Trivia of the Week...

This week’s question is what is Lascaux known for?

Share Your Talents & Interests

Have you a talent, interest, or enthusiasm that you would like to share with others?  Why not consider volunteering to make a presentation at the library.  We are always looking for interesting, exciting events for the community to participate in (exciting doesn’t have to mean exciting for everyone… if your love of stamps is deep and abiding I know there are others who will share your passion) and your willingness to share your knowledge could be just what we are looking for.

There are a couple of things you will need to keep in mind before you move forward though:

1. The library has no money for programs so this would indeed have to be a volunteer, for the sheer love of it, endeavor.
2. The library does not allow programs whose purpose is to advertise. So if, for example, you have invented a gizmo…. Programs about how to invent, how to get a patent, etc. are welcome while any attempt to sell the gizmo to the audience is not.  

So if you are still on board with the idea please drop in or give us a call.  We look forward to hearing from you.  You will want to ask for the Adult Librarian.

Library Events in August…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The library has a number of interesting events planned in August.  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:

- - - - - - - - - - 
8/2 @ 2:00
Game Day
Join us for a fun afternoon of cribbage and scrabble.  If you’ve a favorite board game of your own, bring it along.

8/7 from 1:30-5:30
Sign up for MediCal and CalFresh
Eligibility specialists from the LA County Department of Public Social Services will be on hand to help you and your family sign up for Medi-Cal, Covered California, CalFresh, and other government assistance programs.

8/8 @ 2:00
Song-A-Day for a Month --- The Concert
Song A Day is a challenge for musicians to compose original songs every day for a month and upload them to  www.songadayforamonth.com.  This concert is a celebration of our July session. Over a dozen participants will perform their favorite songs composed during the month of July.

8/13 @ 6:00
Drop in Computer Lab (extra session)
Bring your questions about computers, tablets, eReaders, or other electronic devices.  We will do our best to help you figure out answers.

8/16 from 1:00-5:00
Sign up for MediCal and CalFresh
Eligibility specialists from the LA County Department of Public Social Services will be on hand to help you and your family sign up for Medi-Cal, Covered California, CalFresh, and other government assistance programs.

8/17 @ 6:30
Managed Care Seminar
Join us to learn how managed care works.

8/18 @ 4:00
Teen Program
Cartoons & popcorn today. 

8/22 @ 2:00
Drop in Computer Lab (extra session)
Bring your questions about computers, tablets, eReaders, or other electronic devices.  We will do our best to help you figure out answers.

8/22 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a lively discussion of Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt by Chris Hedges & Joe Sacco.

8/23 @ 2:00
Game Day
Join us for a fun afternoon of cribbage and scrabble.  If you’ve a favorite board game of your own, bring it along.

8/25 @ 6:00
Drop in Computer Lab (extra session)
Bring your questions about computers, tablets, eReaders, or other electronic devices.  We will do our best to help you figure out answers.

- - - - - - - - - -

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

Little Ones’ Storytime - - - Wednesdays at 10:30 & 11:30
Little Ones’ 3 and under & their grownups are invited to join us for stories, music, & games.  We offer two sessions, pick the one that is convenient for you.

STAR Volunteer Readers - - - Available on Tuesdays at 5:30, on Wednesdays at 3:00, on Thursdays at 3:00 & on Saturdays at 2:00
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.

Fun with Tablets - - - 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 4:00
Join us for a tablet based activity.  Your suggestions for future projects welcome.

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.

TOW (& Answer)...

The question was what are some things that happened in the world on July 20?  Well…. In 1402 the Mongol warrior Tamerlane led a massive force of Tartars in the Battle of Angora (he won).  In 1871 FIFA was established.  In 1917 Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes agree to the Pact of Corfu, forming a union called Yugoslavia.  And the one I always think of for this date, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969.

The question (& answer) were taken from p. 406-407 of Today in History published in 2003 by DK books. 

Arroyo Book Club August Pick….

The Arroyo Book Club book for August will be Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt by Chris Hedges & Joe Sacco.  This book mixes the prose and graphic formats and traces the history of exploitation of people by business and commercial interests.  Here’s the review Library Journal wrote for the book:

The first of our country's sacrifices to the common greed, writes Hedges, were the Native Americans ravaged in the U.S. western expansion from the 1700s onward. Channeling the late Howard Zinn (A People's History of American Empire), Hedges and Sacco visit four modern "sacrifice zones" where corporate interests have left tire treads all over the environment, the local economy, and the quality of life. Pine Ridge, South Dakota's exploited and impoverished Native American reservation; the ravaged urban slum life of Camden, New Jersey; the Appalachian degradation wrought by coal mines in Welsh, WV; and the near-slavery conditions of immigrant farm workers in Immokalee, FL, all testify to laissez-faire policies gone foul and the burden economic forces place on every American. A final chapter dives into the Occupy movement. Hedges's powerful text is intercut by Sacco's interviews, allowing us to meet some of our suffering countrymen through evocative, black-and-white comics. 

