Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Navigating the Medicare Maze

Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to announce the next program in the C.A.R.E.S. (Community Assistance Resource and Educational Services) series. “Navigating the Medicare Maze” will be presented by Kelly Finnegan of the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services on Thursday, November 10 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room. During the talk, which coincides with Medicare open enrollment, Ms. Finnegan will help listeners understand the basics of Medicare and how to find the best plan to suit their needs.

Ms. Finnegan is an Eldercare Educator for the Somerset County Office on Aging. She has a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University with 15 years of experience working with seniors and their caregivers in a variety of settings including nursing homes, assisted living and in the community.

CARES is a locally administered umbrella program that delivers informational sessions pertaining to local, county, state and federal programs. Its objective is to inform and educate local residents and support the goal of healthy, fulfilling and happy lifestyles. All CARES events will be presented by subject matter experts who will be able to answer all questions pertaining to their topics.

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.
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Buying a Franchise Business

Owning your own business can be a reality. To learn more, come to Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, November 9 at 7:00 pm for a SCORE Chapter 14 workshop on franchise ownership. Opportunities range from manufacturing, distribution, food, retailing, consulting, auto, and education, to home-based businesses and much more.

The program will be presented by Jack Armstrong, president/owner of FranNet of New Jersey and owner of a franchise of Sunbelt, the largest business facilitation firm in the country. Mr. Armstrong will help listeners determine whether purchasing a franchise is an appropriate option for them, and how to identify and then research a good franchise. He will also discuss the major components of a franchise agreement and the legal obligations of owners and franchisers as well as how to finance a franchise business.

Mr. Armstrong has owned FranNet of New Jersey, which specializes in the sale and resale of well-known national franchise companies, for the last sixteen years. He is Vice Chairman of the parent company and has served on the FranNet Board of Directors for the past twelve years. FranNet of NJ has won “office of the year” nine times. He is also an owner of a franchise of Sunbelt which has over 250 offices in thirty-eight states. Mr. Armstrong conducts more than 60 seminars a year on purchasing a franchise.

This workshop is sponsored with SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business. SCORE and the Small Business Development Center at Raritan Valley Community College have formed a partnership to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners in establishing a business, identifying needed skills and other elements in the business environment that are necessary for a business to thrive.

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.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Paintings by Annette Adrian Hanna: On Display at Bernardsville Library in November



Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to present People, Places and More, an exhibition of paintings by Annette Adrian Hanna. The exhibition will be on display from November 1 through November 28, and the public is invited to meet the artist at an opening reception on Sunday, November 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. [No sign-up is necessary.]

Ms. Hanna, a resident of Boonton Township, has shown her work in both solo and group exhibitions throughout the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. In 2011 she received the Ridgewood Art Institute Award at the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Exhibit. She is a recipient of five Gold Medals in painting. In 2007, her work was chosen as one of 100 Best Pastels by Pastel Journal magazine. In 2008, her oil painting was chosen as a Christmas card and calendar page for American Diabetes Association. She has been featured in American Artist magazine, Portrait Highlights, International Artist, the Best of Pastels II, and has authored a book on painting portraits in oil. She is a member of Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Pastel Society of America, Portrait Society of America, Northwest Pastel Society, American Artist’s Professional League, and teaches at Morris County Art Association in Morristown, New Jersey.

“My main interests are people and the landscape,” she says. “People are fascinating because of the many facets of each person’s personality, and the figure has always been of strong interest. Recording those things in paint and pastel is a challenge. I also love the outdoors and enjoy plein-air painting. The beauty of the landscape, to me, has a very spiritual quality. I can go to the same location in different seasons or find a different viewpoint, and it becomes an entirely different painting.” Her favorite mediums are oil and pastel, with charcoal and pencil running a close second.

