Weekend Buzz – Events for April 30-May 1, 2016

They say the early bird gets the worm and that’s especially true today, as LAPD’s Olympic Division holds a yard sale in its community room at the Olympic Division Station, 1130 S. Vermont Ave., starting at 6:30 a.m. (yes, you read that right – no weekend slackers among our local law enforcement!).  The event is open to the public and all proceeds benefit Olympic Division’s youth programs.

Later this morning, head over to Healthy Kids Day on the sports deck at the Anderson-Munger YMCA, 4301 W. Third St. (NW corner of Third and Oxford). From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this free community event will feature  a live DJ, games, activities, food and more to keep the whole family moving and feeling great. The event also kicks off registration for several upcoming YMCA programs, including Summer Day Camp and the free “Get Summer” program for teens. Stop by to learn more about your neighborhood Y and ways for you and your family to get involved.

A bit later, starting at 10:30 this morning, and with events continuing throughout the day, celebrate Independent Bookstore Day at Larchmont’s beloved Chevalier’s Books.  Highlights will include talks with local authors Julia Claiborne Johnson and Charlotte Huang, music from Julia and Darryl Holter, free (temporary) literary tattoos, and sales of exclusive merchandise available today only. 

On Saturday afternoon, check out the burgeoning new art scene in the West Adams area, with a West Adams Art Tour from 12-4 p.m.  The tour, which starts at Ochi Projects, 3301 W. Washington Blvd., includes Ochi and five other galleries and private studios – JOAN, Claudia Parducci Studio, Martos Gallery, Brian Wills Studio and The Landing. Tickets are $20-$25,  available either on site or through Eventbrite.  Note that this will be a group tour, with participants moving together from space to space, and not a self-guided gallery/studio tour.

If culinary arts are more your style, head over to the Los Angeles Bacon Fest, from 12-3 and 4-7 p.m. at downtown’s LA Center Studios. According to the organizers, the event pays “homage to all things bacon, presented in both sweet and savory dishes.”  Admission includes samples of participating businesses’ signature dishes and access, unlimited beer from over 20 breweries, a custom photo booth, and much more.  Admission is limited and the website notes that it “will sell out in advance.”

For the younger set, today is the day for the monthly BARK – Kids Read to Dogs event at the John C. Fremont Library, 6121 Melrose Ave.  At 2 p.m., two extraordinarily gentle therapy dogs will be available to snuggle up with kids as they practice their reading aloud skills.  Free and open to book and dog lovers of all ages.

And finally on Saturday, for art of another color, visit the LA en Rose show at Artworks Studio, 660 N. Larchmont Blvd., in which inspired artists from the neighborhood, painting under the guidance of artist Julio Panisello, display their Hancock Park landscapes painted in shades of pink and rose.  A reception from 6-9 p.m. will feature (of course) rose wines.

On Sunday, the events are less numerous but make up for it in size and quality.  First, the Big Sunday organization – which used to host huge regional day of service on the first Sunday in May every year – has now expanded its volunteer event offerings and kicks off its new Month of Big Sundays, with 19 projects available for your helping hands on just this first day of May.  Check out the MOBS calendar for even more projects – every day this month – for volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and interests.

For another kind of community service – which you can perform much more quickly and without breaking a sweat – be sure to vote in the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council elections, which will be held from 12-4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Barking Lot, 366 N. Larchmont Blvd.  Anyone 18 or older who lives, works or owns property in the Greater Wilshire area is eligible to vote…for both a geographic representative and for either the At Large seat or one of several special interest category representatives.  For full details, see Everything You Need to Know About the GWNC Elections But Didn’t Know You Should Ask, the GWNC website, or the city’s GWNC election site.

Finally, from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, join the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society for its annual Garden Tour and Party extravaganza.  This year’s theme is “Living Alfresco,” and the walking tour features “elegant outdoor entertainment areas in beautiful gardens of this historic neighborhood.”  Six private gardens are featured on Irving Boulevard, between Third Street & Wilshire Boulevard in Windsor Square…including Getty House, the residence of mayor Eric Garcetti.  (Perhaps not so coincidentally, this year’s event also honors Elaine Wakeland, the First Lady of Los Angeles.) Tickets are $50 for Historical Society members and $60 for non-members, with special pricing for couples and students.  Children under 12 are free.  Admission includes wine tasting paired with small bites in the gardens.