Bilingual Chinese & English Story Time

Saturday May 22 @ 11:00 a.m. The newest addition to Crowell Public Library’s innovative programming for children, the Bilingual Chinese & English Story Time, now has a regular schedule: the fourth Saturdays of the month. For May, that will be Saturday the 22nd. The library’s amazing Youth Services Department has teamed up with several volunteers from the community to present this unique program. Stories, songs, and finger-plays are conducted in both Mandarin Chinese and English. In an effort to serve Chinese speakers, as well as educate non-Chinese about the culture and expose them to another language, these story times place an emphasis on increasing literacy in both languages. Everyone is invited to attend, regardless of what language(s) you speak. All ages are welcome, but the program is designed for ages 3 to 5. Come hear some of your favorite children’s stories and songs in two different languages, listen to some new ones, and make a fun craft! If your children are too old for story time, but you’d still like to get involved, the library is always looking for volunteer storytellers who are fluent in Mandarin. Crowell Public Library is currently the only public library in the San Gabriel Valley offering a Chinese-English Story Time. Come be a part of this fun and unique program!

Children’s Rhythm Workshop

Saturday, May 8, 2010, 2:00 p.m. Girl Scout ASTGHIK HAIRAPETIAN will be presenting a Children’s Rhythm Workshop at Crowell Public Library as part of her Gold Award Project. What is a Gold Award project? A sustainable contribution to the community, and Astghik will be raising money to buy CDs, CD players, and headphones for the children’s section of the library. This rhythm workshop will teach kids from two to ten the basics of music. No prior knowledge of music is required. Kids will learn basics of reading rhythms and working together to create interesting and layered beats. There will be different percussion instruments to encourage creativity. By the end of the workshop, they will have created their own song that includes all facets of rhythm. Participants will gain a new appreciation for music and its backbeat. Astghik believes that music is an important part of our lives and something we should teach kids about early on. The workshop is free, but participants are asked to bring gently used and new kids' CDs to help add to the children’s music section at the library.

The Doctor Is In: Type 2 Diabetes

Monday, May 24, 2010, 6 p.m. DR. GAMINI HETHUMUNI, a specialist in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, will talk about Type 2 Diabetes, including the risk factors for developing it, and the strategies for successful management of the disease. Type 2 Diabetes has become a tremendous problem in the United States, with at least 21 million people afflicted with the condition in which cells do not respond to insulin produced by the pancreas. Having Type 2 Diabetes increases the risk of a host of other health problems including loss of vision, heart attack, and stroke. Find out what you can do to protect yourself. There will be an opportunity to ask the doctor questions at the end of the talk, and light refreshments will be served. 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 communities 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.