Princess Storytime

Saturday, January 28, 2012, 2 p.m. Crowell Public Library is proud to host the 2012 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Royal Court for the annual children’s “Princess Storytime.” Little princes and princesses in attendance will have the special honor of meeting the ladies of the Royal Court and getting to hear the court share enchanting tales of royalty and how some dreams really do come true. The Royal Court will be available to answer audience questions such as, “What is it like to be a princess?” and “What was your favorite part of being in the Rose Parade?” The ladies of the 2012 Royal Court were chosen from over one thousand San Gabriel Valley women. Selection was based on skills in public speaking, poise, academic achievement, community involvement and personality. Remember to wear your finest royal gown or robes and bring your camera for pictures with the Royal Court! **Space is limited and registration is required** Admission is limited to one adult per child. Walk-in registration at Crowell Public Library for San Marino residents (with a library card) begins Tuesday, January 3 through Thursday, January 5. Open registration (non-residents with a library card) begins Saturday, January 7. The more the merrier! Share this event on Facebook & Twitter. 1890 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA 91108-2595 ● Phone: (626) 300-0777 ● Fax: (626) 300-0121 www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org

Medical Mondays: The Magic of Medical Weight Loss

Monday, January 23, 2012, 6:00 p.m. As the last of the Christmas candy is being rapidly consumed in anticipation of the looming New Year’s diet resolutions, it’s time to get serious about health and weight loss. DR. JOHN DE BEIXEDON will discuss the causes of the obesity epidemic and the consequent rise in diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia as well as the various modalities available to treat obesity and reduce the associated medical risk factors. John de Beixedon, M.D. is a board-certified internal medicine physician who has been in private practice in Pasadena since 1999. He received a B.S. in Zoology from Duke University in 1984, was granted his M.D. degree from St. George's University School of Medicine in 1988. He completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia and has specialized in diabetes and more recently, bariatrics. Since 2008, Dr. de Beixedon has served as a medical adviser for ABC News and is also an accomplished magician and a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that at any given time two-thirds of all American adults are on a diet to either lose weight or prevent weight gain. Yet only 5 percent of these dieters will be successful at keeping the weight that they lost off. [http://www.answerfitness.com/tag/fad-diet-statistics/] Join us on Monday January 23 and learn what you can do to win the battle.

Just Magic! Bookmark Winners Unveiled

Saturday, January 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m. – The San Marino Public Library Foundation is proud to unveil the winners of the 5th annual Bookmark Design Contest on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in the Barth Community Room of the Crowell Public Library. This annual bookmark contest began in 2008 received nearly 160 entries this year and six will be chosen to be produced as limited edition bookmarks throughout 2012. Children 18 and under were eligible to enter and the six winners will receive two tickets to Disneyland®. Each year 15,000 bookmarks of the winning designs are produced, distributed and displayed in the library. This year’s theme was magic so what better way to reveal the winners than with a magician! DAVID SKALE is the Master Magician who will unveil our winners and then perform a side-splitting show. David will wow the crowd with extraordinary magical feats, slight-of-hand and comedy forays to entertain and elicit howls of laughter. David is a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood, a graduate of Second City and a frequent performer around the southland. Whether you are a contestant or just a patron in search of a blast of entertainment, you’ll want to be in the Barth Community Room at Crowell Public Library for an afternoon of surprises and magic.

Feng Shui for 2012

Saturday, January 14, 2012, 2:00-4:00 p.m. The Chinese Lunar New Year starts on January 23, 2012. It is the Year of the Dragon and there has been great speculation as to what it holds. Master JENNY LIU practices the highest level of feng shui. She analyzes the Flying 9 Star, Chinese Almanac, Zi Wei Astrology Charts, and the Yi-Jing to interpret forecasts that provide insight into how you can effectively navigate the new year. Join Jenny’s 2012 feng shui seminar to learn how to align yourself with the new year's energy. Come discover the catalysts you can integrate into your home and office to build a year of good health, peace of mind and success. Jenny T. Liu, MA, is a fourth-generation feng shui master, designer, author and public speaker. She holds a BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley and was awarded by the Association of American Women in Architecture for her influential UCLA master's thesis on feng shui and sustainability. She empowers people by teaching them how to encode meaningful messages into their living spaces. Jenny has been recognized by the US Department of Justice, the Southern California Planning Congress and the California Association of Chinese-American Construction Professionals. She is the author of Feng Shui: Everything in the Right Place and Guide to a Harmonious 2008/2009/2010 and has ongoing columns in Asian Journal, West Coast Media and Awareness magazines.

Rose Pruning with Ron Serven

Saturday, January 21st, 9:00 a.m. – Former City Parks Division Manager, RON SERVEN is now with San Marino’s Planning Department, but his expertise with roses is still visible throughout the city, particularly at Lacy Park. Ron has conducted this workshop at Crowell Library on a yearly basis for many years and many rose-lovers have benefited and attended repeat performances. Ron will demonstrate optimum rose pruning techniques and answer questions from the audience, such as what to do in cold weather, and dealing with other special conditions such as irregular rainfall. Those who attend will be ready to go out into their own yards the very same day to get the job done. Ron will give everyone a better sense of how Mother Nature works. You’ll soon be spending some enjoyable time in your home garden, armed with the knowledge to keep it thriving and beautiful. This workshop is free and reservations are not required, but if you have questions, please call the library (626) 300-0777, extension 579.

2012 One Book One City Announcement

Friends of the Crowell Public Library to Announce 2012 ONE BOOK, ONE CITY SELECTION, THURSDAY JANUARY 5 - 7:00 p.m.The Friends of the Crowell Public Library will be joining San Marino dignitaries in announcing the 2012 ONE BOOK, ONE CITY selection Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library’s Barth Community Room. After introductions and the unveiling of this year’s selection, there will be birthday cake honoring the protagonist of the novel and other refreshments. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Huntington Middle School Jazz Band, back by popular demand. Most importantly, copies of the featured book will be available for check-out. Be the first on your block to read this exciting new novel. Readers will also want to save Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons in February, March and April for some very special movies, events and speakers at the library related to the theme of this book. There will be monthly children’s programs and an exclusive backstage tour of the Huntington Library & Gardens, followed by high tea. More details on the One Book, One City program will be announced in upcoming weeks. Every year the Friends of Crowell Public Library present a series of ONE BOOK, ONE CITY events that bring the community together in celebration of the joy of reading. Past selections have included Iron River by T. Jefferson Parker, Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart, Samurai’s Garden, by Gail Tsukiyama and 2011’s The Ragtime Kid by Larry Karp. For further details on this exciting program and others at Crowell Library, keep an eye on the website: http://www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org.

Holiday Music Fun!

Saturday, December 17 -- 2:00p.m.Music lovers from all over the southland are welcome to join musician CRAIG NEWTON at Crowell Public Library on Saturday, December 17th at 2:00 p.m. in the Barth Community Room. Craig will perform holiday songs from a variety of cultures on an amazing array of instruments, with lots of audience participation. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, the Winter Solstice, or Kwanzaa, you won’t want to miss this free opportunity to relax, enjoy and get in the holiday spirit. A self-taught musician from Simi Valley, Craig Newton has been performing American music for over a decade. His career has taken him through most of the U.S. and given him the opportunity to play in all kinds of situations. He has toured the Midwest, Northwest and Southwest playing colleges, libraries and other venues. Craig has released two albums of his original songs as well as an instrumental Christmas album. His infectious enthusiasm for his work will chase any remaining Scrooges out to the parking lot! This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library.

dClutterGuy!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 7:00 p.m. — Calling all manly men: get a handle on that bedlam in your garage! C.J. BARCUS of dClutterguy will give you the tools to attack that mess and make the garage a place your wife will want to visit. Attendees will learn about the basic garage tune up in six steps; how to formulate a battle plan, how to stimulate an urge to purge, what to keep, and what to let go. Learn about innovative storage ideas and utilizing space wisely, and above all, the joy of being able to actually park your car in the garage! These strategies can be applied to other problem areas such as patios, tool sheds, attics, and backyards. It can take only two days to de-clutter, leaving you with 363 days to enjoy and use your garage. C.J. Barcus has been part of the dClutterfly organization for over four years. dClutterfly’s Tracy McCubbin has presented several organizing programs at Crowell Library to standing room only crowds. Built on the idea of “Liveable Organization,” this is about organization that’s easy for you to live in, co-exist with, and ultimately maintain. C.J. has also been a professional chef for over 16 years and worked in some of the most well organized restaurants in the country, streamlining, and organizing spaces to make a better, more efficient work space. Learn to reduce, reorganize, and recycle, so you can relax. Come to Crowell Library and learn from a pro!

Family Origami Day

Saturday, November 12, 2011, 2:00 p.m. — Children, parents and anyone who wants to try their hand at a unique art form while learning about Japanese culture are welcome at Crowell Library’s Family Origami Day. Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper into different shapes. On hand to show everyone how it comes together will be the renown origami artist YAMI YAMAUCHI. “Yami” is an origami enthusiast, teacher, and innovator who has created many, many models that inspire and delight folders of all ages. He teaches and promotes origami at schools, community organizations and motivational seminars. Yami Yamauchi was the 2006 recipient of the Ranana Benjamin Award from OrigamiUSA honoring his contributions as a teacher. This honor goes to an origami teacher, particularly of children, for outstanding contributions in the teaching of origami. "Within a single sheet of paper exists unlimited beautiful forms, which you will enjoy, ORIGAMI." –Yami You won’t want to miss this free opportunity to learn about this fascinating and beautiful art form!

The Doctor Is In: URINARY INCONTINECE IN WOMEN

Monday, November 7, 2011, 6 -7:00 p.m. Women who suffer from bladder control problems will learn what kind of help is available when DR. ARMEN DIKRANIAN, a Board Certified Urologist, returns to Crowell Library as part of THE DOCTOR IS IN! series. Dr. Dikranian will discuss the different types of urinary incontinence women experience and the latest treatment options. Armen Dikranian graduated from the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine and completed his residency in urology at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center in 2005. He is a member of the American Urological Association and has received the Patients Choice Award. There will be an opportunity to ask the doctor questions at the end of the talk. The program is FREE, but space is limited. Call (626) 300-0777 to reserve your space. THE DOCTOR IS IN! series of educational programs is designed to help people stay healthy and active. These lectures, by some of the communities most accomplished physicians, are being presented at Crowell Public Library in conjunction with the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center. Join us in the Barth Community Room at Crowell and learn about important health topics from the experts and improve the quality of your life.

Author Talk: Cantonese Yankee

Thursday, November 17, 2011, 7:00 p.m. — Cantonese Yankee is the narrative of Kwong Bing Kong or “Bing,” a student sent by Imperial China to New England to study Western science and technology as part of an educational mission. One of 120 boys sent over between 1872-1881, the biography follows Bing and his ten year stay in America and his subsequent return to China as a modern Mandarin. Tang has written an absorbing and romantic drama based on family stories and her own hours of research at the Yale University Archives and the Connecticut Historical Society. During the 19th Century, China faced a cabal of foreign powers ready to sweep the ancient empire from the pages of history. There have been books written about those days but few have plumbed the depths of her civilization—what were the customs, mores and ethos of her people? In Cantonese Yankee the author presents the intimate life of Bing and his family and the people of his day—and we are there with them. LOUISE SU TANG, Bing’s granddaughter, was close to her grandfather during her childhood years in Shanghai. After a three year interlude in Portland, Oregon, where her father was Chinese Consul, she completed her secondary education at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Shanghai. She received her B.A. in journalism and political science from UC Berkeley, and her M.A. in School Administration from CSULA. Join us for an absorbing evening of this author’s insights into Chinese and Western history.

FILM SCREENING: NIGHT MARKET HERO

Thursday, November 10, 6:00p – Crowell Public Library and the Taiwanese United Fund are happy to present a special screening of the blockbuster film Night Market Hero, (雞排英雄) a heartwarming story of a Taiwanese night market community. The story reveals the strong work ethic and determination of the vendors and their community when livelihoods are threatened by the plans of a construction company to build on the property. Night Market Hero is not just a story of community struggle, with the nostalgic sights and sounds of food and games that bring the people together. It is also an exhibition of the colorful and iconic culinary exuberance of the Taiwanese culture. Director YEH Tien-lun 葉天倫 tells a feel-good story with a team of comedic veterans like Chu Ko-liang 豬哥亮 and Lotus Wang 王彩樺 with younger names like actor-model Blue Lan 藍正龍 and Alice KO 柯佳嬿. You won’t want to miss this melodramatic tale pitting the power of community values and Taiwanese "street democracy," over the forces of political corruption and the venal property developers. Crowell Library thanks the Taiwanese United Fund (TUF), a non-profit organization dedicated to culture and performing arts, for bringing Night Market Hero to library patrons. The movie runs 124 minutes. Free popcorn will be available while it lasts!

eBooks, Audio Books, Picture Books, oh my!

Crowell Public Library is proud to announce it has expanded its services to include audiobooks and eBooks available 24/7 from the library’s website, http://www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org. Just click on the OverDrive® icon located in the lower middle section of homepage. Using their valid library card, users install free software -- OverDrive® Media Console™ -- for audio and ebooks. Titles can be enjoyed immediately or transferred to a variety of devices, including iPod®, Sony® Reader™, Kindle and many others. Some audio titles can also be burned to CDs to listen on-the-go. Titles will automatically expire at the end of two weeks so there are never any late fees! With hundreds of popular fiction and nonfiction titles to choose from, the new collection is guaranteed to have something for everyone. You can download best-selling novels, well-known classics, self-improvement guides, and much more. Also on the Crowell homepage, a plethora of Online Resources accessible through the icons on the top right side, including Rocket Languages, Gales Health and Wellness, Grzmek's Animal Life, Tuition Funding Sources, Career Transitions, Testing & Education Reference Center and, back by popular demand, NOVELIST which offers new ways to explore the endless possibilities and combinations of books, authors, genres and topics. Looking for the perfect read? Get infinite suggestions here. A new and very popular online resource, BookFlix, is a e-reading program from Scholastic that combines classic fictional video storybooks with similarly themed nonfiction ebooks to make reading exciting for children in grades Pre-K-3. BookFlix pairs award-winning video based on some of the best-selling children’s picture books of all time with related nonfiction ebooks from the rich libraries of Scholastic. Children will delight in watching their favorite books come to life on screen, then turning the electronic pages of an ebook to discover real-world facts and satisfy their curiosity about the world around them. BookFlix offers 95 fiction-nonfiction pairs, of which over 25 are available in Spanish. Designed to provide a constant interactive experience for young users, the unique features of BookFlix include: • A “read-along” option that provides word-by-word highlighting so children can follow along as the fiction video is narrated and the nonfiction ebook is read aloud. • Narrated text and definitions of key vocabulary words to support beginning and reluctant readers, as well as English Language Learners; • Educational games and activities that encourage children to show what they have learned and to reinforce early reading skills like fluency, vocabulary development and reading comprehension; • Biographies and interviews that introduce young readers to their favorite authors; and • Safe, age-appropriate web links to encourage children to further explore topics that pique their interest. Just look for the BookFlix icon at the top of the Crowell Library homepage. This service is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. It’s all free with a Crowell Library card, the best bargain in San Marino. Questions? Contact any librarian at Crowell, 626-300-0777.

Food Fear Factor

Crowell Public Library Invites Teens to Celebrate Halloween at Our
Food Fear Factor

Barth Community Room
Oct 25nd @ 3:15pm

Candy is cliché—celebrate Halloween a brand new way! Teens grades 6-12 are invited to join Crowell Library’s first-ever “Food Fear Factor,” held in the Community Room. We’ll be serving such delicacies as Kitty Litter Cake. Don’t worry—it tastes better than it looks!

Aspiring chefs: assemble delightful concoctions—stuffed roaches, anyone?—and astound your friends! Recipes for all foods served at this event will be available. Who knew gross food could be so fun—and delicious? Be a champion gastronome on October 25th at 3:15pm. Come with a big appetite and a strong stomach—it’s time to face your fears!

Registration is not required and the event is free. This is a Young Adult event; ONLY grades 6-12 may attend-- no exceptions. Call the library for details or e-mail Carrie Wilson at cwilson@cityofsanmarino.org. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library.

Diabetes and Your Eyes: What You Need to Know

The Doctor Is In! Diabetes and Your Eyes: What You Need to Know with Dr. Raghu C. Murthy; Monday, October 17, 2011, 6 p.m. DR. RAGHU C. MURTHY, a board certified opthalmologist and vitreo-retinal surgeon, will explain how diabetes can affect eye health and discuss current therapies available to treat eye conditions associated with the disease. There will be an opportunity to ask the doctor questions at the end of the talk. Dr. Murthy received his M.D. at the University of Florida School of Medicine, and his B.A. at Princeton University. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Institute at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California where he now is a clinical instructor. He completed his fellowship training in vitreo-retinal surgery and a separate fellowship in gene therapy for ocular diseases at the Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon. Like all the doctors in THE DOCTOR IS IN! series, Mr. Murthy is affiliated with the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, and believes in giving back to the community through educating health care professionals and patients. The Doctor Is In! is designed to help people stay healthy and active. The lectures are by some of the community’s most accomplished physicians. Join us and learn about important health topics from the experts. The program is FREE, but space is limited. Call (626) 300-0777 to reserve your space.

