POETRY READING AT S-T LIBRARY
The Sunland-Tujunga Public Library presents a poetry reading with Luis J. Rodriguez (poet laureate of Los Angeles) and Elsa Frausto (poet laureate of Sunland-Tujunga) on Saturday, May 23 from 3 p.m. to 5 pm.

For more information, call (818) 352-4481.

Open reading and refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library.

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

POETS HITT AND PETRAKOS FEATURED
The Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga host Marlene Hitt and Brenda Petrakos at their upcoming Monthly Reading Series on Sunday, May 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga. Poets are welcome to sign up for the open reading upon arrival. Light refreshments will be served – a $3 donation is appreciated! Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga: http://www.villagepoets.blogspot.com.

Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga

NEXT MEETING OF MONTROSE AFRICAN VIOLET SOCIETY
The Montrose African Violet Society is having its next club meeting on Wednesday, May 27 at 10 a.m. at Descanso Gardens (Birch Room).

Al Palacios will be the guest speaker and will present a program on “Creating Terrariums.”

Guests are always welcome to attend the meeting and will have the opportunity to win the door prize, participate in the silent auction and raffle table. Refreshments are served and friendships are made.

For more information, contact club president at lmpineda.77@gmail.com or visit  www.montroseafricanviolets.weebly.com.

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

RAPP SCREENING PLANNED
RAPP – Read And Practice Peacemaking – is presenting “Bidder 70,” a film that centers on an extraordinary, ingenious and effective act of civil disobedience, at CV United Methodist Church on May 29.

A charismatic college student, Tim DeChristopher takes on the Bureau of Land Management and saves thousands of acres of gorgeous wilderness from harm. In doing so, he risks a jail sentence and inspires some positive youthful activism.

All are invited.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; film begins at 7:30 p.m. Lively discussion and refreshments afterwards.

Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church, 2700 Montrose Ave. in Montrose.

CEC ONLINE FUNDRAISER
The Child Educational Center (CEC) is having its “1000 Suns” online auction fundraiser starting on May 29 at 8 a.m. The online auction fundraiser features several unique items including family and child-centered services, gifts, and vacation getaways that will be auctioned to raise money for the non-profit organization. Visit www.cecbenefit.org to bid on such items as a week at a Paris apartment overlooking Notre Dame, Clippers tickets, and gourmet dinners.

Following the auction’s close at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 12, the CEC will celebrate with a cocktail party on Saturday, June 13 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will feature fine wine, beer and margaritas, delicious food, music from the Robert Kyle Quartet, and a raffle drawing for various Apple electronics. The cocktail party will be held at a private residence in La Cañada Flintridge, and tickets will go on sale in mid-May.

The CEC is now accepting auction item donations and sponsorships from local businesses and community members. All proceeds from “1000 Suns” will directly benefit the children and programs of the CEC.

For more information, contact Sheryl MacPhee, director of Development & Communications, at (818) 354-3418 or smacphee@caltech.edu.

JEWEL CITY KNITTERS NEWS
Jewel City Knitters will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Scholl Canyon Estates, 1551 E. Chevy Chase Drive, 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 & Crochet on Saturday, June 13 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the  Chevy Chase Library, 3301 E Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of knit, crochet and conversation. 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 June 3 and features the Los Angeles Horn Trio performing works by Fredric Duvernoy and John Scott.

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

URGENT CENTER GRAND OPENING
Dr. Manual Momjian announced the grand open house event of Urgent 9 Family Medicine Urgent Care and Imaging Center. On Tuesday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. the public is invited to join Dr. Momjian and his staff for free blood pressure screening, food, entertainment and tours of this new center. The Urgent Care will be available to both children and adults and will include a short stay observation and imaging center.

Urgent 9 Family Medicine Urgent Care Imaging Center is located at 1000 N. Central Ave Suite 140 in Glendale.  For more information call (818) 662-7000.

12TH ANNUAL CERAMICS EXHIBITION AT MCGROARTY
The 12th Annual Ceramics Exhibition and Student Sale is being held at McGroarty Arts Center starting Saturday, June 13 until Saturday, June 27 Admission is free. Viewing hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Center is closed Sundays. A general reception is being held on June 13 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The exhibition is curated by Ray Yocum and features Southern California artists Bobby Free, Jack Halpern, Heidi Kreitchet, CJ Jilek, Nikki Lewis, Katie Queen, Dino Sophia and Vincent Suez. Also featured are wares from Vietnam dating from the 15th century. These historical pots were excavated from the shipwreck Hoian. In addition, McGroarty students will also host a student ceramic sale. All ceramic work will be available for purchase.

