Russell Library - Update: Program Canceled, February Calendar

Cancelled: Dog Listener program Due to illness, "Phil Klein, The Dog Listener" program scheduled for Saturday, February 13 has been cancelled. The presenter and Russell Library apologize for this last minute occurrence and any inconvenience it may have caused. This program may be rescheduled, but that has not yet been determined. 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

We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences

Thursdays February 4, 11, 18, and 25 at 7:00pm. Meeting Room 2 at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead The Veterans' Writing Group. This series, in its third year, invites Veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. All Veterans, either active or retired, are encouraged to come and share their experiences for their own benefit or to share with family and friends. We encourage new members to visit us this winter to see what we are all about! Currently, we have servicemen from combat, and non-combat situations from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraqi Freedom. We hope to hear from other Iraq War Vets, and those who have served in Afghanistan. 
Old Saybrook native Elisabeth Petry is a writer and former journalist and lawyer. Her first book, a collection of letters that she edited, was Can Anything Beat White?:A Black Family's Letters. Her second is At Home Inside: A Daughter’s Tribute to Ann Petry. She lives in Middletown with her husband, Lawrence Riley, who is a dog trainer and Commander of the American Legion Milardo-Wilcox Post 75, Middletown, Connecticut.

The workshop facilitator and contact person from the Russell Library is Christy Billings. She can be reached at (860) 347-2528 or cbilling@russell.lioninc.org.
This program is being sponsored with funds from The Friends of the Russell Library.

T’ai Chi For Balance

Saturdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27, 10:30-11:30am. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. Tom Cushing teaches a unique and integrative T’ai Chi Style call Hun Yuan Tai Chi which incorporates the fluid movement of traditional T’ai Chi forms with qigong for health. Tom offers a fun and relaxed approach to T’ai Chi and easy access to the health benefits of Hun Yuan Taiji through 60 minute T’ai Chi classes which are open to all ages and designed to benefit all students.

Drop-in, no registration. Space is limited, however, so come early.

The program is generously funded by the Department of Health, City of Middletown.

Builders Club

Friday, February 19, from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Children’s Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. Come build with your favorite interlocking blocks! Each week we will have a challenge, and your creation may be chosen to be displayed in our glass case. We use very small builders pieces, so younger children are encouraged to enjoy our toddler room during Builders Club.

Ages: 5 – 12. Drop-in, no registration.

Characters Create Story: Steven Liskow Writing Workshop

Saturdays, February 20, 2:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. Modern fiction relies on complex characters who will move your story along and make your reader care.  Using examples from recent stories and films, this workshop combines techniques from drama, screenwriting, and fiction to create characters that will help you build a dynamic plot. 

A former actor, director, and English teacher, Mr. Liskow is now a member of the International Thriller Writers and Private Eye Writers of America and serves as a mentor and panelist for the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. His short stories have earned an Edgar nomination, the Black Orchid Novella Award, and two Honorable Mentions for the Al Blanchard Story Award. The Whammer Jammers, his first self-published novel, was a quarterfinalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. The Kids Are All Right, his most recent Zach Barnes novel, is a finalist for the Shamus Award for best Indie Novel from the Private Eye Writers of America. Blood On The Tracks, the first 'Woody' Guthrie Novel, won Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest Self-Published Novel Awards for 2014. The second book in that series, Oh Lord, Won't You Steal Me a Mercedes Benz, appeared in April 2015.

Drop-in, no registration.

This program is being sponsored with funds from The Friends of the Russell Library.

West African Dance: A Workshop with Abdou Sarr

Sunday, February 21, 2:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. Abdou Sarr is a master teacher of the sabaar and djembe dances from Senegal, West Africa will be giving a demonstration/workshop in the Hubbard Room. Abdou is an extraordinarily dynamic performer. He is currently dancing and teaching in arts-in-education settings in the Northeast. Abdou teaches private classes, and performs with several artist groups. The workshop contains much more than learning Senegalese Djembe or Sabaar dances. The students’ experience will include learning and practicing West African dancing, some singing or call and response, hearing about Abdou's childhood in Senegal, why he values education and why he dances. Abdou will also teach some basic Wolof phrases.

