Westlake Porter Public Library's August calendar of events

Following is Westlake Porter Public Library’s August 2023 calendar of events. All programs are subject to change. Please check westlakelibrary.org or follow the library on Facebook and Instagram (@WestlakePorter) for the latest updates.

Wednesday, Aug. 2 (6-8 p.m.) Introduction to Neurographic Drawing – Neurographic art is a transformative, therapeutic art technique developed by a psychologist. Using a few basic principles and guidelines, these images are meant to mimic the look of synaptic relays in the brain and neurons while processing stress, trauma, or any other mental blockage you may be facing. This extremely relaxing and accessible artform is easy to learn and can be used any time. Artist Amanda Nyx will guide participants through the process of drawing these lines while discussing the application of art-as-therapy in this unique workshop. Supplies provided. Please register.

Wednesday, Aug. 2 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Horror Film Club – Join us for another creepy classic from the Vault! New members are welcome; children under 13 must be with an adult. Please register.

Thursday, Aug. 3 (10-11:30 a.m.) Microsoft Word & Introduction to Northstar – Learn the basics of Microsoft Word, and how to access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Please register.

Thursday, Aug. 3 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Thursdays, Aug. 3 (1-2 p.m.) and Aug. 24 (6-7 p.m.) Coding4Kids – Explore the basic steps to coding using technology, bots, and more! Grades 4-6. Please register.

Saturday, Aug. 5 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Family Fun Day at Great Lakes Science Center – WPPL is proud to present free admission for all to the Great Lakes Science Center, kicking off the Cuyahoga Reads: Westlake Reads Reading Challenge and literacy campaign. Great Lakes Science Center is located at 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland. For more information, visit cuyahogareads.org.

Saturday, Aug. 5 (2:30-3:30 p.m.) Jewelry Crafting – In this crafting session, we'll be making handmade jewelry. Registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are welcome. For teens in grades 7-12.

Monday, Aug. 7 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Cakewalk – Learn the basics of how to use the free Cakewalk software to make music! Please register. 

Tuesday, Aug. 8 (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) Kindness Cactus Paint Party – Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to join us for a painting party! Everyone will finish a kindness-themed cactus painting with a professional art teacher. If you have questions or are in need of accommodations, call us at 440-250-5471.

Tuesday, Aug. 8 (7-8:30 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Club (In Person AND Virtual) – Join us to discuss "Crying in H Mart: A Memoir" by Michelle Zauner. The discussion will be held in person and on Zoom simultaneously. Please register. If you register for the Zoom option you will receive an invitation and instructions by email.

Wednesday, Aug. 9 (7-8 p.m.) The Coroner's Assistant: An Evening with Independent Filmmakers – Join Angeline Walsh and Giorgiana Lascu as they share the behind-the-scenes scoop on their indie TV show, "The Coroner's Assistant." The independently produced online series follows a young medical student named James Rigby as he falls in with Oliver Cross, a London coroner who does business with the underground cadaver trade. It was written, produced, and filmed entirely in the Cleveland area! Come learn the exciting details of the film production business, what's in store for the series, and more!

Thursday, Aug. 10 (10–11:30 a.m.) Internet and Email Basics with Introduction to Northstar – Learn the basics of the internet, using email and how to access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Registration begins Aug. 3.

Thursday, Aug. 10 (3:30-4:30 p.m.) Sensory Workshop – Let’s make...connections, friends, cool stuff! You’ll make something to take home with you! Ages 8-12. For children with disabilities and typical peers. Registration begins Aug. 3.

Thursday, Aug. 10 (7-8 p.m.) Yoga @ the Pavilion – Join a certified yoga instructor for an all-levels session of outdoor yoga at the Pavilion. Bring your own yoga mat and towel. Please register.

Friday, Aug. 11 (9:15-9:45 a.m.) Yoga with Ms. Jen! – Calm your body, mind, and spirit in this yoga class taught by a certified yoga instructor! Wear comfy clothes and bring your own mat or towel. Ages 2-6, siblings welcome. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, Aug. 12 (2-4 p.m.) Make It, Take It! – Stop by Youth Services to complete a featured craft. While supplies last. PreK-Grade 2.

Saturday, Aug. 12 (3-4 p.m.) Illustration Creation – Learn about a featured illustrator then create a project inspired by their art. For children with disabilities and their typical peers. Grades 1-3. Registration begins Aug. 5.

Sunday, Aug. 13 (2-3 p.m.) Art Smarts – Explore some works of a well-known artist and then use what you've seen to create an art piece of your own. Grades 4-6. Registration begins Aug. 6.

Monday, Aug. 14 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Ocean of Fun Craft Kit Pick Up – Dive in and discover an ocean of sea-sational crafts! Kits are available until Aug. 20, unless other arrangements are made. Registration begins Aug. 7.

Tuesday, Aug. 15 (4-5 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Robert Jones Jr. – Join us for an engaging hour online with New York Times bestselling author Robert Jones Jr. as he discusses his debut and award-winning novel, "The Prophets." Streamed live. Please register.

