TOW (& Answer)...

The question was in what two ways can marine plants be classified?  Marine plants can be classified as either plankton or benthos.  Plankton are plants that float freely on the water’s surface.  Benthic plants are rooted in the sea floor.

The question (& answer) were taken from p. 58 of volume 1 of The Encyclopedia of Biomes edited by Marlene Weigel.  The book was published in 2000 by UXL.

Events for the Week of October 6…

Don’t miss any of the exciting events going on at the library during the week…

• Movie Showing (Odyssey Themed) on Tuesday (10/7) at 5:30
• Little Ones’ Storytime on Wednesday (10/8) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Fun with Tablets program on Thursday (10/9) at 4:00
• Mayan Alphabet program also on Thursday at 5:00
• Aztec Dancing program on Thursday at 6:00
• Computer Basics class also on Thursday at 6:30
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (10/10) at 3:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday (10/11) 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…

Today I bring you the souvenir paper produced by Highland Park News Herald & Journal for Highland Park’s Diamond Jubilee in 1963 (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/11/520698.pdf).  The paper calls itself a “Pictorial and Feature Panorama of the Historical Development of Highland Park… including sketches of the individuals and firms whose faith and plans have made its forward progress possible.”

All in all this is an 88-page extravaganza of information about the Highland Park of the past.  It includes such interesting things as a chart of rainfall by month for the entire 75 years prior to 1963, pictures of all 3 (to that time) Monte Vista Street schools, the first Highland Park subdivision map, lots of celebratory advertising from local businesses and organizations, and more.  Definitely worth browsing through.

Lies My Girlfriend Told Me

Alix’s girlfriend dies at the beginning of Lies My Girlfriend Told Me by Julie Anne Peters.  At first she is heartbroken but then she gradually learns that Swanee was essentially living a double life and she did not know her at all.  Then she meets the “other” girl Swanee was dating and finds herself interested & intrigued by her. 

At first I found the main character incredibly self-centered & a little bit stupid but by the end of the book she had grown up a bit, found herself involved with more stable people and had become more relatable.  This is a straightforward exploration of a young girl coming to terms with death and with being manipulated & lied to.  I would recommend it to those who like angsty coming of age novels.

Websites I Like….

Did you know the population of LA County exceeds the population of Michigan and that Michigan is itself the 9th most populous state?  That more then 66.5 million people traveled via LAX in 2013? That mining is the industry in LA County that made the most money in 2012?  Find all this and more in the 2014 L.A. Stats Report (http://laedc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-LA-Stats_Final.pdf) from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. The report and others like it are available on the LAEDC’s website (http://laedc.org/).

A Forest of Stars

Kevin J. Anderson continues his Saga of Seven Suns series with A Forest of Stars.  The book picks up where the last left off (see review of Hidden Empire) and remains an exciting story to read.  We have jumped ahead in time about 5 years and the war between the humans and the hydrogues is picking up steam and taking some surprising turns as humans begin to realize that it really isn’t all about them.  The author isn’t afraid to kill his characters (a good thing if you’re writing a war story) so we lose some of our narrative voices and we end, once again, with a cliff hanger.

The book suffers from some serious plausibility issues (just as the last one did) but the overall sweep of the story is exciting enough to allow you to overlook that.  Recommended for those who like SF & who have read the first book (this is not a series you can step into the middle of).

Trivia of the Week...

The week’s question is in what two ways can marine plants be classified?

Events for the Week of September 29…

Don’t miss any of the exciting events going on at the library during the week…

• Little Ones’ Storytime on Wednesday (10/1) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Fun with Tablets program on Thursday (10/2) at 4:00
• Computadoras para Principiantes also on Thursday at 6:30
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (10/3) at 3:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday (10/4) at 2:00
• Tap Guided Meditation Seminar (Escape the sirens of daily life) also on Saturday at 3:00 part of The L.A. Odyssey Project.

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…

Here is the complete 12/15/1919 issue of the Golden West Magazine (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/11/520676.pdf).  This particular issue is devoted to Highland Park and includes a number of articles on the region.  It even has a poem in praise of the Arroyo Seco and a photo of the first library.  Really retro advertising included.  Check it out.

TOW (& Answer)...

The question was what does the aum measure?  The aum is a measure of liquid.  One aum equals 120 quarts or 60 magnums.  As the later number suggests, the aum is used in the measure of wine.

The question (& answer) were found on p. 118 of For Good Measure by William D. Johnstone.  The book was published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston in 1975…. Old but still interesting.

The Furies

In The Furies by Mark Alpert we are given the premise that witches are real.  Not in the sense of old women creating spells, gathering in covens but in the sense that there was a real set of individuals who really were different behind all the witch hunts of the past.  In the book there is a family with an x-linked gene that allows female carriers to live, barring accident, essentially forever.  These women, with such long lives, develop science & steer their communities in the early years of mankind and fall prey to hysteria about differences as time moves on.  We find them in this book completely isolated.  Living in a cave in Michigan and interacting only rarely with the outside world.  There has been a civil disruption since the men of the family (deprived of x-linked longevity) want a serum developed to give them what their sisters & mothers have.  The book then, is essentially a story of this (very violent) conflict through the eyes of an outsider who stumbled into the whole mess somewhat against his will. 

The book is a fairly straightforward, kind of violent, thriller, with lots of death for the very old.  The author spoiled it for me with his endnote so I can’t give it a hearty endorsement, however, the book is fine if you like a shoot-em-up thriller.

