Gardeners — What Hardiness Zone Are You In?

January 30, 2012 | specialk

The United States Department of agriculture had updated its Plant Hardiness Zone Map, reflecting a more accurate picture of growing conditions in the United States. Canton, Michigan is currently in zone 6a and 50% of the country has a warmer zone assigned. Gardeners, nurseries and plant breeders are among those who use the map. Data also figures into research models for crop-risk insurance and the spread of exotic weeds and insects.

Book Club in a Bag Kit

December 16, 2011 | specialk

Annie's ghosts: a journey into a family secret by Steve Luxenberg  Combining the power of reportage with the intrigue of mystery, "Annie's Ghosts" explores the nature of self-deception and self-preservation. The result is equal parts memoir and riveting detective story as one son seeks to uncover family secrets. Set in Detroit, this makes for a great discussion with local interest.

Blood, Bones and Butter

October 18, 2011 | specialk

Blood, bones, & butter: the inadvertent education of a reluctant chef by Gabrielle Hamilton — Chef and restaurateur Hamilton, chef/owner of acclaimed New York City restaurant Prune, offers a sensuous and evocative memoir of her rural Pennsylvania childhood and her training as writer and chef. Hamilton is a very talented writer and offers an unusually compelling chef's memoir.

Ruins of Detroit

September 23, 2011 | specialk

The ruins of Detroit by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre; with essays by Robert Polidori and Thomas J. Sugrue; [translations by Sébastien de Villèle] Over the past generation Detroit has suffered economically and its urban decay is now glaringly apparent. The authors have documented this disintegration, showcasing with amazing photograhs structures that were formerly a source of civic pride.

Books for Artists

June 20, 2011 | specialk

Expressive photography: the Shutter Sisters' guide to shooting from the heart by Tracey Clark

Donna Kooler's encyclopedia of quilting by Kooler, Donna

Water, paper, paint: exploring creativity with watercolor and mixed media by Heather Smith Jones

Extreme perspective! for artists: learn the secrets of curvilinear, cylindrical, fisheye, isometric, and other amazing systems that will make your drawings pop off the page by David Chelsea

Polymer clay 101: a workshop in a book by Angela Mabray and Kim Otterbein

Google Art Project

February 4, 2011 | specialk

The Google Art Project allows the user to tour 17 of the world's most famous museums like Google Street View. Interested in New York's Frick Museum, MOMA, or Versailles? This is a new look at museums which allows you to go from room to room and then select a painting to view. With high-resolution technology you can look at featured paintings in amazing detail. This is a unique resource for the tourist, the student, or the art lover. To learn more about the Google Art Project, check out this article from the New York Times.

Flower Favorites

January 28, 2011 | specialk

Garden bouquets and beyond: creating wreaths, garlands, and more in every garden season by Suzy Bales

Flowers: style recipes by David Matheson, Nicole Sillapere, Samantha Moss

Decorating with flowers: classic and contemporary arrangements by Paula Pryke

Garden to vase: growing and using your own cut flowers by Linda Beutler

Simply elegant flowers: with Michael George by Michael George, Bob Shuman; foreword by Martha Stewart