian and war hero Louis "Louie" Zamperini (Jack O'Connell) who, along with two other crewmen, survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII - only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. An unbelievable and inspiring true story about the resilient power of the human spirit. Directed by Angelina Jolie. (Rated PG-13, 137 min.)

JUNE 8 - WILD (2014) - With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her. (Rated R, 115 min.)

JUNE 15 - SKY HIGH (2005) SUMMER READING KICKOFF SPECIAL PRESENTATION! Set in a world where superheroes are commonly known and accepted, young Will Stronghold, the son of the Commander and Jetstream, tries to find a balance between being a normal teenager and an extraordinary being. Great family fun! (Rated PG, 100 min.)

JUNE 22 - INTO THE WOODS (2014) - Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel - all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them. (Rated PG, 125 min.)

JUNE 29 - TRACKS (2013) - PART OF SUMMER READING 2015! Tracks tells the remarkable true story of Robyn Davidson (Wasikowska), a young woman who leaves her life in the city to make a solo trek through almost 2,000 miles of sprawling Australian desert. Accompanied by only her dog and four unpredictable camels, she sets off on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. Along the way, she meets a National Geographic photographer who begins to photograph her voyage. (Rated PG-13, 112 min.)

JULY 6 - AMERICAN SNIPER (2014) - U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname "Legend." However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world. But upon returning to his wife and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind. (Rated R, 122 min.)

JULY 13 - MCFARLAND, USA (2015) - Inspired by a true story, McFarland, USA follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California's farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys' exceptional running ability, their relationship begins to change. (Rated PG, 129 min.)

JULY 20 - THE GREAT DETROIT (2014) - Local filmmaker Anthony Brogdon produced this documentary highlighting the positive aspects of Detroit. Featuring over 50 interviews of local Detroiters, The Great Detroit is a portrait of a city on its way back to greatness. (Not rated, 74 min.)

JULY 27 - KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE (2015) - Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius. Fast-paced action and suspense! Starring Colin Firth and Michael Caine. (Rated R, 129 min.)

20TH ANNIVERSARY FILM FESTIVAL

We're taking you back to 1995 with four weeks of great films celebrating their 20th anniversary!

AUGUST 3 - BABE (1995) - Nominated for seven Academy Awards, Babe tells the charming story of a lonely farm pig raised by sheepdogs who eventually learns to herd sheep, thanks to the belief and encouragement of Farmer Hoggett. A beautifully made, classic family film everyone will enjoy! (Rated G, 91 min.)

AUGUST 10 - THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (1995) - Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep star in this romantic and heartbreaking film version of the bestselling novel. Eastwood stars as a National Geographic photographer and Streep an Iowa housewife whose paths briefly cross, leading to a brief but passionate affair over the period of a few days. (Rated PG-13, 135 min.)

AUGUST 17 - THE USUAL SUSPECTS (1995) - A sole survivor (Kevin Spacey, in an Oscar-winning role) tells of the twisty events leading up to a horrific gun battle on a boat, all of which began when five criminals meet at a seemingly random police lineup. (Rated R, 106 min.)

AUGUST 24 - HEAT (1995) - Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro star in this classic L.A. crime story of a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game between a wildly determined cop (Pacino) and a master thief (DeNiro). Intense action and performances; directed by Michael Mann. (Rated R, 170 min.)

AUGUST 31 - CITIZEN KANE (1941) - HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, ORSON WELLES! - Born in 1915, Welles was only 26 when he co-wrote and directed this story of the rise and fall of Charles Foster Kane, widely regarded as one of the greatest - and most innovative - films ever made. (Not rated, 119 min.)


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FREE Dearborn Main Library Blockbusters Film Series - March April May 2015

Blockbusters Free Film Series

HFCL Auditorium

16301 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI

(313) 943-2330

Monday Evenings

7:00 p.m.

MARCH 2—GONE GIRL (2014) - On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife? A dark and disturbing whodunit. Oscar-nominated for Best Actress. (Rated R, 149 min.)

