Toastmasters Talk of the Town

Beginning Thursday, January 10  6:30-8:30 pm

In an era where people seem to be communicating strictly with their thumbs, gaining confidence in public speaking does not come easily or cheaply.  Crowell Public Library and the Toastmasters organization are joining forces to present a free series that will be the quickest means to improve participants’ speaking skills and confidence.  The new “Talk of the Town” Toastmasters meetings have participants delivering short speeches and leaders offering coaching. There will be a demonstration meeting on January 10, followed by meetings every first and third Thursday of the month. Although Toastmasters charges a nominal fee to join their organization, visitors are welcome to the library meetings at no charge, but registration is required.

Participants will gain confidence in public speaking, communication and language skills, and learn to think quickly and clearly, becoming an effective listener.  Speech-craft can also help participants improve performance in problem-solving, meeting in larger groups,  motivating people, selling ideas or products, conducting business meetings, impromptu speaking, managing nervousness, introducing a speaker, speech structure and organization, beginning and concluding a speech, body language, vocal variety, and knowing an audience.  Friendships and careers can and do blossom for those experiencing Toastmasters.  

The Talk of the Town Toastmasters club will be led by seven club officers and guided by two club mentors. Ming Jiang, joined Toastmasters in 2016.  She served a number of club officer roles and is currently Arroyo Seco Division Director, the charter president and club mentor for San Marino Toastmasters Club.  Ming will be club sponsor, mentor and president for Talk of the Town Toastmasters club.  Mary Hsu, joined Toastmaster in 2018, and is a charter member of San Marino Toastmasters Club. Mary is serving on the Crowell Library Board and will be club sponsor for Talk of the Town.  Xuling Wu joined Toastmasters in 2009 and is currently Area A3 Director in Arroyo Seco Division.  Xuling will be serving as club mentor and charter Vice President of PR of Talk of the Town.  Sandra Cheng, joined Toastmasters in 2018, is a charter member of San Marino Toastmasters Club. She is serving VP of Membership at Club 6 and Assistant Area Director of Area A4 in Arroyo Seco Division. Sandra will be serving as Vice President of Education for Talk of the Town Club. 

Sign up today at the Library’s Reference Desk to insure that you receive one of the coveted seats!

High Definition Precision Healthcare is Coming

Tuesdays January 8 – February 6, 12:30 pm

Hal Slavkin, Professor and Dean Emeritus from USC, returns to Crowell Library January 8th, with a new class about the recent advances in healthcare based on new understanding of the human genome.  In six sessions, participants will explore healthcare and biotechnology, with a focus on the new personalized healthcare options.

The lectures will provide an historical view of healthcare in the United States from 1900 to the present, highlighting major healthcare reforms. Throughout this period of time, cost, access, and quality have each served as drivers for various types off health policies and federal, state, and local legislation. Considering cost, the USA now spends $3.2 trillion on healthcare yet ranks 9th out of the 9 major industrial nations of the world in health outcomes. Considering access, we do not as yet provide healthcare access to all Americans whereas other industrial nations provide 100% of their populations with healthcare. We have 10,000 people per day turning 65 years of age and this cohort also contains the vast majority of chronic diseases and disorders. Meanwhile, profoundly significant discoveries have and are being made that can provide innovation and transformation for USA healthcare. This lecture series will highlight what is and what might be.

Today healthcare providers consider factors such as genotype (an inventory of all that person’s genes), phenotype (the sum of observable characteristics from hair color to cardiac function) and the environment (epigenetics) in which the individual exists.  This course will demonstrate how phenotype connects with genotype; the principles underlying the development and evolutionary process of how an organism grows; and how novel and innovative gene editing techniques can address major human diseases and disorders such as birth defects, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary disorders, periodontal diseases, cancers, mental diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases and disorders. 

Professor and Dean Emeritus at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Hal Slavkin has served as Chair of Biochemistry, and as the Director for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.  No reservations are required.

