Classes - Programs

**For sign-ups or questions please call (609) 967-7155**

Special Programs

Author Lecture- Andrew Lubin

Author & USMC Combat Foreign Correspondent
Andrew Lubin
Wednesday, July 7
Elementary School Auditorium
7 p. m.

Andrew Lubin will be presenting a lecture, Embedding in Iraq and Afghanistan, on Wednesday, July 7. Lubin is a Foreign Correspondent for the USMC and the author of two books, Charlie Battery; A Marine Artillery Battery in Iraq  and Keep Moving or Die: Task Force Tarawa at An-Nasiriyah. He also co-authored Uncle John Salutes the Armed Forces. For more info, click here to visit his website.

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Author Lecture- Chuck Byler

Author Lecture and Book Signing
Chuck Byler
Monday, July 12
Multipurpose room
6:30 p.m.

Chuck Byler is a retired English teacher who served a four-year enlistment in the United States Air Force. Byler is coauthor of Tempered Steel, the biography of Colonel James Kasler, a WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War veteran who is a three-time recipient of the Air Force Cross and was held captive as a POW for more than six-and-a-half years. For more info on Tempered Steel, please click here. You can also visit amazon.com to read reviews of the book.
This program is being offered as a collaboration between the Avalon Free Public Library and The Avalon Free Public Library History Center.

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Author Lecture- Lisa Scottoline

Author Lecture and Book Signing
Lisa Scottoline
NY Times best-selling author
Elementary school auditorium
Wednesday, August 18 at 7 p.m.

For more info, click here

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Author Lecture- Lorraine Ranalli

Author Lecture
Lorraine Ranalli
Gravy Wars
South Philly Foods, Feuds & Attytudes
Tuesday, July 13
Multipurpose room
6:30 p.m.

Audience participation is encouraged in this interactive lecture as Lorraine uses the theme of her book, Gravy Wars, South Philly Foods, Feuds & Attytudes, to lead a lively discussion about culture, family, food, and taking risks. She’ll also introduce the audience to BE ODD, her trademark method for breaking writer’s block, followed by information about the publishing process. Anyone interested in cooking, family, Italian culture, or writing and publishing, will find this lecture entertaining and informative. Attendees can bring a notebook to participate in the writer’s block exercise.
For more info on Gravy Wars, visit http://www.gravywars.com/.

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Author Lecture- Steve Leadley

Author Lecture and Book Signing
Steve Leadley
Wednesday, August 4
Multipurpose room
6:30 p.m.

Steve Leadley is a local history teacher and author. His book, Sherlock Holmes and the Circle of Blood features three novellas: The Circle of Blood, The Highland Intrigue, and The Medium Problem. In the title story, one of Cape May’s prominent citizens is the victim of a mysterious murder. To visit the publsher's website, click here.

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Author Lecture-Dr. James Kirschke

Author Lecture
Dr. James Kirschke
Wednesday, August 11
Elementary School Auditorium
7 p. m.
Dr. Kirschke, Villanova professor and author, will discuss his
upcoming memoir, tentatively entitled Wheel to the Past, focusing mainly
on the three earliest chapters:  “Entrance,” “South Philadelphia Boyhood,”  and “Exploring: College Years.”

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Bay-Atlantic Symphony Concerts

Bay-Atlantic Symphony Concert
Vonderful, Vanderful, Vienna
Saturday, July 17 - 7 p.m.
Elementary School Auditorium

Bay-Atlantic Symphony Concert
Rescues, Royals, and Renegades!
Saturday, August 28- 7 p.m.
Elementary School Auditorium

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Beginner Knitting

Beginner Knitting
with Lainie Gerdelman
Tuesdays, July 6 through August 10
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Ages 16 and up
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register on June 6.
All others may register on June 20
Learn the basics of casting on and off, knit a scarf and learn to purl. Instructor
will also include history of knitting, materials and tools used, and a second
project for take-home work.
Supplies list to be advised

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Birds, Blooms, and Nests

Birds, Blooms, and Nests
with Joyce Kuhn and Dot Mirarchi
Saturday, May 1
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register on April 1.
All others may register on April 15.
Welcome Spring Avalon Style with this art workshop and table scape program. Instructors will demonstrate painting of unfinished birdhouses,  unique flower arrangements, and how to put it all together as a display. Make and take home something unique.

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Book Delivery for the Homebound

The library will deliver books to homebound residents of Avalon. Call the library at 967-7155 to learn more.

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Butterflies, Habits, and Habitats

Butterflies, Habits and Habitats
Thursday, August 5 - 7 p.m.
Multipurpose Room

Butterflies, Habits and Habitats is a wonderful slide show presentation of Eastern butterflies by Jerry Schneider, inventor of the award winning Butterfly Game. Students will learn interesting characteristics of butterflies, places to locate them, life cycle and plant/butterfly relationships. The instructor will also discuss Monarch Migration, with photos of the mountains and the people of Mexico.

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Children's Knitting

Children's Knitting
with Lainie Gerdelman
Fridays, July 9 through August 13
10 to 11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register on June 9.
All others may register on June 23.
Instructor will teach basic knitting in this 6-week knitting program. Participants will complete a scarf with one size of knitting needles as the project. Knitting needles and yarn will be provided or you are welcome to bring your own.

 

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Children's Visual Arts Workshops

Children's Visual Arts Workshops
with Jackie Farina
Wednesdays, July 7 through August 11
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Ages 8 through 12 - Art Room
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register one month prior to each class
All others may register two weeks prior to each class.
The curriculum for these workshops will include art techniques based on educational objectives outlined in the New Jersey Common Core Skill Set. More information will be provided on specific content of each workshop.

 

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Children's Writing Program- Finding Our Voices

Children's Writing Program
Finding Our Voices
Ages 8 -12
Tuesdays, July 6 through August 10
9:30 am. to 10:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Avalon property owners may register June 6.
All others may register June 20.
This writing program is designed to assist students in developing confidence in their ability to express their own good thoughts in a creative and supportive atmosphere. Writers will learn how to spark the imagination, mine memories, and strengthen their writing muscles. Writing exercises, prompts, poetry, and skits will be used
to awaken the students to the joy of writing.

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Color Workshop

Color Workshop
presented by Charlotte Carney
Saturdays, April 17 and 24
10 a. m. to 3 p. m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register March 17.
All others may register March 31.
A creative color workshop using a palette of brilliant, professional acrylic colors (provided by teacher), will mix colors and be added to color lesson (provided by teacher), use mixed color in painting, Discovering potential of organic and inorganic colors-Tinting-Toning-Exploring color possibilities to accommodate different kinds of palettes-seascapes-landscapes, still lifes, etc.

Supplies
Palette knife
Wax paper
Colored paper
Paper towels
Wet palette or tight-sealed plastic container
Surface to paint on
Subject to paint
Easel

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Creative Writing

  Creative Writing 
1st and 3rd Saturdays each month from 10am-12noon
The AFPL offers a free creative writing seminar led by Dr. Sue Jacobson, professor at Richard Stockton College of NJ. Each session addresses
different subject matter, using a variety of techniques: writing to music, fantasizing, using imaging, recording memories and observations.

Register at the library or by phone.

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Digital Photography

Digital Photography
with Harry Keyser
Wednesdays, July 7 through 28
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Avalon property owners may register one month prior to each class.
All others may register two weeks prior to each class.

Harry will be teaching Photoshop Elements for both PC and Mac users. 

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Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Music

"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Music"
with lecturer Paul Somers, presented by the Avalon library in collaboration with the Bay-Atlantic Symphony. New topic each month. Lectures start at 7:00pm.

March 23- Music as Picture and Poetry-
Sound as the language of simile and metaphor

April 27- Okay, What Did I Miss?-
After a season's worth of lectures, all lingering questions submitted ahead of time (at the end of the March lecture or by email) will be answered in April.

May 25- The Listener Owns It!-
Allow yourself to respond to unfamiliar music unhampered by preconceptions based on name, nationality, genre, gender, or title.

