SHINDIG PLANNED
FOR DESCANSO
“Boddy’s Big Backyard” takes place on Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Descanso Gardens. Inspired by the legendary parties that Descanso owner E. Manchester Boddy hosted in the 1930s and ‘40s, the Gardens’ Labor Day shindig starts off with a walk through the California garden at 10 a.m. Gather youngsters for a reading of “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” at 12:30 p.m. Music provided by the Mobile Homeboys from 1 to 3 p.m. Bring a picnic to the Main Lawn or purchase barbecue from 11:30 to 3 p.m. Admission: $8 for adults; $6 for seniors and students; $3 for children 5 to 12; and free for children 4 and younger.
Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge.

SUMMER CONCERT AT
MC GROARTY ARTS CENTER
The McGroarty Arts Center in Tujunga is holding a free annual summer concert featuring The Arohi Ensemble, a blend of ragajazz, accentuating original compositions and improvisation steeped in the classical ragas and rhythmic dynamism and excitement of Indian music.
Members of Arohi play traditional and contemporary innovative instruments designed to stretch the boundaries of new world music. This summer’s concert will include four virtuoso members: Paul Livingston will be playing the sitar and fret guitar; Peter Jacobson on the cello; Dave Lewis on drums, and Javad Butah on the tabla.
The concert is from 4:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29 at the McGroarty Arts Center in the upper parking lot. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and a picnic meal as this concert will be outside in a relaxed family-friendly environment.  The event is free and open to the public.
McGroarty Arts Center, 7570 McGroarty Terrace in Tujunga.

CVHS CHORAL ALUMS NEEDED
Were you a member of a choral group at Crescenta Valley High School? Do you know someone who was? Do you miss the camaraderie and enjoyment that singing with others brings?
Since 1977, Shirley Nute has been directing 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. The rehearsal season will begin on Sept.  15. After the holiday season performances the group will resume rehearsals in the middle of January 2011.
The Chorale provides an opportunity for individuals who enjoy singing in a group to come together, share the challenge of preparing music for performance and feel the thrill of bringing music to those who might not otherwise be able to enjoy the beauty of choral singing. Anyone interested in singing in the chorale can contact Shirley Nute at shirleyb2@earthlink.net.  She’ll be glad to answer any questions you might have.

WOMEN IN GREEN FORUM
Women In Green Forum is taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 1 and Thursday, Sept. 2 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. It is a two-day conference and tradeshow featuring over 80 speakers from all aspects of the environmental industry. The Forum is the nation’s only conference focused on women in environmental careers.
The Forum offers two full days of plenary sessions, breakout tracks, expo hall, and an Eco Fashion Walk-A-Bout showcasing the latest in eco fashion trends. For more details, visit the Forum web site at http://www.womeningreenforum.com.
Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St. in Pasadena.

MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASSES TO START
Dr. Ted Stern, professor of music at Glendale Community College, will again conduct off-campus music appreciation classes for adults in the community. This semester marks the beginning of the tenth consecutive year that these classes have been offered to musicians and non-musicians alike in the area. This semester will cover music of the 20th century from WW II onward.
Classes are held at the Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church located at 2700 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta.  The classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 7 and are held each Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., continuing through Dec. 14. The cost for the 15-week classes is $90. Everyone is welcome!  For more information call Dianne at (818) 248-8110 or (818) 445-2390.

WILHITE SCHEDULED FOR QUILT GUILD MEETING
Glendale Quilt Guild meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Glendale Central Library, 222 E. Harvard in Glendale. The next meeting will be held on Sept. 8 with the featured speaker Sharon Wilhite. Sharon will be giving a trunk show of her quilts and speaking on her techniques. Meetings are free to members. Fee for non-members is $5. For more information visit www.glendalequiltguild.org.

PATH ACHIEVE GLENDALE HOLDING GALA
On Saturday, Sept. 10 from 6 pm. to 10 p.m., PATH Achieve Glendale will host Casino Americana on the Green at The Americana at Brand. After a cocktail hour, guests will enjoy a three-course dinner catered by Trattoria Amici, dance to the sounds of The Martini Kings and play casino games. Prizes for casino winners include a one-night stay at The Americana, USC 40 yard-line football tickets and an iPad. Raffle prizes include a Disney Day of Fun for four, tickets to The Alex Theatre, an annual valet pass to The Americana at Brand as well as numerous other prizes from the stores located at The Americana. During the program segment of the evening, the S.H. Ho Foundation and the City of Glendale will be honored for their continued support of this program that serves over 1,200 homeless men, women and children in Glendale each year. Tickets are $150 per person and may be purchased by calling (818) 409-3334 or emailing event@achieveglendale.org.

  crescenta valley