MARCH 9—THE JUDGE (2014) - Robert Downey, Jr. stars as big city lawyer Hank Palmer, who returns to his childhood home where his estranged father, the town’s judge (Robert Duvall), is suspected of murder. He sets out to discover the truth and along the way reconnects with the family he walked away from years before. Oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Duvall). (Rated R, 141 min.)

MARCH 16—WHIPLASH (2014) - Andrew Neyman is an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory and become one of the greats. Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), an instructor equally known for his teaching talents as for his terrifying methods, leads the top jazz ensemble in the school. Fletcher discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into his band, forever changing the young man's life. Andrew's passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher continues to push him to the brink of both his ability-and his sanity. Nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Supporting Actor (Simmons). (Rated R, 106 min.)

MARCH 23—BIRDMAN (2014) - A washed up actor (Michael Keaton), who once played an iconic superhero, battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career and himself in the days leading up to the opening of his new Broadway play. Brilliantly acted and imaginatively filmed, Birdman was nominated for nine Oscars including Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress. (Rated R, 119 min.)

MARCH 30—SONG OF THE SEA (2014) - When Saoirse and Ben's mother mysteriously disappears into the ocean, the two children go on an epic journey to find out the truth about her, and in the process, discover mystical secrets about both their mother and Saoirse herself. An enchanting animated fable about loss, magic and the love of family. Nominated for Best Animated Feature. “A wonder to behold...a visually stunning animation masterwork” - L.A. Times (Rated PG, 94 min.)

APRIL 6—BIG HERO 6 (2014) - Big Hero 6 is an action-packed animated adventure that introduces Baymax, a lovable personal companion robot, who forms a special bond with robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to Baymax and his diverse group of friends -- adrenaline junky Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred -- who transform into a band of unlikely heroes. Great fun for the whole family! Oscar-nominated for Best Animated Feature. (Rated PG, 102 min.)

APRIL 13—FOXCATCHER (2014) - The great Olympic wrestling team of brothers Mark and David Schultz joins Team Foxcatcher, led by multimillionaire sponsor John du Pont (Steve Carell), as they train for the 1988 games in Seoul - a union that leads to unlikely, and tragic, circumstances. Nominated for five Oscars including Best Director, Actor (Carell), and Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo). (Rated R, 129 min.)

APRIL 20—INTERSTELLAR (2014) - In the near future, Earth has been devastated by drought and famine, causing a scarcity in food and extreme changes in climate. In response, a group of explorers led by Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) must embark on an interstellar voyage beyond our solar system in search of a planet that can sustain life. As time begins to run out, Cooper must choose between seeing his family again, or the future of the human race. Oscar-nominated effects highlight this awe-inspiring adventure! (Rated PG-13, 169 min.)

APRIL 27—EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS (2014) - From acclaimed director Ridley Scott comes the story of one man’s daring courage to take on the might of an empire. Using state of the art visual effects, the film brings new life to the story of the defiant leader Moses (Christian Bale) as he rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton), setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues. (Rated PG-13, 150 min.)

MAY 4—PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR (2014) - The super spy team of penguins Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private join forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind, led by handsome and husky Agent Classified. Together, they must stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine from destroying the world as we know it. Animated action, laughs and thrills for all! (Rated PG, 92 min.)

MAY 11—THE BABADOOK (2014) - Six years after the violent death of her husband, Amelia is at a loss. She struggles to discipline her ‘out of control’ 6 year-old, Samuel, whose dreams are plagued by a monster he believes is coming to kill them both. When a disturbing storybook called ‘The Babadook’ turns up at their house, Samuel is convinced that the Babadook is the creature he’s been dreaming about. His hallucinations spiral out of control as Amelia wrestles with whether or not the Babadook is simply imagined...or something very real. Relentless psychological suspense! (Not Rated, 94 min.)

MAY 18—FURY (2014) - April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany. (Rated R, 134 min.)

MAY 25—NO PROGRAM—MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY


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FREE Dearborn Main Library Blockbusters Film Series - December 2014 January February 2015

Blockbusters Free Film Series

HFCL Auditorium

16301 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI

(313) 943-2330

Monday Evenings

7:00 p.m.

