Enrolling for Social Security Benefits and Online Services

This year, the Social Security Administration is celebrating the 75th anniversary of providing high quality, personal service to the American public. On Thursday, May 13 from 7:00-8:30 p.m., a representative from the Social Security Administration will provide information about applying for Social Security benefits as well as information about what can be accomplished at Social Security Online, the official website of the U.S. Social Security Administration.

The Social Security representative will discuss Retirement benefits, Disability benefits, Survivor benefits and Medicare. Attendees will learn about the features of Social Security Online, the advantages of using this website and some helpful navigation tips. There will be a question and answer session after the program. Information packages will be available. Register at the library's circulation desk or call 724.941.9430.

Food for Life Series offered at the library

Our library will host a new four-part series that will to share knowledge about how food choices can help prevent cancer and support survival once cancer has been diagnosed. The Food for Life Nutrition and Cooking class series will begin on Wednesday, May 5 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. and be offered for the following three consecutive Wednesdays at that same time; May 12, 19 and 26. This series will be facilitated by Janet McKee, a board certified Holistic Health Counselor and a certified member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Each class will focus on a key nutrition topic, a live cooking demonstration, and plentiful samples of delicious meals and healthy desserts.

Each session will feature a video segment by Neal Barnard, M.D. on the nutrition topic(s) of the day:
May 5: Introduction to How Foods Fight Cancer
May 12: Fueling up on Low-Fat, High-Fiber Foods
May 19: Discovering Dairy and Meat Alternatives
May 26: Cancer-Fighting Compounds and Healthy Weight Control

Janet McKee represents The Cancer Project, a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Neal Barnard, whose mission is to advance cancer prevention and survival through nutrition education and research. Designed by physicians, nutrition experts, and registered dietitians, each class includes information about how certain foods and nutrients work to promote or discourage cancer growth, along with cooking demonstrations of simple and healthy recipes that can be recreated easily at home.

Cost for the entire four-class series is $80, payable upon registration at the library’s circulation desk. The class fee includes meal samples and a loaner copy of The Cancer Survivor's Guide, which has extensive nutrition information and more than 100 pages of recipes. The book may be purchased at the conclusion of the series. For information and more detailed class descriptions, visit the Cancer Project web site.

Mexico: Meeting the Challenges of Economic Recovery and Expanded Organized Crime

As the global economy appears to be moving towards recovery, and as Mexico emerges as a rising economic and global power, how will this country deal with the global economic downturn and the pervasive drug trade violence facing it?

These issues will be discussed as part of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh’s International series, The Economics of Power-Rising Powers in a Changing World at the Peters Township Public Library on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 from 7:00 – 8:30 P.M. Dr. Arnulfo Valdivia Machuca, Chief of International Affairs of the State of Mexico will present Mexico: Meeting the Challenges of Economic Recovery and Expanded Organized Crime.

Mexico is one of the United States’ top trading partners and is a powerful economic force in Latin America. The end of the single party rule and steady economic growth have afforded new freedoms and opportunities, but the recent rise in power of domestic drug cartels has created an atmosphere of insecurity and volatility. This, coupled with a difficult recovery from the recent global economic downturn, brings about a number of challenges regarding Mexico’s economic future. How will Mexico respond to these challenges? What are the implications for United States – Mexico relations?

Dr. Arnulfo Valdivia Machuca, Chief of International Affairs of the State of Mexico, has been a Political Adviser to the Governor of the State of Mexico and has served as Honorary Representative of the State of Mexico in Europe and the United Kingdom. He has also served as an independent adviser to the Secretary of Economic Development of the government of the State of Mexico, the European Union, and several Mexican political parties. Dr. Machuca is currently the President of the Regional Advisory Council for the National Immigration Institute in the State of Mexico. In addition to a Post-Doctorate in Economic Integration from the European University institute, Dr. Machuca holds a Doctorate in Political Economics and a Masters in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge.

Register for this free program at the Library’s Circulation Desk or call 724-941-9430. For additional information, please email Pier Lee, Director, Peters Township Public Library or call at 724-941-9430 or email Brandon Wallace, World Affairs Council Community Program Director or call 412-281-7055.

An honorarium for this program is generously provided by a grant from the McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 764.

A visit from a very special neighbor!

It will be a beautiful day in the neighborhood on Saturday, April 24 when the Peters Township Public Library welcomes Mr. McFeely for a visit from 1:00-3:00 p.m. A long-time TV favorite, Mr. McFeely (aka David Newell) will be stopping by with several puppet friends from the “Neighborhood of Make-Believe” to share stories and songs with library patrons.

Fans of the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood television show will remember Mr. Newell for his on-going performance as the neighborhood mailman “Mr. McFeely”, best known for his catchphrase: "Speedy delivery! Speedy delivery!" Residing in Pittsburgh, Newell is the director of public relations for Family Communications, Inc., a non-profit production company created in 1971 by Fred Rogers. He was recently featured in a documentary called Speedy Delivery, produced by several Carnegie Mellon University graduate students. Newell presently tours the country as “Mr. McFeely” promoting Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, the longest running children’s program on PBS.

Put on your favorite sweater and join your friends and neighbors at this free event – all ages are welcome! Please register in the Children’s Department for this free program.

