Melinda and Melinda

“Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.
The film “Melinda and Melinda” (2004) was presented to all who wish to improve their language skills.
Melinda and Melinda is a comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. It was premiered at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. The film is set in Manhattan and stars Radha Mitchell as the protagonist Melinda, in two storylines; one comic, one tragic.
WOA’s patrons enjoyed the film and the discussion that followed.
Number of participants – 12 persons.

Cycling trains the body, reading books trains the soul!

On this festive day the patrons and staff of the DOUNB Library participated in the opening of a bike-parking stand near the main library building entrance in Y. Savchenko Str, 10. 
The parking stand was acquired with the assistance of the US Embassy in Ukraine within the framework of the "Windows Go biking" project. 

The library patrons who arrived on bicycles demonstrated how to park the vehicles. The rest of the spectators watched them in a symbolic circle. 
DOUNB Library Director Nadia Titova together with the Window on America Center Head Svetlana Usenko cut the traditional opening ribbon and invited young people to visit the library more often and participate in its activities. Study English with the help of modern library and free resources!
 
Remember the motto of the project: "Cycling trains the body, reading books trains the soul!"
Number of participants – 30 persons.

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Technical Translation

The "Window on America" center (Dnipropetrovsk / Ukraine) had a presentation of free resources for those wishing to improve their English skills. The presentation was arranged for the second-year students group from the Dnipropetrovsk National Metallurgical Academy of Ukraine (NMetAU).The students’ major was "Technical Translation".
They listened to the presentation of the useful library resources for languages’ study and free resources for improving the English skills. Students examined the WOA’s technical equipment, the DOUNB Library’s collection of documents in foreign languages at the respective department, the WOA’s  book & image display  "Be active! Become a tourist!".
Students learned about the numerous activities aimed at future translators:
-    free access to the digital “eLibrary USA” to prepare scientific papers,
-    possibility to watch US movies with authentic soundtrack  ( in a group or individually),
-    possibility to meet  native speakers at the “Gabfest” English-speaking  club  sessions.
The students reviewed the promotional trailer about the library resources and received promotional materials. They were invited to follow the WOA’s announcements via the website, social networks (Facebook), to view reference materials and on-line links to the blog (http://woadnepr.blogspot.com/).
Number of participants – 21 persons.

Friends’ Greetings. Ukrainian Libraries’ Day

On the eve of the Ukrainian Libraries’ Day the DOUNB Library foreign department staff and "Window on America" (Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) center were greeted by the long-time partners – the teachers and students of the high school №141. The Librarians’ team heard the words of appreciation for all educational events offered to the students within the cooperation project framework. In return the librarians highly appreciated flowers, sweet treats and especially a musical number. The DOUNB Library staff is motivated to plan and present new events for the inquisitive young generation.
Number of participants – 15 persons.
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World Tourism Day

Today’ session of the Gabfest Club ("Window on America" (Dnipropetrovsk / Ukraine) was dedicated to the observance of the World Tourism Day. We have visited the official UN site and discussed the theme of the year 2015: "One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities". We also mentioned the impact of tourism on societies – both positive and negative.
The most interesting part of the session was conversation on Ukrainian travel destinations. 

Our foreign volunteers – Mr. Eric and Mr. Jason- were present at the session and the club members were to recommend a tourist destination for them in Ukraine and explain why the place is unique. The recommended places ranged from popular tourist brands (Lviv, Kyiv, Carpathian Mountains, Crimea) to less known destinations – Poltava, Petrykivka village, Uzhgorod.
In return the foreign guests told about their recent trips to neighboring countries and asked about popular destinations for Ukrainians abroad.
 
The session had many funny moments and was quite challenging for the Club members as it required knowledge of cultural trivia.
Number of participants – 33 persons.
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American Teenclub's reunion

Window on America Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine:
WOA's American Teen Club is back in business with Ania moderating the session.
The amusing TABOO game helped to re-activate the vocabulary after a long summer break.
The club members exchanged their summer travel experiences and impressions. For the second part of the session our US volunteer Mr. Jason join the conversation. He shared his stories about a trip to Poland.
Number of participants – 5 persons.

Learning English Is Fun

In the framework of long-time cooperation project "Window on America" Center (Dnipropetrovsk) was visited by a group of the 5th year students from the local secondary school № 141. The students watched the English-language video about rules of behavior in the library.
WOA’s Head Svetlana Usenko introduced the library phrases and terms to the group. The children have expanded their vocabulary and learned some new facts about library procedures. At the end of the meeting the children and teachers watched a karaoke-video and sang along a funny «Shark song».
Number of participants – 30 (29 – pupils, 1- teachers) persons.
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Solaris

“Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.
The film «Solaris» (2002) was presented to all who wish to improve their language skills.
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writers: Stanislaw Lem (novel), Steven Soderbergh (screenplay)
Stars: George Clooney, Natascha McElhone, Ulrich Tukur
Plot: A troubled psychologist is sent to investigate the crew of an isolated research station orbiting a bizarre planet.
WOA’s patrons enjoyed the film and the discussion that followed.
Number of participants – 13 persons.

