Hypnotherapist to talk about power of hypnosis

Edd Schultz, a hypnotherapist who works in Kirtland, likes to compare the mind to an iceberg.

There's the tip above the water's surface, and it looks powerful and impressive. That's the conscious.

But there's a much larger, more powerful structure underneath the water that supports the tip we can see. That's the subconscious.

Most people think they know their own mind, but they're just looking at the tip of the iceberg.

Schultz will be taking people beneath the surface during Mentor Public Library's Monday University at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the library's Main Branch.

Schultz will discuss the ways that hypnosis can be used to address a range of common problems, including insomnia, weight loss and quitting smoking.

Schultz will also talk about how hypnosis can be uses to change bad habits, control stress, cope with pain and otherwise use the power of the mind as an alternative to traditional therapies.


You're welcome to join us if you're interested, or even merely curious, in hypnosis.

The talk is free and open to the public, though we do ask that people register for it beforehand. You can register by calling the Mentor Public Library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 215 or on the library's web site.

Edd Schultz will talk about the power of hypnosis Monday, Dec. 2, at the Mentor Public Library.

Let Us Provide Your Thanksgiving Soundtrack

Our library is closed today, but we can still provide the soundtrack to your Thanksgiving.

Remember Hoopla? It's the digital streaming service with more than 300,000 audiobooks, movies and albums that's free with your Mentor Public Library card.

So if you have a library card and a phone, computer or tablet, then we can provide you with the music for your family dinner. (Until the game comes on, then everybody leaves for the living room anyhow.)

You can stream whatever you want: classical, piano hymns, Motown standards, classic rock, even something for the kids table.

Hoopla also has something for those who are celebrating Hanukkah tonight.

And if you're already jonesing for some Christmas music, Hoopla has that too.

And if you're stuck at an airport or in the car today, Hoopla even has some Thanksgiving-themed audiobooks.

We wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving. (Don't try to deep fry a frozen turkey!) We're thankful for each and every one of you, and we'll see you again Friday.

By the way, if you're having a little trouble sorting out how to use Hoopla, MPL Librarian Mary Pelton made a how-to video that you can follow. (Just keep one eye on the stove while you're watching it.)

Making Some Fun Thanksgiving Snacks with the Kids

You need something adorable to see you through until the holiday?

We have you covered.

On Monday, we had a bunch of kids make candy-corn turkeys and graham-cracker dinner tables at the Mentor Public Library's Main Branch.

Hopefully, this double serving of adorable puts you in a festive mood.

Akshat shows off his turkey

Michelle helps Madison put the candy corn tail on the Oreo turkey.

Elizabeth uses frosting to keep Thanksgiving table together.

The final product.

For more photos of crafty kids, check out our Facebook page. For more children's programs at Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.

Hunger Games at the Mentor Library

Short post today. We thought we'd share some of the photos from the Hunger Games competition we had for teens this Saturday.

No, the teens did not try to kill one another.

Lexy hits both targets while practicing her aim.

Julia tries to sneak through our obstacle course without tripping any wires.

Nicole makes a paracord bracelet because you never know when you're going to fall down a ravine.

Andrew unveils a mean fastball during target practice.

Speaking of hunger, the Can Your Fines food drive begins today at all Mentor Public Library branches.

The way the food drive works is simple: If you donate food (which we, in turn, will donate to the local food pantries at St. Gabriel and St. John Vianney,) then we'll take money off the library fines you owe.

For more information on Can Your Fines, click here.

Donate food in exchange for library fine forgiveness during Can Your Fines

Most people don't need an incentive to do something nice.

For example, we held a food drive earlier this year and you donated 175 pounds of food just because you wanted to help people who needed it.

Well, we're asking you to give again but this time the Mentor Public Library wants to give you something in return.

That's right. It's the return of the Can Your Fines food drive.

The way it works is simple: If you donate food (which we, in turn, will donate to the local food pantries at St. Gabriel and St. John Vianney,) then we'll take money off the library fines you owe.

Here are the specifics:

• The food drive runs between Nov. 25 and Dec. 31.
• You get $1 off your fines for each nonperishable food item you donate. You can have up to $5 in fines waived this way.
• It's only a 1-time offer, meaning you can't come in every day between now and New Years, donate food and have $5 taken off the fines you owe. (However, you can absolutely donate food as many times you want; but we can only take off fines the first time.)
• You can donate at any of the Mentor Public Library branches.
• Every patron with a library card, whether child or adult, is eligible to participate; but if your fines have already been turned over to a collection agency, then we can't waive your fines.

During the Can Your Fines drive last year, you all donated hundreds of pounds of food that went to local families who needed it.

We hope to see that much generosity again this year.

If you have any questions about Can Your Fines, you can call the Mentor Public Library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 213.

Nothing Trashy About Trash Art

It's called Trash Art.

You take what remainders and leftovers and refuse you have and you turn it into something beautiful.

This Monday, we opened up our supply closet and gave the odds and ends to Studio MPL kids to make Trash Art.

After all, one child's trash is another child's art supplies.

The kids transformed pipe cleaners, scraps of paper, buttons, bows, recycled toys, computer parts and other sundry into gardens, beaches and smiling faces.

We were surprised what the kids created, but we weren't surprised that the kids were able to create something.

Because these kids have imagination by the kilo-Seuss. (A "Seuss" is the metric unit for imagination.)

If you haven't heard of Studio MPL, these kids are all sorts of spectacular.

They meet on the third Monday of each month and explore a different form of artistic expression. Just this fall, they've already learned different shading techniques for colored pencils and made Henri Matisse-style prints.

Studio MPL is open to any child from first through fifth grade. Next month's session will be Dec. 16 at our Main Branch. You can register for it here.

For more photos from our Studio MPL session, check out our Facebook page. For more information on programs and events for children, teens and adults at Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.

Happy Hunger Games

Teens will be able to test their agility, accuracy, cleverness and more during the second annual Hunger Games from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Mentor Public Library’s Main Branch.

But, no, they will not be trying to kill each other with bows and arrows.

Instead, the teens will compete in a series of challenges that test their limits. They can also make themselves a paracord survival bracelet and will have a chance to win prizes.

Every teen who comes to the program will also be entered into a raffle to win a gift card.

If you're not between the ages of 12 and 20, then we should add that our Hunger Games are set to coincide with the premiere of the Catching Fire movie. (If you are between 12 and 20, then there is no need to tell you something that you already know.)

The library’s Hunger Games program is open to everyone from the ages of 13 to 18. However, you are asked to register for it ahead of time. You can do so by calling the library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 215 or by visiting our web site.

As a bonus, here are some read-alikes for people who loved the Hunger Games books and are looking for something new to read: Veronica Roth’s Divergent series, Jeanne Duprau’s City of Ember, Mike Mullin’s Ashfall and Quarantine by Lex Thomas.