"Kolya"--A confirmed bachelor is surprised when a get-rich-quick scheme backfires, leaving him with a pint-sized new roommate. In Czech with English subtitles. (105 mins.)

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Hagen Ranch Road Library Dec.3 – Dec. 5

Wed. Dec. 3, 2:00 p.m.-Roberta Proctor leads a discussion of “Breath, Eyes, Memory” by Edwidge Danticat. (60 min.) Meeting Room.

Thurs. Dec. 4, 10:00 a.m. Basic Window. (Hands –On) Prerequisite: Mousing (Hands-On). Learn the basics of Windows. Sign up at information Desk. (60 min.) Conference Room.

Thurs. Dec. 4, 11, & 18, 1:00 p.m.-Improve your conversational English skills. Join Lit-eracy@AmeriCorps member, Paula Alexander where you can practice speaking English. Basic English speaking skills needed to participate. (2 hrs.) Call 561-649-5493 to preregister. Study Room.

Thurs. Dec. 4, 2:00 p.m.-Making People Happier. Dr. Ann Ruben provides tips on how to bring more happiness into your life. (45 min.) Meeting Room.

Fri., Dec. 5, 2:00 p.m.-Book Discussion: Barbara Harnick will lead a discussion of “Love in the Time of Cholera,” by Gabriel G. Marquez. Sign up and check out a copy of the book. (60 min.) Meeting Room.

Fri., Dec. 5, 2:00 p.m. Storytelling: Get together with storyteller Glad McLeod and have fun sharing our stories. (60 min.) Conference Room.

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To read my Sunday, Nov. 30 Sun-Sentinel article CLICK HERE.
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Wed. Nov. 12, 2 pm: Roberta Proctor will lead a discussion of "The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court" by Jeffrey Toobin. Sign up and check out a copy of the book. (60 min.) Meeting Room.

Thurs. Nov. 13, 10 am: Basic Windows (Hands-on). Prerequisite: Mouse Around. Learn the basics of the windows program including how open and move a window. Sign up at Information desk. (60 min.) Conference Room.

Fri. Nov. 14, 10 am: Internet Tips and Tricks. Instruciton on using different Web search tools and discusses helpful tips for using your browser. Goes into detail on computer viruses, cookies, spam and plug-ins. Some computer experience necessary. (60 min.) Meeting Room.

Mon. Nov. 17, 2:30 pm Basic Windows (Hands-on). Prerequisite: Mouse Around. Learn the basics of the windows program including how open and move a window. Sign up at Information desk. (60 min.) Conference Room.

Tues. Nov. 18, 2 pm. All about the PBC Elder Justice Center. Do you need to find answers to court-related or community service questions? Fay Hewit of the Elder Justice Center will explain all about the center and answer any of your questions. (60 min.) Meeting Room.

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Wed. Nov. 5: Hospice of Palm Beach County, 2 PM. J. C. Stern of Hospice will present "Life in a Crayon Box." The world is a crayon box and each of us is a different colored crayon. What color are you? When we understand that we are all shades of each others crayons then we can better live together in harmony.

Thurs. Nov. 6, 10 AM: Mouse Around (Hands On). Learn how to use a computer mouse in this instructor led class. For beginners. Sign up at Information Desk. (60 min.) Conference Room.

Thurs. Nov. 6, 13 & 20, 1 PM English Exchange. Practice your English conversation skills with Literacy AmeriCorps member Paula Alexander. Basic English speaking skills required. Call 649-5495 to preregister. Study Room.

Thurs. Nov. 6, 1:30 PM How to Ensure Joint Health as you Age. Dr. John Conde will reveal the top strategies for promoting joint health. (60 min.) Meeting Room.

Fri. Nov. 7, 10 AM Beginning Internet. Basic introduction to the Internet, explaining what it is and how it works. For beginners. No previous computer experience necessary. (60 min.) Meeting Room.

Fri. Nov. 7, 2 PM Storytelling: "I'll Tell You Mine If you'll Tell Me Yours." Get together with storyteller Glad McLeod and have fun and pleasure sharing our stories. (60 min.) Conference Room.

