Around & About
BOUTIQUES: Holiday Ceramics Sale — Friday, Dec. 10, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Community Center of La Ca¿¿ada Flintridge welcomes more than 50 artists to display and sell their works, including one-of-a-kind bowls, platters, cups, vases, jewelry and more. On Friday afternoon the center will host an informal artist’s reception, where shoppers will have the opportunity to meet the artists and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres. The Community Center is located at 4469 <runtime:topic id=”PECLB000946”>Chevy Chase</runtime:topic> Drive. For more details, visit the website at https://www.cclcf.org or call the main office at (818) 790-4353.
Botanic Bling ¿¿¿ Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 12, noon to 4 p.m. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Ca¿¿ada Flintridge. Celebrity stylist and TV personality Mark-Alan Harmon offers tips on selecting chic items to give. Find the perfect gift for that special someone at this trunk show of botanic-inspired jewelry and accessories from a diverse collection of independent vendors and craftspeople. Free with admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors/students, $3 children 5-12, and free to children 4 and younger. For more information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit https://www.descansogardens.org.
CLASSES
Holiday Card Making ¿¿¿ Saturdays, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Crescenta-Ca¿¿ada Family YMCA hosts these classes, which are free and open to the public, in its multi-purpose room. An art instructor will provide materials and snacks for the class. The Y is located at 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Ca¿¿ada.
EXHIBITS
“The World of Gods: Tradition and Modernity in Contemporary South <runtime:topic id=”PLGEOREG000009”>Asia</runtime:topic>” ¿¿¿ Through Feb. 12 (except during school break Dec. 18-Jan. 8). Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in January and February; Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. <runtime:topic id=”PLGEO100100102480000”>Pasadena</runtime:topic> City College Art Gallery, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. The exhibit is curated by art historian Debashish Banerji and features paintings and works on paper depicting the gods and goddesses of Hindu and Buddhism in South Asia. Gallery admission is free and open to the public. Visitor parking is available on campus for $2.
Elephants of Asia ¿¿¿ Opens Dec. 16. The new Elephants of Asia habitat opens at the <runtime:topic id=”PLGEO100100102380000”>Los Angeles</runtime:topic> Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Griffith Park, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles 90027. Billy, a 25-year-old Asian elephant, will be featured in the habitat with Tina and Jewel, two female Asian <runtime:topic id=”ANSP0000010”>elephants</runtime:topic> who arrived from the San Diego Zoo last month. Zoo admission is $14 for adults, $9 for children ages 2-12. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information call (323) 644-4200 or visit https://www.lazoo.org.
EVENTS
Self-guided Gamble House Holiday Tours ¿¿¿ Sunday, Jan. 2, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Gamble House, 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena 91103, will adjust its regular schedule of docent-led tours to also offer self-guided tours on Jan. 2. The Gamble House Bookstore will keep regular hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, except for Dec. 26 and Dec. 31. For more information about the self-guided tours or hours of docent-led tours, go online to https://www.gamblehouse.org.
Lighting ceremony <runtime:topic id=”12014001”>for Christmas</runtime:topic> Tree Lane, plus parade ¿¿¿ Saturday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m., preceded by a Winter Festival at 2 p.m. The 90th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Tree Lighting Ceremony and Parade will get underway at the Altadena Public Library, 600 E. Mariposa Street, Altadena. Christmas Tree Lane Boutique features mugs, T-shirts, toys, and memorabilia. Refreshments served. The library parking structure will close at 1:30 p.m.; parking will be available after that on surrounding streets. Santa Rosa Avenue in Altadena, between Woodbury Avenue and Altadena Drive, is transformed each year into Christmas Tree Lane, with lights being strung on the 100 deodar trees that line the street. Free.
KIDS’ PICKS
Babysitting Course for Ages 11 to 15 ¿¿¿ Saturdays, Dec. 11 and Jan. 29, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Verdugo Hills Hospital Beginnings Family Education Program offers babysitting classes at the hospital, 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 15. The interactive course teaches infant/child CPR, basic <runtime:topic id=”0700300027”>first aid</runtime:topic>, home/auto safety, accident prevention, telephone skills, safety tips and more. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate. Class fee is $35 per person and reservations are required. To register call (818) 952-2272.
Brunch With Santa ¿¿¿ Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11-12, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. both dates. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Ca¿¿ada Flintridge. Enjoy a visit with Santa and a gourmet breakfast from Patina Catering. Bring a camera. Santa will be available for photos. Children will decorate cookies and receive goodie bags. Cost: $50 ($42 Descanso members); $19 children 4 to 12; children under 3 free. Reservations required: (818) 790-3663.
