Free & Fun December Events at Altadena Library!

E-CONNECT | DECEMBER 2024 UPDATE FROM THE ALTADENA LIBRARIES

The Main Library will close early on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. for the Christmas Tree Lane Winter Festival & Lighting Ceremony.

The Main Library will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 24 & Wednesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas.

The Main Library will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, New Year's Day.

The Bob Lucas Memorial Library is currently closed for renovations.

2024 Board of Trustees Vacancy

The Altadena Library Board of Trustees announces a vacancy and will make an appointment to fill that seat.

The Board of Trustees is accepting applications from anyone who would like to serve on the board for the two-year term starting on December 16, 2024.

Applicants must be at least 18, a resident of Altadena and registered to vote in Altadena. The chosen candidate will be sworn in at the Regular meeting on January 27, 2025.

The current seat is for the two-year unexpired term ending 12/4/2026. Please note this seat is at-large, but that in 2026 this seat will only be open to residents in the Altadena Library District Area 4. If you have questions about this, please call (626) 798-0833 ext. 118.

The board meets at 5:00 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month; this unpaid, volunteer position involves budgetary and policy oversight as well as high-level strategic decision-making for the Altadena Library District. Interested parties should submit:

Letter of intent
Resume
Certification of Qualifications Form

These documents must be received by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2024. The board will interview potential candidates at a Special Board Meeting to be held in January 2025 (exact date TBA). Each candidate will be given 3 minutes to make a statement and will then be asked to answer 3 questions, which will be provided to candidates in advance of the meeting.

For details about applying, visit https://www.altadenalibrary.org/news/2024-board-vacancy.

Want to find out more about our Board?
Come to the next meeting:
Altadena Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Monday, Dec. 16, 5 p.m.

(in person) Main Library Community Room
(virtual) https://www.youtube.com/AltadenaLibrary

What's Up at Bob Lucas Library?

The renovation and expansion of the Bob Lucas Memorial Library is more than 50% complete, and the branch is scheduled to open in Spring 2025! For more information, visit www.altadenalibrary.org/next-chapter.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Altadena Poetry Review Open Submission Period: ENDS December 15, 2024

Calling all writers in Southern California!

Lester Graves Lennon, co-Poet Laureate of Altadena Library District & Editor of the 2025 Anthology, and Sehba Sarwar, co-Poet Laureate for programming, invite poets to submit their work for consideration for online publication in the Altadena Poetry Review 2025. The submission window will be open from October 1 to December 15, 2024. The Anthology will be available, online, beginning in Spring 2025. All submitted poems must be edited and in final, error-free form.

The following guidelines must be followed precisely in order for any submission to be considered:

1. Submit 1 to 2 poems, with each poem on a separate page as follows:

Maximum length of any poem: one page, one side of page only.
Font: 12 pt. Times Roman OR Palatino Linotype throughout.
Single-spaced except when stanza breaks or line breaks require double-spacing.
Title of poem written in capital letters at top of its page.
Your name written at the end of the poem, at the bottom of the page. INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER AFTER YOUR NAME for quick access to you in case we have questions.
Write ONE email as described below, and attach your poems to this email.

2. Submissions must be sent to this email address: Altadenapoetryreview@gmail.com

3. The subject line of your email will be: ANTHOLOGY SUBMISSION.
4. Do NOT submit an author bio at this time.

➢ Your submission can be on any topic.
➢ The submissions can be previously published or unpublished, but YOU must own the copyright.
➢ Previously published work must include, below your name at the bottom of the page, where and when it was previously published (name of book or journal; date of publication; press, if applicable).

You will be notified of the status of your submission(s) no later than February 15, 2025. All decisions are final. Thank you very much for your interest and participation.

Visit Altadena Literary Review

On the Trail: Art of Eaton Canyon Exhibition
Nov. 1 - Dec. 31, Main Library

Come enjoy this striking new exhibition by local artist Gregory Michael Hernandez. His Eaton Canyon series explores the border between Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument via acrylic paintings on concrete. You won't want to miss these beautiful pieces set against the backdrop of the Altadena Main Library.

Adaptive Equipment & Tools

We have adaptive tools available for in-library use at our Information Desk. Please ask our staff members for assistance.

Here are some of the items we offer. For more information, visit https://www.altadenalibrary.org/accessibility

Large Print High-Contrast Keyboard

Reading Magnifier Stand with Light

Loop (Easy-to-Grip) Scissors

Bring Back the Pollinators
Tuesday, Dec. 3 • 6-7:30pm
Main Library Community Room

From hummingbirds to butterflies to bees – and beyond – come learn easy and fun ways that you can help bring back the pollinators! This fast-paced, energetic, and entertaining program is extra family-friendly, and provides information about the challenges "the little guys that do all the work" face – along with simple measures that you can take in your own yard to help them bounce back!