Fri. Nov. 7, 2 PM Discover the World Book Discussion Series. Barbara Harnick will lead a discussion of "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace-One School at a Time," by G. Mortenson and D. Oliver. (60 Min.) Meeting Room.

Sat. Nov. 8, 11 AM Anti-Aging Medicine. Dr. Harlan Bieley will explain bio-identical hormone replacement therapy fo men and women. (60 min.) Meeting Room

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Plan to take advantage of these interesting programs next week. Each program is given in the Meeting Room.

Wed. Oct. 15, 2 PM—Roberta Proctor will lead a discussion of “The Post-Birthday World,” by Lionel Shriver. Sign up and check out the book. One hour.

Thurs. Oct. 16, 1 PM—A discussion of Jon Krakauer’s book, “Into the Wild,” and Sean Penn’s film of the same name. Pick up a copy of the book at the Information Desk. 200 minutes.

Fri., Oct. 17, 10 AM—Basic Computers. Confused by the terms hardware and software? Mystified by your PC? If so, learn the basics about computers at this free presentation that covers hardware, software, files and networks. For beginners. One hour.

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Plan to take advantage of these interesting programs next week. Each program is given in the Meeting Room.

Wed. Oct. 15, 2 PM—Roberta Proctor will lead a discussion of “The Post-Birthday World,” by Lionel Shriver. Sign up and check out the book. One hour.

Thurs. Oct. 16, 1 PM—A discussion of Jon Krakauer’s book, “Into the Wild,” and Sean Penn’s film of the same name. Pick up a copy of the book at the Information Desk. Three hours and 10 minutes.

Fri., Oct. 17, 10 AM—Basic Computers. Confused by the terms hardware and software? Mystified by your PC? If so, learn the basics about computers at this free presentation that covers hardware, software, files and networks. For beginners. One hour.

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Monday, Sept. 8, 2 pm: Movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's," starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Meeting Room.

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2 pm: Discussion Group for amateur philosophers on a variety of topics such as integrity, tolerance, friendship, happiness, and more. Meeting Room.

Thursday, Sept. 11, 2 pm: Basic Computers. Learn the basics about computers at this free presentation. 90 mins. Meeting Room.

Monday Sept. 15, 2 pm Movie: "Infamous," a biographical drama about Truman Capote.

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Lumosity Brain Games. Try it today. Click here: http://www.lumosity.com - Brain Games

Now available throughout the Hurricane Season a direct link to the National Hurricane Center on the Alliance of Delray Website:

Go to www.allianceofdelray.com and click on "Hurricane Tracking" in the very center of the home page...you will immediately be connected to the National Hurricane Center of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

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Thursday, August 28, 2:00 P.M.Book Discussion: Delta Wedding. Stacie Kiner will discuss Eudora Welty's "Delta Wedding." 90 mins. in Meeting Room.

Friday, August 29, 2:00 P.M. Introductory Internet. A basic introduction to the Internet, explaining what it is and how it works. No previous experience with computers is necessary. This class covers the World Wide Web, search tools, Internet service providers, and e-mail. For beginners. (2 hours) Meeting Room

Sunday, August 31, 1 P.M. Sunday at the Movies: The Pajama Game, starring Doris Day and John Raitt. 102 mins. in Meeting Room.

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Lumosity Brain Games. Try it today. Click here: http://www.lumosity.com - Brain Games

Now available throughout the Hurricane Season a direct link to the National Hurricane Center on the Alliance of Delray Website:

Go to www.allianceofdelray.com and click on "Hurricane Tracking" in the very center of the home page...you will immediately be connected to the National Hurricane Center of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

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Monday, July 28, 2:00 P.M. Ernest Hemingway at the Movies:
“To Have and Have Not,” starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. (100 minutes.)

A jaded American fisherman risks his life to help a group of French freedom fighters and a sultry young woman with whom he falls in love. Set in Vichy-controlled Martinique during the Second World War. Based on Ernest Hemingway's novel of 1937 with dialogue by William Faulkner.

Thursday, July 31, 2:00 P.M. Book Discussion:
“The House on Mango Street.” Stacie Kiner will discuss “The House on Mango Street,” by Sandra Cisneros. (90 minutes.)