Tuesday, Aug. 15 (4-5:30 p.m.) Let's Play Board Games – Featured game: Azul. Revisit old favorites and explore new ones with other board game enthusiasts! For grades 7-12.

Wednesday, Aug. 16 (2-3 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – This month’s title is Back to the Garden by Laurie R. King. A limited number of books are available for checkout at the Circulation Desk.

Wednesday, Aug. 16 (7-8 p.m.) Welcome to the Twilight Zone: A Largely Literary Theater Company Production – Join Mark Dawidziak and Sarah Showman of the Largely Literary Theatre Company for an uncanny evening in the "Twilight Zone"! Mark is also the author of the book "Everything I Know I Learned in the Twilight Zone." There will be copies of his book for sale after the event. Please register.

Thursday, Aug. 17 (2-4 p.m.) You and Me Wire-wrapped Sea Glass & Shell Pendants – Have a lot of shells and beach glass? You will wire wrap a pendant, shells and beach glass using silver or gold-plated wire. This class is for an adult and teen or tween together. Supplies included. Registration begins Aug. 10.

Friday, Aug. 18 (9:15-9:45 a.m.) Yoga with Ms. Jen! – Calm your body, mind, and spirit in this yoga class taught by a certified yoga instructor! Wear comfy clothes and bring your own mat or towel. Ages 2-6, siblings welcome. Registration begins one week before each session.

Friday, Aug. 18 (4-5 p.m.) and Sunday, Aug. 27 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Do you love Legos? Bring your ideas and imagination to Brick Builders! Bricks provided. No registration required, but room capacity is limited. First come, first served. Ages 5-12.

Saturday, Aug. 19 (10:30 a.m.-noon) Medicare Ins and Outs – Do you need accurate, unbiased information about Medicare? Attend a program by OSHIIP (Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program) volunteer counselor, Jim Langan, to learn the "ins and outs" of Medicare. OSHIIP is a free service through the Ohio Department of Insurance. Please register.

Saturdays, Aug. 19 and 26 (10:30-11 a.m.) Family Storytime – Join us for rhymes, songs and play! For families with children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Siblings are welcome.

Tuesday, Aug. 22 (1-3 p.m.) Jewelry Junction: Shell and Pearl Pendant – Make a beautiful pendant using shells with pearls in the center. Choose from many different colors. Registration begins Aug. 15.

Wednesday, Aug. 23 (8-9 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Cassandra Clare – Join us for an exciting evening online as we chat with mega-bestselling author, Cassandra Clare, about her newest and final book in The Last Hours series, "Chain of Thorns". Streamed live. Please register.

Thursday, Aug. 24 (10-11:30 a.m.) Android Smartphone & Tablet User Group – Do you own an Android smartphone or tablet? Bring it with your questions (or tips!) to this guided user group. Please register..

Saturday, Aug. 26 (1-2 p.m.) Pokémon Fun! – This will be a time to view and trade cards, do a craft (if desired), and play a Pokémon Bingo game. Feel free to bring your cards! Ages 6-11.

Sunday, Aug. 27 (2-4 p.m.) Anime Club – A great club for anime and manga lovers! All otaku and newbies welcome! Grades 7-adult.

Monday, Aug. 28 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Spice It Up! Take Home Kit: Sumac – Do you enjoy cooking and trying new foods? Sign up for a kit that will contain a sample of the featured spice, a handout with background on the spice and suggested uses, and a couple recipes! This kit will contain the spice Sumac. Please register and provide an email address.

Tuesday, Aug. 29 (7-8:30 p.m.) Bloody Corner and Beyond: Cleveland's Prohibition-Era Mob Bosses – Prohibition was one of the bloodiest periods in Cleveland history. Try to keep track of the mob hits as rival gangs battle to control the city's rackets. Dennis R. Sutcliffe is a local historian and master storyteller and for over 10 years he has rekindled forgotten memories of Cleveland's history. Join Dennis as he regales us with stories from Prohibition-era Cleveland and its mob bosses. Please register.

Wednesday, Aug. 30 (2-3 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Jeff Selingo – Join us for a chat with bestselling author Jeff Selingo about his newest book, "Who Gets in and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions." Please register.

Wednesday, Aug. 30 (7-8 p.m.) Adult Creative Writing Group: Japanese Poetry Edition – Join us for an hour of creative writing prompts to inspire you to start and keep writing. Creativity is more than putting pen to paper. It’s about breaking away and trying something new! This meeting will focus on poetry and creations of Japanese poets. Please register.

Thursday, Aug. 31 (2:30-4:30 p.m.) Jewelry Junction: Wire-wrapped Sea Glass & Shell Pendants – Have a lot of shells and beach glass? You will wire wrap a pendant, shells and beach glass using gold-plated wire. Supplies included. Registration begins Aug. 24.

To register for any of the programs, please visit westlakelibrary.org/events.