Ingrid Bergman plays Dr. Constance Petersen, a psychiatrist at Green Manors mental hospital. When the new chief of staff, the mysterious Dr. Anthony Edwardes (Gregory Peck), turns out to be a paranoid amnesiac imposter, Constance joins him on the run determined to help him recover his true identity. Spellbound features a famous dream sequence by Salvador Dali. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. (1945, 111 mins.)
Excelsior Branch and all other San Francisco libraries will be closed for Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th and New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1st.
BookFlix is a fun, new reading program that you and your child can access from home! This online literacy resource pairs classic video storybooks with related nonfiction eBooks to build a love of reading and learning for children, pre-kindergarten - grade 3. Join Mary for a demonstration of BookFlix at Family Storytime on Saturday, December 13th.
Learn how easy and fun it is to cook healthy, nutritious and tasty meals. All materials provided. Ages 12-18. Call Marla for more information (415) 355-2868. This program will be held at the Boys and Girls Club, 163 London Street @ Excelsior St.
Successful single businesswoman Kate Holbrook has long put her career ahead of a personal life, but now at 37, she's determined to have a child. She hires a South Philly girl to become her unlikely surrogate. After meticulously preparing her home for the baby, Kate is thrown a curve ball when her Baby Mama shows up at the doorstep with no place to live.
The Puppet Art Theater presents The Boy Who Cried Wolf, an interatcive multimedia puppet show for the holidays. Ages 5 and younger. Space is limited, please call for group reservations. (415) 355-2868
Back by popular demand. Beginning in December 2008, group computer classes for seniors and adults will be offered on the first three Saturday afternoons each month. No computer experience is required but class size is limited. Please make reservations for any or all of these classes with the reference librarian, or call (415) 355-2868.
Salaam Bombay! is a gritty drama about a young street beggar in the slums of Bombay trying to raise enough money to return to his mother's house in the country. In the process he encounters every range of experience from humiliation to love. Directed by Mira Nair. In Hindi with English subtitles. (1988, 114 mins.)
To help library users prepare for the new USCIS naturalization interview, the San Francisco Public Library has created a set of online resources to assist our patrons with the October 2008 exam changes. These include:
Wanna get scrap-happy using only scraps of paper and glue? Join us for an afternoon of scrapbooking. Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring pics and scraps that inspire you. Workshop led by local teen. For ages 12-18. For more information, contact Marla at mbergman@sfpl.org or (415) 355-2832.
Please join us for a fun music and movement program by Sherrie Dobrott featuring puppets, songs and fingerplays for little ones. Ages 5 and younger. Space is limited, call (415) 355-2831 for reservations.
Volunteers trained by Al Gore will present a new Climate Change Slideshow based on the Academy Award winning film, An Inconvenient Truth, to increase public awareness of the climate crisis throughout the world. The slideshow will be offered in three languages at the Excelsior Branch.
In this supernatural thriller, a chain of people receive terrifying cell phone messages from their future selves telling them the date, time and details of their death. Beth Raymond is traumatized when two of her friends die after receiving the messages. She enlists the help of a detective to unravel the mystery of the ominous calls. (2008, 87 mins.) Ages 12-18.
Marlene Aron, artist, educator and poet, will share her passion for “The Life and Work of Vincent Van Gogh” at the Excelsior Branch Arts & Culture Salon. Ms. Aron has been researching Van Gogh for more than thirty years, and teaching and lecturing about him for the past eleven years. Her slides include rarely-seen childhood drawings and family photographs in addition to his paintings.
Liv Ullman stars as Anna, a woman whose artist husband, Johan, has disappeared leaving only his diary behind. She is left to reconstruct, in her mind, their shattered life. Directed by Ingmar Bergman. In Swedish with English subtitles. (1968, 87 mins.)
Make an altar (or mini shrine) from an Altoid tin in honor of the Day of the Dead. Or another theme of your choosing. Bring a few miniature items or pictures to use in this workshop. All other materials will be provided. Ages 12-18. For more information, or to register, call Marla at 355-2868.