DECEMBER 1—EDGE OF TOMORROW (2014) - REIVEW  - An alien race, undefeatable by any existing military unit, has launched a relentless attack on Earth, and Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) finds himself dropped into a suicide mission. Killed within minutes, Cage is thrown into a time loop, forced to live out the same brutal combat over and over, fighting and dying again and again. Training alongside warrior Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), his skills slowly evolve, and each battle moves them one step closer to defeating the enemy in this relentlessly entertaining action thriller. (Rated PG-13, 113 min.)

DECEMBER 8—JERSEY BOYS (2014) - REIVIEW - Clint Eastwood’s big screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of the four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic `60s rock group The Four Seasons. Their trials and triumphs are accompanied by the hit songs that made them famous and influenced a generation. (Rated R, 134 min.)

DECEMBER 15—THE WIND RISES (2014) - Join us for a special screening of the final film from Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki. Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joins a major Japanese engineering company in 1927 and becomes one of the world’s most innovative and accomplished airplane designers. The film chronicles much of his life, depicting his loves, friendships, and key historical events, including the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan’s plunge into war. Moving and beautifully animated. (Rated PG-13, 135 min.)

DECEMBER 22—ELF (2003) - Take a break from that holiday shopping with this classic tale of Buddy (Will Ferrell), mistakenly adopted and raised as an elf, traveling to New York City to discover his true identity. Also starring James Caan as Buddy’s reluctant father, Zooey Deschanel and Bob Newhart. (Rated PG, 95 min.)

DECEMBER 29—GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014) - REVIEW - Brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits—Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand—with the galaxy's fate in the balance. One of the biggest hits of 2014! (Rated PG-13, 121 min.)

JANUARY 5—THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY (2014) - REVIEW - The opening of a new Indian restaurant in the south of France, next to a famous Michelin-starred eatery, is nearly cause for an all-out war between the two establishments until Le Saule Pleureur's icy proprietress Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) recognizes her rival's undeniable brilliance for preparing masterful meals. A succulent treat for everyone! (Rated PG, 122 min.)

JANUARY 12—DOLPHIN TALE 2 (2014) - REVIEW - The story of Winter, the adorable dolphin with the prosthetic tail, continues as the team at Clearwater Marine Hospital attempts to find a new companion for their most famous resident. As time begins to run out, a young rescued dolphin named Hope may be the only key to Winter’s survival. A funny, warm and uplifting tale for the whole family! (Rated PG, 107 min.)

JANUARY 19—NO PROGRAM—MLK HOLIDAY

JANUARY 26—BOYHOOD (2014) -REVIEW - Filmed over short periods from 2002 to 2013, Boyhood is a groundbreaking cinematic experience covering 12 years in the life of a family. At the center is Mason, who with his sister Samantha, are taken on an emotional and transcendent journey through the years, from childhood to adulthood. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime film. Starring Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette. (Rated R, 164 min.)

FEBRUARY 2—MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT (2014) - Set in the 1920s on the opulent Riviera in the south of France, Woody Allen’s Magic in the Moonlight is a romantic comedy about a master magician (Colin Firth) trying to expose a psychic medium named Sophie (Emma Stone) as a fake. However, Sophie accomplishes numerous feats of mind-reading and other supernatural deeds that defy all rational explanation, leaving him dumbfounded. Before long, Stanley begins to wonder whether Sophie’s powers are real and what this might mean for his own worldview! (Rated PG-13, 97 min.)

FEBRUARY 9—THE TRIP TO ITALY (2014) - The largely improvised 2010 film, The Trip, took comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon on a restaurant tour around northern England. In this witty and incisive follow-up, the pair reunites for a new culinary road trip, retracing the steps of the Romantic poets' grand tour of Italy and indulging in some sparkling banter and dueling impersonations. The characters enjoy mouthwatering meals in gorgeous settings from Liguria to Capri while riffing on subjects as varied as Batman's vocal register and, of course, the virtue of sequels. (Not Rated, 108 min.)

FEBRUARY 16—NO PROGRAM—PRESIDENTS DAY HOLIDAY

FEBRUARY 23—GET ON UP (2014) - Chadwick Boseman stars as James Brown in this fearless look inside the music, moves and moods of one of the most influential musical figures of the 20th century. The film takes audiences on a journey from Brown’s impoverished childhood to his evolution into the Godfather of Soul. Features terrific music and a transformative performance by Boseman. (Rated PG-13, 139 min.)


