Helping Hands for Hand Held Devices

Three Saturdays
January 23, February 27 and March 26
2:00-4:00 pm

Electronically savvy and patient students from San Marino High school will be available on three upcoming Saturdays from 2:00 PM to 4:00 pm at Crowell Public Library’s Thornton Room to help frustrated people figure out how to use their hand-held devices. People can sign up for any or all of the free sessions. Each class is independent and informal. Many people have iPods, Androids, tablets, iPhones, and other gadgets, but can’t figure out all of the features. The teen volunteers are familiar with many of the concepts behind these devices, so even if they haven’t used a particular gadget, they may be able to help a person figure out what to do.
This program was initiated by San Marino High School student Chunbill “Billy” Liu who grew up surrounded by gadgets, but noticed there was a technology gap with people who did not have that advantage. Billy approached Librarian Rex Mayreis about closing this gap, while getting in some community services hours for himself and his friends, but has continued the program because there is such a need. The Los Angeles Times covered a session last year and posted a video about it at http://lat.ms/1sODdVg.
If you are frustrated with online and telephone support options, come to Crowell Library and work with a living, breathing techie that will help you “bond” with your device. There’s nothing like one-on-one assistance to help solve problems and tackle sticky widgets.
Registration is required for this program. To reserve your spot, please call 626-300-0777, extension 579 as soon as possible. There are a limited number of teen volunteers, so slots will fill quickly.

Preparing for Special Needs Adulthood

Thursday, January 21, 7:00 p.m.

Over the next decade, many autistic children will reach adulthood. Parents need to have the resources in place to help them. Parent and motivational speaker Amalia Starr wants to help free families who are trapped in the belief that their autistic adult child would not survive out in the real world. Starr’s son, Brandon has taught her it doesn’t have to be that way.

On Thursday, January 21, Amalia Starr will present a program on how she helped her autistic son live his dream of independence when the professionals deemed it impossible. Amalia has been recognized as a pioneer and a trailblazer. By sharing the truth from her personal experiences over the past forty years, she shines a light on the path ahead to make life easier for other families traveling the same trail. Independence is an ongoing process that takes time but will work best if addressed before children reach their teenage years. If one needs additional motivation, just remember children will live 75% of their lives as adults. “When most people hear autism they associate it with a child,” says Starr. “But like my son, Brandon, our children grow up, and we want them to live well and learn how to survive in the world.”

Amalia Starr is a Transition and Independent Living Coach and founder of the Autism Independence Project. She is the author of Raising Brandon: Creating a Path to Independence for Your Adult “Kid” with Autism & Special Needs. Her latest book, “I Have Autism… What’ll I Do Without You, Mom? How to Prepare for When Your Special Needs Child Outlives You was released in October 2014.
Come to Crowell Public Library on Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 p.m. and benefit from Amalia Starr’s insights and life lessons.

Author & Historian Steve Snyder

Wednesday January 20th 7:00 p.m.

The Friends of Crowell Public Library’s Meet the Authors series resumes in 2016 with author Steve Snyder on Wednesday, January 20th at 7:00 p.m. in Crowell Library’s Barth Community Room. World War II enthusiasts and history buffs alike should not miss his fascinating chronicle about the crew of this memorable flying fortress.

The B-17 Susan Ruth was knocked out of the sky by German fighters on February 8, 1944. Some men died, some were captured and became prisoners of war, others evaded the Germans but were betrayed, captured, and shot, and some were missing in action for seven months. Through personal letters, oral and written accounts, military records, and interviews -- all from people who took part in the events that happened 70 years ago -- the stories of the crewmen come alive. Everything is centered around the 306th Bomb Group stationed at Thurleigh, England of which the crew of the Susan Ruth was part.

Steve Snyder graduated from UCLA with a B.A. degree in economics and has lived in Seal Beach, California since 1972. After 36 years in national sales and management, he retired and began his quest to learn more about the World War II experiences of his father, pilot Howard Snyder. After four and a half years of research, Shot Down was finally published and has received fifteen national book awards. Steve’s new career as a World War II historian has resulted in his membership with numerous World War II organizations, and he has become President of the 306th Bomb Group Historical Association. Steve’s program about these true World War II heroes will kick off the 2016 Season of the Friends’ Meet the Authors series at Crowell Library.

With such wonderful Friends as these, the authors keep coming at Crowell Public Library!