LA Opera Talk: Romeo et Juliette

SUNDAY, October 16th 2:00 p.m. Charles Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette. Based on Shakespeare's timeless tragedy of star-crossed lovers, Roméo et Juliette sets an impassioned secret affair against a cruel background of fierce family rivalries. In the comfort of the Barth Community Room you will learn how Gounod's score thrills the ear with swirling waltzes, dramatic choruses and exquisite arias. Fall in love all over again, as samples of four sublime love duets...so pure, so poetic, so perfect...flood the room with intoxicating romance, making Roméo et Juliette an unforgettable experience to savor. Hear the highlights of this wonderful piece through the eyes and ears of one of LA Opera’s enlightened community educators. And it’s all free at Crowell Public Library! Whether you’re a hardcore opera aficionado or a curious novice, you’ll be delightfully entertained and inspired to make a trip to the Los Angeles Music Center for the full production. Make Crowell Library your LA Opera gateway!

Introduction to Email

Introduction to E-mail - Part 1: Tuesday, October 4; Part 2: Tuesday, October 11 Both sessions 1:00-2:30 p.m. Do you have limited experience with computers and are new to the world of e-mail? You have friends at Crowell Public Library! Join fellow novices in this two-session class and learn to send and receive messages on a free e-mail account. A very patient and personable instructor will help you set up the account and cover the basic concepts you’ll need to know. You must attend the first session in order to attend the second where there will be opportunities to ask questions, learn additional computer skills and practice. In no time at all you’ll be exchanging messages from relatives you never knew you had! If you’ve been too intimidated to take the plunge, the Crowell Computer Lab is the ideal place dive into action. Reservations are required so please call (626) 300-0777 ext. 579.

Ikebana Demonstration

Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 7:00 p.m. Ikebana is a highly disciplined art form of Japanese flower arranging where humanity and nature come together with exquisite results. In the late nineteenth century, Unshin Ohara created a new form of Ikebana called Moribana, using wide and shallow containers with more vibrant and colorful flowers and plants. Moribana signals the entrance from the old, traditional Ikebana, to the modern era. THERESA LIN has studied the Ohara school of Ikebana for more than fifteen years with the grand master Reiga Kawamura and received certification as a Third Term Master. Theresa will demonstrate what goes into this amazing art form on Tuesday evening, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Barth Community Room. Don’t miss this opportunity to see how creativity and discipline come together to delight and inspire. Theresa Lin serves as the secretary of the Ohara school Los Angeles chapter, and the Vice president of Ikebana International chapter. She has presented flower arrangements and displays at the Pacific Asian Museum in Pasadena and participated in Katen, the annual flower exhibition in Ohara school. Theresa also teaches at Foundation for Disabled Youth. This demonstration is free and all are welcome.

Introduction to Email

Part 1: Tuesday, October 4, Part 2: Tuesday, October 11; Both sessions 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Do you have limited experience with computers and are new to the world of e-mail? You have friends at Crowell Public Library! Join fellow novices in this two-session class and learn to send and receive messages on a free e-mail account. A very patient and personable instructor will help you set up the account and cover the basic concepts you’ll need to know. You must attend the first session in order to attend the second where there will be opportunities to ask questions, learn additional computer skills and practice. In no time at all you’ll be exchanging messages from relatives you never knew you had! If you’ve been too intimidated to take the plunge, the Crowell Computer Lab is the ideal place dive into action. Reservations are required so please call (626) 300-0777 ext. 579.

Estate Planning: an Emergency Survival Kit

Tuesday, October 4, 2011, 7:00 p.m. We are urged by FEMA to prepare an emergency survival kit for ourselves and our loved ones. Whatever emergency we might be caught up in, an earthquake or a tornado, the basic kit will be the same. A flashlight, an out-of-state contact, a blanket can be prepared in advance. In the same way, the State of California provides some basic estate planning documents that can help us prepare, not just for death, but for incapacity. Whether we are caught up in a serious car accident or if we are the victim of a stroke, the same basic legal documents can be prepared ahead of time so that whatever crisis arises can be managed as seamlessly and inexpensively as possible. Attorney ELIZABETH BOTSFORD LLM Tax (Hons) will address the importance of making sure you have a nomination of conservator, a springing durable power of attorney and an advance healthcare directive. She will answer your estate planning questions on wills and trusts, estate planning for parents and estate planning for international families. The more the merrier! Share this event on Facebook & Twitter. 1890 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA 91108-2595 ● Phone: (626) 300-0777 For more information, visit our website www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org

The Doctor Is In: Dementia - Beyond Alzheimer's

Monday, September 26, 2011, 6 p.m. DR. OSCAR CHIEN, a specialist in Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, will talk about therapies and treatment options for seniors experiencing mental health issues. Dr. Chien is affiliated with the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center. There will be an opportunity to ask the doctor questions at the end of the talk. The program is FREE, but space is limited. Call (626) 300-0777 to reserve your space. This free lecture is part of the ongoing THE DOCTOR IS IN! series of educational programs designed to help you stay healthy and active. The lectures by some of the community’s most accomplished physicians are being presented at Crowell Public Library, in conjunction with the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center. Join us and learn about important health topics from the experts.

Quality of Life: Life Review

Thursdays starting, October 13th 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Are you an older adult who believes lifelong learning keeps you young and relevant? There’s a new class for you at Crowell Public Library. JOANNA M. SAPORITO, L.C.S.W., presents Quality of Life - Life Review, an interactive class focusing on improving the quality of life, increasing social outlets, and clarifying life issues. There will be discussion topics related to older adulthood, such as: • Having a positive attitude and outlook • Social connections • Personal independence and appropriate interdependence • Being realistic and resilient This free discussion group will meet Thursdays in the Barth Community Room at Crowell Public Library, October 13, 17, November 3, 10 and December 1, 8, and 22. Jump on a bandwagon that is active, interested and living longer with a positive attitude. Grab a cup of coffee and the hour will zip by! An expert in the field for almost twenty years, Joanna M. Saporito, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who recently obtained a Certificate in Aging from Boston University. She’s had extensive training in issues related to work, domestic abuse, loss and grief. She has a private practice in Glendale and has been teaching at Glendale College for 13 years. She also teaches in the Life Long Learning program for older adults. If truth be known, her favorite students are those in Life Long Learning! For registration ($29) contact the San Marino Recreation Department: (626) 403-2200 The more the merrier! Share this event on Facebook & Twitter. 1890 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA 91108-2595 ● Phone: (626) 300-0777 For more information, visit http://www.ci.san-marino.ca.us/recreation.htm

LA OPERA TALK: Cosi Fan Tutte

SUNDAY, September 18th 2:00 p.m. – L.A. Opera’s DIANE BELTOYA will present a free audio-visual presentation of Mozart’s comic battle of the sexes, Cosi Fan Tutte, as part of the ongoing LA Opera Talk series at Crowell Public Library. Whether a hardcore opera aficionado or a curious novice, attendees will be delightfully entertained and encouraged to ask questions and offer comments. One might even be inspired to make a trip to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the full production conducted by James Conlon. The story is irresistible: two young men go undercover to test the fidelity of their lady loves. What could possibly go wrong? Filled with ravishingly beautiful music, Cosi fan tutte ["They're all alike!"] features a clever plot that was bracingly politically incorrect even for Mozart's day. A period staging by director Nicholas Hytner, drenched in sumptuous summer light, deftly blends elegance and farce to emphasize the very real human emotions embedded throughout Mozart's miraculous score. Experience the highlights of this wonderful piece through the eyes and ears of one of LA Opera’s enlightened community educators. And it’s all free at Crowell Public Library! Make Crowell Library your LA Opera gateway!

Talking About Books Online

SATURDAY, September 17 10:00 a.m. – Attention all book lovers! Join the world of reading on your computer. Dabble in social networking on the Internet while you indulge your favorite hobby of reading. This one hour hands-on computer class will introduce you to Shelfari.com, where you can keep track of what you have read, rate the books, write a review, find out what others think about a book, get ideas for your next book to read, or keep track of what your friends are reading and what they like. Shelfari’s mission is to enhance the experience of reading by connecting readers in meaningful conversations about the published word. You can be anonymous, share with a few selected friends, or share with the world! Computer novices are welcome. Bring your own laptop if you like. Registration is required. Call (626) 300-0777 ext. 579 or go to the Adult Reference Desk at Crowell Public Library.

