Library: Plenty to do in August

Every month the Sachem Public Library hosts a plethora of events for the community. Sachem Patch covers many of them on a weekly basis, and at the end of each month you can see this list of events for the following few weeks. Get ready for an interesting month of August, as the library ends its summer concert series at the Inside/Out Garden and jumps into the school year.

Here's what's going on in August ...

August 2010 Gallery Exhibit: Don Wilson ... Reverse Glass Paintings and Other Water Views

Don Wilson will exhibit a collection of his original artwork, Reverse Glass Paintings and Other Water Views, at Sachem Public Library during the month of August in the Gallery located in the Lower Lobby.

Don Wilson enjoys painting local farms and their produce, but his favorite subjects are seascapes and water views. He became intrigued with reverse glass painting after receiving a piece as a gift. Playing with the medium using old windows he had removed from his home, he was delighted with the results and has since added reverse glass painting to his repertoire.

In addition to the main gallery, the display case will exhibit hand painted rocks and stones created by Joan McCartin.

The Art Encounter: Wednesdays: 11:00 a.m.

Strengthen your creative skills in The Art Encounter at Sachem Public Library weekly on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Do you have a desire to fulfill your passion for art? Artist Jack Dean leads this weekly gathering of art enthusiasts. Work in your favorite media, share ideas and learn new techniques in a relaxed atmosphere. Bring your supplies and a work-in-progress, or start something new and have fun as you allow your creative energy to flow!  

The Redhawk Dance Troupe: Sunday, August 1: 2:00 p.m.

The Redhawk Dance Troupe will perform Native American dances in Sachem Public Library's new outdoor garden extension on August 1 at 2:00 p.m.

With brilliantly colored costumes and dynamic traditional and contemporary dances, the Redhawk Dance Troupe will share the value and importance of their native cultural traditions. This renowned dance troupe has danced at the NY Woodstock festivals, the Apollo Theater and even performed for the President. Bring your lawn chairs. Performances will be held indoors in the event of rain.

A Taste of Turkish and Mediterranean Cooking: Monday, August 2: 6:00 p.m.

Cafer Sahin of the Medford Pita House will present a Mediterranean cooking demonstration at Sachem Public Library on August 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Rich in vegetables and herbs, Mediterranean Turkish cuisine has a style all its own. Cafer Sahin will demonstrate how to prepare specialties of the region such as eggplant with tomato sauce and vegetables, and Tabouleh (bulgur salad). Sachem Adult Library cardholders only.

Picasso on Exhibit: Tuesday, August 3: 2:00 p.m.

Art historian Emilia Baer will discuss Picasso's life and work at Sachem Public Library on August 3 at 2:00 p.m.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art are hosting selected works of Picasso during the month of August. Ms. Baer will discuss both exhibits as well as Picasso's life and work, including his Blue and Rose Periods and his Cubist years.

Accepting Life's Changes: Tuesday, August 3: 7:00 p.m.

Richard Murdocco, PhD, Stony Brook University Medical Center, will help you explore your feelings and develop closure and healing at Sachem Public Library on August 3 at 7:00 p.m.

In this meeting Richard Murdocco, PhD, Stony Brook University Medical Center, will help you cope with the emotional stress of illness. Whether an illness affects you or a loved one, share your experiences and learn to put on the NEW you.

Sign Language for Adults: Monday-Thursday, August 9–12: 5:00 p.m.

Crystal Liebowitz will provide basic instruction in American Sign Language at Sachem Public Library from August 9th through the 12th at 5:00 p.m.

American Sign Language (ASL) has become a fast growing language among the mainstream hearing population. Instructor Crystal Liebowitz will demonstrate how ASL has its own unique grammar, morphology and ways of expressing concepts. You must be able to attend all four sessions.

Opera & Art Film Series: Wednesday, August 11: 1:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Enjoy the best of opera and art in this monthly series at Sachem Public Library. This month's film, The Audition, will be shown on August 11 at 1:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Susan Froemke, this documentary takes you behind the curtain at the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions, where each year thousands of hopefuls face their fears and compete for a cash prize, the chance to sing on the Met stage and the opportunity to launch a major operatic career. (2007, NR-2:37)

The Swingtime Big Band: Friday, August 13: 7:00 p.m.

The sounds of brass fill the air as The Swingtime Big Band performs in Sachem Public Library's new outdoor garden extension on August 13 at 7:00 p.m.

Singer Jerry Costanzo joins seventeen talented musicians to bring you classic Big Band music. Jitterbug to the swinging sounds of brass and slow dance to the romantic ballads of the 30s and 40s. Bring your lawn chairs. Performances will be held indoors in the event of rain.

