Around & about
CLASSES
Cool Plants for Hot Places — Aug. 2 through Aug. 16—10 a.m. to noon. The class meets three Saturdays in August at Descanso Gardens. The long, hot days of summer provide the perfect time to think about some cool plants that love hot places. Steve Gerischer will discuss and provide a list of the best heat-loving and drought-tolerant plants, trees, shrubs and ground covers. How to plant and care for them, where to find them, and other related topics will also be discussed. Gerischer has lectured at Smith and Hawken and Hortus, the Arboretum and Descanso. He has been designing ecologically sound gardens for more than 20 years. Fees: $45 ($35 Descanso members). Reservations recommended. Walk-in space is not always available. To register, call (818) 949-7980.
Landscape in Acrylics — Aug. 3 through Aug. 24 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Learn how easy it is to pick up a brush, tap into your creativity and paint in acrylics. Each week, Ray Tucker will introduce new projects and painting techniques and participants will work on a new piece of art. The new day and time on Sunday will give course participants a chance to paint landscape or flowers in Descanso Gardens (class will be mainly outdoors on Aug. 10). Minimum supplies to complete each project will be provided. Tucker has been painting for more than 30 years and has exhibited award-winning work at various art festivals. He is a professional floral designer and enjoys painting flowers and landscapes. Fees: $65 ($55 Descanso members), plus a $25 materials fee payable to the instructor at the first class session. Reservations requested. To register, call (818) 949-7980.
Floral Design I — Aug. 26 through Dec. 9 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Learn to make beautiful flower arrangements in this beginning course at Descanso Gardens offered through Mt. San Antonio College. Ray Tucker will teach different applications and principles of floral design. Topics include form, style and composition. Design of floral arrangements, wreaths, sprays, baskets, bouquets, wedding flowers and corsages are included in the labs. Fees — Two separate payments required: $30 payable to Descanso; $250 tuition and materials fee payable to Mt. SAC. To register, call (818) 949-7980.
Floral Design III — Aug. 28 through Dec. 11 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Learn to make beautiful flower arrangements at Descanso Gardens in this advanced course offered through Mt. San Antonio College. Instructor is Ray Tucker. He will teach different applications and principles of floral design. Topics include design of arrangements for holidays, parties, weddings and sympathy. Hands-on design is included in the labs. Florist management operations will also be emphasized. Fees — Two separate payments required: $30 payable to Descanso; $350 tuition and materials fee payable to Mt. SAC. To register, call (818) 949-7980.
CLUBS
The Republican Buck and Ballot Brigade — Aug. 9 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. The Republican Buck and Ballot Brigade Annual Summer Party, being held in La Cañada. The Foothills Republican Headquarters is located at 2910 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta. It recently held its grand reopening. For information on the Summer Party or other events, call (818) 554-0308.
EVENTS
“In the Mix!” Wine-Tasting — Aug. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The next event in Patina’s popular Summer Wine-Tasting series at Descanso Gardens. The theme is “In the Mix!” and features meritages and blends paired with tapas to complement the flavors. This session takes place on the Minka Terrace. Fees per session are $54 per person ($47 for Descanso members). Make reservations early by calling Patina at (818) 790-3663.
47th Annual Sunland-Tujunga Watermelon Festival — Aug. 8, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Aug. 9, from noon to 11:30 p.m.; and Aug. 10, from noon to 10:30 p.m. Free watermelon for everyone. Featuring watermelon carving display, watermelon eating contest, seed spitting contest, bicycle race and Watermelon Festival Queen contest. International food court, wine and beer garden, artisan exhibits, carnival rides, arcade games, pony rides, petting zoo and more. Sunland Park Recreation Center, 8651 Foothill Blvd. Sunland. For information visit https://www.lionswatermelonfestival.com.
Summer Chamber Music & Wine — Aug. 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Meet the musicians of the Orchestras of Pasadena in Descanso Gardens’ historic Boddy House where you can enjoy beautiful music and savor fine wines and food. The performers will talk about the evening’s program while a sommelier guides guests through three wine selections. Small, plated dishes will accompany the wine. Fees: $65 per person. Reservations and advanced payment are required. Call (626) 793-7172, ext. 3050.
