Bemis Public Library Adult Programs – May 2022
Englewood’s Amazing Story
May 3, 6–7 p.m.
For All Ages
Local author Doug Cohn has spent years delving into the history of Englewood – the characters, businesses, and events that shaped this small city. And often, the story of Englewood is closely intertwined with the story of Littleton.
Photo Caption: Perhaps the most photographed and fondly remembered horsecar line ran from 1883 to 1910 in Englewood. Horses pulled passengers about one and a half miles uphill on Broadway from Hampden to Quincy, and then the fun began. On the return trip downhill, the horse boarded the car via a wooden ramp, and rode back along with the passengers. The original horse car is on display at the Englewood Civic Center.
Senior Social Club
Thursdays in May 9:30–11:30 a.m.
For Ages 50 and Up
Attend a weekly chat in Sophie’s Place at the front of the library.
Stitch Circle
May 5 & 19, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
For All Ages
Calling all knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and the curious. Join Stitch Circle in TheStudio@Bemis! Bring in your own projects or come to learn the basics. This will be an opportunity to meet and learn from other makers in the community.
Romance Writing Workshop
May 5, 12, 19 and 26, 1–2 p.m.
For Ages 50 and Up*
The romance genre has changed in recent years, representing more diverse characters and different kinds of love. But older characters still get left out of the story in most cases. This workshop, hosted in partnership with Think 360 Arts, wants to change that. Love and romance aren’t just the domain of the young and ridiculously good-looking. As people grow and change, their understanding of love changes too – deepening, strengthening, and becoming more affirming. Learn how to translate life experiences into words and share the emotional connections that only time can bring. *Registration required. Call 303-795-3961 or click here to register starting April 20.
Mundo Mistico: Peru
May 6, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
For Ages 16 and Up*
This creative and engaging class invites us to learn about Spanish language and culture through the unique lens of different countries. Each month, the class explores one of the twenty countries worldwide that claim Spanish as the official language. Each session introduces vocabulary and gentle language practice, and also explores the culture, art, and heritage of each country. *Registration is required. Call 303-795-3961 or click here to register starting April 20.
May 10: Senior Electronic Gaming Day—Second Tuesdays in May–August, 1–3 p.m.—For Ages 50 and Up
Electronic games are more popular than ever. There is evidence that shows video games can benefit cognitive functions, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and hand-to-eye coordination. Plus, they’re a ton of fun. Library staff will set up gaming systems like Nintendo Switch and PlayStation in the conference room for seniors to try in a low stress setting amongst peers. Find out why everyone enjoys video games and surprise your grandkids with some newfound gaming savvy. 1–3 p.m.
Board Games @ Bemis
May 13, 5–7 p.m.
For All Ages
Drop in after-hours for board games. Pizza and snacks will be served.
A Sharpie Image Craft
May 14, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 2–3:30 p.m.
For Ages 10 and Up*
Make some permanent marks on the world with the staple of office supplies – the Sharpie. A plain white plate or mug invites doodles, messages, and colorful patterns. And with some not-so-secret steps, it can become a truly lasting gift. *Registration required. Call 303-795-3961 or click here to register starting April 20.
Gardening in Colorado: Planting for Pollinators
May 17, 6–7 p.m.
For All Ages
Birds, bees and butterflies are important native pollinators – but so are many wasps, flies and beetles! With hundreds of insect pollinators, and dozens of birds and animals keeping plants thriving, Colorado’s ecosystem is remarkably diverse. But modern agriculture practices and loss of native plant species is making it hard for these pollinators to survive. A Master Gardener with the Arapahoe County Colorado State University Extension Office will talk about how to plan and plant a garden designed to support our native pollinators.
Nuremberg War Crimes Trials with Active Minds
May 23, 2–3 p.m.
For Adults of All Ages
Seventy-five years after the world brought charges against individuals for their actions in World War II, crimes against humanity are still part of the fabric of the world in which we live. Join Active Minds to look back at the Nuremberg Trials and trace their impact on the world, including the creation of the International Criminal Court. We will discuss how this legacy applies to events in the modern world as well as the current challenges of implementing this area of international law.
For more information on this topic, visit the course outline: https://www.activeminds.com/topics/Nuremberg.html
Dungeons & Dragons
May 25, 5–7 p.m.
