Hobbies, Games and Pro Skills Afoot at Ellisville Library

The Daniel Boone Branch of the St. Louis County Library in Ellisville will host classes next month aimed at expanding the horizons of all the area's residents. Children craving new activities, teens looking for ways to connect with friends and adults seeking new professional skills all will find offerings meant to enhance the year ahead.

Check out the programs listed below, and please contact the for additional details.

Editor's Note: The following information and descriptions were provided by representatives of the St. Louis County Library.

Children’s Programs:

Friday, March 2, 10:00 a.m.
Monkey Business
Go bananas as we enjoy stories, activities, and crafts all about monkeys.
Ages 3–6. Registration required.

Saturday, March 3 & 17, 2:00 p.m.
Malayalam Classes for Children
Ohmkaram presents Malayalam classes for children. Learn to speak and understand Malayalam. Classes will be held on the first and third Saturdays of each month.
Ages 4–10

Saturday, March 3 & 17, 2:00 p.m.
Tamil Classes for Children
Tamil language classes will be conducted by the Tamil School of St. Louis on first and third Saturdays of each month.
Ages 4–13. 

Monday, March 5 & 19, 7:00 p.m.
Project Chess
Join our prestigious chess club and enjoy an hour of critical thinking and reasoning. We meet twice on Mondays of each month.
Ages 8 and above. Registration required.

Thursday, March 8, 7:00 p.m.
Evening Story Time: Mice
Try to keep up with these fast, furry friends. Pajamas welcome.
Ages 2–6. Registration required.

Thursday, March 8, 7:00 p.m.
Book Bites Junior: “Martin Bridge on the Lookout” by Jessica Scott Kerrin
Martin has to entertain an unwanted guest, share lunch with a boy who eats erasers and embark on a madcap search for his school's escaped pet parakeet. We will discuss the book, share a snack, and make a craft together.
Ages 7–8. Registration required.

Thursday, March 8, 7:00 p.m.
Book Bites: “How to Train Your Dragon” by Cressida Cowell
The book chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third as he tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan, the Tribe of the Hairy Hooligans, by catching and training a dragon. We will discuss the book, share a snack, and make a craft together.
Ages 9–11. Registration required. 

Saturday, March 10 & 24, 11:00 a.m.
Mandarin Chinese Language Classes for Children
Join us to learn Mandarin Chinese twice monthly on Saturdays.
Ages 4 – 12. Registration required.

Saturday, March 10 & 24, 2:30 p.m.
Kannada Language Classes for Children
Kannada Language classes will be held twice monthly on second and fourth Saturdays.
Ages 5 –12.

Thursday, March 15, 7:00 p.m.
The Eyes Have It
Come discover how Optical Illusions fool your eyes and trick your brain.
Ages 7–14. Registration required.

Friday, March 16, 10:00 a.m.
Homeschool Explorations: The Eyes Have It
Make St. Louis County Library a partner in your homeschooling as you discover how optical illusions fool your eyes and trick your brain.
Registration required.

Thursday, March 22, 2:00 p.m.
Spring Break Kid’s Book Bingo
Join us for a few games of Bingo. Everyone will win a book.
Ages 3–11. Registration required.

Saturday, March 24, 10:00 a.m.
Shoes and Socks
Wear your favorite shoes and socks, and enjoy fun stories and activities that are all about feet.
Ages 3–6. Registration required.

Saturday, March 24, 2:00 p.m.
Lego Block Party
Calling all Lego fanatics. Stop by the Lego Block Party and show some of your building skills. We will provide the building materials, you bring the inspiration.
Ages 6–11. Registration required.

Tuesday, March 27, 7:00 p.m.
Kid’s Art Club
This month we will create art from “leftovers”.
Ages 7–11. Registration required.

Thursday, March 29, 7:00 p.m.
Art @ Your Library: Song Writing Workshop with Dino O’Dell
Award winning songwriter Dinosaur O’Dell explores the creative process with a hands–on songwriting workshop. Dino utilizes improvisation, idea generation and collaboration techniques to tease the rhythm, melody and lyrics from your imagination.
Ages 9–13. Registration required.

Friday, March 30, 10:00 a.m.
The Perfect Pet
Bring your favorite stuffed pet and enjoy stories and activities all about pets.
Ages 3–6. Registration required.

Story Time
Ages 2–3; Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.
Ages 4–6; Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Lap Time
Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.
Listen to stories, sing songs, and enjoy other fun activities to stimulate the mental and physical development of your child.
Ages 9 months to 2 years.

Teen Programs:

Thursday, March 1, 7:00 p.m.
Teen Advisory Group
Are you interested in helping the library better serve teens? Join the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) to share your opinions and ideas. TAG meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Teen Corner.
Ages 12–18.

Wednesday, March  7, 14, 21 & 28, 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Knitting for Tweens
Would you like to learn the basics of knitting?  If so, this series of classes is for you.  All supplies are furnished.
Ages 10–12. Space is limited. Registration required.

Friday, March 9, 7:00 p.m.
Art @ Your Library: Murder Mystery Express
DaySpring School of the Arts presents Murder Mystery Express. Author Serena McCarthy will guide you through an interactive web of mystery techniques culminating in solving and writing your own murder mystery. This two–hour writing workshop will be fun and fast–moving and will unravel the mystery of mystery writing.
Ages 12–14. Registration required.

Friday, March 16, 6:00 p.m.
Teen Tech Week: “Hunger Games” Tribute Challenge
Winning means fame and fortune, losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun! Come test your skills and see if you have what it takes to survive the arena.
Ages 12–18. Registration required.  