Working with Remodeling Contractors

Saturday, January 16, 10:30 am

If you are about to remodel your home or hire a contractor, don’t miss Penny Spark’s free presentation at Crowell Public Library on Saturday, January 16th. She knows the 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 planning stages through the inevitable changes along the way, as well as 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. You will learn how to stay in charge, control costs and see your job finish on schedule.

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 (now Slate, Ltd.) when she got fed up with contractors she had hired for her own projects. She realized that hiring the right contractor is very time consuming and most people do not do it properly. Matching each job with the right contractor is the main objective of her service.

Protect yourself from contractor schemes, dreaded outcomes and nightmare stories. Come to Crowell Public Library for this informative program on Saturday, January 16 at 10: 30 a.m.

English for Beginners: 2016 Sessions

Fridays: January 15 - February 26
1:15-2:30 pm

This free class at Crowell Public Library is for those who know just a bit of English, but want to learn more. If you or somebody you know is an English beginner and wants to improve, this free seven week class will help all participants make progress. Instructor Richard Bourell will cover vocabulary and basic concepts. His method is to concentrate on listening and conversation skills so that students can interact in English, building vocabulary and confidence. The class will not dwell on grammar, but will encourage students to learn English through real life situations and dialogs.
Richard Bourell has been teaching English for almost forty years, locally and globally, and is the author of the Video Language DVD series, and In English, a video and workbook-based ESL series. He has taught for the Los Angeles Unified School District, the American English Institute in Mexico City, the Richard Lewis School of Languages in Paris, Huntington Park Community Adult School and the ELS Language Center in Los Angeles. His students have come from all over the globe: Latin America, the Middle East, Russia, Korea and Japan. Now Mr. Bourell is reaching out to the community and offering his course for free, a fabulous opportunity for patrons of Crowell Public Library, so don’t miss out.
Interested learners must register in advance by calling the Library at (626) 300-0777, extension 579.

The Yosemite Murders: Catching Cary Stayner

Thursday, January 14, 7:00 pm

In February of 1999 at Cedar Lodge in Yosemite National Park, three guests disappeared. It wasn’t until March that the bodies of Carole Sund, her daughter Julie, and family friend Silvina Pelosso were found. Special FBI Agent George Fong and dozens of others in law enforcement chased the killer for over six months, worried that he would strike again. Come hear the story of how the investigation unfolded, where luck played a vital role on the killer’s part, and the mistakes he made that got him caught.

George Fong spent 27 years as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he scrutinized all facets of violent crimes including kidnapping, extortion, serial murders, crimes against children, bank robbery, drug trafficking, and gangs. He worked on a number of high profile murder and kidnapping cases and was a member of the FBI’s Evidence Response Team and a certified Undercover Agent. He served as the Supervisory Special Agent of the Violent Crime Squad before being promoted as the Deputy Program Director of the National Gang Intelligence Center and Unit Chief of the Violent Gang Program in Washington D.C. His last assignment was as an Assistant Inspector before retiring. He now serves as ESPN’s Director of Global Security for the western half of the U.S. and Pacific Rim. Mr. Fong is also a mystery writer and his debut novel, Fragmented was released in February of 2014.

Don’t miss this riveting account of how an investigation unfolded, a mystery was solved and a murderer was captured.

Rose Pruning Made Easy

Saturday, January 10th, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Ron Serven, Environmental Services Manager/City Arborist for San Marino will conduct his 22nd annual rose pruning workshop on Saturday, January 10, 2015, and give even the most inexperienced gardeners the knowledge to promote healthy, beautiful rose blooming when spring comes around. Learn the techniques in just an hour or so and be ready to work in companionship with nature in no time.

A former City Parks Division Manager, Ron’s expertise with roses is still visible throughout the city, particularly at Lacy Park. Many rose lovers have benefited from and attended repeat performances of Ron’s workshop at Crowell Library. He will demonstrate optimum rose pruning techniques and answer questions from the audience, such as what to do in cold weather, or how to deal with irregular rainfall. Those who attend will be ready to go out into their own yards the very same day to get the job done. Attendees will get a better sense of how Mother Nature works and will soon be spending some enjoyable time in their home gardens, armed with the knowledge to keep it thriving and beautiful.

This workshop is free and reservations are not required, but if you have questions, please call the library (626) 300-0777, extension 579.