February events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Wednesday, Feb. 5 (10-11 a.m.) Senior Lecture Series: Tax Tips – Retirement or other life changes may mean senior’s taxes are a little more complicated. When should you start Social Security benefits? How do you avoid retirement money mistakes? Let H&R Block help you to relax and enjoy some of that money you won’t have to give to the IRS. Please register.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 (1-2:30 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society Help Session – Free help session in the library’s computer lab. Please bring your pedigree and/or family group sheets.

Wednesdays, Feb. 5, 12 and 19 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog. Dogs will stay for 10 minutes past the last registered reader or 1.5 hours, whichever comes first. Sign-ups begin Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Horror Film Club – Join us for another creepy classic from the vault ... if you dare! New members are always welcome, but children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 6 (9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.), Friday, Feb. 7 (9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.), Saturday, Feb. 8 (9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday, Feb. 9 (1:15-4 p.m.) Friends’ Annual Book Sale – Stop by the library for bargains on used books, CDs, and DVDs! Now accepting ApplePay, GooglePay, VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover! Half-Price sale is on Saturday, and the $2 Bag Sale is on Sunday.

Thursdays, Feb. 6 and 13 (4-5 p.m., Grades 3-4) and Mondays, Feb. 10 and 17 (4-5 p.m., Grades 3-8) Code Club! – Learn how to build an app, design a video game, and change the world through code! Registration begins a week before each session. Please register for just one session per week.

Thursday, Feb. 6 (6-8 p.m.) Harry Potter Book Night – Celebrate the magic and wonder of the 6th annual Harry Potter event. Enjoy games, crafts contests and other wizarding activities. All ages.

Friday, Feb. 7 (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.

Friday, Feb. 7 (11-11:45 a.m.) Adapted Storytime – Children with varying learning styles and abilities learn together in a safe supportive environment where respect and appreciation for differences is encouraged. This 30-minute storytime followed by a time for socialization is designed for children who may not be successful in a typical storytime experience. Content is geared to ages 3-7 but all ages are welcome. Siblings may also attend but must register separately. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, Feb. 8 (10-11:30 a.m.) Beginning 3D Design – Use the free, web-based software TinkerCad to create simple 3D designs. Students will create accounts in class. Valid email address required. (Fulfills orientation requirement for 3D print submission.) For teens and adults. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 8 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Valentine’s Day Fun – Join us in the Youth Services Department to make Valentine crafts for those you love.

Saturday, Feb. 8 (10:30 -11:30 a.m.) Pokemon Fun! – A fun morning of Pokemon themed play, prizes and crafts! Ages 6-12.

Saturday, Feb. 8 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Bring your ideas and imagination! Lego and Duplo bricks provided. For ages 3-12.

Sunday, Feb. 9 (2-4 p.m.) 800+ Chess Club – A chance for those competing at an 800+ USCF Rating to work together on strategies, skills and game play. If you’re a beginner, please attend our Chess Club on the last Sunday of the month.

Monday, Feb. 10 (3:30-4:30 p.m.) Make a Heart Craft – Create a heart, perfect for this time of year. Specifically for children who may not be successful in a typical craft program and their caring adult. No previous art experience necessary. Ages 3-7. Please register.

Monday, Feb. 10 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – We have computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! For grades 7-12 only.

Tuesday, Feb. 11 (1-3 p.m.) Career: Working Through the Hidden Job Market – Learn about the research needed to find out about positions before they are advertised and find the best job for you. Being creative can reduce the competition and land you the job!

Tuesdays, Feb. 11 and 18 (2-3:30 p.m.) Conversational Spanish – Please join us to learn Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation with an expert instructor.

Tuesday, Feb. 11 (3-4 p.m.) Stroke Smart: Signs, Treatment & Recovery – Join the Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center as they take you through the different phases of stroke prevention, symptoms and therapy services as you recover. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 11 (6-7:30 p.m.) Self-Care Beyond the Mani-Pedi – This workshop will teach girls in grades 7-12 practical ways to incorporate simple hands-on techniques that can be used every day to focus on the mind, body and spirit. Grades 7-12. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 11 (6:30-8 p.m.) Jewelry Junction: Wire-Wrapped Heart Pendant – Learn the art of wire-wrapping stones. Wire-wrap a red heart stone for Valentine’s Day using gold or silver-plated artistic wire. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 11 (7-8:30 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – We’ll discuss "Inheritance" by Dani Shapiro.

