Here's the thing about August. It's hot. It also contains three days commemorating the joys of ice cream. August 2nd is National Ice Cream Sandwich day, August 6th is National Root Beer Float Day, and August 14th is National Creamsicle Day. So what's a person to do? After all, this is a month that practically begs you to indulge in a cool, sweet treat. So here at the Orange Cat, we say why not? 

The San Gabriel Valley is packed with fantastic places to dig into your favorite ice cream. You can go artisan with scoops of freshly made, organic delights from Pasadena's Carmela Ice Cream, Sage Vegan Bistro, or Salt & Straw. There's Mother Moo Creamery in Sierra Madre, or one of the Moo Moo Mia locations in Monrovia or Montrose. 

Treat yourself to the Italian version-less fat, less air than American ice cream at Bulgarini Gelato in Altadena. In Old Town, stop by Hello Gelato or Carrara's for a silky, creamy treat. Try a sandwich or sundae at Handel's Ice Cream in East Pasadena. Finally, you can go retro at the original Fosselman's location in Alhambra, where the ambiance is just as good as the ice cream. 

You can also pick up some ice cream from one of your favorite spots and indulge at home. One fun way to do this on a warm summer evening is to host an ice cream tasting party. Set out several pints and cover the labels. Number each pint. Give guests a checklist of goofy categories and have them assign a number/ice cream to each category. Categories can be anything from "most delicious" to "creamiest," "best with birthday cake," or "able to rock an ice cream sandwich in a single scoop." Serve tiny samples of each flavor and give your guests time to decide which ones deserve their votes. The flavors that garner the most votes in each category are the winners. When the sampling is done, the fun part begins. Put out toppings for a sundae bar or scoop up cones for everyone. 

If you want to get really fancy, make chocolate-dipped cones rolled in candy or sprinkles.

• Fill several bowls with goodies: small candies (like mini chocolate chips or mini-M&Ms), sprinkles, or nuts - if your crowd doesn't have allergies.
• Melt chocolate chips in a low bowl
• Dip the open end of a sugar or cake cone into the melted chocolate - immediately dip the chocolately cone into the goodies.
• Place the cone upside down on a cookie sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate is hardened.
• Plop a scoop of your favorite ice cream on top and enjoy!

Or make your own ice cream. If you've got an ice cream maker, grab some fabulous illustrated recipes from We All Scream. They'll make your day before you even get a chance to make the ice cream! Or, pick up an ice cream ball, and fill it with ice, rock salt, and your favorite ice cream mixture. Then kick it around the yard for a while to burn a few extra calories before you dig into dessert. 

And finally, celebrate August's frosty milestones by making some creative ice cream sandwiches, creamsicles, and floats! 

Turn the typical chocolate chip cookie-meets-vanilla ice cream sandwich on its ear by creating crazy flavor combinations.

• Try pairing soft, frosted cookies with strawberry ice cream for a retro-birthday party sandwich.
• Match molasses cookies with coffee or butter pecan ice cream.
• Sandwich a scoop of chocolate chip ice cream between a couple of oatmeal cookies
• Chocolate chocolate chip cookies just scream for a scoop of mint chip ice cream!
• Make ice cream sliders using Oreos or store-bought sandwich cookies. Try them with the icing intact or scooped out. Nutter Butters and chocolate ice cream are a natural combo.
• Think out of the box and make an ice cream taco! Crisp a small tortilla in a pat of butter on a skillet on the stove. Sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar and plop a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on one side of the tortilla. Fold the tortilla over to form a taco, and enjoy!

Creamsicles are one of the authentic tastes of summer, and they're easy to create. Simply swirl some orange juice into a few scoops of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt. Mix it well, adding a little milk or heavy cream until it's the consistency of a smoothie. Pour it into Dixie cups. Freeze the cups until the mixture is thickened, and stand a small plastic spoon in the middle. Place the cups back into the freezer until they harden. Peel off the cup and enjoy! Use other fruit-juice combos with vanilla ice cream to come up with your own customized version of the classic. Add berries or small chunks of fruit for a little something extra. Pineapple-banana-orange creamsicle, anyone? 

When it comes to floats, the sky's the limit. There's only one rule, though: the glass must be frosty. Put your float glasses - mason jars work well! - into the freezer for a couple of hours before filling them with these ice cream concoctions:

• Give the classic "brown cow" a 50's twist by using Coke and cherry chip ice cream.
• Make a Harry Potter-style Butterbeer float using butter brickle ice cream and cream soda or root beer.
• Make a purple, orange or red cow using fruity soda and vanilla ice cream
• Need a pick me up? Float a scoop of chocolate chip or chocolate ice cream in iced coffee.
• Try this recipe for a firecracker float using sprite, ice cream, and pop rocks!
• For more inspiration, check out these fun float combos - some even come with an extra adult kick!

Enjoy the last few sweet days of summer!

Julie Ward

Saving Wildlife International: Animal Presentation

Your kids can join some very special animal guests on August 5, from 11:45 AM till 12:15 PM at Kidspace. Presentation is free with paid admission.

Art Exhibit: Around the World with Dolls

The doll lovers in your family are invited by the family of Pasadena Library patron Dorothy Rusch to enjoy her collection of dolls from around the world. The exhibit is open all month long.

Take & Make: Back to School!

Your school-age kids (5-19 years old) can reserve a Back to School kit to decorate. Kit reservations are open from August 1-15 or while supplies last. Kits can be picked up starting August 8 at the library branch of your choice.

Kidspace Campout

Kidspace welcomes you and your kids to their 9-week celebration of summer, Kidspace Campout! You'll learn about animal tracks, splash in a mountain spring, go "fishing" in the sandy lake, and so much more. Campout is open from June 30 - September 5 and is free with regular Kidspace admission.
 

Take & Make: Tropical Fuse Beads

Your family can join the Lamanda Park Branch librarians in making underwater creatures with tropical fuse beads from July 11 - August 11. Craft kits can be reserved now while supplies last.

Star Wars Craft Day

Your family can join the La Pintoresca Branch librarians in making Star Wars-themed crafts and enjoying some themed games, trivia, and movies on August 6, from 3:00 PM till 4:00 PM. Registration is required, and spots are limited.

Take & Make: Fun Fleece Cat Toy

Your family can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians in celebrating International Cat Day (yay!) starting August 8 - 31 or while supplies last. Register for a craft kit to make a cat toy for your favorite furry friend (and if you don't have one, Custard is happy to take any toys off your hands). 

Out of the Pantry: Cooking Class for Teens

Your teen (ages 12-18) can join the La Pintoresca Branch librarians in learning how to make bubble tea in this online lesson on August 8, from 4:00 PM till 5:30 PM. Registration is required, and spots are limited.

Jackbox Games for Teens

Your teen can join other teens and the Hastings Branch librarians for an afternoon of fun (and kinda weird) social games on August 10, from 4:30 PM till 6:00 PM. If you have a device, bring it! Otherwise, you can borrow one of the library's Chromebooks. No registration is required, but you do have to play nice with others.

Summer of Service Wrap Party

If your teen (8-12 grade) volunteered with the Altadena Library this summer, they and the other volunteers can join the librarians for a thank you party complete with food, games, prizes, and more on July 30, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

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 Storytimes

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

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

Santa Catalina Branch - Wednesday, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

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

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

Linda Vista Branch - Thursday, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

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

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.

 

Teen Switch Hour

Your Tweens (ages 8-12) can join the Altadena librarians for some Nintendo Switch fun playing Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Smash Brothers every Thursday from 4:00 PM till 5:00 PM in the Main Library's Community Room. The library has a limited number of systems available. You are welcome to bring your own Switch. .