March’s Arroyo Book Club Book….

The Arroyo Book Club will be reading Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin for our March meeting.  The book, a Man Asian Literary Prize winner, is describe on Amazon’s website as follows: 

“When sixty-nine-year-old So-nyo is separated from her husband among the crowds of the Seoul subway station, her family begins a desperate search to find her. Yet as long-held secrets and private sorrows begin to reveal themselves, they are forced to wonder: how well did they actually know the woman they called Mom?

Told through the piercing voices and urgent perspectives of a daughter, son, husband, and mother, Please Look After Mom is at once an authentic picture of contemporary life in Korea and a universal story of family love.”

Stop by the library for a copy of the book and join us for discussion on March 26 at 3:00.

Events for the Week of February 28….

Events going on at the library this week include…

• Make it Mondays features a building block challenge on Monday (2/29) at 4:00
• MediCal/CalFresh Information Table on Tuesday (3/1) from 1:00-5:00
• Toddler Storytime for those aged 1-3 on Wednesday (3/2) at 10:30
• PreSchool Storytime for those 3-5 years old also on Wednesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Baby Storytime for those 0-12 months on Thursday (3/3) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (3/4) at 3:30

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 who is Susan La Flesche?

Library Events in March…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The library has some interesting events planned in March.  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:

- - - - - - - - - - 
3/1 from 1:00-5:00
MediCal/CalFresh Information Table
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. Easy, convenient, and at your service.

3/7 @ 4:00
Make It Mondays: Craft
Join us for a crafty challenge.

3/8 @ 4:00
Teen Program
Come and join us for our monthly teen program.  Do something fun and share your thoughts about life & the library.

3/12 @ 2:00
Ireland in Song & Story
Join Mallory & McCall and rev up for St. Patrick’s Day with a selection of traditional Irish songs.

3/12 @ 3:00 
Resume Class
Join us to learn how to create a polished resume.

3/13 from 1:00-5:00
MediCal/CalFresh Information Table
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. Easy, convenient, and at your service.

3/14 @ 4:00
Make It Mondays: Building Blocks
Come wow everyone with your solution to the building block challenge.

3/15 @ 6:00
Introduction to Genealogy
Learn the basics about using the Ancestry Database for genealogical research.

3/19 @ 3:00
Yellow Wallpaper Read Aloud (& discussion)
Come join us as we take turns reading Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s classic short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” aloud & then share your thoughts on the work as we discuss it.

3/20 @ 2:00
USC Thornton Gluck Scherzo Duo
Join us for a delightful musical afternoon as Edgar & Sergio share the beauty of the clarinet with us.

3/21 @ 4:00
Make It Mondays: Reptile Art
What is reptile art? Come and find out.

3/21 @ 5:00
Thor’s Reptile Family
Thor takes us on safari around the world. Snakes, lizards, and all sorts of creepy crawlies.

3/23 @ 3:00
Reading Workshop
Parents and caregivers, come to our Every Child Ready to Read workshop to learn simple practices to develop early literacy skills in children from birth to age five.

3/26 @ 1:00
USC Thornton Gluck Mo-Triple
Join us for a vocal performance with guitar & drum.  Bound to be a delightful experience.

3/26 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a lively discussion of the book Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin.

3/29 @ 6:00
USC Thornton Gluck Zephyr Brass Quintet
Join us for a delightful celebration of brass instruments as the quintet plays for us on the french horn, tuba, trombone, & trumpets.

3/31 @ 6:00
Chicano Moratorium Film
Join us for a documentary film about the Chicano moratorium.  Then come back on Sunday (4/3) for a discussion.

- - - - - - - - - -

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

Toddler Storytime - - - Wednesdays at 10:30 
Toddlers 3 and under & their grownups are invited to join us for stories, music, & games.  

Preschool Storytime - - - Wednesdays at 3:00 (NO session on 3/23)
Get ready for kindergarten with stories, puppets, songs, stretches, and rhymes for children ages 3-5.

Baby Storytime - - - Thursdays at 10:30 
Bounces, rhymes and songs for prewalkers (age 0-12 months) and their caregivers.

STAR Volunteer Readers - - - Available on Tuesdays at 3:00, on Wednesdays at 3:00, and on 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. 

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 week’s question asked what you knew of the origins of the California State flag.  Let me quote from the source of this week’s question to answer:

…a group of pioneers attacked a Mexican fort at Sonoma.  They took the fort’s commanding officer, Mariano Vallejo, prisoner and quickly hoisted a flag that had been designed just for the occasion.  One of the pioneers, William Todd, painted this makeshift flag on a cotton sheet with red and brown paint.  The flag featured a grizzly bear and a lone star, along with the name “California Republic.”  It was raised above the fort for all the pioneers to see.

Todd and the others were intent upon freeing California from Mexico’s grip.  Their actions became known as the Bear Flag Revolt because of the bear that graced the flag.  To these rebels, the bear symbolized strength.  The star was a reference to the Lone Star of Texas; the pioneers saw Texas as California’s sister in the struggle against Mexico.  This revolt took place on June 14, 1846, and the flag flew from that day until July 9, 1846, when the Mexican-American War officially began.

The question (& answer) were taken from p. 123 of Flags () by Randy Howe.  The book was published in 2002 by the Globe Pequot Press.

Events for the Week of February 21….

Events going on at the library this week include…

• Make it Mondays featuring the Art of Basquiat on Monday (2/22) at 4:00
• PreSchool Storytime for those 3-5 years old on Tuesday (2/23) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Tuesday at 3:00
• Toddler Storytime for those aged 1-3 on Wednesday (2/24) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Baby Storytime for those 0-12 months on Thursday (2/25) at 10:30
• Drop in Computer Lab also on Thursday at 12:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (2/26) at 3:30
• Storytime in the Park (York Park) on Saturday (2/27) at 11:00
• Arroyo Book Club meets on Saturday (2/27) 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.

Word Nerd

In Word Nerd John D. Williams Jr. shares his memories of his experience as the executive director of the National SCRABBLE® Association.  Williams worked, essentially, for the owners of the makers of the game and his slant was (rather obviously) to work out ways to publicize & sell more units of the game.  Williams’ detailing of the kinds of things he did to do this is a rather eye-opening look at the idea that everyone has ulterior motives for everything.

An interesting book… it provides a bit of a look at the world of competitive SCRABBLE playing and a bit of a look at the job of advertising/marketing.  The author is personable and the book is readable.  Recommended for those with an interest in the game - though it probably won’t be quite what they’re expecting.

History of Highland Park…

This 1/10/1985 article takes a quick look at the history of Highland Park from its early days as part of Rancho San Rafael, through the regions incorporation in Los Angeles, ending with a brief listing of places of local interest.  Link: http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520387.pdf

Events for the Week of February 14….

Remember that the library will be closed Monday for Presidents’ Day.  Events going on at the library the rest of the week include…

• Zentangle with your Valentine on Sunday (2/14) at 2:00
• PreSchool Storytime for those 3-5 years old on Tuesday (2/16) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Tuesday at 3:00
• Toddler Storytime for those aged 1-3 on Wednesday (2/17) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab also on Wednesday at 6:00
• Baby Storytime for those 0-12 months on Thursday (2/18) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (2/19) at 3:30
• Movie Showing --- Part of our African American Film Series --- on Saturday (2/20) 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.

Trivia of the Week....

This week's question... do you know the origin of the California State flag? 

Making Money

I recently reread Making Money by Terry Pratchett.  I was in the mood for a light hearted, ridiculous story and Pratchett is a master of the genre.  In Making Money Moist von Lipwig, who took on the post office and succeeded, finds himself unexpectedly the guardian of the Chairman of the Bank (the bank was left to a dog).  This results, of course, in plenty of problems to deal with from attracting new customers to dealing with the larcenous family of the previous bank owner to coping with the unexpected absence of gold from the bank’s vault.  Moist deals with all of these problems and more in his usual inimitable way. Along the way we run into many familiar characters.

I always recommend Pratchett… whether you’re encountering him for the first time or enjoying the nth reread of your favorite… you’re guaranteed an excellent experience.

TOW (& Answer)...

The question was when were the bulk of surnames in countries such as England and France formed? The majority were formed in the 13th and 14th centuries.  According to our source “the norm is that in the 11th century people did not have surnames, whereas by the 15th century they did.”  

The question (& answer) were found on p. vii of the introduction to A Dictionary of Surnames by Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges.  The book was published by the Oxford University Press in 1988.  

The Library at Mount Char

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins is basically telling the tale of the passage of power from one essentially omnipotent being to his successor.  Carolyn was taken in at the death of her parents and raised by a man she, and the other children like her, called Father.  Father named himself a librarian but the contents of his library spoke of and granted power. As the story starts Father is missing, presumed dead and the machinations of his potential heirs are getting under way.  

The book is difficult to get into because it is incredibly, graphically violent.  Father’s methods of training his children quite literally include torture and death (mastering healing to the point of resurrection is in the library).  After a while the violence either died down or I began overlooking it as the rather complicated plot unfolded and succeed in capturing my interest.  Recommended for those who can stomach casual violence and enjoy and intricate, time bending plot.

Events for the Week of February 7….

This is a no storytime week.  Storytimes will resume again next week.  Other events going on at the library this week include…

• MediCal/Calfresh Information Table on Sunday (2/7) from 1:00-5:00
• Make it Mondays features a building block challenge on Monday (2/8) at 4:00
• STAR Reader on Tuesday (2/9) at 3:00
• Teen Program also on Tuesday at 4:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday (2/10) at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (2/11) at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (2/12) at 3:30
• Drop in Computer Lab on Saturday (2/13) at 1:00
• UCLA Gluck Percussion Ensemble on Saturday at 2:00
• Movie Showing --- Part of our African American Film Series --- 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.

Lord of the Wings

Lord of the Wings by Donna Andrews has Meg Langslow in the midst of the organizational chaos that is a town wide Halloween celebration.  For once she’s not in charge of the whole thing --- the town has recently hired someone to take that role --- she’s just in charge of the volunteer security force.  Nevertheless things start to go wrong when a foot surfaces in the alligator swap at the local zoo during a school field trip.  Fortunately it’s just a fake foot but it’s not long before a real body appears and Meg must piece together the clues, keep the town’s Halloween plans afloat, and provide her sons with a memorable experience.  

As always the story is peopled with charming and eccentric characters.  The result is a cheerful, light-hearted addition to the Langslow series.

February’s Electronic Resource of the Month…

Freegal is the February Electronic Resource of the month.  

What is freegal? Freegal is a download music service with access to millions of songs in hundreds of music genres.  The library’s subscription allows you (the patron with a library card) to download 5 songs a week that are free & free of drm.  Additionally you can stream music 24/7 via this service.

How do you access freegal?  You will find freegal listed on the library’s website (http://www.lapl.org/) in the Research & Homework alphabetical online resources list (http://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework#F).  You will need your library card to access the service.

Once you’re logged in you will find the site fairly intuitive to use with plenty of FAQs (found on the right hand corner of every page) offering specific help.  Give it a try if you aren’t already a user.

Trivia of the Week...

This week’s question…. When were the bulk of surnames in countries such as England and France formed?