FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Libraries host dance, hauntings, more in late October; Nerdfighting, puppets, concerts, more in November

Excellent free programs this fall

So you think you can dance?, Ghosthunters, Dylan Pritchett, and the Elliott Family String Quartet are just a few of the programs hosted at the Newport News Public Libraries this month.

Holiday Closings

The Newport News Public Library System will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans’ Day, and Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28, for Thanksgiving.

Emerging Teen Artist Exhibit and Reception

Pearl Bailey Library will feature the Anime pencil sketches of Mercedes Wills, a 15-year-old local high school student, during the month of October. A “Meet the Artist” reception will be 5:30-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required.

Overlooked Tax Deductions with H&R Block

An H&R Block representative will discuss overlooked tax deductions and answer any tax questions or concerns, 2-3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required.

Chill Spot: So You Think You Can Dance?

The Mambo Room will teach teens, ages 12 to 18, how to dance to Salsa and Chicago-Style Step, 2-3:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required, and is in progress online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Ghost Hunters of Hampton Roads

Belinda Swindell, lead investigator of the Hampton Roads Paranormal Research Group, will describe paranormal investigations and tell stories of hauntings in the Hampton Roads area, 3-4:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at Grissom Library and 5:30-7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21, at West Avenue Library. No registration is required.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Bridgette Roseman, with Transitions Family Violence Services, will talk with families and individuals about domestic violence and how it affects families, including the types of domestic violence and how to get help, 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required.

Ghost Stories in the Garden

The staff at Main Street Library will present local ghost stories and Halloween treats for teens and adults, 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 30, in the Virginiana Garden outside Main Street Library. Stories of ghosts, witches and pirates from local communities will be shared, including the Wicked Witch of Pungo, the Ghosts of Old House Woods and many more creepy tales. The program will be outside, so participants are advised to dress accordingly. No registration required.

Dylan Pritchett: The Storyteller

Get a sneak preview of the Newport News Public Library System’s 2009 year-long storytelling series: “What’s Your Story? Share It At Your Library!” as professional storyteller Dylan Pritchett performs folktales for a family audience, 1-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, at Main Street Library. Children 4 years and older and their families will enjoy these stories full of wit, humor, and audience participation. No registration required.

Decorate for Fall with Michelle Belsches

Floral Designer Michelle Belsches will teach participants how to decorate for fall using candles and flowers or fall wreaths, as well as how to set the table for the holidays, 2-5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required, and begins Oct. 15 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, Nov. 1, at Grissom Library. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well. Registration is required, and begins Oct. 18 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Yu Gi Oh Learn and Duel Club

Children and teens ages 9 to 18 can learn the basic rules to play Yu Gi Oh from two experienced teen players, 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, and Tuesday, Nov. 18, 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, Nov. 4, at Grissom Library. Registration is required and begins Oct. 21 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Will the Presidential Election Affect Me?

Teens ages 12 to 18 can watch the Presidential Election on television and discuss the candidates, issues and results, 6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, at pearl Bailey Library. No registration required.

Teen Game Night

Teens ages 13 to 17 can join their friends to play classic board and card games, enjoy refreshments and win prizes, 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, at West Avenue Library. No registration is required.

Girl Scouts Central

The Pearl Bailey Library and the C. Waldo Center are hosting a new Girl Scout troop for girls ages 12 to 15. Girl Scouting 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, Nov. 6, 13 and 20, at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required, and begins Oct. 21 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.

Great American Tour de Nerdfighting 2008

Award-winning author John Green and his brother, Hank, will appear 4-7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 9, at Menchville High School to sing, sign books and CDs, and more. Co-sponsored by the Newport News Public Library System and Newport News Public Schools, the event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. The event also will include door prizes, free giveaways, gift exchanges, conversations about books that Nerdfighters have read together, and surprise guest appearances. John Green is a young adult novelist and the author of “Looking for Alaska,” “An Abundance of Katherines” and the soon-to-be released “Paper Towns.” His brother Hank is founder and editor of EcoGeek.org and costar of the TV show “The G Word.” Together, they are the vlogbrothers, one of the most popular channels on YouTube.

Clean Up Your Credit Report

A representative from Bayport Credit Union will discuss FICO scores, Fair Credit Reporting Rights, identity theft prevention and how to order, understand and correct your credit report. The workshop is 3-4:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, at West Avenue Library and 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, at Pearl Bailey Library. The workshop will conclude with a question-and-answer session. Registration is required and is in progress online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling West Avenue Library at 757-247-8505 or Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Little Red and the Gingerbread

Professional puppet performance troupe, The Barefoot Puppets, will perform Little Red and the Gingerbread, 4-4:40 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, at Main Street Library. Children 3 - 8 years old and their families will enjoy this lively production. No registration 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, Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24; and 2 to 4 p.m., Thursdays, Nov. 6, 13, and 20. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

ABC’s of Grantwriting

Dr. Jean Filetti, English professor and grant-writing instructor at Christopher Newport University, will give a synopsis of grantwriting with tips and recommended sources, 1-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, at Main Street 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.

You Got Game? Wii Championship Bowling Tournament

Teens ages 12 to 18 can compete in a Wii Bowling Tournament, 4-5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 17, at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required, and begins Nov. 1 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Beginning Genealogy Using the Virginiana Room

Gregg Grunow, Virginiana Room librarian, will present an overview of the print and electronic genealogical information and resources available in the Virginiana Room of the Main Street Library, including an in-depth tour. The workshop is 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Main Street Library. The overview will be held in the Meeting Room before moving into the Virginiana Room. Registration is required and begins Nov. 4 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Functional Strength Training

Sean Kissell, Total Fitness instructor, will teach participants a series of Functional Strength Training Exercises that will improve everyday movements, 6-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, at West Avenue Library and 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Grissom Library. The instructor will provide mats. Participants should dress in athletic attire and may bring water bottles. Registration is required and is in progress online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling West Avenue Library at 757-247-8505 or Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Teen Movie Night

Teens ages 13 to 17 can watch a 2008 Robert Downey Jr. adventure movie, enjoy refreshments and win prizes, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, at West Avenue Library. No registration required.

Against All Odds Concert

The band Against All Odds will perform jazz standards, big band, contemporary jazz and Latin pieces, 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, at Main Street Library. No registration required.

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.

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 will be offered 10-11 a.m., Thursdays, Nov. 13 and 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.

Introduction to the Foundation Directory Online

Main Street Library staff will teach participants how to use the Foundation Directory Online database, which allows grant-seekers to search for grants and research potential donors. This class will be offered 3-4 p.m., on Tuesdays, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16, in the Business Information Center at Main Street Library. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Winter Concert Series: Elliott Family String Quartet

The Elliott Family String Quartet, a family ensemble, will perform a variety of classical and other musical selections to celebrate the holidays, 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Grissom Library and 3-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 29, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required.

Computer classes

Registration begins Nov. 1 for December 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 Nov. 10 to 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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