What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in December

November 30, 2016November 14, 2016 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Thanksgiving is but a memory as we move full steam ahead into the December holiday season. We hope you can take some time out of your busy schedules to spend some time with us this month! Here are a few of the programs scheduled for December at CPL:

The Nutcracker by the Brass City Ballet

Saturday Dec 3, 2016, 11:00 – 11:55 AM

This FREE program will be a shortened version of the beautiful classic and will take place right here at The Cheshire Public Library. Children and adults alike are sure to enjoy the up-close and personal performance by the dancers. For all ages, no registration required.

‘Remembering Katharine Hepburn’ with Ann Nyberg

Saturday Dec 3, 2016, 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Please join journalist, author, and news achor Ann Nyberg as she shares her latest book Remembering Katharine Hepburn: Stories of Wit and Wisdom About America’s Leading Lady. Nyberg interviews and shares stories and photos from the people who knew Katherine Hepburn and cared for her––her friends, her fans, her family, and her neighbors. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration required.

Sunday Concert: Connecticut Yankee Chorus

Sunday Dec 4, 2016, 2:00 PM

The CT Yankee Chorus is an all-male singing ensemble based in the Meriden-Wallingford area and has been a part of the Barbershop Harmony Society for over 60 years. Join us for a concert of cappella four-part harmony chorus and quartet singing featuring traditional favorites and holiday music. Free and open to the public, no registration required.

Facebook For Everyone

Monday Dec 5, 2016, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

The Holiday Season is just around the corner. Come to the Cheshire Public Library and learn how to create a Facebook account, connect with friends, family, share photos and videos, send messages, get updates and more. Registration required.

Retro Holiday Movie Nights

Thursday Dec 8, 15, and 22, 2016, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Ugly holiday sweaters strongly encouraged but not required. Light refreshments will be served for this adult program.

Dec 8 – Scrooged
Dec 15 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Dec 22 – Home Alone

Kids Create: Homemade Gifts

Saturday Dec 10, 2016, 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Kids are invited to craft and create from 2 to 3:30 pm. Library staff and teen volunteers will be on hand to help little elves create and wrap their gifts. Caregivers are encouraged to help their children craft. If children wish to work with the volunteers instead, parents must remain in the library during the program. For ages 5-11, registration required.

Jewelry Jam

Tuesday Dec 13, 2016, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Come for a free, fun evening of jewelry making. Seating is very limited and registration is required. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4. This adult only program is sponsored by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library.

Emerging Technologies – presented by Verizon

Wednesday Dec 14, 2016, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Do you ever wonder how to stay on top with the latest technologies? If yes, come to the library and find out what the newest technology trends are and how to select the right device for you or for your family members. You will learn about: Computers, Cell Phones, Tablets, WiFi and much more. Registration required.

Fab Film: The Polar Express

Saturday Dec 17, 2016, 2:00 – 3:45 PM

Come enjoy some great box office kids’ movies with Fab Films at The Cheshire Public Library! Watch The Polar Express and enjoy hot chocolate! Rated G | Runtime: 100 minutes. All Ages. No registration required.

Holly Jolly Christmas Family Storytime

Tuesday Dec 20, 2016, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

A Christmas-themed storytime for children of all ages and their families. We’ll read stories, sing some classic Christmas songs about snow and Santa, and create a craft together. All ages. No registration required.

Family Yoga

Tuesday Dec 27, 2016, 10:00 – 10:45 AM

Connect with your whole family with an all ages yoga class that is presented by Lani Rosen-Gallagher from Full of Joy Yoga. These classes are fun for the whole family! We will do lots of partner poses, group poses and of course relaxation. All ages, families are welcome. Registration required.

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Hole-y Cow

November 21, 2016October 17, 2016 / Susan O. / Leave a comment

Way back when, when actors were still called entertainers, Hollywood stars were multi-talented individuals who sang, danced, and acted well – your Shirley Temples, Judy Garlands, Gene Kellys, and so many more. Studios knew they could not only rake in money off the films, but a Christmas album was a sure winner, and possibly even a touring performance.

Today, most actors are carefully pigeon-holed into one role, and there are very few “entertainers” who can successfully cross bridges in the industry. Some actors are talented musicians – Hugh Laurie plays a mean jazz piano, and Charo – yes, Charo the cuchi cuchi girl – was, at least at one point, one of the top three flamenco guitarists in the world. You have to see it to believe it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmNPXqG6ovg. Some comedians are excellent dramatists – Robin Williams for one. But some agents push actors with no talent into music, with embarrassing results. Ever listen to Clint Eastwood sing? Or William Shatner? Save yourself, and don’t Google Hulk Hogan singing.

