FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE HOLDS BOOK SIGNINGS
Tonight, Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m. Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse hosts a book signing for Mary Pat Kelly. Her recent release “Of Irish Blood” is a novel about an outspoken young woman and Ireland’s struggle for freedom in the early years of the 20th century. Kelly is the best-selling author of the novel “Galway Bay,” called “pure magic” by Frank McCourt. “Of Irish Blood” continues this saga which is based on the history of her Irish-American family.

In 1903, talented, outspoken and progressive Nora Kelly, 24, is climbing the ladder of opportunity until she falls for an attractive but dangerous man who sends her running back to Paris. There she stumbles into the centuries-old College des Irlandais and meets a good-looking scholar, an unconventional priest and Ireland’s revolutionary women who challenge Nora to honor her Irish blood and join the fight for independence.

Kelly has told various stories connected to Ireland. Besides being an author, she is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. She produced and directed the PBS documentaries “To Live for Ireland,” a portrait of Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume and the political party he led; “Home Away from Home: The Yanks in Ireland,” a history of U.S. forces in Northern Ireland during World War II; and “Proudly We Served: The Men of the USS Mason,” a portrayal of the only African-American sailors to take a World War II ship into combat.

Then on Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m., Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse hosts a talk and book signing for author Carol Wawrychuk, longtime resident of La Cañada Flintridge and retired teacher from the city’s Paradise Canyon Elementary School. Her book, “Taking Nana Home,” is the true account of her search for her grandmother’s grave decades after Nana’s death.

In 2004, 35 years after she died while a patient in the mental hospital in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Nana came to her granddaughter in a vision. “Take me home, Carol. Take me home.” Little did Wawrychuk know Nana was apparently speaking for over 2,000 souls in need of a final resting place.

From confronting the bureaucracy of a state government to interviews with news media to doggedly pursuing the hospital administration, Wawrychuk’s search pushed her out of the safety net of her comfortable life as a wife, mother and teacher.

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 Hwy. Parking is in the rear of the store.

CASINO NIGHT
The Women’s Council of the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USC-VHH) Foundation will host a special casino night fundraiser to benefit USC-VHH. The event will take place at USC-VHH (Council Room) from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17.

Cost is $100 per person, which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets and $2,000 worth of funny money. Event tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door. To purchase tickets, call (818) 952-2226.

Since its founding in 1973, the Women’s Council has raised more than $3 million for hospital programs and services.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the hospital’s nursery department.

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale

AAUW PASADENA ELECTION
The American Association of University Women will elect new officers at the annual Pasadena branch meeting scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 at the Women’s City Club in Pasadena. There also will be openings for committee assignments.

For reservations for lunch, $20 per person, call Gloria Reynolds at (626) 798-3896.

Women’s City Club, 160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena

LCWC HOLDS FASHION SHOW
The La Crescenta Woman’s Club is holding its annual fashion show. This year members are celebrating Derby Days and are having a Derby hat contest for all guests.  There will be a silent auction, a live auction and opportunity baskets. Lunch will be served followed by a fashion show with clothing from Drapers and Damons. The festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18. The event will be held at the LCWC clubhouse at 4004 La Crescenta Ave. Don’t miss out on the fun and fashions!

Tickets are only $40 per person. Make reservations with Cindy at (818) 249-2374.

IMMIGRATION TOPS DEMO CLUB MEETING
Immigration is the topic of Sunday’s meeting of the Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club. Speaker Dr. Adrian D. Pantoja, professor in political studies and Chicano studies at Pitzer College in Claremont, is also a senior analyst with Latino Decisions, a political polling firm surveying and analyzing the Latino electorate.

The meeting April 19 is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the home of Greta Pruitt in La Crescenta.

In addition, the Club is honored to have Elaine Hurd, one of the founders of the local Democratic Club, as special guest speaker.

Among club business matters presided over by President Chuck Guinta will be a vote on By-laws amendments relative to membership and fiscal year and more details about the Club’s 10th anniversary plans.

