Auditorium

The music and dance departments at Glendale Community College hold some of their most popular events in May and June. Music events include a performance by the college?s orchestra led by Beth Pflueger at 3 p.m. May 17 in the Auditorium. It will feature Copland?s ?Outdoor Overture? and other selections. General admission is $7 and $5 for students and seniors. The same day, the Concert Singers, directed by Peter Green, will perform Poulenc?s ?Gloria? and other works at 7 p.m. at St. Marks Episcopal Church, 1020 N. Brand Blvd.

After three months of strenuous practice and rehearsals, some of La Cañada?s finest musicians will be highlighted in the upcoming La Cañada High School Orchestra Concerto and Pops concert. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on May 1 at Lanterman Auditorium on Cornishon Avenue. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Student tickets are $5. This year?s concert features eight student soloists, accompanied by the La Cañada High orchestra. Soloists are: Ivana Cho, senior, flute; Bernard Kim, junior, alto and tenor saxophone; Jessie Cho, sophomore, violin; Jeff Kim, junior, piano; Chris Omae, senior, flute; Alex Rosen, junior, piano; Tim Joo, junior, violin; and, Joo?

CITY HALL — Parks commissioners Wednesday cut rental rates for the city’s money-losing Civic Auditorium in an effort to attract more business and keep regular vendors from going to lower-cost alternatives. City officials have for months been working to attract more business to the venue after a report for this fiscal year projected a $401,000 loss — and that was before the economy began its precipitous slide into a recession, causing an $8.4-million budget gap for the city that will have to be closed before July 1. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission, responding to a recommendation from city staff, voted unanimously Wednesday to roll back rental prices to levels similar to before the current rates were adopted last year.

The church that her grandfather designed still stands proudly at the corner of Wilson Avenue and Louise Street, and every time Pamela Cressey, a Virginia archaeologist, returns for a visit, she marvels at his work. Not only did Charles Cressey design the expansion of the First Baptist Church, he also designed the original Oakmont Country Club and several other Southland projects. ?My father [Charles B. Cressey] said he watched my grandfather direct steam shovels when the country club was built,?

Senior Peer Counseling at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center at 501 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, needs volunteers. Program organizers are seeking individuals between age 50 and 100 with good listening skills and two to three hours of free time per week to train as senior peer counselors. Call Carolyn Young at (818) 953-4445. ? The West Glendale Chapter 1886 of AARP meets at 1 p.m. the second Monday of each month at First United Methodist Church, 134 N. Kenwood St.Call (323)

When audiences are all Nutcrackered out this season but still want to see a beautiful holiday ballet filled with a queen, two snow-crossed lovers and a scary forest they need to look no further than the California Contemporary Ballet’s production of the “Snow Queen.” The original ballet, conceived, directed and choreographed by Erin Holt, has been enchanting audiences for years. In this the 11th year of the performance, Holt continues to find new angles to the story.

The Lincoln Lions had a special celebration with Santa for the holidays. Last Friday evening, Dec. 12, families of Lincoln Elementary gathered at the auditorium for the annual toy drive and evening with Santa. A long line trailed around the room as children and parents alike waited their turn to speak to and take a photo with Santa Claus. Arts and crafts tables were available for children at the side of the auditorium. The holiday card-making table was particularly popular, with an occasional child running up to Santa to give him a newly-created Christmas card.

Crescenta Valley High School’s Prom Plus Committee is helping others gear up for seasonal festivities by hosting its annual Holiday Home Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 13. Four homes in the area will be on display, including the home of Glendale Unified School District Board member Mary Boger. Besides having the opportunity to take a peek into some awe-inspiring homes that have been beautifully decorated for the holidays, you will also have a chance to listen to musical interludes presented by high school students and bid on silent-auction items to help support Prom Plus.

CITY HALL — Local boxers will get one shot to prove that their professional fighting events aren’t socially disruptive after the City Council on Tuesday directed officials to come back with a plan that would allow a trial match at the Civic Auditorium. Despite concerns that sanctioned professional fighting is too violent and could introduce more “misbehavior” to Glendale, the City Council agreed to temporarily lift a 61-year-old ban on pro boxing to assess the impact a match would have on the city.