Bi-weekly Trivia Question (Answer)….

 

This time the question was what radio station was the first to broadcast the results of a Presidential election? The answer is KDKA of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when it broadcast the results of the presidential election between Warren Harding and James M. Cox on November 4, 1920.

The question and answer were found in Pop Culture Universe: Icons, Idols, Ideas.  Pop Culture Universe is an irresistible yet authoritative digital database on popular culture in America, both past and present—in a package as dynamic as the topic it covers. Included are references, scholarly works, primary documents and papers, photographs, audio clips, and maps. Find it on the library’s Research & Homework page and access it with your library card. You’ll find it under P.

Arroyo Book Club’s September Pick

 

For September we will be returning to the world of trees and diving into Richard Power’s The Overstory. To quote, as always, from the book description:

Richard Powers delivers a sweeping, impassioned novel of activism and resistance that is also a stunning evocation of - and paean to - the natural world. From the roots to the crown and back to the seeds, The Overstory unfolds in concentric rings of interlocking fables that range from antebellum New York to the late twentieth-century Timber Wars of the Pacific Northwest and beyond, exploring the essential conflict on this planet: the one taking place between humans and nonhumans. There is a world alongside ours - vast, slow, interconnected, resourceful, magnificently inventive, and almost invisible to us.

I’ll be ordering copies and putting them on the shelf under the window by the Circulation Desk (where I have always put them).  You may also order a copy for yourself directly by following this link .  If there are any e-books available you’ll find them here

We will be meeting to discuss the book on September 24 at 3:00.  We will again be enjoying a hybrid meeting so you may choose to attend either in person or virtually.  If you’d like to attend via Zoom email ayosco@lapl.org so I can add you to the link list.

Programming Coming up This Week

Check out some of the exciting programming on offer from the library this week. Visit our online calendar for the complete selection…

Monday
11:00 Virtual Toddler Storytime (register)

Tuesday
11:00 Get Ready for Kindergarten (register)
6:00 Sharing True Stories (email wwood@lapl.org for link)

Wednesday
11:00 Virtual Toddler Storytime (email shrmno@lapl.org for link)
12:00 Weekly Art Circle (register)

Thursday
1:30 Film Discussion: Columbus (email mpanzera@lapl.org for link)
4:00 Money 101: Investing for Teens (email teens@lapl.org for link)

Friday 
10:00 Yoga & Meditation With Master John (email dmatthews@lapl.org for link)

Saturday
11:00 Docent-Led L.A. Central Library Art & Architecture Zoom Tour (email lapldocents1@gmail.com for link)

Catch up with us on various sites...

    LAPL platforms:    
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lapubliclibrary/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lapubliclibrary/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/losangeleslibrary

    Arroyo Seco Social Media:    
Blog: arroyoseco5.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArroyoSecoLibrary
Instagram: www.instagram.com/arroyosecolapl
Twitter: twitter.com/arroyoseco5

History of Highland Park

 

Did you know that Mammoth bones were found during the excavation for Sparkletts Water company in 1939?  Check out this photo & caption to see.

Bi-weekly Trivia Question…

 This time the question is what radio station was the first to broadcast the results of a Presidential election?

Pleased to Meet Me

 

In Pleased to Meet Me, Bill Sullivan provides an in depth look at just why you are who you are.  It’s a complex interplay of your genes, your environment and experiences, and all the little organisms that live inside of you. Sullivan used a conversational, if somewhat choppy, style with plenty of (perhaps too many) references to pop culture to illustrate his various points. 

The book makes the case in multiple ways that providing the proper care and environment for children will significantly improve their future which in turn improves the future of everyone and that the cost of making sure this is the case for every child is less than the cost of dealing with a problem adult.  Another takeaway I drew from the book is that if the micro biota in your gut are happy and healthy then so are you. 

All in all, the topic of the book in interesting and the author makes valuable points even though his style is a bit forced and awkward to read. I would heartily recommend it.

