Odds and Book Ends features activities and events in the area related to libraries, books and authors. Submit your events at www.News-Herald.com/Calendar, and check back to The Book Club every week for upcoming events and activities at your local library.


“Careers in Biotechnology” program will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 at Burton Public Library, 14588 West Park St. Joseph Deak of Lakeland Community College will be the featured speaker. The event is sponsored by the Geauga County Department of Job and Family Services and is part of a Coffee Talk series, an opportunity for job seekers to interact with employment professionals. To RSVP, call Geauga Workplace at 440-285-1223.


If you are considering downsizing your home or Grandma’s, you might want to attend the “downsizing” seminar at the Geauga West Library at 7 p.m. Oct. 11. Trina Miller, of Spaces Showroom and Liquidators in Bainbridge, will offer tips on how to recognize valuables and how to turn your trash into cash. If you have a particular item you feel may be valuable, mention it when you call 440-729-4250 to register for this program. Several items will be selected in advance for appraisal and discussion during this seminar.  The presentation of this program is a collaboration of the Friends of the Bainbridge Library and the West Geauga Friends of the Library. The Geauga West Library is located just south of West Geauga High School at 13455 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township.


Alyea Barajas from the Lake County Council on Aging will present a program to those already enrolled in Medicare on Oct. 12. Topics include an overview of Medicare options and the Annual Coordinated Election Period. This event is free and open to the public and will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the main branch of the Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., in the lower level Garfield Room. Call 440-255-8811 to register, or contact Grace Sims for more details at grace.sims@mentorpl.org.

A representative of the Ohio AARP will explain the new health care laws at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Perry Public Library, 3753 Main St., Perry. For the past several years, AARP volunteers and staff have worked to help pass a health care law that benefit members and society as a whole. Now, AARP is focusing efforts on educating its members and the public on the contents of the recently passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The legislation is more than 2,000 pages and is crammed with new benefits, rules, penalties and projects, spread out over many years. The goal is to educate consumers by answering the three most frequently asked questions: What does this mean to me? What do I get? What, if anything, do I need to do? This program will focus on those 50 years and older, with all adults welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. For details, call 440-259-3300.

Mentor Public Library’s main library at 8215 Mentor Ave. will be closed Oct. 12-14 for paving of the main parking lot. The Mentor-on-the-Lake and Headlands locations will be open from 9 to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 and 14 and from 1 to 9 p.m. Oct. 13. No fines will be accrued on items already checked out during this time, although returns will be taken at the branch locations. The book drops at the main library will be unavailable. Patrons with items “on hold” may pick them up on Oct. 18. Staff at the main library will conduct an inventory of main’s collections while the library is closed.


The Mentor Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will celebrate its fifth anniversary from 10:30 to noon Oct. 13 at Borders Books, Music, Movies and Cafe, 9565 Mentor Ave., Mentor. The group is open to anyone with MS or affected by the disease. Details: 440-254-4050 or KathySoke@aol.com.


Lunch and a movie will take place at noon Oct. 15 at Mentor Public Main Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. The family event is for all ages. Bring a lunch and drink for a picnic style meal in the Garfield Room. Popcorn will be provided. Registration is not necessary. Children ages 8 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. For details, call 440-255-8811, ext. 220.


Children and their families are invited to discover the wonder of magic with nationally renowned magician and illusionist Rick Smith Jr. at the Beachwood Public Library (25501 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood) at 2 p.m. Oct. 16. All ages are welcome, and registration is required by phone at 216-831-6868 or online at cuyahogalibrary.org.


Experience Reiki at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at Perry Public Library, 3753 Main St., Perry. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administrated by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The presenter is Reiki Master Gisa Ticconi of the Earthwinds Wellness Center serving the Cleveland-Akron area. To register or for details, call the library at 440-259-3300.


Paws to Read will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Mentor Public Library’s Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch. The event is for children ages 6 to 12 years old. Children who are able to read independently are invited to sign up for a 30-minute session. A gentle, licensed dog who is trained to be a good listener will be paired up with the child. For details and to register, call the library at 440-255-8811, ext. 220. 


The Bake Shop Ghost for children in kindergarten through sixth grade will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at Mentor Public Main Library. Not too scary stories, songs and a ghoulish edible craft will be part of the event. For details and to register, call the library at 440-255-8811, ext. 220.


Friends of the Wickliffe Public Library will again host Silhouette Productions under the direction of Angela Velotta when they present “Polter-Heist” Oct. 22. The audience-participation murder mystery-comedy will be open to the public, and tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the library. You must be 18 or older to attend the play. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the performance beginning at 7 p.m. Details: 440-944-6010.


All young chemists are invited to join the National Chemistry Week program at the Beachwood Public Library (25501 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood) at 10 a.m. Oct. 23. Children in grades two through five will have fun exploring the chemistry behind the scenes. Parents must sign a release for children to participate. Forms will be available at the Children's Desk. Registration is required by phone at 216-831-6868 or online at cuyahogalibrary.org. 


All Geauga County Public Libraries welcome voter information and campaign literature for issues and candidates appearing on local ballots. Each library has an election display to help voters become well-informed. Brochures and fliers are acceptable, while items such as bumper stickers are not. Geauga County Public Libraries include Bainbridge, Chardon, Geauga West, Middlefield, the Bookmobile, and the Newbury and Thompson library stations. For locations and phone numbers, visit www.geaugalibrary.net.


The Mentor Public Library will be loaning Kill-A-Watt EZ meter devices to their patrons for a two-week period. The service is an expansion of the library’s Go Green initiative along with the ongoing recycling programs already in place at the library. The devices were donated by the Friends of the Library. The patrons will be able to take the device home and plug it into any household appliance to find out exactly how much energy the appliance uses and how much it costs the homeowner. According to the Kill-A-Watt EZ meter manufacturer P3 International website, the meters will empower consumers on their electric bills. The meters are accurate to within 0.2 percent.


--Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com