VALENTINE’S DAY OPPORTUNITY
Glendale Healthy Kids is hosting a Valentine’s Day (Friday, Feb. 14) fundraising event at Pirch in the Glendale Galleria.

Bring friends, family or that special date and support a great cause while enjoying the opportunity to mingle, drink champagne, eat delicious food and listen to wonderful music! GHK is also celebrating its 20th anniversary, so the event will be a night of celebration.

Tickets are $75/person or $130/couple that includes appetizers and wine at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m. and raffle drawing at 8 p.m. RSVP with Glendale Healthy Kids at (818) 548-7931. Free valet parking.

Pirch is located at 101 S. Brand Blvd. in Glendale.

AAUW MEETING
The campaign to interest schoolgirls in science, technology, engineering and math will be described at the AAUW Pasadena general meeting on Saturday, Feb. 15 by Kristen Simon, manager of the drive led by the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.

She will explain how the campaign can inspire schoolgirls  to pursue careers in such fields as robotics, rocketry, video-game design and the NASA/JPL Earth Science Program.

Cost per person is $20. For reservations, call Gloria Reynolds (before 9 p.m.) at (626) 798-3896.The luncheon meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Women’s City Club, 160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena.

BEACHCOMBER KATE’S UKULELE JAM AT THE ELBOW ROOM
All are invited on Saturday, Feb.15 at The Elbow Room from noon to 2 p.m. for an informal ukulele jam on the patio. We will be playing love songs in celebration of Valentine’s Day weekend!

Bring your ukulele, or if you don’t yet have one, come and learn all about this fun, easy instrument. Singers and spectators are always welcome and much appreciated.

The Elbow Room (formerly Java Brew) is located at 2418 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose and has lunchtime fare as well as fabulous coffee drinks.

Playing will be done on the partially shaded patio, so dress accordingly.

This event is free to the public, all ages, no reservations required.

BOOK LAUNCH AT FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE & COFFEEHOUSE
On Sunday, Feb.16, at 2 p.m., Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse hosts a book launch for children’s author Sara Louise Kras. Her latest chapter book (for ages 6 to10), “The Hunted – Polar Prey,” releases this month and tells the tale of a young boy who must save his mother. She is alone and floating on an iceberg in the Arctic and is being pursued by a hungry and determined polar bear.

Kras flew to Churchill in Manitoba, Canada to do research for this story. While there, she saw 25 polar bears in the wild and has since become a “bit of an expert.” Kras will talk briefly about polar bears and then read a few chapters of the book, as well as answer questions. Following the reading, hot chocolate will be served in the bookstore’s coffeehouse, and the winner of a raffle for a stuffed polar bear will be announced.

For more information, call (818) 790-0717.

Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse is located at 1010 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge.

SAFE PRACTICES TOPIC OF LUNCHEON
Safe Practices for Women luncheon and program will be presented by the Pasadena Women’s Connection on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 11:30 a.m. at 160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena. Sergeant Bobby Lomeli of the Pasadena Police Dept. will show safety measures and security for women to keep safe. All are invited to attend and learn how to keep safe.

Motivational speaker Judee Stapp will share in her talk, “Seen and Not Heard” a journey from unwanted child to beloved daughter.

Tickets are $23. For reservations call (818) 353-2212 or (818) 790-1907.

NOON CONCERTS OPEN TO PUBLIC
Glendale Noon Concerts is a free admission concert series taking place every first and third Wednesday from 12:10 p.m. to12:40 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 Feb.19 and features the Calico Winds performing something old, something new: works by Mozart, Jukka Viitasaari & Lou Rovner.

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

CALTECH – OCCIDENTAL CONCERT BAND TO PERFORM
The Caltech – Occidental Concert Band, under the direction of William Bing, will present its annual winter concert on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Thorne Hall at Occidental College.

Composers on the concert include Benjamin Britten, J. S. Bach, John Philip Sousa, Vincent Persichetti and Satoshi Yagisawa.

Besides the large 70-piece concert band, two smaller ensembles will perform on the concert: the Caltech Clarinet Choir under the direction of Lynne Snyder, and the Caltech Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Scott Babcock. Guest conductors Paul Asimow and Zach Erickson and saxophone soloist Matt Davis round out the evening.

This is another free concert in the series presented by the ensemble. No tickets are required and parking is also free. For further information, contact Cindy DeMesa at (626) 395-3295 or visit the band’s website http://bands.caltech.edu.

MONTHLY MEETING OF THE AFRICAN VIOLET SOCIETY
The Montrose African Violet Society is having its next monthly meeting on Wednesday morning, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. at Descanso Gardens (Maple Room) in La Cañada Flintridge. Guests are always welcome to attend meetings.

For more information, telephone club president Luis at (323) 236-0104.

www.montroseafricanviolets.weebly.com

Descanso Gardens (Maple Room), 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge

FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE TO HOST AUTHOR DR. CYNTHIA THAIK
On Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse presents Harvard-trained cardiologist Dr. Cynthia Thaik who will talk about how to move beyond a physically healthy heart to a spiritually vibrant heart. She will also sign her recent book, “Your Vibrant Heart: Restoring Health, Strength & Spirit from the Body’s Core.”  One hundred percent of the author’s proceeds during the month of February will be donated to the American Heart Association and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

In “Your Vibrant Heart,” Dr. Thaik explores the dynamic growth and healing processes of our ever-evolving hearts and demonstrates the importance of treating our health and lives as gifts. An acclaimed cardiologist as well as a practicing Buddhist, Dr. Thaik unites Eastern and Western medicine to uncover the mind-body connection that places the power of healing back into the hands of patients.

