This weekend kicks off on Saturday with a couple of great discount shopping opportunities. First, Ampersand Boutique, the consignment shop featuring ladies’ current, vintage and couture clothing at 658 N. Larchmont Blvd., is having a “40% Off Everything Summery” sale. Stop by and find some beautiful clothing, shoes and handbags at “beautifully low prices.” Store hours this weekend are Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m.
Then, from 12-4 today (Friday) and 12-5 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday), The Friends of John C. Fremont Library, 6121 Melrose Ave., will be holding their monthly book sale. As always, most books are between 10 cents and a dollar…with additional bargains – 50% off – on all travel books, cookbooks, and some media.
Also starting at noon on Saturday, Memorial Branch Library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd., will be busy with a free SAT Prep class for teens. This is the last session in a four-part series that teaches test-taking skills, provides a practice test, and then reviews the student’s scores with a Princeton Review tutor. The workshop and test are free – just sign up at the library’s reference desk, or call the library to reserve a spot.
For another great educational opportunity, those interested in learning or practicing the Japanese language can head over to the Japan Foundation, 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100, for its popular “Tea Time Conversation Cafe.” From 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, enjoy some refreshing Japanese tea and snacks while chatting with native Japanese speakers. All levels are welcome, and prior Japanese language experience is not necessary. Please RSVP here …and wear your Japanese summer attire (including a cotton kimono “Yukata,” if you have one).
After Tea Time, you are also invited to the Japan Foundation’s free Manga Lounge IKKAN event, from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday. Manga – a popular style of Japanese comics – is a great tool to learn both the Japanese language and about Japanese culture. To promote the concept of “Manga Edutainment (Education Entertainment)”, this special exhibit will provide the first volumes (first volume= ikkan in Japanese) of about 200 titles written in Japanese, for visitors to flip through and learn about the stories and the world of manga. No RSVPs are required for this one – just show up and have fun reading!
Finally, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, you could also head over to the Wilshire Branch Library, 149 N. St. Andrews Pl., where the Friends of Wilshire Library will be throwing a garden party and ice cream social to celebrate the volunteers, donors and patrons (including the Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society) who contributed to the recent revitalization of the library’s garden. (See flier for more information.)
On Sunday, August 5, Knowles Karate Academy, 4378 W. 3rd St., will hold the first day of a 2-Day Intensive Women’s Self-Defense Program, starting at 11 a.m. The two-day course (the second session will be held next Saturday, August 11, at 1 p.m.) will cover the same lessons as the Academy’s usual 5-week Women’s Self-Defense Program…and is designed either for beginners who have never taken a women’s self-defense class or those who may have some experience and want to brush up on their techniques. The cost is $120 for the 2 days. See http://www.knowleskarateacademy.com/womens-self-defense for details and a registration link.
And last, but never least, the Wiltern Theater continues its Kids’ Classic Summer Movie Series on Sunday, with a screening of the modern classic “Toy Story.” The movie starts at 3 p.m., but doors open at 2:30, so you can come early and take advantage of themed photo ops, face painting, coloring stations and more. Kids under three get in free…and there will be yummy food, as well as soft and adult drinks, available for purchase.
To infinity and beyond…have a great weekend!