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FREE Wayne Country Child Support Help Seminar 10/25 1-4pm at Detroit Main Library

THE FREE WAYNE COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT HELP PROGRAM
Saturday, October 25, 2014 - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Main Library

The Salvation Army, William Booth Legal Clinic and The Legal Aid & Defender Office present a FREE Wayne County Child Support Help Program on Saturday, October 25th from 1-4 pm at the Detroit Main Library.

Attorneys and child support professionals will be on hand to answer your specific case questions.

Please bring your current court orders and up to date FOC financial information to receive this type of assistance. Contact the FOC Call Center at (313) 224-5300 to request a current FOC account printout be mailed to you in advance.

Attorneys can help you prepare your Motions to Modify Child Support, apply for Payment Plans, and you may even qualify for the State Arrearage Forgiveness Program. Additionally, you will be able to sign up for MiCase which will allow you to access your own case information from your computer at any time.

This Everyday Legal Issues Seminar is supported by various community agencies including Wayne County Head Start, JVS Jewish Vocational Services, Detroit Head Start Fatherhood Initiative, Wayne County Friend of the Court, Abundant Children & Family Services Agency, and Wayne County Mediation Center.

Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202


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COUPON: 15% off ANY Payless Purchase in-store and online - ENDS 8/24 - Perfect for #BacktoSchool

Just in time for Back-to-School shopping...

Since my son's feet seem to grow larger every day (which means he goes through shoes like water), I like to buy him shoes from Payless. And I especially like when I can get even more money off when Payless offers coupons.  And this one is perfect for back-to-school shopping.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR 15% OFF COUPON GOOD ON ALL PAYLESS PURCHASES THRU AUGUST 24TH 2014


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FREE $15 Forman Mills Vouchers to 1st 50 Kids at Warren and Connor location on 8/21 at 3pm

First 50 youth on-site from 3-8 p.m. on August 21 at Warren and Connor store will be awarded $15 vouchers...

Value-based discount department retailer Forman Mills, with three Detroit-area stores, is committed to providing significant discounts on high-profile brand fashions and helping Detroit-area students to start off the school year in style.

As part of their efforts to give back to the community, from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2014, more than 100 pre-identified youth, who were consumers of Neighborhood Service Organization, will have the opportunity to visit the Forman Mills Warren and Conner store (11950 East Warren Avenue, Detroit) to redeem $15 vouchers to be used on back to school apparel.

In addition to the pre-selected youth, the first 50 youth, ages 18 and under, on-site who perform the Forman’s Mills “Stretch Those Bills” dance or give a “Forman Mills” shout also will receive one FREE $15 voucher each. All students receiving vouchers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

“We wanted to ensure that students in the community have the opportunity to walk into school on the first day feeling confident and ready for a year of learning,” said Rick Forman, president and CEO of Forman Mills. “Being able to take the burden of being able to afford clothes for school off of the students and their families is of great importance to all of us at Forman Mills.”

Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) is a human services agency serving metropolitan Detroit’s most vulnerable. The nonprofit runs several programs serving youth including Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngers (HIPPY), Youth Initiatives Project, YouthLink and Life Choices Youth Program.

“We are honored that Forman Mills selected our young consumers as recipients of these generous vouchers,” said NSO President and CEO Sheilah P. Clay. “It sends a positive message to families that businesses in our community are invested in the future success of children and youth.”

Offering the latest in fashion for youth, juniors and young men and women, Forman Mills is currently offering numerous deals on back-to-school apparel, including: denim jeans, two for $10; three t-shirts for $5; boys pants for $6; and, for students who are required to wear school uniforms, polo tops in all colors ranging from two for $9 for kids to two for $12 for young men and shoes for $10.

“Whether the student is required to wear a uniform or just needs a few new items for the school year, we have what they need” says Valerie Fiordaliso, Forman Mills’ Marketing Director.

In addition to the Warren and Conner location, Forman Mills also can be found in Highland Park at the Model T Plaza, Bel-Air Centre on East Eight Mile Road in Detroit and on Miller Road in Flint. The company will be opening a fifth Michigan location in Southfield later this year.


Forman Mills Warren and Conner store
11950 East Warren Avenue, Detroit
August 21st - 3-8pm


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4 Ways to Cut the Drama of Kids' Back-to-School Immunizations and Vaccinations #GiveaShot #shop

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias and its advertiser Walgreens #GiveaShot.  All opinions are my own...

Fast and easy is the key to back-to-school immunizations...

I cannot believe that back-to-school is just around the corner. My son has really enjoyed a summer filled with sleeping in and day trips all over metro Detroit with even more fun to come. But I know that it is now time to think about the new school year. And besides buying new school supplies, one thing that always seems to be at the top of the back-to-school list is immunizations.

My 14 year old son would rather run naked through the streets than to sit still for vaccinations. Drama is my son's middle name for anything that he does not like to do, especially for immuninzations.  So if your kids are like mine, here are a few tips on how to get through immunizations with your sanity still in tack -

1.  Keep the visit a secret until the last minute...
After all these years, I personally still keep my son informed on a need to know basis about everything we do because he loves to be a drama king.

2.  Video Games are the Dragon Slayers of Waiting Room Drama...
My son jokes that my purse contains everything he needs to get through any situation. So you better believe that I have been known to pull out a new video game (that I bought on sale and hid) at the most opportune times - especially when immunizations are involved. When my son gets a new video game, all else fades into the background, including fear of vaccinations.

3.  Bribery does work!
During the visit for my son's immunizations last year, I went for the big guns when it was time for the shots. I told him that if he sat still and let the doctor do her thing, we would stop at his favorite fast food restaurant and he could have anything he wanted on the menu. You should seen his eyes light up - the doctor actually started laughing. My son quickly called over the doctor so that he could get the whole thing over with as fast as possible so we should be on our way. I don't think there is much my son will not do if chicken nuggets or pizza are involved :

4. Make the Process Quick and Easy...
The key to kids and immunizations is to make the process as quick and easy as possible. And Walgreens is trying to do just that for getting kids their back-to-school immunizations such as for whooping cough and meningitis.

Walgreens makes back-to-school immunizations quick and easy with no appointments necessary and by accepting most insurance plans. Plus, their pharmacists can report back to your regular primary care physician.

Did you know that 1 in 5 children around the world still lack access to lifesaving immunizations?  

Walgreens wants to help kids every where get the immunizations that they need. So this year, when your child gets their back-to-school immunization at Walgreens, Walgreens will in turn help provide a free lifesaving vaccine to a child in a developing country through the UN Foundation's Shot@Life campaign.

What's not to like about getting your kids immunizations done without an appointment while also helping other children?  Find out more about the Walgreens "Get a Shot Give a Shot" campaign at Walgreens.com/GoBackHealthy


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EDUCATION: Metro Detroit's Circuit Math uses Fun, Games and Cows to Teach Kids useful Math Skills

Disclosure: I attended a FREE 1-hour introductory Circuit Math session with my son. I was chosen for this sponsored opportunity by Hay There Social Media...

Circuit Math brings Math Skills to life for Metro Detroit kids Grades 3rd thru 9th ...

My son just graduated from middle school a few weeks ago. As I sat waiting for the graduation ceremony to start, I hoped my son would receive at least one award since he had worked very hard during the school year and had especially excelled in Math.

So I was super excited and chapping with joy when my son received the last and biggest award of the graduation ceremony -  a special President's Award (signed by President Barack Obama) in recognition for my son's high MAT score and achieving a 4.0 grade point average - HOLLA!!!

Me, my son with the Presidents's Award for his Math score, and his former teacher...

My son has always been good at Math - especially with memorizing and applying formulas. But I have always wondered if he is as good at applying math skills to real life situations.  After all, what good is it to great at advanced math  if you cannot balance a checkbook or figure out if you have enough gas in your car's tank to make it to your final destination.

That is why this summer, I took my son to open his own bank account so he can learn first hand about compound interest and delayed gratifcation  (i.e. leaving his money in the bank to grow instead of spending it all on video games).

