Tickets available for annual Garden Gala
Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Garden Gala: Down the Rabbit Hole on April 26 at Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Road.
The annual 21-and-older fundraiser is hosted by the Northland Public Library Foundation.
According to the foundation, Northland Public Library is the second-largest library in Allegheny County. In 2023, it circulated more than a million physical items — more than any library in the county.
The gala once again will feature a selection of local food and beverage vendors, live entertainment, a silent auction and more.
The sponsor and VIP reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., with general admission entry at 7:30.
Tickets cost $125 for VIP guests and $75 for general admission. To purchase tickets, visit northlandlibrary.org/foundation/garden-gala.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To help, visit the above website and click on the sponsorship opportunities link.
For details about the event, call Alexis McKinley, foundation director, at 412-366-8100, ext. 104, or email her at mckinleya@northlandlibrary.org. Contact McKinley if you would like to serve as a food and beverage vendor.
Adult winter reading challenge continues through Feb. 28
It’s not too late to join Cabin Fever, Northland Public Library’s winter reading challenge for adults.
For every book read, you’ll have a chance to win a prize. Gift card winners will be chosen during the third full week of February, and a grand-prize drawing will take place at the end.
To register yourself or family members, visit ReadSquared at https://northlandlibrary.readsquared.com.
Book lists by category are available on Readsquared, at the Ask A Librarian desk and on the main Northland Public Library website.
For questions, contact the Ask A Librarian desk at 412-366-8100, ext. 113, or email NorthlandAdults@northlandlibrary.org.
Programs for adults
• Talking Flirty: Romance Authors Tell All: 2 p.m. Feb. 15
Spend some time with local authors as they discuss all things romance, from subgenres to writing characters to writing “those” love scenes. Susan Helene Gottfried will moderate a panel with Christina Bunner, Lainey Davis, Beck Grey, Kimberly Miller and Liz Milliron. Registration is required for this author panel. Authors will have books available for purchase and signing.
• Property Tax Rent Rebate Clinic: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 21
Are you 65 or older? Do you own or rent your home? Depending on your income, you may qualify for a one-time rebate payment from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. The office of Sen. Devlin Robinson will be on-site to offer free assistance with applying for this program. Widows and widowers and adults older than 18 who are 100% disabled also may qualify. More information about eligibility and required documents are on the Department of Revenue’s website. Registration is required.
• Documentary Viewing … “Crazy Love”: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24
This 2007 documentary tells the strange love affair of Burt Pugach and Linda Riss. Pugach is a successful attorney in 1950s New York when he meets much-younger Riss. After Riss breaks off contact with Pugach, he hires men to throw lye in her face, blinding and permanently scarring her. Snacks will be provided. Registration is required.
Programs for children, tweens and teens
• Homeschool Meet-up … Storytelling: 10 a.m. Feb. 7
Join master storyteller Susan Claus as she demonstrates different oral storytelling techniques and styles. She also will share tips for telling your own stories. Space is limited. Register each child separately for this program for students ages 9-15.
• Mother Goose Tummy Time: 10 a.m. Feb. 18 and March 18
Babies from 3 to 12 months along with a caregiver are invited to join us for a 20-minute storytime, followed by instruction from a physical therapist on how to help your baby in their current stage of development. Enjoy some time to socialize afterward Registration is required.
Ongoing programs
• Nonfiction at Northland: 6:30 p.m. first Tuesday of each month
Adults are welcome to join in this informal discussion of current nonfiction books on a variety of topics. Email colemank2@northlandlibrary.org to join the group’s email list. The March 4 session will be “The Bookshop: A history of the American Bookstore” by Evan Friss.
• Mystery Lovers Book Group: 6:30 p.m. third Thursday of each month
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This group is for adults who enjoy reading and discussing good mysteries. The Feb. 20 book will be “Good Bad Girl” by Alice Feeney. March 20 will be “The Road to Murder” by Camilla Trinhieri.
• Crafting With Ms. Kim: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Feb. 12, 19 and 26; and March 5, 12, 19 and 26
Stop by to make a cute, quick, 15-minute craft to take home at this crafting time for children ages 3 to 6. Find Ms. Kim in Room 108, Children’s Department, for this drop-in program. No registration is required.
• Nature Friends Storytime: 10 a.m. third Tuesday of each month; Feb. 18 and March 18
Join us for a half-hour of nature-themed stories, songs and library fun for children ages 3 to 5. No registration is required for this free program, but space is limited.
• Movie matinee: 1:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month.
Adults are invited to peek into the sights and culture of other lands through a travel or foreign film feature. No registration is required. The Feb. 19 film will be “Martinique,” which explores the Caribbean Island of Martinique. The film showcases the beaches, snorkeling and Creole cooking on the island, as well as its rum plantations, Empress Josephine’s estate, Balata Gardens and Fort St. Louis.
For a full listing of events, activities and ongoing groups, and to register for programs, visit northlandlibrary.org.