Local Authors, Organic Cleaning, Decluttering and Cake Decorating on Library's List

Here are the January events at the . 

Registration is required for most events. Call 440-238-5530 to register or for more information. 

All events sponsored by the Friends of Strongsville Branch Library. Customers may also visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org to register and to see more library event information. 

Year-Round Story Times
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers story time sessions year-round for children birth to grade 2. Story Time sessions are back in full swing beginning January 2.  Please call the Strongsville Branch for program information and more details.

Learn to Speak English – ESOL
Do you or anyone you know need help learning to speak English? The Polaris Career Center teaches FREE English as a Second Language classes here at the Strongsville Branch Library every Tuesday evening from 6 - 8:45 p.m. If you are interested in strengthening your English Language skills or need help learning to speak the language, this is the class for you! No registration is needed. Just attend the class! For questions or more information, contact the Adult Basic and Literacy Education Department at Polaris Career Center 440-891-7647.

Young at Heart Book Club.  Meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. 
A book club for adults who love children’s and teen books.  Our next discussion will be on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Please register in person to pick up a copy of the book The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney. Join us for refreshments and a sprightly discussion of children’s and teen literature.

Homemade Organic Cleaning Supplies.  Saturday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. 
Interested in sustainable living? This program is hands-on and will teach the basics of making home-made cleaning supplies. Jeff Muhlbach will make a few items that the audience can try and provide recipes for all items made.

Teen Cake Decorating Workshop. Monday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. Grades 6 – 12
Want to learn some basic skills in creative cake (and cookie) decorating? You’ll get hands-on experience using frosting tips, a pastry bag, and colored frosting, plus you’ll get to take home your decorated cookies! All supplies provided. This is a great program to attend if you’re planning to enter the Bake-A-Book contest!

Meet Author Regina Brett.  Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. 
Join us in celebrating Regina Brett’s new book, Be the Miracle: 50 Lessons for Making the Impossible Possible. In this collection of inspirational essays, stories and columns, Regina shares lessons from her life experience as a journalist that will help people make a difference in the world around them. Books will be available for purchase and signing will be held courtesy of the Friends of the Strongsville Library.

Good Morning, Strongsville Open House Speaker Series.  Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m.
A library open house speaker series of programs for seniors and residents of Strongsville. Our January program will be “Be Happy, Be Healthy” with a representative from Integrity Home Care. Is the glass half empty or half full in your life? Your answer to that question can impact your day to day happiness and overall health. Come to this fun and interactive presentation on how your attitude can impact your health.

Wednesday Evening Book Discussion.  Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.  New Members Welcome!  Our next discussion will be on Wednesday, Jan. 18.  In January, we will discuss the book Great House by Nicole Krauss.  This title is in celebration of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards.  Copies will be available to pick-up at the circulation desk. Join us for great conversation!

Income Tax Talk 2011. Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.
Join Ken Oerkfitz from H&R Block as he shares information about the upcoming income tax season. He will also answer your tax questions.

Teen  Bake-a-Book Contest. Saturday, Jan. 21. Grades 6 – 12
Love books and also love to bake cakes? Take part in our "Bake-a-Book" contest! Choose a book from your school’s media center or local public library and adapt it into a cake! Open to students in grades 6 – 12 enrolled in a middle school or high school located in the school systems affiliated with Polaris Career Center (Berea, Brooklyn, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls and Strongsville City School Districts). Official rules available at the Strongsville Branch beginning December 1st, 2011. Complete the official entry form at www.polaris.edu/register (click on "Bake-A-Book" icon). Registration must be received by 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13.  Join us on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Polaris Career Center to find out the winner! This program is a collaboration of the Polaris Career Center and the Berea, Brook Park, Brooklyn, Fairview Park, Middleburg Heights, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls and Strongsville branches of Cuyahoga County Public Library.

Just 4 U Student Friends Meeting.  Saturday, Jan. 21 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.  Ages 10 – 18
Join the Just 4 U Student Friends group and get involved in your library! You can help your library with volunteer projects and other activities. Contact the Teen Librarian or Children's Librarian for an application.

Meet the Author Tricia Springstubb. Saturday, Jan. 21  from 2 – 3 p.m. 
Local author Tricia Springstubb, a former teacher and children’s librarian, will be at the Strongsville Branch to talk about her books -- 2011 Award Winner of the Ohioana Award for Children's Literature What Happened on Fox Street as well as her latest Mo Wren, Lost and Found. Both titles take place right here in Cleveland and feature 11-year-old lovable, courageous Mo who goes on “mysterious” adventures. The two titles have received grand reviews -- come and find out why! A book signing will follow the presentation.

Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Meets the 4th Monday of each month at 2:30 p.m. 
New members welcome. Our next discussion will be on Monday, Jan. 23.  Copies of the book The Zookeeper’s Wife: a War Story by Diane Ackerman are available at the circulation desk.

Strongsville Saves Coupon Club. Meets the 4th Monday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Our next meeting is on Jan. 23
Join us for our coupon swap club and share your passion for saving with other like-minded shoppers! Bring your scissors, and your stockpile of manufacturer coupons to share. Share what you don't want and hopefully leave with more coupons that you really need! This is the place to trade coupons, spend time with other coupon lovers, and share stories of great deals!  See how others organize and share tips.

Secrets to Decluttering. Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.
Do you lose things, only to find them later? Are your possessions everywhere?  Does the "stuff" keep growing? Is the clutter taking control? Sue Lyons, a professional organizer with Home Organizing Angels, will present this seminar on how to tame the clutter and regain those lost areas in your home, garage, or basement. Topics will include how to get started, creating a plan, what to do with the paperwork and more!

Preschool Fair.  Saturday, Jan. 28 from 2 – 4 p.m. No registration required.
January marks not only the start of a new year, but for many parents, the beginning of a search for a preschool or childcare program that best fits the needs of their child. In order to help parents in this process, the Strongsville Branch will host area preschool representatives to help you find the right school for your preschooler. This is a great chance to compare several preschools in just one location! Representatives from Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Youth Services Department will also be on hand to answer your questions about library programs and services.