February Events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Following is Westlake Porter Public Library’s February, 2018 calendar of events:

Thursday, February 1-Sunday, February 4 Friends of the Library’s Annual Big Book Sale – Stop by for bargains on fiction, non-fiction, oldies but goodies, children’s and young adult books as well as music CD’s, DVD’s, and books on CD. We also have some great special priced books. Times are as follows: Thursday, February 1: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, February 2: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, February 3 – Half Price Sale: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, February 4 – Bag Sale: 1:15-4 p.m.

Thursdays, February 1, 8, 15 and 22 (4-5:15 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 1 (6-8 p.m.) Harry Potter Book Night – Celebrate the magic and wonder of Harry Potter! Enjoy games, crafts, contests, and other wizarding activities. No registration necessary.

Thursdays, February 1, 8, 15 and 22 (6:30-8 p.m.) and Wednesdays, February 7, 14, 21 and 28 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with one of the reading therapy dogs! Registration begins each Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m.

Saturday, February 3 (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 3 (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.

Saturdays February 3, 10, 17 and 24 (3-4:30 p.m.) Tween Code Club – Learn how to build an app, design a video game, and change the world through code! Registration begins one week before each session. Grades 5-8.

Mondays, February 5, 12 and 26 (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.

Monday, February 5 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) Exploration Stations – Explore a variety of center-based activities supporting educational and social skills in a supportive environment. Grades 1-4. Registration begins January 29.

Monday, February 5 (7-8:30 p.m.) and Saturday, February 17 (11 a.m.-Noon) 3D Printing Orientation – In order to use the library’s new 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.

Tuesday, February 6 (10-11:30 a.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.

Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20 and 27 (2-3 p.m.) Conversational Spanish – Please join us to learn Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation with an expert instructor. No registration required.

Tuesday, February 6 (6:30-8 p.m.) Connecting for Kids’ Coffee and Chat – Join our interactive support group and meet other families facing similar struggles. Free, supervised children’s activities are available, but adults and children must register separately. Topic: How to Avoid Stress and Become a More Mindful Parent: Join Terri McNeely, MEd, BS, of The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake, in this interactive session as she teaches caregivers ways to calm both themselves and their child. Attendees will also gain an understanding of mindfulness. Coffee is donated by Starbucks Coffee Company and desserts donated by Little Miss Cookies. For more information, visit connectingforkids.org/support. To register please call 440-250-5563.

Wednesdays, February 7, 14, 21 and 28 (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 7 (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 7, 14, 21 and 28 (3:45-5 p.m.) Tween Scene – Weekly hang-out for 5th and 6th graders ONLY! No registration required.

Wednesday, February 7 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Horror Film Club – Join us as we explore the classics of horror, science fiction, and suspense! Children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult. Please register.

Wednesday, February 7 (7-8:30 p.m.) Wonders of Weather – Have you ever wondered how a storm forms, or why the seasons change? Now you can find out from CBS-TV meteorologist Jon Loufman in a presentation for the whole family. Please register.

Thursday, February 8 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Thursday, February 8 (2-3 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 the article prior to the meeting. Please register.

Thursday, February 8 (7-8 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The February selection is Cutting Back: My Apprenticeship in the Gardens of Kyoto by Leslie Buck.

Friday, February 9 (9:30 and 10:30 a.m.) and Saturday, February 10 (9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.) Connecting for Kids Music Therapy & MoreSM – For families and their children (ages 0-6 years) who are struggling in an area of development. Siblings (ages 0-6 years) are welcome to attend. Join us for a program designed to teach families how to use music to improve their child’s motor, communication and social skills as well as behavior. Each session is 30 minutes. Register at www.connectingforkids.org/register, or email: info@connectingforkids.org or by phone: 440-250-5563.

Friday, February 9 (3:30-4:15 p.m.) Fun Science Friday – Join Mrs. K as we explore our world! In February we’ll explore the science behind sledding, including gravity and friction. Discoveries will be made through hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take home project. Ages 4-7. Registration begins February 2.

