Around ‘n’ About

ACTIVITIES

Folk Dance Club: Winter Festival — Jan. 18, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. International folk dancing will be the focus of the Winter Festival, which takes place at the Scottish Rite Temple in Pasadena. Attendees are welcome to either participate or observe. The annual event is open to all age groups. The Winter Festival, Scottish Rite Temple, 150 N. Madison Ave., Pasadena (corner of Walnut and Madison). A $5 donation requested.

For information e-mail sstach236@earthlink.net.

BOOK READINGS & SIGNINGS

Lori Hanson — Jan 8, at 7:30 p.m. Book-signing/discussion with Lori Hanson’s “It Started with Pop-Tarts,” a true story of how she recovered from an eating disorder.

Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 964 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada. For information call the store at (818) 790-0717.

Writer2Writer — Jan 11, at 4 p.m. With special guest Diane White of “Your Name.com.”

Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 964 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada. For information call the store at (818) 790-0717.

Tina Ferraro — Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. Once Upon A Time Bookstore hosts national bestselling La Crescenta author Tina Ferraro, who will read from her newest Random House young adult novel, “The ABC’s of Kissing Boys,” Ferraro’s third novel on the heels of her award-winning second outing, “How to Hook a Hottie.”

Once Upon A Time Bookstore, 2207 Honolulu Ave., Montrose. For information, call (818) 248-9668.

CLASSES

Square Dance Class — Jan. 9, 7:30 – 9 p.m. Beginner’s class presented by Set in Step Square Dance club taught at the La Cañada Community Center, 4469 Chevy Chase, La Cañada. It can also be a workshop to review the past steps. Ron Durkee is the professional caller. The dress is casual, and the price is $5 a lesson. To have a partner is suggested but singles are welcome also. For information call (818) 790-6175.

Winter Jump Rope Classes — Beginning Jan. 10, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The Foothill Force Jump Rope Team is offering jump rope classes at FIS Gym for all children in grades 2-12, or any adult. For more info or to register, contact Kathy at (818) 790-8442, kweninger@earthlink.net or download a registration form from www.foothillforce.org.

Winter’s Comfort Foods — Jan. 22, 6 to 9 p.m. Atop a hill with views of the San Gabriel Valley, Descanso Gardens’ Boddy House kitchen is the perfect site for cooking fun. Patina Chef Tiana Driggins shares personal recipes and demonstrates cooking methods for making delicious winter foods that will warm everyone. Afterward, participants will enjoy an entire menu together. Cost: $65 ($50 members). To register, call (818) 949-7980.

EVENTS

Photo L.A. 2009 — Jan. 9 & Jan. 10, noon – 8 p.m.; Jan. 11, noon – 6 p.m. The 18th Annual International Los Angeles Photographic Art Exposition is the largest exhibition of its kind in the United States. The fair will feature the finest photographic art on display and for sale, from the earliest 19th century photographic experiments to the most contemporary photography and photo-based art. Seventy of the world’s leading galleries and private dealers representing International and U.S.-based artists will display work at the fair. Exhibited at the Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport. Tickets are $20 for a two-day pass, and $30 for a three-day pass.

For a complete list of exhibitors and information, call (323) 937-4659 or visit www.artfairsinc.com/photola/2009.

Camellia Forest Tour — Jan. 18., from 2 - 3 p.m. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada. Descanso’s lead horticulturist Wayne Walker leads a free walking tour of the largest camellia collection in North America. Visitors will meet Walker at the Center Circle to discover the beauty and history of some of the 34,000 camellia plants that grow at Descanso Gardens. Free with Gardens admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors and students, $3 children 5-12; free for members and children 4 and younger. For information call (818) 949-4200, or visit www.descansogardens.org.

Doo Dah Parade Pancake Breakfast — Jan. 18, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The Pasadena Senior Center will be serving its Annual Doo Dah Parade Pancake Breakfast just prior to the parade. The menu will feature a hot breakfast of light and fluffy all-you-can-eat buttermilk pancakes; it also includes scrambled eggs and a choice of ham, bacon or sausage.

