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 Jan. 4 when violinist Jacqueline Suzuki will perform a French program of works by Messiaen and Faure with pianist Frank Basile.

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF DR. KING
Forest Lawn is hosting the 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. at the Hall of Liberty facility.

Serving as the program’s emcee will be Stephanie Elam, co-anchor of NBC4’s weekend 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, accompanied by a choir of more than 60 voices, and noted dancer Carmen Chavez will perform symphonic musical and dance tribute to Dr. King. Also present will be Reverend Dr. Cedric Bridgeforth, Los Angeles district superintendent of the United Methodist Church, who will perform the program’s invocation and benediction.

Complimentary souvenirs for all attendees. This is a free event.

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

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

CV SIERRA CLUB PRESENTS MICHAEL BECK
The Crescenta Valley Sierra Club presents Michael Beck’s South by Southwest on Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Los Angeles County Public Library. (Please enter the meeting room and parking from La Crescenta Avenue.)

Beck will show his latest in a series of fast-paced photogenic slides that celebrate America’s less-visited, beautiful national and state parks. This presentation sweeps through an arc from Arkansas to Arizona to include Arkansas’ lush Ozark-like Quachita Mountains, the brilliance of colorful Arizona’s Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and the Texas hill country’s exceptional wildflower blooms of spring 2010.  Stops at the Bandolier National Monument and Pueblo ruins, the craggy Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Preserve and a brush stroke of the Painted Desert will complete the tour.

The program begins following news of conservation and outings. Refreshments will be served and the community is welcome.  This event is free.  Contact Wayne Fisher, program chair at (818) 353-4181 for further information.

Los Angeles County Public Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta

LITTLE LANDERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO PRESENT NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE
The next meeting of the Little Landers Historical Society takes place on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. at Bolton Hall. On the agenda is Dr. Chester King who will examine the origins of the early Native Americans who occupied the Tujunga area.

The historic village of Tujunga has been designated as being a Gabrielino or Tongva settlement in most sources. Study of the mission registers of San Fernando and San Gabriel Missions and other historic documents indicate that settlements along the base of the San Gabriel Mountains were of the Serrano nation. Tujunga was the western most of these settlements. Tujunga was unique in not having ties to the important Serrano settlement of Japchibit.

King has studied archeology since his high school days in the 1960s. He has a master’s from UCLA and a Ph.D. in anthropology from UC Davis. He has researched the early baptismal records at several of the missions and discovered many interesting facts about the various tribes. He will discuss differences between the Tongva and Serrano nations and present evidence for Tujunga being a Serrano settlement.

This program is free and open to the public.  Everyone is welcome. Additional information is available from Regina Clark at the Little Landers Historical Society, (818) 352-3420 or littlelanders@verizon.net.

Parking is available a few doors uphill at the Elks Lodge.

Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave. in Tujunga

CPR CLASSES AT VERDUGO HILLS HOSPITAL
Verdugo Hills Hospital (VHH) offers CPR training classes to community members and healthcare providers. VHH also offers Heartsaver – Automated External Defibrillator (AED) classes. These classes provide instruction for CPR skills, including adult/child one-person rescue, adult/child choking maneuvers and adult/child AED. Both Healthcare Provider new and renewal classes are also offered, as well as Infant CPR and CPR Instructor training.

Upcoming Heartsaver CPR classes will be held on Jan. 16 and Feb. 16 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Infant CPR classes are offered twice a month and cover from birth to one year of age. Classes are held on a Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and on a Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 pm. The fee is $30 per person.

For more information about VHH’s CPR courses or to register for a class, please call (818) 952-2272, or visit www.vhhospital.org.

GLEN MEM OFFERING WALK-A-DILE WALKING PROGRAM
Glendale Memorial 50-plus walking club meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the information table on the first floor of the Eagle Rock Plaza.

Participants can walk in a safe environment free from the smog, heat, rain and cold!

For information, call (818) 502-2396.

Eagle Rock Plaza, 2700 Colorado Blvd., #230, Los Angeles

OCCASION TO CELEBRATE ANNOUNCES 2012 BENEFIT CHARITIES
In honor of April’s National Autism Awareness Month, Occasion To Celebrate selected two non-profit equestrian organizations to benefit from their 2nd Annual Occasion To Celebrate charity golf tournament wine and beer tasting to be held Monday, April 9 at Mountain Gate Country Club. Proceeds from this event will directly support Los Angeles Equestrian Vaulting Club and Special Spirit, Inc., a PATH certified therapeutic riding center, in their continuing missions.

Occasion To Celebrate owner Teresa Woolson stated, “Our vision for this event is to build awareness and support for the work that Los Angeles Equestrian Vaulting Club and Special Spirit, Inc. are doing in the community. I am impressed to see how well two unique organizations can work together, especially in such a meaningful way as helping individuals with autism and other disabilities through certified equine assisted therapy and the international sport of equestrian vaulting.”

This day of charity golf will include a shotgun start, scramble format, golf contests, wine and beer tasting courtesy of sponsors One Hope Wines and Fireman’s Brew, raffle prizes, silent auction and awards dinner reception.

The public is encouraged to visit the event website for additional information, sponsorship opportunities and to make golf and dinner reservations at www.otccharityevents.org or call volunteer tournament director Teresa Woolson at (818) 590-3319.

DOCENTS, VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR AUTRY, DESCANSO, HOSPICE
Companion Hospice is recruiting volunteers for its upcoming training program. Volunteers are needed in the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley to relieve tired caregivers for short periods of time or to help with errands and shopping. Assignments will in the volunteer’s geographical area.

Applicants will receive 16 hours of orientation and training. Training programs will be held on four Saturdays in Pasadena from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call Cecelia Rudar, volunteer coordinator, at (877) 303-0692 or email ceceliar@companionhospice.com.

Descanso Gardens is seeking volunteers to share their time and talent. Volunteers enjoy a rich and meaningful experience at Descanso while helping the Gardens flourish. No experience is necessary to volunteer.

There are openings in many programs, including visitor services, education, Boddy House ambassador and membership table.

For further information, contact Volunteer Programs Manager Tali Arnold at (818) 949-7978 or tarnold@descansogardens.org.

Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge