Get into the festive spirit and come enjoy the Trinity Bell Choir as they perform their annual holiday concert at the Library this evening beginning at 7:30 p.m. 
The Lexington Court Garden Club is offering a fully decorated Christmas tree for raffle. The tree is currently on display in the main lobby at the Library, decorated with the theme “A Nature Christmas Sparkle."
Earlier this month President George Bush announced that a Marine Battalion will be sent to Afghanistan rather than Iraq in November, to be followed by an Army combat brigade in January. The next day Congress is warned by chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen that sending more troops to Afghanistan will not guarantee victory. Concern is growing as the American people watch the United States death toll continue to rise in that country. 
Beginning at 6:00 p.m., the Library will welcome Art Rooney, Jr., second son of Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. who was “The Chief” and founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers Football Club. Mr. Rooney, Jr. will discuss his book “Ruanaidh: The Story of Art Rooney and His Clan.” Described as “Part memoir, part anecdotal history of Pittsburgh's North Side, where the author grew up, and part football book, ‘Ruanaidh’ follows to its conclusion the extraordinary life of Art Rooney, Sr. - the Chief.” Mr. Rooney will remain for a book signing at the conclusion of his presentation.
Appearing in the Library Main Lobby at 7:00 p.m. will be “Songs from Italy: Christina Chirumbolo in Concert.” Called the “American girl with an Italian heart,” soprano Christina Chirumbolo and her combo group will perform selections from her recently released debut CD “The Stranger.” Her performance will be followed by a reception, open to the public, from 8:00-8:30 p.m. Ms. Chirumbolo, a recent graduate of Canon-McMillan High School and Carnegie Mellon University, is making her dream of becoming a professional singer come true. She describes her music as "Italian Folk Fusion,” which she explains is “…Italian music with a pop flair and an influence of jazz." To hear a sample of Christina’s music, visit her web site.
Dr. Schuyler Foerster will open the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh 2008-09 International Affairs Series at the library this Thursday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. He will offer a look at where we are as a country seven years after 9/11, and where we are going in terms of security and foreign policy. Dr. Foerster is President of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and is the first speaker we will host in this year's series called,"Looking to the Future: the U.S. and the World." 
Soon schools across the nation will reopen soon following the traditional summer break. Check out the books on display in our main lobby to help you and your family prepare for a successful school year! Some titles include:
Saturday, October 4 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., followed by a reception open to the public until 8:30 p.m. Called the "American girl with an Italian heart, soprano Christina Chirumbolo will perform at a special "after hours" concert at the library. She describes her music as "Italian Folk Fusion," with she explains is "...Italian music with a pop flair and an influence of jazz." Visit her web site and enjoy a sample of her music!
Saturday, September 13 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. 
Thurs., Nov. 6 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
We've recently added to our collection just about all the books from O, the Oprah Magazine's 2008 Summer Reading List for your reading pleasure. Three titles are still on order but will be added shortly. This weekend a display was placed in the main lobby with some of the books available and a bookmark listing all the recommended titles. Email me at caweaver@ptlibrary.org, and I can send you a list of the titles for you to review and look for on your next visit to the library.
Due to its popularity with our patrons, the Wii Sports for Seniors program will continue on Monday mornings throughout the summer. The program dates are July 14, 21, 28 and August 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Teen Room. 
Back by popular demand, Exhibit Designer Nancy Vejlstrup will return to the Peters Township Public Library to present “Trash to Treasure” on Saturday, July 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The program will demonstrate how to turn “trash” into unique gardening “treasures” by potting them with green and flowering plants. 
On Monday we had several new people attend the Wii Sports program, including Terri Johnson and Harry Funk from the Observer-Reporter. Read Terri's feature article about the program. A terrific video showing some of our library patrons in action was created by Harry Funk and Rebecca Mack. View the video and see what Wii Sports is all about! Linda Wilson Fuoco of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joined us as well, and her article was featured in the Sunday Washington edition of the paper. Stop in for our next session on Monday, June 30 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Photo courtesy of the Observer-Reporter.
