Central Library

CITY HALL — Several Glendale Public Library branches this spring will roll out grant-funded programs aimed at a range of target audiences — from families of young children to adult English learners. The City Council on Tuesday approved the receipt of $30,000 in state grant funding for four library programs, including “Family Place,” which matches parents of children up to 3 years old with local community services on areas such as speech and physical development.

TODAY GLENDALE The Kiwanis Club of Glendale meets at noon at the Glendale Elks Lodge, 120 E. Colorado St. For more information, call (818) 434-3935. Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets at 9:15 a.m. for a weigh-in and 10 a.m. and for a meeting at First Lutheran Church, 1300 E. Colorado St. For more information, call (800) 932-8677. English as a second language conversation classes, led by Jean Bernhart, will be at 9:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church library, 1300 E. Colorado St. The classes last 90 minutes, and there is no charge.

Jack Green, a former Huntington Beach mayor and champion of the city's Central Park and Central Library, died Saturday of congestive heart failure after a long illness. He was 79. "Jack was a real forward-looking gentleman," former Mayor Ralph Bauer said. Green was one of the early pioneers of the open-space movement in Huntington Beach, working with government officials and hundreds of private landowners to create the large park in north-central Huntington Beach.

Library seeking a few good children Children 5 to 8 years old, together with their parents, are being sought out to be part of the live audience for “Tree House Tales,” a televised library story program that airs on GTV6. Six new episodes will be taped in the Children’s Room at the Central Library, 222 E. Harvard St., on Nov. 19 and 20. The first episode will begin taping each day at 3:15 p.m. and will end at 6:30 p.m. Advance registration is required.

Hours are effective Aug. 4. ? ? Brand Library & Art Center 1601 W. Mountain St. Tuesday, Thursday noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ? ? Casa Verdugo Branch 1151 N. Brand Blvd. Monday, Wednesday 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ? ? Central Library 222 E. Harvard St. Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. ?

TODAY English as a second language conversation classes, led by Jean Bernhart, will be at 9:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church library, 1300 E. Colorado St. The classes last 90 minutes, and there is no charge. For more information, call 240-9000. A puppet workshop for students in third through eighth grades will be offered from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Central Library's children's room, 222 E. Harvard St. Participation in the group requires weekly attendance and is limited to 12 members.

CITY HALL ? Major improvements planned for the city?s two state-sanctioned redevelopment project areas may face a mighty foe in the state?s latest budget plan, officials said. The planned public improvements include a new pedestrian corridor off Brand Boulevard, a $10-million expansion of the Central Library, the new Adult Recreation Center and Griffith Manor Park renovations and other projects within the Central Glendale and San Fernando Road Corridor project areas. Officials are scheduled to present the project list today as part of a revised five-year plan during a joint City Council meeting with the Housing Authority and Redevelopment Agency.

Jo Van Amburg Summer is a great time for students and their families to take advantage of free programs and activities offered by the city of Glendale. The library's annual Summer Reading Program runs through Saturday, Aug. 12, at the central and branch libraries. "Library Kids Lead The Way" is sponsored by the Friends of the Glendale Public Library with funding provided by the Los Angeles Times Reading by 9 program. Children of all ages are challenged to read -- or listen to -- at least eight books in eight weeks.

TODAY GLENDALE Reservations are required by Monday for an authors' Luncheon at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 29 at La Canada Flintridge Country Club, 5500 Godbey Drive. There is a $25 fee. For more information, call 790-3079. Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets at 9:15 a.m. for a weigh-in and 10 a.m. and for a meeting at First Lutheran Church, 1300 E. Colorado St. For more information, call (800) 932-8677. The Los Angeles Zoo presents "Destination: Dinosaurs at the L.A. Zoo," featuring robotic dinosaurs, fossil-dig boxes, a puppet show and a maze, through Nov. 21 at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles.