Trivia of the Month (Answer)...

This month our question asked about William Wendt.  To quote, sporadically, from our source:

William Wendt was a painter.  Among the best known Southern California artists of his day, he celebrated the state’s scenic grandeur in lush landscapes infused with the spirituality he ascribed to nature.

He lived in Los Angeles from 1906 to 1912 before relocating permanently to Laguna Beach.

Google image search William Wendt for a look at his work. 

The question and answer were taken from p. 514 of The Oxford Dictionary of American Art and Artists by Ann Lee Morgan.  The book was published by Oxford University Press in 2007.

Events for the Week of September 30….

Events going on at the library during the week include: 

Monday - 10/1

• Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
• Make it Monday features a building block challenge at 4:00

Tuesday - 10/2

• Baby Storytime at 10:30
• LAPD Read Along at 3:00
• STAR Reader at 3:30
• Círculo de Lectores at 6:00

Wednesday - 10/3

• Toddler Storytime at 10:30

Thursday - 10/4

• STAR Reader at 3:00
• All-Ages Zine Workshop at 4:00
• Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults from 6:00-7:30

Friday - 10/8

• Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

Saturday - 10/6

• STAR Reader 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 October…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

As always there are plenty of interesting activities going on at the library.  Let me give you a run down so you can plan ahead.  Let’s start with the non-repeating events:

- - - - - - - - - -
10/1 @ 4:00
Building Blocks Club
What can you build?

10/2 @ 6:00
Círculo de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

10/4 @ 4:00
Create a Zine
People of all ages are invited to make their own zine with us.

10/12 @  3:30
Community Birthday Party
Join us for a children’s birthday party celebrating all those with birthdays in September and October.

10/13 @ 3:00
LA Made: Taiko Drumming
USC’s Kazan Taiko group will showcase the Japanese art of traditional Taiko drumming. Join us for this magnificent program.

10/14 @ 3:00
Sunday at the Movies
Join us for the showing of a classically funny horror film.

10/15 @ 4:00
Found Objects Juggling Show
Enjoy a dexterous and amusing showcase of juggling skill.

10/16 @ 4:00
Teen Program
Join us for some teen tastic fun.

10/16 @ 6:00
Círculo de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

10/20 @ 9:30
Walk Highland Park
Get some exercise and see some of Highland Park. Join us for a stroll.

10/20 @ 3:00
Craft Space: Community Altar
Join us as we construct a community altar for the Día de los Muertos.  Bring photos for scanning & printing & plan to be assigned craft tasks.

10/22 from 3:00-5:00
LA Saves Information Table
Come learn about the LA Saves program and get how they can help you with your financial planning.

10/22 @ 4:00
Make it Monday
Leyendo con La Plaza.

10/27 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a discussion of Desmond’s Evicted.

10/29 @ 4:00
Goosebumps Party
Get in the Halloween spirit at this spooky event.

- - - - - - - - - -

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

Grupo de apoyo para la familia - - - Mondays at 10:00

Baby Storytime - - - Tuesdays at 10:30
Stories, songs, and rhymes await babies up to 18 months. (no session on 10/9)

Toddler Storytime - - - Wednesdays at 10:30 
Little Ones’ 3 and under & their grownups are invited to join us for stories, music, & games. (no session on 10/17)

LAPD Read Along - - - Tuesdays at 3:00
Officers from the LAPD read favorite stories with kids.

STAR Volunteer Readers - - - Available on Tuesdays at 3:30, 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.

Walk in Tutoring - - - Thursdays from 6:00-7:30
Free tutoring for adults (19+). Stop by on a first come first served basis for tutoring in English reading, writing, and conversation skills as well as help with your computer or cell-phone.

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.

Arroyo Book Club October Pick…

The Arroyo Book Club will be reading Evicted by Matthew Desmond for their October meeting.  In this well considered book Desmond takes a ground level look at a housing and its cost, something we can probably all relate to.  The catalog summary of the book is:

In this brilliant, heartbreaking book, Matthew Desmond takes us into the poorest neighborhoods of Milwaukee to tell the story of eight families on the edge. Arleen is a single mother trying to raise her two sons on the $20 a month she has left after paying for their rundown apartment. Scott is a gentle nurse consumed by a heroin addiction. Lamar, a man with no legs and a neighborhood full of boys to look after, tries to work his way out of debt. Vanetta participates in a botched stickup after her hours are cut. All are spending almost everything they have on rent, and all have fallen behind.

The fates of these families are in the hands of two landlords: Sherrena Tarver, a former schoolteacher turned inner-city entrepreneur, and Tobin Charney, who runs one of the worst trailer parks in Milwaukee. They loathe some of their tenants and are fond of others, but as Sherrena puts it, "Love don't pay the bills." She moves to evict Arleen and her boys a few days before Christmas.

Even in the most desolate areas of American cities, evictions used to be rare. But today, most poor renting families are spending more than half of their income on housing, and eviction has become ordinary, especially for single mothers. In vivid, intimate prose, Desmond provides a ground-level view of one of the most urgent issues facing America today. As we see families forced into shelters, squalid apartments, or more dangerous neighborhoods, we bear witness to the human cost of America's vast inequality--and to people's determination and intelligence in the face of hardship.

Based on years of embedded fieldwork and painstakingly gathered data, this masterful book transforms our understanding of extreme poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving a devastating, uniquely American problem. Its unforgettable scenes of hope and loss remind us of the centrality of home, without which nothing else is possible.

Definitely a book that raises interesting questions.  Stop by the library for a copy and plan to join us for discussion on October 27 at 3:00.

Events for the Week of September 23….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

• Grupo de apoyo para la familia on Monday (9/24) at 10:00
• Make it Monday features ramps & rollercoaster - Monday at 4:00
• Baby Storytime on Tuesday (9/25) at 10:30
• LAPD Read Along on Tuesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Tuesday at 3:30
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (9/26) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday (9/27) at 3:00
• Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults on Thursday from 6:00-7:30
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (9/28) at 3:30
• Food Fermentation Workshop on Saturday (9/29) at 1:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday at 2:00
• Resume Review Session 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

Agent to the Stars

I recently picked up an older book by John Scalzi, Agent to the Stars to be specific, and found it to be an amusing tale of alien first encounter.  Thomas Stein is a Hollywood agent assigned a new client by the headman at his company.  The new client turns out to be a gelatinous alien being looking for a way to have a peaceful first contact with humanity.  Stein must figure out a way to introduce the aliens without freaking the humans out while simultaneously keeping his current clients happy.  He manages to do it all with aplomb.

This is a light hearted tale of alien first encounter well worth checking out.  Recommended.

LA Made Presents USC’s Kazan Taiko

The library’s LA Made is a cultural programming series featuring free music, dance, theater, and conversations with local entertainers at libraries throughout the city.  In October they will be bringing a performance by USC’s Kazan Taiko to our branch.  USC’s Kazan Taiko will showcase the Japanese art of traditional Taiko drumming by performing on magnificent drums and auxiliary instruments.  The program will include audience participation so you will get the chance to play the drum yourself.

The program will take place on Saturday, October 13 at 3:00.  

Check out the library’s online event calendar for more LA Made programs at branches throughout the city.  Find the event calendar here: http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar.  Selecting LA Made from the Categories drop down box will limit your results to these programs.

Events for the Week of September 16….

Events going on at the library during the week include: 

• Grupo de apoyo para la familia on Monday (9/17) at 10:00
• Make it Monday features a Mexican Independence Day Art Project on Monday at 4:00
• Baby Storytime on Tuesday (9/18) at 10:30
• Teen program that promises teentastic fun on Tuesday at 3:00
• LAPD Read Along on Tuesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Tuesday at 3:30
• Círculo de Lectores meets on Tuesday at 6:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (9/19) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (9/20) at 3:00
• Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults on Thursday from 6:00-7:30
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (9/21) at 3:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday (9/22) at 2:00
• Arroyo Book Club meets 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...

Turning to the world of art, do you know who William Wendt was?

