Speak Softly & Carry A Duct-Tape Sword

Our Anime Club made duct-tape swords and shields -- and I think I see a scythe back there -- during their most recent meeting Saturday.

My love for our anime club is pretty well documented here; and, while I hate to feature a club to the exclusion of others, the anime club keeps doing awesome stuff!

At their most recent meeting on Saturday, July 27, they made swords, shields and scythes out of duct tape.

They also perfected their warrior faces.

And they're still wearing costumes. This time, Meagan McLaughlin came dressed as Terezi Pyrope of MS Paint Adventures.

Yes, I had to Google "Pyrope" to make sure I spelled it right.

The Anime Club's next meeting is August 24. They'll be watching one of Hayao Miyazaki's classic Studio Ghibli films. (They haven't decided which one. My vote's for Totoro.) They will also make candy sushi.

Drop by if you like. You can register here.

We have a lot of other fun events for teens coming up in the next week or two, including:

• Storyteller Jim Kleefeld will share macabre and miraculous true stories later today (July 30) during Tales from Beyond.
• We close out our Mentor’s Rock Roots: Celebrating Homegrown Bands concert series with a split performance by Cheap Clone and Hedgehog's Dilemma on July 31. (As you probably guessed from its name, the concert series features bands from in and around Mentor).
• On August 3 (this upcoming Saturday,) teens can compete and win prizes in our Minute-to-Win-It Competition. (Register here and dress for a mess.)
• Then, on August 9, teens can celebrate Holi on our Read House lawn. Holi is a Hindu festival of color in which people celebrate the salvation of Prahlada, a follower of Vishnu who also happens to be the son of the great king of demons. People celebrate by surprising one another with brightly colored paint and powders. (In that way, it's a bit like paintball.) Feel free to join our celebration, but bring a white shirt and old clothes you don't mind getting messy.

You can always check out our event calendar at www.mentorpl.org to see more programs for teens, kids and adults.

Teens Can Travel Into the Macabre, Mystical & Miraculously True at the Library

Pseudo-psychometry? Mystic mentalism? Bizarre storytelling?

How about plain old creepy fun?

Jim Kleefeld is visiting the Mentor Public Library Tuesday afternoon to share Tales from the Beyond, and his program consists of everything but the mundane

Teens who come to the show will see strange artifacts, learn about mentalist powers and hear unbelievable but true stories.

His audience will learn about a Louisiana voodoo doll from the 1920s and its victim. They may even feel the pins in their hands.

They'll use portrait photographs to determine who survived the Titanic's crash and who went down with the ship.

Letters from the Lizzie Borden murder, shrunken heads from Ecuador -- Kleefeld has prepared a macabre cavalcade that will stimulate your minds (and possibly chill your spines.)

And there's a seat waiting for you...

Like all programs at the Mentor Public Library, Tales from Beyond is free to attend. However, we ask that you register beforehand on our web site or by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 247.

Nail Art Tips & Tricks from Ladies & Gentlemen Salon & Spa

Some of the ladies of Ladies and Gentlemen Salon and Spa visited the Mentor Public Library Thursday to offer some nail arts tips and tricks to our patrons.

Daisy Sahoo paints her daughter Rhea's nails outside of the Mentor Public Library's Read House Thursday.

Here is some of the advice they shared:

1. Always try to use a base coat before polishing your nails. This prevents them from yellowing.

2. Never pull at or tear hangnails. Use nail clippers instead.

3. Are you a nail biter and can't seem to break the habit? Always keep a coat of polish on your nails. That will make you less likely to take a bite.

4. Just like with any other beauty treatment -- so much of nail art is taking care of your body (in this instance, your nails and hands, specifically.) Try to keep your hands moisturized to prevent them from looking dry and cracked.

Tia Silbaugh applies jojoba oil to Amanda Densmore's hands.

5. Along the same lines as Tip 4, keep the underneath of your nails clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and germs.

Additionally, here are instructions on how to do a few of the cool and unique tricks the nail technicians demonstrated Thursday.

Morgan Yancy and Rita Pollock served as models, painting 20 different designs across their four hands.

Polka Dot Nails
1. First, prepare your nails by cleaning them off. Then paint each nail with a base coat and one to two coats of nail polish.

2. Once your nails are dry, take the flat end of a lip gloss applicator (the end without foam) and lightly dip it in the polish. You only need a small amount of polish on the applicator. (If you don't have an applicator, other circular objects can be substituted.)

3. Next, take the applicator and dab it on your nail to create polka dots. Dot as many circles on your nails as you want. (Pretty much everything in nail art comes down to lines and dots. The more you practice both, the better and more elaborate designs you'll be able to create.)

4. Allow your dots to dry.

5. Apply a top coat to your nails to prevent them from chipping.

Morgan and Rita model their newsprint nails.

Newspaper Nails

1. Once again, apply a base coat and one to two coats of polish.

2. Allow the nails to dry. Then, pour some rubbing alcohol into a small cup.

3. Once your nails are dry, dip them into the small cup.

4. Place the newspaper (or comic book, print book or any other type of paper that has ink on it) on to your nail. Be sure that the nail is still wet with alcohol.

