Earth Week events offer a little something for everyone

Next week is Earth Week here in Sandpoint (Earth Day is officially observed on Monday, April 22). The global Earth Day theme for 2019 is “Protect our species.” I’m not sure if that is referring to humankind or the species we share this planet with. Either way, taking care of the earth should protect us all.

You can expect that there will be a lot of talk about one of the hottest topics on earth lately — climate change. It’s a controversial subject. Thankfully, our community has a place to go to find reliable information on both sides of the debate. The Library has the resources to help you make an informed decision and knowledgeable staff to help you recognize biased propaganda.

Whether you have an opinion about climate change or not, The Library is a great place to learn about our planet. We hope you will come out for some of the Earth Week festivities happening around town and at The Library April 16-22.

All of the following classes and events take place at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St, unless otherwise noted.

East Bonner County Library District schedule

- Fridays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Info: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays — Clark Fork Mother Goose.,10:15 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. A special story time for babies and toddlers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Info: 208-266-1321.

- Saturdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Info: Contact the Tech Desk at 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Saturday, April 13 — eSports League at The Library, 1 p.m. in Community Room A. Making eSports available to high school gamers by facilitating healthy competition on a varsity level in a comfortable environment is the mission of the HSEL. The Library is partnering with the SHS eSports team to further that mission. Info: dalton.hawkins@lposd.org

- Saturday, April 13 — “Respect Wildlife – or Evict It?”, 2 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. American Heritage Wildlife Foundation presents a discussion about discovering the importance of each species as well as how to humanely relocate unwanted neighbors. Info: 208-266-1321.

- Saturdays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m.. Reserve a 15-minute session in the new VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Info: Contact the Tech Desk at 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, April 16 — A Special Earth Week Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m.; kids will learn about pollinators in this week’s special Earth Week Story Time. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions), 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Info: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — MAGIC the Gathering. 3:30-5 PM in Community Room A. Teens play the game, MAGIC the Gathering. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or email kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, April 16, and Thursday, April 25 — knitting class for kids, 3:45 p.m. in the glass children’s area. Fourth- to sixth-grade kids will learn to knit on a circular loom. Each child will knit a hat for free! Space is limited and preregistration is required: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, April 16 — “Sorting Scientific Facts From Fiction: Addressing Climate Change Doubt,” 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room. Speaker: Gabrielle Duebendorfer, ND. There is confusion and doubt about what facts and scientists believe with regard to climate change. Both sides of the issue claim that the other is ruled by conspiracy or misinformation campaigns. If you are on the fence about climate change come to this presentation to learn how to sort scientific fact from fiction in a very complex issue. Info: 208-265-2665.

- Tuesdays — Away with Words, 5:30 p.m., in the YA reading area, a creative writing workshop for teens with Beth Weber. Whether you are a poet, penner of short stories, or working on the great American novel, join us at the library to make your literary endeavor come to life. Info: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library; stories, crafts, and prizes for kids ages 3-8. Info: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, April 17 — Afterschool Science – Earth Week, 2:30 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. in Community Room B. Learn all about the insects and animals that pollinate our foods and flowers, and what you can do to protect them. Everyone will take a flower home. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesdays (in April) — Arts, Crafts, & Creations, 4:30 p.m., in the Teen Lounge. Celebrate this year’s Earth Day global theme, Protect Our Species, by building pollinator habitats. Every Wednesday we will tackle a new project to support bees, bats, butterflies, and birds. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Wednesday, April 17, Thursday, April 18 — Earth Week VR short films “Chasing Coral” and “Fire: Climate Change:, 3-5 p.m. in the virtual reality room. Experience these two short films in immersive, spectacular virtual reality. Information: 208-265-2665. Also showing on Friday, April 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturday, April 20, 2-4 p.m. Info: 208-265-2665.

- Wednesday, April 17 — Science Café, extreme weather events. 5:30 p.m. in Community Room B. Speaker is Robin Fox, National Weather Service meteorologist. Fox will lead an informal discussion of the trends of extreme weather events in recent years. Information: 208-265-2665.

- Thursday, April 18 — Poem in a Pocket, all day. The Sandpoint Friends of the Library will be distributing poems throughout the community in observance of National Poetry Month and Poet in a Pocket Day.

- Thursday, April 18 — Earth Week – Why Journalism Matters, 6 p.m. in the Community Room. Alternative radio host and co-author of “Global “Discontents: Conversation on the Rising Threats to Democracy” (with Noam Chomsky) will deliver a presentation on the role of journalism regarding the climate debate. Brought to you by KRFY Community Radio, Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, and The Reader as part of Earth Week.

- Friday, April 19 — Cooking for College, 4:30-6 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. You will (probably) be broke and you (most likely) won’t have a kitchen. So how can you prepare awesome meals on the cheap and with only small electrical appliances? To find out, join us on a college dorm room culinary journey. Permission slip required. Info: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Saturday, April 20 — Earth Week StoryWalk at The Library, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., “Flowers Are Calling” by Rita Gray. Info: earthweeksandpoint.org.

- Saturday, April 20 — Earth Week film screening, “Saving Snow’, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., in the Community Room. “Saving Snow” is a feature documentary on how ski towns are coping with warmer winters. It was made to educate audiences about the impacts of climate change on the winter economy and build support for mitigation and adaptation efforts across the country. It is the second film created by independent filmmaker Diogo Castro Freire as part of the Adaptation Now documentary project. Panel discussion to follow. Panel members are Tom Chasse, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Kevin Davis, Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center - US Forest Service; Danny Tappa, hydrologist, Natural Resources Conservation Service - SNOTEL Survey. Info: 208-265-2665.

- Saturday, April 20 — Earth Day Festival at Farmin Park, 1-4 p.m. The Library and 350Sandpoint.org joined forces to organize Earth Week, culminating in a family-friendly festival with performances, food, presentations, games, prizes and more. Details at earthweeksandpoint.org.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Wake Up!” by Helen Frost at Dover City Park and “On Meadowview Street” by Henry Cole at McNearney Park. Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.