Phoenixville Public Library offers free online programs in December

• Phoenixville Public Library hosts the next virtual event in the “Community Gardening around the Village” series on Monday, Dec. 6 at 7 PM. Teresa J. Avery, Master Watershed Steward of Chester County for the Penn State Extension, will present “Native Plants in Holiday Celebrations.” Learn about the importance of native plants in our landscapes, the role those natives have played in a variety of holiday celebrations, and how to use native plants in your holiday celebrations this year. This event is free and open to the public and will be held online via Zoom. Registration is required at https://ccls.libcal.com/calendar/Phoenixville/nativeplants-holiday or by calling 610-933-3013 x132. Email mpinto@ccls.org for more information or assistance with using Zoom.

• Mr. Paul and Holly Bee will bring a little bit of holiday cheer to Phoenixville Public Library patrons as they present a free virtual holiday concert on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 PM. The duo has been part of the Phoenixville music scene for the past five years and has performed at many venues around the area, including Steel City and the Sound Bank. In their Zoom concert, they’ll present your favorite holiday songs, old and new. Sample the joys of the season with the Mr. Paul and Holly Bee Holiday Show. Holly Beebee and Paul Wentworth met in the Phoenixville Acoustic Jam Group in 2015 and started singing together as “Mr. Paul and Holly Bee” in 2018. They are known for their unique vocal blend and are lively performers such that they have been invited to perform in various venues around Chester, Delaware and Bucks counties. This event is free and open to the public and will be held online via Zoom. Registration is required at https://ccls.libcal.com/ calendar/Phoenixville/ paul-and-holly-holiday or by calling 610-933-3013 x132. Email mpinto@ccls. org for more information or assistance with using Zoom.

• The Phoenix Book Club, Phoenixville Public Library’s book discussion group for adults of all ages, will meet virtually on Monday, Dec. 13 at 7 PM. The group will discuss Fredrik Backman’s bestselling novel, “Anxious People.” Viewing an apartment normally doesn’t turn into a life-or-death situation, but this particular open house becomes just that: a failed bank robber bursts in and takes everyone in the apartment hostage. As police surround the premises and television channels broadcast the hostage situation live, the eight strangers begin opening up to one another. Before long, the robber must decide which is the more terrifying prospect: going out to face the police or staying in the apartment with this group of impossible people. A physical or audiobook copy of this book may be reserved at https://www.ccls.org. An e-book or e-audiobook copy may be reserved at https://chester.overdrive. com. This event is free and open to the public and will be held online via Zoom. If you are not already on the Book Club’s email list, registration is required at https://ccls.libcal.com/ calendar/Phoenixville/ anxious-people or by calling 610-933-3013 x132 to receive an invitation to this event. Email mpinto@ ccls.org for more information or assistance with using Zoom.

• Phoenixville Public Library shines its Community Services Spotlight on CASA Youth Advocates in a free virtual presentation on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 10 AM. Tracey Walsh, Court Appointed Special Advocate with CASA Youth Advocates, will be the speaker. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Delaware and Chester counties makes sure children who have experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and achieve a bright future. They are a volunteerdriven agency that gives a powerful voice to children. Their advocates are the eyes and ears of the court, focusing on one family, and providing the consistency and care that is so often lacking in the child welfare system. Please join us for a 20-minute informational session about the work that they do and how you can help. This event is free and open to the public and will be held online via Zoom. Registration is required at https:// ccls.libcal.com/calendar/ Phoenixville/casa-youthadvocates or by calling 610-933-3013 x132. Email mpinto@ccls.org for more information or assistance with using Zoom.

• Movies on Tap, Phoenixville Public Library’s film discussion group for adults in their 20s and 30s, will meet virtually on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 PM. The group will discuss “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005, rated R). Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer & Michelle Monaghan star in this comedy/murder mystery. After being mistaken for an actor, a New York thief is sent to Hollywood to train under a private eye for a potential movie role, but the duo is thrown together with a struggling actress into a murder mystery. Please watch the film independently prior to the discussion. This event is free and open to the public and will be held online via Zoom. Email Faith Donaher at fdonaher@gmail.com to receive an invitation to the meeting and for more information.

• Phoenixville-based pianist and recording artist Joe Kenney will perform a virtual concert live on Phoenixville Public Library’s Facebook page on Thursday, Dec.16, at 7 PM. Kenney will be performing solo piano arrangements of Christmas classics and jazz standards, as well as improvisational piano works in a new-age/ classical/jazz blend in the spirit of his upcoming album, “Reflections on Inner Transformation.” You can find Joe on social media everywhere @JoeKenneyPiano as well as on Spotify/Apple Music and via www.joekenneypiano. com. This event is free and open to the public and will be held online on Phoenixville Public Library’s Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/phxville. Email mpinto@ccls. org for more information.

• Free, in-person tech help is available at Phoenixville Public Library during selected hours on Monday afternoons and Tuesday & Wednesday evenings. Onehour appointments for assistance with your laptop, tablet or smartphone from the library’s volunteer tutors are available by calling 610-933-3013 x132.