SUMMER CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES AT DESCANSO
Summer evening jazz concerts at Descanso Gardens presents Willie McNeil tonight, Aug. 12 tonight, from 5:30–7 p.m. McNeil plays straight-ahead jazz with pop and rock influences. It’s the final performance in Descanso’s “The Evolution of American Jazz” concert series. Picnics and blankets welcomed. Free with Gardens admission: $8 adults, $6 senior/students and $3 children 5-12. For more information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.descansogardens.org. (818) 949-4200, Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada

SCREENING TO BENEFIT CONSERVANCY
A screening of the new film “Nanny McPhee Returns,” will be shown at 2 p.m., (doors open at 1 p.m.) on Aug. 15, at the Orpheum Theater, 842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles. Be one of the first to see the latest adventures of Nanny McPhee starring Emma Thompson on the big screen at the historic Orpheum Theater. This fundraiser benefits the Los Angeles Conservancy. $10 adults, $8 children 12 and younger. Ticketholders get a 10% discount at nearby Clifton’s Cafeteria. (213) 623-2489. http://lac.laconservancy.org/nanny.

MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASSES TO START
Dr. Ted Stern, professor of music at Glendale Community College, will again conduct off-campus music appreciation classes for adults in the community. This semester marks the beginning of the tenth consecutive year that these classes have been offered to musicians and non-musicians alike in the area. This semester will cover music of the 20th century from WW II onward.
Each semester offers new and interesting information.  Dr. Stern weaves music examples with cultural history to increase the listener’s understanding of the evolution of the music of the time. Classes are held at the Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church located at 2700 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta.  The classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 7 and are held each Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., continuing through Dec. 14. The cost for the 15-week classes is $90. Everyone is welcome!  For more information call Dianne at (818) 248-8110 or (818) 445-2390.

HIGH SCHOOL REUNIONS
The Crescenta Valley High School class of 1970 is having its 40-year reunion on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Altadena Town and Country Club. The cost is $119 until Sept. 1. Casual event on Friday Oct. 1 at El Cholo Restaurant in Pasadena. Visit www.CVHS70.com for more details and registration form.
Verdugo Hills High School class of 1970 is having its 40-year reunion on Aug. 28 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The cost is $60 per person and includes dinner and music at the Angeles National Golf Club, 9401 Foothill Blvd., Sunland. Tickets are $75 per person. Make checks out to Neoma Mitchell Barnthouse and mail to 10314 Woodward Ave., Sunland CA 91040. A final count is needed by Aug. 14.
A pre-reunion is being held on Aug. 27 at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor in Burbank at 1300 N. San Fernando Blvd. The day after pot luck picnic is at Sunland Park on Sunday, Aug. 29. Additional activities include golf at Angeles National Golf Course (make your reservation early with Cheryl Vargas at (818) 951-8771 for discounted group rate); Bolton Hall History Tour at 2 p.m. (free); special reunion ‘air show’ by Peter Hernandez at 6 p.m. over the grounds of the golf club. Golf Club and Big Tujunga Canyon on August 28th, 2010. Be there early and gather on the patio.
For more information email Neoma at neomamb1@verizon.net or call (818) 353-4600.

49th ANNUAL WATERMELON FESTIVAL COMING TO SUNLAND
Sunland Park is hosting the 49th annual Watermelon Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 13-15 at Sunland Park.
Presented by the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club, the event features free watermelon, live entertainment, a festival marketplace, food court, carnival rides, games, raffles, contests and more. Tickets are $2. Festival hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday from noon to 11:30 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 10:30 p.m. Proceeds from the annual event will benefit various Sunland-Tujunga youth and community activities, aid with disaster relief programs and support many regional, national and international health and vision conservation programs. For more information, schedules and directions log on to www.lionswatermelonfestival.com, www.facebook.com/watermelonfestival  or call (818) 353-4554.
Sunland Park, 8651 Foothill Blvd.

THE GLENDALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GOES “GUN CRAZY”
The Glendale Historical Society (TGHS) presents an outdoor summer film series featuring classic crime dramas, all containing scenes shot in Glendale. The third and final film in the series is “Gun Crazy,” which will be screened on Sunday, Aug. 22 at Brand Park on the lawn in front of the Doctors House Museum.
“Gun Crazy” is a lesser known but wildly entertaining thriller that includes a lengthy robbery sequence shot in 1950s downtown Montrose. Admission is free and open to the public. Parking is free in Brand Park.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 p.m. with a picnic, blanket, chairs and a flashlight, and enjoy a tour of the Victorian Doctors House Museum, which will be open prior to the screening. The film will begin at dusk. Do not bring pets.
This event is sponsored by The Glendale Historical Society in cooperation with The City of Glendale Community Services and Parks Department.
Visit www.glendalehistorical.org or call (818) 242-7447.
Brand Park, 1601 W. Mountain St. in Glendale.

NOON CONCERTS OPEN
TO PUBLIC
Glendale Noon Concerts are a free admission concert series taking place every first and third Wednesday from 12:10-12:40 p.m. in the newly restored chapel and sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Glendale (downtown at Louise & Wilson, no religious affiliation). On August 18, oboist Catherine Del Russo will be featured in the Arthur Bliss Oboe Quintet. The program includes F rederic Chopin & Robert Schumann Bicentennials: Chopin Nocturne No.8 in Db major Op.27 No.2 and Schumann Intermezzo: Mit Groesster Energie from Faschingsschwank aus Wien Op.26 Rosa LoGiudice.

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