Medicare 101

Tuesday, September 8 – 10:00 a.m.

Whether one is approaching age 65 or is already receiving Medicare benefits, experiencing this free educational webinar on the Zoom platform will be most beneficial. On Tuesday, September 8 at 10:00 am, Medicare 101 will cover the basic rules, regulations and time frames seniors need to know.  If you are interested in streaming this program, please send an email to ddobbs@cityofsanmarino.org and we will send you the link to the program.

An independent broker working in Pasadena, John Dickey will present an hour’s program on the many aspects of Medicare and will answer all questions.  He will serve as a free resource and advocate, now and at any time in the future, to help people find the Medicare information they need.  John’s guidance, and advocacy on behalf of seniors is always totally independent of any insurance company and is governed by CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services).  

When the time comes to choose a Medicare plan, reviewing all of the options can be overwhelming.  This "Medicare Made Clear" meeting will offer tools and resources that make it easier to understand and apply all of the basic rules of Medicare.  Learn the rules of Medicare, the available elections and options, how to avoid penalties, and what Parts A, B, C, D, and E are.

John Dickey has given numerous presentations throughout San Gabriel Valley on Medicare, including Arcadia, Altadena and Monrovia.  He frequently attends insurance training seminars and classes to stay current on all government regulations and available plan options.  He is a fully licensed certified Health Insurance Planner, has an MBA, and has lived in San Gabriel Valley for 20 years. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to get all your questions on Medicare answered.  Sign up by sending your email to ddobbs@cityofsanmarino.org.  If you need help getting comfortable with the Zoom platform, please contact Eric, our Tech Whiz on Mondays or Wednesday from 1-4:00pm at (626) 300-0777 extension 544.

Dig Deeper: Summer Reading at Crowell Library

Dig Deeper: Read, Investigate, Discover!

Monday, June 22^nd – Friday August 2   

Crowell Public Library urges families to get ready, get set, go to the library’s website and sign up for Dig Deeper: Read, Investigate, Discover!  Crowell Public Library’s Summer Reading Club runs June 22 through August 7, 2020. This year’s theme is Dig Deeper: Read, Investigate, Discover! During the next two months, the library will host reading challenges for all ages to encourage and support a love of reading. Participants can enter to win prizes for reaching their reading goals.
“We’ve planned a wonderful virtual program for participants. Between the Library and Recreation Departments' reading challenges and weekly activities, the city's Community Services is still a great place to read, learn, and discover what’s available for our patron's enjoyment,” said Tera Torres, Youth Services Librarian. “We know how much our community looks forward to the Summer Reading Club every year. This year we are excited to offer an online program highlighting prizes from such local businesses as Julienne, Vroman’s Bookstore, San Marino Toy & Book Shoppe, The Monogrammed Home, The Cub House, and more. We also couldn’t do it without support from our sponsors: The Friends of the Crowell Public Library, The Arboretum, The Broad, Discovery Cube, Kidspace Children’s Museum, Pasadena Ice Skating Center, and Pie ‘N Burger.”
There’s also a serious side to summer reading. Research has shown that reading over the summer prevents summer reading loss. “Studies also indicate students who read recreationally outperformed those who don’t. Students read more when they can choose materials based on their own interests,” said City Librarian, Irene McDermott. “Our library is committed to supporting lifelong learning and educational enrichment for all families.”

Registration continues through Friday, August 7, 2020. To learn more about the Summer Reading Club at the library, please check out the library’s website:  https://www.cityofsanmarino.org/library/summer_reading_club/index.php 

Meditation: Finding Joy in Perilous Times

with Doug Frankel

Wednesday, May 27, 4:00 pm

Has social distancing gotten the best of you?  Are you “Safe at Home,” but stressed to the max?  Do you feel like that mask is suffocating your very being?  Help is just a click away!  Crowell Library is happy to present a streaming program on meditation on Wednesday, May 27^th at 4:00 pm.  Long-time meditator Doug Frankel will discuss the extraordinary effect of meditation in reducing stress.  He became interested in meditation 30 years ago while attending UCLA, and has been studying and practicing it ever since. He has given a plethora of workshops on this topic all over the country.  If you are interested in streaming this program, please send an email to ddobbs@cityofsanmarino.org and we will send you the link to the program once it has been set up.

