Local musicians offer “An Evening of Jazz”

Ease into winter with “An Evening of Jazz” at the Peters Township Public Library on Thursday, January 26 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the library lobby. This free program will be hosted by the library’s Senior Advisory Council and feature accomplished local musicians Lee Robinson and Joseph Sheehan. Register to attend online or call 724-941-9430.

As a jazz saxophonist, digital sound artist and music experimenter, Peters Township resident Lee Robinson presents music with an exciting perspective. His focus is to transform his listeners of all ages with “sound.” He has been able achieve this goal by collaborating with poets, actors, visual artists and a computer programmer for a variety of exciting projects, including an impromptu jam with Drepung Monks on their visit to the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts to build a Mandala for peace in 2002. Traveling with his musical group he has performed in New York City, Toronto, Ontario, and Saitama City, Japan.

Joseph Sheehan is a composer, pianist, and educator rooted in classical, jazz, and world music traditions. Sheehan leads his own ensemble, Kinetic. A prolonged trip to Ghana, West Africa, to study traditional drumming, song, and dance had a profound effect on his musical language and philosophy. He aspires to create music that connects with audiences in deep and fulfilling ways. In Pittsburgh he has been active as a pianist in many several groups, and also as an educator, teaching music at Duquesne University and CCAC Boyce. He holds degrees in composition from Indiana University (Bloomington, IN) and Duquesne University.

Learn to eat well for your health

Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions for 2012 to eat better for your health, for more energy, or to lose weight? Sample delicious foods to help you on your mission at “Fabulous Recipes for Vibrant Health” on Thursday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Peters Township Public Library. Registration is required. There is a$10 program fee for the plentiful food samples. Register at the library circulation desk.

Presenting the program will be Janet McKee, Board Certified Holistic Health Counselor and a certified member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. The recipes to be sampled at the program are part of a collection of over 100 recipes that promote energy, vitality and longevity that McKee has complied and self-published. The cookbook includes recipes from appetizers to desserts like Blueberry Banana Superfood Protein Smoothie, Butternut Squash Soup with Fried Sage Leaves and Vegetable Stew with Spicy Sauce and Grains. Copies will be available for purchase at the program for $15. Cash, check or credit cards accepted. No Amex, Discover or debit cards.

“I want to help people understand how easy and enjoyable it is to take control of their health and to live a vibrant life. Knowing that preparing and enjoying delicious foods that are good for the body and which help us to prevent and sometimes reverse illness is something I want everyone to know, “says McKee.

Janet McKee is a board certified Holistic Health Counselor and a certified member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. After working in the corporate environment and obtaining her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, Ms. McKee pursued a career in health and wellness by attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in affiliation with Columbia University. She has a private practice where she helps her clients reach their personal wellness goals. She works with individuals as well as groups and teaches how food and lifestyle choices affect one’s overall health and well being.

Local teachers create program to inspire young readers

If you are a parent, teacher, or librarian struggling to find ways to motivate young children to read, three local teachers may have some of the answers you are seeking in their newly released book Personalized Reading: It’s a Piece of Pie. Nancy Hobbs, Kristen Sacco and Myra R. Oleynik will visit the Peters Township Public Library on Sunday, December 11 from 1-3 p.m. to discuss the PIE program featured in the book.

The three highly experienced teachers, one of whom is a school librarian, have found that the best way to encourage children to read isn't by offering them prizes through point systems. By showing elementary students the benefits of books through the PIE program—Personalized, Independent, Enrichment—teachers, librarians, and parents can motivate them to keep reading for the best reason: they've learned to love it. Utilizing the PIE program will teach students to make selections at an appropriate reading level, expand from choosing titles in the same genre or from the same author, and recognize and abandon a book of low interest to them. Within each chapter are explanations of the theories behind each step and practical ideas that teachers and librarians can implement collaboratively in the classroom and library. Parents will discover the top ten ways to help their children self-select books and how they can help to foster a love of reading in their children.

To attend this program register online, visit the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430. Copies of Personalized Reading: It’s a Piece of Pie, normally sold for $35, will be available at the event or to order for the special price of $25, cash or checks made payable to “Friends of the Peters Township Public Library.” Coordinating with the PIE-theme for that day, the library will also be hosting a Gingerbread House Making Contest with The Pie Place during that afternoon from 1-3 p.m. Call the library at 724.941.9430 for further details.

Nancy L. Hobbs is a third grade teacher in the Peters Township School District in Washington County, PA. Hobbs is a former elementary school administrator in both Indiana and Pennsylvania, and has taught grades K through 6. Hobbs earned her master's degree from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, and her doctorate in administrative and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

Myra R. Oleynik is K–3 library media specialist for 800 students at Bower Hill Elementary School, Venetia, PA, recently named Outstanding Library Media Center by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association. Oleynik is also K–5 library media specialist in the Peters Township School District, Washington County, PA—a role she has had for 15 years—and was an elementary classroom teacher for 13 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Grove City College, Grove City, PA, and an MLS degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Oleynik is a Keystone Technology Integrator and Pennsylvania Teacher Excellence honoree.

Kristen M. Sacco is a third grade teacher in the Peters Township School District in Washington County, PA. She has seventeen years' experience teaching in both Pennsylvania and Nevada, and has been an elementary school guidance counselor in the Las Vegas, NV area. Sacco earned her bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, and a master's degree in elementary school counseling from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.

Local author’s book reveals presidents as students and teachers

A new book by professor of education and chair of the Education Department of Washington and Jefferson College explores the student and teaching experiences of presidents and first ladies from George and Martha Washington to Barack and Michelle Obama. Dr. James McMurtry Longo will premier his new book From Classroom to White House: The Presidents and First Ladies as Students and Teachers at the Peters Township Public Library on Saturday, December 10 from 10-11:00 a.m. A book signing will follow the event. Seating is limited and registration is requested. To reserve your seat, please register online, visit the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

During his more than a decade of research, interviews, and travel, Longo discovered that few White House residents made model students. President Eisenhower, who was not always the best student, once wrote, “One cannot always read a man’s future in the record of his younger days.” Teachers reported that John F. Kennedy could “seldom locate his possessions,” found George H.W. Bush “somewhat eccentric,” and dubbed a sixth-grade Bill Clinton “a motormouth.” In addition to chronicling the school days of these historic figures, this volume also relates their teaching experiences, the educational issues they addressed during their White House years, and the intricacies of education at their time in history, providing an informative overview of American schooling over time.

Half the presidents and first ladies taught, but Professor Longo believes that if by some magical time machine all the presidents and first ladies could be transported back to their days as students - they would be a teacher’s worse nightmare. Stu Bryer of WICH radio in Norwich, Connecticut has called the book “fascinating” and a “must read”. Another reviewer wrote, “This is a book that gives hope to any parent of an underachieving child – and a big tip of the hat to teachers that make a difference in a student’s life.” Bill Bertenshaw from WOR Newsradio in New York said, “Great book…hard to put down…I learned more about history and the presidents and first ladies from this book than all the history classes I took in school.”

