May 2013 Newspaper
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Celebrating library power Issue No. 288, May 2013 Budget News The library budget passed by a vote of 508 to 85. Thomas Donoghue and Michael Krevor were elected to the library board of trustees. Jobs & Careers news The Jobs & Careers Information Center staff has planned a full month of programming. See the calendar for details. ESOL 20 years Join us on Sunday, May 19 from 1 to 5 p.m. for the ESOL program’s Twen- tieth Anniversary Celebration. Story You can still reserve your place for the FOL Book & Author Luncheon inside. There’s still time to reserve your seat at the Friends of the Library’s 44th annual Richard D. Whittemore Book & Author Luncheon on Friday, May 17, at 11 a.m. at the North Hills Country Club in Manhasset. Reservation brochures are available in the library or can be printed via the library website at pwpl.org/fol. The cost of the luncheon is $65. The featured authors at the luncheon will be noted historian David Nasaw (The Borrow an E-Reader Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy) and NYTimes bestselling author Will Schwalbe (The End of Your Nooks pre-loaded with New York Life Book Club). Novelist and screenwriter Susan Isaacs returns as program moderator. Times bestsellers are available at the Late registrants should contact FOL registrar Tinu Thakore at 767-1142 or send an email to [email protected]. Still have questions? Call front desk! First-come, first-served. the library’s Community Relations Office at 883-4400, Ext. 130. For Port Library Card Holders only. Restoring My African Soul Robin Joyce Miller, who exhibited her artwork in February to much acclaim, will discuss her journey to restoration and healing through her art, poetry and photographs on Friday, May 24 at 12:10 p.m. Books will be available for purchase and signing. For the caregiver The Long Island Alzheimer’s Founda- tion presents a program on Wednes- day, May 8 at 3 p.m. See the calendar for details. MAC welcomes pianist Adam Neiman American pianist Adam Neiman is hailed as one of the premiere pianists of his generation, praised for possessing a truly rare blend of power, bravura, imagination, sensitivity and technical precision. With an established international career and an encyclopedic repertoire that spans nearly sixty concerti, Neiman has performed as soloist with the symphony orchestras of Belgrade, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Minnesota, Saint Louis, San Francisco, Slovenia, Umbria and Utah, as well as with the New York Chamber Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington D.C. Adam Neiman returns to the library stage as part of the Music Advisory Council’s spring season on Sunday, May 12 at 3 p.m. Neiman has collaborated with many of the world’s celebrated conductors, and as a highly-acclaimed recitalist, has performed in most of the major cities and concert halls throughout the United States and Canada. An avid chamber musician, he became a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center II in 2004. He frequently participates in the major chamber music festivals and has made numerous guest appearances with celebrated string quartets. Join us for a tribute to Buddy Holly with the Rave Music Council concerts are funded by the Port Washington Library Foundation. On Band on May 17 at 7:30 p.m. ESOL celebrates 20 years! Join us on Sunday, May 19 from 1 to 5 p.m. for the ESOL program’s Twentieth Anniversary Celebration. Current and former ESOL students will share talents in music, dancing and preparing international desserts. Salsa and belly dance lessons spice up the day’s festivities. Student writings will be displayed throughout the month in the Community Gallery. Generous funding provided by the Friends of the Library. A woman has just been granted and confusing. The program benefits American citizenship. It is an emo- the community in that as its students tional experience, not just for her, become better adjusted to their new but for her family, friends and ESOL homeland, they will give back to the tutor. With tears of joy, she excitedly community themselves with the skills shows off her citizenship certificate they’ve acquired. Students have gained which bears the U.S. House of citizenship, graduated from law school Representatives seal. She gives her and medical school, and opened their ESOL tutor with a hug, and everyone own businesses. The accomplishments near her feels pride in what has been listed are only a small fraction of the accomplished. This moving scene students’ displays of successes and occurs with some frequency on the altruism. Many former students now upper level of the library, in a small volunteer at ESOL functions and some office often cramped with students, advanced students have gone on to