FREE CLASSES, DISCOUNTS AT YOGA STUDIO OPENING
Yoga Rock Studios will be open to the public on Friday, June 15 and will offer free classes and discounts on packages all weekend long. The studio will also be giving away a week’s worth of unlimited passes to guests during its grand opening celebration. Yoga Rock Studios promises a non-dogmatic approach to yoga that focuses on connecting your breath with each movement to help provide a fluid sequence that transforms and brings awareness to the body.

Yoga Rock Studios is located at 3600 Ocean View Blvd, Glendale in downtown Montrose between Honolulu and Broadview avenues. For more information and class schedules go to www.yogarockstudios.com.

FIREWORKS TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets to the July 4th fireworks display are now available. The show is held each year at La Crescenta Elementary School. The advance sale tickets are $7 each with children 7 and under free. Tickets sold the day of the event will cost $10. Tickets can be purchased at the CV Weekly or the CV Chamber office or at Bob Smith Toyota. You can also buy tickets on July 4th using the “drive thru” ticket line at Prospect and La Crescenta avenues from noon to 3 p.m.

La Crescenta Elementary, 4343 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta

GERSHWIN AT LCPC
La Cañada Presbyterian Church is hosting its annual pops concert, “Rhapsody in Gershwin,” on Friday, June 15 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 16 at 4 p.m.

The program will include excerpts from the musical “Of Thee I Sing,” George and Ira Gershwin’s spoof of the presidential election process. Though it was written more than 80 years ago, it has surprising relevance today, with the Supreme Court stepping in to decide an election and Congress attempting to impeach the president.

“Rhapsody in Gershwin” will feature the church’s 50-voice choir, Lantz’s Little Big Band, the LCPC pops dancers and a talented lineup of vocal soloists. Among the Gershwin classics to be performed are “Love Is Here to Stay,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Summertime” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

Tickets are $15 general admission, $20 reserved, $10 children under 12 and $50 for a general admission family plan. They may be purchased from Lori MacDonald at (626) 794-1522, at the church office (818) 790-6708 or at the door. La Cañada Presbyterian Church is located at 626 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada. For further information, visit lacanadapc.org or call (818) 790-6708.

MEDITATION FOR HARMONIOUS LIFE
Kadampa Meditation Center is hosting meditation for a harmonious life on Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. at the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada. Drop-in classes are June 15, 22, 29 and July 6. Free to YMCA members ($5 for non-member).

Meditation and Modern Buddhism:  New Perspective on Life is on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Time and Space Gallery, 838 ½ Foothill Blvd, La Cañada on June 20, 27 and July 11, 18 and on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Griffith Manor Park, 1551 Flower St., Glendale on June 17, 24 and July 1, 8).  The cost is $10/class.

For more information, please contact Kadampa Meditation Center California at (323) 223-0610 or visit MeditateInLA.org.

DOCENT CLASSES OFFERED
The Autry in Griffith Park is having a docent class that is scheduled to start in June. The Autry is recruiting interested individuals to attend training that will enable them to share the rich history of the west with museum visitors. For more information, contact Susan DiCato at sdicato@theautry.org or (323) 667-2000.

The Autry in Griffith Park, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles

REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED HOSTS MIKE MUNZING
Mike Munzing will be the guest speaker at the La Crescenta Valley Republican Women Federated luncheon today, Thursday, June 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the La Cañada Country Club. He will be speaking on U.N. Agenda 21.

Over the past four years, Munzing was a member of numerous Tea Party and 912 groups and has organized and promoted “Conservative Happy Hours” throughout Orange County, bringing in hundreds of people to hear famous speakers from across the country. He was one of a small handful of Tea Party candidates who were elected to the OC Republican Central Committee. He has a reputation as a fighter for conservative and limited government ideals and was appointed by Assemblywoman Diane Harkey as a delegate to the CA Republican Party for the 73rd assembly district.

Everyone is welcome. The cost is $25. For reservations, call Ellen Hedrick at (818) 248-0924 or Molly Powers at (818) 248-4825 no later than Friday, June 8.

La Cañada Country Club, 5500 Godbey Dr., La Cañada Flintridge

MOONDAY EAST FEATURES LONGWORTH, ZANDVAKILI
Moonday East starts feeling the summer on the third Sunday in June 17 at 2 p.m. at the Flintridge Bookstore in La Cañada.  Moonday is hosted by Alice Pero and Lois P. Jones. The East Side reading occurs on the third Sunday of every month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a feature and open mic. Come early to sign up for the open reading. See future features at: www.moondaypoetry.com.

