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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250906T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250906T160000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250814T222626Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T222626Z
UID:10014333-1757170800-1757174400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Jenny Andrus reads from & signs Elsa’s Chessboard - Includes Art Activity
DESCRIPTION:Elsa carries her chessboard everywhere\, always ready for a game. When World War II forces her from Europe\, can chess help make America home? \nGrowing up in 1900s Vienna\, Elsa’s brothers are always playing chess. “No girls!” they tell her when she first asks to learn; but she wears them down\, and soon she’s such a pro that they give her a special chess set of her own. \nElsa plays chess whenever she can. When she grows up\, she even meets her husband over games in the park. But when World War II grips Europe\, the young Jewish family flees to America\, where they find themselves surrounded by unfamiliar languages. \nLuckily\, Elsa knows one language that can always bring people together: chess! \nMillions of Americans are falling in love with chess\, and young people are no exception.  Based on the life of author Jenny Andrus’s grandmother\, Elsa’s Chessboard is a gripping tale of resilience\, human connection\, and the boundless potential of women in male-dominated fields.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-jenny-andrus-reads-from-signs-elsas-chessboard-includes-art-activity/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Free,In-Person,Kids,Vroman's Bookstore
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250906T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250906T123000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250814T222218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T222218Z
UID:10014332-1757158200-1757161800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Pasadena Conservatory of Music presents Musical Storytime: Barnyard Dance! (Boynton on Board) by Sandra Boynton
DESCRIPTION:The Pasadena Conservatory of Music will be putting on a special musical storytime with featured book: Barnyard Dance! (Boynton on Board) by Sandra Boynton. Caregivers and children aged 3-9 will enjoy story\, craft activities\, creative movement and a mini-concert!
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-pasadena-conservatory-of-music-presents-musical-storytime-barnyard-dance-boynton-on-board-by-sandra-boynton/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,In-Person,Kids,Vroman's Bookstore
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250903T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250903T193000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250814T221952Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T221952Z
UID:10014331-1756924200-1756927800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Keala Kendall\, in conversation with Dana Ledoux Miller\, discusses & signs How Far I'll Go: A Twisted Tale
DESCRIPTION:After a devastating battle with Te Kā\, Moana’s worst fears are realized: the heart of Te Fiti is in ruins\, Maui is frozen in volcanic rock\, and darkness threatens to envelop her beloved home. Desperate to fix things\, Moana stumbles upon an island already crumbling under the blight. All life is gone\, save one sole survivor–a young woman named Noe. \nMoana is relieved to find another wayfarer\, even if this stranger is more than a little intimidating. Better still\, Noe has an idea how to fix the heart: using the tears of Te Fiti\, gems infused with the goddess’s essence. The catch? The tears are said to be scattered throughout the realm of monsters. \nBanded together\, Moana and Noe set a course for an impossible mission to find the powerful lost tears. Will Moana be able to restore the heart amid secrets and monsters? Or will the blight overtake everything Moana holds dear? \nKeala will be joined in conversation with Moana 2 co-director & writer Dana Ledoux Miller\nDana is a Samoan American writer\, producer\, director\, and showrunner\, known for her work on various television series and Moana 2. She co-founded the Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK)\, a non-profit dedicated to uplifting Pacific Islander voices in entertainment.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-keala-kendall-in-conversation-with-dana-ledoux-miller-discusses-signs-how-far-ill-go-a-twisted-tale/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250902T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250902T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250814T221544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T221544Z
UID:10014330-1756839600-1756843200@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Dax Dasilva & Eric Hendrikx\, discuss & sign Echoes from Eden: A Daring Voyage to Protect Earth's Last Wild Places
DESCRIPTION:“Echoes from Eden recounts Dax Dasilva’s journey supporting conservation efforts in the places that need it most. This book is a testament to the power of direct action\, a blueprint for environmental conservation\, and\, as well\, a deeply personal exploration of spirituality and Earth stewardship.” \n— Jane Goodall\, PhD\, DBE \nAll proceeds from this book will be donated to the Jane Goodall Legacy Fund \nFrom the frontline protests of Clayoquot Sound to the helm of a global tech empire\, Dax Dasilva’s path has always straddled two worlds–innovation and conservation. Echoes from Eden is not just the story of a man who walked away from business as usual; it is a call to arms for the wild. \nAs the world reeled from the pandemic and conservation efforts collapsed\, rangers were sent home\, funding dried up\, and poachers and loggers swept in like vultures. Instead of retreating\, Dasilva launched the Age of Union Alliance\, committing $40 million to safeguard the planet’s last wild places. What followed was a journey into the heart of the Earth’s most endangered landscapes–tracking Grauer’s gorillas in the Congo with Dr. Kerry Bowman\, navigating Amazonian rivers with Paul Rosolie and Junglekeepers\, braving militia-held territories in Haiti to protect community forests\, and sailing with Sea Shepherd to shut down illegal fishing operations in the Bay of Biscay. \nAlong the way\, he met those who risk everything to defend the land: Dr. Jane Goodall and Juma Xipaya in the Amazon\, Suzan Baptiste protecting the leatherback turtles of Trinidad\, Dr. Russell Mittermeier conserving the endangered lemurs of Madagascar\, and the fearless eco-warriors fighting in Indonesia\, Canada\, and beyond. \nBut Echoes from Eden is more than an expedition log–it is a reckoning. Told with an urgency sharpened by experience\, it asks us to see the world as it is: beautiful\, brutal\, and slipping through our fingers. This isn’t a plea for awareness–it’s a battle cry. \nThe time to act isn’t tomorrow. It’s now.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-dax-dasilva-eric-hendrikx-discuss-sign-echoes-from-eden-a-daring-voyage-to-protect-earths-last-wild-places/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Vroman's Bookstore