tutors and staff. become tutors in the program. Even Unbeknownst to some library- more admirable, these people thank goers is the PWPL’s thriving and the ESOL staff for the opportunity to ever-growing English for Speakers give back. of Other Languages program, which At its inception 20 years ago, this year celebrates its 20th anni- thanks to founding ESOL Coordinator versary. The road to 20 years has Peggy O’Hanlon and then Library Di- been an interesting and worthwhile rector Edward deSciora, the program one, thanks to the many people was viewed solely as a vehicle to teach who have dedicated their time and students English. Neither anticipated talent to a novel program designed the myriad directions the program to give back to the Port Washington would take. What started as a simple community. With its main goal of initiative, with limited resources and educating non-native speakers in just 5 volunteers and 6 students, is the English language, the program now a burgeoning program with 250 is an asset to the community. It students, 45 volunteer tutors and 3 allows immigrants to more easily part-time staff members. assimilate into American culture The Friends of the Library, which and become integrated in a world began funding the program in 1996, that might otherwise seem foreign laid the groundwork for diverse and culturally-enriching opportunities. zest and meaning to their lives. The initiative has exploded into a Tutors make classes fun and try thriving program of language classes, to make language come alive, in- workshops, festivals and camarade- corporating games, singing, com- rie, exceeding all expectations. Most puter programs and clips of films popular, have been the Asian, Latino and television shows. Tutor Peter and World Festivals which share with Benglesdorf has even produced the residents of Port Washington the informative videos about living in rich diversity of our community. The Port Washington titled “Advice to first festival was attended by a modest Newcomers” which he has posted 200 people, whereas last year’s festival on the ESOL webpage. welcomed a staggering 2,000 visitors. For Peggy O’Hanlon and her The festivals act as a platform for ESOL current staff, Haydee Buitron and students to showcase their talents and Paola Diaz, the 20th anniversary is share their culture. a time of reflection. Happy about For the past five years, in an the way the program has grown attempt to bridge the digital divide, since it began, they feel good about computer classes are held in Spanish the successes of the students and for adults. Recent additions to our are grateful to those who have program include a partnership with supported their vision and have Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic made 20 years possible. Amy Pett, Church and the Parent Resource Cen- former Outreach Coordinator, and ter. We also offer a beginner Spanish former Director Ed deSciora were class. the catalysts in getting the program Not only are the students and up and running. Credited for con- the community benefitting, the ESOL sistent support of the program are tutors also receive a special gift. The Library Director Nancy Curtin and program allows many tutors to follow the Friends of the Library. their passion for teaching, and adds Research Investigators Expo Join us for an up close and personal view May 15 at 7:30 p.m. What’s Happening in the On Wednesday, May 15 at dents and fellows of the Institute 7:30 p.m. the Young Investigators for a special evening of exciting America’s Cup? Society of the Feinstein Institute presentations of cutting-edge sci- and the library’s Health Advisory ence projects. Presentations will be The Nautical Advisory Coun- sonal” view of this year’s event. Council present a Research Inves- in non-technical language so that cil welcomes Dawn Riley, Executive She will sort out what is going on tigators Expo. everyone can share the excitement Director of Oakcliff Sailing and Past leading up to the September start, Right in our community, at of discovery. America’s Cup Captain on Thurs- discuss the America’s Cup World the Feinstein Institute in Manhas- Teachers and students inter- day, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. Series, how the game has changed, set, scientists are unraveling the ested in volunteer research oppor- Imagine this! It is September highlight the players/personalities mysteries of the human body to bet- tunities are encouraged to attend. 7, Race 1 of the 2013 America’s Cup from an insider’s view, and tell us ter understand and treat devastat- To learn more about the Feinstein Finals, and you and 9,000 of your what to look for while watching the ing diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Institute’s research, visit http:// closest friends are packed into the racing.