By Arianne Leigh

Noticing an extra minute or two of sunlight at the end of each day may seem insignificant, but it really does have the power to impact us in a positive way. With the beautiful weather in San Diego, it is sometimes difficult to recognize the changing seasons, but the time change provides us with one sure sign that spring is around the corner, bringing warmer temperatures, blooming gardens and longer days.

Inbetween all of your usual springtime activities of cleaning, gardening and taking the kids to swimming lessons, consider stopping by the library and picking up a book to help make your efforts easier and successful. There are many titles to choose from such as “2,001 Amazing Cleaning Secrets,” “How to Clean Your Home Fast,” “Low-Maintenance Gardening,” “The Art of Window Box & Container Gardening” and “Swimming is Fun!”

As the Allied Gardens community enjoys this time of growth and renewal, the Benjamin Branch Library is already looking ahead to summer and planning the very popular Summer Reading Program. This year, for the first time, with the generous support of the Benjamin Friends of the Library, we will include an Adult Summer Reading Program. Please watch for details about this program coming soon. We look forward to seeing you at the library this spring!

Fabulous Finds Book Sale presented by The Benjamin Friends of the Library:

Saturday, March 28, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Come find many treasures!

Special presentations for adults:

Mondays, Feb. 2 – April 13 – AARP Free Tax Preparation! Free tax help to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, especially those 60 and older. Please call 619-241-2170 for more information.

Wednesday, March 25 and April 22, 1 p.m. – Benjamin Friends of the Library meeting. Come join the Friends and support the library! Memberships start at $5 and new members are always welcome.

Ongoing programs for adults include:

Zumba, Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.

Hatha Yoga, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Fitness Fun for Older Adults, Fridays at 11:15 a.m.

Healthy Back Yoga, first and third Saturdays at 1 p.m.

Book Club, second Tuesdays at 1 p.m.

Mystery Class, Thursdays at 1 p.m.

Benjamin Friends of the Library, fourth Wednesdays at 1 p.m.

Ongoing children’s programs:

Brilliant Babies Storytime (recommended for ages 0-18 months), Tuesdays at noon

Toddler/Preschool Storytime (ages 2-5 years), Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Kids’ Yoga (ages 2-8 years), Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.

—Arianne Leigh is branch manager of the Allied Gardens/ Benjamin Branch Library.