Ladies and Gentleman, the Beatles!

February 7, 1964
February 7, 2014 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' arrival in America. If you are up for a walk down memory lane -- and a long one at that -- enjoy a quick list of recent and classic books about this influential British band who forever changed musical history and American culture.

The Beatles: All These Years by Mark Lewisohn
Presents the first volume in a planned trilogy on the iconic band, documenting their early years in Liverpool and Hamburg and the role of American music in shaping their ambitions.
Beatles vs. Stones by John McMillian
The author, an assistant professor of history at Georgia State University, compares and contrasts the careers of the two greatest rock 'n' roll bands of the 20th century. Who's your favorite?
Beatles : the BBC Archives: 1962-1970 by Kevin Howlett
A carefully curated collection of the surviving transcripts of the Beatles' appearances on BBC Radio and Television from 1962 to 1970, featuring commentary from the author. Listen to the Live at the BBC music CDs while you read.

The Beatles Anthology by the Beatles
An oral history style book of the band though 1970. In a word? Epic. Pair it with the eight volume video series of the same name.
The Beatles by Hunter Davies
Described as the only authorized biography of the Fab Four, Davies spent 18 months with the band between 1967 and 1968.
You Never Give Me Your Money: The Beatles After the Breakup by Peter Doggett
Chronicles the band's break-up and subsequent legal feuds.

For Younger Fans
The Beatles Were Fab (and They Were Funny) by Katherine Krull and Pal Brewer
Q: How do you find all this business of having screaming girls following you all over the place? George: Well, we feel flattered . . . John: . . . and flattened. Enjoy a lighthearted look at the Fab Four's sense of humor.

Who Were the Beatles? by Geoff Edgers
An easy to read narrative about the their Liverpudlian childhoods, first leaps into rock music, what Beatlemania was like, and why the band broke up.
Yellow Submarine, story adapted by Charlie Gardner
Pair the picture book with the animated film.
Beatles: Leading the British Invasion by Diane Dakers
An unvarnished look on the Beatles as a band and as individual performers.

Loving the Beatles in a LEGO Kind of Way...

New Year, Healthier You!

Online Health and Wellness Information for Families
'Tis the season for resolutions. If you are looking for reputable resources about health and wellness topics or about health or medical concerns for yourself or for a family member, several options are available to help you get the answers you need.

MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's go-to web site for consumer health information. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.

Health Information for Ages 60+
NIH Senior Health is designed with older adults in mind. The site comes equipped with readability tools and highlights health and aging topics of interest to older people -- such as Alzheimer's disease, balance problems, shingles, diabetes, and glaucoma. A special section features personal stories of older adults who regularly engage in exercise and physical activity, highlighting the benefits gained from walking, jogging, dancing, swimming, yoga, etc.

Healthnet: Connecticut's Consumer Health Information Network
Healthnet is a program that provides health information to the public. Experienced medical information professionals will research a medical topic for you and provide you with a free customized packet of information based on your specific need. The services are provided to Connecticut residents by the University of Connecticut Health Center’s Lyman Maynard Stowe Library. You may also use the Health Center Library to do your own research.

iCONN.org: Connecticut's reSearch Engine
Check out a stunning array of free databases available to any Connecticut resident with a library card. Scroll down to the Health and Science section and please be sure to peruse a wealth of link-to resources under Other Health Resources.

Chatham Health District : Living Healthy
The Chatham Health District serves the towns of East Haddam, East Hampton, Haddam, Hebron, Marlborough and Portland and provides an array of public health programs. The District's web site offers links to resources about healthy living and creating healthier physical and social environments.

Holiday Programs Coming Your Way...

We've Got Music! We've Got How To! We've Got Movies! Who Could Ask for Anything More? 
Hope all enjoyed a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday weekend with friends and family. We'd like to keep the holiday spirit going with a more formal online announcement of upcoming holiday programs scheduled for December 2013. Enjoy holiday music on a weekday evening; get crafty as an adult or kiddo; take in a classic holiday film, or dance your socks off as a family! Here's the lineup:

Home for the Holidays: Concert with the Larry Gareau Trio
Tuesday, December 10, 6:30 p.m. [Click to Register]
Set aside the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and treat yourself to an evening concert filled with the sweet sounds of your favorite seasonal music. Enjoy familiar carols, traditional tunes, and winter standards -- all with a jazzy twist. Local favorite The Larry Gareau Trio presents a concert sure to eliminate any holiday stress and put you on a smooth groove.

Area Business Showcase: Holiday Centerpiece Design with It's So Ranunculus
Thursday, December 12, 1:00 p.m. [Click to Register]
Welcome floral designer Leah O'Hearn to the library! In this afternoon how-to program, you'll get expert advice and design/make a holiday centerpiece using winter greens, seasonal berries, ornaments, pine cones, and ribbons to suit your style and fit your own home decor. Registration is limited with a $10 per person fee to defray the cost of supplies.

The Tenth Reindeer: Holiday Craft for Kids
Saturday, December 14, 11:00 a.m. [Click to Register]
You all know the story about Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Rudolph and the rest of Santa's nine. Name them all then craft your very own 10th reindeer, great for holding holiday treats. The 10th reindeer will be small but mighty, just like you! The craft is appropriate for ages 4-8; registration is limited and parent participation is required.

Happy Holidays! Song Dance and the Possibilities with Brian Gillie
Saturday, December 14, 2:00 p.m. [Click to Register]
Flying reindeer? Dancing snowmen? Kids invent outrageous new versions of some old, holiday song favorites and then create a hip, holiday dance to a funky seasonal tune; all while exploring language, poetry, music and pop culture. Presented by Brian Gillie, a long-time performance-educator with Young Audiences of CT and Master Teacher with the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. For families with older kids, younger kids, and music lovers of all ages. Make an inter-generational day of it @ your library. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Film Night: A Christmas Carol Classic
Tuesday, December 17, 6:30 p.m.
View and discuss one of many film adaptations of Charles Dickens' classic holiday story, A Christmas Carol. The 1951 version we'll show is in black & white and purists beware, there is side story that wasn't part of Dickens' original story. The film stars Alastair Sim -- in our humble opinion the best Scrooge of all Scrooges ever! Join us to view a film, and story, about community and family. Library staff member Phil Carr moderates the discussion.