Thursday, January 31, 2013

Local Self-Published Authors Fair @ Bernardsville Library

Join us for a Local Self-Published Authors Fair on Saturday, February 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.  It will be a great opportunity for readers and fans to talk shop with local authors and for authors to promote their self-published work.  Each author will have space at a table, and books of many genres including fiction, non-fiction, adult, young adult and children’s, will be on display and available for purchase and signing.

Participating authors:
Rosie Battista, Millington, "The Naked Truth: Discovering the Real You"
Serena Bocchino, Basking Ridge, "Whom Am I? The Story of the Artist"
Glen E. Books, Basking Ridge, "The Sky Between Two Worlds"
Lorilla Brown-Phillips, Bedminster, "Jump Start Your Credit: How to Settle & Negotiate Your Debts in Ten Steps"
Michael Czuchnicki, Cedar Knolls, "Be More Better: Stuff to Know & Use"
Cynthia Fabian, Somerset, "Orchestra in Our Brain"
Joanne Ferreri, Millington, "For the Love of Wood/For the Love of Food"
Robert Frey, Bernardsville, "The Christmas Crossing"
Lisa Holderby, Red Bank, "Soleil: A Mustang's Story"
Bill Levy, Mendham, "Beyond the Beach: The Wit & Wisdom of Nevil Shute"
Rolf Margenau, Lebanon, "Public Information: A Novel About the Korean War & Its Aftermath"
Rebecca Parkinson, Basking Ridge, "Familiar Paths The Island Parables
Raymond Passacantando, Whippany, "Kizzy, Whose Memoir is This Anyway?"
Lisa Silverstein, Basking Ridge, " It's Your Turn…Do What You Want to Do"
Dianne Smith, Mountain Lakes, "The Window to Earth"
Edith Pat Stewart, Gillette, NJ, "Touching Life"
Virginia Vogt, Morristown, "Death By Moonlight"
Katherine Woodfield, Gladstone, "Don't Buy That Health Insurance: Become an Educated Health Care Consumer"
Joan York, Bedminster, "Alternative Health Remedies for Cats"

There is no charge to attend the fair, and no sign-up is needed.  Just drop in.  If you need further information, call the library at 908-766-0118. 

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Calling All Poets: A Poetry Celebration @ Bernardsville Library

Local poets are invited to submit two poems to Bernardsville Public Library to commemorate National Poetry Month in April.  After the submissions are received, the Raritan Valley Federation of Libraries will sponsor the publication of a Poetry Anthology, and poets whose work is chosen for the Anthology will be invited to read their work at their participating library’s Poetry Celebration in April.  Bernardsville Library's Poetry Reading will take place on Thursday, April 18 at 7:00 pm.  Participating libraries include Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Clarence Dillon, Dunellen, Franklin Township, Manville, Middlesex, New Brunswick and Raritan Public Libraries.

Details for submitting poems to Bernardsville are available on the library's website at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/poetry-celebration-april-2013/.  Forms are also available at the library. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 15

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

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Tech Update: Protect Your PC from Viruses, Spyware & Adware

With spyware, viruses and spam invading personal computers all over the world, security is a major concern for anyone who has one. Learn how to protect your personal computer in this Tech Update at Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, February 20 at 7:00 pm.

In this class, you will learn about different types of Internet security risks and how to prevent them from damaging your PC.  You’ll learn how to protect your PC from viruses; remove spyware and adware; create good passwords; secure your wireless network, and reduce spam.  This seminar will be taught by an instructor from Programs Plus, a software training company.

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

Friday, January 25, 2013

Craft Group to Meet @ Bernardsville Library


Saturday Crafters, a monthly craft group organized by Bernardsville Public Library, will meet on Saturday, February 16 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. They can also take advantage of the many books available at the library on different types of crafts.