While the book sounds quite depressing & maybe a bit political it also sounds interesting & like it might address issues important to us all.  Pick up a copy and join us for discussion on August 22 at 3:00.

Events for the Week of July 26…

Events going on at the library during the week include…

• Summer Fun for Kids: Encore --- Bubbles! on Monday (7/27) at 4:00
• Teen Summer Fun program on Tuesday (7/28) at 4:00
• Little Ones’ Storytime on Wednesday (7/29) sessions at 10:30 & 11:30
• STAR Reader also on Wednesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (7/30) at 3:00
• Fun with Tablets program on Thursday at 4:00 --- Create an Advertisement.
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (7/31) at 3:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday (8/1) 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.

Runaway Man

David Handler starts an engaging new mystery series with Runaway Man.  Benji Golden works for his family’s detective agency.  He’s an actor with a juvenile appearance and a past history as a runaway all of which he brings to his work as a noted “finder” of missing teens.  In this book a lawyer approaches the firm and asks them to locate Bruce Weiner, senior at a local college and soon to be recipient of a sum of money.  Benji (& firm) take the case.  The case is, of course, far more complicated then it appeared at first and things quickly spin out of control.  

I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the sequel.  Recommended for mystery lovers who like a character driven story and don’t mind an ending that is probably (unfortunately) very true to the way things actually work in real life….i.e. all the wrong doers don’t come to their just rewards.

Song-a-Day for a Month --- The Concert

Song-a-Day is a challenge for musicians to compose original songs every day for a month and upload them to www.songadayforamonth.com.  That challenge is taking place through the month of July. On August 8 at 2:00 we will be having a concert in celebration of this session. Over a dozen participants will perform their favorite songs composed during the challenge.

Come join us for a delightful afternoon of music & hear what’s on the minds of local musicians.

History of Highland Park(ish)…

Did you know that one of the nation’s first golf courses was here in the Northeast? Here (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520341.pdf) we have an article about a golf course that was constructed in 1883 near the current Annandale Golf Club.  This fascinating article was written by Roger Swanson and published on 9/7/1975. Take a look.

Trivia of the Week...

This week’s question is what are some things that happened in the world on July 20?

Events for the Week of July 19…

Events going on at the library during the week include…

• MediCal / CalFresh Information Table on Sunday (7/19) from 1:00 to 5:00
• Summer Fun for Kids: Make Your Own Instrument on Monday (7/20) at 4:00
• Tai Chi Session on Tuesday (7/21) at 10:30
• Teen Summer Fun program on Tuesday at 4:00
• Little Ones’ Storytime on Wednesday (7/22) sessions at 10:30 & 11:30
• STAR Reader also on Wednesday at 3:00
• Tai Chi Session on Thursday (7/23) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Fun with Tablets program on Thursday at 4:00 --- Create an Advertisement.
• Internet Security Class also on Thursday at 6:00.
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (7/24) at 3:30
• Summer Fun for Kids: Finale Party on Saturday (7/25) at 1:00
• STAR Reader on Saturday at 2:00
• Arroyo Book Club Meeting also on Saturday 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.

Tasty

Tasty: The Art and Science of What We Eat by John McQuaid is exactly that… a fascinating exploration of the question of taste.  Of the senses, taste is the one that is most individual.  The one that has been a little bit denigrated, not considered as much as sight or sound.  McQuaid explores just why taste varies from person to person, hypothesizes on the origin of flavor, explores the intersection of genetics and taste, looks into our love affair with the chili, considers the impact the pervasive availability of certain foods has on our modern life, and more.

The book was very interesting, written for the science neophyte, and worth a read. Highly recommended.

TOW (& Answer)...

This week’s question was what calendar system did the Borana people of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya use?  They used a system based on the conjunction of seven selected stars with various phases of the moon.  The Turkana site, built to help make the necessary sightings in around 300 BC, would indeed correctly line up with the correct star positions at that time.  

Read more about the system on p. 14-15 of Volume 3 of the History of Science.  The work was edited by Dr. Peter Whitfield and published in 2003 by Grolier.

Energy Use Monitors Available for Check Out…

In a partnership with LADWP the library will have energy use monitors available for checkout that will enable you to measure and reduce power consumption.  The monitors will allow you to plug in appliances and electronic devices and review the usage and cost over time, thereby providing information to help you manage your energy consumption.

