Benefits of Adding Plant-based Proteins to Your Plate Wednesday, April 3, 1:00 pm In honor of Earth Month, join Ricardo Kairios, Family and Community Health Sciences Educator, along with his dietetic intern to learn the health benefits of consuming plant-based proteins. During the session, you will receive an overview of the different types of plant-based foods that are considered to be good sources of proteins, tips for including these items in your weekly menu, and healthy recipes using these foods that you can easily make at home. Ricardo is an Assistant Professor with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County.
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Creature of the Night: The Bats of New Jersey Thursday, April 4, 7:00 pm Bats often get a bad reputation of being spooky or even fearsome, but they are actually some of the most beneficial animals to people, and right now, bats need our help! Join Conserve Wildlife Foundation biologist Leah Wells in a presentation to learn about these amazing night flying creatures in your area, and what you can do to keep them around! Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
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Arab American Heritage: History & Culture Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 pm National Arab American Heritage Month celebrates the history, heritage, and contributions of the diverse population of Arab Americans. Mr. David Serio, Curator of Education at the Arab American National Museum, takes us on a journey to celebrate diverse cultures, overcome stereotypes, and empower ourselves.
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AT&T's Pole Farm and the Transformation of Mercer Meadows Tuesday, April 16, 7:00 pm In 1928 AT&T purchased more than 800 acres of productive farmland in Lawrence and Hopewell Townships to build what became the world’s largest radiotelephone shortwave transmitting station. At its peak in the early 1960s it was a high-tech wonder, delivering millions of phone calls across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe, Africa, South America, and the Middle East. Changing technology made shortwave radio obsolete and the site was closed in 1975, reverting once again to farmland. The Pole Farm is now a cornerstone of Mercer Meadows, providing passive recreation for thousands while retaining traces of its high-tech past. Presented by Dennis P. Waters, Mercer County Library Commissioner and former Lawrence Township Historian.
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Debunking the Disguises: Understanding AI Wednesday, April 24, 7:00 pm In the age of misinformation, critically analyzing information from generative AIs is crucial for adolescents to successfully navigate the virtual world. This workshop is aimed at equipping parents and educators with essential tools to foster skills that empower them to be mindful users of technology. Presented by Aish Saminathan, the New Jersey ambassador for the News Literacy Project. She is a former journalist turned Montessori teacher at Princeton Montessori School. She teaches math, science for upper elementary and critical media literacy for middle school students.
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Tea: Drink to Your Health! Thursday, April 25, 1:00 pm Join us for a Functional Foods for Life program focused on the most popular drink in the world, tea! A functional food is one that has a "potentially beneficial effect on health when consumed on a regular basis and at certain levels.” Research on tea from the Camellia sinensis plant has included the study of a variety of polyphenol compounds including epigallocatechin 3- gallate (EGCG), theaflavins and thearubigins as well as other compounds found in tea. Population studies have indicated possible protective effects from tea consumption in specific chronic diseases. Join us to learn about the history, culture and these potential health benefits of tea. Presented by Sherri Cirignano, MS, RDN, LDN, FCHS Educator and Associate Professor, Warren County, NJ.
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Guided MeditationMondays, April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 4:00 pmRelax, refocus, and rejuvenate. Take a moment to regain the peace lost during our busy days. Facilitated by Hightstown Branch staff member, Leena, who is a longtime practitioner of Rajyoga meditation. Please visit the MCLS Event Calendar to register for sessions in April.
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ESL Conversation Group Tuesdays, April 2, 9 & 16, 10:00 am If you already know some English and want to improve your speaking and comprehension skills, please join librarian Elka Frankel for practice sharing your thoughts and ideas about all kinds of things with others in the group. We'll also cover vocabulary, idioms and grammar relevant to our discussions. Please visit the MCLS Event Calendar to register for sessions in April.
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Adults Read YA Lit, Too! Wednesday, April 3, 6:30 pm With groundbreaking stories, a unique mix of genres, and an array of distinctive voices, Young Adult books aren't just for teenagers; they are for everyone! This month we'll discuss When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Heller. Group discussions are led by Bekka from the Hickory Corner branch. Bekka uses her love of YA and experience as a college instructor to make meetings memorable, informative, and fun! Come for every monthly discussion or join the ones that interest you the most.
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A Poetry Happening: Mercer Poets Read Tuesday, April 30, 7:00 pm All are welcome to join us for a celebration of National Poetry Month. Chip McAuley, poet and MCLS librarian, will host an evening of poetry, with local poets reading their own work or a favorite published poem. Please Note: Poets interested in submitting poetry can email a poem, citing the author, to hopeprogs@mcl.org by Friday, April 26.
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Teen Advisory Board Friday, April 12, 3:30 pm All teens are welcome to join! Come be a part of the MCLS Teen Advisory Board. There are opportunities to enhance your leadership skills, earn community service hours, help run library programs, and write book reviews. New members always welcome!
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Featured Titles for Arab American Heritage Month
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