Saturday, February 10 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Valentine’s Day Fun! – Have a heart and join us in the Youth Services Department for a variety of Valentine’s Day crafts! All ages welcome. No registration required.

Saturday, February 10 (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 10 (11 a.m.-Noon) Tai Chi for Health – Rescheduled from January 13. Discover the healing effects of this movement therapy. Wear comfortable clothing. Please register.

Saturday, February 10 (1-2:30 p.m.) and Tuesday, February 27 (6:30-8 p.m.) Connecting for Kids’ Speaker Series – Free, supervised children’s activities are available, but adults and children must register separately. For more information, visit connectingforkids.org/speakerseries. To register, visit www.connectingforkids.org/register, call 440-250-5563 or email info@connectingforkids.org. February 10 Topic: Struggling to Learn — Join Carole Richards of North Coast Education Services as she answers your questions and provides practical ideas families can implement immediately. February 27 Topic: Emotional Intensity in Gifted Children — Does emotional intensity go hand-in-hand with giftedness? Meghan Barlow, Ph.D., of Meghan Barlow and Associates, will discuss why gifted children may have more extreme emotional reactions, explosions, and anxieties. Dr. Barlow will provide a perspective to help families understand how their child’s intensities can be framed as strengths and she will also provide tips on how families can prevent power struggles and support their child in learning to manage their emotions.

Saturdays, February 10 & 24 (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.

Sunday, February 11 (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 4.

Monday, February 12 (6:30-7:15 p.m.) and Saturday, February 24 (10:30-11:15 a.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.

Monday, February 12 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: How to Hackproof Your Smartphone – Financial advisor Michael Wasylyshyn will present the best ways to prevent hackers from taking over your smartphone. Please register.

Tuesday, February 13 (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 13 (7-7:30 p.m.) Bedtime Stories – Put on your pajamas and join Mrs. K as we unwind at the end of the day with quiet stories, songs, fingerplays, and other activities. Ages 4-6. Siblings welcome. No registration required.

Tuesday, February 13 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In February we’ll discuss Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley.

Thursday, February 15 (1:30-4:30 p.m.) First Aid Training – Heartsaver® First Aid teaches students critical skills to respond to and manage an emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services arrives. Please register.

Thursday, February 15 (Preschool session: 6:30 p.m.) and Friday, February 16 (Preschool session: 9:30 a.m. and Toddler Session: 11:30 a.m.) Connecting for Kids Teach Me to PlaySM – 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. Register at www.connectingforkids.org/register, or email: info@connectingforkids.org or by phone: 440-250-5563.

Friday, February 16 (3:30-4:30 p.m.) Got Science? – Be A Liquid Detective: Learn how to investigate and record observations about mystery liquids. Grades 1 and 2. Registration begins February 9.

Saturday, February 17 (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 17 (1-2 p.m.) Adults with Aging Parent Drivers – This presentation discusses many of the legal, ethical, and emotional challenges faced when considering a loved one’s retirement from driving. Registration begins February 1.

Saturday, February 17 (4-5:30 p.m.) STEAMMaker Lab – This month’s topic: Chain Reactions! Grades 3-5. Registration begins February 10.

Sunday, February 18 (2-3 p.m.) American Girl Doll Club: Ivy Ling – Ivy Ling is a Chinese American who wants to make her family proud. Celebrate the Chinese New Year (the year of the dog) with a craft and traditional Chinese games. Ages 6-11. Registration begins February 11.

Monday, February 19 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investors’ Interest Group: What to Do When Mom or Dad Needs Long Term Care – Local elder law lawyer Elizabeth L. Perla, will walk you through making the best long term care plan for your loved one. Learn about legal documents, care options and financial responsibilities. Please register.

