BRAND LIBRARY HOSTING OPERA SPEAKER
On Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m., the Brand Library is hosting an opera talk titled Nani Sinha, my life in opera. Nani Sinha, who is an opera singer for L.A. Opera, will talk about her life being an opera singer and will provide some behind-the-scenes stories about what goes on at the opera house. She is a teaching artist, sings in L.A. Opera’s Education and Community Programs’ in-school operas and does research for James Conlon.  Admission is free.

For further information please contact Brand Library at (818) 548-2051.

Brand Library is located in northwestern Glendale at 1601 W. Mountain St.


PROGRAMS AT DESCANSO
Enjoy the garden inside and out this November when Descanso Gardens presents four programs sure to increase enjoyment of plants. Enjoy guided walks in the Gardens, learn new moves with your pruners and visit a local floral landmark.

Flower Mart Tour on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 a.m.: Take a morning jaunt to the L.A. Flower Mart with floral designer Ray Tucker. Learn the ins and outs of shopping this local landmark and get tips for decorating for the holidays. The cost is $25 nonmembers, $15 members. Advance registration required by Nov. 10. Meet at the L.A. Flower Mart.

Fruit Tree Pruning on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m.: Rachel Young, native plant horticulturist, demonstrates techniques to prune fruit trees for beauty and maximum bounty. The cost is $10 nonmembers, members free. Class fee includes admission to the Gardens. Space is limited; advance registration advised. In the Harvest Garden.

Fall Color Walk on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.: Enjoy the beauty of autumn at Descanso. Horticulturist Wayne Walker leads this walk-and-talk that showcases the best locations to view fall color. Free with Gardens admission. At the Center Circle.

Heritage Oak Walk on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m.: Experience the giants in the Descanso landscape, the Coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia). These trees, some centuries old, are the remainders of a forest that once blanketed the region. Descanso curator Wen Wang leads this informative walk. Free with Gardens admission. At the Center Circle.
Register for classes at the Visitor Center or by phoning (818) 949-7980. Admission to Descanso Gardens is $8 general, $6 seniors/students with I.D., $3 children 5 to 12; children 4 and younger free.

Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge


JANAM AT COFFEE GALLERY
Janam presents Janam at The Coffee Gallery Backstage on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Coffee Gallery Backstage. Janam creates lush, soulful Appalachian-tinged Balkan music uniting some of the SF Bay’s most inventive interpreters of these traditional styles. Cost is $15.  For more info, see http://janamband.com or call (510) 435-7844 or email janamband@gmail.com.

The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake in Altadena.


FOOTHILL FALL FESTIVAL COMING UP
The Foothill Fall Festival, an event promoted as “good old fashioned fun for everyone, “ will be held at 6470 Foothill Blvd. in Tujunga on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is no entrance fee and food, drink and game tickets will be for sale. Food provided by Foothills Famous BBQ by Smiley’s, plus desserts and drinks (bar open from 4 p.m. to close). Live entertainment all day and night with Clean Slate, a local classic rock band, from 4 p.m. to close.

Line dancing lesson, petting zoo, jumper, games, face painting, balloon artist, 50/50 raffle. All proceeds are tax-deductible benefiting Valley View Vaulters and Mekhitarist Fathers School.


52ND ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PROGRAM
AT FOREST LAWN
Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills presents its 52nd Annual Veterans Day Program featuring Captain Justin L. Babcock, company commander of the US Army Recruiting Company, as the keynote speaker. He will be joined by special guest speaker Tara McArthur-Milton, commanding officer of the Navy Recruiting District, San Diego. The program will include the reading of the presidential proclamation by L.A. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

The annual event will also feature an aerial performance by the Golden Stars Skydiving Team; performances by renowned recording artist Nick Palance; and patriotic musical arrangements by the Notre Dame Irish Knight High School Marching Band, under the direction of John Combes.

The free program is on Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills Forecourt of the Birth of Liberty Mosaic

Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Dr., Los Angeles


WALK OF LIFE 2011 AT GLENDALE MEMORIAL
The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry will be holding its sixth annual walkathon Walk of Life 2011 on Saturday, Nov. 13. The opening ceremony takes place at Glendale Memorial Hospital, 1420 S. Central Ave in Glendale at 8:30 a.m. with the walk starting at 9 a.m., finishing with a community festival from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Verdugo Park, 1621 Cañada Blvd in 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 restored chapel and sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Glendale (downtown at Louise & Wilson, no religious affiliation).

The next concert is on Nov. 16 and features violinist Ruth Bruegger & Friends who will perform Dvorak’s Dumky Trio.


FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT GHK,
ENDOWMENT FUND
Get a head start on holiday shopping, have fun, enjoy delicious food and wine while supporting two great community organizations.

Glendale Healthy Kids and The CV Chamber/Mary Pinola Educational Endowment Fund, which provides grants to local educational organizations, is hosting an evening of shopping and more at Collectors World Gift & Novelty Shop from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Special guest appearances by award winning wood carver Bill Churchill, artist Edward Goral and world renowned Hummel expert Mario Pancino. Special collector’s items available for silent auction and deep discounts on collectibles.

Collector’s World is donating a percentage of all sales.

Collectors World Gift & Novelty Shop, 2249 Honolulu Ave., Montrose


GEARING UP FOR PARADE
The 35th Annual Montrose Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 3. Those wishing to participate as a sponsor and be part of the parade publicity, become a parade participant, or get information on the parade should visit the parade website www.montrosechristmasparade.com for all parade entry forms and information.

You may also call (818) 259-5195 for information.


QUARTERBACK CLUB HOLDING MEETINGS
The Glendale YMCA Quarterback Club meets every Tuesday until Thanksgiving at the Glendale Elks Club at 11:30 a.m. There are guest speakers and coaches from local schools Glendale Community College, Glendale High, Hoover High, Crescenta Valley High, St. Francis High and Village Christian High Schools update the membership on their progress through the season.

Lunch is $16, membership is $50. Call (818) 240-0897 with questions.

Glendale Elks Club, 120 E. Colorado Blvd., Glendale


COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKSHOP
The public is invited to attend a free event at the La Crescenta Library on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to learn about foreclosures/short sales /loan modifications, notices of default /bankruptcies and more.

There will be a panel of experts in the fields of accounting, distressed property, law, mortgage lending, loss mitigation, etc. to answer questions. For more information, call Mark at (818) 470-1101.

La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta