The Alhambra Civic Center Library Blog

Keitch Kryzweic Discusses Fossils

2012-01-30T17:48:00.000-08:00

Keith Kryzweic recently visited the library to discuss the fossils one can find in the San Gabriel Valley. And he brought along with him more than 30 fossils he found right here in our own backyard.

Happy Holidays from the Alhambra Library!

2011-12-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

Last night, the library celebrated the annual Holiday Open House. Flautist Irene Salazar played some holiday tunes; Jan Minkler, Cathy Dorsey and Michael Whitley read some Holiday poems and, to end the night, everyone gathered around to watch Miracle on 34th Street.

Reading is Snow Much Fun!

2011-11-21T17:11:00.000-08:00

The library's winter reading program, Reading is Snow Much Fun! begins today. To participate, you should stop by the second floor reference desk, write down a few words about a book you like to read during the holidays, and, in return for sharing with us, you'll receive an opportunity ticket for a prize basket. We'll award the prize basket to a lucky winner after the program ends on December 18. Don't miss it!

Two Distinguished Guests Visit Library

2011-11-16T15:59:00.000-08:00

It was a busy week at the library as we were lucky to have two distinguished guests. On Monday, marine biologist Pat Krug shared with a select audience his vast knowledge of sea slugs. It's the rare scientist who can make an esoteric topic engaging for a general audience and Mr. Krug succeeded with flying colors. Among Mr. Krug's most famous discoveries is Alderia Willowi, named after the character Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. You can learn more about his research, and about Alderia Willowi, at http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/pkrug/lab/

On Tuesday, celebrated guitarist Peter Fletcher played a brilliant performance. Mr. Fletcher played baroque, nineteenth and twentieth century music. It was a rare and exciting treat to host a guitarist of Mr. Fletcher's caliber.

Today's Menu with Rebecca McDaniel

2011-10-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

Author and Chef Rebecca McDaniel visited the library recently to discuss easy and delicious meals you can make yourself. Ms. McDaniel made four dishes for our appreciative audience to sample and signed copies of her book following the demonstration.

Go For Broke!

2011-10-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

Representatives from Go For Broke, a national organization dedicated to telling the story of Japanese-American vets of World War II, visited the library, where they were awarded a certificate from the city of Alhambra. In the picture, Councilmember Gary Yamauchi and Library Director Carmen Hernandez give the men their certificate.

Alhambra Travels!

2011-08-31T17:16:00.000-07:00

Labor Day weekend is here and with it, the end of summer. We asked you to send in your postcards and you did. Postcards came in from as far away as Mexico, France and Alaska and from some beautiful spots nearby (can you spot the Kimberly Crest Mansion in Redlands?). Thanks for sharing your travels with us!

Summer Reading Program Ends

2011-08-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

The summer reading program, Novel Destinations, ended with a bang last week as 40 of you turned out for the library's annual mystery dinner. Prizes were awarded to three lucky summer reading participants; Nancy Duong won the grand prize, a food tour of Alhambra. Many thanks are due to all of our sponsors, without whom the summer reading program would never have been possible. More than 300 people registered for the the summer reading program and more than 250 people attended a program this summer. It will be hard to top next year!

MEXIKA "The Sounds of Ancient Mexico"

2011-07-14T09:47:00.001-07:00

Martin Espino and Christopher Garcia visited the library last night and brought along an extraordinary assortment of instruments used by the indigenous peoples of Mexico. And many of you who attended had the chance to make some music using the instruments. It was truly an illuminating and inspiring evening.

Spring Concert - Music Performance Academy

2011-04-04T17:47:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, March 30, the Music Performance Academy of Alhambra rocked the house! Students, teachers and community musicians provided a fantastic jam to a packed Reese Hall.

Lost and Found

2011-03-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

After her bestselling Women Food and God, Geneen Roth turned her attendtion to money: specifically to the similar ways in which Roth, and many other women and men, treat money and food. Roth discusses money as a substitute for relationships, as a source of anxiety and obsession and as something to control. If you're interested in learning more, you can find it on the library's new book shelf starting tomorrow.

Allos: The Story of Carlos Bulosan

2011-03-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

The East West Players visit the library next week and they're bringing with them a performance of the play Allos, the extraordinary story of Carlos Bulosan. This program is free and, with two performances, you won't want to miss it.
The Library was also fortunate to have hosted a varied but wonderful performance by a flute quartet from UCLA this past Saturday.

