Celebrating library power Issue No. 285, February 2013 February schedule Music by library audience favorite Tom Cavanagh The library will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday, February 18 in ob- Vibe founder Alan Light is live at the library servance of Presidents Day. Join us on Friday, February 8 with its interpreters and the key Tax Help at 7:30 p.m. for a visit by Alan Light, figures who were there for its origi- Registration is in progress. Volunteers author of The Holy or the Broken: nal recordings, acclaimed music from AARP will be at the library on Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the journalist Alan Light follows the February 5, 12, 19 & 26, March 5, 12, Unlikely Ascent of “Hallelujah” (Atria improbable journey of “Hallelujah” 19 & 26, and April 2 & 9 from 10 a.m. Books, December 2012). straight to the heart of popular cul- to 2 p.m. to assist Port residents with When music legend Leonard ture. The Holy or the Broken gives their tax returns. Call 883-4400, Ext. Cohen first wrote and recorded “Hal- insights into how great songs come 136 to make an appointment. lelujah,” it was for an album rejected to be and how they can be forever by his longtime record label. Ten reinterpreted. years later, charismatic newcomer Alan Light was a senior editor Budget News February 20: Budget Hearing/Board Jeff Buckley reimagined the song for at Rolling Stone, founding music edi- Meeting. March 20: Budget Hear- his much-anticipated debut album. tor and editor-in-chief of Vibe, and ing/Board Meeting. April 3: Budget Just three years later, Buckley would editor-in-chief of Spin. He has been Information Session & Meet the be dead, and “Hallelujah” still hadn’t a contributor for The New Yorker, Candidate(s). April 9 from 7 a.m. to 9 been released as a single. After two GQ, Entertainment Weekly, Elle and p.m.: Trustee Election/Budget Vote. disappointing outings, how did one the Oxford American. See story inside for information about obscure song become an interna- The multi-talented Tom Ca- becoming a library trustee. tional anthem for human triumph vanagh will provide live musical and tragedy, a song each successive accompaniment. Books will be avail- generation seems to feel they have able for purchase and signing. FOL BookSwap discovered and claimed as uniquely This program is sponsored by The Friends of the Library Paperback their own? the Friends of the Library Swap returns Saturday, March 9 from Through in-depth interviews 1 to 4 p.m. Bring your adult, teen and children’s paperbacks – good condi- tion only! – to the library’s meeting room for a free, friendly swap. No more than 20 books per person. SoundSwap welcomes Arlon Bennett Books are not accepted in advance. Note that we make an exception for On Wednesday, February 6 a few of the themes of his ordinary hardcover children’s books including at 7:30 p.m., we’ll welcome singer/ yet extraordinary vignettes. board books. songwriter Arlon Bennett to the Recently, Arlon was invited to library stage as the first performer perform his song “Be the Change” in this year’s SoundSwap series. in a concert lineup that also includ- Book & Author News Arlon Bennett’s presence in the ed Bruce Hornsby and Crosby, Stills Save the date for the Friends of the folk/Americana scene is continually & Nash. Arlon’s music crossed into Library Annual Book & Author Lun- growing. While accumulating song- another field when the New York cheon on Friday, May 17, featuring writing awards throughout North Mets chose the title track of Sum- Pulitzer finalist David Nasaw, author America, he has opened for such mer’s Voice to be featured in a tribute of The Patriarch: The Remarkable acts as Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze), video to Hall of Fame sportscaster Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Jill Sobule, Michael Smith and Les- Bob Murphy at Shea Stadium. Kennedy and Will Schwalbe, author of ley Gore, and has performed with There’s always something NYT best-seller The End of Your Life Livingston Taylor. Arlon was twice meaningful in Arlon’s songs because Book Club. Look for more information selected by Noel ‘Paul’ Stookey to he recognizes the power of music, in next month’s newsletter or at www. perform in his Music2Life show- and with that in mind, he frequently pwpl.org/fol. case, which features America’s best participates in fundraising efforts songs of social consciousness. Arlon for numerous charitable causes. is equally proud that his lyrics to In live performances, Arlon’s foot- “The Ace in Grace” (from his 1999 tapping songs draw chills, laughs debut Fountain of Dreams) were and the contemplative “hmmm . .” used in the official statue dedication while he engages audiences