La Cañada area events: February calendar is filling up with activities, performances, meetings and more
A roundup of community events in and around La Cañada Flintridge. To submit items, email carol.cormaci@latimes.com.
EVENTS
Battle of the Badges Blood Drive — Thursday, Feb. 6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station, 4554 N. Briggs Ave., La Crescenta, hosts this American Red Cross blood drive and invites community members to participate. Every year, sheriff’s personnel, friends and families engage in a friendly competition to see who can donate the most blood. The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be parked in the lot at the station.
Author talk: “Built for Health,” Lyra Kilston — Saturday, Feb. 15, 2 p.m. Lanterman House sponsors this talk at the La Cañada Flintridge Library featuring Los Angeles-based writer Lyra Kilston, who explores how early 20th-century ideas about health played a role in the evolution of architecture in Southern California. Kilston’s talk will describe how sunlight used to be considered medicinal and was frequently prescribed by doctors in measured daily doses. These ideas spread into architectural designs. The results ranged from eccentric, sun-chasing devices to sleek, modernist landmarks. Kilston’s book, “Sun Seekers: The Cure of California,” looks at three different moments in Southern California history. Seating for the lecture is offered on a first-come basis, with a maximum occupancy of 50. No reservations are necessary. The library is located at 4545 Oakwood Ave., La Canada.
Dine-out fundraiser at Joselito’s —Wednesday, Feb. 12, 5 to 9 p.m. A percentage of proceeds from the evening’s purchases will be used to benefit the philanthropic work of La Crescenta Woman’s Club. Joselito’s is located at 2345 Honolulu Ave., Montrose. Place your receipt in the labeled box on the restaurant’s front desk.
MEETINGS
La Cañada Flintridge Sister Cities Assn. Annual Meeting — Thursday, Feb. 6, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Craig Mazin, Emmy and Golden Globe awards winner, will serve as master of ceremonies. Entertaining will be provided by the David Sagal Jazz Trio and the La Cañada High School Chamber Choir. A catered dinner and drinks will be served. There will be a Spanish wine tasting courtesy of Gil Family Estates. The event will take place at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada. Cost is $85 for members, $40 for student members, $95 for nonmembers and $50 for student nonmembers. RSVP by Jan. 24 to lcfsistercities.org/2020annualmeeting. For more information email Gina Ricci at riccigina@ymail.com.
La Crescenta Woman’s Club — Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m. and Monday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. During the Feb. 12 luncheon meeting the club will mark its 109th birthday, recognize past presidents and hear from a speaker involved in the after-school program offered by the Salvation Army. On Feb. 17, representatives from the Montrose Search & Rescue Team will address the group. The organization meets at 4004 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta, and is in search of new members. To learn more, send an email to info@lacrescentawomansclub.org or visit lacrescentawomansclub.org/.
TEENS
Career Seminar program, “Careers with the FBI, Careers with Computers” — Monday, Feb. 24, 5:30 to 7 p.m. This is one of five career seminars led by experts in their fields and sponsored by the Community Scholarship Foundation of La Cañada Flintridge, in conjunction with Glendale Unified School District and the Community Foundation of the Verdugos. It will be held in the auditorium at Crescenta Valley High School, 2900 Community Ave., La Crescenta. Admission is free. High school and college-age youth are invited to attend, as are their parents. For more information email president@csflacanada.org.
PERFORMANCE
First United Methodist Church Third@First concert —Saturday, Feb. 15, 4 p.m. Solo piano concert by Junko Ueno Garrett. The theme “Stories in Music” anchors the program which includes music of J.S. Bach, Schumann, Ginastera, Granados and Chopin. The church is located at 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Off-street parking can be accessed from Green Street. Admission is free.
Pasadena Symphony presents Gershwin/Debussy — Saturday, Feb. 15, 2 and 8 p.m. David Lockington conducts, Nick Kendall, violin. Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Giacchino’s “Voyage,” Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess: Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra,” Williams’ “The Lark Ascending” and Debussy’s “La Mer.” Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S. St. John Ave., Pasadena. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased online at pasadenasymphony-pops.org or by calling (626) 793-7172.
Glendale Noon Concert —Wednesday, Feb. 19, 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. This concert will feature pianist Brendan White and violinist Jacqueline Suzuki performing works by Franz Liszt and J.S. Bach in the sanctuary of Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave., Glendale. Admission is free.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” — Sunday, Feb. 23 through Tuesday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. all dates. The La Cañada High School Theatre Department, under the direction of Justin Eick, presents Shakespeare’s classic comedy in the La Cañada Playhouse on campus, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Cañada. Admission is free.
CLASSES
Meditation Class — Fridays, noon to 1 p.m. This weekly meditation class, led by the Kadampa Meditation Center, is held in Room 4 at the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada. No meditation experience is necessary, and all are welcome. The hour begins with guided meditation, followed by a teaching and then another meditation. Cost: free for YMCA of the Foothills members; $5 for nonmembers.
International Folk Dancing — Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to learn and do fun and beautiful dances from around the world every Thursday evening at the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, 4469 Chevy Chase Drive, La Cañada. Teaching level is adjusted to each evening’s participants. The large dance room has a new floor and the ample parking is free. Each dancer’s $5 pays for the class use of the facility. For more details, visit Foothill.Dance or contact JanRayman@charter.net or (818) 790-8523.
SENIORS
Pioneer Club/New Beginnings Club — Mondays at 11 a.m. Seniors who would like to lunch with others and perhaps enjoy a game of bingo or go on outings are invited to check out the Pioneer Club that meets the first and third Monday each month at Holy Redeemer Church, 2411 Montrose Ave., Montrose, or the New Beginnings Club that convenes at St. James the Less, 4625 Dunsmore Ave., La Crescenta each second and fourth Monday. For more information about the Pioneer Club, call Mary Mancuso at (818) 249-8454. To learn more about the New Beginnings Club call Gloria Pauly at (818) 248-2944.