2011-02-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

Kevin Jones and Christina Johnson, curators of the FIDM Museum in Los Angeles, visited the library to lecture about the history of women's fashion in the twentieth century. And it was a fascinating lecture. I'm sure most of the women present were glad that the elaborate garments from the turn of the last century are long gone--especially the heavy undergarments that gave clothing its shape--but the idea, from the 1960s, of vending machines dispensing paper clothes holds some appeal: if you spill wine on your pants, you just run to the nearest vending machine and pick up a new pair for a few quarters. Sounds convenient!

Sean Carroll Visits Library

2011-01-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

Last night's discussion with author and physicist Sean Carroll made accessible a very complicated subject: the origins of the universe and what it all has to do with out perception of time. Although I have an idea of what these things are I won't even try to explain it in this blog but if you want to learn more you should stop by the library and check out Mr. Carroll's extraordinary (and very readable) book From Eternity to Here. Mr. Carroll hinted at what may have preceded the Big Bang or what, in fact, the Big Bang really was; it seems as though physicist are only beginning to unravel the mysteries of the universe as there is so much more to learn!

2010-12-21T14:49:00.000-08:00

The Alhambra Library wishes you a happy holiday season.

2010-11-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

The prodigiously talented poet and performance artist Traci Kato-Kiriyama visited the library last night and those of you in attendance were treated to a lively evening. I'm sure that her thoughtful poetry will linger in the minds of everyone who was there. And the library has a totally different but equally rewarding program coming up next week: Sheila Yonemoto presents her talk, Whole Body Health: East Meets West .

New Book from Sean Carroll

2010-11-08T12:23:00.000-08:00

Although it was published in January, Sean Carroll's From Eternity to Here continues to generate excitement among readers and anyone interested in cosmology. Carroll takes readers on a fun and illuminating ride to the beginning of the universe. As it happens, Mr. Carroll will be visiting the library in January to discuss his book and his work with Alhambra Library patrons.

Poetry and Performance Art

2010-10-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who attended Cynthia Perez's engaging reading of "The Fall of the House of Usher." A grim story like this is the perfect way to get into the Halloween mood. If you missed this program, you'll want to be sure to come to our next program with poet and performance artist Traci Kato-Kiriyama on Novmber 9th.

Adult Storytime

2010-10-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ice (S)Cream For Books!

2010-08-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

The adult summer reading program--I (S)Cream for Books--was a huge success. Participation was up tremedously across the boards and Alhambrans shared more than 350 book reviews! Way to go everyone! The highlight of the summer was the Mystery Dinner which concluded the summer reading program. Staff dressed up as well-known story book characters and entertained the audience--a fun way to end the summer.

Big Succeess for Big Read

2010-04-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Alhambra's Big Read ended last week. Nearly 500 Alhambrans attended one of the many free events offered at the library over the course of the Big Read and 76 people attended one of the many book discussions held around town. All in all, it was a great success. Many thanks are due to the wonderful speakers and performers who made this program so memorable.

Cooking Demonstration Wows Audience

2010-03-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

Theresa Lin Cheng visited the library last week and whipped up some delicious dishes for a very lucky audience. Ms. Cheng's cooking demonstration marked the mid-point of Alhambra's month-long celebration of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club. This week, Brett Sheehan presents what is sure to be a fascinating discussion of the history of mid-twentieth century China on Tuesday at 7pm. You won't want to miss it!

Big Read Kicks Off

2010-03-26T08:48:00.001-07:00

The library hosted the kick-off celebration for the Big Read on March 13 and many of you joined the fun. Many thanks to Congressman Adam Schiff, Assemblyman Mike Eng, Vice-Mayor Gary Yamauchi and City Councilman Luis Ayala for sharing a little bit about what makes reading important in their lives.

Those of you who came to the kick-off celebration also saw members of the Los Angeles Classical Chinese Orchestra perform using traditional Chinese instruments. Some members of UCLA's Chinese Cultural Dance Club also stopped by and performed two beautiful numbers for our audience.

Big Read Launches in Two Weeks

2010-02-26T10:04:00.000-08:00

You may have read about it in Around Alhambra or have seen the posters recently posted in the library but most Alhambrans probably haven't yet heard that the city will be hosting The Big Read of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club. That's about to change. Starting next week, you'll see posters and banners up across town encouraging people to read the novel and drop by the library for an interesting (and free) program or two. To kick things off, the library is hosting a launch celebration on March 13th at 11am. Local dignitaries will speak and members of the Los Angeles Classical Chinese Orchestra will perform with a reception to follow on the library's patio around noon. Hope to see you there!

