McCready Hosts Town Hall on Autism at West Bloomfield Library

State Rep. Mike McCready, R-Bloomfield Hills, and colleague Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Township, will discuss Michigan's new autism benefit law.

Michigan's medical insurance laws changed in 2012 to mandate coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. But not many residents know about it. New State Rep. Mike McCready, R-Bloomfield Hills, hopes to change that and will make the recent autism insurance reform legislation the focus of a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 22 at the West Bloomfield Township Public Library. He and fellow freshman legislator Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Twp., will offer presentations on the signs and symptoms of autism, as well as treatment options under the new law. As of October 15, 2012, both for-and-non profit insurance companies regulated by the state of Michigan are required to provide an autism benefit to members for …

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Celebrate Dr. Seuss's Birthday at West Bloomfield Township Library

At 2 p.m. Saturday, kids can celebrate the life and work of Dr. Seuss with a special party at the West Bloomfield Township Library.

Wondering what to do with yourself this weekend? Don't dismay: check out today's Weekend Spotlight: Our pick for today: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Also happening this weekend: Come back to West Bloomfield Patch on Thursday for more weekend things to do in our Weekend Spotlight, or visit our events calendar.

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5 Events for Kids During Winter Break at the West Bloomfield Library

Lego workshop, Berenstain Bears and Hungry Caterpillar are among the attractions.

Kids and tweens are invited to come to the West Bloomfield Township Public Library  during winter break. The library is closed Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Here's a look at some of the events planned during the other days. Lego Mania : Bring your imagination to the Main Library Youth Activity Center, the library will provide the Legos for informal building and play with Legos. The event takes place at 10 a.m. Dec. 26. No registration is required. Meet the Berenstain Bears: Meet the December is Character Month. Greet the popular book character, the Berenstain Bears, and get ready for an interactive storytime featuring books, crafts, and games. The event takes place at 7 p.m. Dec. 26 in the Main Library Youth Activity Center. No …

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Cool Stuff on the Internet: West Bloomfield Library's Site to Relaunch

Larger images highlight streamlined design.

A new website for the West Bloomfield Township Public Library will feature more prominent access for account holders as it launches Monday morning. The user experience for the site, at wblib.org, will be made easier in the transition period with larger images of book covers and new materials on a single page, according to staff. Navigation should be easier as well, although the launch may be stymied for a short length of time on Monday morning.

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Checkers, Greenery, and Libraries: West Bloomfield Receives Visitors from Japan

Sister library program brings 10 teenagers in town for tour.

Fifteen months after the West Bloomfield Township Public Library hosted a visit from the mayor of Awaji City, Japan, the library once again hosted visitors on Sunday as part of its sister library program. Ten Japanese teenagers from the city of just over 47,000 ate a "traditional American barbecue" dinner at Marshbank Park, received a tour of Apple Island from the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society, and met Japanese-Americans living in the area as part of a tour organized by the library. Director Clara Bohrer said that she felt the teens may have most enjoyed simply getting together with students attending West Bloomfield High School and communicating in Japanese with an engrossed audience. "Our partnership program began with us …

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West Bloomfield Candidate Forum on Wednesday

Township Board candidates in Aug. 7 primary to be quizzed at Main Library this week.

We've seen their names on road signs for weeks, but this Wednesday, candidates in the Aug. 7 primary election for West Bloomfield Township Board will speak at a voters forum hosted by the county branch of the League of Women Voters. A total of 22 candidates will be pushing for spots in Town Hall and other elected positions. Every incumbent on the township board again seeks a spot on the board, including all three full-time elected officials. Each position is a four-year term. The forum begins at 5 p.m. at the Main Library. The schedule is as follows: Those expected to participate: The coordinator of the forum is Judy Bateman. For more information, visit the West Bloomfield Patch Events calendar or head to lwvoakland.org.

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Ask the Candidates: Submit Your Question on West Bloomfield Patch

Have a question you want your local government candidates to answer? Tell us in the comments.

On Aug. 7, a total of 22 candidates will be pushing for spots in West Bloomfield Township Hall and other elected positions. Every incumbent on the township board again seeks a spot on the board, including all three full-time elected officials. Each position is a four-year term. As West Bloomfield Patch prepares to interview each candidate, I want to know what questions I should ask. If there is a question you want the candidates to answer, leave it in the comments section below. The questions with the most interest by readers will be asked when West Bloomfield Patch does its candidate Q&As. In addition, two millage proposals will be on the ballot to benefit the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission.  The general operating millage…

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West Bloomfield Library Broadcasts for Japan

Live program recorded for sister library in Awaji City.

An overflow crowd packed in the West Bloomfield Main Library's Activities Center for an event which will be seen in Japan. The Awaji City Higashiura Public Library, which has been the sister library to West Bloomfield's since 1999, will be able to enjoy the videotaped program just as local boys and girls did Tuesday. Kids enjoyed traditional Japanese stories and music before receiving instruction by members of the Japan Society of Detroit Women's Club in folding origami and using chopsticks. Ten teenagers from Awaji City are scheduled to visit the library Aug. 12 as part of a U.S. visit. In 2011, the mayor of Awaji City visited West Bloomfield as part of a 10-person delegation after learning the library had won the National Medal, the …

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Library Picks: 'Passage of Power,' 'Home,' and More

What's on your summer reading list? West Bloomfield librarian discusses most popular titles of May.

The West Bloomfield Township Public Library is busy after the Memorial Day holiday, said librarian Dana Kratt.  Perhaps in anticipation of the library's Summer Reading Kick-Off event June 16, fiction and nonfiction alike have been flying off of the shelves. For more information on the benefits of reading over the summer, or the library's Summer Reading 2012 program, click the appropriate links. Don't forget: Visit the Patch Events calendar for a good look at library events. Dana's recommendations:

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Feature Photo: Library Volunteers Honored

Volunteers put in more than 3,000 hours in the past year, according to the West Bloomfield Township Public Library.