Dr. James McMurtry Longo is an award-winning teacher, storyteller, Fulbright scholar, and Chair of the Education Department at Washington and Jefferson College. He grew up in St. Louis, majored in History at the University of Missouri in St. Louis, worked as a public school teacher for over a decade, and earned his doctorate in education from Harvard University.

Longo has taught on three continents where he has lectured on the educational experiences of White House residents from Austria and Brazil, to Costa Rica and England. This is his seventh book. His previous book, Isabel Orleans-Braganza-The Brazilian Princess Who Freed the Slaves, was nominated for Yale University’s Frederick Douglass Book Prize for the “Most outstanding non-fiction book in English on the subject of slavery and abolition.”

Download Free Music from Freegal

The Peters Township Public Library is offering you a way to add to your music collection for free through Freegal Music .Once you register at the library with your valid Peters Township Public Library card, you can download 3 songs per week for free.

Freegal Music is an online database that provides access to songs from Sony Music. The music files are DRM-free and do not expire, and the songs are compatible with PCs, Macs, iPods, iPads and other MP3-compatible devices. Offering over half a million songs to download in all types of music genres including classical, country, rock, jazz and pop, Freegal adds new music daily to the collection.

“By providing our patrons online access to Freegal, we are able to offer them a broad range of music that they can pick and choose from to add to their personal music collection,” said Pier Lee, Library Director. “Like our eReaders and Playaways available for checkout, this is another free service we offer so our library patrons can experience the latest technology - at no cost to them.”

To register for your free subscription to Freegal, bring your valid Peters Township Public Library card with you to the Reference Desk on the second floor of the library. A staff member will process your request and, once you have confirmed your account via email, you can begin adding songs to your own collection. For more information, call the library at 724.941.9430.

Changes regarding DVD fines and checkouts

The Peters Township Public Library announced today that beginning November 1, 2011, the overdue fine on all feature film DVDs will be reduced from $1.00 per day to 50 cents per day. The feature film DVDs are located on the second floor of the library and can be checked out for one week by library patrons. The feature film DVDs will no longer be available for renewal.

Other DVDs in the library collection on the first floor, including Children's, Educational, Instructional, TV series, Travel, Fitness and Local, will not be affected by these changes. Please call the library at 724.941.9430 if you have any questions regarding these changes.

AARP Driver Safety Promotion for Veterans

To recognize and thank veterans for their dedication and commitment to service, this November the AARP Safe Driving Course will be offered free of charge to ALL veterans, regardless of age and including widows and widowers. The Peters Township Public Library will host this two-part eight hour course on Tuesday, November 29 and Wednesday, November 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Any military personnel – active duty, retired, guard, or reserve – are eligible to receive this free Driver Safety Program. Veterans include those individuals who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard/Reserves, or Coast Guard. Spouses (including widows and widowers) are eligible to take the classroom course, free of charge, so long as they present a valid military spouse/widower identification, such as a dependent ID card (DD Form 1172), or a membership card to organizations such as the American Legion of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

AARP Driver Safety Courses help drivers stay current on latest driving information and safe driving strategies. This course is designed to educate participants about how to best reduce traffic violations, accidents, and chances for injuries. The program will update driver’s knowledge about relevant laws, and provide safe driving strategies to compensate for age-related changes that impact one’s driving ability. Some of the topics to be covered include overall fitness and driving, tips for highway driving, understanding a vehicle’s safety features and new vehicle technology, handling aggressive drivers, changing lanes driving at intersections, and maintaining proper distance. Insurance companies in Pennsylvania may offer discounts for insured clients 55 or older that have completed the AARP Driver Safety Program.

Space is limited. Register for this course online through the AARP website or in person at the library circulation desk. The course is free for veterans and their spouses. For all others, the fee is $14.00 or $12.00 if a member of AARP. Please make checks payable to AARP if registering at the library and pay by credit card if registering through the AARP website.

It’s Your Money – Learn While You Earn Bingo

More than 1.3 Americans complained to the Federal Trade Commission last year about problems concerning identify theft; sweepstakes and lottery fraud; and internet scams. Learn how not to become a victim yourself at “It’s Your Money – Learn While You Earn Bingo” at the Peters Township Public Library on Tuesday, November 15 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. This is an AARP Financial Security and Consumer Issues Program presented by Eileen Mazza.

Participants will learn about fraud, identity theft, scams, overcharging, and how to become a better and more knowledgeable consumer. Mazza ‘s discussion will focus on identity theft issues with an emphasis on protecting your personal checking accounts; entering sweepstakes and lotteries; and telephone and internet scams. Attendees will learn about affinity fraud and what “FREE LUNCHES” and “FREE DINNERS” really mean. Other topics to be covered include investment fraud, what to look for in a financial professional, how to check the legality of anyone to whom you give money, and how to check if a product is legitimate.

This one hour program consists of a 30-minute presentation followed by 30 minutes of “Security Fraud Bingo.” Register to attend this program online, visit the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

Former cook for Fallingwater to visit the library

Elsie Henderson, longtime and last cook for the Kaufmann family at Fallingwater will visit the Peters Township Public Library on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss her life with and recipes prepared for the remarkable Kaufmann clan.

The 98-year-old’s adventures at Fallingwater are intertwined with recipes for the dishes she served there for 15 years in The Fallingwater Cookbook: Elsie Henderson's Recipes and Memories, written by Suzanne Martinson. Chef Robert Sendall and the late Jane Citron, longtime cooking instructor, also contributed to this unique volume. During the library program, Henderson will respond to questions from friend Lowell Britson, and then answer questions posed by the audience. Copies of The Fallingwater Cookbook will be available for purchase and signing after the presentation. Register to attend this program online, visit the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

At 98 years old, Elsie Henderson is certainly a woman of many stories. Rising from her Mount Washington roots as the youngest of 14 children, Elsie found her blue collar self in a world of American royalty. Her natural know-how in the kitchen landed her jobs cooking for families like the Mellons, Heinzes, Shrivers and Kennedys.

But her longest and most memorable position was as a cook and baker for Pittsburgh retail mogul Edgar J. Kauffman at Fallingwater, the architectural masterpiece of a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Here, Elsie’s found herself among the nation’s most famous writers, painters, opera singers, industrialists and politicians. Her experiences went beyond whipping up sweetbreads and soufflés, allowing her to see into a world of wealth, influence and celebrity.