Become a Road Scholar

Sunday, January 6, 2:00 pm

Come to Crowell Public Library Sunday January 6th and learn about Road Scholar, America's first 

and the world's largest educational travel organization for adults.  Volunteer Ambassador Jill Swaim 

will conduct a lively discussion of the many programs offered by Road Scholar, an organization 

whose mission is to inspire adults to learn, discover, and travel in the U.S. and abroad.  Jill became

 interested in travel when she became a teacher, as those vacation days provided wonderful 

opportunities to see the country and the world.  She has given over 300 informational presentations

 about Road Scholar's Adventures in Life Long Learning to various organizations throughout 

California since 2012.  Needless to say, she is enthusiastic about Road Scholar, having taken over 

20 domestic and foreign programs herself.   

You will learn about the Four Unique Attributes that all Road Scholar programs share:  exceptional opportunities for learning through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures; the shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie; comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals; and last but not least: excellent value. The Road Scholar Program has expanded over the years to include an extraordinary range of subjects and locations in every state, 150 countries around the world, aboard vessels that transverse rivers and seas.  Learning adventures open minds to new ideas and deepen understanding of oneself and of the world's peoples, places, cultures, history and environments.  Not-for-profit Road Scholar's meaningful, often transformational, educational adventures engage people for whom learning is the journey of a lifetime.  Since its inception, more than five million people have enrolled in its iconic educational adventures.  The Road Scholar program has made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show the world in a way that just can't be done alone or on a "tour." All the details are handled, taking the worry out of the planning, so Scholars can focus on the learning experience.

Bring all your questions regarding this exciting travel program Sunday January 6 at 2:00 pm to Crowell Library’s Barth Community Room.

The Chinese American Film Festival Screenings

Thursday, November 15^th & Monday, November 19^th at 6:00 p.m.

The Chinese American Film Festival returns to Crowell Public Library on Thursday, November 15 at 6:00 pm with a program of six short subjects:  Kimchi Taco:   a Korean shopkeeper, traumatized by the brutal murder of her husband in Spanish Harlem, finds an unexpected ally in a young Mexican woman with a secret. Esperanza - an undocumented nanny's American dream turns into a nightmare when she's given six hours to raise two thousand dollars or else a coyote will sell her child to the highest bidder. Please Translate explores how language divides but eventually bridges the relationship between a mother and daughter. In a film about sacrifice, hardships and ultimately a mother's love, the daughter comes to realize how special their bond truly is.  Care and Cure is a film that explores traditional Chinese medicine in the United States through the lens of an American alternative medicine practitioner. Ruth McCarty provides life-changing care for children facing difficult diagnoses, as she struggles to find a place for her practice within the world of Western medicine. Gaps: although this documentary focuses on Alzheimer’s, the themes of family, stigma, and awareness apply to many aspects of Asian culture and the growing tension between Asian Americans and their immigrant parents.  Little Princess follows Wang Lu, the keeper of the Snow Leopard Pavilion, and her relationship with the Snow Leopards she looks after. We see how understanding and caring for animals is the first step towards saving them.

Then on Monday, November 19^th at 6:00 pm, the feature film The Farewell Girls will screen:  Shanshan, Gong, and Leo, have been persistently chasing their music dream as a band, but they kept failing in talent shows until they meet the owner of a funeral service company. The girls gradually realized the real meaning of death and together they started taking funeral singing seriously.

Chinese American Film Festival (CAFF) was founded in 2005 by EDI Media Inc. (USA). It is the most authoritative and influential annual Chinese American cultural event connecting two of world’s largest film markets. Every year in November CAFF hosts its Opening Ceremony and Golden Angel Award in Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world. Hundreds of top box office films from China and the US participate in CAFF, of which the Top 10 are selected and awarded with the Golden Angel, named after the city of Los Angeles.  CAFF is the only Chinese American cultural event in the United States that is officially recognized by both the U.S. and Chinese governments. During the month of November, CAFF showcases over 700 feature films in over 20 screening locations in Hollywood, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities, with over 2,300 total number of screenings.  

Don’t miss this free opportunity to watch some very special films.