ARTIST’S RECEPTION & FINE ART SALE
On Aug. 17 from 5 p.m. to midnight, the Wine Cave in Montrose is hosting a reception and exhibit of the work of photographic visionary Tommy Ewasko. On display and available to collectors on a first-come, first-served basis are numerous art and gallery prints from the 25-year Getty Images master image maker’s exclusive Artscape Icons collection.

A portion of the proceeds from all sales will benefit Glendale Arts. For more information, visit http://www.GlendaleArts.org.

The Wine Cave is located at 2427 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose.

GATTO TO SPEAK AT DEMO CLUB
The Cañada-Crescenta Democratic Club will welcome Assemblyman Mike Gatto to its meeting on Sunday, Aug. 18 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the La Cañada home of former assemblyman Anthony and Ellen Portantino.

Assemblyman Gatto is a lifelong resident of the district, which now encompasses Burbank, Glendale, Hollywood, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Montrose, and Silver Lake. He is currently chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

In addition, a spokesman for high-speed rail will address the meeting. The project proposes to bring an express train through California, linking major cities including Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Fresno, Bakersfield, Palmdale, Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Diego. A 130-mile segment of high-speed line from Madera to Bakersfield in the Central Valley is currently conceived as the beginning phase.

The public is welcome to attend. For more information, visit http://canadacrescentadems.org or call Bonnie Finn, Publicity chair, at (818) 952-1944

THE GAMBLE HOUSE OFFERS UNIQUE “UPSTAIRS-DOWNSTAIRS” TOURS
For three weeks only, the Gamble House will open the doors to its servants’ hall and rooms for the first time in its history. Visitors will be welcomed to the House from through Sunday, Aug.18 and will be able to see and experience the Gamble House from the perspective of those who lived and worked in the house. New information has recently come to light about the Gamble family and its servants, allowing The Gamble House to share more of the personal history of the House with visitors.

Advance purchase is not required but highly recommended as space is limited per tour and tours often sell out.

For more information, call (626) 793-3334, visit www.gamblehouse.org, or email Gamblehs@usc.edu.¬¬¬¬¬¬

The Gamble House, 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena

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.

S/T LIONS CLUB HOSTS 52ND WATERMELON FESTIVAL
The Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club will be hosting its 52nd annual Watermelon Festival Aug. 16-18 at its new location, the Pasadena Rose Bowl. The celebration features watermelon carving demonstrations, watermelon recipe contests, watermelon eating contests, seed spitting contests, and a wearable art contest, along with nightly prize drawings. The watermelon queen will be crowned along with her court.

Funds raised by the Watermelon Festival are used by the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club to help support local youth and community activities, disaster relief, and to support health and vision conservation programs.

The festival will be held Friday, Aug. 16 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17 and Aug. 18 from noon to 10 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children the day of the event. Advance sales are $8 for adults and $4 for children. Admission includes free watermelon slices and a free spin on the watermelon wheel for additional prizes and raffles tickets.

To learn more, visit www.lionswatermelonfestival.com, email stlwatermelon@gmail.com, or call (818) 353-4554.

The Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena

DESI GEESTMAN FOUNDATION PRESENTS GOLF CLASSIC
The Desi Geestman Foundation presents the 30th Annual Golf Classic on Aug. 19 at the La Cañada Country Club. Lunch will be held at 11:30 a.m., with tee off at 1 p.m.

Awards and prizes will be presented immediately after the tournament.

This event is organized by the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Support Group with proceeds to benefit the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station. The golfer’s package includes green fees, cart, lunch, dinner, awards, tee prizes, and contest holes for only $200.

For more information, call Rick Dinger at (818) 248-4500.

La Cañada-Flintridge Country Club, 5500 N. Godbey Drive, La Cañada

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 Aug. 21 and features the Los Angeles Horn Trio that will perform works by Tujunga resident Kirstin Fife and Los Angeles composer John Scott.     First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St. (at Wilson)
in Glendale.

CHILI COOK-OFF AND CLASSIC CAR SHOW
Lake Avenue Church will hold its third annual Chili Cook-off and Classic Car Show on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. in its west parking lot. Local car clubs will showcase classic and antique cars, and there will be chili, hamburgers, hot dogs, and a bounce house for children. All this will be accompanied by the classic rock sounds of The International Super Stars of Rock. Last year’s event drew 350 people.

Judging more than 20 chili entries will be an actual judge, Lance Ito, along with Robin Salzer, owner of Robin’s Woodfire BBQ and Grill, and Samson Francois, executive chef of the Pasadena University Club.

For more information, contact Rich Kasten at carnight@richkasten.com.

Lake Avenue Church, 393 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena

MONTHLY POETRY READING SERIES
The Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga’s upcoming Monthly Poetry Reading Series is slated for Sunday, Aug. 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the McGroarty Arts Center in Tujunga. Two featured poets are Jessica Wilson and Jason Brain.