5. Lightly press on the nail to make sure that the ink transfers on to it.

6. After about a minute, peel back the corner of the paper to see if the ink is on your nail. If so, you can remove the paper.

7. Finish your nail design with a layer of clear topcoat.

Not all of your nails need to be uniform. It's becoming popular to have an accent nail -- one that's slightly different than the other digits. For example, the nail of the ring finger here is accented with glitter.

Thank you to both Ladies and Gentleman Salon and Spa and all the patrons who came to the program Thursday. For more information on events and programs at the Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.

Mentor Librarians Talk about their Favorite Books as Students and Now

The News-Herald recently interviewed two of our adult information services librarians and asked them what were their favorite books -- both as students and now.

Watch the video below to see what books Cailey Williams and Kristin Milks loved. (You'll also get recommendations from Cheryl Sadler and Tricia Ambrose of The News-Herald Book Club.)

Mentor Public Library will also be in this Sunday's News-Herald. Journalist Elizabeth Lundblad visited the library earlier this week to talk to librarians and patrons about teen reading habits.

Paws to Read II: Adorable Boogaloo

By now, it's likely that you've heard of our Paws to Read program -- in which we pair shy readers (between the ages of six and 12 years old) with therapy dogs who are trained to be good listeners.

The dogs help the kids relax so they can get used to reading to an audience.

You see, reading in public can be a little scary for some children; and nothing calms kids down like an adorable, unconditionally affectionate audience.

I wrote about the program before in June and there's no need for me to repeat everything I said there. But we had another Paws to Read session last week, and I suspect some of you might enjoy seeing photos of kids reading to dogs.

You can tell me if I'm wrong when we're finished.

Kaitlynn Bittner's a great reader but Caesar's an even better napper.

Alex Wolak reads "Bad Kitty" to Millie.

Wilson gives Tyler Rice a nuzzle as a thank-you for reading to him.

Jacquelyn Minich reads to Caesar, who is still struggling to keep his eyes open.

Hayley relaxes while Sophia Kiggins reads to her.

Sometimes reading time turns into snuggle time.

If your child can read independently but doesn't like to do it in front of other people, you might try signing them up for Paws to Read. (Especially if your son or daughter is also a dog lover.)

The next session is slated for August 21 at our Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch and registration for it begins on August 7.

Registration fills up quickly, so contact the children's department at Mentor Public Library soon if you think you child could benefit from Paws to Read.

There is often a waiting list for the program once registration begins.

For more information on Paws to Read and other children’s programs at Mentor Public Library call (440)-257-2512 or log on to www.mentorpl.org.

By the way, if you want, we have more Paws to Read photos on our Facebook page.

Celebrating an Extraordinary Volunteer

We spend a lot of time thanking people on this blog, but there's a good reason for that.

A lot of people deserve to be thanked: our Summer Reading Program sponsors, the Boy Scouts who built our new pergola, the therapy dogs and their owners who come to Paws to Read.

And we haven't even gotten to the teens who volunteer at our children's event, the Friends of the Mentor Public Library who sponsor so many of our programs, or our Board of Trustees.

In short, we're fortunate to be in a community where so many people care so much about their libraries.

But amidst all these wonderful people, one guy deserves a special mention: Dennis Edward Hauer.

Dennis Hauer cuts his cake -- part of our thank-you to him for his hundreds of hours of service.

Hauer joined the Friends of the Mentor Public Library in 2006 and, since that time, it has become common place for him to volunteer an average of 40 hours a week.

To express our gratitude, the Library Board of Trustees thanked Hauer at their most recent meeting on July 17 and named August 12 as Dennis Edward Hauer Day.

Board President Amy Frank-Hensley called Hauer a hero for the meaningful way in which he has spent his retirement.

“You’re amazing – the way you stay active in the community,” Hensley said to him during the board meeting.

Lynn Hawkins, the library's executive director, called Dennis “a real gem.”

“It is just not possible to measure the effort he has expended on a daily basis, season after season—and the positive effects of that effort. He is a tremendous ambassador for the library.”

Hauer has spearheaded several initiatives that helped us. In 2008, he set up a way for the Friends of the Library to sell donated books on the Internet. To date, that has raised more than $25,000 in book-sale revenues.

He’s donated his time as a volunteer educator, sharing his knowledge and experience as a Mandarin language interpreter with young homeschoolers, as well as Boy and Girl Scouts.

Hauer has always been willing to pitch in – dressing as a clown or Uncle Sam for parades, serving as a Starry Night waiter or a book club greeter, clean-up crew or anything else his talents or enthusiasm are needed.

He has served as a volunteer, officer and board member both for the Friends of the Library and the Citizens of Mentor Public Library.

Most of all, he has always helped with dedication, kindness and humor.

True to form, Hauer was humble when the board honored him on July 17.

“I’m just so happy to contribute to the library in any small way,” he said.

“I’ve never been one who expects praise because I don’t take myself seriously,” he added. “But I take what I do seriously.”

