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November 2009 All Events

        

November 2, 2009

Katherine Hall Page: authors @the library

kathy083.jpgKatherine Hall Page, an award-winning mystery author, discussed her new book The Body in the Sleigh, the latest in her popular Faith Fairchild mystery series, on Monday, November 2, 2009.

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November 2, 2009

AUTHORS @THE LIBRARY: Katherine Hall Page

The-Body-in-the-Sleigh.jpgMonday, November 2
7:30 pm
McManus Room

Award-winning mystery author Katherine Hall Page will discuss her new book The Body in the Sleigh. Murder mars the family’s Maine holiday getaway in this eighteenth title of the widely read Faith Fairchild mystery series.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

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November 3, 2009

Jobseekers Resource Seminar

jobseekers.jpgTuesday, November 3, 2009
10:00 am
McManus Room

Learn about the excellent Library resources that will make you an informed jobseeker. Michael Shavel of the CT Department of Labor will talk about the services and training offered by the department.

Funded by Jerry A. Tishman.

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November 4, 2009

Harriet Reisen: authors @the library

Harriett-Reisen.jpgAuthor Harriet Reisen spoke about her book Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women, which gives a fresh, modern take on this remarkable and prolific writer, on Wednesday, November 4, 2009.

Photo credit Phyllis Groner

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November 4, 2009

AUTHORS @THE LIBRARY: Harriet Reisen

LouisaMayAlcott.jpgWednesday, November 4
Noon
McManus Room

In Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women, Harriet Reisen gives a fresh, modern take on this remarkable and prolific writer, who secretly authored pulp fiction, harbored radical abolitionist views, and completed heroic service as a Civil War nurse. Louisa May Alcott is also the story of how the all-time beloved American classic Little Women came to be, presenting the popular author as she was and has never been seen before. It will soon to be a PBS American Masters episode.

Books about Louisa May Alcott in the Library catalog.
Books will be available for purchase and signing.

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November 4, 2009

TEAM Westport—
College, Life, and Multiculturalism: Are Westport Students Ready?

TeamHiReslogo.jpgWednesday, November 4, 2009
7:30 pm
McManus Room

Join TEAM Westport for this open forum, the sixth in the series on Multiculturism and Race. Sociologist David L. Levinson, Ph.D., President of Norwalk Community College, will frame the issue before discussion begins. “Westporters who have attended a TEAM Westport Conversation understand our “Open Space” format encourages participation,” said Harold Bailey Jr., TEAM Westport chair. “It is not a panel of experts or a lecture,” he added. “Rather, this will be a chance for parents, teachers, students, and alumni from all of Westport’s schools—in fact, anyone who is interested in having our town’s children get into the colleges they want and succeed in the world—to raise issues important to them, share their thoughts, and even choose to take action, all in an open, honest atmosphere." TEAM Westport is the town's official committee on multiculturalism and diversity.

Co-sponsored by Westport Library and TEAM Westport.

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November 5, 2009

Joanna Greenfield: authors@the library

Joanna-Greenfield.jpgJoanna Greenfield discussed her book The Lion's Eye: Seeing in the Wild, which describes her dream of traveling to East Africa to study one of the last known populations of wild chimpanzees, on Thursday, November 5, 2009.

Photo credit Larry Untermeyer.
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November 5, 2009

AUTHORS @THE LIBRARY: Joanna Greenfield

The-Lion's-Eye.jpgThursday, November 5
7:30 pm
McManus Room

Joanna Greenfield dreamed of traveling to East Africa to study one of the last known populations of wild chimpanzees. In The Lion's Eye: Seeing in the Wild, she describes the story of her mission to connect with animals--an adventure story and against-the-odds quest for a wilderness few of us have ever glimpsed.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

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November 6, 2009

Fridays in November: Internet and Email Training

internet2.jpgFriday, November 6
Between 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Reference Desk

Drop in for one-on-one, personalized half-hour training sessions on basic internet searching and setting up an email account.

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November 6, 2009

The Great Library Scavenger Hunt

library--great-race-copy.jpgFriday, November 6
6:00 pm
Library Main Lobby

You like to compete. You’re a book lover—and a big fan of the Westport Public Library. And, you bet you know more about the Library than your average Westporter. Or... so you think. Join the other teams to test your sleuthing skills and your knowledge of the Library in the First Annual Great Library Scavenger Hunt. Scurry in and around the Library, pick up clues, and enhance your knowledge of the Library’s vast resources.