For more information, visit http://canadacrescentadems.org.

NEXT MEETING OF MONTROSE AFRICAN VIOLET SOCIETY
The Montrose African Violet Society is having its next club meeting on Wednesday, April 22 at 10 a.m. at Descanso Gardens (Birch Room). Guest speaker is Joe Mandoky who will present a program on bees.

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 telephone (323) 236-0104 or visit www.montroseafricanviolets.weebly.com.

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

CV ALLIANCE PROGRAMS
CV Alliance hosts the next Teen Trials & Tribulations presentation “Reengineering the Teenage Brain” with Tina Givrad, PhD on Thursday, April 23 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Free, and open to the public. Adults & kids welcome!

Parent/guardian education programs are held Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Free and for adults only! On April 21, “Drugs and Teens: A Parent’s Perspective.”

All programs are held in the CV High Library, 2900 Community Ave. and are free for the community.

Walk & Talk is on Wednesday mornings, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in CV Park, 3901 Dunsmore near the community center. Rain cancels. Dogs welcome!

For information, email info@cv-alliance.org.

SMIT ON SALON DE MUSIQUES ROSTER
The next presentation of Salon de Musiques is on April 19 and pays a tribute to the genius Dutch composer Leo Smit with his magical “Sextet for Winds & Piano,” an L.A. premiere.

The complete program, featuring Mozart, Poulenc, Duparc, Hahn, & Satie, will be performed by world renowned artists soprano Elissa Johnston, Pamela Vliek-Martchev on flute, Don Foster, clarinet, Judith Farmer, bassoon, Jennifer Johnson, oboe, Laura Brenes-Griffiths, horn, Edith Orloff, piano, and Francois Chouchan, piano.

An informal Q&A with the artists will follow the performance and a gourmet buffet dinner provided by Patina with French champagne will be served.

Tickets are $39 for students, and $75 general admission that includes dinner and drinks.

The performance takes place at 4 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, fifth floor, 135 N. Grand Ave, Los Angeles.

RAPP, MONTROSE PEACE VIGIL HOST FUN EVENING
RAPP and Montrose Peace Vigil present comedian and pastor Rev. Jane Voigts on Friday, April 24 at CV United Methodist Church. She’s got a fresh and funny take on the Bible that audiences love. Whether the Bible is seen as literature, an important part of the cultural fabric, or a guiding Word from God, there will be mind stretching, eye opening, belly laughing insights for all to enjoy. Also performing will be CVUMC’s music director and jazz pianist extraordinaire Barb Catlin-Bergeron. Also, Edmond Hambarsumian will be sharing some reflections on the Armenian Genocide.

All are invited to attend. Performance begins at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.

CV United Methodist Church, 2700 Montrose Ave., La Crescenta

ABWA SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW
The Verdugo Glen chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) recently awarded scholarships to three area women: Andrea Baghaee of Burbank, a junior at Woodbury University majoring in accounting; Leona Frank of North Hollywood, a senior accounting major at Woodbury University and Leslie Fernandez of Glendale, a business management student at Woodbury University.

The women will be honored at the ABWA Verdugo Glen “Step Into Style” fashion show

luncheon on Saturday, April 25 at the Angeles National Golf Club. The annual fashion show and luncheon includes boutique shopping, silent auction, and opportunity prizes. It begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Angeles National Golf Club. Luncheon cost is $50.

For information and reservations, call Anne Marie Johnson (626) 354-6478 or visit www.abwa-verdugoglen.org.

For information about ABWA, email swain_lisa@yahoo.com.

GLENDALE ART ASSOCIATION SPRING SALON
Glendale Art Association Spring Salon continues through April 25 at White’s Gallery in Montrose. It includes a showing of artists’ work in a variety of media including painting, photography and sculpture, both abstract and representational works. Proceeds are contributed as scholarships to Glendale visual arts students completing high school and pursuing further education in the visual arts.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For additional information, visit the GAA website www.glendaleartassociation.com or call (818) 248-7373.

