January events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Tuesday, Jan. 5 (7-7:30 p.m.) Bedtime Stories … with Grandparents! – Bring your grandparent or other special adult, put on your pajamas and join Mrs. K as we unwind at the end of the day with quiet stories, songs, finger plays and other bedtime activities. Ages 4-6; siblings welcome!

Wednesdays, Jan. 6 and 13 (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, Jan. 6 (1-2:30 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – Drop-in session for genealogy help provided by the members of the Cuyahoga West Chapter.

Wednesdays, Jan. 6 and 13 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, Jan. 7 and 14 (6:30-8 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department and sign your child up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog! Bring your own book or choose one of ours. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and each Thursday at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 6 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) WPPL Horror Film Club – Join us as we explore some of the classic films from the genres of horror, science fiction and suspense. Children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult. Please register.

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

Thursday, Jan. 7 (3:30-5 p.m.) Tabletop Gaming Group – Board games! Card games! RPGs! Stop by for an afternoon of playing tabletop games with other gamers! Games will include Munchkin, Settlers of Catan, Forbidden Island and more! Grades 7-12.

Friday, Jan. 8 (9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Family Sessions and 11:30 a.m. Preschool Session) and Saturday, January 9 (9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Family Sessions) Music Therapy & More This program is designed for children (ages 1-6 years) who are struggling in an area of development. A board-certified music therapist will lead families in a fun and exciting music-making class. Throughout the session, the therapist will present experiences that address a variety of areas of development. Registration is required at connectingforkids.org/music.

Saturday, Jan. 9 (9:30-10:30 a.m.) NIA: Non-Impact Aerobics Class – Join us for a fun-filled, movement-based class! Enjoy this blend of dance, martial arts and the healing arts that will invite your spirit, mind, body and emotions to play and find joy! Class is appropriate for all ages and abilities. Wear clothing for movement and athletic shoes and socks.

Saturday, Jan. 9 (10–11 a.m.) Digital Basics – Hear tips on what to consider when purchasing your own computer or mobile device. Learn about library apps available for download. 

Saturday, Jan. 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 with an adult caregiver.

Saturday, Jan. 9 (4-5 p.m.) Full STEAM Ahead – Each session will explore a different aspect of STEAM learning. This month we’ll focus on library databases. Grades 3 and 4. Please register.

Sunday, Jan. 10 – Adult Winter Reading Program begins

Sunday, Jan. 10 (2-2:45 p.m.) Elephant and Piggie Party – Elephant and Piggie invite you to a friendship celebration! We'll play games, share stories and make a craft! Ages 3-6. Please register.

Sunday, Jan. 10 (2-4 p.m.) Friends' Sunday Sounds – Join us for “Hip to That,” featuring music from the Great American Songbook, with a twist!

Monday, Jan. 11 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to the Teen Lounge! We’ve got computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! Grades 7-12.

Monday, Jan. 11 (6:30-7:15 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 16 (10:30-11:15 a.m.) Sensory Storytime – Features an adapted storytime for children with special needs and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome. Includes time for social play. Content is geared to ages 3-7. Registration begins one week before each session.

Tuesday, Jan. 12 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Improving Interviewing Skills – Learn how to discover what the employer needs so that you can differentiate yourself from other candidates in job interviews.

Tuesday, Jan. 12 (10-11 a.m.) Protecting Your Rights as a Consumer – Hear from a representative of the Ohio Consumer Counsel as they teach us how to identify scams and unethical sales practices, how to say no to unnecessary services, as well as your rights as a consumer. Please register.

Tuesday, Jan. 12 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In January we’ll discuss "Circling the Sun" by Paula McClain.

Thursday, Jan. 14 (Combined Basic/Advanced Session: 6:30 p.m.) and Friday, Jan. 15 (Basics Session: 9:30 a.m. and Advanced Session: 11 a.m.) Teach Me to Play – For children 3-6 years old who need help with communication and social skills. Join us for a play-based program designed to model and teach families strategies to improve their child’s social interactions, facilitate communication and manage behavior in a positive way. Led by an early intervention specialist in behavior from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. To register: connectingforkids.org/handsontraining.

Thursday, Jan. 14 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The January selection is "When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II" by Molly Guptill Manning.

Saturday, Jan. 16 (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) Fashions of the Downton Abbey Era – Sara Hume, curator of Kent State University Museum, will present an in-depth look at the world of fashion during the early 1900s. Enjoy tea and cookies while learning the history of clothing styles worn by your favorite Downton Abbey ladies. Please register.

Saturdays, Jan. 16 and 30 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders Club – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! Ages 3-12. Lego and Duplo bricks provided.

Sunday, Jan. 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! Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Monday, Jan. 18 (2-2:45 p.m.) Kids in the Kitchen! – Learn basic cooking skills with fast, simple, no-bake recipes just for kids! For students with special needs and their typical peers. If you have allergy or special diet concerns, please contact the Youth Services Department at 440-250-5471 for a complete list of ingredients. Please register.

