Events for the family

Free Library of Philadelphia - Central Branch 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322. www.library.phila.gov. Atul Gawande - Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance. $14; $7 students. 2/4 8 pm.

Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum & Library 4278 Griscom St.; 215-289-6484. garmuslib.org. Camp William Penn & The Training of Black Troops for Civil War Service - Black History Month presentation by Professor Don Scott. Donations accepted. 2/3 1:30 pm.

Mermaid Inn 7673 Germantown Ave.; 215-247-9797. www.themermaidinn.net. Bothy Open Mic - Open mic for music, comedy & poetry. 2/4 9 pm.

Mount Cuba Center Barley Mill Rd., Greenville; 302-239-4244. www.mtcubacenter.org. Native Plants in Designed Landscapes - Lecture & garden stroll. Registration required. $50 includes lunch. 2/2 10 am-2 pm.

Penn State University, Abington 1600 Woodland Rd., Abington; 215-881-7300. www.abington.psu.edu. Afternoon With the Arts: Opera Lecture Series: Cyrano. $10. 2/3 2:30 pm.

Steel City Coffeehouse 203 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-933-4043. www.madpoetssociety.com. Mad Poets Open Mike Night - Hosted by Eileen D'Angelo, this monthly event features poets & musicians from Philly & the five-county area. 2/5 7 pm.

West Chester Municipal Building 401 E. Gay St., West Chester; 610-692-7574. www.west-chester.com. Chip Crowe: General George Thomas - Brandywine Valley Civil War Round Table hosts this lecture. 2/6 7 pm.

World Cafe Live 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. www.worldcafelive.com. Anti-Violence Teen Poetry Slam - 10 contestants chosen by Teen Zone Online Magazine editors will read their poems. 2/2 1-2:30 pm.