Register now for this first-time, unique event.
For ages 8-108. $15 per team.


Light refreshments. Sponsored by the Friends of the Westport Library.

For questions or more information, contact Sandy at 291-4820 or syoung@westportlibrary.org

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November 7, 2009

TRENDS in TECHNOLOGY: LinkedIn

Mathias_4564-5x7.jpgMark Mathias, an information technology executive, taught the basics of LinkedIn, a business-oriented social networking site, including how to set up a profile, how to use LinkedIn as a tool for finding a job, and the etiquette of asking for and giving recommendations, on Saturday, November 7, 2009.

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November 7, 2009

TRENDS in TECHNOLOGY: LinkedIn

Mathias_4564-5x7.jpgSaturday, November 7
11:00 am
McManus Room

Information technology executive Mark Mathias, will teach the basics of LinkedIn, a business-oriented social networking site, including how to set up a profile, how to use LinkedIn as a tool for finding a job, and the etiquette of asking for and giving recommendations. He has 30+ years experience with both large and small companies. He is the technology columnist for Westport News and uses a variety of social media technologies for personal and business use. Mathias has been awarded "Industry MVP" and also named to Computerworld's inaugural list of "Premier 100 IT Leaders."

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November 7, 2009

Beatles Rock Band @the Library

The_Beatles_Rock_Band.jpgSaturday, November 7
2:00 to 4:00 pm
McManus Room

Try the hottest new video game that everybody’s talking about! Follow the Beatles through their career and get a chance to play drums, guitar, or vocals on 45 legendary songs, including “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Day Tripper,” “Taxman,” and “Back in the U.S.S.R.” All ages welcome.

Contact Jaina Lewis at 291-4809 or jlewis@westportlibrary.org for more information.

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November 8, 2009

MUSIC @THE LIBRARY: The Ragtime Evolution Quartet

quartet.jpgSunday, November 8
2:00 pm
McManus Room

Enjoy a toe-tapping afternoon with The Ragtime Evolution Quartet. Lew Green on cornet; Mary Green, on piano; Vince Giordano on string bass, bass saxophone and tuba; and Ken Salvo on banjo will present a musical stroll through "The Golden Age of American Music." Highlighting Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, The Jazz Age, and others, they play in the authentic style of the period and give colorful background to place everything in historical context for an entertaining and informative musical presentation.

Supported by the Grace K. Salmon Foundation.

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November 9, 2009

Resounding Memories Creative Writing Contest

soundings-banner-10-17-08Re.jpg Monday, November 9, 2009 through Friday, January 8, 2010

Westport Public Library in conjunction with Staples High School’s Soundings Literary Magazine presents the Resounding Memories Creative Writing Contest.

Open to all high school students, this contest encourages young writers to explore the idea of memory. Entries will be accepted in categories of poetry, personal essays, and short stories. Email submissions beginning Monday, November 9 through Friday, January 8 to resoundingmemories@gmail.com. Submission guidelines are available on the Library’s website. Contact Jaina Lewis at 291-4809 or jlewis@westportlibrary.org with further questions.

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November 9, 2009

Wii @the Library

nintendo-wii-console.jpgMonday, November 9, 2009
4:00 to 5:30 pm
McManus Room
Middle school age and up

Join your friends for an afternoon of Wii on the big screen at the Library. Pick from a variety of games, including Mario Party 8, Wii Play, and Mario Kart.

Contact Jania Lewis at 291-4809 or jlewis@westportlibrary.org for more information.

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November 12, 2009

MovieLine: Whatever Works

whatever-works.jpgThursday, November 12, 2009
7:00 pm
McManus Room

Directed by Woody Allen, Whatever Works is about a crotchety old man (Larry David) with very extreme views on life. He finds his world has become further complicated after the naive young runaway (Evan Rachel Wood) he has married is tracked down by her straight-laced parents. (2009, 95 minutes)


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November 13, 2009

Fridays in November: Internet and Email Training

internet2.jpgFriday, November 13
Between 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Reference Desk

Drop in for one-on-one, personalized half-hour training sessions on basic internet searching and setting up an email account.

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November 14, 2009

David Pogue: authors @the library

David-Pogue1.jpgDavid Pogue, New York Times personal technology columnist, discussed his new book The World According to Twitter, a fascinating collection of clever and often hilarious tweets, on Saturday, November 14, 2009.

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November 14, 2009

AUTHORS @THE LIBRARY: David Pogue

twitter.jpgSaturday, November 14, 2009
11:00 am
McManus Room

New York Times personal-technology columnist David Pogue admits to having been a real skeptic at first about the social networking service Twitter. But he quickly became a Twitterphile after seeing a colleague get obscure, needed information almost instantly by questioning his followers on Twitter. Pretty soon Pogue was a complete convert, and, not surprisingly given the lengthy roster of books he has already penned, a new title, The World According to Twitter, was in the works. Pogue will talk about Twitter itself and his new book, which, in fact, isn’t really about Twitter at all. Rather it’s a fascinating collection of some 2,500 clever and often hilarious tweets in reply to questions he posed to his “followers,” ranging from the earnest (When do you know the honeymoon’s over?) to the curious (Tell us the story of your tatoo) to the creative (Make up a phony Chinese proverb).

In addition to Pogue’s weekly print column in The New York Times, he contributes an NYT online column and video and a popular daily blog, “Pogue’s Posts.” He is also an Emmy award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News and a best-selling author, with more than 3 million books in print. He wrote or co-wrote seven books in the Dummies series, and, in 1999, launched his own series of computer books called the Missing Manual series, which now totals more than 100 titles. He lives in Westport.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

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November 14, 2009

FAMILY PROGRAM: Kid Pirates

kid-pirates.jpgSaturday, November 14
2:30 pm
McManus Room

Calling all rascally rogues to join Captain Papillion’s band of pirates. Celebrate positive pirating with musical storytelling of pirating and the sea, with adventure for all.

Note: Free tickets available in the Children’s Library beginning at 9:00 am on the day of the performance—space is limited.

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November 15, 2009

Nechama and Roland Tec discussing her book and the film, Defiance

Nechama-Tec.jpgNechama Tec, Westport author of Defiance: The Bielski Partisans, showed a clip from the 2008 film Defiance based on her book. She and her son Roland Tec, the co-producer of the film then discussed it on Sunday,November 15, 2009.

Photo credit Phyllis Groner
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November 15, 2009

SPECIAL EVENT: Clips from film Defiance based on book by Nechama Tec

defiance-book.jpgSunday,November 15
2:00 pm
McManus Room

Westport author Nechama Tec will show clips from the 2008 film Defiance based on her book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans, a riveting history of one group who struggled against the Nazis. Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber starred in the film, and Nechama Tec's son Roland Tec co-produced the film. The largest armed rescue operation of Jews by Jews in World War II, this extraordinary community included both men and women, some with weapons, but mostly unarmed, ranging from infants to the elderly. She reconstructs for the first time the amazing details of how these partisans and their families--hungry, exposed to the harsh winter weather--managed not only to survive, but also to offer protection to all Jewish fugitives who could find their way to them.

Books by Nechama Tec in the Library catalog.
Co-sponsored with the Holocaust Child Survivors of Connecticut.

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November 17, 2009

College Admissions: Beyond Test Scores

GayPepper1-crop.jpgDr. Gay Pepper, former Associate Dean of Admissions at University of Pennsylvania and former counselor in secondary schools, discussed how colleges look beyond test scores and grades to determine admissions, on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.

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November 17, 2009

Pageturners: The Madonnas of Leningrad

Madonnas.jpgTuesday, November 17
10:30 am and 7:30 pm
Seminar Room

Discussion of the book The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean. 240 pages. A strong storyline, with a heavy dollop of fact, in this case the history and contents of the Hermitage Museum in Leningrad/St. Petersburg. The characters themselves are obviously important to the tale, but the essence of the story is the nature of memory itself. Bit by bit, the ravages of age are eroding Marina's grip on the everyday. And while the elderly Russian woman cannot hold on to fresh memories — the details of her grown children's lives, the approaching wedding of her grandchild — her distant past is preserved: vivid images that rise unbidden of her youth in war-torn Leningrad.

For copies of the book, phone 291-4821 or email Sue Madeo at smadeo@westportlibrary.org.
New participants always welcome.

