Poets

Amber Willard GLENDALE -- Glendale poets can win $1,000 in a contest sponsored by the Bards of Burbank. The contest is open through Oct. 2 and allows each participant to enter one religious-themed poem that is 21 lines or less. "We're especially keen on inspiring amateur poets and we think this competition will achieve that. California has made many wonderful poets over the years and I'd like to discover new ones from among the Glendale-area grassroots poets," said John Scribner, the group's contest director.

The Friends of the Altadena Library will sponsor its fifth annual Poetry & Cookies celebration on Saturday, April 21, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Those attending will have the chance to meet and hear poets from Altadena and the surrounding area read their poetry. There will also be a drawing for two poetry baskets filled with items that poets or poetry lovers might enjoy. Past attendees have commented on what an "inspiring and fun event" this free program has been. The featured poems will be included in an anthology published by the library and will be available at the event.

Josh Kleinbaum Anahid Keshishian is quick to point out that her latest stage venture is not a poetry reading, even though the actors will be reading poetry. "It's very theatrical, it's very visual," said Keshishian, the creator and director of "They Were Poets," a play featuring Armenian poetry translated into English. "It's a risky thing to do, taking poems and making them into theater, because it's an emotional roller coaster. They go from the jubilee of a wedding to a funeral, and then to erotic love songs.

Class teaches bagpipe skills A Scottish bagpipe class taught by John McLean Allan will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Toll Middle School, 730 Glenwood Road, Glendale. Classes will be held every Monday but May 25 until June 15. Classes are $79, and there is a $65 materials fee. For more information, visit www.glendale.edu/cse or call (818) 240-1000, Ext. 5015. ? High school groups to sing Choral groups from area high schools will perform Tuesday at Glendale Community College?

John C. Fremont Elementary School PTA will host a student assembly, which includes three programs by We Tell Stories, next Friday. The events will be at 11:45 a.m. for kindergarteners, 12:45 p.m. for grades one through three and 1:45 p.m. for grades four through six in the school's auditorium. We Tell Stories is a multi-ethnic storytelling troupe that will present, "Let Them Eat Books." "Let Them Eat Books" celebrates the language and ideas of great poets and storytellers.

First aid training available to public The Glendale-Crescenta Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer discounted standard first aid lessons on "Super First Aid Saturday" from 8 a.m. to noon or 1 to 5 p.m. June 23 at 1501 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Classes will train attendees in addressing emergency issues, such as controlling bleeding, identifying shock, caring for burns, heat/cold emergencies, poisoning, sudden illnesses and injuries to muscles, bones and joints.

This is one of two poems, from Poetic Generations, displayed in the lobby of the Alex Theater last week. My Uncle's Hands By Michelle Muirhead, 11 My uncle's hands are shaky like an earthquake. My uncle's hands are dry mountains. My uncle's hands are as loving as a baby. My uncle's hands hug me, when I am with him. My uncle's hands are kind and gentle, when he touches me. My uncle's hands are like a determined baby robin learning how to fly. My uncle's hands are as old as a sea turtle.

TUESDAY Glendale Community College?s ROTARACT Club will host a performance by three poets from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the plaza, 1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale. Tables will be set up in the plaza from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. Money raised will go to the Life in Africa Foundation. Call (818) 240-1000. ? WEDNESDAY A Glendale Noon Concert will be from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St., Glendale. The program will feature cellist Mary Anne Steinberger and oboist Catherine Del Russo.

Glendale City Library presents Carolyn Howard-Johnson in a free seminar and poetry reading where she will introduce two new poet voices, Sona Ovasapyan and Christine Alexanians. Poetry: Don't Let It Molder in a Drawer, Publish It! will be open to the public on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Glendale Central Library Auditorium at 222 E. Harvard St. in Glendale. This event will be led by Howard-Johnson, author of Tracings, a chapbook of poetry (Finishing Line Press)

The other night I had just returned from a day of saving souls at school and was anxious to delve into my new book, Survival Skills of Native California. No! I ain't kidding, it just happens to be the best book I've ever read on the subject of living off the land, and believe me, I've read many. As I tried to slip silently past the homework police I heard Kaitzer remark, "Could you please help Sabine with her project for Mrs. Fueling's class?" Maybe I should have cammeyed-up (wore camouflage)

GLENDALE — The following are updates on area athletes at the collegiate level. Christian Bergman (St. Francis High, 2006) senior pitcher, UC Irvine baseball: The former All-Area Player of the Year has a scoreless inning streak of to 24 1/3 innings going, as Bergman (8-3) has lowered his earned-run average to 3.82 and has 74 strikeouts on the year. But Bergman's good fortune didn't play a part in his team's setback on Friday. The Anteaters began play in the Los Angeles Regional on Friday afternoon at UCLA.

GLENDALE — The following are updates on area athletes playing at the collegiate level .   Kathryn Poet (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, 2007) sophomore outfielder, University of Missouri softball: Poet, a former All-Area member, recently competed in her first College World Series. Unfortunately for Poet and the Tigers, their stay in Oklahoma City didn’t last very long. After opening the series with a 7-3 loss to defending champion Arizona State on Thursday, Missouri saw its season end Saturday with a 5-2 loss to ninth-ranked Georgia.

Once the plane took off from Los Angeles International Airport and soared briefly over the Pacific Ocean before floating over the Rocky Mountains and into the country’s heartland, Kathryn Poet had plenty of time to reflect on what had taken place over the course of several days. So many items of interest were soaked up by Poet, who once starred for the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy softball team before moving on to compete for the University of Missouri softball program.

TUESDAY Glendale Community College?s ROTARACT Club will host a performance by three poets from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the plaza, 1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale. Tables will be set up in the plaza from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. Money raised will go to the Life in Africa Foundation. Call (818) 240-1000. ? WEDNESDAY A Glendale Noon Concert will be from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St., Glendale. The program will feature cellist Mary Anne Steinberger and oboist Catherine Del Russo.

Class teaches bagpipe skills A Scottish bagpipe class taught by John McLean Allan will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Toll Middle School, 730 Glenwood Road, Glendale. Classes will be held every Monday but May 25 until June 15. Classes are $79, and there is a $65 materials fee. For more information, visit www.glendale.edu/cse or call (818) 240-1000, Ext. 5015. ? High school groups to sing Choral groups from area high schools will perform Tuesday at Glendale Community College?

Grish Davtian has studied at Tehran University in Iran and the University of London. The poet has since seen a countrywide revolution engulf his daily routine in Iran. After moving to the U.S., he created television programs, books, anthologies and organizations to increase knowledge and discussion of Armenian and English literature. Reporter Natalie Yemenidjian sat down with the 73-year-old Glendale resident and asked him a few questions about his life and experiences. When did you begin to write?

Art Day, the dream of Glendale short-story author Becky Mate, is gaining momentum in its 10th year. The celebration pays homage to all disciplines including fine art, music, live theater and poetry. It kicks off Friday with a party at Mate’s home and continues Sunday with a paint-out of more than 20 artists at The Americana at Brand. Some people read poems, others perform short scenes from plays, and Mate’s husband, Randy Mate, cooks up hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.