Friends of the Libraries: Come meet your district candidates
As we read about the many places around the world where citizens have little or no choice in selecting leaders, we should be thankful that we have the opportunity to vote for candidates to our many levels of government — from school boards to sanitation and water districts, up through county, state and federal offices. But it isn’t just voting that is significant — it is also important that we get to know the people who want our votes.
We’ve had a number of local candidate forums — city council and school board, for example — and now you have the chance to meet the people running for sanitary and water districts in Costa Mesa. I admit that covering all these bases can seem like a lot, but consider how important it is to have the power to select our leaders.
So meet and greet the candidates for the Costa Mesa Sanitary District, Mesa Water District and Orange County Water District from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 16. The event is being held at the Halecrest Park, Swim and Tennis Club, 3107 Killybrooke Lane in Costa Mesa, and is hosted by the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries. Space is limited, so RSVP to bobbyooten@aol.com or call (714) 545-9613.
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At the Mesa Verde Library
The Mesa Verde Library will be participating in Read for the Record, a national Jumpstart campaign celebrating children’s literacy, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 21. At this time, children and adults around the world will hope to break the record for the most people reading the same book on the same day. Last year, the record was almost 2.5 million.
The book selected this year is “Bunny Cakes” by Rosemary Wells. Plan to attend this special preschool event with your child. Call the library at (714) 546-5274 for further information.
On Oct. 14 from 11 to 11:30 a.m., join others for a unique blend of traditional and digital stories for preschoolers with finger plays and songs. Afterward, on Oct. 14 and 21, Craftivity for preschoolers may include simple crafts and games or outdoor fun like bubble days, scavenger hunts and sidewalk chalk writing.
Parents and children who enjoy putting on a costume are invited to stop by the Mesa Verde Library from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 23 for spooky-themed activities, followed by a trick-or-treat parade through different parts of the library to pick up tasty goodies. You might even see some costumed library staff. This is a free family event for kids of all ages.
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At the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
The Film Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. On Oct. 14, see and discuss the 1980s film “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.” On Oct. 21, “Back to the Future” will be shown.
Children and their families are welcome to build imagined creations on one of the library’s Duplo tables in the lobby between 2 and 6 p.m. every Tuesday.
Read for the Record will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Oct. 20. Call the library at (949) 646-8845 for more information.
Join Mr. Erik on Oct. 15 and 22 from 7 to 7:30 p.m. for stories, finger plays, songs, crafts and more. The event is open to children of all ages and their families, and no registration is required. Children are welcome to come in their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed toy.
Watch a family film from various decades at 4 p.m. Thursdays at the library. On Oct. 16, the film is “The Goonies,” and on Oct. 23, “The Land Before Time” will be shown. Refreshments will be served.
On Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to noon, children and their families are invited to read to licensed therapy dogs. Bring a favorite book and read to Fido and friends. No registration is required.
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Costa Mesa Technology Library
If you want to learn basic computer skills, navigate the Internet, create and use email accounts, print documents and images and more, sign up for a one-on-one learning session to be scheduled between 4 and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Call (949) 515-3970 to register, although walk-ins are welcome also.
MARY ELLEN GODDARD produced this column on behalf of the Friends of Costa Mesa Libraries, the Costa Mesa Library Foundation and the three Costa Mesa branches of the OC Public Libraries.