Friday, August 27, 2010

October Cinema Cafe - Invictus (press release)

September 1, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:        Robyn Truslow
                        410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862

Cinema Café at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick will be presenting an uplifting film based on a true story as part of the One Maryland One Book project.  The whole state is being encouraged to read the book Outcasts United which is a book which has the central theme of soccer being used to unite a diverse community.  The film is about how Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land; enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The Oscar nominated film stars Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon and is directed by Clint Eastwood.   The film and discussion are scheduled for Wednesday, October 6, 2010, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.  The Calvert Library is pleased to present this film in its Blu-ray format thanks to a grant from the Maryland Humanities Council to provide a PlayStation3 and a copy of the film.  Light refreshments and coffee will be served.  For more information call Robyn Truslow at (410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.


Thursday, August 26, 2010

E2K - Teen Open Mic Night

July 17, 2010

TEENS, Express Yourself at E2K!

On September 8, 2010, the Calvert Library Prince Frederick is hosting the Experimental Expression Kafé from 7pm to 8:30pm. What is E2K? It’s your Performance Lab for Teen Music, Poetry, and Mayhem. Bring your guitar, poems, fiction, rants and raves about anything you want. Lab Safety Rule #1: you don’t have to keep it nice, “just keep it legal!” If you’d like to perform, register for up to a 10 minute slot, or, come support your friends, enjoy the free java, and just chill out. Who knows? The next big thing might just come out of Calvert County, and now is your chance to say you knew them when…

For more information call Robyn Truslow at (410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.

Cinema Cafe

August 25, 2010


Cinema Café at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick will be presenting an uplifting film based on a true story as part of the One Maryland One Book project.  The whole state is being encouraged to read the book Outcasts United which is a book which has the central theme of soccer being used to unite a diverse community.  The film is about how Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land; enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The Oscar nominated film stars Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon and is directed by Clint Eastwood.   The film and discussion are scheduled for Wednesday, October 6, 2010, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.  The Calvert Library is pleased to present this film in its Blu-ray format thanks to a grant from the Maryland Humanities Council to provide a PlayStation3 and a copy of the film.  Light refreshments and coffee will be served.  For more information call Robyn Truslow at (410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.

Friends of Calvert Library Fundraisers

May 3, 2010

The hot weather is here so take advantage of the great joy ice cream can bring and support Friends of Calvert Library at the same time! On Thursday, May 20 from 6pm-9pm, the Rita’s in Prince Frederick will be sharing their profits with the Friends. Scooper-of-the-night will be local celebrity, owner of Keep It Simple Computer Training and member of the Friends Executive Board Laura Allison. Part of the profit from the sale of ices, shakes, cones, whatever cool treat you love will go to the Friends so buy big!

Friends of Calvert Library have been a fundraising support system for the library for many years. Their biggest fundraisers are their used book sales a couple times each year. In fact, the next sale will be Saturday, May 22 from 9am-3pm at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick and you can find great deals on thousands of gently used books, plus movies, audio books and more.

In these careful economic times, the Friends have been able to supply the funding for library Teen and Tween nights, digital cameras to capture the fun at each library location, art and snack supplies for various events such as Gingerbread House Workshops, Teen Band Night, Fright Night, Kindergarten Art Day, Kids Just Want to Have Fun and more. Help them keep the funding flowing by buying a scoop or two at Rita’s!

For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

Quilts, Quilts and More Glorious Quilts!

May 2, 2010

Is there a National Quilt Month? If there is not, then there should be and it should be May because that is when the Calvert Library is showcasing some very special quilts and quilt events. From now through May 15, the Calvert Library will be hosting the Heart of Maryland Libraries quilt. All month, the library is holding a raffle for a beautiful Readers’ Quilt created and donated by Anita Konzak Turley of Huntingtown. On Saturday, May 22, the Calvert Library Prince Frederick will host a Quilt Show at which traditionally pieced, appliqué and art quilts made by talented Calvert County quilters will be displayed. The Calvert Quilt Shop Queen Bees, Calvert Quilt Guild and the Southern Maryland Art Quilters are generously loaning a number of their beautiful creations for the day of the Quilt Show. Library customers will be able to enjoy them from 9am to 3pm.

