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. 25
Volunteers Cleaning Communities: Send an email to register for the clean-up, 8-10 a.m. (in order to have enough equipment to use). Location will be at the corner of Roscoe and Topanga Canyon boulevards, near the Wells Fargo Bank (on the Topanga side; look for the people in the yellow vests), Canoga Park. In addition, find a list of other upcoming projects, and also how to make a donation for clean-up supplies, volunteerscleaningcommunities.com. Voicemail, 818-519-7567. Email: jill@vcc.world or fill out the form on the website: volunteerscleaningcommunities.com/contact-vcc
Dec. 27
Mystery and Thriller Book Club at Studio City Branch Library: Discusses “I Have Some Questions for You” by Rebecca Makkai, 6:30 p.m. Location, 12511 Moorpark St. 818-755-7873. Details: tinyurl.com/yc5xxa4e
Dec. 28
Cover to Cover Book Club at Mid-Valley Regional Branch Library: Discusses “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus, 6:30 p.m. Location, 16244 Nordhoff St., North Hills. 818-895-3650. Details: tinyurl.com/zmv8eknj
Jan. 3
Book Club at Chatsworth Branch Library – In-person and Online: Attendees are requested to come prepared to discuss a book they have read that they think others would enjoy reading, 1:30 p.m. Request the Zoom link in advance and by email to Shawn at sstamm@lapl.org (put “Book Club, Jan. 3” in the subject line). Location, 21052 Devonshire St. 818-341-4276. Details: tinyurl.com/y2wsuwt7
Chatsworth Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Lawrence Middle School, library, 10100 Variel Ave. Voicemail, 818-464-3511. Emails: info@chatsworthcouncil.org; for the board, president@chatsworthcouncil.org. Read the council’s December newsletter: tinyurl.com/4j69yss4. www.chatsworthcouncil.org/
Jan. 4
Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. (check the website to confirm). Granada Hills Charter High School, Rawley Hall, 10535 Zelzah Ave. ghsnc.org
West Hills Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 p.m. (check the website to confirm). Location, de Toledo High School, 22622 Vanowen St. Voicemail, 818-254-9378. www.facebook.com/WestHillsNC. www.westhillsnc.org
Jan. 8
Wings Over Wendy’s: Veterans from all services and ages, and their supporters, 8:30-11 a.m. New location for today and Jan. 15 meetings: Canoga Park Elks Lodge, 20925 Osborne St., Canoga Park. Contact Ed Reynolds, 818-884-4013. www.wingsoverwendys.com
Jan. 10
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 Jenny, 818-599-2398.
Mystery Book Club at Sylmar Branch Library: Discusses “The Zero Night” by Brian Freeman, 2 p.m. Location, 14561 Polk St. 818-367-6102. Details: tinyurl.com/8z7xf7fa
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. 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/
Jan. 12
Current Events Nonfiction Book Club at Studio City Branch Library: Discusses “The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder” by David Grann, noon. Location, 12511 Moorpark St. 818-755-7873. Details: tinyurl.com/2kdc6vb8
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
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
Send information at least two weeks in advance to Holly Andres at holly.andres@dailynews.com. 818-713-3708.