Grand Rapids Public Library

Photo courtesy BBC News  If you’re like me, the recent declaration of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas leaves little relief.  I’m often left with questions of how what is arguably the most sacred spot can become so ramp with conflict and aggression.  When I finally decided to learn about the creation of Israel, I [...]

We’re just getting into 2012- that wonderful year that strange predictions and prophecies foretell the end of the world. There have been many movies which has a plot revolving around global destruction, but i was really impressed with Melancholia. it’s Lars Von Trier’s latest work about the relationship between two sisters, and their opposing perspective’s [...]

I’m pleased to see one of my favorite albums introduced into the GRPL’s CD collection- The Dirty Projector’s “Getty’s Address“.  Dave Longstreth’s quirky musical compositions and tinkerings reach their most ambitious level by exposing the digital era of recording.  Mixing classical instruments, digital thumps and hiccups, meandering compositions and a strained folksy voicy, the album [...]

There’s something particularly rewarding about getting a hold that was ordered by your request.  It’s new, unused, and once you’ve enjoyed and returned it, everyone else gets the opportunity as well.  I’ve recently gotten two gems that certainly belong in the GRPL collection: Sweet and Lowdown: the soundtrack. Probably my favorite Woody Allen movie, even [...]

I recently discovered that Grand Rapids has a comic club.  The first visit for me was warm and welcoming as we sat down and traded some short comics we had made, or had bought.  There were about 7-8 of us huddled around a couple tables that where pushed together.  The first order of business became [...]

Yes, just a mere 15 years before I was born Monty Python was airing their offbeat version of humor in the UK.  Monty Python was actually a huge cultural and comedic experience for me.  So much that I remember the first time I saw The Holy Grail.  I had already gone to bed and my [...]

I’ve been meaning to do a blog on this for some time, because i was startled to see a peculiar piece of artwork outside the library  here: and another little guy (on a lamp post)  here: As it turns out, Grand Rapids is now part of a growing trend of guerrilla knitting.  I wondered if [...]

So I picked up this comic (or graphic novel I should say), “Curses” by Kevin Huizenga.  I knew him from the Drawn and Quarterly series, where he’s got this story of not being able to have a kid, and having to pour gasoline in his eyes to see a feathered monkey and completely liked everything [...]

You may want to consider reading a wonderful comic in the meantime, Thieves and Kings.  I first got hooked on this comic while browsing the shelves at Magnum Opus and found an interesting cover of a young boy.  Atop a bed, he was reenacting a fight scene with a bandaged rib cage, a cane, and [...]

Recently my brother and I were walking around the downtown region looking for good cityscapes to photograph.  The weather was pretty nice, so we were just hanging out on the street a lot of the time, thinking about possible compositions for a painting.   As were were just about ready to call it good and head [...]