Arroyo Seco Regional Library: July 2020

Thursday, July 30, 2020

History of Highland Park

The 1983 article by Kim Rice, “Local woman recalls fall of Batan” (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520118.pdf) tells the fascinating story of a Highland Park raised girl who went on to become a member of the Army Nurse Corps and be taken prisoner by the Japanese in WWII. Although the article is unfortunately incomplete what is there tells a most interesting tale. Check it out.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Trivia of the Week (Answer)….

This week’s trivia question asked how many businesses in 90042 have sales greater than $500,000? The answer is 82. The business that is first on the list had sales of $86,609,284

As it often the case, this week’s question was meant to highlight one of our databases. This time around it was the Demographics Now database from Gale. This database allows you to construct rather detailed searches around demographic questions as they apply to both businesses and individuals. This particular database is both fascinating and a little scary. Find it listed alphabetically (under G since it’s technically the Gale: Demographics Now database) on LAPL’s Research & Homework page (https://lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework) and access it with your library card

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Arroyo Book Club August Pick…

Book Jacket for: The radium girls : the dark story of America's shining women

For our August pick we chose Radium Girls by Kate Moore. Drawing on previously unpublished sources including diaries, letters, and court transcripts, as well as original interviews with the women's relatives. The Radium Girls is an intimate narrative account of an unforgettable true story. It is the powerful tale of a group of ordinary women from the Roaring Twenties, who themselves learned how to roar.

This is a book from Hoopla. Hoopla is a book and video service that you can access with your library card. Its benefit is that it will allow all of us to check out copies of the same book. You can also get in touch with me at ayosco@lapl.org for a physical copy of the selected book, while supplies last, if you prefer.

Access the copy via Hoopla (https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11865831). If you don’t already have a Hoopla account you will need to create one. Go to https://www.hoopladigital.com/ and select “get started today.” Enter email and make up a password. You will be prompted to select a library, look for Los Angeles Public Library. You will then need to supply your library card number.

The plan is for everyone to obtain a copy and spend the first couple of weeks of August reading. I will begin posting questions to discuss on the group’s web bulletin board space on August 12 and will add a new question each day until August 22 (our regular meeting day). I encourage members to log on each day to answer the day’s question as well as review, and respond to, the answers other members provided for the previous days questions. We will then meet via video-conference on August 22 at 3:00.

If you’re not already a member of our web bulletin board space email me at ayosco@lapl.org. I will send you the details you need to know to sign yourself up.

Make a note: if you plan to join the video-conference you’ll need to send an email to ayosco@lapl.org so I can get the conference link to you.

Monday, July 27, 2020

Teens of LA Film Festival --- Make Your Pick

The teens of LA have made their short films. Now is the time for you to judge (and enjoy) them. Visit the Teens of LA Film Festival page and vote for your favorite in each category. Then join us on July 31 at 4:00 p.m. for the Teens of LA Film Fest Screening and Award Ceremony.

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Programming Coming up This Week

Here are some things to look out for this week…

Monday

10:00 Music Mondays: Nathalia's Bilingual Family Concert (Early Learners / Instagram Live)

6:30 Philosophy Discussion Group (email ayosco@lapl.org for link)

Tuesday

11:00 Nursery Rhyme Time (Arroyo Instagram live)

4:00 Hula O Hoaloha (Children / Instagram Live)

Wednesday

2:00 Simple STEAM Activities (email lcnhts@lapl.org for link)

4:00 Anime Drawing with Carlos Nieto (Teens / Instagram Live)

Thursday

1:00 Mini Family Storytime (Arroyo Instagram Live)

4:00 Nutrition and Healthy Cooking/Nutrición y Cocina Saludable (LA Made/Facebook/Youtube Live)

Friday

4:00 Teens of LA Film Fest Screening and Award Ceremony (Facebook/Youtube Live)

Saturday

10:00 Western Edge Writing (email shannah@lapl.org)

Catch up with us on various sites...

LAPL platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lapubliclibrary/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapubliclibrary/

Arroyo Seco Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArroyoSecoLibrary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arroyosecolapl

Check out the Library’s online calendar at https://lapl.org/whats-on/calendar for the complete list of programming on offer.

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Trivia of the Week….

This week’s trivia question asks how many businesses in 90042 have sales greater than $500,000?

Friday, July 24, 2020

August Discussions & Classes

In Northeast LA

Language Learning

Mandarin Chinese

Learn to speak Mandarin-Chinese from the comfort of your home via Zoom. You will learn basic conversation through listening and speaking with our Adult Librarian, Ms. He. For details, please email Ms. He at phe@lapl.org.

Mondays at 2:30 p.m.

Learn Japanese

Practice basic conversational Japanese with a native Japanese-speaking librarian via Zoom. We will use Transparent Language, a digital resource to learn Japanese in a fun, engaging and time-efficient way. Email myasui@lapl.org for meeting details.

Thursday 8/6 & 8/20 at 1:30 p.m.

Writing

Western Edge Writing

Writers and aspiring writers meet to support writing endeavors of all genres. Prompted writing helps motivate inspiration. Have your work reviewed and receive constructive critiques. Email shannah@lapl.org for meeting link

Saturday 8/1 at 10:00 a.m.

Self-Directed Writing

Participants meet in this conducive space to develop their craft and unique voice. Discussion and story sharing then quiet writing time. ZOOM Email shannah@lapl.org for meeting link

Saturday 8/8 at 10:00 a.m.

Discussion

The Pollinators: Watch and Discuss

Watch the award-winning movie The Pollinators on Kanopy and join us in a discussion of the film via Zoom. Email silver@lapl.org for details and Zoom link.

Saturday 8/8 at 4:00 p.m.

Philosophy Discussion Group

The Philosophy Discussion Group meets weekly. Join us as we continue to take a deep dive into Kant. Email ayosco@lapl.org for details & meeting link

Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Film Discussion Series

Join us for a weekly discussion of films that can be viewed with your library card through the Kanopy and Hoopla platforms on the Library’s website. Discussions will be held via Edendale Branch Library's Zoom platform. Please email nbartels@lapl.org to participate

Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.

Book Discussion

Aphasia Book Club

This weekly book club is designed for adults with mild to profound aphasia. Supportive materials available. For more information and link: fschwarz@lapl.org

Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.

Silver Lake Book Club

Join us for a lively discussion of Lab Girl by Hope Jahren . Email silver@lapl.org for meeting link

Tuesday 8/11 at 6:30 p.m.

Chinese Book Discussion Club

Join us for a fun book discussion at Chinatown Library for Chinese-speaking patrons via Zoom. Email jgiles@lapl.org or phe@lapl.org for link

Thursday 8/13 & 8/27 at 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday Afternoon Book Club

Join us for a discussion Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk . Email silver@lapl.org for meeting link

Tuesday 8/18 at 1:00 p.m.

LGBTQIA Book Club

All are welcome to join us for a discussion of his Town Sleeps by Dennis E. Staples. Email silver@lapl.org for the meeting link.

Wednesday 8/19 at 3:00 p.m.

Arroyo Book Club

Join us for a lively discussion of Radium Girls by Kate Moore. Email ayosco@lapl.org for details & meeting link

Saturday 7/25 at 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 23, 2020

History of Highland Park

The 1968 article “Honor Rev. Alden Hill on 50th year here” (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520202.pdf) paints a portrait of a minister who celebrated marriage. Rev. Hill became pastor of Highland Park Christian Church (Monte Vista & N. Ave 58) in 1918. The article mentions some highlights of his career and invites readers to come celebrate the Rev at a Father’s Day Coffee hour. Check it out.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Trivia of the Week (Answer)…

The collection being highlighted was the Library’s Fruit Crate Labels collection. A search on Fillmore yields 14 labels each representing a supplier/association from Fillmore, CA.

Fruit Crate Labels is a collection of over 200 vibrantly-colored labels, designed for citrus growers throughout Southern California, mainly during the first half of the twentieth century. Many of the labels illustrate specific locations in the region, and are an excellent example of commercial graphic design from the period, as well as documenting the industry itself. Part of the Library's "Visual Collections", the images have been digitzed and can be viewed online. Find it listed alphabetically on LAPL’s Research & Homework page (https://lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework) as well as via Tessa the library’s visual collection interface (https://tessa.lapl.org/)

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Virtual Field Trip

The Los Angeles Zoo has prepared a virtual field trip to help all of you with a love of animals and a love for learning more about animals. It is designed to be easy to use and can be accessed on any computer or smart device. There is also an accompanying Field Trip Guide. The guide will help you facilitate the field trip and it provides some additional resources and fun activities. Access both tools from the Zoo’s School and Teacher Engagement page (https://www.lazoo.org/education/teachers/).

