Arts & Entertainment

Guide to Holiday Happenings, Toy Drives, In Town

From breakfast with Santa to a one-man show of A Christmas Carol, the holiday season is in full swing in South Pas.

Breakfast with Santa - Register by Tuesday

Pancakes, a puppet show and picture time with Santa are a perfect way to get into the spirit of the season. The Dec. 8 festivities run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the War Memorial Building, located at 435 Fair Oaks Avenue.

Families will not want to miss all the excitement and fun, not to mention hot-off-the-griddle pancakes and a mini train ride attraction. Boys and girls will smile with glee as they enjoy all festivities. 

This event offers a breakfast buffet, mini train ride, the always-popular puppet show, arts and crafts, raffles and the highlight of the event, a picture visit with Santa!

The fee is $15 per person. Children under 2 years of age will be admitted free-of-charge. As space is limited, please pre-register by December 4, 2012 at the Recreation Office, located on 815 Mission Street South Pasadena, CA 91030, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or by calling (626) 403-7380.

A Season of Giving - Tuesday, 7:15 p.m.

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stop by 7:15 p.m.Tuesday over at the South Pasadena Library Community Room, 1115 El Centro Street, for a free storytelling session. The storytelling will feature myths, folktales, and literature for the holiday season.

With an iconic, antique steamer trunk on center stage, three We Tell Stories actors will weave a world of extraordinary stories using everyday items as costumes and props.

Audience members will participate from their seats, then join the actors to play an integral part in the performance.

This event is funded by the Friends of the South Pasadena Library. For more information, please view the flyer at http://www.ci.south-pasadena.ca.us/Library/PDFs/We%20Tell%20Stories%202012.pdf or call (626) 403-7358.

A Christmas Carol - Thursday

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The South Pasadena Public Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library will present a one-person performance of Charles' Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," starring Broadway and film veteran Duffy Hudson. The play will be showcased on December 6, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Without the aid of props or costumes, Hudson will bring all 46 characters of this timeless classic to life.  The lively portrayals will include Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Yet to Come. To read more about Hudsn, please click here. 

The Library Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street. The 75-minute holiday program is ideal for all ages, and admission is free. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. No tickets or reservations are necessary. Refreshments will be served.For more information please visithttp://www.ci.south-pasadena.ca.us/Library/column_archive/2012/column_120612.html


Spark of Love Toy Drive

The South Pasadena Fire Department, in cooperation with ABC7, CVS Drugstores and other Southland Fire Departments, is collecting toys for the annual "Spark of Love" Toy Drive.

Now through December 24, 2012, you can drop off a new, unwrapped toy or sports equipment at designated collection boxes. These boxes are located in the lobbies of South Pasadena City Hall, Police Department and Fire Department. The collected toys will be distributed locally. 

Holiday in a Basket Drive

The South Pasadena Senior Citizen's and Youth Commissions work together to make a difference during the holidays through the "Holiday in a Basket" drive. 

For the past 10 years, the Senior Citizen's and Youth Commissions have collaborated to implement this special program. Collection of healthy, non-perishable small food items or other contributions will be accepted from Monday, December 3, 2012 through Monday, December 17, 2012 at the following locations:

  • South Pasadena Senior Center
    1102 Oxley Street
    Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Orange Grove Recreation Center
    815 Mission Street
    Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Financial contributions may also be made payable to the Senior Citizen's Foundation of South Pasadena, Inc. and will be used toward purchasing gift cards to be included in the baskets. For questions, or if you know anyone who may benefit as a recipient of the drive, please contact the Senior Center at (626) 403-7360.

Santa's Sleigh - A Rose City Toy Drive

Gus's BBQ joins the Pasadena Civic Ballet, The Original Tops, Cameron's Seafood, Trattoria Neapolis, Jones Coffee, The Cheese Store of Pasadena and The Counter in holding in-house toy drives with special incentives when you bring in an unwrapped, unopened toy for donation. The drive benefits children from Young and Healthy. For more info about the organization, click here.

Follow South Pasadena Patch on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for our Newsletter.

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from South Pasadena