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T230947Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T230947Z
UID:10013925-1756407600-1756411200@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Joanne Yi\, in conversation with Yi Shun Lai\, discusses & signs All The Tomorrows After
DESCRIPTION:A captivating\, heartrending novel about a Korean American teen navigating grief and first love who agrees to accept money from her estranged father in exchange for letting him get to know her–for fans of Nina LaCour\, Kathleen Glasgow\, and All My Rage. \nEach night\, Winter Moon counts her earnings dreaming of escape. Once she’s saved enough\, she and her grandmother can finally take flight and disappear. But when her spiteful mother steals her money and blows through it all in one day\, Winter is forced to turn to her estranged father\, who recently reappeared in her life after being absent for more than a decade. They agree upon a simple contract: she spends time with him in exchange for payment. \nIt’s not easy reconciling the past and the present\, though\, and when she’s struck with a sudden loss\, Winter flounders in grief and rage. The only person offering a hand is Joon\, the new boy at school who sees Winter when no one else does. \nWhen Winter discovers a secret her father has been keeping from her\, things get even more complicated. As she navigates grief\, first love\, and forgiveness\, Winter begins to forge connections\, new and old\, that make her question everything: her future\, her conviction to disappear\, and what it really means to be family. Winter knows that broken things can never be fixed\, but can they come back together in a different way?
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-joanne-yi-in-conversation-with-yi-shun-lai-discusses-signs-all-the-tomorrows-after/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Archetype Yoga
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250827T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250827T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T204042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T204042Z
UID:10013924-1756321200-1756324800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Fiction Reading Group
DESCRIPTION:The Vroman’s Fiction Reading Group meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 7pm. \nThis event is free and open to the public. \nAugust’s pick is When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut. \nFiction Reading Group meetings are held inside Vroman’s Bookstore on the second floor in the event space.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-fiction-reading-group-6/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250826T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250826T190000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T203831Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T203831Z
UID:10013923-1756231200-1756234800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Tess Holliday & Kelly Coon discuss & sign Take Up Space\, Y'All: Your Bold & Bright Guide to Self-Love
DESCRIPTION:Make your own rules and treat your body well in this uplifting\, inspirational\, and fact-filled guide to navigating social media\, taking care of yourself\, and loving your body by top plus-size model Tess Holliday and award-winning author Kelly Coon. \nTake Up Space\, Y’all gives teen readers a joyful\, can’t-put-this-down reading experience with advice and colorful anecdotes from body positivity activist\, top plus-size model\, and inclusivity consultant\, Tess Holliday. Tess Holliday has been on a mission to shift society’s mindset on what is beautiful\, what is healthy\, and what matters most of our life and living authentically. Now she and co-author\, Kelly Coon\, are combating the immense pressures society places on teens–from grades to social status to looks–and acknowledging these can have a negative impact on one’s physical and mental health. Let Tess\, Kelly\, and various professionals guide you to taking up all the space you need by: \n\nmaking good eating choices for your body\nchoosing fashion that defines you\nsteering clear of social media trolls\nseeking help from trusted adults in hard situations\nand more!\n\nThrough fun quizzes\, bit-sized stories from Tess’s life\, writing prompts\, and digestible sidebars\, this guide is sure to empower you to unleash self-love and to conquer societal pressures while having fun at the same time. \nBIOS: \nTess Holliday is one of the world’s most famous plus-size models and the first of her size ever to be signed to a major agency. She has been a pioneer of the body positivity movement since 2010\, broke boundaries with her Cosmo UK cover\, and was the first-ever digital cover star for Self. She is one of the top six plus-size models globally by Vogue Italia. She has created and sold her own clothing lines\, speaks at panels around the world\, consults for H&M on inclusivity and diversity\, and has hosted a podcast. \nKelly Coon is an educator with more than twenty years’ writing experience. She was executive editor for Blue Ocean Brain\, a high school English teacher\, and is a published fiction and nonfiction author for teens and adults. She’s written articles for The Washington Post\, Scary Mommy\, ThoughtCo\, and more.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-tess-holliday-kelly-coon-discuss-sign-take-up-space-yall-your-bold-bright-guide-to-self-love/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250825T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250825T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T203509Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T203509Z
UID:10013922-1756148400-1756152000@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Winnie M. Li\, discusses & signs What We Left Unsaid
