Guilderland Library Notes for Thursday, May 28, 2015

Join author and Cooperstown mayor Jeff Katz at the Guilderland Public Library on Saturday, May 30, at 11 a.m., as he reads from his new book, “Split Season: 1981: Fernandomania, the Bronx Zoo, and the Strike that Saved Baseball,” which chronicles the never-before-told story of the baseball season torn in half by the player walkout.

 “For most baseball fans, the summer of 1981 is a void, an absence, a black hole. Jeff Katz has finally illuminated that dark space, showing us what was going on behind the scenes of the sports world’s most prolonged labor action.”  says  Paulo Lukas, “ESPN.com” and “Uniwatch.”

No need to sign up for this program; come on in! Books will be available for purchase.

Dollars & Sense

 We're bringing in the experts for an informative, four-part financial-wellness series. Sign up for one or sign up for all four, it’s up to you.  All programs are held on Tuesday evenings in June, at 5:30 pm.

— On June 2: Brian Doherty, author of the book “Getting Paid to Wait: Bigger Social Security Benefits the Simple and Easy Way” will discuss how to maximize your social security benefits;

— June 9: Emily Bacon, a financial services representative with First Investors Corp., will present on the basics of investing, with a look at tailoring your portfolio to meet your needs;

— June 16:  Sheila Cervera, a certified long term care specialist and estate planner with SEFCU, will talk about options for long-term care; and

— June 23: Frank Roylance, an associate financial advisor with Key Bank, will present a program on retirement readiness and estate planning.

 These programs are sure to be popular, so sign up soon. Be sure to sign up for each individual date and program you would like to attend. Call 456-2400, ext. 2, or go to guilpl.org, and register via the Events & Registration Calendar.

Chinese calligraphy

Prized above all other traditional Chinese arts, calligraphy reflects Chinese culture's devotion to the power of the word, and you have the opportunity to learn a bit of this art on Thursday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m., when Dr. Wei Zhang will present Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy at GPL.

Unlike alphabetic or phonetic systems, each written Chinese word is represented by its unique symbol, an abstract diagram called a character, which not only denotes specific meanings, but also reveals energy and vitality in its natural way. Calligraphy is the perfect tool to express the aesthetic forms and dynamic energy embodied within Chinese characters.

GPL provides all the necessary materials of Chinese calligraphy. You will have an opportunity to write a few useful Chinese characters, such as numbers one through 10 and your own name in Chinese.

About GPL

 The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Ave. in Guilderland. Visit the library's website at www.guilpl.org. to get more information on these and other upcoming programs, and to register online via the homepage’s “Events & Registration Calendar.”Check out the unofficial library updates at facebook.com/Guilderland.Library and follow the library on Twitter (@GuilderlandLib).