Friday, August 1 2 P.M. Story Telling: "I'll tell you mine if you'll tell me yours"...We all have a story about love, life, laughter and tears. Get together with storyteller Glad McLeod and let's have fun and pleasure in sharing our stories. (60 minutes) Conference Room.

Sunday, August 3, 1:00 P.M. Sunday At the Movies: "That Touch of Mink."
Suave New York playboy Philip Shayne (Cary Grant) propositions a rluctant Cathy Timberlake (Doris Day). Not rated. (99 minutes), Meeting Room.

Lumosity Brain Games. Try it today. Click here: http://www.lumosity.com - Brain Games

Now available throughout the Hurricane Season a direct link to the National Hurricane Center on the Alliance of Delray Website:

Go to www.allianceofdelray.com and click on "Hurricane Tracking" in the very center of the home page...you will immediately be connected to the National Hurricane Center of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Try it now and check it out often for approaching storms.

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Tuesday, July 22 & 29, 10:45 AM, movies for children: 7/22 "Ratatouille." 7/29 "Young Black Stallion."

Wednesday, July 23, 2 PM: "Heart Healthy Nutrition." Dr. Neil Shacter will discuss healthy eating for your cardovascular system and anser your quesitons. (1 hour.)

Thursday, July 24, 2 PM. Book Discussion: "The Alchemist." Stacie Kiner will discuss "The Alchemist," by Paulo Coelho. (90 minutes.)

The Jon Stewart Daily Show will re-run the West Delray-Vizcaya segment tonight at 8 PM on the Comedy Central Channel 73. You may see a neighbor or two!

Lumosity Brain Games. Try it today. Click here: http://www.lumosity.com - Brain Games

Now available throughout the Hurricane Season a direct link to the National Hurricane Center on the Alliance of Delray Website:

Go to www.allianceofdelray.com and click on "Hurricane Tracking" in the very center of the home page...you will immediately be connected to the National Hurricane Center of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Try it now and check it out often for approaching storms.

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The Grand Opening of our new library in West Delray took place Friday July 11 in front of a standing room only crowd in the beautifully appointed large meeting hall. Over 600 people visited the library on this opening day to admire the facility, it's furnishings, appointments, children's section, computers, and check out DVD's and the spectacular selection of books.

The County Fire Rescue Color Guard and Bagpipe band began the opening ceremonies with a stirring march down the center aisle to the dais area for the presentation of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Aaronson (r. in photo) welcomed the crowd, stating: "Your support, the support of all the communities in COBWRA (Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations led by President Barbara Katz and the Alliance of Delray whose President is Bob Schulbaum, have made this building possible. I promised you a traffic light by October, we have it in place today. I have arranged for the people of Kings Point to have your buses take you to the Oriole Shopping Plaza and there you will be able to get on a bus to take you directly to this library and return you to Oriole Plaza to catch your Kings Point bus back home."

Palm Beach County Library Chief John J. Callahan, Jr. (l. in photo) was the other principal speaker. He presented a detailed explanation of the progress he has made with library new construction and renovations throughout the county. While the Okeechobee branch is undergoing renovations, he has transferred staff to Hagen Ranch branch to serve its patrons.

A formal ribbon cutting ceremony took place after the speeches.

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Friday, July 11 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 10:00 a.m.. Refreshments 10:30 a.m.
Hohner’s Heroes Musical Performance 11:00 a.m.
Barbershop Quartet Musical Performance 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 12
Children’s Story Time 10:00 a.m.
Crafts and Activities 11:00 a.m.
Karl Koppertop and the Extreme Balloon Team 11:00 a.m.
Photos with Dewey 11:00 a.m.
Refreshments 11:00 a.m.
Gary Midnight Magician 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 13
Refreshments 2:00 p.m.
Tuna de West Palm Beach Musical Performance 3:00 p.m.

