Datebook: events, classes, exhibits for the week ahead

We've listed select home and garden events below. Suggest your own via reader comments. Submissions must be fewer than 75 words and must be for one-time events with legitimate value to other readers. No store promotions and no frivolous links, please. L.A. at Home staff will determine which submissions will be made public, but we won't edit the comments.

Dec. 4: Costumed hosts will escort visitors through the Victorian homes at the Heritage Square Museum when they are illuminated for the 15th annual Holiday Lamplight Celebration. Evening tours begin at 4 p.m. and continue until 8:30 p.m. Adults, $20; children 12 and younger, $10. Not suitable for children under 6. 3800 Homer St., Los Angeles. Reservations required: (323) 225-2700, Ext. 223.

Dec. 4: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and the American Community Gardening Assn. host this educational training seminar based on the association’s curriculum for leadership development. Topics: community organizing, leadership development, grass-roots fundraising, community development, communications and coalition building. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5. University of California Cooperative Extension, 4800 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles. $45. (877) 275-2242.

Dec. 5: Unique L.A. Holiday Show will include more than 300 makers of housewares such as the coffee table by Mountain Exotics shown above, artwork, ceramics, books, clothing and jewelry. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. $10. California Market Center, 110 E. 9th St., downtown Los Angeles.

Dec. 5: Bauer Pottery's annual holiday clearance sale of seconds will feature Bauer's classic ringware and Russel Wright American Modern pieces. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and 12-13. Bauer Pottery showroom, 3051 Rosslyn St., Los Angeles. (818) 500-0666.

Dec. 5:  The annual Echo Park Holiday Sale and Celebration will feature Zyana Aromatherapy, Frog Dog Organic Salsas and Herbs, stockings filled with home baked dog biscuits, and Peter Shire’s pots, cups, dishes and bowls. Santa will also pose for photos with pets ($10 each or three for $20) to help fund money for Echo Park Animal Alliances. Noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. Free. Echo Park Pottery, 1850 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles.

Dec. 5: Curator Jill Morganelli leads a series on how to grow fruits and vegetables organically. This week’s installment will focus on winter crops and companion planting, winter diseases, irrigation, soil building, composting and pruning fruit trees. Noon to 3 p.m. $22 to $25. Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Registration: (626) 821-4623.

Dec. 5: Steve Gerischer of Larkspur Garden Design lectures on how to simplify your approach to landscaping. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. $20 to $30. Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley. (818) 768-1802.

Dec. 5: Rachel Young demonstrates how to transform natural materials into holiday décor in this wreath-making workshop. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $30 to $35, includes materials. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. (818) 949-4200.

Dec. 5: Descanso Gardens hosts a holiday craft boutique with holiday decor and garden-related gifts. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. Free with regular admission of $3 to $8. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. (818) 949-4200.

Dec. 6: Los Angeles Modern Auctions hosts an auction of art, sculpture and other designs. Highlights include sculpture by Peter Voulkos, 29 original pieces by George Nakashima, several works by George Nelson and ceramic pieces by Otto Natzler. Noon. 16145 Hart St., Van Nuys. (323) 904-1950.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo caption: Unique Los Angeles exhibitor Mountain Exotics

Need a pre- or post-feast escape? Descanso Gardens is open on Thanksgiving

When I was an energetic little kid, my mother would dress me and my siblings in bright red jackets and have us run around Descanso Gardens for hours. Smart woman, my mother.

While I'm not suggesting you do the same, it sure seems like Thanksgiving -- with its family stresses, overwhelming carbohydrate intake and back-to-back football games -- is a good day for a visit. Heck, why not try to hike all 160 acres? You've got the calories to burn, or an appetite to build.

For, much to my surprise, Descanso Gardens is open today. In addition to offering a Patina-catered buffet at noon and 2 p.m., the public gardens will be open during regular hours, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you've never been, Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive in La Canada Flintridge. Admission is $8 and $3 for kids. Red jackets not required. 

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times

Heath Ceramics' open studio this weekend, family event Nov. 28-29, and sale throughout

Heath Ceramics hosts an open studio this weekend that features way more than just plates and tiles.

People from the art-and-design collective Commune and furniture-and-interiors designer Jason Martin will create indoor and outdoor table settings; potter Adam Silverman will give tours of his studio (11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday); Susan Brink of Venokado wine and gift store will offer tips and tastings for the holidays (1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday); and Gilly Flowers will offer floral design tips (1 to 4 p.m. Saturday).

