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.
Dec. 4
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
Mission Hills Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 p.m. Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station, 11121 Sepulveda Blvd. Voicemail, 818-869-4577. Email: board@mhnconline.org. mhnconline.org
Dec. 5
Senior Seminar – Scams, Identity Theft and Unclaimed Property: State Sen Henry Stern, with local police and social services representatives, present a talk on the topics today at two locations: 9 a.m. at Wilkinson Multi-Purpose Senior Center, 8956 Vanalden Ave., Northridge; or, 3 p.m. at Moorpark Community Center, Citrus Room, 799 Moorpark Ave., Moorpark. Reservations requested on the online form. Stern represents the State Senate District 27 that includes parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties (sd27.senate.ca.gov/district). 818-876-3352. www.senate.ca.gov/9618/seniorscamstopper
Dec. 6
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.
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
Chatsworth Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. Lawrence Middle School, library, 10100 Variel Ave. (check the agenda on the website to confirm location). 818-464-3511. Emails: info@chatsworthcouncil.org; for the board, president@chatsworthcouncil.org. www.chatsworthcouncil.org/
Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 p.m. Gault Street Elementary School, auditorium, 17000 Gault St. Voicemail, 818-779-9026. Email: info@lakebalboanc.org. lakebalboanc.org
West Hills Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 7 p.m. (not the usual day of the week; see note on the website). Location, de Toledo High School, 22622 Vanowen St. Voicemail, 818-254-9378. www.facebook.com/WestHillsNC. www.westhillsnc.org
Dec. 7
Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. Granada Hills Charter High School, Rawley Hall, 10535 Zelzah Ave. ghsnc.org
Dec. 8
Current Events Nonfiction Book Club at Studio City Branch Library: Discusses “Poverty, by America” by Matthew Desmond, noon. Location, 12511 Moorpark St. 818-755-7873. Details: tinyurl.com/2kdc6vb8
Dec. 9
Culinary Historians of Southern California: Journalist and author Alex Prud’homme (“Dinner with the President – Food, Politics and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House”) discusses “Eureka: How California Shaped the Diet of Three Presidents,” 10:30 a.m. Free to attend but make a reservation on Eventbrite. Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles. www.facebook.com/chsocal. www.chsocal.org. Details and to register on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/t82er59j
Memory Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease: A representative from Alzheimer’s Los Angeles gives an overview of the disease, explains the difference between normal aging and signs of dementia and when to see a doctor, 11 a.m. Porter Ranch Branch Library, 11371 Tampa Ave. 818-360-5706. www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/memory-loss-and-alzheimers-0
State Sen. Caroline Menjivar’s Holiday Party Open House and Toy Drive: Make a reservation to attend and meet community members in State Senate District 20, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Donate new, unwrapped sports toys that will be distributed to children in need in the 20th District. Location, 6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 400, Van Nuys. Reservations by email: rsvpsd20@gmail.com. https://sd20.senate.ca.gov/
Dec. 11
Book Club at Sun Valley Branch Library – Online: Discusses “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese, 4:45 p.m. Request the Google Meet link in advance and by email to ebarrera@lapl.org (put “Book Club, Dec. 11” in the subject line). Library location, 7935 Vineland Ave. 818-764-1338. Details: tinyurl.com/m8np7bjx
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 $99. Reservations required. 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
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
Volunteers for the Pacoima Holiday Parade: Have some fun getting involved and helping to make the 56th annual parade run smooth. Minimum age: 16. Sign-up by Dec. 8. Volunteers must be available for shifts, 7 a.m.-noon on parade day, Dec. 9. Contact Melanie Torres, 818-899-2454. See the volunteer flyer for details here: tinyurl.com/242mduxx
Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association Toy Drive: Donate new, unwrapped toys at the 25th annual event, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 10. Toys will be donated to children who are helped by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Location, Gelson’s parking lot, 4520 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. 818-377-4590. Flyer, with gift ideas, on the SOHA’s website: tinyurl.com/yvnyc9v9
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel’s Holiday Toy Drive: Donate new, unwrapped toys that will benefit the West Valley Food Pantry’s holiday outreach to families in need, 4-6 p.m. Dec. 12. ONEgeneration, 17400 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys. 818-380-2460. asmdc.org/gabriel
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 21st 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.