Children who visit the Lochwood Branch Library can relax on a giant rainbow caterpillar-shaped floor cushion while they read their favorite book, or have fun with a rubber insect filled magnetic sand table. It’s all part of the second edition of the Every Child Ready to Read early literacy initiative, funded by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. “With this grant, we were able to get some new items for our children’s area,” Branch Manager Sarah Boeglin said. Among the items is a beautiful caterpillar rug with the complete alphabet in both capital and lowercase letters. Boeglin said the library will also have several science-related programs along with weekly educational programs for children and teens during the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club, to be held June 15 through Aug. 10. Children’s Librarian Nora Nagel held four “Fun with Math and Science” story times to implement the second edition of Every Child Ready to Read. Upcoming programs include: • 3 p.m. Thursday, June 13: Dig those Dinos! For ages 4 to 9, presented by the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Please sign up; space limited to 30 children • 3 p.m. Thursday, June 27: Raptors of Texas Live! Presented by Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. • 4 p.m. Friday, July 26: Zooniversity: Where the Wild Things Are. Ages 6 and up can see live animals and learn all about them. Every Child Ready to Read @ Dallas is a program of the Association for Library Service to Children and Public Library Association, divisions of the American Library Association. The initiative encourages parents to play an active role in their child’s pre-reading skills from birth to age five. Online registration for the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club begins Sunday, May 19. Children ages zero to 18 will be eligible to earn weekly prizes. New this year, adults will also be able to participate and can enter to win half-way and grand prizes. The Lochwood Branch of the Dallas Public Library is located at 11221 Lochwood Blvd. and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call us at 214-670-8403 or e-mail Lochwood@DallasLibrary.org.

The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce will host Mayor Mike Rawlings on Thursday, May 30* (* changed from originally scheduled date) 2013 at Lakewood Country Club 6430 Gaston Avenue. He will provide an Update for East Dallas Businesses and share: • Accomplishments of the city during one of the toughest times economically • Preparations for regional growth and the impact it will have locally • Importance of supporting the educational system through business partnerships • How East Dallas businesses can be part of Dallas’ plans for economic growth and neighborhood enhancement strategies. Elected Mayor in June 2011, Mayor Mike Rawlings is working to improve the quality of life in Dallas. In his short time in office, Mayor Rawlings has taken a hands-on approach to improving education, created new strategies for growing the arts and has put Dallas in the spotlight nationally and internationally. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. and the lunch/program starts promptly at noon. Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for guests. Visit eastdallaschamber.com or 214-649-1773. RSVP by Tuesday, May 28. The luncheon is sponsored by Lakehill Preparatory School.

The Spring Caroline Rose Hunt Society Dinner was held on May 3. This premiere event is for Dallas Arboretum donors of $10,000 or more. The dinner was catered by Cassandra in the home of Jimmy and Carl Westcott and sponsored by Bank of Texas. The Caroline Rose Hunt rose was presented to Caroline Rose Hunt by former Board Chairman Steve Coke.