World

Families with young children who regularly attend The Pasadena Symphony's Musical Circus will want to take note that the Circus's 'Big Top' will move from its longtime, regular home at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to Caltech's Beckman Auditorium, when the Musical Circus partners with Caltech Public Events to present "A World in Motion" on Saturday, October 14, at 2 p.m. A CineMuse Studios production, "A World in Motion" will provide an entertaining...

“2012” was at the top of the box office last week. The movie’s plot revolves around the end of the world, supposedly predicted by the end of the Mayan calendar, which expires on Dec. 21, 2012. The movie is described as “An epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.” The supposed end of the world in 2012 continues to be a hot topic by believers and non believers alike. Does your faith reveal anything specific about the end of the world or how it might look like?

When Eviane Leidig wanted to step out of her comfort zone, she turned to AFS Intercultural Programs. Since 1919, AFS Intercultural Programs, formerly known as the American Field Service, has been sending people on journeys they will hopefully remember for the rest of their lives. Every year, the nonprofit organization sends more than 13,000 people to more than 50 countries. Leidig, wanting to expand her horizons while a student at La Cañada High, chose what she considered to be the most foreign country on the AFS Intercultural Program's website at the time, Ghana.

When one thinks of interns, images of teenagers running dull errands — fetching coffee, making copies or filing papers — may come to mind. This picture couldn't be further from reality for the high school and college interns who land a spot in one of Jet Propulsion Laboratory's many internship programs. With JPL's 26 different internship programs, there is something for every student, whether they are in high school, undergraduate or graduate programs. There are somewhere around 300 interns working at JPL in La Cañada Flintridge during the summer, according to Priscilla Vega, a JPL spokesperson.

I invited Mick Caruso, our talented page designer, community-event press-release wrangler and all-around good guy into my office yesterday morning to talk about how we might make his life a little easier as the school and social season get underway this month and new publicity chairmen are assigned to tout their many activities in the Valley Sun. If you have never met Mick, please take my word that he is normally a soft-spoken, good-humored and...

How would your teenager like to snowboard in New Zealand this summer? Do you want to give your 10-year-old the opportunity to spend lazy summer days on a ranch, horseback riding, swimming, fencing and more? If you find yourself scrambling for summer plans like many other parents, plan ahead and visit the 14th annual Summer Opportunities Fair hosted by Westridge School, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 5. This free event is offered as a community service for families in Pasadena, surrounding areas and greater Los Angeles who are going to be up against that age-old dilemma: "What are the kids going to do this summer?"

La Cañada luger Kate Hansen, a senior at La Cañada High, has qualified to race as a member of the U.S. National Team at the 2009 Luge World Cup after finishing first at the fourth and final qualifying race on Sunday. Hansen took first place at the fourth qualifying race, held at the 2010 Olympic track in Vancouver, Canada, with a two-race combined time of 1 minute, 40.975 seconds. “We never dreamed that she would have such a successful string of races,” said her father John Hansen.

Growing up in La Cañada, she never dreamed of being a beauty queen. In fact, when a friend told her about the upcoming Miss Taiwan World pageant auditions, Christine Dai said she thought, “No way, those girls are so gorgeous and talented, they’d never choose me.” However, after filling out her paperwork and competing in the three categories — introduction, talent and question and answer — Dai, a 2004 graduate of...

The Arroyo Singers, a woman's choral group that has provided vocal entertainment in the San Gabriel Valley since 1961, will present their annual spring concert on Sunday, June 3 at 4 p.m. Directed by James Reitzell, the program includes vocal works from 15 countries, from an American folk song, to a Zulu chant. Traditional melodies from France, Spain, Italy, and Russia offer songs of the joy of spring; lilting melodies from China and the Pacific Islands provide a worldwide musical tour ranging in time from Purcell and Mozart.

In Verdugo Hills Hospital's continuing series to educate women on health issues, it offered a seminar with a modern look at an ancient medical art. Stella Chan, an integrated medicine practitioner that utilizes Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure and massage therapy, spoke to a room full of women and men interested in the truth behind the legend of this ancient craft. In her unique style, Chan, a member of the California State Oriental Medical Association, shared her techniques and her philosophy.

