Trivia of the Month (Answer)...

This month’s question was what is the style of the house located at 140 Avenue 59?  The house is a rather rare Tudor Revival according to p. 270 of Architecture in Los Angeles by David Gebhard.  The book was published by Gibbs M. Smith, Inc. Peregrine Smith Books in 1985.

Library Events in February…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The library has some interesting events planned in February.  As always, I thought I’d take a minute and give you a run down so you can plan ahead.  Let’s start with the non-repeating events:

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2/2 from 9:30-1:30
VITA Tax Prep
Have a professional do your taxes for free. First come first served. There are income limits so check with branch to make sure you qualify.

2/3 @ 3:00
Sunday at the Movies
Join us for a Japanese, animated film --- Ghost in the Shell

2/4 @ 4:00
Make it Monday
Join us for a building block challenge.

2/5 @ 6:00
Círculo de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

2/7 @ 4:00
Zine Workshop
Join us and work on your own personal Zine in this all-ages workshop.

2/9 from 9:30-1:30
VITA Tax Prep
Have a professional do your taxes for free. First come first served. There are income limits so check with branch to make sure you qualify.

2/9 @ 1:30
Ukulele Class
Put a little music in your life! Learn how to play the Ukulele with Celia Lawley.

2/11 @ 4:00
Caribbean Storytime
Enjoy a cool refreshing break from winter with a tropical storytime.

2/12 @ 3:00
Teen Program
Join us for fun activities.

2/16 from 9:30-1:30
VITA Tax Prep
Have a professional do your taxes for free. First come first served. There are income limits so check with branch to make sure you qualify.

2/16 @ 1:30
Ukulele Class
Put a little music in your life! Learn how to play the Ukulele with Celia Lawley.

2/19 @ 6:00
Círculo de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

2/23 from 9:30-1:30
VITA Tax Prep
Have a professional do your taxes for free. First come first served. There are income limits so check with branch to make sure you qualify.

2/23 @ 1:30
Ukulele Class
Put a little music in your life! Learn how to play the Ukulele with Celia Lawley.

2/23 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a discussion of The Center Cannot Hold by Elyn R. Saks.

2/25 @ 4:00
Make it Monday
Join us for a Neighborhood Science program

- - - - - - - - - -

Each month the library also has a number of ongoing classes & events.  They are:

Grupo de apoyo para la familia - - - Mondays at 10:00

Baby Storytime - - - Tuesdays at 10:30
Stories, songs, and rhymes await babies up to 18 months. (no session on 2/5)

Toddler Storytime - - - Wednesdays at 10:30 
Little Ones’ 3 and under & their grownups are invited to join us for stories, music, & games. (no session on 2/20)

LAPD Read Along - - - Tuesdays at 3:00
Officers from the LAPD read favorite stories with kids.

STAR Volunteer Readers - - - Available on Tuesdays at 3:30, Wednesdays at 3:00, and Thursdays at 3:00.
STAR readers present the fun of storytelling and reading to children one-on-one or in small groups. Kids earn a free book to keep after 3 visits.

Walk in Tutoring - - -  Mondays from 6:30-7:30 and Thursdays from 6:00-7:30
Free tutoring for adults (19+). Stop by on a first come first served basis for tutoring in English reading, writing, and conversation skills as well as help with your computer or cell-phone.

Drop in Computer Lab - - - Fridays at 3:30
Bring your questions about computers, tablets, eReaders, or other electronic devices.  We will do our best to help you figure out answers.

- - - - - - - - - -

Please do not hesitate to call the library at 323-255-0537 if you have any questions or would like more information.  Remember that you can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches.

Arroyo Book Club February Pick…

The Arroyo Book Club will be reading The Center Cannot Hold by Elyn R. Saks for its February meeting.  The book is described with:

Elyn Saks is a success by any measure: she's an endowed professor at the prestigious University of Southern California Gould School of Law. She has managed to achieve this in spite of being diagnosed as schizophrenic and given a "grave" prognosis--and suffering the effects of her illness throughout her life.

In The Center Cannot Hold, Elyn Saks discusses frankly and movingly the paranoia, the inability to tell imaginary fears from real ones, and the voices in her head insisting she do terrible things, as well as the many obstacles she overcame to become the woman she is today. 