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November 17, 2009

Abilities Count in College Admissions:
What Students and Parents Need to Know

GayPepper1-crop.jpgTuesday, November 17, 2009
7:30 pm
McManus Room

Admission to a highly selective college is never a given, even for a student with straight A’s and high test scores. So what other factors do colleges look for when they evaluate candidates? Dr. Gay Pepper, former Associate Dean of Admissions at University of Pennsylvania and former counselor in secondary schools, is the founder of College and More, Inc. She will discuss how admissions deans look for clues to a student’s growth potential and will answer questions from students and parents.

This program is free and open to the public. Contact Jaina Lewis at 291-4809 or jlewis@westportlibrary.org for more information.

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November 17, 2009

Jobseekers Special: Your Social IQ—Why It Matters and How It Impacts Your Success

hacala2.jpgTuesday, November 17, 2009
10:00 am
McManus Room

Sara Hacala of Sara Hacala and Associates will discuss how following accepted rules of engagement will help jobseekers gain confidence as they connect with people in interviews, mingling sessions or other face-to-face meetings.

Funded by Jerry A. Tishman.

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November 18, 2009

William Grimes: authors @the library

William-Grimes.jpgWilliam Grimes, former New York Times restaurant critic, spoke about his book, Appetite City: A Culinary History of New York, which offers a fascinating tour and history of the city’s restaurants, on Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

Photo credit Phyllis Groner

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Click here to download MP3 file.

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November 18, 2009

AUTHORS @THE LIBRARY: William Grimes

Appetite-City.jpgWednesday, November 18
Noon
McManus Room

In Appetite City: A Culinary History of New York , former New York Times restaurant critic William Grimes offers a grand tour of the history of the city’s restaurants, exploring the ways in which sex and class determined where and how a person would eat, and how the city’s restaurant scene mirrored the larger social and political forces shaping New York. With dozens of irresistible characters and anecdotes, and a treasure trove of photographs, Grimes evokes both the belle epoque of Edith Wharton and the surging multicultural city of today.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

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November 18, 2009

AUTHORS @THE LIBRARY: Gail Rentsch

smart-women.jpgWednesday, November 18, 2009
7:00 pm
McManus Room

Smart Women Don't Retire—They Break Free is The Transition Network's first book, written by Gail Rentsch, who traveled the country interviewing TTN women. It is filled with information, personal stories, and valuable resources to help prepare for a wide range of future transitions. This book shows how to create new and exciting work and volunteer opportunities and how to discover new outlets for creativity and passion.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Co-sponsored with The Transition Network, Connecticut Chapter.

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November 19, 2009

John Ortved: authors @the library

Ortved2.jpgJohn Ortved, a contributing editorial associate at Vanity Fair, discussed The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History, on how the show (celebrating its 20th year) grew from a controversial cult favorite to a mainstream hit, on Thursday, November 19, 2009.

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November 19, 2009

AUTHORS @THE LIBRARY: John Ortved

simpsons.jpgThursday, November 19
7:30 pm
McManus Room

John Ortved, a contributing editorial associate at Vanity Fair, takes you into the inner sanctum of The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History. Hear how the show (celebrating its 20th year) grew from a controversial cult favorite to a mainstream powerhouse thanks to a group of intense, thoughtful, and creative people who came together to make something unique in the history of American culture. Animators, writers, actors, directors, producers, executives and celebrity guest stars—as much a dysfunctional but loving family as the show’s stars themselves—are all here. It’s an intriguing yet hilarious tale full of betrayal, ambition, and love.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

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November 20, 2009

Fridays in November: Internet and Email Training

internet2.jpgFriday, November 20
Between 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Reference Desk

Drop in for one-on-one, personalized half-hour training sessions on basic internet searching and setting up an email account.

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November 22, 2009

The Usual Suspects Mystery Reading Group: Murder on the Ballarat Train

murder-on-the-ballarat-trai.jpgSunday, November 22
2:00 pm
Seminar Room
Note: date change

Discussion of Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood. 1920s' Australian lady detective Phryne Fisher travels to a popular resort by train. When some of the passengers are poisoned with chloroform, Phryne is left to piece together the clues.

For copies of the book, phone 291-4821. New participants always welcome.
About the book.
Author's website.

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November 27, 2009

Fridays in November: Internet and Email Training

internet2.jpgFriday, November 27
Between 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Reference Desk

Drop in for one-on-one, personalized half-hour training sessions on basic internet searching and setting up an email account.

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