A monthly guide to your community library, its programs and services Issue No. 256, August 2010 Summer Saturdays The library will be open Saturdays from 9 to 5 p.m. all month. Have a question? Text us! The library offers free text message services. Text us at 66746 and start your question with ASKPWPL. We will respond as soon as possible. This ser- vice is available during regular library hours. Note: messages should be less than 160 characters. Rosetta Stone The interactive language learning library is available for use in our Com- puter Center. Learn Chinese, French, Italian and Spanish. This immersion- based software includes listening, speaking, reading and writing mod- ules. Headphones and microphones are available for the listening and speech recognition lessons. Library at the LIRR The library’s service to Long Island Railroad commuters continues through September 1. Library staff will be on- site at the Port Washington station on Wednesday mornings (weather permit- ting) from 7 to 9 a.m. A collection of popular paperbacks will be available for you to borrow. You don’t need a library card. When you’re finished, simply return the books to the library table at the station on Wednesday mornings or to the library. This program is funded by the Friends of the Library. For fur- ther information, contact Jean Bennett at (516) 883-4400, Ext. 119. Library reaches milestone Beat the heat! The library recently celebrated 500,000 visitors to the library with cake and chocolates. Story inside. Live at the library August 6 Join us on Friday, August 6 at Surf takes the stage. tions, “Lobster Rock,” will be re- 7:30 p.m. as LIVE@PWPL presents Barry Simon, Angelo Liguori, leased this summer on a surf compi- Strange But Surf. Greg Timm and Vincent Giovann- lation CD called “Off the Deep End.” The cry goes out — “Surf’s antonio have played at venues across Over 5,000 fans on Myspace and up!,” and the hoards and their Long Island and appear regularly at Facebook agree that these talented boards race into the sea. This per- Otto’s Shrunken Head, a renowned musicians make every gig an event, formance will make you feel like you surf and tiki club in New York City. surprising their following with a are among them when Strange But One of their original composi- constantly inventive repertoire. Summer Saturdays Open 9 to 5 during July & August Pop Art Experience Modern pop art collagist Michael Albert’s unique series of works made from cereal boxes are on exhibit in the Community PWEF dedicates Gallery throughout the summer. In addition, he taught his technique in plaque hands-on workshops for children and teens on July 29. Lee Aschenbrenner was a beloved principal Albert has been creating and educator in Port Washington for many years. Even in retirement he gave his art since his college days at New time to the children of our community as a York University, where he studied volunteer in the Port Washington Education business. His art has evolved from Foundation’s Education Support Center. The doodles to serious wax oil drawings PWEF decided that a plaque in the Children’s Room would be an appropriate way to honor to the cubist mosaic cereal box col- Mr. Aschenbrenner, who passed away in lages he has become known for. August 2009, and his commitment to children In the past several years he and education. The plaque was designed by the children who participate in the program has been creating large scale “epic” and was dedicated at a ceremony earlier collage works on various themes this year. including historical, biblical, liter- ary, musical, lyrical, mathematical The library teams up with the PWEF to make this program a reality. On Tuesday and geographical. afternoons during the school year, students Albert can be found staging enrolled use the library’s meeting room his traveling Modern Pop Art Show space and educational resources. The at a variety of venues including PWEF program serves third grade students for whom English is a second language or stores that sell the Sir Real juices who benefit from extra reading and writing and on the streets of New York support. Students receive help with their City, where he gives away prints homework and help in developing strategies for completing assignments. The Support and shares his story with random Center, celebrating its fifth year, is funded passers-by, or as he describes by donations to the PWEF, and is staffed by them, “perfect strangers.” adult and high school volunteers. The library One of Michael Albert’s pop art creations. Do you recognzie the store label? is pleased to partner with the PWEF for this very successful program. Meet author Alix Strauss Join us on Friday, August 13 New York Times, Marie Claire, Time at 12:10 p.m. to meet Alix Strauss, and Entertainment Weekly. author of Death Becomes Them: Books will be