February is American Heart Month, and unfortunately, most of us know someone who has had heart disease or stroke. According the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. These conditions are also leading causes of disability preventing people from working and enjoying family activities. Cardiovascular disease is also very expensive—together heart disease and stroke hospitalizations in 2010 cost the nation more than $444 billion in health care expenses and lost productivity.

Join experts from the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation for seven free, non-commercial financial workshops on Monday nights from February through May at the Royal Oak Public Library. These non-commercial presentations will not contain sales pitches for any particular products. The state is offering these programs free to Michigan citizens with the help of funding from the Investor Protection Trust in Washington, D.C.

Join us for a great book discussion, activities and a light snack as we discuss Mudshark by Gary Paulsen. This fast paced hilarious mystery will have readers wondering why there’s an escaped gerbil running the halls of the school, a near nuclear emergency in the faculty restroom, and how a psychic parrot can solve all your problems.

This program is free but sign up is limited to the first 15 participants. Sign up in person at the Youth Reference Desk and check out your copy of the book during the week of January 16, 2012.

Call the Youth Reference Desk at 248-246-3725 for more information.

We have updated our list of local organizations that lend a helping hand to those in need during these difficult economic times. A list of South Oakland Warming Centers will be available around Thanksgiving. The Welcome Inn Day Center for the Homeless will be open Monday through Friday from December 19, 2011 through March 16, 2012. It is located in the Unity Church, 2500 Crooks Road near Northwood Drive.