Energy Cost-Cutting Strategies for Residential Homes

The need to cut energy consumption is upon us!! Energy and home heating fuels will continue to escalate in the next few years and will greatly impact the home owner’s total operating costs. Learn about the latest legislation by the government to reduce consumption and what you can do within your home to offset the increasing costs.

The Peters Township Public Library will host “Energy Cost-Cutting Strategies for Residential Homes” with guest speaker Mike Davic on Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the library’s Meeting Room on the first floor. To register for this program, visit the library’s circulation desk, call 724.941.9430, or email Carrie Weaver. This event is being offered in conjunction with the Peters Township Public Library GO Green Club.

Mike Davic, an Agent for Keller Williams Realty, was part of the first group of Agents in the Pittsburgh area to receive the new GREEN Designation from the National Association of Realtors. The purpose of the designation is to provide real estate professionals with knowledge and awareness of green building principles applied to residences, commercial buildings, developments and communities to help consumers in the purchase, retrofit and operation of energy efficient properties. Mr. Davic has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering plus a strong business background as well.

Image: Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Security in a Changing World

As the global economy appears to be moving towards recovery, and the world’s rising economic powers look to shape their influence in the 21st Century - what do these changes mean for the men and women who serve in our nation’s military?

These issues will be discussed as part of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh’s International series at the Peters Township Public Library on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. Panelists from the United States Army War College, Eisenhower Series will lead the discussion, Security in a Changing World, focusing on America’s security concerns in this atmosphere of change.

The Eisenhower Series College Program consists of a team of Army War College students selected for their experience, education, and interest in national security issues. Panelists participating in the program include Colonel Jeffrey P. Marlette, U.S. Army National Guard; Lieutenant Colonel Alan F. Rebholz, U.S. Air Force; and Colonel Steven R. Watt, U.S. Army.

To register for this free program, please visit the library circulation desk, call 724.941-9430, or email Carrie Weaver. An honorarium for these speakers was generously provided by a grant from the McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 764.

Further details about the Army War College students serving as panelists in this program:

COLONEL JEFFREY P. MARLETTE, U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.
Born in Redfield, South Dakota, COL Jeffrey P. Marlette enlisted in the South Dakota Army National Guard in 1980, and received his commission through the South Dakota Military Academy in 1982. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern State University. He also holds an Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Sioux Falls. COL Marlette was deployed to Iraq, where he spent fifteen months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. When he is not on active duty, COL Marquette serves the Superintendent of Schools for the Gettysburg, South Dakota School District. He is currently a student at the U.S. Army War College.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALAN F. REBHOLZ, U.S. AIR FORCE.
Lt Col Alan F. Rebholz began his active duty in the U.S. Air Force in 1989, after graduating from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He served in satellite operations, space surveillance and as a Weapons School instructor, deploying to the Joint Task Force in Southwest Asia, where he provided missile warning during Operation Desert Fox. Lt Col Rebholz served as a staff officer at the Pentagon where he served as an Executive Officer for two Air Staff Directorates. He was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the first Electronic Warfare Officer for a Counter-Improvised Electronic Device Task Force. Lt Col Rebholz received his B.S. in Mathematics from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, his M.B.A. from Webster University, a M.S. in Management from Troy State University; and Master of Military Operational Art and Science from Air Command and Staff College.

COLONEL STEVEN R. WATT, U.S. ARMY.
Col Steven R. Watt is a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Army and the Utah Army National Guard. Enlisting in 1981, he served in the enlisted ranks and non-commissioned officer corps for 8 years. In 1989 he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant after attending Officer Candidate School. Since commissioning, he has attended the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Service Support Course, the Special Forces Officer Qualification Course, the Long-Range Surveillance Leaders Course and the Command and General Staff Officer’s Course. COL Watt’s combat tours include Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In his civilian career, COL Watts is an Assistant Chief of Police with the Ogden, Utah Police Department, where he has served for 30 years. He is currently a student at the U.S. Army War College.

Free FAFSA Completion Sessions

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and the Peters Township Public Library will host two free FAFSA Completion Sessions on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the library, 616 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA. PHEAA presents this free session to help families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The morning session will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the afternoon session will begin at 1:00 p.m. Each session will begin with a one-hour overview of the online FAFSA form with time for questions. This will be immediately followed by an optional session to complete your FAFSA form online at the library with assistance from Jayeann Harr of the PHEAA Pittsburgh Regional Office. Interested persons should register for one session only. Register at the library circulation desk, call 724-941-9430, or email Carrie Weaver.

If your child is a high school senior planning to go onto high education, your family must complete the FAFSA to qualify for federal and most state grants, scholarships, low-cost student loans, work-study programs, Pennsylvania state grant programs, and many school-based student aid programs.

To complete the FAFSA online, please bring federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, and business and investment information for both student and parent(s) to the help session. For more information about Federal Student Aid and completing the FAFSA, visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Library announces changes for 2010

Patrons of the Peters Township Public Library will experience some changes in the library’s operations in 2010 due to cuts in state funding to public libraries.

Pier Lee, Library Director, recently learned she would not be received an anticipated check for $26, 912 from the state for funds generated through Access Pennsylvania. This shortfall is in addition to an already expected cut of about 20% from the state. During their recent meeting, the Library Board and Lee reviewed their options to cut operating costs and generate additional revenue, while maintaining the same level of service to library patrons.

One of the many measures to address this deficit will begin January 2, 2010, when the daily fine for overdue adult materials will be increased from $.10 to $.25 per day. The fine for overdue children’s materials will remain at $.10 per day.