White’s Gallery and Restoration, 2414 Honolulu Ave., Montrose

VARIETY SHOW, BARBECUE AND CAR EXPO AT LA CRES PRES
The All American Variety Show, BBQ and Car Expo is happening April 25 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church. This event is a fundraiser to support the church’s mission projects to Haitian-Dominican immigrants living in poverty in the Dominican Republic.

Enjoy classic cars, tangy barbecue and a home-style dinner followed by a variety show that features American music and dance. Opportunity drawings for great prizes. Tickets for the whole event cost  $40/adult,  $15/child. Reservations are necessary; contact jennyschwing@gmail.com for more information. Tickets for the variety show only, which starts at 8 p.m., can be purchased at the door for $15.

BLAZING STAR BAZAAR TREASURES & PLANT SALE
The Little Landers Historical Society is hosting Blazing Star Bazaar Treasures & Plant Sale, the annual rummage and plant sales. Both events are fundraisers for Little Landers and Bolton Hall and will be held at Bolton Hall on April 25 starting at 9 a.m.

Donations of new, gently used, antique, retro, vintage and collectible items may be brought to Bolton Hall during public hours any Tuesday or Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or on Friday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For plant donations, please call Bolton Hall to make arrangements.

Additional information is available from Little Landers Historical Society, (818) 352-3420 or www.littlelandershistoricalsociety.org or email littlelanders@verizon.net.

Bolton Hall Museum is located at 10110 Commerce Ave. in Tujunga. Parking is available a few doors uphill at the Elks Lodge.

AFRICAN VIOLET SOCIEITIES’ SALE
The Burbank & Montrose African Violet Societies with the African Violet Council of Southern California are having their annual African Violet Judged Show and Sale on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Descanso Gardens (Van de Kamp Hall).

There will be African violets, other related plants and supplies available for sale, demonstrations throughout the day, members to answer any questions and an educational table with literature. There is an admission to the gardens but not the show.

For more information call either (818) 951-3597 or (323) 236-0104. Visit websites www.montroseafricanviolets.weebly.com.

Descanso Gardens (Van de Kamp Hall), 1418, Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge

TICKETS ON SALE FOR DERBY DAY
Tickets are available for the 24th Annual Derby Day: Run for the Roses, The Campbell Center’s signature annual fundraiser which, over the years, has been instrumental in raising much-needed funds for the organization’s various programs and services. The event takes place on May 2 at Pickwick Banquet Center in Burbank.

Actress Mariette Hartley and her husband, actor Jerry Sroka, will lead the live auction that includes packages such as a Cancun vacation, a week in Utah at the historic Blue Church Lodge and a week at a spectacular home in Cambria, among many others. In addition to the live auction, the day will include a lavish buffet luncheon, a roomful of fabulous silent auction items, a hat and derby contest and a tribute to longtime supporters of The Campbell Center Vince and Toni Beck Espinoza. The day will culminate in the live streaming of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs.

For information about event sponsorship levels and marketing benefits, tables and tickets, call Rita Tomassian-Hopkins at (818) 242-2434, Ext. 312, or email at rita@thecampbell.org.

HEALWITHIN PRESENTS 3D EVENT
HealWithin – Hypnosis Healing Center in Glendale – will present its 3rd Annual 3E Event on May 2 at the Embassy Suites in Glendale. Liza Boubari, founder of HealWithin, will not only lead this event but will also present ‘Living Purposefully’ – Inner Powers and Healing through Hypnosis.”

Other guests invited to speak are Dr. Wendy Walsh, Chef Penny Davidi, speaker and author Dr. Clair O’Neill and motivational speaker and musician Tiamo DeVettori.

Reservations are required. Tickets are $150 (includes lunch). For registration or further information, call (818) 551-1501 or log in online at http://bit.ly/1zqWuSf

http://www.healwithin.com/our-events/3e-event-2015/.