Spend an hour (or two) and investigate animal behavior through your own observations. Fun for the budding zoologist in us all.

Monday, July 20, 2020

California Native Garden Tour

One of our local branches is hosting a California Native Garden Tour on Saturday, the 25th, at 5:30 via Instagram Live. You will learn about native plants, their benefits, the type of critters they attract, medicinal uses, and the ways the Native Americans used these plants in their everyday lives.

The program is brought to us from the lovely Benjamin Franklin Branch librarian with the adept assistance of Landscape Designer, Flor Mata, MLA.

Join the program through the Benjamin Franklin Branch’s Instagram account @benfranklinlapl.

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Programming Coming up This Week

Here are some things to look out for this week…

Monday

10:00 Music Mondays: Baila Baila (Early Learners / Instagram Live)

6:30 Philosophy Discussion Group (email ayosco@lapl.org for link)

Tuesday

11:00 Nursery Rhyme Time (Arroyo Instagram live)

4:00 Hen Wen & Friends (Children / Instagram Live)

Wednesday

2:00 Summer Fun (email ayosco@lapl.org for link)

4:00 Intro to Virtual Reality with Jonathan Williams (Teens / Instagram Live)

Thursday

1:00 Mini Family Storytime (Arroyo Instagram Live)

4:00 Learn to Create a Bonsai Tree (LA Made / Facebook/Youtube Live)

Friday

4:00 Your Author Series: Andrea Loney (Facebook/Youtube Live)

Saturday

3:00 Arroyo Book Club (email ayosco@lapl.org for link)

5:30 California Native Garden Tour (email palvarado@lapl.org for link)

Catch up with us on various sites...

LAPL platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lapubliclibrary/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapubliclibrary/

Arroyo Seco Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArroyoSecoLibrary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arroyosecolapl

Check out the Library’s online calendar at https://lapl.org/whats-on/calendar for the complete list of programming on offer.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Trivia of the Week…

This week’s trivia question singles out one of the library’s special collections. It asks, what are some of the fruit suppliers/associations out of Fillmore, CA?

Friday, July 17, 2020

The Privilege of Peace

Tanya Huff continues her Peacekeeper series with The Privilege of Peace. This volume sees several storylines emerge. The “plastic” aliens return and there is political turmoil as the ruling aliens debate stranding the uncivilized races (like humans) back in their gravity wells with a corresponding rise of a “humans first” terrorist group. Torin and her companions, now working as a strike team for the Justice Department, are called upon to deal with situations relating to these incidents.

The book could comfortably be read as a standalone but the background knowledge from the previous two series titles will make it more interesting, find the first title of the series in An Ancient Peace. This book and its series is aimed at the lover of military SF with plenty of alien interaction so, if that is you, take a look.

Thursday, July 16, 2020

History of Highland Park

Take a look at the life of a local blacksmith in the article “Al Neis Fetes 50 years here” (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520252.pdf). The 1948 article, which includes photos, provides of portrait of Al Neis a Highland Park blacksmith who opened shop in 1898 on N. Figueroa. The article shares Mr. Neis’ reminisces of the area describing changing landmarks in a changing city. Check it out.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Trivia of the Week (Answer)…

This week’s questions asked, where was the first known writing developed? It was developed by Sumerians in Southern Mesopotomia.

The answer could be found any number of ways. One way would be to make use of the Daily Life through History database. This database allows you to browse daily life in the ancient world, medieval world, 15th and 16 centuries, 17th and 18th centuries, 19th century, and modern world and find out what it was like. You can also, of course search the database. Find it listed alphabetically on LAPL’s Research & Homework page (https://lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework) and access it with your library card.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Let’s Make Something

Today we’ll get a surprisingly good looking result using wax paper and old crayons. You will need:

The aforementioned wax paper
Old crayons
A grater
An iron or an iron like tool

Take a sheet of wax paper and fold it in half. Open the paper up and use the grater to shave small shavings of crayon in various colors onto one half of the paper. Distribute evenly and have fun with your color selection. Fold the wax paper over and fold the edges up so you create a sealed packet. If you have an iron, use it to apply even heat across the wax paper until the crayon bits melt and the paper has fused. If, like me, you don’t have an iron, heat a heavy, empty pot on the stove and apply that as an iron.

