Trivia of the Month - Answer...

The question was what is the insect most usually met with in the field of heraldry?  The answer is the bee.  As our source says, “Being considered, as it is, the symbol of industry, small wonder that it has been so frequently adopted.

The question (& answer) were found on p. 260 of A Complete Guide to Heraldry by A. C. Fox-Davies.  The book was published in 1978 by Crown Publishers.

Arroyo Book Club’s June Pick

The Arroyo Book Club will be reading Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt.  The book’s jacket describes it…

In the winter of 1417, a short, genial, cannily alert man in his late thirties plucked a very old manuscript off a dusty shelf in a remote monastery, saw with excitement what he had discovered, and ordered that it be copied.  He was Poggio Bracciolini, the greatest book hunter of the Renaissance.  His discovery, Lucretius’ ancient poem On the Nature of Things, had been almost entirely lost to history for more than a thousand years.

It was a beautiful poem of the most dangerous ideas: that the universe functions without the aid of gods, that religious fear is damaging to human life, that pleasure and virtue are not opposites but intertwined, and that matter is made up of very small material particles in eternal motion, randomly colliding and swerving in new directions.

Its return to circulation changed the course of history.  The poem’s vision would shape the thought of Galileo and Freud, Darwin and Einstein, and – in the hands of Thomas Jefferson – leave its trace on the Declaration of Independence.

From the gardens of the ancient philosophers to the dark chambers of monastic scriptoria during the Middle Ages to the cynical, competitive court of a corrupt and dangerous pope, renowned scholar Stephen Greenblatt brings Poggio’s search and discovery to life in a way that revolutionizes our understanding of the word we live in today.

The book’s thesis certainly sounds impressively grandiose.  Pick up a copy and see if the author makes his case then join us for discussion on June 24 at 3:00.

Events for the Week of May 28….

Please remember that the library will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 29.  Events going on at the library during the remainder of the week include…

• Sunday Afternoon at the Movies on Sunday (5/28) at 3:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (5/31) at 10:30
• Intermediate English Conversation on Wednesday at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (6/1) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• LA OIC Computer Boot Camp (en español) on Friday (6/2) from 1:00-4:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday 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

Library Events in June…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The library has some interesting events planned in June.  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:

- - - - - - - - - - 

6/2 From 1:00-4:00
LA OIC Computer Bootcamp
This program puts low cost computers in the hands of low income people.  This session is in Spanish. Call or drop by to sign up.

6/5 @ 4:00
Make it Monday: Building Block Challenge
Just what can you make? Come on down and show us.

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

6/10 @ 2:00
LGBT Heritage Month Movie
Come join us as we explore Kanopy, our new streaming media service, and together pick a LGBT themed film to enjoy.

6/12 from 2:30-4:30
LA DOT Tap Card Information Session
Stop by with questions for the LA Department of Transportation.  Get your TAP card reloaded while you’re here.

6/12 @ 4:00
Twinkle Time Family Show
The kids' summer reading program kicks off with an exciting show.

6/13 @ 4:00
Partytime Tattoos
The teen summer reading program kicks off with a body decorating opportunity.

6/14 @ 6:00
Astronomy 101
Join us as we explore the world of online education by collaboratively taking Astronomy 101. 

6/19 @ 4:00
Minecraft in Real Life 
Go beyond gaming to enjoy crafts, videos and a scavenger hunt/coding activity based on the world of Minecraft!

6/20 @ 4:00
Teen Summer Fun
Join us for a brushbot making session.

6/20 @ 6:00
Club de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

6/21 @ 6:00
Astronomy 101
Join us as we explore the world of online education by collaboratively taking Astronomy 101. 

6/23 @ 3:30
June Birthday Party
Join us as we celebrate those (0-12) who were born in the month of June.

6/24 @ 9:30
Tai Chi
De-Stress from your week with a tai chi session taught by our longtime volunteer.

6/24 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a spirited discussion of the book Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt.

6/25 @ 3:00
Sunday at the Movies
Join us for a leisurely Sunday movie. This month we’ll enjoy one of Bette Midler’s comedies.

6/26 @ 4:00
DNA Code Jewelry
Create your own unique piece of beaded jewelry based on a special color code: your name translated into DNA amino acids!

6/27 @ 4:00
Teen Summer Fun
This week’s program features manga drawing.

6/28 @ 6:00
Astronomy 101
Join us as we explore the world of online education by collaboratively taking Astronomy 101. 

- - - - - - - - - -

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

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

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

STAR Volunteer Readers - - - Available on Wednesdays at 3:00, on Thursdays at 3:00, and on Saturdays at 2:00 (-Saturdays beginning 6/10)
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. 

Intermediate English Conversation - - - Wednesdays at 2:00
Join us to practice your English speaking skills in a friendly environment.

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.

