The San Marino Guild of Huntington Memorial Hospital announces the 44th season of entertainment with its 2012 San Marino Celebrity Series. The popular Dr. Elliot Engel opens the lineup of events with “Happy 200th Birthday Charles Dickens” on Sunday, February 12 at 4:00 at the San Marino Center, 1800 Huntington Drive, San Marino.
Returning for his 19th season and back by popular demand, this favorite professor, author, scholar and lecturer always delights his audiences as he entertains and educates using anecdotes and humor to illustrate new insights into the lives of his subjects. Dr. Engel will explore the world of Dickens, his unique imagination, and why he is recognized as the greatest novelist in the English language. Engel’s mini-lecture series on Dickens appeared on PBS-TV stations across the country. He is a gifted speaker who enjoys chatting with his audience after the presentation.
Elliot Engel earned his B.A. at Indiana University and his M.A. and Ph.D. as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at UCLA, where he won the Outstanding Teacher Award. He has written ten books, and lectured all over the world. For over 30 years Dr. Engel has been President of the Dickens Fellowship of North Carolina. His promotion of Charles Dickens during this period has led to his recent induction into the Royal Society of Arts in England.
The Celebrity Series continues with the 2nd event, “Touched by an Angel’s Inspiration” presented by Martha Williamson, the executive producer and head writer of the TV show, “Touched by an Angel.” Her uplifting talk will illustrate the power of positive strength and encouragement. This program will be held on Sunday, March 18th at 4:00 at the San Marino Center.
San Marino’s own Margie Lowe-Francis of Margie’s Apparel will present her “Dazzling Designs” at a fashion show and luncheon on Thursday, April 19th at the San Gabriel Country Club. Margie’s boutique is a popular shop for unique, eye-catching outfits.
The final program of the Celebrity Series will be a one-woman play presented by Lissa Layng of the Fremont Center Theater in South Pasadena. After enjoying afternoon tea, guests will be treated to Lissa’s performance of “A Woman of Independent Means” on Saturday, May 12 at 2:00. The story depicts the triumphs and trials in the life of Bess, a woman of the 1900s with an indomitable spirit.
Season tickets for the four events are $125. Single tickets are $30 each for Engle and Williamson (or both for $50) and $50 each for the fashion show or play. For ticket information or a brochure, call 626.441.1465 or 626.793.1333 or email sanmarinocelebrityseries@gmail.com.
The San Marino Celebrity Series is the primary fundraiser of the San Marino Guild. According to President Mimi Gerhardt, all proceeds will benefit the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Huntington Hospital.

For more information, please contact Festival Director Nanette Fish at
626-285-2171, Extension 2350 or nfish@templecity.us
-Courtesy Photo

Mulch is an important organic protective cover placed over soil to help retain moisture, return nutrients, discourage weed growth and encourage seed germination and healthy plant growth.

Free mulch will be available starting Wed., Feb. 1, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., in the parking lot on Morton Street.

For more information about free mulch or other city recycling programs, contact Public Works Customer Service at (626) 744-4087.

The Arcadia Association of REALTORS® recently installed the new 2012 Officers and Directors at the 88th Annual Celebration held on Friday, December 9th at the Noor Banquet Rooms in Pasadena. More than 200 REALTORS and guests attended the “Bourbon Street Bash” Mardi Gras themed event.

Master of Ceremony for the evening was Dave Culwell with Keller Williams. The Installation ceremony was conducted by 2013 California Association of REALTORS® President-Elect, Kevin Brown.

The Officers installed were: Ryan Asao, President; Andy Bencosme, President-Elect; Mike Vachani, Vice President and Jill Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer. The 2012 Directors are: Paulina Lee, Margaret Garemore, Sylvia Ramos, Irene Yamagata, Jeanne Keating, George Monte, Joe Pacilio, Nick Zigic and John Lee.

The Installation ceremony of 2012 President, Ryan Asao and Officers and Directors was followed by the presentation of the coveted “REALTOR of the Year” award presented to Jeanne Keating, Keller Williams West Foothills, and the “Affiliate of the Year” award presented to Adam Throop, Home Loan 123 – MFG Funding.

Outgoing President, Paulina Lee, received special honorariums and recognition from Senator, Bob Huff; Los Angeles County Supervisor, Michael Antonovich; Carol Quan, Representative of Los Angeles County Assessor, John Noguez; Assemblyman, Anthony Portantino; Assemblyman, Tim Donnelly and Mayor of Arcadia, Gary Kovacic.

Acknowledgement of special guests included nine Arcadia Association Past Presidents along with Presidents and Association Executives from several neighboring Associations.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Samba Samba Dance Company, which concluded with dancing to the music of KillerB.E.E. Also as part of the pre and post entertainment of the event was a Tarot Card reader and a fun-filled photo booth complete with Mardi Gras props.

In an ongoing effort to educate students on the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices, Fusion Academy & Learning Center Pasadena has developed relationships with two local companies – Chef by Request and Equinox – to launch a new lunch and fitness program promoting proper nutrition and exercise.

Fusion Academy Pasadena is an alternative college-prep private school featuring one-to-one classes and flexible scheduling for students in grades 6-12. With a fast food restaurant on just about every main street corner in America, it’s no surprise that the most recent statistics indicate that childhood obesity rates have tripled in the past 30 years. To combat the growing childhood obesity problem, Fusion Academy is seeking to provide long-term education benefits to its students by providing them with the tools to eat and exercise right.

Students attending Fusion Academy will have an opportunity to order lunch meals from Chef by Request that, like the academic education they receive, will be tailored specifically to their individualized needs – these meals will promote whole and natural nutrition, while moving students away from processed foods. Sample lunch selections from the California-based company may include grilled turkey-curry pita, chilled melon soup with vegetable and mozzarella salad, and teriyaki pepper steak salad. Lunches will be delivered daily to Fusion Academy’s Pasadena campus to ensure freshness.

Just as important as eating properly is exercising daily. Founded 20 years ago in San Diego with the belief that the traditional educational model did not work for every student, educators at Fusion Academy understand that the same principal applies for physical education. While all students need exercise, the specific exercise appropriate for each student differs. Given that, Fusion Academy has reached an agreement with Equinox that will allow students to work individually with trainers to determine the appropriate workout routine for their specific body requirements.

“Our objective with these new programs is to shape our students intellectually, emotionally and physically for success in school and in daily life,” said Francisco Ayala, Fusion Academy Pasadena head of school. “The childhood obesity problem is not going to disappear overnight, but if we take the appropriate steps in educating our students about the long-term benefits of eating and exercising properly we can begin to tackle the issue and, hopefully, drive the rates down.”

Participation in the new Fusion Academy lunch and fitness program is voluntary. The program was piloted at the school’s Warner Center campus and after great initial success there is being introduced at additional Fusion Academy locations. For more information on Fusion Academy & Learning Center Pasadena, please visit www.FusionPasadena.com.

About Fusion Academy and Learning Center:
Fusion Academy and Learning Center offers students in grades six through twelve an alternative to the traditional classroom setting through one-to-one teaching and customized academic programs. Through individual mentoring, teaching and custom-tailored programs, each student’s unique talents are both recognized and encouraged in a positive environment. Fusion Learning Center offers one-to-one tutoring, mentoring, independent studies and test preparation, as well as a rich music and art program. For more information, visit www.FusionAcademy.com.

The U.S. Post Office at 281 E. Colorado Blvd. will be renamed the First Lt. Oliver Goodall Post Office in memory of the Altadena resident and member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen.
The event is scheduled from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, and will feature a speech by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank.
Goodall served with the all-black air squadron during World War II before working with the US Postal Service.