‘EAST AFRICA’ PRESENTATION AT SIERRA CLUB

The Crescenta Valley Sierra Club presents Fred Dong’s “East Africa” on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the La Crescenta Library.

Leading this African adventure is Fred Dong, world traveler, fresh from his recent safari to show two different parts of this exciting continent. The so-called “Big 5” are the animals of the Serengeti, Kenya and Tanzania regions. The Masai village will be visited and will teach visitors their ways. There will also be a brief slide show on traveling to Egypt and Jordan presented by Joan Thornton of Mayflower Tours.

The program begins following news of conservation and outings. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served. 

Please contact Wayne Fisher at (818) 353-4181 for further information. 

La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd.

MUSICAL KIDS, HAPPY PARENTS! SEMINAR

Metzler Violins is sponsoring the “Musical Kids, Happy Parents!” seminar on Friday, Jan. 11  from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., which will be presented by Robin Johnson of Music Made Easier. By the end of the seminar, parents with children taking music lessons will be able to defeat the discouragement that leads to quitting, create practicing that’s fun (or at least tolerable!) and become a musical mentor to their children. All adults are invited to attend.

For location information and to reserve a spot, contact Robin@MusicMadeEasier.com.

The seminar includes the latest brain research on music and child development, with specific strategies for engaging children. Musical education significantly enhances a child’s brain development, motor coordination and speech, and increases a child’s level of discipline, awareness, and character. Parental engagement and commitment to music instruction are essential. Robin Johnson has taught violin repertoire and music theory to children and adults since 1996.

FREE DANCE CLASS

Learn how to waltz and swing dance at a free class hosted by the Church of Scientology Mission of the Foothills on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. until noon. The two-hour class will be taught by Vanessa Garcia, who has been studying dance at Cal State University of Northridge for two years and has competed in five collegiate dance competitions, consistently earning top awards in various categories.

Anyone interested is encouraged to call the Foothills Mission at (818) 957-1500 and reserve their spot.

‘BIRDHOUSE’ RANCH HOMES

On Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m., Little Landers Historical Society hosts “William Mellenthin and his Birdhouse Ranch Homes” that were built in the early 1950s San Fernando Valley. Each home had a characteristic “birdhouse” cupola built into the roof. This was a time of the development of the San Fernando Valley as LA’s “new suburban paradise” and the program features rare photographs and documents illustrating the Valley’s early growth.

The speaker for this program is Chris Lukather, a Cal Arts graduate and author who follows his passions for art, design, California subculture and Los Angeles history. He is currently the editor and publisher of a quarterly literature journal and is a graphic designer. His book about William Mellenthin and his unique homes is available in the Bolton Hall Museum gift shop.

This event is free and open to the public and everyone is welcome.

Additional information is available from Little Landers Historical Society, (818) 352-3420 or BoltonHall.org or email llhs@boltonhall.org.

Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga

‘THE SONATA OF LOVE’ ON MUSIQUES ROSTER

The next presentation of Salon de Musiques is on Jan. 13 and is titled “Sergei Rachmaninoff, the Sonata of Love.” It is an exquisite program for voice, strings and piano that will celebrate three genius European masters: Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Paul Juon.

The program will be performed by Katarzyna Sadej, mezzo-soprano, Serena McKinney, violin, Michael Kaufman, cello, HyeJin Kim, piano and Francois Chouchan, on piano. An informal Q&A with the artists will follow the performance and a gourmet high tea buffet provided by Patina that includes French champagne will be served.

Tickets are $45 for students, and $85 general admission that includes high tea buffet and drinks. To reserve a ticket, visit LeSalondeMusiques.com or call (310) 498-0257.

The performance takes place at 4 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, fifth floor, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

NOON CONCERTS OPEN TO PUBLIC

Glendale Noon Concerts is a free-admission concert series that takes place every first and third Wednesday from 12:10 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. in the sanctuary of Glendale City Church.

The next concert is on Jan. 16 and features pianist Brendan White performing solo works by Liszt and Scriabin.

For more information, email glendalesda@gmail.com or call (818) 244-7241.

Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave. (at Isabel) in Glendale.

SEMINAR ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

A seminar is being held at Sunland Neighborhood Church on Thursday, Jan. 24 on the trafficking of children. Discussion will be on how predators on social media are seducing teens through live streaming, apps and online video game chat room. The president and CEO of Million Kids, Opal Singleton, will be the speaker for the seminar.

First responders and social workers are invited to the afternoon session (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) that focuses on understanding and identification by emergency responders and how technology is impacting crime and crime solving.

The evening session from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is open to the community; parents are encouraged to bring their middle school and high school aged children who are at least 13 years of age.

These are free to attend; refreshments will be served. To register, email amber@snchurch.com or call (818) 352-3186.

Sunland Neighborhood Church, 10632 Oro Vista Ave., Sunland

NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF THE S-T BRANCH LIBRARY

The Friends of the Sunland-Tujunga Library bookstore, located in the lobby of the library, has books that range in topics from travel, sports, and education to psychology and biographies. The store also has CDs, DVDs and records. Prices range from 10 cents to $3. Currently, children’s books and cookbooks are on sale for 10 cents (excluding special editions).  Please stop by between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, to see what’s available.

The Sunland-Tujunga Library is located at 7771 Foothill Blvd. in Tujunga.

FREE DANCE CLASSES AT SUNLAND REC CENTER

The community is invited to take part in free Tuesday night dance classes at Sunland Recreation Center. Dances include Zumba, hip-hop and swing. No prior knowledge or experience required.

Couples and families are encouraged to attend.

Classes are from 6:30 p.m. to
7:30 p.m.

Sunland Rec Center, 8651 Foothill Blvd., Sunland

TOPS OFFERS LOCAL MEETINGS

TOPS – Take Off Pounds Sensibly – is a self-accountability group meeting held every Monday at Center for Spiritual Living, 4845 Dunsmore Ave. (at Santa Carlotta) in La Crescenta. Weigh-in begins at 5:30 p.m. with a one-hour meeting starting at 6 p.m. For more information, please contact Lisa O. Mayo, (626) 484-0554.

A meeting is also held in Sunland every Thursday at New Hope Community Church, 10438 Oro Vista St. Weigh-in is at 6:30 p.m.; meeting at 7 p.m. For more information, please contact Virginia Timpson, (818) 645-4985.

First meeting is free and all visitors are welcome!

FREE DIABETES COMMUNITY EDUCATION CLASS

The Diabetes Care Center at Glendale Adventist Medical Center invites the community to a free diabetes community education class held every Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the hospital (Committee Room A).

Participants will learn more about living with diabetes – care and treatment, healthy eating strategies – the importance of blood glucose monitoring and AIC and tools for healthy life style to reduce the risk of complications.

For more information or to RSVP, call (818) 409-8100.

Glendale Adventist Medical Center (Committee Room A – Ground Floor), 1509 Wilson Terrace, Glendale

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUP AT Y

The Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA, in partnership with the La Leche League, is hosting a monthly lactation and infant development support group to help support new mothers. This monthly group meets on the third Friday of each month from noon-1 p.m.  This group is free and open to the community and will answer all breastfeeding-related questions that new mothers may have.

The Y is also offering a Mindful Parenting Course designed to help parents connect to their children and raise them to thrive. This course is adapted from the work of Dan Siegal, M.D and will focus on reducing daily stress while connecting with your child. The classes meet weekly on Tuesdays. The course is open to all and there is a fee to attend.

For more information, contact the Y at (818) 790-0123.

The Y is located at 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada.