FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Celebrate the holidays with special programs at your Newport News Libraries

Libraries host free events all through December

Tree trimming, crochet night, Poisoned Dwarf, and holiday karaoke are just a few of the wonderful programs taking place at the Newport News Public Libraries this holiday season.

Holiday Closings

The Newport News Public Library System will close early, at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, Dec. 24, for Christmas Eve. The libraries will be closed all day on Thursday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Dec. 26, for Christmas. They will close early, at 6 p.m., on Monday, Dec. 31, for New Year’s Eve. They will be closed all day on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2009.

Can Your Fines

A nonperishable, nonexpired food item or personal item can take the place of a fine for overdue materials from Saturday, Nov. 29, to Wednesday, Dec. 31, at all Newport News Public Library System locations. This includes outstanding fines for long-overdue items that are returned, but does not apply to lost or damaged materials or to fees charged once an account has been sent to the collection agency. Items collected will be donated to the Peninsula Food Bank.

Community Youth Holiday Tree Trimming

Youth ages 7 to 17 can join the Pearl Bailey Library staff in gearing up for the holiday season by decorating the holiday tree, 4:30-6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 1, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required.

Yu Gi Oh Learn and Duel Card Club

Children and teens ages 9 to 18 can learn the basic rules to play Yu Gi Oh from two experienced teen players, Chris “CJ” Moore and Johnel Thomas, 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, and Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Pearl Bailey Library. Participants are encouraged to bring their own deck of cards and duel with other players. Trading is allowed, but players will not lose their cards in the games. No registration is required.

Teen Knit and Crochet Night

Teens ages 12 to 17 can learn how to knit or crochet or just hang out and have fun crafting, 6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Grissom Library. Registration is required and begins Nov. 18 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Girl Scouts Central

The Pearl Bailey Library and the C. Waldo Scott Center are hosting a new Girl Scout troop for girls ages 12 to 15. The Studio 2B Troop #9805, hosted by the C. Waldo Scott Center at Pearl Bailey Library, offers girls engaging opportunities to give back to their communities, try new activities, and feel proud of their accomplishments. In the process, girls build confidence, self-respect, and self-worth — character qualities that last a lifetime. Meetings will be 4-5:30 p.m., Thursdays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18, at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required, and begins Nov. 29 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Deck the Hall for the Holidays

Floral Designer Michelle Belsches will teach participants how to decorate for the holidays using garland, wreaths and floral arrangements, 2-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Paws to Read

The Paws to Read program helps children ages 6 to 10 build their confidence by reading out loud to dogs at Newport News’ Grissom Library on the first Saturday of each month. The next Paws to Read program will be 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Grissom Library. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well. Registration is required, and begins Nov. 22 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Winter Concert Series: Poisoned Dwarf

Poisoned Dwarf will play a Celtic-themed Christmas concert, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, at Main Street Library. No registration required.

Winter Concert Series: Our Way Brass Trio

The Our Way Brass Trio will perform 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Grissom Library. No registration required.

Holiday Cookie Ornaments

Experienced instructor Jesseca Stallings will teach adult participants basic cookie decorating techniques and provide all supplies. Participants will decorate cookies with food-coloring markers and take them home. The classes are 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, at West Avenue Library and 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Grissom Library. Registration is required, and is in progress online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 or West Avenue Library at 757-247-8505.

Children’s Holiday Cookie Ornaments

Experienced instructor Jesseca Stallings will teach participants ages 5 to 12 basic cookie decorating techniques and provide all supplies. Participants will decorate cookies with food-coloring markers and take them home. The classes are 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, at Main Street Library and 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16, at West Avenue Library. Registration is required, and is in progress online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 or West Avenue Library at 757-247-8505.

Holiday Karaoke for Teens

Teens ages 12 to 18 are invited to sing their favorite holiday songs along with the Library’s Karaoke equipment, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15, at Pearl Bailey Library. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is required and begins Dec. 1 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Winter Concert Series: Acclaim! Barbershop Quartet

Acclaim! Barbershop Quartet will perform a selection of traditional a cappella songs, 2-3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16, at West Avenue Library and noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Grissom Library. No registration is required. Acclaim! was registered in 1994 with the Barbershop Harmony Society and has been entertaining audiences at national and international conventions, banquets, commercial promotions and private parties since.

