Meriden and Wallingford CT Library News and Events May 2010

To read the current issue of The People’s Press in image form or download the latest pdf go to www.peoplespressnews.com The People’s Press is a community newspaper serving Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut. We invite you to join us by becoming a part of the family of our submitters and sharing your news, stories, photos and views that matter most to Wallingford, Meriden and Central Connecticut. We are YOUR newspaper. You will also find information from the Wallingford and Meriden Mayors, the Wallingford and Meriden Public Libraries, the Wallingford and Meriden Senior Centers, the Wallingford and Meriden Health Departments, other various town and city departments and events as well as information about the wonderful groups and civic organizations that help Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut to be a better place. Email andy@peoplespressnews.com or call 203-235-9333 if you have any questions. Lois Lowry to Appear at Wallingford Public Library We are delighted to announce that award-winning author Lois Lowry will speak at the Wallingford Public Library on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room. Lois is one of America’s preeminent writers of literature for children. A wide-ranging author, she is perhaps best known for Number the Stars, and The Giver, both of which earned the prestigious Newbery Award. Tickets for the program are free and will be available in the Children’s Library while they last. There is a limit of four tickets per person. Books will be available for purchase at the program, and Ms. Lowry is willing to autograph them. This program is made possible by the Faustman Fund, which was created by the family and friends of Liz and Walt Faustman in 1997 to support Library programs for Wallingford. Liz Faustman was an avid reader and beloved member of the Wallingford Public Library staff, and Walt Faustman was a gifted Wallingford educator. This program is dedicated to their memory. News and Events from the Wallingford Public Library Children’s Department 2010 Summer Volunteer Application If you are a Wallingford student going into grades 5, 6, or 7 in the fall of 2010, you are eligible to volunteer to help us run our summer reading program. This year our program will be Haunt Your Library This Summer, featuring our Ghoulish Gameboard! We are expecting many enthusiastic players and we need our volunteers to help us run the game. Volunteers commit to working two hours each day for one week . If you have the time to commit, please stop by and pick up an application form, or go to our website and make a copy. Read the application carefully with your parent or guardian and fill it out. All application forms are due by June 8. We hope you will consider applying; we really can’t run the Summer Gameboard without our wonderful volunteers. Springtime StoriesJoin us in a storytime soon! Wallingford Public Library storytimes do not require any registration and are for children and adults to enjoy together. The programs are interactive, and filled with a variety of stories, songs, music, fingerplays , and movement, and each is developmentally appropriate for the ages described. Interested siblings are always welcome. Our Spring Stories will end in May and the staff will switch gears as we work to bring you a wonderful summer filled with programs and Fun! Please continue sharing wonderful stories with your children by visiting the Library, and by using Bookflix at home! Preschool Stories For children ages three to five Tuesdays, May 4 and 11 at 10:00 a.m. Wednesdays, May 5 and 12 at 1:30 p.m. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Musical Mother Goose* For children ages one and two Tuesdays, May 4 and 11, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, May 5 and 12, at 10:00 a.m. Community Room *This program is limited to 60 people; Wallingford residents are given priority. Please bring proof of residency. Non-residents are most welcome to attend if there is room. The Waddling Ones* For children ages 12-24 months Thursday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m. Collins Room *This program is limited to 20 children and their caregivers; Wallingford residents and Itty Bitty graduates are given priority. Please bring proof of residency. Non-residents are most welcome to attend if there is room. Itty Bitty Babies For children ages 12 months and under Thursday, May 6 at 1:30 p.m. Children’s Program Room SPEND YOUR SUMMMER AT THE MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY FREE tickets available for summer program special on June 1st. We have many professional performers for Monday night at 6:30 PM. and Thursday mornings at 10:30 AM.These specials "The Magic Of Nature In Our World" are as follows: June 21 6:30PM. Eastern Woodland and Lakota Native American dance music and history. Join the Bolden family Pow-Wow for a fun filled night! June 28 6:30PM. "Hats Off To Reading"-Join Keith Johnson's slap stick comedy. Juggling games and the magic of reading. July 1 10:30AM. "Curious Creatures" with Ron Deluca. Meet a variety of live animals. July 8 10:30AM. Sing along with music from around the world featuring Chris