Westport Library Announces August Events

From the Westport Library:

Calendar of Events for August 2016

Exhibits:

Great Hall Exhibit: Landscapes/Cityscapes: 20 Years of Vistas by Herm Freeman An exhibit exploring the meandering, spirited path of Westport artist Herm Freeman’s work over the last two decades. On display June 24-October 5. The Westport Library, Great Hall. Free. 203.291.4800.

Riverwalk Display Case: In the Land of Liz Leggett. The exuberant paintings of Westport artist Liz Leggett range from abstract to representational and the vibrant space between. On display June 16-September 19. The Westport Library, Riverwalk Display Case. Free. 203.291.4800.

Riverwalk Hallway Exhibit: Teen Photography Contest. Enjoy the winning results of the 4th annual Teen Phototgraphy Contest, which is open to Fairfield County residents in grades 6-12. On display through August 31. The Westport Library, Riverwalk Hallway. Free. 203.291.4800.

Authors and Book Discussions

Book Chat: Nina Sankovitch leads a drop-in conversation about the books you’ve read and want to discuss. All welcome. Tuesday, August 2, 10 am. The Westport Library, Sheffer Reading Room. Free. 203.291.4800.

The Usual Suspects: Death in August. Discuss Marco Vichi’s mystery Death in August.Wednesday, August 7, 3 pm. The Westport Library, Weeks Seminar Room. Free. For copies of the book, phone 203.291.4821. New participants always welcome. 203.291.4800.

Pageturners Book Discussion: Pride and Prejudice. Discuss Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as part of the Library’s year of reading the author’s works. New participants welcome. Tuesday, August 16, 11 am or 7:30 pm. The Westport Library, Sheffer Reading Room. Free. 203.291.4800. For copies of the book, phone 203.291.4821.

Author Leslie Kerr Speaks on Aviation Pioneer Harriet Quimby. Westport writer Leslie Kerr discusses her book Harriet Quimby: Flying Fair Lady on National Aviation Day. A portion of American Experience’s Fly Girl will be shown. Friday, August 19, noon. The Westport Library, McManus Room. Free. 203.291.4800.

You Wrote a Book.... Now What? Get an insider’s view of book publishing with Jan L. Kardys, Literary agent and Chairman of Unicorn Writers’ Conference. Register online at westportlibrary.org. Saturday, August 20, 10 am. The Westport Library, McManus Room. Free. 203.291.4800.

Special Events

#Throwback Thursdays. Join the MakerSpace Team for old-school Making. Thursdays, August 4-25, 3 pm. The Westport Library, Great Hall. All Ages. Free. 203.291.4810.

Chess Club for Adults. Drop by for a chess game for both open play and instruction. For adults and high school students who know how to play. For more information, contact Dana Rossi (347.213.5353 or danarossi@yahoo.com). Wednesdays, August 3, 13, 31 and Thursdays, August 11 & 25, 6:30 pm. The Westport Library, Sheffer Reading Room. Free. 203.291.4800.

Protect Yourself From Scams. A Westport police detective will present current scams and provide information to keep you from being a victim. Monday, August 8, 6 pm. The Westport Library, McManus Room. Free. 203.291.4800.

Tabletop Games for Adults. Enjoy a new generation of games, or bring your own. Monday, August 1, 6 pm. The Westport Library, Sheffer Reading Room. Free. 203.291.4800.

Let's Get Quizzical: Pub Trivia Night. Come alone or in teams to test your smarts against questions provided by the Westport Library’s reference staff. Bring your library card to win bonus points! Must be over 21 years old. Tuesday, August 16, 6:30 pm to register. Location: 323 Main Street Restaurant Bar. Free. 203.291.4800.

Sense the Wind Documentary: Screening and Discussion with Producer/Director. View a pre-release screening of Sense the Wind: Blind Sailors Race Across Open Water, which follows four blind sailors train and compete. Filmmaker Christine Knowlton will lead a discussion afterward. Monday, August 22, 7 pm. The Westport Library, McManus Room. Free. 203.291.4800.

Ukulele Meet Up. An informal group for ukulele lovers and novices. Thursday, August 18, 7:30 pm. The Westport Library, Higgins Room. Free. 203.291.4800.

Sketching on the Saugatuck. Enjoy an afternoon sketching by the Saugatuck River with local artist Elaine Clayton. All ages welcome. Thursday, August 25, 3:30 pm. The Westport Library, Riverwalk Patio. Free. 203.291.4800.

Refresh Your Home. A panel of design and organizing experts including Patrick Briel of Tripka Design, Patricia Lapierre of New York Architect Designers, Amy van Arsdale of Cleared Spaces and Tina Anastasia of Mark P. Finley Interiors will discuss different ways to spruce up a home. Wednesday, August 31, 7 pm. The Westport Library, McManus Room. Free. 203.291.4800.

Business Programs

Personal LinkedIn Sessions. Have your professional profile critiqued by LinkedIn experts Michael Shavel or Paul Fedor. Register through email: paul.fedor@ct.gov. Thursday, August 18, 10 am - 3 pm. The Westport Library. Free. 203.291.4800.