Glaucoma: the Silent Thief of Sight

MEDICAL MONDAYS @Crowell Public Library -- GLAUCOMA: The Silent Thief of Sight Monday, September 12, 2011, 6:00 p.m. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. In the early stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms, but early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease. According to the National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. * Join VIKAS CHOPRA, M.D. to learn how doctors detect this disease and the latest in treatments. There is no cure for glaucoma—yet. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma among other factors. It was once thought that high pressure within the eye, also known as intraocular pressure or IOP, is the main cause of this optic nerve damage. Although IOP is clearly a risk factor, we now know that other factors must also be involved because even people with “normal” levels of pressure can experience vision loss from glaucoma. VIKAS CHOPRA, M.D. received his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University and served his residency in ophthalmology at the Kresge Eye Institute at Wayne State University’s Detroit Medical Center. His research fellowship in Molecular Biology was at the Beckman Research Institute, at the City of Hope, and his Glaucoma Fellowship was at the Kresge Eye Institute. Affiliated with the prestigious Doheny Eye Institute, Dr. Chopra is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at USC. Join us for a fascinating look at a condition that is affecting many. This program is free and reservations are recommended by calling the library reference desk: (626) 300-0777 ext. 579. *NIH National Eye Institute http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/glaucoma.html

Computer Assisted Knee Replacement

Monday, August 15, 2011, 6 p.m. DR. JONATHAN CHANG, a Board Certified orthopedic surgeon, will discuss the new advances in knee replacement surgery. Learn about the technology that can keep you moving! There will be an opportunity to ask the doctor questions at the end of the talk. The program is FREE, but space is limited. Call (626) 300-0777 to reserve your space. This lecture is part of the ongoing The Doctor Is In! series of educational programs designed to help you stay healthy and active. The lectures, by some of the communities most accomplished physicians, are being presented at Crowell Public Library, in conjunction with the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center. Join us and learn about important health topics from the experts.

The Internet Book of Life

Tuesday, September 6, 2011, 7 p.m. You are a working parent and you use the Internet occasionally for email and Facebook. You know that there are quality Web resources available for free that can really help you and your family. But who has time to find and evaluate them? The Internet Book of Life is your shortcut to these treasures. Written by a working mother and front line reference librarian, The Internet Book of Life is a guide to web sites and mobile phone apps that help real people make wise decisions in so many aspects of modern living: everything from saving money, to getting homework done, to just feeling happier. Each chapter addresses real-life family dilemmas such as whether and how to fix the car, how to find the best price for baby diapers, and even how to find a clinical trial that might save a life. As the country climbs out of recession, this comprehensive guide to free Web services is especially welcome. It is the lively, indispensable reference that finds a home next to every household computer…or Web-enabled cell phone! IRENE E. McDERMOTT gains insight about the web from her daily front-line experience as reference librarian and systems manager at the Crowell Public Library in San Marino, California. She writes about her discoveries in her column, “Internet Express,” which has appeared in Searcher magazine since 1997. The second addition of her book, The Librarian’s Internet Survival Guide was published by Information Today in 2006. McDermott shares her Pasadena bungalow with her teenage son.

Brain Aerobics Returns!

September 19th & 20th: Mondays, 12:30-2:30 pm(Beginner/Intermediate)Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 am (Intermediate/Advanced); Challenge your memory, improve language skills, and ease the burden of hearing loss by learning to lip read. In these fun and stimulating classes, enhance your verbal skills by analyzing how language looks and sounds. Instructor FRANCINE KATZ challenges the class to memorize sentences, play word games and focus on lip-reading skills. She has taught this class at various locations for over 45 years and students rave how their mental agility has improved after participating. Boosting our brain power can only help us age with grace! Francine Katz, MA, SLP, CCC, is a graduate of Northwestern University and a licensed speech-language pathologist and lip reading specialist. Mrs. Katz was with Pasadena City College for over twelve years. She was “Teacher of the Year” at PCC in 2005. She was also listed in “Who’s Who in America,” Western Section. Get your brain in shape with a free weekly two-hour workout in the Barth Community Room at Crowell Library in a relaxed atmosphere with rewarding results. This is a no-fee, no obligation class and preview visits welcomed.

Teen Guitar Hero and International Food Festival Final Party Extravaganza!

Monday July 25th at 2pm, Barth Community Room

Come to Crowell Public Library and join the annual Teen Guitar Hero Tournament on July 25th at 2pm! This year, we’ve added an International Food Festival to this Summer Reading Club celebration. This event is open exclusively to teens grades 7-12; teen Guitar Hero amateurs, pros, and audience members welcome! We’ll play Competitive Face-offs, where two players duel at their chosen difficulty levels, each vying for the best score.

Teens are welcome to watch the tournament and enjoy the International Food Festival, where there will be scrumptious snacks and sweets from around the world. Visit every corner of the world at Crowell this summer! Teens registered for the Young Adult Summer Reading Club will receive a raffle ticket for attending this event, regardless of whether they participate in the tournament. The raffle tickets earn teens a chance to win tons of great prizes, including 2 park-hopper tickets to Disneyland! This special program is a part of Crowell Public Library’s YA Summer Reading Club, “You Are Here” sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library, AMF Bowling, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Auntie Annie’s, the CW network, Descanso Gardens, El Pollo Loco, Flightdeck Air Combat Center, Huntington Library, Jasmine Café, Julienne’s, Jump ‘n Jammin, Los Angeles Lakers, Legoland, Mimi’s Café, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Pacific Asia Museum, Pacific Park, Penguins Frozen Yogurt & Coffee, Peterson Automotive Museum, Pie & Burger, Santa Anita Park, San Marino Toy & Book Shoppe, Shakey’s, and Wendy’s.

Introduction to Email: Saturday July 16 & 23

Both sessions 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Do you have limited experience with computers and are new to the world of e-mail? You have friends at Crowell Public Library! Join fellow novices in this two-session class and learn to send and receive messages on a free e-mail account. A very patient and personable instructor will help you set up the account and cover the basic concepts you’ll need to know. You must attend the first session in order to attend the second where there will be opportunities to ask questions, learn additional computer skills and practice. In no time at all you’ll be exchanging messages from relatives you never knew you had! If you’ve been too intimidated to take the plunge, the Crowell Computer Lab is the ideal place dive into action. Reservations are required so please call (626) 300-0777 ext. 579. The more the merrier! Share this event on Facebook & Twitter.

Crowell Library's New Hours

Effective July 1, Crowell Public Library’s new hours will be Sundays, 1-5, Mondays-Thursdays, 10:00a-9:00p. The Library will be closed on Fridays. However, the Library’s website is open 24/7 and is the threshold to a wealth of information. Many online applications are easily accessible with a Crowell Library card which is free, and amazing considering the privileges the card brings. At http://www.crowellpubliclibrary.org/ you can search for books, CDs and DVDs in the library and put them on hold. By clicking on the “Online Reference resources” link, you can access a multitude of databases, including: AMERICA'S NEWSPAPERS which features the full-text content of over 600 U.S. newspapers, each the complete electronic edition of record. BIOGRAPHY RESOURCE CENTER is a comprehensive reference database is designed to meet the needs of public, school and academic libraries in the areas of literature, science, multicultural studies, business, entertainment, politics, sports, government, history, arts and newsmakers. NOVELIST offers new ways to explore the endless possibilities and combinations of books, authors, genres and topics. Looking for the perfect summer reading? Get infinite suggestions here! LITERATURE RESOURCE CENTER offers full-text journal articles, literary criticism, reviews, biographical information, and overviews on over 130,000 writers in all disciplines, from all time periods and from around the world. CQ RESEARCHER offers reports on a wide range of social, economic, political, and environmental issues, divided into specific sections to guide research. OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS RESOURCE CENTER delivers a range of perspectives on important issues, supporting virtually any curricular, academic or general-interest need. Informed, differing views help learners develop critical-thinking skills and draw their own conclusions. You can also learn about TUITION FUNDING SOURCES, access SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS & LOANS, very valuable resources for the college-bound. And the TESTING & EDUCATION REFERENCE CENTER is a resource of unprecedented value for public, academic, and K-12 library users everywhere. Create an account, log in and start taking practice tests so you can monitor your progress. Same goes with POWERSPEAK, where you can learn and practice French, Spanish, Mandarin, German or ESL Spanish. You can learn how to apply for a passport at the Library, what you need to do to rent the Barth Community Room, or access our events calendar and blog, all with a quick click of the mouse. Unlike the physical library, you can spend all day and all night at the Crowell Library website – in your jammies! Make http://www.crowellpubliclibrary.org/ your home page!