Merwin. July 12 6:30 PM. "Drumming About You" with Bob Bloom. Play a variety of percussion instruments and learn about them. July 15 10:30AM. "Bubble Trouble" featuring Steve Jones. Bubbles fun for all ages. July 19 6:30PM. Sing along with Marjorie Warner.Learn new songs and old favorites. July 22 10:30AM. Sparky's Puppets' performance of "Tales of the Shore and Sea". A puppet show for Children ages 3 and up. July 26 6:30PM. "Kahana Hula" program with Tiare Kahana. Learn Hawaiian culture, history, and Polynesian dance through stories, songs, music, and dance. July 29 10:30AM. "Worm Show". Who knew the life of a worm could be fascinating and fun! This program is for children ages 4 and up. Aug. 2 6:30PM. "Danny Magic" is a fast paced mind boggling magic show filled with laughter for children ages 4 and up. Aug. 5 10:30AM. Riverside Reptiles. "Geepers Creepers". Live reptiles, amphibians, insects, and spiders! This program is for children ages 3 and up. FREE tickets available in the Children's Library beginning June 1. Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Meriden Public Library. Please note age restrictions. For more information call us at (203 630-6347). SUMMER PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY ARE ASS FOLLOWS: Tuesdays 10:15 Independent 2 Year Olds 11:15 3-4 Years Old 6:30 3-4 ears Old Wednesdays 10:30 2-3 Years Old w/Parent 11:15 3-4 Years Old 6:30 2 Years Old w/Parent We also have programs for children Kindergarten through Second grade. Stories and Cooking. Tuesdays at 2:00. Grades three to Five. Stories and Crafts. Wednesdays at 2:00. Registration begins the week of June 7th. All first time participants must show proof of age. Story hours begin the week of July 5. Children must be of age by June 1st. "Rocket Club" We will be offering 2 sessions for children in grades 4 and up at 12:00. Children will build, paint, and launch their own rocket! Session 1 July 12-16 Session 2 July 26-30 For children under the age of two we will have a program for Early Literacy at 10:30 on the following Friday mornings. This program is designed for children under two with their parent of caregiver. Join us for stories, finger plays, music, and socialization.For more information call us at (203) 630-6347. To read the current issue of The People’s Press in image form or download the latest pdf go to www.peoplespressnews.com The People’s Press is a community newspaper serving Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut. We invite you to join us by becoming a part of the family of our submitters and sharing your news, stories, photos and views that matter most to Wallingford, Meriden and Central Connecticut. We are YOUR newspaper. You will also find information from the Wallingford and Meriden Mayors, the Wallingford and Meriden Public Libraries, the Wallingford and Meriden Senior Centers, the Wallingford and Meriden Health Departments, other various town and city departments and events as well as information about the wonderful groups and civic organizations that help Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut to be a better place. Email andy@peoplespressnews.com or call 203-235-9333 if you have any questions. MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY MAY EVENTS MAY IS GERMAN MONTH AT MERIDEN LIBRARY In May, Meriden Public Library will be highlighting the German culture in our community. Each week there will be a special program starting with Wednesday, May 5 at 7:30 pm when the HSV Bavaria Schuhplattler dance group will be performing. On Tuesday, May 11 at 7:00 pm, join Katie Mayer, Bob Neuman and Willi Englert as they speak about German history and culture. Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 pm, the Meriden Turner Liedertafel Chorus will sing familiar German songs and Broadway tunes.. Saturday, May 29 at 2:00 pm, accordion player Gary Welkopp will entertain us with a variety of German tunes. All the programs will be held in the Griffin Room of Meriden Public Library. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349, email comsvc@hotmail.com, or visit the library’s web page at www.meridenlibrary.org and click on “Adult events” to reserve a seat. COMPUTER CLASSES FOR MAY Meriden Public Library is offering a variety of free computer classes. To help you become more comfortable with computers or to learn how to use Excel, Word, or the internet and email, sign up for one of the following classes. The classes will be held in public computer lab area. Basic computer skills - Monday May 3 and May 17 at 6:00 pm to 6:40 pm Email class – Monday, May 10 and 24 at 6:00 pm to 6:40 pm Introduction to computers – Tuesday, May 4, 11, 18, and 25 at 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm Microsoft Excel class – Thursday, May 6 and 20 at 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm Microsoft Word class – Thursday, May 13 and 27 at 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm Email class – Saturday, May 15 at 9:30 to 10:15 am Internet class – Saturday, May 22 at 9:30 to 10:15 am Microsoft Word – Saturday, May 29 at 9:30 to 10:15 am All the classes are free, but class size is limited. Contact the Information Desk at (203) 238-2346 to sign up for any of the computer classes. SCRABBLE AT MERIDEN LIBRARY May 10 and May 24 The Meriden Public Library will be holding Scrabble sessions on Monday, May 10 and May 24 at 2:00 pm in the Friends Room. Come to practice or learn the game. Everyone is invited. If you have any questions about this or other programs at the library, contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349, email us at comsvc@hotmail.com or stop by at any session. GERMAN HISTORY AND CULTURE May 11 Join Katie Mayer, Bob Neuman and Willi Englert as they speak about German history and culture at Meriden Public Library on Tuesday, May 11 at 7:00 pm in the Griffin Room. This program is part of a series highlighting the German culture in Meriden during the month of May. The program is free and all are invited. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you would like to reserve a seat. WRITERS NETWORK May 12 and May 25 The Writers Network will meet at Meriden Public Library at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 25 in the Griffin Room. The Writers Network is for anyone who is looking for a support network to keep the motivation going, is interested in sharing their writing with others and is longing for the camaraderie of others who share a passion for writing. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about any library program. THURSDAY LUNCH TIME BOOK CLUB AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Meriden Public Library’s lunch time book club continues on Thursday, May 13 at noon in the Seminar Room. Bring your bag lunch and enjoy some great discussions. All are welcome. The book that will be discussed in May is The Reader by Bernard Schlink. Copies are available at the Meriden Library. The June selection is Lit: a memoir by Mary Karr. Contact the Community Services at (203) 630-6349 or email comsvc@hotmail.com to join the book club. MERIDEN TURNER LIEDERTAFEL CHORUS May 18 The Meriden Turner Liedertafel Chorus will be performing in the Griffin Room of Meriden Public Library on Tuesday, May 18 at 7:30 pm. The chorus will be singing Broadway tunes along with familiar German songs.. This program is part of a series highlighting the German culture in Meriden during the month of May. The program is free and all are invited. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you would like to reserve a seat. LEGO CLUB May 18 The Meriden Public Library will have its next Lego Club event on Tuesday, May 18 th at 4:00 pm in the Griffin Room. The theme will be “Castles, Dungeons and Towers.” The program is open to children ages 6-12 and their parents. Legos will be provided for all participants and creations will be put on display in the library. Sign up is not required but if you would like a reminder e-mail about this event and future Lego Club events, please contact Melissa at mmurphy@ci.meriden.ct.us. TEEN ANIME CLUB May 21 The Teen Anime Club at the Meriden Public Library will meet on Friday, May 21st at 3:00 pm in the Griffin Room. We will be watching the first Tenchi series. Tenchi lives a normal life until the day he accidentally awakens the demon Ryoko. Now his life is filled with space pirates, galaxy police and princesses. This program is for teens ages 13-18. Snacks will be provided. Sign up through our website at www..meridenlibrary.org or at the Information Desk. If you have any questions please call Melissa at (203) 238-2346. SCRAPBOOKING ON A SHOESTRING May 24 Have you ever wanted to scrapbook but felt you couldn’t afford it? Well, now you can! Come to Meriden Public Library’s Griffin Room on Monday, May 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. This month’s featured technique is “Borders in Minutes.” Bring your photos, pages, an adhesive, and pens. Free handouts will be available. Registration is requested by calling the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 or sign up online at www.meridenlibrary.org under “Adult events.” ACCORDION PLAYER AT MERIDEN LIBRARY May 29 Come to the Meriden Public Library on Saturday, May 29 at 2:00 pm in the Griffin Room to enjoy the music of accordion player Gary Welkopp. Mr. Welkopp will be playing a variety of German tunes. This program is part of a series highlighting the German culture in Meriden during the month of May. The program is free and all are invited. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you would like to reserve a seat. BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE FOR MAY The Bookmobile, or Library on Wheels, will be visiting the following facilities in May: Tuesday, May 11 – Lil’Rascals Day Care 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM; Sunshine Day Care 10:15 AM to 10:45 AM; Wednesday, May 12 – Easter Seals (Broad St.) 