The show will be on view in the library’s Community Room during regular library hours unless a meeting is in progress. For further information, please call the library at 908-766-0118.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Bernardsville Library Sponsors Digital Preservation Workshop

On Saturday, November 5, Bernardsville Public Library will sponsor a digital preservation workshop from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to help library patrons preserve personal collections of print, photographs, slides and audiovisual material including VHS, 8mm and 16mm film. The library has partnered with Innovative Document Imaging (IDI), a leading provider of digital imaging services, to provide these digital preservation services to patrons. IDI Digital Memory Media advisors will be on hand on November 5 to counsel patrons on the best way to digitally preserve their collections. Materials can be brought to the library the day of the workshop. Twenty percent of all proceeds will be credited to the library.

Like libraries and archives, individuals and small businesses have valuable collections of important papers, photographs, slides and/or audiovisual material that require careful attention to maintain. Storing paper requires considerable space and is expensive, and irreplaceable items can be lost due to damage and age. IDI's Digital Memory Media brings secure, professional preservation services to individuals at an affordable price. Once scanned and digitized, all material will be returned to patrons alongside permanent digital copies on DVD disks. Patrons can also arrange permanent storage for documentary collections, if desired.

Headquartered in East Brunswick, NJ, Innovative Document Imaging is a leading provider of digital imaging services to libraries, academic institutions and Fortune 500 companies.

If materials are unavailable on November 5, they may be dropped off for preservation at IDI's New Jersey facility, or arrangements can be worked out for pick-up or shipping.

Advance sign-up is not needed for the program. To see a pricelist for the services offered, go to www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/pricelist.pdf. Call the library at 908-766-0118 for further information.

Saturday Samplers Book Group to Meet



Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, November 5 at 3:30 pm to discuss The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry (2011) by Jon Ronson. [The author will not be present.]

The Psychopath Test is a fascinating journey through the minds of madness. In the book, Ronson, a bestselling journalist, investigates psychopaths and the industry of doctors, scientists, and everyone else who studies them. Ronson's exploration of a potential hoax being played on the world's top neurologists takes him unexpectedly into the heart of the madness industry. He discovers, disturbingly, that sometimes the personalities at the helm of the madness industry are, with their drives and obsessions, as mad in their own way as those they study and that relatively ordinary people are, more and more, defined by their maddest edges.

Jon Ronson is a writer and documentary filmmaker. His books “Them: Adventures with Extremists” and “The Men Who Stare at Goats” were both international bestsellers. The “Men Who Stare at Goats” was released as a major motion picture in 2009, starring George Clooney. Ronson lives in London.


Led by Readers’ Services Assistant, Evelyn Fischel, Saturday Samplers is a book discussion group dedicated to sampling various kinds of literature, including short stories, nonfiction, new and old novels, and even teen fiction. Its goal is to search out interesting, noteworthy, and sometimes overlooked books. Readers can find information about the group and about the books and authors on the reading list at http://saturdaysamplers.blogspot.com/. No sign-up is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Best-Selling Children’s Author to Visit Bernardsville Library



Bestselling multimedia children’s author Daniel Errico, who recently released his first physical picture book for kids, will visit Bernardsville Public Library for Saturday Story Time on Saturday, November 5 at 10:30 am. He will tell stories and read from his book, The Journey of Noble Gnarble, which tells of a majestic and elusive fish who dreams of reaching the surface of the sea and seeing the sun for the very first time.

Traditional storytelling is important to Mr. Errico, who believes that kids truly understand tone and context, and that a playful narration can make a story-driven tale more enjoyable. “I’ve always been fascinated by the deep sea floor,” he recounted. “Lying in bed one night I started thinking about what kind of incredible creatures might live down there. Then I thought, ‘If I’m dreaming about the sea below, what if one of them was dreaming about the world above?’ That’s how the gnarble and his story were first created. He’s ambitious but not arrogant, persistent but not aggressive, and scared but still brave. That’s what makes him noble.”

“I want kids to see that persistence is what makes you unstoppable. There’s conflict around every corner, but the gnarble never fights a single fish. I want them to see that a strong will and resolve are more powerful than anything that stands in your way... or even swallows you whole.”

