From heated healthcare forums to violent town hall meetings, the topic of your health has never been more debated. To keep you abreast of the great American healthcare debacle Brooklyn Public Library is offering the following programs all designed to keep you healthy and in the know:

September 18 - Health and Education Alternatives for Teens
September 19 - Proper Nutrition and its Role in Chronic Disease
September 26 - Truths and Myths about Cleansing and the Detoxification Process
September 29 - Health Information Program

Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Don’t forget, today is a Primary Election Day in NYC! If you’re not sure who is up for election in your district, information can be found here, where you can also find information on the candidates and their records of service.

Check into your city council candidate's position on library funding—recent advocacy on the part of some NYC council members made the difference in lessening the deep cuts to BPL’s budget, and expanding and returning hours of service to many neighborhood libraries. In difficult economic times like these, we see an increase in the need for library services. So get out there and vote with your local neighborhood in mind, this Election Day!

Now that the football season has kicked off (to great success for our New York teams!), the agonizing wait for the next weekend of games begins.

But all is not lost! Library Journal’s 2009 football roundup just might save your week. Here’s the two-minute drill:

More Than a Game: The Glorious Present—and the Uncertain Future—of the NFL by Brian Billick with Michael MacCambridge

The Super Bowl-winning coach details the workings of professional football, both on and off the field, and shares his optimism about the global growth of the sport.

On Any Given Sunday: A Life of Bert Bell by Robert S. Lyons

The monumental story of the founder of the Philadelphia Eagles and post-World War II NFL commissioner—a fascinating, boisterous rogue who stands in stark contrast to the corporate face of professional football today.

Resurrection: The Miracle Season That Saved Notre Dame by Jim Dent

The bestselling author of The Junction Boys chronicles the amazing 1964 Notre Dame season under new head coach Ara Parseghian, one of the most unlikely comeback seasons in the history of college football.

To see Library Journal’s complete rundown of new football books, click here. Still can’t get enough football? Check out Brooklyn Public Library’s collection of football internet links.

See you at the tailgate!

Morgan Taylor loves to tell stories. He and his band, Gustafer Yellowgold, entertain kids and adults alike with his original story-songs and the friendly-looking yellow creature of the same name that he created. Storyteller that he is, he also loves to read, and was happy to share with us some of his favorites: 

Adults

Communion: A True Story by Whitley Strieber

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris 

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson

Kids

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

On Beyond Zebra! by Dr. Seuss

The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet by Eleanor Cameron

In a few short weeks the leaves will began to fall and summer will turn to autumn. We’ll bid adieu to our sultry days of leisure and weekends of endless free entertainment. But before we say our goodbyes, catch the last of Brooklyn Public Library’s free outdoor concerts.

On Saturday, September 12, take in a performance by the Mandingo Ambassadors. Their mix of Latin rhythms and African beats will have you dancing in the streets.

If the sound of punk rock music is more your speed, then you won’t want to miss Harry and the Potters on Saturday, September 26. This indie-rock band will have you bopping your head and feet to the sounds of their electric guitars.

Central Library’s Plaza is the place to be for all of the musical mayhem.