Tales of Three Chrises

February 1, 2017December 23, 2016 / Susan O. / Leave a comment

While looking at upcoming films, I watched the newest trailer for the Wonder Woman movie (due June 2, 2017, and it looks fantastic), and was surprised to see actor Chris Pine in the role of Steve Trevor – I had no idea he was in the film. I like Chris Pine, he’s a worthy actor, and I think he’ll do a wonderful job in the role. But I can’t help but notice, he’s been cropping up in an awful lot of films lately.

Sometimes Hollywood gets hooked on a new actor and they become “hot” – in high demand because they seem to pull in audiences and thus make a lot of money, worthy or not. They may hang around a while, then fade off into obscurity when it’s realized they have no real talent, only to reappear on a C-grade cable network show pushing designer socks. Sometimes actors let their popularity run for a few years, make their money, and then get out altogether, to pursue directing, theater, music, or sometimes even a college degree.

But lately the name Chris seems to be the favorite in Hollywood – Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, and the other blockbuster, Chris Hemsworth. All are fine actors who have taken on roles that shot them to stardom, yet all have solid resumes of good films behind them even if you’ve never heard of them.

Chris Pine comes from an acting family – his dad was Robert Pine, Sgt. Getraer from CHiPs, and he’s one of those well-rounded actors with actual talent. Although currently best known for taking on the iconic role of Captain James Kirk in the Star Trek reboot, he’s done an array of very worthy films, from action hero in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, to wine maker in Bottleshock (a very underrated movie with an excellent cast), to Coast Guard skipper in The Finest Hours. If you doubt his acting talent, listen to his singing voice as he belts out the tune “Agony” in Into the Woods. If he runs out of films, he can switch easily to Broadway. If you’re of a certain age, or have daughters of a different age, you may remember him from Princess Diaries 2. He’s not just taking on any role to make a buck.

On the other end, you have Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who gained thirty pounds of pure muscle to take on the role of powerful comic book hero Thor in the multitude of Marvel films. But Hemsworth is not just eyecandy. His latest film was a comic role in the Ghostbusters reboot (okay, not exactly a great film, but not Thor either), but he’s popped up regularly in Snow White and the Huntsman, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, chasing Moby Dick in In The Heart of the Sea, racing cars in Rush, and escaping computer espionage in Black Hat, a worthwhile thriller though not of the same caliber of a Marvel film. He may look like he fell off the cover of a romance novel, but you can’t say he’s allowed himself to be typecast. He, too, was in the Star Trek reboot, as George Kirk, James T.’s father – a role he will be reprising in the next Star Trek film, which has not yet entered production (even though he’s three years younger than Chris Pine). If you really want entertainment, listen to him speak with his native Australian accent – you realize just how impressive his American accent is.

Chris Pratt landed two franchises – starring in the latest Jurassic Park flick, Jurassic World, as well as the lead of Peter Quill in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (and the upcoming GG2, due out May 5 of 2017, and the next Jurassic, in pre-production, and reprising his Peter Quill role in the Avengers Infinity War, currently filming – talk about busy!). AND he starred with Jennifer Lawrence in December’s new release, Passengers. Before taking over the action-hero trade, he appeared in such varied films as Zero Dark Thirty, Moneyball, and the recent star-studded western, The Magnificent Seven. Of the three, he’s also done extensive television, with recurring roles on Parks and Recreation, The O.C., and Everwood. He’s earned the right to be exhausted!

So while the weather is less than delightful, make it a weekend of high entertainment and Chris-cross some of these films off your list. No matter what your style of movie – westerns, intrigue, racing, science fiction, comic heroes, fairy tales, covert wars, musicals or more, one of these men has the perfect film for you.

Collection Spotlight: Magazines for Children and Teens

January 30, 2017January 13, 2017 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Cheshire Public Library subscribes to a variety of magazine, both in print and digitally. Print Magazines for adults are kept on the lower level, and get a good amount of traffic. Our digital offerings via Zinio and Overdrive also get a good deal of use. However, I think people forget about the print magazines we carry for our children and young adult readers.

Our children’s magazines live on and end caps of the children’s chapter books shelves. Included with the children’s magazines are a few selections for parents and family reading. New items are on one side of the shelf and back issues are on the opposite end of the same shelf.

The young adult magazines are housed in the teen room in a corner by the bistro table and end of the manga collection. All magazines circulate for a two week loan period, but are renewable. If the issue you are looking for is not available a hold can be placed on it. Simply stop by any service desk or call to place a hold.

Our children’s magazine collection includes: LEGO Club Magazine, The Horn Book Magazine, Kids Discover, Chop Chop, National Geographic Kids, Discovery Girls, Girls’ Life, American Girl, Ladybug, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Zoobooks, Ask!: Arts and Sciences for Kids, Plays, Muse, Highlights Hello, Ranger Rick, Ranger Rick Jr, Boys’ Life, Brick Journal, Highlights for Children, and Cobblestone.