Altadena resident René Amy is a local ambassador with the Xerces Society, among his highly-varied community activities. In addition to his passion for pollinators, René is known for leading a group of "Good Cemeterians" in cleaning headstones of veterans and children, as well as being a community activist who spends Christmas Eve helping jolly old St. Nick deliver toys to local children.

Christmas Tree Lane 104th Lighting Ceremony & Winter Festival
Saturday, Dec. 7 • 3-9pm; Lighting Ceremony @
Main Library

The festivities start at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, and the lighting ceremony starts at 6:00 p.m. at the main stage. Food Trucks, handmade arts vendors for gift giving, and community and member booths.

Holiday Clothing Drive hosted by Teen Leadership Council
Tuesday, Dec. 10 • 5-6pm
Main Library Teen Space

This season, the Teen Leadership Council is hosting a clothing drive for local organization Friends In Deed. Donations of warm adult-size coats, sweaters, pants, hats, gloves, and new underwear + new socks will be highly appreciated.

Snacks and hot cocoa will be provided during the event, as well as fun activities such as a card-making station. We hope to see you there!

Winter Pickling Workshop
Tuesday, Dec. 10 • 6:00-7:30pm
Main Library Community Room

Interested in learning how to pickle your own produce? Join us for a workshop as Jessica Wang, founder of Pickle, demonstrates the skills of pickling for the winter season.

Join Us for a Community Toy Drive hosted by Altadena Library's Teen Leadership Council
Wednesday, Nov. 20 to Tuesday, Dec. 10
Altadena Main Library

All donations must be new and not gift wrapped. Please note that donations must be appropriate for 0-18 year olds. Donations will be distributed evenly between Five Acres and Sycamores: a better life, two organizations that work with/for youth in foster care in Altadena/Pasadena.

Hot Cocoa & Movie Night
Thursday, Dec. 12 • 6:15-8:30pm
Main Library Community Room

Grab your blanket and come join us for a screening of the 2019 film version of Little Women! We will be serving hot cocoa to complete the cozy night.

Altadena Poets Laureate
Chewing on the Alphabet & Stealing from the Best
Saturday, Dec. 14 • 11:00am-1:00pm
Main Library Community Room

Join the Altadena Poets Laureate for a poetry workshop with former LA Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson: Chewing on the Alphabet and Stealing from the Best

Lynne Thompson served as the fourth Los Angeles Poet Laureate and received a Poet Laureate Fellowship from the Academy of American Poets. She is the author of four collections of poetry: Beg No Pardon, winner of the Perugia Press Prize and the Great Lakes Colleges New Writers Award. During this workshop, we’ll look at and discuss the work of poets who have employed a variety of strategies to craft poems and how you may adopt—and even subvert them—to write your own!

Teen Photography Hour

Saturday, Dec. 14 • 2-3pm

Main Library Teen Space

Teens! You’re invited to join us at the Altadena Main Library to express your unique photographic vision.

You will have the opportunity to take your own satisfying photo independently or based on our provided themes, using digital or instant cameras or a personal camera of your own. Hosted by our teen intern, participants will have an allotted 30 minutes to snap all the photos they can. Afterwards, we will proudly display the collage in the Teen Space for the remainder of December.

Please share your creativity with us! (snacks provided)

Altadena Parent Wellness Circle
Saturday, Dec. 14 • 3-4pm
Main Library Community Room

Are you a local parent or parent-to-be seeking community? Join us as we share stories, vent, and celebrate the ups and downs of this incredible journey we’re on together. (No little ones, please).

Mt Lowe Chamber Players
The Robert Kyle Quintet
Sunday, Dec. 15 • 3:00-4:30pm
Main Library

Help us welcome the Mt Lowe Chamber Players back!

Saxophonist/flutist/percussionist/composer and former Altadenan Robert Kyle will perform a program of Latin, Brazilian and straight-ahead Jazz with his quintet. This concert will provide a rare opportunity to experience the intimacy and spontaneity of this art form and to learn more about this genre.

Chad Edwards (piano), Rob Kyle (saxes/flute), Nolan Shaheed (trumpet), Larry Steen (bass), Kevin Winard (drums)

Mad Science: Winter Wonderland of Science
Friday, Dec. 20 • 4:00-4:45pm
Main Library Community Room

Join us for an interactive and educational science show presented by Mad Science.

In this festive and fun-filled holiday-themed show, we explore “Newton’s Laws of Motion” through exciting and energetic experiments.

Space is limited. Registration is required for all attendees.

Art Workshop: Stained Glass Suncatcher
Monday, Dec. 23 • 4:00-6:00pm
Main Library Community Room

Join us for a beginner-friendly Stained Glass workshop, where you'll play with geometric shapes & solder together your own suncatcher! For adults. Registration required.

Forager Crafts believe that creating something with your hands is a radical act. More than a fleeting moment of joy, it’s an act of self-care, personal growth, and connection to the generations who came before us. Their hope is to to show people that they can indeed create something beautiful & physical with their two hands.

