Crime Solving Techniques Today

Thursday, March 1, 7:00 p.m. – The Friends of the Crowell Library welcome all closet sleuths for an evening with San Marino son, STEVE GULUZIAN, Senior Forensic Scientist of the Orange County Crime Laboratory. Learn how a real crime is solved using modern forensic techniques. Steve is a product of San Marino schools having attended Carver, Huntington Middle School and San Marino High School, graduating with the class of 1988. He has a B.S. in Chemistry-Biochemistry and a B.A. in Economics from UCSD. He later earned his M.S. in Criminalistics at Cal State L.A and began working for the Orange County Crime Laboratory in 1996. Steve has testified in approximately 200 court cases using his expertise in DNA, toxicology, blood alcohol and breath-alcohol testing, trace evidence examination and crime scene investigation. He is currently a Senior Forensic Scientist and supervisor of the DNA department. The One Book, One City selection for 2012 is the debut novel by Graham Moore. A New York Times bestseller, The Sherlockian is a mystery about the life of Arthur Conan Doyle and the modern Sherlock Holmes obsessives who devote their lives to the secrets in his books, called “sublime,” “clever” and “delightful” by the New York Times, and “savvy” and “entertaining” by the LA Times. More details on the One Book, One City programs will be announced in upcoming weeks, so readers are urged to check the Crowell Public Library website frequently: http://www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org

Opera for the Entire Family!

SUNDAY, February 19th 2:00 p.m.This program is a great chance for children and anyone who hasn’t experienced opera to find out what all this music, singing, costumes and acting is about and how best to enjoy it. A community educator from Los Angeles Opera will talk, share video clips and recorded music and answer questions to get you excited about this unique art form. Whether you’re already a hardcore opera aficionado or a curious novice, you’ll be delightfully entertained and inspired to make a trip to the Los Angeles Music Center for a real opera experience. And this unique introduction is entirely free at Crowell Public Library. Make Crowell Library your LA Opera gateway!

It’s Valentine’s Day-- Party Your Way

Tuesday February 14th @ 3:15pm
Barth Community Room

Middle school and high school students grades 6-12 are invited to come to Crowell Public Library’s Valentine’s Day Party Your Way to celebrate their way. The party takes place on Tuesday, February 14th at 3:15pm in the Barth Community Room.

There will be something for everyone: for those that love Valentine’s Day, come to make gorgeous decoupage gift boxes, Hershey kiss bouquets, and decorate sugar cookies for your friends—or your sweetheart! Is Valentine’s Day too saccharine sweet and commercialized for you? Be creative—add a cynical twist to your gift boxes, make black Hershey kiss bouquets, and decorate sugar cookies (and eat, and roll your eyes at the sweetness)!

Love (or wisecracks!) will fill the air in the Barth Community room on February 14th. The festivities begin at 3:15pm. Registration is not required. Don’t miss out! This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library. Find out about this and other upcoming teen events at Tinyurl.com/YAFacebook-CPL.

Asthma: Guidelines & Treatments

Monday, February 13, 2012, 6:00 p.m. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma affects people of all ages, and more than 22 million people in the United States have asthma.* An asthma attack is a distressing and potentially life-threatening experience. DR. EDWARD HU will discuss the diagnosis, evaluation, and general management strategies for asthma. Edward Hu, M.D., is an assistant professor at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Dr. Hu serves as the Department of Medicine’s medical director for its Center for Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the USC University Hospital and its ambulatory practice. Dr. Hu’s areas of interests include common allergy-related problems, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, as well as rare disorders of the immune system. His research has focused on the role of pulmonary function testing in the evaluation of asthma control. His other clinical interests include food allergies, urticaria, hereditary angioedema, and primary immunodeficiencies. In his new role as medical director of the Center for Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Dr. Hu is dedicated to expanding the diagnosis and treatment options for patients with allergies and immunodeficiency disorders. Join us on Monday February 13 and when Dr. Hu will review the latest asthma guidelines and discuss treatment strategies. * Based on National Institutes of Health and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Living Trusts: What You Need to Know

Thursday, February 9, 2012, 7:00 p.m. — Californians choose living trusts to manage their family wealth. Learn how a living trust can ensure your loved ones continue to thrive through a crisis. As Californians age and "kidults" take longer to grow up, the older generation is increasingly concerned to ensure their hard-won assets are not needlessly dissipated by the next generation's serial divorces, profligate spending habits and addiction issues. How can you protect your grandchildren's ability to afford college through a living trust? How can you protect your adult child from a pushy new spouse? How can you support and incentivize your children's and grandchildren's highest purpose in life -- whether it's going to Harvard, becoming a plumber or being a stay-at-home mom? In this city of the nuclear family, how can we cement relations within our extended family so that our grandchildren grow up to be each others' closest allies? Back by popular demand, attorney ELIZABETH BOTSFORD’s program on Estate Planning in October at Crowell Library was very well received. She graduated with a law degree from the London School of Economics. She worked for Baker and McKenzie in Hong Kong, the European Commission in Brussels, Mishcon de Reya in London and has practiced law in California for well over a decade. Ms. Botsford qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and is an active member of the California Bar. She recently completed a Masters degree in tax law (LLM Hons) at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, graduating with Honors.