The Board has also unanimously voted that the library will not offer Sunday hours during the summer months in 2010 from Sunday, May 30 through Sunday, September 5 to decrease its operating costs. Outside of this period, the library will continue to offer Sunday hours from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m.

To help prevent further reductions in service in 2010, the library is seeking pledges from the community in any amount to the Friends of the Peters Township Public Library. A form to submit a tax-deductible donation is available at the library or on the library’s web site and can be returned to the library by mail or in person.

Holiday Programs at the Library!

Please join us to celebrate the season at one of the many free holiday programs we are offering in December for you, your family, and your friends!

TRINITY BELL CHOIR
For all ages
When: Tuesday, December 1 from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Join us for relaxing hour of beautiful holiday bell music. Refreshments will be served after the performance. Register at the library's circulation desk or call 724.941.9430.

CHRISTMAS JOY: A HOLIDAY CONCERT WITH NICOLE MARIE GASSE
For all ages
When: Saturday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Nicole will entertain us with an evening of selections from "Christmas Joy", her holiday CD released in 2008. Nicole Marie Gasse, soprano, is a graduate of the D'Angelo Department of Music at Mercyhurst College. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Nicole Marie has displayed a passion for opera beginning at a young age. Currently residing in the Pittsburgh area, she continues to pursue her dream of becoming a professional opera singer. Register at the library's circulation desk, call 724.941.9430, or email Carrie Weaver.

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND
LIBRARY CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY PARTY
For all ages
When: Sunday, December 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. outside the library and be followed immediately by the Children's Holiday Party inside the library. Join us for an evening of crafts and fun for the whole family to enjoy! Refreshments will be served and Santa will join in the fun too!

HOLIDAY YOGA
For kids and parents of all ages
Duration: 5 weeks, November 30 - December 28
When: Mondays, 1:15 - 1:45 p.m.
The holidays can be hectic -- chill out with Miss Linda's holiday yoga class! Yoga postures and breathing techniques will be taught in a fun and playful way. Children will stretch, sing, move, and imitate in this 30-minute yoga class for youngsters. Have child dressed comfortably and prepared to "play" in bare feet! Register in the Children's Department or call 724.941.9430.

EDIBLE HOLIDAY TREATS
For kids and parents of all ages
When: Thursday, December 3 from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Join us for this annual library tradition. Santa never had better taste or tasted better! Register in the Children's Department or call 724.941.9430.

FAMILY ORNAMENT NIGHT
For kids and parents of all ages
When: Tuesday, December 8 from 6:45 - 7:15 p.m.
Join us for this annual library tradition. Plan on adding some sparkle to your holidays and your holiday gift giving! Register in the Children's Department or call 724.941.9430.

HOLIDAYS AND HOT COCOA
Grades 6 - 12
When: Wednesday, December 16 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Join us as we start the holiday season in style! We'll decorate cookies, drink hot cocoa, decorate our Teen Room tree and karaoke to our favorite holiday tunes. For our gaming enthusiasts, we'll even bring out our Wii Ski, so you can practice before you hit the slopes!

GIFT WRAPPING PARTY
For kids and parents of all ages!
When: Thursday, December 17 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Having trouble sneaking around to wrap gifts for that special someone? Bring them to the library! We'll provide the festive wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and bows-you provide the presents! A limit of three gifts per person please, and all "smaller than a breadbox." Let your holiday spirit shine! Register in the Children's Department.

HOLIDAY MOVIE MARATHON
For kids and parents of all ages!
When: Monday, December 21 from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
What better way to celebrate the season than by sharing your favorite holiday movies with your family? Even better-how about an all-day movie marathon at the library! Drop in for your favorite or stay for more-Christmas cheer and good tidings await! Bring a holiday snack to share and begin the week before Christmas in a special way.

Christmas Joy: A Holiday Concert with Nicole Marie Gasse

The Friends of the Peters Township Public Library will host "Christmas Joy: A Holiday Concert with Nicole Marie Gasse" on Saturday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Nicole will entertain us with an evening of selections from "Christmas Joy", her holiday CD released in 2008. Nicole Marie Gasse, soprano, is a graduate of the D'Angelo Department of Music at Mercyhurst College. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, She has displayed a passion for opera beginning at a young age. Currently residing in the Pittsburgh area, she continues to pursue her dream of becoming a professional opera singer. Register at the library's circulation desk, call 724-941-9430, or email Carrie Weaver.

How to Stay Sane (and Organized) Through the Holidays!

Just in time to help us prepare for the holidays, Patty Kreamer returns to the Peters Township Public Library on Saturday, November 14 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. to discuss "How to Stay Sane (and Organized) During the Holidays!"

It's that time of year when everyone seems to turn into Scrooge. This year, you don't have to! If the holidays make you miserable because clutter and chaos are ruling your life, then this program is for you. Patty’s program offers simple, practical solutions on how to organize your life and WIN the clutter battle once and for all - all year round!

• Learn the 3 steps to organizing successfully.
• Discover how to make quick, logical decisions.
• Find Out how to easily maintain the daily flow of paper.
• Implement the E.A.S.Y. system -- Organizing has never been easier.

Due to the popularity of Patty’s programs, you must pre-register in advance to reserve a seat. Sign up at the library’s circulation desk, call 724.941.9430 or email Carrie Weaver.

Author, national speaker, consultant and organizer, Patty Kreamer, CPO® (Certified Professional Organizer®), is the Founding Past President of the National Association of Professional Organizers - Pittsburgh chapter and Past President of and The National Speakers Association - Pittsburgh chapter. She was named Women's Business Network's 2007 Woman of the Year as well as one of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business and one of Pittsburgh’s Fastrackers in 2005.