For information on this event contact Liza Boubari at healwithin.com.

JEWEL CITY KNITTER NEWS
Jewel City Knitters will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 6 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Scholl Canyon Estates, 1551 E. Chevy Chase Dr., 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 May 9 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Chevy Chase Library, 3301 E. Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale, (818) 548-2046. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of knit, crochet and conversation.

For more information, visit www.jewelcityknitters.com or email sandra.canfield@yahoo.com.

LOVE TO SING? JOIN THE TOWNE SINGERS
The Towne Singers is a non-audition choir that is in particular need of male voices, but all are welcome to join this family of musicians. Rehearsals for the upcoming spring concert “Broadway Bash” on May 17 are held Mondays from 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Glendale.

Please contact Membership Coordinator Merrily Hake via email at merrilyhake@earthlink.net with questions and for new member orientation information.

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

First Congregational Church of Glendale, 2001 Cañada Blvd., Glendale

GLENDALE POLICE AWARDS LUNCHEON
The 20th Annual Glendale Police Awards Luncheon is on May 14 at the Glendale Hilton Hotel from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The luncheon will highlight the successes that the police department has seen in the past year. In addition the Officer of the Year, the Civilian Employee of the Year, and the Volunteer of the Year will be announced. Various other awards will also be announced.

Individual tickets for the luncheon are $85. There are also sponsorship opportunities such as presenting sponsor, as well as gold, silver, and bronze sponsorships. The opportunity to sponsor one officer to attend costs only $50, and two for $95.

For more information, contact Larry Miller (email: larmil@att.net) or call (818) 247-8149 or (818) 929-6608. Visit www.glendalepolicefoundation.org to buy tickets, sponsor the luncheon or sign up to treat an officer to lunch.

AMERICAN LEGION HOSTING CAR SHOW
On Saturday, May 16 the American Legion Post 288 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614 will host and sponsor an automobile show at Crescenta Valley Park. The show is from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. with the net proceeds to go to military and children’s charities.

The show will feature classic automobiles, hot rods and military vehicles.  Admission to the event by the general public is free. Auto show participants may pre-register their auto entries for $25 or register their cars on the day of the show for $30.  Trophies and dash plaques will be awarded.

In addition to the automobile and vehicle displays, there will be fire, police and search and rescue personnel and vehicles. There will be a DJ with “old time rock ‘n roll” as well as food trucks and vendors. A Kid’s Clinic will be held by Home Depot with “hands-on” tool demonstrations by Rigid, Milwaukee, Ryobi and other manufacturers.  There will be free coffee and donuts for all veterans.

Special guest speaker will be Capt. Gerald L. Peterson, U.S. Navy, Retired.

For more information, contact Dick Clubb at (818) 248-8071 or email cluber@earthlink.net.

Crescenta Valley Park is located at 3901 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.

MILLINERY DELIGHTS AT BOLTON HALL
Little Landers Historical Society is hosting a new temporary exhibit at Bolton Hall Museum. “Millinery Delights” is a fun and colorful exhibit featuring a variety of head coverings and fashion accessories from the first half of the 20th century and more.

Millinery Delights will be available for viewing at Bolton Hall through April 2015.

Bolton Hall Museum is located at 10110 Commerce Ave. in Tujunga.

Additional information is available from Little Landers Historical Society, (818) 352-3420, www.littlelandershistoricalsociety.org or email littlelanders@verizon.net.

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.

Registrations 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

BLOOMIN’ SQUARES SQUARE DANCE CLASS
Beginners square dance classes are on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. followed by the intermediate class at 8:30 p.m. Winter classes meet on the first, third, fourth and fifth Wednesdays of the month through July at the Sunland-Tujunga municipal building.

Bloomin’s advanced class is still in progress and continues on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. until mid February when the new advanced class will begin. Only $6 a class.

Sunland-Tujunga Municipal Building is located at 7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga. For more info, call (818) 945-1189.

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