Coming up at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden 

Join Japanese home-cooking instructor, Sonoko Sakai, for "Adventures in Onigiri" a hands-on rice-ball making workshop for kids and adults, on Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 p.m., at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, 270 Arlington Dr. Learn how to make healthy, cute and delicious onigiri for snacking and lunches. The workshop fee is $25 per person and includes admission to Open Day. Children are admitted at no charge. Space is limited, and reservations are necessary.

Schiff sets town-hall meeting to discuss Rim of the Valley draft report 

U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) will host a town hall on Monday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. to discuss the new draft report for the Rim of the Valley Study, which examined the possibility of expanding the boundary of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include the Rim of the Valley, and offer feedback and concerns to the National Park Service. The meeting will be held at Descanso Gardens, Van de Kamp Hall, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Caņada Flintridge. RSVP by calling (818) 450-2900 or (323) 315-5555.

The Los Angeles County Flood Control District and United States Army Corps of Engineers will convene a CEQA Public Scoping Meeting for the Arroyo Seco Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Feasibility Study's EIR/EIS. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room, 1100 Oxley St.

'Mansionization' meetings

Having heard from residents who are concerned about the size and/or style of new single-family homes being built in their neighborhoods (creating what some consider to be examples of "mansionization") the City of Pasadena would like to provide background information and hear residents' thoughts on this issue. Given the high level of interest in this issue, the City is holding additional meetings throughout the City. Note, the April 30 meeting (at the Allendale Branch Library) has been cancelled. The following is the schedule of public hearings: 

PEF sets date for 2015 spring event, "Celebrating our schools" 

The Pasadena Education Foundation will hold its 2015 spring event, "Celebrating our schools," on Wednesday, May 20, 6 p.m., in the courtyard at Pasadena City Hall. In addition to introducing Pasadena Unified School District's new superintendent of schools, Dr. Brian McDonald, the event will feature Dr. S. Dallas Dance, a nationally recognized leader in education and one of 10 White House Connected Educator Champions of Change. Also, the PEF will present its 2015 Exemplary Service Award to the Helen and Will Webster Foundation. 

Help Habitat celebrate, fund the new Desiderio community

The San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Pasadena invite west Pasadena residents to attend the upcoming "Building Dreams Under the Stars" gala on June 20, 5-9:30 p.m. at the iconic Pasadena City Hall. This event is a celebration of the new Desiderio community. Tickets are $150 per person or $1,200 per table (seating for 10). Cocktails, dinner and dessert are included in the ticket price. All proceeds go directly to help build the nine affordable homes for low-income families including families of veterans. This gala event will be a great opportunity for the west Pasadena community to show support for the transformation of the former Desiderio Army Reserve Center! To pay by credit card, please call 626-387-6899 (x18). To pay by mail, please send a check made payable to the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and a list of guest names to: 400 S. Irwindale Ave., Azusa, CA 91702