In addition, Heath’s annual in-store sale, beginning Friday and continuing through Nov. 29, will feature discounts of up to 20% on dinnerware, tile and accessories (excluding gallery pieces). It's a great time for holiday shopping, and the petite bud vases (normally $22), shown in a series at right, are a great hostess gift.

But wait, there's more: Heath will also host a post- Thanksgiving Family Weekend Nov. 28-29, complete with cookies baked in a kiln, tile decorating for kids and a "Heath Antique Roadshow" hosted by Catherine Bailey from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 29.

Potter Adam Silverman, who is Heath's studio director, said breakage at the family event can be a problem -- but don't blame the kids. "It is always the adults who break things," he said. "I don't think we have had one kid break something yet. So I guess we need to watch the adults carefully that weekend.”

Heath Ceramics Los Angeles, 7525 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles (323) 965-0800.

--- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times; Heath Ceramics

Architect Victor Cohenca to discuss the Jewel House and Frank Lloyd Wright today at DWR

Los Angeles architect Victor Cohenca of VC Design will discuss the renovation of the Jewel House, which he purchased in 2008, tonight from 7 to 9 at Design Within Reach.

In the slide-lecture "The Spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright," Cohenca looks at the historic home's previous owner, Louis Mosbrooker, who himself was an architect and Wright disciple.

The event is free and open to the public. Guests will also get a sneak peek at Cohenca’s forthcoming book, “Oak Pass Road,” which documents how the Jewel House relates to Wright's Usonian homes.

Design Within Reach, 8070 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 653-3923. Thurs., 7-9 p.m.

-- Lisa Boone

Photos: Danielle Larsen

Open house with woodworker Thomas Moser this weekend at the Culver City showroom

Furniture designer Thomas Moser makes a rare Southern California appearance Saturday at the Thos. Moser showroom in Culver City.

If you haven’t been to the showroom, go. Moser’s handcrafted wood furniture is gorgeous -- and each piece is made to order. On Saturday, visitors will see the master craftsman -- a onetime college professor who changed careers at 36 -- demonstrate how to make a chair (from noon to 2 p.m.) and repair furniture (4 p.m.). 

Moser also will give a design talk at 3 p.m., followed by a signing of his book, “Artistry in Wood.”

Like many other showrooms around Los Angeles, Thos. Moser is sponsoring a Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the Los Angeles Mission. In addition, the store will be donating 5% of all sales to the nonprofit this weekend. Limited seating is available for the talk. To reserve a space, call (310) 204-5726 or e-mail lashowroom@thosmoser.com.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: Thos. Moser

The Deal: Fine art photography auction at Kopeikin Gallery

Wide-eyed owls and dolls and sad but sweet monkeys are among the fine art photographs being put on the block at Kopeikin Gallery in West Hollywood on Friday at 7 p.m. The subject matter is particularly apt, as proceeds from this fifth annual auction will benefit the Larchmont Charter School. Gallery owner Paul Kopeikin says that the works will have starting bids of up to 70% off the artists' customary asking prices. If bidding on pieces reach a certain price, Kopeikin may offer multiple prints to interested parties.

Among the highlights is "Owl Girl," above, a 24-by-20-inch archival digital print by the Los Angeles-based team Davis & Davis, which has a starting bid of $1,200.
Bidding for Hiroshi Watanabe's "Big With Monkey Doll, Suo Sarumawashi," a 14-inch-square toned silver gelatin print, right, will start at $1,100.

In a work of vérité cuteness, Lara Regan's "Adrift" depicts a puppy floating on an inflatable raft at the bottom of a nearly drained swimming pool. The starting bid: $980. (See it after the jump.)

Other photographs document the geometric patterns found in nature and architecture. Two of the wittiest come from Andy Freeberg's 2006 series of the reception areas in New York's Chelsea art galleries. Defined by monolithic white desks that obscure all but the tops of employees' heads, "Cheim and Reid" and "Metro Pictures" ($1,700 to start) are minimalist abstract compositions -- ideal for clean modernist homes or industrial lofts. (Get a glimpse after the jump.)

A free preview of the work is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday at the gallery at 8810 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Or see the online preview here. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Attendance is not necessary to participate in the auction, which will accept advance bids until 7 p.m. Friday by phone or e-mail.