Now retired and living in Highland Park, Elsie has not stopped cooking. She combines her expert recipes with her quirky stories about the lives of the rich as famous as seen from their kitchens in the new book, The Fallingwater Cookbook: Elsie Henderson’s Recipes and Memories.

RESCHEDULED: What's in your child's backpack?

At the request of several library patrons, the "What's in your child's backpack?" program has been rescheduled to Thursday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m.

“What’s in Your Child’s Backpack?” an interactive presentation by the Washington County Health Partners, Inc., a local non-profit organization in Washington County. The educational toolkit used in the program will demonstrate the similarities between tobacco products that are packaged to look like candy. Participants will get to see these smokeless products first hand. The presentation will explain how new tobacco and nicotine-containing products appeal to youth, why 30% of youth get addicted from their very first use, and how tobacco company marketing fund amounts compare to youth smoking rates.

To register for this free program online, visit the library circulation desk or call 724-941-9430.

"TAPPED" film screening to be hosted by library GO Green Club

Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right, or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce? Stephanie Soechtig's debut feature, “Tapped,” is an unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water. The Peters Township Public Library’s GO Green Club will offer a free screening of the film on Friday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. The film will be followed by a presentation by Josephine Posti, External Affairs Specialist from Pennsylvania American Water, who will discuss who Pennsylvania American Water is, where your water comes from, how it is treated and the value of drinking water.

From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A., this timely documentary is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought never to become a commodity: our water. Register for this after-hours program online, visit the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

From the plastic production to the ocean in which so many of these bottles end up, this inspiring documentary trails the path of the bottled water industry and the communities which were the unwitting chips on the table. A powerful portrait of the lives affected by the bottled water industry, this revelatory film features those caught at the intersection of big business and the public's right to water.

Director Stephanie Soechtig began her career ten years ago producing documentaries for 20/20, Primetime Live, produced for Good Morning America covering the 2000 presidential elections and worked with ABC's long-form unit to produce "Planet Earth" hosted by Leonardo DiCaprio. She then brought her documentary skills to Fox News Channel where she produced network specials for Bill O'Reilly before moving on to produce his daily show, The O’Reilly Factor.

Bringing Back the Family Table

Who doesn’t want their children to do their best in school and behave well? If you are thinking that extra tutoring, sports, and other activities may help your children get there, you may be overlooking a simple solution found right around your kitchen table. A University of Michigan study found that more meal time at home was the single strongest predictor of better achievement scores and fewer behavioral problems. Meal time was more powerful than time spent in school, studying, church, playing sports, or art activities.

At “Bringing Back the Family Table,” Liz Kanche from American HealthCare Group will discuss how to get your family together for this important meal and quick, nutritious recipes that you can serve. This program will be offered at the Peters Township Public Library on Sunday, October 9 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. so not to conflict with the family dinner hour. To register for this program online, visit the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

College Financial Aid Night

Here’s another reason for parents of college-bound students to lose sleep at night - according to “The Debt Crisis at American Colleges” in the August issue of The Atlantic, “…college loans are nearing the $1 trillion mark, more than what all households owe on their credit cards.”

To help parents and students through the sometimes confusing maze of paying for a college education, the Peters Township Public Library in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will host a free “College Financial Aid Night” on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 from 6:30– 8:30 p.m. at the library. The program will be given Jayeann Harr, Higher Education Access Partner from PHEAA, who will provide an overview of the financial aid process.

Parents and students are invited to the 60-minute presentation, which will describe all federal and PA-state financial aid programs, scholarships and FAFSA application processes. Other topics will include how colleges award aid to families and how financial aid deadline dates interface with the college admissions process. Loan rates and interest rates for students and parents will also be discussed. A question and answer session will follow the program.

Registration is necessary for this free program online, at the Library's circulation desk, or call 724-941-9430.

Berlin Bureau Chief opens World Affairs International Program Series

Senior Correspondent for ARD German TV Werner Sonne will open this year’s International Program Series, hosted by Peters Township Public Library in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Sonne will discuss “Can Germany Lead? Europe’s Largest Economy in Times of Economic Uncertainty” on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Werner Sonne is a Senior Correspondent for ARD German TV. An expert on foreign affairs, security policy, and terrorism, he is the Berlin Bureau Chief for the ARD morning news program Morgenmagazin, a position he has held since 2004. Mr. Sonne has had a distinguished career of forty-plus years as a radio and television correspondent, covering many influential events. He worked as a foreign correspondent for eleven years on both sides of the Iron Curtain – including five years in Washington, DC. He witnessed and reported about the process of German reunification and saw the country rise to its current position as the strongest economic partner in the European Union. More recently, he has reported on the Middle East and German involvement in the Afghanistan War.

As one of the founding nations of the European Union, Germany has played a key role in European integration and many believe that Germany, with the largest economy in Europe, holds the key to financial stability in the Union. However, while Germany had been a star performer since the economic recession in 2008, posting high growth rates while the rest of Europe struggled, a recent slowdown in the country has caused some to worry that the global recession might be catching up to Germany. Sonne will discuss whether Germany can lead a European Union during times of uncertainty.

The McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars POST 764 is providing support for the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh 2011-12 program series. Register for this event online, visit the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

Thinking of starting a new business?

Starting a small business can be an exciting and challenging adventure. To help you in launching your new business, the Peters Township Public Library is partnering with the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce and the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center to present “The Mechanics of Starting a Small Business.” The free program will be offered at the library on Thursday, September 22 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Presenters for this event will be Lindsey Biddle, Management Consultant, University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center; John Higie, Managing Partner, Peacock Keller Law Firm; and Edward Nemeth, Senior Loan Officer, Washington County Council on Economic Development. Topics to be discussed include sources of capital, understanding different legal structures, licensure and accessing helpful resources to establish your successful enterprise.

As space is limited, reservations are requested. Please register online, at the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430 by Tuesday, September 20 to reserve your space.

Award-winning photojournalist offers photography classes

Learn how to take great photographs from award-winning photojournalist Jim McNutt during four sessions to be offered at the Peters Township Public Library.

McNutt has been a photojournalist for the Observer-Reporter newspaper for the past 41years and a former adjunct professor at Washington and Jefferson College for 22 years. His striking photos have captured people, wildlife, nature and everyday life, winning him the 2011 PA Associated Press Award - First Place Feature for “Little Man, Big Shot” and the 2011 Keystone Publishers Award - Honorable Mention for “Sawyer Glacier in Alaska.” Visit www.observer-reporter.com/or/mcnuttgallery/ to view a collection of his photographs.

During the four-part series with McNutt, you will learn how to see photo possibilities, compose better images, and how to use your camera more effectively. The cost is $75 for the classes to be offered on the following dates and times:
• Thursday, September 22 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 29 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 1 at 9:00 a.m. to meet at library then travel to a remote location for a photo session.
• Thursday, October 6 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Register at the library’s circulation desk for this 4-part program.