Library Events in October…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The branch has a number of interesting events planned in October.  To begin with we are participating in The L.A. Odyssey Project (visit the Library’s Foundations website for all the details http://lfla.org/odyssey/).  There are also Halloween-esque things and exciting children’s programs.  Let me take a minute and give you a run down on all events for the entire month so you could plan ahead.  Let’s start with the non-repeating events:

- - - - - - - - - - 
10/4 @ 3:00
An Odyssey of the Mind…Tap Imagery Workshop
Come and take an odyssey of the mind with hypnotherapist Frances O'Brien in which you'll learn to use an all-natural yet very effective means for dealing with life's difficulties.  Tap Imagery is a simple system of gently tapping on the body's meridian endpoints in order to clear blockages and restore yourself to balance.  Join us on this journey!  You'll return home feeling refreshed and renewed. (Part of the L.A. Odyssey Project)

10/7 @ 5:30
Odyssey Themed Movie
Join us for a film whose plot was taken from Homer’s classic Odyssey.  See how many plot point similarities you can identify.  Call branch for specifics. (Part of the L.A. Odyssey Project)

10/9 @ 5:00
Write Your Name in Mayan Hieroglyphs
Join us for an introduction to the Mayan writing system of hieroglyphs. Learn to write your name in Mayan hieroglyphs! For children ages 8 and up

10/9 @ 6:00
Danza Azteca Xochipilli
Join us for an exciting, free Latino Heritage Month performance with Danza Azteca Xochipilli. They will celebrate the ancient traditions of the Aztecs with colorful dance, full indigenous costumes, and authentic instruments.

10/11 @ 3:00
A Space Odyssey with Dr. Steven L. Cornford
Join us for a tour of space and the world around us with Dr. Steven L. Cornford, Senior Engineer, System Modeling and Analysis Program Office, Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology. Questions are welcomed so bring yours with you. (Part of the L.A. Odyssey Project)

10/14 @ 4:00
Cupcake Decorating
Teens… come create the most magnificent cupcake possible… then eat it.

10/16 @ 4:00
Art with the Odyssey
How do the stories from the Odyssey inspire you artistically? Come and make Odyssey themed jewelry, ornaments and whatever else you can dream up in the shrinky-dink medium. (Part of the L.A. Odyssey Project)

10/18 @ 10:30
USC Gluck Kaleidoscope Trio
Join us to meet and hear the wonderful USC Thornton Gluck Fellows as they perform a concert on clarinet, violin, and guitar.  Everyone is welcome.

10/19 @ 2:00
Odyssey Lecture by Damian Stocking
Damian Stocking, Classics Professor at Occidental College (he wrote his dissertation on Homer) will speak on the meaning of the adventures in the Odyssey as they relate to the rest of the book.  (Part of the L.A. Odyssey Project)

10/21 @ 5:30
Odyssey Themed Movie 
Join us for a film that embraces the concept of an Odyssey.  Call branch for specifics.  (Part of the L.A. Odyssey Project)

10/25 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Group Discussion
Join us for a lively discussion of Homer’s Odyssey.  (Part of the L.A. Odyssey Project)

10/28 @ 4:00
Skull Decorating
Teens… What can you do to a sugar skull to make it a true marvel? Come and show us all.

10/29 from 6:00 to 7:45
Another Space Odyssey…Telescope Night with the Sidewalk Astronomers
Join us for Telescope Night with the Sidewalk Astronomers tonight and take a space odyssey.  Explore the night sky with a telescope & bring your questions about the moon, planets, and constellations.  (Part of the L.A. Odyssey Project)


- - - - - - - - - -

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

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

STAR Volunteer Readers - - - Available on Wednesdays at 3:00 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.

Fun With Tablets - - - Thursdays at 4:00
People of all ages are invited to join us as we explore tablet computers by accomplishing an interesting task.  If you have a project in mind suggest it & we might give it a try.

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. 

- - - - - - - - - -

Finally, we have computer classes.  These are formal, free 1-hour sessions.  Note: if the class title is in Spanish then the class is conducted in Spanish.  This month we have:

• Computadoras para Principiantes on 10/2 at 6:30
• Computer Basics on 10/9 at 6:30
• Como Utilizar la Internet on 10/16 at 6:30
• Spreadsheet Basics on 10/18 at 2:00
• Correo Electronico Para Principiantes on 10/23 at 6:30
• Introduction to Word Processing on 10/29 at 12:00
• Computadoras para Principantes on 10/30 at 6:30

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.

Virtual Unreality

In Virtual Unreality Charles Seife takes a serious look at how the nature of information has changed in the digital age.  This book is full of things that appeal to the heart of a librarian and should be in everyone’s general toolkit as they attempt to make their way in a digital world.  Seife addresses issues as diverse as the question of “authority”, fake people, copyright, information scarcity, scams, noise to signal ratio in our data, and more. 

The only problem I had with this book was that occasionally the author would introduce a topic and then go in a completely unexpected (and in my personal opinion crazy) direction with it.  The copyright chapter is the best example of this.  All in all, however, the book raises issues that it is important for people to be aware of so I would recommend that you pick it up.

Events for the Week of September 22…

Don’t miss any of the exciting events going on at the library during the week…

• Little Ones’ Storytime on Wednesday (9/24) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Fun with Tablets program on Thursday (9/25) at 4:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (9/26) at 3:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday (9/27) at 2:00
• Arroyo Book Club discusses The Art of Racing in the Rain on Saturday at 3:00
• Gardening Workshop on Sunday (9/28) 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.