Back in the 1990s, the Loch Raven branch of the Baltimore County Library closed in an effort to save tax dollars. The neighborhood came together and worked to re-open the branch, initially using volunteers to partially staff the facility.
Loch Raven residents responded again in November of 2010, when a call went out for volunteers wishing to form a group, Friends of the Loch Raven Library.
The first project was a cleanup in June 2011 and organizers reported it was obvious from the response that patrons of the library appreciated the Friends' efforts — especially the garden that members had planted and maintained throughout the summer.
Their newest project is a speaker series which meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. in the meeting room on the lower lever.
The Feb. 14 speaker is photographer and film director David Simpson, who created "Loch Raven Photography," the book of photographs depicting the natural beauty of the Loch Raven Reservoir.
The book is usually $45, but he will have some on hand for $35.
Simpson is a graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art.
The speaker series is off to a good start; the committee was impressed with the turnout for the January speaker, Fred Hershenfeld, CPA and financial planner, who spoke on the topic, "Making Your Money Last in Today's Challenging Economy."
On March 13, the speaker will be Don Robertson, the director of Earth Save Baltimore, earthsavebaltimore.org. He will speak on, "A Menu of Love: The Vegetarian Lifestyle."
Future topics include using technology to keep in touch with friends and family and a presentation by author and former county historian John McGrain of "scenic Baltimore County."
The committee also hopes to offer a summer evening speaker series, in response to community feedback
Leslea Knauff, treasurer of the Friends, stated "our immediate goal is to create community awareness that Loch Raven Library has much to offer and grow a membership base to advocate for additional resources and for the increase in the evening hours of the library and staffing in order to make that happen.
"Currently the library is only open on Monday and Wednesday evenings," she said. "It is usually packed, so we know that the need is there."
The committee meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. — it's next meeting is Feb. 15.
Members also man a membership table at the library on Saturdays, where patrons are able to learn about the Friends of the Library and give feedback about services and needs.
The public is invited to the free speaker series at the library 1046 Taylor Avenue; seating is first come, first served. For more information about the Friends of the Library or to volunteer, email Lochravenlibraryfriends@gmail.com or call the library at 410-887-4444.
Valentines and math seem an unlikely pair (unless you really love numbers), but it was a winning combination at Pleasant Plains Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 10, night when students and their families gathered at the school for a Family Math Night and the Snowflake-Valentine Dance.
The evening included stations featuring math games to challenge both the students and their parents, organized by assistant principal, Don Setzer.
"It's funny watching the children play games that are not plugged in and don't have bells, lights and whistles," Setzer said.
After the games, patrons could enjoy pizza, cookies and other goodies, then dance the chicken dance, electric slide and hokey pokey.
Proceeds from the dance will be used for the school's technology, physical education and Positive Behavior Intervention Systems programs.
Principal Maureen Partilla said the dance and math night are, "a great way to celebrate as a community and to learn to love math.
She expressed thanks to the teachers Steve Ey, Steve Jasper and Robb Berkenkemper — and Setzer — for organizing the event.
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