Russell Library's Eclectic Schedule for February

RUSSELL LIBRARY February 2016 Programs                                              All programs are free and open to the public. SPECIAL PROGRAMS Something's happening daily; free concerts, t'ai chi, history, children's, animals, veterans, dogs, writers, culture . . . Michael Brown   Free concert, on piano: Thursday, February 4 7pm Hubbard Room Works by Faure, Mendelssohn, Brown, and Bernstein will be featured in this performance by Pianist and Composer Michael Brown. Winner of a 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Mr. Brown has been described by The New York Times as a 'young piano visionary" and 'one of the leading figures in the current renaissance of performer-composers." Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library; no registration. T'ai Chi For Balance  Saturdays at 10:30am February 6, 13, 20 and 27 Hubbard Room Tom Cushing teaches a fun and relaxed approach to Hun Yuan Tai Chi which incorporates fluid movement with qigong for health. This weekly 60 minute class is open to all ages. Drop-in, no registration. Space is limited, so come early.  Funded by the Department of Health, City of Middletown. Phil Klein: The Dog Listener Saturday, February 13 2pm Hubbard Room A workshop to help you better understand and train your dog. Learn how canines see the world, the underlying reasons for unwanted behaviors and how to communicate with your dog.  Bring your questions, but no dogs please! Drop-in, no registration. Steven Liskow  Writing Workshops Saturdays, February 20 & 27 2pm Hubbard Room Part 1:  Characters Create Story Complex characters will move your story along and make your readers care. This workshop combines techniques from drama, screenwriting, and modern fiction to create characters that will help you build a dynamic plot.  Part 2:  Says Who One of the most overlooked and crucial decisions concerns who actually tells your story: we'll look at advantages and demands of different narrators or perspectives. Drop-in, no registration.  This two part series sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library. West African Dance: A Workshop with Abdou Sarr Sunday, February 21 2pm Hubbard Room A master teacher of the sabaar and djembe dances from Senegal, West Africa, Mr. Sarr will be giving a demonstration/workshop which will also include some singing, or call and response, some basic Wolof phrases, stories about his childhood in Senegal, and why he dances.  All ages and abilities are welcome; drop-in, no registration. Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library. Proud to Be in the Service Thursday, February 25 7pm Hubbard Room In conjunction with an exhibit of photographs from his new book,  Professor William H. Foster III will speak and answer questions about  African American military service during World War II. Drop-in, no registration. Hip Hop Culture Slam Sunday, February 28 2pm Hubbard Room Middletown's own B-Boy Bryan "Ling Ba Flare" Giles teams up with Djs N.E.B and Sotorious to lead an exhibition of the four artistic pillars of hip hop culture, featuring MC Arthur Ray and others.  All ages are welcome. Drop-in, no registration.  Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library. ONGOING PROGRAMS Russell Readers        Tuesday, February 9  7pm Meeting Room 3                                                          We will discuss "The Gay Old Dog" by Edna Ferber from the anthology, 101 Best American Short Stories. Discussions are based on the Great Books Foundation method. For more information: chantal.foster@comcast.net Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library. We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences Thursdays at 7 pm February 4, 11, 18 and 25 Meeting Room 2  All Veterans, either active or retired, are encouraged to come and write about their experiences for their own benefit or to share with others.  Author Elisabeth Petry leads the workshop; facilitator and contact person at the library is Christy Billings.  (860) 347-2528 or cbilling@russell.lioninc.org.    This program is being sponsored with funds from The Friends of the Russell Library.                             TEENS Gaming Guild Monday, February 1 3:30pm Meeting Room 3 If you like Minecraft, Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, board games, or electronic games, this is the club for you! Explore our Minecraft server...the club has laptops, cards, and an XBOX 360! Bring your own cards and geek out! Grades: 7 to 12. Drop-in; no registration. Teen Advisory Council Wednesday, February 3  3:30pm Meeting Room 3 Join the Russell Library Teen Advisory Council (TAC); earn community service hours, help plan library activities. If you cannot make it to this meeting, but would like to join, contact Heather at  hscussell@russell.lioninc.org. Grades: 7 to 12. Please register in person or by phone: 860-347-2520. Teens: Master Builder's Club Monday, February 8  Meeting Room 3  3:30pm   Try Lego© Picture Creator, create your own inventions and/or learn how to program the Library's NEW Lego© Mindstorm EV3. The club meets on the 2nd Monday on each month. Grades: 7 to 12. Drop-in, no registration.  