Earth Day turns 54 this week, and the San Gabriel Valley is here for it.
Learn about native pollinators and the importance of butterfly-friendly plants in a garden when Hastings Branch library unveils “Calm a Little Soul,” a newly donated public artwork by Karen Reitzel at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at the library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. Admission is free. Complete themed crafts too. For more information, visit cityofpasadena.net/library/branches/hastings-library or call 626-744-7262.
Arcadia throws its first Environmental Day party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the library, 20 W. Duarte Road. Get the lowdown on composting, sustainability, repairing items and water-safe landscaping. For more information, 626-821-5569 or visit arcadiaca.gov/library.
Messy good time: Gene Harris, police chief of Pasadena, and Tim McDonald, library director, will compete in a donut decorating contest at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Jefferson Branch, 1500 E. Villa St., Pasadena. Admission is free. Cheer on the teams as they create freestanding structures using donuts, food decorations and basic supplies. For more information, email TDuenas@cityofpasadena.net.
Bloom in the garden: Aloes, camellias, magnolias and flowering fruit trees are ready to be admired in the gardens of The Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. The library, art museum and botanical gardens are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and closed on Tuesdays. Plan on what to add to your spring garden from The Huntington’s spring plant sale set for April 26-28. For more information, visit huntington.org/plan-your-visit or call 626-405-2100.
Paris in Pasadena: The next Third@First concert is “Paris in Pasadena No. 2: 4 Hands on 1 Piano” with Vicki Ray and Junko Ueno Garrett at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at First United Methodist Church, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. The program includes Faure, Debussy, Ravel and Poulenc. Admission is free. For more information, visit thirdatfirst.org.
Repair Café: A small version of the Repair Café will set up from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 20, at the Arcadia Library, 20 W. Duarte Road. Admission is free. Repairs will be part of the library’s Environmental Day celebration. Come early to get small appliances and electronics fixed. There will be no knife sharpening or the Really, Really, Free Market. For more information, visit repair-café-pasadena.org.
At the Haugh: Fleetwood Mask presents its tribute to the 1970s icons at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Haugh Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Citrus College, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora. Tickets start at $21.For more information, visit haughpac.com or call 626-963-9411.
Blessing of the animals: First United Methodist Church celebrates Earth Day from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 21, on the patio of 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Learn about habits one can adopt for a more sustainable lifestyle. Bring your pets or a photo of your pet for a blessing. For more information, visit fumcpasadena.org/earthday.
Pasadena Showcase House of Design: The Potter Daniels Manor, an English Tudor Revival Style estate, is the location of the 59th showcase of interior and exterior designers with tours on selected dates, April 21-May 19 in Pasadena. Minimum age: 10 (including infants). Tour tickets are timed entry on selected dates through May 19: $40 (1:30-4 p.m.); $50 (9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.); $35 (“Happy Hour,” 4 p.m. to closing). Parking and shuttles are off-site at Explorer Road Parking lot, intersection of North Windsor Avenue and Ventura Street, Altadena. The official unveiling is at “Premiere Night,” 4 p.m. April 19 ($300; reservations required). Proceeds from the event go to fund three music programs. The 2024 designers: pasadenashowcase.org/showcase-house/#designers. 626-606-1600. pasadenashowcase.org. Details and to purchase tickets: pasadenashowcase.org/tickets/#plan
A Cultural Gathering: Celebrate the communities of greater Los Angeles, past and present, from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum, 15415 Don Julian Road, City of Industry. Admission is free. Enjoy an afternoon of performances by local community groups, explore the museum’s historic homes and grounds, and be part of a mosaic art project. For more information, visit homesteadmuseum.org or call 626-968-8492.
A retrospective: Mae Ngai talks about “Corky Lee’s Asian America” and 50 years of photographs at 7 p.m. Monday, April 22, at Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Josh Kun joins the discussion about the photojournalist’s body of work, focused on a history of inclusion, resistance, ethnic pride and patriotism. For more information, email@vromansbookstore.com, call 626-449-5320 or visit vromans.com.
City Nature Challenge – Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County: The 9th annual event invites the public in Los Angeles County (and elsewhere) to observe and take photos of wild animals and plants and fungi, April 26-29 (“Wild means not captive or cultivated. Try not to take pictures of captive animals in zoos or aquaria and cultivated plants in your garden or at a nursery,” the Natural History Museum points out on its how-to-participate page). Upload observations and photos on the free, mobile app iNaturalist. The City Nature Challenge suggests: “Find wildlife. It can be any wild plant, animal, fungi, slime mold, or any other evidence of life (scat, fur, tracks, shells, carcasses) found in your neighborhood, home, backyard, or even through your windows.” Scientists will identify and sort the public’s information April 30-May 5 and the results will be announced on May 6, 2024. Frequently asked questions: www.citynaturechallenge.org/faq. Check the list of participating cities (and some counties) on the link (if your city/county isn’t listed see how to join the project wherever you will be during the 2024 challenge dates): www.citynaturechallenge.org/participating-cities. Information on the world-wide event: citynaturechallenge.org. Details from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: nhm.org/city-nature-challenge
Time for a magical tea: The Whittier Historical Society and Museum presents its spring tea party “A Magical Experience” from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at 6755 Newlin Ave., Whittier. Tickets are $20 for children under 12; $55 for members and $65 for nonmembers. Kim Hallinger, president of the Society of Magicians, will discuss the history of magic. Each table will be entertained by their own close-up magician from the Society of American Magicians Hall of Fame. For more information, visit whittiermuseum.org/events/tea-and-magic-show.