DESCRIPTION:A purchase of the book from Vroman’s is greatly appreciated and makes events like this possible. \nFrom Winnie M. Li\, author of the “dazzling and devastating” (Chris Whitaker\, New York Times bestselling author) thriller Complicit\, comes WHAT WE LEFT UNSAID\, an emotive and eye-opening novel that explores family\, race\, growing up\, and what it means to be American. \nThe Chu siblings haven’t seen each other in years. Thirty years ago\, a strange incident had aborted a family road trip to the Grand Canyon. No one’s ever really spoken about it\, and over the years\, Bonnie\, Kevin\, and Alex lost touch. \nWhen they are told that their ailing mother is scheduled for an operation\, they agree to come visit her. But their mother makes an odd request: before seeing her\, they must go on a road trip together to the Grand Canyon. \nTogether\, the siblings travel along Route 66 – but as the trip continues\, they realize the Great American Road Trip may not be what they expected. Facing their own prejudices and those of others\, the Chu siblings learn to bridge the distance between them\, the present day\, and their past childhood experience. \nWith “powerful and beautiful writing” (Sarah Pearse\, New York Times bestselling author)\, Winnie M Li shares her most accessible story yet. Regardless of race\, gender\, or family circumstances\, every reader will be able to relate to something in the Chu family story.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-winnie-m-li-discusses-signs-what-we-left-unsaid/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250824T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250824T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T203117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T203117Z
UID:10013921-1756051200-1756054800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Local Author Day Introducing Jonathan Grimm
DESCRIPTION:Jonathan Grimm presents The Future Poor: How families and communities can join together to survive the looming retirement crisis\nThe Future Poor reveals how millions of Americans under 50 earning less than $150\,000 are heading toward poverty in retirement. Author and licensed financial advisor Jonathan Grimm exposes the broken retirement system and offers hope through community cooperation\, financial literacy\, and reimagined social pillars. An urgent wake-up call with practical solutions for surviving the looming retirement crisis.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-local-author-day-introducing-jonathan-grimm/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250824T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250824T120000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T202738Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T202738Z
UID:10013920-1756033200-1756036800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Local Author Day - Young Readers Edition - Introducing Shvona Chung and Sarah McLean
DESCRIPTION:Shvona Chung presents Hop Around\nJoin the hoppers as they go on a journey around the world. We will learn about customs\, culture\, and the arts together! Hop on the magic\, uni-carriage\, and explore! \nSarah McLean presents Leah Is A Dragonfly Now: A true story of grief and everlasting friendship\nBased on the award-winning animated short film\, this poignant\, touching\, and uplifting picture book about grief reminds us that loved ones never truly leave our side\, and that they can even take shape as tiny\, little dragonflies. \nWhen Celine’s best friend dies\, she decides to wear a dragonfly bracelet to keep her close. After Celine and her family escape a car accident unharmed\, she realizes she has lost the dragonfly bracelet. Rattled by the scary and unexpected series of events\, Celine determines they must have a guardian angel watching over them. \nDragonflies symbolize transformation from a physical presence to a spiritual one. All too often we lose loved ones only to wonder where they’ve gone and if we’ll ever see them again. In this true story of life\, death\, and everlasting friendship\, Leah Is A Dragonfly Now helps readers cope with the loneliness\, sadness\, and anxiety we may feel after someone we love leaves us. Leah\, now a dragonfly\, reminds her best friend that she will always be by her side\, even if she doesn’t see her\, and will always be looking out for her. \n“Hi\, friend. I’m here with you and always will be.” \nA heartwarming gift for older children and adults who have suffered loss and want to stay connected to their loved ones.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-local-author-day-young-readers-edition-introducing-shvona-chung-and-sarah-mclean/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250823T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250823T160000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T201027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T201027Z
UID:10013919-1755961200-1755964800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Kimberly Tso reads from & signs Tic Tac Toe Chicken
DESCRIPTION:“I loved reading this story inspired by the real Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken of Chinatown! Kids will be encouraged to seek clever solutions for the problems they see being ignored.”\n–Grace Lin\, award-winning author of A Big Mooncake for Little Star and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon \n“An imaginative retelling of a true story\, Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken is something to squawk about!”\n–Elana K. Arnold\, author of the National Book Award finalist What Girls Are Made Of and the A Boy Called Bat series \nNew York City is not a great place for a chicken to live. It’s crowded and loud and busy. But you can find the city’s most famous chicken\, Lillie\, a.k.a. the Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken\, in Chinatown. \nWhen tourists ask\, “Where’s the Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken?” locals point them to a video-game arcade on Mott Street\, where Lillie plays games of tic-tac-toe against anyone who wants to play against her. \nBut eight-year-old Beatrice worries that the dark arcade is just not a good place for Lillie to live. She devises a clever plan: She will challenge the arcade’s Big Boss in a game of tic-tac-toe. Will Beatrice win Lillie’s freedom? \nTic-Tac-Toe Chicken is a picture book inspired by the true story of Lillie\, a real chicken trained to play tic-tac-toe in New York’s Chinatown Fair arcade\, and her relocation to a farm for rescued animals. Featuring vibrant paintings of Chinatown by the award-winning illustrator Louie Chin (Bodega Cat\, Fighting to Belong! Vols. I and II)\, Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken showcases a local cultural touchstone and shows how children can stand up for what they believe in and solve tough problems with ingenuity and heart.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-kimberly-tso-reads-from-signs-tic-tac-toe-chicken/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250821T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250821T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T200522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T200522Z
UID:10013918-1755802800-1755806400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Stephen Vittoria\, in conversation with Sonali Kolhatkar\, discusses & signs Christina and the Whitefish
