By Kathy Henderson

If you show up at College Park, 2223 Carter Ave., at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 6 expecting Storytime in the Park, you’ll be surprised to see that a circus is about to take place—and it is open to all.

Circus Manduhai features a four-person Mongolian circus that will deliver a 45-minute performance, showcasing feats of balance and flexibility with hula hoops, foot juggling and contortion.

This special library program is generously supported by the St. Anthony Park Library Association. In case of inclement weather, the program will be moved indoors. The decision to move inside will be posted to sppl.org/calendar.

Circus Manduhai founder Chimgee Haltarhuu came to America from Mongolia in 1991 to work for Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus.

She has been teaching circus skills to Twin Cities children for more than 20 years at Circus Juventas, a local circus school. Haltarhuu continues to share her Mongolian culture through Circus Manduhai and Mission Manduhai, a nonprofit organization that focuses on domestic violence prevention.

Storytime will resume in College Park on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Meanwhile, here are two other special SAP Library programs and some of its regular offerings:

Special events

Rap, rock and read with Miss Nina

10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, at College Park, 2223 Carter Ave. This interactive performance will have children ages 8 and younger stomping, clapping, jumping, singing and dancing along with Miss Nina. The program is supported by the St. Anthony Park Library Association. In case of inclement weather, the program will be moved indoors. The decision to move inside will be posted to sppl.org/calendar.

HANDIWORK at the Library

10 a.m. to noon. Thursday, Aug. 8. Drop in to knit, crochet, embroider and socialize with your neighbors. Bring your own supplies. This program is designed for adults and is co-hosted by the St. Anthony Park Library and St. Anthony Park Area Seniors.

Ongoing programs

Paw Pals

Read with Sadie: 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9. Read with Enzo: 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Youth ages 5 to 12 can read to a friendly dog that loves to sit and listen to stories. A single reading session will be a maximum 15 minutes long (to give opportunities for others to read.) Call 651-642-0411 or stop by the circulation desk at the St. Anthony Park Library to register your young reader.

St. Anthony Park Library Book Club

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26. Join library staff and fellow book lovers in the lower-level auditorium for lively conversation and refreshments.

The August selection is “Brotherless Night” by V. V. Ganeshananthan, a work of historical fiction set during the early years of Sri Lanka’s three-decade civil war.

Stop in or call the library at 651-642-0411 for more information. All are welcome.

FunLab

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Hang out in the library auditorium and make cool stuff.

This STEAM drop-in program for ages 7 to 11 features art, crafts, science experiments, engineering projects and more. Aug. 7 (the first Wednesday of the month) is LEGO.

English conversation circle for adults

4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays. Join the University of Minnesota Retirees Volunteer Center and the Partners in English program for free English practice at the library. All levels of English language skill are welcome.

Storytime in the Park is taking an end-of-summer break. It will resume in College Park on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 10:30 a.m.

Kathy Henderson, is a Bugle freelance writer who has compiled the library events submitted by the St. Anthony Park Library.