Friends of the Libraries: ‘Eyes’ wide open for professional talks
An exciting new series called “Through The Eyes Of…” is being presented by the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries in 2015 to support Costa Mesa libraries as centers of learning.
These new programs will feature creativity, curiosity and a passion for learning as speakers allow the audience to see “through the eyes” of a historian, artist, architect, mathematician and garden designer.
The 50-minute programs will require no prerequisite knowledge or skills on the part of the audience as they take viewers into the unique exploration of the presenters’ fields of study.
The first program in the series will be “Through the Eyes of the Historian” on Feb. 12. Thomas J. Osborne will present his work on California’s connection with the Pacific world. Then, on May 14, in “Through the Eyes of the Artist,” Emily Meek will present her work on creative flooding, the opposite of creative blocking.
Each program will begin at 7 p.m. at Mesa Verde Methodist Church, at Baker Street and Mesa Verde Drive East. Subsequent programs are scheduled for Sept. 10 and Nov. 12. Watch for further details on the Friends’ website, https://www.friendscmlibraries.org.
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Essay contest prizes awarded
For several years, the Costa Mesa Library Foundation has held an essay contest for Costa Mesa students. This year, there were more than 350 contestants.
On Dec. 3, awards were given to the winners. In the division for the fifth- and sixth-grade students, first place was won by sixth-grader Mariela Arellano from Adams Elementary School. Second place was won by David Blatt, a fifth-grade student from Kaiser Elementary School. In the seventh- and eighth-grade section, first place was won by Camryn Carter of Costa Mesa Middle School. Emily Melendez was awarded the second-place prize.
A photography contest was also held for high school students. Kainoa Korionoff, a 10th-grade student from Estancia High School, was awarded first prize.
A short PowerPoint presentation explained the planned conversion of the Neighborhood Community Center into a library, which would triple the size of the library and make room for tutoring and study rooms, an expanded dedicated children’s area, a teens’ room, meeting rooms and more.
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What difference can one volunteer make?
What difference can one volunteer make? One Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries volunteer, Dale Braun, keeps track of how many passport photos she has taken (235 this past year) and how many books she has sold (about 200). This means that she brought in about $2,500 for the Friends this year, just volunteering two hours a week.
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At the Mesa Verde Library
A Frozen Story Festival with stories, sing-along, snacks and “sssnow” much fun will be held Jan. 15 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Special guests will be the Ice Sisters, Princess Anna and Queen Elsa of Arendelle. This is a family event and all ages are welcome, but it will be held outdoors, so bundle up.
On Jan. 5 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., build, play and learn with Legos.
On Jan. 13 at 11 a.m., bring your child to Preschool Storytime.
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At the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
On Jan. 5 and 12, Toddler Storytime will be held at 11 a.m. On Jan. 6 and 13 from 2 to 5 p.m., Duplo Play Day will be held in the library.
On Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m., the book club discussion group will review “What It Is Like to Go to War,” by Karl Marlantes, a veteran of the Vietnam War.
The film club will meet on Jan. 6 and 13 at 6:30 p.m. Call the library at (949) 646-8845 for titles of films being shown and other information.
On Jan. 7 and 14 at 7 p.m., Family Storytime will be held. Children are welcome to attend in pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed toy.
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At the Costa Mesa Technology Library
Those needing to learn basic computer skills are invited to attend classes at 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For further information, call (949) 515-3970.
MARY ELLEN GODDARD produced this column on behalf of the Friends of Costa Mesa Libraries, the Costa Mesa Library Foundation and the three Costa Mesa branches of the OC Public Libraries.