Calling All SoCal Authors

The Altadena Library invites local SoCal authors to apply to participate in our Indie Author Night, an event we host four times a year.

We are looking for recently published authors can present their work to our community. Who can apply? We welcome

Traditionally published authors
Authors published by small presses
Self-published authors
Authors included in anthologies, journals, and other publications

To apply, go to www.altadenalibrary.org/author-events. If you have already submitted an application, you are still in our queue and don’t need to reapply.

December Events for All Ages

Chess Night
Every Monday
5:30-7:30pm
Main Library Reading Court

December Events for Children

Family Storytime at Loma Alta Park, Wednesday, Dec. 4 & 11, 4-5 p.m., Social Hall at Loma Alta Park

Weekly storytimes will return in the New Year!

Penguin Scavenger Hunt!

Come to the Children’s Area all month long and find all 12 penguins! When you find all 12, tell the library staff where you found them and receive a prize!

Winter Family Storytime & Craft

Thursday, Dec. 5 • 10:30-11:30am
Main Library Community Room/Children's Area

Join us for a special winter family storytime! We'll have fun with books, songs, and rhymes that encourage development and bonding. A 30-minute self-directed craft will follow storytime in the Children's Room. Ages 0-5

Winter Wonder Saturdays

Saturdays in December
10am-2pm
Main Library Children's Area

Join us this month for Saturdays of creativity and connection at the library! Our winter self-directed program invites you to craft something frosty and unique, team up with others, and make new friends. Drop in anytime while supplies last and let your winter creativity sparkle! For children 5-12.

Bundle Up with Books: Children's Reading Challenge
Dec. 1, 2024 to Jan. 31, 2025

We invite children (ages 0 to 12) to join our winter reading challenge, "Bundle Up with Books." Starting December 1, you can sign up virtually on Beanstack or visit the Children's Desk at the Altadena Library.

Cozy up with a book in your favorite nook and log your reading to earn wintery badges throughout the challenge. Complete the challenge by logging 300 minutes of reading to earn a free book and cozy fleece blanket!

One prize per child (while supplies last).

December Events for Teens

Teen Poetry Club, Saturday, Dec. 14, 12-2pm, Main Library Teen Space. Moderated by WriteGirl/Bold Ink Writers, this is a trans and LGBTQ friendly space to learn and build poetry writing skills, share your work, and get inspired.

Teen Volunteer Orientation, Thursday, Dec. 19, 5-5:30 p.m., Main Library Teen Space. Teens (ages 13-18) are invited to volunteer and can earn service hours. Drop-ins welcome! Learn more at https://www.altadenalibrary.org/teens.

December Events for Adults

Open Mic Night, Monday, Dec. 2, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Main Library Community Room

Huntington Hospital Health Screenings, Monday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Main Library Small Meeting Room

Fab Lab Gab: A Creative Social Gathering Series, Saturday, Dec. 14, 9 to 10 a.m., Main Library Reading Court, Registration required.

Adult Craft Hour: DIY Snow Globes, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 4 to 5 p.m., Main Library Reading Court Registration required

English Conversation Club, Every Tuesday (except Dec. 24), 6:30-7:30 p.m., Main Library Small Meeting Room. Practice learning, listening and speaking English in a friendly setting.

Tattoo Design Workshop

Tuesday, Dec. 17 • 5-7pm • Main Library Community Room

Create your own tattoo design through the three phases tattoo artists use: sketching, refining, and lining. Learn about and practice utilizing design elements like composition, line, and form to enhance your work. All are welcome to create a unique drawing just for fun or to bring to a tattoo artist when the time is right!

Sadie is a tattoo artist working in Altadena at June Bug Tattoo. Her education and 10+ years of experience as a graphic designer informs her practice in creating custom tattoo designs for her clients. She is excited for the opportunity to connect with those curious about the artistic process and to talk about formal elements of design and how they apply in the unique commercial art industry of tattooing. See her work at @sadiespotaties on Instagram, or at sadiegdesign.com.

All supplies are provided, and registration is required.

True Crime All The Time Virtual Book Club

Saturday, Dec. 28

4 to 5 p.m.

Zoom

Book: "A Treasury of XXth Century Murder: Compendium l" by Rick Geary

Join us for a NEW Book Club: Heartthrob Hangout!

Thursday, Dec. 12 • 6:30-7:30 pm • Main Library Reading Court

Book: "No Ordinary Hate" by Whitney Dineen & Melanie Summers

Second Saturday Comes Back in January!

Support Your Altadena Libraries

Altadena Library Foundation strengthens the mission and resources of the libraries through fundraising and advocacy. Learn more at

www.altadenalibraryfoundation.org.

The Friends of the Altadena Library stimulate public interest, assist with funding to purchase materials, and support cultural and educational programs. Become a member at

www.altadenalibrary.org/friends.