On Tuesday, January 10, at 7:30 p.m. Pablo Suarez will present a program that examines the increasing risks of extreme events, due to land use conversion and a changing climate.  What exactly is going on?   Should we be doing anything about it?  Could the unprecedented spring floods of two years ago in our town center be an example of one of these extreme events?  Building on lessons from history, science and each other, the audience will engage in a serious yet fun, participatory game-based activity where decisions will have consequences (with winners and losers).  Pablo is Associate Director of Programs for the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre, as well as a visiting fellow at Boston University.  A Wayland resident, he has worked in more than 45 countries.  His Ph.D. dissertation examined Wayland's flood risk in the 21st century.

 

On Wednesday, December 28, between 2-4 p.m., we will have a drop-in program featuring Paper Crafts for Kids.  Ages 4-8. Children 8 and under must be attended by an adult.  Location: Raytheon Room

 

On Thursday, December 29, starting at 11:00 a.m., join us for a fun family film about a Panda who loves Kung Fu! In this second movie in the series, Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, But Po's wonderful new life is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu.  Rated PG.  Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments will be served.  Location: Raytheon Room

 

It is with mixed feelings that we announce that our Youth Services Librarian, April Mazza, is leaving the Wayland Library in mid-January.  We are sad to be losing April but proud that she will be going to an exciting position with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners as an Educational Specialist.  April has worked in Wayland for ten years and will be missed by library staff and especially our youngest users and their parents.  We wish her the very best in her new job.

Our Evening Book Group will be discussing Nemesis by Philip Rothon Monday, January 9, at 7 p.m.  The next meeting of the Noontime Book Group is at noon on Friday, January 13.  That group will be reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.

 

In December Arts Wayland is holding its winter exhibit in the Raytheon Room.  Members will display their artwork in a variety of media, including photography. Photographer displays his work in the library foyer this month.  And our lower level exhibit case contains a display on paper crafts. 

 

Our next monthly meeting will be on Thursday, January 12, from 10-11:30 a.m.  This is a group, facilitated by Ann Moses, that meets monthly in the library’s Raytheon Room.  The group is for people to work on needlework and handwork projects together. 

 

Morning storytimes continue most Tuesdays from 10:30-11 a.m. for ages 0-5.  However Storytime will take a break over the last week of December and the first week of January.  Our interactive program encourages learning, socialization, and fun!  Registration is not required. We ask that parents and care givers participate in the storytime activities with their children.  For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at 508-358-2308.

 

The next meeting of the Great Decisions group will be on Friday, February 17, at 9:15 a.m., and the topic under discussion will be Middle East Realignment.  The popular revolts and upheaval of the Arab Spring have radically changed the face of the Middle East. What lies ahead for the Middle East’s transition to democracy? What are the prospects for the governments that have held out in this new order? With many longtime U.S. allies ousted, how will the U.S. recalibrate its relations with the new regimes?

 

The next meeting of the Poetry Workshop will be on Wednesday, January 4, from 2-4 p.m. in the library’s Raytheon Room.

 

On Wednesday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. Len May will present a program at the library on long-term care.  Len is a graduate of MIT's Sloan School of Management, earned the Certified in Long Term Care (CLTC) designation, and is one of thirteen people in the state of Massachusetts who is authorized to offer AARP Long Term Care insurance plans.  Although he does write insurance policies, the purpose of this talk is strictly to motivate people to plan for the possible need for long term care and to review the options.  Products will not be discussed.  The program will address the following questions:  What are the long term care risks and consequences?  What could long term care cost?  What are the options?  Would long term care insurance be appropriate for you?  What should one look for in an insurance policy and company?