Presentation of WOA’s resources for lyceum students

The "Window on America" center Dnipropetrovsk was visited by a group of lyceum students. The students were searching the information for a school project.
WOA’s Head Svitlana Usenko told the students about the valuable internet resource - eLibrary USA. She showed the students how to use it, helped them to create a bibliographic document with the search results on the topic "Hobbies / leisure in the USA” that may become the basis for the school project.
Lyceum students learned about the possibility to arrange theme events at the WOA center, to watch the English-language movies (in a group or individually), to communicate with native speakers at the “Gabfest”English-speaking club sessions. The students reviewed the promotional video of the library resources, received promotional flyers for their English teacher.
Number of participants – 6 persons.
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Presentation of WOA’s resources for students

The "Window on America" center (Dnipropetrovsk / Ukraine) had a presentation of free resources for those wishing to improve their English skills. The presentation was arranged for the first-year students group from the Dnipropetrovsk National Metallurgical Academy of Ukraine (NMetAU).The students’ major was "Technical Translation".
They listened to the presentation of the useful library resources for languages’ study and free resources for improving the English skills. Students examined the WOA’s technical equipment, the DOUNB Library’s collection of documents in foreign languages at the respective department, the WOA’s  book & image display  "Be active! Become a tourist!".
Students learned about the numerous activities aimed at future translators:
-    free access to the digital “eLibrary USA” to prepare scientific papers,
-    possibility to watch US movies with authentic soundtrack  ( in a group or individually),
-    possibility to meet  native speakers at the “Gabfest” English-speaking  club  sessions.
The students reviewed the promotional trailer about the library resources and received promotional materials. They were invited to follow the WOA’s announcements via the website, social networks (Facebook), to view reference materials and on-line links to the blog (http://woadnepr.blogspot.com/).
Students were invited to join the DOUNB Library event – a romantic bike ride «The city unites hearts". The ride will be held with the participation of "Window on America" Dnipropetrovsk on the World Tourism Day.
We support the healthy lifestyle!
Number of participants – 16 persons.
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Presentation of WOA’s resources for librarians

The "Window on America" center (Dnipropetrovsk / Ukraine) had a presentation of free resources for those wishing to improve their English skills. The presentation was arranged for the rural librarians of Dnipropetrovsk oblast. The guests were introduced to the WOA’s technical equipment collection and the book & image display «Be active! Become a tourist!". Colleagues were recommended to keep in touch with the WOA center through social networks, to view the reference materials and on-line reference on the WOA Dnipropetrovsk‘ site and blog.

Number of participants – 22 persons.

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After City Day Celebration

Today’s session of the Gabfest Club (Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) was a free topic session. The club members were encouraged to offer topics that interest them. The first topic offered was the “City Day Celebration”. The club members told about the events they visited and the impressions from these events.
 

Club member Olga Goncharuk offered another topic for conversation – new IT gadgets. She prepared a small slide show and informed the group about the latest devices offered on the market.
 

Our Australian guest Mr. Eric joined the session today. This gave the opportunity to ask him more questions about Australia. The conversation was so interesting that after the Gabfest session some activists stayed to talk to Eric for a longer time.
Number of participants – 31 persons.

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Fracture

The film Fracture (2007) was presented to all who wish to improve their language skills.
Fracture is a 2007 American-German crime-mystery thriller film, directed by Gregory Hoblit and starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling. 

It tells the story of a man accused of attempted murder on his wife who gets locked in a battle of wits with a young assistant district attorney. After the man is freed on a technicality, the D.A. sets out on an obsessive mission to prove his guilt.

The film received generally positive reviews from critics and was also a box office success, making $91.4 million worldwide against a $45 million budget.

Writers: Daniel Pyne (screenplay), Glenn Gers (screenplay)

WOA’s patrons enjoyed the film and the discussion that followed.

Green Thinking is important!

“Greenpeace” celebrates Birthday”.
The "Window on America" center was visited by a group of sixth graders within the frame work of the partnership project with the local high school № 141. The visit was dedicated to the presentation of the world-famous environmental organization "Greenpeace" that on September 15 celebrates its birthday.
The students watched a You Tube video in English about the history of the Greenpeace organization.
The WOA’s Head Svetlana Usenko presented to the group the most famous environmental protests by “Greenpeace”. 

The children learned many new facts and ecological terms. “Greenpeace”’s mission is the protection of natural resources, energy conservation and use of alternative energy. In Ukraine the Greenpeace activists protest against the import of harmful substances into the country.
The group discussed the video and other images. The children told what they do personally to preserve nature. Besides, they learned more about eco activities that can be done at home with their family members.
Number of participants – 28 (26 – pupils, 2- teachers) persons.
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English for Moms

"Window on America" center (Dnipropetrovsk / Ukraine) held an interesting meeting which may become the beginning of a new educational project "English for Moms".
The project is initiated by the WOA’s longtime friend Mrs. Anna Maksyuta. A proud mom of two kids now, Anna was a participant of the «Work & Travel USA» program twice and the winner of the library photo contest “USA by the eyes of Ukrainians” (2013).
This week Anna presented the WOA center to her fellow young moms. The DOUNB Library staff introduced the new-comers to the resources that will be useful for anyone wishing to improve the English language skills. The group was impressed with the collection of books, reference books, encyclopedias; textbooks on modern American English, the educational software program "Rosetta Stone", the collection of the best Hollywood movies.
Number of participants – 5 persons.
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Hispanic Heritage Month

Today’s session of the Gabfest Club (Dnipropetrovsk / Ukraine) was dedicated to the Hispanic Heritage Month observed in the USA.

We started the conversation with the discussion on the background of this observance. The focus of this year’s session was on the introduction of the Tex-Mex cuisine to the club members.

Tex-Mex (from Texan and Mexican) is a term describing a fusion of American cuisine and Mexican cuisine, deriving from the culinary creations of Tejanos. It has spread from border states such as Texas and those in the Southwestern United States to the rest of the country. Tex-Mex is most popular in the state of Texas.

Tex-Mex cuisine is characterized by its heavy use of shredded cheese, meat (particularly beef and pork), beans, and spices, in addition to Mexican-style tortillas.

The group has watched illustrative videos that introduced the typical Tex-Mex dishes like tacos, burritos and chili con carne. A lot of new terminology was introduced through the videos. The popular US fast food chain Taco Bell and its food and equipment technology was presented.

Number of participants – 16 persons.

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