Library celebrates 40th anniversary of Earth Day

Peters Township Public Library, along with their newly formed GO Green Club, has a variety of programs and displays for the whole family planned to mark the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day on Thursday, April 22, 2010.

The library’s GO Green Club will offer a free film screening of the documentary No Impact Man on April 22 at 7:00 p.m. The No Impact Project web site explains, “For one year, Colin Beavan and his family unplugged from the electrical grid, produced no trash, traveled exclusively by foot or bike, and bought nothing except food (all of it locally grown). By the end, they discovered something surprising: living simply wasn’t just good for the environment; it made them healthier, happier, and richer in ways they’d never expected.” This film is rated PG and suitable for family viewing.

A large display in the main lobby of the library created by members of the GO Green Club will explain everything you need to know about recycling in Peters Township. Books about sustainable living, organic gardening, and other earth-friendly topics are being featured on the second floor of the library. The GO Green Club members have also registered for township’s annual Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 24 from 9:00 a.m. until noon and will be working outside the library and in the parking lot that morning. The Club’s blog Living the Green Life is available through the library web site.

The Young Adult and Children’s Departments at the library have also planned activities for Earth Day. After school from 3:30-5:00 p.m. on April 22, teens in grades 6-12 will be doing a craft from recyclable materials and watching the film “Planet Earth”. From 6:00-6:45 p.m. kids and parents of all ages will celebrate Earth Day with a special storytime, activities and crafts. Children can sign a leaf for a promise tree to keep our world growing green. Families are then encouraged to remain for the film, No Impact Man, which will begin at 7:00 p.m. Register at the library’s circulation desk.

To join the library’s GO Green Club, please email Carrie Weaver or register at the library’s circulation desk.

Step Back in Time Program to kick-off National Library Week

The Peters Township Public Library will begin its National Library Week festivities on Sunday, April 11 at 1:00 p.m. with Step Back in Time: A Celebration of Life in Peters Township. The event, which will remember the history of Peters Township through exhibits, memorabilia, photographs, and slide presentations, is an excellent tie in with this year’s national theme of Communities Thrive @ your library.

The afternoon will begin with the Peters Township High School Jazz Band performing a variety of big band music. Visitors to the library that afternoon will also:

• Meet Robert Donaldson and Patricia Donaldson Stutzman at their exhibit One Hundred years of Change at Donaldson's Crossroads.
• Tour the library's Local History Room collection and discover treasures from the way life used to be in Peters Township.
• Walk down memory lane with Edward Lybarger for a slideshow presentation Last Days of the Hollywood (Restaurant) and enjoy Hollywood Memorabilia courtesy of the Bob and Jane McClure family.

The Peters Township Public Library welcomes new residents to this event, as well as families who fondly recall living in the area during earlier times. Activities are scheduled from 1:00-4:30 p.m. that day, with refreshments at the conclusion provided compliments of Peters Township Friends of the Library. Register for this free program at the library's circulation desk or by calling 724-941-9430.

Experts to discuss planning a traffic-free bike trip

Learn how to plan a traffic-free bike trip between Pittsburgh PA and Washington, D.C. in this special presentation by Mary Shaw and Roy Weil, two award-winning experts. The program, Linking Up: Planning Your Traffic-Free Bike Trip between Pittsburgh PA and Washington, D.C., will describe the trip traveling the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and the C & O Canal Towpath, including what there is to do along the way. Shaw and Weil will offer information and tips on planning a bike trip along the entire route or planning shorter excursions along the trails. This free program will be offered by the library on Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. Register at the library circulation desk, call 724.941.9430 or email Pier Lee.

You will learn strategies for planning your trip, how to select an itinerary, options for shorter trips, and whether to travel independently or with an organized group (Outfitter). Find out about lodging and meal alternatives and what you might expect from resources along the way. This presentation will also focus on identifying what kind of assistance you will need to determine if you would enjoy a self-contained trip, a lightly supported trip, or a fully supported trip with someone else responsible for making all the arrangements including a guide to travel with the group. Suggestions for planning your distance for each day of your trip will be offered, along with the pros and cons of choosing an eastbound or a westbound trip with the description of the trails for each direction.

This is recognized as the premier trip of its kind in the country, and draws visitors from all over the world. It is the best bicycle camping trip in the eastern United States and it is right in our backyard! Come find out what makes it great and start planning your adventure.

Mary Shaw is a Carnegie Mellon University Professor of Computer Science and Roy Weil is a Civil Engineer for Baker Corporation. They are recipients of several awards for their efforts in promoting outdoor recreation in our region. They have also been recognized for their commitment to advancing environmental stewardship through their volunteer efforts of time, energy, and skill, to ensure the outdoors are accessible by all and protected for future generations. They currently serve as donor advisors of the Trail Volunteer Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation. Shaw and Weil are the authors of Regional Guidebooks (Western Pennsylvania) for bicycling and canoeing including Linking Up: Planning Your Traffic-Free Bike Trip between Pittsburgh PA and Washington D.C. via the Great Allegheny Passage and the C & O Canal Towpath. This book will be available for sale following the program and the proceeds will benefit the Great Allegheny Passage. Mary Shaw and Roy Weil will be introduced by Mark Imgrund, President of the Montour Trail Council.