And I took him to try out a FREE introductory math tutoring class taught by a new local metro Detroit business called Circuit Math.

My son and Circuit Math owner Maggie Durant...

How does Circuit Math work?

Circuit Math is an innovative way to do Math Tutoring that is based on the same concept of circuit training that is used to make physical exercise less repetitive and bring about results in less time than traditional methods.

With Circuit Math, children spend a 1 hour session going through different math stations involving playing sports, creating businesses, and working with design and architecture so that kids can apply math skills in the areas that are interesting to them.

A student's sweet spots and areas of improvement are identified during a pre-assesment known as a COW - Competency Of the Week. (COW is definnitely a much more fun term than test, don't you think?) COW's are tracked on each student's "Dashboard" showing red, yellow, or green.

The 1st circuit station involves math instruction using iPads and laptops. Kids get to pick if they want to sit at the table or use a beanbag and this circuit is 20 minutes long with the instruction being individualized to each student based on their "COW" dashboard color.

Sports and Math do go together....

Kids then move on to the other circuit stations.  One of the stations is a store front where students can learn math by running the store which involves buying inventory and setting item prices. Another circuit station is a room where the kids work together as a group to design the room using their math skills. And another station is all about sports and how math plays into baseball, basketball, darts, ring toss, golf, and bean bag toss.  So if a student is working on factions, they may be figuring out the faction of shots that hit the rim to the the shots that went in the basket. Other kids could figure out how to calculate a baseball player's ERA.

The last part of the circuit is the "COW" ceremony and recognition. When a student scores 75% or higher on the area that a student is focusing on that day, then they get a COW (the moo kind) sticker for their dashboard that can be traded in for prizes.

Circuit Math owner Maggie Durant with the Dashboards and COW rewards...

Not all kids will get a COW - they have to earn them...

"Some days they get them and some days you don't," says Circuit Math owner Maggie Durant on students and COW stickers. "And so it really starts to mean stuff to the kids because they have to work for them.. and they want their COW."  COW's can be traded for something as simple as a pencil or saved up for great prizes like full size footballs and soccer balls.

"The whole goal is to bring math to life, see how it's used day to day and really make it fun to be here" says Circuit Math owner Maggie Durant..

While my son worked one-on-one with one of the Circuit Math instructors, I had a chance to speak one-on-one with Circuit Math owner, Maggie Durant.

FIML: How long have you been in business?
Maggie: This is our first space.  We have been partnering with schools mainly in the city of Detroit to work with 1st thru 9th graders on math and reading for the last 14 months. But this space is dedicated to math.

FIML: Why did you open this space?
Maggie: It's all been the same concept of helping the kids make progress, measuring it with data, focusing on the basics and application.  We are able to do a lot of more fun application here in our own space than we can when we go into someone else's classroom.

FIML: Is each session 10 weeks long?
Maggie: You buy a 10 pack which is ten 1 hour long sessions and parents get to pick and choose the days and times to use them based on your schedule.  For the summer, there are only morning sessions. But in the fall, Circuit Math will be shifting into an after school and weekend schedule.

My Perspective on Circuit Math...

Overall, I really love Maggie's Circuit Math idea.  Since my son and I stopped by Maggie's Bingham Farms location in the evening after I got off of work, there were no kids there for my son to interact with. But he still had fun working with the instructor and we had a hard time getting him out of the building because he wanted to finish the math sheet that he had been working on for an hour.

Since my son is highly competitive, I can see him loving the whole "COW reward" system and working hard to earn a COW sticker so he could earn prizes.   I also really love the concept of teaching math skills by having the kids run a business store front.

If classes were offered in the evenings over the summer, I would see this as a way for my son to spend time working on his math skills - and having fun at the same time.  Also I would love to see the classes offered in 4 pack for $100, which I think is a much more affordable introductory option, in addition to the 10 pack for $250.

You can find out more about Circuit Math, and signup to attend a FREE 1-hour introductory session, over on their website at www.circuitlearning.com and on their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/circuitlearning.

Circuit Math
30300 Telegraph, Suite #230, South of 13 Mile Road
North entrance of the building, 2nd floor
Bingham Farms, MI


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