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


Monday, January 21, 2013

Adoption: A Panel Discussion

Learn about the different types of adoptions—international, domestic, private and agency—from a panel of experts at Bernardsville Public Library on Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00 pm. Anyone considering adoption will learn valuable information from this group which will include Attorney Douglas Pine, Susan Kibler of Adoption Services International, Julie Ritsema of Bethany Christian Services, Adoptee Coach Kathy Vervan Bugglin of Self Reflection Coaching LLC, and Kristi Dawicki from the Division of Child Protection & Permanency (now DCP&P, formerly DYFS).

An adoption lawyer based in Bloomfield, NJ, Mr. Pine will moderate the discussion which will cover common adoption issues and concerns for families thinking about adoption or in the initial stages of adoption. Susan Kibler specializes in adoptions from the Ukraine. Julie Ritsema works at Bethany Christian Services and will speak to domestic adoptions in the United States. Kathy Vervan Bugglin, CPC, ELI-MP, is a life coach with expertise in working with adopted individuals and their families. Finally, Kristi Dawicki will speak about the New Jersey state agency responsible for child protection and welfare.

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

Going Solar 101

If you have questions about the practicality of installing or leasing a residential solar energy system for your home, come hear Christal Rosenka and Sean Barr of Independent Solar discuss the basics of residential solar energy systems on Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 pm at Bernardsville Public Library. They will explain how a solar PV system works and speak about tax credits, federal and state incentives, current legislation, whether such a system adds to the value of your house and what the advantages and disadvantages are to leasing or buying.
 
Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Clinton, NJ, Independent Solar specializes in solar and renewable installations in Hunterdon, Warren, Morris, and Somerset Counties. They also act as a boutique distributor of source materials to other solar installers from Massachusetts, to Virginia and Ohio. Independent Solar specializes in the use of American made solar panels and accessories.

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.

"It's All About the Stories": Story Quilts by Judith Shevell On Display at Bernardsville Library in February


Tahiti
Story quilts by Judith Shevell will be on display in the library’s Community Room during the month of February in an exhibition titled "It's All About the Stories."  The public is invited to the artist’s reception on Sunday, February 3 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Ms. Shevell began creating art quilts in 1997 as a means of exploring close relationships with others.  A botanist by training, she also focuses on natural themes and is interested in anatomy and pathology.  In plants, disease alters growth and appearance in interesting ways.  Her love of plant anatomy shows up repeatedly in her quilts.

Ms. Shevell is intrigued by the creative process.  She doesn't believe in doing things only by the book and is a big fan of winging it.  "If you don't know how something is supposed to be done, you are much freer to do it any which way you can," she says.  Her motto is "There are no wrong decisions, just design opportunities!"

Ms. Shevell has exhibited and received awards at various international venues since 2001, and is published in 500 Art Quilts: An Inspiring Collection of Contemporary Work (500 Series) by Ray Hemachandra and Karey Bresenhan (Lark Publishing, 2010).  Her quilts are in private collections in the U.S. and abroad.  She is an assistant instructor of Artistic Expressions (Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ), a course designed to help adults with developmental disabilities express their own vision while working in a variety of media, and is the instructor of Story Quilts at Hunterdon Art Museum.  She also makes quilts on commission.

This exhibition 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, January 18, 2013

Saturday Samplers Book Group to Meet

Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, February 2 at 3:30 pm to discuss "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens, the literary classic set in the turmoil of revolutionary France. It examines the abuses of the French Revolution, telling a tragic tale of slaughter and false imprisonment against a backdrop of political intrigue. Free. No sign-up is needed.

Basking Ridge resident Fauzia Burke will lead the next monthly guided meditation session at Bernardsville Public Library on Friday, February 1 at 10:00 am.  Ms. Burke’s style of meditation incorporates many cultural traditions and uses the power of word and imagery to facilitate a meditative experience. Each experience is honored as unique and can help reduce stress, generate creativity, and create positive energy. Free. No sign-up is needed.