Each monitoring device may be checked out for up to three weeks, and comes with simple, step-by-step instructions to coach you on how to use it to get valuable information about your appliances and other energy using equipment.  This will help you manage cost and electricity use. Upon return to the library’s circulation desk (& while supplies last), you are eligible to receive free energy and water conservation tools such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.

Make plans to check one out for yourself.

Deadeye

William C. Dietz starts a new series with the book Deadeye.   The book is set in a world some years after a terrorist organization released a bio-engineered virus that killed most and left many of the survivors with mutations.  Cassandra Lee is a “normal” member of the Los Angeles Police Department.  She spends her days on normal crime and her evenings hunting the notorious serial killer who killed her father.  When the daughter of a local Bishop is kidnapped and sent into “mutant” territory Lee is given the job of finding her.  Partnered with a “mutant” familiar with the territory they must venture into she sets off.  

The book does not shy away from depicting violence & horror as Lee and Omo hunt for the kidnapped girl.  While not a book for the squeamish those with a taste for SF, those who like vaguely post-apocalyptic worlds, and those who appreciate a hard core police adventure will like the book.

Events for the Week of July 12…

Events going on at the library during the week include…

• Summer Fun for Kids: Sound Experiments (7/13) at 4:00
• Tai Chi Session on Tuesday (7/14) at 10:30
• Teen Summer Fun program on Tuesday at 4:00
• Little Ones’ Storytime on Wednesday (7/15) sessions at 10:30 & 11:30
• STAR Reader also on Wednesday at 3:00
• Summer Fun for Kids: Capoeira on Wednesday at 3:30
• Tai Chi Session on Thursday (7/16) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Fun with Tablets program on Thursday at 4:00 --- Enjoy World Music program.
• STAR Reader on Saturday (7/18) 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.

Websites to Check Out….

If you are an astrophile with a taste for doomsdaying about objects striking the Earth then you’ll want to keep an eye on NASA’s Asteroid and Comet Watch page (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/asteroids/main/index.html).  

Find out all about what objects are approaching Earth and when.  You can also just learn much more about our local neighborhood (& check out some lovely images). 

Trivia of the Week....

This week’s question is what calendar system did the Borana people of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya use?

Don’t Let Him Know

Don’t Let Him Know by Sandip Roy is a collection of stories about the same family.  The stories feature Romola the mother, Avinash the father, and Amit the son as well as assorted other relatives and take place in the US and in India.  The stories jump around in time and space and seem to focus on everyday moments in the family’s life.  While I’m not sure the author intended to highlight the role of women in these stories that wound up being my take away from the book.  All the women portrayed in these stories lived lives that were very constrained and I came away from the book thanking my stars that I was not born Indian.

An interesting read for those interested in small stories of family life & exploring some aspects of the Indian culture.

TOW (& Answer)...

The question was question is what does “eripuit caelo fulmen sceptrumque tyrannis” mean?  It means “he snatched the thunderbolt from heaven and the scepter from tyrants.”  It is the inscription under the bust of Benjamin Franklin by Houdon.

The question (& answer) were taken from p. 115 of The Harper Dictionary of Foreign Terms edited by Eugene Ehrlich.  The book was published in 1987 by Harper & Row.

Events for the Week of July 5…

Events going on at the library during the week include…

• Summer Fun for Kids: Mallory & McCall’s Skeleton Crew Pirate Band (7/6) at 4:00
• Tai Chi Session on Tuesday (7/7) at 10:30
• Teen Summer Fun program on Tuesday at 4:00
• Little Ones’ Storytime on Wednesday (7/8) sessions at 10:30 & 11:30
• STAR Reader also on Wednesday at 3:00
• Tai Chi Session on Thursday (7/9) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Fun with Tablets program on Thursday at 4:00 --- Session three of “make your own music video” program.
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (7/10) at 3:30
• Family Sing-a-Long on Saturday (7/11) at 11:00 --- will be held in park
• STAR Reader on Saturday at 2:00
• Interview Practice Session also on Saturday 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.

July’s Electronic Resource of the Month

The Electronic Resource of the Month for July is the Mergent Intellect Database.  Mergent Intellect is a database to turn to when you are seeking company information and business research.  It provides detailed information on over 102 million U.S. and global private companies, over 6,000 public businesses and contact information on over 90 million CEOs and other top ranking executives.  Users are able to research companies, develop mailing lists and perform market research.  Listings can be searched by industry, size, location and other criteria to create marketing plans, conduct competitive analysis, raise funds and much more.

