BY KAREN YOUNG
Holiday Open House and Toluca Lake Tree Lighting: Gather with community on Friday at 5 p.m. for the tree lighting with NBC’s Fritz Coleman, caroling, local shop open house, the RiverOaks chorus, Walter Reed Jazz band and more. 4252 W Riverside Dr. in the heart of Toluca Lake.
Sherman Oaks Galleria Tree Lighting
Sherman Oaks Galleria Tree Lighting: Bring the whole family on Friday at 7:30 p.m. for a magical night of free entertainment with Santa and a Surprise Celebrity guest who will light the Christmas Tree. Look out for the Sugar Plum Fairy, Snowman, Snow Princess and the Grinch. Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and holiday tunes by the Millikan Middle School Choir. FREE photos with Santa, arts and crafts, face painting for kids and much more. Sherman Oaks Galleria, Ventura and Sepulveda, Sherman Oaks.
The Art of John Lennon: A major exhibition and sale of over 130 serigraphs and lithographs by John Lennon are being exhibited through Sunday at The Love Champ Gallery in the Times Square Shopping Plaza (near Peets) in Studio City. 12215 Ventura Blvd. Studio City
The Country School Holiday Boutique: Featured vendors at this boutique on Saturday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. include A Papier, Alana Sands, Almond Blossom Soaps, Arbonne, Costella Handbags, Creatively Elegant, DBD Designs, Dustin & Daisy, Emily Faith Collection, Go Green Lunch Box, Goldparty Girls, Jackie D’Alessio, Hostess Gifts To Go, Rico Adair, Roni B., Tough Cookies, Tamales by Delores and many more. Proceeds go to The Country School. The Country School, 5243 Laurel Canyon Blvd., between Magnolia and Weddington. Parking on Laurel Canyon and in the school parking lot on Weddington.
2nd Annual Holiday Hams Community Talent Show: “Holiday Hams” is an entertaining variety show featuring local talent of dancers, singers, comedians and musicians on Saturday at 7 p.m. The special guest is Glen Walker from KTLA. You will enjoy rock-n-roll bands, Broadway-style singers, Doo-wop and tap dancers, talent ranging in age from 8 to 80. Raffle Prizes and Refreshments. Fun For All Ages!!!! Ticket prices include a warm holiday beverage sponsored by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Maddy’s Market.Calabasas High School Auditorium, 22855 W. Mulholland Highway Calabasas. Adults $15 / Seniors and Students $12 / Children 10 & under $8. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE SPOTLIGHT THE ARTS FOUNDATION, A 501 (C) (3) California Nonprofit Organization. Audience members are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or gift card for New Directions for Youth (www.ndfy.org)
San Fernando Valley Festival of Trees: This festive event on Saturday from 3 p.m.-9 p.m. celebrates the joys of the holiday season and supports SFVMAPS Charities and OneGeneration. Come see uniquely decorated trees, a Wreaths Gingerbread Village, find handmade Hanukkah items, peruse the gift boutique, make-a-wish with Santa, create in the Kids Korner and enjoy holiday food and drinks — all to benefit local seniors. OneGeneration,18255 Victory Blvd., Reseda, $5-$10
Winter Family Festival at Beeman Park: Get into the holiday spirit on Sunday from 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Studio City’s Beeman Park for the Winter Family Festival and give back too! Tons of snow, music, photos with Santa, classic cars, face painting, food trucks and the Radio Disney AM 1110 Road Crew. Plus help others by donating canned/packaged food; new, unwrapped toys; used children’s books; new children’s clothing and accessories; pet toys/food/pet supply gift cards at Radio Disney AM 1110’s Festival of Giving. Studio City Recreation Center/Beeman Park, 12621 Rye St., Studio City. Free with free parking/shuttle from CBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford, Studio City. For details, visit StudioCityResidents.org/festival.