February is BIG at the Alhambra Library

2010-02-18T10:10:00.001-08:00

February may be the shortest month of the year but, at least at the Alhambra Library, it was one of the busiest months of the year as the library hosted two tremendously succesful programs. On February 2nd Terrence Roberts, one of the "Little Rock 9," visited the library to share his heroic and inspiring story. 150 Alhambrans turned out to hear Mr. Roberts discuss his role in integrating a previously segregated school in Little Rock, Arkansas and to have Mr. Roberts sign his book, which, by the way, is also available for check-out in the library.

And on February 17th, the East West Players, the nation's largest Asian-American performing arts group, visited the library to present Dawn's Light, a one-man play about the internment of Americans of Japanese descent during World War II. The powerful production, based on a true story, was brilliantly performed and I'm sure it was an evening that will linger in the memory of all who attended.

A Big Week at the Library

2009-12-17T16:00:00.001-08:00

Last week was a busy week at the Alhambra Library. On Wednesday December 9th, the library welcomed Dr. Scott Wells, a professor at Cal State LA. Dr. Wells spoke about the lives of women in the Middle Ages and opportunities available to them. In the picture above, Dr. Wells is discussing a painting usually attributed to Robert Campin, a flemish painter, who, in this altarpiece, reveals much about what was expected of women in the Middle Ages.

On Thursday December 10th, the library celebrated its annual Holiday Open House with cookies, Starbuck's coffee and, of course, some beautiful holiday music. Members of the Alhambra High School choir performed as did library patrons Patricia Todd, Renee Frescas and Manuel Cabrales (Patricia Todd and Renee Frescas are pictured above).

Introduction to Opera

2009-11-05T10:00:00.001-08:00

Last Tuesday the library was fortunate to have Caroline Jones from the LA Opera visit; she discussed the origins of Opera and addressed many of the common misconceptions people have about Opera. Many of you showed up and some of you were lucky enough to go home with tickets to the simulcast of Aida from the Met in New York!

If you missed Ms. Jones's discussion of Opera, you can still come to some of the library's other exciting events. There's always something exciting happening at the Alhambra Library.

Six Word Memoirs

2009-09-03T09:49:00.001-07:00

The six word memoirs Alhambrans wrote for the summer reading program are now proudly displayed at libraries across southern California; and we are displaying the memoirs from our partner libraries. You can read these amusing memoirs by stopping by the library but do it soon, the memoirs come down at the end of summer!

Adult Programs

2009-07-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

We had a great time on Saturday learning about Sumi-e, Japanese ink brush painting. I think it's safe to say that Nori Shirasu, the class instructor, has gained many new fans in Alhambra. And there's more on the way: this Saturday Rosa Zee, formerly of the Pacific Asia Museum, will present a discussion of Chinese floral arranging and the following Saturday poet Lory Bedikian will lead what is sure to be an illuminating poetry workshop. Both programs begin at 2PM in the community room of the library and are free to all adults.

Book Club Selection for July

2009-07-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

The library's adult book group is reading City of Thieves by David Benioff this month. The New York Times said of this novel set in Lenningrad during that Nazi seige of that town, that it "tells a refreshingly traditional tale, driven by an often ingenious plot." To join what is sure to be an interesting discussion of this novel you'll want to come to the library on Thursday evenings in July.

Summer Reading Program

2009-04-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

The library's summer reading program starts in June and the librarians are busy planning activities to bring you through our doors even as the warm days of summer tempt you to the beach or the park. To plan the summer's activities, the library staff chooses a theme and builds programs and acitivities around it. This year's theme will emphasize the arts and creativity and we're planning some exciting things for children, teens, and, yes, even adults! Keep your eyes peeled when you're in the library over the coming months for more announcements about the summer reading programs.

2009-04-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

Anyone working at a library's reference desk in recent months has probably encountered many patrons who come to the library at some stage in a job search. To help these patrons, we've recently placed fliers at the reference desk that can demystify the process of applying for unemployment benefits with the state's Employment Development Department (EDD). And we also have a large and growing collection of books to guide you as you write a resume, a cover letter or as you prepare for a job interview. These books can be found on the second floor of the library; the Dewey decimal number all of these books share is 650.14 and a librarian will gladly show you where to find them should you need any help. Hopefully the economy will begin to grow again soon, but until it does the Alhambra Library can help you prepare for a successful job hunt.

Inaugural Post

2009-04-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the first post in the new Alhambra Library blog! The new library has been open for 7 months now but don't expect things around here to get staid or dull. Never! The library is a dynamic place where there's always something new to learn. The same can be said for this blog. In fact, you can check our new blog each day for new and exciting posts about events at the library, new books, old books you might want to consider reading and any other bits of information that will, hopefully, be interesting.

And we've got some interesting things going on in the library today! This afternoon at 2PM the library will host Manga University for teens. Manga University is a celebration of Free Comic Book Day (who knew such a day even existed?).