See 'Mad Scientist' at county libraries

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 30, 2003 by Compiled by Lynn Arave

January is traditionally one of the slowest times of the year for library activities. But there are still some good events coming up at local libraries during the next month, free and open to the public.

One is "The Mad Scientist Presents the Marvels of Motion" at various Salt Lake County libraries during January. Premiere of this event is Saturday, Jan. 10, 10:30 a.m. at the Holladay Library, 2150 E. Murray-Holladay Road. Because space is limited, tickets can be picked up for the event starting on Friday, Jan. 2, at that library's main desk.

The "Mad Scientist" will present the science of sports and put Newton's laws in motion. The event is considered ideal for kindergartners through sixth-graders, but parents must accompany children to the show.

The event moves to the Magna Library, 8339 W. 3500 South, on Monday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m., and to the Bingham Creek Library, 4834 W. 9000 South, on Friday, Jan. 16, 3:30 p.m. It will also be at the East Millcreek Library, 2266 E. Evergreen Ave., on Monday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. There will be three more shows during February at other libraries.

Still another premiere library program during the new year will be the "Stone Cold Magic" show at Salt Lake County libraries. Jeff Stone presents a family-oriented program of close-up magic. The event debuts on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 11 a.m. at the Tyler Library, 8041 S. Wood St., Midvale.

It will move to the Draper Library, 12441 S. 900 East, on Monday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m., and to the Kearns Library, 5350 S. 4220 West, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m.

The magic show will also move to the Whitmore, Park, Herriman, West Jordan and Bingham Creek libraries later in the month. During February, it will be at four other libraries.

-- Here is a sampling of some books available at local libraries for third-grade level readers:

"Taxicab Tales," by Barbara Ann Porte. Daddy tells his family stories about the colorful passengers he picks up in his taxi.

"The Skirt," by Gary Soto. When Miata leaves the skirt that she needs to wear in a school dance performance on the school bus, she needs all her wits to get it back without her parents knowing she has lost something yet again.

"Rats on the Range and Other Stories," by James Marshall. In eight animal stories, the reader meets a rat family that takes vacations at the dude ranch, a pig who takes lessons in table manners, a mouse who keeps house for a tomcat and other stories.

"Andrew Wants a Dog," by Steven Kroll. When his father refuses to let him have a dog, Andrew, 7, decides to become a dog with the help of a realistic dog costume and a magic shop.

-- Here are some other library events coming during the next month:

Wednesdays in January: "Book Baby" for babies up to age 2 and their caregivers at the Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E. 400 South.

Monday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.: Bilingual story time for children at the Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E. 400 South.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10:15 and 11 a.m.: "Music Together" for ages 3- 5 at the Draper Library, 12441 S. 900 East. Space is limited, so obtain advance tickets at the main library desk.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m.: "Teen Poetry Cafe" for ages 12 and up at both the Riverton Library, 12860 S. Redwood Road, and the Whitmore Library, 2197 E. 7000 South.

Friday, Jan. 9, 3:30 p.m.: "Frog and Road Fan Club" for kindergarten and first-graders only at the Bingham Creek Library, 4834 W. 9000 South.

Friday, Jan. 9, 3:30 p.m.: "Let It Snow," for ages 5-12 at the West Jordan Library, 1970 W. 7800 South.

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 4 p.m.: "The O.K. Club: Only Kindergartners Club" at the Sandy Library, 10100 S. Petunia Way.

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 10:30 a.m.: "Music is in the Air" for ages 2- 5 at the Sandy Library, 10100 S. Petunia Way. Call 944-7574 to register.

Thursday, Jan. 15, 4 p.m.: "After School at the Library," featuring self-defense techniques for grades two through six at the Riverton Library, 12860 S. Redwood Road.

Thursday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m.: Science fair workshop at the Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E. 400 South.

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 4 p.m.: "Teen Scene." Hang out with teens for treats and activities at the Sandy Library, 10100 S. Petunia Way.

Thursday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m.: Celebrate the Chinese New Year at the Riverton Library, 12860 S. Redwood Road.

Saturday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Celebrate the Chinese New Year, "Year of the Monkey," at a daylong event at the Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E. 400 South.

Monday, Jan. 26, 4 p.m.: "Awesome Reads" for grades four through six at the Riverton Library, 12860 S. Redwood Road.

Monday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m.: Science fair workshop at the Sprague Library, 2131 S. 1100 East.

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m.: "Safety on the World Wide Web," ages 10 to adult at the West Jordan Library, 1970 W. 78000 South.

E-mail lynn@desnews.com.