Author Talks:
Wednesday, September 10, 7 PM
Lynn Spencer, Touching History: The Untold Story of the Drama That Unfolded in the Skies Over America on 9/11.
A nonfiction thriller chronicling moment to moment the riveting untold story of the drama that unfolded in the skies over America on 9/11 as the FAA, the military, and thousands of commercial pilots called on all of their rigorous training and their reserves of patriotism and courage to improvise a heroic response to the first attacks on American soil since Pearl Harbor and contend with a whole new kind of war in the skies.
Monday, September 15, 7 PM
Dave Zirin, People’s History of Sports
Dave Zirin will read from and discuss his perceptive and humorous book The People’s History of Sports, providing insights and little-known history about sports in the United States.
Zirin is a sports editor, writer and columnist for Nation.com, and a columnist for SportsIllustrated.com, the Progressive and other media.
Howard Zinn said of Zirin, “It is so refreshing to have a sports writer who writes with such verve and intelligence, who also has a social conscience, and who refuses to keep those parts of his life separate.”
Wednesday, September 17, 7 PM
Tom Young, The Speed of Heat
In the Iraq and Afghanistan wars virtually everything to supply the actions from soldiers, to bullets, medical supplies and food have arrived in the war zone by air lift. This is the story of one Air National Guard airlift wing as related by its members.
“War is not a topic that is easy to understand until you have been there. In this case Tom interviews 70 men and women who have been in the ‘Sand Box’ …. It is sometimes humorous, sometimes thought provoking, sad and heart warming and it is all true.” Gerard Kendle, MSgt, USAF (Retired)
Tuesday, September, 23, 7 PM
John Petersen, A Vision for 2012: Planning for Extraordinary Change
In this timely and insightful treatise, Petersen explains how the world and its leaders must prepare for an onslaught of potential crises, such as rapid climate change, a tipping point in the global financial system, a pandemic, or a new level of sophistication among terrorists. At the same time, Petersen highlights the unbelievable breakthroughs in knowledge, mindsets, and scientific capabilities that demonstrate our extraordinary capacity not just to persevere, but to evolve. Provocative yet hopeful, A Vision for 2012 outlines an effective approach to the immense challenges – and opportunities – that lie ahead.
John L. Petersen is the President and founder of The Arlington Institute, a nonprofit future-oriented think tank, and the editor of the e-newsletter FUTUREdition.
Wednesday, September 24, 7 PM
Lucy Spelman, The Rhino with the Glue-on Shoes
The stories in this remarkable collection represent some of the most moving and unusual cases ever taken on by zoological vets. A chronicle of discovery, compassion, and cutting-edge medicine, The Rhino with the Glue-on Shoes is must reading for animal lovers, science buffs and anyone who loves a well-told tale.
Lucy Spelman is a former director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoo and has also worked as a scientific advisor for Discovery Communications. Beginning in October 2006, she joined the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project as its Africa-based regional manager.
Thursday, September 25, 7 PM
Lonnae O’Neal Parker, I’m Every Woman
There is much discourse in mainstream American media about the challenges women face balancing work and family, but the prototypical experiences of black working mothers have received scant attention in the “mommy war” debates. However perilous your own work/family balance, Parker lets you know you are not alone and also that you will find a way, like our foremothers and forefathers before us.
Book Discussion Group: The group meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM and the first Thursday of the month at 11 AM.
September’s title: Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan
October’s title: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
Movies for all ages:
Sunday, September 7, 2 PM Family Movie Matinee:
Shrek the Third (2007). Rated PG, 92 minutes
Directed by Chris Miller. Featuring voices by: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy,
Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas.
When Shrek married Fiona, the last thing he had in mind was becoming the next King, but that is exactly what will happen if he can not find a suitable replacement for King Harold. Shrek, Donkey and Puss in Boots find that their best candidate, rebellious Medieval high school slacker Artie, proves to be more of a challenge than they bargained for in the third of this hilarious movie series.
Sunday, September 21, 2 PM Tween & Teen Screens:
Spider-Man 3 (2007). Rated PG-13, 140 minutes.
