CHILI COOK-OFF AND CLASSIC CAR SHOW
Lake Avenue Church will hold its third annual Chili Cook-off and Classic Car Show on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. in its west parking lot. Local car clubs will showcase classic and antique cars, and there will be chili, hamburgers, hot dogs, and a bounce house for children. All this will be accompanied by the classic rock sounds of The International Super Stars of Rock. Last year’s event drew 350 people.
Judging more than 20 chili entries will be an actual judge, Lance Ito, along with Robin Salzer, owner of Robin’s Woodfire BBQ and Grill, and Samson Francois, executive chef of the Pasadena University Club.

For more information, contact Rich Kasten at carnight@richkasten.com.

Lake Avenue Church, 393 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena


MONTHLY POETRY READING SERIES
The Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga’s upcoming Monthly Poetry Reading Series is slated for Sunday, Aug. 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the McGroarty Arts Center in Tujunga. Two featured poets are Jessica Wilson and Jason Brain.

Wilson is the hostess and founder of Writers’ Row: Downtown L.A.’s Official Written Art Showcase, SoapBox Poets Open Mic, Writer Wednesdays, and the NoHo Salon. She teaches for California Poets in the Schools as a poet-teacher

Brain has been descriped as a “Los Angeles poet/spoken word artist, Jason Brain, delivers 100% inspiration, introspection, and intrepidation with his first book of poetry, “Mix Tape Collection: Original Poetry,” from Poetry In Motion Publishing House. A compilation of four Mix Tape chapbooks, the collection is an expression of maturation, love, discontent, and the divine. Jason’s unique voice speaks with age-old wisdom while embodying a modern passion rivalling his contemporaries…”
Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, visit http://www.villagepoets.blogspot.com.

McGroarty Arts Center, 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga


PARENT ORIENTATION PLANNED
The Suzuki Music Program of Los Angeles will be holding a parent orientation on Monday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the studio of its co-director Melodie Zide. The Suzuki Method is renowned for helping children develop musically, especially from a young age. The Suzuki Method, child development issues, and the SMPLA program will be discussed in detail.

All adults are invited to attend. RSVP to info@SuzukiMusicofLA.org or visit www.SuzukiMusicofLA.org.

The studio of co-director Zide is located at 8802 Delco Ave., Winnetka.


GLA HOLDING MIXER
Glendale Latino Association will be holding its August mixer on Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at New Moon restaurant in Montrose. Admission is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Contributions benefit the GLA annual scholarship fund for GUSD and GCC students.

Join in an evening of networking and fun!

New Moon is located at 2138 Verdugo Blvd., Montrose.


ARMENIAN EXPERTS TO HOLD KICK-OFF
The newly formed Armenian Experts organization will be holding its kick-off networking event on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Glendale’s Karoun Restaurant. Appetizers and refreshments will be served.

The public is invited to a unique evening of professional networking and fun. A portion of the evening will be dedicated to speed networking and getting to know other business professionals. For more information, visit Armenian Experts Facebook page, Linked In group, or armenianexperts.eventbrite.com. Reservations requested and all are welcome!

Karoun Restaurant, 1240 N. Glendale Ave., Glendale


A RARE VISIT WITH CLEOPATRA VII
Cleopatra ruled the Land of the Nile for 21 years with her legendary allure, alliances, liaisons and political intrigue.

Descended from Alexander the Great, her friends and enemies were the ancient worlds’ most famous players – Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavian Augustus Caesar.
Hear how she entertained them on her golden barge with purple sails, charmed or defied them, and changed the fate of her beloved Alexandria and Egypt forever.

Please join the Leisure Club for this presentation at 1 p.m. on Sept. 6 in the Fellowship Hall at the Lutheran Church of the Foothills, 1700 Foothill Blvd.,
La Cañada/Flintridge.

No reservations are necessary and parking and refreshments are free.


KNOWLTON TO ADDRESS SIERRA CLUB
The Crescenta Valley Sierra Club presents Gary Knowlton’s, “Oak in the California Landscape,” on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the La Crescenta Library.

Knowlton will discuss the role of oak trees as a keystone species and its symbiotic relationships, and the oaks’ unique evolutionary durability to withstand the valley’s semi-desert chaparral climate. He will discuss management techniques to help the oaks develop into the grand tree they are capable of becoming. The care of mature oaks to protect them from early decline will also be included.

The program follows news of conservation and outings. Refreshments will be served. This is a free event and everyone is invited. Please contact Wayne Fisher at (818) 353-4181 for further information.

La Crescenta Library is located at 2809 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta. Please enter from La Crescenta Avenue for the meeting place and parking.


LITTLE LANDERS PRESENTS ‘SEW CRANKY’
On Sept. 14, the Little Landers Historical Society presents Sew Cranky at 1 p.m. in Bolton Hall.

Sew Cranks will bring history to life as they take us through the invention of the sewing machine in the early 1800s – from the artful mechanics to the influence on society. The domestic, political, and business impacts and significant changes this invention brought to America and Europe will be explored. A large selection of original, hand-cranked machines from the late 1800s through 1940 will be displayed. After the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to sew on one of these unique machines. Easy to operate, hand-cranked sewing machines are “green” as well.

This is a free presentation.

Bolton Hall is located at 10110 Commerce Ave. in Tujunga.


POP UP! CONCERTS COMING TO GLENDALE
Glendale Arts announces POP UP!, a free outdoor concert series in downtown Glendale. It will take place in the Glendale City Center Plaza (101 N. Brand Blvd.) from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday night in Sept. (5, 12, 19 and 26).

Each concert will highlight a different musical style such as jazz, indie, pop, blues, folk and classical. Pop Up! will also feature food from BJ’s Brew Pub, California Pizza Kitchen, Olive Garden and Islands, all of which are located in the Glendale City Center.

You can find more information on Pop Up! at  www.glendalearts.org or facebook.com/GlendaleArtsCA.


GREEK FEST COMING TO PASADENA
Southern California’s preeminent Greek Festival, the 55th Annual Pasadena Greek Fest, takes place on Friday-Sunday, Sept. 20-22, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.
Greek Fest hours are from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20; noon to 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21; and on Sunday, Sept. 22 from noon to 10 p.m. The event is priced at $5 for adults and children under 12 years are free. Parking is $4 per car at the main entrance of Holly and Huntington Drive at Santa Anita Park.
Highlights of the weekend festivities will include a free live concert Saturday night with Greek vocalist Diamantis Dionysiou. Throughout the weekend, there will be performances by The Olympians and other live performers. Planned are many exciting exhibits, including cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, lectures about Greek history and culture, as well as the very popular Olympic Taverna Sports Bar & Cigar Lounge, authentic homemade Greek cuisine and pastries, Greek folk dancing by several award winning youth groups and an expanded Kids’ Fun Zone with rock climbing, carnival games, rides and prizes.

The Pasadena Greek Fest is an annual event, hosted by Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena. The event brings together thousands of visitors from the Greater Los Angeles area to a weekend pageantry celebrating all things Greek. Proceeds benefit cultural, educational, and community outreach programs run by St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church.

For ticket information or to obtain additional information regarding the event, call (626) 600-1672 or visit www.pasadenagreekfest.org.

Santa Anita Racetrack is located at 285 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia.


DBSA OFFERS SUPPORT GROUP
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has a support group meeting every Tuesday at Vallejo Drive Adventist Church in Glendale every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. DBSA provides hope, help, and support through peer-based, recovery oriented empowering services, and resources when people need them and how they need to receive them.

For more information, call Wanda Sellers at (818) 352-4346, email dbsalosangelesne@yahoo.com or visit dbsalosangelesne.org.

Vallejo Drive Adventist Church, 300 Vallejo Dr., Room 106 in Glendale.


ATTENTION MUSIC LOVERS
Dr. Ted Stern, professor of Music at Glendale Community College, is conducting off-campus music appreciation classes for adults in the community. This ongoing series is for musicians and non-musicians alike. This semester will cover the topic “An In-Depth Look at Six Composers – Lully,Vivaldi, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Ravel, Khachaturian.”

Classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 10, and are held each Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. continuing through Dec. 10.

The cost for the 14-week series of classes is $100. Everyone is welcome!

For more information, call Dianne at (818) 445-6088.
Classes will be held at the Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church cultural hall at 2700 Montrose Ave., Montrose.


