Around & About

BOOK-SIGNING

William O’Daly reads Pablo Neruda — Friday, May 6, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse hosts a reading and book-signing event for William O’Daly, poet and translator of nine books by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Historical flutes played by Rick Wilson, professor of mathematics at Caltech, will accompany the readings. The bookstore is located at 1010 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada. For more information call (818) 790-0717.

CLASSES

Parenting Special Needs Children & Teens — Thursday evenings, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This class, held at the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, is taught by Kimberlie Zakarian, a licensed family therapist. It is designed to identify and support families with special-needs children. Open to the community. To learn more call (818) 790-0123.

EVENTS

African Violet Show, Sale — Saturday, April 30. Sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; show 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Burbank and Montrose African Violet societies and the African Violet Council of Southern California are holding a judged show and sale at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada.

Descanso Spring Plant Sale — Friday and Saturday, April 29-30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Stock up on rooted cuttings from the rose garden, warm-weather lilacs developed at Descanso and native and rare plants of all kinds. The sale is at the Lake House Nursery located on the auxiliary parking lot at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive. Admission is free. For more information call (818) 949-4200 or go to www.descansogardens.org.

Historic Pasadena Tour — Stunning Historic Interiors in Public Spaces — Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presented by the Pasadena Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. The general public is invited to see selected early 20th-century historic interiors in a self-guided walking tour in the neighborhood around the Playhouse District. There will also be expert-led workshops throughout the day. Tickets include the tour and all workshops. Purchased in advance, the tickets are $15 and will be at will-call at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101. Tickets purchased on the day of the tour at the playhouse are $20 each. Tickets are available online at www.asidpasadena.org or by calling (626) 795-6898.

Pet Grooming Demonstration — Saturday, April 30, 3 p.m. The La Cañada Flintridge Library, 4545 Oakwood Ave., La Cañada hosts Yolanda Gartside of Yolanda’s Mobile Pet Grooming, who will demonstrate the art of trimming, brushing and general cleaning of dogs. She’ll also discuss feeding, training and exercise as well as specialized care of older dogs. Pet owners are welcome but are asked to leave their dogs at home.

Armenian Festival — Saturday, April 30, 1 p.m. to midnight; and Sunday, May 1, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The 10th Annual Armenian Cultural & Food Festival promises music by popular Armenian singers, folk dance performances, costume shows, foods and pastries, cultural exhibits and activities for all ages. Proceeds go to support the Armenian Relief Society Western USA’s various programs. The event takes place at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale. Admission is $3 per person. For more information contact the ARS at (818) 500-1343 or visit www.arswestusa.org.

Taste of Montrose — Sunday, May 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Crescenta Valley High School’s Prom Plus Committee is hosting its annual Taste of Montrose in the 2200 block of Honolulu Avenue, where more than two dozen restaurants and culinary experts will provide samples of their fare. Tickets are $20 and available by calling Robin Goldsworthy at (818) 248-2740 or Lisa Yeghiayan at (818) 314-9810. Tickets will also be available on Honolulu Avenue on the day of the event. Taste of Montrose is being held in conjunction with the weekly Montrose Harvest Market. For more information visit www.promplus.org.

Y-Tribes 61st Annual Pancake Breakfast — Saturday, May 7, 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast is served at the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada to raise funds for the Y-Tribes youth program. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the Y, through a Y-Tribes member or on the day of the event.

EXHIBITS

Descanso Artists — Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Sunday, May 1. The Descanso Artists resume the art program in the newly created Heritage Art Gallery in Manchester Boddy’s private study in Boddy House on the grounds of Descanso Gardens. This exhibit is free with Descanso admission.

KID PICKS

Buff Buddies Fitness Save our Schools Fundraiser — Saturday, April 30, from noon to 4 p.m. This event will be held at Memorial Park, 1201 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada and will feature obstacle courses, bounce houses, freeze dance competition, dodge ball, relay races, sack races and more. Admission is $10; 50% of the fee will be returned to your child’s school. Children are invited to compete in teams against other kids, other schools, or even challenge their parents. Open to all schools, children and families regardless of age or athletic ability. For more information call David Cain at (818) 500-9800.

Pretty Little Princess program — Three-week series of classes on Saturdays, May 14, 21 and 28, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Girls ages 5-11 are invited to dress up in their fanciest attire for this class at the Community Center of La Cañada, 4469 Chevy Chase Drive. The girls will learn to walk the runway, participate in mock photo shoots, apply play make-up and get dolled up in fancy accessories provided during class. They will also learn to stand up straight, introduce themselves, sit properly and speak in front of others. Family and friends are invited to the final class May 28, where they will enjoy the exciting “Pretty Little Princess Fashion Show” while being served tea and tea sandwiches made by the girls. This class is limited to 10 students. Cost is $99. Call (818) 203-6080 to reserve a space.