For more information, call (818) 790-0717.

Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse is located at 1010 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge.

CALTECH-OCCIDENTAL SPRING CONCERT
The Caltech-Occidental Symphony, conducted by Allen Robert Gross, presents its spring concert featuring two student concerto competition winners, cellist Justin Choi and pianist Jonathan Joo. This event will take place on Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Thorne Hall at Occidental College, and March 2 at 3:30 p.m. in Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium.

This program will include the “Cello Concerto in C Major” by Haydn, “Rhapsody in Blue” by Gershwin, and the “Symphony No. 5: by Shostakovich.

Admission is free and no tickets are required. Parking is also free.

For further information, call the Caltech Performing and Visual Arts Office at (626) 395-3295 or the Occidental Music Office at (323) 259-2785.

FRANKLIN LEONARD GUEST OF WRITERS GROUP
Hollywood innovator and industry trendsetter Franklin Leonard reveals how scripts are picked for his famed “The Black List,” and continues The Alameda Writers Group presentation of outstanding guest speakers at the March 1 meeting. Leonard’s “The Black List” provides the film and TV industry access to quality writing and opens the door for talented writers to showcase their scripts. Over 225 Black List scripts have been produced as feature films earning more than 175 Academy Award nominations. Leonard has also worked in production with such Hollywood notables as Will Smith, Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella, Leonardo DiCaprio, and John Goldwyn.

This event is free and open to the public. Join us for an exciting two hours from 10 a.m. to noon. Free coffee and donuts served.

The Alameda Writers Group meets at the Glendale Central Library, second floor auditorium, 222 E. Harvard, Glendale.

For more information, visit www.alamedawritersgroup.com.

LCWC PRESENTS ‘STEP INTO SPRING’
La Crescenta Woman’s Club presents Step Into Spring fashion show on Saturday, March 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the clubhouse.

Fashions by Talbots. Tickets are $40 (cash/check only) and include fashion show, luncheon, opportunities, silent auction and live auction.

Contact reservations chairperson Cindy Charles (818) 389-2266 or event coordinator Vickie Guagliardo at (818) 957-8442.

RSVP deadline March 5.

Portion of proceeds to benefit The Firehouse (a local teen youth  center) and Saddles for Soldiers (a therapeutic equine program for veterans).

Make checks payable to La Crescenta Woman’s Club, and mailed to Cindy Charles, 3402 Gromer Terrace, La Crescenta, CA 91214.

lcwcmembership@charter.net

La Crescenta Woman’s Club is located at 4004 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta.

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION
Glendale Beautiful in cooperation with the City of Glendale Community

Services and Parks Dept. will celebrate the 64th Arbor Day on Tuesday, March 4 at the Casa Adobe de San Rafael Park in Glendale. Coffee social is at 10 a.m. and the program follows promptly at 10:30 a.m.

The event will recognize participants who have made contributions for the purchase of trees. Trees donated by the community will be used to landscape city parks, library areas and schools. In the case of rain the event will be the lower level of Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 North Verdugo Road. For more information or to order a tree, call (818) 246-3634.

Casa Adobe de San Rafael Park, 1330 Dorothy Drive in Glendale.

DAY AT THE RACES
The Crescenta Valley Sheriff Support Group, the Crescenta Valley and the Montrose-Verdugo City chambers of commerce are hosting the 6th Annual Crescenta Valley Day at the Races at the Santa Anita Race Track on Sunday, March 16.

The cost is $25 for adults (18 and over) and $15 for attendees 17 and under. The event takes place at the Top of the Stretch on the grandstand side – a prime viewing area. Each attendee will enjoy nine exciting thoroughbred races, parking, an official race program, barbecue lunch, soft drinks and “expert” handicapping advice from Rick Dinger.

The barbecue lunch will once again be donated by Schreiner’s Fine Sausages.

There will also be a raffle and silent auction so everyone will have the opportunity to leave a winner. Proceeds benefit the CV Sheriff Support Group and both local chambers.

For more information, call the chamber office at (818) 248-4957.

TIME EXPOSURE AT BOLTON HALL
Little Landers Historical Society announces the installation of a new temporary Bolton Hall exhibit. Until April 2014, Time Exposure will display an extensive collection of vintage cameras and projection equipment. Visit Bolton Hall to see how photo memories were recorded in the olden days.

Bolton Hall is open to the public on Tuesday and Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and entrance is free. Special group tours may also be arranged.

Additional information is available from Little Landers Historical Society at (818) 352-3420, www.littlelandershistoricalsociety.org or email littlelanders@verizon.net.

Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga

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.

NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF THE SUNLAND-TUJUNGA BRANCH LIBRARY
The bookstore of the Friends of the Sunland-Tujunga branch of the library, which is located inside the library, is filled with used books on almost every subject. There are books on psychology, religion, self-help, cooking, classics and many more subjects. It is open during library hours (except evenings). Prices range from 10 cents to a few dollars. All books are donated.

All monies collected from the sale of these books support the Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library in purchasing new books, DVDs and equipment. The Friends also support programs for children and young adults as well as adults. It is a 501(c)3 organization, so donations are tax deductible. Arrangements can be made to pick-up large donations. Call the library at (818) 352-4481 to schedule a pick-up.

Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library, 7771 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga

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.