Descanso Gardens

Thousands of Southern California residents will visit more than 230 homes ? including a jewel tucked within the Hillside District in Burbank ? this weekend as part of the largest Parade of Ponds self-guided water-garden home tours in the world, officials said. And this year Descanso Gardens' is not only on the tour list, but it also benefits from the proceeds of events. Sponsored by Pro Ponds, a distributor of water features, the program allows ticket-holders to explore various water gardens from Ventura to San Diego from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., said Rita Quinn, director of public relations for Pro Ponds West.

48 HOURS With nature as her subject and God as her inspiration, Louise Forbes tries to project joyful and spiritual feelings in her oil paintings on wood. Her specialty is hiding surprise subjects incorporated into the natural grain of the maple panels. Wildlife and fantasy flowers are created in her exhibit "A Glimpse into Nature's Realm" continuing through March 6 at Descanso Gardens' Boddy House Art Gallery. The La Crescenta artist began her journey in art as a child, and thanks God for the talent he has given her, she said.

While most children are busy developing their speech during their “terrible twos,” Glendale resident Ani Bukujian, 14, was plucking away at her violin and playing at her first concert by age 3. Ani will perform with the Pasadena Pops Orchestra in its Side-by-Side-by-Symphony program today and Sunday at Descanso Gardens. She was chosen to perform alongside concertmaster Barry Socher, who has mentored her in preparation for the concert titled “Aren’t We A Pair?

As this year's Pasadena Showcase House of Design, the Boddy House at Descanso Gardens is getting rave reviews for its design and functionality from docents and guests. Docent Bonnie Hall, of Burbank, has attended the event for many years and has joined the ranks to guide people through the house over the past two years after retiring from the Los Angeles Unified School District. What makes this house unique, she said, is that because it's in a public facility, the community will continue to benefit from it, unlike other Showcase homes in the past that were only open and decorated for the term of the public showing.

Descanso offers family nights LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Wednesday nights are family nights at Descanso Gardens for picnics and explorations of nature through stories and songs. Families will come to Descanso after the usual closing time at 5 p.m. and picnic at the Food Court. Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge. The gardens are open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Parking is free. Admission fees are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and youths 13 to 18, $1 for children 5 to 12, and free for members and children 5 and younger.

Dancing and live music will make spirits bright at a festive benefit from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Descanso Gardens. The event is a chance for the public to get a sneak preview of Descanso Gardens' annual Holiday Festival and Marketplace continuing from Dec. 7 to 15. While listening to the saxophone music of Jason Weber, guests will be the first to visit the Holiday Marketplace with a variety of specialty gift...

RESIDENTS PERFORM WITH PASADENA POPS Several Burbank residents are performing in the Pasadena POPS Orchestra concert, “Richie Ramone, 76 Trombones & More” today and Sunday at Descanso Gardens. They are Armen Anassian, first violin; Ernest Ehrhardt, principal emeritus cello; Alma Fernandez, associate viola; and Angela Weigand, flute/piccolo Ramone’s style has inspired a generation of punk-rock fans. Best known for his work with the Ramones, one of the most influential punk rock groups, the classically trained artist drummed on the albums “Too Tough to Die,” “Animal Boy” and “Halfway to Sanity.

Send DATEBOOK items to Glendale News-Press, 111 W. Wilson Ave., Suite 200, Glendale, CA 91203 or fax to (818) 241-1975. Submissions must be received two weeks before publication. SUNDAY Celtic Spring, known as the "Von Trapp Family of Celtic Music," will present spirited reels and jigs from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Under the Oaks Theater in Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Call (818) 949-4200. MONDAY 'Boddy's Big Backyard' picnic for families will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge.

Josh Kleinbaum When Branford Marsalis took the stage at the main lawn at Descanso Gardens Thursday night, he paused to take in the surroundings. "This is beautiful," Marsalis said. "If I knew this was here when I lived [in Los Angeles], I probably would've pitched a tent." For the next 90 minutes, Marsalis and his quartet thrilled an intimate audience with breathtaking jazz, from the fast-paced, roaring beat of "Mr. J.J. (J.J. Was His Name)" to open the set, to the lovely, emotional ballad "Eternal," a love song written for his wife.

Joyce Rudolph, Enjoy! LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Descanso Gardens will be all decked out for the holidays and will host several festive events to keep spirits bright. With the theme "Joy to the World," a benefit gala opens the Holiday Celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. The celebration continues through Dec. 10. The celebration is a tradition the Descanso Guild has kept for more than 35 years, said member Theresa Carson, festival chairwoman. "Our celebration helps the public get into the holiday mood," she said.

