Monday, July 25, 2011

Move to the Music, Bollywood Style!

Enjoy the sensational cultural mix of the west and east at Bernardsville Public Library when Enjoy Explore India (EEI) puts on a program of Bollywood music and demonstrates some cool dance moves “Bollywood” style. It’s all happening on Thursday, August 4 at 7:00 pm.

Bollywood is the informal term used for the Hindi language film industry based in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay). Think of the music and dance at the end of the movie Slum Dog Millionaire. That’s the kind of beat that participants will experience at the library. Enjoy Explore India is a new cultural learning program for youth and adults focused on India—her history, culture and traditions.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up. This program is appropriate for adults and children over the age of ten.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Fifty Book Challenge Group to Meet



Reading fifty books in fifty-two weeks may seem daunting, but share the goal with a supportive group and it can be a lot of fun. Community members are invited to come to the next meeting of the 50 Book Challenge, which is led, prodded and encouraged by Reference Librarian Karen Vaias. The meeting, which will include snacks, a free book, reading logs and more, will take place on Saturday, July 30 at 3:00 pm in the library’s Community Room. There, ambitious readers will trade notes on their progress and get book recommendations as well as instructions on how to set up their own online reading logs and post reviews to the library’s “Book News and More” blog. New members are welcome at any time during the year and will be invited to additional events in the coming months.

The fifty books in fifty weeks are suggested, not required, for participation in the program. Each reader will choose which reading “counts” as part of the total. There are no limitations as to which formats can be read: downloaded books, audio books, e-books and graphic novels are all acceptable.

There is no charge to attend the on-going programs, but advance sign-up is requested. Sign up online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or by phone at 908-766-0118. If you are unable to attend the July meeting, but would like to enroll in the 50 Book Challenge, contact Karen Vaias at kvaias@bernardsvillelibrary.org or 908-766-0118.

The Power of Words

Inspirational speaker Andrea Mastrobattista will host a new workshop, “The Power of Words,” at Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, July 27 at 7:00 pm. “Whether they are said to us or used by us, words have the ability to tear us down or build us up, said Ms. Mastrobattista, “While our tendency is often to speak negatively, using positive, encouraging words is definitely the healthiest option. Come to this workshop to discover how to put a consistently positive tone to what you say about yourself and others.”

There is no charge to attend the library workshop, but advance registration is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/, and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Memoirs & Coffee Book Group to Meet




The next meeting of Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Memoirs and Coffee, will be held on Tuesday, July 26 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room. Pat Kennedy-Grant, Readers’ Services Coordinator for the library, will lead the discussion of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2010) by Rebecca Skloot. [The author will not be present.]

Skloot is an award-winning science writer whose book tells the true story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, whose cells—taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in 20th century medicine. The first “immortal” human cells grown in culture, they are still alive today though Henrietta Lacks has been dead for more than sixty years. HeLa cells, as they are known, were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. It took Skloot over a decade to uncover this riveting story which became an instant best-seller.

Skloot has written for The New York Times Magazine; O, The Oprah Magazine; Discover; and many other publications. She specializes in narrative science writing and has explored a wide range of topics, including goldfish surgery, tissue ownership rights, race and medicine, food politics, and packs of wild dogs in Manhattan. She has worked as a correspondent for WNYC’s Radiolab and PBS’s Nova ScienceNOW. She and her father, Floyd Skloot, are co-editors of The Best American Science Writing 2011.

There is no charge and no sign-up is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.

A Musical Treat for the Whole Family

Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to present an exciting and lively musical songfest, “Splishin’ and a Splashin’ with Nemo!” with entertainer/educator Jeanne DePodwin, on Monday, July 25 at 7:00 pm. This interactive songfest is will delight families with children ages three through ten.

Accompanied by her 12-string guitar, a multitude of colorful rhythm instruments and her puppet, Petey, this 45-minute musical adventure invites children to become music-makers and detectives. Children will try to find Nemo…could he be hiding in the swamp, splashing in the bathtub, or even under the waterfall? Singing, clapping, dancing, music making—all are sure to please audiences! Children will revel in the thrill of keeping the beat on dozens of rhythm instruments from countries around the world.