Monday, January 14, 2013

The University of Can-Do Master's Program

After a year of successful workshops at "The University of Can-Do,” inspirational speaker and workshop leader Andrea Mastrobattista is ready to move to the next level.  Thus, the "University of Can-Do Master's Program" will begin meeting on Wednesday, January 30 at 7:00 pm at Bernardsville Public Library. "Do you have a goal that you think you can't make happen?" asks Ms. Mastrobattista, "Well, you can, because you have what it takes to accomplish it."

This workshop will run throughout the year, and each month participants will discover more skills for cultivating and maintaining the "can-do" determination to make a dream come true.  Of this first meeting, Ms. Mastrobattista says, "Just like Julia Child's 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking,' you can master the art of living a 'Can-Do' way of life.  Come to this revolutionary program to learn how YOU can become a 'Can-Do' Master!"

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

The Future of Work: Sustaining Lifelong Learning Skills


Being a lifelong learner is an essential skill for the foreseeable future.  Mike Landau, retired CEO of SetFocus, a technology school, will speak at Bernardsville Public Library on Tuesday, January 29 at 7:00 pm about the continuous process of acquiring learning skills to stay current in the technological age. He’ll discuss where technology is going; what new skills are needed to be effective in the workforce; how to think exponentially; and how to create your own plan to acquire the skills you need.

Mr. Landau has started a number of successful small businesses since 1987, prior to which he was the Director of Strategic Planning at AT&T. SetFocus, a technology school, specialized in training and placing IT professionals.  Mr. Landau has an undergraduate degree in Economics and an MBA from New York University.
           
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.

Singer Priyanka to Perform @ Bernardsville Library


Bernardsville resident and singer Priyanka will perform with drummer Daniel Mayer in free concert at Bernardsville Public Library on Sunday, January 27 at 3:00 pm.  Part of the “Sundays at Three” series, this concert is funded by the Friends of the Bernardsville Public Library.  Doors open at 2:45 pm.  No sign-up is needed.

Priyanka has been playing and writing music since she was 13 and has been in love with it ever since.  She plays guitar and piano, and sings original songs as well as classic rock, jazz, and blues tunes.  Some artists that influence her the most, she says, are the Beatles, Etta James, Otis Redding, and Fiona Apple.  "I enjoy covering songs and developing my own interpretation of some of my favorites as well as writing songs of my own but most of all I love playing for people to hear."

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

Monday, January 7, 2013

Memoirs & Coffee Book Group to Meet





The next meeting of Bernardsville Public Library’s book discussion group, Memoirs and Coffee, will be held on Tuesday, January 22 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room.  Pat Kennedy-Grant, Readers’ Services Manager for the library, will lead the discussion of "The Good Girls Revolt” (2012) by Lynn Povich. [The author will not be present.]

The book describes the time of economic boom and social strife in the 1960s, how young women poured into the workplace, but the “Help Wanted” ads were segregated by gender and office culture was rife with sexual stereotyping and discrimination.  Author Lynn Povich was one of the lucky ones, landing a job at Newsweek, along with Nora Ephron, Jane Bryant Quinn, Ellen Goodman, and Susan Brownmiller.  It was a top-notch job--for a girl--but it was a dead end.   In 1970, forty-six Newsweek women charged the magazine with discrimination in hiring and promotion.  It was the first female class action lawsuit--the first by women journalists--and it inspired other women in the media to quickly follow suit.

Lynn Povich was one of the ringleaders.  In "The Good Girls Revolt," she tells the story of this dramatic turning point through the lives of several participants.  With warmth, humor, and perspective, she shows how personal experiences and cultural shifts led a group of well-mannered, largely apolitical women, raised in the 1940s and 1950s, to challenge their bosses and what happened after they did.  

Gloria Steinem wrote, "The Good Girls Revolt is as compelling as any novel, and also an accurate, intimate history of new women journalists invading the male journalistic world of the 1970s. Lynn Povich turns this epic revolt into a lesson on why and how we've just begun."

Lynn Povich began her career at Newsweek as a secretary. In 1975 she became the first woman senior editor in the magazine’s history. Since leaving Newsweek in 1991, Povich has been editor-in-chief of Working Woman magazine and managing editor/senior executive producer for MSNBC.Com.

