Thursday, May 15, 2014

Crowell First Library in the World to Offer Dakim Brain Fitness


For the past four months, Crowell Public Library in San Marino has been offering Dakim Brain Fitness on a trial basis to see if it was something patrons would utilize -- and utilize they did -- to such an extent the Library has acquired two Dakim Fitness setups, becoming the first library in the world to do so! Patrons are now welcome to come in for multiple sessions as the makers of Dakim recommend its use three to five times a week for 20 minutes. To schedule their sessions, they only need to call the Library at (626) 300-0777 extension 579.

Dakim Brain Fitness is an engaging software program specifically designed for people over 60 who want to exercise their brains. It can help revitalize mental acuity and has been shown in clinical tests to improve memory, attention, focus, and concentration. Recent retirees or seniors may find Dakim to be a great way to spend part of the day while giving their brains a little workout. There are five different levels, so users can find the one that suits them best. People who have already experienced some memory and cognitive loss may find that participating in the Dakim program improves their ability to focus.

Everyone’s heard the old adage, “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it,” and that is not only true of our muscles, but our brains as well. Dakim is designed to provide a comprehensive brain workout in just 20 minutes a day. It features vivid graphics, music, humor, movie clips, stories, and trivia to keep the program interesting, engaging, and fun. The touch screen environment makes it easy, even if the user hasn’t used computers in the past. No keyboard, no mouse are used. The user just listens, watches, and touches the screen to select a response.

The Library is still offering orientations that demonstrate Dakim. Call (626) 300-0777 and ask for the Reference Desk to sign up. After the orientation, patrons can schedule more sessions.

Pasadena Showcase House of Design: Stories Behind the 50th Anniversary Book


Wednesday, May 28, 7:00 p.m.

What weighs four pounds two ounces, took over two years and thousands of hours to create, and unveils intriguing facts about 50 of the most magnificent homes in the San Gabriel Valley? The answer: 50 Years of Pasadena Showcase Design Houses: Supporting the Arts Through Design, a commemorative book produced by 19 dedicated Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts (PSHA) members. Three of these members, Noel Jeffrey, Rary Simmons and Weta Mathies will join Book Committee Chair, Fran Biles at Crowell Public Library on May 28 at 7:00 p.m. to regale one and all with fascinating stories that were highlighted as the book was researched. They will lead attendees through architectural eras ranging from the mid- 1960’s to 2014, explain how a Showcase House is chosen, and may even reveal which home is said to have a ghostly resident.

The book also chronicles PSHA’s philanthropic work over the years. A visit to the Showcase Houses benefits the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the PSHA Music Mobile™, a Youth Concert, and the Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition. The PSHA volunteers are united by a belief in the power and beauty of music. Their collective desire is to fund programs that nurture the study and appreciation of music, utilize music as a vehicle towards health and healing, and ensure that music is available to a broad range of audiences.

For more information about PSHA, the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, visit www.PasadenaShowcase.org. or call 626-578-8500.

Come to Crowell Library May 28th to learn about these architectural gems that have been highlighted through the fabulous work by one of Pasadena’s most treasured charities.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Free Concert: a Jazz Quartet


The Friends of Crowell Library and
San Marino Music Center present A Jazz Quartet
Thursday, June 12, 7:00 p.m.

The third installment of the Crowell music series sponsored by the San Marino Music Center and the Friends of Crowell Library will feature a quartet led by music instructors AMBER NAVRAN (alto saxophone, vocals), JASON GOLDAY (guitar), and VICTOR CARRACEDO (drums). The musicians, all from the San Marino Music Center, will be performing “straight ahead” jazz, including many different styles such as bop, swing, Bossa, Latin as well as some pop vocal standards. In that mix, you’ll likely hear tunes from such artists as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Dorham, Miles Davis and many others. This free concert will take place in the Library’s Barth Community Room, and all ages welcome. No reservations are necessary.

Amber Navran earned a Bachelor of Music from the USC’s prestigious Jazz Studies program and
has been teaching students of all ages since high school. Jason Golday studied Jazz and Classical Guitar at Indiana University in Bloomington, receiving his BM in Performance. He received his MFA in Jazz Guitar Performance from California Institute of the Arts. Jason has over fifteen years of public and private teaching experience and also composes music for commercials, short films and silent films. Victor A Carrracedo studied at L'AULA de Jazz de Barcelona under the mentorship of Quim Sole, where he graduated with honors in 2011. Victor graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Master of Music degree from Berklee. As an instructor, Victor stresses fundamentals such as technique and sight reading. His ultimate goal is to share his knowledge about drums with students and seeing them grow as musicians.

For more information on the San Marino Music Center, visit:
http://www.sanmarinomusiccenter.com/index.html.
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For more information, visit our website www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org
1890 Huntington Drive, San Marino, California 91108