For over 15 years, Jeanne DePodwin, a gifted and enthusiastic performer, has been bringing her top-rate, engaging performances to children and families at libraries, schools, camps and folk festivals throughout New Jersey. She inspires groups of all ages to sing and celebrate music. As a music educator and founder of Little Music Makers, a music program for young children (ages 6 months to 5 years) based in Basking Ridge, she brings her magic of music to young children and families on an ongoing weekly basis.

Part of the library’s summer reading club, One World, Many Stories, this program is funded by the Friends of the Bernardsville Public Library and is free and open to all. Advance registration is required at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/. Follow the link under Kid Stuff or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Craft Group to Meet @ Bernardsville Library

Saturday Crafters, a monthly craft group organized by Bernardsville Public Library, will meet on Saturday, July 23 at 3:00 pm. Individuals are invited to bring their own handwork projects to the Library and work together in a comfortable, communal setting while enjoying the benefits of shared tips and conversation.

Readers’ Services Assistant Evelyn Fischel will showcase different project ideas and books at each meeting. A long-time crafter, Ms. Fischel will encourage such interests as knitting, crocheting, paper arts, hand sewing, embroidery and other needlework, as well as any other craft the group wishes to cover.

There is no charge to attend the meeting, and no sign-up is needed. For more information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Decisions About Long-Term Health Care

Making decisions about and planning for long-term health care can be a daunting task and tends to be put off again and again. To learn the answers to key questions, come to Bernardsville Public Library on Thursday, July 21 at 7:00 pm to hear financial planners Ray Hawkins and Jody D’Agostini speak on the topic and how important it is to plan ahead.

There is a significant strain on family members when caring for someone suffering from the effects of old age, and in many cases, it is not only a financial strain, but a physical strain as well to the healthy spouse or caretaker. Furthermore, costs of health care are a major expense for all of us as we age. Mr. Hawkins and Ms. D’Agostini will discuss how, with early planning, we can give ourselves choices on cost, place, and kind of care received. They will talk about long-term care planning and how Medicare and Social Security play along with this planning, specifically with regard to enrollment timing and costs. They will also describe long-term care insurance as a concept of planning.

Among the questions addressed will be: What is long-term care? Who needs long-term care? Should a financial program address long-term care? What are some options for paying long-term care costs? And what do we need to know about long-term care insurance?

Ray A Hawkins is a registered representative and investment advisor representative who offers securities and investment advisory services through AXA Advisors, LLC which he joined in 2009. He has 28 years of financial service experience including twelve years as a Managing Director of Equity Trading at JP Morgan and 16 years in much the same capacity at CS First Boston. He has lived in Basking Ridge for 27 years.

Jody D’Agostini, also a resident of Basking Ridge, is a certified financial planner with experience in both the medical and pharmaceutical industries. She focuses her practice in the areas of comprehensive financial planning for individuals and closely held businesses. She specializes in the area of retirement planning, having obtained a Certificate in Retirement Planning from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Genomics: Revolutionizing Medical Care

Bernardsville Public Library will present a program on genetic testing and how it can answer your most important health questions on Monday, July 18 at 7:00 pm. Dr. Arnold Pallay, Director of Primary Care Genomics at Atlantic Health System's Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers, will discuss how changes and advances in technology are rapidly ushering a whole array of new pathways for individualized medicine in the future.

Dr. Pallay is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Genetics. He is past President of the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, the Morris County Medical Society and the NJ Association of Medical Specialty Societies. An Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson,UMDNJ & Seton Hall Graduate Schools of Medicine, Dr. Pallay speaks extensively both locally and nationally in all media venues on issues relating to health care reform and personalized medicine and genomics. He writes extensively on these subjects on both his office blog and web siteswww.changebridgemed.wordpress.com , and www.changebridgemed.com.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.