events @ the Library

Winners from Westport Magazine's annual photography contest will be displayed in the Riverwalk Display from January 2 through February 21.

Bring a snack and spend an afternoon playing video games with friends. Middle school students.

A pioneer of the happiness movement, Alexandra Stoddard, author of Happiness for Two: 75 Secrets for Finding More Joy Together, will explain how couples can pursue personal happiness together. Stoddard is a lifestyle philosopher whose books and lectures have inspired millions. This event is co-sponsored with the Westport Young Woman's League.

Meeting begins at 7:00 pm.
Author at 7:30 pm.

More about the author

Jobseekers will get tips from a Certified Professional Resume Writer on how to improve their resumes. Michael Shavel, of the Connecticut Department of Labor, will share his knowledge on creating resumes that stand out. Participants are asked to bring their resumes to the workshop.



Reservations requested at 203-291-4844 or sschulman@westportlibrary.org.

This seminar covers valuable company, industry and other jobseeker information. Email sschulman@westportlibrary.org to ask how your resumé can be reviewed by a CT Dept. of Labor career specialist.

The Captain's Paradise, starring Alec Guinness who plays a ferry-boat captain with two wives, one in each port. 93 min.

Swing for Jazz Quintet charms audiences with enduring melodies and wonderful lyrics from songs that topped the Hit Parade charts.

Bring a snack and spend an afternoon playing video games with friends. Middle school students.

Jordan M. Wright has written a richly illustrated history of American presidential elections told through campaign memorabilia, from Washington to Bush...the story of how presidents and their losing rivals have wooed voters since America was founded. Campaigning for President has been described as "a stunning book, a wonderful way for people to learn about democracy and how the political process works."

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

More about the book

The Dresser starring Albert Finney. Wonderful story of an aging star's dresser who gets him through his performances as King Lear. 118 min.

Discussion of Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon. Venice Commissario Guido Brunetti investigates the murder of an eminent conductor halfway through a performance in the first book of this critically acclaimed series. New participants always welcome.

Join a discussion about The Memory Keeper's Daughter, which explores the way life takes unexpected turns. The Washington Post writes, "Anyone would be struck by the extraordinary power and sympathy." For copies of the book, phone 291-4821. New participants always welcome.

Author Lee Vance, a retired general partner of Goldman Sachs Group, has written a lightning-fast thriller that unfurls in the worlds of high finance and fine art as it follows one man determined to avenge his wife's death. Restitution has been described as whip-smart and fiercely exciting from first page to last.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Book Reviews

Hoop Dreams, the engaging true story of two West Indian basketball players and their dreams of making it in the U.S. 170 min.

Bring a snack and spend an afternoon playing video games with friends. Middle school students.

The Westport Public Library, Fairfield County SCORE and Greater Bridgeport SCORE will present a workshop entitled “Buying a Winning Franchise”

Keld Alstrup from FranNet, the featured speaker, will talk about the ins and outs of obtaining a franchise. A panel of local franchisees will follow the speaker and will discuss their personal experiences in owning a franchise. Bruce Berzin from SCORE will moderate the panel.

Panelists include Greg O'Neill from Cartridge World of Norwalk, Linda Kuppersmith, Principal and managing Director of CMT of Stamford-Internet Solutions, Richard Montesanto, owner of Wild Bird Center of Norwalk and Keld Alstrup franchisee for United Check Cashing.

This workshop is free and open to the public. Call 203-291-4844 or email Sylvia Schulman to register so we can have enough handouts for all attending.

Set in the small Colombian mountain village of Mariquita, Tales from the Town of Widows & Chronicles from the Land of Men, is Colombian-born author James Canon's literary debut. After their men are kidnapped by Communist guerillas, the women learn how to survive and create a peaceful new community. The Washington Post calls the book "A rollicking and often shocking tale that Canon tells with charm and bite."

Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Book Reviews

The story alternates between the finalists of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament ("average" folks with an extraordinary ability to do crossword puzzles very quickly and well) and "famous" people who love crosswords. 94 mins.

Will Shortz will be at the puzzle contest on February 2, so stop by and meet him!

Movie review.

Central Station, the story of an ex-teacher who takes a nine-year old boy on a quest to find the father he's never met. Portuguese with English subtitles. 113 min.

Wordplay is a documentary about the man most associated with crossword puzzle competition, Will Shortz, New York Times puzzle editor. It alternates between the finalists of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament ("average" folks with an extraordinary ability to do crossword puzzles very quickly and well) and "famous" people who love crosswords. 94 mins.

Movie review