The Short List

The Essex Library’s Summer Film Series kicks off at 7 P.M. on Friday, August 8^th, with BIG NIGHT, the first of six very different movies with a common theme; the starring role of food in the lives of their protagonists. Naturally, we’ll also be serving refreshments! Food and family, food and passion, food and culture; join us on this filmic “cook’s tour” of the world as seen at table.

BIG NIGHT is actor/director Stanley Tucci’s film about two brothers (Tucci, with Tony Shalhoub of MONK) whose Italian restaurant teeters on the brink of bankruptcy. But when they learn a big star is planning to visit their bistro for a multi-course feast, the brothers pull out all the stops, in the hopes that the “big night” will save their business.

Next, on August 15^th, BABETTE’S FEAST centers on a mysterious woman, the banquet she prepares for the people who helped her in her hour of need, and the secret she hides until the end.

August 22^nd , MONSOON WEDDING, director Mira Nair’s spicy extravaganza, plays out during the preparations for an arranged marriage, highlighting different aspects of love and crossing boundaries of class and continent.

In MOSTLY MARTHA, screening September 5^th, German director Sandra Nettelbeck whips up a tragicomic tale about an uptight professional chef whose world turns upside down when she takes in her newly orphaned niece.

Sweden’s charming, witty KITCHEN STORIES is about the oddball relationship between a social scientist and his subject, an elderly farmer whose eating habits he’s been sent to study (Sept. 12^th).

September 19^th we’ll screen the Chinese family drama/comedy that boasts some of the most gorgeous food ever filmed, EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN, in which widower and master chef Chu discovers that no matter how well he runs his kitchen, he’s got no control over his beautiful, libidinous daughters.

All films will begin at 7 P.M., and admission is free. For reservations, please call 767-1560. We’ll save you a plate!

As part of our summer reading theme we’re showing movies every Wednesday from 3-5p.m. in July. Here is the schedule:

July 2 “Antz” Rated PG

July 9 “Charlotte’s Web” Rated G

July 16 “Akeelah and the Bee” Rated PG

July 23 “A Bug’s Life” Rated PG

July 30 “Bee Movie” Rated PG

Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library.

The Summer Reading Program is open to children of all ages from preschool through high school. Children must read 10 hours to complete the Summer Reading Program. Great prizes that children will earn by completing the Summer Reading Program are: An Ice Cream Cone from Sweet P’s on Main St in Essex, Tickets to a CT Defenders Game or a New Britain Rock Cats Game, and several others that have not been confirmed yet… Many thanks to the generous sponsors of the Essex Summer Reading Program.

Check our website for a complete list of summer activities for kids. http://www.essexlib.org/services-childrens.html

Come meet newly published author, LJ Sigersmith on June 20th at 1p.m. He will be signing his picture guessing book, “Looking A Little Closer At Things” Copies of the book will be available for purchase. See what this charming 6 year-old author has to say about his publishing experience.

On Wednesday, May 21st at 4 p.m., Amy Forbes from the Treehouse Players in Deep River will present a theater workshop for children ages 6-12. Dress comfortably for fun music and movement activities. Call the Library to register: 767-1560.

On Sunday, June 1st at 4:00pm, the Essex Library will host a presentation and book signing by Jan Mann, author of Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket. With the price of gas expected to soar even higher this summer, many Connecticut residents will find this book the perfect companion to take on daytrips in their own backyards. Mann gives a detailed description of forty-two diverse destinations with daytrip information suitable to a variety of ages and interests. Readers will be introduced to new places as well as get updates on well-known tourist spots. Those who attend will also enjoy tasting some of the favorite picnic basket recipes included in the book.

Jan Mann is the founder of the Open Circle Writer’s Group and is a member of Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. She has long had a passion for day tripping and has enjoyed many years of designing special outings for friends and family before embarking on the adventure of writing this day tripping book.

The event is free but seating is limited. To register, or for more information, call 860-767-1560.

