Waterbury Public Library November program highlights

November 1, 2024  | By Judi Byron 

There are several ongoing and single-event programs to highlight at the Waterbury Public Library in November.

For more information on these and all library offerings for all ages, visit the library’s website at waterburypubliclibrary.com.

Saturdays: D&D mixes it up

The Dungeons and Dragons and Table Top Role Playing Game group embark on a new adventure at the Waterbury Public Library this month. The group will explore various game systems and a rotating cast of Game Masters. If you want to try RPGs but aren't sure about D&D, or you want to try running a game yourself, this might be for you. First up is Burning Wheel, a character-driven take on high fantasy, run by Evan Hoffman.

This group meets every Saturday, 1-5 p.m. at the library in person and online via Zoom or Discord.  Log into the server at any time to ask questions, meet a welcoming community and stay up-to-date on upcoming games. Occasionally sessions are held online in case of bad weather. Rated PG-13, for fantasy violence.

Thursdays: Art Yoga 

An example of art from Art Yoga shared by Waterbury Public Library.

What is Art Yoga?  Simply put, it is a unique approach to practicing the skills of awareness and embracing the spirit of the beginner’s mind (yoga) with a child’s sense of play and curiosity along the lies of color, shape and texture (art). This is not an art class and this series is not about producing artworks.  No yoga pants are needed, nor will you be expected to hold a position.  Yoga is defined by the cessation of the fluctuations of mind. Mind is where you give your attention.  Art Yoga uses art in action as a focal point. With this focus, the mind settles. Even though art is the tool for the focus, participants are not expected to produce anything.

Intrigued? Artist and yogini Sharon Fennimore leads the class beginning on Thursdays in November. Fennimore has had over 25 years of experience teaching yoga and meditation. She considers the power of mind and our ability to choose the thoughts we determine worthy of cultivation as our true source of power and agency.  Learn more about Fennimore and Art Yoga here.

The series will run for six weeks Nov. 7 to Dec. 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (No class on Thanksgiving, Nov. 28.) Register in advance with an email to judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

Nov. 13: Outsmart the Scammers

Incidents of fraud are on the rise and scammers’ tactics are becoming more complex.  Do you know the red flags that may indicate a fraudulent encounter?  If you are unsure, don’t miss this important seminar with Nick Hart.  “Outsmart the Scammers” will give you the information on what to watch for.  If you have been taken in, there are resources you can turn to and steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

This is the third workshop in a fall series with Edward Jones.  This seminar will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the library. Register with an email in advance to judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

Nov. 19: Acupressure you can do at home

Acupressure is a practice that involves putting pressure on strategic points throughout the body that are also acupuncture points. However instead of using needles, acupressure involves applying pressure to the area for a certain duration of time and is designed to relieve symptoms associated with that particular point. Findings show that it can help alleviate pain and discomfort caused by a host of conditions. Best of all, you can practice this ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine in the comfort of your own home. 

Waterbury licensed acupuncturist Travis Beto, owner of OPEN Community Acupuncture, will visit the library on Tuesday, Nov. 19, for a workshop from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to share this ancient and simple practice of self-massage. “You can help yourself (and others as well) by identifying easily accessible areas of the body to apply self-massage that can be useful to help relieve pain in common areas such as the back, neck and shoulders or hand and feet, along with other conditions such as headache and even allergies,” Beto explains. 

Register in advance with an email to judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

Judi Byron is the Waterbury Public Library’s Adult Program Coordinator.