Bauer celebrating milestone with CHAFE ride

Reaching the 60-year milestone in life may be viewed by some as a time to cash in on some well-deserved relaxation. Not so for Mike Bauer, The Library’s lifelong learning coordinator. When Mike realized that his 60th birthday would fall on the same day as the CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo, he decided to use the occasion to accomplish something new.

A self-professed “commute-to-work, ride-downtown-for-a-beer” cyclist, Mike might seem an unlikely candidate for CHAFE’s 80-mile route — the third longest of the six different route options. But, he is motivated by a cause close to his heart. This year, the annual CHAFE 150 ride, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sandpoint, is devoting its proceeds to benefit the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Literacy Initiative and after-school reading programs. The goal is to help young students become good readers, and instill a love of reading early on. Mike hopes to contribute to that through pledges and sponsorships for his 80-mile bike trek.

“No black balloons or birthday cake, just the feeling of accomplishment of completing a personal goal and, most importantly, a wad of dough for literacy for our kids,” he said.

This year’s CHAFE is June 15. Want to help pass on your love of reading to kids? Get out your bicycle, start training — and round up some pledges from friends and family to support your CHAFE ride. The CHAFE has a half dozen different ride lengths and routes, from a 4.4-mile ride to Dover, to a more challenging (but utterly beautiful) 30- or 40-mile route through the Selle Valley, to the huge century or 150-milers for the elite athletes. All the routes start and end at City Beach, with a gala riders’ party.

And finally, for anyone in a book club who wants to gather their fellow readers: CHAFE organizers are throwing down a “Ride for Reading” challenge, just for book clubs or reading groups to participate as teams. It won’t be about how far or how fast you go, but rather how much money you can raise for the cause!

For information about how your group can participate in the “Ride for Reading” challenge or how you can pledge or sponsor a rider, visit chafe150.org.

In the meantime, get riding!

- 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. Information: 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. There will be no Mother Goose after May 10. Stay tuned for the summer schedule, beginning in June. Information: 208-266-1321.

Satuirday — May 4 — Sandpoint Friends of the Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This month’s features include western mysteries, plants, and gardening books. All media is 10 for $1! Support your library while supporting your book habit.

- 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. Information: Contact the Tech Desk at 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Saturday, May 4 — Clark Fork Plant Swap, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Bring a plant to share OR take home a new plant for some fresh inspiration. Children’s potting activity also on Saturday, May 4, at the Clark Fork Library. Decorate a pot and plant a flower. Free for all ages. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Saturday, May 4 — Bella Note music concert, 10:30 a.m., in the glass children’s area. Performance followed by a music class. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- 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. Information: 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.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m., in the glass children’s area. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or 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.

- 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, May 1 — Build a Roller Coaster, 2:30 p.m., in the glass children’s area. Become an engineer and build a roller coaster for marbles! Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211;.

- Wednesday, May 1 — Clark Fork 3D Printing Club, 4-5:30 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Drop in to collaborate with others and learn more from staff about 3D printing and design. A few laptops will be provided or you may bring your own device. Open to all ages and skill levels. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Thursday, May 2 — Thursday Movie Matinee, “Casper”, 3:15 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Free family-friendly movie screenings on Thursday. May 9, “Narnia”; May 16, “The Lion King”; May 23, “Indiana Jones”; May 30, “How to Train Your Dragon”. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Thursday, May 2 — Kids Sewing Class, 3:30 p.m. in the glass children’s room. Learn sewing basics with a craft to take home. Part 2 in a series. Preregistration is required and is subject to cancelation if registration is low. Register/info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “They All Saw A Cat” by Brendan Wenzel at Dover City Park and “The Water Hole” by Grahame Base 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.