Katayoon Zandvakili’s collection of poetry, “Deer Table Legs,” won the University of Georgia Press Contemporary Poetry

Series prize, and the book’s title poem was awarded a Pushcart Prize.

“Poemland Security” had sealed Fred Longworth’s file. Alas, someone hit SEND when they intended to punch DELETE. And as a result, we’ve been able to secure a few details from his poetry  résumé. Over the years his poems have found solace and sanctuary in numerous zines including “Pearl,” “Spillway,” and “Stirring.” He continues to work on his three unpublished chapbooks. He lives in San Diego where he makes his living restoring vintage audio components

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.  For more information, call (818) 790-0717.

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 restored chapel and sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Glendale (downtown at Louise & Wilson, no religious affiliation).

The next concert is on June 20 and features La Crescenta resident and pianist Susan Svrcek who will be performing “L.A. Times” for solo piano. “L.A. Times” is by the late Los Angeles composer Ed Cansino, an Altadena resident who composed the piece in 1998. “L.A. Times” is musical reflection of the 1992 L.A. riots.

Svrcek will be joined by Jacqueline Suzuki on violin, Adriana Zoppo on viola and Simone Vitucci on violoncello.

The group will be performing Gustav Mahler’s brooding single movement “Piano Quartet” and Alfred Schnittke’s “Piano Quartet” from 1988, which is a fascinating reworking of a fragment of an unfinished second movement of the “Piano Quartet” left behind by Mahler.

http://www.answers.com/topic/piano-quartet-in-a-minor-after-mahler

GRIEG LODGE HOSTING BARBECUE
Join Edgar Grieg Lodge on Saturday, June 23 from noon to 3 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Foothills for a St. Han’s Day family picnic, barbecue provided, salads and desserts potluck. Viking craft activities, whip cord making, fiber weavings and Viking bowling. No charge.

Lutheran Church of the Foothills, 1700 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada.

THOMAS GUEST OF VILLAGE POETS
The Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga invite the public to its open poetry reading on Sunday, June 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga.  The featured poet for this event is G. Murray Thomas. He currently edits a monthly listing of poetry events for Poetix.net. His most recent book of poetry is “My Kidney Just Arrived,” published by Tebot Bach in 2011. Thomas has also published five chapbooks and has been widely published in various literary magazines.

Bring your own poetry. Admission is free!

Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga http://www.villagepoets.org

Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga

ROSE LEAF RAGTIME CLUB
The next meeting of the Rose Leaf Club is on Sunday, June 24 at Wang’s Place, 120 E. Lemon Ave., Monrovia, in the old town area. After stepping into the foyer, enter the separate meeting room through the door to the right. The meeting time will continue as before, the last Sunday of the month from 1 p.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. Owner Jeffrey Wang provides a Chinese buffet at a reasonable price. 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.

FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE HOSTING PIPPI LONGSTOCKING
The Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse welcomes children to meet Pippi Longstocking on Wednesday, June 20 at 3:30 p.m. Enjoy fun and games with one of the most famous characters in children’s books. Enter to win two free tickets to “Pippi,” the ballet, presented by the Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, June 23.

The Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse, 1010 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada.

KWON AT BLUE WHALE
Eclectic vocalist Joyce Kwon returns to Blue Whale jazz bar in Little Tokyo to perform with her quartet on Monday, June 25 at 9 p.m. Performing two sets of Brazilian music, jazz standards and original compositions, Kwon will be joined by pianist Matt Politano, bassist Dominic Thiroux and drummer Kevin McDonald in a night of free-ranging tunes, humor and stories about jazz clubs.

A former resident of La Crescenta, Joyce was weaned on Korean folk tunes, Brazilian pop, and contemporary improv, and has sung at prominent L.A. venues such as Catalina Bar & Grill and Café Metropol. Now based in New York City, she writes for jazztoilet.com, a blog that covers toilets, culture and music in Manhattan jazz clubs.

The Jazz Toilet team from NYC will be making a rare appearance with the quartet. They will be conducting interviews with audience members and providing video coverage of the club’s restrooms for a special L.A. issue of Tuesday Toilet Talk.

Blue Whale is located on the third floor of Weller Court plaza on 123 E S Astronaut Onizuka St. in Little Tokyo.  For more information, visit bluewhalemusic.com or call (213) 620-0908. Admission is $10 at the door.  Those 21 and under must be accompanied by a guardian.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK 2012
Crescenta Valley Arts Council presents Shakespeare in the Park, Friday July 6 at 7 p.m. at Two Strike Park. Need more unrequited love and mistaken identity in your life? Join us for “Two Gentlemen of Verona” in our fifth annual celebration of the Bard. Bring your chairs and picnic to enjoy a dramatically fun evening under the stars! Admission is free. Presented by Shakespeare by the Sea. For more information go to CrescentaValleyArtsCouncil.org.