In conjunction with the ceramics exhibition, McGroarty will be hosting other events including Timeless Tiles on Saturday, June 20, and will be participating in an Artist Studios Tour on Saturday, June 27. Visit the wwwmcgroartyartscenter.org for details or call (818) 352-5285 for additional information, ticket purchasing and sponsorship opportunities.

McGroarty Arts Center is located at 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga.

JUNE EVENTS AT FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE
During the month of June, Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse presents three young adult (YA) authors whose stories cross over to appeal to an adult audience.

On Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m., Michael Mullin signs “Simon,” a modern day Hamlet. Simon’s father is dead. His mother has remarried. His uncle is . . . his new stepfather? When the ghost of Simon Elsinore’s father returns and claims he was murdered by his own brother, the 19-year-old film student must determine what is true and exact the revenge his father demands.

On Saturday, June 13 at 4 p.m., Lisa Gail Green signs “Soul Crossed,” the first installment in the series “Of Demons and Angels,” which delves into the grey area between good and evil and the twisted rules of heaven and hell. Bad boy Josh Gaynes and good girl Grace Howard are transported from hell and heaven respectively into a suburban Michigan high school where their fates are intertwined in an apocalyptic love story. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to the other, each is on a mission to save or damn someone’s soul.

On Saturday, June 20, at 4:30 PM, Catherine Linka signs “A Girl Undone.”

In her debut novel, “A Girl Called Fearless” (2014 winner of the Southern California Booksellers Association Award in Young Adult Fiction), a synthetic hormone in beef killed 50 million American women 10 years prior. The Paternalist Movement took power in order to “protect” young women and control the decisions they make. Avie Reveare’s dad “contracts” her to marry a rich, older man leaving her with two choices: be trapped in a marriage with a scheming politician or escape with Yates, the boy she loves.

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 Highway. Parking is in the rear of the store.

OUTDOOR SUMMER PERFORMANCE SERIES
For the second year, the City of Glendale will offer free concerts every Friday night at 7 p.m. from June through August at the recently remodeled Brand Library & Art Center. Performances will run 60 and 90 minutes without intermission and will be available to the general public. The free performances are supported by the City of Glendale and Glendale Arts & Culture Commission, with funding from the Urban Art Program and the Brand Associates.

For more information see the Arts & Culture Commission Performance Series website at: http://bit.ly/1pD4l8u or call Brand Library & Art Center at (818) 548-2051.

On June 5 the Tikiyaki Orchestra kicks off the series. Tikiyaki Orchestra is known for exotic lounge music and its unique and charismatic showmanship. Not simply content to replicate the sound of classic Exotica such as Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman, Tikiyaki, a six-piece orchestra led by main composer Jim Bacchi. It pulls many different musical food groups into the mix … bachelor pad lounge, crime jazz, surf, spaghetti western, Latin and Hawaiian music … to broaden the musical spectrum of what is known today as “Exotica.”

ORCHID AUCTION PLANNED
Hundreds of beautiful orchids will be on the block at the Orchid Society of Southern California’s Annual Orchid Auction. The auction will be held on Saturday, June 20 starting at 2 p.m. at the meeting hall of the First Christian Church, 221 S. Sixth Street, Burbank. Doors open at 1 p.m. for plant inspection and bidder registration; plant donations will be accepted after 12:30 p.m. The bidding should be over by 5 p.m.

A wide range of orchids will be available, with well-grown varieties of species and hybrids suitable for everyone from the orchid novice through the advanced collector.

Free door prizes and refreshments will be offered, and admission is free to all. Additional information about the auction can be found at www.orchidssc.org/ossc_auction.aspx.

NAWIC SGV ANNOUNCES MAGIC SUMMER CAMP
San Gabriel Valley chapter of National Assn. of Women in Construction is sponsoring MAGIC (Mentor A Girl In Construction) Camp. The camp provides a supportive and nurturing environment for high school girls (ninth through 12th grade) to explore and develop basic skills in the areas of carpentry, electrical and plumbing.

This free event helps girls develop a safety first attitude and builds self-confidence and self esteem for girls who tackle challenging projects, both individually and as a work team. It takes place at Pasadena City College Campus June 22-26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Lunch and snacks included. All registrations must be received by June 1.

Registration forms provided at www.nawic110.org or from school counselors.

To learn more about NAWIC visit www.nawic110.org.

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

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 CrescentaCañada 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