The idea behind The Heart of Maryland Libraries quilt was to create a piece of art that visually renders the hearts of individual library systems throughout Maryland. More than 130 librarians and library users from across the state contributed their time and creativity to produce a diverse selection of twenty-seven quilt squares. The final result is a statement on the unifying nature of Maryland libraries. Customers can also peruse a copy of the scrapbook that Susan Howes created documenting the stories behind the quilt squares. The quilt will be displayed through Saturday, May 15 at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick after which it will continue on its journey around the state.

The Readers’ Quilt being raffled is another work of art created by library lover Anita Turley. Tickets are available for $1 each or 6 for $5 at any Calvert Library location until the drawing on May 28, 2010. Inspired by her mother, Eloise Konzak, a librarian for over 25 years in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, the quilt features books that were family favorites growing up and some that her mother gave to her grandson over the years. Sewn and designed by Turley, she turned the final top-quilting over to Michelle’s Quilts in Hughesville. She made and donated the quilt in memory of her mother, finishing the last stitch on what would have been her parent’s 60th anniversary on August 17, 2009 having started it in February of that year. The raffle is a fundraiser for Calvert Library and will go towards library materials.

Why do quilters quilt? In the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth century, quilts were made for utilitarian reasons. We needed warmth. When polyester was born in the mid-twentieth century and quilts took a nose dive in popularity. In the late 1970's oil prices caused polyester to get more expensive and good 'ole cotton came back and there was a quilt-making revival. Today most quilts are made to fulfill a quilter’s need to be creative. Many use beautiful cotton fabrics like a painter uses paint. Art quilts use various materials, not just cloth and are interpretative in their design rather than repeating a pattern.
Because making quilts by hand takes a long time, many quilters have learned to love computerized sewing machines to help make quilts in the twenty-first century. According to Marti Phelps, quilting instructor at the Calvert Quilt Shop and quilt historian, “We still appreciate what Grandma did and even like to create the same designs that she did but we piece and even quilt with a machine. We have so many quilts we want to make and making a quilt by machine is so much faster! An individual can machine-piece and machine-quilt her own bed-size quilt in a month or two, putting in an hour or so a day.”

Historically, quilting has always been a social event. Quilters got together to hand-quilt around a frame and they could finish a quilt in a day with 8-9 quilters seated at the frame. Quilters still gather to work and share stories about their families, keep up with community happenings, and support each other. Quilting is a stress reducer and creative outlet. When asked how else quilting has changed over the years, Phelps had this to say, “We don't use cardboard and scissors anymore to create patterns. With the invention of the rotary cutter, mat, and plastic rulers, we slice squares, rectangles, and strips. We have marvelous fibers to use for filling in a quilt today; in addition to polyester, we have wonderful cotton, wool, silk, and even bamboo for the ecology-minded. We even have "green" polyester batting made from recycled plastic bottles.”

While a nice quilt can keep your heating bill down, the hobby itself can be expensive. Many quilters use their home sewing machines, however "long-arm quilting machines" have become popular, though very expensive (“Try $35,000.” says Phelps). These machines have openings to slide the quilt into that are 30-36" deep. Soon a home quilting machine with an 11" opening will be available on the market for a mere $3,000. Quilting is big industry but quilters have big hearts. Come to the Calvert Library to see what Calvert County and Maryland quilters have to show you. For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

Super Sidewalk Sale

April 20, 2010

Due to the generosity of book lovers cleaning out their shelves for their Spring cleaning, the Calvert Library is overstocked with a huge assortment of donated books and videos! Help us spin gold out of this lovely stock by coming to the Friends of Calvert Library Super Sidewalk Used Book Sale on Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Calvert Library Prince Frederick (850 Costley Way). Buy from the fantastic selection of gently used books – fiction, non-fiction and videos. Thousands of books will be available at great prices! Stock up for your summer beach reading!