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

Friday, January 4, 2013

Storm Stories: A Writing Workshop



Almost every resident has memories and stories to tell about the experience of living through Hurricane Sandy.  To help you record those memories, join Julie Maloney, writer and poet, and director of Women Reading Aloud, for a writing workshop at Bernardsville Public Library on Saturday, January 19 at 2:00 pm. There listeners will learn on how to effectively express their thoughts in written form.  "Have fun and tap into your "voice" as you recall, reflect and move to the page," said Ms. Maloney, "Years down the road, your recollections will be there for you and your family, as vivid as they are today."

Julie Maloney has worked in the arts as a performer and educator her entire life.  She is a poet and writer and founder/director of Women Reading Aloud (WRA), a not-for-profit organization that promotes women writers in New Jersey and beyond.  WRA holds workshops, special events, writing retreats, conferences and an on-going writing workshop series each spring and fall during which women writers of all genres hone their work in a salon type setting.  The annual Writer’s Weekend Retreat is held each April in Sea Girt, NJ.  In June, WRA returns for its fourth Greece Writer’s Retreat on the island of Alonnisos in the North Sporades.


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

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Jumpstart Your Job Search

If you're looking for a new job, have you thought about how employers make hiring decisions or wondered what information you should include in a professional introduction?  For answers to these and related questions, come to Bernardsville Public Library on Saturday, January 19 at 10:00 am to hear management consultant Leo Lin help jumpstart your job search by applying consulting skills.  He’ll discuss how candidates can differentiate themselves, what skills are highly valued by employers, and how employers make hiring decisions.  He will also share insights and tips on how to become more effective at work and more valuable to employers.  His tips, many of which can be easily applied to personal lives, emphasize planning and preparation, and will help listeners save time and effort in the long run.

Mr. Lin, a resident of Basking Ridge, has made a career out of helping others reach and surpass their potential.  He has been a management consultant and corporate trainer for more than 15 years, as well as a Boy Scout merit badge counselor, a track, soccer and volleyball coach. 

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

"Yoga Basics" Classes

In a partnership between Bernardsville Public Library and Bernardsville Recreation, a six-session course on yoga basics will be offered in the library's Community Room on Tuesdays, January 15 to February 19 at 1:00 pm.  Taught by Julie Shaw of Lotus Mind and Body, the total cost for the 6-week session is $5.00.  Registration is through Bernardsville Recreation’s Community Pass portal, https://register.communitypass.net.  Students should bring a yoga mat or towel with them to class.

Suitable for all students, the classes will offer an integrated sequence of poses designed to warm up the body and then work toward a specific intention within the natural movements of the spine.  Students are encouraged throughout the entire practice to link their awareness of breath to the movements of the body.  This awareness is the single most important key to a Hatha yoga practice because it serves to keep the practitioner in the present movement, observing and accepting what is.  Pranayama (breath work) and a final deep relaxation are integral to every class.

Twenty-five years ago Instructor Shaw's long commute in a car with a cranky clutch resulted in back pain.  She looked up “yoga” in the yellow pages and stepped into so much more than an exercise class.  Fourteen years later she completed her first level Yoga Alliance-approved teacher training, followed six years later by her second level training.   She began teaching ten years ago and has studied several primary forms of yoga, including Iyengar, Kripalu and Viniyoga.  Currently, she is studying to become a certified yoga therapist in the Viniyoga tradition, which is one of the remaining truly authentic yoga traditions.  She teaches group classes and works privately with individuals, developing a yoga practice which can best serve their needs, whatever their condition may be.  Ms. Shaw has had the privilege of experiencing the cumulative effects of decades of yoga, and she uses that awareness to encourage all students, beginners or veterans, to be open to what yoga can offer in this moment of their lives. 

For further information, call Bernardsville Library at 908-766-0118 or Bernardsville Recreation at 908-766-2546.