LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Moraga Library holds a winter craft workshop for kids


Amateur ornithologists make Pinecone Snowy Owls Photos Vera Kochan

Now that COVID mandates have been lifted by Contra Costa County, the Moraga Library is once again holding programs for kids. The Dec. 8 craft workshop was the first since in-person events were curtailed in March 2020. Youth Services Librarian Nirit Schnitzer said that the library is hoping to offer a free program for kids once a month.

Assisted by Library Aide Stacey (last name withheld) and Library Assistant Emily Ferne, kids aged 2-8 spent an hour making Pinecone Snowy Owls using pinecones, pampas grass, cotton/batting, pipe cleaners, and wiggly eyes. Schnitzer explained that the idea was to emulate many of the natural ornaments on the library's Critter Tree that was made by members of the Moraga Garden Club (who sponsored this event).

Parents pitched in to help their younger kids, but the older ones did just fine without any guidance. Assembling an owl was much more difficult than it appeared, as this reporter's owl looked like it was hit by a semi truck in mid-flight.

However, Sonya (8), was one of the "expert" crafters whose Pinecone Snowy Owl was a very good facsimile of the real thing. When asked if she'd given her owl a name yet she replied, "I will when I think of one."