Thursday, Dec. 4

The Writers' Group of the Coastal Senior College will give a reading of their latest creations at 1 p.m. at the Camden Public Library. The public is invited to come enjoy the reading.

Author Frank O. Smith will give a reading from his latest novel, Dream Singer, at the Camden Public Library at 7 p.m. Dream Singer was a finalist for the Bellwether Prize, created by best-selling novelist Barbara Kingsolver, "in support of a literature of social change." Smith, who teaches writing at the Maine College of Art, will also share the five critical elements of successful storycraft.

Friday, Dec. 5

Christmas-by-the-Sea Opening Celebration, Camden Public Library, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., with holiday selections performed by CHRHS vocal and instrumental students. At 6:30 p.m. Santa presides at the Community Tree-Lighting Ceremony in Harbor Park. The Library will be open until 8 p.m. on December 5.

Sunday, December 7

Holiday Children's Book Fair, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Camden Public Library, hosted by the Owl and Turtle Bookshop and the Library. Join authors Chris Van Dusen, Sharon Creech, Toni Buzzeo, Lynn Plourde, Wendy Ulmer, Liza Gardner Walsh, Russ Cox, and more, to chat about their books. Books will be available for purchase and for signing.

"Tools for Creative Writers" Workshop, free, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., at the Camden Public Library, led by writing coach Teresa Piccari. Call the library at 236-3440 to register.

Monday, Dec. 8

Peggy Smith presents "Staying Connected When We Disagree," an introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC), noon at the Camden Public Library, part of the Destination Wellness Series. Participants will gain concrete skills for use in daily conflicts to relate more authentically and compassionately to other people.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Spanish book club, "Leer y charlar," 1 p.m. at the Camden Public Library, meets second and fourth Tuesdays. Open to all those proficient in Spanish.

The Camden Philosophical Society Reading Group will meet from 4 p.m. to 6: p.m. in the History Center at the Camden Library, Tuesday, Dec. 9. The group will host David Peloquin speaking on Herman Melville's "Equal Eye": Idealism and Metaphysics in Moby-Dick. Everyone with an interest in reading and discussion is welcome.

Festive opening of Clarity's annual December art show at the Camden Public Library, 6 p.m. The art team "Clarity" is Robert and Su.Sane Hake. This year's show is entitled "Fish File Codex: Mother Word;" the opening celebration will include puppetry, spoken word, and music.

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Quarry Hill will host "In Touch with Touch" at the Camden Public Library, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The talk will be presented by Antje Roitzsch and Deborah Cautela. "Gentle touch is vital to our physical, mental, and emotional health," say Roitzsch and Cautela.

Admission will be free; however, seating is limited, and registration is required. Call Quarry Hill to register, at 207-230-6116, or email qhinfo@penbayhealthcare.org. This event is part of Quarry Hill's Adventures in Living Well series.

Thursday, December 11

Slavic translator Lydia Razran Stone will present "What's All the Fuss about Russian Poetry? A Translator's Perspective," at the Camden Public Library, 7 p.m. This event is free and open to all. The speaker will discuss the unique importance of poetry in Russian culture, with major poets attaining virtual "rock star" status throughout most of the 19th and 20th centuries. A Community Event of the Camden Conference.

Tuesday, Dec. 16

"Tech Tuesday" at the Camden Public Library hosted by Olga Zimmerman, staff librarian and tech wizard, at 3 p.m. This month's topic will cover the 3M Cloud Library, and all are welcome.

"From Vietnam to the Persian Gulf," 7 p.m. at the Camden Public Library, with Captain Bob Branco, USN (Ret.), on his 29 years of military service during some key periods of America's history. His naval service took him to 42 countries around the globe, and he now lives in South Thomaston and writes thriller novels.

Thursday, Dec. 18

Homes Down East will be presented by architect Christopher Glass, historian Earle Shettleworth, and architectural historian Scott Hanson, 7 p.m. at the Camden Public Library. They will discuss Shingle Style architecture, and present images from Homes Down East, published in November by Tilbury House.