September events at Westlake Porter Public Library
Tuesday, Sept. 1 (10-11:30 a.m.) Pinterest Basics – This is a lecture-based session focused on the basics of using Pinterest followed by an open Pinterest Lab. Please register.
Tuesday, Sept. 1 (7 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Coffee & Chat – We will laugh and discuss an article or book related to parenting children who struggle. The group discussion is facilitated by a professional. This month’s topic is "Communicating with Extended Family About a Child Who Struggles." Free child care is available; register at connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563.
Wednesdays, Sept. 2 and 9 (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, Sept. 2 (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, Sept. 2 and 9 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, Sept. 3 and 10 (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, Sept. 2 (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, Sept. 3 (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.
Thursday, Sept. 3 (7-8:30 p.m.) Flickr, You Tube, and More – Learn about Flickr, YouTube, and more! Prerequisites: Yahoo! account and Gmail or YouTube account. If you choose to bring your mobile device, please have Flickr installed before the class. Please register.
Thursday, Sept. 3 (7-8 p.m.) Nia: Non-Impact Aerobics Class – Enjoy this blend of dance arts, 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 age and ability levels. Wear clothing for movement and athletic shoes and socks. Please register.
Friday, Sept. 4 (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! Please register.
Friday, Sept. 4 (1-2:30 p.m.) Fantastic Friday – Fantastic Friday is a great day for homeschoolers! Every month we’ll explore a new topic with related activities. Ages 6-12. Please register.
Saturday, Sept. 5 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) and Monday, Sept. 14 (6:30 -7:15 p.m.) Sensory Storytime – A storytime for children with special needs and their parents/caregivers featuring 30 minutes of interactive stories, rhymes, songs and movement activities. Content is geared to ages 3-7. Registration begins one week before each session.
Saturday, Sept. 5 (2-3 p.m.) Junior Brick Builders! – Let's build with Duplos! Bring your imagination and we'll provide the bricks. Ages 3-6.
Sunday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 7 – Labor Day: Library Closed
Tuesday, Sept. 8 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Results-Oriented Resumes – When you’re looking for a job, your principal “sales tool” will be a well-designed, targeted resume. This workshop teaches you what will catch the employers’ attention and lead to interviews.
Tuesday, Sept. 8 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In September we’ll discuss "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd.
Wednesday, Sept. 9 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) Magic Tree House Book Club – Do you already love the "Magic Tree House" books or are you curious to find out about them? Join us for an introduction to one of the books, discussion and a craft. For ages 4-8.
Thursday, Sept. 10 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile
Thursday, Sept. 10 (7-8:30 p.m.) Listen to Your Body – Our bodies are constantly trying to communicate with us through symptoms. Learn how to tune into what your body is telling you to enhance your physical health. Led by Mary Lee Boesewetter, Reiki Master and practitioner of Cranial Sacral and Lifeline therapies. Please register. Limited to 20 attendees.
Thursday, Sept. 10 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The September selection is "Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got that Way" by Amanda Ripley.
Friday, Sept. 11 (9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Family Sessions and 11:30 a.m. Preschool Session) and Saturday, Sept. 12 ( 9:30 a.m. Family Session and 10:30 a.m. Preschool Session) 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. At the conclusion of each session, caregivers will receive a handout with ideas and resources and have time to ask the therapist any specific questions they have. Registration is required at connectingforkids.org/music.
Friday, Sept. 11 (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. Grades 5-8. Registration begins Sept. 4.
Saturday, Sept. 12 (2-4 p.m.) Carryout Crafts – Stop by the Youth Services Department to see our featured craft. Tables will be set up with all of the supplies you’ll need to create something fantastic!
Saturday, Sept. 12 (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, Sept. 13 (2-3 p.m.) American Girl Doll Club: Rebecca – Rebecca Rubin, a young Jewish girl living in New York City in 1914, loves to perform and tell jokes. We will play theater games and create a theater inspired craft. Ages 6-11. Registration begins Sept. 6.
Sunday, Sept. 13 (2-3 p.m.) The Amish Inside & Out – Brenda Nixon will provide an overview of the Amish culture and share her personal experiences working with those transitioning out of the Amish community. Please register.
Monday, Sept. 14 (2-3 p.m.) Improving Your Memory – With techniques like repetition, association and visualization, you can improve your memory before it starts to fade. This class shows how to improve your recall. The video portion will be followed by practice games. Please register.
Monday, Sept. 14 (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, Sept. 15 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Improving Interviewing Skills – Preparation is essential for a successful job interview. Learn how to discover the employer’s needs so that your answers will differentiate you from other candidates.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 (7-8:30 p.m.) 'Rum Run' Local Author Book Presentation & Signing – Local author R.C. Durkee will present her newly published historical novel "Rum Run," which is set in Northern Ohio. Please register.
Wednesdays, Sept. 16, 23 and 30 (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, Sept. 16, 23 and 30 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, Sept. 17 and 24 (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, Sept. 16 (7-8:45 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – “Genealogical Treasures of the Internet Archives,” presented by Carla Cegielski.
Wednesday, Sept. 16 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Club Emerging Technology Program: Digital Books and Audiobooks – This club explores Maker Movement projects monthly. This month we’ll explore OverDrive, Hoopla, Zinio, Freegal, OneClickDigital, TumbleBooks, reference books from EBSCOHost and Gale Virtual Reference Library, and other free sources from the library! Please register.
