VHAA HOSTING LUCILLE

DE THOMAS

The Verdugo Hills Art Association welcomes guest artist Lucille de Thomas for this week’s demonstration event at 7 p.m. on Feb. 4 at (new location) the La Cañada Community Center. This event is open to all.

Lucille de Thomas has won art competitions since the age of 13 and museums throughout the world have hosted her work. She has received top awards for her paintings in both oil and watercolor and also for her sculptures.

For information on the Verdugo Hills Art Association, please visit www.verdugoarts.com.

La Cañada Community Center, 4469 Chevy Chase Drive

CVAC HOSTING BRASS & JAZZ BASH 2011

The Crescenta Valley Arts Council is presenting its fourth annual music bash on Friday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church. This year we’re throwing some jazz in the mix for a Brass & Jazz Bash.  Local professional brass players will jam with student musicians from the Crescenta Valley and other Southern California schools to regale the community with yet another unforgettable concert.  You won’t want to miss this!  Please visit us at CrescentaValleyArtsCouncil.org.

La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Ave., La Crescenta

FOREST LAWN PRESENTS “MATISSE: A CELEBRATION OF FRENCH POETS AND POETRY”

This exhibit examines the poetic interest of one of the greatest French painters of the 20th century, Henri Matisse, focusing on his love and devotion to books and poetry by celebrating the works of two of France’s most revered poets from the Renaissance period to modern times, Stéphane Mallarmé and Pierre Ronsard. The exhibit, organized by Contemporary & Modern Print Exhibitions of Laguna Niguel, includes 47 lithographs and 16 etchings.

It continues through May 8 at Forest Lawn Museum. Admission is free. Museum closed Mondays. Free parking.

For more information, call (800) 204-3131 or visit www.forestlawn.com.

Forest Lawn-Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale

CHRISTINE SONG COMING TO MODEST FLY

Modest Fly Art Gallery will be showing Christina Song’s “Paper Idylls” through Feb. 19. Illustrator Christina Song graduated from Art Center College of Design and creates work primarily consisting of cut paper, mixed media, three-dimensional elements, found paper, drawings, and paintings. She continually finds inspiration and beauty in nature’s beautiful sceneries and enjoys executing work in a way that is raw, visceral, and thoughtful.

Modest Fly Art Gallery, 7576 Foothill Blvd. Tujunga

NOON CONCERTS OPEN TO PUBLIC

Glendale Noon Concerts is 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 Wednesday, Feb. 16 Arabic music featuring Turath Ensemble directed by Sami Asmar will be presented. Sami Asmar – nay & qanun; Iyad Wehbe – voice; Sami Maalouf – oud & poetry reading; Kashed Khzam – percussion; Kathleen Hood – violoncello and Jacqueline Suzuki – violin.

MUCH TO DO AT DESCANSO

Descanso Gardens is hosting several activities in February.  Faery Tours of the Enchanted Forest takes place from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Feb. 5. Forest faeries guide children and adults through the Descanso Camellia Collection during the Camellia Festival. Learn flower facts, hear stories of enchantment and frolic, and be prepared for surprises. First come, first served. Free with admission: $8 general, $6 seniors/students with I.D., $3 children 12-5. Information: (818) 949-4200.

Things to Do With Sinensis is at 11 a.m.  on Feb. 5. Botanists call it Camellia sinensis; the rest of us know it as tea. Learn culinary and wellness uses for tea, including ice cream. Part of the Descanso Camellia Festival. Cost: $20 general, $10 Descanso members. Advance registration required: (818) 949-7980.

Camellia Walk and Talk is at 1 p.m. on Feb. 5. Descanso Horticulturist Wayne Walker leads a guided walk for the Camellia Garden. Learn to identify the different kinds of camellias and get camellia care advice from a pro. Part of the Descanso Camellia Festival. Free with admission: $8 general, $6 seniors/students with I.D., $3 children 12-5. Information: (818) 949-4200.