DESCRIPTION:The debut novel from award-winning filmmaker and author\, Stephen Vittoria. This is a book for the moment-a heart wrenching tale about overcoming your demons and finding your people. Vittoria doesn’t flinch in the face of painful subject matter. At its heart\, Christina and the Whitefish is an antiwar\, anti-empire narrative\, one that underscores love and empathy. \nABOUT THE AUTHOR \nStephen Vittoria is an award-winning filmmaker and author. His last two feature documentaries—Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary and One Bright Shining Moment: The Forgotten Summer of George McGovern—have been embraced by moviegoers and audiences worldwide. Vittoria was also a producer on two feature documentaries by Academy Award winner Alex Gibney: Gonzo: The Life & Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson and Magic Trip: Ken Kesey’s Search for a Kool Place.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-stephen-vittoria-in-conversation-with-sonali-kolhatkar-discusses-signs-christina-and-the-whitefish/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250819T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250819T190000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T200113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T200113Z
UID:10013917-1755626400-1755630000@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Mariko Tamaki and Nicole Goux discuss & sign This Place Kills Me
DESCRIPTION:A compelling\, propulsive YA graphic novel mystery from acclaimed Eisner Award-winning author of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me\, Mariko Tamaki\, and Eisner-nominated illustrator Nicole Goux \nMultiple starred reviews! “Certain to leave readers breathlessly enthralled.” ( Kirkus starred review) \nAt Wilberton Academy\, few students are more revered than the members of the elite Wilberton Theatrical Society–a.k.a. the WTS–and no one represents that exclusive club better than Elizabeth Woodward. Breathtakingly beautiful\, beloved by all\, and a talented thespian\, it’s no surprise she’s starring as Juliet in the WTS’s performance of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. But when she’s found dead the morning after opening night\, the whole school is thrown into chaos. \nTransfer student Abby Kita was one of the last people to see Elizabeth alive\, and when local authorities deem the it-girl’s death a suicide\, Abby’s not convinced. She’s sure there’s more to Wilburton and the WTS than meets the eye. As she gets tangled in prep school intrigues\, Abby quickly realizes that Elizabeth was keeping secrets. Was one of those secrets worth killing for? \nTold in comics\, letters\, diary entries\, and news articles\, This Place Kills Me is a page-turning whodunnit from award-winning writer Mariko Tamaki and acclaimed illustrator Nicole Goux that will have readers on the edge of their seats and begging for an encore.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-mariko-tamaki-and-nicole-goux-discuss-sign-this-place-kills-me/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250814T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250814T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T195638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T195638Z
UID:10013916-1755198000-1755201600@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Oliver Wang\, discusses & signs Cruising J-Town: Japanese American Car Culture in Los Angeles
DESCRIPTION:Cruising J-Town: Japanese American Car Culture in Los Angeles explores how generations of Japanese Americans in Southern California shaped\, and were shaped by\, local automobile cultures and industries: from desert lakebeds to concrete speedways\, gas stations to design centers\, souped-up import tuners to humble gardening trucks. Along the way\, cars and trucks became literal and figurative vehicles for Japanese American self-expression\, social mobility\, community identity\, and much more. Cruising J-Town is driven to explore how these diverse relationships between people and the world of cars have steered the Nikkei community’s American stories across the generations. \n  \nAbout the author\nOliver Wang is a professor of sociology at California State University\, Long Beach\, and the curator of Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community\, produced by the Japanese American National Museum\, and hosted at the Peter and Merle Mullin Gallery at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena in 2025. Oliver previously wrote Legions of Boom: Filipino American Mobile Disc Jockey Crews of the San Francisco Bay Area (Duke University Press\, 2015) and has written about Asian American music\, film\, food\, sports\, and other arts/culture topics since the 1990s. He lives with his wife\, Sharon Mizota\, in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles. \nAbout the conversation partner\nNaomi Hirahara is an multi-award-winning author and journalist who was born and raised in Pasadena\, California. She was a reporter and editor of The Rafu Shimpo during the culmination of the redress and reparations movement for Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from their homes during World War II. She is the author and/or editor of several books including: Green Makers: Japanese American Gardeners in Southern California (2000)\, A Taste for Strawberries: The Independent Journey of Nisei Farmer Manabi Hirasaki (2003)\, A Scent of Flowers: The History of the Southern California Flower Market (2004)\, among many others. She is also a celebrated author of many mysteries and short stories. She lives in Pasadena.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-oliver-wang-discusses-signs-cruising-j-town-japanese-american-car-culture-in-los-angeles/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250812T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250812T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T195353Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T195353Z
UID:10013915-1755025200-1755028800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore:  Chris Butera discusses & signs The Darkest Deep
DESCRIPTION:A scavenger trapped in a defunct undersea train tunnel struggles to escape as his air supply–and his sanity–dwindles in this debut psychological thriller. \nThe Transatlantic Train Tunnel\, connecting New York and London\, was meant to be the next Wonder of the World. But after the disastrous maiden voyage seven years ago\, it’s generated nothing but protests\, lawsuits\, and bankruptcy. The only traffic the tunnel sees these days is scrappers harvesting its useless remains before it’s fully dismantled. \nNot everyone is willing to take a tedious job one hundred and fifty feet below sea level\, but Ben Breckenridge doesn’t have a choice. He needs the money\, and the work will help quiet his anxieties. That is\, until one of the bulkhead doors mysteriously locks\, trapping him inside. \nWith limited air supply\, Ben must race deeper into the tunnel to find a way out. Yet the farther he goes\, the more his mind disintegrates. To survive\, he’ll have to reckon with the monsters in his head. Only then will he be able to face the actual monster that’s now hunting him down . . .
