Tom Davis uncovers family legacy @ PP Boro

Local author Tom Davis will share his personal journey to uncover, and ultimately understand, the history of mental health disorders that his family has battled for four generations in his intimate memoir, “A Legacy of Madness.”

Davis will discuss his journey towards self-discovery during a presentation at the Point Pleasant Borough branch, 834 Beaver Dam Road, Monday Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.  A book signing will follow.

The program is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register telephone the branch (732) 295-1555, visit the library Website www.theoceancountylibrary.org , or click on this link: http://bit.ly/tDkT0p .

4 Mummers to perform at Upper Shores branch – Lavalette

Friends of the Upper Shores library branch, 112 Jersey City Avenue in Lavallette, will present four band members who have performed in the annual New Year’s Mummers Day parade during a special program Wednesday Jan. 4 at 3:30 p.m.

The library program, “Mummers and More: Celebrate the New Year with an age old Tradition,” will share the rich history and many customs of this Philadelphia-based organization. The four members will also perform at the library.

The program is free and open to the public but registration is required. Telephone the branch (732) 793-3996 or visit the library’s Web site http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org to register.

TR branch to host job seekers’ support group

Ocean County Library and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development will host a job seekers’ support group at the Toms River branch, 101 Washington St., Mon. Jan. 9 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

This new monthly meeting, to be led by the Department’s Mark Boelte, will discuss job resources and share tips. It will be held in the first-floor Green Room.

The program is free and open to the public but registration is required. Register by telephoning the library operator (732) 349-6200 or online http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org .

Ongoing construction in the municipal garage behind the library may limit parking spaces and change traffic patterns. Check http://www.downtowntomsriver.com/bid/parking.htm for other parking options.

Filmfest seeking entries

Ocean County Library’s annual film festival is expanding in 2012 and is looking for entry submissions.

Applications for submitting videos to the library’s sixth annual competition and entry rules will be available on the library’s Web site http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or at a local Ocean County Library branch beginning in mid-January.

This year’s categories include documentary, news feature, animation, commercial, PSA, feature film, short feature and music video.

For updates, comments and additional information visit the festival on Facebook “Ocean County Library Film Festival.”

This year’s competition will have two age divisions: high school students, and adults. Each entry must be an original work.

Applications can be submitted either by regular U.S. mail or electronically via You Tube.

Mailed entries must include three separate DVD copies and a completed entry form. They must be postmarked by Friday March 23. Entries sent electronically must be sent to OCLFilmFest@gmail.com by Friday, March 23rd. Applications must be attached to that entry.

This year’s film festival will be held in two venues, Mancini Hall and the newly-opened Traco Theater.

The library’s annual film festivals have attracted international attention with past entries coming from as far away as Ireland. Last year more than 90 films were submitted for judging.

The festival’s judging panel will consist of librarians, educators, artists and other film enthusiasts in Ocean County. Judging criteria is based on originality, storyline, editing and audio quality and whether the film achieves its stated goal.

Certificates will be presented to the “Best in” categories following the event in an award ceremony with a featured guest speaker. Past guest speakers have included David Silverman (“The Simpsons”) Jim Uhls (“Fight Club”) Glen Kenny (film critic) and Tony Mandile (special effects artist.)

Funding for this year’s film festival is made possible in part by the Ocean County Library, the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, and the Kiwanis clubs in Ocean County.

4 programs coming to Manchester

MANCHESTER BRANCH TO CELEBRATE
“ONE LIFE TO LIVE”

MANCHESTER – The classic daytime drama “One Life to Live” is leaving television after 43 years. Join us at the Manchester branch, 21 Colonial Drive Friday, January 13 at 1:30 p.m. as we pay tribute to the show and celebrate its long history on ABC. Fans are invited to watch the final episode, share their memories, and discuss the lives of Llanview residents! Light refreshments will be served.

Please register for this free adult program! Call (732) 657-7600 or go online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Township.