The Center, at 85 E. Holly St., has the best parade location in town because it is situated at the start of the Doo Dah Parade route at the intersection of Holly Street and Raymond Avenue. The cost of the Doo Dah Parade Pancake Breakfast is $7. For more information about the Doo Dah Parade Pancake Breakfast call the Pasadena Senior Center at (626) 795-4331 or visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org.

FLEA MARKETS

Rose Bowl Flea Market — Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (second Sunday of every month). R.G. Canning Attractions stages this event at the Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. Cost is $8 per person, children under 12 admitted free. Express admission between 8 and 9 a.m. is $10 per person; early admission, 7 to 8 a.m. is $15 per person and VIP admission, 5 to 7 a.m. is $20 per person. Free parking.

PERFORMANCE

The Pasadena Symphony: Beethoven — Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The Pasadena Symphony, conducted by Maestro Jorge Meister, performs an all Beethoven program with the “Piano Concerto No. 5” (The Emperor Concerto), featuring world-renowned pianist Howard Shelley, and “The 9th Symphony” with The Pasadena Master Chorale.

Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, $20 to $60; children, $10 (626) 584-8833. For more details, call (626) 793-7172, or visit www.theorchestras.org.

Annie — Jan. 13-18, Opening Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Tickets: $27.50 – $85 Ticketmaster phone charge at (213) 480-3232 or visit kodaktheatre.com.

Waiting For Godot — Jan. 15 through Jan. 25. A Noise Within presents Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting For Godot” for 10 performances.

A Noise Within, 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale. To purchase tickets call (818) 240-0910 ext. 1, or go online to www.ANoiseWithin.org.

TO YOUR HEALTH

2 Free Cancer Support Workshop — “Fostering Resilience in the Midst of Cancer,” presented by Denise Badaruddin, Ph.D., Monday, Jan. 12, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Explore the concept of resilience: what strengthens it, does everyone have an equal share of it? Find out how having resilience can impact your fight for recovery or your role as a support person.

“Complementary and Natural Therapies,” presented by Robert Chu, L.Ac, Thursday, Jan. 15, from 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.

Find out how Eastern medicine and a better understanding of our environment and nutrition can help with the side effects of cancer treatment, and improve overall health and vitality.

The Wellness Community-Foothills, 200 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena.

For more information call TWC-F at (626)796-1083 or go online to www.twcfoothills.org.

Fitness Walks and Yoga — Mondays through Fridays, beginning Jan. 12. Sixteen 10-week classes blend fitness walks in the Gardens with yoga; for any age, body type or fitness level. Participants will learn basic yoga postures, breathing and stress-management tools. Each class includes an aerobic walk through the Gardens, weather permitting, and yoga indoors. Wear walking shoes and comfortable clothing, and bring an exercise mat or towel.

Schedules for each 10-session series are: 8:30 to 10 a.m. Mondays, Jan. 12 to March 16; 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 13 to March 17; 8:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 14 to March 18; and 8:30 to 10 a.m. Fridays, Jan. 16 to March 20. Evening classes are: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 12 to March 16; 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 13 to March 17; 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 14 to March 18. Cost is $150 ($130 members). Reservations are recommended as walk-in space is not always available. To register, call (818) 949-7980.

VOLUNTEER

Lanterman House — La Cañada Flintridge’s only historic museum is in need of docents who are willing to be trained to lead tours through the house, which is located at 4420 Encinas Drive. To learn more, contact Melissa Patton, executive director, at (818) 790-1421.

American Red Cross Blood Services — Volunteer blood drive registration and refreshment table assistants are needed. There are immediate opportunities throughout the area. To learn more, contact the volunteer coordinator by calling (800) 498-9910 or e-mailing deanj@usa.redcross.org.

LACMA seeks docent volunteers — The Docent Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is seeking volunteers to lead tours of the museum’s diverse collections. An art background is not required. Applications are due no later than March 12. For application information for the next docent training class call (323) 857-6119 or e-mail a request to Admissions@lacmadocent.org.

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