Nickelodeon writer and producer Dennis Shinners called Daniel’s stories “highly entertaining, engaging, imaginative, and ever so respectful of his young audience. He’s a fresh young voice with a classic sense of storytelling.” His stories have been viewed in more than 200 countries and translated into 6 different languages.

An avid supporter of access to literature for all children, regardless of their economic situations, Mr. Errico created a website that shares stories with kids around the globe who may not be able to afford traditional books.

Mr. Errico grew up in Short Hills, New Jersey. After graduating from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, he worked in New York City at an investment bank and mechanical engineering firm. He recently returned to New Jersey where he lives in Princeton.

There is no charge to attend the program, and no sign-up is needed. Call the library at 908-766-0118 for further information.

Monday, October 17, 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, October 29 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 October meeting, but would like to enroll in the 50 Book Challenge, contact Karen Vaias at kvaias@bernardsvillelibrary.org or 908-766-0118.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Halloween Salta Party at Bernardsville Library

Come in costume and celebrate Halloween with Salta! Jump into Spanish at Bernardsville Public Library on Friday, October 28 at 11:00 am. Children ages 2½ to 5 years will have a fantastic time “jumping into Spanish.”

Salta! Jump Into Spanish is a language enrichment program designed to enhance a child's love of learning a new language. Through music, movement and instruments, songs and rhymes, playful games and storytelling, children embark on a wonderful journey through play and learning.

Space is limited and registration is required for attendance. Call 908-766-0118 or go to http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/children.htm to register.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Power of Words

Inspirational speaker Andrea Mastrobattista will host session of her on-going workshop, “The Power of Words,” at Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, October 26 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 www.bernardsvillelibrary.org, and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Memoirs and Coffee Book Group to Meet



The next meeting of Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Memoirs and Coffee, will be held on Tuesday, October 25 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room. Pat Kennedy-Grant, Readers’ Services Coordinator for the library, will lead the discussion of Kabul Beauty School; An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil (2007) by Deborah Rodriguez. [The author will not be present.]

The book describes how, soon after the fall of the Taliban in 2001, author Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to this war-torn nation. Surrounded by men and women whose skills–as doctors, nurses, and therapists–seemed eminently more practical than her own, Rodriguez, a hairdresser and mother of two from Michigan, despaired of being of any real use. Yet she soon found she had a gift for befriending Afghans, and once her profession became known, she was eagerly sought out by Westerners desperate for a good haircut and by Afghan women, who have a long and proud tradition of running their own beauty salons.

With the help of corporate and international sponsors, the Kabul Beauty School welcomed its first class in 2003. Well-meaning but sometimes brazen, Rodriguez stumbled through language barriers, overstepped cultural customs, and constantly juggled the challenges of a postwar nation even as she learned how to empower her students to become their families’ breadwinners by learning the fundamentals of coloring techniques, haircutting, and makeup.

Deborah Rodriguez has been as a hairdresser since 1979, except for one brief stint when she worked as a corrections officer in her hometown of Holland, Michigan. She opened and directed the Kabul Beauty School, the first modern beauty academy and training salon in Afghanistan, as well as the Oasis Salon and the Cabul Coffee House. Not long after her book was published, she had to flee Afghanistan and she currently lives in California.

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

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Navigating the Road to College



Plotting a course through the competitive, complex landscape of college admissions can be a stressful challenge for families, often compounded by stormy parent-teen relationships. For help, come to Bernardsville Public Library on Tuesday, October 25 at 7:00 pm when author and college admissions consultant Kris Hintz will offer professional guidance and personal insights to help parents understand the rules of the new game and thoughtfully consider their role in their adolescent’s quest for higher education.

The author of the newly published Navigating the Road to College: A Handbook for Parents, Ms. Hintz will offer a reality check regarding what colleges really look for from applicants (strong academics) and debunks the myth about the need for perfection. She always emphasizes the importance of finding a good fit between student and school. “It’s not about rankings, it’s about your child gaining acceptance to the college of his or her choice,” she says. “It’s about finding a place where talents, passions and values will be nurtured; where your son or daughter will thrive and grow as a student, human being and contributor to society.”