The magazines for parents and family include: Practical Homeschooling, Parents , and Family Fun.

Our young adult magazine collection includes: Game Informer Magazine: For Video Game Enthusiasts, Teen Vogue, Mad, Seventeen, J-14, and Twis t.

Library Extension for Google Chrome makes finding library books even easier!

January 27, 2017January 17, 2017 / Louise / Leave a comment

We’ve just discovered something new – an extension for the Google Chrome browser that allows you to find books, music, and more at your local library as you browse the internet. That’s right, you don’t even have to be on our library website to see if we have a book you want! It’s called Library Extension, and it currently works only with the Google Chrome browser, but will soon be available for Firefox, as well.

four-browser-icons If you’re thinking “what’s a browser?”, it’s the program you use to enter (and browse) the internet. Windows computers usually come with Internet Explorer as their default browser, and Macs come with Safari as their default browser. Firefox and Google Chrome are two other browsers that can be installed on your computer, as well. “Extensions” are small software programs that can modify and enhance the functionality of the browser.

The “Library Extension” extension is kind of cool. Say you are looking up a book on Amazon:

Library Extension appears on the right side of the screen and tells you if your local library owns the book. You can even place a hold on the library book right from Amazon!

Similarly, the extension works with GoodReads:

In this case, the library holdings show up below the book description. Library Extension currently works on Barnes and Noble and Google Books sites, as well.

Try it out, it could make it easier to save some money on books this year. Borrow before you buy!

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in February?

January 25, 2017January 12, 2017 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

February is a short month, but there’s no shortage of great programs on our Event Calendar – here are just a few:

JobNow

Wednesday Feb 1, 2017, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Do you need help with your job search, your resume, or interviewing techniques? JobNow, powered by Brainfuse, provides live interactive online help combined with online resources to guide you through the necessary tasks to get a job, and is available free to CPL cardholders. No registration required for this workshop.

Color Yourself Calm

Thurs, Feb 2, and Mon, Feb 20, 2017, 6:00 PM

De-stress your busy life with a relaxing night of coloring. We’ll provide coloring pages and supplies, but feel free to bring your own pages and art supplies!

Preschool Fair

Saturday Feb 4, 2017, 1:00 – 3:30 PM

The Cheshire Public Library would like to invite you to participate in our Preschool Fair on Saturday, February 4. In the event of bad weather, the snow date will be March 4th. This program will allow you to meet and ask questions with preschools in the Cheshire area. Our objective is to provide you support by offering a one-stop-shop to community preschools in order to navigate through endless information regarding school facilities, personnel, and educational philosophies. No registration required.

Chinese New Year with Acrobat Li Liu

Saturday Feb 11, 2017, 11:00 – 11:45 AM

Celebrate the end of Chinese New Year with acrobat Li Liu! For all ages, no registration required.

Folk Duo Andy and Judy Daigle

Sunday Feb 12, 2017, 2:00 PM

Talented folk duo Andy & Judy Daigle blend popular folk covers with their growing list of original songs. he New England natives have been singing together since 2009, first performing at open mic nights where they featured cover versions of songs written by favorites John Prine, Bob Dylan, Ian and Sylvia, and Peter, Paul & Mary. This concert is free and open to the public, no registration required.

Awesome Jr. : Edible Architecture

Tuesday Feb 14, 2017, 4:00 – 4:45 PM

School-age kids in grades K-2 are invited to Awesome Jr. for fun with science, technology, engineering, art, and math. We’ll read stories, conduct experiments, play with apps, and make works of art. Today we’re going to make edible architecture out of frosting, graham crackers, pretzels, and other yummy building materials. Registration is required.

Cheshire C.A.T.s

Thursday Feb 16, 2017, 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Are you looking to give back to your community? Fulfill a community service requirement? Have fun? Consider becoming a member of the Cheshire Council of Advisory Teens (Cheshire CATs). Just what IS Cheshire CATS you ask? It’s a group of dedicated teens who are interested in making a difference at the Cheshire Public Library. Members will play a critical role in developing the library’s young adult collection, young adult outreach, event planning and marketing, and making the library a friendlier place for young adults. Members will meet monthly, earn community service credit and will have a direct impact on teen life at the library. No registration required, join us!

Paint Night

Thursday Feb 16, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Escape from the clutches of winter at our Tropical Paradise Paint Night…come dressed in your favorite summer outfit and be transported to a scene by the sea, where all of your thoughts drift into hues of summer. No experience necessary, only a desire for fun and relaxation. We will explore basic techniques to create your masterpiece. Registration required for this adult program.

