Kids summertime
book group offered

The Scarborough Public Library is offering a new summertime kids book group. Called, “Janet’s Book Group,” the first meeting will be held on Friday, July 8, at 11:15 a.m.

The book for July is “From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” by E. L. Konigsburg. In this tale by a two-time Newbury Medal Winner, Claudia Kincaid decides to run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, taking her younger brother, Jamie, along for the ride.

This event is free and open to the public. See www.scarboroughlibrary.org or call 883-4723 for more information.

Fundraiser at Otto
for Clear Skies
On Tuesday, July 12, 5-9 p.m., the citizen advocacy group Protect South Portland will hold a fundraiser at Otto Pizza on Cottage Road for the Clear Skies Legal Defense Fund. The city of South Portland is currently defending a ban on the importation of tar sands oil in federal court. During the fundraiser, Otto’s will set aside a certain percentage of its profits for the night. Call 517-3051 for more information or see www.ottoportland.com for a menu.

Library offers
puppet adventures

The South Portland Public Library is hosting Lindsay and her Puppet Pals on Tuesday, July 12, at 6 p.m. at the Main Library. Lindsay will be visiting with a picky dragon, an heroic groundhog, a little horse with big determination and other wacky friends.

This program, which is filled with silliness, active audience engagement, and unique, memorable characters, is sure to delight the young and the young at heart. The event is free and open to the public. Lindsay targets her show to children 3 to 8, but all ages are welcome. See www.southportlandlibrary.com or call 767-7660, ext. 3, for more information.

Improv session
especially for teens
The Scarborough Public Library is holding a fun and imaginative improv session for grades 6 and up featuring a variety of games and exercises with actor David La Graffe. During the session, scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, at 6 p.m., he will show participants how to create monologues and scenes out of thin air. The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. See www.scarboroughlibrary.org or call 883-4723, ext.3, to sign up or for more information.

Seashell wreaths,
marsh mammals
The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center is offering a couple of special events in July, including a session on creating a seashell wreath on Wednesday, July 13, at 5:30 p.m. and an opportunity to learn about and maybe even see the mammals that live in the marsh on Thursday, July 14, at 1 p.m.

The seashell wreath session is $17 for members and $20 for non-members. Participants will have the chance to make a unique wreath out of seashells and sea glass. Bring your own materials or use ones the center has on hand. Whether you’re a Maine resident or just a visitor, you’ll be able to bring back the beauty of the salt marsh to display in your home. Pre-registration is required.

The marsh mammal session is geared toward children 5 and up. Learn how Maine’s largest saltwater marsh is home to a variety of animals, such as fox, muskrats, mink, river otter and more. Participants will see mammal mounts up close and be able to touch mammal pelts and skulls. Participants will also be able to go out on the marsh and look for signs of these special animals. The cost is $5 for members and $7 for non-members. Pre-registration is required.

Call 883-5100 or email to smac@maineaudubon.org to sign up for either one or both of these programs or see www.maineaudubon.org/find-us/scarborough-marsh for more information.

The Scarborough Public Library is holding a new book group for kids this summer. Read “From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” by E. L. Konigsburg for the first session.

Lindsay and her Puppet Pals will be at the South Portland Public Library on Tuesday, July 12.

River otters are just one of the interesting mammals that calls the Scarborough Marsh home.

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