News and Events from FTPL

Events at the Library

Click here to see the full calendar!

Movie: Precious - Friday, Mar 12 2010 2:00p

Precious Jones, an inner-city high school girl, is illiterate, overweight, and pregnant... again. Naïve and abused, Precious responds to a glimmer of hope when a door is opened by an alternative-school teacher. She is faced with the choice to follow opportunity and test her own boundaries. Prepare for shock, revelation and celebration. 109 Minutes. Rate R for child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language.

Seeds & Cuttings Workshop - Saturday, Mar 13 2010 10:30a

Get your garden started for Spring with the Master Gardeners! Participants will learn about plant propagation, seed germination, cloning through cuttings, and the plantlets within bulbs. Attendees will have the opportunity to sow seeds, root seedlings or plant a bulb. Everyone will also learn how to care for their young plants.
The Master Gardeners of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties is an organization of volunteers trained to assist the Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension in its mission of providing horticultural information to residents of our counties, as well as technical support for community-oriented horticultural projects and outreach programs. This is a free program, but registration is required. Sign up today!

SAT PREP: How to Earn a PERFECT Score on the SAT Essay section - Saturday, Mar 13 2010 2:00p

Are you struggling to:
earn a high score on the SAT essay section? organize your ideas? figure out what examples to use? make sure that your sentences are grammatically correct? Learn the strategies you need to write an outstanding essay from Ameer Sohrawardy, a Rutgers University professor with more than 10 years experience in SAT tutoring and the college application process.

Parents who have questions about the New SAT format and writing essays for the college application process are also welcome.

Registration is required for this free event.

Second Saturday Book Club - Saturday, Mar 13 2010 1:30p

Join us for a discussion of The Bell by Iris Murdoch.

Outside of Imber Abbey, the home of an enclosed order of nuns, lies Michael Meade's ancestral home, Imber Court. Michael's homosexuality has in the past complicated his desire to become an ordained priest, and he has decided to make Imber Court a lay community of the Abbey. To the court comes a small group of more and less 'pure' people, 'whose desire for God makes them unsatisfactory citizens of an ordinary life, but whose strength or temperament fails them to surrender the world completely.' Added to them are the visitors: Toby Gashe, a handsome and earnest young man, soon to attend Oxford; Nick Fawley, with whom Michael had a disastrous affair several years previously; Paul Greenfield, an egotistical art historian; and Paul's rather bohemian wife Dora, who 'had begun to suspect that Paul thought her the tiniest bit vulgar.' Iris Murdoch combines rarefied philosophy, intellectual introspection, and a terrifically dry humor as she takes us into the minds of troubled people seeking a good and satisfying life in the midst of their religion, their culture, and the natural tendencies of their own personalities. The force and tension of repressed contemplation grows until it is released by a series of stunning events.

Copies will be available at the Reference Desk beginning February 13.

Close Encounters With Birds of Prey - Tuesday, Mar 16 2010 7:00p

Would you like to see a golden eagle, a peregrine falcon or perhaps, a saw-whet owl? If so, join Bill Streeter, director of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center to see and learn about these and other birds of prey. You'll see six live raptors and spend a magical hour gaining a greater knowledge and appreciation of the raptors of the northeast.
Streeter, who has a BA in biology and an MS in zoology, will entertain, as well as educate you with the knowledge he has gained through over 30 years of studying and rehabilitating raptors, and through practicing the ancient art of falconry.

Kids' Music Round for Ages 0 - 7 years - Saturday, Mar 20 2010 10:15a

Kids' Music Round is an award-winning music and movement experience for infants and children to age seven designed to guide children through the stges of early childhood music development to achievement of basic music competence.    During this free introductory class,  parent and child will participate in music activities that help develop the child's motor skills such as dancing, clapping, and bouncing as well as learning to keep a beat and being introduced to varouis tonal and rhythmic meters.  Please register online or at the Children's Desk beginning March 1.

Computer Class: Intro to Microsoft Word - Saturday, Mar 20 2010 10:30a

Learn the basics of this popular word processing program. This class will cover: creating a new document, typing and formatting text, and saving a document.  You must be able to use a mouse and be familiar with basic computer concepts such as opening, closing, and resizing windows.
Class size is limited and registration is required.

Concert: UPAFR - Sunday, Mar 21 2010 2:00p

Established in 1992, the University of the Phillippines Alumni and Friends Rondalla promotes appreciation of Philippine culture through music using Filipino traditional instruments. The members are committed to preserving and propagating the rondalla as a native string ensemble consisting of the bandurria, laud, octavina, guitar, and bass.
Based in New Jersey, the UPAFR has been enthusiastically received by Filipino and multicultural audiences in various cities in the United States and abroad.  Its repertoire includes traditional folk and contemporary music from the Philippines and other nations, light classical, popular Broadway and church music.
The group shares their knowledge on the rondalla by attracting more participation and attendance in classes, workshops, and performances.

The Latest Prescription Medications for Mental Health - Tuesday, Mar 23 2010 7:00p

The Carrier Clinic shares the latest information on treatments for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Includes education on side effects, food and drug interactions, and overall effectiveness. Registration is required; sign up begins February 23rd.

Movie: Fantastic Mr. Fox - Friday, Mar 26 2010 2:00p

In the re-imagined classic tale by Roald Dahl, Mr. and Mrs. Fox live a happy home life with their eccentric son Ash and visiting nephew Kristopherson. That is until Mr. Fox slips into his sneaky, old ways and plots the greatest heist the animal world has ever seen. When mean old farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean join forces to surround Mr. Fox and his family, they don't realize they are not dealing with any old fox - it's Fantastic Mr. Fox and he has a fantastic master plan to save the day! Featuring the voices of George Clooney, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, and Meryl Streep. 97 Minutes. Rate PG for action, smoking and slang humor.

Computer Class: Internet Basics - Monday, Mar 29 2010 10:30a

This class will include a brief history and description of what the internet is and how to navigate it using a web browser.  We will do some basic searching and learn what makes up a good website.  You are expected to know how to use a mouse before taking this class.
Class size is limited; and registration is required.

School Break Movie Matinee for Kids - Tuesday, Mar 30 2010 1:30p

Enjoy a full-length feature film especially chosen for school-aged children.  Today's feature: Annie

Cards for Cancer Workshop - Wednesday, Mar 31 2010 7:00p

Interested in honing your craft skills while contributing to a worthy cause? This workshop for adults and teens will benefit Spirit Jump's Cards 4 Cancer Drive. These cards along with thousands of others will be sent to cancer centers for men, women and children survivors and they will be distributed on April 10, 2010.
Participants will use rubber stamps, ribbons and various objects to create as many cards as possible. Each card should have words of encouragement on/in it. Suggestions will be provided at the workshop but participants are encouraged to bring any quotes, poems, etc. that they would like to include.
Spirit Jump is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide hope and comfort to the men, women and children battling cancer by providing uplifting cards and inspirational gifts during this most difficult time. To learn more about the wonderful work that this organization is doing, please go to http://www.spiritjump.org/.
Registration is required; sign up begins February 28th.

Second Saturday Book Club - Saturday, Apr 10 2010 1:30p

Celebrate National Poetry Month! Bring your original poems to share. Or, bring your favorite poems to share.