Tech Talk for the Intimidated & Computers for Beginners

Tech Talk for the Intimidated Tuesday, July 5th, 7:00 p.m. and Computers for Beginners, Monday, July 11 7:00 p.m. According to Nielsen…“the number of unique visitors who are 65 or older on social networking and blog sites has increased 53 percent in the last two years alone. 8.2% of all social network and blog visitors are over 65, just 0.1 percentage points less than the number of teenagers who frequent these sites.”* What about you? Still don’t know a Tweet from a poke? Join librarian IRENE McDERMOTT for “Tech Talk for the Intimated,” where she’ll explain these new words and give clear information about new technologies like Twitter, Facebook and Smartphones. See how they can be used to keep in touch with family and friends, and expand your horizons like you never anticipated. This informal lecture will allow ample opportunities for questions and answers and will take place in the Barth Community Room at the Library. “Tech Talk for the Intimated” will be followed the following Monday by “Computers For Beginners,” presented by librarian REX MAYREIS. This hands-on class will take place in the Library’s computer lab. If you never quite figured out how to turn the computer on or what to do next, this class is for you! Spend an hour learning computer basics and explore Google, social networking or whatever suits your fancy. No prior computer experience is required. Space is limited: please call to make a reservation: (626) 300-0777 ext. 579 *http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/six-million-more-seniors-using-the-web-than-five-years-ago/

The Inner Smile

Monday, June 27th, 6:00 p.m. – The Taoist way of forgiveness is to practice the “Inner Smile.” Join DR. BERNIE PEREZ for an introduction to this discipline that helps one practice being non-judgmental of people or events by using meditation to transform your negative feeling into the positive energy of the virtues. Bernardo Perez, D.C. is nationally board certified, California Board Certified and a member of the International Chiropractic Association. He has a private practice in the San Gabriel Valley and is currently in the master program in acupuncture at South Baylo University in Los Angeles. Dr. Perez was born and raised in southern California and lives in Arcadia. He is dedicated to helping people of all ages attain their optimal state of health and well being. Dr. Perez lives in Arcadia with his wife and practices tai chi, qigong and kung fu. This program is free, but space is limited. Call (626) 300-0777 extension 579 to reserve your space. This lecture is part of the ongoing MEDICAL MONDAYS @ Crowell Library, programs designed to help you stay healthy and active. Join us and learn about important health topics from the experts.

Adult Summer Reading Program

NOVEL DESTINATIONS: The Adult Summer Reading Program @ Crowell Public Library. Where will you go this summer? If you make it as far as 1890 Huntington Drive in San Marino, you just may “see” the world! Dream vacations, exotic countries and cultures -- the possibilities are endless in the stacks of Crowell Public Library. Join the Adult Summer Reading Program to begin your expedition. Adults (18 and over) can register at the Reference Desk beginning June 13, continuing through July 30th. There will be weekly prizes. For more details email llyons@cityofsanmarino.org Armchair travelers will also want to come to Crowell for some exotic film locales featured in the Library’s summer cinema series: Thursday, June 16th: Room with a View (1985) Thursday, July 21st: Murder on the Orient Express (1974) Thursday, August 18th: Out of Africa (1985). All movies screen at 10:00 a.m. and popcorn will be served. For those vacationing outside San Marino, (after getting your passport processed at our circulation counter, of course) take a digital photo of your Crowell Library card with the travel destination in the background, and enter the photo contest, “Toto, we’re not in San Marino anymore…” Whether the background is Graceland or the Sphinx, the possibilities are endless, and there will be prizes! Photos should be submitted to ddobbs@cityofsanmarino.org: include your name, phone number, library card number and the location of the photo. Make sure “Crowell Library” is readable in the photo. Photoshop or altering software may not be used. Entries must be received before Labor Day (Sept. 5), and will become part of a slide show accessible from the Crowell Library website. This contest is open to adults 18 and older. And what to do with all those other digital photos from your travels? Come to Crowell Thursday, July 21st at 7:00p to learn how to use Picasa, Flickr, Photobucket and other online applications. Crowell Public Library fulfills a multitude of travel needs!

Coffee and Cramming @ Crowell!

Middle School: Tuesday, May 31-Thursday, June 2
High school: Monday and Tuesday, June 6 and 7
Weeknights, 3-8pm
Barth Community Room

Finals are here! Hard-working teens are invited to enjoy coffee and snacks in the student-only group-study zone, which is otherwise known as the Barth Community Room. Middle school students (grades 6-8) reign in on Tuesday, May 31, Wednesday June 1, and Thursday, June 2 from 3-8pm. High school students rule on Monday, June 6 and Tuesday June 7 from 3-8pm. All brainiacs in attendance will be entered to win a Barnes & Noble Gift card! Crowell Public Library: where you can get your exam cram on!

Want to take a break from studying? Relax with games in the YA corner. In addition to the game staples of Uno, Scrabble and checkers, teens can enjoy Wits & Wagers, Apples to Apples. Coffee and Cramming @ Crowell is free, and generously sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library.

World Wide Knit in Public Day!

Friday, June 10th 11:00 a.m. – WORLD WIDE KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY was started in 2005 by Danielle Landes as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each other’s company. According to the WWKiP website, it’s become the largest event of its kind in the world. The knit-wits at Crowell Library are encouraging anyone who has needles and/or a crochet hook to stop by and see what’s going on with fellow yarn enthusiasts of the greater San Gabriel Valley. All ages are welcome! World Wide Knit in Public Day is a grand opportunity to show the general public what the knitting community looks like and what diverse and dynamic talents they possess. Instead of lining the sidewalks of Huntington Drive, relax in the Library’s comfy Barth Community Room sharing perls of wisdom while keeping everyone in stitches. It will be impossible not to cosmically connect to the worsted wizardry permeating the room. Knitters know their craft transcends language barriers and could easily bring world peace should everyone in the world knit simultaneously on the same day – imagine the size of THAT scarf! Is that a goal or what? It has not been shown that stitching together thwarts stormy weather, but it does foretell a good yarn. To learn more about World Wide Knit in Public Day, visit: http://www.wwkipday.com/ We needle you not! Light refreshments will be served. The more the merrier! Share this event on Facebook & Twitter. 1890 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA 91108-2595 ● Phone: (626) 300-0777 For more information, visit our website www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org

Quality of Life: Life Review

Tuesdays starting, May 31st 10:30-11:30 a.m. Are you an older adult who believes lifelong learning keeps you young and relevant? There’s a new class for you at Crowell Public Library. JOANNA M. SAPORITO, L.C.S.W., presents Quality of Life - Life Review, an interactive class focusing on improving the quality of life, increasing social outlets, and clarifying life issues. There will be discussion topics related to older adulthood, such as: • Having a positive attitude and outlook • Social connections • Personal independence and appropriate interdependence • Being realistic and resilient This free discussion group will meet weekly on Tuesdays in the Barth Community Room at Crowell Public Library. Get in on the ground floor of a very fulfilling journey. According to the Administration of Aging (http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/index.aspx) “…persons 65 years or older -- numbered 39.6 million in 2009…. [representing] 12.9% of the U.S. population, about one in every eight Americans. By 2030, there will be about 72.1 million older persons, more than twice their number in 2000.” Jump on a bandwagon that is active, interested and living longer with a positive attitude. Grab a cup of coffee and the hour will zip by! An expert in the field for almost twenty years, Joanna M. Saporito, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who recently obtained a Certificate in Aging from Boston University. She’s had extensive training in issues related to work, domestic abuse, loss and grief. She has a private practice in Glendale and has been teaching at Glendale College for 13 years. She also teaches in the Life Long Learning program for older adults. If truth be known, her favorite students are those in Life Long Learning!

25 Years of LA Opera

25 YEARS OF L.A. OPERA SUNDAY, May15th 2:00 p.m. – In just a quarter century of existence, LA Opera has become the United States' fourth largest opera company, and now, "...stands out as a newly important force in American Opera." (Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times). Under the leadership of Eli and Edythe Broad and General Director Plácido Domingo, LA Opera has presented memorable and remarkable works as well as spectacular artists at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Join LA Opera Community Educator DIANE BELTOYA for an audio-visual presentation highlighting those twenty-five years of performances on Sunday, May 15th at 2:00 p.m. Among the many productions that will be reviewed: Grendel (from 2005-06);Renée Fleming in La Traviata (2006-07);The Recovered Voices series; composers affected by the Holocaust (2008); Involvement of the great Placido Domingo and conductor James Conlon; Wagner’s Ring Cycle (2010);World premiere of Daniel Catán's Il Postino starring Plácido Domingo as Pablo Neruda (2010);LA Opera has become a company of international stature, presenting leading productions in the standard repertory as well as new and rarely-staged operas. The Company brings prominent Los Angeles artists together with other world-renowned singers, designers, directors and conductors to create opera that attracts the attention of international audiences and critics. Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to see what you’ve been missing or to re-live those special performances. Make Crowell Library your LA Opera gateway! The more the merrier! Share this event on Facebook & Twitter.

2-1 Admission to Crowell Cardholders to Pacific Asia Museum

Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month with 2-for-1 admission this May to Crowell Public Library cardholders.

This special offer will allow Crowell Library cardholders to enjoy a 2-for-1 admission throughout May, 2011, to galleries/exhibitions and public programs that are included with admission. For May event calendar, visit http://pacificasiamuseum.org/_events_calendar/

See the "2-for-1 Admission" flyer.

The visitors will also have the wonderful opportunity to view three concurrent special exhibitions.

• Visions of the Orient: Western Women Artists in Asia 1900-1940,
• Meiji: Japan Rediscovered
• Through the Colonial Lens: Photographs of 19th and 20th Century India

Free Tickets to Luckman Fine Arts!