The Excelsior Branch Arts & Culture Salon is pleased to present the Labor Heritage/Rockin' Solidarity Chorus in concert on Wednesday, October 22nd. This SF Bay Area Chorus is made up of workers from many unions, as well as students and independent folks who love to sing. The Chorus borrows from many musical traditions such as South African and Gospel; traditional and newly composed labor songs; songs in Yiddish, Latin, Spanish and Xshosha; and parodies of popular songs created in the Joe Hill tradition. Come sing along!
Celebrate Latino Hispanic Heritage Month with the mystical sounds of Oscar Reyholds. Oscar Reynolds, a composer, master flutist, and guitarist, will play the music of Bolivia and the Andes on panpipes and guitar. Ages 3 and older.
Can pre-Ks and kindergartners make books? Little wiggly kids just learning the alphabet? Absolutely! Cathy Miranker from SF Center for the Book will lead this workshop for kids, ages 3-6. This is a perfect activity for kids who have seen or plan on seeing the exihibition of works by pop-up artist Robert Sabuda at the Main Library.
This seminar is offered by Zephyr Real Estate agents, along with Guaranteed Homes, LLC. The program is free, though space is limited. For more information, call: 415-824-7200 x131, or visit: http://www.facingforeclosuresf.com/. Offered twice:
All San Francisco Public Library facilities, including the Excelsior Branch, will be closed for Columbus Day on Monday, October 13th. We will be open again Tuesday, October 14th, at 10:00 a.m.
Jumpstart's Read for the Record is a national campaign to raise awareness about the importance of early literacy readiness by creating the largest shared reading experience in history! Come to the Excelsior Branch for this storytime for children of all ages and listen to a reading of Corduroy, collect stickers, bookmarks and a certificate for your participation.
Do you need help with your homework? Students kindergarten-7th grade can drop in to the Excelsior Branch for one-on-one help. No registration needed. Homework Help is offered Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Se habla español. Chinese-English speaking tutors available Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The Flying Angels Chinese Dance Company of San Francisco specializes in dynamic “mini-shows” featuring traditional Chinese dances, such as the Ribbon Dance. With dancers aged 2 and up, the Flying Angels Company will be sure to please children of all ages.
The Excelsior Branch Arts & Culture Salon is pleased to host Tamim Ansary, in a reading and discussion of his memoir, West of Kabul, East of New York. This memoir, subtitled "An Afghan American Story," is the One City, One Book selection for San Francisco in 2008. In West of Kabul, we travel at Ansary’s side, as he gives us rare access to Afghan culture—from the time of “old Afghanistan,” through Soviet rule, and later the Taliban.
You can be a Homework Hero! Adults and teens can volunteer to help students, Kindergarten through 6th grade, with their homework. Earn Community Service hours. Homework Help will be available every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call 415-355-2868 and ask to speak with a children's librarian.
Thank you for visiting the Excelsior Branch Blog. There’s a lot going on at the Excelsior Branch and our blog lets you see what’s happening with a quick glance. Here you will find listings for all our regularly scheduled programs, including children’s story times, the chess club, computer classes, First Monday Movies and the Excelsior Branch Arts & Culture Salon.
All San Francisco Public Library facilities, including the Excelsior Branch, will be closed for Labor Day on September 1st. We will be open again Tuesday, September 2nd, at 10:00 a.m.
Vivian is a mysterious young woman living in Bucharest with her family who are members of a rapidly shrinking colony of werewolves. When Vivian learns that she must marry the colony's leader Gabriel, she rebels and takes off with a new man. Based on the book by Annette Curtis Klause.
A four part S.A.T. Intensive course will be offered at Excelsior Branch on Tuesdays in September. Registration is online only at SuccessLink Tutoring. The course offers hands-on experience with the S.A.T. test as well as strategies to help you improve your scores, including time management, the essay, vocabulary and grammar help, critical reading and math. Students must bring the pre-test to the first class, which you can download from http://successlinktutoring.com/SFPL.html or pick up at the Excelsior Branch. Space is limited.
The Excelsior Branch Arts & Culture Salon presents historian Richard Schwartz, author of Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley. He'll discuss the amazing stories and colorful characters connecting San Francisco and Berkeley in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Have you read the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer? Come join other Edward and Bella fans for talk, trivia and Vampiric and Werewolf food and drink! Enter the raffle to win a copy of Breaking Dawn! For ages 11-18. For more information, call Marla at 415-355-2868.