“A much-praised memoir of living and surviving mental illness as well as "a stereotype-shattering look at a tenacious woman whose brain is her best friend and her worst enemy" (Time).

It sounds like an intriguing look at coping with a debilitating mental illness.  Stop by the library for a copy and make plans to join us on February 23 at 3:00 for the book discussion.

Events for the Week of January 27….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

Monday – 1/28
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
Neighborhood Science event at 4:00
Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults from 6:30-7:30

Tuesday – 1/29
Baby Storytime at 10:30
LAPD Read Along at 3:00
STAR Reader at 3:30

Wednesday – 1/30
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 1/31
STAR Reader at 3:00
Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults from 6:00-7:30

Friday – 2/1
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

Saturday – 2/2
VITA Tax Prep from 9:30 to 1:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

Hardcore Twenty-Four

Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series reaches 24 with Hardcore Twenty-Four.  This volume finds Stephanie babysitting a snake while dealing with an outbreak of missing and stolen heads/brains and the zombie related fears that inevitably accompany such a crime streak.  While the story is not high on sense and logic the characters remain as entertainingly eccentric as ever.  Pick it up if you’ve been enjoying the series for the charm of its people and avoid it if you hope for reason in your storytelling.

Highland Park History...

Did you know the Highland Theater first opened in 1925?  Check out this article (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520299.pdf) from the local paper for a long and fascinating look at this venerable theater’s history.  Article published 5-29-75.

Events for the Week of January 20….

The library will be closed on Monday the 21st in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.  Events going on at the library during the remainder of the week include: 

Tuesday – 1/22
Baby Storytime at 10:30
LAPD Read Along at 3:00
STAR Reader at 3:30

Wednesday – 1/23
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 1/24
STAR Reader at 3:00
Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults from 6:00-7:30

Friday – 1/25
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

Saturday – 1/26
VITA Tax Prep from 9:30 to 1:00
STAR Reader at 2:00
Arroyo Book Club at 3:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

Free Income Tax Preparation & Filing

The Arroyo Seco Library will offer free income tax preparation and filing again this year.  This year the program will be offered every Saturday from January 26 to April 13 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm on a first come first served basis.  If I judge by how this program worked last year I would strongly recommend coming in earlier rather than later to take advantage of it.  Those who came in February breezed in and out while those who came in late March or April found themselves waiting in line for their turn.

Services Provided:

IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals and households who generally make $54,000 a year or less.

Tax forms prepared:

• Form 1040 U.S. Individual Tax Return
• CA Form 540 California Resident Income Tax Return

What to bring:

• Valid CA Driver’s License, ID, or Passport
• Social Security Cards or ITINs—for the taxpayer, spouse, and dependents
• Birth Dates—for the taxpayer, spouse, and dependents (month, date, year)
• Tax Documents—Forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC, and all other tax documents
• Blank “voided” check—for direct deposit of refund
• If possible, complete copy of last year’s Income Tax Returns

If this applies to you, also bring:

• All Forms 1095, Health Form Statements
• California Renters’ Credit—Landlord’s name, address, and phone number
• Day Care Providers Information—Total amount paid for day care per child, day care provider’s name, address, phone number, and tax ID number
• Total Education Expenses—books, laptops, etc.

**Both spouses must be present for joint returns.**

Let’s all thank the AARP Tax Foundation, CSULA, CSULB, CSUN, El Centro De Ayuda and UCLA for partnering with the Los Angeles Public Library to make this program possible. 

Trivia of the Month...

This month’s question is what is the style of the house located at 140 Avenue 59?

Put a little music in your life / Check out our Ukulele Series

The branch will have ukuleles available for checkout upon completion of our class series, i.e. on 2/24.  When you check out a ukulele you will get the instrument in a case, a chord book, and a tuner.  We also have a selection of instructional books, music books, and DVDs available to support you as you learn.  Things to be aware of when you check out a ukulele:

• You must return it in person to the same branch from which you borrowed it (NO putting it into the book drop)
• They check out for 3 week periods
• Late returns are fined at $1 a day

In honor of this addition to our collection the branch is hosting a 3 week Ukulele Class with Celia Lawley in February.  Classes will be held on 3 consecutive Saturdays, February 9, 16, and 23 at 1:30pm.  Those with their own instruments need simply show up, those who will need to borrow one of our instruments should give us a call, or stop by, to sign up so we can have an instrument in reserve for you.

