Trivia of the Month (Answer)....

This month’s question was where is the world’s oldest existing McDonald’s located?  Downey in our own Los Angeles County is the answer.  

The question (& answer) were found on p. 149 of Historic Spots in California.  The fourth edition as revised by Douglas E. Kyle.  The book was published in 1990 by Stanford University Press.

History of Highland Park…

Here is a brochure entitled Charles Lummis - Preservation Pioneer (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/01/19663.pdf) that explores his legacy as a preservationist.  Included in the pamphlet is a tour, with photos, of local buildings of historical interest with a map of their locations.  The brochure is the product of the Los Angeles Conservancy and was published in 1991.  Check it out.

Arroyo Book Club’s July Pick

The Arroyo Book Club with be reading Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Fowler for our July meeting.  The book is a fictional retelling of the life of the aforementioned Zelda Fitzgerald that focuses in on her relationship with her husband noted novelist of the 1920’s F. Scott Fitzgerald.  The Library Journal describes the book with:

Fowler's latest novel is a biographical sketch of Zelda Fitzgerald, the beautiful but troubled wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald. Born Zelda Sayre in Alabama, she is a Southern belle whose energy and indulgences prompt her to follow Fitzgerald north to New York City and later to Paris. Tumultuous love, literary jealousies, alcoholism, and masculine rivalries all play key roles in the drama of American literature's "It" couple. The Fitzgeralds mingle with Jazz Age greats including Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy Parker, and Pablo Picasso. Zelda's continuous attempts to escape the shadow of her famous husband and assert her own artistic identity often end in bitter arguments and ultimately lead to her insanity. Though there are many biographies of the Fitzgeralds, Fowler's well-researched fictional account provides a tender, intimate exploration of a complicated and captivating woman. 

This book seems like it might qualify as a summer, beachy read so pick up a copy at the branch and plan to join us on July 22 at 3:00 for discussion.

Events for the Week of June 25….

Note that our Summer Reading Challenge continues this week… so get yourself and your entire family enrolled (if you haven’t already).  Do it online by visiting http://www.lapl.org/summer or stop in at the library and enroll in person.  Events going on at the library during the week include:

• Sunday Afternoon Movie featuring a Bette Midler comedy on Sunday (6/25) at 3:00
• The kids’ reading program will feature DNA Code Jewelry making on Monday (6/26) at 4:00
• Teen summer fun features a Manga drawing workshop on Tuesday (6/27) at 4:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (6/28) at 10:30
• Intermediate English Conversation on Wednesday at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Astronomy 101 Class also on Wednesday at 6:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (6/29) at 10:30
• Meet the children’s Author Karen Winnick on Thursday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (6/30) at 3:30
• Tai Chi on Saturday (71) at 9:30
• STAR Reader 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

Library Events in July…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The library has some interesting events planned in July.  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:

- - - - - - - - - - 
7/1 @ 9:30
Tai Chi
De-Stress from your week with a tai chi session taught by our longtime volunteer.

7/3 @ 4:00
Make it Monday: Popsicle Stick Puzzles
Expand your brain with some fun puzzle activities.

7/5 @ 6:00
Astronomy 101
Join us as we explore the world of online education by collaboratively taking Astronomy 101. 

7/7 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 English. Call or drop by to sign up.

7/8 @ 9:30
Tai Chi
De-Stress from your week with a tai chi session taught by our longtime volunteer.

7/10 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.

7/10 @ 4:00
Make it Monday: Lalo Guerrero Crafts
Join La Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum to explore Lalo Guerrero's music with fun crafts and activities.

7/11 @ 4:00
Teen Summer Program
Join us today for a delicious candy sushi making session.

7/12 @ 6:00
Astronomy 101
Join us as we explore the world of online education by collaboratively taking Astronomy 101. 

7/15 @ 9:30
Tai Chi
De-Stress from your week with a tai chi session taught by our longtime volunteer.

7/17 @ 4:00
Wonders of Wildlife Animal Show
Join us for live animal adventure.

7/18 @ 4:00
Teen Summer Fun
Another week of delicious fun as we tackle cupcake decorating.

7/22 @ 9:30
Tai Chi
De-Stress from your week with a tai chi session taught by our longtime volunteer.

7/22 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a spirited discussion of the book Z by Therese Fowler.

7/23 @ 3:00
Sunday at the Movies
Join us for a leisurely Sunday movie. This month we’ll enjoy a family friendly flick.

7/24 @ 4:00
Make it Monday: Magnet Mazes
Learn about magnetism as you create a magnetic maze and a puppet to navigate it!

7/25 @ 4:00
Teen Summer Fun
This week’s program features shrinky-dinks.

7/26 @ 6:00
Astronomy 101
Join us as we explore the world of online education by collaboratively taking Astronomy 101. 

7/29 @ 9:30
Tai Chi
De-Stress from your week with a tai chi session taught by our longtime volunteer.

7/31 @ 4:00
Make it Monday: Optical Illusions Crafts
Make eye-dazzling toys like thaumatropes and spinners.

- - - - - - - - - -

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
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.

Andy Warhol was a Hoarder

Claudia Kalb explores a number of mental illness through the lens of well know personalities in Andy Warhol was a Hoarder.  Each chapter explores the life of someone focusing on the mental illness they are suspected of suffering from by way of illustrating the illness in question.  The chapter on Andy Warhol for example explores hoarding, while the chapter on Marilyn Monroe explores borderline personality disorder.  The use of famous people helps de-stigmatize the illness in a way or at least make it a bit more approachable.  The book as a whole is quite interesting and teaches the uniformed about the hows and whys of a number of common mental illnesses. Recommended.