 

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Film and Lecture- Revolution '67

Film and Lecture
Revolution '67
Tuesday, June 29 at 6 p.m.
Multipurpose room

The award winning documentary, Revolution '67, will be shown in the multipurpose room, followed by a discussion led by a scholar from the NJ Council for the Humanities. Revolution '67 recreates the six days in July 1967, when Newark, NJ experienced one of the deadliest racial distrubances per capita in recent U.S. history. For more info on the film, please click here.

This program, entitled "Justice: A Dialogue Through Film" is being offered as a collaboration between the Avalon Free Public Library and the Avalon Free Public Library History Center. It is sponsored by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. To visit its website, please click here.

 

 

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Film Movement

Film Movement
The Avalon library presents a monthly series of first-run, award-winning independent and foreign films at 6 p. m. in the multi-purpose room.

March 18- The Window
April 15: Mine
May 20: Troubled Water
June 17: Somers Town
July 15: No Movie
August 19: For My Father

These films are NR-ages 17 and up  For additional information, go to www.filmmovement.com.

 

 

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Fishing Lecture

Fishing Lecture
with Capt. Dick Herb
Thursday, May 6
6:30 p.m
Multipurpose room at the Elementary School
Capt. Dick will lecture on the upcoming flounder season, the right tackle , and the status of the proposed NJ Saltwater License and National Saltwater Angler Registry
.

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Genealogy

Genealogy
with Casey Zahn
Saturday, May 15
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register April 15.
All others may register April 29.
The instructor for this workshop will show participants how to get started on  Genealogy, look for your family in census records and newspapers, and utilize the Internet to further your research. Casey also plans to show how to use documents to uncover clues for researching and resources our library has available for patrons.

This program is designed to complement the Pictures Tell A Story
programs scheduled for Saturdays, May 8 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Attendance at both is recommended but not required.

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Gina Roché Quintet in Concert

Gina Roche Quintet
Tuesday, August 24 at 7 p.m.
Brazilian Jazz Concert
Elementary School Auditorium

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Great Decisions

Great Decisions
Tuesdays - 6 to 8 p. m.
April 6 thru June 1
No class on April 27
A briefing book may be purchased from the Foreign Policy Association for $15. For more information, visit FPA's Website at www.greatdecisions.org.
Topics:
Special Envoys
Kenya and R2P
Global Crime
U.S.- China Security Relations
Global Financial Crisis
Russia and Its Neighbors
The Persian Gulf
Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

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Great Thinkers and Modern Science

Great Thinkers and Modern Science
Tuesdays, July 6 through August 24
4 to 5:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Avalon property owners may register June 6.
All others may register June 20.
This program will examine impacts of science on society.
New topic each week (TBA).

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Home Organization

Home Organization
Wednesdays, July 7, 14 and 21
10 a.m. to noon
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
This is a 3-part workshop with separate registration for each.
July 7
Avalon property owners may register June 7
All others may register June 21
Organizing 101
Teaches the who, what, why of clutter and the steps to
organize different areas of the home.
July 14
Avalon property owners may register June 14
All others may register June 28
Paper, Paper & More Paper!
This class focuses on getting paper piles under control and
teaches a paper system to keep papers organized and accessible.
July 21
Avalon property owners may register June 21
All others may register July 5
My Clutter Free Home!
Each participant is given a worksheet of where clutter builds in
their home prior to class. Class is specific to attendees and their organizational needs while teaching different organizational techniques.

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Introduction to Sign Language and Deaf Culture

Introduction to Sign Language and Deaf Culture
Thursdays, June 10 through August 12, 2010
6:30 to 7:30 p. m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register May 10.
All others may register May 24.
“Introduction to Sign Language and Deaf Culture” is being offered to mature teens and adults who would like to learn the basics of American Sign Language and gain an introductory understanding of Deafness as a culture. The class is open to beginners with no or little sign language experience, as well as to individuals with some previous experience who would like to enhance their knowledge. American Sign Language is a unique visual language with grammar and linguistic structure that is different from English. The course will provide instruction in vocabulary, the basics of grammar and linguistics, and a brief introduction to Deaf history and culture.
Weekly classes will cover new material, review, and utilize games and group
activities for language practice.

