WitFest Tonight

The first WitFest – L.A.-area authors, writers and artistes vying for top scores in an irreverent war of words – will feature moderator Sandra Tsing Loh and panelists Jonathan Gold, Suzanna Guzman, David Kipen, Patt Morrison, Gary Phillips and Nat Read tonight, Thursday, Oct. 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the ballroom of the historic Castle Green, 99 S. Raymond Ave. in Old Pasadena.

The competition promises to be filled with snappy questions and clever repartee. Wine and passed hors d’oeuvres will be provided. The creation of the inaugural Pasadena Prizes in Poetry and Prose, awarded to local high school students to encourage literary arts, will be announced.

 Ticket prices are $75 each or two for $125; patron levels range from $250 to $5,000. Tickets may be purchased at www.litfestpasadena.org; checks should be made out to Pasadena Arts Council, with LitFest Pasadena in the memo field, and mailed to LitFest Pasadena, P.O. Box 93184, Pasadena CA 91109. Tickets are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

 Proceeds from WitFest will benefit the second annual LitFest Pasadena scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2013, a free day of literary panel discussions, readings, theater performances, exhibitors, live music, children’s activities and more. Nearly 2,000 people attended the first LitFest Pasadena in May 2012.

 For more information, visit www.litfestpasadena.org or email info@litfestpasadena.org.

 


Exclusive Visit by Angeles Lladro

Angeles Lladro, Lladro family member and vice president of Lladro, will be making a rare U.S. appearance to celebrate the art of ballroom dancing with the new limited edition Lladro sculpture Elegant Foxtrot. She will be signing this sculpture at Glendale’s Regali Preciozo on Friday, Oct. 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come in to personally meet the daughter of founder Juan Lladro and learn about the history of this company established in 1953 and known worldwide for their fine handmade porcelain design. Regali Preciozo is located at 235 N. Brand in Glendale.

New Exhibit at Bolton Hall

When Sunland and Tujunga were undeveloped, people heard about the cheap land, good climate, high water table, and saw an opportunity to forge a good life. Who were these people and where were they from? Why did they settle here, why did they stay? How did they survive? What did they contribute of their experience, knowledge, culture, foods, and all else they brought with them? As the years have gone by, S/T community has benefitted from the contributions of many cultures from the pioneer days until today.

Bolton Hall Museum’s new exhibit features a random sampling of photographs and captions of those who built the area from bare land to a suburb of Los Angeles.

Bolton Hall is open to the public on Tuesday and Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and entrance is free. Additional information is available from Little Landers Historical Society at (818) 352-3420 or www.littlelandershistoricalsociety.org or email questions to littlelanders@verizon.net.

 Bolton Hall, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga

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.

GLENDALE QUILT GUILD MEETING

The Glendale Quilt Guild meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Glendale Central Library. Social hour is at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments served at the break. Meetings are free to members and $5 for visitors. For more information visit www.glendalequiltguild.org or phone Brandi at (818) 541-9983.

Glendale Central Library, 222 E. Harvard, in Glendale

Women’s Self Defense Class Coming to Y

The Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA is hosting a weekly self-defense class for women, from teens to adults. Self-defense training gives women skills and confidence to protect herself by having the tools to prevent or stop an attack from an assailant. Instructor Steve Dunning is a black belt instructor in northern style Shaolin kung fu. He has studied judo and kung fu in the U.S. and China.

Participants will practice with partners to experience realistic scenarios, focus on mental control and develop an awareness of surroundings. The class continues Monday nights from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. There is a fee for this class and registration is required.

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

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

Republican Club to Host DeVore

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s national chairman for physician’s policy Dr. DeVore will be the guest speaker at the next dinner event for the Republican Club of the Foothills on Oct. 25. Dr. DeVore will share is in-depth first hand experiences of working side-by-side with the campaign team.

The event is at the La Cañada Thursday Club, 4440 Woodleigh Lane in La Cañada. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; dinner is at 7 p.m. The cost is $20 per person that includes dinner. RSVP by calling Joan at (818) 790 -0014 or Mary at (818) 952-7040.

Explore Life Without Knee Pain

On Thursday, Oct. 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Glendale Adventist Medical Center is hosting a seminar on MAKOplasty: Transforming Treatment Options at Angeles National Golf Club. Glendale Adventist board-certified doctors will educate patients about the causes of knee pain and the latest treatment options.

Participants will also be treated to dinner.

For more information or to register, call (855) 360-GAMC (4262) or visit http://www.glendaleadventist.com/makoplasty.

Angeles National Golf Club, 9401 Foothill Blvd., Sunland.

LCWC to Host Western Round up

The La Crescenta Woman’s Club is holding a Western Round up on Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. at the clubhouse. All are invited for a fun night of country music, dancing, barbecue dinner, opportunities and prizes.  Live music by “Buck” Corbett and friends.

Come dressed in your favorite cowboy attire for the western costume contest. The cost is $20 for single or $35/couple.

Call Jean at (818) 248-2328 or Carol at (818) 248-6624.

La Crescenta Woman’s Club, 4004 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta

Flick & Float at the Y

The Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA will be hosting its annual Flick & Float on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There is no charge for the event and it is open to the entire community.  Attendees must reserve their spot in advance by visiting the membership office at the Y.

The whole family will enjoy watching “Monster House” while floating in the Y’s indoor heated pool.  Snacks and floating devices will be provided; please bring your own towel.  Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, contact Heather Harris at (818) 790-0123, ext. 223

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

Sons of Norway

The Sons of Norway Edvard Grieg Lodge is hosting a Scandinavian music program and potluck at Lutheran Church of the Foothills on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. This is a free event.

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

Babysitting classes at VHH

The Verdugo Hills Hospital BEGINNINGS Family Education Program will offer a babysitting class on Oct. 27 designed for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 15. Classes will also be held on Nov. 17 and Dec. 29. Each class is a single, one-time class, held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The babysitting class is an interactive course that teaches participants valuable skills, including infant/child CPR, basic first aid, home/auto safety, accident prevention, telephone skills, safety tips, when to call 911, poison control, fire/earthquake plans and other helpful childcare advice. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a babysitting course completion certificate.

Class fee is $40/person. Reservations are required. For more information or to register, call (818) 952-2272. For a list of additional classes offered by the Family Education Program, visit www.vhhospital.org.

Classes are offered at VHH, 1812 Verdugo Blvd. in Glendale, 91208, in the Council Room (located on the fourth floor).

‘Beneath the Veil’ at The Doctors House

The Doctors House Museum presents “Beneath the Veil,” a special exhibit on mourning and death, on Oct. 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors will take a self-guided tour revealing the customs, practices, superstitions, beliefs, and traditions of the Victorian era related to mourning and death. (Due the subject matter, the exhibit is not recommended for young children.) $5 donation per person is suggested.

For more information, call (818) 242-7447 or visit www.glendalehistorical.org.

The Doctors House Museum is located in the northwest corner of Brand Park, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale.

GAA presents juried exhibit

The Glendale Art Association presents its signature, juried exhibition of paintings, photography and sculpture by dozens of artists in Glendale and neighboring cities at White’s Framing and Art Restoration Gallery in Montrose. Attendance is free. The show continues through Oct. 27.

For more information, call (818) 399-8481 or visit www.glendaleartassociation.com

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

Clean up day coming

The community is encouraged to participate in Foothill Community Clean Up Day on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at Dunsmore Park. This is a free event. For more information or to register, contact Sandra Rodriguez, Glendale Neighborhood Services at (818) 548-2877 or the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, (818) 248-4957.

Dunsmore Park, 4700 Dunsmore Ave, La Crescenta

Smart Gardening Workshop

On Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon, the Crescenta Valley Water District will present the Smart Gardening Workshop offered through Water Wise Consulting. The class will be held at the District’s Glenwood Plant.

This class combines information on garden design concepts, drought tolerant plants, irrigation basics and irrigation scheduling and maintenance.

Space is limited, so please call (818) 236-4107 to reserve a seat.

For more information, visit the CVWD website at www.cvwd.com.

Glenwood Plant is located at 3730 Glenwood Ave. in La Crescenta. Entrance to the class is at the gate on Sycamore Avenue.

Linsteadt at Village Poets

The Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga invites the public to its reading series on Sunday, Oct. 28, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Bolton Hall Museum. The featured poet for this event is Stephen Linsteadt, a painter, poet and writer.  He is the co-author of “The Heart of Health; the Principles of Physical Health and Vitality.”

Bring your own poetry to read. There will be light refreshments. 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, Oct. 28 at Wang’s Place in Monrovia, in the old town area. The meeting time is on 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.

Wang’s Place, 120 E. Lemon Ave., Monrovia

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.

Di Fusco in ‘the Long Way Home’

Montrose resident John DiFusco will be opening his new solo show on Nov. 3.  “The Long Way Home” is a personal and poetic look back at the conception, creation, and theatrical journey of the landmark Vietnam play, “Tracers.” “The Long Way Home – Reflections on the Tracers Journey” is a personal and poetic look back at the “Tracers” experience. DeFusco tells the story with poetry, projections, story telling, and live music.  Musician Al Keith accompanies on percussion and vocals providing a live sound track.