Find the Mergent Inetellect database on the library’s Research & Homework page (http://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework#M).  If you are not using a library computer you will need to have your library card handy.

Library Events in July…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The Summer Reading Program continues apace in July.  So once again we have a month with many, many programs.  I thought I’d take a minute and give you a run down so you could plan ahead.  Let’s start with the non-repeating events:

- - - - - - - - - - 
7/2 @ 10:30
Tai Chi
Come learn techniques to ease your tension and stress and improve your balance and breathing. There will be Tuesday / Thursday sessions through 7/23.

7/6 @ 4:00
Summer Fun for Kids: Mallory & McCall’s Skeleton Crew Pirate Band
Ahoy, matey! Costumes are encouraged for these musical pirate tales!

7/7 @ 10:30
Tai Chi
Come learn techniques to ease your tension and stress and improve your balance and breathing. There will be Tuesday / Thursday sessions through 7/23.

7/7 @ 4:00
Summer Fun for Teens
Teens! Come to the library for some unspecified summer fun.  Different each week.

7/9 @ 10:30
Tai Chi
Come learn techniques to ease your tension and stress and improve your balance and breathing. There will be Tuesday / Thursday sessions through 7/23.

7/10 from 1:30-5:30
Sign up for MediCal and CalFresh
Eligibility specialists from the LA County Department of Public Social Services will be on hand to help you and your family sign up for Medi-Cal, Covered California, CalFresh, and other government assistance programs.

7/11 @ 11:00
Family Sing-a-Long
Join Librarian Ms. Allison and her ukulele in the park (next to the library) for a fun family sing-a-long of classic kid's tunes!

7/11 @ 2:00
Interview Practice
Come by for some practice answering interview type questions --- honest feedback provided.

7/13 @ 4:00
Summer Fun for Kids: Sound Experiments
Let's learn about the science of sound with some simple experiments!

7/14 @ 10:30
Tai Chi
Come learn techniques to ease your tension and stress and improve your balance and breathing. There will be Tuesday / Thursday sessions through 7/23.

7/14 @ 12:00
Computer Basics
Class for computer novices.

7/14 @ 4:00
Summer Fun for Teens
Teens! Come to the library for some unspecified summer fun.  Different each week.

7/15 @ 3:30
Summer Fun for Kids: Capoeira
Try out Capoeira at the Library with Jessica from Capoeira Brasil of Northeast LA! Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art with elements of dance and music.

7/16 @ 10:30
Tai Chi
Come learn techniques to ease your tension and stress and improve your balance and breathing. There will be Tuesday / Thursday sessions through 7/23.

7/19 from 1:00-5:00
Sign up for MediCal and CalFresh
Eligibility specialists from the LA County Department of Public Social Services will be on hand to help you and your family sign up for Medi-Cal, Covered California, CalFresh, and other government assistance programs.

7/20 @ 4:00
Summer Fun for Kids: Make Your Own Instrument
Join us to make your own musical instrument out of everyday items.

7/21 @ 10:30
Tai Chi
Come learn techniques to ease your tension and stress and improve your balance and breathing. There will be Tuesday / Thursday sessions through 7/23.

7/21 @ 4:00
Summer Fun for Teens
Teens! Come to the library for some unspecified summer fun.  Different each week.

7/23 @ 10:30
Tai Chi
Come learn techniques to ease your tension and stress and improve your balance and breathing. Today is the last session.

7/23 @ 6:00
Internet Security Class
Come learn how to be safe(r) online.

7/25 @ 1:00
Summer Fun for Kids: Finale Party
Games! Prizes! and Raffle! celebrating the end of our summer fun and reading program!

7/25 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a lively discussion of John Irving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany.

7/27 @ 4:00
Summer Fun for Kids: Encore! Bubbles.
All great musical efforts deserve an encore, so please join us to make Bubble Wands and create giant bubbles!

7/28 @ 4:00
Summer Fun for Teens
Teens! Come to the library for some unspecified summer fun.  Different each week.

- - - - - - - - - -

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

Little Ones’ Storytime - - - Wednesdays at 10:30 & 11:30
Little Ones’ 3 and under & their grownups are invited to join us for stories, music, & games.  We offer two sessions, pick the one that is convenient for you.

STAR Volunteer Readers - - - Available on Wednesdays at 3:00, on Thursdays at 3:00 & on Saturdays at 2:00
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.

Fun with Tablets - - - Thursdays at 4:00
In July we will be working on a music video project on 7/2 and 7/9.  On 7/16 we will be exploring world music.  We will be planning and creating an advertisement for the 2016 Summer Reading Program on 7/23 & 7/30.

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.