But every now and then you hit the jackpot, and Kiefer Sutherland is one of them. Yes, That Kiefer Sutherland, whether killing as a vampire or saving people in under 24 hours, the Kiefer Sutherland whose father runs Pan Em and praises orange juice, second-generation Hollywood. The man can Sing.

Sutherland’s debut album is called Down in a Hole, and although it’s labeled country (and the steel guitars on a few tracks clinch it), the album is the closest thing I’ve heard in ages that resembles good old-fashioned rock and roll, the kind you can’t find on the radio anymore. Do NOT disregard the album because you don’t like country – it is well worth a listen. Sutherland has a rough and ready voice, Joe Cocker after four packs of unfiltered Camels – no polished music-school certificates here.

My favorite, I think, is “Going Home,” which has that glorious old rock feel. “Shirley Jean” is a tear-jerker, but almost more folk than country, not out of place in a Pete Seeger repertoire. “Not Enough Whiskey” isn’t my favorite, but it has a sweet rolling beat that just won’t let go. “I’ll Do Anything” is probably the most “country” song, steel strings twanging and pearl snaps shining. “All She Wrote” sounds like it was a track that didn’t make the final cut of a Sons of Anarchy album – you can almost hear the leather creaking.

Not too many singers/bands are successful at crossing the country/ rock line – The Eagles are probably the best example, maybe the Allman Brothers, with some singers – Dolly Parton (9 to 5), Kenny Rogers (The Gambler), Glen Campbell (Southern Nights, Rhinestone Cowboy), and Shania 4873bw Twain kicking occasional songs onto both country and pop charts at once. Kiefer Sutherland is another to watch – and the fact he has a severe hearing loss makes it all the more amazing. This is his debut album, and I cannot wait for the next one.

What’s Trending at Cheshire Public Library

October 17, 2016September 6, 2016 / Linda / Leave a comment

what's trending movie

It was a long, very hot summer, and a lot of people took advantage of our extensive DVD collection to enjoy some movies at home. During June, July and August, our circulation for adult DVDs and Blu Rays topped over 15,500! Here are the 15 most popular adult/family film titles that were checked out this summer.

Brooklyn – A young Irish immigrant travels to New York City and is torn between two countries and two men.

The Hateful Eight – A stagecoach hurtles through the wintry Wyoming landscape. The passengers, bounty hunter John Ruth and his fugitive Daisy Domergue, race towards the town of Red Rock.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – Elizabeth Bennet, a master of martial arts, and Mr. Darcy, a fierce zombie killer, must swallow their pride in order to conquer the undead.

Deadpool – Witness the origin story of Wade Wilson, who adopts the alter ego Deadpool after a rogue experiment leaves him with accelerated healing powers…and a dark, twisted sense of humor.

Bridge of Spies – An American insurance lawyer is recruited by the CIA to rescue an American pilot detained in the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The Peanuts Movie – Prepare to dream big and laugh out loud with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved Peanuts gang in this all-new animated adventure for the whole family!

Daddy’s Home – Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg face off in the ultimate Dad vs. Step-Dad showdown! Brad (Ferrell), who always dreamed of having the perfect family, is determined to become the best step-dad to his new wife’s (Linda Cardellini) children.

Zoolander 2 – When the world’s most beautiful people are in danger, former models Derek and Hansel are recruited for a top secret mission to defeat the criminal mastermind Mugatu.

Jurassic World – Owen and Claire race to restore order at Jurassic World theme park when a ferocious genetically modified dinosaur escapes.

The Good Dinosaur – An epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend.

The Big Short – Based on the true story of four outsiders who saw what the big banks, media and government refused to: the global collapse of the economy. A bold investment leads them into the dark underbelly of banking, where everyone and everything is in question.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – A young boy on his eleventh birthday discovers, he is the orphaned boy of two powerful wizards and has unique magical powers.

Everest – Everest documents the deadly journey of two mountain climbing expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind.

Love the Coopers – A chaotic family reunion leads to a joyful rediscovery of family bonds and the magic of love in this sparkling, all-star comedy

Spotlight – Chronicles the true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered a decades-long cover-up of child abuse within the local Catholic Archdiocese.

From Apocalypse to Zombies

October 3, 2016September 16, 2016 / Susan O. / Leave a comment

images The concept of dead people returning to life is probably as old as civilization. Ancient Egypt and mummies aside, Child Ballads such as The Unquiet Grave and The Usher’s Wife (Lady Gay) date back to at least the 1400’s. It’s arguable that Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1817) may be considered the first literary zombie (barring Lazarus), a man made of dead parts brought back to life, even if he wasn’t after brains.