Train Rides to Santa’s House ¿¿¿ Dec. 10-12; and Dec. 15-23, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., weather permitting. Travel Town Transportation Museum, 5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Families can take a miniature train ride to visit jolly old Saint Nick. Travel past the reindeer barn and Santa’s workshop before arriving at the “North Pole,” where photos with Father Christmas will be available. Digital photographs will be available for $5, or guests may bring their own cameras but will be limited to two shots. Tickets are $7 per person; children 18 months old or younger can ride for free. Advance ticket purchases are suggested and can be made through https://www.TravelTownRailroad.com.
Kids Talent Contest ¿¿¿ Sunday, Dec. 19, 12 p.m. WAW <runtime:topic id=”PLGEO100100100000000”>California</runtime:topic> <runtime:topic id=”ORCRP0000015237”>Starz</runtime:topic> Talent Contest at the Community Center of La Ca¿¿ada Flintridge, 4469 Chevy Chase Drive, LCF. Youths ages 5-21 will demonstrate their talents as singers, dancers, musicians and models and will compete in front of entertainment-industry professionals. The event is presented by the Kiwanis Builders Club of LCHS 7/8, Kiwanis K-Kids of the Community Center, WAW Talent Training Studios and the Community Center. Cost to attend is $5.
PERFORMANCE
Cosmic Christmas ¿¿¿ Sundays through Dec. 19, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. A multi-media presentation of composer/songwriter Eban Schletter, based on his 2009 concept album. Featuring live Theremin (an electronic musical instrument) performance, SkySkan star fields and real-time animation performed by J-Walt, creator or “Spontaneous Fantasia” shows. Glendale Community College Planetarium, 1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale 91208. Admission at the door is $10 general and $5 for children under 12. For information go to https://www.glendale.edu/planetarium.
Carolers ¿¿¿ Friday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. The Crescenta Valley High School Choir will be caroling at the Christmas-tree lot and the rest of the campus of the Crescenta-Ca¿¿ada Family YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Ca¿¿ada. Free.
“The Nutcracker” ¿¿¿ Dec. 18-19 and Dec. 24-31. Pasadena Dance Theatre will perform this holiday classic by composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in both San Gabriel and in Pasadena. More than 80 dancers will bring to life Clara’s Christmas Eve dream of a dashing Nutcracker Prince, a devious Mouse King and a Sugar Plum Fairy. On Dec. 18-19 the performances will be at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, 320 S. Mission Drive, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 19. On Christmas Eve, the company moves to the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave. The performances in Pasadena are set for 1 p.m. Dec. 24; 2 p.m. Dec. 26; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 and Dec. 30; and 1 p.m. on Dec. 31. Ticket prices in San Gabriel range from $27 to $50 and in Pasadena from $35 to $75; $27 for seniors/students in San Gabriel and $20 for children 12 and younger at both venues. For tickets and more information call (626) 683-3459 or visit https://www.pasadenadance.org.
“A Celebration of Christmas” ¿¿¿ Sunday, Dec. 19, 4 p.m. The Chancel Choir of La Ca¿¿ada Congregational Church, 1200 Foothill Blvd., will present this free concert of Christmas songs. Audience participation will be invited on familiar <runtime:topic id=”GENRE000069”>carols</runtime:topic>. The featured work will be a setting of the “Magnificat” by <runtime:topic id=”PEHST002042”>Antonio Vivaldi</runtime:topic> for soloists, choir and orchestra, conducted by Dr. Harold Daugherty.
TO YOUR HEALTH
Weight-loss surgery seminar ¿¿¿ Wednesday, Dec. 15, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Verdugo Hills Hospital will hold a free educational seminar on weight-loss surgery in the hospital’s Council Room, located on the 4th floor lobby. The seminar, “Find Out if Weight-Loss Surgery is Right for You,” will be given by fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon Dr. Nilesh Bhoot of the Southern California Bariatric and <runtime:topic id=”HHA000030”>Metabolic</runtime:topic> Institute at VHH. Topics will include weight-loss procedures offered at the Institute, benefits of weight-loss surgery, dietary issues and ideal candidates for surgery. For more information call (877) 365-0156 or visit https://www.vhhospital.org.
To submit calendar listings, send an e-mail with the pertinent details to lcnews@valleysun.net.