On Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in an event co-sponsored by Northern Trust, we are proud to welcome Andy Griswold, Director of Eco-Travel for Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS).

Hudson Bay is the land of the Polar Bear, Ursus maritimus. This lecture will show you the bears in their spectacular habitat and one of the world's most wonderful natural phenomena, the annual Polar Bear Migration along the Hudson Bay coast. Because of the relative ease of accessing this sub-population, Churchill is referred to as "The Polar Bear Capital of the World." The bears are not the only attraction as the austere desert-like tundra gives rise to breathtaking views of Arctic Fox, Arctic Hare, Snowy Owl, Gyrfalcon, and other wildlife against a magnificent backdrop.

For more information, please visit the event's listing.

image courtesy flickr user metrognome0

Tuesday, May 22 at 7 p.m.

In an event co-sponsored by Northern Trust, we are proud to welcome Andy Griswold, Director of Eco-Travel for Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) to the Library for a presentation titled The Polar Bear Migration.

Hudson Bay is the land of the Polar Bear, Ursus maritimus. This lecture will show you the bears in their spectacular habitat and one of the world's most wonderful natural phenomena, the annual Polar Bear Migration along the Hudson Bay coast. Because of the relative ease of accessing this sub-population, Churchill is referred to as "The Polar Bear Capital of the World." The bears are not the only attraction as the austere desert-like tundra gives rise to breathtaking views of Arctic Fox, Arctic Hare, Snowy Owl, Gyrfalcon, and other wildlife against a magnificent backdrop.

About Andy Griswold

Andy Griswold has been the Director of EcoTravel for Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) since 1996. Andy leads trips for CAS to Canada, Texas, South Florida, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, and many other unique destinations. Andy is a licensed USCG 100-Ton Master boat captain and lives in Essex, Connecticut with his wife Marilou and their young son Sam. He is known for his attentiveness to travelers' needs, fine birding skills, and infectious sense of humor.

A wine and cheese reception will follow the presentation.

Northern Trust is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, fiduciary and banking solutions for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s).

On Wednesday, May 2, 2012, Rob Petersen, President of BarnRaisers visited us to discuss web marketing and social media. The session covered:

- Branding

- Content Strategies that work

- Social Media Activities - FaceBook, LinkedIn, You Tube, Twitter, Blogs

- Case Studies

- Measurement & Return on Investment (ROI)

- About Mobility & Scalability

For more information, please visit the original event listing.

Professor Ian Ayres

Monday, May 14 at 7 p.m.

In an event co-sponsored by the Yale Club of Lower Fairfield County, Professor Ayres, co-founder of the commitment website stickK.com, will detail how best to craft incentives to stick to your goals. The new learning of behavioral economics and psychology teaches us that crafting effective incentives is a lot more than just setting the right price. Other people matter. Mindfulness matters. And framing matters.

About Professor Ayres

Ian Ayres is a lawyer and an economist. He is the William K. Townsend Professor of Law at Yale Law School. He is the author of 11 books including Voting With Dollars: A New Paradigm for Campaign Finance. He has served as a columnist for Forbes magazine and as a commentator on public radio’s Marketplace.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s).

image courtesy Flickr user j&tplaman

Thursday, May 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The first hour of this class will be devoted to the Facebook basics: status updates, timeline, newsfeed, photos, groups, and events. The second hour will be a hands-on workshop in our Tech Center where the instructor will walk students through the process of setting up a Facebook account and answer questions about current accounts.

Students are welcome to attend the first hour before deciding whether to attend the second hour.

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Seminar

7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Hands On Workshop in the Tech Center (optional)

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs available on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

Chantal Collier, Director, Long Island Sound Program, The Nature Conservancy

Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m.

In an event co-sponsored by Northern Trust, we are proud to welcome Chantal Collier, Director of the Long Island Sound Program for The Nature Conservancy to the Library for a presentation titled Inextricably Linked: Long Island Sound and Our Way of Life.

Spanning 600 miles along the coasts of New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, Long Island Sound is a unique and extraordinary place. Designated an "Estuary of National Significance," the Sound supports a rich and diverse community of marine and coastal habitats, plants, and wildlife. Long Island Sound also provides an invaluable resource for recreation, fisheries, commerce, education, scientific research and human inspiration, generating nearly $9 billion annually for the local economy. Yet, despite significant efforts to improve its health, global and local pressures on this ecosystem continue to mount, and enhanced action to conserve the Sound and bolster its resilience is needed now. We depend on a healthy, productive Long Island Sound; the health of the Sound depends on us.