available for pur- Unearthing the Suicides of the Bril- chase and signing. This program liant, the Famous, and the Notorious is sponsored by the Friends of the (Harper Paperbacks, 2009). Library. What could be more suit- able for a hot Friday the 13th than Strauss’ chilling compendium of famous suicides? Kurt Cobain, Sigmund Freud, Anne Sexton, Mark Rothko, Ernest Hemingway, Adolf Hitler . all famous, some rich and powerful, some beloved, some abhorred. These are the lonely personal nightmares behind celebrity sui- cides. The deaths and their causes are as diverse as the victims them- Library partners with Manorhaven selves. Strauss bids each one a final good-bye while examining the last School for community read-aloud days and the unbearable incidents Library program coordinator The library is proud to join that drove these notables to end Jessica Ley was happy to once again forces with the schools and other their lives. be a part the annual community community organizations that Alix Strauss is a lifestyle trend read-aloud at Manorhaven School. make Port Washington the wonder- writer who appears on national She’s pictured above, magic wand ful place that it is. morning and talk shows. Her ar- in hand, reading to a Manorhaven See story above for an addi- ticles have been published in The kindergarten class. tional library-school collaboration. Library receives high marks from performers The following correspon- dence was sent to library program coordinator Jessica Ley and media technician Jeff Zeh: We wanted to thank you again for having us perform in your won- derful venue. What an absolute honor. We appreciate all the hard work and dedication it takes to make a successful envirrnment for us musicians. You have succeeded beyond words. I’m sure you’ll see us in the More than 500,000 visitors audience watching another show. Have a wonderful summer and wishing you all happiness, health to the library this year!! and lots of music. Warmest regards, Port Washington resident She’s shown here with Library Marci Geller, Cathy Kreger and Jocelyn Panameno had an unex- Director Nancy Curtin and trust- Diane Garisto pected welcome when she came ees Myron Blumenfeld and Lee into the library on June 23. She Aitken. was presented with a tote bag full Library visitors enjoyed of library “treats” and cheers from cake and chocolates, and many library board and staff. It turns out shared feelings about the library’s that we were celebrating a mile- place in their lives. Patron Harold stone — more than 500,000 visits Cohen even called the library his to the library since July 1, 2009. “second home.” Jocelyn, a Schreiber High Thank you, Port Washing- School student was recognized as ton, for your support. our ceremonial 500,000th visitor. Exercise for Over 50 Lottery begins August 3 The Exercise for Over 50 Lottery begins August 3 at 9 a.m. and ends August 24 at 9 p.m. Tuesday classes are at 9 a.m. beginning September 14 and ending November 16, Thursday classes at at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. beginning September 16 and ending September 18. Payment for each class is $35. Remember to note on your checkthe day and time of class, your phone number or email address, and place it in the ballot box at the Information Desk. Checks will be drawn, and notifications will begin, on August 25. SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 25 The Library Foundation’s Seventh Inspiration Gala Theme: An ESOL celebration The library’s ESOL Program recently celebrated with an end-of-year certificate ceremony and party. Volunteer tutors were recognized for their dedication and enthusiasm for teaching “Growing up with the Library” English. Top left: Longtime tutor Maria Scotti with ESOL Coordinator Peggy O’Hanlon. Top right: ESOL tutor Julie Geller was honored at the event. She is shown here with her adoring stu- Honoring: dents. Julie Geller Bottom photo (l to r): front row: Marion Garry, Jane Thomas, Peter Bengelsdorf, Ann Latner, Elisha Huang, Peggy O’Hanlon. Middle Row: Helen Donenfeld, Lisa Young, Ilse Sander, Ayhan Hassan Julie Geller, Toby Latner, Rhoda Garbo, ESOL Assistant Coordinator Haydee Buitron, Patti Paris. Back row: Anneliese Spiekermann, Mike Duffy, Barbara Kaim, Tina Duque Corbett, Hal Spielman Maria Scotti, Bill Betz, Ted Goldsmith, Judy Goldsmith, Susan Lerner and Jude Maher. Photos courtesy of Peter Bengelsdorf and Julie Geller. This celebration was sponsored by a Zelik Ziegelbaum generous grant from the Friends of the Library. ½ August Library Kids Welcome to the page for Children’s Services. Be sure to look here for upcoming exhibits, programs and articles relating to Children’s Services and the Parenting Information Center. Parents: Please comply with the age guidelines for these programs and be prepared to show proof of local residency.