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

DALLAS RAINES TO SPEAK ON EL NIÑO
The community is invited to hear Dallas Raines speak about El Niño at the La Cañada AM Club on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 7:15 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Foothills in La Cañada Flintridge. Raines is the chief meteorologist for ABC7 Eyewitness News.

There will be a a light breakfast of fruit, pastries and coffee served.

Lutheran Church of the Foothills, 1700 Foothill Blvd., LCF.

CIRO’S HISTORY SUBJECT OF BOOK
Tonight, Thursday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m., Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse presents Andra D. Clarke, who will discuss and sign her new book “Ciro’s: Nightclub to the Stars.” Clarke is the daughter of the late Regina Denton-Drew, a former photographer and cigarette girl at Ciro’s, located on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The book is the brainchild of Denton-Drew and contains photographs from her private collection.

Clarke has compiled images that reveal the stars and their larger-than-life personalities during the golden era of Hollywood as they joke, laugh, mingle, and relax in comfort in the club.

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

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

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. to 12:40 p.m. at the sanctuary of Glendale City Church.

The next concert is on Jan. 20 and features Chobraty, an improvising brass duo with trombonist Michael Vlatkovich and William Roper on tuba.

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

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

EL NIÑO TOPIC OF LUNCHEON
An El Niño program and luncheon will be presented by the Pasadena Women’s Connection on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 11:30 a.m. at the Women’s City Club. Lisa Derderian, public information officer for the Pasadena Fire Dept., will outline how to be prepared for El Niño.

Motivational speaker Diane Maxey will share her message of triumph over depression, divorce, wayward teens and job discrimination in her talk, “When Life Throws you a Curve.” Women in the community are invited to attend. Tickets are $23.

For reservations, call Darlene at (818) 353-2212 or Carole at (818) 790-1907.

Women’s City Club is located at 160 N. Oakland Ave. in Pasadena.

RESOLVE TO WRITE YOUR STORY IN 2016
Author Petrea Burchard returns to the Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse to help writers shape their stories in a series of four “Story Kitchen” evenings from Jan. 20 to Feb. 10. Story Kitchen focuses on organizing ideas into a whole, regardless of genre.

Pasadena author Burchard has made a dual career of writing and acting, including a successful stint voicing anime. Her novel, “Camelot & Vine” and her essays, compiled in “Act As If: Stumbling Through Hollywood with Headshot in Hand,” are available at the store. Her work has appeared online and in numerous publications.

Class size is limited. For information, contact storykitchn@gmail.com or Gail Mishkin at Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse, gailm@flintridgebooks.com, 1010 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada, (818) 790-0717. The website is http://flintridgebooks.com/.

FREE LECTURE, CLASS
The Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital’ s 50plus Program is offering a senior lecture on chronic pain on Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join Dr. Christopher Kaypekian and learn about the various causes and treatments for chronic back pain.

The lecture will take place in the Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center auditorium at 1420 S. Central Ave in Glendale. Please RSVP by Jan. 15 by calling (818) 502-2378. Seating is limited.

www.glendlaememorialhospital.org

HRAIR HAWK KHACHERIAN TO PRESENT ‘100: 1915-2015’
Renowned Canadian-Armenian photographer Hrair Hawk Khacherian will be presenting his newly published book “100 (1915- 2015)” on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Glendale Adult Recreation Center in Glendale, 201 Colorado St. Admission is free and will be in English. Glendale visitors will receive three hours free parking across the street at The Market Place parking structure with validation at the Adult Recreation Center front desk. This program is a collaboration between Ararat Eskijian Museum and the Library, Arts & Culture Dept.

“100 (1915-2015)” includes more than one thousand photographs and is a visual record of the rich Armenian cultural heritage that has survived and flourished.

For almost three decades Khacherian has been presenting exhibitions, conferences and photographic lectures across Armenia and later in different parts of the world. His photographs have appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers, books and publications.

‘VISUAL ACOUSTICS’ COMING TO GLENDALE
The Brand Associates and Glendale Historical Society present a screening of “Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman.” The film is directed by Eric Bricker and narrated by Dustin Hoffman. The screening will take place on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at Brand Library & Art Center (Recital Hall) in Glendale. Admission is free and open to the public. Complimentary parking is available in Brand Park adjacent to the library and an accessible entrance and parking are available on the east side of the building. Information may be obtained by calling (818) 548-2051.