Chantal Collier is the Director of the Long Island Sound Program for The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut and New York. In this capacity, Chantal works closely with partners to advance science, policy and management that will improve the health and resilience of Long Island Sound’s marine and coastal habitats and communities. She directs planning and research to improve understanding of ecological relationships and acquire the necessary knowledge for informed conservation decisions and successful ecosystem restoration.

A wine and cheese reception will follow the presentation.

Northern Trust is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, fiduciary and banking solutions for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

Christopher Zarr

Saturday, March 17, at 2 p.m.

This event is co-sponsored by the Middlesex Genealogical Society.

The 1940 Census will be made publicly available on April 2, 2012. Taken during the Great Depression and the New Deal and on the brink of U.S. involvement in World War II, the 1940 Census documents Americans during a time of national struggle. There is not currently a 1940 census index, but this presentation will describe how you can uncover genealogical information without an index.

Christopher Zarr is an Education Specialist at the National Archives facility on Varick Street in New York City. He has made a number of presentations recently in the New York area on the 1940 Census. For the past 3 years, Chris has provided workshops for teachers, students, and the general public about the resources of the National Archives. He has spoken at local, regional and national conferences on topics concerning primary sources, teaching strategies, and technology. Prior to joining the National Archives, Chris taught high school history in New Jersey.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s).

Hon. David M. Walker

Tuesday, March 27 at 7 p.m.

America is at a critical crossroads and the choices that our elected officials make in connection with the role of government and its finances over the next five years will largely determine whether our collective future will be better than our past. Dave Walker will outline the facts and offer a range of sensible solutions to help ensure that America stays great and the American Dream stays alive for our families and future generations of Americans.

Hon. David M. Walker is the Founder, President and CEO of the Comeback America Initiative (CAI). In this capacity, he leads CAI’s efforts to promote fiscal responsibility and sustainability by engaging the public and assisting key policymakers on a nonpartisan basis to help achieve solutions to America’s federal, state, and local fiscal imbalances.

Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the first President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. Previously, Dave served as the seventh Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) for almost 10 years (1998-2008). He has authored three books, with the latest one entitled Comeback America: Turning the Country Around and Restoring Fiscal Responsibility, a national bestseller. He lives in Bridgeport, CT.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behing Nielsen's).

Tuesday, February 28 at 7 p.m.

You’ve thought of everything – except for how to protect your assets should you need long-term care. Did you know that just one year in a Connecticut nursing home can cost more than $127,000? And Medicare and health insurance may only cover a fraction of these costs. Now there's a way to protect your life savings. If you’re 40 or older, long-term care insurance approved by the State’s Connecticut Partnership for Long-Term Care should be part of your retirement plan. These policies assure you of the highest quality standards. They’re affordable and provide asset protection, protect against inflation, and – most importantly – give you peace of mind through your retirement years. Come learn about how the State’s Partnership for Long-Term Care can help you plan ahead for your future needs.

Presented by Aldo Pantano, a representative from the CT Partnership for Long-Term Care, with the State Office of Policy and Management.

This program is part of the Library’s Health & Wellness Series, “Winter Wellness,” an extensive series of lectures, expert panels, workshops, film screenings, and fitness activities designed to help you achieve an even better version of you. For more information, please click here.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs available on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

Wednesday, February 15 at 7 p.m.

When it comes to our children, we're always going to have a lot of questions related to their health. Luckily, our panel of pediatric sub-specialists is here to answer your questions about raising healthy, happy, and energetic kids.

Presented by Dr. Mitchell Lester, M.D., Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology; Dr. Sohail Kayani, M.D., Pediatric Pulmonologist; and Dr. Anthony Porto, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterologist. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Jamie Roach Murray, M.D., General Pediatrician.

This program is part of the Library’s Health & Wellness Series, “Winter Wellness,” an extensive series of lectures, expert panels, workshops, film screenings, and fitness activities designed to help you achieve an even better version of you. For more information, please click here.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs available on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).