Confucius Jane

Confucius Jane is a sweet love story by Katie Lynch.  In it we have Jane, poet, currently working at her uncle’s fortune cookie factory and Sutton in her final year of medical school with a pending doctorate as well.  Jane and Sutton are immediately attracted to each other but are stymied first by Sutton’s demanding schedule and uncertainty about whether she wants a relationship and then by some rather severe family problems.  The characters are interesting and well drawn and you certainly wind up rooting for the girls.

Recommended.

Events for the Week of May 21….

Events going on at the library during the week include…

• Make it Monday features an Asian-Pacific Heritage storytime & craft on Monday (5/22) at 4:00
• There is a teen program on Tuesday (5/23) at 3:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (5/24) at 10:30
• Intermediate English Conversation on Wednesday at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (5/25) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (5/26) at 3:30
• The Arroyo Book Club meets on Saturday (5/27) 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

Reading by Design

(This year’s Summer Reading Program)

Participation

Last year, the first year that the library had run an Adult Summer Reading Program, we had the second highest number of enrollees… beating out even Central Library.  Let’s prove that was no fluke and get just as involved this year.  

This year’s Summer Reading Program is called “Reading by Design” and will run from June 12 through August 5.  You’ll be able to enroll yourself via the library’s website (http://www.lapl.org/summer) or by visiting your preferred branch (if you’re reading this that is hopefully the Arroyo Seco Branch).

Keep track of your reading hours and activity involvement either by using your online summer account or your paper game board.

Prizes

There are a varied collection of prizes you can earn as you participate in the Summer Reading Program…

• Upon enrollment you will receive a lovely tote bag & an entry in the branch prize raffle
• Upon completion you will receive a cute notebook & pen set & an entry in the branch prize raffle
• Upon completion you will also be enrolled in the library wide drawing for an iPad Pro
• You can earn an additional branch prize raffle entries with each event you attend or book review that you post.

The branch raffle prizes come to us through the generous donation of local restaurants Kitchen Mouse & Café de Leche

Programs

We will be running two interesting program series during Summer Reading as well as our usual book club meetings.  Specific program details:

• Astronomy 101 meets each Wednesday evening at 6:00 beginning on 6/14 and ending on 8/2 (no session on 7/19)…. Find more information on this blog post (http://arroyoseco5.blogspot.com/2017/05/reading-by-design-astronomy-101.html)
• Tai Chi meets each Saturday morning at 9:30 beginning on 6/24 and ending on 8/5… Find more information on this blog post (http://arroyoseco5.blogspot.com/2017/05/reading-by-design-tai-chi.html) 
• Arroyo Book Club meetings for Summer Reading are on June 24 and July 22, both at 3:00.

Reading by Design – Tai Chi

(This Year’s Summer Reading Program)

We are fortunate this summer that Wayne Qian who’s taught us Tai Chi for the past two summers will be doing so again.  He will teach us techniques to ease our tension and stress, and improve our balance and breathing.  Sessions are scheduled for Saturday Mornings at 9:30.  The first will be on 6/24 and the last on 8/5.  Please feel free to join us for any session.

The instructor provides us with some information about the characteristics of Tai chi quan…

• Slow and graceful movement which goes on and on.  It is “like the clouds scurrying across the sky and the water flowing down a river or stream.”  It does not stop until the whole exercise comes to a peaceful end.  Choppy movements are anathema to tai chi practitioners.
• Natural and unblocked flow of ch’i, meaning vital energy, in the whole body at all times.  To do that, the tai chi practitioner must focus their mind on their movement, trying in every way to keep themselves from being distracted by a medley of ideas.
• A perfect combination of action and quietness.  The body of the practitioner is moving all the time, but his mind is dominated by a peacefulness that comes only with a lot of exercise.  In appearance, he is sort of restless, at heart, he experiences a serenity which onlookers find difficult to comprehend.  Ultimately, he finds himself at one with the universe.

The instructor also provides eight basic rules to follow:

1. Keeping the upper part of the body straight.  One must not slant forward or backward.  This will ensure the flexibility of the waist, which is the axis of the human body, the starting point of almost every bodily movement.
2. Keeping one’s gravity low.  This might be difficult for first-time learners, but it is highly important because probably more than anything else it contributes to a good bodily balance.
3. When moving forward or backward, do not place one’s feet in the same line.  Only then can one be “as steady and firm as a mountain.” Placing both feet in the same line would most likely lead to the loss of balance.
4. Not moving a foot when the body’s weight is on it.  To move the right foot requires shifting the weight away from it to the left foot; to move the left foot requires shifting the weight away from it to the right.
5. Allowing the shoulders and elbows to hang down naturally.  The term “hand down naturally” means the total relaxation of the muscles in the neck and arms.  Raising the shoulders is a sin.  And even when the arms are moving, the elbows must not unfold like a bird’s wings.
6. Every movement must “round out” in the end, not in an angular fashion.  This applies especially to the movement of the hands.  Slow, continuous, and elegant, it has nothing to do with what is short, sudden and rough.  It is this feature that gives the practice of tai chi a look of elegance.
7. Matching one’s breathing with movement.  As one will find out, tai chi quan consists of open and closed movements.  “when open, breathe in; when closed, breathe out,” that is what one has to remember.  The effort to match breathing with movement will naturally slow down the movement.
8. Control deep breath by the diaphragm, allowing ch’i to go deep into the abdomen instead of the lungs.  While doing this occasionally is easy; it takes all the focused attention that one can give to do it continually.  However, the effort to do it will be amply rewarded.  This is also the secret of an opera singer’s powerful voice.

