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.


Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., will host Bells, Books and Candles at 7 p.m. Dec. 20. Come for a special night of story telling performed by the librarians from the Children's Department. Enjoy stories, puppets, music and refreshments and share some holiday cheer with the library staff. Registration is required. Call 440-255-8811.


Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., will host Jingle All The Way! A Special Tiddlywinks at 10 a.m. Dec. 21, with stories and songs for ages 36 months and younger (with an adult). No registration is necessary. For details, call 440-255-8811.


Friends of Morley Library will host a Red Cross blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 21 in the Lower Level of Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville.


Join in the fun of an old-fashioned Christmas at the Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., 1t 2 p.m. Dec. 22. Listen to a classic story; make pomanders, a fragrant seasonal decoration; and string some popcorn and cranberries for your tree. Registration is under way. This program is for children ages 8 and younger who are accompanied by an adult. For details, call 440-255-8811.


Get into the spirit of the season with stories, holiday crafts, songs and a seasonal treat at 4 p.m. Dec. 22 at Mentor Public Library's Headlands Branch, 4669 Corduroy Road. No registration is necessary. For details, call 440-257-2000.


Crossroads will hold a Family Holiday Story Time from 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 22 at its Early Childhood Services Center, 1083 Mentor Ave., Painesville. Children are encouraged to wear pajamas for the family-friendly event, which will feature books, crafts and a seasonal snack. The event is geared for children up to age 8. The event is free, but registration is required at 440-358-7370. The Crossroads Early Childhood Services Center opened in May of this year and provides a broad range of behavioral health services to children from birth to age 5. Crossroads is a nonprofit organization providing behavioral health services to children and their families. Primary support comes from the Lake County Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.


Mentor Library's Monday Night Book Discussion takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the first Monday of each month from October through June, with the next meeting being Jan. 3. For this month's selection, contact librarian Barb Hauer at 440-255-8811, ext. 210. The library provides books, and refreshments are courtesy of the Friends of the Library.


--Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com