Incorporating meditation in our lives can be the change that can make a big difference during these taxing times.  One can learn how to improve concentration and enhance clarity of thought and mental equilibrium. Meditation can bring about a sense of calm and balance that benefits both emotional and physical well-being, which in turn will impact overall health and reduce stress. It is easy to learn and the benefits don’t end when the session ends.

According to the Mayo Clinic^* spending even a few minutes in meditation can restore calm and inner peace.  Anyone can practice meditation. It's simple and inexpensive, and it doesn't require any special equipment. One can practice meditation anywhere — out for a walk, riding the bus, or waiting in line at the grocery store!  People have been practicing meditation for centuries and today there has been a surge in its popularity as new benefits continue to be discovered.

Join the Crowell Community on Wednesday, May 27^th when Doug Frankel teaches us all how to take a deep breath and destress.  Sign up by sending your email to ddobbs@cityofsanmarino.org.

Jazz & Swing from A to Z: The Story of America's Music

Six Tuesdays 12:30-2:00 p.m. – beginning April 7

The wildly popular Dr. Thom Mason, USC Professor Emeritus of Jazz Studies at the Thornton School of Music, returns to Crowell Public Library with a new six-session course sponsored by the Friends of the Library.  Mason riffs off the popular classes that he taught over the last six years, savoring the stories of famous musicians from the past, and the jazz stars of today.

The series schedule this Spring will be:

April 7:                 Gene Krupa & Lionel Hampton        

      April 14                Women Who Sing Jazz & Swing

      April 2                  Cab Calloway & the Stars of Harlem

      April 28                 Jazz & Swing in the 70s and 80s

      May 5                    Count Basie

      May 12                  Canadian Stars of Jazz & Swing

Thom Mason was chairman of the department of jazz studies at the USC Thornton School of Music from 1983 to 1996. During that period he created the bachelor of music, masters of music and doctor of musical arts programs in jazz studies. He is a saxophone, clarinet and flute specialist and has played with such notable artists as Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Jack Sheldon, Louis Bellson, and Ernie Watts.  His multimedia presentations are filled with music excerpts:  rare photos, film clips, humorous stories and live demonstrations that stimulate, educate and entertain.  They are not to be missed!  No reservations are required.

Thanks to the sponsors, the Friends of Crowell Public Library, the music keeps coming!

Reducing Stress Through Meditation

Saturday, April 4, 11:00 am

Long-time meditator Doug Frankel will discuss the extraordinary effect of meditation in reducing stress when he comes to Crowell Library on Saturday, April 4^th at 11:00 am.  Participants will learn how to improve concentration and enhance clarity of thought and mental equilibrium. Doug will present a simple, time-tested and effective meditation technique. There will be a short meditation sitting as well. Meditation can bring about a sense of calm and balance that benefits both emotional and physical well-being, which in turn will impact overall health and reduce stress. It is easy to learn and can have many lasting and beneficial effects. And the benefits don’t end when the session ends.

According to the Mayo Clinic^* spending even a few minutes in meditation can restore calm and inner peace.  Anyone can practice meditation. It's simple and inexpensive, and it doesn't require any special equipment. One can practice meditation anywhere — out for a walk, riding the bus, waiting at the doctor's office or even in the middle of a difficult business meeting.  People have been practicing meditation for centuries and today there has been a surge in its popularity as new benefits continue to be discovered. Incorporating meditation into one’s life has many positive effects. Now more than ever in today’s modern world with all the stresses, meditation is needed. Learn a simple meditation technique that can help you in all aspects of your life.

Douglas Frankel is the founder and president of an innovative marketing and media company
and has been in the broadcast business for over 25 years. He became interested in meditation while attending UCLA, and began studying meditation over 30 years ago. He has given a plethora of workshops on this topic all over the country.

This promises to be an engaging and lively lecture so mark your calendar for Saturday April 4^th and come to Crowell Public Library.