Reading by Design – Astronomy 101

(This Year’s Summer Reading Program)

This year, as part of the Adult Summer Reading Program, we thought we would arrange to do an online class collectively.  Participants can join us each week to work through scheduled lessons together or they can do the work entirely on their own or they can join us for class when they need extra help with something while doing lessons they find easy on their own.  The point is to dabble your toes in the ocean of online education with the support of a friendly group and work towards completing the class in the manner that best suits your style.

We were inspired by the fact that there is going to be a solar eclipse in August to make the class we will undertake Astronomy 101 (offered by Universal Class).  We will begin on June 14 and meet each Wednesday thereafter (with a break on July 19) until we complete the class on August 2.  The class will meet at 6:00 each week.

Please create an account with Universal Class in advance of our first session, if you do not already have one.  Start from the library’s Research & Homework page (http://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework#U) and click into Universal Class where you will enter your library card number.  As a new user you will be presented with a registration page, fill it out.  Note that you will need to have an email address.

By the way, we welcome teens as well as adults for this program so why not enroll with your son or daughter and make the class a family affair?

Trivia of the Month....

This month’s question is what is the insect most usually met with in the field of heraldry?

Events for the Week of May 14….

Events going on at the library during the week include…

• Make it Monday features a building block challenge on Monday (5/15) at 4:00
• Lectores meet on Tuesday (5/16) at 6:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (5/17) at 10:30
• Intermediate English Conversation on Wednesday at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (5/18) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (5/19) at 3:30
• Bird Puppet Making Workshop on Saturday (5/20) 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

History of Highland Park…

This article (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520245.pdf) titled Santa Fe Railroad Built Empire explores the history of the railroad in Southern California.  In this article you will find pictures including one of the laying of rails in South Pasadena and an 1887 image of a train going over the Arroyo.

The article was written by Ted Hilgensthuler for the Los Angeles Herald & Express as part of a series of articles about past history in Los Angeles.  It was published on May 23, 1959.  Check it out. 

Vote by Mail Drop Off…

The Arroyo Seco Library is once again a Vote by Mail drop off location. The election in question is the upcoming June 6 Congressional District 34 Special General Election. So fill your ballet out, put it in its return envelope, and swing by the library to drop it off thereby doing your civic duty and saving yourself the cost of a stamp.

Events for the Week of May 7….

Events going on at the library during the week include…

• LA DOT has a TAP Card Info & Fare Reloading table on Monday (5/8) at 2:30
• Make it Monday features a Robot Workshop on Monday at 4:00 – registration required
• The CA Telephone Access Program has an information table on Tuesday (5/9) from 2:00-5:00
• There is a teen program on Tuesday at 3:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (5/10) at 10:30
• Intermediate English Conversation on Wednesday at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (5/11) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (5/12) at 3:30
• Lummis Day Poetry Workshop on Saturday (5/13) 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

Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History

This book by Florence Willams takes a close look at breasts --- essentially from birth to death.  It particularly focuses on their place in the larger ecology of the world.  Williams explores the presence of contaminants in breast milk, how those contaminants may have got there, and wonders at the impact of this polluted milk on the nursing infant.  She also looks at breast cancer causes and ponders environmental links.  

The book is written in a very accessible tone and is quite informative.  It does suffer, as all books written for the non-expert do, from a lack of depth.  We get a broad overview without the deep, sourced, scientific underpinnings we may be craving.  

All in all this is just the book to make you nervous about your breasts (even if you’re male).

May’s eResource of the Month

The Electronic Resource of the Month for May is Mango Languages with a call out to their selection of Asian & Pacific languages.  Mango Languages provides 17 Asian language-learning courses from Bengali to Vietnamese and six English as a Second Language courses for speakers of Bengali, Cantonese, Hmong, Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese.  In addition to grammar courses, films and specialty courses are available.  Specialty courses include conversation classes with a specific theme such as feng shui (Chinese) or mimetic words (Japanese).  

Mango has apps for devices that support Android 4.1 or later and IOS 7.0 or later.  The apps are available through Google Play, Apple’s App Store and through Amazon for Kindle devices.

Access Mango Languages from your home computer via the library’s Research & Homework page (http://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework#M).  You will need to have your library card number and PIN handy.

So... dip your toe into the water of a foreign language with the help of Mango Languages.