Directed by Sam Raimi. Featuring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and James Franco.
In this third installment of the amazing Spider-Man trilogy, Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a superhero.
Shirlington Screens: The Writers’ Series
Tuesday, September 2, 7 PM
Finding Neverland (2004)
Rated PG: 106 minutes.
Set in London in 1904, this film is a fictional account of author James Barrie’s struggle to bring Peter Pan to the stage for the first time. His story was inspired by his friendship with his neighbors, the Davies Brothers who lost their parents and Barrie found himself becoming a surrogate father. He was then inspired to write a play about a magical place where people never have to grow up – his Neverland.
Directed by Marc Forster. Featuring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Radha Mitchell, Dustin Hoffman, and Julie Christie
Thursday, September 4, 1 PM
Shakespeare In Love Rated R, 122 minutes.
Directed by John Madden. Featuring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Judi Dench, and Geoffrey Rush.
The fictional story of William Shakespeare, a struggling young playwright, suffering from writer’s block in this witty, fast-moving romantic comedy set in London in 1593. When Shakespeare meets and falls instantly in love with the startlingly beautiful Viola, his creative powers are unleashed as Romeo and Juliet, one of the greatest and most tragic love stories of all time.
Tuesday, September 16, 7 PM
Iris (2001)
Rated R; 90 minutes.
Directed by Richard Eyre. Featuring: Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent, Kate Winslet, and Penelope Wilton.
This film is based on John Bayley’s memoir, “Elegy for Iris“ about his marriage to novelist and philosopher Iris Murdoch. The film takes us on a journey through their early years together when they were teaching at Oxford through Iris’ heartbreaking struggle with Alzheimer’s disease 40 years later.
Thursday, September 18, 1 PM
Out of Africa (1985)
Rated PG; 150 minutes.
Directed by Sydney Pollack. Featuring: Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, and Klaus Maria Brandauer.
A beautifully composed love story starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. Based on Isak Dinesen’s novels, which take place on a Kenyan coffee farm, Out of Africa is an eloquent, splendidly photographed memoir of Dinesen’s love affair with an elusive, free spirited pioneer.
Tuesday, September 30, 7 PM
My Left Foot (1989)
Rated R; 98 minutes.
Directed by Jim Sheridan. Featuring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, and Ray McAnally.
Based on his autobiography, My Left Foot is the fascinating portrait of Christy Brown, an Irishman afflicted with cerebral palsy who, with the support of his mother triumphed over the crippling disease to become one of Ireland’s foremost literary figures and artists.
Documentary Film:
Sunday, September 14, 3 PM
Apocalypse Africa: Made in America (2007)
Q&A with Producer Del Walters follows the screening.
Apocalypse Africa: Made in America (original title NSSM), is the groundbreaking documentary about Africa, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 to standing room only crowds. The documentary explores the root causes behind Africa’s collapse, and was hailed as “Africa’s Schindler’s List.”
Other Events:
Thursday, Sept. 11 – 10 AM – 12 PM. Viewing of the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.
Computer Classes:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2 PM
Intro to Photo Sharing
Ever wanted to share your digital photographs with family and friends? This class will introduce you to current web-based photo sharing websites.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2 PM
Intro to Social Software
We will explore together the new and exciting possibilities of social software available on the Web. Discussion will include MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and many more Web 2.0 applications.
Sunday, September 28, 3 PM
Gallery Talk with photographer Mario Quiroz. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, join the artist as he discusses his current exhibit of photos, “Central America from the Heart: a photo exhibition about people and places.”
Monday, Sept. 29, 6 PM – Poetry Workshop with Guest Artist, Fred Joiner, Poet in Residence at Busboys & Poets, Arlington.
For further information please contact the Shirlington Programs Office at 703-228-0322 or amdittmann@arlingtonva.us
The Shirlington Library is located at 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA.
The main library phone number is 703-228-6545.
All programs are free and open to the public.
Library Hours:
Monday 10am – 9 pm
Tuesday and Wednesday 1 pm – 9 pm
Thursday 10am- 6 pm
Friday & Saturday 10am – 5 pm
Sunday 1 pm- 5 pm
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