FREE Tickets Available @ Crowell Library for Upcoming Luckman Fine Arts Performances:

• May 14th Bodytraffic Dance Company;
• May 21st Luckman Jazz Orchestra

Grab them while they last! Our generous friends at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State L.A. are donating a limited number of free tickets to two upcoming performances. The tickets will go to Crowell Library cardholders in good standing who are San Marino residents and will be limited to two per library card number.

BODYTRAFFIC is a repertory dance company based in Los Angeles that serves as a vehicle for dancers, choreographers, visual artists, composers and musicians, providing all with an opportunity to experiment, create, and present new work. Their expanding repertoire includes works by Lillian Barbeito, Sarah Elgart, Alex Ketley, Andrea Miller, Laura Gorenstein Miller, Barak Marshall and Guy Weizman & Roni Haver. The company will perform a world-premiere by celebrated Belgian choreographer Stijn Celis. The performance is at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14th.

On Saturday, May 21st also at 8:00 p.m., the LUCKMAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA will perform a tribute to Clifford Brown. Though his career lasted only four short years, Clifford Brown’s impact on the jazz world still resonates strongly today. With over 20 album credits to his name, in addition to numerous tributes by jazz superstars ranging from Benny Golson to Arturo Sandoval, Clifford Brown did in a few years what most could only dream of accomplishing in a lifetime.

For more information on the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, visit: http://www.luckmanarts.org/ or http://www.facebook.com/luckmanfinearts or follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/luckmanarts

What else is free at Crowell Library? Books, CDs, DVDs, the Internet, lots and lots of programs and friendliest service in San Gabriel Valley! Also coming in May: 2-for1 admission to the Pacific Asia Museum with your Crowell Library card!

Free CTAP Hearing Test

Friday, May 20th, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Representatives from the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) are coming to Crowell Library. If you have difficulty hearing on the telephone, you will want to take advantage of this wonderful program that connects people with the equipment that makes communication a breeze. All you need to do is fill out an application, make an appointment time by calling the Reference Desk at Crowell Library, and on Friday May 20th, you will meet with audiologist Guoping Cai and have your hearing tested. If you are certified for hearing difficulties, then adaptive equipment will be provided free of charge. CTAP equipment offers many features including telephones that amplify incoming and outgoing sounds, use of large or talking buttons, memory dialing picture buttons, conversation in text, extra loud ringers and strobe flashing lights. CTAP representatives will find the equipment that best suits your needs. The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) is a public program mandated by the California State Legislature and administered by the California Public Utilities Commission .The DDTP has two components: the California Relay Service (CRS), which includes Speech to Speech, and the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) which provides assistive telecommunications equipment. The mission of the program is to provide access to basic telephone service for Californians who have difficulty using the telephone. To schedule an appointment, call the Crowell Public Library Reference desk, (626) 300-0777 ext. 579. Applications are available at the library or can be downloaded at www.ddtp.org. Be certified for hearing difficulties and pick up your equipment the same day!

Introduction to Email

Back by popular demand: Introduction to E-mail; Part 1: Tuesday, May 10th,Part 2: Tuesday, May 17th; Both sessions 1:00-2:30 p.m. Do you have limited experience with computers and are new to the world of e-mail? You have friends at Crowell Public Library! Join fellow novices in this two-session class and learn to send and receive messages on a free e-mail account. A very patient and personable instructor will help you set up the account and cover the basic concepts you’ll need to know. You must attend the first session in order to attend the second where there will be opportunities to ask questions, learn additional computer skills and practice. In no time at all you’ll be exchanging messages from relatives you never knew you had! If you’ve been too intimidated to take the plunge, the Crowell Computer Lab is the ideal place dive into action. Reservations are required so please call (626) 300-0777 ext. 579.

What's Under the Clutter

Tuesday, May 10th 7:00-8:30 p.m. Why do we keep what we keep and how we can evaluate our possessions to see if they really are worth the shelf space? On Tuesday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m. top personal organizer TRACY McCUBBIN returns to Crowell Library to talk about both the practical and emotional sides of clutter and why we keep it around. She’ll also offer some very concrete steps to help you deal with and ultimately reduce clutter, from mail to paperwork to children’s artwork. Tracy always offers a plethora of professional tips, while exploring the mindset that blocks us from letting go of things. Attendees will come away with solutions they can immediately put to use. Don’t let accumulated household clutter stress you out. Join us at the library for this free workshop and take control of your physical space!

Transform Your Tees!

A Teen Library Club (TLC) event
Monday, April 25th @ 3:30 pm
Barth Community Room

Don’t throw out that favorite ratty T-shirt! Middle school and High school students grades 6-12 from the San Gabriel Valley area are invited to transform these can’t-wear-in-public Fashion Don’ts into Fashion Do’s at the Crowell Public Library on Monday, April 25th at 3:30pm in the Barth Community Room.

Create purses, halters, dresses, pillowcases, book covers and more! Generation T(eens) can use ideas from Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt by Megan Nicolay and the Generation T website (http://www.generation-t.com/)--or create their own designs. Supplies will be provided—we will even have extra tees to transform on hand, although teens are encouraged to bring their own for best fit!

Transform your Tees is a Teen Library Club (TLC) event. TLC’s mission is to make the library teen-friendly! All TLC events are sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library.

Ragtime Kid author LARRY KARP

Thursday, April 28th, 7:00 p.m. AUTHOR -- LARRY KARP -- IN PERSON. A mystery set in 1899 in Sedalia, Missouri, The Ragtime Kid weaves the story of a white teenage pianist who implicates his idol, Scott Joplin, in a crime. The Friends of the Crowell Public Library are honored to have the author, LARRY KARP, in person on Thursday evening, April 28th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library’s Barth Community Room. Larry Karp grew up in Paterson, New Jersey and New York City. In 1995, he left medical work to write mysteries full time. Larry's books have been finalists for the Daphne and Spotted Owl Awards, and have appeared on the Los Angeles Times (The Ragtime Kid, December 2006) and Seattle Times (The King of Ragtime, November 2008) Fiction Best-Seller Lists. Larry lives in Seattle with his wife, Myra. The Ragtime Kid blends fiction and history, examining social attitudes and racial relations at the birth, death, and revival of ragtime music in America. The story begins when white music store owner John Stark is made the extraordinary and unexplained offer of a royalties contract for a tune, "Maple Leaf Rag," by a young, little-known black composer named Scott Joplin. Other upcoming ONE BOOK, ONE CITY festivities celebrating The Ragtime Kid are: Thursday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. Pianist DOUG HAISE Tuesday, April 12th, Musical Tour of Los Angeles Call the Rec Dept for details & reservations: (626) 403-2200 Thursday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. CROWN CITY DIXELAND BAND Thursday, April 21, 7:00 p.m. PHIL CANNON, ragtime aficionado & guitarist The more the merrier! Share this event on Facebook & Twitter. 1890 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA 91108-2595 ● Phone: (626) 300-0777

LA Opera Talks Dance

All about… L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato. SUNDAY, April 17th 2:00 p.m. What is L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato? The first-ever artistic collaboration with the Music Center, LA Opera and the Mark Morris Dance Group, for starters. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Mark Morris Dance Group performance of L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato at LA Opera will feature 24 dancers. Conductor Grant Gershon will lead the LA Opera Orchestra and Chorus as well as a quartet of world-class singers: sopranos Hei-Kyung Hong and Sarah Coburn, tenor Barry Banks and bass-baritone John Relyea. With George Frideric Handel's pastoral ode as the musical landscape, and set to the poetry of John Milton, along with sets inspired by William Blake's later watercolors, L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato is a true artistic feat sure to captivate. “A work of genius…it fills the soul with wonder." - The New York Times "As waves of running, leaping dancers breast the stage, arms wide in a flying embrace, they gather you up into the simple exhilarating joy of the moment. You never want it to stop." - Guardian.co.uk At Crowell Public Library, community educator BOYD COOK will discuss Milton’s poetry, Handel’s score, and especially the choreography. Coming from a family of dancers, Mr. Cook should bring significant insight to this aspect of the production. Whether a fine arts aficionado or a curious novice, attendees will be delightfully entertained and encouraged to ask questions and offer comments.