You Got Game?

Teens ages 12 to 18 can compete in a Wii Madden 09 Football game or a PS2 NBA 09 Basketball game, 4-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required, and begins Nov. 29 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Winter Concert Series: Elliott Family String Quartet

The Elliott Family String Quartet will perform a selection of traditional a capella songs, 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 23, at West Avenue Library. No registration is required.

Teen Urban Lit Book Club

Teens ages 12 to 18 can meet to discuss the book, “The Guns,” a title from the Bluford Series by author Paul Langan, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Pearl Bailey Library. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is required, and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Loosely Knit Group

Everyone is welcome to join the Loosely Knit Group, which meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. every first and third Thursday of each month at Grissom Library. Anyone who enjoys knitting, crocheting, or any craft is welcome, and no registration is required.

Virginia Employment Commission Website Orientation Sessions

In the Business Center, the Main Street Library staff will offer orientation sessions to help patrons register to use the Virginia Employment Commission site, VAworkconnect.com, 10 a.m. to noon, Mondays, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; and 2 to 4 p.m., Thursdays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Introduction to the Business Decision database

Main Street Library staff will teach participants how to use the Business Decision database, located in the Business Information Center at Main Street Library. The small-business-oriented database allows users to create maps based on various statistical data, such as extensive consumer household data, market segmentation data, population forecasts and demographic data. The class is offered 10-11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 11. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Wii Have Fun Game Day

Children ages 7-11 can play Wii games and PS2 games, 4-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required, and begins Dec. 1 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Kwanzaa Workshop

Professional Storyteller Felix Simmons Sr. will share stories and information for all ages about the cultural holiday of Kwanzaa, 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Grissom Library. No registration required.

Computer classes

Registration begins Dec. 1 for January classes online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library. Classes are offered on an ongoing basis covering various topics, including computer and Internet basics, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, resume writing and more. Search for classes and register at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library.

Late Fall Storytimes

Late Fall storytimes run through Dec. 19. Register online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library.

Pearl Bailey Library

·         Preschool Storytime for ages 2½ to 5 (Parents and caregivers invited) 

Mondays 10 a.m.

·         Family Preschool Storytime for ages 3-5 (Parents and caregivers invited) 

Saturdays at 10-11 a.m., Nov. 1, 15; Dec. 13, 27

Grissom Library

·         Babygarten for ages birth to 2½ (with parent or caregiver)

Mondays at 10 a.m., Nov. 10, 17, 24;

·         Preschool Storytime  for ages 3½ to 5 (Children only)

Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 18, 25;

·         Tiny Tot Storytime for ages 2½ to 3½ (with parent or caregiver)

Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Nov. 12, 19, 26.

Main Street Library

·         Preschool Storytime for ages 3½ to 5 (Children only)

Tuesdays 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 18, 25, Dec. 2, 9, and 16

·         Tiny Tot Storytime for ages 2½ to 3½ (with parent or caregiver)

Tuesdays 10 a.m., Nov. 11, 18, 25, Dec. 2, 9, and 16

·         Wee Ones Storytime for ages birth to 2½ (with parent or caregiver)

second and fourth Thursdays, 10 a.m. Nov. 13 and 20, Dec. 11 and 18

Register for all programs online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library:

·         Grissom Library, 366 DeShazor Drive, Newport News, VA 23608, 757-369-3190

·         Main Street Library, Bookmobile, Library for the Blind, 110 Main Street, Newport News, VA 23601, 757-591-4858

·         Pearl Bailey Library, 2510 Wickham Ave., Newport News, VA 23607, 757-247-8677

·         West Avenue Library, 2907 West Ave., Newport News, VA 23607, 757-247-8505

·         Public Law Library, 2500 Washington Ave., Newport News, VA 23607, 757-926-8678

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