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM; Bradley Home 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM; Thursday, May 13 – Kindercare 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM; The Right Place 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM; Friday, May 14 – St. Stan’s (pickup) 9:45 AM to 10:15 AM; Meriden Center 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM; Monday, May 17 – Center Congregational Nursery School 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM; Women & Families Center 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM; Village at Kensington Place 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM; Tuesday, May 18 – Catholic Charities 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM; Kinder Garden Learning Center 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM; Wednesday, May 19 – First Congregational Nursery School (pickup) 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM and 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM; Thursday, May 20 – First Congregational Nursery School (pickup) 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM; St. John’s (pickup) 10:15 to 11:00 AM; Friday, May 21 – Stork Club 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM; Miller Memorial 10:45 AM to 11:30 AM; Monday, May 24– Midstate Christian Academy (pickup) 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM; Friday, May 28 – Carriage House Day Care (pickup) 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM; Meriden Child Care Center (pickup) 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM; MERIDEN-SPRING STORY HOURS ARE BEGINNING MAY 3rd! SIGN-UP NOW AT THE MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY! PREPARE FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS AT THE MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY. Pre-school Programs, Early Literacy Programs for children under 2, Programs for families every Monday evening and Thursday mornings with a variety of performers, a Rocket Club for children grades 4 and up, Cooking for children kindergarten through second grade, and crafts and stories for children grades three though five. These programs will be starting the week of June 21st. For more information call the Children's Library at (203) 630-6347. SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS AT WALLINGORD PUBLIC LIBRARY May 2010 All of our programs are free, all of the time! Saturday Mornings with Poetry Saturday, May 8 & 22 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Board Room This month the Saturday Mornings with Poetry group has two themed meetings. First, on May 8, Mother’s Day poems will be featured and secondly, on May 22 the group will be taking a “field trip” in Wallingford to inspire some nature poems. At each meeting all are welcome to read original poems and share their writing experiences with fellow poets. Teen and adult poets and poetry lovers are invited. Please contact the library for more information. Author Event: Michael White, “Beautiful Assassin” Monday, May 17 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room Michael White is the author of six novels including two Connecticut Book Award finalists: Soul Catcher which was also a Booksense and Historical Novels Review selection; and The Garden of Martyrs. His novel A Dream of Wolves is this month’s Thursday Night Book Club selection and is currently under option by Miracle Pictures. His latest book, Beautiful Assassin is an historical novel of love, loyalty, and intrigue, set in the 1940’s. As World War II engulfs the globe, none suffer its misery like the beleaguered Soviets who are struggling to hold back the invading Germans. Yet just as all seems lost, a fearless and unflappable female sniper named Tat’yana Levchenko gains fame in the battle of Sevastopol with confirmed kills of over three hundred enemy soldiers. Offering hope in the nation’s darkest moments, she becomes a Soviet hero, and word of her beauty and prowess reaches Washington, D.C. Soon, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt herself invites Tat’yana to tour America with her. For the Soviets, the invitation is an opportunity to garner public support a much-needed second front in the war—but also to gather information about President Roosevelt’s plans. Tat’yana becomes a pawn in a battle for information, and she is forced to question the motivations of everyone around her, including an American captain who has been assigned her translator. But as quickly as she rises to fame, Tat’yana vanishes. Did she defect? Was she silenced—and by whom? Decades later, a clever journalist will discover Tat’yana’s story . . . and reveal the truth. Mr. White will be reading from Beautiful Assassin, sharing his writing experiences and signing copies of his books. A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s book sales will be donated to the library. In addition to his novels, Mr. White has published over 45 short stories in national magazines and journals, has won the Advocate Newspapers Fiction Award and been nominated for both a National Magazine Award and a Pushcart. He was the editor of the yearly fiction anthology American Fiction as well as the editor of the journal Dogwood. He is the founder and director of Fairfield University's low-residency MFA Creative Writing Program. Career Express: Get on Board! Tuesday, May 18 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Library Parking Lot The Career Express is the Department of Labor’s mobile one-stop career center providing the latest workforce and job skills development services to individuals across the state. It is equipped with eight computer workstations with Internet access, the latest audio-visual systems including