All ages and abilities are welcomed. Drop-in, no registration.

This program is being sponsored with funds from The Friends of the Russell Library.

Otakus - Anime / Manga Club Featuring Cromwell Martial Arts

Tuesday, February 23, 7:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. Cromwell Martial Arts will demonstrate and teach some basics of Martial Arts! You will get a chance to move around and try your hand (and feet)! Otakus is Russell Library’s teen group for fans of Anime, Manga and all things Japanese. Meeting twice a month, we view anime shorts, discuss our favorite manga series and explore the culture that has produced such art forms. Food, music, costumes, arts and other expressions of Japan are all parts of Otakus.

Ages 11 & up. Drop-in, no registration.

William H. Foster reading from Proud To Be In The Service

Thursday, February 25, 7:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. In conjunction with an exhibit of photographs from his new book, Proud To Be In The Service, Professor William H. Foster will be reading and answering questions about African Americans who served in the military during World War II.

Professor Foster is a long-time researcher of images of African Americans in print and has been an expert commentator for CNN News and National Public Radio. In November, he presented at the AltCom Comics Festival in Malmo, Sweden and the 2012 Comics Forum in Leeds, England.

Drop-in, no registration.

Says Who: Steven Liskow Writing Workshop

Saturdays, February 27, 2:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. One of the most overlooked and crucial decisions concerns who actually tells your story. Different narrators or perspectives can add texture or weaken your impact, and they all have special advantages and demands. Using recent examples, Steve helps you understand how to choose the narrator who can give your story that extra punch.

A former actor, director, and English teacher, Mr. Liskow is now a member of the International Thriller Writers and Private Eye Writers of America and serves as a mentor and panelist for the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. His short stories have earned an Edgar nomination, the Black Orchid Novella Award, and two Honorable Mentions for the Al Blanchard Story Award. The Whammer Jammers, his first self-published novel, was a quarterfinalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. The Kids Are All Right, his most recent Zach Barnes novel, is a finalist for the Shamus Award for best Indie Novel from the Private Eye Writers of America. Blood On The Tracks, the first 'Woody' Guthrie Novel, won Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest Self-Published Novel Awards for 2014. The second book in that series, Oh Lord, Won't You Steal Me a Mercedes Benz, appeared in April 2015.

Drop-in, no registration.

This program is being sponsored with funds from The Friends of the Russell Library.

Hip Hop Culture Slam

Sunday, February 28, from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. 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. A selection of photos of work from graffiti artists will be part of an on-going slide-show throughout the slam. The show will be followed by a paneled Q&A session. All ages are welcome. Drop-in, no registration.

This program is being sponsored with funds from The Friends of the Russell Library.

JOB & CAREER PROGRAMS

Job Group

Thursdays February 4, 11, 18, and 25 at 9:30 am. – noon, The Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Each Thursday a different topic related to careers is discussed. Presenters range from local business people to nationally renowned authors and career counselors. A one-hour networking session follows the presentation.

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, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Videotaping the session is optional and confidential. One-hour sessions are available.  Please call 860-347-2520 for more information and to sign up. You will receive a reminder call prior to the appointment.

Career Coaching

James Kubat, an Associate Director of the Wesleyan Career Center, gives private, confidential career coaching through appointments on evenings 6-8pm at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Please bring a resume (if you have one) to the appointment. Please call 860- 347-2520 to sign up for a one-hour appointment.  You will receive a reminder call prior to the appointment.  If you need to cancel, please allow 48 hours notice.

Resume Review

Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, offers confidential resume critiquing and in-depth interview coaching appointments weekdays with business professionals. Please call 860-347-2520 to sign up for a one-hour appointment. 

Computer Classes

Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, offers a wide variety of computer classes for all levels of competencies. Please call 860-347-2520 to check schedules and register. 

Contact:  Rolande Duprey      rduprey@russell.lioninc.org    860-347-2528, Ext 171

or Sue Honer                           shoner@russell.lioninc.org