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Fourth 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

Convicting the Innocent

In the last few years research has identified at least 900 official exonerations of people who were convicted of felonies, although they had nothing to do with the crimes. In some cases no crime was every committed. Researchers believe that many more miscarriages of justice occur. A good deal of work has uncovered reasons why this happens. It is often the result of mistaken eyewitness identification, but a dozen other factors are involved. About 50 innocence projects now work to exonerated falsely convicted people and many states and police departments are taking steps to make criminal investigations more accurate.

Professor Marv Zalman, teaches classes on constitutional law (criminal procedure), criminal justice policy and wrongful conviction. Most of his research and writing in recent years has been focused on the topic of wrongful convictions.  He has authored a textbook, Criminal Procedure: Constitution and Society, Sixth Edition (Prentice Hall, 2011) in addition to numerous research articles, chapters, and encyclopedia articles on wrongful conviction.

The Ferndale Science Fiction Book Club will meet again on February 14 at the Ferndale library (222 E. Nine Mile) at 7pm.

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

Just passing on a note from our fabulous children’s librarian Jillean McCommons

Hello,
I would like to get the word out about our new Facebook page for kids. It’s a great place to find out about upcoming programs, performers, new books and other helpful information. If you could pass it along to friends that would be great. Please, like us!

http://www.facebook.com/ferndalekidshttp://www.facebook.com/ferndalekids

Thanks so much,
Jillean

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!!!