Celebrate National Poetry Month: Meet Poet Grace Cavalieri

April 2, 21010

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Calvert Library Prince Frederick who will be hosting poet, playwright and radio show host, Grace Cavalieri on Thursday, April 29 at 7:00pm. She will be featuring her new book of poems, Sounds Like Something I Would Say but you will hear a bit from her other books as well. Given that it is National Poetry Month, you should also come prepared to do a little writing and sharing yourself. Bring your pencil and your muse.

Cavalieri is a multi-talented poet. In 2009 she produced “The Poet’s Cookbook” with Tuscan recipes and food poems by 28 poets. She is the author of 22 produced plays and she’s written texts/lyrics for two produced operas. She founded “The Poet and the Poem” on public radio, and now produces the series from the Library of Congress, in its 33rd year on-air. The series holds the CPB Silver Medal. Her book Anna Nicole:Poems (Goss 183:: Casa Menendez) holds The 2009 Paterson Award for Literary Excellence. Her 2004 book What I Would Do For Love: Poems in the Voice of Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) won a Paterson Poetry Prize. Her play based on this book, “Hyena in Petticoats,” received its premiere reading at NYC Public Library, 2007. Her play “Quilting the Sun” was presented at the Smithsonian in 2005, and received its world premiere production, 2007, Centre Stage, S.C. It received a key to the city of Greensville for the play’s depiction of ex-slave quiltmaker Harriet Powers. Cavalieri’s last collection of poems, Water on the Sun (2006) won the Bordighera Poetry Award and was listed on Pen Center’s Best Books of 2006 List.

For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

Library Customer Survey Time

March 30, 2010

Every other year, Calvert Library conducts a customer survey. This puts responders in the great position of playing an important role in determining how the library serves our community. The library is committed to meeting the imagination, information and inspiration needs of the citizens of Calvert County. Please completely answer the five-to-ten minute survey.

The survey will be offered online so even for those with busy lives, it is easy to have your voice heard. Visit the library home page, calvert.lib.md.us, and click on the big "Yes" in the bottom right-hand feature block. By sharing a few minutes of your time, you can provide valuable information that will help the staff create a library that meets your needs.

In the past, information from customer surveys has encouraged the library to add computers, provide computer training, increase the audiobook collection, add infant storytime and evening storytime, and continue to make available a wide variety of books and audio-visual materials.

The library values its customers and strives for excellence in customer service. Please take the time to tell them what you think. For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

Fit Fun 4U

March 4, 2010

Yes, fitness can be fun! The Calvert Library Prince Frederick is hosting “Fit, Fun 4U” for 5th-12th graders on Wednesday, March 31 from 10am to noon. Come and learn the tricks of the fitness trade and hook-up with some hot-shot athletes. James Sutton has been a Personal Trainer for over two decades and trains all levels of clients from the novice to the highly advanced. As Head of Education/Training and Sports Rehabilitation Consultant (PTA, US Navy Retired), Sutton has 20 years of clinical experience in neuromuscular development, gait analysis, spinal evaluations and musculoskeletal injuries. You will also meet Lisa Horton, formally of the Pittsburg Passion professional football team who was the quarterback and team captain for seven years. Horton was named the National Woman’s Football Player of the Week during the 2003 thru 2007 season and received the Willie Stargell award for “Community Sport Leader.” She is currently the Associate Executive Director of the YMCA National Capital-YMCA of Metro DC as well as the volunteer strength and conditioning Coach for Coolidge High School. Horton, who has an M.S. in Exercise Science and Wellness Promotion, will teach you how to stay fit and healthy. Dress comfortably and be ready for some fun fitness, tasty refreshments and even a chance to win some door prizes. No registration is required. For more information, call 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

Proposal Writing and Budgeting Workshop

March 9, 2010

The Calvert Library has invited Caroline Herbert of the Foundation Center, Washington, D.C. to present a two-hour workshop on writing a grant proposal and the essentials of preparing a budget for a non-profit organization.

