Trivia of the Week....

This week’s question asks what is the Miller Standard?

Events for the Week of November 29….

Events going on at the library this week include…

• CalFresh/MediCal Information Table on Tuesday (12/1) from 1:00-5:00
• STAR Reader also on Tuesday at 4:30
• Little Ones’ Storytime on Wednesday (12/2) --- sessions at 10:30 & 11:30
• STAR Reader also on Wednesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (12/3) at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (12/4) at 3:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday (12/5) 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.

Library Events in December…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The library has some interesting events planned in December.  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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12/1 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.

12/7 @ 4:00
Make It Mondays: Building Blocks
What magnificent structure can you design? Come show us.

12/10 @ 12:00
Drop in Computer Lab
Bring your questions about computers, tablets, eReaders, or other electronic devices.  We will do our best to help you figure out answers. 

12/12 from 10:00-2:00
ACA Information Table
Do you have questions about Covered California? Do you want to know if you qualify for low-cost or no-cost health insurance?  Stop in to meet with Enrollment Counselors who will talk to you face-to-face to explain your health coverage options through Covered California and help you select the best plan for your medical needs and budget.

12/13 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.

12/14 @ 4:00
Make It Mondays: Holiday Wreaths
Come make your own holiday wreath.

12/15 @ 4:00
Teen Henna Program
Learn about the history of henna in various cultures and get some henna decorations.  Limited to first 20 teens.

12/16 from 6:00 to 7:45
Telescope Night
Come take a look at the night sky with the Sidewalk Astronomers.  Get a close up look at the moon and planets.  If the weather seems iffy call after 3:00 for final word on whether the program will go on.

12/19 @ 2:00
Drop in Computer Lab
Bring your questions about computers, tablets, eReaders, or other electronic devices.  We will do our best to help you figure out answers. 

12/20 @ 2:00
Game Day
Join us for some competitive Scrabble and Cribbage.  Bring your own favorite game for play.

12/21 @ 4:00
Make It Mondays: Holiday Cards
Design a special holiday card for your loved ones.

12/26 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a lively discussion of the book Death by Black Hole by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

12/28 @ 4:00
Make It Mondays: Building Blocks
Come wow everyone with your solution to the building block challenge.

12/29 @ 6:00
Drop in Computer Lab
Bring your questions about computers, tablets, eReaders, or other electronic devices.  We will do our best to help you figure out answers. 

12/31 @ 11:00
Noon Year's Eve Party
Kids! Join us for a celebration of the coming New Year.
- - - - - - - - - -

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 3:00, 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. (Be aware that the library closes early on 12/24 & 12/31 - impacting STAR Reader program)

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)...

This week’s question was name a toy dog.  The toy breeds include: Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, English Toy Spaniel, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle, Pug, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier.  

The question (& answer) were taken from page 406 of The Complete Dog Book.  The book was published in 1998 by the American Kennel Club.

The Long Utopia

Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter continue their saga of the long Earth with The Long Utopia.  Here we meet familiar characters some 40 to 50 years after the defining “stepping” revolution of the first book (see 7/9/13 for entry on the Long War -- the second book of the series).  In this volume we have that an insect (or possibly von Neumann robot) threat has been encountered on one of the Earths. The insects are busy on some massive engineering project with a potential impact on everyone.  We also have some backstory on the stepping phenomenon and life vignettes of many of our favorite characters.

Not typical Pratchett fair but nevertheless enjoyable.  If you’ve been reading the series you won’t need me to tell you to pick up this volume.  If you haven’t seek out The Long Earth and get started.

Events for the Week of November 22….

Please remember that the library will be closed on 11/26 and 11/27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Events going on at the library the rest of the week include…

• Make it Mondays features a Cartoon Class with Dave Boatman on Monday (11/23) at 4:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Tuesday (11/24) at 12:00
• STAR Reader also on Tuesday at 4:30
• Covered California Information Table on Wednesday (11/25) from 10:00-2:00
• Little Ones’ Storytime on Wednesday --- sessions at 10:30 & 11:30
• STAR Reader also on Wednesday at 3:00
• USC Thornton Gluck Hollywood Trio on Saturday (11/28) at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Saturday also at 2:00
• Arroyo Book Club Discussion 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.

Highland Park History….

Check out this short 1985 article on the proposed Arroyo Seco Bikeway.  The bikeway they are talking about is the one that begins up near the York Avenue Bridge and goes down (partially in the Arroyo Seco) to Ave 42.  It includes a few pictures.  http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520379.pdf

Trivia of the Week...

This week’s question is an easy one…. Name a toy dog.

How to Start a Fire

Lisa Lutz departs from her Spellman books with How to Start a Fire.  Here we have the tale of 3 different, but very unique, women who meet in college. The book is told in an extremely non-linear fashion which actually serves to increase interest as it turns the thing into a bit of a puzzle.  You’ll read a section that has the characters reacting to an event that occurred earlier but that hasn’t yet been presented in the book.  As a device for keeping interest up it is surprisingly successful.  The characters are completely standard Lutz.  Once you’re familiar with one of her characters you could definitely pick another out of a lineup anytime… they’re kind of similar…. Which also means you have to like her style of character if you’re going to like one of her books.

