July Programs Bring You Great Outdoor Activities, Reading Camp Fun & Best-selling Authors

Posted on June 23, 2022 at 4:30 am

Adults can get active at our walking program for seniors and at our Tai Chi program. Meet two best-selling authors in July when we kick off our SCLD Online Authors Series. Plus, you can get help and great information during the plant clinic, Medicare workshop, and Picture Book Chat.

Starting a business? Sign up for this month’s business workshop presented by a SCORE Spokane business mentor.

Kids can experience a week outdoors at Camp Read-a-Rama in a Spokane Valley park. Families can tackle camping challenges as a team, which includes creating a tasty camping treat. Storytime heads outdoors at our libraries and in local parks—enjoy nature while experiencing new tales!

For Adults

Master Gardeners Plant Clinic

Need assistance identifying a garden pest or determining why a plant is not thriving? The Master Gardeners can help with a wide variety of horticulture issues, including plant selection, installation, and maintenance; plant problem diagnosis and treatment; environmentally sound gardening practices; pest identification* and management; and effective landscaping practices.

Presented by the Spokane Master Gardeners

*Due to limited space, please bring samples for pest identification in a 1-gallon plastic zipper bag or smaller. For additional information about preparing a sample for pest identification, contact Master Gardeners at 509.477.2181 or by email at mastergardener@spokanecounty.org.

CHENEY
Friday, July 1 & 15, 1–5pm

Outdoor Tai Chi

Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese exercise of simple, easy to learn postures and movements that support balance and relaxation and promote health and wellbeing. Tai Chi is gentle enough for anyone to enjoy. An instructor from the School of Tai Chi Chuan, Spokane, offers a beginner’s introduction to Yang style short form of Tai Chi. Adults

Event may be subject to cancellation due to smoke, rain, excessive heat, or changes to CDC guidelines for outdoor gatherings.

OTIS ORCHARDS
Saturday, July 9, 9–10am

Active Seniors Walk

Expert walk organizers from Striders of the Inland Northwest have planned an invigorating morning walk for folks 55+. After the walk the library will provide a socially distanced tailgate gathering of breakfast snacks. Adults 55+

Registration is required.

WATERFRONT PARK
Lefevre St/Hwy 2 (Medical Lake)
Wednesday, July 13
Check in: 8:45am
Walk: 9–10:30am | REGISTER

Meet in the Waterfront Park parking lot. Walk will proceed through residential Medical Lake and return along the paved waterfront trail for an approximate 3-mile loop.

Medicare-Related Cost Savings

If you’re getting ready to enroll in Medicare or you’re already a Medicare beneficiary, you’re invited to this free, unbiased presentation to see if you qualify for programs that could save you over $170 per month of Medicare costs. We also discuss wellness and preventive benefits and durable medical equipment (DME). Adults

This free, unbiased presentation is provided by ALTCEW and SHIBA.

Registration is required.

SPOKANE VALLEY
Wednesday, July 13, 1–2pm | REGISTER

ONLINE
Wednesday, July 20, 1–2pm | REGISTER

Picture Book Chat

Discover new picture books that children will enjoy with librarians Mary Ellen and Sheri, as they chat about recently released titles in our collection. Hear and see what they like about these wonderful books for toddlers, preschoolers, and emergent readers. They also share some book-inspired activities you can try with the children in your lives. Adults

View Picture Book Chat on our Facebook page at www.scld.org/facebook.

If you miss this on Facebook, you can see it and previous episodes on our YouTube channel at www.scld.org/pbc-playlist.

ONLINE
Wednesday, July 20, 1–2pm

SCLD Online Authors Series – NEW!

The Henna Artist: Author Talk with Alka Joshi

During this evening with New York Times best-selling author and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Alka Joshi, she discusses her bestselling books, The Henna Artist and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur.

In this interview, Alka will share her inspirations for her work, how her mother’s life story has influenced her writing, and what it’s been like working on creating a Netflix series based on her books, and will answer questions from the audience.

Alka Joshi was born in India and immigrated to the US when she was nine years old, and she published her debut novel, The Henna Artist, at the age of 62. The Henna Artist transports readers back to 1950s India and follows Lakshmi Shastri, a skilled henna artist and herbalist. While working for Jaipur’s elite, Lakshmi hides an abusive marriage she ran away from 13 years earlier. Unfortunately, her husband finds her and appears with a sister Lakshmi knew nothing about. Lakshmi’s well-thought-out future is severely disrupted. Adults

Registration is required.

ONLINE
Thursday, July 7, 6pm | REGISTER

Getting Things Done: Author Talk with David Allen

We have a conversation with New York Times bestselling author David Allen, one of the world’s most influential thinkers on personal productivity. David’s 35 years of experience as a management consultant and executive coach has earned him worldwide and Forbes’ recognition as one of the top five executive coaches in the U.S.

David Allen’s New York Times bestselling book, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, has sold millions of copies and has been published in 30 languages. The GTD (Getting Things Done) Methodology that the book describes has become a global phenomenon, taught by training companies in more than 90 countries.

The GTD Methodology has shown millions how to transform a fast-paced, overwhelming, overcommitted life into one that is balanced, integrated, and relaxed with more successful outcomes. GTD’s appeal is its broad application, from the boardroom to the living room to the classroom. It is hailed as “life-changing” by students, busy parents, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives. Adults

Registration is required.

ONLINE
Thursday, July 14, 9am | REGISTER

For Business

How to Start a Business

Start building your business with the help of a SCORE business mentor. Get help understanding business startup considerations, including questions about legal issues, taxes, insurance, and funding. We help you address these questions and more. Adults

Registration is required.

ONLINE
Thursday, July 21, 12–1:30pm | REGISTER

For Kids & Families

Eric Herman’s Cool Tunes

Eric Herman’s cool tunes for kids are witty, memorable, and so much fun! His live shows are bursting with comedy, creativity, and audience participation. You may have seen his viral hit video “The Elephant Song,” which along with his other videos, has garnered over 100 million views. Learn more at erichermanmusic.com. All ages

VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
612 4th St (Cheney)
Friday, July 1, 3–4pm

SUNSET PARK
924 S Lawson St (Airway Heights)
Friday, July 1, 7–8pm

The Great Family Camping Challenge

Enjoy the fun of camping without having to pack a tent! Work as a family or with a team to complete camping-themed activities, including creating and presenting something to eat. We have challenges for the whole family, and no camping experience is required! All ages

Registration is required.

Camp Read-a-Rama in the Park

We read and explore children’s books during camp and then use the theme from the books for our camp activities, crafts, music, and games! When you make reading part of your summer, you set yourself up for success in the coming school year. Kids entering grades 2–5

In partnership with Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation

Registration is required.

VALLEY MISSION PARK
11123 E Mission Ave (Spokane Valley)
Monday–Thursday, Jul 11–14, 10am–1pm | REGISTER

EDGECLIFF PARK
800 S Park Rd (Spokane Valley)
Monday–Thursday, Jul 18–21, 10am–1pm | REGISTER

TERRACE VIEW PARK
13525 E 24th Ave (Spokane Valley)
Monday–Thursday, Jul 25–28, 10am–1pm | REGISTER

The Solar System

Fifty-three years ago, three humans left Earth in a rocket ship to visit the surface of another celestial body for the first time in our history. To celebrate, we’ll explore our solar system, find out what it would be like to live on distant stars, and see what the brave adventurers experienced decades ago on that first trip to the moon. This program may take place outdoors or in The Lab, as circumstances permit. Grades K–5

Registration is required.

THE LAB AT NORTH SPOKANE
Saturday, July 16, 2–4pm | CHECK FOR WAITLIST

Storytimes

Nature Storytime

In-person program

Bring your preschooler to engage in stories and activities designed to spark their curiosity about the natural world. During each session, we explore a different theme to help us investigate the outdoors. Come prepared to go outside and get a close up look at nature. In the case of inclement weather, we’ll bring the outdoor fun inside. Ages 3–5 & their families

DEER PARK
Tuesdays, Jul 5–26, 10:30–11:30am

MORAN PRAIRIE
Wednesdays, Jul 6–27, 10:30–11:30am

AIRWAY HEIGHTS
Thursdays, Jul 7–28, 10:30–11:30am

OTIS ORCHARDS
Thursdays, Jul 7–28, 10:30–11:30am

Family Storytime

In-person program

During this storytime, children will enjoy 30 minutes of stories, songs, and fingerplays that explore the concepts of literacy and STEAM. Ages 2–5 & their families

Space is limited for in-person storytimes in our libraries, and these storytimes will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached.

CHENEY
Fridays, July 1–29, 10:30–11am

NORTH SPOKANE
Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, July 1–29, 9:30–10am

SPOKANE VALLEY
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, July 1–29, 9:30–10am

ARGONNE
Wednesdays, July 6–27, 10:30–11am

MEDICAL LAKE
Wednesdays, July 6–27, 10:30–11am

Family Storytime in the Park

In-person program

Children ages 2–5 and their families will enjoy 30 minutes of stories, songs, and fingerplays that explore the concepts of literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). Ages 2–5 & their families

In partnership with Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation’s Free Summer Park Program

EDGECLIFF PARK
800 S Park Rd (Spokane Valley)
Tuesday, July 5, 10:30–11am

TERRACE VIEW PARK
13525 E 24th Ave (Spokane Valley)
Wednesday, July 6, 10:30–11am

VALLEY MISSION PARK
11123 E Mission Ave (Spokane Valley)
Thursday, July 7, 10:30–11am

Online Storytime – Live

Children will have fun learning when we read stories, sing songs, and share fingerplays during storytime. Ages 2–5 & their families

Registration is required for each session.

ONLINE
Thursdays, July 7–28, 6:30–7pm | REGISTER

Tags: activities, adults, Camp Read-a-Rama, camping, community, kids, outdoors, parents, reading, storytimes, summer, tai chi, teens, tweens