ALIVE AND RUNNING – 5K WALK/RUN FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION PLANNED
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services is holding its 15th annual Alive & Running 5K Walk/Run for Suicide Prevention on Sunday, Sept. 22. The run is kicking off at 8 a.m. in Westchester, just north of LAX, at West 88th Street and La Tijera Boulevard. More than 2,000 runners, walkers, spectators and volunteers from all over Southern California will join together at Alive & Running to raise awareness and funding for services.
Proceeds from Alive and Running will directly benefit Didi Hirsch’s Suicide Prevention Center that provides critical services to people who are contemplating suicide and those affected by the suicide of loved ones through a 24-hour English/Spanish crisis line.
Sign up to register and be part a team or donate to a friend’s fundraising campaign. Registration fee for the 5K is $30; after Sept. 18, the fee is $35 (a tax deductible donation). A free “Kiddie-K” (1K) will also be held following the start of the 5K.
For more information or to sign up, visit www.aliveandrunning.org or email AliveandRunning@DidiHirsch.org.


CHARITY FASHION SHOW
The non-profit Croatian American Women’s Club is hosting a fashion show charity event on Oct. 5 in San Pedro to benefit Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women & Children, a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc. The club was formed in 2011 to support worthwhile causes in Southern California while preserving the rich Croatian culture, traditions and values.

Tickets to the event (which include lunch) are $60 for adults and $30 for juniors (17 and under) and may be purchased directly from CAWC’s website www.croatianamericanwomensclub.org.


PASADENA HEART WALK COMING
The American Heart Association invites the community to the 2013 Pasadena Heart Walk at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 19. The annual 5K, sponsored nationally by Subway and Jenny Craig and locally by Union Bank and UCLA Health, aims to raise awareness and funds to fight heart disease and stroke while promoting healthy habits, such as walking, as a regular part of life. In addition to Pasadena, there will be Heart Walks in Antelope Valley, Pomona, Downtown L.A., Santa Clarita, Santa Monica and Long Beach. The overall goal in Greater Los Angeles is to raise $1.75 million.

There is no fee to participate. Walkers are eligible to receive a free Heart & Stroke Walk T-shirt when they raise $100 or more.

Visit www.GLACountyHeartWalk.org, email alisha.castro@heart.org or call (213) 291-7094 for more information.

Pasadena Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena


VAN BLOEM SINGERS HOLDING AUDITIONS
Auditions are being held for the Van Bloem Singers, a volunteer singing group that has completed its 21st season having performed more than 800 shows. The group is looking for those interested in performing Broadway and contemporary music.

Being able to “sight read” is not necessary, but some performing experience is preferred. Men and women who are able to perform between noon and 3 p.m. on weekdays and on an occasional evening, Saturday or Sunday can apply. Rehearsals are Monday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Chapel of the Burbank Salvation  Army.

The Van Bloem Singers perform more than 30 shows each year for service clubs, volunteer organizations, retiree and church groups, senior residences and  health care facilities, however, singers need not make every performance.

If interested, call Elaine Paonessa, musical director, at (818) 845-6851.

Burbank Salvation Army, 300 E. Angeleno St. (corner of Angeleno and 3rd Street) in Burbank.


TOPS OFFERS LOCAL MEETINGS
T.O.P.S. – Take Off Pounds Sensibly – is a self-accountability group meeting held every Monday. Weigh in is from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

An hour meeting follows in the education building of Center for Spiritual Living, 4845 Dunsmore (at Santa Carlotta). For more information, call and leave a message for T.O.P.S. at (818) 957-8442.

A meeting is also held in Sunland on Thursdays. Weigh-in is at 6:30 p.m.; meeting at 7 p.m. at New Hope Community Church, 10438 Oro Vista St., Sunland. Contact Jeanie Druebert at (818) 353-5015.


GLENDALE ONE TOASTMASTERS
Glendale One Toastmasters meets from 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays at Shakers Restaurant in Glendale. Toastmasters is a non-profit organization developing public speaking and leadership skills through practice and feedback in local clubs since 1924.
For more information, call (818) 314-4964.
Shakers Restaurant, 801 N. Central, Glendale
 
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 infant lactation and 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.