Wednesday, Feb. 12 (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.

Wednesday, Feb. 12 (7-8 p.m.) "Palaces for the People" Book Discussion – Join us for a special discussion of the book "Palaces for the People" by Eric Klinenberg. Part of the county-wide One Community Reads initiative, which encourages reading and cultivates dialogue about social issues affecting our communities.

Thursday, Feb. 13 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Thursday, Feb. 13 (1:30-3:30 p.m.) Valentine’s Day Collage – The collage process will be explained and demonstrated along with a brief history of valentines. Participants will make their own collage with a background. All materials included. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 13 (2-3:30 p.m.) Great Decisions Discussion Program on World Affairs – Discuss critical global issues facing America today. After each meeting a copy of the article for the following month will be made available and can be picked up at the Ask Us Desk. Please read the article prior to the meeting. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 13 (3:15-4:30 p.m.) Teen Writers Group – A weekly meet-up for writers in grades 7-12.

Thursday, Feb. 13 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) Valentine Party – Drop in and make a craft, play a party game, listen to music and enjoy a snack. Specifically for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

Friday, Feb. 14 (9:30 and 10:30 a.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 15 (9:30 a.m.) Music Therapy & More – This program is designed 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. Siblings (ages 0-6 years) may also attend but must register separately. Register at connectingforkids.org/register or by calling 440-250-5908.

Friday, Feb. 14 (10-10:30 a.m.) Little Hands Art – Nurture your child’s creative side with this hands-on program featuring a story, song and craft. For children ages 3-5 and their caregiver. Registration begins Feb. 7.

Saturday, Feb. 15 (9:30-10:30 a.m. for ages 8-12; 11 a.m.-noon for ages 13-18; 2-3 p.m. for ages 18+) Uke Can Do It!: Ukulele Workshop – Learn the basics of playing the ukulele with this hands-on program offered by Roots of American Music. Instruments will be provided! Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 15 (1-3 p.m.) Zentangle: Poetry – Learn to create this unique Zentangle technique of Found Poetry. You will be using a page from a book, finding words that stand out to create a poem and then create tangled works of art around them. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 15 (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!

Saturday, Feb. 15 (3-5 p.m.) Anime Club – A great club for anime and manga lovers! All otakus and newbies are welcome. Grades 7 to adult.

Sunday, Feb. 16 (2-3 p.m.) Sundays a la Friends: Porter’s Palettes – We’ll provide everything you need for a great afternoon as a local artist guides you through painting your own masterpiece! Please register.

Monday, Feb. 17 (10-11 a.m.) Write to a Friend – Adults with special needs and their caregivers will decorate cards for friends or senior citizen pen pals. Several options for all abilities will be provided. No letter or card writing experience necessary. Bring your own lunch, if you’d like.

Monday, Feb. 17 (noon-3 p.m.) CPR – Get certified for adult, child and infant CPR and AED. Instruction provided by certified instructors/paramedics from UH St. John Medical Center. Participants under the age of 14 must have parent/legal guardian with them in class. If any questions, contact the instructors at uh4cpr@gmail.com. Please register.

Monday, Feb. 17 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investors’ Interest Group: Long Term Care Planning – The cost of long-term care can quickly drain a family of its resources. Elder law attorney Elizabeth Perla will discuss how one puts together a long term care plan that can save your family money. Please register.