Kris Hintz is the owner of Position U 4 College, LLC, a college and graduate school admissions and career firm, based in Basking Ridge, NJ. She brings to this profession an extensive background in psychology, counseling, consumer marketing and corporate recruiting. Ms. Hintz holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania (1978), an MBA in Marketing from The Wharton School (1980), an MA in Psychology from Columbia University Teachers College with a focus on Career Development (1996) and a College Counseling Certificate from UCLA (2010). She spent twelve years as a brand management executive with Clorox, Quaker Oats, Coca Cola Foods and Nabisco.

After the program, books will be available for purchase and signing. There is no charge to attend, 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.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Daniel Bennett Group to Perform at Bernardsville Library




The Daniel Bennett Group will perform in free concert at Bernardsville Public Library on Sunday, October 23 at 3:00 pm. [Doors open at 2:45 pm.]. An afternoon of original jazz, fused with elements of American folk, the program is funded by the Friends of the Bernardsville Public Library as part of the Sundays at Three concert series. There is no charge to attend and no advance registration is necessary.

The Boston Globe wrote about the group: "The Daniel Bennett Group plays a mix of jazz, folk, and trance." The music is innovative, yet remarkably accessible to a broad spectrum of listeners. Mr. Bennett plays alto saxophone and flute; he will be accompanied by Mark Cocheo on guitar and Brian Adler on drums.

Based in New York, Daniel Bennett has recently shared concert billings with artists like Bill Frisell, Charlie Hunter, Greg Osby, James Carter, Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin & Wood), Steve Kuhn, Jerry Bergonzi, and David Fiuczynski. The Boston Herald described Mr. Bennett’s music as, “exploratory folk-jazz.” The Village Voice raved, "Saxophonist Daniel Bennett makes hay with an airy approach that's buoyant enough to conjure notions of East African guitar riffs and Steve Reich's pastoral repetition." The group will perform selections from their latest album, Peace and Stability Among Bears.

Mr. Bennett attended the prestigious New England Conservatory (NEC) in Boston, Massachusetts. While at NEC, Bennett studied saxophone with Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, and Ken Radnofsky. He graduated with a Master’s degree in performance in 2004 and began a freelance career with groups like the Portland Symphony, New Hampshire Festival Orchestra, Musaner, and the Duprees. During this time, Bennett also began to compose songs that featured folk melodies played on the saxophone in a jazz quartet format. Bennett's chord progressions maintain a unique minimalist quality, influenced by composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass. The Boston Phoenix described Bennett's style as, "an unusual folk-minimalist approach."

The Daniel Bennett Group released The Legend of Bear Thompson in the spring of 2008. Metronome Magazine ranked the album in their top five picks of the month, declaring, "The trio is so in sync with each other that it's downright mystical." In 2009, the Daniel Bennett Group released Live at the Theatre, a groundbreaking album that was recorded live during a double bill performance with the Charlie Hunter Trio. The Group has been featured on popular radio programs like Harvard University’s Jazz Spectrum (WHRB 95.3FM) and made television appearances on Bandwidth TV, The Music Closet, Style Boston, and Sal's Show. Daniel Bennett’s quirky music has found a broad fan base that is unusual for a modern jazz outfit. Insite Magazine called Daniel Bennett’s music, “refreshingly capricious and trippy.”

For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Photo: Daniel Bennett and his instruments

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

KNITTERS & CROCHETERS!
We need you! Bare Bears Won't Do!

Make a “two in one” donation -
to the library and a needy child.

Here’s how it works: Knit or crochet an outfit for a bear and
donate it to the library. We’ll sell the outfit, with proceeds
benefitting the library, and then dress a bear and send it to a needy child during the holiday season. Questions? See Evelyn Fischel at the Circ. Desk or go to www.woolybears.blogspot.com.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Craft Group to Meet @ Bernardsville Library

Saturday Crafters, a monthly craft group organized by Bernardsville Public Library, will meet on Saturday, October 15 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.