Oak Park Public Library Calendar, Feb. 9

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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:19AM

M ain 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.

Great Decisions: 1 p.m. Feb. 9 at Maze Branch. “Middle East Realignment.” Series of discussions about international issues. Explore eight issues over eight sessions. Each issue will be discussed twice. Attend all eight issues in the series or come to individual issues of interest.

“Explore Guatemala”: 2 p.m. Feb. 9. Reference librarians Irene Balks and Helen Blinder will share their travel adventures in Guatemala. 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. 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. Teens, come participate in a different craft with a staff member on the seonnd Thursday of each month. All supplies will be 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.

Tech Skills: 7 p.m. Feb. 9. “Digital Photo Sharing.” Learn how to use Flickr, a free photo sharing website that will help you organize and share your digital photos. You must bring your own photographs on a flash drive and have a current Yahoo! email account. This class is hands-on using wireless laptops. You may bring your own laptop.

Handwork - Art+Craft: 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at Maze Branch. “Inspired Knitting.” 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. She will also share how she interprets historical patterns using contemporary fibers to create stylish garments and accessories. Appropriate for patrons age 16 and older.

Computer Help: 2 p.m. Feb. 10 at Dole Branch.

Shaken & Stirred: 8 p.m. Feb. 11. A 20s and 30s Singles Mixer. 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 March 4, “The Oratorio Semele” HWV 58, will be presented. Order tickets at www.handelweek.com.

Valentine’s Day: Snoopy Craft, 4 p.m. Feb. 12 at Maze Branch. Make a cute Snoopy who will capture your heart this Valentine’s Day. Best for ages 3-7.

Learn to Use Goodreads: 1 p.m. Feb. 13 at Maze Branch. A lesson in how to use Goodreads, an online book journal.

Billy Wilder Film Series: 1:30 p.m. Feb. 13. “The Lost Weekend.” The desperate life of a chronic alcoholic writer (Ray Milland), trying to get his life under control during a fpur-day drinking bout.

Toddler Playgroup: 10 a.m. Feb. 14 at Dole Branch. For children up to 24 months, with a caregiver.

Great Decisions: 7 p.m. Feb. 14. “Middle East Realignment.” Series of discussions about international issues.

Family Open Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at Maze Branch. Joinin a fun story time for 2-6 year olds.

Book Discussion: 1 p.m. Feb. 15. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. Discuss this Dicken’s serial novel, a work of satire on the shortcomings of the government and society of the period. Light refreshments served.

After the Bell: 2 p.m. Feb. 15 at Dole Branch. An after school program for kids in first through fifth grade. Activities include crafts, movies, plays and contests.

“Big Bill Broonzy: Words and Music,” 7 p.m. Feb.15, featuring author Bob Riesman (I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy,” (University of Chicago, 2011) and guitarist/singer Chris Walz in an entertaining presentation about this exceptionally influential figure in blues and folk music. Through a combination of live and recorded music plus commentaries and anecdotes, Riesman and Walz trace Big Bill Broonzy’s remarkable career: mentor to Muddy Waters, inspiration to Eric Clapton, musical colleague of Studs Terkel and Pete Seeger, and creative artist courageous enough to speak out against racial prejudice in his songs and his writings.

Preschool Playgroup: 10 a.m. Feb. 16 at Maze Branch.

Family Open Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Feb. 16 at Dole Branch. For children ages 2-6.

Manga! Manga! Manga!: 4 p.m. Feb. 16. A group for teens who love all things Manga and Anime. Meets every third Thursday.

Tech Skills: 7 p.m. Feb. 16. “LinkedIn 101.” Learn to set up your account and connect with other professionals in your field or industry. Walk-ins only. No preregistration. First-come, first-seated. This class is hands-on using wireless laptops. Bring your own laptop if you prefer.

Pleasant Home: Architecture Series, 7 p.m. Feb. 16. Lectures on architecture sponsored by Pleasant Home Foundation. Series continues on Feb. 23, March 1 and March 8.