CERT Training for San Marino

(Community Emergency Response Team) Four Tuesdays: May 3, 10, 17, 24 6:00-9:00 p.m. As we’ve all seen recently, disasters strike anywhere, anytime and one can never been too prepared. Crowell Library is pleased to partner with the San Marino Fire Department for CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training. The four evening sessions will be offered from 6-9 p.m. in the Barth Community Room at the library. The program is free, without obligation, and vital for anyone who is interested in wanting to do more than “duck, cover and hold” during ANY kind of emergency. CERT graduates receive a CERT emergency backpack kit upon training completion. The CERT Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. Contact Jim Frawley at (626) 300-0735 or jfrawley@sanmarinofire.org for further information and to register. Also check out CERT info at: https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/about.shtm. Share this important info on Facebook & Twitter. 1890 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA 91108-2595 ● Phone: (626) 300-0777 For more information, visit our website www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org

An Evening of Poets & Poems

THURSDAY, APRIL7th 7:00 P.M. Patrons from all over the greater San Gabriel Valley will read their original works at a special presentation celebrating Poetry Month at Crowell Public Library, Thursday, April 7th at 7:00 p.m. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. In that vein, Crowell Library takes this opportunity to promote public support of the literary arts while broadening the recognition of local poets and their work. Come listen to the inspired works of published poets and amateurs alike and let your imagination be swept up in the auditory imagery of it all. If you’ve never been to a live poetry reading, this is your chance to experience it in your own neighborhood, with your neighbors next to you and at the podium. Be prepared to be surprised or emotionally challenged or to laugh in fits. "For poems are not, as people think, simply emotions (one has emotions early enough)—they are experiences." —Rainer Maria Rilke Java will be served with light refreshments. Berets and bongos are optional. A poem a day will not keep the budget deficit away, but reading one is always a good investment. The more the merrier! Share this event on Facebook & Twitter. 1890 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA 91108-2595 ● Phone: (626) 300-0777

More Music and a Musical Tour

This just in: the Friends of the Crowell Public Library have added a very special musical act to their One Book, One City events for 2011. The fabulous jazz trumpeter NOLAN SHAHEED will bring his five piece combo to Crowell’s Barth Community Room on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Shaheed hails from Pasadena and was lead trumpet with the Count Basie Orchestra for three years, and has toured with Eddie Harris, Teddy Edwards, and the Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton Orchestras. He has performed with Natalie Cole, Anita Baker, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Phil Collins, just to name a few. Nolan Shaheed is also one of LA's top studio musicians and is in great demand on the jazz scene. His latest CD, entitled “Lamentation from the Middle Passage,” is on West Coast Sound. Thursday, March 17, 7:00 p.m. Jazz & ragtime pianist BRAD KAY Thursday, March 24, 7:00 p.m. Jazz trumpeter NOLAN SHAHEED and his combo Thursday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. Pianist DOUG HAISE Thursday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. CROWN CITY DIXELAND BAND All performances are free and take place in the Library’s Barth Community Room, which has great acoustics, but only seats 80, so patrons are encouraged to arrive early. Also coming up in celebration of One Book, One City will be a MUSICAL TOUR OF LOS ANGELES on Tuesday April 12, 2011 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Starting at the Music Center, the tour will stop at the Charles Mingus Hugard Center, the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center and the new Grammy Museum at LA Live. The cost is $50 and reservations can be made through the San Marino Recreation Department (626) 403-2200. The deadline is March 28, 2011. A mystery set in the late 1800s in Sedalia, Missouri, The Ragtime Kid by Larry Karp weaves the story of a white teenage pianist who implicates his idol, Scott Joplin, in a crime. Every year the Friends of Crowell Public Library present a series of One Book, One City events that bring the community together in celebration of the joy of reading. How fun can reading be? Come see!

Magic @ Crowell Library!

“The 8th & ½ Wonder of the World” MAGICIAN BRUCE PEROVICH: Tuesday, April 5th, 7:00 p.m. Attention all adults: get ready for a big night of abracadabra! Come experience magician BRUCE PEROVICH at Crowell Public Library with all the supernatural chills, thrills and comedy that comes with truly amazing feats of thaumaturgy, conjuring and sorcery to boot. There might be a rabbit, there might be a dove, but there will definitely be awe and hilarity. And, there will be audience participation, so be prepared for hack saws and wands. No animals or humans will be harmed! Since 1981 Bruce's magic has been enjoyed by thousands of people throughout the country. His wit and charm have pleased audiences at countless corporate parties, festivals and schools -- a plethora of fascinating venues including Sears, Hilton Hotels, and Disney Studios. Bruce has performed for some amazing celebrities as well, including Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Norman Lear and Harrison Ford. For many years Bruce has been a member of the famous and exclusive Magic Castle in Hollywood where he has performed for his peers countless times. Don’t miss this magical evening of entertainment at Crowell Library – where you don’t have to buy an expensive dinner to get in!

LA Opera: Behind the Scenes!

The LA Opera Talk series continues @ Crowell Public Library SUNDAY, March 20th 2:00 p.m. Mezzo-soprano SARA CAMPBELL will give the inside scoop on exactly what goes on backstage at LA Opera before a performance when she comes to Crowell Public Library Sunday, March 20th at 2:00 p.m. in the Barth Community Room. She has firsthand knowledge on how featured performers prepare, as well as what goes on with the crew and chorus. A bustling hive of activity will come alive with her presentation. A native of Pacific Palisades, Sara received a B.A. in Latin American Studies from Smith College, taught bilingual elementary school, and then earned a second Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance/Opera at Cal State Long Beach. An exciting actress and singer, she has sung Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Bastien in Mozart's Bastien and Bastienna, Prince Orlovsky in Strauss' Die Fledermaus and Dorabella in Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte. Besides LA Opera, she has also sung with Opera Pacific and Opera Santa Barbara. This will be the first LA Opera Talk from a performer’s perspective, so you won’t want to miss this event.

ONE BOOK ONE CITY: Music! Music! Music!

The Friends of the Crowell Public Library, invite all music lovers far and wide to a series of special performances that are part of their ONE BOOK, ONE CITY events for 2011. Thursday, March 3, 7:00 p.m. Pianist GIL GUNDERSON Thursday, March 17, 7:00 p.m. Jazz & ragtime pianist BRAD KAY Thursday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. Pianist DOUG HAISE Thursday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. CROWN CITY DIXELAND BAND All performances are free and take place in the Library’s Barth Community Room, which has great acoustics, but only seats 80, so patrons are encouraged to arrive early. A mystery set in the late 1800s in Sedalia, Missouri, The Ragtime Kid by Larry Karp weaves the story of a white teenage pianist who implicates his idol, Scott Joplin, in a crime. More details on the One Book, One City program will be announced in upcoming weeks, including a special bus trip, and author appearance, so readers and music lovers are urged to check the Crowell Public Library website frequently: http://www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org

The Legend of PANCHO BARNES

Celebrate Women’s History Month! THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH,7:00 P.M. A charismatic figure immortalized in Tom Wolfe's book The Right Stuff, FLORENCE “PANCHO” BARNES was one of the most important women in 20th Century aviation. A tough and fearless pilot, Pancho flew on Amelia Earhart's wingtip, performed as a barnstormer throughout California, and made a name for herself as Hollywood's first female stunt pilot in the 1920's and 30's. Just before WWII she opened a ranch near Edwards Air Force Base that became a famous -- some would say notorious -- hangout for test pilots and movie stars. Known as the 'Happy Bottom Riding Club,' it became the epicenter of the aviation world during the early jet age. Chuck Yeager celebrated breaking the sound barrier there in 1947, and Howard Hughes and Jimmy Doolittle caroused in the bar. Pancho has become a fascinating yet enigmatic icon whose swagger is often celebrated, but whose story is largely unknown. Until now. After the screening of the film, producer NICK SPARK will be on hand to answer questions and enhance your appreciation of this dynamic aviation pioneer named Pancho. A filmmaker and writer with a keen interest in history, Nick is a former contributing editor to Wings, a bi-monthly aviation history magazine with national circulation. His articles have appeared in Naval History, the Annals of Improbable Research, the U.S. Naval Institute’s Proceedings and Naval History. He has appeared on National Public Radio and other media outlets domestic and abroad concerning his historical research. In 2005 the American Aviation Historical Society presented him with its Author’s Award for his article, “Secrets of the Spirit.” Seats are limited and reservations are strongly urged: (626) 300-0777 ext. 579.

Comedy Writer BOB MILLS

Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 7 p.m. BOB MILLS, one of Bob Hope’s long time writers, will be presenting a program of fond memories and video clips at Crowell Public Library on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Barth Community Room. Author of The Laugh Makers: A Tribute to Bob Hope’s Incredible Gag Writers published in 2009, Bob’s book was named one of Leonard Maltin’s “Top 20 Year-End Picks.” Bob will show clips from the many television shows he helped write for Hope and others and deliver those behind-the-scenes stories that will have you rolling in the aisles. A native of San Francisco, Bob Mills worked on the Dinah Shore Show, the Steve Allen Show and the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts before joining Bob Hope as a staff writer in 1977. He traveled the world with Hope for the next seventeen years. From 1992 to 1996, he co-wrote a daily topical humor column for the Los Angeles Times called Laugh Lines. In 1999, he became an enrichment lecturer for Crystal Cruises and for the next five years performed shows based on his experiences with Hope.