Jackalope’s a-comin’: Save the date for Jackalope, an indie artisan fair set from 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Central Park, 275 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Check out artisan wares, music performances, food, drink and family activities. Admission is free for all ages and is handicap accessible. Leashed pets are welcome too. For more information, visit jackalopeartfair.com or call 323-989-2278.
Indulge your looky-loo: Tickets are on sale for the 34th annual Bungalow Heaven Home Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at McDonald Park, 1000 E. Mountain St., Pasadena. Tickets are $25 advance and $30 day of. Explore Pasadena’s architectural history on this walking tour of the city’s first historical landmark district and get docent-led interior tours of homes in their early 20th century glory. All homes on the tour are on the National Register of Historic Places. This year’s tour will focus on hearths. For more information, visit bungalowheaven.org.
Ongoing events
A shared heritage: An exhibition of 43 works by Sargent Claude Johnson is on display at The Huntington through May 20. Johnson was a California artist considered the West Coast’s key connection to the Harlem Renaissance. This is the first exhibit devoted to the artist’s work in more than 25 years. The Huntington is at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. For more information, visit huntington.org or call 626-405-2100.
Rose to the occasion: Buy Pasadena-branded totes, stickers, water bottles and T-shirts from the city’s official online merchandise store. Shop the first offerings from “Threads of Pasadena” from CLSC, founded by the grandson of Matthew “Mack” Robinson and great-nephew of Jackie Robinson. The store is at visitpasadena.myshopify.com. Items are also available at the Pasadena Visitor Center, 300 E. Green St. For more information, visitpasadena.com.
Turn the page: The newest bookstore in town isn’t new. The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library Bookstore invites all readers to choose from used books, DVDs, CDs, LPs and lots of children’s books. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday, closed Friday and Sunday. The bookstore is at the Jefferson Elementary School campus, 1500 E. Villa Ave., between Hill and Allen avenues, in Pasadena. Donations are welcome. For more information, email Adrienne at phrogg8@gmail.com.
To market: The new Altadena Neighborhood Farmers Market is open from 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays, at Loma Alta Park, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena. Admission is free. The nonprofit Raw Inspiration offers the market as a way for children to learn the value of organic gardening and healthy eating. For more information, email info@rawinspiration.org or visit rawinspiration.org.
Farm fresh everything: The Farmer’s Market @ Mt. SAC is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, at Parking Lot B, 1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut. Sample French pastries from Le Honore’ French Bakery, in-season fruits and vegetables, an Asian vegetables stand, arts and crafts along with ready-to-eat dishes such as dumplings. Lots of vendors offer handmade items and plants too. For more information, call 909-869-0701, email info@regionalchambersgv.com, visit regionalchambersgv.com or find “MtSacFarmersMarket” on Facebook.
Market news: Duarte Farmer’s Market is open from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, at the southeast corner of the Santa Teresita Assisted Living parking lot, 819 Buena Vista St., Duarte. Say hello to the Carmelite Sisters, shop for dinner, pick up sweet treats and discover new vendors. For more information, visit duartechamber.com/duarte-farmers-market.
Helping hands: Low-Cost Community Counseling Center serves the Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera, Norwalk and surrounding areas. It offers low-cost counseling for individuals, couples and families as well as parenting, women’s support and substance abuse groups. For more information, call 562-903-7777, email lowcostcommunitycounseling@gmail.com or visit low-costcounseling.org.
Book a castle visit: Rubel Castle is an elaborate folk-art medieval castle in the foothills of Glendora, with five-story tall towers solidly built out of junk and river rocks by the late Michael Rubel and his friends. The castle offers eight scheduled tours each month. Tours are two hours long. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for guests ages 8-18. Rubel Castle is at 844 N. Live Oak Ave., Glendora. For more information, visit rubeltours.org or call (626) 963-0419.
It’s all lapidary: The Pasadena Lapidary Society meets from 7 to 8:45 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, except December, in the Fellowship Hall of Santa Anita Church, 226 W. Colorado Blvd., Arcadia. All were welcome. For more information, visit pasadenalapidary.org, or check out their social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Play ball: Pasadena Senior Center sponsors Crown Valley senior co-ed softball teams. Players meet for practice and scrimmage games from 8 to 10 a.m. Mondays at Farnsworth Park in Altadena and Thursdays at Arcadia County Park. Players over 50 are welcome. For more information, call Marge Mayotte-Hirn at 626-377-5631; email ssbslugger@yahoo.com or visit intercitysoftball.org.
Local history: Monrovia Historical Museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, at 742 E. Lemon Ave. Come and discover Monrovia’s amazing history. Admission is free. Docent-led tours are available. For more information, call 626-357-9537 or visit monroviahistoricalmuseum.org.
New horizons: The Arcadia Travelers Club, designed for seniors 50 and older interested in travel and fellowship, is a nonprofit that offers day outings and extended day trips. It is open to anyone for a $10 annual fee. The group meets monthly at the Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia. For more information, visit arcadiatravelers.org or call 626-821-4377.
It’s in the cards: West Covina Cribbage Club welcomes new members to its weekly meetings at 6 p.m. Mondays, at Denny’s, 1150 S. Seventh Ave., Hacienda Heights. For more information, call Elaine at (626) 330-3170.
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