Garden Thyme: Salad Bowl: Monday, August 16: 7:00 p.m.

Discover the delicious side to gardening with Garden Thyme at Sachem Public Library on August 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Don't say good-bye to summer salads just yet. In this month's presentation, Carolyn Zambraski will show you some great greens that will extend the season. You'll also discover how to use fresh garden herbs to wake up the flavor of your salads.

Great Decisions Discussion Series: Russia and its Neighbors: Monday, August 16: 7:00 p.m.

Sachem resident and long-time Great Decisions participant Peter Hanson, will lead this monthly discussion series of current global hot topics at Sachem Public Library on August 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Russia's policy of maintaining a "sphere of influence" in former Soviet satellites has been challenged in recent years by movements against pro-Russia regimes. Will Russia regain its traditional leadership role in the region? Sachem resident and long-time Great Decisions participant Peter Hanson leads this monthly discussion series of current global hot topics. Pick up the discussion copy at the Welcome Desk. Great Decisions, a national, civic-education program on U.S. foreign policy and international issues, is sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association.

Copies of an essay based on this month's discussion topic are available at the Circulation Desk.

The Tempest: Monday, August 23: 7:00 p.m.

Plaza Theatricals presents an outdoor performance of Shakespeare's classic, The Tempest in Sachem Public Library's new outdoor garden extension on August 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Intrigue, merriment and romance abound in this Shakespearean classic, performed in the open air just as it was in Shakespeare's time. Prospero, along with his daughter Miranda, is exiled from Milan and to a tropical island. Prospero confronts his persecutors when they are driven by a storm to the same shore. A Plaza Theatrical production. Bring your lawn chairs. Performances will be held indoors in the event of rain.

Forget the Lemonade: Tuesday, August 24: 7:00 p.m.

Sandra M. Powers will show you how to overcome the obstacles in your life at Sachem Public Library on August 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Don't let the 'what ifs' stop you from having the life you want to live. Learn life changing techniques that will help you get past the bumps in the road and pursue your dreams in this dynamic program presented by Sandra M. Powers. When life gives you lemons, forget the lemonade… make lemon meringue!

Book Discussion: The Lost World of James Smithson: Science, Revolution, and the Birth of the Smithsonian: Wednesday, August 25: 7:00 p.m.

The Sachem Library Book Discussion Group led by Helen Harris will discuss, The Lost World of James Smithson: Science, Revolution, and the Birth of the Smithsonian, by Heather Ewing on August 25 at 7:00 p.m.

This biography looks into the life of an exuberant if eccentric man and the mysterious roots of the institution that bears his name.

Copies of the book are available at the Circulation Desk. Everyone is welcome to join in on the conversation. This group can be attended every month or individually as a particular title appeals to you.

Book Discussion: The Shipping News: Thursday, August 26: Noon

The Sachem Library Book Discussion Group led by Ursula Bennet will discuss, The Shipping News, by E. Annie Proulx on August 26 at noon.

Proulx creates a simple and compelling tale of psychological and spiritual growth while providing glimpses of the maritime beauty of what is probably a disappearing way of life. 

Copies of the book are available at the Circulation Desk. Everyone is welcome to join in on the conversation. This group can be attended every month or individually as a particular title appeals to you.

Food and Wine of the North Fork: Monday, August 30: 7:00 p.m.

Chef and Author John Ross will present a history of the culinary development of the North Fork at Sachem Public Library on August 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Join chef author John Ross on a journey from the North Fork of Long Island as a sleepy farming and fishing community to the North Fork as a culinary destination. Along the way, Chef Ross will explore the history of East End restaurants and the people who played key roles in making the East End an exciting place to live. The owner of Ross' North Fork Restaurant from 1973 to 2000, Chef Ross is currently the food columnist for the Times/Review newspapers and the club manager at The North Fork Country Club. Copies of Chef Ross' books, The Food and Wine of the North Fork and The Story of North Fork Wine: Historical Profiles and Wine Country Recipes, will be available for purchase and signing.

Verse in Person: Tuesday, August 31: 7:00 p.m.

Celebrate poetry at Sachem Public Library on the last Tuesday of each month. This month's reading will be held on August 31 at 7:00 p.m.

Each month a guest poet presents a reading, after which the audience is encouraged to share original works at an open mic. This month's featured reader will be the hosts of this series, Jeanette Klimszewski and Mankh.

Ms. Klimszewski is the author of Promise. After retiring from a career as a physical education teacher, she attended Clown Camp and later became a poet.

Mankh is a writer, small press publisher and Turtle Islander. He teaches haiku and brush calligraphy. You can discover more about his poetry on his website: www.allbook-books.com. Special thanks to members of the Performance Poets Association, for co-hosting this series.