Hagen Ranch Road Branch Library
14350 Hagen Ranch Road, Delray Beach, FL
Phone 561-894-7500

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
Addie L. Greene, Chairperson, Jeff Koons, Vice Chair,
Karen T. Marcus, Robert J. Kanjian, Mary McCarty,
Burt Aaronson, Jess R. Santamaria
Throughout the Weekend
• Receive a commemorative bookmark.
• Crafts and activities in the Children’s area.
• Sign up for the adults, teens or children’s
Summer Reading Program.
• Tour the new building.
• Help build the collection. Make a $25
donation, and order a personalized
bookplate to be placed in a book.
• Try the Express Check Out.
• Join the Friends of the Palm Beach
County Library System.
7/src="http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/HagenLigraryOpening-thumb.jpg" width="250" height="323" />
Attend the Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the new Hagen Ranch Road Library beginning at 10 AM, Friday July 11.

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Twenty one years ago in 1987 when we moved to West Delray we immediately became members of the West Atlantic Library off Cumberland Avenue which was just a short drive from home. During all these years we have been ardent users of their selection of books, videotapes and DVD’s. We were fortunate to have the convenience of the library across the street from where we live.

This Saturday, June 7 at 5 PM the doors on this familiar, friendly institution will close forever--the end of an era that began in January 1978 when this branch opened as a 1,855 sq. ft. facility named the Del Trail Branch. In September 1982 it was expanded to 11,500 sq. ft. and renamed the West Atlantic Avenue Branch. The building was donated to the library System by the developers of Villages of Oriole. In December 1994 a 5,000 sq. ft. building was erected adjacent to the existing facility adding a meeting room and staff area.

Soon a new era begins when the Hagen Ranch Road new library opens on July 11 with larger, brighter space, more books and DVD’s, more computers, more meeting rooms---in a word a greatly improved, larger asset for our community. Now the folks at Emerald Point and Newport Cove will have the library very close to their homes, and we West Atlantic Avenue folks will have to travel a bit further. So be it. We thank Karen Spano, Branch Manager and her staff for all the years of courteous service and look forward to utilizing the new branch with great anticipation.

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The culmination of the construction that began at Hagen Ranch Road, opposite Emerald Point on December 4, 2006 will take place Friday morning July 11th with a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the grand opening of this magnificent new library. This facility doubles the size of the West Atlantic Ave. branch from 16,500 square feet to 34,000 square feet. There are 213 parking spaces with 14 spaces for handicapped parking.

A covered walkway leads to the entrance of the new library which has two sets of doors that open and close automatically. The lobby is spacious, with a high ceiling. To the right are meeting room spaces--a large room accommodating 225 people, a smaller conference room accommodating 50 people and a room for children’s programming with space for 50. This new facility has space for the current selection of approximately 82,000 books, CDs, and DVDs plus room to grow to 150,000 items.

There will be increased access to computers: 40 Internet and word processing computers in the adult area, eight computers in the children’s area, and three in the teen area. This is in addition to library catalog computers which will be available throughout the building. Laptop computers for training will be provided in the meeting room. Free wireless access will be available throughout the building.

There will be five quiet-space small study rooms that can be used for individual study or one on one tutoring.

Customer service: Two express check-out stations for fast, efficient service. Improved accessibility will allow for drive-up materials return, in addition to interior and exterior walk-up returns. Wider aisles and lower shelves make it convenient for easier retrieval of items.

The new library provides an extremely attractive environment: A beautiful natural setting with scenic water views from the reading area, lofty and spacious ceilings, abundance of artificial and natural lighting from floor to ceiling windows and comfortable seating areas throughout the branch. Enjoy it West Delray!

Ms. Karen Spano serves as the Branch Head Librarian who will manage the transition of moving all the material from the West Delray branch off Cumberland, to the new Hagen Ranch branch from June 7 until the grand opening date. During this five week period patrons can use the Boynton Beach Public Library off Jog Road. Materials taken from the West Delray branch by patrons just before the June 7 closing can hold for return to the new branch after July 11.

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Board members of the Alliance of Delray Residential Associations had a tour of the new facility Wednesday morning, April 9, hosted by Commissioner Burt Aaronson and Library Director John J. Callahan III. Also present to answer questions were Project Director Bill Bebeck and Senior Associate Architect Konrad C. Kwok.

Construction began at this facility December 4, 2006. It will more than double the size of the current West Atlantic Ave. branch from 16,500 square feet to 34,000 square feet, and is scheduled to open between late June and mid July this summer. It will contain 213 parking spaces; more than double that of the W. Atlantic branch. 14 spaces are for handicapped parking.

A covered walkway leads to the entrance of the library which has two sets of doors that open and close automatically. (Photo above) The lobby is spacious, with a high ceiling. To the right are meeting room spaces--a large room accommodating 225 people (shown in photo at right), a smaller conference room accommodating 50 people and a room for children’s programming with space for 50. This new facility will have space for the current selection of approximately 82,000 books, CDs, and DVDs plus room to grow to 150,000 items.

There will be increased access to computers on the right hand wall in this photo: 40 Internet and word processing computers in the adult area, eight computers in the children’s area, and three in the teen area. This is in addition to library catalog computers which will be available throughout the building. Laptop computers for training will be provided in the meeting room. Free wireless access will be available throughout the building.

Five quiet-space small study rooms can be used for individual study or tutoring one on one.
(Shown in photo at right.)

Photo at left shows view from rear of building interior to front. Customer service: Two express check-out stations for fast, efficient service. Improved accessibility will allow for drive-up materials return, in addition to interior and exterior walk-up returns. Wider aisles and lower shelves will allow for easier retrieval of items.

The new library provides an extremely attractive environment: A beautiful natural setting with scenic water views from the reading area, shown in photo at left, lofty and spacious ceilings, abundance of artificial and natural lighting from floor to ceiling windows and comfortable seating areas throughout the branch.

The people of West Delray will be proud of this new branch and use it extensively for many decades to come.

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The Palm Beach County Library Digital Media Collection is a new service that grants cardholders access to hundreds of popular audiobooks that can be checked out, downloaded, and listened to on your computer or transferred to several portable devices such as MP3 players, personal digital assistants, and smart phones. For further information please visit: http://www.pbclibrary.org/audiobooks.html.

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Any time you get antsy about the quality of TV programs on the tube, think about the treasure trove of films that is close to home at the West Atlantic Avenue Public Library off Cumberland, which is part of the Palm Beach County Library System.

During recent summers when TV re-runs ran ad nauseam, we found DVD’s that provided wonderful viewing of BBC TV series, current flicks and golden oldie classics. Buster Keaton, anyone? How about “Angels with Dirty Faces” with James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, The Dead end Kids and Humphrey Bogart all in one Warner Bros. epic made in 1938? Ah, they don’t make movies like that anymore. Did I hear you say ‘Thank goodness’? Well, everyone to their own genre.

We spoke to Ms. Karen M. Spano, the Delray Beach West Atlantic Avenue Library Branch Manager recently.

“There are over 4,000 total DVD titles on the shelves of the library of which 1,400 are exclusively for children,” she said. (Remember this resource when the children and grandchildren are visiting.) “They are available for 7 day loans at no charge and you can take out 10 at a time.” What an opportunity for variety!

Janet Oberacker, Circulation Supervisor joined us. She’s been at this branch since 1993. Ms. Spano, relatively new as branch manager since October 2006, asked her to fill me in on history.

“When I started in 1993 we already had a rotating collection of approximately 200 videos we shared with two other branches,” said Janet. “They were rotated around every three months. At times we would have to wait a month to get another 200 to offer our patrons. DVD’s began coming into the system in the year 2000. Videos have a shelf life of about ten years, so they cannot be replaced. Their technology is supplanted by DVD’s.”

Karen Spano said they have an inventory of 81,000 books and films at West Atlantic. When the new Hagen Ranch Road branch opens to take the place of this branch sometime in the summer of 2008 there will be an increased number of books and DVD’s, as well as music CD's and books-on-CD for both children and adults.

Ms. Spano concluded with a nugget of information you will find helpful: “We have the capability to order any book from anywhere in the U.S. if requested by a patron. All they have to do is ask at the Reference desk.”

So don’t be mad at current TV fare. Get even! Enjoy movies from the West Atlantic Avenue Library branch right here in the neighborhood at 7777 West Atlantic Avenue.
Mort M.

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