Filed under: Resource, Web — Chelsea Blog @ 4:39 pm
Wolfram Alpha (strange name, for a website, I know, but a guy can’t help his name) is the brainchild of Stephen Wolfram. The site bills itself as a “Computational Knowledge Engine.” And indeed, it is that!
I have to say, this has got to be one of the most innovative websites I’ve ever had the privilege to stumble across. Let’s say you type in “Highest recorded temperature.” Wolfram Alpha takes this search term and interprets this as “highest recorded surface temperature on Earth.” Oh, and this happens to be 70.7 degrees Celsius, recorded in the Lut Desert of Iran. The Amazing Wolfram also provides conversions into Kelvins, Fahrenheit, and other measurements of temperature. This is how I now know that 70.7 degrees Celsius = 159 degrees Fahrenheit.
Maybe you want to know the GDP of Ghana, or any other country, for that matter. Type in “GDP of Ghana,” and not only do you retrieve numbers for the GDP, inflation, rates of growth, and a graph that tracks GDP from 1970 to 2008, but by clicking on the link that says “more,” you can find GDP divided by sector–industrial, agricultural, trade, and so on.
Perhaps you’d like to find out about auspicious events on your date of birth? Were you born March 17th, back in 1979? Here’s what you would see!
See the short interview with Donald Harrison, the executive director of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, and two film makers who will have their films featured at the Ann Arbor Film Festival.
Tim Burton’s heavily-promoted Alice in Wonderland hits theaters this week – you’ve seen the ads, you’ve seen the magazine covers, you’ve seen Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway slathered in whimsically-terrifying makeup and costume.
But many Alice fans will also appreciate a new novel by Melanie Benjamin, Alice Have I Been.
It’s the story of Alice Liddell, whose real-life friendship with Lewis Carrol is the basis for Alice in Wonderland. The book is narrated by Alice, now in her 80s, and incorporates the adventures of childhood Alice as well as grown, mother-of-three Alice. Alice Have I Been is part history, part mystery and part love story – and all of it is beautifully and subtly written.
The Chelsea Reads Together “Wheels to Reels” month of events is off to a great start! We’ve had good crowds at two movie screenings and a great discussion with Guy Sanville, PRTC Artistic Director and his actor associates – and we’ve got so many more events still coming up!
We’re already excited for our Gala Finale on Friday, March 20th at 5:30 in the McKune Room, where we”ll be joined by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sue Marx as we screen her film about John Voelker, aka Robert Traver, Anatomy of An Author. Pianist Bryan Brill will play from the Anatomy of a Murder soundtrack and talk about his experience scoring films.
But before the Gala Finale, join us for the Pre-Gala Reception at River Gallery at 4:30! You’ll sip drinks, mingle with our guests of honor and review artifacts from the film – and then walk the red carpet into the McKune Room! Glam up and smile pretty, because the red carpet comes complete with paparazzi – photographer Mark Bogarin will be taking snapshots as the crowd enters.
Here is a great example of Mark’s magic with the camera:
Check out more of Mark Bogarin’s fabulous photography at his website. And join us for the Pre-Gala and Gala Finale on March 20th!
Did you see this story? It’s a welcome justification for everyone who refuses to part with their old comic books-the $1 million sale of Action Comics #1 (the first appearance of Superman). The comic originally sold for 10 cents in 1938 and is believed to be one of only two in the world in such good condition.
Indeed, comics have come a long way since the 1930s. An art form once reserved for superheroes and dime-store horror has become the storytelling medium of choice for many storytellers, including journalists and biographers. If you’re looking for something more suitable to adults, you’ll find it under the label “Graphic Novels” (sounds more mature than comics, right?) and right now at the Chelsea District Library we’ve put together a display of some of our favorites, including:
Today we hosted our kickoff event for our Wheels to Reels series: A screening and discussion of Anatomy of a Murder. Good times were had by all!
Couldn’t join us today? Eager for more Wheels to Reels events? Drop-in for these events in the coming week:
Tuesday, March 2 | 7-8:30pm | McKune Room
An Evening with Guy Sanville & Friends
Join Purple Rose Theatre Company Artistic Director Guy Sanville and his associates for stories about their experiences filming the Michigan movies Escanaba in da Moonlight and Super Sucker.
Saturday, March 6 | 2-3:30pm | McKune Room
Ann Arbor Film Festival Sneak Preview
A free public sneak preview of the 48th Ann Arbor Film Festival (AAFF), featuring short films from the upcoming festival.
Want to know more about the burgeoning film industry in Michigan?
Wondering how you can land a role in films being shot around Michigan?
Excited about the library’s Chelsea Reads Together “Wheels to Reels” events in February and March (we sure are!), but can’t wait until February 28th?
Have no fear! Not only can you sign up for Wheels to Reels events RIGHT NOW (from home, at your computer-isn’t technology great?) but you can also visit the Michigan Makes Movies website, which is chock-full of news about the Michigan film industry and opportunities for education and training, jobs, and more!
Check this out! Woman’s Day published this article about women using their local libraries to save money, increase their quality of life, and learn and engage with the world around them. Using your library = money in the piggy bank!
While you’re here, page through these fine titles about saving the moola, while saving the planet. Because, really, who’s got money or a spare Earth to burn?
Join a representative from the Arts Alliance for a workshop on the new and improved a3arts.org called: Internet Marketing for Artists – It’s not as awful as you think!
When: 6:30 pm on Tuesday, February 22nd
Where: Chelsea District Library, computer training lab on the second floor
If you haven’t already, reserve your spot now!http://bit.ly/a3artstraining
Help us reach YOUR artist community. The training promises to explore the possibilities of managing your personal brand online. Participants will see good examples of profiles and person-to-person interaction online. Guidelines and examples will be provided for participants to take with them. Learn the honest reason why individuals are successful with Facebook, Twitter, and eventually a3arts.org.