ONE BOOK ONE CITY 2011: The Ragtime Kid

On Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., the Friends of the Crowell Public Library, led by President MARYANN SEDUSKI, announced their One Book, One City selection for 2011: The Ragtime Kid by Larry Karp. A mystery set in the late 1800s in Sedalia, Missouri, The Ragtime Kid weaves the story of a white teenage pianist who implicates his idol, Scott Joplin, in a crime. Naturally most of The Ragtime Kid related events will be musical in nature, such as Thursday night’s lively performance by the Middle School Jazz Band. Other upcoming festivities celebrating The Ragtime Kid will include: Thursday, February 24, 10:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Screening of the 1973 film, The Sting, with Robert Redford & Paul Newman. Thursday, March 3, 7:00 p.m. Pianist Gil Gunderson Thursday, March 17, 7:00 p.m. Ragtime Music II, TBA Thursday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. Pianist Doug Haise Thursday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. Crown City Dixeland Band The concept of One Book, One City originated in Seattle back in 1998 as an entertaining strategy to build community – imagining a huge book group consisting of friends and neighbors, discussing plots and characters, while promoting literacy. Past selections for San Marino’s One Book, One City event have included Iron River by T. Jefferson Parker, Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart, and Samurai’s Garden, by Gail Tsukiyama. More details on the One Book, One City program will be announced in upcoming weeks, including a special bus trip, so readers are urged to check the Crowell Public Library website frequently: http://www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org

LA Opera TALK: Turn of the Screw

SUNDAY, February 20th 2:00 p.m. – LARRY VERDUGO, one of L.A. Opera’s dynamic community educators, will present a free audio-visual presentation on Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw, part of the very popular OPERA TALK series at Crowell Public Library. Background on Britten and his times will be presented, and excerpts will entice one and all into experiencing the full production at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion downtown, where Britten's mesmerizing score brings an unforgettable Henry James classic to the opera stage. This compelling production perfectly captures the work's supernatural atmosphere and features soprano Patricia Racette as the Governess, who is determined to protect two small children from menacing spirits. Tenor William Burden and mezzo-soprano Ann Murray makes their Company debuts, respectively as the ghostly Peter Quint and the housekeeper, Mrs. Grose. Whether a hardcore opera aficionado or a curious novice, attendees will be delightfully entertained and encouraged to ask questions and offer comments. Make Crowell Library your LA Opera gateway!

FIND YOUR VALENTINE BY THE NUMBERS!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH 7:00 P.M. GLYNIS McCANTS has your number! Come hear the celebrity numerologist explain how to find your match or reignite those staid relationships. She has studied numerology for over 21 years and has performed more than 20,000 readings. She has her own program on CBS Radio (New Sky Radio) and has appeared on over 40 television programs dispensing her wisdom. Glynis has given readings for private clients from Olympia Dukakis and Leeza Gibbons to Cybil Shepard. She is the author of Love By the Numbers: How to Find Great Love or Reignite the Love You Have Through the Power of Numerology (2010) and Glynis Has Your Number: Discover What Life Has in Store for You Through the Power of Numerology! (2005). "Glynis knows so much about numbers, she makes the Yellow Pages seem obsolete." --Caroline Rhea "What impresses me most about Glynis is her boundless hope and optimism about the world we live in today. She uses the ancient science of Numerology as her guide, but her insight and wisdom are invaluable...” --Olympia Dukakis Can love be calculated? Is your valentine just a digit away? Don’t miss this special evening and hear what Glynis and the Numbers have in store for you. The more the merrier! Share this event on Facebook & Twitter.

Introduction to Email

Part 1: Tuesday, February 1st; Part 2: Tuesday, February 8th; Both sessions 1:00-2:30 p.m. Do you have limited experience with computers and are new to the world of e-mail? You have friends at Crowell Public Library! Join fellow novices in this two-session class and learn to send and receive messages on a free e-mail account. A very patient and personable instructor will help you set up the account and cover the basic concepts you’ll need to know. You must attend the first session in order to attend the second where there will be opportunities to ask questions, learn additional computer skills and practice. In no time at all you’ll be exchanging messages from relatives you never knew you had! If you’ve been too intimidated to take the plunge, the Crowell Computer Lab is the ideal place dive into action. Reservations are required so please call (626) 300-0777 ext. 579.

Laughter Yoga!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH 7:00 P.M.Why not add a little laughter to your workout routine? You might find yourself looking forward to it, rather than dreading it. Laughter Yoga is a combination of simple, tension-releasing exercises combined with gentle yoga breathing techniques which help bring more oxygen to the brain. These are exercises that anybody can do and no special equipment is required. U.S. News & World Report (Angela Haupt; Sept. 24, 2010) says: “Laughter yoga blends attempts to provoke laughter via eye contact and childlike playfulness with breathing exercises. ‘The idea is that if you're laughing on the outside—even if, initially, you're faking it—it will create an effect on the inside that brings joy and releases endorphins,’ says Mary-Laurence Bevington, director of Movement Climbing & Fitness in Boulder, Colo... Laughter yoga has been introduced into senior centers, cancer wards, corporations, and prisons.” Do you really need a reason to laugh? Come join this free session lead by Certified Laughter Yoga Leader JANELL JORDA of Glen Ivy Day Spa in Brea.

Lakers Photographer Andrew Bernstein!

Monday, January 31, 2011, 7 p.m. San Marino resident ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN has been the NBA’s Senior Director of Photography for the past 28 years and will share his stunning photographs and behind-the-scenes stories for the first time at Crowell Library, Monday, January 31st at 7:00 p.m. in the Barth Community Room. Mr. Bernstein will have copies of his new book, Journey to the Ring: Behind the Scenes with the 2010 NBA Champion Lakers, for sale and plans to donate proceeds to the San Marino High School’s Performing Arts Department. Journey to the Ring chronicles the Lakers’ 2009-2010 championship season. The text was written by Lakers coach Phil Jackson: “Andy has shown the easy casual happy Lakers team from its beginning point to the angst and pain that comes at the end of those 114 or so games played to get to that final game, the end of that journey to the ring.” Kobe Bryant has described Bernstein as “one of the most influential people in the league because he’s giving you a real glimpse of what happens in the NBA… Other photographers just take photos. He takes moments.” In his many years with the league, Andrew Bernstein has covered more championship series games than any photographer. He was one of four selected for permanent exhibit at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame media wing and is also author of NBA Hoop Shots: Classic Moments from a Super Era. This is one library program not to be missed!

The Doctor Is In: Oh, My Aching Back!

Monday, January 24, 2011, 6:00 p.m. Next to that pain in the neck, what can be more common than back pain? DR. SHANE PAK will give the inside information on this common ailment in his talk at the Crowell Public Library Monday, January 24th at 6 p.m. What are the causes, the latest treatments, and how can I tell if my condition is serious? There will be ample opportunities to ask the doctor questions and engage in lively discussions. Dr. Pak is the Medical Director of San Gabriel Valley Medical Center’s Orthopaedic and Spine Program. The program is FREE, but space is limited. Call (626) 300-0777 to reserve your space. This free lecture is part of the ongoing THE DOCTOR IS IN! series of educational programs designed to help you stay healthy and active. The lectures by some of the community’s most accomplished physicians are being presented at Crowell Public Library, in conjunction with the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center. Join us and learn about important health topics from the experts.

Crowell Library Seeks Local Poets!

If you write poetry and reside in the greater San Gabriel Valley and would like to participate in a reading of original works, Crowell Public Library wants to hear from you! April is Poetry Month and the library will be presenting a special evening featuring local poets on Thursday, April 7th at 7:00 p.m. Please contact Denise Dobbs or Lynda Lyons at the library (626) 300-0777 by FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25th to be considered an applicant. Shortly thereafter, participants will be contacted and sent guidelines for the poetry reading. Poets must be 18 years or older and have a Crowell Public Library card (they’re free!). Poets’ selections will be reviewed to make sure guidelines are followed, and thereafter a schedule for the program will be determined. This is not a contest, but there will be a raffled prize for participants. Published poets are invited to sell their work. Bongos and berets are not required, but certainly welcomed. Coffee will be served. This is the first such event at Crowell Public Library. If you are a local patron and a poet, be part of history!

Monthly Morning Movie Classics

Third Thursday of every month at 10 a.m.Put your day in focus with a morning movie guaranteed to please. Come to Crowell Public Library for complimentary popcorn and free screenings of some of the best films ever made. Here’s the Winter line-up: January 20, Around the World in 80 Days. David Niven, Cantinflas. Best Picture 1956! February 24, Rebel Without A Cause, 1955. James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo. March 17, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961. Audrey Hepburn. Based on Truman Capote’s novel. April 21, Chinatown, 1974. Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway. Oscar to Best Original Screenplay. All screenings will take place in the Barth Community Room.