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.
Nov. 27
Wings Over Wendy’s: Veterans from 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
Telescope Night with the Sidewalk Astronomers: Members of the Sidewalk Astronomers set up their homemade telescopes, discuss how to make your own telescope and take a look at objects in the night sky (weather-permitting), 5-7 p.m. Sylmar Branch Library, 14561 Polk St. 818-367-6102. Details: tinyurl.com/e4jer5vm
Book Club at Sherman Oaks Branch Library – Online: Discusses “When Women Were Dragons” by Kelly Barnhill, 6:30 p.m. Request the Zoom link in advance and by email to shrmn0@lapl.org (put “Book Club Nov. 27” in the subject line). Library location, 14245 Moorpark St. 818-205-9716. Details: tinyurl.com/3x2eec3m
Nov. 29
Indoor Model Airplane Flying: Join the “Old Farts Flying Club” meeting, 9 a.m.-noon. Wednesdays. Members provide advice on how to build and fly balsa models. They also hold monthly contests. Stonehurst Recreation Center, gym, 9901 Dronfield St., Sun Valley. Bill Watson, 805-304-6087.
Science Fiction Book Club at Van Nuys Branch Library: Discusses “Dune” by Frank Herbert, 5 p.m. Moderated by John Tommasino. Location, 6250 Sylmar Ave. 818-756-8453. Details: tinyurl.com/yen4zbnw
Mystery and Thriller Book Club at Studio City Branch Library: Discusses “The Golden Spoon” by Jessa Maxwell, 6:30 p.m. Location, 12511 Moorpark St. 818-755-7873. Details: tinyurl.com/yc5xxa4e
Dec. 5
SAGE Learning in Retirement’s Speaker Series – Online: Igor Novikov, a former advisor to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, gives a talk, 10 a.m. Reservations required by Nov. 30 by email to: events@sagelr.org. A link for the Zoom meeting will be sent. Check the website for upcoming events and how to become a member. The group meets at the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew and St. Charles in Granada Hills. 818-831-5064. sagelearninginretirement.org
Dec. 6
Sherman Oaks Women’s Club: Prospective new members are invited to meet the group at a luncheon, 10:30 a.m. Reservations required to attend this meeting. The group welcomes women for “friendship, fun and philanthropy.” Location, 4808 Kester Ave., Sherman Oaks. Make a reservation in advance to Joan, 818-782-2894.
Book Club at Chatsworth Branch Library – In-person and Online: Discusses Bonnie Garmus’ novel “Lessons in Chemistry,” 1:30 p.m. Request the Zoom link in advance and by email to Shawn at sstamm@lapl.org (put “Book Club, Dec. 6” in the subject line). Location, 21052 Devonshire St. 818-341-4276. Details: tinyurl.com/2usp8a4u
Jan. 11
Valley Economic Alliance – Our Region, Our Future: The public is invited to a regional development summit with guest speakers in business, real estate development, healthcare, manufacturing and tourism, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 11. Keynote speaker; Rick Caruso. Dress code: business attire. Admission $79 by Nov. 30; $99 after. Orchard Conference Center at California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St. (www.orchardconferencecenter.com). Register here: thevalley.net/events/2024-regional-summit/
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
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
Charity/volunteer
Toy Drive, Car and Bike Show: The San Fernando Valley Car and Truck Club Council presents the event, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 2. Free admission. Please bring an an unwrapped toy item (worth $10 and up) to donate. Donations will be given to the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station’s Christmas Toy Giveaway. Enter your vehicle or bike for the show on the day of the event. For free entry fee bring a $10 and up toy item (or, $10 fee without a toy). There is no preregistration; register on day of event. Move-in time for vehicles, 7-10 a.m. Location, in the north parking lot at 13325 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley. Contact Adam for more information, 818-389-3553. Details on the flyer: www.mhnconline.org/event/20268/
Motor 4 Toys – Charity Car Show and Toy Drive: Donate new, unwrapped toy or toys (minimum value $20) and see antique, exotic and one-of-a-kind cars at the 20th annual event, 7 a.m.-noon Dec. 3. Gates open, 6:30 p.m. Also, a donation may be made through PayPal (see the website). Pierce College, use the parking lot entrance on Victory Boulevard at Mason Avenue, Woodland Hills. www.motor4toys.com
Los Angeles Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s 2023 Holiday Drive: Make a reservation to attend, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 7. Donation wish list: new, unwrapped toys; new socks; hygiene products; non-perishable canned and dry goods; gently-used and clean blankets and jackets. Winnetka Recreation Center, 8401 Winnetka Ave. 818-774-4330. www.facebook.com/BobBlumenfieldSFV. Make a reservation here: tinyurl.com/34frmd4y
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. 29. Items may be donated, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday (however, locations will be closed on Dec. 25). 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 the four other drop-off locations on the website. 213-485-2260. Email: san.cfrp@lacity.org. lacitysan.org/donationdrives
Flair Cleaners Holiday Drive for Clothing and Shoes: Donate gently used and clean items, new clothing and shoes during the 121st annual event, through Dec. 31. Requested items: business attire; pajamas; clothing in extra-large and tall sizes; children, men and women’s clothing; new socks and underwear. Drop off items at Flair Cleaners locations: 4060 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Studio City (818-761-3282); 27011 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661-753-9900); 720 Montana Ave., Santa Monica (310-395-9354). Call for store hours; drop off items inside store. Items will be donated to the National Council of Jewish Women, San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army – Santa Monica. www.flaircleaners.com
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.