Tuesday, February 20 (1-3 p.m.) Reinventing Yourself and Your Career – Do you have a plan for the future? Do you know what changes you might need to make to be more current or valuable in your career? This class starts you down the road to success. No registration required.

Tuesday, February 20 (6:30-8:45 p.m.) Anime Movie Club – Enjoy and discuss all your favorite anime movies from Studio Ghibli and beyond! Grades 7 to adult. No registration required.

Tuesday, February 20 (7-8:45 p.m.) Westlake Westshore Arts Council – Enjoy the “Catch a Rising Star” program featuring Michelle Pauker, from Baldwin Wallace College. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, February 21 (7-8 p.m.) Wedding Planning from A-Z – A comprehensive guide to planning your wedding from start to finish with wedding planner Jen Wilson from Jennifer Alexa Event Planning. Registration begins February 1.

Thursday, February 22 (Noon-1:30 p.m.) Small Business Lunch & Learn: Search Engine Optimization – Explore the elements needed to optimize your website for SEO and off-site local link building tactics to get your business ranking high in local search engine results pages. Presentation by LocalBizGuru owners Nachum Langsner/Aaron Garfunkel. Please register.

Thursday, February 22 (3:30-6 p.m.) Super Smash Tournament – We’re going head-to-head in an epic brawl! Test out your skills in Super Smash to see who will claim the tops spot! Retro consoles and other games will be available to play as well. FREE snacks and pop will be available! For grades 7-12 only. No registration required.

Thursday, February 22 (7-8:30 p.m.) Community Conversation: Evicted – Academic scholar, Dr. Megan Hatch of Cleveland State University will lead a discussion around the topic of eviction and its effect on the community. The purpose of the discussion is to engage both the public and community leaders in a conversation about the impact of housing insecurity on the region and shed light on the work being done by fair housing, veterans affairs, mental health and social services. Discussion will be based on Matthew Desmond’s book, Evicted, but it is not mandatory to read the book prior to program. Please register.

Friday, February 23 (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.

Friday, February 23 (10 a.m.-Noon) Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems, and show off.

Saturday, February 24 (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.

Saturday, February 24 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) SAT Practice Exam – Get ready for test time with an SAT practice exam. Study skills will be discussed and detailed results will be returned to students the following week at the results session. An optional writing portion will be offered immediately following the initial practice exam. Grades 9-12. Registration begins February 17.

Saturday, February 24 (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 25 (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 required.

Sunday, February 25 (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.

Sunday, February 25 (2-3 p.m.) Friends’ Sunday Sounds – The Friends of the Library will present Music and the Movies, performed by Eileen Burns and her live band.

Monday, February 26 (1-1:30 p.m.) Yoga Time! – This is a perfect way to introduce yoga and practice simple poses that imitate animals and nature. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat. Ages 3 and up with a caregiver. No registration required.

Tuesday, February 27 (2-3 p.m.) Travel Club: Savannah, Georgia – Enjoy a walk through the beautiful, historic city of Savannah. Registration begins January 28.

Monday, February 26 (7-8:15 p.m.) Pre-Oscars Party – Cleveland Scene film critic Sam Allard will discuss this year’s Academy Awards nominees. Test your movie trivia knowledge and make your predictions for the 2018 winners, and you could be a winner too! Registration begins February 1.

Wednesday, February 28 (2-3 p.m.) Kanopy Movie Discussion Club – We’ll discuss the movie Anita – Speaking Truth to Power, available for viewing with a Kanopy account. Watch at home, then meet and discuss! See the library’s website for details on setting up an account and viewing the movie. (Click “Research Resources” then “K” to find the Kanopy link.) Registration begins February 1.

Wednesday, February 28 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The February selection is Dinner with Edward by Isabel Vincent.

Wednesday, February 28 (7-8:30 p.m.) Crafting Paper Flowers – Margaret Bakke of Small Studio Productions will show you how to create a variety of paper flowers suitable for invitations and party decor. Hands-on workshop. Registration begins February 1.

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