Monday, Feb. 17 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Transform Your Memories Into Digital – WPPL has Maker Stations that can convert your records into mp3s, your slides and pictures into digital formats, and your videocassettes into DVDs. Learn how here! Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 (9:30-9:50 a.m.) Stories and Signs – Enjoy an interactive storytime while learning a few words in sign language! Ages 0-3. Siblings welcome.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Tablet Tuesday User Group – Share tips and tricks with each other about using iPads and Android tablets. Kindle Fire users are welcome! Bring your own devices. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 (6-7 p.m.) Teen Trivia Night – Get your team assembled and join us for trivia! There will be different themes each month as well as popcorn and prizes. Grades 7-12. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 (7-8:45 p.m.) Westlake Westshore Arts Council: Catch a Rising Star – The Westlake Westshore Arts Council will present a performance by a Baldwin Wallace student. Free and open to the public.

Wednesdays, Feb. 19 and 26 (9:30 & 10:15 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, Feb. 19 and 26 (3-4:30 p.m.) Tween Scene – Drop in after school to play board games and video games with your friends. Snacks will be provided. Grades 5-6.

Wednesday, Feb. 19 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursday, Feb. 20 (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. Dogs will stay for 10 minutes past the last registered reader or 1.5 hours, whichever comes first. Sign-ups begin Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 19 (7-8:30 p.m.) Author Talk: Catherine Urban – Join astrologer and writer Catherine Urban as she talks about the benefits of astrology in our daily lives and shares tips and recipes from her new book, “Your Astrological Cookbook: The Perfect Recipe for Every Sign.” Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 20 (noon-1:30 p.m.) Small Business Lunch & Learn: Financial Statement Basics – Good bookkeeping and financial management are critical to the health of a business. Learn what financial statements are, why they’re important and how they’re used in the process of running a business. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 20 (Preschool: 6:30 p.m.) and Friday, Feb. 21 (Preschool: 9:30 a.m. ; Toddler: 11:30 a.m.) Teach Me to Play – Are you looking to give your child more social opportunities? Your child will enjoy playing with other children while practicing language and social skills. Since you attend together, you will have the opportunity to interact with our experienced early intervention specialist and speech-language pathologist who can provide strategies for managing problem behaviors, offer tips for increasing your child’s communication skills or share appropriate resources. This program is specifically designed for children ages 18 months-6 years who are struggling in an area of development. Register at connectingforkids.org/register or by phone: 440-570-5908.

Friday, Feb. 21 (3-4:15 p.m.) Candid: Introduction to Finding Grants – Are you new to the field of grantseeking? Discover what funders are looking for in nonprofits seeking grants and how to find potential funders in this introductory course. Please register.

Friday, Feb. 21 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday: Science of Sledding – 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 4-6, Kindergarten or lower. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 22 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) SAT Practice Exam – Get ready for test time with an SAT practice exam. Students will have the option to take the writing portion from 1-2 p.m. as well. For grades 9-12. Please register.

Saturdays, Feb. 22 and 29 (10:30-11 a.m.) Family Storytime – An interactive family storytime featuring books, rhymes, songs, movement, and a small craft. For families with children ages 2-6. Siblings welcome.

Saturday, Feb. 22 (11-11:45 a.m.) and Thursday, Feb. 27 (6-6:45 p.m.) Adapted Storytime – Children with varying learning styles and abilities learn together in a safe supportive environment where respect and appreciation for differences is encouraged. This 30-minute storytime followed by a time for socialization is designed for children who may not be successful in a typical storytime experience. Content is geared to ages 3-7 but all ages are welcome. Siblings may also attend but must register separately. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, Feb. 22 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Bring your ideas and imagination! Lego and Duplo bricks provided. For ages 3-12.

Saturday, Feb. 22 (2-4 p.m.) Jewelry Junction: Wire-Wrapped Pendant – Wire-wrap two beautiful pendants using silver or gold-plated wire. These can be hung on a cord which is provided in class. Please register.

Sunday, Feb. 23 (2-3:30 p.m.) Boredom Busters! – We will have different activities available each session. All ages welcome!

Sunday, Feb. 23 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – Hone your chess skills or learn how to play the game. Recommended for kids ages 6+, but all ages are welcome. If you have a chess set, please bring it!

Sunday, Feb. 23 (2-2:45 p.m. for grades 4-6; 3-3:45 p.m. for grades 7-12) Self Defense 101 – Learn the basics of self defense from Westlake’s Horizons ATA Martial Arts. This session is for kids in grades 4-6. Safety waivers are required for this event and will be available when you arrive. Please register.