The show opens Nov. 3 at AMVETS, 858 Culver Blvd. in Culver City and is co-produced by www.roguemachinetheatre.com and www.usvaa.org. Tickets will go on sale soon.  Check these sites.  Veterans are invited free of charge.

GAMC Offers Heart Healthy cooking Classes

On Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., a heart healthy and diabetes-friendly cooking demonstration is being offered by Glendale Adventist chef Orland Hutcherson. The presentation includes information by cardiologist Sanjay Sharma, MD, on how diet affects the heart.

Learn how to cook your holiday meals in a heart healthy way!

There will be parking validation, giveaways, a chance to win raffle prizes and diabetes information.

$10 suggested donation.

Space is limited. Call (818) 409-8100 to register or visit GlendaleAdventist.com/Heart for more information.

Glendale Adventist Medical Center, 1509 Wilson Terrace, Glendale

Sierra Club to feature Fred Dong

The Crescenta Valley Sierra Group will next feature Fred Dong’s Indonesia, a slide presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the La Crescenta Library. Enter on La Crescenta Avenue for the meeting room and parking.

Fred Dong is a long-time Sierra Club member and world traveler. He will present slides from his recent trips to Indonesia visiting the islands of Bali, Lombok, Flores, Sumatra, Komodo and Rinea. Huge Komodo dragons, unusual sea life in the magnificent coral reefs will be seen as well as Hindu temples, Indonesian dancers, Sumatran Asian elephants and wild orangutans and many more wildlife images.

The program begins following news of conservation and outings. Refreshments will be served. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Contact Wayne Fisher, program chair, for further information at (818) 353-4181.

La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta

An Evening of Courage and Inspiration

On Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m., the Glendale Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) will present “In Our Own Voice” at Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church.  This free event will feature the autobiographies of two extraordinary young adults who are learning to thrive in the face of mental illness. Both speakers were diagnosed with mental illness as teens.  During the presentation they will recount the dark days when they were first diagnosed, how each learned to accept their illness and reach out for treatment, and how they are celebrating their successes and planning for the future.

This presentation is open to all adults and teens. There will be time for questions and answers with a reception to follow. Anyone interested in attending or who would like more information can contact the church office at (818) 353-2500.

Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church, 10158 Johanna Ave. (at Sunland Boulevard), Sunland

Veterans Celebrated

“Salute to Veterans” luncheon and program will be presented by the Pasadena Women’s Connection on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Altadena Country Club.  Phil Crowley will entertain with his rendition of the Gettysburg Address plus a recitation from Patrick Henry’s “Give me Liberty or Give Me Death” and an assortment of other patriotic readings.

Motivational speaker and internationally acclaimed singer Lillie Knauls will entertain with song and provide solutions in her talk, “Dealing with the Mess of Stress.”  Everyone is invited to attend. Veterans will be honored.

Tickets are $23. For reservations, call Darlene (818) 353-2212 or Carole (818) 790-1907.

Altadena Country Club, 2290 Country Club Dr., Altadena

Fritz Coleman Headlining ARC Event

Weatherman and comedian Fritz Coleman is emceeing the 21^st Annual Comedy Show benefiting the Glendale-Crescenta Valley chapter of the American Red Cross on Nov. 17. The show features performances by four top comedians at the Glendale Centre Theatre at 4 p.m. Tickets are $30 each; VIP tickets are $70 each or $125 for two and includes dinner at Phoenicia Restaurant and reserved seating for the show.

For tickets, call (818) 243-3121 ext. 0 or visit www.GlendaleArts.org. Sponsorships available.

Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange, Glendale

223 Miles, $23 Million and Gravity

The Little Landers Historical Society presents, “223 Miles, $23 Million and Gravity: The Story of Water for Los Angeles” on Nov. 10 at Bolton Hall.

An extraordinary amount of time and effort went into the development of water services in Los Angeles and throughout the San Fernando Valley. This program offers information on the Owens Valley to Los Angeles aqueduct whose centennial will be in 2013.

The speaker is Abraham Hoffman, PhD, and professor of history at Los Angeles Valley College. Besides being a teacher, Dr. Hoffman is a researcher and writer on all things western.

All are invited to this free event (donations accepted). Light refreshments served after the program.

Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga

Parking available at the Elks Lodge, uphill at 10137 Commerce.