a plasma TV with SMARTBoard technology and a hydraulic wheelchair lift to provide full access to persons with disabilities. Information about the DOL/CT Works Career Centers is also available. Free, professional help is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Areas of expertise include: · Online job searches · Career exploration · Finding good job sites · Interviewing · Resume writing Lunch and Learn - Demystifying 911 Wednesday, May 18 - 11:30 a.m. Community Room All are welcome to a presentation on the 911 Emergency Service. Learn what to expect from fire department and ambulance crews and how to provide the best information possible in an emergency situation. A complimentary lunch will be provided. Please call early to register. Thursday Night Book Club: A Dream of Wolves by Michael White Thursday, May 20 - 7:00 p.m. Collins Room A Dream of Wolves was written by this month’s featured author, Michael White and published in 2000. The novel’s narrator/hero is Doctor Stuart Jordan, a part-time medical examiner and full time OB-GYN. The novel takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Hubbard County, North Carolina where Doc does some sleuthing on the side, juggles work and complicated relationships, confronts the ghosts of his past and searches for a balance between right and wrong, forgiveness and acceptance. Please join us for an informal discussion. All are welcome for conversation, refreshment, and reader fellowship. A limited number of copies of the book are available from the Information Desk and from our library catalog. “White's emotionally packed novel delivers first-class examinations of morality, mixing strong supporting characters and unexpected plot turns, enveloping the reader in an extraordinary story,” Publisher’s Weekly. "It's a wonderful novel, strong and tender and rich. I loved it...This book deserves a big readership." -- -- Anne Rivers Siddons The Play’s: A Discussion Series - Love Letters by A.R. Gurney Thursday, May 27 3:30 p.m. Collins Room "This is a play, or rather a sort of a play, which needs no theater, no lengthy rehearsal, no special set, no memorization of lines and no commitment from its two actors beyond the night of performance. It is designed simply to be read aloud by an actor and an actress of roughly the same age, sitting side by side at a table." -- A. R. Gurney. Love Letters was written in 1989 and was initially performed by the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven. The story involves two characters: Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner and the letters they write to each other over the course of their lifetimes. Through these letters, each of their personalities and their dreams are revealed. This play is the second installment of our 3-part discussion series “The Play’s the Thing” presented in cooperation with the Connecticut Humanities Council. Copies of the plays are available from the library's Information Desk. Series concludes on June 24 with a discussion of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit. TEEN ZONE: MAY TEEN EVENTS AT THE WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY FRISBEE WORKSHOP Wednesday, May 12 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All students in grades 4-12 are invited to spend an evening with two time world champion freestyle Frisbee player Todd Brodeur. Beginners and experts are invited to this fun, informative talk on the science and history of Frisbees. The “Frisbee Man” will teach you how to perform your own tricks. Photographs and quality autographed Frisbees will be available for sale after the workshop. WII BOXING Tuesday, May 18 6:00 p.m. Put on the Wii boxing gloves and show us what you’ve got. Open to all Teens in grades 6-12. Registration is required and slots are limited. ANIME NIGHT Tuesday, May 25 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Calling all manga and anime fans. All Teens in grades 6-12 are welcome to come for a screening and discussion of anime. Come and learn all about scanlation. Japanese snacks always served. All events will be held in the library’s Community Room. For more information or to register for any of the above events please contact the Wallingford Public Library at (203) 265-6754 or online at www.wallingford.lioninc.org To read the current issue of The People’s Press in image form or download the latest pdf go to www.peoplespressnews.com The People’s Press is a community newspaper serving Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut. We invite you to join us by becoming a part of the family of our submitters and sharing your news, stories, photos and views that matter most to Wallingford, Meriden and Central Connecticut. We are YOUR newspaper. You will also find information from the Wallingford and Meriden Mayors, the Wallingford and Meriden Public Libraries, the Wallingford and Meriden Senior Centers, the Wallingford and Meriden Health Departments, other various town and city departments and events as well as information about the wonderful groups and civic organizations that help Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut to be a better place. Email andy@peoplespressnews.com or call 203-235-9333 if you have any questions.