Block Party at the Shops on Woodman and Ventura
“The Shops at Woodman & Ventura” 4th Annual Holiday Block Party: It’s holiday-time festivities on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, including decorations, balloons, refreshments, music, games and Sherman Oaks Homeowners toy drive. Businesses will have there own activities: cookie decorating at Sweet Harts The UPS Store will sponsor children’s I.D. and fingerprinting, No Roses Gallery will host a one-day-only trunk show featuring vintage jewelry artist Eissa and her new collection of mid-century inspired pieces, Abundance welcomes children (and child-like adults) to have their photos taken with Santa & Mrs. Claus; Tough Cookies Boutique will have glitter tattoos and readings from three noted children’s book authors. Emmy Award winning writer Gerry Renert (Brave Rooney), children’s illustrator and animator Paul Manchester (Pursuits of Whimsey) and literacy advocate Caren Day will read You and Me followed by a coloring book activity. Woodman and Ventura, Sherman Oaks (look for balloons!)
4 GOOD Friends & Helpers Gift Wrapping Event: Help Friends & Helpers with wrapping, stuffing gift bags, or filling stockings for their “adopt and family” program on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Gift Wrapping Event also has lots of great arts and crafts for kids and plenty of projects for all! The IN-N-OUT BURGER TRUCK will serve all day long (for free – thank you Friends & Helpers). Wilbur Elementary School, 5213 Crebs Avenue, Tarzana.
13th Annual Sherman Oaks Homeowners Annual Toy Drive: 13th Annual Sherman Oaks Homeowners Annual Toy Drive: Please bring unwrapped toys to Gelson’s Market at Van Nuys Blvd. at Moorpark on Sunday, December 4 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. They’ll be Santa Claus, fire engines, police equipment, coffee, snacksDrop off your gifts in the front parking lot. The gifts will be given to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services who will be holding a Holiday Party in the San Fernando Valley.
The Village Art Project Ceramic Studio: Find one of a kind gifts, free pottery demostrations and a one day discount on classes on Sunday from noon- 6 p.m., 11602 Ventura Blvd, Studio City.
First Christian Church of North Hollywood: This annual boutique this weekend includes flowers, jewelry, clothing, accessories, SarahBears Cards and Creations and more! Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., 4390 Colfax Ave. (at Moorpark Ave.) Studio City.
Coffee and Gifts: The Bean Scene in Oak Park will be serving more than coffee this Sunday, December 4 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. when local vendors will set up for holiday shopping. The Bean Scene has evolved into a neighborhood hot spot where the locals come for their morning “Joe” and a great assortment of breakfast choices. The owner, Susette, always has a smile on her face and her customers come for her delicious coffee as well as the fantastic atmosphere. 610 N. Lindero Canyon Rd. Oak Park.
TWO SIMPLE AND PERFECT GIFTS
The Perfect Creative Outlet: MDF fave Linda Wehrli is offering one free Gift Certificate for a 1-hour Intro to Drawing Class at Pastimes for a Lifetime when a monthly package (4 one-hr art classes) is purchased. The offer is good until December 31 with the mention of My Daily Find. 13615 Burbank Blvd., Unit B, Valley Glen (by appointment only) (818)766.0614 home office with voicemail. (818) 989.9896 studio emergency phone www.pastimes4lifetime.com
Friends and co-authors Judith A. Proffer and Nancy Mehagian
The Perfect Stocking Stuffer: “25 Lessons: What We Learned from Oprah” is an intimate and often lighthearted look at how some of the teachings of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” influenced the personal lives and career paths of the co-writers, San Fernando Valley friends Nancy Mehagian and Judith A. Proffer.
Like Oprah, the authors love learning, teaching, their dogs, their close friends and families, a really good book, Mother Nature, aha moments and really good food.
Inspired by the illuminations the final shows delivered, many of which they each embraced and tried their best (sometimes successfully, sometimes not) to emulate over the years, this book offers simple and practical lessons for readers to make changes in their own lives. From the searing reality of the importance of forgiveness, to the creation of a vision board, to the surprising smack in the face of instant karma. But, you don’t have to be an Oprah fan to enjoy and learn some of these life lessons! It is available for Kindle, Nook and ibooks and retails for $6.99 and in print for $10.
Karen Young is the Founder/Editor of My Daily Find. Got news? Ideas?Email: karen@mydailyfind.com
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