MVCOC KICKS OFF POKER CHAMPIONSHIP
The Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its inaugural Montrose Poker Championship. The event will take place on March 26 and will be held at Crescenta Valley Insurance. Check-in and dinner will be at 6 p.m. and cards will be dealt at 7 p.m. The cost to play is only $75 and that includes $2,500 of chips, taco bar, beverages, late night snacks and dessert. The winner of the poker tournament will have a choice between two Southwest Airlines tickets and a $500 travel voucher from Montrose Travel or a Mac iPad Air thanks to IOTECH. Over $2,000 in prizes to the top eight finishers will be given away! Sign up today.

For more information, call the chamber office at (818) 249-7171 or Rick Dinger at (818) 248-4500.

CV Insurance is located at 3156 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

JPL HISTORIAN AT FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE
Tonight, Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m., Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse hosts a talk and booksigning for Erik M. Conway, historian of science and technology at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology, and author of “Exploration and Engineering: The Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Quest for Mars.”

In “Exploration and Engineering,” Conway reveals how JPL engineers’ creative technological feats led to major Mars exploration breakthroughs. He takes readers into the heart of the lab’s problem-solving approach and management structure, where talented scientists grappled with technical challenges while also coping, not always successfully, with funding shortfalls, unrealistic schedules, and managerial turmoil.

Conway is also the author of “Atmospheric Science at NASA: A History.”

For more information, contact Gail Mishkin at (818) 790-0717. Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse is located at 1010 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and the Angeles Crest Hwy. Parking is in the rear of the store.

CV ALLIANCE PROGRAMS
CV Alliance hosts Teen Trials & Tribulations: A Series of four Talks on the fourth Thursday of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Free, and open to the public. Adults and kids welcome! Tonight, March 26, is “Distracted Driving and DUI” w/ Officer Ryan Bejar, CHP and on April 23 “Reengineering the Teenage Brain” with Tina Givrad PhD.

All programs are held in the CV High Library, 2900 Community Ave. and are free for the community.

Parent Education Programs meet Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Free and for adults only! On March 31 is “Eliminate Anger & Anxiety,” April 7, “Addiction as a Family Disease,” April 14, “A Positive Community,” April 21 TBD and April 28 “Living with an Alcoholic/Addict.”

Walk & Talk is on Wednesday mornings, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (March 28 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.) in CV Park, 3901 Dunsmore. Rain cancels. Dogs welcome!

For information, email info@cv-alliance.org.

BOOKSIGNING BY DR. MARK ANTHONY
There will be a book signing by Dr. Mark Anthony “Accelerate Your Health” on Saturday, March 28 at 1:30 p.m. at 7134 Lonzo St. in Tujunga.
Dr. Anthony is a local award winning holistic chiropractor and author who has a passion for sharing the gift of wellness. He will talk about and read selections from his newly published book. Topics covered include handling stress, programming the subconscious mind to be happier and healthier, why exercise is an essential “nutrient,” everything you know about eating is wrong, and making better choices.

The community is invited to come any time after 1 p.m. for healthy refreshments. Signed books will be available for sale. RSVP to Maggie at (818) 352-9157.

GELSON’S LA CAÑADA CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARY
Gelson’s Markets in La Cañada Flintridge is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Saturday, March 28! The 18th and newest location for the company boasts a full service deli, hot food bar, expansive produce section and a top quality meat and seafood department. The store also hosts complimentary wine tastings, pet adoptions, product samples, hands-on floral classes and more.

To celebrate during the week of the anniversary, Gelson’s will offer a sweepstakes for several shopping sprees, including the grand prize of $1,000 in gift cards. The contest will be available in the La Cañada Flintridge store through April 5,.  On Saturday, March 28 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Gelson’s will also host over a dozen product tastings.

Gelson’s is located at 635 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge.

WORKS DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 100TH ANNIVERSARY AT BRAND LIBRARY
On March 28 at 2 p.m. the Brand Associates will present the third concert in its annual music series. In conjunction with the Brand Library Art Galleries exhibition life100, the Fresno State New Music Ensemble presents works dedicated to the 100-year anniversary of the Armenian Genocide by living Armenian composers from around the world. Co-sponsored by the Brand Associates, the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Armenian General Benevolent Union Pasadena Glendale Chapter.

The pieces on the program will include works by Tigran Mansurian, Charles Amirkhanian, Anna Aidinian, Artur Avanesov, Steven Aprahamian, Eve Beglarian and Joseph Bohigian. Admission is free and a reception will follow the concert.

The Fresno State New Music Ensemble is a student-run chamber ensemble at CSU Fresno dedicated to the performance and promotion of music by living composers. The performance will feature the work of a wide variety of living Armenian composers from around the world, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in April 2015. In addition, New Music Ensemble percussionist and composer Joseph Bohigian will perform a piece he has written commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The concert will also feature the winner of the New Music Ensemble’s Call for Scores by Armenian Composers, Steven Aprahamian.

Brand Library & Art Center is located at 1601 W. Mountain St. in Glendale.

SONS OF NORWAY CELEBRATES THE IRISH
Come celebrate the Irish in all of us! Irish River Dancers will perform for The Sons of Norway Edvard Grieg Lodge on Saturday, March 28. Megan Kirk and Daithi Fisher are the featured dancers for the evening.

Come join us at 6 p.m. for our social followed by a corned beef and cabbage dinner at 6:30 p.m. The dancers will perform after dinner. Cost for dinner is $10 complete with dessert and drinks. For more information contact Beth Baird via email KeepItTogetherBB@yahoo.com or call (626) 755-1840.

The event will be held in the social Hall at Lutheran Church in the Foothills, 1700 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada.

GLENDALE ART ASSOCIATION NEWS
The Glendale Art Association is cooperating with the GALA – Glendale Area Loves Art – project to provide a series of exhibitions and installations of quality art to be viewed by pedestrians thereby enhancing downtown culture and attracting further creative events and programs. The current exhibit continues through Sunday, March 29 at 138 S. Maryland in Glendale (the corner of Maryland and Harvard across from Glendale Central Library). GALA is a curatorial project in the City of Glendale and is supported by the City of Glendale Arts and Culture Commission and funded through the Urban Art Program. It is managed and curated by John David O’Brien, curator of the Sturt Haaga gallery at Descanso Gardens.

For further information, contact Honor Haase  (818) 248-7373.

JEWEL CITY KNITTERS NEWS
Jewel City Knitters will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, April 1 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Scholl Canyon Estates, 1551 E. Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale. Membership is free. Knitters, crocheters, and those who wish to learn are welcome. For more information, visit www.jewelcityknitters.com or email susandietel@yahoo.com.

Jewel City Knitters will hold its monthly JCK Charity Knit and Crochet on Saturday April 11 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Chevy Chase Library, 3301 E. Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale, (818) 548-2046. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of knit, crochet and conversation. Jewel City Knitters will accept donated yarn for charity projects.

For more information, visit www.jewelcityknitters.com or email sandracanfield@yahoo.com.

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 April 1 and features Los Angeles Horn Trio performing works by Christian Pezold and Leo Brouwer.

First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St. in Glendale.

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH HONORED AT FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE
During the month of April, Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse honors National Poetry Month with three special readings. On Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m., Red Hen Press presents “Los Angeles Review No.17” Moderated by Nicelle Davis, this reading features poets Kim Dower, Goldberry Long, Magdalawit Makonnen, and Kelly Morris.

On Sunday, April 12 at 5 p.m., Rattle editor Tim Green presents Jackson Burgiss, Deborah Kolodji and Mariko Kitakubo who is traveling from her home in Tokyo for this reading. On Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m., Moonday hosts Lois P. Jones and Alice Pero welcome several of the poets represented in “Woman of Metaphor,” an anthology of poems inspired by the artwork of Stephen Linsteadt.

For more information, contact Gail Mishkin at (818) 790-0717.

Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse is located at 1010 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge at the intersection of Foothill Boulevrd and the Angeles Crest Highway. Parking is in the rear of the store.

HUNTINGTON ASIAN GARDENS CURATOR TO SPEAK AT DESCANSO
The featured speaker for the Pacific Camellia Society’s last meeting of the season will be David MacLaren, curator of the Asian Gardens at the Huntington Gardens in San Marino. He will be making a PowerPoint presentation about the new, multi-million dollar Chinese Garden, including what’s been completed so far and what’s planned for the next phase of construction. MacLaren is also responsible for the Huntington’s collection of approximately 1,400 camellias.

Also on the program will be Dr Bradford King, a former psychologist at USC, who since retirement has turned his research skills from human to plant behavior. Dr. King will be speaking about the proper way to fertilize camellias, an important current subject as this is the most important time of year to fertilize camellias.

The meeting will be on Thursday evening, April 2 at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited. Admission and refreshments are free. For more information write to gilfoytom@gmail.com or call (818) 790-6947

Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge

PAYNE PRO AT BOLTON HALL
Lisa Novick, director of Outreach and K-12 education at the Theodore Payne Foundation, will give a lecture on the beauty and ecological importance of California’s vast native flora at Bolton Hall on April 11. Guests will learn what to do and what not do for maintaining a native garden.

Novick earned a B.A. in philosophy from UCLA and a Professional Clear Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential from CSULA. She has designed and installed more than 30 native (and edible) landscapes across the Los Angeles region in schools and public spaces. She has presented three Los Angeles case studies about urban ecological revitalization through landscaping with native plants at school sites and public commons.

Her presentation begins at 1 p.m. Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga (corner of Commerce & Valmont). Parking available uphill at the Elks Lodge. Everyone is welcome; free admission. Donations gratefully accepted. Light refreshments served after the program.

For more information call (818) 352-3420 or email LittleLanders@verizon.net.

JLP TO HOST 2ND ANNUAL SIMPLY SPEAKING BENEFIT LUNCHEON
On Saturday, April 11, the Junior League of Pasadena, Inc. (JLP) will host its second annual benefit luncheon, Simply Speaking, at the University Club of Pasadena. This year’s guest speaker is Jane Olson, an inspiring humanitarian and Pasadena area local.

Olson has devoted her life to international justice and humanitarian work and has chaired the International Board of Human Rights Watch and the Landmine Survivors Network board.

The event will feature a seated lunch and silent auction. In addition, the 2015 recipient of the Nancy Reed Payne Achievement Award will be announced acknowledging a sustaining member for her exceptional contribution and years of dedication to the Junior League and to her community. All funds raised through the event will directly benefit the Junior League of Pasadena and its community projects.

To purchase tickets and to learn more about the Junior League of Pasadena, please visit www.MyJLP.com.

‘CUBA – ISLAND NATION IN TRANSITION’ SIERRA CLUB TOPIC
The Crescenta Valley Sierra Club presents Bruce Hale’s “Cuba – Island Nation In Transition” on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the La Crescenta Library.

Sierra Club member and world traveler Bruce Hale brings slides and narrative to illustrate his program describing the chapter’s first sponsored trip to Cuba in December 2014. The trip covered both the eastern portion of the island as well as the western part. The tour introduced Cuba in a way different from standardized, off-the-shelf commercial tours. Two days after the group returned to the United States, President Obama announced that diplomatic relations would be re-established between the two countries. This program will depict Cuba before changes accelerate.

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

La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta

LCWC HOLDS FASHION SHOW
The La Crescenta Woman’s Club is holding its annual fashion show. This year members are celebrating Derby Days and are having a Derby hat contest for all guests.  There will be a silent auction, a live auction and opportunity baskets. Lunch will be served followed by a fashion show with clothing from Drapers and Damons. The festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18. The event will be held at the LCWC clubhouse at 4004 La Crescenta Ave. Don’t miss out on the fun and fashions!

Tickets are only $40 per person. Make reservations with Cindy at (818) 249-2374.

SMIT ON SALON DE MUSIQUES ROSTER
The next presentation of Salon de Musiques is on April 19 and pays a tribute to the genius Dutch composer Leo Smit with his magical “Sextet for Winds & Piano,” an L.A. premiere.

The complete program, featuring Mozart, Poulenc, Duparc, Hahn, & Satie, will be performed by world renowned artists soprano Elissa Johnston, Pamela Vliek-Martchev on flute, Don Foster, clarinet, Judith Farmer, bassoon, Jennifer Johnson, oboe, Laura Brenes-Griffiths, horn, Edith Orloff, piano, and Francois Chouchan, piano.

An informal Q&A with the artists will follow the performance and a gourmet buffet dinner provided by Patina with French champagne will be served.

Tickets are $39 for students, and $75 general admission that includes dinner and drinks.

The performance takes place at 4 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, fifth floor, 135 N. Grand Ave, Los Angeles.

VARIETY SHOW, BARBECUE AND CAR EXPO AT LA CRES PRES
The All American Variety Show, BBQ and Car Expo is happening April 25 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church. This event is a fundraiser to support the church’s mission projects to Haitian-Dominician immigrants living in poverty in the Dominican Republic.

Enjoy classic cars, tangy barbecue and a home style dinner followed by a variety showw that features American music and dance. Opportunity drawings for great prizes.   Tickets for the whole event cost  $40/adult,  $15/child. Reservations are necessary; contact jennyschwing@gmail.com for more information. Tickets for the variety show only, which starts at 8 p.m., can be purchased at the door for $15.

BLAZING STAR BAZAAR TREASURES & PLANT SALE
The Little Landers Historical Society is hosting Blazing Star Bazaar Treasures & Plant Sale, the annual rummage and plant sales. Both events are fundraisers for Little Landers and Bolton Hall and will be held at Bolton Hall on April 25 starting at 9 a.m.

