There is a saying that “the eyes are the window to the soul”…but what to do if our windows are a bit blurry? Good vision is a lifelong gift, which is why it’s so important to have our eyes checked regularly.
When I was eight years old, I was diagnosed with extreme nearsightedness, and received my first pair of glasses (I loved them!). I also remember being so relieved to discover that I had an actual medical condition that had an actual medical remedy (my Oh-So-Snazzy specs!), and that I wasn’t just “clumsy” and “constantly tripping over my own two feet.”
So, I am happy to say that the Englewood Lions Club’s Vision-Screening and Eye Care Program is offering a free Vision Screening – for children as young as six months old! – here at Elsie Quirk Library on Friday, July 20th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Vision Screening test is quick and painless (promise!) and uses state-of-the-art electronic equipment, so there’s no physical contact with the child and no eye drops are used. The Vision Screening test can identify many vision problems, including “lazy eye,” nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, gaze asymmetry, and unequal pupil sizes.
If you have young children and would like to participate in this free Vision Screening program, please stop by Elsie Quirk Library on July 20th between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Thanks so very much to the Englewood Lions Club for providing this vital service to the youngest members of our community!
Here are the library events for this week:
Saturday
- Suncoast Writers Guild meets at 10 a.m.
- Spanish Story Time at 10:30 a.m. For ages 3 and up. Bilingual stories, songs, and activities. Learn new words and practice language skills.
- Englewood Indivisible meets at 2:30 p.m.
Monday
- Forty Carrots: Partners in Play 10:15 a.m. OR 11:45 a.m. For children, up to age 5 with a parent or caregiver. A free class for you and your child to enjoy together. Experience new educational activities, join in circle-time fun, meet other families and receive valuable parenting and child development information. Attendance is limited to 12 families per session.
- Monday Night Movies at 5 p.m. An artist falls for a young married woman while he’s commissioned to paint her portrait during the Tulip mania of 17th century Amsterdam. (R, 1 hr., 45 mins.) Contact the library for movie titles.
Tuesday
- Master Gardener Plant Clinic 10 a.m. – Noon. Stop in to get free answers to your Florida gardening and landscape questions. This is made possible through a partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. For more information, call 941-861-9807 or online at sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/plantclinic.shtml.
- Reading Buddies 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. For ages 4-8. Practice reading with a buddy, or have someone read a book to you. Have fun while becoming a better reader. The volunteers are not trained experts, but some to listen and offer help when needed. *Registration is required.
- Blues Concert 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Come and listen to music performed by Suncoast Blues Society International Blues Challenge Winner George Worthmore.
- Make It! 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. For ages 5-11. Use your imagination and creativity to make an original Do-It-Yourself thing!
Wednesday
- Katie Adams’ Make-Believe Theater: Cracker Cinderella Puppet Show 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. For ages 3 and up. A musical version of “Cinderella” featuring rod puppets, storytelling, and audience participation. Puppeteer and storyteller Katie Adams blends Florida culture into the twists and turns of Cinderella’s story accompanied by hammered dulcimer music.
- Teen Advisory Group 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Join the Teen Advisory Group and provide input for Teen programs.
- Tween/Teen Game Night 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Bring your friends and play Wii and Xbox 360 video games!
- Englewood Pioneer Days Parade Committee meets at 6 p.m.
- Eckanar meets at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday
- “Sing for Your Life” Book Discussion 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join Adult Programming Librarian Alyssa Lopez as she leads a discussion of the book, “Sing for Your Life: A Story of Race, Music and Family” by Daniel Bergner. A chronicle of a young black man’s journey from violence to the world’s elite opera circles describes Ryan “Speedo” Green’s abuse-marked upbringing and st4ruggles with racism and imprisonment before winning a New York Metropolitan Opera competition.
- Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. For ages 0-5. Interact and participate with your child in a variety of early literacy activities that include music, stories, movement, crafts and school readiness activities.
- Tech Time: One-On-One Help with a Librarian 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. A Reference Librarian will be available for help with e-books, computer basics, or questions about your electronic devices. Reserve a 30-minute session today by calling 941-861-1207 or by signing up at the Reference Desk.
Friday
- Englewood Lions Club: Children’s Vision Screening Program 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Englewood Lions Club is offering free Vision Screenings for children as young as 6 months old. The Vision Screening utilizes electronic handheld camera equipment, and does not involve physical contact or eye drops. The Screenings are to identify vision issues such as astigmatism, farsightedness, nearsightedness, gaze asymmetry and unequal pupil size.
- Apples to Apples 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Calling all teens! Bring your friends and join other teens to play this fun card game of comparisons.
For more information on library programs, services, and resources visit us at 100 West Dearborn Street, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000, or visit our website at scgov.net.