DOWNTOWN — Thousands of residents renewed travel regimens this Memorial Day weekend, pouring onto highways and into airports as the nation officially ushered in the summer travel season. Be it falling gas prices, enticing hotel and car rental rates or a slight uptick in consumer confidence, the Southland was expected to see nearly an 8% increase in the number of residents traveling over the holiday weekend, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. About 2.1 million people, representing roughly 85% of Southland travelers, were projected to reach their destinations by car, an increase of 8.3% over last year, according to the auto club.

Joslyn offers day trips for seniors Burbank?s Joslyn Adult Center is offering day trips for adults 55 and older. The first trip is to the Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, and costs $31. The second trip is a tour of Rubel Castle in Glendora from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m March 22, and costs $39. Lunch will be included. For more information, call (818) 238-5353 between 9 and 11 a.m. or noon and 2 p.m. ? Bomber available for flights, tours The Liberty Belle, a restored World War II B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, will be available for flights and tours Saturday and Sunday at Atlantic Aviation, 10750 Sherman Way, Burbank.

Student loans are due. The credit card is maxed. The mortgage payment’s late. And that’s just the mail, which is probably unread and heaped in a pile. Then there’s the worry that you’ll be a casualty in the next round of layoffs, and what if those stock prices don’t climb back up? These are stressful times, and stressful times call for meditative measures. To withstand today’s vexing economic climate, health professionals suggest that people take a mental timeout.

Bruce R. Burr tries to focus beyond the ordinary when taking photographs. A commercial photographer whose clients range from musicians to interior designers and product manufacturers, Burr also delves into more creative work in his off time with fine art portraits. His specialty is combining two or three images to create something unexpected, he said. “You have to push it beyond normal to catch someone’s interest — make it extra normal,” the Glendale resident said.

Glendale Community College Annual Student Art Show continues in the Art Gallery in the Library Building of the campus, 1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale. Traditional and digital artwork created by advanced students and selected by faculty will be displayed. Drawings, paintings, prints, ceramics, sculpture, photography, graphic design, three-dimensional design, jewelry, video, animation and web design are all included in the exhibition. Admission is free. Hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

While most children are busy developing their speech during their “terrible twos,” Glendale resident Ani Bukujian, 14, was plucking away at her violin and playing at her first concert by age 3. Ani will perform with the Pasadena Pops Orchestra in its Side-by-Side-by-Symphony program today and Sunday at Descanso Gardens. She was chosen to perform alongside concertmaster Barry Socher, who has mentored her in preparation for the concert titled “Aren’t We A Pair?

RESIDENTS PERFORM WITH PASADENA POPS Several Burbank residents are performing in the Pasadena POPS Orchestra concert, “Richie Ramone, 76 Trombones & More” today and Sunday at Descanso Gardens. They are Armen Anassian, first violin; Ernest Ehrhardt, principal emeritus cello; Alma Fernandez, associate viola; and Angela Weigand, flute/piccolo Ramone’s style has inspired a generation of punk-rock fans. Best known for his work with the Ramones, one of the most influential punk rock groups, the classically trained artist drummed on the albums “Too Tough to Die,” “Animal Boy” and “Halfway to Sanity.

Audience members will be able to travel down the Danube, dive beneath the surface to the Titanic and enjoy Leonard Bernstein's view of the waterfront without getting wet or leaving their seats at the Pasadena Pops Orchestra's upcoming concerts dedicated to all things aqueous beginning Friday at Descanso Gardens. Titled "Water, Water Everywhere," the program will feature traditional works such as Georg Frederich Handel's "Hornpipe" from "Water Music"; Johann Strauss Jr.'s "By the Beautiful Blue Danube" and Bedrich Smetana's "Moldau" as well as contemporary favorites like James Horner's "Titanic" theme.

As this year's Pasadena Showcase House of Design, the Boddy House at Descanso Gardens is getting rave reviews for its design and functionality from docents and guests. Docent Bonnie Hall, of Burbank, has attended the event for many years and has joined the ranks to guide people through the house over the past two years after retiring from the Los Angeles Unified School District. What makes this house unique, she said, is that because it's in a public facility, the community will continue to benefit from it, unlike other Showcase homes in the past that were only open and decorated for the term of the public showing.

Send DATEBOOK items to Burbank Leader, 111 W. Wilson Ave., Suite 200, Glendale, CA 91203 or fax to (818) 241-1975. Submissions must be received two weeks before publication. TODAY The Pasadena Pops Orchestra pays tribute to young musical geniuses at the final summer concert today at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. The concert begins at 7:30; gates open at 5:30 p.m. for pre-concert dining. Under the baton of Maestra Rachael Worby, "Prodigy Power" features works from Mozart and Franz Liszt to the pop hits of Little Stevie Wonder and the breakthrough jazz of Herbie Hancock.