MSAR PRESENTING AT KIWANIS CLUB GLENDALE

Members of the Montrose Search and Rescue team will be the guest speakers at the Jan. 11 lunch meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Glendale. They will be outlining their work and types of rescues they have taken part in.

Guests are welcome at the lunch meeting. The cost to attend, which includes lunch, is $15.

The Club meets Friday afternoons at the Elks Lodge, 120 E. Colorado Blvd. in Glendale.

SCREENING PLANNED

Called “a balm of kindness and empathy for these divisive times” by Entertainment Weekly, the documentary on Mr. Rogers, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” will be screened on Friday, Jan. 11 in the Fellowship Hall of Crescenta Valley Methodist Church, 2700 Montrose Avenue. A trailer is available at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhwktRDG_aQ. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the movie shown at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. 

MUSICAL KIDS, HAPPY PARENTS! SEMINAR

Metzler Violins is sponsoring the “Musical Kids, Happy Parents!” seminar on Friday, Jan. 11 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., which will be presented by Robin Johnson of Music Made Easier. By the end of the Seminar, parents with children taking music lessons will be able to defeat the discouragement that leads to quitting, create practicing that’s fun (or at least tolerable!) and become a musical mentor to their children. All adults are invited to attend.

For location information and to reserve a spot, contact Robin@MusicMadeEasier.com.

The seminar includes the latest brain research on music and child development, with specific strategies for engaging children. Musical education significantly enhances a child’s brain development, motor coordination and speech, and increases a child’s level of discipline, awareness, and character. Parental engagement and commitment to music instruction are essential. Robin Johnson has taught violin repertoire and music theory to children and adults since 1996.

FREE DANCE CLASS OFFERED

Learn how to waltz and swing dance at a free class hosted by the Church of Scientology Mission of the Foothills on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. until noon. The two-hour class will be taught by Vanessa Garcia, who has been studying dance at Cal State University of Northridge for two years and has competed in five collegiate dance competitions, consistently earning top awards in various categories.

Anyone interested is encouraged to call the Foothills Mission at (818) 957-1500 and reserve their spot.

‘BIRDHOUSE’ RANCH HOMES

On Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m., Little Landers Historical Society hosts “William Mellenthin and his Birdhouse Ranch Homes” that were built in the early 1950s San Fernando Valley. Each home had a characteristic “birdhouse” cupola built into the roof. This was a time of the development of the San Fernando Valley as LA’s “new suburban paradise” and the program features rare photographs and documents illustrating the Valley’s early growth.

The speaker for this program is Chris Lukather, a Cal Arts graduate and author who follows his passions for art, design, California subculture and Los Angeles history. He is currently the editor and publisher of a quarterly literature journal and is a graphic designer. His book about William Mellenthin and his unique homes is available in the Bolton Hall Museum gift shop.

This event is free and open to the public and everyone is welcome.

Additional information is available from Little Landers Historical Society, (818) 352-3420 or BoltonHall.org or email llhs@boltonhall.org.

Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga

GENTLE SENIOR CHAIR YOGA

Rosalie Blum presents chair yoga Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. at the American Legion Memorial Hall. There are no age restrictions to the benefits of yoga. Chair yoga helps older people stay active by focusing on breathing more effectively, paying attention to the body and moving with more balance, flexibility and grace. The first class is free.

To learn more, call Rosalie Blum at (818) 590-7296.

Memorial Hall, 4011 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta

TOWNE SINGERS EXTENDS INVITATION

Love to sing? Join the Towne Singers! The Towne Singers is a non-audition choir. Male voices are needed, but all are welcome to join this family of musicians. Rehearsals for the upcoming spring concert “All The Best” begins Monday, Jan. 14. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, May 11.

Rehearsals are held Mondays from 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake Ave. in Pasadena.

Contact Merrily Hake, membership coordinator, via email merrilyhake@earthlink.net with questions and new member orientation information.  New member orientation sessions are held prior to the first two rehearsals (Jan. 13 and Jan. 21) at 6:30 p.m.

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

NOON CONCERTS OPEN TO PUBLIC

Glendale Noon Concerts is a free-admission concert series that takes place every first and third Wednesday from 12:10 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. in the sanctuary of Glendale City Church.

The next concert is on Jan. 16 and features pianist Brendan White performing solo works by Liszt and Scriabin.

For more information, email glendalesda@gmail.com or call (818) 244-7241.

Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave. (at Isabel) in Glendale.

LCWC PREPARES LUNCHEON

La Crescenta Woman’s Club Author’s Luncheon is being held on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the La Crescenta Woman’s Clubhouse. Cost is $40 per person. A portion of proceeds will benefit Club scholarship and philanthropy funds. 

Three local authors – Matt Coyle, Dianne Dixon, and Désirée Zamorano – will share their stories. The authors will be available to sign books purchased at the event. Enjoy a delicious luncheon and dessert catered by Gourmet A Go Go. There will be prize auction opportunities and a cash split drawing. 

For information, call (818) 232-1896. Checks can be mailed to La Crescenta Woman’s Club, 4004 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta or pay by credit card/PayPal on the website: www.lacrescentawomansclub.org. Reservation deadline is Jan. 19.

SEMINAR ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

A seminar is being held at Sunland Neighborhood Church on Thursday, Jan. 24 on the trafficking of children. Discussion will be on how predators on social media are seducing teens through live streaming, apps and online video game chat room. The president and CEO of Million Kids, Opal Singleton, will be the speaker for the seminar.

First responders and social workers are invited to the afternoon session (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) that focuses on understanding and identification by emergency responders and how technology is impacting crime and crime solving.

The evening session from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is open to the community; parents are encouraged to bring their middle school and high school aged children who are at least 13 years of age.

These are free to attend; refreshments will be served. To register, email amber@snchurch.com or call (818) 352-3186.

Sunland Neighborhood Church, 10632 Oro Vista Ave., Sunland

ATTENTION MUSIC LOVERS

Dr. Ted Stern, a professor of music, is again conducting a series of music appreciation classes for adults in the community. This is the 18th consecutive year of classes for non-musicians and musicians alike that explore the histories of composers and their music. The topic for this new series is “Musicals in the 20th Century” (years 1960-2000).

The 10-week series of classes begins Jan. 29 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and continues every Tuesday through April 2 at the Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church cultural hall, 2700 Montrose Ave. in Montrose.

The cost for the 10-week series is $90.Everyone is welcome!

For more information, call Dianne at (818) 445-2390.

RIDE THE RED CARS TO GLENDALE

On Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., historian Paul Ayers presents an illustrated slideshow on Pacific Electric’s Glendale Line at Glendale Downtown Central Library featuring over 240 images covering its beginning to the last day of service in 1955 along with present images of the route.

This event is co-sponsored by the City of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Dept. and is free to the public. No RSVP required.

Visitors to Downtown Central Library receive three hours free parking across Harvard Street at the Marketplace parking structure with validation at the service desk.

For further information, contact events@glendalehistorical.org or (818) 242-7447.

Glendale Downtown Central Library, 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale

FREE DANCE CLASSES AT SUNLAND REC CENTER

The community is invited to take part in free Tuesday night dance classes at Sunland Recreation Center. Dances include Zumba, hip-hop and swing. No prior knowledge or experience required.

Couples and families are encouraged to attend.

Classes are from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sunland Rec Center, 8651 Foothill Blvd., Sunland

NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF THE SUNLAND-TUJUNGA BRANCH LIBRARY

The bookstore of the Friends of the Sunland-Tujunga branch of the library, 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

TOPS – Take Off Pounds Sensibly – is a self-accountability group meeting held every Monday at Center for Spiritual Living, 4845 Dunsmore Ave. (at Santa Carlotta) in La Crescenta. Weigh-in begins at 5:30 p.m. with a one-hour meeting starting at 6 p.m. For more information, please contact Lisa O. Mayo, (626) 484-0554.

A meeting is also held in Sunland every Thursday at New Hope Community Church, 10438 Oro Vista St. Weigh-in is at 6:30 p.m.; meeting at 7 p.m. For more information, please contact Virginia Timpson, (818) 645-4985.

First meeting is free and all visitors are welcome!

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.