Close out National Poetry Month with “Notes & Letters” at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. Admission is free. Chuck Corbisiero and Bill Cushing collaborate for an afternoon of music and poetry, with time for open mic with attendees. Come early to sign up and set your own words to Corbisiero’s music. This event is best for patrons 13 and older. For more information, visit PasadenaPublicLibrary.net.
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
A bunny rabbit show: Students and faculty from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music present a musical storytime featuring Sandra Boynton’s “The Bunny Rabbit Show” at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. This event is ideal for children 3-9 and their caregivers and will include activities and crafts. For more information, call 626-449-5320 or visit vromans.com.
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.
At the Norton: The exhibition “I Saw It: Francisco de Goya, Printmaker” features all four of the Spanish painter’s major print series. Get an in-depth look at select etchings with a museum educator at 1 p.m. and hear from Andrew Schulz about “What Did Goya See?” in a lecture at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Free with museum admission. For more information, visit nortonsimon.org or call 626-449-6840.
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.
Local Author Day: Vroman’s welcomes Fia Perera, Wayne Walker, Karen Saliba and Ken Kikkawa to Local Author Day at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the main store, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Admission is free. Perera presents her graphic novel “Pippa and the Major” while Rev. Wayne Walker, pastor of Temple Heights Church in San Pedro, will talk about “The Great Sheepfold.” Saliba and Kikkawa present their book “The Unexpected Joy of Pickleball.” For more information, call 626-449-5320 or visit vromans.com.
Music among the roses: The Huntington’s Rose Garden will be the setting for a rotating set of classical performances from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Free with general admission. Musicians will play the violin, cello and guitar from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays through May 27. 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.
Pop on in: April 30 is National Bubble Tea Day and Krak Boba is celebrating with one free boba topping per drink all day Tuesday. Check out Krak Boba on Instagram for a chance to win a $100 gift card. There’s a Krak Boba tea store at 1365 E. Gladstone St. in Glendora, and a new store opening in Walnut.
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 through 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. 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
Los Angeles County Fair: The fair’s theme in 2024 is “Stars, Stripes & Fun” opening, 5-11 p.m. May 3. Regular hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and Memorial Day (May 27). Admission is available online now for a discount. Concerts are a separate cost: tinyurl.com/2fctmxwr. Carnival information, tickets and wristbands (click on Los Angeles County Fair option): https://rcsfun.com/Ride. Parking in advance online $20; $25 at the gate. Also, Fairplex is a cashless venue. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. Updates: www.facebook.com/lacountyfair. www.lacountyfair.com
Save the date: The Bonnie Fang Foundation’s “Nurses Rock” 5K/10K Walk-Run will be held on Saturday, May 4, at the Frank G. Bonelli Park in San Dimas (120 E. Via Verde Dr., San Dimas). This third annual event raises scholarship money for nursing students in California and Nevada. For more information, call 949-230-1791, or visit helphopehonor.org.
Go round and round: Toddler and preschool theater lovers are welcome aboard “Wheels on the Bus,” an interactive musical for littles and their grownups, opening May 4 through June 9 at Porticos Art Space, 2033 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena. Tickets are $17. For more information, visit pasadenaplayhouse.org.
Carnival time: Enjoy the best of spring at Carnival in the Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Sierra Vista Park, 701 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Admission is free. There will be games, prizes, face painting, confetti eggs, pony rides, petting zoo, train rides, water play, a bake sale, snow cones, craft fair, plant sale and more. Proceeds benefit Sierra Madre Community Nursery School. For more information, visit smcns.org.
Take this literally: LitFest in the Dena is happening the weekend of May 4 and 5 at Mountain View Mausoleum, 2300 N. Marengo Ave., Altadena. “Books that Made the Neighborhood” features more than 150 authors and performers in workshops and readings. Admission is free. For more information, visit LitFestinthedena.org.
On the bright side: The second Love LIFE celebration is set from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Second Baptist Church, 925 S. Shamrock Ave. Admission is free. Families are invited to party with live performances, a deejay, nine-hole mini golf, rock climbing, arts and crafts, selfie spots, dominoes and spades tournament and food trucks. Mz. Suga Sweets will provide desserts. Register online and get more information at setforlifenews.org.
For the ladies: The College Women’s Club of Pasadena will celebrate and recognize scholarship recipients at a lunch at noon May 7, at The Blinn House. The event is open to members of the 103-year-old women’s club as well as invited guests. For more information, visit cwcpasadena.org.
Comedy tonight: Whittier Community Theatre presents the final show of its centennial season, “Moon Over Buffalo” by Ken Ludwig playing May 31 through June 15, at the theatre, 7630 Washington Ave., Whittier. The comedy is about an off-off-off Broadway acting company dealing with family predicaments as they struggle to perform in the new TV age. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. The theater group also has a Facebook and Instagram page and a YouTube channel where you can hear radio play remakes. For more information, call 562-696-0600 or visit whittiercommunitytheatre.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.
Send calendar items to Anissa V. Rivera at sgvncalendar@gmail.com. Please send items at least three weeks before the event. Please list phone, email and/or website for additional information.
