VHAA HOSTING JOE CIBERE

Verdugo Hills Art Association hosts guest artist Joe Cibere on Friday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at the La Cañada Community Center, 4469 Chevy Chase Drive (note the new location). This event is open to all.

Cibere will demonstrate his style of abstract realism with typical nature scenes: oceans, waves and floral. He will focus on integrating strong design balanced with illusion.

Cibere’s paintings have appeared in Watercolor Magazine and in the International Artists book “The Watercolor Sky and Cloud Techniques of 23 International Artists.” His work can also be found in many private and corporate collections.

For more information on Joe Cibere, visit his website www.joecibere.com. For information on the Verdugo Hills Art Association, visit www.verdugoarts.com.

HOLIDAY CERAMICS SALE

TO BE HELD ON CAMPUS

The Holiday Ceramics Sale, a semi-annual fundraising event for the Glendale Community College Ceramics Department, will be held Saturday, Dec. 4 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Student Center room 212.

A large selection of handmade functional and decorative items made by students in porcelain, stoneware, raku, earthenware and majolica will be available for purchase at reasonable prices.

Proceeds from the sale go toward equipment and supplies for the department and to fund guest lecturers and workshops for the GCC Ceramics Studio.

Additional information may be obtained by calling (818) 240-1000, ext. 3059. The college is located at 1500 N. Verdugo Road.

Parking is available in Lot A, entered from Mountain Street and in the parking structure.

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE HELD

AT ST. LUKE’S

St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church is hosting the second Annual Gift Boutique on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On sale will be hand crafted gift items from a dozen of crafts people from the community.  A portion of the proceeds is donated to St. Luke’s.

Bake sale profits will help fund the Fire House, the youth drop in center located on the St. Luke’s campus.

St. Luke’s of the Mountains, 2563 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta

DESCANSO TO HOST GIFTS

AND GREENS

Descanso Gardens is hosting Gifts and Greens on Dec. 4-5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Purchase beautiful botanical décor and greenery to decorate for the holidays, and handcrafted gift items made by Descanso’s talented volunteers. Two wreath-making classes, priced separately and for Descanso members only, will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Dec. 4. Register in advance at (818) 949-7980. Admission to the Gifts and Greens boutique is free with admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors/students, $3 children 5-12, and free to children 4 and younger.

For more information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.descansogardens.org.

Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge

CAROLERS AND CARDS AT Y

The Crescenta Valley High School choir will be caroling at the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA in correlation with the annual Christmas tree lot.  On Friday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m., the choir will be singing Christmas carols for all to hear at the tree lot, as well as throughout the YMCA facility.

On Saturdays Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA will be hosting two holiday card making classes in the multi-purpose room. The classes are free and open to the community.  An art instructor will provide materials and snacks for the class.

The Crescenta-Cañada YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada

HOLIDAY PARTY PLANNED BY VHBPW

On Friday, Dec. 10, the Verdugo Hills Business and Professional Women’s Club (VHBPW) is having its annual holiday party and silent auction.  Proceeds from the silent auction will be matched (up to $700 from VHBPW) and donated to Wellness Works of Glendale and the Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC).  In addition donations will be made to Family Promise and the Walter Hoving Home.  Members and guests are also requested to bring non-perishable holiday-themed food items (and staples like peanut butter) for Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

Guests are welcome to attend this holiday luncheon at Dominick’s Italian Restaurant, 2948 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The cost is $20 per person. RSVP by Monday, Dec. 6 to Anne Marie Johnson, (626) 577-0681, or amj@digitalsage.biz.

SONS OF NORWAY HOLDING DINNER

The community is invited to join the Sons of Norway for their Christmas Julebord Santa Lucia procession on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Fun for all ages, free, with potluck dinner to follow.  Sons of Norway Edvard Grieg Lodge #74 to be held in the meeting hall, Lutheran Church in the Foothills, 1700 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta.

DINING WITH SANTA

Brunch With Santa is available 9:30 and 11 a.m. on Dec. 11-12 at Descanso Gardens. Enjoy a visit with Santa and a gourmet breakfast from Patina Catering. Bring a camera: Santa will be available for photos as well. Children will decorate cookies and receive goodie bags. Two seatings both days. Cost: $50, $42 members; $19 children 4 to 12; children under 3 free. Reservations required: (818) 790-3663.

Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge

MODEST FLY TO HOST ATHENA MANTLE

Modest Fly Art Studio Gallery will be exhibiting Athena Mantle’s new works titled Desert Jewels through Dec. 20. The artist, who lives in the Tujunga area, is known for her oil paintings of agave and succulents.

The gallery is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. from Monday thru Thursday and is closed from Friday thru Sunday. Contact Eerren at (818) 331-780 for more information or visit the gallery website at www.modestflyartgallery.com for more show information.

Modest Fly Art Studio Gallery, 7576 Foothill Blvd. Tujunga

HIGH SCHOOL REUNION PLANNED

The Crescenta Valley High School class of 1981 is having its 30 year reunion place on July 16 at 6 p.m.  For more information visit www.cvhsalumni81.myevent.com.

EAGLE ROCK COMEDY FESTIVAL PLANNED

The First Annual Eagle Rock Comedy Festival takes place Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Eagle Rock. Over 150 comedians in 12 venues will be performing with a final Best of the Fest show on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. at the Ice House Comedy Club in Pasadena.

This celebration of comedy is free.

For more info including a complete list of performers and venues, call Bobbie Oliver at (323) 697-8287 or visit www.standupproductions.net or www.centerartseaglerock.org.

CVHS CHORAL ALUMS WANTED

Former members of choral groups at Crescenta Valley High School are invited to take part in the CVHS Alumni Chorale. The group, composed of CVHS choral alumni men and women, rehearse once a week on Wednesdays from 7:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m., at the Glendale First United Methodist Church. The group performs for local civic groups and retirement homes in Pasadena, Glendale, La Crescenta, Montrose and Duarte during the holiday season and again in the late spring/early summer. After the holiday season performances the group will resume rehearsals in the middle of January 2011.

Anyone interested in singing in the chorale can contact Shirley Nute at shirleyb2@earthlink.net.

THE FOREST LAWN MUSEUM PRESENTS “LIGHT & HOPE”

Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale presents “Light & Hope” stained glass window display marking the start of the holiday season. This display is of renowned stained glass art that truly symbolizes the season.

“Light & Hope” will depict the seven most significant events in the birth and the early life of Christ, including The Betrothal of Mary and Joseph, The Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth, No Room at the Inn, The Shepherds in the Stable, The Flight into Egypt, Jesus in the Temple, and Joseph, Mary and Jesus in the Carpenter’s Shop. Franz Mayer & Company of Munich, Germany created the windows that date back to 1913.

The display will continue through Feb. 7. Admission is free.

For more information, call (800) 204-3131 or visit www.forestlawn.com.

Forest Lawn Museum, Forest Lawn-Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale

NOON CONCERTS OPEN TO PUBLIC

Glendale Noon Concerts is a free admission concert series taking place every first and third Wednesday from 12:10-12:40 p.m. in the newly restored chapel and sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Glendale (downtown at Louise & Wilson, no religious affiliation).

On Wednesday, Dec. 15, a solo viola recital of works by Ligeti & Bach will be performed by Victor deAlmeida.

Now based in Los Angeles, deAlmeida has recently been the principal violist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Paavo Jarvi and the associate principal violist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Mario Venzago as well as a double prizewinner in the 2008 Primrose International Viola Competition.

The First Baptist Church of Glendale 209 N. Louise St. (at Wilson) in Glendale.

CANDLE LIGHTING MEMORIAL SERVICES SCHEDULED

Forest Lawn is again holding its annual Candle Lighting Memorial Services this holiday season. There will be a service in English and a separate service in Spanish. Each of the services will be held from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and will feature holiday songs, inspirational messages, and candle lighting in memory of a family member or friend.  Refreshments will be served following the services.  The services are open to all community members at no charge.  On Dec. 8, Forest Lawn-Glendale, Museum Plaza, 1712 Glendale Ave. will hold services; on Dec. 9 services will be held in Spanish. On Dec. 13, Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, Hall of Liberty Plaza, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive will hold services; on Dec. 14, services will be held in Spanish.

THE SNOW QUEEN COMING TO GCC

Hans Christian Andersen’s classic wintertime fairytale comes to life for the 13th annual production of the California Contemporary Ballet’s adaptation of “The Snow Queen.“

“The Snow Queen” ballet will be presented at Glendale Community College, Performing Arts Theatre, 1500 North Verdugo Blvd. with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 18 and matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 19. Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and $30 for adults and $25 for students at the door. For tickets or information, call Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 938-3006 or visit online www.ccballet.net or www.snowqueenballet.com.

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