THE WORLD’S NEW SUPERPOWER, THE EUROPEAN UNION

The Story Behind Peace in Europe and the Euro

“There is one international body that is not as well known as it should be,” says Jerome Wilson, a member of the Southeast Connecticut Committee on Foreign Relations, “and that is the European Union.” Wilson will introduce what he terms “this remarkable world body ” at a program at the Essex Library on Sunday, May 18 at 4:00 p.m.

Wilson will note the sheer immensity of the European Union, which is far larger in size and economic output than our own United States. The 27-member nation body extends from Ireland in the west to Romania in the east, from Finland in the north to Italy in the south. Members of the group include Europe’s major powers, Germany, France and Britain, and smaller countries, Malta and Slovenia.

The major accomplishment of the European Union, according to Wilson, is that for over half a century there has been peace among Europe’s major powers. “No more World Wars, which we were dragged into, no more saturation bombings of German and English cities, no more millions and millions killed, no more death camps, no more atrocities …”

In addition to being a peaceable union, the European Union has set up a single, free market for European goods, services, capital and labor. Internal border controls and tariffs have been eliminated.

Then there’s the euro. In less than ten years, the euro has become a major world currency. To make way for the euro, the French franc, the Italian lira, the Spanish peseta, the Greek drachma and the German mark are no more, although Britain has stuck with the pound.

Jerry Wilson has written a number of op-ed pieces on the European Union and recently appeared on WNPR’s Faith Middleton Show on the same topic.

John Meisel, MD will present “How Can I Get the Best Healthcare?” on Wednesday April 16 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Library. He will offer advice on how to get the most out of doctor visits, searching the Internet for medical information, finding community resources, keeping personal medical records and combining the best of traditional and natural health treatments.

Dr Meisel has experience in diverse healthcare settings including the medical office, hospitals, emergency rooms and urgent care. He has a strong interest in integrating conventional and natural medicine, minor office surgery, community and preventive healthcare.

This free program is sponsored by VNA Community Healthcare. Seating is limited. Please call toll free 1-866-474-5230, to register.

The Edgar Awards, presented by The Mystery Writers Of America, honor the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, television, film and theatre published or produced in the past year. The Awards will be announced on May 1, 2008. Nominees for Best Novel are:

• Christine Falls by Benjamin Black
• Priest by Ken Bruen
• The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon
• Soul Patch by Reed Farrel Coleman
• Down River by John Hart

Nominees for Best First Novel are:

• Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell
• In the Woods by Tana French
• Snitch Jacket by Christopher Goffard
• Head Games by Craig McDonald
• Pyres by Derek Nikitas

The Opera Club will be held at the Essex Library on the first Wednesday of the month beginning April 2 from 4 to 5 PM. We are offering five presentations to prepare listeners for the Salt Marsh Opera’s presentation of Lucia di Lammermoor at the Ivoryton Playhouse in October. The presenters include the following:

April 2: George Willauer, retired Professor of English at Connecticut College, will speak about the literary, cultural and historical background of Lucia, including Sir Walter Scott and Romanticism.

May 7: Diana McVey, SMO’s Lucia, will offer insights about preparing to sing the demanding title role in the opera.

June 4: Stephan Tieszan, Concertmaster of the SMO Orchestra, will discuss how Donizetti orchestrated Lucia and why he made certain choices in instrumentation.

NO EVENTS IN JULY OR AUGUST

September 3: Carol Werner-Feiertag, Stage Director for the production, will discuss staging Lucia for the Ivoryton Playhouse.

October 1: James Kuslan, who presented a fascinating illustrated lecture on the Opera Events series, will talk about madness in opera as well as bel canto, and will play sound clips of great Lucias, including Maria Callas.

If you plan to attend any or all of the lectures please call the Ivoryton or Essex Libraries for up-to-date information before each presentation in the event that the venue is changed. There is a $5 suggested donation to defray the cost of the speakers.