Food Fermentation Workshop

Explore the exciting world of food fermentation and learn how to safely make sauerkraut using lacto-fermentation during our fascination workshop offered on Saturday, September 29 at 1:30.  Master microbial alchemy with the primordial preservation sorceress herself. Uncommon culinary techniques enable you to add a flourish to your food’s flavors, improve nutrient content, and reduce your household food waste.  

The workshop will be conducted by Brie Wakeland.  In 2017 Ms. Wakeland studied under Sandor Katz during his yearly Fermentation Residency Program in Liberty, TN. She is a Certified Instructor for Slow Food Preservers LA, UCCE Master Gardeners, and is also a certified yoga instructor, and traditional sign painter.  She works during the school year teaching yoga, food preservation, gardening and culinary arts lessons to children and adults throughout the LA area.

Mark your calendars and plan to join us on the 29th!

Databases…

The library makes a large selection of databases available to our patrons.  Databases aggregate information.  You’ll find general databases that pull information from a wide array of sources and cover a wide array of topics.  An example of this type of database would be Proquest Central or Gale’s General OneFile.  Both pull from books, magazines, journals, newspapers, etc.  Other databases can be highly specialized, providing in-depth information on a single topic or area of interest.  Examples of this type of database include Chiltonlibrary.com (which focuses solely on automotive repair), Health & Wellness Resource Center (which focuses on health information), Ancestry Library Edition (which helps those seeking to do genealogical research), and many more.

Check out our database page (http://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework/) to find a list of all the databases the library subscribes to.  Looking at the page you’ll see each database listed with a brief description as well as a little icon (w, b, or c). Databases with the w can be accessed from any computer, though you may need to have your library card handy.  Databases with the b can be accessed from any library computer.  Databases with the c can only be accessed from computers at the Central Library.  

Events for the Week of September 9….

Events going on at the library during the week include: 

• Grupo de apoyo para la familia on Monday (9/10) at 10:00
• LA DOT Tap Info Table on Monday from 2:30-4:30
• Make it Monday features a Building Block Challenge on Monday at 4:00
• Baby Storytime on Tuesday (9/11) at 10:30
• LAPD Read Along on Tuesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Tuesday at 3:30
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (9/12) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (9/13) at 3:00
• Walk-in-Tutoring for Adults on Thursday from 5:30-7:30
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (9/14) at 3:30
• Walk Highland Park on Saturday (9/15) 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

[Killfile]

[Killfile] by Christopher Farnsworth introduces John Smith a man who can read minds.  Trained by the government and accustomed to working with the military he is currently running his own business providing protection and information services to the very, very wealthy.  As the story starts John is hired by a brilliant investor to recover an algorithm stolen from him by a former employee.  Things go awry and soon John is working to save himself from a myriad of forces acting against him.

This was an interesting book, full of action if a bit on the grim and dark side.  I would recommend it to anyone who fancies a couple of hours with a thriller that is not heavy on spies.

September’s eResource of the Month

The September eResource of the Month is Tessa.  Tessa is what we at the library have named the program that manages our digital collections.  Using it you can access our rare and historical photo and digital collections.  These collections include items that reflect our local history, as well as other rare, unique, and valuable items held by the library.

The collections you can access using Tessa include the photo collection, of course, but also fruit crate labels, fashion plates, the map collection, the travel poster collection, movie posters, book plates, the menu collection, city & street directories, the turnabout theater collection, and our California index.

You can access Tessa by visiting the library’s website at www.lapl.org and looking towards the top of the screen on the right hand side in the turquoise catalog box for the Tessa: Photo & Digital Collections link.

If you have any questions about how to use Tessa feel free to swing by the library for some one on one help.  Our computer aide is available for dedicated assistance weekdays between 3:00 & 6:00 and our librarians are always on hand to offer assistance.

Events for the Week of September 2….

The library will be closed on Monday, September 3 for Labor Day.  Events going on at the library during the remainder of the week include:

• Sunday Afternoon Movie on Sunday (9/2) at 3:00
• Círculo de lectores on Tuesday (9/4) at 6:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (9/5) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (9/6) at 3:00
• Create-a-zine for all ages on Thursday at 4:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (9/7) at 3:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday (9/8) at 2:00
• LA Made: Stein Music 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