LA Opera Talk: Madame Butterfly

SUNDAY, November 18th 2:00 p.m.
Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly

Guided by an L.A. Opera Community Educator, you will follow this heartbreaking story of a boundless love that goes horribly wrong in a fateful meeting of East and West. What begins as an idyllic liaison in an enchanting land of cherry blossoms turns into the heartbreaking tragedy of an abandoned bride forced to make an excruciating decision. The stunning LA Opera production, never before seen in Los Angeles, melds sumptuous costumes with evocative period scenery. Even if you can’t make the performance at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, you can experience the story and history of the production at Crowell Library for free.
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.

Downloading eBooks Made Simple!

Tuesday, November 6: Downloading to a Kindle
Tuesday, November 13: Downloading to an iPad
Tuesday, November 20: Downloading to a Nook

What’s so great about checking out ebooks? You don’t have to return them! Along with traditional books, the Crowell Library lends eBooks, as well, and they are also free. These Tech Tuesday sessions at 7:00 p.m. will be a combination of demonstrations and hands-on experience to help you get eBooks onto your Kindle, iPad or Nook. Bring your device, along with its USB chord and you’ll be on your way. Please register in advance by calling 626-300-0777 ext. 579.

Each evening will start with an overview of the Overdrive platform available to Crowell Library. Then the audience will break into smaller groups and learn about downloading to their specific devices. If that new reader has been sitting on your dresser since last Mother’s Day, now is the perfect time to learn the joy of reading the Autobiography of Mark Twain without the bulk and weight issues!

Bring all your questions to this fun, judgment-free environment created by the knowledgable and e-savvy librarians at Crowell Public Library.

Where to Put Your Money in 2013

Thursday, November 8, 2012, 7-8:30pm

Your future financial security depends on making the best decisions and the fewest mistakes. Increased volatility and global uncertainty make it more difficult than ever to grow your money without taking unnecessary risks. Attend this free educational workshop and learn: why one of your safest investments could crash; which investment has major potential for growth; the factors that have the greatest impact on portfolio performance; how to avoid emotionally driven investing errors, how to make volatility your friend, and why Wall Street's recommendations could cause you to fail.

ALAN KONDO, a specialist in retirement and estate planning, is a Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Life Underwriter, and a business columnist for the Rafu Shimpo. He is an independent Registered Investment Advisor offering securities and investment advisory services through Charles Schwab. His program, “How Not to Lose Your Inheritance,” in August drew an enthusiastic crowd eager to learn more.

You won’t want to miss this free program at Crowell Public Library.

Coping Skills for Sight Loss

November 5, 19, 26 and December 3

Is your vision fading? Need help dealing with sight loss caused by macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts or diabetic retinopathy? Crowell Public Library is partnering with the Braille Institute in presenting four seminars that will address all your questions related to managing daily life with low sight.

November 5: Welcome to Braille Institute: understanding visual loss; low vision devices, macular degeneration presentation

November 19: The Business of Living: organizing and identifying money; marking and labeling household items; organizational skills

November 26: Staying Connected: rediscover the joy of reading: reading, writing and communication; resources & low vision consultations

December 3: Getting Around Town: orientation and mobility; information on Braille Institute, CTAP and low vision rehabilitation consultant appointments.

These FREE sessions will be held on Monday mornings from 10:00 to noon in the Barth Community Room.

For more information on the Braille Institute, visit http://www.brailleinstitute.org

Opera for the Entire Family

SUNDAY, October 21 -- 2:00 p.m.

Who doesn’t love a good story? Who doesn’t love great music? Comedy, romance, murder and mayhem, opera has it all and whether you’re eight or eighty, this free program at Crowell Library will be a great chance to get the lowdown on this high art. Los Angeles is so fortunate to have its own opera company and LA Opera Talks make it easy and convenient to learn about and appreciate the talents that lie behind these amazing productions, starting with Placido Domingo, a world renown treasure with more than 3600 career performances to his credit.

Opera is not just magnificent music, dance and theater with astounding sets on a beautiful stage. 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, on stage and behind the scenes. There is something for everyone. A community educator from Los Angeles Opera will share video clips, recorded music, answer questions and will get one and all excited about this unique art form.
This introduction is entirely free at Crowell Public Library. Bring the whole family!

Teen Read Week: Oct 14-20th

Crowell Public Library Celebrates Teen Read Week: Oct 14-20th

Reading for enjoyment is important for teens as well as adults. In a 2011 report, the Education Resource Information Center reported pleasure reading was found to fulfill three broad functions: it enhanced academic performance, social engagement and personal development. The study confirmed that in their pleasure reading, teens gain significant insights into mature relationships, personal values, cultural identity, physical safety and security, aesthetic preferences, and understanding of the physical world, all of which aid teen readers in the transition from childhood to adulthood.

http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/recordDetails.jsp?searchtype=basic&pageSize=10&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=teen+reading&eric_displayStartCount=1&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=kw&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&objectId=0900019b80464cd8&accno=EJ919795&_nfls=false

This year, Crowell Public Library celebrates TEEN READ WEEK, which runs from October 14-20th. A national literacy initiative that began in 1998, Teen Read Week encourages teens ages 12-18 to read for the fun of it. Teens in grades 6-12 register for Teen Read Week at the Children’s Reference desk, read a book of their choice, tell a librarian a little about the book, and submit their name for special raffle drawings. Teens completing at least one book will receive a free coupon for Penguins Frozen Yogurt. Raffle prizes include AMC tickets.

Visit the Young Adult Corner and check out the displays, reading lists, and popular new YA books. Find out which YA books made the Teens’ Top Ten list. Crowell library has all 24 titles nominated for the final list, so young adult readers are encouraged to read as many as they can before voting online from August 15-Sept 15th at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/teenstopten12.

In-person registration is required for this program. Visit the Children’s reference desk to sign up, report and win prizes! Visit the YA Facebook page at Tiny.cc/CrowellYA for updates.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library.

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.