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-chris-butera-discusses-signs-the-darkest-deep/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Event,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/chris-butera-600x600-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250810T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250810T140000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T185251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T185251Z
UID:10013914-1754830800-1754834400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vromans Bookstore:  Ellen Phinney reads from & signs A Dog and His Boy: The Switch
DESCRIPTION:Meet Scout\, a golden retriever puppy who is scouting for his new family. \nMeet Jax\, an eleven-year-old boy who misses his best friend. \nOne day a mishap occurs\, and Scout and Jax accidentally switch places. What does a dog do in a boy’s body? How does a boy face life as a dog? Scout and Jax must navigate life at home and school and figure out how to switch back. The two become inseparable\, trying one failed attempt after another. When Jax’s parents send him to the animal shelter\, his life is at stake. With so much to lose after being separated\, Jax and Scout’s bond of friendship and family is tested. Will Jax be able to get through to his parents\, and will Scout be able to rescue Jax before it’s too late?
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-ellen-phinney-reads-from-signs-a-dog-and-his-boy-the-switch/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250809T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250809T120000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T180007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T180007Z
UID:10013913-1754737200-1754740800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Linda Liu reads from & signs Falling Star
DESCRIPTION:From the creator of Hidden Gem and Sour Apple comes a new out-of-this-world picture book about a star who loses their shine from the pressures of overachieving. \nBeing the star that people wish on is demanding work! And when the burden of performing becomes too much to bear\, even celestial bodies take a hit. \nAs a star falls from its sky-high position\, its self-esteem takes a real nosedive. But a lift from an unlikely source gives this star a new purpose\, along with the courage to glow again.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-linda-liu-reads-from-signs-falling-star/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Community Event,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/linda-liu-600x600-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250808T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250808T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250805T175753Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T175753Z
UID:10013912-1754679600-1754683200@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Dennis McNally\, discusses & signs The Last Great Dream: How Bohemians Became Hippies and Created the Sixties
DESCRIPTION:From the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Strange Trip and the publicist of the Grateful Dead\, a riveting social history of everything that led up to the 1960s counterculture movement. \nFew cities represent the countercultural movement of the 1960s more than San Francisco. By that decade\, the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood was home to self-branded “freaks” (dubbed “hippies” by the media) who created the world’s first psychedelic neighborhood–an alchemical chamber for social transformation. They rejected a large part of the traditional American identity\, passing over American exceptionalism\, consumerism\, misogyny\, and militarism in favor of creativity\, mind-body connection\, peace\, and love of all things. \nThe Last Great Dream is a history of everything that led to the 1960s counterculture\, when long-simmering resistance to American mainstream values birthed the hippie. It begins with the San Francisco Poetry Renaissance\, peaks with the Human Be-in in Golden Gate Park\, and ends with the Monterey Pop Festival that introduced Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin to the world. It tells of several micro-histories\, including beat poetry\, visual arts\, underground publishing\, electronic/contemporary compositional music\, experimental theater\, psychedelics\, and more. \nFascinating and definitive\, The Last Great Dream is the ultimate guide to a generation-defining countercultural movement–an Underground 101 course for newcomers and aficionados alike.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-dennis-mcnally-discusses-signs-the-last-great-dream-how-bohemians-became-hippies-and-created-the-sixties/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Community Event,Free,In-Person
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/unsolicited-press-600x600-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250807T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250807T120000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250623T213137Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250623T213137Z
UID:10013883-1754564400-1754568000@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Summer Reading Program - End of Summer Party!
DESCRIPTION:Vroman’s Bookstore invites young readers and their families to the final Summer Reading event of the season\, taking place in the event space at 11:00 AM. Guests can enjoy arts\, crafts\, and other fun activities. From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM\, participants can visit the Kid’s Info Desk to collect their prizes\, including free books and other rewards. \nThose unable to attend the End of Summer Party can still pick up their prizes between August 7 and August 24.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-summer-reading-program-end-of-summer-party/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Community Event,Free,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/vromans-summer-reading-program-2025-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250726T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250726T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T213507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T213507Z
UID:10013903-1753524000-1753549200@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Summer Sale July 26-August 3
DESCRIPTION:Vroman’s Summer Sale starts on Saturday\, July 26th\, through August 3! The sale is located upstairs in the Vroman’s Event Space \nAll sales are final. May not be combined with other discounts.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-summer-sale-july-26-august-3/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/summer-sale-2025.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250724T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250724T193000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T213159Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T213159Z
UID:10013902-1753380000-1753385400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Summer Reading Program - Crochet Workshop with Maya!
DESCRIPTION:Join us on Thursdays from July 10th-July 31st from 6-7:30pm for a four part crochet workshop\, just for teenagers! Vroman’s very own resident crocheter\, Maya\, will be available to teach beginner crochet crafts. Or: bring your own projects and get to know other crafters! We will have yarn and hooks available for attendees. Open to ages 13-18. \nRSVP at rsvp@vromansbookstore.com.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-summer-reading-program-crochet-workshop-with-maya-3/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Free,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/vromans-summer-reading-program-2025-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250724T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250724T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T212955Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T212955Z
UID:10013901-1753372800-1753376400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Summer Reading Program - Creative Craft Workshop with Joel Stern!
