February Events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Following is Westlake Porter Public Library’s February, 2019 calendar of events:

Friday, February 1 (10:30-11:15 a.m.) and Monday, February 11 (6:30-7:15 p.m.)  Adapted Storytime – Children with varying learning styles and abilities learn in a safe, supportive environment where respect and appreciation for differences are encouraged. This 30 minute storytime, followed by time for socialization, is designed for children who may not be successful in a typical storytime experience. Content is geared toward ages 3-7, but all ages are welcome. Siblings may also attend, but must register separately. Registration begins one week before each session.

Friday, February 1 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday – Join Mrs. K as we explore the wonders of our world with hands-on experiments and activities! What are the states of matter? Come and discover how water changes from a solid to a liquid and back again! Ages 4-Kindergarten. Registration begins January 25.

Saturday, February 2 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Groundhog Day Fun – It’s time for the world’s famous furry weatherman to emerge from his burrow for his annual forecast of spring. Will he see his shadow? Join us for some fun groundhog crafts as we celebrate this special day! No registration required.

Saturdays, February 2 and 16 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Love those bricks? Bring your ideas and imagination! Lego® and Duplo® bricks provided. For ages 3-12. No registration required.

Saturday, February 2 (3:30-4 p.m.) Family Storytime – An interactive family storytime featuring books, rhymes, songs, movement, and a small craft. For families with children ages 2-6. No registration required.

Sunday, February 3 (2-2:45 p.m.) Fancy Nancy Perfectly Paris Party! – Bonjour! (That’s fancy for hello!) You are invited to a Perfectly Paris Party to practice your French, play glamorous games, create a spectacular craft and enjoy tasty refreshments! For ages 5-8. Registration begins January 27.

Mondays, February 4, 11 and 25 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to WPPL’s Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! We have computers, video games, board games, snacks, and more! For grades 7-12 only. No registration required.

Mondays, February 4, 11, 18 and 25 (4-5 p.m.) Learning Centers – Learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math using STEAM kits set up in stations around the PC Lab. Space is limited for each weekly session. Grades 4-5. Registration begins one week before each session.

Tuesday, February 5 (10-11:00 a.m.) Crafting with Creative Bug – Learn how to find your next crafting project with the CreativeBug database. This class will get you registered, show you how to navigate, and even try out a craft or two! Please register.

Tuesday, February 5 (7-7:30 p.m.) Bedtime Stories: Who’s Hibernating? – Put on your pajamas and join Mrs. K as we unwind at the end of the day. Hibernate and relax with quiet stories, songs, fingerplays about bears and other sleepy animals to help us get ready for bedtime. Ages 4-6. Siblings welcome. No registration required.

Wednesdays, February 6, 13, 20 and 27 (10:15 & 11 a.m.) Let’s Sing and Dance! – Sing and move to the music with Miss Nancy! For children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Please arrive early to receive a ticket.

Wednesday, February 6 (1-2:30 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogy Society Help Session – Please join the genealogy group for an informal walk-in help session.

Wednesdays, February 6, 13, 20 and 27 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, February 7, 14 21 and 28 (6:30-8 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, February 6 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Horror Film Club – Calling all horror film fans: Join us for another creepy classic from the vault…if you dare! New members are always welcome, but children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult. Please register.

Wednesday, February 6-Sunday, February 10 Friends of the Library’s Annual Book Sale – Three rooms filled with thousands of great books, DVDs, CDs and Audiobooks! DATES AND TIMES:

• Wednesday, February 6 (4-7 p.m.) – Friends’ Preview Night: Only for members of the Friends of Porter Public Library. Memberships will be available at the door.
• Thursday, February 7 (9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.)
• Friday, February 8 (9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 9 (9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) – Half-price sale
• Sunday, February 10 (1:15-4 p.m.) – $2 Bag Sale

Thursday, February 7 (10-11:30 a.m.) Beginning Coding for Adults – Learn the basics of coding through self-paced online modules. An instructor will be on hand to help get you started and to facilitate lessons. Please register.

Thursdays, February 7, 14, 21 and 28 (4-5 p.m.) Code Club! – Learn how to build an app, design a video game, and change the world through code! Grades 3-4. Registration begins one week before each session.

Thursday, February 7 (6-8 p.m.) Harry Potter Book Night – Celebrate the magic and wonder of the 5th annual Harry Potter Book Night! Enjoy games, crafts, contests, and other wizarding activities. No registration required.

Friday, February 8 (10-10:45 a.m.) Come Play With Me! – Open playtime with age-appropriate toys. For children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome! No registration required.

Saturday, February 9 (10:30-11 a.m.) Mother Goose On the Loose! – An interactive storytime featuring simple books, rhymes, songs and movement. For ages birth-3 years old with a caregiver. No registration required.

Saturday, February 9 (3-4 p.m.) 3D Printing Orientation – In order to use the library’s 3D printer, you’ll need to take this orientation first. Learn library policies about using it, how to download a 3D-printable object, and how to prepare it for a great print. Please register.

Saturday, February 9 (3:30-5 p.m.) STEAMMaker Lab: Birds – Learn about birds that can be seen and heard in Northeast Ohio and participate in several hands-on activities! Grades 3-5. Registration begins February 2.

Sunday, February 10 (2-3 p.m.) American Girl Doll Club: Saige Copeland – Saige Copeland, a 10 year-old who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, discovers that overcoming challenges requires creativity. We will explore our own creativity through game and a craft. Ages 6-11. Registration begins February 3.

Sundays, February 10 and 24 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – Hone your chess skills or learn how to play the game. Recommended for ages 6+, but all ages are welcome. If you have a chess set, please bring it with you. No registration necessary.

Mondays February 11, 18 and 25 (6-8 p.m.) Starting Your Business with SCORE – In this five-part series learn the basics of starting a business, from start-up basics to marketing, funding, financial projections and more. Series continues on March 4 and 11. Please register. Weekly topics: February 11: Start-Up Basics • February 18: Business Concepts • February 25: Marketing Plan • March 4: Financial Projections • March 11: Funding Sources

Monday, February 11 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Silhouette Cameo Iron-On Designs – Just in time for Valentine’s Day, learn how to use the Silhouette Cameo to cut out and heat transfer designs (like hearts!) on fabric items of your choice. Iron provided. Bring an item to decorate! Please register.

Tuesday, February 12 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Tablet Tuesday User Group – This group will share tips and tricks with each other about using iPads and Android Tablets. Kindle Fire users welcome! Please bring your devices. Please register.

Tuesday, February 12 (12-1 p.m.) Yoga for Aging Gracefully – Tips for aging well with a 30-minute gentle yet energizing chair exercise/yoga session. Dress comfortably. Please register.

Tuesday, February 12 (1-3 p.m.) Career: Reinvent Yourself or Retirement? – Have you given thought to your plans for the future? Will it include retirement or cutting back on the number of hours you work? Does the idea of spending your days pursuing leisure activities excite you or do you prefer to find activities to keep you active and engaged? Today we’ll look at steps to reinvent yourself for your desired future and examine retirement differently. No registration required.

Tuesdays, February 12, 19 and 26 (2-3:30 p.m.) Conversational Spanish – Spanish is the most popular second language learned in the United States. Please join us to learn Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation with an expert instructor. You’re sure to be speaking the romance language fluently in no time. No registration required.

Tuesday, February 12 (7-8:30 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In February we’ll discuss Citizen by Claudia Rankine.

Wednesday, February 13 (2-3:30 p.m.) Intro to Smartphones – Learn the basics of using smartphones, such as screen brightness, wifi settings, adding apps, and more! If bringing your device, please bring all account passwords. Please register.

Thursday, February 14 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Thursday, February 14 (2-3:30 p.m.) Great Decisions Discussion Program on World Affairs – Discuss critical global issues facing America today. At the beginning of each month a copy of the article may be picked up at the Ask Us Desk. Please read prior to the meeting. Please register.

Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16 (9:30 and 10:30 a.m.) Connecting for Kids’Music Therapy & More^SM  – For families and their children (ages 0-6 years) who are struggling in an area of development. Join us for a hands-on program designed to teach families how to use music to improve their child’s motor, communication and social skills as well as behavior. This program is led by a Board-Certified Music Therapist. Siblings (ages 0-6 years) may also attend but must register separately. Each session is 30 minutes. For more information and to register, visit connectingforkids.org/music or call 440-570-5908. Music Therapy and More is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Friday, February 15 (4-5 p.m.) Got Science? – Join us as we delve into the world of science. This month’s topic: Polymers! Grades 1 and 2. Registration begins February 8.

Saturday, February 16 (10-11:30 a.m.) Intermediate Coding for Adults – Learn intermediate coding through self-paced online modules. An instructor will be on hand to help get you started and to facilitate lessons. The class focus is on Python and Raspberry Pi. Please register.

Saturday, February 16 (10:30 -11:30 a.m.) Pokemon Fun! – A fun morning of Pokemon themed play, prizes, and crafts! Ages 6-11. No registration required.

Saturday, February 16 (2-2:45 p.m.) Kids in the Kitchen – Learn basic cooking skills with fast, simple, no-bake recipes for kids! For children with special needs and their typical peers. If you have an allergy or special diet concern, please contact the Youth Services Department at 440-250-5471 for a complete list of ingredients. Ages 8-12. Registration begins February 9.

Sunday, February 17 (2-3:30 p.m.) Boredom Busters! – Are you bored? Drop by the Storytime Room and join in the fun! We will have different activities available each month. All ages welcome! No registration necessary!

Sunday, February 17 (2-3 p.m.) Friends’ Sunday Sounds – Join the Friends for a musical performance of Nobody Dies Sinatra Better than Sonata. No registration required.

Sunday, February 17 (3-4 p.m.) Art Smarts – Explore works of a well-known artist and then use what you’ve seen to create an art piece of your own! Grades 3-6. Registration begins February 10.

Monday, February 18 (1-1:30 p.m.) Yoga Time! – This is a perfect way to introduce yoga and practice simple poses. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat. Ages 3 and up with a caregiver. No registration necessary. Namaste!

Monday, February 18 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investors’ Interest Group: Cycle Theory – Learn what these cycles are called, when they typically occur, and how long they typically last. By learning the hallmarks of each cycle, you can distinguish what cycle we are in at any given time. Receive the presenter’s insight about the financial cycle we are in now and how this might affect our future investing style. Please register.

Tuesday, February 19 (9:30-10 a.m.) Stories and Signs – Enjoy an interactive storytime while learning a few words in sign language! Ages 0-3, siblings welcome. No registration required.

Tuesday, February 19 (7-9 p.m.) Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Man Who Stood Up to Hitler – Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Protestant minister and German theologian who came of age between the two World Wars. His writings reflect the increasing alarm as he watched his fellow Germans believe the lies of the National Socialists, turning anger into madness. A lone voice that stood up to Hitler. What message do his words hold for us today? Please register.

Wednesday, February 20 (7-8:30 p.m.) Recycling: Current and Future Technologies – Recycling is a lot more than sorting out bottles, paper, and cans. Join Dr. Joel Keller as he teaches us all about the processes of recycling. What can be recycled? How do our communities currently handle recycling? Do those blue and green bins at the end of the driveway really work? And going forward, what are some recycling systems we can look to in the future? Please register.

Thursday, February 21 (Noon-1:30 p.m.) Small Business Lunch & Learn: Financial Statement Basics – Learn what financial statements are, why they are important, and how they are used in the process of running a business. Good bookkeeping and financial management are critical to the health of a business. Please register.

Thursday, February 21 – Preschool session (6:30 p.m.) and Friday, February 22 – Preschool session (9:30 a.m.) and Toddler Session (11:30 a.m.) Connecting for Kids’ Teach Me to Play^SM – A play-based program for families and their children (Toddler: ages 18 months-2 years and Preschool: ages 3-6 years) who are struggling in an area of development. Diverse opportunities for learning are provided, with an emphasis on facilitating communication, practicing social interactions and responding to behaviors in a positive way. Each themed session offers a variety of engaging individual, small and whole group activities. The staff coaches families, demonstrates and suggests strategies, responds to questions and provides resources. The program is led by an experienced Early Intervention Specialist and Speech-Language Pathologist. Register at www.connectingforkids.org/register, or email: info@connectingforkids.org or by phone: 440-570-5908. Teach Me to Play is supported by a grant from GPD Employees’ Foundation.