Programming Coming up This Week

Check out some of the exciting programming on offer from the library this week. Visit our online calendar for the complete selection…

Monday
11:00 Virtual Toddler Storytime (register)

Tuesday
11:00 Get Ready for Kindergarten (Register)
7:00 Author Talk: The Summer of Christmas (email palsds@lapl.org for link)

Wednesday
11:00 Virtual Toddler Storytime (email shrmno@lapl.org for link)
4:30 We the People Wednesdays: Immigration Resources (email teens@lapl.org for link)

Thursday
3:00 Elephant and Piggie Storytime and Crafts for Kids (Register)
5:00 Climate Cafe and Gardening Club (email ecalla@lapl.org for link)

Friday 
10:00 Yoga & Meditation With Master John (email dmatthews@lapl.org for link)

Saturday
3:00 Arroyo Book Club (Arroyo Seco Branch - In person or Zoom email ayosco@lapl.org for link)

Catch up with us on various sites...

    LAPL platforms:    
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lapubliclibrary/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lapubliclibrary/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/losangeleslibrary

    Arroyo Seco Social Media:    
Blog: arroyoseco5.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArroyoSecoLibrary
Instagram: www.instagram.com/arroyosecolapl
Twitter: twitter.com/arroyoseco5

History of Highland Park

 

The article “Old stage stop bench restored by trust group” provides a brief history of an old stone bench at the end of Ave 63. The 3/2/1985 article is an interesting little snippet of local history and includes 2 pictures, the bench itself and the very elaborate hotel that used to stand next to it. Check it out.

Bi-weekly Trivia Question (Answer)….

 

This time we asked what was the average annual income across all industries in California in 2020?  The answer is $79,480.  

The question and answer were found in RAND State Statistics.  RAND State Statistics is a collection of statistical databases from federal and state sources covering broad subject areas such as, Population & Demographics; Education, Business & Economics; Environment & Weather; Health & Health Care' Crime, Prisons & Courts; Labor force, Employment and Earnings, and Income, Wealth and Poverty. In all, RAND State Statistics contains nearly 200 statistical databases covering all 50 states, plus an additional 80 databases on detailed information of California.  Find RAND State Statistics on the library’s Research & Homework page and access it with your library card. You’ll find it under R.

Terns of Endearment

 

Donna Andrews' capable detective Meg Langslow faces a new mystery in Terns of Endearment.  This time Meg and her entire family are off on a cruise to the Bahamas.  Soon the ship has broken down in the middle of the ocean, a much hated romance writer has jumped (or been pushed?) to her suspected death, Meg’s grandfather’s assistant is missing, and the ship’s captain isn’t cooperating. 

As always, Andrews offers us a light-hearted mystery peopled by lovably capable eccentrics.  I would recommend this to anyone who wants a bit of escape and note that the book is enjoyable even if you haven’t been following the series. 

Programming Coming up This Week

Check out some of the exciting programming on offer from the library this week. Visit our online calendar for the complete selection…

Sunday
3:00 Scrabble Fun (Arroyo Seco Branch - In person)

Monday
11:00 Virtual Toddler Storytime (register)

Tuesday
11:00 Get Ready for Kindergarten (Register)
4:00 Coping With Mass Violence (LAPL YouTube)

Wednesday
11:00 Virtual Toddler Storytime (email shrmno@lapl.org for link)
6:00 Edendale Up Close Concert: Riad Abdel-Gawad (email eden@lapl.org for link)

Thursday
4:00 LA Made Something in Common: Virtual Tour (LAPL YouTube)
6:00 Discover the Life-Changing Power of Meditation (email wwood@lapl.org for link)

Friday 
4:00 Your Author Series: Katherine Trejo (LAPL YouTube)

Saturday
10:00-1:00 Council District 14 Library Reopening Celebration (Arroyo Seco Branch - In person)

Catch up with us on various sites...

    LAPL platforms:    
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lapubliclibrary/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lapubliclibrary/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/losangeleslibrary

    Arroyo Seco Social Media:    
Blog: arroyoseco5.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArroyoSecoLibrary
Instagram: www.instagram.com/arroyosecolapl
Twitter: twitter.com/arroyoseco5

History of Highland Park

 

Here is a short little article by Kathleen Chew titled “Franklin history depicts changes and successes” printed on 2/26/1986.  Read it for a quick snapshot of Franklin High School related trivia.

Bi-weekly Trivia Question…

 This time let’s ask what was the average annual income across all industries in California in 2020?

Council District 14 Library Reopening Celebration

 

Please join Councilmember Kevin de León and the Los Angeles Public Library for a celebration of the Re-Opening of the Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library. Stop by to 

• Chat with the Councilmember and his representatives as well as friendly library staff. 
• Share your favorite books with us. 
• Sign up for a library card. 
• Take a tour of the library and learn about its resources.  

Light refreshments will be served on the patio.

    All of this will happen on August 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.     

Game Day

 (of the non-electronic variety)

If you’re in the mood for some good old fashioned scrabble make plans to join us on Sunday, August 14 at 3:00.  We welcome all comers --- even complete novices.  

This will be friendly, though there will (of course) be one winner.  Will that be you?  See you there.

…by the way if you have a scrabble game board bring it along…

Programming Coming up This Week

Check out some of the exciting programming on offer from the library this week. Visit our online calendar for the complete selection…

Monday
11:00 Virtual Toddler Storytime (register)
4:00 Teen Council: Helping Researchers Using Science Apps (email deklund@lapl.org)

Tuesday
10:00 Introduction to Meditation (email wvally@lapl.org for link)
6:00 Poetry Open Mic (email wwood@lapl.org for link)

Wednesday
9:30 Storytime & Crafts With Shokoufeh (email smoghtassed@lapl.org for link)
4:30 We the People Wednesdays: Immigration Resources (email teens@lapl.org for link)

Thursday
4:00 LA Made Rabbi Steve Leder: A Conversation (LAPL YouTube)
6:30 Get Ready for Kindergarten (register)

Friday 
10:00 Yoga & Meditation With Master John (email dmatthews@lapl.org for link)

Saturday
10:00 Social Justice Book Club for Kids (email cquinn@lapl.org for link)

Catch up with us on various sites...

    LAPL platforms:    
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lapubliclibrary/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lapubliclibrary/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/losangeleslibrary

    Arroyo Seco Social Media:    
Blog: arroyoseco5.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArroyoSecoLibrary
Instagram: www.instagram.com/arroyosecolapl
Twitter: twitter.com/arroyoseco5

History of (not quite) Highland Park

 

Here we have a lengthy article from the 1966 Pasadena Courier titled “A visit to San Marino” that provides an in depth look at the aforementioned place beginning in 1770 and moving forward to the then current 1966.  This 5 page article is full of pictures and you can even see the advertisements for added fun.  Take a look.

Bi-weekly Trivia Question (Answer)….

This week we asked what the library’s tool to help you with getting your work into book form is.  The answer is Pressbooks. 

Pressbooks is a public self-publishing platform. It will enable you to create, edit, format and generate print-ready and eBook formats for your book—no matter how far along it may be.  You can find Pressbooks with a visit the library’s Research & Homework page and access it with your library card. You’ll find it under P.

The Weil Conjectures

 

In The Weil Conjectures Karen Olsson writes an interesting book that is part biography, part a musing on mathematics and what can be known, and part self-reflection.  The book meanders, changing topics with each new paragraph, and flows in a highly personalized, dare I say stream of consciousness, style.  Objectively Olsson tells the story of Andre Weil, a well known 20^th century mathematician, and his sister Simone Weil, a philosopher, mystic, and social activist.  She uses this framework to also tell of her own personal journey through, and relation to, the field of mathematics as well as to riff off mathematical themes and personages suggested in passing by topics as they arise. 

 Although the book was so different I struggle trying to describe it, it was interesting and highly approachable.  The reader needs to know no math to understand the book and needs to know no math to find the book interesting.  I would recommend it to anyone interested in bouncing around the idea of pursuing the unknown from very unique angles.