Alma Nova Student Showcase Recital

Sunday, November 28th, 2:00 p.m. Back in June it was standing room only in the Barth Community Room at Crowell Public Library for the award-winning ensemble, Alma Nova, an innovative flute and guitar duo. Now they are bringing their students to Crowell to showcase their talents as well. What better way to spend a relaxed Sunday afternoon than by listening to great works for guitar and flute played by some of the San Gabriel Valley's finest young musicians? You will hear students of all ages perform, even some adults who will amaze and inspire. There will also be a special performance by Alma Nova and a light reception will follow. Flutist Jessica Pierce and guitarist Almer Imamovic are both masters of their instruments and their live performances are filled with energy and passion, creating a “…graceful, intuitively choreographed display of seamless connection.” (Fresno Beehive). This free concert will begin at 2:00 p.m. and seating will be on a first come, first served basis. You won’t want to miss this afternoon of beautiful music! Learn more about this exciting duo and hear samples of their music by visiting their website http://www.almanova.us/

LA Opera Talk: Rigoletto

SUNDAY, November 21st 2:00 p.m. L.A. Opera’s community educator NORM CADMAN will present a free audio-visual presentation of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, as part of the very popular Opera Talk series at Crowell Public Library. Mr. Cadman will present background on Verdi and his times and discuss the story behind the opera: Victor Hugo’s Le roi s’amuse. The full production of this beloved masterwork will be conducted by James Conlon at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The title role of the court jester will be performed by baritone George Gagnidze in his company debut, with soprano Sarah Coburn as Gilda, his daughter, and Italian tenor Gianluca Terranova as the licentious Duke of Mantua. Several of opera's best known arias, including Gilda's dreamy "Caro nome" and the Duke's instantly recognizable "La donna è mobile," illuminate this timeless tragedy. 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!

The Doctor Is In: Osteoporosis

Monday, November 15, 2010, 6 p.m. Everyone wants to keep their bones strong, but what is the best approach? Medication? Diet? Exercise? DR. SHANE PAK, Medical Director of San Gabriel Valley Medical Center’s Orthopaedic and Spine Program, will bring everyone up to date and discuss the latest treatment options for osteoporosis when he comes to Crowell Library Monday, November 15th. He will explain how the condition is diagnosed and treated. Learn if you are at risk and what you can do to protect the health of your bones. 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 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.

Friends of the Library: Book Sale!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6th - 10:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Bargains will abound in the Schow Patio at Crowell Public Library when the Friends present their bi-annual book sale. Now’s the perfect time to gobble up the goodies by the bagful: $3 for one bag and $5 for two. All treats, no tricks! And all proceeds go to the library. Without the Friends, Crowell Library would have fewer children’s books, children’s programs, the Chinese Collection and would not be open on Fridays. Life without Friends is just too sad to ponder. Also open during the sale, the Friends’ Book Shoppe which is famous for its high quality, gently used history titles, cookbooks, travel, business, children’s and fiction in an amazing array of formats: hardbacks, paperbacks, coffee table books, CDs, DVDs and more! Get a jump on your holiday shopping while giving to a great cause.

Author Jonna Doolittle Hoppes

Monday, November 8th 7:00 p.m. Jonna Doolittle Hoppes grew up an Air Force brat and developed a passion for preserving military and aviation history. The granddaughter of General James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, she has written two books: Calculated Risk, a biography/memoir about her grandparents, and Just Doing My Job, a collection of 19 stories from World War II. Her articles have appeared in Smithsonian's Air and Space magazine, as well as other publications. In addition to her writing career, Jonna works for the Department of Defense at Los Angeles Air Force Base. Praise for Calculated Risk: “Jimmy Doolittle set more high water marks than any individual ever in the history of aviation. I have had the honor of knowing the Doolittle family since WWII. Jonna Doolittle Hoppes has done an outstanding job of covering this great man’s life, as well as shedding light on the wonderful relationship Jimmy shared with his wife, Joe. Calculated Risk is a magnificent legacy to a true American hero.” —Bob Hoover, legendary aviator Praise for . . . Just Doing My Job “We are still talking about The Greatest Generation… Doolittle Hoppes has assembled a collection of first-person narratives representing the many faces of The War, each more compelling than the last. These true-life adventures show not only the heroism of everyday people thrown into extraordinary circumstances, but also the variety of experiences that made up the war years. Not everyone was a soldier, but everyone has a story worth hearing.” —Author Magazine This program is free and will take place in the Barth Community Room at Crowell.

San Marino Author C.B. Shiepe: Cliff Falls

THURSDAY November 4TH - 7:00 P.M. C.B. Shiepe, graduate of San Marino High School and USC, will discuss his screenplay that became a novel on Thursday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m. at Crowell Public Library. Cliff Falls is the story of an exploited child star on the run from his past -- until he hits that past head on. The story of how this former screenplay became a novel is an equally engaging saga that almost took a decade. Shiepe’s advice to new writers? “Don’t waste time wondering if you’re talented, just stay with it.” Shiepe will also talk about the self-publishing process which entails offset printing, distribution as well as promotion. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or just an eager reader, this evening with C.B. Shiepe is sure to inspire. This program is free and will take place in the Barth Community Room. What people are saying about Cliff Falls: “A fast, cinematic read, I recognized myself in Cliff Falls…The pressure to perform and to be someone other than who we want to be is universal. C. B. Shiepe has captured that experience and married it to our celebrity-centric culture. This entertaining, insightful book is the engaging result.” --Charles Slocum, Writers Guild of America, West "C.B. Shiepe has struck a chord capturing the core of the 'former child star' syndrome… something we haven’t seen before. I sat up through the dark hours reading this book. It kept me turning the pages...and filled me with a sense of hope. As a man who has lived and collected thousands of genuine kid star stories, I highly recommend this illuminating and insightful work." -- Paul Petersen, Founder, A Minor Consideration

Teen Cosplay Party

Barth Community Room
Oct 22nd @ 3:15pm

San Gabriel Valley teens (grades 7-12) are invited to celebrate Halloween early at the Crowell Public Library’s first-ever Teen Cosplay Party. The party will be held in the Barth Community Room on Friday, October 22nd at 3:15pm. Teens are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite anime or manga character. Other inspirations for cosplay include: superheroes, sci-fi and fantasy characters, American cartoon characters, and any other literary and film characters or even concepts!

Cosplay can be summed up in this simple equation: Cosplay=Costume+Roleplay. Cosplay can be much more than being in costume—cosplayers walk like their character, talk like their character, dress like their character, be their character.

There’s more: festivities include games, treats, music and prizes. Games include speed charades, Mafia--with an anime role-playing twist!-- and Apples to Apples. Party-goers will enjoy Japanese snacks and desserts and make their own candy sushi. The first thirty guests to arrive will receive a raffle ticket for a Borders gift-card. Prizes will also be awarded for the best costume.

Teens are encouraged to bring their friends to the Teen Cosplay Party. Registration is not required and the event is free! Teens wearing inappropriate attire will not be admitted. No weapons or masks, please. Call the library for details or e-mail Carrie Wilson at cwilson@cityofsanmarino.org. The Teen Cosplay Halloween Party is sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library.