Community meetings bring people together for an exchange of ideas and memorable shared experiences. Here’s a sampling of meetings and charity/volunteer events in the San Fernando Valley area.
May 30
Wings Over Wendy’s: Veterans of all services and ages, and their supporters, meet from 8:30-11 am every Monday of the month. Location, 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. Contact Ed Reynolds, 818-884-4013. www.wingsoverwendys.com
May 31
Book Club with Sherman Oaks Branch Library: Discusses “The Sympathizer” by Viet Thanh Nguyen, 6:30 pm Request the Zoom link in advance by email to shrmno@lapl.org (put “Book Club” in the subject line). 14245 Moorpark St. 818-205-9716. Details: bit.ly/3wG4q4v
June 1
Book Club at Chatsworth Branch Library: Discusses “The Crown” by Nancy Bilyeau, 1:30 pm in the community room or on Zoom. Request the Zoom link in advance by email to sstamm@lapl.org (put “Book Club June 1” in the subject line). A mask is required if attending in person. 21051 Devonshire St. 818-341-4276. Details: bit.ly/3z42KVo
Chatsworth Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 pm Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voice mail, 818-464-3511. Email: info@chatsworthcouncil.org. chatsworthcouncil.org
Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 pm Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3eXnU9O. By phone, 669-900-9128 and use ID: 936 2696 2330 and press #. Voicemail, 818-779-9026. Email: info@lakebalboanc.org. www.facebook.com/LakeBalboaNC; lakebalboanc.org
June 2
Theodore Payne Foundation: “Native Plant Basics – A Walk and Talk with Alejandro Lemus, 9 am ($15; bit.ly/3PYdnz4). Upcoming: “California Native Container Plants,” with Flora Ito, 9 am June 9 ($25; bit.ly/3wQCHOM). “Right Plant, Right Place,” with Katie Tilford, 6 pm June 15 ($35; this class is on Zoom; bit.ly/3a1qRcy). Registration is required in advance for all classes. 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley. 818-768-1802. theodorepayne.org/
West Hills Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 pm Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voice mail, 818-254-9378. www.westhillsnc.org
June 6
Greater Valley Glen Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 pm Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. www.greatervalleyglencouncil.org
Mission Hills Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 pm Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voice mail, 818-869-4577. Email: board@mhnconline.org. mhnconline.org
June 7
Mystery Book Club with Sylmar Branch Library – Online: Discusses “The Devil and the Dark Water” by Stuart Turton, 2 pm Request the Zoom link in advance by email to sylmar@lapl.org (put “Mystery Book Club” in the subject line). Upcoming: “Dial A for Aunties” by Jesse Q. Sutanto, July 5. 14561 Polk St. 818-367-6102. Details: bit.ly/3PK5JrP
Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council: A board meeting, 6:30 pm Join the meeting on Zoom here: https://bit.ly/3bJst8l. By phone, 833-548-0282 (toll free) or 669-900-6833 and use ID: 985 3883 4487 and #. Email: info@ghnnc.org. ghnnc.org
June 8
Turning Down the Volume on Worry – Managing Cancer-Related Anxiety: The Simms/Mann – UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology presents the talk by Simms/Mann clinicians, Elizabeth Cleary, PhD, and Greg Flaxman, LCSW, MPH, 10-11:30 pm Register to receive the Zoom link: bit.ly/3jhbtdB . 310-794-6644. For more workshops: www.simmsmanncenter.ucla.edu/workshops/
Mystery Book Club with West Valley Regional Branch Library – Online: Discusses “The Woman in the Window” by AJ Finn, 10:30 am Request the Zoom link in advance by email to wvalley@lapl.org (put “Mystery Book Club” in the subject line). 19036 Vanowen St., Reseda. 818-345-9806. Details: bit.ly/3E6CQyU
Charity and Volunteer
LA Sanitation and Environment City Facilities Recycling Program’s Toiletries Drive: Donate unopened and unused items to be given to shelters helping the homeless. Personal care items, full or travel-size, include: deodorant; hair conditioner and shampoo; lotions; mouth wash; razors; bar soap and body wash; toothbrushes and toothpaste; wipes. Items may be donated, 9 am-4 pm Monday-Friday, through June 24 (except closed on Memorial Day, May 30). Two locations in the San Fernando Valley: East Valley District Yard, 11050 Pendelton St., Sun Valley, and West Valley District Yard, 8840 Vanalden Ave., Northridge. 213-485-2260. Email: san.cfrp@lacity.org. lacitysan.org
American Red Cross Los Angeles Region: Seeking volunteers for Transportation Specialists (www.redcross.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/deliver-blood.html) and also Disaster Action Team Member (www.redcross.org/volunteer/disaster-action-team.html).
Volunteers Cleaning Communities: Join the group for clean-up projects in the San Fernando Valley. Find a list of upcoming projects, and also how to make a donation for clean-up supplies, volunteerscleaningcommunities.com
Send information at least two weeks in advance to Holly Andres at holly.andres@dailynews.com. 818-713-3708.