Article in West Covina Highlander about Project Runway for Young Adults

http://www.sgvtribune.com/highlanders/westcovina/ci_6577029

July 31, 2007
Project Runway

As described in today's West Covina Highlander article (http://www.sgvtribune.com/highlanders/westcovina/ci_6577029), about 25 teens, siblings, and parents joined us for our mock-Project Runway at West Covina Library on Tuesday, July 31. We provided ribbon, buttons, and other decorative notions that young adults used to "rehab" or refurbish older garments. For example, an old pair of jeans looked new with some bedazzling (glued on gems) and a shorter length (i.e., bell bottoms become pedal pushers). We also supplied T-shirts that teens decorated.
Young adults had one hour and fifteen minutes to complete garments. Then, they modeled! The teens and their modeling siblings rocked the catwalk. A photographer from the Highlander was planted at the far end, and music blasted from a CD compiled by a teen, which included Santinos runway selections from the TV show, Project Runway. Meanwhile, the TV played The Devil Wears Prada. The top three winners received great prizes, including a tiara, golden Barbies, swag bags of books and gift certificates (like those given at the Oscars). Two runners-up received Starbucks gift cards.

Evaluation Form Comments:
It was nice. - Maria Argnelo
I like this! - A. Moreno
When are we doing this again? - Marcella

Teen Karaoke, La Puente

Teens Assist with Story Time, La Puente

At Gaming Day this Tuesday, we had so many teens (20), that it felt like P. Diddy might be hosting. At storytime, teen volunteers and kids used stencils and hands to paint canvas storage boxes (these once contained library CD cases), and later created an articulated horse craft.

Story Time, La Puente

Dried bean mosaics were our storytime art project yesterday. They must've been sneaking art supplies, because one of the tykes was, well, gassy. Ah, the joy of children.

Teens Assist with Storytime, La Puente

With two weekly storytimes at La Puente, families are feeling even more welcome in the library. Three volunteer teens helped with the afternoon craft on Wednesday and today children made shapes with homemade dough. Also shown are pics of the Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month display of Spanish easy books.

Sculpty Modeling Clay Art Program for Young Adults, La Puente

Wednesday, August 29, 16 young adults at the Library enjoyed the CalBook Discussion Group & Art Program, in which we sculpted with Sculpty modeling clay. The program was held on the main library floor, so I acted as bouncer to the underage siblings who were hyped up on a First-School-Day-Over Anxiety Release High. (Don't worry we have craft times for kids, too!)
Suggestions for Future Programs:

"Things that are fun and exciting." Paula V.

Evaluation Form Comments:

"It was cool." Kimberly R.
"Keep J. out!" Jennesa P. (J. was released from the meeting shortly after Jennessa expressed this. J. was especially hyped up after the first day of school. Fortunately, his mother [the real bouncer] was watching the meeting closely from a nearby study carrel.)

Quick & Dirty Book Review

Freak the Mighty, by W. Rodman Philbrick
ALA Best Book for Young Adults & ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
"Nani gigantum humeris insidentes."
"A dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther than a giant himself."
Well-written, climatic tale of two young outcasts, one freakishly tall (Kevin), the other suffering from Morquio's Syndrome (Max). Ironically, though committed to personal and intellectual growth, Max's body stagnates at toddler-size. As learning-disabled Kevin lifts Max to his shoulders, the two begin to adapt a similar worldview.
Paralleling the tale of King Arthur and his knights of the round table, the two boys fight local evildoers and overcome forces much larger than seems plausible for two young boys.