We’ve got some events lined up in February that you’re going to love. You’ll find family fun, health and wellness, and arts events galore at the Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive.

Learning to Meditate: Saturdays, Feb. 2, 9 and 16, 1-2:30 p.m.
Learn about the benefits of meditation, practice relaxation activities for calming body and mind, and become comfortable meditating in this four-week class. Instructors: Pat and Joe Ambrosic, meditation practitioners for over 40 years.

Rural Route Film Festival: Thursday, Feb. 7, 6:30-8 p.m.
The Rural Route Film Festival is based in New York and travels throughout the country, showcasing short films with rural themes. Come watch the best of the festival, with films originating from the United States, Mexico, Ethiopia, and Australia, among other countries.

Master Gardeners: Friday, Feb. 8, 1-2 p.m.
A representative from Pima County Cooperative Extension will talk about warm weather vegetable gardens.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover: Tuesday, Feb. 12, 5-7 p.m.
Bring a favorite stuffed animal to leave for a night of fun at the library! Your favorite friend will learn how to search for books on the library catalog, play board games, eat a snack, and spend the night at the library. The animals will have lots to tell you when you pick them up before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Ask a Master Gardener: Friday, Feb. 22, 1-2:30 p.m.
Master Gardeners from Pima County Cooperative Extension will be on hand to answer all your gardening questions. Turn your brown thumb to green by asking the experts!

University of Arizona Museum of Art Lecture Series: Friday, Feb. 22, 2-3 p.m.
Jacquelyn Feller presents A New Deal for Artists: Creating Art during the Great Depression. Between the years 1933 and 1945, the federal government hired hundreds of artists who collectively created more than 100,000 works of art. Some were commissioned to create art for public spaces, depicting specific themes, while others were free to use their imaginations.

Say Hello to Opera: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 3-5 p.m.
The Opera Guild of Southern Arizona will present a preview of the Arizona Opera Company’s production of II Trovatore.

About Pima County Public Library
The Pima County Public Library (PCPL), which is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, enriches lives and builds community through opportunities to learn, know, interact and grow. With 27 public libraries serving Tucson and the surrounding communities of Arivaca, Green Valley, Sahuarita, South Tucson, Ajo, Marana, Oro Valley and Catalina, PCPL provides a wide range of free services that contribute to the economic development of the community. For more information, visit www.library.pima.gov.

In an article in The Explorer this week, Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry writes about The Loop.

“If the amount of use already visible along The Loop is any indication, this new amenity will emerge as one of the most popular places for Pima County residents to spend time exercising outdoors, not just today, but for generations to come.

“The success of this regional project  is a model for what can be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of Pima County, Marana, Oro Valley and the cities of Tucson and South Tucson.”

He invites the community to participate in Family Bike Day from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Northwest YMCA, 7770 N. Shannon Road, and in the Launch The Loop celebration from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at locations along the newly connected Rillito and Santa Cruz river park paths.

To see the entire article, go to http://explorernews.com/voices/editorials/article_72680a52-eed4-11e0-800e-001cc4c002e0.html.