A series of lectures on the early history of Italy, by Cyril M. Lagvanec, Ph.D., the curator of the American-Italian Research Library , will take place during June, July and August.
Each lecture occurs at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. Each begins at 7 p.m.
- June 5 — In the first lecture, Lagvanec will focus on the Revolution of 1848 and the First War of Italian Unification, 1848-1849.
- July 17 — The topic is the Second War of Italian Unification and the creation of a modern Italy, 1859-1870.
- Aug. 14 — The final topic is the Hellenistic Age from Alexander to Cleopatra.
Lagvanec earned his undergraduate degree in history from Baylor University, his master’s degree in British and European History from Tulane University, and his doctoral degree in American History from Texas A&M University.
GROOVY FAMILY FUN FEST: The summer reading program kickoff at East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, will take place from noon to 3 p.m. June 3. The kickoff at the West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, will be from noon to 3 p.m. June 4. At each kickoff, children, teens and adults can sign up for program activities that happen from June 1 to July 31.
Each kickoff event includes activities such as a scavenger hunt, a dunk tank (dunk the librarian!), cupcake walk, pickle ball, corn hole, relay races, giant bubbles, carnival games and more. All library branches will feature performers and programs for all ages. For more details about the library’s summer reading program and to obtain the most up-to-date schedule of events, visit srp.jplibrary.net/.
Here's a list of summer reading program events to come:
- Summer reading program kickoff party — 1 to 3 p.m. June 2, Old Metairie Library, 2350 Metairie Road.
- Ms. Vee with Stories for You and Me — 11 a.m. to noon June 5, Lakeshore Library, 1000 W. Esplanade, Metairie.
- Storytelling with Mama SaBa — 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 5, North Kenner Library, 630 W. Esplanade, Kenner.
- Frank and Tammy’s Magic Show — 3 to 4 p.m. June 5, Harahan Library, 219 Soniat, Harahan.
- Storytelling with Mama SaBa- 11 a.m. to noon June 6, Jane O’Brien Chatelain West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey.
- Storytelling with Mama SaBa- 3 to 4 p.m. June 7, Wagner Library, 6646 Riverside, Metairie.
- Porta-Puppet Players Presents “Tea Party with the Mad Hatter” — 11 a.m. to noon June 8, River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge.
- Frank and Tammy’s Magic Show — 3 to 4 p.m. June 8, Gretna Library, 102 Willow Drive, Gretna.
- Storytelling with Mama SaBa — 3 to 4 p.m. June 8, Lafitte Library, 4917 City Park Drive, Lafitte.
- Frank and Tammy’s Magic Show — 11 a.m. to noon June 9, Belle Terre Library, 5550 Belle Terre Road, Marrero.
- The Magic of Winston Helling Jr. — 11 a.m. to noon June 10, Live Oak Library, 125 Acadia, Waggaman.
WWII GROUP: Pat Doyle will speak on the important role played by PT boats in the Pacific during WWII at 7 p.m. June 1, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
MAHJONG: If you've ever wanted to learn mahjong, now is your chance. Diane Schlefstein will lead free, two-hour sessions from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. each Tuesday in June and July at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. The sessions focus on American-style mahjong, a traditional tile game established in China about 100 years ago.
BOOK CLUBS: Summer is an active time for book clubs. Here's what's coming up in June:
- "Telex from Cuba" by Rachel Kushner, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 5, at the Rosedale Library, 4036 Jefferson Highway, Jefferson.
- Members of the Any Book Club discus "Urban Fiction," 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 14, at the Jane O’Brien Chatelain West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey.
- "Beloved" by Toni Morrison, 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 20, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.
- "The Plot and the Pendulum" by Jenn McCarthy, 2 to 4 p.m. June 20, at the Old Metairie Library, 2350 Metairie Road.
- "I’m a Stranger Here Myself" by Bill Bryson, 10 to 11 a.m. June 21, at the Gretna Library, 102 Willow Drive, Gretna.
- "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt, 2:30 to 4 p.m. June 18. at the River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge.
THINK PINK: The newest display from the Crescent City Depression Glass Society features Shell Pink Milk Glass made by Jeannette Glass Co. from 1957 to 1959. Included are bowls, trays, vases, footed cake plates, candleholders, compote, punch bowl with cups, and even a honey pot.
Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library.