This workshop will introduce participants to the key components of a proposal to a foundation or corporation. Topics covered include: gathering information to help prepare the proposal, tips for writing and structure, and communicating with the funder after a decision is made. The presenter will also review the essentials of budget preparation and presentation in a grant proposal, including the preparation of the personnel section, incorporating overhead costs, and the budget narrative. This workshop will be held on Friday, April 16, 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. Registration required-- contact Cathey Moffatt-Bush or Robbie McGaughran at 410-535-0291.

Dog Lover? Meet Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Jon Franklin

March 8, 2010

Are you a dog lover? You must meet Jon Franklin and read his book The Wolf in the Parlor: the Eternal Connection Between Humans and Dogs. Written by atwo-time Pulitzer prize winner, the story is a nonfiction mystery that begins with a 12,000 year old grave, the skeleton of an old man and a puppy and leads to a startling conclusion. You can hear more about the story and meet Franklin on Thursday, April 22 at 7:00pm at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick where he will be selling and signing his book.

Franklin is one of the founders of the literary nonfiction movement – writers who tell true stories as emotionally gripping as nonfiction. He is known for his ability to illuminate issues of science in terms everyone can relate to. The author of five books and countless articles, Franklin is currently a professor at the University of Maryland in the College of Journalism.

So what brought him to the dogs? His wife. Married to Lynn Franklin of the Boogie Woogie BowWows fame, Franklin cannot help but be exposed to the deep connection that can be had with one’s canine. He spent a decade studying the origins and significance of the dog and its peculiar attachment to humans. In his book, using science and observation, he comes to a conclusion so remarkable that you may change your perception of yourself after reading the book. Whether you love dogs or know people who love dogs, this is a book to try.

For more information about this Meet the Author event, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

Women's History Month: Meet Marie Antoinette

 March 4, 2010

Women’s History Month: Meet Marie Antoinette on Monday, March 22 at 7:00pm at Calvert Library Prince Frederick. Christine Trent, author of The Queen’s Dollmaker will present as Marie Antoinette and perhaps dispel the bad reputation that has always plagued the queen. As the queen at the height of the French Revolution, she has been much maligned. She was fourteen when she wed the king-to-be and as an Austrian and foreigner, she was an easy target of criticism among her subjects. Not producing an heir for seven years was only one of the early complaints. Some have suggested that Marie Antoinette influenced her husband’s political views in a way that made the revolution a foregone conclusion. She was also the object of rumored affairs and accusations of incest. The phrase “Let them eat cake” is often attributed to her though there is actually no historical evidence of this.

Christine Trent writes historical fiction from her two-story home library. She lives with her wonderful bookshelf-building husband, four precocious cats, a large doll collection, and over 3,000 fully cataloged books. She and her husband are active travelers and journey regularly to England to conduct book research at historic sites. Learn more about Christine at www.christinetrent.com. For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

An All Music Open Mic

March 2, 2010

The Calvert Library Prince Frederick will host you and your song on Thursday, March 18 at 7 pm. Whether you need to sing the blues, have a song in your heart or just want to share the beat, sign up for a slot of up to 10 minutes.

Join emcee and blues rodent Rocky Jones as he jumps another boxcar to evade the Law, the hound of doom, and the lonely waitress’s angry boyfriend. The format for this year has changed somewhat for good reason. Last year the Calvert Library offered a Blues Open Mic and opened it up to bluesy music, prose and poetry.

According to Robyn Truslow, Public Relations Coordinator for the Calvert Library, “We drew such a crowd of musicians that asked for more musical opportunities that we are focusing just on music this year. And our Heart and Spleen Open Mic got snowed out so there is plenty to sing the blues about!”


Last year there was a wide variety of music with its roots in the blues; gospel, folk, old-timey blues and more.

“Even a tear or two was shed,” said Truslow. “This year, all musical genres are welcome.” Truslow emphasized that acts need to register to make sure that they book their turn at the mic for up to 10 minutes.

For more information and to register, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at (410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.