Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day! Thank you to the Veterans Memorial Association of Smyrna for a generous donation to Smyrna Public Library. The library has ordered lots of great kids' books to inspire patriotism, honor for military service, and exploration of military history. Thank to you to all our amazing Smyrna veterans. Thank you for your service!

First Sunday Virtual Lecture: Renewing Smyrna’s Tree Canopy: From Vision to Inheritance

 

Thanks to the Smyrna Tree Board for presenting virtually yesterday at the Smyrna Public Library as part of our rescheduled First Sunday Lecture Series.

Presentation Overview:

The Smyrna City Council recently passed a resolution to join other Atlanta Metro communities in planting 1 million trees over the next ten years. Learn how Trees Atlanta, Keep Smyrna Beautiful, the Smyrna Tree Board, and Smyrna citizens are working to achieve this goal - from vision to inheritance. Our discussion covers forest ecology, the benefits of trees to our community, and practical advice on how to select, plant, and care for trees in your yard. Questions from the audience are welcomed and be ready for riddles and games that test your tree IQ.

 

Speakers:

• Chris Zweifel is the founder of Plant A Tree Smyrna and a former science and social studies teacher.
• Judy Yi is the Director of Outreach & Marketing for Trees Atlanta. Previously, she was the Director of Education and established the TreeHouse, its first education center. Before joining Trees Atlanta in 2015, she was a marketing and sales operations executive in the telecommunications and digital marketing industries.
• Eric Dennis is a member of the Keep Smyrna Beautiful Board and helped create the Adopt a Tree Program for KSB.
• Sean Murphy is an ISA Certified Arborist and a Professional Landscape Architect with over 30 years of experience working with trees and he has designed significant projects around Smyrna, including Concord Road Linear Park, Jonquil Plaza and the Shops at Belmont.
• Jean Manki has served on the Smyrna Tree Board for the past 3 years and helped write the revised Smyrna Tree Ordinance and organize the Smyrna Tree Scarves Project.

Sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Favorite Characters Visit the Smyrna Public Library

The Smyrna Public Library has three special guests this week: Pete the Cat, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Taco Dragon.  The socially distanced visits were held over 3 days in the Train Playground outside the library.  All of the kids also received crafts kits about their favorite book characters.   

Early Voting Starts Today! Pete the Cat or Pigeon?

Early voting starts today!  You can choose to vote online at https://tinyurl.com/y26m4nrk or by completing a paper ballot at the Youth Services Desk.

Who will win?  Pete the Cat or Pigeon?  

The winner will be announced on November 4th.

First Sunday Virtual Lecture: "Day of the Dead: Souls and Sweets" Hispanic Heritage Month Event

Thank you, Professor Audry Garcia, for yesterday's informative webinar on  Day of the Dead: Souls and Sweets.  

Presentation Outline:

This presentation addresses the culturally diverse origin of the Mexican tradition and the relevant role that food, particularly sweets and bread, plays in it.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Audry García is a native of Mexico City. She has been a faculty member at Kennesaw State University for the last 25 years. She enjoys researching and teaching socio-cultural aspects of Spanish speaking communities, and intercultural communication.

Sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Virtual Flute and Harp Recital with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Principals Christina Smith and Elisabeth Remy Johnson

Thank you for the wonderful recital today!

Recital Description: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Principals Christina Smith, flute, and Elisabeth Remy Johnson, harp, presented an afternoon recital. The online concert consisted of a wonderful flute and harp repertoire, both new and old. The composers include Joseph Jongen, Katherine Hoover, and Gabriel Faure. The audience was then able to ask questions, and hear introductions of the works by the performers.

Biographies:

Christina Smith is one of the most sought-after flutists in the country as an orchestral player, soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. The 2020-21 season is Ms. Smith’s thirtieth season as principal flutist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and her solos can be heard on over 40 ASO recordings. She has also appeared with the orchestra numerous times as concerto soloist. After graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy, Ms. Smith studied at the Curtis Institute of Music as a pupil of the legendary Julius Baker. She has appeared as guest principal flutist with the Chicago Symphony, LA Philharmonic, the Vancouver Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony. Ms. Smith’s longtime collaboration with ASO principal harpist Elisabeth Remy Johnson resulted in the 2008 release of a duet album entitled “Encantamiento.” Equally passionate about teaching, Ms. Smith serves on the faculty at Kennesaw State University and Emory University. She performs on a flute handmade in 1950 by Verne Q. Powell.  She is proud to be a Powell artist.

Elisabeth Remy Johnson has been Principal Harpist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since 1995. She gives solo and chamber music recitals throughout the U.S.A. and teaches at Emory University, Georgia State University, and Kennesaw State University. Ms. Remy Johnson is a graduate of Harvard University, Phi Beta Kappa, where she majored in Music and French. In addition to the ASO, she has performed as Principal Harp with the symphony orchestras of Boston, Houston, and Milwaukee, and the Grand Teton Music Festival. She has made numerous recordings with the ASO, as well as several solo and chamber CDs. In 2018, she and several ASO colleagues founded The Merian Ensemble, a chamber group dedicated to their “Listen: Works by Women” initiative, an annual series of concerts celebrating and commissioning chamber music composed by women. Ms. Remy Johnson was co-founder and artistic director (2000-2010) of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble, serving students from the Atlanta Public Schools. She has received Atlanta's Channel Eleven Community Service Award, the TBS Pathfinder’s Award, and the Atlanta Business Chronicle's "Up & Comers Award.”

FOSL Provides Grant for "Binge Box" DVD Sets

Just in time for Fall Break Week, the library is now offering "Binge Box" DVD sets. They were purchased with a grant from the Friends of Smyrna Library. 

Binge Boxes are 4 to 6 movies in one case with a similar theme. Sets include 80s classics, Marvel adventures, and Disney Princesses, just to name a few. Enjoy this fun new collection!