Friday, February 22 (10 a.m.-Noon) Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems, and show off.

Friday, February 22 (10-10:30 a.m.) Little Hands Art – Nurture your child’s creative side with this hands-on program featuring a story, craft, and music. For children ages 3-5 and their caregiver. Registration begins February 15.

Saturday, February 23 (1-2:30 p.m.) Connecting for Kids’ Speaker Series: Grants for Children with Special Needs – Would you like to apply for a grant to help fund your child’s therapies, camps or equipment needs but aren’t sure where to begin? How do you find which grants you may qualify for? Would you like someone to walk you through the application process? Join Julie K. Robie, Esq. of Community Fund Management Foundation (CFMF) as she takes participants step-by-step through the process of applying for CFMF Accessibility Grants and CFMF Education, Therapy, and Services Grants.  Also, Amy Clawson of Ohio Family 2 Family will present how to create your child’s medical summary and how to write a vision statement to supplement your grant applications and other uses. Families are encouraged to bring a laptop or other device to begin their application. Co-sponsored by CFMF and Ohio Family 2 Family. To register visit connectingforkids.org/register or call 440-570-5908. This program is supported by a grant from the Community Fund Management Foundation (CFMF).

Saturday, February 23 (2-4 p.m.) Carry Out Crafts – Stop by the Youth Services Department to see what our featured craft is this afternoon. We have all the supplies you’ll need to create something fantastic! No registration required.

Saturday, February 23 (3-5 p.m.) Anime Club – A great club for anime and manga lovers! All otakus and newbies are welcome! Grades 7 to adult. No registration required.

Monday, February 25 (12:30-1:30 p.m.) Senior Storytime: LoveNotes – Please join us for short stories read by librarians that will warm your heart with love and happiness. Bring a brown bag lunch if you wish! Please register.

Monday, February 25 (2-3 p.m.) 19th Century Mourning Rituals – Lysa Stanton of the Westlake Historical Society will discuss 19th Century Mourning Rituals and how our ancestors understood the grieving process. Some of these rituals may sound familiar to us and many will strike us as a little out of the ordinary. Registration begins January 26.

Monday, February 25 (7-8:30 p.m.) Archaeology and Shipwrecks – Carrie Sowden, Archaeological Director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes, will outline the steps it takes to find and then investigate shipwrecks. At each step of the process, we will highlight a shipwreck lost in Lake Erie. This program will give a good understanding of Great Lakes shipwrecks, the science behind archaeology, and the need to preserve these historic vessels. Please register.

Tuesday, February 26 (10-11 a.m.) Finding Your Next Book with NoveList and Goodreads – Are you an avid reader looking for your next book? Come learn about how to use the library database NoveList and the popular website Goodreads to find your next book, keep track of your reading selections, and more! Please register.

Tuesday, February 26 (6-8:45 p.m.) CPR – CPR and AED certification for adult, child, and infant. Instruction by certified instructor/Paramedic Ken Hehnen. Must be 13 yrs of age. Please register.

Tuesday, February 26 (7-8:45 p.m.) Westlake Westshore Arts Council – “Catch a Rising Star” from Baldwin Wallace college. No registration required.

Wednesday, February 27 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The February selection is Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson.

Wednesday, February 27 (3:45-5 p.m.) Tween Scene – Drop in after school to play board games and video games with your friends. Snacks will be provided. For students in grades 5-6. No registration required.

Wednesday, February 27 (6:30-8 p.m.) Is Starting a Nonprofit Right for You? – Join Dave Holmes from the Foundation Center as he shares the steps required to start a nonprofit and common misconceptions about the process, as well as alternative options that can help you achieve your charitable dreams. Please register.

Thursday, February 28 (11 a.m.-12 p.m.) Crafty Adults – Create art of your own based on the work of a famous artist or holiday. Specifically for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Join us after the program for a bring-your-own lunch with attendees. No registration required.

To register for any of the programs, please call (440) 871-2600 or visit http://westlakelibrary.evanced.info.