The true zombie was born in 1968 with the release of George A. Romero’s cult classic Night of the Living Dead, about grisly undead ghouls who feasted on human flesh – the term zombie hadn’t really been invented yet. Made for a paltry $114,000, filmed in black and white, it contained a level of violence and gore never before seen. There was only one problem – the MMPA rating system wouldn’t be in place for another month: Night of the Living Dead, the most gruesome movie ever made at that time, was essentially a General Audience film, and unsuspecting children (and adults) were never the same again.

For a few decades, hard core zombies were relegated to third-rate theaters and 2 am film slots, but began to stagger slowly into the mainstream. Although you have favorites like Scooby Doo at Zombie Island (1998), “Modern” zombies – those whose roots are usually virus-oriented – surged in popularity with the graphic novel The Walking Dead (2003), which spawned the highly popular television series The Walking Dead (2010-present). This was followed by the spoof Shaun of the Dead (2004), the novel World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War which became a major film in 2013, and a veritable epidemic of zombie books, television shows, and films, including The Zombie Survival Guide, The Zombie Combat Manual, and The Art of Eating Through the Zombie Apocalypse. Strangely, these books are more serious than they should be. Even the Centers for Disease Control got in on it, posting their preparedness recommendations for dealing with zombies in 2011 in a push to get people to be prepared for disasters .

If you’re hard core, of course stick to the masters: Night of the Living Dead, and Day of the Dead. If you’re nerves can’t handle that (like mine), there are plenty of other choices that are less gory or humorous. Zombieland is an A-list take on the issue that is full of humor and lower on gore. Maggie stars Arnold Schwartzenegger in probably his most serious role ever, as a father whose daughter is slowly becoming a zombie. Z Nation is an enjoyable TV series that isn’t quite as serious as The Walking Dead. The Last Ship is a new television series about a group who survives the apocalypse on a boat, and tries to round up survivors.

If you only like classical literature, fear not. Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies will not leave you behind. There is a book and a newly released DVD, which is utterly delightful, full of classic period speech and women in romantic Empire gowns slicing zombies with ninja skill. Slightly different but still in the realm of classic undead, give Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter a try. Like your films completely different? No mention of zombies would be complete without some reference to Michael Jackson’s 1983 Thriller video, which, at 13 minutes, would qualify as a short film.

Whether you take them seriously or not, whether your zombies are what they are because of curses or disease, whether you like to watch saws cut through flesh or you’re battling nuisance zombies on a quest to find the last box of Twinkies, there’s a zombie book or film for you.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in October

September 28, 2016September 22, 2016 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

From Phantom to Scavenger Hunt to Halloween Fun, our programs have something for everyone this month!

Phantom of the Opera

Saturday Oct 1, 2016, 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first performance of Phantom of the Opera, the longest running musical on Broadway. Watch a performance of Phantom filmed on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London and starring Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess. No registration required.
Meet the Phantom!
Pose for pictures with the Phantom before and after the show!
Refreshments will be served.

Breaking Bread: Is Gluten-Free For You?

Monday Oct 3, 2016, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

You’ve heard all this talk about the gluten-free diet. But what is it? And how do you know if you are one of the 30% of the population who should be on it? Heather Jacobsen, author of GOING GLUTEN-FREE: 7 Surprising Facts You Should Know if You Want to Achieve Dietary Success, will discuss just what the gluten-free diet is all about, and whether or not you might benefit from it. If you suffer from chronic symptoms of one kind or another, you might find some answers in her discussion. Registration required.

Learn How to Self-Manage Your Health

Wednesdays Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, 2016, 12:30 – 3:00 PM

Attend a FREE 6-week Live Well workshop and learn skills to understand and take control of your ongoing health condition. Learn better ways of dealing with pain, fatigue, difficult emotions, anxiety and stress. Learn easy exercises to help improve or maintain strength and energy. Learn ways to improve your nutrition, appropriate use of medications, and more. Sponsored by the Western CT Area Agency on Aging, the State of CT Department of Aging, and the CT Department of Public Health. Please register for each workshop online.

Internet Safety Seminar

2 sessions:

Wednesday Oct 5, 2016, 1:30 – 3:00 PM, or
Thursday Oct 6, 2016, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Staff from Apex Technology Group will give a presentation on Internet safety, specifically the following topics:

Phishing
Ransomare
Malware
Passwords
Email safety
Good browsing habits

There will be an open forum for Q&A after the session, along with handouts with additional helpful information. Please register online.

