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

E-waste Collection Event Benefits Rotarians

Glendale Sunrise Rotary Club will be providing free drive-through recycling of electronic waste in the parking lot of Crescenta Valley Insurance (corner of Foothill and Pennsylvania) on Saturday, Dec. 29 from 8 a.m. to noon. Rotarians will be on hand to help unload and recycle computers, monitors, televisions, cellphones and other electronics products.

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

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 Jan. 2 and features violinist Jacqueline Suzuki and pianist Rosa LoGiudice will perform Beethoven’s “Spring Sonata.”

 


‘Earthwatch Expeditions’ at sierra club

The Crescenta Valley Sierra Club will feature Muriel Horacek’s, “Earthwatch Expeditions” on Tuesday evening, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Los Angeles County Public Library (please enter on La Crescenta Avenue for the meeting room and parking).

Horacek is a volunteer field representative of the Earthwatch Institute and has been an activist participant for a number of years.  Finding solutions for a sustainable future is the purpose of this organization.  Horacek’s experience is vast and interesting: camping out in a cave in China while monitoring the white-headed langur, saving the cheetahs in Namibia, observing migrating birds in Israel, Brazil and Alaska and the wild horses off the coast of Maryland.

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 chairman at (818) 353-4181 for further information.

Los Angeles County Public Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta.

Special events at Flintridge Bookstore

Flintridge Books is hosting three upcoming events.

On Sunday, Jan. 6 at 5 p.m., Rattle poetry features Lytton Bell, Ben McClendon and Loretta Obstfeld.

Sunday, Jan.13 at 3 p.m., Smoky Zeidel signs her book, “The Storyteller’s Bracelet,” a novel dealing with the mandatory Indian schools created by the U.S. government in the 1800s.  In addition to the provocative subject matter, this book is also available on Flintridge Bookstore’s Espresso Book Machine, which provides self-publishing and on demand book services in-house.  Zeidel’s title is one of several million available to print on demand – quality paperback books printed in about 15 minutes.

On Sunday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m., Moonday East poetry features Peter Ludwin

Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse is located at 1010 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge, at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Angeles Crest Highway.  For more information, call (818) 790-0717.

 


Little Landers Presents History of Knott’s Berry Farm

Little Landers Historical Society presents the history of Knott’s Berry Farm on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m.

In 1920, there was a 20-acre farm owned by the Knott Family. With the success of the boysenberry, the family expanded the farm to include a tea room and then a restaurant serving tasty fried chicken dinners. It is so much more than the theme park people know today.

Urban anthropologist Eric Lynxwiler, co-author of the book “Knott’s Preserved: From Boysenberry to Theme Park, the History of Knott’s Berry Farm,” is the guest speaker. Lynxwiler is also the host of “Neon Cruise” for the Museum of Neon Art as well as a docent for the Los Angeles Conservancy.  He even worked behind the counter of the shooting gallery at Knott’s Berry Farm while in college.

Everyone is welcome. Free admission. Parking available up hill at the Elks Lodge.

Bolton Hall is located at 10110 Commerce Ave. in Tujunga at the corner of Commerce & Valmont avenues.

Workshop to help parents of college bound seniors

 A free workshop is being held at the Glendale YMCA on Jan. 17 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for local parents of college bound high school students.

The workshop will focus on little-known ways of getting money for college, no matter how much income is made, or the student’s grades. The class will include topics such as how to double or triple eligibility for free grant money, the secret to sending a child to a private or UC school for less than the cost of a junior college, and the single biggest mistake that nine out of 10 parents make when planning for college.

College Planning Experts, a Valencia-based company, has been helping Los Angeles County parents since 2004, making college affordable, one family at a time.

Seating is free but limited by the size of the room. To reserve a seat, call (661) 295-9946 or visit www.CollegePlanningExperts.com and click on the workshop tab.

Glendale YMCA, 140 N. Louise St.,  Glendale

 


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

Babysitting classes at VHH

The Verdugo Hills Hospital BEGINNINGS Family Education Program will offer a babysitting class on Dec. 29 designed for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 15. This 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).

ROSE LEAF RAGTIME CLUB

The next meeting of the Rose Leaf Club is on Sunday, Dec. 30 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. Meetings are held 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.

Russian Jazz Ballet of Valery Tereshkin

The ASA Art Corporation presents the award winning Russian dance group, Jazz Ballet of Valery Tereshkin, performing “Territory of Jazz” during this holiday season.

The world-renowned dance company from Russia combines unique jazz dance culture with classical Russian ballet.

Their performances have captivated audiences and received numerous awards both in the United States and throughout the world.

At the historic Alex Theatre on Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.

Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale

Contact www.alextheatre.org, box office at (818) 243-2539; info at (818) 800-3090.

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)

 


FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION

Beginning Feb. 1, residents can receive free income tax preparation under the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program provided through AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, a tax-exempt charity of AARP.  Membership in AARP is not required.

Free income tax preparation can be obtained at La Crescenta County Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd. (corner of La Crescenta Avenue) from Friday, Feb. 1 through Friday, April 12.  Enter from the upper level parking lot.

The hours are Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Taxpayers will be helped on a “first-come-first-served” basis; no advanced reservations are available.

La Crescenta Homesteader’s Artwork on Exhibit

Sketches and watercolors from 1900 – 1902 by Winifred Bathey, a La Crescenta homesteader who also pursued art, are on display at the Lanterman House until Feb. 28. The exhibition of this private collection also includes photographs from the Bathey family albums. Winifred, the eldest daughter, focused on architecture and landscape in her artwork, preserving a rare glimpse of the foothills and parts of Los Angeles at the turn of the 20th Century.

Almost lost from the Bathey estate, the artwork was fortuitously reunited with the homestead’s current owner when a Los Angeles book collector happened upon them at the bottom of several boxes of books. Sketches and watercolors have been framed by White’s Gallery to preserve them. The homestead remains in good condition on privately owned land.

For visitor information, contact the Lanterman House at http://www.lantermanfoundation.org/.

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.

FIRST CVHS CLASS OF ’63 PLANS 50-YEAR REUNION

A 50-year reunion is being planned by the members of the first class to graduate from Crescenta Valley High in 1963.

The “First and the Best” will celebrate June 22-23, 2013 at Angeles National Golf Club nestled at the base of the Angeles National Forest just 15 minutes from Burbank Airport and numerous hotels.

Planning committee members are seeking addresses and email addresses of classmates to notify them of the event.  Former Falcons are asked to contact Denice “Pruden” Heatherington at d.prudenheatherington@yahoo.com or Gene Wilcott at gwilcott@charter.net.

Plans include a Saturday night “Buffet of Memories: An Evening with Old Friends, Fine Food & Good Spirits,” and a Sunday brunch.

Area residents might remember when the “old” Clark Junior High campus was converted into a high school in the fall of 1960, and there was only a sophomore class.  Those students were the first to graduate from the new high school, and they established the school mascot, school colors, school song (written by class faculty advisor Shirley Nute) and many other traditions.

Class president Tim MacDonald heads a committee composed of Heatherington, Wilcott, Miles Olin, Kathie “Schreck” Olin, Susie “Schunck” Gorman, Merry “Delbridge” Shelburne, Terry “Wudke” Baugh, Donna “Gamper” Didden, Gayle “Hasselschwert” Kemper, and class advisor Nute, with special thanks to the “Keepers of the List,” Dennis and Mary “MacArthur” LeBlanc.

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.