OSMOND NAMED GRAND MARSHAL OF HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE
Marie Osmond, television/film star and Grammy Award nominated recording artist will reign as the grand marshal of the historic 80th anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade benefiting Marine Toys for Tots and presented by The City of Los Angeles and Associated Television International. The parade takes place on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m.  Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie will serve as broadcast hosts of the parade and Dean Cain will serve as host of the music portion of the nationally televised special of the parade airing on the Hallmark Channel on Monday, Dec. 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time/Pacific Standard Time) and 5 p.m. (Central Time). The parade is scheduled to air on additional days and times throughout the holiday season on the Hallmark Channel, the Hallmark Movie Channel and in syndication across the country.  This year’s parade will include celebrities from film, television and stage; award winning bands; colorful equestrians; ornate floats, balloons and specialty characters.


VHAA HOSTING VAN WINKLE
The Verdugo Hill Art Assn. is hosting Christopher Van Winkle at the next VHAA meeting. Van Winkle is a California artist with roots in Canada. He is an award-winning artist in both the National Watercolor Society and Watercolor West. Van Winkle has served as president of NWS for three years and was selected as one of the “top 20” art instructors by Watercolor Magazine.

The meeting is being held at the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge on Friday, Dec. 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The cost is $5 for guests.

Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, 4469 Chevy Chase Drive


CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY
A Christmas choral concert is being performed by the Towne Singers, a 92-member chorus from local communities

The concert is being held on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. at Pasadena First United Methodist Church. Tickets prices are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Children under age 11 are $8.

Pasadena First United Methodist Church, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena


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.


GLEN ED/SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES MEETING
Glendale Education/Social Justice Advocates will meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Pacific Park Library, 501 S. Pacific Ave. to discuss issues affecting our schools.

For more information, contact gesja_email@yahoo.com or (818) 248 4967.


HANDCRAFTED ITEMS, FOOD TRUCKS AT BOUTIQUE
Prom Plus is holding an expansive holiday boutique in lieu of its home tour on Saturday, Dec. 10. Held at St. Luke’s of the Mountains, the boutique will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, and will include an opportunity drawing, baked goods from Berolina Bakery, food trucks and one of a kind original arts & crafts, to enhance any holiday decorating or to give as gifts.

There is no admittance fee.

For more information, contact Evelyn McCall at (818) 631-1124.

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


CANDLELIGHT TOURS AT DOCTORS HOUSE
The Glendale Historical Society (TGHS) will present its annual candlelight tours of the historic Victorian-era Doctors House Museum on Saturday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 17. The self-guided tours will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each evening. The museum, located in Brand Park, will be illuminated by lamps and candlelight in the 1800s holiday tradition. Costumed volunteers will serve refreshments and the Pasadena Conservatory of Music will perform live music.

No reservations are required for the Candlelight Tours, but a $5 donation is requested to support the maintenance of the Doctors House Museum. Admission is free for members of The Glendale Historical Society.

The tours will be offered regardless of weather conditions, but some outdoor activities may be curtailed in the event of rain.

Authentic Victorian-era lamps for the event are being provided by Craig Lightheizer.

For more information, visit www.glendalehistorical.org or call (818) 242-7447.

Doctors House in Brand Park, 1601 West Mountain St. in Glendale


IT’S A WONDERFUL BRAND
The Associates of Brand Library and Art Center will present “It’s A Wonderful Brand,” a reception, art sale and facility tour at Glendale’s Brand Library and Art Center on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 2 to 6 p.m.

“It’s A Wonderful Brand” will feature a sale of paintings, prints, graphics, posters, books, periodicals, CDs, vinyl records, and original art from the collection of the Associates. Included in the sale will be works from renowned Glendale printmaker Robert Brown. All proceeds from the sale will go to support the renovation of the Brand Library and Art Center. Guests will also have an opportunity to tour the historic Brand Mansion, “El Miradero”, which now houses the Brand Library. Beverages and light refreshments will be served.

The Brand Library and Art Center is set to close for a major renovation in the first quarter of 2012.

A donation of $10 per person is requested. Members of The Associates of Brand Library and Art Center, The Glendale Historical Society, and The Friends of the Glendale Public Library will be granted complimentary admission.

The Brand Library and Art Center is located at 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale


BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Descanso Gardens is hosting Breakfast With Santa at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday Dec. 10 and Dec. 11. Enjoy a visit with Santa and a gourmet breakfast from Patina Catering. Bring a camera: Santa will be available for photos, and children will be invited to decorate holiday cookies. Cost is $45 for members, $53 nonmembers, $19 children 4 to 12; 3 and younger free. Reservations are required. www.patinagroup.com/descanso.

Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge.


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


AAUW PASADENA HOSTS SONGS OF THE SEASON
On Saturday, Dec. 10, AAUW Pasadena presents a program of seasonal songs by The Washington Middle School Glee Club including a Hanukkah song, a Kwanzaa song in Swahili and winter songs.

The Washington Middle School Glee Club is an advanced performance ensemble of up to 60 members which has performed at the Tournament of Roses Coronation at the Wrigley Mansion, at the Rose Bowl Super Bowl Half Time, at Sea World, for 20 years at Disneyland, and at many other events.  Cynthia Abbott has been its director for over 20 years.

The Glee Club’s performance will precede an early lunch.

Also, available for purchase will be decorative dolls from a collection gathered during travels to many countries throughout the world.

The events takes place at the Women’s City Club beginning at 9:45 a.m. Tickets are $20. Make checks out to AAUW Pasadena Branch and mail to P.O. Box 94309, Pasadena, CA 91109-4309 by Dec. 1.

For information, call (626) 797-1059.

Women’s City Club, 160 N. Oakland Avenue, Pasadena