What's in Your Child's Backpack?

“Back to school” means shopping for new clothes, new shoes and, of course, a new backpack – but it’s what’s inside your child’s backpack that parents may need to be concerned about this school year.

On Thursday, September 15 at 7 p.m., the Peters Township Public Library will present “What’s in Your Child’s Backpack?” an interactive presentation by the Washington County Health Partners, Inc., a local non-profit organization in Washington County. The educational toolkit used in the program will demonstrate the similarities between tobacco products that are packaged to look like candy. Participants will get to see these smokeless products first hand. The presentation will explain how new tobacco and nicotine-containing products appeal to youth, why 30% of youth get addicted from their very first use, and how tobacco company marketing fund amounts compare to youth smoking rates.

To register for this free program online, visit the library circulation desk or call 724-941-9430.

New “Listen While You Walk” program

New research indicates that walking is not only good for your health – it’s also good for your brain. A study by the Department of Psychology, Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, discovered older adults who walk at a comfortable pace for 40 minutes three times a week can enhance the connectivity between brain circuits and improve cognitive tasks like multitasking and using memory.

Beginning Thursday, September 8 at 9:15 a.m., members of the community can join Peters Township Public Library staff and volunteers for a 30-minute walk on the nearby Arrowhead Trail. Called “Listen While You Walk,” this new program offers the opportunity to combine physical exercise while listening to a favorite book or author. The library will offer a selection “Playaways,” all in one audiobooks, for participants to choose from for their walk.

Library Director Pier Lee explained that the library is “offering this fall program as a practical way to help our patrons find time to exercise while listening to a favorite book, whether it’s bestseller or classic title. The Playaway makes a perfect walking companion. At only 2 ounces, it’s light-weight and fits into the palm of your hand.”

Persons of all ages are encouraged to join in this new venture to exercise your mind while getting your body in shape. Participants will meet at the library at 9:15 a.m., select a Playaway, and proceed from the library to the Arrowhead Trail for a thirty minute walk.

Register for this free program online, at the library circulation desk, or call 724-941-9430. For more information about the program, call the Reference Department at 724-941-9430 extension 3.

Author Visit - Award-Winning Author Ceane O’Hanlon-Lincoln

Hear the fascinating stories about the people, places, and events that shaped our “Keystone State” from award-winning author Ceane O’Hanlon- Lincoln at library on Monday, August 29 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Ms. O’Hanlon-Lincoln, a native of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, reveals her ingenious talent for bringing history alive in each compelling chapter of County Chronicles: A Vivid Collection of Pennsylvania Histories, a five volume set which taps into the vast wealth of history that is embedded in Pennsylvania’s lush, rolling landscape.

Often called a “state-of-the-heart writer," O’Hanlon-Lincoln’s books, both non-fiction and fiction, include A Toast to Destiny, Great Poems of Our Time, Autumn Song, and the County Chronicles series. She has garnered the Editor’s Choice Award for her poem “The Man Who Holds the Reigns;” honors at Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute for two of her screenplays; and two Citation/Special Recognition Awards from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Senate of Pennsylvania for her County Chronicles. In 2004, she was awarded the prestigious Athena Award, which is presented to professional “women of spirit.”

Register for this free program online, at the library circulation desk, or calling 724-941-9430.

First Ever Kids Cake Decorating Contest

Junior bakers and cake decorators can showcase their talents and win a prize at a Kids Cake Decorating Contest to be held at the library and sponsored by The Pie Place, Upper St. Clair on Thursday, August 25 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

The theme of the contest is “My Summer Vacation” and prizes will be awarded in three age categories: age 8 and under, age 9 to 13, and age 14 to 18. A fan favorite will be selected by those in attendance as well. The official rules and entry form are available in the library’s main lobby. An entry fee of $10 per cake will be collected and donated to the library. A panel of local residents and business owners will select a winner from each division. Prizes will be furnished by Bill Gray Volvo in McMurray.

All cakes submitted for judging must be iced and decorated by the child alone, and entrants will have the option to donate their cake to be part of a silent auction at the conclusion on the event. Entry forms should be dropped off at the Peters Township Public Library or The Pie Place, 1775 N. Highland Road, Upper St. Clair. If you need help planning your design, you can call Kirsten at the Cake Hotline at 412-576-0397 or email cakes@thepieplace.net.

2nd Annual Local Foods Potluck Dinner

A celebration of locally grown foods will take place at the library on Friday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the 2nd Annual Local Foods Potluck Dinner. The event is being hosted by the library’s GO Green Club and Cooking Club.

Attendees are asked to bring a potluck dish to share made with locally grown or produced foods or some samples of the bounty from their home gardens. During the dinner, Liz Kanche from American HealthCare Group will discuss “Eating Locally in Western Pennsylvania.” American HealthCare Group has sponsored the Farm to Table Conference in Pittsburgh for the past 5 years.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified a 16% increase in the number of operating farmers markets from 2009 to 2010. "Seeing such continued strong growth in the number of U.S. farmers markets indicates that regional food systems can provide great economic, social and health benefits to communities across the country," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Farmers markets provide fresh, local products to communities across the country while offering economic opportunities for many producers of all sizes." Pennsylvania ranks in the top ten states with the most farmers markets.

Register online to attend the potluck dinner or at the library’s circulation desk by Monday, August 1, 2011.

AARP Driver Safety Program at the library

Senior citizens can brush up on their driving skills this summer and possibly qualify for a discount on their insurance rates by completing the AARP Driver Safety Program to be offered in two Saturday sessions at the Peters Township Public Library. The eight-hour course will be taught in two four-hour sessions on Saturday, August 13 and Saturday, August 20 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The programs are being offered on Saturdays for the convenience of individuals who work during the week or have other scheduling conflicts.

AARP Driver safety courses help drivers stay current on latest driving information and safe driving strategies. This course is designed to educate participants about how best to reduce traffic violations, crashes, and chances for injuries; update drivers’ knowledge about relevant laws; and provide safe driving strategies to compensate for age-related changes that affect one’s driving ability. Some of the topics to be covered include overall fitness and driving, challenges of city vs. rural driving, tips for highway driving, understanding a vehicle’s safety features and new vehicle technology, handling aggressive drivers, changing lanes, driving at intersections, and maintaining proper distances.

You may register for this course online through the AARP website or in person at the Peters Township Public Library circulation desk. Cost for the course is $14.00, check made payable to AARP. You may pay by credit card when registering through the AARP web site. AARP members receive a $2.00 discount and pay $12.00.

Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania offer discounts for insured clients 55 or older that have completed the AARP Driver Safety Program. It is recommended you consult your insurance company for their discount policy. Although the AARP driving course is geared toward drivers 50 and older, it can be taken by licensed drivers of all ages, and there are no tests.