 


LCWC HOLDING AUTHORS LUNCHEON

Join the La Crescenta Woman’s Club for its annual Author’s Luncheon on Monday, Nov. 12 at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club. Featured authors are Ashley Ream and Jessie Kellerman.  Program, lunch, door prizes, silent auction, and book signing.

Reservations required by Nov. 5. For information and reservations, call Carol Huntwork at (818) 249-4407.

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

Tomaso at Starlight Books

Pasadena-based author Carla Tomaso will read from her new novel “Frozen,” a quirky tale involving eerie cryonics, dark twists and a maternal bond like no other. “Frozen” is Tomaso’s fifth book and focuses on one woman’s journey to wholeness after she reanimates her cryonically frozen mother who comes back as a child.  The narrator tries to raise her to be the mother she deserves. Tomaso began writing the novel to help work through her mother’s narcissism and her own anger.

Tomaso will be reading at Starlight Books on Nov. 14 at 7: 30 p.m.

Starlight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz

Occidental to present fall concert

Occidental Concert Band, directed by William Bing, will present its annual fall concert on Friday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. in Ramo Auditorium on the Caltech campus.

This free concert will feature the music of the Beatles in a special arrangement originally commissioned by Cirque du Soleil. Also on the program is the music by Ralph Vaughn Williams, Ron Nelson, Johann Sebastian Bach and Daniel French.

Guest conductors for that evening’s concert will be Paul Asimow, Jeffrey Thompson and Daniel French.  Guest soloist for the evening will be Caltech Alumnus Aaron Eichelberger who teaches math and physics at Westridge School in Pasadena. He will perform “Rhapsody for Euphonium” by James Curnow.

This event is open to the public, and parking is free. For further information, contact Caltech Performing and Visual Arts at (626) 395-3295 or visit bands.caltech.edu.

FREE ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING

First Baptist Church La Crescenta is hosting a free e-collection event on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Acceptable electronic devices include TVs, phones, tape players, photo copy machines, car batteries, audio-visual equipment, electronic devices, computers, monitors, laptops, printers, and other computer peripherals. They will be safely and legally recycled by E-waste Center, Inc..  www.ewastcenter.com.

Please bring items to the church parking lot behind the main building at and help us reach the goal of diverting 10,000 lbs. from the landfills.

 Call Nancy Jacobson at (818) 249-1603 with e-collection questions.

  First Baptist Church La Crescenta, 4441 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta

Adams at The Gardenia

 The Gardenia presents Broadway, television and film actress and singer Neile Adams in “Wasn’t It Good!  Wasn’t It Fine!” a musical celebration of Adams’ memories and the stages of her life. The 60-minute shows are on Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 9 & 10 and Nov. 16 & 17, at 9 p.m.

The show will include popular songs like “Shaking The Blues Away” by Irving Berlin, “Arthur” by Kander & Ebb, “This Time It’s The Big Time” by Jerry Herman and “In A Very Unusual Way” by Maury Yeston, among others.

 Admission is $20 per person, plus a $10 two-drink minimum per person, unless having dinner, which is served from 7 p.m.  Dinner and show reservations may be made by calling The Gardenia at (323) 467-7444. Street parking is available.

The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd. (east of La Brea Avenue), West Hollywood

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

Visage Salon Hosts Don Waters

The Visage Salon presents photographs by Don Waters through Dec. 31. “Images of Home” is a personal view of Southern California.

Visage Salon, 1459 San Marino Ave., San Marino (at Huntington Drive)

Sierra Club Plans China Trip

The community is invited to a well-paced journey to China. Explore Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties lived. Climb the Great Wall, take a boat cruise on the Grand Canal of Hangzhou, and visit Suzhou’s Silk factory. Set sail on the Yangtze River, enjoy the wonderful scene of deep and quiet gorges, and the magnificent peaks as if they were cut by axes and knives. Take a shore excursion to the Shennong Stream where you may see the ancient roads, coffins in precipice, and even some rare animals such as golden-haired monkeys.  We will also visit Xi’an’s most important archeological site, where thousands of life-size terra-cotta warriors have been guarding the Emperor’s burial site for over 2,000 years.  Discover the mile-long riverside embankment where foreign investors once held sway over Shanghai.

Price is $3,195.

Sponsored by the Sierra Club. The dates for this event are April 20, 2013 to May 4, 2013 and the leaders are Andrea Lim and Salud Salinda in association with the Crescenta Valley Sierra Club Group.

For more information, send email to andrealim94@yahoo.com – insert subject line of “China 2013” or call Salud at (310) 259-1208. Applications are first-come first-served.

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. – 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.