Compiling Family History: One Journey, Many Lives

Monday October 22, 7:00 p.m.

Seniors: while you still have the energy and most of your marbles, leave a record of your life -- for your descendants and for history! NAT READ will discuss the strategies in compiling and documenting family histories as part of the San Marino Historical Society’s celebration of the City’s Centennial, Monday evening, October 22 at 7:00 p.m. at Crowell Public Library

Do it while you are still able is the theme of the presentation. Learn about structuring, presenting and storing your family history via family group record sheets, pedigree charts and cousin finders. Nat Read will speak about the many databases and resources which are now available online, in addition to your friendly reference librarian. Learn interviewing techniques to apply to as many family members as possible. The pursuit of gathering vital records such as birth, death and marriage certificates will also be covered, in addition to obituaries, military and cemetery records, headstones, census records, and joining genealogical societies. Handling photograph is also included, especially the importance of labeling them who, where and when.

Nat Read has written several historical books and served on the board of the Pasadena Historical Society. His own life was told in One Journey, Many Trails which recounted the life of a newspaper delivery boy, golf caddie, bowling pin setter, busboy, Nevada casino change maker, super in the New York Metropolitan Opera, exchange student to the USSR, cabbie, U.S. Navy captain, civil rights marcher, cartoonist, copywriter, stand-up comic, bank director and author of the book Don Benito Wilson: From Mountain Man to Mayor.
Find out how easy it to get hooked on history, Monday, October 22 at Crowell Public Library.

Tech Tuesdays @ Crowell: October 9

Technology Fair -- 9:30-11:00 a.m.
with gizmo guru Stewart Rogers from Alice Computers
Facebook 101 -- 7:00 p.m.
with reference librarian & author Irene McDermott
Tuesday October 9

Seniors and technology-challenged adults of all ages are welcome to come browse the many new-fangled devices on the scene. What do they do? Do I really need one? Which one is right for my needs? How do you work the thing? Beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Barth Community, STEWART ROGERS from Alice Computers will demonstrate a variety of the latest devices, such as the iPad, netbook, and various tablet computers. Attendees will be encouraged to touch and try those new thin laptops and tablets and even see the internet delivered over the television. Stewart will be available to answer questions during this touch and explore session: a technology petting zoo of sorts!

Then at 7:00 in the evening, reference librarian and acclaimed author IRENE McDERMOTT will explain the ins and outs of Facebook and why this is an excellent way to keep up with the grandkids or those college students. She’ll demonstrate how to get started on the website that unites families across the miles and generations. She’ll show how to find friends, play games and even upload photos from your phone. Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with old friends and to find new ones.

Bring all your questions to this fun, judgment-free environment where you can learn and play.

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

San Marino: a Centennial History

A book launch with author Elizabeth Pomeroy
Monday September 24, 6:00 p.m.

San Gabriel Valley residents far and wide will find many fascinating facts about their community when the San Marino Historical Society presents it’s centennial publication, San Marino: a Centennial History on Monday, September 24 at 6:00 p.m. in Crowell Public Library’s Barth Community Room. Author ELIZABETH POMEROY will sign copies of the book beginning at 6:00 p.m. and start her presentation at 7:00 p.m. Books will be sold by check only before and after the program.

San Marino: A Centennial History traces the history of the first century of the city through words and images. This deluxe hardcover limited edition incorporates original research and includes full color photos, maps and text. The reader will follow the transition from the area's rich agricultural ranches to the establishment of San Marino as a city. Inclusion of the early families that shaped the culture will help to illuminate the city's development. Learn how many of the city's cherished traditions have evolved from these earlier times. It is the perfect gift for current and former San Marino families, San Marino High School alumni and people seeking to understand this slice of history of Southern California. San Marino: A Centennial History is perfect for holiday gift-giving and one to treasure every year.

Elizabeth Pomeroy, a California native, graduated from Stanford University and holds a Ph.D. in English from UCLA. She served on the staff of the Huntington Library for ten years, and has taught English at Pasadena City College for a decade, and at UCLA, UC Irvine, and California State University Los Angeles. She is also a writer and contributed a weekly column on historic places entitled “Lost and Found,” for the Pasadena Star-News and San abriel Valley Tribune. In the year 2000 she established Many Moons Press, which publishes books on Southern California history and nature.

For information on the San Marino Historical Society call (626) 304-9375 or email smhistorical@earthlink.net.

Join the Teen Anime Club!

For special screenings of Anime Film Features
Fall dates: Sept 25th, Oct 23rd and Nov 13th @ 3:15pm

Crowell Public Library invites Young Adults grades 6-12 to chill out after school and share their love and appreciation of anime at the Teen Anime Club. This is where otaku (obsessive) and casual anime fans gather to enjoy watching and discussing feature length films on the big screen as well as episodes from popular anime serials. Snacks and popcorn are served at all club meetings. Anime is a form of Japanese animation that uses colorful graphics similar to manga comics, which appear in book form.

The Club meets monthly on Tuesdays at 3:15 pm in the Barth Community Room. Meetings this fall are the same dates as the screenings, September 25th, October 23rd, and November 13th. To become a member of the Teen Anime Club and see these members-only screenings, simply pick up an application at the library or print it out online at http://crowellpubliclibrary.org/ and return to a librarian.

The screenings kick off in September with a Miyazaki masterpiece, followed by Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow in October. Look forward to a members-only screening of another blockbuster title (to be announced) in November.

Call the library for details about Teen Anime Club or e-mail Carrie Wilson at cwilson@cityofsanmarino.org, or visit the YA Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crowell-Public-Library-Young-Adult-Services/211010939008315 for updates.

Shiver me timbers! Pirate School Comes to Crowell Library

Thursday, September 13, 2012, 3:30 p.m.

Yo-ho, mateys! Kids (pre-school and up) are invited to Crowell Public Library dressed in their best pirate or pirate princess uniform for the complex curriculum known as Pirate School at Crowell Public Library Thursday, September 13, at 3:30 p.m. Although not on the AP list, this course prepares children for the many unexpected twists and turns life at sea might throw them, such as walking the plank, talking to parrots and dancing with a pegleg. Furthermore, this course is not offered at Stanford, CalTech or Yale. And, it is an absolute prerequisite for September 19, the official International Talk Like A Pirate Day.

Captain Kidds-in-training will hear several hair-raising tales of high seas adventures and learn to sing sea shanties from a real accordion-playing pirate, “Cupcake” (yes, he will explain the origin of that name). Pirate apprentices will work to finesse their "pirattitude" and play classic pirate games such as “Walk the Plank” and “Pin the Eye-Patch On the Pirate.” They will make their own Blackbeard-approved craft to take home, and keep whatever booty they may pilfer during the course. Every gem of piratology is buried treasure for these future Captain Hooks and Anne Bonneys!

Don’t be a bilge rat and miss this amazing course which will never be offered online! Arrrrgh!

Sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library.

LA OPERA TALK: Mozart’s Don Giovanni

SUNDAY, September 16th 2:00 p.m.

No woman is safe from his advances! No man is safe from his dastardly schemes. Don Giovanni is coming to LA Opera September 22 through October 14th. Can’t make it to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion? Come to Crowell Public Library and learn all about the legendary seducer for FREE. In the Library’s Barth Community Room, there is no nose-bleed section: all seats are “orchestra,” enhanced by great acoustics, air conditioning, and the grand company of fellow opera aficionados.

Lotharios, Casanovas, Don Juans: see your fate come to life in vibrant operatic form! Hear the highlights of this wonderful piece through the eyes and ears of DIANE BELTOYA, our favorite Community Educator from LA Opera. She will focus her talk on Don Giovanni and the Age of Enlightenment and show excerpts from the opera. Considered by many to be the greatest opera ever written, Mozart’s Don Giovanni deftly balances comedy and tragedy with unforgettable music.
Opera is not just magnificent music, dance and theater with astounding sets on a beautiful stage. An opera can sweep you away to foreign lands, take you back in time, dazzle you with pageantry and bring history to life. It is literature, social studies, cultural diversity, multiple languages and most of all, it is exciting! Come explore the world of opera through LA Opera’s education programs.

Opera has something for everyone.

How to Reduce Test Stress and Raise Test Scores

Thursday Sept 20th at 7:00pm

Someone utters the word “test” and a common reaction might be hyperventilation and sweaty palms. All those facts, figures and logic can fly right out the window at the sight of a blank answer sheet. Get a handle on the stress by attending this free lecture by BEN BERNSTEIN, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and the author of the recently released, Test Success! How to be Calm, Confident and Focused on Any Test. Dr. Bernstein will teach techniques that improve test performance and reduce anxiety on Sept 20th at Crowell Public Library.

Ben Bernstein specializes as a performance coach. His clients include individuals in high stress, high performance occupations: athletes, actors, business executives and healthcare professionals. As a teacher over the last 43 years, Dr. Bernstein has worked at every level of the educational system. His training model is receiving widespread attention and use. He is a national speaker on the subject of stress and performance, regularly speaking in schools, prisons, programs for under-served youth, and to healthcare professionals.

Registration is not required for this event, but space is limited. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library.