Discovering Mushrooms is at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 5. Mycologist Florence Nishida leads a program that includes a one-hour lecture giving basic information about mushrooms, then a walk to find and identify the many fungal species that live in Descanso Gardens. Meet in Birch. Free with Gardens admission: $8 adults, $6 senior/students and $3 children 5-12. For information call (818) 949-7980.

Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada

BALLROOM DANCE AT THE Y

The Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA will be hosting ballroom dance classes in January and February. Each month is devoted to a different type of ballroom dance, where participants will learn basic steps, how to dance with a partner and how to move with style and confidence. Bring a partner or come alone and make new friends.

The class will be on Friday nights from 7:00-8:00 p.m. The Rumba will be taught in February (4, 11, 18, 25).

For additional information and fees, contact Ana-Marie Schaefer at (818) 790-0123, ext. 231.

The Crescenta-Cañada YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada

VISIT WITH GREAT PRESIDENTS COMING TO FOREST LAWN

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison are represented at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills “A Visit with Great Presidents.”

As part of Forest Lawn Museum’s History Comes Alive series, “A Visit with Great Presidents” is an interactive educational program that will feature professional actors portraying three of America’s notable presidents engaging each other and the audience in a discussion about their personal and presidential lives as they relate to themes in American history.

This year’s program will feature George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, discussing the effects of war on the presidency, allowing each President to share his thoughts on the impact that war during his time in office had on his presidency, his popularity, and on the country in general, and how he might have handled military affairs that we face today. Following each president’s presentation, there will be a question and answer segment for the audience.  “A Visit with Great Presidents” is entertaining, educational … and free. It takes place Thursday, Feb. 3 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills – Hall of Liberty, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive in Los Angeles.

HIGH SCHOOL REUNION PLANNED

The Crescenta Valley High School class of 1981 is having its 30-year reunion on July 16 at 6 p.m. For more information visit www.cvhsalumni81.myevent.com.

Crescenta Valley Class of 1991 will be holding its 20th reunion on July 23 at the Angeles National Golf Course.  Early bird ticket pricing will be $65/person until April 1.  For more information contact Sosi at (818) 621-1980 after 5 p.m. or e-mail cvhs1991reunion@yahoo.com.  Find us on Facebook @ CV Falcons – Class of 1991 for complete details of the weekend’s events.

RANCHO TUJUNGA TOPIC OF PROGRAM

Whatever Happened to Rancho Tujunga? is the topic of the next presentation of the Little Landers Society. This program is a “must” for anyone who is curious about the history of Sunland-Tujunga, Lake View Terrace and Shadow Hills. Guest speaker Marlene Hitt literally wrote the book on this part of local history. She has lived in the area for over 50 years and has served as archivist and museum director for Bolton Hall Museum.

Marlene will begin with an 1840 Mexican land grant given to the Lopez brothers, continuing through the 1900s and ending in present time. Information will be given on how the land was mined, farmed and developed.  Marlene will introduce the people who established the community.

The program is free.  Everyone is welcome.  It takes place on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 1:00 p.m. at Bolton Hall Museum at 10110 Commerce Ave. in Tujunga.

Additional information is available from Lynn Lowry at the Little Landers Historical Society, (818) 352-3420 or email littlelanders@verizon.net.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP AT THE Y

The Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA will host monthly meetings for the La Cañada Parkinson’s Support Group. The group is free to join and will provide research and support for those with Parkinson’s or Movement Disorders.

On Friday, Feb. 18, Dr. Gary Demerjian, a dentist specializing in TMJ, dysonia, tics and Parkinson’s, will present “The effect of the TMJ and how it is related to Parkinson’s and other neurologic illnesses.” Dr. Demerjian has found that by treating the patients jaw relationship with a mouthpiece, he is able to affect their balance, coordination, breathing, gait and much more.  Videos of patients he has treated with Parkinson’s will be shown.

On Friday, March 18, Lineage Dance Company will demonstrate how people with Parkinson’s are able to experience the joy of dance.