Pasadena Bead and Design Show — Aug. 14 to 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pasadena Bead and Design Show features the work of 250 exhibitors showcasing wearable art, handmade beads, designer components, precious metals, embellishments, lapidary, art jewelry, ceramics, stones, glass art, textiles, fiber arts, metalwork, enameling, art couture, handwovens, collectibles and decorative arts together with artisan suppliers to the trade. There will be workshops, forums and lectures in bead making, jewelry design, textile art, shibori, millinery, metalwork, weaving, art clay silver, Chinese knotting, polymer clay creative fiber and more, embellishment, beadwork, and marketing skills. For information, call (530) 274-1123 or visit www.pasadenabeadanddesignshow.com. Pasadena Hilton, 168 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena.
Summer Night Walk— Aug. 22 at 7:15 p.m. The Gardens are a new world after dark. Trees seem closer together and leaves rustle along the path in the cool night breeze. The night life begins for Descanso’s resident nocturnal animals and insects. Fees: $15 ($10 Descanso members). Reservations requested. To register, call (818) 949-7980.
FLEA MARKETS
Pasadena City College Flea Market — Aug. 3, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (first Sunday every month). Antiques and collectibles, with the products ranging from high-end antiques to rummage items. The market houses over 450 vendors that are located in parking lots on the PCC campus, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. More than 70 record vendors offering items ranging from the big bands to present day performers are located in parking lot 10, at the intersection of Green and Holliston. Admission is free.
PERFORMANCE
Ken O’Malley & The Twilight Lords — Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. Dublin born Ken O’Malley’s rich, resonant voice and engaging stage presence have delighted audiences for over 30 years. Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena. Tickets: $15. For information, call (626) 398-7917 or visit www.coffeegallery.com to see concert schedule.
La Cage Aux Folles — Aug. 2, 3, 9 and 10, Saturday performances at 8 p.m. Sunday at 6 p.m. The story focuses on a loving couple and their nightclub, where lip-synching divas are all the rage. Starring Anibal Silveya as La Cage Aux Folles Club owner, George and Sandy Kaufman as his lifetime partner, Albin.
Knightsbridge Theatre, 1944 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles. Performances will benefit local charity organizations. For information, call (323) 667-0955 or visit www.knightsbridgetheatre.com.
“Spontaneous Fantasia” To Planetarium — Aug. 8. at 8 p.m. and Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m. The Glendale Community College Planetarium presents new performances this summer of John “J. Walt” Adamczyk’s live animation presentation “Spontaneous Fantasia.” Adamczyk is an interactive designer, filmmaker, graphic artist and composer. He won a Technical Academy Award this year for his development of a real-time pre-visualization system. Adamczyk creates a real-time animation world in front of the audience. Part of the proceeds supports GCC’s free K-12 science outreach program. Admission is $15 general and $6 for children 12 and under. For more information call the GCC Planetarium at (818) 240-1000, ext. 5275 or (626) 688-0778. Glendale Community College, 1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale.
The Pasadena Pops: “I Hear America Singing” — Friday, Aug. 15; Saturday, Aug. 16; and Sunday, Aug. 17; gates open at 5:30 p.m. for pre-concert dining, concerts start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, at 7 p.m. on Sunday. The Pasadena POPS conducted by Music Director Rachael Worby for The Pops’ 21st summer concert season at Descanso Gardens. “I Hear America Singing” with special guests, singers Daniel Montenegro and Eric Owens. Tickets $20-$90. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. For information, call The Orchestras of Pasadena, (626) 793-7172, ext. 18, or visit www.pasadenapops.org.
REUNIONS
CVHS 1983 Reunion — Aug. 22 and 23. The 25 anniversary reunion will be Aug. 22 at the Montrose Bowl, and August 23 at the Burbank Holiday Inn – Chrystal View Lounge. Cost is $48 each for both nights. Checks can be mailed to: CVHS 25 Year Reunion, P.O. Box 12051, La Crescenta, CA 91224, Checks can be made out to: CVHS 1983 Reunion. For information, call Ellen at (818) 522-7965 or e-mail lnzmail@ yahoo.com.
TO YOUR HEALTH
Free Blood Pressure Screening — Every Monday, 9 to 11 a.m. Community members can take advantage of Verdugo Hills Hospital’s free blood pressure screenings. Verdugo Hills Hospital is located at 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale.
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