The film “Visual Acoustics” celebrates the life and career of Julius Shulman, the world’s most prominent architectural photographer. His unforgettable images epitomize the singular beauty of Southern California’s modernist movement and brought many iconic structures to the public’s attention. Shulman’s photographs have captured the creations of nearly every modern and progressive architect since the 1930s including Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Frank Gehry and others.

Special guest, Chris Nichols will discuss the film and take questions after the screening. Nichols has been with Los Angeles Magazine for 15 years, contributing his unique perspective on Los Angeles lore, legend, culture and history. He also writes the popular “Ask Chris” column for the magazine.  His book “The Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister” won the Independent Publishers award in 2008. He has also been a leader in helping to preserve the region’s iconic modern masterpieces.

Brand Library & Art Center (Recital Hall), 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale

CALTECH CHAMBER MUSIC
Caltech Chamber Music presents the Winter 2016 Concert Series in Dabney

Lounge starting on Friday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. Directed by Delores Bing, the concert will feature 28 ensembles over five different programs, including Baroque trios, string quartets, woodwind quintet, strings and piano, two pianos – eight hands – and more.

Also performed will be well-known masterpieces (Beethoven:  Op. 18, No. 4) to less familiar gems (dances by Robert Schumann’s father-in-law, sonata by Bach’s pupil Goldberg).

Each concert features a different program with different music and different performers. Performances are Friday, Jan. 22, Saturday, Jan. 23, Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 31 at 3:30 p.m.

All concerts will be held in Dabney Lounge. Admission is free with no tickets required. For complete program information visit music.caltech.edu one week prior to concerts.

VILLAGE POETS KICK OFF THEIR FIRST EVENT OF THE YEAR
The Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga invites the public to its kick-off poetry event for the New Year. The event will be held on Sunday, Jan. 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga. Guest poets for this event are Seven Dhar and Teresa Mei Chuc. Poets, bring your poems and sign-up for the open reading upon arrival.

Light refreshments will be served – a $3 donation is appreciated. All are welcome from the foothill community for an early evening of entertaining and thought-provoking poetry. Visit 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, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. at Descanso Gardens (Birch Room).

The guest speaker will be Don Delano a horticulturalist and farm manager of the Pomona Fair Plex. Delano will be giving the program on “Growing Sinninagias, a cousin of the African violet.”

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

BRAND ASSOCIATES MUSIC SERIES
Brand Associates Music Series starts on Saturday, Jan. 18 launching the first of six concerts. These concerts are sponsored by the Brand Associates so admission is free. A reception follows each concert. All concerts are on Saturday at 2 p.m.

On Jan. 30 is Harout Senekeremian on piano; Feb. 20 is Trio Brio (Armen Anassian, violin, Jacob Braun, cello and Mark Robson, piano); March 12 is duoKYaria (Yoon Hee Jung, flute and Ko Ni Choi, harp); April 23 is Crescenta Ensemble (Nancy Roth and Jackie Suzuki violins, Adiana Zoppo, viola, Mary Anne Steinberger, cello and Susan Svrcek, piano); May 21 is Maksim Velichkin, cello; June 18 is Annelle Gregory, violin.

The Brand Associates promote the Brand Library & Art Center as an arts, cultural, educational, and historic resource for the region. More information is available at http://www.associatesofbrand.org.

Brand Library & Art Center is located in northwestern Glendale at 1601 W. Mountain St. Hours are Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday noon to 6 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to galleries and reception is free and open to the public. There is ample free parking. Call (818) 548-2051 for additional information.

ROSE LEAF RAGTIME CLUB
The next meeting of the Rose Leaf Ragtime Club is on Sunday, Jan. 31 at Wang’s Place in the old town area of Monrovia. Meetings are held the last Sunday of the month from 1 p.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. Free parking is available in several adjoining city-owned lots.

For further information, call Hal Leavens (626) 359-8648 or Ron Ross (818) 766-2384 or send email to ragtimeron@earthlink.net.

The Rose Leaf Ragtime Club features performers on piano and other instruments playing ragtime and other related types of music. All performers and listeners are welcome.  The only charge is to non-performers who are asked to make a $2 donation.

More information on the Rose Leaf Ragtime Club is available at http://roseleafclub.com.