Lucee Rosemarie Fan, community liaison officer of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, will present a talk about general citizenship requirements, how to apply for U.S. citizenship and how to obtain more information and make U.S.C.I.S. appointments. (She will not be able to address questions about individual cases.)
Friends of the SFPL, the San Francisco Public Library and San Francisco Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman are pleased to present Poets 11, a citywide celebration of poetry. This annual event celebrates San Francisco’s rich literary community and thriving poetry scene. Residents of each of the City’s 11 districts submitted their works, with Hirschman selecting 3 poets from each district. On August 13th, District 11 poets will take the microphone at Excelsior Branch Library and share their works. Come support poets from the Excelsior District!
The San Francisco SPCA is bringing Rufus, a special canine ambassador, to Excelsior Branch for a Dog Safety Program. Parents, caregivers and children are all welcome to attend. Space is limited, call (415) 355-2868 for group reservations.
Did you know that a bat can eat up to 5,000 mosquitoes in one night? The Bat Lady will present a slideshow and a variety of live bats and dispel some common misconceptions about these remarkable and indispensible creatures. Ages 5 and older. Space is limited, call (415) 355-2868 for group reservations.
Sean Powers is a storyteller, musician and puppeteer. He tells stories from around the world using shadow puppets. Children of all ages invited. Space is limited, call (415) 355-2868 for group reservations.
Matt Springer from UCSF will give a talk and slideshow about precautions that can be taken at home and work to lessen the damage from an earthquake. His presentation includes photos of preparations in his own home and suggestions for simple and more complex measures we can take to be ready for the next temblor.
How many teens does it take to squeeze a book into a CD case? Come find out and home with your own "self-published" CD book. If you like to decorate, write, draw, or fold, this workshop is for you. Instructor is cj grossman of San Francisco Center for the Book. All materials provided. Ages 11-18. Call (415) 355-2868 for information or to register.
This flamenco film tells the story of an Andalusian love triangle. Carmelo (Antonio Gades) loves Candela (Cristina Hoyos) despite her arranged marriage to Jose, a notorious philanderer. After Jose is killed in a knife fight, Carmelo and Candela eventually marry. But Candela is haunted by the ghost of her dead husband, who returns each night to dance with her. Music by Manuel de Falla. Directed by Carlos Saura. In Spanish with English subtitles (100 mins.)
Come help us celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the Excelsior Branch renovation. Entertainment includes a live musical performance by Excelsior's own children's librarians - Marianne and Karla - and their friends. Magic Dan will astound with magic, illusions and more. And Luz Gaxiola of Circus Finelli will be a roving clown. Light refreshments will be provided. Excelsior was the first branch completed in the Branch Library Improvement Program. Happy Anniversary Excelsior!
Lizard Lady presents a wildlife experience that children love! Come see reptiles, some local, some from far away, many endangered. Ages 5 and older. Space is limited, call (415) 355-2868 for group reservations.
What do photos say about who we are? What don’t they say? Take some pics, learn more about yourself and make a photo album in this Polaroid workshop. Participants will look at the work of Daewood Bay, Nikki Lee and other artists who explore identity and stereotype in their photography and art. Instructor: Kira Sugarman from Rayko Photo Center. All materials provided. For ages 12-18. Workshop limited to 10 participants. To register, call (415) 355-2868.
A professional naturalist will introduce children to live rescued reptiles and amphibians like Buddy the Iguana and Ivan the Tortoise. Ages 5 and older. Space is limited, call (415) 355-2868 for group reservations.
Bonnie Lockhart performs wild animal songs from many cultures in this sing-along, move-along concert for preschool children and their families. Space is limited, call (415) 355-2868 for group reservations.
Come listen to stories in Chinese and English. Mei will read stories in Mandarin and English and sing songs in Cantonese. Bilingual storytimes will be held every Wednesday at 11 a.m. For ages 3-5.
Excelsior Branch's Summer Youth Chess Club meets on Saturdays. Kids ages 6-8 can play from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Ages 9+ from 2:30-3:30 p.m. The next meeting of the Chess Club is Saturday, June 28. The Chess Club will meet twice in July, on 7/12 and 7/19, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