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Italian Culture Group

Italian Culture Group
Meet with others interested in reviewing Italian learned in the Italian class and those interested in learning more about Italian art, music, architecture, history, lifestyles. The second Wednesday of the month from 3:30 - 4:30 p. m.  Monthly meetings in 2010: January 13, February 10, March 10, May 12, June 9, September 8, October 13, November 10, and December 8.

Please note: No meeting in April 2010

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Italian Language Classes

Italian Language Classes
with Jessica Blakeslee
Mondays and Thursdays
July 8 through August 23
5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register on June 8.
All others may register on June 22.

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Kite Building Workshop

Kite Building Workshop
Wednesday, June 30- 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Multipurpose Room
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Avalon property owners may register May 30.
All others may register June 13
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Learn the history of kite making, types of kites,and flying techniques & strategies. Participants will build a kite to take home.

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Knitting Group

Learn and share knitting techniques. No sign-ups are necessary; all levels of knitters are welcome, from beginner to advanced!

Every Monday from 3:30 - 4:30.

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Lecture on the History of Shibe Park (Connie Mack Stadium)

Speaking of Shibe Park (Connie Mack Stadium)
Wednesday, July 14 - 7 p. m.
Elementary School Auditorium
Dr. Jerry Casway will discuss the history and background of the first modern, steel and concrete ballpark. The stadium’s neighborhood, physical development and team affiliations will be examined. The park housed the Athletics (1909 to 1954) and the Phillies (1938 to 1971), hosted nine World Series and two All-Star games. The memories and culture of the ballpark will be discussed with the audience.
A visual presentation will be used.

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Lisa Scottoline- Author Lecture and Book Signing

Author Lecture and Book Signing
Lisa Scottoline
NY Times best-selling author
Elementary school auditorium
Wednesday, August 18 at 7 p.m.

For more info, click here

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MAC Computer Training Classes

MAC Computer Training Classes - 
Tuesdays- 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Computer Lab
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Avalon property owners may register 30 days in advance of each class.
All others may register 2 weeks prior to each class.

Mar 9- The Apple Computer and iDVD

Mar 23- The Apple Computer and iDVD Part II

Apr 6- The Apple Computer and GarageBand

Apr 20-The Apple Computer and GarageBand Part II

May 4- The Apple Computer and Publishing

May 18- The Apple Computer and Publishing Part II

 

 

 

 

Oct 6-

 

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Magic Tree House

Magic Tree House
with Miss Sue
Wednesdays, July 7 through August 11
10 a.m. to Noon
Open to Ages 6 through 10
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register one month prior to each program.
All others may register two weeks before each program.

This program will be designed around the Magic Tree House series.Miss Sue will offer activities and crafts. For more info on Magic Tree House, please click here.

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Marblizing Workshops for Kids

Fabric and Paper Marblizing Workshops for Kids
Presented by Nancy Leary
Learn marblizing, similar to tie-dying but easier and more exquisite.
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
AGES 8+
Saturday, July 10- Circus Train- Junior engineers will love pulling into the station in their paper marblized trains.
Avalon property owners may register on June 10.
All others may register on June 24.

Saturday, August 7- A Day at the Beach- Make a fabric marblized beach tote or sun visor that reflects your personality- and matches your swimsuit. 
 Avalon property owners may register on July 7.
All others may register on July 21.

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Pastel Art Workshops

Pastel Art Workshops
"Exploring the Use of Pastels & Acrylics"
Presented by Jim Penland
Saturdays, March 20 and 27 from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m.
This is a 2-part workshop. Registration is required.
Avalon property owners may register on February 20.
All others may register on March 8.
Supplies participants should bring:
Various surfaces suitable for pastel,
such as velour and sanded papers
Pastels
Pieces of canvas or canvas paper, either should be ready
to tape to a board or smooth surface, and not very large
Tape and a drawing board or other smooth surface to work on
Parchment white soft bodied acrylic paint, or another warm white
Stiffer bristle brush and watercolor brush
Razor for scraping
Paper towels or a rag

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PC Computer Classes

PC Computer Classes
Thursdays- 6 to 8 p.m.
Computer Lab
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Avalon property owners may register 30 days in advance of each class.
All others may register 2 weeks prior to each class.