Monday, Jan. 18 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investor’s Interest Group – An Introduction to Annuities: Funding Your Future, Myths vs Facts. Mr. Zawatsky from The Society for Financial Awareness will answer these questions - What is an annuity? Should I choose taxable vs tax deferred growth? Which is a better choice fixed vs variable annuity? Please register.

Monday, Jan. 18 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Club: Take Apart Computers – Back by popular demand, learn how computers work by taking them apart! Patrons under 18 may attend as long as they bring a parent or guardian. Part of the Maker Club, which celebrates STEAM initiatives (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) and meets one Monday each month. Please register.

Tuesday, Jan. 19 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Keys to Finding Hidden Jobs – Competition for published job opportunities is fierce. Learn how to find out about positions before they’re advertised so you can get a jump on the competition.

Tuesday, Jan. 19 (7 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Parent Discussion Group – Meet other families as we discuss relevant childhood topics with local pediatric experts. Free child care is available. Denise Attie, COTA/L, will discuss "Does Your Child Have Sensory Issues? Registration is required at connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563. 

Wednesdays, Jan. 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.

Wednesdays, Jan. 20 and 27 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, Jan. 21 and 28 (6:30-8 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department and sign your child up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog! Bring your own book or choose one of ours. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and each Thursday at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 20 (7-8:45 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society

Wednesday, Jan. 20 (7-8:30 p.m.) Death by Chocolate – Susan Aldrich will demonstrate chocolate recipes and offer tastes of some. Please register.

Thursday, Jan. 21 (10-11:30 a.m.) Bringing Your Past Into the Present: Historical Photo Scanning – Do you have old photographs that you would like to save? Bring up to 5 family or historical photos to us, along with a USB drive, and we will scan them onto the drive to ensure their safe keeping for years to come! If you do not have your own USB drive, they will be available to purchase at cost. Please register.

Thursday, Jan. 21 (12-1:30 p.m.) Small Busine$$ Lunch & Learn – Thinking of starting a business? Take a guided assessment to find out if you have the right personality, skill set, tools, etc. to be an entrepreneur. This session will help you to answer those questions and provide you with tools and resources to get you moving in the right direction. Bring your lunch; coffee is provided. Please register.

Thursday, Jan. 21 (3:30-5 p.m.) Tabletop Gaming Group – Board games! Card games! RPGs! Stop by for an afternoon of playing tabletop games with other gamers! Games will include Munchkin, Settlers of Catan, Forbidden Island and more! Grades 7-12.

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

Friday, Jan. 22 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Parent Discussion Group – Meet other families as we discuss relevant childhood topics with local pediatric experts. Free child care is available. Christine A. Chambers, MEd, OTR/L, will discuss "Managing Meltdowns." Registration is required at connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563.

Friday, Jan. 22 (4-5:30 p.m.) Weirder Science – Learn science while having fun! Our interactive after-school science program for middle school students teaches fundamental principles in an entertaining format. This month we’ll build a marble rollercoaster! Grades 5-8. Please register.

Saturday, Jan. 23 (2-4 p.m.) Carry-Out Crafts – Stop in to create our featured craft. We have all the supplies you'll need to create something fantastic!

Saturday, Jan. 23 (3-5 p.m.) Mad 4 Manga – Each month we watch a different Anime series and talk about our favorite Manga. Sometimes we even throw in some crafts, trivia or Japanese treats! Grades 7-12.

Sunday, Jan. 24 (2-3 p.m.) American Girl: Nicki – Dependable Nicki Fleming loves animals, but when she offers to train a service dog, she realizes what a big job it is. We'll talk about prioritizing and organization while we make a craft. Ages 6-11. Please register.

Monday, Jan. 25 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Monday, Jan. 25 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to the Teen Lounge! We’ve got computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! Grades 7-12.

Tuesday, Jan. 26 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Using Twitter for Job Search – Take this quick introduction to Twitter and learn how to use it in your job search. Bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop with you to learn how to set up an account.

Tuesday, Jan. 26 (7-8 p.m.) Inter-cultural Communication – Beyond the words that we use, there are many nuances to communication that can be confusing between cultures. Slang, non-verbal communication, texting language and cultural differences can all impact our ability to communicate. Ideal for those seeking to better understand international populations. Please register.

Wednesday, Jan. 27 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The January selection is "Memory Man" by David Baldacci.

Friday, Jan. 29 (10:30-11:15 a.m.) Sensory Storytime – Features an adapted storytime for children with special needs and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome. Includes time for social play. Content is geared to ages 3-7. Registration begins one week before each session.

Friday, Jan. 29 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday – Explore the wonders of our world in a curious, caring and creative setting. This month, we will look at animals that love winter. Discoveries will be made through hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. Ages 4-6. Registration begins Jan. 22.

Saturday, Jan. 30 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Curious George Fun Day – Celebrate Curious George with crafts, activities, a raffle and plenty of fun! For all ages.

Saturday, Jan. 30 (9:30-10 a.m.) Pokemon Fun! – Bring your cards and accessories for a fun morning of Pokemon-themed play, prizes and crafts! Ages 6- 12.

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

Elaine Willis

Elaine Willis is the Public Relations Associate at Westlake Porter Public Library.

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Volume 8, Issue 1, Posted 9:57 AM, 01.05.2016