A few years ago, Uncle Ruthie Buell (hostess of “Halfway Down the Stairs” on KPFK) suspended her popular Poetry Plus program here at the Westwood Library, but it returns Thursday, July 7th, at 5:30 p.m., as Uncle Ruthie’s Poetry Workshop and Performance. It will be all about words! We take them for granted, forgetting that words are Wonderful, Useful, Necessary, Fun, and always AMAZING! Join us for thirty minutes of workshop (friendly feedback on that elusive poem), thirty minutes with a guest poet (this month: Sherman Pearl), and thirty minutes of open mic (including short prose, songs, even art).

It will be FUN! Pleasure without pressure, participate on whatever level you feel comfortable.

Then on Wednesday, July 13th at 6:30 p.m., come learn about The Benefits of a Painful Childhood. Childhood is a beautiful time of life, however for many people the childhood years contain a great deal of pain and sorrow as well as joy. The difficulties faced in childhood often follow us into adulthood, but by addressing these problems we can turn them into strengths we would not otherwise have. Ben Swisher will tell you how to glean some good from a bad beginning.

On Thursday, July 14th at 6:30 p.m. the ever-popular Arnie Weiss returns to perform from a play by Cliff Robertson, 'A Visit with Viktor Frankl".  Mr. Frankl spent 3 years in Nazi concentration camps and returned to Vienna to his psychiatric practice and wrote "Man's Search for Meaning" and this play explores that period.

And we wrap up the month with adult coloring on Wednesday, July 27th at 6 p.m. which is always a crowd pleaser!

It’s July and Read for the Win is underway at Westwood library!  If you haven’t signed up for summer reading yet, make sure you do.  Just for reading, you’ll be eligible for prizes and multiple raffles including the one at our teen council on Tuesday, July 19th at 4 p.m.

Need to refuel after all that reading?  Teens, tweens and families, join us on Wednesday, July 13th at 4 p.m. for a veggie sushi feast!  Professional Chef Acooba Scott will teach you how to prepare vegan sushi delicacies.  Then we’ll get to eat what we make. Don’t miss it!

• July 9—ISEE Review: Review for the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) before you take the real thing?  2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 

• July  13—Veggie Sushi: A professional chef shows you how to prepare vegan sushi—eat what you make! 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

• July 16—Chess for Beginners: Chess expert Brian Glover introduces the classic game of strategy. All ages welcome. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

• July 16—College Admissions Stress: Learn to better cope with the stresses of the college admissions process. 2:00p.m.-3:00p.m.

• July 19—Teen Council: Prize raffle! Volunteer meeting and sub sandwich & ice cream party! Ages 11-18 are welcome.  4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.