Dennis with his wife, Barbara Hauer, who is also the manager of our Tech Services & Acquisitions Department.

Tips on Kayak Fishing from Gander Mountain

Matt Buck of Gander Mountain explains how to fish from a kayak without tipping over.

The professionals from the Gander Mountain store in Mentor visited the Mentor Public Library Thursday to offer tips on how to fish from a kayak.

Here are some of the suggestions from Gander Mountain's Matt Buck and Mitch Leppelmeier:

1. There are two types of kayaks: sit-on and sit-in. As you might expect from the name, you sit atop sit-on kayaks. You actually get inside of sit-in kayaks. (Matt Buck is using a sit-in kayak in the above photo. He is showing a sit-on in the shot below.)

Matt Buck shows the drainage holes in a sit-on kayak.

Both sit-in and sit-on kayaks have their benefits and the difference often comes down to a matter of taste.

Buck said that sit-ons are more stable despite having a higher center of gravity and are probably a little better for fishing.

Also, if a sit-on flips, you can get back on it -- even in the water, Buck said. But if your sit-in flips, you're swimming that thing back to dry land; because the water rushes into the sit-in's cockpit and forms a vacuum.

However, sit-ins tend to keep your drier. (Leppelmeier stressed that no kayak keeps you completely dry. If you don't want to get any water on you, stay on land.)

Buck and Leppelmeier both use sit-in kayaks in their personal lives.

"I fish from a sit-in," Buck said. "I feel more secure."

A kayak -- whether sit-in or sit-on -- can run you between $200 and $1,300.

(Buck also mentioned a type of kayak called Hobie Cats that are similar to pedal boats, because you can pedal them with your feet. That makes them ideal to fish with because your hands don't need to handle a paddle and a fishing rod. However, they are on the pricey side.)

2. Kayaks also differ in weight and length. A shorter kayak -- a 10-footer, for example -- is extremely maneuverable and great for more enclosed or harder to reach areas.

But if you're in a lot of open water -- like, say, a great lake -- larger kayaks are much faster.

3. Picking the right paddle is just as important as picking the right boat, and the right paddle will depend predominantly on the height of the kayaker and width of his or her boat.

Try the paddle out before you buy it. See if it feels right. (Actually, that's good advice for anything kayak-related. There are a lot of places where you can rent kayaks around here. Rent a sit-on and a sit-in. Try them both before you decide what feels right for you.)

Mitch Leppelmeier explains how to pick a paddle.

People can buy both aluminum and graphite paddles. Graphite is lighter but less rigid; aluminum is more rigid but heavier.

It sometimes helps to have a more rigid paddle. (They can balance you when you're getting in and out of the kayak or can pry you forward if you get stuck on a stump.) But if the aluminum paddle is too heavy for you to use comfortable -- go with the graphite.

4. Speaking of must-have gear -- have a dry box, preferably one with a carrabiner that you can attach to the kayak. That way, even if your kayak flips, you'll still have your car keys and cell phone, and they'll still be dry.

Kayaks can also be outfitted with rod holders, fish finders and even outriggers.

5. You also need a life jacket.

"I wear a life jacket 100 percent of the time," Buck said. "I don't care if it's 90 degrees. I rolled my kayak several times, especially while fishing."

Before you buy a life jacket, try paddling with it. You don't want something that's going to rub your torso raw when you paddle.

6. Speaking of uncomfortable friction, take your wedding band and other rings off when you kayak.

"You will get calluses if you leave it on," Buck said. "Right underneath it. That's what dry boxes are for."

7. You also need registration to own and use a kayak. It costs $25 for three years. You can get it at BMV or the Mentor Gander Mountain store.

8. Fishing from a kayak presents some unique opportunities and some unique challenges.

"The great thing about fishing from a kayak is accessibility," Leppelmeier said. "You can reach places that boats can't get to. You can get to places that people on shore can't reach."

However, kayaks are lightweight and more tenuously balanced than a boat. If your body is rocking one way or another while trying to bring a fish in, then that can be enough to tip the kayak.

Buck stressed that the best way to stay afloat is to keep everything in front of you while fishing.

"Always fish in front of you. It will keep you dry. It will keep you safe," Buck said.

9. Also, kayaks don't have as much storage space as other boats, so fishers need to be practical about what they bring with them on the kayak.

"It's like normal fishing scaled down," Leppelmeier said of kayak fishing. "Don't take your giant tackle box with you."

Buck and Leppelmeier tend to fish catch-and-release when on their kayaks, but some fishermen bring a cooler with them to store their fish.

10. Watch the weather.

This is true whenever you're boating but especially important in a smaller craft like a kayak -- doubly so if you're on open water.

It's very difficult to paddle a kayak against turbulent water and a single Lake Erie wave can dump four to five inches of water into a kayak, Leppelmeier said.

"If the wind says 'north,' go home," Buck said of kayaking on Lake Erie.

11. Enjoy yourself.

Kayaking is about the atmosphere.

"The fishing is secondary," Buck said. "You're just paddling and having a great day in the water."

Paddling in a parking lot is slightly less fun.

For more information on programs and events at the Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.