LA OPERA TALK: Cosi Fan Tutte

SUNDAY, September 18th 2:00 p.m. – L.A. Opera’s DIANE BELTOYA will present a free audio-visual presentation of Mozart’s comic battle of the sexes, Cosi Fan Tutte, as part of the ongoing LA Opera Talk series at Crowell Public Library. Whether a hardcore opera aficionado or a curious novice, attendees will be delightfully entertained and encouraged to ask questions and offer comments. One might even be inspired to make a trip to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the full production conducted by James Conlon. The story is irresistible: two young men go undercover to test the fidelity of their lady loves. What could possibly go wrong? Filled with ravishingly beautiful music, Cosi fan tutte ["They're all alike!"] features a clever plot that was bracingly politically incorrect even for Mozart's day. A period staging by director Nicholas Hytner, drenched in sumptuous summer light, deftly blends elegance and farce to emphasize the very real human emotions embedded throughout Mozart's miraculous score. Experience the highlights of this wonderful piece through the eyes and ears of one of LA Opera’s enlightened community educators. And it’s all free at Crowell Public Library! Make Crowell Library your LA Opera gateway!

Talking About Books Online

SATURDAY, September 17 10:00 a.m. – Attention all book lovers! Join the world of reading on your computer. Dabble in social networking on the Internet while you indulge your favorite hobby of reading. This one hour hands-on computer class will introduce you to Shelfari.com, where you can keep track of what you have read, rate the books, write a review, find out what others think about a book, get ideas for your next book to read, or keep track of what your friends are reading and what they like. Shelfari’s mission is to enhance the experience of reading by connecting readers in meaningful conversations about the published word. You can be anonymous, share with a few selected friends, or share with the world! Computer novices are welcome. Bring your own laptop if you like. Registration is required. Call (626) 300-0777 ext. 579 or go to the Adult Reference Desk at Crowell Public Library.

Glaucoma: the Silent Thief of Sight

MEDICAL MONDAYS @Crowell Public Library -- GLAUCOMA: The Silent Thief of Sight Monday, September 12, 2011, 6:00 p.m. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. In the early stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms, but early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease. According to the National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. * Join VIKAS CHOPRA, M.D. to learn how doctors detect this disease and the latest in treatments. There is no cure for glaucoma—yet. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma among other factors. It was once thought that high pressure within the eye, also known as intraocular pressure or IOP, is the main cause of this optic nerve damage. Although IOP is clearly a risk factor, we now know that other factors must also be involved because even people with “normal” levels of pressure can experience vision loss from glaucoma. VIKAS CHOPRA, M.D. received his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University and served his residency in ophthalmology at the Kresge Eye Institute at Wayne State University’s Detroit Medical Center. His research fellowship in Molecular Biology was at the Beckman Research Institute, at the City of Hope, and his Glaucoma Fellowship was at the Kresge Eye Institute. Affiliated with the prestigious Doheny Eye Institute, Dr. Chopra is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at USC. Join us for a fascinating look at a condition that is affecting many. This program is free and reservations are recommended by calling the library reference desk: (626) 300-0777 ext. 579. *NIH National Eye Institute http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/glaucoma.html

Computer Assisted Knee Replacement

Monday, August 15, 2011, 6 p.m. DR. JONATHAN CHANG, a Board Certified orthopedic surgeon, will discuss the new advances in knee replacement surgery. Learn about the technology that can keep you moving! There will be an opportunity to ask the doctor questions at the end of the talk. 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.

The Internet Book of Life

Tuesday, September 6, 2011, 7 p.m. You are a working parent and you use the Internet occasionally for email and Facebook. You know that there are quality Web resources available for free that can really help you and your family. But who has time to find and evaluate them? The Internet Book of Life is your shortcut to these treasures. Written by a working mother and front line reference librarian, The Internet Book of Life is a guide to web sites and mobile phone apps that help real people make wise decisions in so many aspects of modern living: everything from saving money, to getting homework done, to just feeling happier. Each chapter addresses real-life family dilemmas such as whether and how to fix the car, how to find the best price for baby diapers, and even how to find a clinical trial that might save a life. As the country climbs out of recession, this comprehensive guide to free Web services is especially welcome. It is the lively, indispensable reference that finds a home next to every household computer…or Web-enabled cell phone! IRENE E. McDERMOTT gains insight about the web from her daily front-line experience as reference librarian and systems manager at the Crowell Public Library in San Marino, California. She writes about her discoveries in her column, “Internet Express,” which has appeared in Searcher magazine since 1997. The second addition of her book, The Librarian’s Internet Survival Guide was published by Information Today in 2006. McDermott shares her Pasadena bungalow with her teenage son.

Brain Aerobics Returns!

September 19th & 20th: Mondays, 12:30-2:30 pm(Beginner/Intermediate)Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 am (Intermediate/Advanced); Challenge your memory, improve language skills, and ease the burden of hearing loss by learning to lip read. In these fun and stimulating classes, enhance your verbal skills by analyzing how language looks and sounds. Instructor FRANCINE KATZ challenges the class to memorize sentences, play word games and focus on lip-reading skills. She has taught this class at various locations for over 45 years and students rave how their mental agility has improved after participating. Boosting our brain power can only help us age with grace! Francine Katz, MA, SLP, CCC, is a graduate of Northwestern University and a licensed speech-language pathologist and lip reading specialist. Mrs. Katz was with Pasadena City College for over twelve years. She was “Teacher of the Year” at PCC in 2005. She was also listed in “Who’s Who in America,” Western Section. Get your brain in shape with a free weekly two-hour workout in the Barth Community Room at Crowell Library in a relaxed atmosphere with rewarding results. This is a no-fee, no obligation class and preview visits welcomed.

Teen Guitar Hero and International Food Festival Final Party Extravaganza!

Monday July 25th at 2pm, Barth Community Room

Come to Crowell Public Library and join the annual Teen Guitar Hero Tournament on July 25th at 2pm! This year, we’ve added an International Food Festival to this Summer Reading Club celebration. This event is open exclusively to teens grades 7-12; teen Guitar Hero amateurs, pros, and audience members welcome! We’ll play Competitive Face-offs, where two players duel at their chosen difficulty levels, each vying for the best score.

Teens are welcome to watch the tournament and enjoy the International Food Festival, where there will be scrumptious snacks and sweets from around the world. Visit every corner of the world at Crowell this summer! Teens registered for the Young Adult Summer Reading Club will receive a raffle ticket for attending this event, regardless of whether they participate in the tournament. The raffle tickets earn teens a chance to win tons of great prizes, including 2 park-hopper tickets to Disneyland! This special program is a part of Crowell Public Library’s YA Summer Reading Club, “You Are Here” sponsored by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library, AMF Bowling, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Auntie Annie’s, the CW network, Descanso Gardens, El Pollo Loco, Flightdeck Air Combat Center, Huntington Library, Jasmine Café, Julienne’s, Jump ‘n Jammin, Los Angeles Lakers, Legoland, Mimi’s Café, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Pacific Asia Museum, Pacific Park, Penguins Frozen Yogurt & Coffee, Peterson Automotive Museum, Pie & Burger, Santa Anita Park, San Marino Toy & Book Shoppe, Shakey’s, and Wendy’s.