Summer Pollinator Gardening Programs

Dr. Candy DeBerry, Associate Professor of Biology at Washington and Jefferson College, returns to the Peters Township Public Library to present two free programs focusing on pollination in gardening.

Programs to be offered by Dr. DeBerry include:

“Plant Sex: How The Birds and the Bees Are Responsible for One-Third of the Food You Eat (and What You Can Do to Help Them)” on Thursday, July 28 at 7 p.m. will explain what pollination is, why it is important, which animals pollinate plants, and how your garden can support pollinators. Register online or at the library circulation desk.

“Plants for the Pollinator Garden” will be offered on Thursday, August 25 at 7 p.m. What brings joy to your garden? Hummingbirds darting among the blossoms? Butterflies flittering above the flowers? The deep drone of busy bumblebees? Bumper crops of tomatoes, squash, raspberries and watermelon? The secret to obtaining all of these will be revealed in this workshop - the very best plants to grow to attract pollinators. Register online or at the library circulation desk.

These programs are being sponsored by the library's GO Green Club.

"Pennsylvania's leading industry – agriculture – is dependent on the work of insects that pollinate 80 percent of the world's crops," explains Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture George Greig. "One-third of the food we eat is a direct result of pollination, so it is critical to remind all citizens they can and should play a role in protecting declining pollinator populations that set fruit and produce seeds for the future."

Candy DeBerry is an associate professor in the Department of Biology at Washington and Jefferson College and faculty advisor to Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society. Dr. DeBerry is passionate about ecological gardening, and her property is certified as Backyard Wildlife Habitat #48,3330 by the National Wildlife Federation and listed as a Bird Habitat by the Audubon Society of Pennsylvania.

Library welcomes Commissioner Burns for Story-time

Washington County Commissioner Bracken Burns will visit the Peters Township Public Library on Saturday, July 9 from 1 to 2 p.m. for a special story-time. Burns will share his favorite children’s stories, followed by a craft for all ages. Register to attend in the children’s department or call 724.941.9430.

Burns has served as Washington County Commissioner since 1996. This will be his final year in office as he is not seeking a fifth term. After 40 years of service, including his time spent as the county's director of emergency medical services and the director of the emergency management agency, he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Kate, his two children and five grandchildren. Join us for a "great day in Washington County" as we welcome Commissioner Burns to our library!

Library Cooking Club hosts free cooking demonstration

The Peters Township Public Library Cooking Club will host a free cooking demonstration and discussion by Gina Snyder and Chef Maggie Hatten of Sunny Bridge Natural Foods at their next monthly meeting on Thursday, July 7 at 7 p.m. at the library. All are welcome to attend but advance registration is required. To register email programs@ptlibrary.com or call 724.941.9430 by Friday, July 1st.

Scott Blasey "Live at the Library" video clip

TrueFlix Interactive eBooks now available!

The Library is now offering a new free resource for younger readers through the library web site. Scholastic’s TrueFlix is the only online resource that uses the award-winning True Books content to help students in grades 3-5 sharpen literacy skills and build knowledge of subject-area content. All of the True Book titles are supported with a deep and diverse reservoir of related content and primary sources featuring videos, audio, images, and text. TrueFlix is accessible both in the library and at home through the link on the library website.

Each TrueFlix title includes a streaming video that engages the student and introduces the topic and a flipbook version of the True Book with page-turning and read-along features, chapter tabs, and vocabulary terms indentified and defined. Students are able to progress from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” and master content area knowledge in science and social studies. There are 47 True Book titles available in 8 categories including U.S. Government, Ecosystems and Space.

Library Director Pier Lee explains “Our library is constantly searching for new ways to engage our young readers, and TrueFlix really brings books to life with video, sounds, and links to related web site. It’s a companion to the already available BookFlix for preschoolers.”

For more information about TrueFlix or BookFlix, please contact Heather Blake, Children’s Librarian at 724.941.9430 ext. 314 or email HLBlake@ptlibrary.org.

Scott Blasey "Live at the Library"

Scott Blasey, lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Pittsburgh-based rock band The Clarks, will appear for a special solo "Live at the Library" concert at the Peters Township Public Library on Sunday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to his success with the Clarks, Scott has found an audience for his solo work. He’s released three solo albums and has opened for rock icons Neil Young and the Beach Boys. He continues to tour with the Clarks and plays over 50 solo shows a year. Scott lives with his wife and three daughters in Peters Township.

For more about Blasey and his music, visit his web site. Register for this special event online or sign-up at the library’s circulation desk.

Former Asst. Secretary of Defense to speak at PT Library

Dr. Lawrence J. Korb, Senior Advisor to the Center for Defense Information and former assistant secretary of defense under Ronald Reagan, will discuss “Defending America on a Balanced Budget: Is it Possible?” at the Peters Township Public Library on Monday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m.

For 13 years straight, the United States has seen uninterrupted growth in the defense budget, projected to exceed $500 billion this year. In light of a projected budget deficit for the 2011 fiscal year of $1.6 trillion dollars, the Obama administration and Congress have been debating ways to cut federal spending. Congress has so far put the defense budget off-limits, but with defense spending comprising 50% of the U.S. discretionary budget and 20% of the overall federal budget, can any meaningful effort to curtail federal spending ignore the Pentagon? As the United States winds down its missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, the time is ripe to reexamine whether the current level of defense spending actually enhances our national security capabilities.

This program is offered in partnership by the library with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and with the financial support of the McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars POST 764. Register for this program online, at the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

Dr. Lawrence J. Korb is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. He is also a Senior Advisor to the Center for Defense Information and an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University. Prior to joining the Center, he was a Senior Fellow and Director of National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Dr. Korb served as Director of the Center for Public Policy Education and Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Studies Program at the Brookings Institution; Dean of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh; Vice President of corporate operations at the Raytheon Company; and Director of Defense Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. Dr. Korb served on active duty for four years as Naval Flight Officer, and retired from the Naval Reserve with the rank of captain.

Dr. Korb has authored, co-authored, edited, or contributed to more than 20 books and written more than 100 articles on national security issues. His articles have appeared in such journals as Foreign Affairs, Public Administration Review, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Naval Institute Proceedings, and International Security.

Carnival comes to Peters

This article is from today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Thursday, April 07, 2011
By Dave Zuchowski

Dancer/ethnologist Tracie Yorke takes her audience on an interactive journey through the histories of Carnival in Trinidad, Brazil and New Orleans.If you missed out on the excitement of Mardi Gras on March 8, you have another chance.

The "Spirit of Carnival" will envelop the Peters Township Library from 1 to 2:30 p.m. this Sunday, April 10, when professional dancer and ethnologist Tracie Yorke uses carnival props, video projections and music to take patrons on an interactive journey through the histories of Carnival in Trinidad, Brazil and New Orleans.