The first session of our new Wii Sports for Seniors program was this past Monday, and it was a great success! Several patrons were enjoying an exciting bowling match when I stopped in the room to observe. 
If you haven't already, it's not too late to sign up for our Summer Reading Programs for children and teens! This year's theme is "Catch the Reading Bug!" and it's all about bugs, insects, and other creepy creatures! Programs are available for all ages, birth – 5th grade and up, plus awesome new ones for Teens and Tweens in the new Teen Reading Room. Each level features weekly programs with plenty of games, prizes, and uggy buggy ant-ics! The insect fun lasts for eight weeks from June 16 – August 8, concluding with a special Ugly Bug Ball for all our participants. There is a small $5 program fee payable at time of registration.
The book selection for the evening club for June 11 is "Memoirs of a Geisha: A Novel" by Arthur Golden. From Library Journal: "I wasn't born and raised to be a Kyoto geisha....I'm a fisherman's daughter from a little town called Yoroido on the Sea of Japan." How nine-year-old Chiyo, sold with her sister into slavery by their father after their mother's death, becomes Sayuri, the beautiful geisha accomplished in the art of entertaining men, is the focus of this fascinating first novel. Narrating her life story from her elegant suite in the Waldorf Astoria, Sayuri tells of her traumatic arrival at the Nitta okiya (a geisha house), where she endures harsh treatment from Granny and Mother, the greedy owners, and from Hatsumomo, the sadistically cruel head geisha. But Sayuri's chance meeting with the Chairman, who shows her kindness, makes her determined to become a geisha. Under the tutelage of the renowned Mameha, she becomes a leading geisha of the 1930s and 1940s... Golden, with degrees in Japanese art and history, has brilliantly revealed the culture and traditions of an exotic world, closed to most Westerners. Highly recommended.
The book selection for the afternoon club meeting on June 18 is "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls. From Publishers Weekly: Families looking for a low-cost, tax-smart way to fund higher education will want to plan on attending a program about nowU Pennsylvania 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP)at the library on Tuesday, May 13 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The Peters Township High School Photography Classes will exhibit their work in the main lobby of the Peters Township Public Library from May 1st – 15th during library hours. "The Gallery" is a display of hundreds of student photographs from the classes and club at the high school. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has attempted to reinvent Russia into a major independent world power. Some of his recent policies have provoked concern in the United States and Europe. This will be a timely subject as Vladimir Putin leaves office on May 7 set to become the new Prime Minister of Russia and has agreed to lead the country’s dominant United Russia Party. Although President-elect Dimitri Medvedev is considered to be a protégé of incumbent President Vladimir Putin, many question whether Medvedev or Putin will rule Russia. Political analysts argue that Mr. Putin will retain enormous influence in Russian political life after he leaves office. The audience will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with Dr. Harris regarding this important topic.
Soccer fans and players in Peters Township will kick off the spring soccer season at a special event at the Peters Township Public Library, reliving all the exciting action of Peters Township’s victory against Downingtown West in the PIAA Class AAA boys' soccer championship. The match will be shown on the big screen in the library’s main lobby, and players from the championship team will attend the program, along with their Coach Bob Dyer.
About the Presenter: Mary Jo Rulnick is the author of The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Feeding Family and Friends and co-author of The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Life. Rulnick was the #1 Best Selling Author on Internet Book Database. She’s a feature writer for Pittsburgh Parent Magazine, columnist for Family Digest and has had over 200 articles printed in publications across the country and Canada. Mary Jo is a regular guest on TV and radio programs, including KDKA’s Morning Show, the jenniferTV show on WTAE and WQed’s OnQ Magazine. For more information about Mary Jo, check out MaryJoRulnick.com.
Over 75 parents and family members arrived early Saturday morning at the Peter Township High School for "FAFSA Completion Day" sponsored by PHEAA and the Library. Presenter Lisa Diehl from the Educational Opportunity Center of Southwestern PA (EOC-SWPA), gave an excellent overview of the college financial aid process followed by detailed instructions on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many questions were answered and those in attendance found the program very helpful.
