Learn how to tour Washington County

Find out about the many attractions and events available to you and your family in Washington County as Peters Township Public Library hosts “Share the Energy of Washington County” on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the library. Featured speaker will be Jeff Kotula, president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. During his presentation, passes and tickets will be raffled off to various events in the county, but you must be present to win.

Kotula will discuss the importance of tourism on Washington County's economy, the county's tourism assets as well as discuss the recent management merger of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. Earlier this month, $238,200 in grants were awarded by the agency to various tourism destinations in the county. The agency has invested $1.8 million in tourism over the past 14 years.

Register to attend this free program online or call 724.941.9430.

Jeff M. Kotula serves as President of the 1100 member Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. In this capacity, he serves as both the Chamber President and as Directory of Economic Development for Washington County through a public/private partnership comprised of the Washington County Commissioners, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Washington Industrial Development Corporation (WIDC), and Washington County Industrial Development Authority (WCIDA). Jeff Kotula holds a B.A. in Political Science from Duquesne University and a Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Beginner's Sewing Classes offered - no experience necessary!

Get started with the basics - students will learn how read a pattern, learn sewing terminology, and apply their newly learned techniques by making their very own pillowcase in just two easy sessions. Dates for the classes are Tuesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 18 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Cost is $20 plus supplies. If you have a sewing machine you would like to use, please feel free to bring it to class. Otherwise, machines will be provided. See supply list when registering. Supplies will be needed for the first day of class. Any questions please email Rhonda Skiles at rhonda.skiles@gmail.com.

SUMMER READING PROGRAMS KICK-OFF PARTY

Join us for this year's summer reading program "Every Hero Has A Story"! Sign up in the Children's Department or come to our Kick-Off Party on Saturday, June 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We will b welcoming a special guest at 12:30 p.m. - John Lege, That Guy with the Birds, will be talking with us about "Saving Our Feathered Friends."

SIMPLE STEPS FOR STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Join us as members of SCORE, a resource partner of the United States Small Business Administration, offer an outline of things to consider when starting a small business. At "Simple Steps for Starting Your Own Business" on Tuesday, March 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the library topics discussed will include the components of business ownership and non-profits, finding financing, understanding the different types of businesses, business plan basics, the myths and realities of entrepreneurship, taking the first steps, and assessing the profitability of your business idea.

SCORE is a nonprofit association staffed with a network of active and retired business men and women volunteers who are dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals. Read more about Pittsburgh SCORE .

Register for this program online, at the library's circulation desk or call 724.941.9430.

DRAGON DANCE WORKSHOP

Join us on Saturday, February 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to learn how to perform an authentic Dragon Dance! The Dragon Dance is performed at Chinese New Year to drive off the monster Nain. No experience is necessary to participate in the workshop and no level of physical fitness is required. Participants will learn how to be a dragon dancer and also a musician using drums, gongs and cymbals. Costumes will also be provided.

John and Dorothy Tecklenburg spent 5 years in China and returned with a Chinese dragon as a memento. The dragon will be on display in the library's lobby during the month of February.

Register for this program online, at the library's circulation desk or call 724.941.9430.

CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY AND MORE!

Join us on Sunday, February 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. for some fun Chinese New Year activities. Local residents Raymond Hsieh and Barbara Chen will demonstrate Chinese calligraphy by writing Chinese New Year messages on cards. Ms. Chen will also instruct on the correct pronunciation of the messages and help with the translation to English. Other activities as well!

Register for this program online, at the library's circulation desk or call 724.941.9430.

Anti-trafficking expert to speak at library on August 2

Human trafficking, which is also described as modern day slavery, is rapidly emerging as the 21st Century’s most prominent, pervasive, and complex human rights violation. Human trafficking is a $32 billion criminal industry affecting 27 million people worldwide and includes the recruitment, enslavement, and sale of children and adults for forced labor practices and sexual purposes.

The Peters Township Public Library and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh will welcome Hong Kong resident and international anti-trafficking expert Matt Friedman on Saturday, August 2 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Friedman’s topic will be Breaking the Links: A Campaign Against Human Trafficking. Register to attend by emailing programs@ptlibrary.org or call 724.941.9430.

Matt Friedman, an international traffic expert, has 23 years of experience as a counter-trafficking activist, fund-raiser, and program designer for raising awareness about human trafficking. Friedman served as Regional Project Manager for the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking from 2006 – 2012. He designed and managed both country and regional counter-trafficking programs in Asia, helped to establish a counter-trafficking regional training center, and participated in resource mobilization and production of two award-winning films on human trafficking. Friedman is frequently cited in the news media on issues related to human trafficking including CNN, BBC, SCMP (South China Morning Post), Economist, New York Times, Herald Tribune etc. and is frequently invited to speak at conferences around the world.

This program is hosted by Peters Township Public Library and World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh with support for the 2014 International Program Series by McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars POST 764.