Adults

ISIS and al-QAEDA: Degraded, but still deadly

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The Peters Township Public Library in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh will host ISIS and al-Qaeda: Degraded, But Still Deadly with featured speaker Thomas M. Sanderson on Wednesday, October 19 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the library.

Registration is required for this program. Register online or call 724.941.9430 # 1.

Defeating ISIS has become a key election issue. However, just over two years ago, this terrorist organization, which originated from al-Qaeda, was virtually unknown. In June 2014, ISIS announced the establishment of a new caliphate stretching across much of Iraq and Syria. Since then, ISIS has shocked the world with its brutality, discipline, and organization as it has killed civilians in the Middle East and has claimed responsibility for terrorist attacks in 20 countries, including lone wolf attacks in the United States.

Meanwhile, al Qaeda was weakened following the deaths of key leaders, including Osama bin Laden. However, the group has reestablished its significance and lethality with attacks in Syria, West Africa, Yemen and beyond.  While ISIS and al Qaeda both suffered serious setbacks in 2016, they remain exceptionally lethal. What is their strategy? How should they be defeated?

Thomas Sanderson directs the CSIS Transnational Threats Project, where he investigates terrorism, transnational crime, global trends, and intelligence issues. He has conducted field research in more than 60 countries, engaging a variety of sources, including journalists, terrorists, traffickers, foreign intelligence officials, business leaders, nongovernmental organizations, clergy, and academia.

McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars POST 764 is generously providing support for the 2016-2017 International Program Series.

 

Discuss A Midsummer Night’s Dream

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In conjunction with a local production of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the library will offer a discussion of the play on Friday, October 14 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. The program, geared to adults and teens, is being offered to enhance your viewing of the production at the Little Lake Theater in October and November.

Registration is required to attend this program. Register online or call 724.941.9430 #1 to register.

Jane Hollman, a former English teacher at Upper St. Clair High School and fervent Shakespeare fan, will provide background about the English Renaissance and of Shakespeare’s contributions to the times. She will lead the discussion in preparation for viewing A Midsummer Night’s Dream. You are encouraged to read the play before attending the program.

After the discussion, a winner will be chosen to receive two complimentary tickets donated by Little Lake Theater to attend any Thursday, Friday or Sunday performance of the play at their theater during the October or November run.

Have you visited Café Lee?

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The next time you’re at the library, take a moment and visit Café Lee. It’s on the second floor – an easy ride up the elevator. We’ve added new furniture, so come visit the café, have a cup of coffee and relax! It’s the perfect spot to watch the busy world go by right outside the large corner windows. Our Coloring, Coffee, and Classics for ages 18 and up meets in this room every Wednesday from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. to spend time coloring while listening to classical music and enjoying a complimentary hot beverage. No registration necessary.

Medicare 101

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The Peters Township Public Library will host Medicare 101 on Thursday, September 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the library. Adele Dean, the Regional APPRISE Coordinator, will be the featured speaker providing information on Medicare and the APPRISE Program.

Registration is required for this program. Register online or call 724.941.9430 #1.

Medicare continues to provide important benefits as the health insurance program for people 65 and older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with end-stage renal disease, permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help older Pennsylvanians with Medicare.

Dean’s presentation will review both the Medicare and APPRISE programs with handouts and New to Medicare packets available for persons attending the program. She will discuss other assistance programs such as PACE/PACENET, Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Program. If you think you may qualify for an assistance program or need help discussing the costs of Medicare, you will be able to schedule an appointment with Dean after her presentation.

Adele Dean is the Regional Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s APPRISE Program. She coordinates the program for 18 counties in Western PA and works for the Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging, Inc.

 

Don’t Be A Victim: Scams and Identity Theft

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There are nearly 2 million residents over the age of 65 in Pennsylvania, the third highest percentage of elderly residents in the U.S., reports the PA Office of Attorney General. Scam artists are well aware of these potential targets.

To educate the community about threat of these crimes and how to avoid them, the Peters Township Public Library will host Don’t Be A Victim: Scams and Identity Theft on Wednesday, October 5 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the library.

Registration is required for this program. Register online or call 724.941.9430 #1.

Featured speakers for the program will be State Senator Guy Reschenthaler; Specialist Philip Little from the PA Office of Attorney General; and Douglas E. Grimes, Chief of Police, Peters Township Police Department. Senator Reschenthaler will relate his experiences with identify theft and scams as a District Judge. Philip Little will be discussing the different ways people become victims of identity theft and scams, and how you can learn to minimize your chances of becoming a target. Chief Grimes will provide a local perspective with examples of the trends his department is seeing and the increase in reported cases.

“It is important that the public recognizes phone calls or email solicitations that request personal information such as dates of birth, social security numbers, bank account information, or credit card information are almost always a SCAM,” explains Chief Grimes. “People have to remember that your bank, the IRS, your credit card company, etc. already know your account number and your personal information.  So if they have to call you and ask for it, something is drastically wrong – hang-up!”

Steel City Grooves – Johnny Costa

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When you think of jazz towns in America, New Orleans and New York are obvious choices that come to mind, but Pittsburgh also has played an important role in the evolution of jazz – often called the one true American art form. In these cities, music thrives; performers are born and nurtured to their creative maturity, and the hip culture of jazz music is expressed in the language, attitudes and even the dress of each generation.

The library, in partnership with the Washington Symphony Orchestra, will host a representative from the Senator John Heinz History Center at Steel City Grooves: Celebrating Pittsburgh’s Jazz Legends on Tuesday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m. This program will feature an audio-visual biographic sketch of Johnny Costa (1922-1996), an important contributor to jazz with Western PA roots.

Registration is required for this program. Register online or call 724.941.9430 #1.