Everyone is welcome at this class no matter what age or level of experience.

Events for the Week of January 13….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

Monday – 1/14
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
LA DOT Tap Information Table from 2:30-4:30
Make it Monday event at 4:00
Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults from 6:30-7:30

Tuesday – 1/15
Baby Storytime at 10:30
LAPD Read Along at 3:00
STAR Reader at 3:30
Círculo de Lectores at 6:00

Wednesday – 1/16
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00
Teen Program at 4:00

Thursday – 1/17
STAR Reader at 3:00
Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults from 6:00-7:30

Friday – 1/18
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

Saturday – 1/19
Workers’ Comp Basics at 1:30
STAR Reader at 2:00
Using your crafty skills to upcycle glass jars at 3:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

Craft Space

Join us on Saturday, January 19 at 3:00 for an hour dedicated to crafting.  This month we will be playing with tissue paper and glue to transform old glass jars into works of art.  If you have an interesting jar you’d like to use for the project bring it along.  Not a problem if you don’t though, I will be supplying a collection of pickle, salsa, and other jars for crafters.

Please bring any ideas you might have about future craft projects with you to share.

Workers’ Comp Essentials

Whether you are embroiled in a workers’ compensation case or just want to be prepared in case something ever happens to you at work swing by for a short seminar all about the basics of Workers’ Compensation on January 19 at 1:30.  This workshop will be presented by local attorney Armen Yedalyan, Esq. (State Bar No. 282492 / www.yedalyanlaw.com).  Bring your questions!

L’appart

David Lebovitz chronicles the long, often horrifying, process of buying and remodeling a Paris apartment in L’appart.  In a tale bound to make anyone contemplating any kind of kitchen or bath remodel have some series qualms Lebovitz relates the details of falling into the hands of an unscrupulous contractor while dealing with a culture & language that are not his own.

Lebovitz tells his story smoothly and keeps the reader interested even as you wonder why he was so willing to put up with some of the things he put up with.  Having never lived abroad I can’t speak personally to the effect being a stranger might have on my personal and business dealings.  As an added bonus, Lebovitz, a cookbook writer, spices up his story with favorite recipes.

All in all I would recommend this book for those who like an interesting slice of life in a foreign place and who are not contemplating any remodels in their near future.

Events for the Week of January 6….

Events going on at the library during the week include: 

Monday – 1/7
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
Stuffed Animal Sleepover kicks off at 4:00
Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults from 6:30-7:30

Tuesday – 1/8
Baby Storytime at 10:30
LAPD Read Along at 3:00
STAR Reader at 3:30

Wednesday – 1/9
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 1/10
STAR Reader at 3:00
Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults from 6:00-7:30

Friday – 1/11
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

Saturday – 1/12
STAR Reader at 2:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

January eResource of the Month…

Looking for newspapers online?  The Los Angeles Public Library can help you with that.  We have a wealth of local, state, and international online newspapers you can access with your library card.  Favorites include The Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and NewsBank.  Other options include Access Newspaper Archive, Informe, London Times, San Francisco Chronicle Historical Archive, and Press Reader.  Press Reader includes English and International language newspapers from 155 countries.

To find newspapers start on our webpage’s Research & Homework page (https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework).  From there make use of the filtering tool by selecting newspapers and clicking “Find It”.  You will be presented with a list of links to all of the library’s newspaper tools.  They can be accessed with your library card and PIN. 

Use the library for your daily news fix. 

History of Highland Park...

Here (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520344.pdf) we have a 1/14/1976 article on Chuck Williams, the “horse king” of the Arroyo by Nelda Thompson.  Chuck Williams owned the Arroyo Stables for more than 50 years and this article details his life and experiences.  Pictures include one of the two Williams daughters appearing in the 1975 Rose Parade.

Enjoy.