Opera-Kadabra!

Saturday, May 4, 2013 2:00 pm

Opera and magic collide with spectacular results in this one-of-a-kind show as classic opera arias are artfully ornamented with visual magic. Baritone PATRICK BELL sings the beautiful arias that you all know and love – or will soon fall in love with -- and performs stunning magic that illustrates the character, affect of the music, and meaning of the text, in an entertaining and engaging art form. Each aria is introduced with a brief description of what is going on in the story, and the opera is sung live to a recorded orchestral track. Visual magic tricks are the vehicle that helps tell the stories.

Patrick Bell launched his career as a professional magician at the age of thirteen in Healdsburg, California. He earned both Bachelors of Music and Masters of Music degrees in Vocal Performance at UCLA, and has enjoyed several seasons with the Los Angeles Opera Chorus and the worldwide TV ministry Hour of Power Choir. He is currently the Parish Cantor at Sts. Simon & Jude Church in Huntington Beach, CA.

Patrick’s one-man show has delighted audiences through Southern California with magic and opera for all ages – children to seniors and everyone in between. Join us on Saturday, May 4th for an enchanting and captivating afternoon!

LA Opera Talk: Puccini’s Tosca

The LA Opera Talk series continues
@ Crowell Public Library

SUNDAY, April 21st 2:00 p.m.

Giancomo Puccini's Tosca closes out the Library's 2012/13 LA Opera Talk season: a fiery prima donna is forced to play a role she never imagined when she becomes trapped between her rebel lover and a scheming, treacherous police chief who will stop at nothing in his lust for her! This explosive triangle comes to a hair-raising conclusion in one of opera's bloodiest, most intense dramas. One of the most popular of all operas (could it be the lust and treachery?), the passionate tale that is Tosca is a set to some of Puccini's most openly beautiful music. This production will be conducted by Plácido Domingo at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in May.
A Community Educator from Los Angeles Opera will discuss this work, set in 19th century Italy, when Napoleon was emerging as a threat to the status quo and Rome was in chaos. The Opera Talk will feature audio excerpts and possibly video segments. The great performances you hear and the review of the opera's story will undoubtedly inspire you to go to LA Opera's production.
The Community Educators is a volunteer program of LA Opera, in collaboration with the Opera League of Los Angeles. LA Opera's team of trained experts addresses civic and social organizations, philanthropic groups, schools and library audiences throughout Southern California, free of charge.
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 which has something for everyone.
This introduction to opera at Crowell Public Library is absolutely free.

The Robinson Gardens and Their Tie to San Marino

Monday, April 22, 7:00 p.m.
with Tim Lindsay & Marcella Ruble

What could be more appropriate for Earth Day than a talk on gardens! Heirs to the Robinson’s Department store, Harry and Virginia Robinson’s financial fortune allowed them to build the first estate and world class garden in Beverly Hills. This set the stage for Beverly Hills becoming one of the garden centers of the world. Henry Huntington, Dorothy Chandler and Leslie Brand were the Robinson's contemporaries in the early part of the twentieth century and collectively, they were a force that shaped the cultural landscape of Southern California.

This fascinating lecture will also provide the historical connection between the Robinson's and San Marino. For example, Mr. Robinson's two sisters married and lived in San Marino, one to W. L. Valentine, a founding father of San Marino and chairman of the Board of the Robinson’s Department Store.

TIM LINDSAY, currently in charge of the ongoing restoration, preservation and programming of the Virginia Robinson Gardens, is a well-known teacher, historian, lecturer and landscape restorer. His gardens and writings have appeared in various publications, including Sunset Magazine and other scientific and garden journals. Home and Garden television has featured his garden restoration work and subsequent design work on multiple programs.

Tim and his fellow speaker, MARCELLA RUBLE, recently authored the book, Beverly Hills' First Estate, The House and Garden of Virginia and Harry Robinson.

Seating is limited and attendance to this free monthly series has been to capacity so arrive early!
San Marino Centennial books will also be available for purchase at 6:00 p.m.

