Pick Up at New Skill at March 24 How-To Festival; Learn Basics of Organic Gardening March 25
If the idea of signing up for a four-week course and paying cash to explore a new hobby is off-putting, how about a 30-minute “speed-dating-style” event where you can sample any of 35 hobbies and skills – for free?
That’s the idea behind the library district’s How-To Festival from 10 a.m.-3:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at the Library Center. We’re bringing it back this year because it was wildly popular last year, and we’re repeating some of the popular sessions. All ages are welcome.
You will have to make some choices, since there are four to five concurrent sessions on different topics every 30 minutes.
The topics vary widely, and you can see the full schedule in Bookends (available at any library branch) or at thelibrary.org/howtofestival.
Here’s a sample: How to Practice Krav Maga Self-Defense; How to Identify Missouri Birds; How to Photograph Backyard Nature and Wildlife; How to Find & Identify Mushrooms (by Dan Liles of the Missouri Mycological Society local chapter); How to Make Flowers from Recycled Books; How to Create & Produce Your Own Podcast (by podcasters Aaron Carsten and Ross Payton); How to Code Your Own 3-D Printer Designs; How to Make Your Own Home Brew (by Todd Frye, Home Brewery owner); How to Get Started with the Ukulele; How to Design & Create a Living terrarium; How to Build a Bat House – and so much more!
Stop by the concourse during the day, too, to try virtual reality with Self Interactive, and watch the library’s 3-D printer in action.
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The practice of organic gardening sounds so healthy – ditching synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for natural sources. But how can you boost the nutrients plants need, and how do you manage insects and diseases?
Take it from Paul Robertson, an organic gardener for over 40 years, at his presentation from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 25, in the Library Station Santa Fe Room. He’ll provide the basics of organic gardening including dealing with weeds, watering, organic fertilizer, compost, mulch and organic solutions to pests and diseases.
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