Register in advance to be a volunteer for a Friends of the LA River April 20 cleanup at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve. In the file photo, Friends of the LA River held a clean-up on a trail alongside the Los Angeles River on Saturday, April 15, 2023, in Van Nuys. Volunteers collected trash along the trail. The event was part of the group’s 33rd annual event conducted on two dates and seven sites along the 51-miles of the Los Angeles River. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Community meetings bring people together for exchange of ideas and memorable shared experiences. Here’s a sampling of events in the San Fernando Valley area.
April 15
Wings Over Wendy’s: Veterans from all services and ages, and their supporters, meet at 8:30 a.m. Location, auditorium at 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. Contact Ed Reynolds, 818-884-4013. www.wingsoverwendys.com
Reseda Neighborhood Council Online: A board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting here: tinyurl.com/5n8jz4dz. By phone: 833-548-0282 and use ID: 85794343370 and press #. Email: info@resedacouncil.org. www.resedacouncil.org. https://resedacouncil.org/latest/
April 16
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Telephone Town Hall: The public is invited to give feedback on funding priorities — public safety, cleaning, service enhancements — for Metro’s fiscal year 2025 budget, 6 p.m. Register in advance for the meeting: https://tthm.wufoo.com/forms/metro-telephone-town-hall-signup. Alternatively, the public may call toll-free to join this meeting: 888-400-1932 (English) or 888-400-9342 (Spanish). Metro Budget Portal: https://budget.metro.net/. Give online 2025 budget feedback here: mybudget.metro.net/online
Arleta Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Location, Osborne Neighborhood Church, Fellowship Hall, 13501 Osborne St. www.arletanc.org
Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 7 p.m. Toluca Lake Elementary School, auditorium, 4840 Cahuenga Blvd. 818-971-9134. Email: info@gtlnc.org. www.gtlnc.org/
April 17
Adult Book Club at Studio City Branch Library: Discusses “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece” by Tom Hanks, 6:30 p.m. Location, 12511 Moorpark St. 818-755-7873. Details: tinyurl.com/5c4r29rn
Pacoima Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Pacoima Community Center, 11243 Glenoaks Blvd. www.facebook.com/PacoimaNC1. www.pacoimanc.com
Ask the Psychiatrist Night – National Alliance on Mental Illness – San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys: Guest speaker Dr. Robert Dasher (dhs.lacounty.gov/oliveview/provider-directory/) takes general questions on mental illness, medications and treatment, 7-8:45 p.m. online on Zoom. Join the Zoom meeting here: bit.ly/3bMNm1Y. By phone, 669-900-9128 and use ID: 81835523630 and # and Passcode: 692327. Information for resources on mental health: Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health: (dmh.lacounty.gov). www.facebook.com/NAMISFV.ORG. Information about the local NAMI group and their support groups, www.namisfv.org
North Hollywood Northeast Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 7 p.m. Los Angeles Fire Department, Station 89, community room, 7063 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. Email: board@nhnenc.org. www.nhnenc.org
Studio City Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 7 p.m. Refreshments, 6:30 p.m. Location, Radford Studio Center, 4024 Radford Ave., MPR-7 (enter at the Radford Gate, north of Ventura Boulevard and follow instructions by security). 818-655-5400. www.studiocitync.org/
How to Protect Yourself from Becoming a Fraud Victim: Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association presents a panel discussion, 7:15 p.m. (see the list of speakers on the website). Also, prior to the meeting, a social hour and dinner, 6:15 p.m. Meetings are on Zoom (check the website for the link). Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center, 5056 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. 818-377-4590. Email: soha914@gmail.com. http://www.shermanoaks914.com/
April 18
Burbank African Violet Society: John Hershey, vice president of the club, leads a program on “African Violet Survey Results – Our Members’ Interests, Skills and Collections,” 10 a.m. The meeting also includes a learning lab and a show-and-tell about African violets, silent auction tables and a raffle. The society is celebrating its 38th anniversary at this meeting ($15 yearly dues; $20 yearly dues for couples). Little White Chapel Christian Church, parish hall, 1711 N. Avon St., Burbank. 661-940-3990. www.burbankafricanviolets.weebly.com
April 20
Trends in Cookbook Writing, 1970s to Now – Culinary Historians of Southern California: Cookbook author Joan Nathan discusses the topic with Barbara Fairchild, former editor-in-chief at Bon Appétit magazine, 10:30 a.m. April 20. The discussion is followed by a theme reception. Free admission, but a registration is requested. Use garage parking at 524 S. Flower St., Los Angeles (take ticket for parking with you and get it validated if you have a library card; see details on the website for parking instructions). Los Angeles Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles. www.facebook.com/chsocal. www.chsocal.org. Details and to register on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/4up5nszz