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

Joyful Living/Happy Life - 「樂活人生」

The United Charity Foundation and Crowell Public Library present
Joyful Living/Happy Life - 「樂活人生」

New Speaker Series presented in Mandarin
Sundays from 2:00-4:30 p.m. -- April 14, April 28, May 19, June 23, June 30

Everyone encounters daily challenges that can result in either positive or negative stress. Coping with them gracefully, calmly and intelligently is the ultimate goal of this new Sunday series coming to Crowell Public Library beginning April 14. When talking about a joyful life, there many theories and principles to learn, but this series of workshops promises to be practical and workable. The workshops will offer tools to face the challenges of parenting, skills in emotional intelligence, communication, healthy eating, the ancient art of peaceful living, social etiquette, as well as problem solving skills. All participants will learn the know-how of a healthy lifestyle, achieving a happy, joyful and productive life.
Join us for this new series presented entirely in Mandarin! All workshops will take place in the Library’s Barth Community Room from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. There will be light refreshments and door prizes.
Sunday, April 14: Draw a Roadmap to Success for Your Child with Rosa Zee & Vivian Chan
Children are like passersby who stop to ask for directions. A parent's job is to offer them wise advice and guidance. This dynamic forum helps parents improve their understanding of children's behavior and shed light on the unique challenges facing Chinese American parents. Learn about the pathway to success for your child's education.
Sunday April 28: Healthy Living/Joyful Life with Dr. Shiuan Chen, Vivian Chan & Becky Lei
Keynote speaker, Dr. Shiuan Chen, Chair of the Department of Cancer Biology at the City of Hope will address the topic of “Super Food.”
Healthy Culinary with Vivian Chan will segue into…

The Art of Etiquette with Becky Lei

Will Rogers once said, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” Since people tend to gravitate toward food, dining etiquette plays an important part in making a favorable impression. They are visible signals of the state of our manners and therefore are essential to professional and social success.

Sunday May 19: EQ / Happy 1 2 3: the Four Arts of Zestful Living, with Ivy Sun, Rosa Zee,
Becky Lei

The 1 2 3 of Happiness
Happiness can be as simple as 1 2 3. Ivy Sun will explain how happiness is within one thought, and how one can learn to think positively, and take control of the present.

The 4 Arts of Zestful Living
This analytical lecture by Rosa Zee will focus on life in a simpler way and provides an experience to re-examine and rejuvenate the inner spirit of ancient Chinese Song scholars' 4 Arts. Learn the secrets of living harmoniously and be happy!

Listening: Your Source of Happiness

Listening skills are essential in any interpersonal relationship. Some say good listening skills correlate with popularity. Active and empathetic listening skills are the foundation of effective communication which will benefit you with better understanding, a greater number of friends and social networks.
Sunday, June 23: Parenting Forum

The Leader in Me: Do the Right Thing Even When No One Is Watching
Ivy Sun will lead this workshop on training children from an early age to form good habits, make good choices for themselves, and lead themselves to a successful life.
How to Raise a Philanthropic Child and The Other S.A.T. – Social Achievement Task Force
Does parenting leave you frustrated and pulled in many directions? Ivy Sun and Vivian Chan will show how to become your child’s role model by living a life of mastery and wisdom, of “giving is receiving,” and building a solid parent-child relationship. Learn about improving communication, recognizing opportunities for optimizing development and emotional growth, listening to your inner child, how to motivate your child, to cultivate good habits, and many more.
Sunday, June 30: Absolutely Beautiful: the Art of Joyful Living and Wellness with expert local doctors.
“Beauty & the Breast” for the heart of a woman - local doctor talks about breast cancer and heart disease which are among the leading health problems for women. Topics covered include prevention, impact and survivorship.

American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF): Julia’s Darling – Seeking the Recognition It Deserves

with Dr. Dee Fitzgerald
Thursday April 4, 7:00 p.m.

