Library summer reading program starts next week
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 6 months AGO
File photo Moses Lake Public Library patrons take advantage of a special program in April. The summer reading program kicks off next week with special programs throughout the system, including Grant County libraries.
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | June 15, 2017 4:00 AM
MOSES LAKE — Robots and making musical instruments, poetry, a visit from the Pacific Science Center, puppets, live theater, science experiments – wow. There’s a lot going on during the summer reading program sponsored by the North Central Regional Library.
The library system includes branches from Oroville to Mattawa, including all libraries in Grant County.
“Build a Better World” is the theme for 2017, and many of the activities are focused around science and engineering. Children can sign up for the program at all 30 NCRL libraries.
Special events start June 20 and 21 at most local libraries. Home Depot will sponsor a children’s workshop at 10:30 a.m. June 20 at the Moses Lake Public Library.
The NCRL Puppeteers will perform at 3 p.m. June 21 at the Ephrata Public Library. The Puppeteers have been part of the summer reading program for at least a decade.
Sarah Knox, NCRL’s science-engineering librarian, will present “STEM with Sarah” at 11 a.m. June 21 at the Soap Lake library. Knox’s program features hands-on science demonstrations and experiments. With the focus is on science and engineering, science projects are scheduled at all libraries throughout the summer.
Musician Ian Dobson will bring his show to the Quincy Public Library at 10:30 a.m. June 22. Dobson teaches kids how to use recycled materials to make and play their own musical instruments.
The Puppeteers will perform at the Warden Public Library at 4 p.m. June 22. The troupe will perform at the Royal City library at 11 a.m. June 21.
Special events are scheduled at libraries throughout the summer, including a visit from the Book-It Theater. The Seattle-based troupe presents plays based on children’s books, and its summer presentation is “El Deafo,” an adaptation of a 2015 book about a girl’s struggles with hearing impairment. Book-It Theater appears at 10 a.m. June 29 in Ephrata and at 3 p.m. June 30 in Moses Lake.
The Pacific Science Center will visit the region with its “Volts and Jolts” exhibit, teaching kids about electricity. The Grant County PUD also has a science program for kids, focusing on electricity and hydropower. Children’s book authors and illustrators Erik Brooks and Elisa Kleven will talk about writing books and illustrating at presentations throughout the summer. Singer-songwriter Deb McVay will also be performing at libraries over the summer.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
More rain for Cascades, high winds for Columbia Basin this week
LEAVENWORTH — A second strong winter storm is projected to hit Washington this week, bringing heavy rains back to areas that were hard-hit by rain and flooding last week. Steve Bodnar, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said rain is forecast to start Monday, but won’t last as long.
Revised Moses Lake ordinance designed to recover some MLFD costs
MOSES LAKE — An ordinance revision approved by the Moses Lake City Council will allow more consistent billing of insurance companies in cases of emergency response by the Moses Lake Fire Department. In certain circumstances, property owners or vehicle owners may be responsible for paying whatever emergency response costs are not covered by insurance. The revisions passed on a 6-1 council vote Tuesday, with council member Victor Lombardi voting no.
Quincy EP&O levy to go to voters
QUINCY — Quincy School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a four-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election in February. If it’s approved, it would replace the levy approved by voters in 2022. District superintendent Nik Bergman said money raised through the levy accounts for about 16% of the district’s budget. “The state doesn’t fully fund a lot of programs,” Bergman said. “It’s used to fund our highly capable (program) and STEAM enrichment. Some of it is used to fund special education, early learning, the arts, music. We have a music program that is just flourishing right now, and I can connect that to the community support of the levy.”