VERDUGO HUUT HOLIDAY HOOTENANNY

The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills is hosting the Unconquered Sun on Friday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. “Sol Invictus” is a family-friendly evening of songs, comedy, storytelling and surprises celebrating the holidays, stepping on Legos, and the gradual increase of daylight. Performers include troubadours Carol McArthur and Tom Bishel, art-rock freak-out band Madame Headdress, comedians Julie Perkins and Jan Davidson, novelist Maria Alexander and puppeteer Carla Rudy. There will also be a quiz for fun prizes, industrial-strength coffee and a singalong.

Tickets are $10.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills, 4451 Dunsmore, La Crescenta

ace/121 PRESENTS RITUAL/S

RITUAL/S, the first shared exhibition of Glendale-based visual artists Leo Eguiarte and Melly Trochez, will be on exhibit at ace/121 through Jan. 5, 2019.

Eguiarte’s ongoing series delves into a world of symbolism and graphic imagery, reflecting Eguiarte’s interests in signs and everyday ritual. Trochez’s work deals specifically with rituals: activities that are passed on culturally through generations that become embedded in notions of identity.

In their first shared exhibition, Eguiarte and Trochez have chosen to collaborate on a work throughout the course of the exhibition. By sharing the development of a single artwork as part of their exhibition, the two artists will create and confront their own ritual/s in real time in the space of the ace/121 Gallery.

Gallery hours are Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

ace/121 Gallery is located at 121 N. Kenwood St. in Glendale.

NOON CONCERTS OPEN TO PUBLIC

Glendale Noon Concerts is a free-admission concert series that takes place every first and third Wednesday from 12:10 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. in the sanctuary of Glendale City Church.

The next concert is on Jan. 2 and features Arthur Omura performing a French Baroque chamber organ recital.

For more information, email glendalesda@gmail.com or call (818) 244-7241.

Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave. (at Isabel) in Glendale.

‘EAST AFRICA’ PRESENTATION AT SIERRA CLUB

The Crescenta Valley Sierra Club presents Fred Dong’s “East Africa” on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the La Crescenta Library.

Leading this African adventure is Fred Dong, world traveler, fresh from his recent safari to show two different parts of this exciting continent. The so-called “Big 5” are the animals of the Serengeti, Kenya and Tanzania regions. The Masai village will be visited and will teach visitors their ways. There will also be a brief slide show on traveling to Egypt and Jordan presented by Joan Thornton of Mayflower Tours.

The program begins following news of conservation and outings. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served. 

Please contact Wayne Fisher at (818) 353-4181 for further information. 

La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd.

‘BIRDHOUSE’ RANCH HOMES

On Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m., Little Landers Historical Society hosts “William Mellenthin and his Birdhouse Ranch Homes” that were built in the early 1950s San Fernando Valley. Each home had a characteristic “birdhouse” cupola built into the roof. This was a time of the development of the San Fernando Valley as LA’s “new suburban paradise” and the program features rare photographs and documents illustrating the Valley’s early growth.

Our speaker for this program is Chris Lukather, a Cal Arts graduate and author who follows his passions for art, design, California subculture and Los Angeles history. He is currently the editor and publisher of a quarterly literature journal and is a graphic designer. His book about William Mellenthin and his unique homes is available in the Bolton Hall Museum gift shop.

This event is free and open to the public and everyone is welcome.

Additional information is available from Little Landers Historical Society, (818) 352-3420 or BoltonHall.org or email llhs@boltonhall.org.

Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga

‘THE SONATA OF LOVE’ ON MUSIQUES ROSTER

The next presentation of Salon de Musiques is on Jan. 13 and is titled “Sergei Rachmaninoff, the Sonata of Love.” It is an exquisite program for voice, strings and piano that will celebrate three genius European masters: Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Paul Juon.

The program will be performed by Katarzyna Sadej, mezzo-soprano, Serena McKinney, violin, Michael Kaufman, cello, HyeJin Kim, piano and Francois Chouchan, on piano. An informal Q&A with the artists will follow the performance and a gourmet high tea buffet provided by Patina that includes French champagne will be served.

Tickets are $45 for students, and $85 general admission that includes high tea buffet and drinks. To reserve a ticket, visit LeSalondeMusiques.com or call (310) 498-0257.

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

NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF THE S-T BRANCH LIBRARY

The Friends of the Sunland-Tujunga Library bookstore, located in the lobby of the library, has books that range in topics from travel, sports, and education to psychology and biographies. The store also has CDs, DVDs and records. Prices range from 10 cents to $3. Currently, children’s books and cookbooks are on sale for 10 cents (excluding special editions).  Please stop by between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, to see what’s available.

The Sunland-Tujunga Library is located at 7771 Foothill Blvd. in Tujunga.

FREE DANCE CLASSES AT SUNLAND REC CENTER

The community is invited to take part in free Tuesday night dance classes at Sunland Recreation Center. Dances include Zumba, hip-hop and swing. No prior knowledge or experience required.

Couples and families are encouraged to attend.

Classes are from 6:30 p.m. to
7:30 p.m.

Sunland Rec Center, 8651 Foothill Blvd., Sunland

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, 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

TOPS – Take Off Pounds Sensibly – is a self-accountability group meeting held every Monday at Center for Spiritual Living, 4845 Dunsmore Ave. (at Santa Carlotta) in La Crescenta. Weigh-in begins at 5:30 p.m. with a one-hour meeting starting at 6 p.m. For more information, please contact Lisa O. Mayo, (626) 484-0554.

A meeting is also held in Sunland every Thursday at New Hope Community Church, 10438 Oro Vista St. Weigh-in is at 6:30 p.m.; meeting at 7 p.m. For more information, please contact Virginia Timpson, (818) 645-4985.

First meeting is free and all visitors are welcome!

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.