QUILTING BEE TO HOLD MEETINGS AT
THE MANCHESTER BRANCH

MANCHESTER – The Manchester branch’s Quilting Bee will meet on Friday, January 13, and Friday, January 27 from 1 to 3 pm. During our meetings, we work on both individual and group projects. We share ideas, tell stories through our quilting patterns and through our conversations, and form friendships. New members are always welcome; no experience is necessary. Demonstrations of various quilting techniques are given during the first meeting of the month. At the January 13 meeting, participants will have the opportunity to watch Sashiko.

Meetings are held on the second and fourth Friday of each month. There is no need to register for this free adult program! For more information, please call (732) 657-7600 or go online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

MANCHESTER BRANCH TO SHOW, “LITTLE SPARROWS”

MANCHESTER – The Manchester branch will screen, “Little Sparrows” on Wednesday, January 18 at 2 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. See this popular foreign film on a large screen without paying the admission fee of a movie theater!

We meet three sisters in the middle of an Australian summer. Nina is widowed with two young children. Anna is an aspiring actress unhappily married to a filmmaker. And Christine is a medical student who has yet to fully come to terms with her sexuality. When their mother Susan’s breast cancer returns, the family is faced with the reality of their last Christmas together. As each daughter confronts personal change and growth, Susan guides them by revealing a secret of her own.

The dialogue is in with English and is 88 minutes long. It is part of the library’s monthly Independent Film Series. Registration is not required. This program is open all ages although it is geared toward adults.

MANCHESTER BRANCH TO PRESENT
HEALTHY COOKING ON A BUDGET WORKSHOP

MANCHESTER – Jennifer Klein, a registered dietician employed by ShopRite, will offer tips on how to prepare healthy meals without going broke during her program at the Manchester branch Thursday January 19 at 2 p.m. She will include a cooking demonstration and food samples.

These programs are open to the public, free of charge. Please go online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call (732) 657-7600 to register.

Four Press Releases from Stafford branch

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Francine Everson, 609-597-3381
feverson@theoceancountylibrary.org

THE INTERVIEW THAT GETS THE JOB

MANAHAWKIN – Former Proctor & Gamble Human Resources Director John Chasmar will present the criteria you need during an interview to get that job on Monday, January 11th at 7:00 PM at the Stafford Branch of the Ocean County Library. Mr. Chasmar was Director of Recruiting and Employee Development for 16,000 employees. Everyone has talents and abilities, but they rarely know how to communicate what they do well. All of your talents fall into two categories, and this program will help you understand them and how to use them – especially in your interview – to get what you want.

The Stafford branch is located at 129 N. Main St. in Manahawkin. This program is free and open to the public. Please register by calling the branch at (609) 597-3381, registering online at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or in person. If you have any questions, call the library for specific information.

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Francine Everson, 609-597-3381 December 20, 2011
feverson@theoceancountylibrary.org

POETRY WITH GEMMA

MANAHAWKIN – The Stafford branch of the Ocean County Library is hosting the program: Poetry with Gemma on Thursday, January 12th from 2:30 – 4:00 PM. Published author Gemma, who has written hundreds of poems covering all kinds of topics, will bring her expertise to other poetry enthusiasts. This program welcomes all poets who would like to share their poetry with others for valuable feedback, impressions, and commentary. Please bring in some copies of your work, which will be returned to you before you leave.

The Stafford branch is located at 129 N. Main St. in Manahawkin. This program is free and open to the public. Please register in person, by calling the Stafford Branch at (609) 597-3381, or visit the library’s website at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Francine Everson 609-597-3381
feverson@theoceancountylibrary.org

MOVIES AT THE LIBRARY

MANAHAWKIN – The Stafford branch of the Ocean County Library will be showing the feature film The Help on Saturday, January 14th at 2:00 PM. An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960’s writes a book detailing the African-American maid’s point of view on the white families for which they work. Rated PG-13.
The family movie The Smurfs is scheduled for Saturday, January 28th at 2:00 PM. An evil wizard chases tiny blue Smurfs from their magical world to New York City. Rated PG.