DESCRIPTION:Join origami artist and author Joel Stern for a creative craft workshop on Thursday\, July 24th from 4-5pm! Watch as pop-up creations and origami creatures come to life through the magic of paper folding. \nJoel is the author of the recently published Into the Deep Blue Sea: An Ocean Pop-Up\, as well as many other papercraft books and art kits. His art has been featured in movies\, commercials\, and on television. Visit his website here.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-summer-reading-program-creative-craft-workshop-with-joel-stern/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Free,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/vromans-summer-reading-program-2025-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250722T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250722T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T212154Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T212154Z
UID:10013899-1753210800-1753214400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Michael C. Higgins discusses & sings Exploring Wine Regions - Mexico: Discovering Mexico’s Quality Wines and Phenomenal Cuisine
DESCRIPTION:Exploring Mexico’s Quality Wines and Phenomenal Cuisine: Exploring Wine Regions – Mexico is the fourth book in the award-winning series\, now exploring the wine Regions. Does Mexico make wine? Yes. Any good? Very good. While Mexico is famous for producing Tequila\, this book opens our eyes to high-quality Mexican wines. And the phenomenal cuisine and extraordinary tourism. This book takes you on a journey to discover these amazing wines\, combining wine education\, an insider travel guide\, and spectacular photography. Higgins again dazzles his audience with another informative and beautiful book. \nTourism in Mexico is outstanding; we all know it. And the Mexican wine regions are no exception. Wine regions are always very beautiful places. Here\, the mountains and valleys are ever so enchanting. The wineries are engaging\, have lots of tourism activities available\, and are especially inviting and friendly with their warm Mexican hospitality. Both connoisseurs and novices turn to this book series for insider information and inspiration. It is a must-have book for expanding your knowledge of Mexico and its wines. With 340 full-color pages and over 600 photographic images\, this fourth edition explores Mexico’s regions of Valle de Guadalupe (including Ensenada)\, Guanajuato (including San Miguel de Allende)\, and Queretaro (with its rich history). \nWith breathtaking photography and personal commentary\, readers are mesmerized by the world of wine\, food\, and travel. Extensive resources are provided for wine lovers who want to know where to go\, what to look for\, and how to discover their favorite wines.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-michael-c-higgins-discusses-sings-exploring-wine-regions-mexico-discovering-mexicos-quality-wines-and-phenomenal-cuisine/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Free,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/michael-c-higgins-600x600-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250721T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250721T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T210917Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T210917Z
UID:10013898-1753124400-1753128000@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Bruce Holsinger\, in conversation with Sara Sligar\, discusses & signs Culpability
DESCRIPTION: OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK – “I was riveted until the very last shocking sentence “–Oprah Winfrey \nFrom the bestselling author of the “wise and addictive” (New York Times) The Gifted School comes a riveting family drama about moral responsibility in the age of artificial intelligence. \nWhen the Cassidy-Shaws’ autonomous minivan collides with an oncoming car\, killing an elderly couple\, seventeen-year-old Charlie is in the driver’s seat\, with his father\, Noah\, riding shotgun. In the back seat\, tweens Alice and Izzy are on their phones\, while their mother\, Lorelei\, a world leader in the field of artificial intelligence\, is absorbed in her work. Yet each family member harbors a secret\, implicating them each in the tragic accident. \nDuring a weeklong recuperation on the Chesapeake Bay\, the family confronts the excruciating moral dilemmas triggered by the crash. Noah tries to hold the family together as a seemingly routine police investigation jeopardizes Charlie’s future. Alice and Izzy turn strangely furtive. And Lorelei’s odd behavior tugs at Noah’s suspicions that there is a darker truth behind the incident–suspicions heightened by the sudden intrusion of Daniel Monet\, a tech mogul whose mysterious history with Lorelei hints at betrayal. When Charlie falls for Monet’s teenaged daughter\, the stakes are raised even higher in this propulsive family drama that is also a fascinating exploration of the moral responsibility and ethical consequences of AI. \nCulpability explores a world newly shaped by chatbots\, autonomous cars\, drones\, and other nonhuman forces in ways that are thrilling\, challenging\, and unimaginably provocative.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-bruce-holsinger-in-conversation-with-sara-sligar-discusses-signs-culpability/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Free,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/bruce-holsinger-600x600-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250720T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250720T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T210506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T210506Z
UID:10013897-1753027200-1753030800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Local Author Day Introducing Carlos Vasquez\, S.L. Cook\, and Scott Coon
