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.
May 9
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. Guest speakers scheduled for meetings. Currently, the group is also offering the meetings on Zoom. Location, 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. Contact Ed Reynolds for the Zoom link and other information. 818-884-4013. www.wingsoverwendys.com
Book Club with Sun Valley Branch Library: Discusses “The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir” by Thi Bui, 4:45 p.m. Request the Zoom link in advance by email to ebarrera@lapl.org (put “Book Club” in the subject line). 7935 Vineland Ave. 818-764-1338. Details: bit.ly/3EZoyCi
North Hills East Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting. The council is also seeking new board members for: a resident board seat in region 3; renter board seat; youth community board seat. If interested, send an email to board@northhillseast.org. 818-672-6674. northhillseast.org
Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3nY4lEn. By phone, 833-548-0282 and use ID: 85140543942 and #. Voice mail, 818-503-2399. www.shermanoaksnc.org/
May 10
Northridge West Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:15 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voice mail, 818-446-6469. Email: board@northridgewest.org. northridgewest.org
Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voice mail, 818-767-8262. Email: info@svanc.org. www.svanc.com
Winnetka Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 7 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3gmB9UP and use Passcode: WNCBOARD. By phone, 669-900-6833 and use ID: 81541994845 and Password: 70345092. Email: board@winnetkanc.org. winnetkanc.com
May 11
Culture, Equity and Race in Mental Health – Virtual event: El Centro de Amistad presents a conference on the topics, 9 a.m.-noon. Free event. May is “Mental Health Awareness Month.” Flaviola Garcia, 818-898-0223. Register in advance and learn how to watch the conference on Facebook or YouTube: ecda.org/conference/
Getting Into Good Trouble – Women of Color Running for Office: San Fernando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Chatsworth Branch Library present an online panel discussion on the topic, 6-7:30 p.m. Details on San Fernando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority: www.facebook.com/sfvadst. Register for the talk on Zoom here: bit.ly/3vv6JIr
Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:15 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voice mail, 818-217-0279. Email: board@prnc.org. prnc.org
NoHo Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Email: nohoneighborhoodcouncil@gmail.com. www.nohonc.org
North Hollywood West Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/39IzqJn. By phone, 669-900-6833 and use ID: 85308485745 and #. Voice mail, 818-446-6469. Email: board@nohowest.org. nohowest.org
Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voice mail, 818-639-9444. whcouncil.org
Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:45 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3fAW5Vi. By phone, 888-475-4499 and use ID: 91892785703 and #. Check the agenda page for updates on the meeting. Voice mail, 818-951-7411. Facebook: bit.ly/2Zxrz8x. www.stnc.org
North Hollywood North East Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Email: board@nhnenc.org. www.nhnenc.org
Van Nuys Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 7 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3g4f3Yl. By phone, 669-900-6833 and use ID: 83366296988 and #. Voice mail, 818-533-8662. Email: info@vnnc.org. vnnc.org
May 14
Glendale Branch of the American Association of University Women – Online: Guest speaker is Silvia Perez, section manager in the department of Conveyance and Distribution at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, 10 a.m. Send a request by email to receive the meeting’s Zoom link to Laura Guillory at lguillory1430@gmail.com by May 11 (include your full name and email). glendale-ca.aauw.net
Culinary Historians of Southern California – Online: Author Laura Shapiro discusses “What She Ate and Why I Wrote About It: Women, Food and Biography,” 10:30 a.m. April 14. Free. Register in advance for the Zoom meeting (reservations close 24-hours before meeting): bit.ly/383Ty8p. Email: info@chsocal.org. www.chsocal.org
Meditation – A Vacation from Stress: Doug Frankel discusses the topic, presents techniques for meditation and leads a short meditation practice on Zoom, 11 a.m. Make a reservation to attend the meeting on Zoom by email to mschatkun@lapl.org (send you name and email address; put “Meditation on May 14” in the subject line). Platt Branch Library, 23600 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills. 818-340-9386. Details: bit.ly/3shne8K
May 16
Maori Storytelling – Online: Sherman Oaks Friends of the Library present a talk by Louisa Tipene Opetaia, of Maori and Samoan descent and speaking on Zoom from New Zealand, with songs, stories and other Maori cultural information, 6:15 p.m. Free. Register in advance to receive the Zoom link: bit.ly/3vRfwVd
May 26
Northridge Woman’s Club Wine, Cheese and Deli Dinner: The group holds the event that includes entertainment by Bob Ryman, noon-3 p.m. Reservations required. Cost $20 (by check made out to Northridge Woman’s Club). Contact Irene Strauss for mailing address for checks. The event is held at the group’s clubhouse, 1840` Lassen St., Northridge. 818-344-3333.
Charity and Volunteer
Stamp Out Hunger – National Association Of Letter Carrier’s 30th food drive: Your letter carrier will leave special bags for your non-perishable food donation prior to the May 14 pick-up. Leave your bagged donation at your mailbox. Items of most need: high protein (including canned tuna, salmon, beans and peanut butter), canned fruits and vegetables, low-sugar cereals, 100% fruit juices (no glass containers) and canned/boxed meals (including macaroni and cheese, chili, soup, stew). Details: nalc.org/community-service/food-drive
Hollywood Charity Horse Show and An Evening with William Shatner: A fundraiser for Ahead with Horses, a therapeutic horseback riding group for children based in Shadow Hills, and other charities, 6-8 p.m. May 28. Dinner, 6-7 p.m., followed by stories and question-and-answer time with actor William Shatner. The event also includes live and silent auctions. Tickets $400 (sales end on May 20). Event is sponsored by Priceline. Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Charities that will benefit: www.horseshow.org/charity-recipients. Details and to purchase tickets: www.horseshow.org/the-event-and-tickets/
Best Friends Animal Society’s Pet Adoption Fee Waiver in May: Bounty Paper Towels is picking up pet adoption fees at Best Friends Animal Society’s Lifesaving Centers, through May 31. Available pets may be viewed online here: la.bestfriends.org. Hours at Mission Hills and West Los Angeles centers, noon-4 p.m. daily (call to confirm). Locations: Best Friends Lifesaving Center, 15321 Brand Blvd., Mission Hills (818-643-3989); NKLA Pet Adoption Center, 1845 Pontius Ave., Los Angeles (424-208-8840). bestfriends.org
LA Sanitation and Environment City Facilities Recycling Program’s Toiletries Drive: Donate unopened and unused items to be given to shelters helping the homeless. Personal care items, full or travel-size, include: deodorant; hair conditioner and shampoo; lotion; mouthwash; razors; bar soap and body wash; toothbrushes and toothpaste; wipes. Items may be donated, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, through June 24 (except closed on Memorial Day, May 30). 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. 213-485-2260. Email: san.cfrp@lacity.org. lacitysan.org
Kids Ocean Day seeking adult volunteers: Students from Los Angeles-area schools gather at Dockweiler State Beach to participate in a litter clean up and creating a posed artwork on the beach for an aerial photo (inspired by the theme “Joy in Nature”). Volunteers help with various assignments. Minimum age to volunteer: 18. Sign-in, 7 a.m., followed by a training session, 8 a.m. (sharp), May 26. Send an email for information on volunteering for the event: volunteers@kidsoceanday.org or register on the website. The beach is located at 12001 Vista Del Mar, Playa del Rey. Details on volunteering for this event: kidsoceanday.org/volunteer
American Red Cross Los Angeles Region: Seeking volunteers for Transportation Specialists (www.redcross.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/deliver-blood.html) and also Disaster Action Team Member (www.redcross.org/volunteer/disaster-action-team.html).
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.