I am a fan of Lutz so I enjoyed the book.  I would definitely recommend it to fans of her work.  I would also recommend it to those who haven’t read anything by her.  It’s a nice introduction to her style and if you like it you could then turn to the Spellman series.  

Events for the Week of November 15….

Events going on at the library this week include…

• CalFresh/MediCal Information Table on Sunday (11/15) from 1:00-5:00
• Teen Program on Tuesday (11/17) at 4:00
• STAR Reader also on Tuesday at 4:30
• Covered California Information Table on Wednesday (11/18) from 10:00-2:00
• Little Ones’ Storytime on Wednesday --- sessions at 10:30 & 11:30
• STAR Reader also on Wednesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (11/19) at 3:00
• Fun with Tablets also on Thursday at 4:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (11/20) at 3:30
• USC Thornton Gluck Woodstock Duo on Saturday (11/21) at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Saturday also 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.

TOW (& Answer)...

This week’s question was where was actor Anthony Quinn born? Anthony Rudolph Oaxaca Quinn was born, during the Mexican Revolution --- specifically on 4/21/1915, in Chihuahua, Mexico. 

The question (& answer) were taken from p. 159 of A Biographical Handbook of Hispanics andUnited States Film by Gary D. Keller.  The book was published in 1997 by Bilingual Press.

Websites of interest….

Today I’m going to shill for the library and recommend a visit to LAPL’s Money Matter$ Financial Resource Guide (http://www.lapl.org/money-matters).  Here you will find suggested library and online resources providing information, education, and tools covering savings, credit, investments, budgeting, financial planning, and consumer protection.  

So if you’ve a money related question or issue check this page out for places to find answers.

The Boys in the Boat

In The Boys in the Boat Daniel James Brown tells the tale of the men who sought and eventually won the 1936 Olympic Gold medal for 8-man rowing.  While the author does that thing I dislike in non-fiction books of pretending he can provide point of view and individual thought of the people and events depicted, if you make the conscious decision to just read it as if it were a novel you will be rewarded with an interesting and entertaining experience.  The boys in this particular boat were crew from the University of Washington and as such were primarily the sons of farmers, loggers, and the like.

I recommend the book as an interesting read but would be a bit wary of offering it as unbiased non-fiction.   Give it a try and form your own opinion.

USC Thornton Gluck Music….

Join us for a couple of delightful musical afternoons at the library.  The USC Thornton Gluck program, which has put on such lovely concerts for us in the past, is sending us two groups to entertain.  We will have…

The Woodstock Duo on Cello and Guitar treating us to songs of food & friendship on Saturday, November 21 at 2:00

The Hollywood Trio (a Soprano, a Tenor, & a Keyboardist) regaling us with favorite songs from the movies on Saturday, November 28 at 2:00

Mark your calendars and be sure to come by. 

Events for the Week of November 8….

Remember that we will be closed on Wednesday the 11^th for Veterans Day.  Events going on at the library the rest of the week include…

• Make it Monday featuring a building block challenge on Monday (11/9) at 4:00
• STAR Reader on Tuesday (11/10) at 4:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday (11/12) at 3:00
• Movie Showing also on Thursday at 4:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (11/13) at 3:30
• SAT Practice Test on Saturday (11/14) starting at 10:00
• STAR Reader on Saturday at 2:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Saturday at 2:00
• Zentangle Mania on Saturday at 4:00

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.

Trivia of the Week....

This week’s question is where was actor Anthony Quinn born?

Superposition

Superposition by David Walton is a mystery adventure that is most fascinating for its use of quantum physics in both positing the murder and telling the story.  Jacob Kelley is a physicist who is accused of killing a former colleague found dead.  He is arrested and put on trial for murder so must of course work out who really did the murderous deed.  The whole thing is complicated by the fact that the murdered guy had been working on quantum computing and had found a way of achieving macro level quantum effects. 

The physics as explained in the book was fascinating.  The mystery was a bit too easy to figure out, I knew the real killer before any of the book characters did.  In addition I really did not like Jacob (our narrator).  I found him surprisingly violent and irrational for someone who is supposed to be an intelligent scientist.  Now I suppose scientists can be violent but the irrational part seems less likely.  I would recommend the book for the fun science ride and say ignore the obviousness of whodunit as well as the fact that you wind up wishing an unhappy ending for our hero.  

November’s eResource of the Month…

The eResource of the month for November is Overdrive’s Digital Magazines & Newspapers.  You may already be familiar with Overdrive for books or for movies but they have recently launched a magazine & newspaper feature.  In their collection you will find over 200 English and 40 Spanish language digital newspapers and magazines.  Do note that they are formatted for a Nook reader so you will have to use one of those or a Nook app for access.  

Having trouble? Try the Overdrive for Magazines help page here: http://help.overdrive.com/customer/en/portal/articles/1758808-getting-started-with-periodicals-from-your-library.  I generally find that Overdrive’s help is actually useful.

Finally… check out the flyer on the topic that you will find here (Overdrive Magazines Newspapers Flyer).   

TOW (& Answer)....

The week’s question was where did Colby cheese originate? Colby cheese had its beginnings in Vermont around 1824.  Alfred Crowley started a factory that would go on to make the cheese for more than 170 years.

The question (& answer) were taken from p. 212 of The Food Chronology by James Trager.  The book was published in 1995 by Henry Holt.