For Ages 10 and Up*
Roll the dice, join a group, and let your imagination soar as we play this popular tabletop roleplaying game. Players of all experience levels are welcome, and volunteer Dungeon Masters can earn thank you gifts and community service hours for running tables. Pizza and snacks will be served. *Registration required. Sign up through this link starting April 20.
Concert: SaZón
May 28, 2–3 p.m.
For All Ages
The music of SaZón adds spice, flavor and liveliness to a unique mix of Jazz, Latin and American Standards, along with original works. Bobby Trujillo and Norma Tell bring together an appealing repertoire from across many borders, inspiring music lovers young and old.
Bemis Book Clubs
Attend a book group to discuss thought provoking books – and sometimes just life in general. The Senior Book Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month. Books & Beer Nonfiction Book Club meets at Jackass Hill Brewery on the second Wednesday of the month. The Evening Fiction Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month.
- Senior Book Group
May 4, 1–2 p.m.
For Ages 55 and Up
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Aleisha, a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer, discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of a book. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, she decides to read every book on the list. When an elderly widower arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list, hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too.
In-person/virtual event: Attend at the library in the downstairs conference room or click here to join on Zoom.
- Books & Beer Nonfiction Book Club—Meets at Jackass Hill Brewery
May 11, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
For Ages 21 and Up
The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester
Hidden within the seventy-year history of the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary is a fascinating and mysterious story. Dr. William Chester Minor was one of thousands of contributors who submitted illustrative quotations of words to be used in the dictionary. He was remarkably prolific, sending thousands of neat, handwritten quotations. But, in addition to being a masterful wordsmith, Minor was also a murderer, clinically insane – and locked up in Broadmoor, England’s harshest asylum for criminal lunatics.
Group meets at Jackass Hill Brewery: 2409 Main St, Littleton, CO 80120
- Evening Book Club
May 18, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
For Ages 18 and Up
Weather by Jenny Offill
Lizzie Benson is a fake shrink. For years, she has tended to her God-haunted mother and her recovering addict brother. They have both stabilized for the moment, but Lizzie has little chance to spend her new free time with husband and son before her old mentor makes a proposal.
In-person/virtual: Attend at the library in the downstairs conference room or click here to join on Zoom.
Tech Programs
Tech Class: Nextdoor
May 12, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
For Adults 18 and Up*
Nextdoor is a private, free social network to connect neighborhoods. Nextdoor is different from other social media because it’s an online community of real neighbors. Each user must verify their address to participate on the platform, so you know the folk posting are part of your community. Littleton has lots of active members, so it is a great way to engage with your neighborhood. Learn how to set up an account, post, and comment on Nextdoor. Prerequisites: Familiarity with an internet browser and an existing email address.
*Registration required. Please call the library at (303) 795-3961 or click here to register.
Tech Help: One-on-One’s
Various Dates & Times
For All Ages*
Sign up for a 45-minute individualized technology help appointment with a librarian. Get help with anything from accessing eBooks and digital resources, assistance with internet connectivity, video chatting and more. *Registration required. Please call the library at (303) 795-3961 or click here to register starting April 20.
TheStudio@Bemis: Photoshop for Old Photos
May 26, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
For All Ages
Photoshop can be an intimidating computer program, but you don’t need to know it all to get started. In this class we will go over Photoshop basics and dive into some skills specifically to retouch scans of old photos. Learn how to bring your memories back to life!
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills recommended.
*Registration required. Please call the library at (303) 795-3961 or click here to register starting April 20.
TheStudio@Bemis: One-on-Ones
Various Dates & Times
For All Ages, Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult*
Sign up for an individualized appointment with a librarian to learn more about any resources in the library’s makerspace, TheStudio@Bemis. Learn more about the Cricut, sewing machines, digitization station and more. *Registration required. Please call the library at (303) 795-3961 or click here to register starting April 20.
TheStudio@Bemis: Open Lab
May 10 & 24, 4–6 p.m.
For All Ages, Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult*
Drop in to TheStudio to learn more about the space and its resources. Activities for the whole family will be provided. Feel free to bring a creative project or idea you’ve been working on or ask about past library craft workshops. Connect with other makers and get inspired for your next project.
