Here's To Mom!

Well, it's May. That can only mean one thing: Mother's day, that wonderful Sunday notorious for wonky homemade ceramics, construction paper handprint cards, and burnt-toast breakfast in bed, is here. Now, there is no mom around who doesn't have a drawer stuffed full of handmade Mother's Day treasures. But let's get real. Mom may cherish each and every handmade gesture, but what she really wants is a quiet hour all to herself, possibly involving a spa treatment of some sort. 

So go ahead, give mom the gift of relaxation this year. Pamper her with the full experience at a locally-owned spa, like Burke Williams or Cote d'Azur in Pasadena. Or, give her tired tootsies a treat with a relaxing foot massage at HM Warm Spa in Pasadena.    

If handmade gifts are more your speed, you can get the best of both worlds by giving mom some sweet-smelling, homemade spa treatments. They're a snap to whip up, they use ingredients you may have around the house, and the kids will love having some kitchen time. Present your luscious treatments to mom with a cup of hot coffee, some flowers from the garden, and a handmade coupon for a little at-home spa time. Then, bug out with the kids for the park or for a breakfast of sticky pancakes while mom enjoys a quiet start to her special day. 
 

First, you'll need a clean glass jar with a tight lid. Then, have the kids make a customized label for each scrub you make. 

Moisturizing Lemon Sugar Scrub

You'll need:

Sugar (regular granulated sugar works great!)

One lemon

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Vanilla

Fill your jar with sugar, then pour it into a bowl. Add small amounts of olive oil until the sugar is no longer lumpy. (The general rule is one part oil to two parts sugar.) Mix well. Mix in the juice and zest of one lemon and a few drops of vanilla. Put the mixture back into the jar, attach the lid and attach your homemade label.

Mom can use this as an all-over body scrub or a hand scrub in the kitchen. You can mix in other ingredients such as coffee grounds, cocoa powder, spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or essential oil (easy to find at places like Whole Foods) for scent. You can also substitute olive oil with almond or coconut oil. Brown sugar makes a sweeter, slightly coarser base.  

Rosemary Sea Salt Scrub

You'll need:

Sea Salt

Rosemary infused olive oil

To make rosemary-infused olive oil:

1. Put ½ cup olive oil into a small saucepan.
2. Add a sprig of fresh rosemary.
3. Heat on low for one hour.
4. Remove from heat, and let it cool.
5. Take out the rosemary sprig and discard.

Fill your jar with sea salt. Pour it into a bowl. Slowly mix in olive oil until the salt is no longer crumbly. Pour it back into the jar. You can top your scrub with a sprig of fresh rosemary and a pretty, handmade label. Save any leftover oil for your next batch.

Lavender Infused Foot Bath

You'll need:

Epsom Salts

Lavender scented essential oil

Dried lavender blossoms

Fill your jar with Epsom salt, then pour it into a bowl. Add a few drops of essential oil and mix well. You should be able to smell the lavender reasonably strongly. Crumble the dried lavender blossoms and mix them n. Pour salts back into the jar, cap it and attach your label.

For a relaxing foot bath, mom can use ½ cup of lavender foot soak in a basin of warm water. She can also add two cups of sweet-smelling salts to a warm bath for a complete relaxation experience. You can also experiment with other essential oils and dried herbs, such as rosemary, lemon verbena, lemon thyme, mint, sage, or rose. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Butterfly Season is Here!

Kidspace's annual celebration of butterflies is here now through May 31! Celebrate and learn the life cycles of butterflies. You can buy a habitat and adopt a caterpillar for the butterfly release a few weeks later. It's truly a wonderful celebration of natural life. Don't miss it! Learn more and get tickets here. 
 

Take & Make: Keepsake Key Chain

This craft could make a lovely Mothers Day gift. Your family can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians in making a keepsake key chain. Kit reservation is open through May 16 or while supplies last.

Mini Manga-Con

Your Tweens and Teens (ages 8-18) can celebrate Free Comic Book Day at the Altadena Library on May 7, from 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM with comic book author and artist Scott Marcano. In addition, there will be anime trivia and prizes. Registration is required.

The LA County Fair 

Hello funnel cakes! The LA County Fair is back for its 100th season. And it's cooler than it's been in years! Literally, they moved it from September to May to take advantage of the cooler weather. So you get all of the fair's fun with less of the heat. You can also purchase tickets and parking passes online to save money and get inside quicker.
 

Take & Make: Madhubani Elephant Bookmark

Your kids (ages 0-12 years old) can join the San Rafael Branch librarians in celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month by making a Madhubani elephant bookmark. Registration for craft kits starts on May 1. Kits are available through May 31 or while supplies last. 

Take & Make: Japanese Carp Streamer

Your family can join the Hastings Branch librarians in celebrating AAPI Heritage Month by making a papercraft carp streamer or Koinobori, a windsock flown to celebrate "Children's Day" in Japan. Registration for craft kits starts on May 1 and continues through May 14 or while supplies last.

Take & Make: Korean Paper Game (Ddakji)

Your whole family and build and play this Korean paper-flipping game with a craft kit from the Hill Avenue Branch Library. Kit reservation opens on May 1 and goes through May 31 or while supplies last.

Take & Make: Paper Lei Kit

Your kids (ages 0-12) can take home a kit with everything they need to make their very own paper lei and learn a bit about the history of Hawaii. Reserved kits can be picked up from the San Rafael Branch Library. Kit reservation opens on May 1 and goes through May 31 or while supplies last.

Take & Make: Paper Plate Hand Fan

Your whole family can join the Hastings Branch Library in making a hand fan from paper plates using the craft kit. Kit reservation opens on May 1 and is available through May 14 or while supplies last.

Create Your Own Miniature Zen Garden

Your family can join the La Pintoresca Branch librarians in creating a miniature Zen garden from recycled materials on May 19, from 3:30 PM till 5:00 PM. Materials are provided.

Carp Kite

Your kids (ages 3-12) can join the Villa Parke Community Center Branch librarians on May 4, from 3:30 PM till 4:30 PM, to make a Japanese carp kite to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Storytime and Art with USC Pacific Asia Museum

Kids (ages 6-12) can hear stories and make art inspired by Asian cultures, focusing on Japanese culture in this session. Registration is required, and spots are limited.

Explore Chinese Culture

Kids (ages 5+) and their families can take a journey through and learn about Chinese culture through themed activities and lessons. Sessions are on May 5, 12, 19, 26, and June 2, from 4:30 PM till 5:15 PM online. Registration is required, and spots are limited. This program requires access to an internet-enabled device and internet service. A limited number of devices are available from the Pasadena Public Library.

Craft with Comics!

All the comic book lovers in your family can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians for some free comics and crafting buttons, and light switch covers on May 7, from 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM. 

Take & Make: Optical Toy

Your whole family can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians in making a thaumatrope, an optical toy popular in the 1800s. Registration for craft kits opens on May 9 and are available until May 31 or while supplies last.

Read Around the World Book Club: Indonesia

Every other month (odd-numbered), the Read Around the World Book Club takes your kids in grades 3-5 on a literary journey. The club meets to discuss a middle-grade book set in another country or culture. This month the book is Marshmallow and Jordan by Alina Chau. In addition, participants will learn about Indonesia. This club meeting will be online on May 11, from 4:00 PM till 5:00 PM. Registration is required, and spots are limited. Please read the book in advance. Copies are available from the library.

The Anti-Book: Kids Author Event

Your family can join the Hastings Branch librarians and author Raphael Simon (aka Pseudonymous Bosch) on May 14, from 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM for some crafts, writing exercises, and an author talk on the book The Anti-Book. Full of fun, humor, and surprise, the story is a Wizard of Oz for today's generation that explores the quest for comfort and belonging.

Japanese Storytime with Sunny Seki

Your kids (ages 3-12) can join the Linda Vista Branch librarians for an introduction to Japanese folklore and cats in Japan through the story The Tale of The Lucky Cat on May 14, from 3:00 PM till 4:00 PM. The storytime is followed by an interactive storytelling session with the audience, fun with Lucky Cat coloring pages, and playing with traditional Japanese wooden toys.

Take & Make: Zen Garden

Your whole family can join the Hastings Branch librarians in making a little serenity and peace with a zen garden. Registration for craft kits opens on May 16 and are available through May 30 or while supplies last.