DESCRIPTION:This work is an exploration of masculinity penned by an author who unearthed the essence of true manhood under harrowing circumstances in prison serving a 20-year sentence. Vasquez’s work reveals how the rules he learned for survival and integrity behind bars are equally vital for men in the free world. \nS.L. Cook presents A Snow Leopard Names Midas\nAfter his girlfriend is kidnapped\, brutalized\, and left drugged in a filthy hotel\, Midas McNight is forced to return to a persona he buried years before: A ruthless and lethal black bag operator known to a chosen few as The Snow Leopard. \nBut that was a long time ago\, and Midas is not the same man. This wary and aging soldier now has no choice but to face a small army of former associates who want to eliminate him and everyone he cherishes. \n“A Snow Leopard Named Midas” goes to the heart of the anxiety and unease now pervasive throughout not only the United States but beyond its borders as well. Told through flawed survivors committed to a war against apathy and fear\, as well as enemies which\, due to sheer numbers and organization\, can never truly be overcome. \nThose trying to make incremental improvements in a world where wrong people inevitably win. \nScott Coon presents Godless Armageddon\nThom dies in World War II and enters a godless afterlife where souls are clouds upon a golden ocean around the Earth. \nHe blames himself for ending his family name. He doesn’t know why he never married because he’s buried it too deep: Thom is gay. \nTo help him\, Thom’s dad reaches out from inside a soul well-a monster made of captured souls. But all Thom sees is his father apologizing for something while dying in World War I. Determined to rescue his father\, Thom teaches himself how to fight the soul wells with weaponized memories. \nOthers want Thom to stop the soul wells before they unleash Earth’s Armageddon and consume all souls\, living and dead. But Thom just wants to atone for ending his family name.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-local-author-day-introducing-carlos-vasquez-s-l-cook-and-scott-coon/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Free,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/local-authors-600-x-600.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250720T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250720T120000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T210057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T210226Z
UID:10013896-1753009200-1753012800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Local Author Day - Young Readers Edition - Introducing Kyriacos Vidalakis and Norah Lally
DESCRIPTION:My journey through faith was profoundly shaped by my father\, whose colorful and varied career brought unique experiences into my life. From cooking in France\, working at Universal Studios\, developing real estate\, to creating an Italian restaurant\, my father’s career took us around the world\, exposing me to adventures like tasting Szechuan rabbit heads and fried scorpions in China and exploring a decommissioned nuclear missile silo in Moscow. However\, his most impactful gift was sending my brother and me to the Missouri Military Academy (MMA) in Mexico\, Missouri\, the summer I was twelve. This was no ordinary summer camp. At MMA\, I faced rigorous military training: crawling under barbed wire\, rappelling down 50-foot walls\, and enduring homesickness that felt almost unbearable. It was in these moments of struggle that I found a deeper understanding of God’s presence in my life. \nThroughout my life\, it hasn’t been the amazing moments that have taught me God’s glory\, but rather the harsh and arduous obstacles I’ve encountered. I believe struggle is the key to developing both as a person and growing spiritually. MMA represented the greatest challenge of my young life\, and through this trial\, I grew tremendously—both spiritually and in understanding myself as a young man. In Murky Waters\, I recount my transformative experience at MMA\, where I navigated the emotional and physical demands of military life. Through the friendships I forged and the moments of deep reflection\, I discovered that faith\, resilience\, and God’s love can help overcome even the greatest obstacles. My story explores how the toughest trials can bring about the greatest growth\, revealing the power of spirituality in times of struggle. \n  \nNorah Lally presents Back to Bainbridge\n2024 CIBA Gertrude Warner Book Awards Grand Prize Winner for Middle Grade Fiction \nAmazon #1 New Release in Teen & Young Adult Fiction about Being a Teen \nA “moving\, empathetic must-read about growing up and discovering what matters.” -BookLife by Publishers \nWeekly Editor’s Pick” An] accomplished work that packs a big emotional punch…” -Readers’ Favorite” \n…emotively captures the struggles of a young teen as she tries to find a place that feels like home…” –IndieReader\, IR Approved \nWelcome to Bainbridge Avenue\, where fourteen-year-old Vicki’s life takes a bumpy turn. She’s got a lot on her plate-sharing a cramped room with her siblings\, worrying about her mom who can’t catch a break\, and dreaming about a dad who’s nowhere to be found. \nBut things start to change when Vicki meets Rosa from Apartment 1A\, who introduces her to the building’s basement\, a hidden world full of forgotten stories and secrets waiting to be uncovered. \nAs Vicki sets out beyond her neighborhood\, searching for her place in the world\, she wonders if the imperfect family and friends she has on Bainbridge Avenue might just be the treasures she’s been looking for all along. Join her on a journey of hope\, heartache\, and unexpected discoveries in Back to Bainbridge.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-vromans-local-author-day-young-readers-edition-introducing-kyriacos-vidalakis-and-norah-lally/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Free,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/local-authors-young-readers-600-x-600_0.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250719T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250719T140000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T205702Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T205702Z
UID:10013895-1752930000-1752933600@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Chiquis reads from & signs The Girl Who Sings to Bees/La Niña Que Les Canta a Las Abejas
DESCRIPTION:New York Times-bestselling author and Latin Grammy Award-winner CHIQUIS shares a heartwarming story inspired by her journey about overcoming bullying and self-doubt and finding strength in a mother’s everlasting love. \nJanney and her mom always sang together to help the flowers in Abuelita’s garden grow. But now her mom is gone\, and Janney’s song is stuck\, somewhere deep inside. Bullies at school don’t help. \nEvery day\, Janney watches one particular bee in Abuelita’s garden. Working harder than the others–focused and unafraid–the tiny bee doesn’t give up. Janney begins to feel inspired by the hardworking bee as the seasons change\, until one afternoon\, a melody escapes her lips\, and Janney’s song once again fills the air in the garden. \nAnd when the music begins\, her mom’s songs sing through her heart\, giving Janney the strength to overcome her fears and sing loudly and proudly to the bees . . . and beyond. \nDe la autora bestseller de The New York Times y ganadora del Latin Grammy\, CHIQUIS. \nUna tierna historia inspirada en su infancia y cómo pudo superar problemas de bullying y de baja autoestima\, guiada por el amor eterno e incondicional de su madre. \nThis is a ticketed event that will take place at Pasadena Presbyterian Church\, located at 585 E. Colorado Blvd\, Pasadena\, CA 91101 (just two blocks from Vroman’s).\nThis is a ticketed event with four ticket options. All books will be handed out at check-in.\n– General Admission + 1 book in English – includes one event entry and one copy of The Girl Who Sings to Bees\n– General Admission + 1 book in Spanish – includes one event entry and one copy of La Niña Que Les Canta a Las Abejas\n– 2 General Admissions + 1 book in English – includes two event entries and one copy of The Girl Who Sings to Bees\n– 2 General Admissions + 1 book in Spanish – includes one event entries and one copy of La Niña Que Les Canta a Las Abejas