Otakus                                             Otakus of Russell Library Unite! Tuesdays at 7pm: February 9 - Meeting Room 2 February 23 - Hubbard Room - featuring: Cromwell Martial Arts Otakus is Russell Library's Teen Group for fans of anime, manga and all things Japanese. Drop by and join in the fun; ages 11 and up. Teen Crafternoon Wednesday, February 17 3:30pm Meeting Room 3 Get creative (and messy!), make art in an untraditional  way, with a squirt gun!  Grades: 7 - 12; free; please register at: 860-347-2520. Teen Tech Thursdays Thursday, February 18  3:30pm Meeting Room 3  We'll use Code.org to learn computer coding, with hands-on unplugged activities.Grades: 7 to 12. Please register at 860-347-2520. CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS Take Your Child to the Library Day Saturday, February 6 10 am  Activity Room A Children's Librarian will share her favorite stories with you; also, a gift from the Poet Laureate of Middletown and a craft time. Drop in; for 3 - 5 year olds, but all ages are welcome! Baby Rhyme Time Wednesdays at 1:30pm February 3, 10, 17 & 24 Children's Activity Room Songs, rhymes and fingerplays for babies 12 months and under and their grown-ups. Drop-in, no registration required. Valentine Card Craft Friday, February 12 4pm Children's Activity Room Make a card for your Mom, Dad, grandparents or even your sweetie pie!  We'll have all the materials to make a beautiful Valentine card for someone you love! For ages 3 and up. Drop-in, no registration. Builders' Club Friday, February 19   4pm   Activity Room      Children ages 6 - 12 are invited to join us for an afternoon of building with the plastic bricks we all know and love. Due to the small pieces, children must be 6 and over. Drop-in: no registration.  More Children's Programs... See our website for more children's programming: Children's Calendar EXHIBITS Proud To Be In The Service: Images of African Americans Who Served in the U.S. Military During World War II An exhibit of b/w photographs from William Foster III, on the second floor.  Mr. Foster will speak here on Feb. 25 at 7pm.   Ten Years of Shakespeare in the Grove   In celebration of their ten-year anniversary, posters from each of ARTFARM's Shakespeare in the Grove productions are on exhibit in the first floor alcove gallery. The Faeries of Fernwood Forest  Handcrafted art dolls by Susan Doyle Tolis will be on display in the lobby case.  The artist earned a B. F. A. in Puppetry and an M. A. in Costume Design. She is the Costume Shop Manager in the Theater Department of the University of Connecticut. JOB AND CAREER  PROGRAMS Russell Library Job Group    Thursdays at 9:30 am February 4, 11, 18 and 25 Hubbard Room   Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. Topics and presenters will vary from week to week. Call 860-347-2528, ext. 121 for further information. Social Media for Job Seekers  Tuesday, February 9 6 - 8pm Hubbard Room  Heather Turner demonstrates which social networks can be used to enhance your online resume and portfolio, how to customize and clean up your profile's use, leverage connectors, and search engine optimization to find your perfect job. Please register at 860-347-2520 or rcarlson@russell.lioninc.org. Computer Classes Computer classes are free and are offered on a first come, first served basis. All classes are open to everyone but, advanced classes may have prerequisites. Call Information Services: 860-347-2520 for further details, or see: February 2016 Computer Classes Free Resume Reviewing     Learn how potential employers filter and determine which prospective candidates move on to interviews. The  Library offers confidential resume critiquing and in-depth interview coaching appointments several times each month with certified resume writers.    Call (860) 347-2520 to sign up for a 60 minute appointment.   If you need to cancel, please allow 48 hours notice. These services are funded by generous support from the Friends of the Russell Library and a Community Development Block Grant from the City of Middletown. Career Coaching   Associate Director of the Wesleyan Career Center, James Kubat, gives private, confidential career coaching through appointments at Russell Library. Please bring a resume (if you have one) to the appointment. You must register and/or cancel at the Information Desk or by calling (860) 347-2520. You will receive a reminder call prior to the appointment. Practice Job Interviews     Improve your interviewing skills and get the job you want. Bob Carlson will assist you by conducting and evaluating your practice interview, either by phone  or at Russell Library. Videotaping the session is optional and confidential. Please call (860) 347-2520 for more information and to sign up for a 60 minute session. Russell Library                                           123 Broad Street Middletown, Connecticut 06457 www.russelllibrary.org 860-347-2528       Monday - Thursday    9am - 8:30pm Friday                           9am - 6pm                                                       Saturdays:                     9am - 5pm Sundays                         1pm - 4pm Holiday closings: Sunday and Monday, February 14 and 15,             in observance of Presidents' Day   Connect to Your Library February 2016 Russell Reminder