"The props I'll bring along such as Carnival masks and costumes are personal mementos of my own Carnival experiences over the years," Ms. Yorke said.

"I'll start the program with recorded Samba music from Brazil that the audience will help reproduce with their voices," she said. "I'll then segue into the music of Trinidad which will focus on the traditions of Calypso, a way during Carnival for people to openly express their opinions on the government without the fear of sanctions or punishment. My program will end with Mardi Gras in New Orleans where I hope to capture the feel of a French Quarter street party by giving my audience a chance to get up and dance around freely and openly."

Ms. Yorke's presentation will be a mix of performance and discussion of the music, performance elements and dance traditions and what these traditions mean symbolically from an ethnographic point of view. The presentation, which is free and open to the public as part of the Commonwealth Speakers Series of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, will end with a parade of champions drawn from the audience.

"In my presentation, I'll try to explain what these dances say politically, spiritually and socially," said Ms. Yorke.

To enhance the experience, the library lobby will be decorated Carnival style, and children in attendance will make additional Carnival props and masks. Refreshments like traditional King Cake will also be served.

Emilie Haertsch, program associate for the Pennsylvania Humanities Council said that Ms. Yorke is one of 83 speakers selected by the council's panel of peers in the humanities for 2011. After they're selected, the speakers travel around the state conducting presentations that are free and open to the public.

In 2010, the speakers series featured over 100 presentations at sites owned or operated by non-profit organizations, which have to apply for a speaker. The applications are available online at www.pahumanities.org. The website also lists each speaker and information about their presentations.

"We're very proud of the work Tracie Yorke does to engage with the community and support the humanities in the state," said Ms. Haertsch.

A specialist in Carnival, Ms. Yorke has an extensive background in the dance traditions of Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Brazil. Following her graduation from Amherst College, she received a fellowship two years in a row to travel to Guinea and Cuba to study the dance traditions of those countries.

While living in New York from 1998 to 2003, she studied at the Djoniba Dance and Drum Center, where she sat in on master workshops and performances of international dance companies from countries like Brazil, Senegal and Guinea. Two years ago, she started to explore the traditions of Salvador, an ex-slave port city in the northeast region of Brazil that has retained a lot of its African influences.

After earning a master's degree in educational technology at Carnegie Mellon University 2003, she worked for "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" for nearly four years as the new media coordinator, giving her experience in early childhood development and its relationship to the arts and learning

In the past several years, she's given performances and art and education residences in the Pittsburgh area and has served as the artistic director of the Tracie Yorke Dance Studio in Lawrenceville. In 2008, she performed twice during the Carnival exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History showcasing dance from Trinidad and Brazil.

"I like to bring different events to the public, which includes speakers that introduce our audiences to an array of cultures," said Pier Lee, library director. "Tracie Yorke engages so well with younger audiences."

To register: 724-941-9430 or email programs@ptlibrary.org.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11097/1137491-55.stm#ixzz1Ir4X6vzK

Grand Opening of KEENage Korner

The “KEENage Korner,” a space designed specifically for senior citizens at the Peters Township Public Library, will ceremonially open on Saturday, April 9, 2011 thanks to a $4,000 “Senior Spaces” grant provided by Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Libraries. Senator John Pippy will assist with the ribbon-cutting. Along with the ceremony, bagpiper Sean O’Donnell will entertain with a short concert and Gina Snyder from Sunny Bridge Natural Foods will provide a healthy living lecture and demonstration. The festivities will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the library lobby; light refreshments will be served.

Since receiving the grant in fall of 2010, library staff along with members of the Senior Advisory Council worked to create new programs and learning opportunities for the Peters Township 50+ population. In addition to weekly “Wii Sports for Seniors” sessions, AARP tax assistance, and a variety of lectures, the council pushed for informational and instructional programming on current technology trends. To date, the library has offered a hands-on demonstration of devices such as the iPad, eReaders, iPod Touch and smartphones by a representative from the local Best Buy and a “Technology Fair” that showcased the library’s newest resources. The Senior Advisory Council is seeking new members to contribute ideas for the Senior Space and Senior programs; their next scheduled meeting is April 7, 2011 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Registration is not required for this event. Patrons of all ages are encouraged to drop by the library from 11:00-1:00 p.m. to enjoy the day’s events.

Spirit of Carnival on Sunday, April 10

Experience the excitement of carnival in the streets of Port-of-Spain, Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans with professional dancer and ethnologist Tracie Yorke at the Peters Township Public Library on Sunday, April 10 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. This program will kick-off the library’s National Library Week celebration, April 10 through 16. Register for this program online or call 724.941.9430. Light refreshments will be served.

Each year, pulsating drum rhythms, flamboyant costumes and a coterie of colorful dancers transform the streets of Trinidad, Brazil and New Orleans to create non-stop street parties and elaborate displays of political, social, cultural and national solidarity. In this library event, dressed in stunning carnival pageantry, Tracie Yorke will use carnival props, video projections and music to take participants on an interactive journey through the fascinating histories of each one of these carnivals. The presentation will close, as all carnival celebrations do, with a parade of champions, drawn from the audience.

Yorke is a Commonwealth Speaker for the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and Artistic Director of Tracie Yorke Dance. She has a ten-year national/international performance history, having performed in countries such as Cuba, Brazil, Taiwan, Guinea and Italy. She currently conducts world dance residencies as a teaching artist in schools and communities throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Consistent with Library Director Pier Lee’s objective to explore other cultures through library programs, “The Spirit of Carnival” will initiate several activities for patrons of all ages, including props for Carnival made by children and masks created by teens. The library lobby will be decorated to capture the excitement of Carnival.

This Commonwealth Speakers presentation is a program of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and its We the People initiative. The Pennsylvania Humanities Council, a nonprofit organization, inspires individuals to enjoy and share a life of learning.

GREEN Fair to held at the Library

The Peters Township Public Library GO Green Club will be sponsoring a GREEN Fair at the library on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library. The all-day event will feature local businesses and organizations that can help community members live a greener and more sustainable life. At the fair, 19 vendors to date will showcase their products and/or services with small items for sale to persons attending the event. No registration is required to attend this free event.

Participants in the fair include:
•Adam Solar Resources
•Appalachian Botanicals
•Artemis Environmental
•Bean Catering and Building New Hope
•Cartridge World
•Cherry Valley Organics
•Conservation Consultants, Inc.
•Construction Junction
•Envirobikes
•Goose Creek Gardens, LTD
•Green Irene
•Isidore Foods
•Meals on Wheels
•Organic Personal Chef Service
•Pennsylvania Resources Council
•Poverty Hollow Naturals and Exotics
•SOLAR-TEC
•Southwestern Pennsylvania Commissions CommuteInfo
•VOX Energy Solutions

Along with vendor exhibits and displays, a Speaker Series will be on-going throughout the day. Registration is required to attend each speaker session as space is limited.

