The Theodore Payne Foundation 2017 Native Plant Garden Tour will be held April 1-2, packed with curated tours through the county's most beautiful private and public landscapes. From the San Fernando Valley to the Westside, gardens will be open for visitors. LA boasts some of the most unique native plants, landscape design, and wildlife. 

Visit nativeplantgardentour.org to learn more and grab tickets.

Instructor: Dr. Robert Tager
Pre-registration preferred; Please call 626-821-4623 or pay at the door
 
Discover what your brain needs to function at its peak. Neurologist and Arboretum volunteer, Dr. Bob Tager will provide an introduction to memory, learning and the brain, before leading a tour through the LA Arboretum gardens and discussing ways of preserving and enhancing brain function. You will learn what recent research says about improving brain health and ways you can enjoy the process.
 
Robert Tager is currently Clinical Professor of Medical Education at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, and he gives tours to medical students to enhance their observational skills and to learn the health benefits of the garden environment.

Oil Painting: Capture the Beauty of Nature

Saturdays, (6 week sessions):
January 14 – February 18
February 25 – April 1
April 8 – May 13
May 20 – June 24
1:00pm – 3:30pm

Ron Pettie, Instructor
$69 Arboretum members / $79 non-members (includes Arboretum admission)
All materials are included.
 
Capture the beauty of nature! The instructor will guide a beginner to draw and paint with confidence. More advanced students will be able to paint independently at their own pace and will be able to choose their own subjects.
 
Each subsequent six-week class will explore other areas of painting such as landscape, still life, domestic animals, structures, deserts, and seascapes. Master artist Ron Pettie will guide you on this adventure.
 
At the end of a six-week session students will learn the following:

• Composition styles
• How to read a color chart
• Color mixing
• How to use the grid system and the rule of thirds
• Use of dark and light values and gray scales
• Learn a variety of techniques for painting , including using different brushes and the palette knife for texture and depth
• How to use the magic frame on photographs
• Self-Critiquing – Standing back and squinting
• Choosing a signature

 
Reservations REQUIRED; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.

Don’t miss Star, Inc.’s 17th Annual Children's Earth Day event at the STAR Eco Station in Culver City, California! Two exciting volunteer opportunities are available as helpful participants are needed to assist with set-up on Saturday, April 1st and the actual event on Sunday, April 2nd. Shift times are below. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Lili Miller at 310-842-8040 if you are interested in helping!

Children's Earth Day: Sunday, April 2nd

• Shift 1: 7:00am-11:00am
• Shift 2: 10:30am-2:30pm
• Shift 3: 2:00pm-6:00pm

Star, Inc. is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit education organization serving kids, families, schools and communities.

Come join AbilityFirst for a fun-filled day as they Stroll & Roll through the Universal Studios Backlot to benefit AbilityFirst programs and services to help children and adults with disabilities.  Stroll through NewYork, Whoville, Jaws, and other movie backdrop sets, meet Universal Studios characters, enjoy complimentary coffee and continental breakfast, and eat from delicious food trucks! Don’t miss your chance to walk through the expo for giveaways, massages and more.  For more information, please call 626-396-1010 or email stroll@abilityfirst.org.  Register at www.strollandroll.org or www.abilityfirst.org.  

The Theodore Payne Foundation 2017 Native Plant Garden Tour will be held April 1-2, packed with curated tours through the county's most beautiful private and public landscapes. From the San Fernando Valley to the Westside, gardens will be open for visitors. LA boasts some of the most unique native plants, landscape design, and wildlife. 

Visit nativeplantgardentour.org to learn more and grab tickets.

Don’t miss the Front Yard Spring Beer & Wine Block Party! Besides live music, food, beer, and wine, ticket proceeds give back to TreePeople, an LA-based nonprofit keeping our urban environment sustainable and healthy. 

Tickets are $30. Grab ‘em here!

Reservations required; please call Class Reservation Line at 626-821-4623

Chef/Owner of UNION Restaurant – BRUCE KALMAN

Bruce Kalman’s Northern Italian cooking style embraces the diverse and abundant produce of California to create exquisitely balanced flavor profiles meant to warm the soul at KP Hospitality concepts like UNION in  Pasadena, CA and Knead & Co. Pasta Bar + Market in L.A.’s Grand central Market.

His commitment to indigenous ingredients goes beyond the farmers’ market to build strong connections with local providers, keeping the operations’ carbon footprint low, supporting the local economy, and connecting diners to high quality vegetables, meats, and cheeses straight from the source.

Kalman’s meticulous approach to authentic, flavor-forward cuisine permeates every corner of his menu. “We use vegetables from root-to-leaf, butcher animals head-to-toe, and even stretch fresh cheeses in-house,” he says. “I’m exceedingly passionate about food that is handcrafted from beginning to end.

MENU

• Stracciatella on Crostini with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
• Barley Risotto with Mushrooms and Goat Cheese
• Roasted Chicken Alla Diavola with Creamy Polenta
• Brutti cookies

Wine provided by Gale Kohl of Gale’s Restaurant in Pasadena.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year event is April 5, 2017. The awards ceremony is at El Capitan Theatre from (rehearsal 4pm) 6:30pm to 8pm and the after party is at Madame Tussauds Hollywood Wax Museum on their rooftop from 8pm-9:30pm.  They are in search of several hardworking volunteers to assist with the event … so sign up today!

BGCA’S PREMIER RECOGNITION PROGRAM FOR CLUB MEMBERS

The 2017 Youth of the Year Event will be held at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood.  To get involved and to assist in the production, please click HERE. The requirements to be a “Youth of the Year” is focused on Academic Achievement, Community Service, Character, fitness and sports, providing a well-rounded exceptional candidate for schools. There will be 23 outstanding nominees.

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Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens. Club members who earn the youth of the Year title embody the values of leadership service; academic excellence; and healthy lifestyles. They exemplify the critical impact that Boys Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people.

Local Clubs recognize members ages 14 to 18 as Youth of the Month Winners and select a Youth of the Year, who then participates in state competitions. State winners each receive a $5,000 scholarship and advance to regional competitions. Regional winners receive an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Six youth, including five regional winners and a military winner, advance to the National Youth of the Year competition for a chance at an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable up to $100,000 for four years. The National Youth of the Year represents all Boys & Girls Club youth.

The next Social Impact Breakfast is on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at the Downtown Central Library (630 W. 5th Street). Two dynamic breakfast speakers who are working to make an impact in LA will share their stories and insights into making that impact: Jessica Wethington McLean, Executive Director of Bringing Back Broadway, and Christina Rice, Senior Librarian of the LAPL Photo Collection.

Register Today!