with an of late tennis champion, humanitar- All-American “aw-shucks” charisma ian and personal hero Arthur Ashe. that you don’t see around too often. On Summer’s Voice, Arlon’s His music comes from the third and latest release, he lets lis- heart. “It’s the most rewarding way teners eavesdrop on a conversation to communicate,” says Arlon. “… with a Vietnam veteran, go on a bus and I wouldn’t have it any other ride with Rosa Parks, and enjoy a way.” red-light kiss on a third date – just Pianist Pei-Yao Wang appears with violist Veit Hertenstein onSunday, February 10 at 3 p.m. Financial Counseling Workshop Series with financial advisor Samuel J. Schiff Limited registration is in progress, in-person or by calling the Information Desk at 883-4400, Ext. 136. Is Your Money Ready for “The New Retirement?” • Manage your investment risk Monday, March 4 at 7 p.m. • Benefit from tax-deferred accumulation Join us for a workshop that will focus on: • Provide a death benefit to heirs • How the changing retirement landscape could affect you • Keep part of your estate out of probate • The impact of economic and market trends • What to expect from pension plans in the future Are You in Control of Your Financial Future? • The outlook for Social Security Monday, March 18 at 7 p.m. • How much you can expect to spend on health care in retirement Join us for a workshop that will focus on: • The effects of taxes and inflation on your retirement portfolio • Five things you can do to take control of your financial future • How your investing personality can affect your financial decisions Income for Life • Methods for choosing appropriate asset allocation for your portfolio Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m. • Retirement savings strategies for today’s uncertain financial climate Proper planning could help you: • How you can begin investing for the long term • Create an income source that could last a lifetime • How to establish a wealth preservation plan through estate conservation Moshe Gold speaks on James Joyce The Friends of the Library announces its Edmund L. Epstein Memorial Lecture on Sunday, March 3 at 3 p.m. Professor Ed Epstein was an ardent supporter of the Friends of the Library and an internation- ally known literary scholar who specialized in James Joyce. He was a long-time Port Washington resident known for his lectures at the library sponsored by FOL and the book discussion group he led. The lecture, on a literary theme related to James Joyce, will be given by Dr. Moshe Gold of Fordham University, a friend and colleague of Mr. Epstein’s. Moshe Gold is associate professor and director of the writ- ing program at Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus. He holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University, and is co-editor of Joyce Studies Annual. His areas of interest include Mod- ern British Literature, Literary & Cultural Theory and Film. The Inauguration Day Quilt, Mixed Media Collage, 27” x 39,” 2010 Robin J. Miller / Rhythms of a Faithful Journey During February, the Art of the Year. She has conducted art Her mixed media collage quilts Advisory Council exhibits mixed workshops for teachers across the span from slavery to presidency. media collage quilts by artist Robin city in many venues including the She is working on two books to J. Miller. Metropolitan Museum of Art and accompany this collection while In July 2012, Robin retired MOMA. the museum executes plans for from the NYC school system after In 1992 she created a print ad this exhibit to travel across the more than thirty successful and for Pepsi honoring Dr. Martin Luther country. joyous years of teaching. She was King, Jr. under the pseudonym r.j. Robin recently received an a special education teacher for the scribbles. She is currently a resi- award from the Talladega College first half of her career and ended dent artist at the African American Alumni Association of Greater as a highly celebrated art educator. Museum of Nassau County in Hemp- New York for outstanding contri- During her years as a teacher of stead, where her poem and tempera butions in art education, innovative visual arts, Robin became a facilita- illustrations of a Ugandan village are techniques,volume of work, her tor for NYC’s Blueprint for the Arts on display. passion and creativity with African and earned the honors of both NYC Robin specializes in African American heritage art and poetry. Edmund L. Epstein and NYS Region 8 Art Educator American Heritage art and poetry. Share your life stories The Port Washington Public Library, in partnership with the Great Neck Senior Center, offers an opportunity for our residents to share their stories on Wednesday, March 6 at 1 p.m. at the library.