•Doug Oster, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Backyard Gardener, will discuss "Grow Organic: Easy Steps to go Green in the Lawn and Garden" at 11:00 a.m. Register online, at the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

•Dr. Candy DeBerry, Associate Professor of Biology at Washington and Jefferson College, will present "Native Plants for the Home Landscape" at 12:30 p.m. Register online, at the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

•Faith Starr, local radio host of "Living Green with Faith" will discuss "Is Your Home Healthy?" at 2:00 p.m. Register online, at the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

Please join us to learn more about "living green" from the many experts we have gathered for you. You will find information about reducing your energy bills, how and why to buy local foods, alternative transportation options, environmentally-responsible products for your home, and more. For more information about this event, email the Peters Township Public Library GO Green Club.

Developments in Egypt to be discussed at our library

In February 2011, the world watched in amazement as mass protests in Egypt brought an end to President Hosni Mubarak’s thirty years of authoritarian rule, and uprisings in Tunisia led to the deposition of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Protesters across the Middle East have taken to the streets to demand regime change, enhanced freedoms, and constitutional reforms in places like Algeria, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Iran.

On Thursday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. David Holdridge, President and Founder of Bridging the Divide (BTD), will discuss his recent trip to Egypt, ongoing developments in the region, and the importance of supporting peace and justice organizations in the Middle East at the Peters Township Public Library. Register to attend online or call 724.941.9430. The McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars POST 764 is providing support for this program, which is part of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh 2010-2011 program series.

David Holdridge is an expert in foreign assistance implementation with 30 years of experience providing executive leadership in non-governmental, humanitarian organizations in various countries in the Middle East, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and the United States. From 2005 to 2009, he was Regional Director for Mercy Corps' Middle East programs, responsible for Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. Previously, he served in Iraq as Mercy Corps' Chief of Party for the Community Action Program. Prior to his term with Mercy Corps, Mr. Holdridge held a series of leadership positions with Catholic Relief Services and the Vietnam Veterans for America Foundation.

Bridging the Divide is an innovative non-profit, working to make the globe a safer, more just place. BTD features a model that directly connects the American Public to local grassroots organizations overseas working to bring peace and justice to their communities. Through social media and networking technologies, they facilitate dialogue, collaborate on advocacy efforts, and help the exchange of financial resources between Americans and on-the-ground organizations overseas. Using this unique approach, Bridging the Divide makes meaningful and sustainable advances in global security and justice.

PA Property Tax or Rent Rebate Help Available on March 7

A member of Senator John Pippy’s staff will be providing assistance to individuals completing their Pennsylvania Property Tax or Rent Rebate Application at Peters Township Public Library. Pippy staff member, Sharon DeNardo, will be at the library on Monday, March 7 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Individual sessions will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applicants should have proof of all income received in tax year 2010, including social security or railroad retirement benefits, pensions, annuities, interest and dividend income. Applicants applying for the first time must provide proof of age and proof of disability if appropriate. If the applicant received the PA 1000 application in the mail, they should bring the application with them. Home owners must provide proof that all real estate taxes were paid for the 2010 tax year and renters must have a completed rent certificate if possible, or proof of rent paid.

For questions, please call Sharon DeNardo at 412-262-2260.

Tom Atkins as "THE CHIEF"!

Veteran actor of the stage, screen and TV, Tom Atkins, will discuss his 44-year career in the theater and his preparation for the role of his lifetime portraying Art Rooney Sr. at the Peters Township Public Library on Tuesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. Register for this program online or call 724-941-9430.

Mr. Atkins will perform one of the stories from “The Chief,” the one-man stage triumph about Rooney Sr., the legendary founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise. Audience members will then watch the part of the newly-released DVD, “The Chief,” including the story Atkins related. A question and answer session will follow the DVD viewing.

"The Gallery": A Photographic Exhibit by Peters Township High School Students

The Peters Township High School Photography Classes will exhibit their work in the main lobby of the Peters Township Public Library from February 24 through March 10 during library hours. "The Gallery" is a display of hundreds of student photographs from the classes and club at the high school. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, February 24 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Over 100 students contributed work for this exciting event. The Photography Club officers are: Chrisi Fagella, Jillian Eby, Jessica Kleja, Allie Schlafman, and Sean Sickmund. For more information about “The Gallery,” email the club sponsor, Erin Boni.

Planning for Profits Seminar Series

Managing Employees? Understanding Financial Statements? Marketing Extraordinaire? Business Strategy Formation? When starting your small business you probably didn’t realize you were signing up to be CEO, CFO, CMO and COO all at once!

The Peters Township Public Library, the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center, and PNC Bank want to help you manage all of the hats you wear with a special seminar series, “Planning for Profits.” This four–part program will help you look at your business from all angles.

Seminar One: February 24 - Marketing: Defining your customers, including targeting your customers and communications.
Seminar Two: March 24 - Financials: Understanding the financial condition of your business including cash flow planning and forecasting.
Seminar Three: April 21 - Operations: Understanding your operations including human resources and management control.
Seminar Four: May 26 - Strategy: How to position for future growth including strategic control and management control systems.

All programs are from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the library, with a cost of $30 per seminar or $100 for all four seminars. Register for this program by emailing lbiddle@katz.pitt.edu with your name and contact phone number. You may also register by calling 724-229-8078.

Is Your Home Healthy?

Are there unhealthy, toxic materials lurking in your kitchen, bathroom, and children’s rooms? Are your vet bills high because your animals keep getting sick? It could be a reaction to products you have in your home. Find out how easy it is to have a natural, healthy home for your family by attending “Is Your Home Healthy?” at the Peters Township Public Library on Saturday, February 12 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Register to attend this free program by emailing the library or call 724.941.9430. This is a Peters Township Public Library GO Green Club program.

Local radio host Faith Starr will use all the diverse components of her comprehensive background to offer valid, usable tips for living a healthy, organic, and green lifestyle. She will share her knowledge about where to obtain healthy food in Western Pa - without breaking the bank. She is passionate about helping you find the hidden toxins in your own home environment. Faith Starr is in her fourth year of talk radio and is the host of "Living Green with Faith," which can be heard on Wednesday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. on 620 AM WKHB radio on WKHB in Pittsburgh.

Panelists from U.S. Army War College to discuss threats to National Security throughout the World

President Obama announced the official end of the United States combat mission in Iraq this past August, yet viable threats to national security still exist across the world. From the recent package bombing attempts, to piracy in the Gulf of Aden, to the drug wars in Latin America, to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, national security is still of utmost concern to the current administration.

