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Public forum on Dark Skies Initiative

The Dark Skies Committee, a subcommittee of the Lincoln Planning Board, will hold a public information forum on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7:30pm in the Donaldson Room in the Town Hall and via Zoom. The discussion will center on the effects of nocturnal lighting on wildlife, insects, and humans, and on what can be done to mitigate its negative effects while promoting safe lighting practices. The committee will also address possible bylaw changes that could move the town towards compliance with guidelines in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Dark Skies Initiative.

Library happenings

The Lincoln Quilt Group members (Nancy Constable, Anne Crosby, Tricia Deck, Linda MacNeil, Victoria Mielke, Margaret Olson, Lucy Sachs, Kathleen Sacknoff, Jane Solar, and Dilla Tingley) are showing their quilts in the Lincoln Library gallery for the month of January. The quilts will be offered for sale in a silent auction, and proceeds will go to the successful bidder’s charity of choice. Bids will close on Thursday, Jan. 29 and winners will be announced at the closing reception to be held on Friday, Jan. 30 from 3:00–5:00pm. Instructions for bidding are on the table just inside the entryway. Questions? Call Tricia Deck at 781-223-8983.

Also coming up:

Superspy Science: Science, Death & Tech in the World of James Bond
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2:00-3:00pm (Zoom)
Author Dr. Kathryn Harkup, writer, science communicator and vampirologist, will discuss the science behind James Bond’s exploits, including armaments, tactics, plots and enemy tech, outlined in her book. Register here.

Wildlife Out Your Window
Saturday, Jan. 17, 1:30–2:30pm, Tarbell Room
Join us for an author event with Brad Timm on his book, Wildlife Out Your Window: Fascinating Facts About 100 Animals Commonly Seen in the Northeastern U.S. Did you know that blue jay feathers aren’t actually blue, or that some foxes can climb trees? Brad, a wildlife ecologist and the founder and executive director of the Northeast Wildlife Team, will share some of his favorite facts from the book, discuss simple actions each of us can take to help wildlife around us, and answer your wildlife questions.

How Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7:00–8:00pm, Zoom
Author Elyse Graham will discuss her new book, Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II, the true untold story of the academics who became OSS spies, invented modern spycraft, and helped turn the tide of the war to defeat the Nazis. Register here.

Drop-in Craft: Make a Vision Board
Saturday, Jan. 24, 12:00–3:00pm
Stop by the Reference Room and create your own vision board. This is a drop-in craft and all materials will be provided — just bring your goals and dreams for the year! Ages 10 and up. 

Pop-Up Art School: Night Sky with Trees
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 5:30–7:00pm
Paint a star-filled night sky with silhouettes of a hillside and trees. Ages 13+. Register here.

Hospice volunteer training

Care Dimensions is offering training for this interested in becoming hospice volunteers and offering companionship and support to patients and families, usually in their homes or at the hospice house in Lincoln. Training is on Monday and Wednesday mornings from Feb. 23 to March 11 via Zoom. Click here to register by February 13 or email volunteerinfo@caredimensions.org to learn more.

Movie: “A Squirrel’s Guide to Success”

Come to the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust office above the Tack Room on Thursday, Jan. 29 to see a Nature/PBS production about squirrels’ problem-solving skills, acrobatic maneuvers, and more. Free; all ages welcome. RSVP here.

Book discussion with Minute Men

All are invited to join the Lincoln Minute Men for their next book group event, a discussion of Alfred Young’s The Shoemaker and the Tea Party: Memory and the American Revolution on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2:30 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The book examines the role of George Robert Twelves Hewes, who participated in key events of the American Revolution. Purchase a copy or order one to borrow from the Minuteman Library Network.