Julia Child was one of the founders of American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) along with Robert Mondavi and Richard Graff. DR. DEE FITZGERALD, Chapter Chair of AIWF Orange County will present a program at Crowell Public Library on Thursday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library’s Barth Community Room, featuring this 501(c)(3) national organization and its Days of Taste © (www.daysoftaste.org), a nationwide initiative which introduces fourth and fifth graders to good food habits and enjoyment. The program was featured last year on the Jamie Oliver Show for the Long Beach Fremont School program, now in its thirteenth year. With national attention focused on childhood obesity, the Days of Taste program is receiving special attention and a rejuvenation of the enthusiasm AIWF enjoyed during the early nineties, including a gathering of chefs on the White House lawn hosted by Michelle Obama. Dr. Fitzgerald’s presentation will trace the history, intention, present focus and current challenges of the 24 chapter, 3,000 member organization.

Dr. FitzGerald brings substantial credibility to the topic, as he served as one of three members on the national membership committee providing input to the restructuring of the national organization. He is a retired Navy dentist who has busied himself as a consultant in the dental field and with non-profits, including the AIW F.

Plan to attend this free event to learn more about the diversity of Julia Child and the timeliness of the organization she founded.

The Friends of the Crowell Public Library’s ONE BOOK, ONE CITY selection for 2013 is Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz. “It is rare for someone to emerge in America who can change attitudes, beliefs, and culture. Julia Child’s story, however, is more than the tale of a talented woman and her sumptuous craft.” (from the publisher’s description).

For further details on this exciting program and others at Crowell Library, keep an eye on the website: http://www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org.

Dearie author BOB SPITZ

Thursday April 18, 7:00 p.m.

The Friends of the Crowell Public Library will present BOB SPITZ, the author of their 2013 One Book, One City selection Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child, on Thursday, April 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library’s Barth Community Room. Mr. Spitz actually met Ms. Child says on his website: “I watched her TV show at my mother’s elbow when I was a teenager… but in 1992, while I was on assignment for various magazines in Italy, I got the chance to meet and travel through Sicily with Julia, which is when I developed a huge crush. She was, well, Julia Child! — larger than life and full of all the personal traits one associates with her: straight talk, passion, encouragement, wit, and insight. I knew immediately that I would write a biography of her and received her blessing.”

Bob Spitz is the award-winning author of The Beatles, a New York Times best seller, as well as seven other nonfiction books. His articles appear regularly in magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and O, the Oprah Magazine among others. Mr. Spitz will happily sign copies of Dearie for those in attendance. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear about the real Julia Child from one who knew her well.

Every year the Friends of Crowell Public Library present a series of ONE BOOK, ONE CITY events that bring the community together in celebration of the joy of reading. Past selections have included Iron River by T. Jefferson Parker, Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart, Samurai’s Garden, by Gail Tsukiyama, The Ragtime Kid by Larry Karp and 2012’s The Sherlockian by Graham Moore.

For further details on this exciting program and others at Crowell Library, keep an eye on the website: http://www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org.

Hiring a Contractor?

Be a Smarter Homeowner
Find out how to hire the best tradesmen
with Penny Spark
Thursday March 28, 7:00 p.m.

Are you about to remodel your home or hire a contractor? Then don’t miss Penny Spark’s free presentation at Crowell Public Library. She knows the twenty critical questions to ask when interviewing a contractor, the pitfalls to avoid during your home improvement project, as well as the legal requirements of the contract you sign. She will outline how to navigate the process from the preliminary planning stages through the inevitable changes along the way, to inspections, warranties and final payments. She can tell you what projects will increase the value of your home and what modifications you can make to keep seniors safe.

Penny Spark has been vetting contractors for over ten years and has guided thousands of homeowners through their remodels, additions, and maintenance and repair projects. She started the Southern California Home Improvement Referral Service when she got fed up with contractors she had hired for her own projects. She realized that hiring the right contractor is a very time consuming process and most people do not have the time to do it properly. Matching each job with the right contractor is main objective of her service.

Protect yourself from contractor schemes, dreaded outcomes and nightmare stories. Come to Crowell Public Library Thursday evening, March 28 for this free, informative program.