For additional information, contact Senior Services Director Nancy Turney at (818) 790-0123, ext. 225.

The Crescenta-Cañada YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada

CASINO NIGHT 2011

McGroarty Arts Center presents Casino Night 2011.  This gala event will be held Saturday evening March 5 at 6 p.m.  In addition to a stunning view of the Verdugo Hills from the center’s terrace, the evening’s festivities will include true casino style gaming with roulette, blackjack, and craps plus food, drinks, a silent auction, raffle, music and door prizes.

Since the occasion of this art center benefit falls on the week of Fat Tuesday, the theme of the night will be a New Orleans style Mardi Gras. The catered food will be Cajun spicy and the beads will be flying, so mark your calendar.  Costumes are not required, but masks are strongly suggested so don’t worry about your anonymity.  What happens at McGroarty Arts Center… stays at McGroarty Arts Center.

Pre-sale tickets $35, $40 at the door.  Admission includes casual dinner, drink and $500 in gambling chips!. One hundred percent of proceeds benefit the McGroarty Arts Center.

The MAC is located at 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga.  For further details, (818) 352 5285.

FREE SEMINAR AT THE Y FOR THOSE WITH ACHING KNEES

On Wednesday, March 2, the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA will host a free seminar entitled, “Oh, My Aching Knee!”  The seminar will take place at noon in the Patio Room.

Anyone who has experienced pain or swelling in the knee, clicking of the knee that causes pain, knee stiffness that limits activities, difficulty walking or climbing stairs because of weakness or pain in knee, and buckling of knees should come to this free seminar.

The seminar will teach what the symptoms of knee problems are, knee pain prevention principles, knee pain management strategies, knee stretching and strengthening exercises, and much more.

For more information contact Nancy Turney at (818) 790-0123, ext. 225.

The Crescenta-Cañada YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada

AAUW/GLENDALE TO HOST MEANS, CUEVA

American Association of University Women, Glendale Branch, will celebrate the Hollywood awards season by hosting Diana Means, founder of Alliance of Women Filmmakers, and Isabel Cueva, actor/screenwriter/ producer/ director, and by showing the short film “In The Name Of Freedom,” at the meeting on Saturday, Feb. 12 at Oakmont Country Club, 3100 Country Club Drive, Glendale. Means will recount her motivation and experience in establishing the Alliance, which produces the annual Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival. The Alliance awarded “In The Name Of Freedom” the Best Drama Short in 2010.  Cueva, who wrote, starred in and directed the winning short, will discuss her evolving career and the challenges involved in the production of the film.  Brunch begins at 9:00 a.m., cost is $23.  Call 818-773-2227 for reservations.

CVHS CHORAL ALUMS WANTED

Former members of choral groups at Crescenta Valley High School are invited to take part in the CVHS Alumni Chorale. The group, composed of CVHS choral alumni men and women, rehearse once a week on Wednesdays from 7:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m., at the Glendale First United Methodist Church. The group performs for local civic groups and retirement homes in Pasadena, Glendale, La Crescenta, Montrose and Duarte during the holiday season and again in the late spring/early summer. After the holiday season performances the group will resume rehearsals in the middle of January 2011.

Anyone interested can contact Shirley Nute at shirleyb2@earthlink.net.

FOREST LAWN MUSEUM PRESENTS “LIGHT & HOPE”

Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale presents “Light & Hope” stained glass window display marking the start of the holiday season. This display is of renowned stained glass art that truly symbolizes the season.

“Light & Hope” will depict the seven most significant events in the birth and the early life of Christ, including The Betrothal of Mary and Joseph, The Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth, No Room at the Inn, The Shepherds in the Stable, The Flight into Egypt, Jesus in the Temple, and Joseph, Mary and Jesus in the Carpenter’s Shop. Franz Mayer & Company of Munich, Germany created the windows that date back to 1913.

The display will continue through Feb. 7. Admission is free.

For more information, call (800) 204-3131 or visit www.forestlawn.com.

Forest Lawn Museum, Forest Lawn-Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale

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