Wilson is the hostess and founder of Writers’ Row: Downtown L.A.’s Official Written Art Showcase, SoapBox Poets Open Mic, Writer Wednesdays, and the NoHo Salon. She teaches for California Poets in the Schools as a poet-teacher Brain has been descriped as a “Los Angeles poet/spoken word artist, Jason Brain, delivers 100% inspiration, introspection, and intrepidation with his first book of poetry, “Mix Tape Collection: Original Poetry,” from Poetry In Motion Publishing House. A compilation of four Mix Tape chapbooks, the collection is an expression of maturation, love, discontent, and the divine. Jason’s unique voice speaks with age-old wisdom while embodying a modern passion rivalling his contemporaries…”

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, visit http://www.villagepoets.blogspot.com.

McGroarty Arts Center, 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga

ATTENTION MUSIC LOVERS
Dr. Ted Stern, professor of Music at Glendale Community College, is conducting off-campus music appreciation classes for adults in the community. This ongoing series is for musicians and non-musicians alike. This semester will cover the topic “An In-Depth Look at Six Composers – Lully,Vivaldi, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Ravel, Khachaturian.”

Classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 10, and are held each Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. continuing through Dec. 10.

The cost for the 14-week series of classes is $100. Everyone is welcome!

For more information, call Dianne at (818) 445-6088.

Classes will be held at the Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church cultural hall at 2700 Montrose Ave., Montrose.

GREEK FEST COMING TO PASADENA
Southern California’s preeminent Greek Festival, the 55th Annual Pasadena Greek Fest, takes place on Friday-Sunday, Sept. 20-22, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.

Greek Fest hours are from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20; noon to 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21; and on Sunday, Sept. 22 from noon to 10 p.m. The event is priced at $5 for adults and children under 12 years are free. Parking is $4 per car at the main entrance of Holly and Huntington Drive at Santa Anita Park.

Highlights of the weekend festivities will include a free live concert Saturday night with Greek vocalist Diamantis Dionysiou. Throughout the weekend, there will be performances by The Olympians and other live performers. Planned are many exciting exhibits, including cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, lectures about Greek history and culture, as well as the very popular Olympic Taverna Sports Bar & Cigar Lounge, authentic homemade Greek cuisine and pastries, Greek folk dancing by several award winning youth groups and an expanded Kids’ Fun Zone with rock climbing, carnival games, rides and prizes.

The Pasadena Greek Fest is an annual event, hosted by Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena. The event brings together thousands of visitors from the Greater Los Angeles area to a weekend pageantry celebrating all things Greek. Proceeds benefit cultural, educational, and community outreach programs run by St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church.

For ticket information or to obtain additional information regarding the event, call (626) 600-1672 or visit www.pasadenagreekfest.org.

Santa Anita Racetrack is located at 285 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia.

ALIVE AND RUNNING – 5K WALK/RUN FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION PLANNED
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services is holding its 15th annual Alive & Running 5K Walk/Run for Suicide Prevention on Sunday, Sept. 22. The run is kicking off at 8 a.m. in Westchester, just north of LAX, at West 88th Street and La Tijera Boulevard. More than 2,000 runners, walkers, spectators and volunteers from all over Southern California will join together at Alive & Running to raise awareness and funding for services.

Proceeds from Alive and Running will directly benefit Didi Hirsch’s Suicide Prevention Center that provides critical services to people who are contemplating suicide and those affected by the suicide of loved ones through a 24-hour English/Spanish crisis line.

Sign up to register and be part a team or donate to a friend’s fundraising campaign. Registration fee for the 5K is $30; after Sept. 18, the fee is $35 (a tax deductible donation). A free “Kiddie-K” (1K) will also be held following the start of the 5K.

For more information or to sign up, visit www.aliveandrunning.org or email AliveandRunning@DidiHirsch.org.

PASADENA HEART WALK COMING
The American Heart Association invites the community to the 2013 Pasadena Heart Walk at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 19. The annual 5K, sponsored nationally by Subway and Jenny Craig and locally by Union Bank and UCLA Health, aims to raise awareness and funds to fight heart disease and stroke while promoting healthy habits, such as walking, as a regular part of life. In addition to Pasadena, there will be Heart Walks in Antelope Valley, Pomona, Downtown L.A., Santa Clarita, Santa Monica and Long Beach. The overall goal in Greater Los Angeles is to raise $1.75 million.

There is no fee to participate. Walkers are eligible to receive a free Heart & Stroke Walk T-shirt when they raise $100 or more.

Visit www.GLACountyHeartWalk.org, email alisha.castro@heart.org or call (213) 291-7094 for more information.

Pasadena Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena

VAN BLOEM SINGERS HOLDING AUDITIONS
Auditions are being held for the Van Bloem Singers, a volunteer singing group that has completed its 21st season having performed more than 800 shows. The group is looking for those interested in performing Broadway and contemporary music.

Being able to “sight read” is not necessary, but some performing experience is preferred. Men and women who are able to perform between noon and 3 p.m. on weekdays and on an occasional evening, Saturday or Sunday can apply. Rehearsals are Monday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Chapel of the Burbank Salvation  Army.

The Van Bloem Singers perform more than 30 shows each year for service clubs, volunteer organizations, retiree and church groups, senior residences and  health care facilities, however, singers need not make every performance.

If interested, call Elaine Paonessa, musical director, at (818) 845-6851.

Burbank Salvation Army, 300 E. Angeleno St. (corner of Angeleno and 3rd Street) in Burbank.

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 infant lactation and 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