Sunday, Feb. 23 (3-4 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 3-6. Please register.

Monday, Feb. 24 (1-1:30 p.m.) Yoga Time! – A perfect way to introduce yoga and practice simple poses. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat. Siblings welcome! Ages 3 and up.

Monday, Feb. 24 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – We have computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! For grades 7-12 only.

Monday, Feb. 24 (4-5 p.m.) Code Club! – Grades 3-8: Learn how to build an app, design a video game, and change the world through code! Registration begins a week before each session. Please register for just one session per week.

Monday, Feb. 24 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Start-up Basics – Take your business idea from concept to reality! This hands-on workshop provided by SCORE includes five classes to help turn your ideas into action with tools, templates, and personalized advice. This free series will help start-up businesses, existing small businesses and nonprofits achieve their goals. Please register for this five-class series.

Monday, Feb. 24 (7-8:30 p.m.) Rethinking the Rainbow Coalition: From the Black Panther Party to Barack Obama – Join historian Karen Sotiropoulos as she shares how the Democratic Party’s move toward a Rainbow Coalition helped set the framework for the election of the first U.S. President of African descent. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 25 (10:30-11:30 a.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. No previous art experience necessary.

Tuesday, Feb. 25 (1-1:45 p.m.) Adapted Yoga – Try out some simple poses and breathing techniques with us! Wear comfy clothes and bring a towel or mat. For children ages 3-9 with special needs and their caregivers; siblings must register separately. This class is for fun and relaxation and is led by librarians, not yoga instructors. Some yoga mats will be provided. Call 440-250-5471 if you have questions. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 25 (2-3:30 p.m.) Conversational Spanish – Please join us to learn Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation with an expert instructor.

Tuesday, Feb. 25 (6:30 p.m.) Connecting for Kids’ Speaker Series – Join us for presentations on various childhood topics by local, pediatric professionals. Free, supervised children’s activities are available, but adults and children must register separately. Register at connectingforkids.org/register or by phone: 440-570-5908.

Tuesday, Feb. 25 (7-7:30 p.m.) Bedtime Stories – Put on your pajamas and join Mrs. K as we unwind at the end of the day. Relax with quiet stories, songs, fingerplays and other bedtime activities. Ages 4-6. Siblings welcome.

Wednesday, Feb. 26 (11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.) Celebrate Black History – This fun storytime will feature books, rhymes, songs and a small craft. For children in preschool, but siblings are welcome. Ages 3-1/2 to 5.

Wednesday, Feb. 26 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The February selection is "Educated: A Memoir" by Tara Westover.

Thursday, Feb. 27 (3:15-4:30 p.m.) Teen Writers Group – A weekly meet-up for writers in grades 7-12.

Thursday, Feb. 27 (7-8 p.m.) A Great Age Reboot: Be Half Your Calendar Age – Join us as Dr. Michael Roizen discusses why when you eat is not just important for your weight but also for your brain. Dr. Roizen is a bestselling author and Chief Wellness Officer at Cleveland Clinic. He is board-certified in anesthesiology and internal medicine, and originator of the popular RealAge.com website. Please register.

Friday, Feb. 28 (10 a.m.-noon) Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems, and show off.

Friday, Feb. 28 (4-4:45 p.m.) Got Science? – Learn about balloon science and design your own hot air balloon. Grades 1 and 2. Registration begins Feb. 21.

Saturday, Feb. 29 (1-2:15 p.m.) Yoga for Every Body – Join Nickie P. for a fun, inclusive all-level yoga class for people of every shape, size and ability. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 29 (3-5 p.m.) Anime Club – A great club for anime and manga lovers! All otakus and newbies are welcome. Grades 7 to adult.

Saturday, Feb. 29 (3:30-5 p.m.) STEAMMaker Lab – Learn about different birds, what they eat and how you can provide food for them through demonstrations, experiments and a building project. Grades 3-5. Registration begins one week before each session.

To register for any of the programs, please call 440-871-2600 or visit westlakelibrary.org/events.