Get Ready for College – Researching Colleges and Deciding Where to Go: Students and parents are invited to the workshop, 11 a.m. Platt Branch Library, 23600 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills. 818-340-9386. lapl.org/teens/college-career. Details: tinyurl.com/zp4tj43v
Adopting a shelter pet and reducing animal stress: A representative from Best Friends LA discusses pet adoptions, and Ariela Robinson, from the nonprofit Reducing Animal Stress, presents activities and advice to help relieve pet stress, 1-3 p.m. All ages. The branch library’s teen group, Platt’s Paw Protectors host the event. Platt Branch Library, 23600 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills. 818-340-9386. Email: platt@lapl.org. bestfriends.org/los-angeles. www.facebook.com/people/Reducing-Animal-Stress/100093154705529/. Details: tinyurl.com/3ytt8z3v
April 21
Good Times Farmers Market: Grand opening, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The market is scheduled for Sundays year-round. Los Angeles Valley College, parking lot A, 5800 Fulton Ave. (at Burbank Boulevard), Valley Glen. goodtimesfarmersmarket@gmail.com. Instagram: tinyurl.com/mrxcaxrn
April 24
Mystery and Thriller Book Club at Studio City Branch Library: Discusses “48 Clues into the Disappearance of My Sister” by Joyce Carol Oates, 6:30 p.m. Location, 12511 Moorpark St. 818-755-7873. Details: tinyurl.com/y7d8uccz
Charity, Fundraiser and Volunteer
Taste of the Valley – A Food, Wine and Spirits Festival: Valley Cultural Foundation presents the event that includes samples from local restaurants, 5-9 p.m. April 18. See the list of restaurants on the website. Live music by Doctor Wu, a tribute to Steely Dan band. Minimum age: 21. Purchase tickets in advance and online $125; $200 VIP (includes valet parking; one reserved seat; a gift card from Westfield Topanga). Tickets at the door, $150. Topanga Social at Westfield Topanga, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park. valleycultural.org/event/2024-taste-of-the-valley/
Friends of the LA River Earth Day Habitat Restore and Renew: Event, 8 a.m.-noon April 20. Free to sign-up but registration is required in advance. If unable to volunteer, donations are also accepted on the registration link. Location, Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve, 6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys. Details on the event and to register. https://support.folar.org/EarthDayHabitatRestoreAndRenew2024
Encino Food and Wine Festival – ONEgeneration: The fundraiser for the nonprofit includes food from local restaurants, beer and wine, music and dancing, 1-4 p.m. April 20. Minimum age: 21. Tickets $125. Location, 17400 Victory Blvd., Encino. onegeneration.org. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/5b84h55d
NAMIWalks: Join the National Alliance on Mental Illness – San Fernando Valley group at the 20th anniversary of NAMIWalks Greater Los Angeles County event to raise awareness of mental illnesses and reduce the stigma of mental illness, and raise funds for mental health programs, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 4. All participants need to register. No fee to register. Register online is advised; or register at 10 a.m. May 4. Opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. The 5K walk begins at 11:15 a.m. Also, the event welcomes dogs on leashes (there will be a pet costume contest, 10:15 a.m.). Register to walk as an individual or with a team. Raise and donate $100 for event T-shirt. Frequently asked questions: tinyurl.com/3xuwwubt. Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1315 N. Spring St., Los Angeles. Email for the walk manager, Gigi de Pourtales, at gdepourtales@namiglac.org. 310-850-9519. www.namiwalks.org. Details on the event and to register here: tinyurl.com/mw7jxnm3
Volunteers Cleaning Communities: Join the group for clean-up projects in the San Fernando Valley. Find a list of upcoming projects: https://volunteerscleaningcommunities.com/schedule-of-events. Information on the group and how to make a donation for clean-up supplies: volunteerscleaningcommunities.com
Farmers markets
Canoga Park Farmers Market: A certified market, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays. Rain or shine. Location, 7248 Owensmouth Avenue, between Sherman Way and Wyandotte Avenue. www.instagram.com/mainst.canogaparkfarmersmarket
Encino Farmers Market: ONEgeneration presents the market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays. Location, 17400 Victory Blvd. (between Balboa Boulevard and White Oak Avenue). Farmers market manager, 818-708-6611 or email: farmersmarket@onegeneration.org. www.onegeneration.org/farmers-market/
El Nido Farmers Market – Pacoima: El Nido Family Centers and the City of Los Angeles present the market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Location, Pacoima Family Source Center, 11243 Glenoaks Blvd. www.elnidofamilycenters.org/farmers-market
Woodland Hills Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Location, 5650 Shoup Ave. 818-300-3023. Facebook: bit.ly/44cFl0P
Send information at least two weeks in advance to Holly Andres at holly.andres@dailynews.com. 818-713-3708.
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