College Prep Survival Tools

Wednesday, January 25th, 7 p.m.

Getting prepared for college is tough. Libraries are a great place to find survival tools for college readiness. Embark on your journey at Crowell Public Library’s “College Prep Survival Tools” presentation Wednesday, Jan 25th at 7pm in the Barth Room.

You’ll find out about amazing library resources-- beyond the shelves, with the click of a mouse. This talk will highlight the best tools available, and provide quick, painless video tutorials on these resources, which include free online practice tests, scholarship finders, and more! These are resources you can access anytime--and on any computer, iPad or smartphone--for free! All you need is your library card. Don’t worry if you don’t have a library card—you can sign up for free after this presentation.

All high school students in attendance will be entered in a raffle for an Amazon.com gift card. Refreshments will be served. Registration is recommended--space is limited. Call the library at (626) 300-0777 to reserve a seat! This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library.

One Book, One City: The Sherlockian

On Thursday, January 5, 2012, Sherlock Holmes’ official birthday, the Friends of the Crowell Public Library, led by President MARYANN SEDUSKI, announced their One Book, One City selection for 2012: The Sherlockian, the debut novel by Graham Moore. The Sherlockian was a New York Times bestseller, which has been sold for publication in 16 countries and translated into 13 languages. A mystery about the life of Arthur Conan Doyle and the modern Sherlock Holmes obsessives who devote their lives to the secrets in his books, it was called “sublime,” “clever” and “delightful” by the New York Times, and “savvy” and “entertaining” by the LA Times. Graham Moore is a novelist and screenwriter. He first learned to love mysteries as an eight year-old when he and his mother would pass a copy of Agatha Christie’s A Murder in Three Acts back and forth, reading to each other. From there, his love of mysteries grew even stronger, culminating in his own contribution to the world of Sherlockiana. Moore has served as a staff writer for a season on the ABC Family sitcom 10 Things I Hate About You, and recently sold a script about the life of legendary scientist Alan Turing to Warner Brothers. He was born in Chicago, received a B.A. in Religious History from Columbia University, and currently lives in Los Angeles. Children’s programming Saturdays -- times vary: January 21: Movie: Great Mouse Detective; 2:30 Basil, the rodent Sherlock Holmes, investigates the kidnapping of a toy-maker and uncovers its link to his archenemy, Professor Ratigan. 74 minutes, rated G February 25: Storyteller, Ferrell Marshall; 2:30 Ferrell is a professional actor and voiceover artist. She was a 20 year member of the famed West Coast Ensemble and is currently a member of The Production Company, an award winning theatre group in Hollywood. March 24: 39 Clues Mystery Program; 2:00 A mystery is underway! Come uncover secrets, solve codes and enjoy activities related to the popular book series “39 Clues.” March 31: Movie: Harriet the Spy; 2:00 Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. But when Harriet's friends find her secret notebook, the tables are turned on her. Can she win her friends back and still keep on going with the spy buisness? 100 minutes, rated PG Adult Programs Thursday Movies, 10 am Jan. 12, Adventures of Sherlock Holmes with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The master sleuth hunts his archenemy, Professor Moriarty, who is planning the crime of the century. (1939, 85 min.) Feb. 2, Hound of the Baskervilles starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee (1959, 87 min.) When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate. Mar. 8, Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey and Jude Law (2009, 128 min.) PG-13 Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England. Apr. 12, Masterpiece Mystery! Sherlock -- PBS TV series, 2010. Sherlock Holmes stalks again in a thrilling contemporary version of the Victorian-era whodunits based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the go-to consulting detective in 21st-century London, with Martin Freeman as his loyal friend, Dr. John Watson. Thursday Evening Adult Events, 7 pm March 1, Crime Solving Techniques Today with Steve Galuzian, Senior Forensic Scientist of the Orange County Crime Laboratory. March 15, TBD Mar. 29, Sherlock Holmes & His Pipe with Robert Noble, member of the Board of Trustees of the North American Pipe Collectors. April 12, “221b Baker Street” with Chuck Kovacic: a look at how this address impacted the Sherlock Holmes series. The concept of One Book, One City originated in Seattle back in 1998 as an entertaining strategy to build community – imagining a huge book group consisting of friends and neighbors, discussing plots and characters, while promoting literacy. Past selections for San Marino’s One Book, One City event have included Iron River by T. Jefferson Parker, Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart, Samurai’s Garden, by Gail Tsukiyama and last year’s The Ragtime Kid by Larry Karp. The tireless efforts of Muffy Hunt, Chair of the One Book One City committee, have been pivotal in arranging all the programming and events associated with this year's selection. More details on the One Book, One City programs will be announced in upcoming weeks, so readers are urged to check the Crowell Public Library website frequently: http://www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org