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-chiquis-reads-from-signs-the-girl-who-sings-to-bees-la-nina-que-les-canta-a-las-abejas/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Free,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/chiquis-600x600-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250718T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250718T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T205330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T205330Z
UID:10013894-1752865200-1752868800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vromans Bookstore: Steven Borzachillo discusses & signs Brochet: 30 Easy Patterns for Crochet Weaponry and Ami-Gore-Rumi
DESCRIPTION:Assemble your skeins and polish your hooks: The crochet war has begun. From the creator behind viral crochet sensation Brochet\, Steven Borzachillo presents an all-inclusive guide to plush weapons\, armor\, and ami-GORE-rumi. Perfect for beginner crocheters\, crafters who need a laugh\, con attendees who need an epic prop\, and everyone in between\, grab a hook and get ready to craft 30 bold projects including: \n– Sure-U-Can Ninja Star \n– Yarn-ssassin’s Dagger \n– Wizard’s Staff \n– Medieval Flail \n– Alien Blaster \n– Feeling Wiley TNT \n– Guillo-ton of Fun \n– Brainy Bro \nBecause really\, who doesn’t need a giant crocheted cannon to face off with a fuzzy foe? Or a cute\, cuddly pile of said foe’s entrails? (Side note: Crochet guts make great winter scarves!) \nWith accessible instructions and patterns\, anyone can craft their very own plush armory. But fair warning! Be careful who you test these on\, or you might just find yourself running away from a red yarn-covered crime scene screaming\, “It works!”
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-steven-borzachillo-discusses-signs-brochet-30-easy-patterns-for-crochet-weaponry-and-ami-gore-rumi/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Vroman's Bookstore,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/steven-borzachillo-600x600-1.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250717T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250717T200000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T204807Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T205030Z
UID:10013893-1752778800-1752782400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore: Meg Waite Clayton discusses and signs Typewriter Beach
DESCRIPTION:Set in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hollywood\, Typewriter Beach is an unforgettable story of the unlikely friendship between an Oscar-nominated screenwriter and a young actress hoping to be Alfred Hitchcock’s new star. \n1957. Isabella Giori is ten months into a standard seven-year studio contract when she auditions with Hitchcock. Just weeks later\, she is sequestered by the studio’s “fixer” in a tiny Carmel cottage\, waiting and dreading. \nMeanwhile\, next door\, Léon Chazan is annoyed as hell when Iz interrupts his work on yet another screenplay he won’t be able to sell\, because he’s been blacklisted. Soon\, they’re together in his roadster\, speeding down the fog-shrouded Big Sur coast. \n2018. Twenty-six-year-old screenwriter Gemma Chazan\, in Carmel to sell her grandfather’s cottage\, finds a hidden safe full of secrets–raising questions about who the screenwriter known simply as Chazan really was\, and whether she can live up to his name. \nIn graceful prose and with an intimate understanding of human nature\, Meg Waite Clayton captures the joys and frustrations of being a writer\, being a woman\, being a star\, and being in love. Typewriter Beach is the story of two women separated by generations–a tale of ideas and ideals\, passion and persistence\, creativity\, politics\, and family. \n  \nMeg Waite Clayton is the New York Times bestselling author of eight previous novels\, including the Good Morning America Buzz Pick and New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice The Postmistress of Paris\, The Last Train to London\, and The Wednesday Sisters. Her books have been published in twenty-four languages\, and have been finalists for the Bellwether Prize (now the PEN Bellwether)\, the National Jewish Book Award\, and the Langum Prize. She also writes for major newspapers and magazines\, mentors in the OpEd Project\, and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle and the California bar. She lives in California and Connecticut.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-meg-waite-clayton-discusses-and-signs-typewriter-beach/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Community Event,Free,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/meg-waite-clayton-600x600-1.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250717T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250717T193000
DTSTAMP:20260405T084736
CREATED:20250714T204532Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T204532Z
UID:10013892-1752775200-1752780600@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Summer Reading Program - Crochet Workshop with Maya!
DESCRIPTION:Vroman’s Bookstore invites teens ages 13–18 to a four-part crochet workshop series\, happening Thursdays from July 10–31\, 6:00–7:30pm\, in the Children’s Department. Resident crocheter Maya will guide beginners through fun and easy crochet crafts. Experienced crafters are welcome to bring their own projects and connect with fellow makers. Yarn and hooks will be provided. \nTo reserve a spot\, email rsvp@vromansbookstore.com.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-summer-reading-program-crochet-workshop-with-maya-2/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Community Event,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/vromans-summer-reading-program-2025-1.png
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END:VCALENDAR