Events for the Week of June 18….

Note that our Summer Reading Challenge continues this week… so get yourself and your entire family enrolled (if you haven’t already).  Do it online by visiting http://www.lapl.org/summer or stop in at the library and enroll in person.  Events going on at the library during the week include:

• The kids’ reading program will feature Minecraft in Real Life on Monday (6/19) at 4:00
• Dodgers’ Storytime featuring actual Dodgers on Tuesday (6/20) at 11:00
• Teen summer fun features Brushbots on Tuesday at 4:00
• Lectores meet on Tuesday at 6:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (6/21) at 10:30
• Intermediate English Conversation on Wednesday at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Astronomy 101 Class also on Wednesday at 6:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (6/22) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (6/23) at 3:30
• June Birthday Party for those aged 0-12 on Friday at 3:30
• Tai Chi on Saturday (6/24) at 9:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday at 2:00
• Arroyo Book Club 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

Trivia of the Month...

This month’s question is where is the world’s oldest existing McDonald’s located?

Websites I Like....

If you’re looking for that mind expanding sense of awe that only a good astronomy picture can give you then you need to bookmark the Hubble Site (http://hubblesite.org/).  This is a site dedicated to the Hubble Telescope and it includes many, many images ---- what I go to it for.  Take a look and see if you can pick a favorite picture out.

Oh and if you're interested in Astronomy be sure to join us tonight (6/14) at 6:00 for the first class in our Astronomy 101 series.

Chaos Choreography

Seanan McGuire continues her InCryptid series with Chaos Choreography. This volume returns the storyline to the narration of Verity Price.  Verity is now on the west coast, married to former Covenent of Saint George member Dominic De Luca, and fully engaged in the family business of cryptozoology – or her family’s version of it, which involves rescuing cryptids from monster hunters.  As the story begins Verity is invited to participate in an All-Stars version of a reality show called Dance or Die.  She had come in second back in the days when she was trying to escape from the family business.  To keep her cover she joins.  As the contest progresses she discovers that former contestants are turning up dead and must take action to figure out just what is going on.

An excellent addition to a series that I’ve generally found a bit uneven.  I would recommend this one --- and it is certainly something that could be read as a stand alone.

Events for the Week of June 11….

Note that our Summer Reading Challenge kicks off this week… so get yourself and your entire family enrolled.  Do it online by visiting http://www.lapl.org/summer or stop in at the library and enroll in person.  Events going on at the library during the week include:

• LA DOT information table about TAP Cards on Monday (6/12) at 2:30
• Twinkle Time Family Show to kick off the kids’ reading program on Monday at 4:00
• Teen summer fun kicks off with Partytime Tattoos on Tuesday (6/13) at 4:00
• Intermediate English Conversation on Wednesday (6/14) at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Astronomy 101 Class also on Wednesday at 6:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (6/15) at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (6/16) at 3:30
• STAR Reader 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

Death of the Demon

In Death of the Demon Anne Holt brings us another Hanne Wilhelmsen novel.  In this one Hanne, now chief inspector, works alongside detective Billy T to investigate the murder of a foster home director.  There is a missing child – a very troubled boy - as well as a collection of suspicious fellow employees, family members & acquaintances to sort through before the mystery can be solved.  Hanne also deals with the responsibilities of her new position as well as with stirrings on her home front.

If you’re a fan of the series you will definitely want to pick this title up though you don’t need to be up on the series to enjoy this title.  Pick it up if you feel like a police procedural set in Oslo.

June’s eResource of the Month

June is audiobook month and the library is celebrating that fact by making our eAudiobook collections the eResource of the Month.  You can find digital audiobooks on our audiobook page (http://www.lapl.org/audiobooks).  These eAudiobooks are accessible from home and from the library’s internet computer stations with your library card and PIN.  

eAudiobook providers include:

OverDrive.  We have more than 26,000 OverDrive audiobooks which are available for downloading.  Card holders can check out up to 30 titles at a time for a 21-day lending period.  OverDrive titles can be downloaded as MP3s to the OverDrive app or can be streamed using OverDrive Listen.

Hoopla.  Hoopla is a digital streaming platform that includes audiobooks for all ages.  You can stream or download up to 15 titles a month for a 21-day lending period.

OneClickdigital.  OneClickdigital has a large selection of audiobooks.  You will want to use their Media Manager to download, transfer, and manage audiobooks checked out.  Card holders can check out up to 20 audiobooks at a time for a 21-day lending period.  

All of the venders provide help links if you find yourself running into problems or you can swing by the library and ask us.

Finally…. Don’t forget that the library has audiobooks on CD for check out so check out our collection the next time you’re in the branch.

Events for the Week of June 4….

Events going on at the library during the week include…

• Make it Monday features a building block challenge on Monday (6/5) at 4:00
• Lectores meet on Tuesday (6/6) at 6:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (6/7) at 10:30
• Intermediate English Conversation on Wednesday at 2:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (6/8) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (6/9) at 3:30
• LGBT Heritage Month Film Showing on Saturday (6/10) at 2:00
• STAR Reader 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