Town-Wide Instagram Scavenger Hunt

Saturday Oct 8, 2016, 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Grab your family, friends, and mobile device for the second annual Town-Wide Scavenger Hunt! Form a team and assemble at the Library in the morning, then go all around Cheshire snapping photos of clues and posting them to Instagram. Later, meet back at the library for a party and prizes. Learn a little local history and have a lot of fun! Children and adults of all ages are welcome to participate. Teams must provide their own transportation and smartphone/tablet with data service and Instagram app. Registration required. (Registration opens September 1 and ends Friday, October 7.)

Author Talk: Tracey Medeiros

Wednesday Oct 12, 2016, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Join cookbook author Tracey Medeiros for a discussion of her book, The Connecticut Farm Table Cookbook, along with a cooking demo. The Connecticut Farm Table Cookbook brings home cooks a stellar collection of 150 delicious recipes from the Nutmeg State’s celebrated chefs and the dedicated farmers, fishers, ranchers, foragers, and cheese makers they partner with to create dynamic New American and New England fare. Ms. Medeiros will sign copies of her book at the end of the program. Purchase copies of her book in advance at your local bookstore or online. Registration required.

Tea and Food Pairings

Thursday Oct 13, 2016, 6:00 PM

Step out of the cold and enjoy some hot tea with Unionville’s own Culteavo! Owner Viviana Pinhasi will take you into the complex and fascinating world of teas, focusing on what foods pair best with different types of tea. Culteavo Tea Shop in Unionville is a local gourmet tea shop offering over 100 kinds of loose-leaf tea, including black, green, oolong and white teas, as well as herbal infusions and tea blends. Space is limited for this adult only program, please register early.

Zumba® for Kids

Friday Oct 14, 2016, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Join us for an hour filled with energy and exercise routines created to the latest music, like hip-hop, reggaeton and cumbia. Zumba® also increases focus and self-confidence, boosts metabolism, and improves coordination and balance. For all ages. [Parents and/or caregivers are welcome to participate with their children.] No Registration Required.

Halloween Donuts with Grownups

Saturday Oct 15, 2016, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Enjoy this Halloween-themed Donuts with Grownups. Dress up to get in the spirit! Donuts with Grownups Storytime is designed especially for working families with children ages 2 and up who can’t make it to our weekday storytimes. Enjoy crafts, activities, music, stories, and of course Donuts as a family! Each session will also have a literacy building station to help young ones start building necessary pre-literacy skills or enhance those skills for older children. Dads are highly encouraged to attend! No registration required.

Documentary Screening of Dark Side of the Full Moon

Monday Oct 17, 2016, 6:00 PM

Documentary Screening of Dark Side of the Full Moon (75 min), followed by Q&A Panel. This film about postpartum mood disorders is both informative and a call to action. If you are someone interested or concerned about the well-being of mothers, babies and families, please come. Light Refreshments Available. Please register online.

Halloween Read Aloud with FEA

Wednesday Oct 19, 2016, 3:30 – 4:15 PM

Come and read with the Future Educators of America (FEA) from Dodd Middle School! Dress up to get in the spirit. There will be stories, crafts, and a snack. For ages 3-6. Please register online.

Concert: Belle of the Fall

Saturday Oct 22, 2016, 2:00 PM

Belle of the Fall, an indie-rock vocal duo, will perform at 2:00 pm Saturday October 22 as part of the Cheshire Library’s week-long celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week (Oct. 16-22, 2016). Join us for a family-friendly concert and refreshments! Belle of the Fall is a male/female vocal duo featuring upright bass and guitar. Think Simon and Garfunkel if Art Garfunkel were female! Lots of harmonies and storytelling can be expected. Free and open to the public, No registration required.

Anime Club Halloween Cosplay Extravaganza

Friday Oct 28, 2016, 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Dress up and act like your favorite character: anime or otherwise! Prizes will be awarded and Japanese refreshments will be provided—this is one event you won’t want to miss!! For grades 7—12, No registration required.

Monster Mayhem Storytime

Saturday Oct 29, 2016, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Bring your favorite little monsters to our Monster Maheym Storytime and “let the wild rumpus start!” We will read some monster stories (not too scary) and enjoy some fun activities that will be sure to make you roar. Get ready to show your claws, gnash your teeth and stomp your feet! Costumes are welcome! Best suited for ages 2-6. Registration required.

Halloween Family Fun

Monday Oct 31, 2016, 4:00 PM

Come celebrate Halloween with activities that are fun the whole family. We will have games, spooky science experiments, and treats from 4-5pm, followed by a family dance party. Wear your costume and bring a friend! Best suited for ages 3 and up. Registration required.

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