Visiting panelists from the Eisenhower Series College Program will share personal views based on their own experience, research, and reflection at the Peters Township Public Library on Tuesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. The panelists include: Captain William G. Davis, Director of National Security Studies and the Eisenhower Program; Colonel Eric Tilley, who will speak about the United States' role in NATO; and Lieutenant Colonel Harrison B. Gilliam, who will discuss Afghanistan Policy. Register for this program by emailing the library, at the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430. The McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars POST 764 is providing support for the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh 2010-2011 program series.

The Eisenhower Series College Program was established in 1996 as a War College academic outreach program. It encourages dialogue on national security and other public policy issues between students of the Army’s senior educational institution and the public. Each panel member focuses on his/her study on a geographic region such as Europe, Russia/Eurasia, Asia, the Americas, Middle East, and Africa. To learn more about the Eisenhower Series College Program, visit their web site.

New Service for 2011 - AARP Tax Assistance

In partnership with the AARP, tax assistance will be available at the library on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning Monday, February 7, 2011. AARP Tax-Aide will provide this free service to help low and moderate income taxpayers who are age 60 years and older.

You must visit the library in person to schedule an appointment for the month of February. The March appointment calendar will be released in February. Appointments are one hour long and begin at 9:15 a.m., with the last scheduled appointment for the day at 3:45 p.m. At the time of registration, the library will provide you a copy of the list of items you will need to bring when you arrive for your personal tax preparation session.

The list below includes the forms that are eligible for preparation by AARP TAX-AIDE consultants assigned to Peters Township Public Library:
*1040 with Schedules A, B, and D
*Schedule C up to $10,000 expenses/C-EZ up to $5,000 expenses (Schedule C has same requirements for CEZ – no employees, no inventory, no losses or depreciation etc.)
*Schedule EIC and EIC Worksheets
*1099 Misc. (box 7 nonemployee compensation is reported on Schedule C/CEZ)
*1099 Misc (box 1 or 2 – rents, royalties, reported on Schedule E with no expenses, depreciation)
*1099 Misc (box 3 other income is reported on 1040 Line 21)
*1040 – ES (Estimated Payments)
*2441 (Child and Dependent Care)
*5329 Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans, Part 1
*8283, Section A, Part 1 – non-cash contributions to charity exceed $500.00 but less than $5,000
*8606 (Nondeductible IRA) Part 1
*8880 (Qualified Savings Credit)
*8812 (Additional Child Tax Credit)
*8863 (Education Credits)
*9465 (Installment Agreement)
*8379 (Injured Spouse)
*1040X (Amended Returns, if trained in the tax year being amended)
*Schedule K – 1 that provides information only for interest, dividends and capital gain distributions and royalties (Schedule B, D, E)

Please bring the following items with you when you come for your scheduled appointment at Peters Township Public Library:
• Current year’s tax forms and preparation booklet
• Copy of last year’s income tax return
• W-2 forms from each employer
• Unemployment compensation statements
• SSA-1099 form if you were paid Social Security benefits
• All 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, etc.) showing interest and/or dividends and documentation showing original purchase price of sold assets
• 1099-misc. showing any miscellaneous income
• 1099-R form if you received a pension or annuity
• All forms indicating federal income tax paid
• Dependent care provider information (name, employer ID, Social Security number)
• All receipts or canceled checks if itemizing deductions
• Social Security cards or other official documentation for yourself and all dependents

For further information, please call the library at 724.941.9430.

New Year - New Gear!

The library will be holding a “New Year – New Gear” Technology Fair on Saturday, January 29, 2011 from 1-3 p.m. in the main lobby of the library.

The library has recently purchased an iPad, eReaders, and an iPod to provide hands-on experience for patrons in using these new technologies and to fully benefit from the new library resources that are available. Library staff will offer help sessions to download audio books and eBooks to a home computer or to an iPod. Demonstrations of new children’s technologies like BookFlix, Tag, and Interactive Books will be taking place as well throughout the afternoon. Patrons can also register for UniversalClass™, a site that offers non-credit courses covering a wide range of topics. Other services, such as online registration for adult programs and the library’s weekly e-newsletter will be discussed as well.

Registration is not required for this event, and patrons are encouraged to drop by the library during the afternoon hours to take advantage of this special program to assist them with their technology questions. For more information, call the library at 724.941.9430.

Budgeting and Learning to Save -- A program that makes cents

–“Thrift is the new black” according to “The Wall Street Journal Guide to the New Rules of Personal Finance" by Dave Kansas, who recommends now is the time to “…start with the foundation of eliminating debt and saving money.” To that end, members of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) will discuss budgeting, establishing sound financial priorities, and learning how to save at “Budgeting and Learning to Save: A Program that Makes Cents” on February 10 at the Peters Township Public Library. Register for this program online, at the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

Program participants will include: Vic Conrad, CFP®, ChFC, AIF®, CPA (inactive) of Pinnacle Financial Strategies in Wexford; Jack Ellsworth, CPA, CVA of Cottrill Arbutina & Associates in McMurray and Robert Henkels, CPA, MED of R.D. Hoag & Associates in Pittsburgh. They will form a panel discussion from 7:00 – 8:00 P.M. and will field audience questions from 8:00 – 8:30 P.M.

Even though the economy is slowly recovering and job growth is still quite slow, you will learn at this session that it is not how much you make, but how much you spend. PICPA’s experts will also help you formulate your financial priorities and how to pay yourself first.

The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) is committed to helping improve the financial literacy of Pennsylvania residents. In partnership with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and as part of a national effort, PICPA seeks to educate the public about fiscal responsibility, money management, and other issues relating to life’s stages through a variety of local programs and resources. For additional resources, visit their web site.

Update on Tax Forms at our library

The Peters Township Public Library participates with the IRS and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to provide both Federal and State Tax forms for our patrons. The Pennsylvania State Tax forms will begin arriving at the library the week of January 24, and property tax forms begin shipping February 10.

Shipments for the Federal Tax Documents including forms and publications have begun arriving at our library. However, shipment has been delayed (possibly until late January) for several tax publications, including Instructions 1040-ALL and Instructions 14040 A, due to the delay in passing the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

The library will soon be receiving copies of Publication 4893 – Important Information for Taxpayers Who No Longer Receive Tax Packages.

Individuals with a valid Peters Township Public Library card may access our library computers for tax forms and publications. Patrons choosing to print from library computers are charged a minimum fee to cover library costs. To access federal forms, visit www.irs.gov and to access state forms, visit www.revenue.state.pa.us.

You may call the following phone numbers for further assistance:
Federal Tax Help for Individuals 1-800-829-1040
Federal Tax Forms and Publications 1-800-829-3676
State Tax Help 1-717-787-8201