Thursday, March 22, 7:00 pm
Beyond Book Bites: “Flygirl” by Sherri L. Smith
During World War II, a light–skinned African American girl “passes” for white in order to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots. We will discuss the book, share a snack, and make a craft together.
Ages 11–14. Registration required. 

Adult Programs

Thursday, March 1, 7:00 p.m.
PowerPoint Possibilities
Come join us for a discussion of the creative possibilities available using Microsoft PowerPoint, and a few tips and tricks that can make the process easier!
Registration required. Adults.

Saturday, March 3, 11:00 a.m.
Cooking Class: Spicy Szechuan noodles
Join Lisa while she shows us how to make "Spicy Szechuan noodles".
Adults. Registration required.

Saturday, March 3 & 17, 10:00 a.m.
Yoga & Meditation presented by the Patanjali Pyramid Spiritual Society
Practice yoga and meditation on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Reduce stress and restore health, harmony and peace to your life.  Please bring your mats and eat lightly before coming to the class.
Adults. Registration required. 

Monday, March 5, 7:00 p.m.
Susan Rava, Author of “Swimming Solo: A Daughter’s Memoir of Her Parents, His Parents, and Alzheimer’s Disesase”
St. Louisan Susan Rava and her husband John spent over 14 years caring for their parents, each of whom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. “Swimming Solo” is a celebration of the vibrant lives their parents lived and an inspiration for anyone who takes on the role of Alzheimer's caregiver. Books for signing will be available for purchase at the event.  

Tuesday, March 6, 2:00 p.m.
Free Film Series: Seniors
“Going in Style” (1979) Joe, Al, and Willie are three old men who have resigned themselves to dying. One night, Joe hatches a scheme to put a bit of excitement back into their lives: robbing a bank. George Burns, Art Carney, Lee Strasberg. MPAA rating: PG Running time: 97 min. Refreshments served.
Adults. Registration requested.

Tuesday, March 6, 6:30 p.m.
Free Film Series: Seniors
“Driving Miss Daisy” (1989) Set against the changing American South, this adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize–winning play stars Jessica Tandy as the independent, yet eccentric Miss Daisy, and Morgan Freeman as her chauffeur, Hoke. Winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture. Andrea is a small-town girl in her first job out of college, who tries to navigate the waters of the high-powered fashion magazine world -- while... MPAA rating: PG. Running time: 99 min. Refreshments served.
Adults. Registration requested.

Tuesday, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Creative Writing Workshop
Writers and aspiring writers participate in an 8–week session in February and March examining basic principles of good writing and sharing and critiquing their own personal work. Essays, short stories, memoirs, novel chapters–all are welcome. Take advantage of the chance to connect with other aspiring writers while developing and expanding your own skills.
Adults. Registration requested.

Saturday, March 10 & 17, 2:00 p.m.
Hindi Class
Hindi classes will meet twice on Saturdays. Classes run for one hour.
Ages 7– adult. Registration required.

Monday, March 12, 7:00 p.m.
Just One More Stitch
Enjoy the company of fellow needle workers and bring any handwork you enjoy doing. Lessons given for those who want to learn to knit and crochet.
All ages. Registration requested.

Monday, March 12 & 26, 6:30 p.m.
Yoga Basics with Diane
Join us for a comprehensive introduction to yoga basics. The class meets twice monthly on Mondays. Please bring your mats and eat lightly before you come to class.
Adults. Registration required.

Tuesday, March 13, 2:00 p.m.
50+: Rocks for Your Garden
This month you can put your creative talents to work! We will be painting designs/scenes/pictures on rocks to display in your summer garden.
Limited to 15 people. Registration required.

Wednesday, March 14, 2:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
Boone’s Bookies: Book Discussion Group
We will discuss “The False Friend” by Myla Goldberg. Celia and Djuna were childhood best friends in upstate New York. Walking home from school one day through a wooded area, Djuna disappears and is never found. Twenty years later, Celia returns home and attempts to set the record straight. Refreshments will be served.
Registration requested.  

Wednesday, March 14, 6:30 p.m.
Rain Gardening with Scott Woodbury of the Shaw Nature Reserve
Rain gardens provide beauty, natural diversity and wildlife habitat in areas that otherwise would be a monoculture of lawns, pavement, concrete culverts and storm drains. Rain gardens function like miniature natural watersheds. Join us for this information discussion.
Registration requested.

Friday, March 16, 1:00 p.m.
Books ‘n More: A Book Discussion Club
The book of the month is “Kingdom” by Clive Cussler. This club meets once a month on the third Friday.
Adults. Registration required.

Saturday, March 24, 2:00 p.m.
Culture Quest: France
Experience France in a new way–from the comfort of your chair! Travel to historic Cathedrals, explore the myths that surround this area and even learn a word or two in Breton (regional language).
All ages. Registration required.

Wednesday, March 28, 7:00 p.m.
Creating Your Successful Weight Loss Plan
Are you interested in losing weight and improving your health but don’t know the first step? Do you get lost in the gym and confused by dieting advice? Join us for a lively discussion lead by a NASM/ ACE certified fitness coach on strategies to overcome these obstacles and help guarantee success on your weight loss journey.
Registration requested.

Card Sharks and Games
Wednesdays 1:00 p.m.
Choose your favorite card game or board game and match up with others who enjoy playing. Get your own group together for bridge, pinochle, canasta, dominoes or mahjong and have an enjoyable afternoon.
Registration requested.

English as a Second-Language (ESL) Classes for Adults
Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m.
Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.
Thursdays, 7:00 p.m.
The Rockwood School district and St. Louis County Library presents ESL Classes for Adults. Registration required.

GED Classes for Adults
Mondays, 9:00 a.m.
Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.
The Rockwood School District and St. Louis County Library presents GED Classes for adults. Registration required.