Datebook: Events, exhibits, classes for the week ahead

We've listed select home and garden events below. Suggest your own via reader comments. Submissions must be fewer than 75 words and must be for one-time events with legitimate value to other readers. No store promotions and no frivolous links, please. L.A. at Home staff will determine which submissions will be made public, but we won't edit the comments.

Nov. 11: Frank McDonough guides visitors through the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s African and Australian section plants as part of the series “Around the World in 127 Acres: More of the Arboretum’s Plant Collections.” 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wear comfortable, rugged shoes, a hat and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring drinking water too. $5 to $7. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Registration: (626) 821-4623.

Nov. 12: Thursday Garden Talks With Lili Singer continue with “A Tour for Home Gardeners With Jill Morganelli,” the new curator of the Kallam Perennial Garden. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $20. Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Registration: (626) 821-4623.

Nov. 12: Nursery woman and seed specialist Ginny Hunt will discuss annuals that do well in California’s climate in a lecture sponsored by the Southern California Horticultural Society. 7:30 p.m. $5. Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles. (818) 567-1496.

Nov. 14 and 15: The Los Angeles Asian & Tribal Arts Show will feature art and antiques of Asia, Africa and the Americas. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 14; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 15. $10. Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Main Street at Pico Boulevard. (310) 455-2886.

Nov. 14: A variety of California native plants and wildflower seeds will be available for sale at Under the Oaks 2009, the annual sale hosted by the San Gabriel Mountains Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Eaton Canyon Nature Center, 1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. (626) 476-4163.

Nov. 14: Descanso Gardens hosts a walking tour of the downtown flower mart, pictured above, with florist Ray Tucker. Learn how to select and care for the best flowers and where to go for supplies. Wear comfortable shoes and register early to receive a map of the meeting place in downtown Los Angeles. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $18 to $20. (818) 949-4200. 

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

The Deal: Sunset Junction sidewalk sale today offers discounts of up to 75% off on furniture, accessories

Don't stop your Saturday shopping with the organic-produce stalls at the Silver Lake Farmer's Market. Venture farther down Sunset Boulevard, where several stores will be participating in a sidewalk sale with discounts of up to 75% off.

Several of the stores, including the Living Room, Mercado (pictured above), Mas Boutique, Funkie Town and Isac Orchids Etc. (pictured on the jump) will have reductions on furniture, apparel and accessories, including discontinued and overstocked items and floor models.

"We’re going to start doing this every other month," Living Room owner Steve Melendrez says.

Look for a big awning shading food and beverage. And if that's not enough of a lure, the Silver Lake Art Crawl also is today, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more pictures, go to the jump.

Experts talk on adapting homes to reduce wildfire risk

Two of the region’s most respected experts on wildfire, local ecology and post-fire regeneration -- Richard W. Halsey, director of the California Chaparral Institute, and Jon E. Keeley, research ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey -- will discuss "Southern California Wildfires: Protecting Our Homes and the Natural Environment" on Saturday.

This free discussion, co-hosted by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers & Native Plants and the Glendale Department of Public Works, will address how communities can adapt to fire-prone environments and the importance of nature education. The event's hosts also have invited local fire officials.

The talk runs 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clark Magnet High School auditorium, 4747 New York Ave., La Crescenta.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Rolling Greens' holiday preview begins Thursday

Some of those Halloween pumpkins still have not been disposed. Black Friday -- the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season -- is weeks away.

The staff at Rolling Greens does not care. This week, the holidays officially begin at the Culver City nursery, and the rambling emporium is hosting an open house to prove it. The annual holiday preview running Nov. 5 to 7 is the kind of over-the-top event that may sound annoying to some, but here it's not. Perhaps that's because the options are so darn tasteful, whether we're talking about container plant designs you can create yourself at the arrangement bar or perhaps one of our favorite decorations from last year, the succulent kissing ball, pictured at right.

The event will include dessert, coffee, tea, cider, Christmas carols and, if Rolling Greens is kind, no Chipmunks tunes. 

The early arrival of the season makes sense, for who has money for gifts this year? With the holiday still weeks away, there's still time to pick up an ornament or two, or perhaps materials and inspiration for DIY presents, if that's your thing.

Look for even more holiday cheer when Rolling Greens opens an L.A. store on the corner of Beverly Boulevard and Gardner Street at the end of the month. Till then, the holiday preview runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 9528 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City; (310) 559-8656. Map is here.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: Rolling Greens