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Author Event | Jennifer Pharr Davis

Author Jennifer Pharr Davis visited the Library to discuss her incredible accomplishments in the world of endurance hiking, backpacking, and trail running, and her latest book, The Pursuit of Endurance: Harnessing the Record-Breaking Power of Strength and Resilience.

Jennifer Pharr Davis founded Blue Ridge Hiking Company with the belief that "the trail is there for everyone at every phase of life" and with the goal of getting people–especially women and children–outdoors on their own terms. Pharr Davis is an ambassador for the American Hiking Society, she was featured as one of National Geographic's Adventurers of the Year in 2012 and her record-setting Appalachian Trail hike in 2011 was named "Performance of the Year" by Ultrarunning Magazine. Jennifer Pharr Davis has hiked with her husband and young daughter in all fifty states and she is currently hiking the Continental Divide Trail in sections through the Rocky Mountains.

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Skateboarder Daniel Mancina

Daniel Mancina is a positive advocate for the blind and uses his passion for skateboarding to change perceptions of the blind community. Having lost 95% of his vision, Mancina now focuses on spreading his passion for living a fulfilled life. Mancina believes that we all have things in our lives that act as handicaps--unsatisfying jobs, difficult family situations, depression or anxiety, or physical disabilities--and that it is possible to use these handicaps in a positive way. Mancina helps others recognize that their own struggles are tools that can be used to improve their lives if they shift their perspectives.

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Author Tom Stanton Discusses His New York Times Bestseller: “Terror in the City of Champions: Murder, Baseball, and the Secret Society that Shocked Depression-era Detroit”

Award-winning author Tom Stanton weaves a stunning tale of history, crime, and sports. Richly portraying 1930s America, "Terror in the City of Champions" features a pageant of colorful figures: iconic athletes, sanctimonious criminals, scheming industrial titans, a bigoted radio priest, a love-smitten celebrity couple, J. Edgar Hoover, and two future presidents, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. It is a rollicking true story set at the confluence of hard luck, hope, victory, and violence.

Detroit, mid-1930s: In a city abuzz over its unrivaled sports success, gun-loving baseball fan Dayton Dean became ensnared in the nefarious and deadly Black Legion. The secretive, Klan-like group was executing a wicked plan of terror, murdering enemies, flogging associates, and contemplating armed rebellion. The Legion boasted tens of thousands of members across the Midwest, among them politicians and prominent citizens—even, possibly, a beloved athlete.

The book opens with the arrival of Mickey Cochrane, a fiery baseball star who roused the Clutch Plague’s hardest-hit city by leading the Tigers to the 1934 pennant. A year later he guided the team to its first championship. Within seven months the Lions and Red Wings follow in football and hockey—all while Joe Louis chased boxing’s heavyweight crown.

Amidst such glory, the Legion’s dreadful toll grew unchecked: staged “suicides,” bodies dumped along roadsides, high-profile assassination plots. Talkative Dayton Dean’s involvement would deepen as heroic Mickey Cochrane’s reputation would rise. But the ballplayer had his own demons, including a close friendship with Harry Bennett, Henry Ford’s brutal union buster.

Tom Stanton’s other books include the critically acclaimed Tiger Stadium memoir "The Final Season" and the Quill Award finalist Ty and The Babe. A professor of journalism at the University of Detroit Mercy, he is a former Knight-Wallace Fellow at the University of Michigan.

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The Ann Arbor City Tennis Tournament: 97 Years & Counting

To celebrate the historic 97th edition of the annual Ann Arbor City Tennis Tournament, presented by Ann Arbor Area Community Tennis Association (AAACTA), this event looks back over the history of the event.

The panel discussion includes historians, participants and organizers from tournaments past, including Bill Godfrey, Jo Darlington, Barbara Wasneski, Jason Kerst, Kai McKenney, and Wes Dunnick, and is moderated by Michael G. Nastos.

The Ann Arbor City Tennis Tournament is one of the oldest city tennis tournaments in the country, established in 1919, and run by AAACTA since 2000. The USTA named the AAACTA and the tournament one of the “Best In The Midwest,” and its history goes back further than many major ITA, WTA or ATP Pro events, including Wimbledon. Hundreds of athletes from the Ann Arbor area, Metro Detroit and Midwestern states participate.

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Huzzah! Celebrating the Rise of Vintage Base Ball

The sport of vintage base ball has taken off in recent years, with Greenfield Village's historic base ball matches and new clubs sprouting up in communities throughout Michigan.

"Honest" Jon Van Hoek, captain of The Monitor Base Ball Club of Chelsea, presents a talk on the growing popularity of base ball played by the rules of the 1860s. He discusses the spirit and sportsmanship of the game, and the noticeable differences in equipment and rules of play from modern baseball.

Hear stories straight from the field, see great photos, learn unusual player nicknames, and find out how you can get involved as a spectator or as a player.

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Biking Northern Michigan

When it comes to cycling, Michigan is at or near the top of the list in America with 109 rail-trail conversions totaling 1,311 miles.

Learn more as veteran cyclist and traveler Bob Downes discusses cycling and his book Biking Northern Michigan: The Best & Safest Routes in the Lower Peninsula. Bob shares his fascinating travel experiences, tips, and stories.

Packed with funny stories, cycling tips, history and dining recommendations, Biking Northern Michigan will have you ready to ride one of the top cycling destinations in the world. The book includes more than 35 bike routes and 56 maps and illustrations in and around Traverse City, Petoskey and the Mackinac Straits in northwestern lower Michigan.

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AADL Talks To: Ryan Gregg, Rishi Narayan, and Bud Van de Wege Jr. of Moe Sport Shop

In 1915, University of Michigan alumnus George J. Moe quit his job with the Michigan athletic department to pursue his dream of opening a shop devoted to quality apparel and athletic equipment. The Moe Sport Shop became one of Ann Arbor’s most beloved institutions. Did you know that team logo wear began at Moe's? And that Moe's invented the Official's striped jersey we all like to boo on football Saturdays?

100 years later, the tradition continues at 711 N. University. AADL sat down with current owners Ryan Gregg and Rishi Narayan and former owner Bud Van de Wege Jr. to explore the history of the Moe Sport Shop, the changes to the store over the years and how the shop remains a vibrant presence in the 21st century.

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Nerd Nite #25: A Short History of Nearly Everything Roller Derby Related

Learn the history of roller derby from the 1920s to today, how the game is played and what’s been happening for the sport locally. Local players Susan B. Slamthony and Queen McLightning talk up the story of derby and why they love it.

Find ’em elsewhere, too: @a2derbydimes or Facebook:
AnnArborBrawlStars, A2D2YV, A2D2ABC

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The Star-Spangled Bannercast with Mark Clague: Alternate Lyrics for the Banner

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of The Star-Spangled Banner, UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance Professor Mark Clague talks with us about the banner and its place in the tradition of broadside ballads.

In this Bannercast, Mark discusses the lyrics of the anthem, with special focus on the verses of the original song that are no longer commonly sung.

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AADL Talks to Mark Clague: The Musical Changes to Our Banner

In celebration of the 200th anniversary year of The Star Spangled Banner, UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance Professor Mark Clague talks with us about musical changes to our national anthem over time.

The celebration continues at your downtown library with Banner Moments: The National Anthem in American Life - an exhibit that illustrates through interpretive panels, historical documents and photographs, the cultural 200-year history of “The Star-Spangled Banner” from June 14, 2015 through August 30, 2015 in the Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room