Pete the Cat Party

Saturday Feb 18, 2017, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Join us for the coolest storytime around! We’ll read some of our favorite Pete the Cat books, do lots of singing and dancing, and make our own musical instruments. Pete the Cat himself will be dropping by for hugs, high-fives, and photos. It’s all good! For children of all ages and their families. Registration is required.

Bird Feeders In Winter

Thursday Feb 23, 2017, 6:30 PM

Angela Dimmitt who will help us identify birds that you might typically see at your bird feeders and discuss which type of feeders and feed will attract particular birds. She is a member of Litchfield Hills Audubon Society, the Western Connecticut Bird Club and the Connecticut Ornithological Association. Registration is required.

Zumba

Saturday Feb 25, 2017, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Have you been wondering what Zumba is and if it’s right for you? Zumba is a popular dance based fitness program inspired by Latin music and dance. It’s Different, it’s Fun, it’s Effective and it’s Easy to do! Come and experience Zumba!! This Zumba demonstration for adults presented by Donna Paventy-certified Zumba instructor from the Cheshire Community YMCA. Registration is required.

Introduction to Computers

Tuesday Feb 28, 2017, 2:00 PM

Join us to learn the basic computer skills including the different parts of a computer, how to use a mouse and keyboard, how to turn the computer on and off properly and how to navigate the desktop. This class is for individuals with little to no experience with computers. Registration is required.

Dealing with Anxiety

January 23, 2017January 3, 2017 / Mary / Leave a comment

face-sad-sweating Angst, anxiety, stress,–whichever way you describe it, it’s a feeling everyone has experienced and the last few months have raised anxiety and stress levels higher than ever.

While everyone feels the occasional need to crawl into a blanket fort, most of us don’t have that luxury. Yet some days soldiering on can be painful, if not impossible.

If you are looking for a little ease or a way to calm your inner alarms, check out some of the materials we have on the subject of anxiety.

Books

The 10 best anxiety busters : simple strategies to take control of your worry / Dr. Margaret Wehrenberg
Learn ten simple techniques from breathing exercises and relaxation practices to thought-stopping techniques and strategies that put an end to catastrophizing once and for all.

My age of anxiety : fear, hope, dread, and the search for peace of mind / Scott Stossel
The author recounts his lifelong battle with anxiety, showing the many manifestations of the disorder as well as the treatments that have been developed to counteract it.

The anxiety toolkit : strategies for fine-tuning your mind and moving past your stuck points / Alice Boyes
While reducing your anxiety level to zero isn’t possible or useful (anxiety can actually be helpful!), you can learn to successfully manage symptoms with tips and tricks you can employ in everyday life. You’ll discover how anxiety works and learn strategies to help you cope with common anxiety ‘stuck’ points.

Seeking serenity : the 10 new rules for health and happiness in the age of anxiety / Amanda Enayati
Seeking Serenity presents ten revolutionary principles developed from the emerging science of stress and reinforced by literature, philosophy and age-old spiritual wisdom that help us to differentiate between destructive and constructive stress, and to master stress in everyday life.

eBooks

The stress solution: using empathy and cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce anxiety and develop resilience / Arthur P. Ciaramicoli, EdD, PhD
“We work too much, sleep too little, love with half a heart, and wonder why we are unhappy and unhealthy,” writes clinical psychologist Arthur Ciaramicoli. Learn simple, realistic, powerful techniques for using empathy and cognitive behavioral therapy to perceive situations accurately and correct distorted thinking.

Anxiety Attacks : Conquering Your Insecurities, Anxieties and Fears / Atcheson, Lucy.
Discover how and why your doubts make you feel trapped and insecure and how you can acknowledge them in a healthy way and break free of their negative influence.

10 steps to take charge of your emotional life overcoming anxiety, distress, and depression through whole-person healing / Eve A. Wood
Dr. Wood makes healing a simple process that anyone can understand. She walks you through ten steps that encompass examples, stories, exercises, and guidance. You’ll take stock of where you are and discover what you can do to transform your life.

Downloadable Audiobooks

Freeing yourself from anxiety : 4 simple steps to overcome worry and create the life you want / Tamar E. Chansky
This book explains that the solution is not positive thinking but possible thinking. Armed with these strategies, listeners can achieve accurate perceptions of their lives that can liberate them from fear and perfectionism.

The mindful way through anxiety / Susan M. Orsillo, PhD
A powerful new alternative that can help you break free of anxiety by fundamentally changing how you relate to it.

Stopping the noise in your head: the new way to overcome anxiety and worry / Reid Wilson, PhD
Learn how to confront anxiety head-on. Drawing on a range of sources, from firefighters and fitness instructors to Sir Isaac Newton and Muhammad Ali, this book demonstrates the importance of shifting your perspective and stepping toward your challenges in order to regain control of your life.

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