The Stafford branch is located at 129 N. Main St. in Manahawkin. These movies are free and open to the public. Call the branch for specific information: (609) 597-3381, or visit our website at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org There is no need to register.

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Francine Everson (609) 597-3381
feverson@theoceancountylibrary.org

CREATIVE WRITING GROUP

MANAHAWKIN – The Stafford branch of the Ocean County Library’s Creative Writing Group will meet on Wednesday, January 18th from 1:00 – 2:30 PM. What is creative writing? It’s an expression of the writer’s thoughts and emotions, rather than merely conveying information. If you love to write in any form – fiction, screenplays, etc., – this is a chance to meet others with the same passion. Share ideas and information, with the option of bringing in a one-page sample of your work with some copies for others to read. The group is limited to five participants so register early.

The Stafford branch is located at 129 N. Main St. in Manahawkin. This program is free and open to the public. Please register in person, by calling the branch at (609) 597-3381, or online at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org. If you have any questions, call the branch for specific information.

Bay Head Reading Center, The Heart of the Community!

Once again the dedicated staff of Bay Head have welcomed in their customers for a Holiday celebration complete with homemade everything!  From the tea & hot chocolate to the Gingerbread door prizes, a happy time was had by all.

Catch the gingerbread man at the Little Egg Harbor branch

The Little Egg Harbor branch of the Ocean County Library presented Gingerbread Cookie Fun and Gingerbread Cookie decorating on Saturday, December 17th in the afternoon.

Gingerbread Cookie Fun was for children ages 4 – 11. The group was assisted by 6 very helpful teen volunteers.

Donna Majchrzak the Children’s Librarian read Jan Brett’s Gingerbread Baby. The festive story is an adaptation of the Gingerbread Boy with the catchy phrase “I am the Gingerbread Baby, Fresh from the pan. If you want, Catch me if you can.”

Everyone enjoyed the twist at the end of the story and then decorated little gingerbread baby cookies on a stick. There was icing and candy galore. After volunteering with the younger crowd the teens then decorated large gingerbread cookies and showed off their creative side. The program was successful for all!

Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Ocean County Library

Toms River – Ocean County Library will host several programs marking the Kwanzaa holiday.

Kwanzaa, which means first fruits of the harvest, is a time of reaffirming African American of their ancestors and their traditions. The first Kwanzaa was celebrated in 1976 and is celebrated during seven nights of candle lighting.

The Seven Guiding Principles represented are Unity, Self-Determination, Responsibility, Co-operative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith honors the values of ancient African cultures and inspires African Americans.

“Share the Kwanzaa Spirit” is an introduction to this December holiday. Song and dance, together with an understanding of Kwanzaa’s symbols and customs, allow everyone to share in the holiday spirit. This program is made possible in part by the generous sponsorship of an Ocean First Foundation Arts and Cultural Grant and with funding from the Ocean County Library Foundation.

Share the Kwanzaa Spirit – the Seven Principles will be presented at the following branches.

Little Egg Harbor branch, 290 Mathistown Rd, Wednesday Dec. 28 at 2 p.m.
Lakewood branch, 301 Lexington Ave, Wednesday Dec. 28 at 7p.m.
Barnegat branch, 112 Burr St, Thursday Dec. 29 at 2 p.m.
Toms River branch, 101 Washington St. Thursday Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.

For more information contact the Ocean County Library at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or by telephone at (732) 349-6200 or (609) 971-0514

OCL annouces Christmas and New Year’s hours

All branches of the Ocean County Library will be closed Friday December 23 through Sunday December 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday.

All branches of the Ocean County Library will resume normal branch hours on Monday December 26.

All branches will be closed Sunday January 1 and Monday January 2 in observance of New Year’s Day.

All branches of the Ocean County Library will resume normal branch hours on Tuesday January 3.

As always, the library Web site http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org and its databases will be available during that time.

Please contact Ocean County Library at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call (732) 349-6200 or (609) 971-0514 for further information.