Last Monday was Duffy’s day for Read to a Dog. As a little boy was poring over a book about trains and other tykes were petting my pup, we could hear bursts of high-spirited laughter erupting from the Forum Room next door. Ah—“The noblest art is that of making others happy.” (P.T. Barnum) And the magician was doing just that, by enchanting kids and adults alike!
Like the magic show and June’s other summer reading program activities, July also has wonderfully designed events that are artfully diverting and entertaining—and guaranteed to make you glad to go to the library.
Start with “Figmentally,” a circus that P.T. himself would enjoy. It involves comedy, mime, dance and imagination. The following week presents Jelly Jam Time, a fairy tale puppet show full of sea chanties and mermaid melodies. That same evening is the Magic Treehouse Caper, with clues to save us all from an evil curse. And then the always popular Reptiles from Python Ron’s Kingdom returns. In the final two weeks teens are encouraged to do some Henna Art or create their own spa recipes, while the little ones have a Wild West adventure featuring “The Mystery of the Golden Piano.”
And on Duffy’s July Read to a Dog Day? She hopes to see and hear more little kids tell her stories in the children’s section. That makes her happy. But next door at the same time will be “Didgeridoo Down Under,” a program of Australian music, culture, puppetry, story-telling, and audience participation.
(See Australian translations of this paragraph below.) Bloody ripper!* So if Duffy’s not flat chat** – she and I will be stoked*** to have a go at the didgeridoo ourselves! And, as always, we’d be happy to see you there and say “G’day, mate!”
*really awesome
**very busy
***thrilled
Schedule of Events
Read to a Dog: drop in, every Monday, 3-4 p.m.
Let’s Talk: English Conversation Circle: Mondays, July 2 and 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Babytime (ages 0-18 months): Tuesdays, July 10, 17, 24, and 31 at 10:15 a.m.
Toddler Time (18 months – 3 years): Thursdays, July 5 and 19 at 10:15 a.m.
Coffee and Crosswords: Fridays, July 6 and 20 at 10:30 a.m.
Mystery Book Group at the Windsor Senior Center: Woman in Cabin 10, by Ruth Ware; Monday, July 2 at 2:30 p.m.
Figmentally: Dream on a ship in the ocean of your mind! Monday, July 2 at 3 p.m.
Library closed on Wednesday, the 4th of July
Lego Club (ages 5 and up): Saturday, July 7 at 2 p.m.
Jelly Jam Time: A “sound” performance beneath the waves of the Farallon Islands. Monday, July 9 at 3 p.m.
Travel Around the World with Magic Treehouse: A special quest to save the library from harm. Monday, July 9 at 6 p.m.
Adult Book Discussion: True Grit by Charles Portis. Often considered as one of the great American novels and later adapted for the screen with John Wayne as “Rooster” Cogburn. Tuesday, July 10 at 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 11 at 7 p.m.
Windsor Library Advisory Board meeting: Tuesday, July 10 at 5 p.m.
Zumba for Kids (ages 5 and up): Wednesday, July 11 at 10:30 a.m.
Tween Book Club (ages 9 and up): Across the Dark Water by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez Wednesday, July 11 at 4 p.m.
Bibliobop Dance Party (ages 0-6): Thursday, July 12 at 10:15 a.m.
Friends of Windsor Library (FoWL) meeting: Thursday, July 12 at noon
Second Saturday Storytime (ages 0-5): New! And a perfect start to everyone’s weekend! Saturday, July 14 at 10:30 a.m.
Python Ron’s Reptile Kingdom: Get up close and personal with awesome creatures. Saturday, July 14 at 2 p.m.
Didgeridoo Down Under: Monday, July 16 at 3 p.m.
Writing Club for Kids (ages 9 and up): Monday, July 16 at 4 p.m.
Henna Art for Teens: Tuesday, July 17 at 4 p.m.
Family Game Day: Wednesday, July 18 at 11 a.m.
Writing Club for Adults: Wednesday, July 18 at 6 p.m.
Let’s Get Cooking (Grades 4-6; registration required): Friday, July 20 at 3 p.m.
Wild West—Mystery of the Golden Piano: Monday, July 23 at 6 p.m.
DIY Spa for Teens: Tuesday, July 24 at 4 p.m.
Introduction to Ukulele for Families (ages 8 and up, registration required): Wednesday, July 25 at 4 p.m.
Stay-n-Play Family Storytime (ages 0-5): Thursday, July 26 at 10:15 a.m.
Windsor Regional Library, www.sonomalibrary.org/windsor, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 100, Windsor. 707-838-1020
Sue Ingalls Finan is a writer who enjoys her husband, her dog, a good book, and a great glass of wine. Sometimes in that order…