Thursday, Sept. 17 (Combined Basic/Advanced Session: 6:30 p.m.) and Friday, Sept. 18 (Basics Session: 10 a.m.; Advanced Session: 11:30 a.m.) Connecting for Kids: 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 parents/ caregivers 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. Register at connectingforkids.org/handsontraining.
Thursday, Sept. 17 (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, Sept. 18 (10:30-11:30 p.m.) Homeschool Hub – Developed for homeschoolers with special needs, each session includes literature, art and motor skill development. Registration begins Sept. 11.
Saturday, Sept. 19 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Pokemon League – Bring your cards and accessories for a fun morning of play, crafts, prizes and more! For kids ages 6-12 only.
Saturday, Sept. 19 (1-2 p.m.) Talk Like a Pirate Day! – Aaarrr! Ahoy mateys! Shiver me timbers and join us for a swashbuckling storytime! Draw your own treasure map, sing pirate songs, and even walk the plank. Aye, aye, captain! For ages 4-7. Registration begins Sept. 12.
Saturday, Sept. 19 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders Club – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! All bricks provided. Ages 6-12.
Sunday, Sept. 20 (2-3:30 p.m.) Boredom Busters! – Games, crafts, puzzles and more! All ages welcome. Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.
Mondays, Sept. 21 and 28 (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, Sept. 21 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investor’s Interest Group: Wills, Trusts, & Avoiding Probate: 4 Critical Documents Everyone Needs – Ensure that your wishes are respected with 4 basic documents. Learn simple planning techniques that the pros use to pass assets to the right people in the right amounts at the right time. Please register.
Tuesday, Sept. 22 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Writing to Employers – Learn professional letter-writing techniques including how to write effective cover letters, marketing letters, follow-up letters and more.
Tuesday, Sept. 22 (7-8 p.m.) The Healing Power of Laughter – With personal anecdotes backed by current research, Lisa Thomas, R.N., will discuss laughter therapy, its effects on your health and how it's being implemented today. Please register.
Wednesday, Sept. 23 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The September selection is "Miracle at Augusta" by James Patterson.
Wednesday, Sept. 23 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Coffee with Linda – Local author, spiritual intuitive and channeler Linda Street returns to delve further into the topic of meditation as a means to connect to the energies of nature to heal your psyche, elevate your spirit, and draw good things into your life. Small group discussion; attendance limited to 20. Please register.
Wednesday, Sept. 23 (7-8:30 p.m.) How Organizations Can Use Social Media Effectively – Learn how to use social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to effectively promote your business or nonprofit organization. Please register.
Thursday, Sept. 24 (12-1:30 p.m.) Small Busine$$ Lunch & Learn: Social Media 101: The Basics of Social Media – Learn the value of using social media to reach your customers, how it can lead to new customers, and how it drives repeat business from your current customers. We will look at the 5 most popular social media networks – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest – and discuss which is right for your business and how and what to post on social media. Please register.
Friday, Sept. 25 (10 a.m.-noon) Porter's Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems, and show off.
Friday, Sept. 25 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Sensory Storytime – A storytime for children with special needs and their parents/caregivers featuring 30 minutes of interactive stories, rhymes, songs and movement activities. Content is geared to ages 3-7. Registration begins one week before each session.
Saturday, Sept. 26 (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, Sept. 26 (2-3:30 p.m.) From Bach to Rock: Music in Non-Musical Movies – Dr. Keller returns for another fun session of music history! We will be learning about the importance and purpose of music in non-musical movies, from the silent films and into the "talkies." Please register.
Saturday, Sept. 26 (4-5 p.m.) Full STEAM Ahead – Each session will explore a different aspect of STEAM learning. This month we’ll focus on math. Grades 3 and 4. Registration begins Sept. 19.
Sept. 27-Oct. 3 – Banned Books Contest – In honor of Banned Books Week, we've taken 2 commonly banned books (one for children and one for teens), shredded them, and put them on display for everyone to see. If you can correctly guess what book we've shredded, your name will be entered into a prize drawing. Don't worry, the books we shredded were in poor condition and we still have copies of these books on our shelves. Winning entries will be drawn on Oct. 4. Grades 1-6 and 7-12.
Monday, Sept. 28 (7-8:30 p.m.) Budgeting for a Better Life – Explore the importance of using a budget. Learn how to create a budget and techniques for following and sticking to it to accomplish goals. Please register.
Tuesday, Sept. 29 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Setting Up a LinkedIn Profile – Job seekers in almost all fields need to have a LinkedIn profile. Bring a resume for review and a flash drive with your resume in Word. Sign up online or by calling 440-250-5460. Only 12 seats at computers – others can bring in their own computer.
Tuesday, Sept. 29 (7-8:30 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Parent Discussion Group – Christine A. Chambers, Med, OTR/L, will help parents gain an understanding of typical executive function skills at the preschool through preteen levels. Parents will learn strategies to help their child gain better emotional control and flexibility. Registration required; call 440-250-5563.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 (7-8 p.m.) College 101 with Essay Tips! – It’s never too early (or too late) to start thinking about planning your future. Patty Saddle will go over all the different factors that go into finding the best college fit, including researching your options, navigating college visits and interviews, standard vs. early admission, and more. She’ll also include tips for writing the best college essays! Open to both students and parents! Registration begins Sept. 23.
To register for any of the programs, please call 440-871-2600 or visit signup.westlakelibrary.org:8080.
Elaine Willis
Elaine Willis is the Public Relations Associate at Westlake Porter Public Library.