Wang’s Place, 120 E. Lemon Ave., Monrovia

OLL HOSTING CASINO NIGHT
Our Lady of Lourdes School is hosting a fundraising casino gala on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Angeles National Golf Club. Festivities include silent auction, live auction and raffles. Poker tournament is a $25 buy in.

The cost is $65 per person that includes appetizers, cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, dessert, music, dancing and $500 in gaming chips.

Tickets are available at www.itsmyseat.com/oll, at the Our Lady of Lourdes School office or Our Lady of Lourdes Church after masses.

Angeles National Golf Club, 9401 Foothill Blvd., Sunland

MARIENTHAL TO PLAY WITH CALTECH JAZZ BAND
The Caltech Jazz Band, directed by Barb Catlin, presents guest artist Grammy Award–winning saxophonist Eric Marienthal one night only on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. in Beckman Auditorium on the Caltech campus.

Marienthal started his career with Al Hirt and went on to play in the Chick Corea Elektric Band, The Yellowjackets, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band and many others. He has performed in over 75 different countries, recorded 14 solo CDs, and played on hundreds of records, films, television shows and commercial jingles. Come hear the Caltech Jazz Band with this incredible artist!

Tickets can be purchased by calling (626) 395-4652. Admission prices are

$10 general admission, $5 Caltech students/staff/faculty/JPL/NASA and $5 seniors.

For further information, visit bands.caltech.edu or call (626) 395-3295.

ART ALLIANCE OF IDYLLWILD HOSTS ANNUAL ART FAIR
On Saturday, Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors to the mountain artist community of Idyllwild will be treated to local art that is all priced under $100. Hosted by the Art Alliance of Idyllwild, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the 3rd Annual Under $100 Art Fair will feature 19 individual artist booths.

Art mediums will include jewelry, paintings, leather, photography, wood, carved eggs, and much more. Many of the artists will be on hand.

Admission to the art fair is free. Held at the historic Idyllwild Town Hall located at 25925 Cedar St., it is walking distance to art galleries, inns, restaurants and locally owned retail establishments.

The Art Alliance of Idyllwild is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization that features art events throughout the year. Visit www.artinidyllwild.org for more information.

AUTHORS TO TALK AND SIGN AT FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE
On Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m., Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse presents a conversation and booksigning with two Penguin Random House authors – J. Ryan Stradal, author of the award-winning novel “Kitchens of the Great Midwest,” and Ashley Warlick, author of the “The Arrangement” (releasing Feb. 9).

Stradal’s is a contemporary story about a chef’s unlikely rise to international fame. Warlick’s is a fictional imagining of the life of celebrated food writer M.F.K. Fisher who rose to prominence in Los Angeles in the 1930s. The protagonists of both novels are complex and charismatic women who thwart convention to follow their passions.

The interconnection of food and love plays a central role in the narratives of Stradal and Warlick, whose discussion touches on this dynamic as well as their individual approaches to storytelling and how their personal backgrounds inform their work.

All are invited to join these accomplished young authors on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. for a lively dialogue about writing and the confluence of food and love.

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.

FREE STROKE SUPPORT GROUP, AND HEART LECTURE
A stroke support group hosted by Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center meets the second Tuesday of each month from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Rehabilitation Conference Room on the third floor of the hospital.

The support group is open to caregivers, family members, friends and stroke survivors and will help with communication, education, and coping styles while building friendships, solving problems and sharing resources and experience.

RSVP by calling (818) 502-4725.

Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital is located at 1420 S. Central Ave. in Glendale.

COURSES AVAILABLE ON RELIEVING FINANCIAL STRESS
Life Improvement Courses are offered on “Principles of Prosperity,” “How to Obtain Financial Security” and “Overcoming Financial Stress” at the Church of Scientology Mission of the Foothills.

These courses help empower a person with the knowledge to overcome financial stress to prosper in life. Each course is $50, is done at the individual’s own pace and timing is flexible. A stress-free financial future can be attained and having the right knowledge can make all the difference.

These are just a few of the life improvement courses offered. Others available address various subjects. The classes are open Monday-Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information contact (818) 957-1500.

Church of Scientology Mission of the Foothills, 2254 Honolulu Ave. in

Montrose (entrance off Market Street, behind in parking lot).

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.

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