Coffee and Cramming @ Crowell!

Tuesday, December 18, from 3:30pm-7pm
Wednesday, December 19, 1-7pm
Thursday, December 20, 1-7pm

Dreading those midterms? Looking for a place to study? Don’t stress out! High school students are invited to Crowell Library’s Coffee & Cramming student only, group study zone held in the Barth Community Room on Tuesday, December 18, from 3:30-7:00pm, Wednesday, December 19, 1:00-7:00pm, and Thursday, December 20, 1:00-7:00pm.

Enjoy snacks, hot cocoa and coffee while hitting the books and the laptops. All brainiacs in attendance will be eligible to win a Vroman’s gift card. Crowell Public Library: where you can get your exam cram on!

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library. Find out more about upcoming YA events by following us on Facebook and on Twitter and visit the library website at www.crowellpubliclibrary.org.

The Life of Michael White: San Marino’s Adventurer-Pioneer

On Monday, November 26 at 7:00 pm in the Crowell Library’s Barth Community Room, San Marino attorney and historian BILL ENGER will deliver a multimedia presentation detailing the life of San Marino's adventurer-pioneer, Michael White.

The chronicle of Michael White vividly personifies the adventure and romance of the 19th century and early California settlers. He was a teenage whaler rounding the Tierra del Fuego, a youthful vigilante thwarting Mexican pirates, a sailor in Kamehameha's Royal Navy, a ship builder, a cowboy, revolutionary and father of thirteen children who occupied San Marino's oldest home for many years. He helped build a new California with Don Benito Wilson, William Workman and the Mission people. White lived the life of ten men. His history will both excite and inspire.
William Enger is a native Southern Californian and resident of San Marino. He is an attorney by profession, but a history buff by nature. He is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and U.C.L.A. School of Law.

This one hour presentation is for all who love history, adventure and San Marino.

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!