A view from the San Fernando Valley: Blue a lifelike velociraptor from the world’s largest dinosaur exhibition, “Dinosaurs in the Valley” at Pierce College, pays a visit to children during the Boys and Girls Club of San Fernando Valley annual Thanksgiving dinner in Pacoima Tuesday, Nov 22, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Community meetings bring people together for exchange of ideas and memorable shared experiences. Here’s a sampling of meetings and charity/volunteer events in the San Fernando Valley area.
Dec. 5
Wings Over Wendy’s: Veterans of all services and ages, and their supporters, meet from 8:30-11 a.m. every Monday of the month. Location, 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. Contact Ed Reynolds, 818-884-4013. www.wingsoverwendys.com
Greater Valley Glen Council: A board meeting, 7 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3inMPL6. By phone, 669-900-9128 and use ID: 84606973787 and #. www.facebook.com/GVGCouncil; www.greatervalleyglencouncil.org/
Dec. 6
Vanna White and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: The longtime “Wheel of Fortune” personality and an avid crocheter meets with fans and encourages people to donate to St. Jude’s research projects, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. White teamed up with Lion Brand yarns for Vanna’s Choice yarn; a portion of sales of that yarn goes to St. Jude. Joann’s is donating $5,000 to St. Jude this month. Location, Joann, 13730 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks. 818-285-0226.
Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3bJst8l. By phone, 833-548-0282 and use ID: 98538834487 and #. Email: info@ghnnc.org. ghnnc.org
Dec. 7
Book Club at Chatsworth Branch Library: Discusses “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson, 1:30 p.m. This is an in-person and a meeting on Zoom. Send an email in advance by email for the Zoom link to sstamm@lapl.org (put “Book Club” in the subject line). Location, 21052 Devonshire St. 818-341-4276. Details: bit.ly/3FwdIWB
Public input on proposed Burbank Civic Center improvements: The City of Burbank seeking public opinion on proposed improvements, in-person at 3-4:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. (bit.ly/3FkH2iC; bit.ly/3EZcp0y). Burbank Central Library, second floor auditorium, 110 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Also, online on Zoom, 5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 (details and register here for Zoom link: burbank.libnet.info/event/7589793). 818-238-5551. www.facebook.com/BurbankCA. City of Burbank calendar: bit.ly/3EWJavq
Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3eXnU9O. By phone, 669-900-9128 and use ID: 93626962330 and #. Voicemail, 818-779-9026. lakebalboanc.org
Dec. 8
Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s Holiday Drive: Get-together with light refreshments and donation for the needy drop-off, 4-7 p.m. (rain or shine event). Donation wish list: new or gently used blankets and jackets; non-perishable canned and dry foods; hygiene products; new socks; new, unwrapped toys. Tarzana Community and Cultural Center, 19130 Ventura Blvd. www.facebook.com/BobBlumenfieldSFV. Reservations requested: bit.ly/3uryos5
Dec. 9
NoHo Online Book Club: Discuss a book of your choice that you have enjoyed, 10 a.m. Request the Zoom link in advance and by email to nohlwd@lapl.org (put “Book Club, Dec. 9” in the subject line). Upcoming: The group discusses “The Island of Sea Women” by Lisa See, 10 a.m. Dec. 23 (request link in advance, also). North Hollywood Regional Branch Library, 5211 Tujunga Ave. 818-766-7185. Details: bit.ly/3BrnTYJ
Dec. 10
Culinary Historians of Southern California: Food historian and author Lenore Newman discusses “Poutine on Mars: Culinary Tradition in Unusual Places,” an emphasis on Canadian cuisine, 10:30 a.m. on Zoom. Free. Register in advance for the Zoom link: bit.ly/3UAU3Jn. Updates/upcoming: www.facebook.com/chsocal. www.chsocal.org
Southern California Genealogical Society: The public is invited to the society’s annual meeting and pot luck lunch, 11 a.m. SCGS Family History Library, 417 Irving Dr., Burbank. Reservations and what you can bring to the lunch: email to scgs@scgsgenealogy.com
Dec. 12
Book Club at Sun Valley Branch Library: Discusses “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr, 4:45-5:30 p.m. Request the Google Meet link in advance by email to ebarrera@lapl.org (put “Book Club, Dec. 12” in the subject line). Library, 7935 Vineland Ave. 818-764-1338. Details: bit.ly/2XJ1Xoh
Dec. 14
Mystery Book Club Online with West Valley Regional Branch Library: Discusses “Eight Perfect Murders” by Peter Swanson, 10:30 a.m. Request the Zoom link in advance by email to wvalley@lapl.org (put “Mystery Book Club” in the subject line). Library, 19036 Vanowen St., Reseda. 818-345-9806. Details: bit.ly/3fwaxBz
License to Travel – A Cultural History of the Passport: Friends of the North Hollywood Regional Branch Library present a talk on the topic by Patrick Bixby, 6 p.m. Make a reservation in advance on Eventbrite for the Zoom link: bit.ly/3FoJswK
Feb. 3
Filing for Neighborhood Council Elections in the San Fernando Valley: Thinking about filing as a candidate for a neighborhood council? If you are a stakeholder in one of these nine councils, filing opens on this date in 2023: Arleta, Foothill Trails District, Mission Hills, North Hills East, Pacoima, Panorama City, Sunland-Tujunga, Sun Valley Area and Sylmar. Filing closes for these councils on March 20. Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, using the “Selection” process, has a filing period from Jan. 2 to Feb. 16 (details: www.chatsworthcouncil.org/2023-selection). Stakeholder requirements to participate vary by council. For information on qualifications: empowerla.org/about-neighborhood-councils. For other neighborhood councils in the San Fernando Valley, check the filing dates in February here: bit.ly/3isaQ3H
Charity and Volunteer
Autism Speaks Walk: Fundraiser for research on cause, prevention and treatment of autism, Dec. 10. The event is emceed by ABC7 news anchor, Phillip Palmer. On-site check-in and registration, 8:30 a.m. Preregistration advised; walk as an individual, join or create a team. Opening ceremonies, 9:30 a.m., followed by the walk at 10 a.m. Resource Fair, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Individual donation goal $150. Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., Los Angeles. www.autismspeaks.org. Register here: www.autismspeaks.org/events/los-angeles-walk-1
LA Sanitation and Environment’s City Facilities Recycling Program’s Blankets and Socks Drive: Donations of new or gently-used (washed and clean) blankets, sleeping bags, quilts and socks are being accepted now through Dec. 30. Items may be donated, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday (however, locations will be closed on Dec. 26, Christmas-observed day for LA Sanitation). Two locations in the San Fernando Valley: East Valley District Yard, 11050 Pendelton St., Sun Valley, and West Valley District Yard, 8840 Vanalden Ave., Northridge. See other drop-off locations on the website. 213-485-2260. Email: san.cfrp@lacity.org. lacitysan.org
Tujunga Monday Night Bingo with Knights of Columbus: The organization holds the game night that generates funds for local charities. Early bird games, 6:30 p.m., and regular games at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14. Bingo games are set for multiple Monday dates. Buy in $15. Our Lady of Lourdes, auditorium, 7144 Apperson St., Tujunga. Details on Eventbrite: bit.ly/3S22nkb
Volunteers Cleaning Communities: Join the group for clean-up projects in the San Fernando Valley. Find a list of upcoming projects, and also how to make a donation for clean-up supplies, volunteerscleaningcommunities.com
Send information at least two weeks in advance to Holly Andres at holly.andres@dailynews.com. 818-713-3708.
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