Babysitting classes for youths age 11-15 — April 30 and May 21, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Verdugo Hills Hospital Beginnings Family Education Program offers this course for boys and girls ages 11 to 15. Students learn infant/child CPR, basic first aid, home/auto safety, accident prevention, telephone skills, when to call 911, fire/earthquake plans and other childcare advice. At the end of each one-time class, the participants receive a babysitting course completion certificate. Classes are held in the Council Room at Verdugo Hills Hospital, 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale. Class fee is $35 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (818) 952-2272.

PERFORMANCE

California Women’s Chorus 42nd Annual Concert — Sunday, May 1, 2 p.m. “A Song in Our Hearts” is the theme of this year’s concert, which will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 100 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale. Hosted by the Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus. Guest director is Desiree La Vertu and accompanist is Alan Geier. Dario Frommer will serve as master of ceremonies. Scholarships will be presented to three young singers who will perform at the concert. Tickets are available by contacting Cleta Porterfield at (818) 790-4342 or clporterfield@yahoo.com. A donation of $15 for advance tickets or $18 at the door is requested.

Bach Concerti — Saturday, May 7, 8 p.m. Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra presents Brandenburg Concerti No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6; Double Concerto for violin and oboe; and Suite No. 2 for flute and orchestra. Soloists include concertmaster Ilia Korol, oboist Gonzalo Xavier Ruiz and flutist Stephen Schultz. Music Director Martin Haselböck conducts. The concert will be presented at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 585 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 91101. Prices range from $55 to $15 for students with valid identification. For more information or to order tickets, call (310) 458-4504 or visit www.MusicaAngelica.org.

Caltech Clarinet and Slide-Rule Trombone choirs — Saturday, May 21, 1 p.m. The La Cañada Flintridge Library, 4545 Oakwood Ave., presents these amateur musicians who are loosely and/or formerly associated with the Caltech music department. They will be playing a variety of music at the library during this event, which is free and open to the public.

La Cañada Congregational Church Chancel Choir Spring Concert — Sunday, May 22, 4 p.m. The choir, under the direction of Dr. Harold Daugherty, will present works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The program will include “Regina coeli” and “Vesperae solennes de confessore.” The choir will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra and by organist Joseph Klice. Marcus Smythe will offer readings to accompany the concert. Soloists will be soprano Rhonda Dillon, mezzo Christina Whitten Thomas, tenor Samuel Barbara and baritone Mathew Welch. A reception in the church’s Fellowship Hall will follow the concert. This concert is presented free and is open to the public. The church is located at 1200 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada. For more information call (818) 790-1185.

REUNION

La Cañada High School, Class of 1971 — Saturday, Sept. 24. Although the time and specific venue have not been announced, this Spartan reunion will be held in Old Town Pasadena. There will also be a no-host mixer on Friday, Sept. 23 in Old Town. Class members are invited to go online to LCHS71.com for more details.

SENIOR INTEREST

Lust for Life Senior Expo — Sunday, May 1, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, 4469 Chevy Chase Drive, La Cañada, hosts this event for the second year. Attendees will receive information on healthy lifestyles, dance and fitness classes and art workshops, and connect with more than 30 vendors serving seniors in the Foothills. There will be free give-aways throughout the afternoon. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from popular gourmet food trucks. For more information call the Community Center at (818) 790-4353 or go online to www.cclcf.org.

Leisure Club welcomes Barbershop Quartet — Friday, May 6, 1 p.m. The Leisure Club of La Cañada Flintridge meets in the multi-purpose room at the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd. This month’s meeting will feature the Bill’s Bari Pie Barbershop Quartet. Parking is free and refreshments are provided. No reservations required.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Descanso Gardens — Spring openings. Volunteers are needed to assist with customer service, lead school and public tours, serve as a Boddy House ambassadors or greet visitors at the membership table. For more details, call Tali Arnold at (818) 949-7978 or email her at tarnold@descansogardens.org.

Kidspace Museum — Year-round opportunities. Kidspace Children’s Museum, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, is recruiting volunteers and interns who enjoy working with children or want to gain real-world experience in a nonprofit environment. Minimum age to volunteer is 16. To apply for a volunteer position, go to www.kidspacemuseum.org/volunteer or send an email to the volunteer coordinator at ssheklow@kidspacemuseum.org. For internship positions, go to www.kidspacemuseum.org/jobs.

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