Mar 18- MS Excel 2007, Part IV

Apr 1- MS Word 2007

Apr 15- MS Word 2007, Part II

Apr 29- MS Word 2007, Part III

May 13- MS Word 2007, Part IV

 

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PC Users Group

PC Users Group
Third Monday of the month
6:15 to 7:45 p.m.
Meet with other personal computer users
to share problems and solutions. 

March 15 - Ed Renalli and the staff of Future Tech Computer Center will be giving an overview of common wireless set-up issues.

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Pictures Tell A Story

Pictures Tell A Story
Saturdays, May 8 and 22
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register April 8.
All others may register April 26.
Learn how to write interesting stories about your photographs
so you can leave a legacy to your family.
These programs are designed to complement the Genealogy
program scheduled for Saturday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Attendance at both is recommended but not required.

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Reel Time Feature Films

Reel Time Evening Feature Films 
Multipurpose room
Show times vary

March 9- Precious- starring Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique- Rated R- no one under 17 will be admitted.- 7 p.m.

March 20- The Twilight Saga: New Moon- starring Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, and Kristen Stewart- Rated PG-13- 7 p.m.

Future dates include  April 13, May 11, June 8, September 14, October 12, November 9, December 14.

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Reel Time Matinee Movies

Reel Time Matinee Movies
Thursdays, July 8 through August 26
Multipurpose room - 2 p.m.

The library will be showing matinee movies on Thursdays, July 8 through August 26 at 2 pm. in the multipurpose room. Titles to be announced. All ages are welcome and refreshments will be served.

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Scrabble

Join the “Scrabblers”  the second and fourth Monday of every month from 6:00 - 8:00 for word play.

Upcoming play dates: January 11 & 27*, February 8 & 22, March 8 & 22, April 12 & 26, May 10 & 24, June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26, August 9 & 23, September 13 & 27, October 11 & 25, November 8 & 22, and December 13 & 27.

*Please note: January 27 is a Wednesday night.

 

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Spanish Language Classes

Spanish Language Classes
with Jessica Blakeslee
Mondays and Thursdays
July 8 through August 23
3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register on June 8.
All others may register on June 22.

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Story Time

Story Time at the Library 
Thursdays- 10 a.m.
Join us for stories, songs and crafts for children of all ages.

Summer Schedule (begins June 29)
Preschool - Tuesdays - 10 a.m.
Toddler- Thursdays - 10 a.m.

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Summer Author Series

Summer Author Series

July 7- Andrew Lubin
July 12- Chuck Byler
July 13- Lorraine Ranalli
August 11- Dr. James Kirschke
August 18- Lisa Scottoline
Visit our Classes and Programs page for more info and lecture times.

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Turtlesinger

Turtlesinger 
Wednesday, July 28 at 7 p.m.
Multipurpose Room 

The Turtlesinger will present a musical interactive program that will include
turtle songs and feedings in the Elementary School Multi-purpose Room on Wednesday, July 28 at 7 p.m. The audience will have a chance to feed
the turtles and the program will finish with a turtle race.

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Wii Game Day

Wii Game Day
 3:15 to 4:45pm
All ages welcome
Multipurpose room at the school

Wednesdays,March 10 and March 24

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Wii Tennis Tournament

Wii Tennis Tournament
Wednesdays, March 17, 24 and 31
Multi-purpose Room - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Wii Tennis Tournament competition for adults.
Please register by calling 967-7155 or stopping by the circulation desk.

 

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Yoga for Golfers

Yoga for Golfers
Mondays, April 5 through May 24, 2010
4 to 5 p. m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Avalon property owners may register March 5.
All others may register March 19.

This 8-week program is for all levels. Yoga postures and centering techniques will be taught for increased flexibility in your spine, a grounded experience of feet and an ultimate calming of the mind that you can use just before teeing off.
Participants must be able to move from sitting to standing position independently,
expect hip openers, balancing postures, deep spinal twists,
guided meditations and some fun!

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