Oak Park Public Library Calendar, Feb. 2

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Updated: March 3, 2012 8:32AM

Main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., (708) 383-8200; Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson, (708) 386-4751; Dole Branch, 255 Augusta, (708) 386-9032. Registration is required unless otherwise noted; www.oppl.org. All events free and open to the public. All events are at the main library unless otherwise stated. For class dates and full descriptions, visit www.oppl.org/events/classes.htm.

Chess Open Play: 5:30-9 p.m. Mondays. Open play, all ages, all skill levels. Drop in when you can.

School’s Out Movie: 2 p.m. Feb. 2 at Maze Branch. Screening of “Dolphin Tale,” a family-friendly story based on real events. Best for ages 5 and up, rated PG. No registration required.

Groundhog’s Day: 3 p.m. Feb. 2 at Dole Branch. Make your own Groundhog paper bag puppet or try a shadow puppet, if you’re feeling sunny! All ages, no registration required.

Open Play Gaming: 4 p.m. Feb. 2. Come out and play your favorite games on Xbox Kinect and Wii.

Computer Help: 2 p.m. Feb. 3 at Dole Branch. Ask your computer help questions during one-on-one 20-minute sessions. Call (708) 386-9032 to schedule your session.

Artist Reception: 3 p.m. Feb. 5. Meet Oak Park artist Amani Borah, a self-taught artist who was born in Mombasa, Kenya. His exhibit is titled “Maji Mazito” which means “strong water” in Swahili. He is a resident artist at Dancing Krow Studio/Third Friday Gallery in the Oak Park Arts District.

Billy Wilder Film Series: 1:30 p.m. Feb. 6. Movie and discussion on Billy Wilder, one of the most brilliant and versatile filmmakers of Hollywood’s Golden Age. “Double Indemnity” (1944) 107 minutes. Two evil lovers (Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray) plot the murder of the woman’s husband to make off with his insurance money.

Toddler Playgroup: 10 a.m. Feb. 7 at Dole Branch. Open playgroup for children up to 24 months, with a caregiver. This play group includes toddler toys, board books and music. Have fun and socialize with other children and caregivers.

Book Discussion: Noon, Feb. 7 at Maze Branch. Bring your lunch and join in a discussion of Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham.

After the Bell: 2 p.m. Feb. 8 at Dole Branch. Join in an after school program for kids in first-fifth grade. Crafts, movies, plays and contests.

Independent Spirits: Film Series, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8. Independent Spirit award nominees every second Wednesday through June. On Feb 8: “127 Hours” (Danny Boyle, 2010). A mountain climber becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah, and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive. James Franco stars. 94 min. Popcorn served; discussion moderated by librarian and film historian follows each film.

Preschool Playgroup: 10 a.m. Feb. 9 at Maze Branch. Join in an open playtime for preschoolers with toys, puzzles puppets and music.

Family Open Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9 at Dole Branch. Story time for children age 2-6.

Great Decisions: 1 p.m. Feb. 9 at Maze Branch. “Middle East Realignment.” Discussions about international issues.

Explore Guatemala: 2 p.m. Feb. 9. Reference Librarians Irene Balks and Helen Blinder will share their travel adventures. If you’ve been to this Latin American country, bring souvenirs and stories to share as well as photos.

Yarns and Yarn: 2 p.m. Feb. 9 at Dole Branch. All are welcome to join a group of avid readers who meet to discuss books while they knit and crochet blankets and scarves to donate to various charities. No knitting experience needed. No registration required.

DIYA: 4 p.m. Feb. 9. Come participate in a different craft with a staff member on the second Thursday of each month. All supplies provided.

Food Lovers’ Guide to Chicago: 7 p.m. Feb. 9. Discuss great Chicago food with local author Jennifer Olvera and sample edibles from some of her favorite spots featured in her book The Food Lovers’ Guide to Chicago.

Tech Skills: 7 p.m. Feb. 9 “Digital Photo Sharing.” Learn how to use Flickr, a free photo sharing website. Bring your own photographs on a flash drive, not a camera. Must have a current Yahoo! e-mail account. This class is hands-on using wireless laptops. You may bring your own laptop. Walk-ins only. No preregistration. First-come, first-seated

Handwork: Art+Craft: Inspired Knitting, 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at at Maze Branch. Need ideas for your next knitting project? Susan Strawn, professor of apparel design and merchandising at Dominican University and author of Knitting America (Voyageur Press, 2007) will explore the library’s collection of knitting traditions from other cultures. Free and appropriate for patrons aged 16 and older.

Computer Help: 2 p.m. Feb. 10 at Dole Branch. Ask your computer help questions during one-on-one 20-minute sessions. We can answer questions about Web searching, online job hunting, using e-mail and word processing programs and an array of online research tools. Call (708) 386-9032 to schedule your session.

Shaken & Stirred: A 20s and 30s Singles Mixer, 8 p.m. Feb. 11. Designed to connect people in their 20s and 30s with new friends and potential love interests. Registration is encouraged for this special after-hours event. Participants will meet potential dates and friends anonymously. Each person will be given a number which they will use as identification. When matches are made, names and contact information will be given out later after the event.

Handel Week Program: with Carl Grapentine, 3 p.m. Feb. 12. Nationally-known WFMT-FM radio presenter Carl
Grapentine returns to kick off Oak Park’s Handel Week Festival with a free lecture on “The Magnificent Mr. Handel featuring The Oratorio, Semele.” Handel Week 2012 concerts begin Feb. 19. On Sunday, March 4, “The Oratorio Semele” HWV 58, will be presented. Order tickets at www.handelweek.com.