The Art of Colorful Fish

Your kids (ages 5-12) can join the Hastings Branch librarians as they take inspiration from fish to create their own unique sea life art on May 18, from 3:30 PM till 4:30 PM. Registration is required, and spots are very limited. This is an outdoor activity.

Free Comic Book Day Jr at Comics Factory

The comic book lovers in your family can join the Altadena Library's Curiosity Connection at Comics Factory for a continuation of the Free Comic Book Day fun on May 8, from 12:00 PM till 5:00 PM, with giveaways and contests. No registration is required. Comics Factory is located at 1298 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena.

I'm Getting Ready for Kindergarten! Learn and Play Group

All families in Greater Pasadena with little ones (ages 0-5) are invited to Learn and Play to provide some social experiences, expose the kids to new concepts, and find solutions to shared challenges on May 13, from 3:00 PM till 4:30 PM on the front lawn of the Altadena Main Library. No registration is required.

Teen Gardening Club

The Altadena Library is looking for Teens (grades 8-12) of all skill levels to help grow and care for the library's gardens and plants on May 14, from 9:00 AM till 10:00 AM. Teens will learn about vegetable gardens, flower beds, and indoor plants while earning volunteer service hours. Registration is required.

Tai Chi for Teens

Your tweens and teens (ages 8-18) can join the instructors from Two Dragons Martial Arts on May 14, from 10:30 AM till 11:30 AM, on the front lawn of the Altadena Main Library for a free Tai Chi Chaun class. Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended. Registration is required.
 

These events are regularly scheduled, and many do not require registrations. That said, please check with the event host in case of holidays, weather, COVID, or other reasons to cancel or reschedule.
 

Afternoon Games

The whole family is invited to the Villa Parke Community Center Branch Library to play games, from board games to giant dominos. The fun happens on Tuesdays, from 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM.

Infant & Toddler Storytime

Your little ones (ages 0-2) and their caregiver can join the Pasadena librarians weekly at 10:30 AM for 20 minutes of reading, rhyming, and singing fun! 

Lamanda Park Branch - Tuesdays

Allendale Branch - Wednesdays

Santa Catalina Branch - Thursdays

Outdoor Baby & Toddler Storytime - Altadena Public Library

Your little ones (ages 0-2) and their caregivers can join the Altadena librarians on the front lawn of the Main Library on Mondays, from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM for some fun with books, songs, rhymes, development, and bonding. Space is limited, and attendees must follow COVID health protocols. See the event listing for more details. This event will be canceled in the event of inclement weather conditions.

Preschool Storytime - Pasadena Public Libraries

Your kids (ages 3-5) can join the Pasadena librarians weekly for a selection of stories, songs, crafts, or a short movie. Activities vary by branch.

Villa Parke Community Center Branch - Tuesdays, 10:30 AM till 11:30 AM

San Rafael Branch - Wednesdays, 11:00 AM till 11:30 AM

Lamanda Park Branch - Thursdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Hill Avenue Branch - Saturdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Outdoor Preschool Storytime - Altadena Public Library

Children (ages 3-5) can join the Altadena librarians weekly (weather permitting) on the front lawn of the Main Library on Thursdays, from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM for fun with books, rhymes, and songs. Space is limited so arrive early to get a spot. This event will be canceled in the event of inclement weather conditions. Attendees must follow COVID health protocols. See the event listing for more details.

Toddler Playtime

Kids ages 2-5 can come to play, color, listen to music and make new friends at the Villa Parke Community Center Branch on Fridays, from 10:30 AM till 12:00 PM.

Family Films

Villa Parke Community Center Branch hosts a family movie for you on Thursdays, from 3:30 PM till 5:30 PM. Please contact the branch at 626-744-6510 for the movie title. And this is a BYOS (bring your own snacks) event.

Video Game Club

Your Teen (age 14-19) can stop into the Hastings Branch Library Meeting Room on Thursdays, from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM, for some gaming fun on the Nintendo Switch. They can make new friends and learn fair play every week. No registration is required. Must play well with others.

Crafting with Tish & Tosh

Join the Pasadena Library online for some all-ages crafting fun. You'll learn new crafts all year round. The crafting fun happens on every-other Monday on Instagram Live from 3:00 PM till 3:30 PM.