A recent airline flight has resulted in a civility issue with altercations involving a flight attendant and a passenger. As is a common procedure, after landing, the flight attendant had asked passengers to remain seated until the plane came to a complete stop. Many passengers are lax in following the federal regulations when the flight attendants are sharing safety information on take-off and landings. Because some passengers fly many times and hear the same messages, the words sometimes lose their significance.

CLASSES Beginning Bridge — Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, 4469 Chevy Chase Drive, offers Beginning Bridge to adults and seniors. Taught by a seasoned bridge player, Beginning Bridge offers an opportunity to those who are interested in joining a bridge group but who may not have the skills or confidence to do so. Lessons are $5 per person. Call the Community Center at (818) 790-4353 to reserve your spot or just show up. Square dancing — Thursdays, beginning Sept.

I invited Mick Caruso, our talented page designer, community-event press-release wrangler and all-around good guy into my office yesterday morning to talk about how we might make his life a little easier as the school and social season get underway this month and new publicity chairmen are assigned to tout their many activities in the Valley Sun. If you have never met Mick, please take my word that he is normally a soft-spoken, good-humored and...

Last week's Time magazine cover story by Bobby Ghosh reported that "hate speech against Muslims and Islam is growing both more widespread and more heated," with protests against a mosque in lower Manhattan and the building of other mosques elsewhere not considered isolated incidents but part of a nationwide feeling of Islamophobia. A poll by Time/Abt SRBI found that 46% of Americans believe Islam is more likely than other faiths to encourage violence against nonbelievers. Is America Islamophobic?

Valley Water Company, which played a critical role in the development of La Cañada Flintridge by being the first to successfully bore a local well, is celebrating its 100th birthday in late September. The company, which currently provides 3,580 service connections for a large swath of homes and businesses in the eastern and central portions of the city, will mark the milestone with an open house party on Sept. 30 at its headquarters on Hampton Road, said general manager Bob Fan. Established in September 1910 by W. T. Somes and F.D. Lanterman (uncle to Frank D. Lanterman, who decades later represented the area in the state Assembly)

As the sun slipped below the horizon on Friday, more than 100 Muslims gathered, filling the back patio at the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge. Assembled in neat rows, they raised their hands to their ears. "Allah Akbar," they intoned — "God is great" — before prostrating themselves, touching foreheads to the ground. The attendees were there to share prayers and sustenance during the fourth annual Ramadan Interfaith Potluck Dinner, hosted by the Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge (ICLCF)

The debate continues over the proposed mosque near Ground Zero. Those in favor call it the Park51 Islamic Community Center. Those opposed call it the Ground Zero Mosque. Pastor Jon T. Karn (Light on the Corner Church in Montrose) says, "In the interests of healing this lingering American wound, I would hope that thoughtful and kind-hearted Muslim Americans would reject this planned building.: (Valley Sun, In Theory, 7-21-10) Rabbi Joshua Levine-Grater (Pasadena Jewish Temple)

Donations sought for sheriff's rummage sale Donations of clothing and household items in good condition are being sought by the volunteers of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station, who are planning a rummage sale for Sept. 11 at the station, 4554 N. Briggs Ave., La Crescenta. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Business Watch, Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers on Patrol, Cell Phones for Live, Caring Arms and Arson Watch programs as well as continuing community events.

A recent op-ed piece published in the New York Times states that American clergy are burning out as they try to meet their congregations' demands for more lighthearted messages. Is it possible for the clergy to tailor their sermons to congregations hungry for a comforting, entertaining message, or is there no room to do so without sacrificing the tenets of their faith? Do you find such challenges as you preach to your flock every Sunday?   So far, combining the serious religious stuff with the humorous has not been a problem for me. However, I must admit that when I decided to go into the ministry at age 60, a college friend had a hard time believing I was sincere!