Films

Sizzling Summer Film Series. Filmmaker Doris Jacoby introduces this series of film classics, including The Tall Blond Man With One Black Shoe, All That Jazz and Charlie Wilson’s War. Thursdays, August 4-August 18, 2 pm. The Westport Library, McManus Room. Free. 203.291.4800.

Kids Events

Summer Reading Club. Read anything, anytime, anywhere, and enjoy prizes and special events. Registration through Labor Day in the Smilow Family Children’s Library or online at westportlibrary.org./kids. All ages. The Westport Library. Free. 203.291.4810.

Gaming Saturdays in the Great Hall. Board games, puzzles and Minecraft will be available. Saturdays, August 6-27, 10 am-4 pm. The Westport Library, Great Hall. All Ages. Free. 203.291.4810.

Themed Crafts for All Ages. Drop in for a different Olympic themed craft every Saturday. All ages welcome; children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Saturdays, August 6-27, 2-3 pm. The Westport Library, Great Hall. All Ages. Free. 203.291.4810.

Storytime at Longshore. Start the day outdoors with the Westport Library at Longshore Club Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In case of rain, this storytime will be cancelled. Tuesdays, August 2-16; Thursdays, August 4-18, 10:30 am. All ages. The Westport Library. Free. 203.291.4810.

#Throwback Thursdays. Join the MakerSpace Team for old-school Making. Thursdays, August 4-25, 3 pm. The Westport Library, Great Hall. All Ages. Free. 203.291.4810.

Introduction to Python Coding Tinkershop. Learn programming with PYTHON Turtle Graphics. Monday through Friday, August 15-19, 9:15-10:45 am. Entering Grades 4-6. The Westport Library, The Great Hall. Register online at westportlibrary.org. 203.291.4810.

Advanced Python Coding Tinkershop. For those with previous coding experience to further their knowledge of PYTHON through programming games. Monday through Friday, August 15-19, 11 am-12:30pm. Entering Grades 5-9 or with permission. The Westport Library, The Great Hall. Register online at westportlibrary.org. 203.291.4810.

Storytime on Jesup Green. Bring a blanket to sit in the shade and hear a story. In case of rain, this storytime moves to the Higgins Room. Wednesdays, August 3-17, 11 am. The Westport Library, Jesup Green. Free. 203.291.4810.

Steaming Ahead. Join an interactive program to learn the science of absorbency. Thursday, August 11, 4 pm. Grades K-2. The Westport Library, Higgins Room. Free. 203.291.4810.

Mysterious Book Society. Join a discussion of Master Minds by Gordon Korman. Grades 4-6. Thursday, August 18, 4:30 pm. The Westport Library, Higgins Room. Free. 203.291.4810.

Reading to Rover Showcase. Children of all ages can practice reading aloud to a dog. Tuesdays, August 2-23, 4:30-5:00 pm. Register online for a 15 minute appointment. The Westport Library, McManus Room. Free. 203.291.4810.

Outdoor Messy Crafts. Wear sloppy clothes and prepare to get messy with crafts! Monday, August 15, 4 pm. The Westport Library, Jesup Green. Free. 203.291.4810.

Study Skills for 6th Graders. Learn how to be an effective middle school student from Westport teachers. Register online. Incoming 6th grade. Mondays, August 15 & 22, Wednesdays, August 17-24, 6:15 pm. The Westport Library, Higgins Room. Free. 203.291.4810.

Sketching on the Saugatuck. Enjoy an afternoon sketching by the Saugatuck River with local artist Elaine Clayton. All ages welcome. Thursday, August 25, 3:30 pm. The Westport Library, Riverwalk Patio. Free. 203.291.4800.

Pajama Party for Rising Kindergartners. Meet new and old friends to enjoy a craft and story. For incoming kindergartners and families. Thursday, August 25 & Monday, August 29, 7 pm. The Westport Library, Smilow Family Children’s Library. Free. 203.291.4810.

Teen Events

Teen Gaming Meet Ups. Join the Westport Library and Toquet Hall for weekly gaming. Fridays, August 5-August 26, 3-5 pm. Ages 13-18. Register online. Location: Toquet Hall, 58 Post Road East. Free. 203.291.4800.

Weekly Online Minecraft Meet Up. Meet online Friday afternoons by signing onto the Fairfield County Minecraft server to build with other Westport students. To join, email jshaw@westportlibrary.org. Fridays, August 5-26, 4 pm. Free. 203.291.4800.

Gaming Saturdays in the Great Hall. Board games, puzzles and Minecraft will be available. Saturdays, August 6-27, 10 am-4 pm. The Westport Library, Great Hall. All Ages. Free. 203.291.4810.

#Throwback Thursdays. Join the MakerSpace Team for old-school Making. Thursdays, August 4-25, 3 pm. The Westport Library, Great Hall. All Ages. Free. 203.291.4810.

Last Chance Book Expo. Get summer reading recommendations from staff for the last minute reading before school starts. Tuesday, August 23 through Thursday, August 25, 3-5 pm. The Westport Library, Great Hall. Free. 203.291.4810.

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