SAVE THE DATE
The Patrons’ Club of Glendale Community College will now be known as Patrons’ Club of Glendale Community College Foundation.

This year’s fashion show fundraiser will be held on Friday, Nov. 2 at the Castaway Restaurant in Burbank. The theme for the event will be “Education Through The Years” and all proceeds will go towards scholarships, grants-in-aid and emergency funds for deserving students.

Save the date and reserve early.  Price of the fundraiser luncheon will be $45.

ABWA HOSTS COUNTRY-WESTERN GALA
The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Verdugo Glen chapter 49th Anniversary and Business Associate Night “Country-Western” gala is Wednesday, June 27 at 6 p.m. at the Glendale Elks Lodge. Student scholars, chapter Woman of the Year Elysa Rosenfeld-Ortiz, and Top Ten Candidate Dr. Martha Preciado will be honored, and the Business Associate of the Year will be introduced.

Cost is $25. For information and reservations call (818) 548-1525 or (818) 512-4079.

Glendale Elks Lodge, 120 E. Colorado, Glendale

PLENTY OF FUN AT WATERMELON FESTIVAL
The 51st Annual Sunland-Tujunga Watermelon Festival takes place Aug. 10-12 at Sunland Park. Delicious free watermelon will be available to cool down on hot summer days. The festival also features watermelon carving display, watermelon eating contest, seed spitting contest, and watermelon festival queen coronation. There will also be an international food court, dining tent, bazaar marketplace, beer garden, carnival rides, arcade games, live entertainment and more. Fun for the whole family! Learn more: http://www.lionswatermelonfestival.com/ or call (818) 353-4554.

Admission is $5; children under 30” are free.

Sunland Park Recreation Center, 8651 Foothill Blvd. 
Sunland

GLEN MEM OFFERING WALK-A-DILE WALKING PROGRAM
Glendale Memorial 50-plus walking club meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. At the information table on the first floor of the Eagle Rock Plaza.

Participants can walk in a safe environment free from the smog, heat, rain and cold!

For information, call (818) 502-2396.

Eagle Rock Plaza, 2700 Colorado Blvd., #230, Los Angeles

COFFEE GALLERY CALENDARS EVENTS
Coffee Gallery in Altadena hosts a variety of events every week.

Tuesdays are “Comedy Open Mic” from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. All comics get to do a five-minute set. Performers range from those performing for the first time to seasoned professionals. Hosted by Scott Berger.

Thursday is “Artisan Alley” from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Artisan Alley includes two featured musical acts, two musical open mics (open to anyone in the community), the works of a featured artist in the back room (art changes every two weeks), and a live DJ. Hosted by The Definition.

Friday is “Music Open Mic” from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Music open mic allows anyone in the community to come on stage and sing a song or play a tune. The sign-up sheet stays open throughout the night and everyone gets to perform twice. Rotating hosts.

Saturday is “Potlikker Showcase” from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. that offers an eclectic mix of musical performers, poets, spoken word readings, Americana music and a live DJ. Hosted by DJ Beatgozon.

Finally, Sundays are “Music Open Mic” from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Music open mic allows anyone in the community to come on stage and sing a song or play a tune. The sign-up sheet stays open throughout the night and everyone gets to perform twice. Hosted by King.

For more information, call (626) 398.7917 or visit http://www.funkylittlecoffeehouse.com.

Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake, Altadena

CVHS CHORAL ALUMS WANTED
Former members of choral groups at Crescenta Valley High School are invited to take part in the CVHS Alumni Choral. The group, composed of CVHS choral alumni men and women, rehearse once a week on Wednesdays from 7:15 p.m. to 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.

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

NATAL FITNESS CLASSES NOW AVAILABLE AT Y
The Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA is now hosting pre- and post-natal fitness classes and personal training sessions.  Studies have shown that going through labor and delivery is an athletic event for which you should train. The purpose of the natal fit program is to assist pregnant women in keeping a level of fitness that will optimize the outcome of the pregnancy.  Also, the benefits include more energy, fewer aches and pains, less weight gain and a faster labor.

The Natal Fit program is designed by Dawn Weyand, who is certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE).  Weyand has specifically designed this program to optimize a woman’s pregnancy and give them and their baby a healthy beginning.

Both private and group sessions are available at the Y. For more information, contact Jim Netto at (818) 790-0123, ext. 243.