One way to use your resulting artwork is to cut it into various shapes, maybe hearts or stars, and turn it into a mobile to hang in your window. I have a frosted window treatment on my windows and I simply stuck my creation in one of the panes (see image), as you can see the light through it makes it quite a treat to look at.

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Programming Coming up This Week

Here are some things to look out for this week…

Monday

10:00 Music Mondays: Ranger Jack (Early Learners / Instagram Live)

6:30 Philosophy Discussion Group (email ayosco@lapl.org for link)

Tuesday

11:00 Nursery Rhyme Time (Arroyo Instagram live)

4:00 Imaginations Soar! With Storyteller Antonio Sacre (Children / Instagram Live)

Wednesday

2:00 Dice Games (email ayosco@lapl.org for link)

4:00 Star Wars Trivia (Teens / Instagram Live)

Thursday

1:00 Mini Family Storytime (Arroyo Instagram Live)

4:00 Introduction to Animal Communication (LA Made / Facebook/Youtube Live)

Friday

3:00 Insight Books with Artist Wendy Wahman (email silver@lapl.org)

Catch up with us on various sites...

LAPL platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lapubliclibrary/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapubliclibrary/

Arroyo Seco Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArroyoSecoLibrary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arroyosecolapl

Check out the Library’s online calendar at https://lapl.org/whats-on/calendar for the complete list of programming on offer.

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Trivia of the Week…

This week’s questions asks, where was the first known writing developed?

Friday, July 10, 2020

Tournament of Words

It's not too late to sign up for! Join us from the comfort of your home for word play. Spend an hour. Make new friends. Put your vocabulary to the test. Win glory & bragging rights.

Email ayosco@lapl.org by the end of the day today (4:00 pm) to sign up & we'll see you tomorrow.

Thursday, July 9, 2020

History of Highland Park

The article “Blame arsonists for fire that destroyed old homes” from October of 1969 by Frank Gonzalez (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520332.pdf) details the fire that destroyed the Salt Box and the Castle, two historic mansions that had been moved to Heritage Square Park. The article gives a bit of information about the houses and a lot of information about the crime. Check it out.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Trivia of the Week (Answer)…

This week’s question was, how does one show respect in Tajikistan? Respect is shown by looking down while listening to someone speak.

The answer was found using the CultureGrams database. CultureGrams provides brief country reports with concise information on the history, people, customs, lifestyle, society, travel information and more for over 175 countries. Find it listed alphabetically on LAPL’s Research & Homework page (https://lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework) and access it with your library card.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Smart Gardening

Los Angeles County department of Public Works has moved all their gardening classes onto Zoom. Each class lasts about an hour and they include a question answering period. The classes they offer are:

Intro to Composting: Learn the basics of using backyard and worm composting systems to create a rich soil amendment to nourish your garden.

Water-wise Gardening: Guidance on creating a beautiful drought-tolerant landscape, as well as grasscycling for responsible lawn care.

Organic Gardening: How to build healthy soil, grow fruits and vegetables, and address common plant pests and diseases using organic methods.

Small-space Gardening: Learn to grow edible and decorative plants in containers and set up a small-space worm composting system.

Class attendees are eligible to purchase compost bins at a discounted rate as an added benefit. Visit https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/sg/webinars.cfm for class schedules and to sign up.

Sunday, July 5, 2020

Programming Coming up This Week

Here are some things to look out for this week…

Monday

10:00 Music Mondays: Ken Frawley (Early Learners / Instagram Live)

6:30 Philosophy Discussion Group (email ayosco@lapl.org for link)

Tuesday

11:00 Nursery Rhyme Time (Arroyo Instagram live)

4:00 The Arty Loon Magic Show! (Children / Instagram Live)

Wednesday

2:00 Music & Dance Playtime (email ayosco@lapl.org for link)

4:00 Yoga and Storytelling for Teens (Teens / Instagram Live)

Thursday

1:00 Mini Family Storytime (Arroyo Instagram Live)

4:00 How to Prepare a Terrarium (LA Made / Facebook/Youtube Live)

Friday

4:00 Your Author Series: Rilla Alexander (Facebook/Youtube Live)

Saturday

10:00 Self-Directed Writing (Email shannah@lapl.org for link)

3:00 Tournament of words (email ayosco@lapl.org for link)

Catch up with us on various sites...

LAPL platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lapubliclibrary/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapubliclibrary/

Arroyo Seco Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArroyoSecoLibrary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arroyosecolapl