Donations of new, gently used, antique, retro, vintage and collectible items may be brought to Bolton Hall during public hours any Tuesday or Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or on Friday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For plant donations, please call Bolton Hall to make arrangements.

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

Bolton Hall Museum is located at 10110 Commerce Ave. in Tujunga. Parking is available a few doors uphill at the Elks Lodge.

HEALWITHIN PRESENTS 3D EVENT
HealWithin – Hypnosis Healing Center in Glendale – will present its 3rd Annual 3E Event on May 2 at the Embassy Suites in Glendale. Liza Boubari, founder of HealWithin, will not only lead this event but will also present ‘Living Purposefully’ – Inner Powers and Healing through Hypnosis.”

Other guests invited to speak are Dr. Wendy Walsh, Chef Penny Davidi, speaker and author Dr. Clair O’Neill and motivational speaker and musician Tiamo DeVettori.

Reservations are required. Tickets are $150 (includes lunch). For registration or further information, call (818) 551-1501 or log in online at http://www.healwithin.com/our-events/3e-event-2015/.

For information on this event contact Liza Boubari at healwithin.com.

LOVE TO SING? JOIN THE TOWNE SINGERS
The Towne Singers is a non-audition choir that is in particular need of male voices, but all are welcome to join this family of musicians. Rehearsals for the upcoming spring concert “Broadway Bash” on May 17 are held Mondays from 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Glendale.

Please contact Membership Coordinator Merrily Hake via email at merrilyhake@earthlink.net with questions and for new member orientation information.

The Towne Singers is an organization supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

First Congregational Church of Glendale, 2001 Cañada Blvd., Glendale

AMERICAN LEGION HOSTING CAR SHOW
On Saturday, May 16 the American Legion Post 288 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614 will host and sponsor an automobile show at Crescenta Valley Park. The show is from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. with the net proceeds to go to military and children’s charities.

The show will feature classic automobiles, hot rods and military vehicles.  Admission to the event by the general public is free. Auto show participants may pre-register their auto entries for $25 or register their cars on the day of the show for $30.  Trophies and dash plaques will be awarded.

In addition to the automobile and vehicle displays, there will be fire, police and search and rescue personnel and vehicles. There will be a DJ with “old time rock ‘n roll” as well as food trucks and vendors. A Kid’s Clinic will be held by Home Depot with “hands-on” tool demonstrations by Rigid, Milwaukee, Ryobi and other manufacturers.  There will be free coffee and donuts for all veterans.

Special guest speaker will be Capt. Gerald L. Peterson, U.S. Navy, Retired.

For more information, contact Dick Clubb at (818) 248-8071 or email cluber@earthlink.net.

Crescenta Valley Park is located at 3901 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.

MILLINERY DELIGHTS AT BOLTON HALL
Little Landers Historical Society is hosting a new temporary exhibit at Bolton Hall Museum. “Millinery Delights” is a fun and colorful exhibit featuring a variety of head coverings and fashion accessories from the first half of the 20th century and more.

Millinery Delights will be available for viewing at Bolton Hall through April 2015.

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

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

FOOTHILLS PRO GROUP
The Foothills Professional Group meets every Wednesday morning from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Leon Lounge and Café. The group provides a structured and supportive system of giving and receiving business. It does so by providing an environment in which participants develop personal relationships with many other qualified business professionals. By establishing this “formal” relationship with other people, you may have the opportunity to substantially increase your business.

The cost is $15, which includes breakfast.

Leon Lounge and Café is located at 2519 Cañada Blvd., Glendale.

FREE WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN
The Church of Scientology – Mission of the Foothills is hosting free workshops for children on how to make good choices in life. It gives a clear-cut guide to making good choices and finding the way to happiness. The booklet “How to Make Good Choices,” based on the book “The Way to Happiness,” will be used.

This workshop is for children 6 to 11 years old. It is on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Snacks served.

Call to reserve seat (818) 957-1500.

Church of Scientology – Mission of the Foothills, 2254 Honolulu Ave., Montrose

BLOOMIN’ SQUARES SQUARE DANCE CLASS
Beginners square dance classes are on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. followed by the intermediate class at 8:30 p.m. Winter classes meet on the first, third, fourth and fifth Wednesdays of the month through July at the Sunland-Tujunga municipal building.

Bloomin’s advanced class is still in progress and continues on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. until mid February when the new advanced class will begin. Only $6 a class.

Sunland-Tujunga Municipal Building is located at 7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga. For more info, call (818) 945-1189.

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 supports 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 lactation and infant 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.