Shopping ‘Small’ Supports Indie Businesses in Our Community!

         We’d like to remind you about “Shop Small Saturday” tomorrow, which really should be called “Shop Indie Saturday,” since you’re supporting independent businesses in our community.
           

           Shops and businesses along The Avenue go above and beyond what "big box" chains offer -- unique gifts you won't find anywhere else and thorough customer service to meet your every need.

             And while we’re at it, don’t limit that support to just one day a year; shop indie first when you can and you’ll infuse much-needed income into your neighborhood.

            Glendora Village “Shop Small Saturday” participating businesses were listed in last Monday’s “Word on the Avenue” blog. Visit them first; many are offering discounts.

Big Time Holiday Spirit, Part 1!

             Take a fun break from “Shop Small Saturday” shopping tomorrow with a Carriage Ride Along the Avenue from 3-7 p.m., and enjoying Christmas carols sung by costumed Dickens Carolers.

           Parents can take family pictures with Santa Claus on Saturdays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, while also enjoying rides in a horse-drawn carriage and live Christmas music.

            Students from SINC INC will perform Dec. 7 and on Dec. 21, Keener Music Studio students will perform Saturday, Dec. 14; all performances will be from 3-4:30 p.m.

            Photos with Santa can be taken from 5-7 p.m. and Carriage Rides Along the Avenue will be from 3-7 p.m.

Perfect for Any Holiday Party

 

            These shiny red Mary Jane Pumps from Jessica Simpson can be found at Da Avére, along with the party-ready Polka Dot bag from My Flat In London. Drop by the shop to see other gifting-worthy fashion essentials!

Big Time Holiday Spirit, Part 2!

            We just love this photo album of last week’s Holiday Stroll posted by L’Image Photography on its Facebook page. When you need a dose of holiday cheer, just click on this. And thank you to Glendora Florist owner Dalel Snider for having L’Image capture the event.

            Photos with Santa taken during the Holiday Stroll are available through the City of Glendora. Learn more about it through this Flickr page.

'Small Business Saturday' a Big Deal Along The Avenue of Glendora Village

                Though it’s named “Small Business Saturday” it’s really a big deal nationwide, and you can participate by visiting Glendora Village next Saturday to complete your holiday list.

                Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

                The City of Glendora has become involved by sponsoring extra activities in Glendora Village:

·         Gifts purchased on Nov. 30 from Glendora small businesses will be gift-wrapped for free.

·         There will be a Gift Card drawing – One entry per $25 of receipts from participating small businesses. Five winners (four $50 gift card winners and one $100 gift card winner) will be offered a gift card from participating business of their choice.

 

·         Special offers made by participating businesses can be found here.

·         Raffle Entry and Gift Wrapping will be held at the Glendora Village Plaza from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

                Special offers along The Avenue include:

                15% off entire purchase next Saturday at Envy Me Fashions, 146 N. Glendora.
                15% off any single regular price item at Fiorina, 124 N. Glendora (not valid with any other offers).
                15% off all regularly priced merchandise (exclusions apply) at Lola Baby, 100 N. Glendora, Suite 1.
                15% off storewide from 9 a.m.-noon at Undercovers Intimate Apparel, 207 N. Glendora.
                One free half-hour introductory lesson at Keener Music Studio, 167 N. Glendora, Suite 14G. Call to reserve appointment, (626) 675-4439.
                25% off holiday gift certificates for one month of art classes at KidsArt, 160 N. Glendora, Suite G.
                Free “Try It Out” Vocal Lesson from 2 – 4 p.m. on Saturday at SING INC, 123 N. Glendora. Each participant in the Try It Out lesson will receive a $25 SING INC gift card. Reservations required, (626) 963-1777.
                Special drawing at Perfect Tyme, 100 N. Glendora, Suite 102. Stop by to enter to win a clock.
                Get a free $5 Classic Coffee Gift Card when you  bring a receipt from a purchase of any kind in the Village to Southland Properties, 211 N. Glendora. The purchase will have to take place on Saturday, Nov. 30 and it is limited to one gift card per person.
                10% discount coupons will be handed out at Village Kitchen Shoppe, 147 N. Glendora.
                Get a free dessert with purchase of a gift card at Frisella’s Roastery, 179 N. Glendora.
                It will be “Two Scoop Tuesday on Small Business Saturday” at Martha’s Candy, 133 1/2 N. Glendora.
                15% off services at Y’Sharis Spa, 160 N. Glendora.

                Other Village businesses that are participating in “Small Business Saturday” are Da Avere, Her Best Friend’s Closet, Name Droppers, Visiting Angels, Glendora Interiors, Knot Too Shabby, Lorisa Gardens, Desire Jewelry, Village Goldsmith, SewNSew, Far Beyond Pearls, Glendora Village Pets, Interfaith Religious Gifts, Periwinkle Emporium, Village Eatery, Allure Beauty Essentials.

If you are a member of the Glendora Village Business Improvement District and have some news to share about your business – whether it’s about an upcoming sale, activity or promotion, a new employee or other updates – please send an email to GlendoraVillageNews@gmail.com.

Lorisa Gardens’ 'Christmas Store on the Avenue' Spreads Holiday Spirit

            Ever see a Christmas tree decked out in leopard-spotted ornaments? Do you wanna?

            Then head over to Lorisa Gardens’ new “Christmas Store on the Avenue,” especially tonight during Glendora Village’s annual Holiday Stroll. It’s the perfect stop after the Christmas Tree lighting at 6 p.m. in the Village Plaza.

            Lorisa Gardens is owned by sisters Lori Molinari and Lisa Luke, who had a thriving silk floral design and home decor business for 15 years before they opened the store 10 years ago.

            When Strings Music located next door closed earlier this year, the sisters’ landlord approached them to expand into its space. They said yes after much discussion and opened the Christmas store in late October.

            The collection of ornaments (including those by Christopher Radko and elves and fairies by Mark Roberts) and fully decorated trees will inspire decorating ideas.

            So beautiful is the holiday store that one visitor exclaimed: “It’s better than anything in Beverly Hills. It’s better than Stats in Pasadena!”

            The Christmas Store was months in the making, starting last January when the sisters attended a trade show in Dallas, and they continued with extra orders throughout the year. The result is something you’d see year-round in someplace like Solvang.

Glendora Village Holiday Stroll: Shop, Dine, Enjoy the Avenue This Friday!

             Glendora Village’s annual Holiday Stroll is only four days away, starting at 6 p.m. on Friday in the Village Plaza.

Join the fun this Friday at Glendora Village's annual Holiday Stroll.

             The evening, sponsored by the Glendora Village Business Improvement District (BID), features strolling carolers, old-fashioned carriage rides and a special visit by Santa Claus arriving on a historic fire truck.

            Glendora Avenue will be closed down between Foothill Boulevard and Bennett Avenue to become a pedestrians-only zone. Arrive early to enjoy dinner at Village restaurants before you join the Stroll fun.  

            At 6 p.m. Glendora city officials will begin the evening by lighting the Village’s Christmas tree and introducing Santa at the Village Plaza. Santa will visit with children and pose with them for photos that will be posted to the City of Glendora website.

            The Holiday Stroll is a great way to kick off gift shopping at Village stores, many of whom will be hosting open houses with refreshments.

            One such store is Glendora Interiors, where visitors can enjoy food from Glendora Café and Bakery, holiday photo opps by Simpson Portraits, beautiful cabinetry and countertops from G H Wood Design.

            You can get a preview Thursday night of what Undercovers Intimate Apparel has planned for the Stroll while enjoying one-night-only specials and refreshments.

            Bryan Clay Foundation’s Fit4Fall 5K is Next Saturday

           

Registrations are still being taken for the 3^rd Fit4Fall 5K next Saturday. Participants can pick up their race bib during the Holiday Stroll in front of the Martindale Commercial Building.

            Sponsored by the Bryan Clay Foundation, the 5K run raises funds for health and wellness programs that benefit the Glendora School District. The Foundation will also be partnering with New Unto Others to collect clothing for families in need.

            Race entry fee is $25.  However, all participants who donate a minimum of one bag of clothing on race day will receive $5 cash back from their registration fee.

If you are a member of the Glendora Village Business Improvement District and have some news to share about your business – whether it’s about an upcoming sale, activity or promotion, a new employee or other updates – please send an email to GlendoraVillageNews@gmail.com.

 

'Homes for the Holidays' Raises Funds for Foothill Presbyterian Hospital

            Not only do many kick off their holiday season with Glendora Village’s Holiday Stroll, this year on Friday, Nov. 22, but the fun continues for many with “Homes for the Holidays” on Sunday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

            The annual benefit for Foothill Presbyterian Hospital presented by its Auxiliary in the tour’s 38th year is a reason to celebrate all day long that Sunday, reports Chris Purkiss, FPH Auxiliary volunteer (serving twice as Auxiliary president) and owner with her husband Wes of Hill Top Real Estate in Glendora Village.

            “So many people tell me they start off with breakfast and then go on the Home Tour, and enjoy the refreshments we offer at the hospital afterward,” Chris says.

            Tickets are only $20 in advance, $25 the day of the tour. Tickets are available through Paypal on the tour website, and at the Foothill Presbyterian Hospital Lobby Shop, Hill Top Real Estate (223 N. Glendora Ave., Glendora) and Coldwell Banker Millennium (134 N. Glendora Ave., Glendora).   

            Usually, three homes are featured each year; this year there are four holiday showcases.

 

            “Mostly I network with interior decorators and other real estate agents to find out which homeowners would be interested in being featured on the tour. Many homeowners are recommended by their friends or neighbors because their homes are so beautiful for the holidays.”

            Most homeowners decorate their homes themselves; some hire interior decorators for the task.

            

          All of this year’s homes are pictured on the “Homes for the Holidays” website, including an historic house located on Grand Avenue across the street from FPH (see photo at left).

            “There’s a lot of history in that home,” Chris explains. “We actually have a photo taken from that house showing orange groves where the hospital is today.”

Holiday Workshops Offer Gift of Learning Along the Avenue

The holidays bring a whole new type of workshops to the Avenue of Glendora Village, as well as opportunities to give the gift of learning in the form of gift certificates.

            Check out these fun holiday classes:

            Glendora Florist: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $75 – Cyndy Tessitor presents Christmas Floral Arrangements demonstration. Attendees will learn how to design holiday arrangements to take home. Reserve at (626) 335-1943. Appetizers and fruit, wine, refreshments will be served.  

            Keener Music Studio: Students of the Keener Music Studio have been busy with local holiday performances and will be performing at the Village Holiday Stroll and at the visits/photos with Santa on Dec. 14 between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. in the Village Plaza. For more information about music classes, (626) 675-4439.

            KidsArt Fine Art Classes:  The Thanksgiving Workshop, Nov. 25-27, 9 a.m.-noon, will have students creating beautiful Thanksgiving holiday keepsakes.  “Snoopy's Gang Clay Workshop” Mondays, Dec. 2-16, 3:30-6 p.m. will teach young artist to create their own Peanuts characters in clay as beautiful gifts or keepsakes. For more information or reservations, call (626) 857-0708 or write to kidsartgl@gmail.com. 

           The SewNSew: It’s a perfect time to work on holiday gifts and you can learn about classic Baltimore Christmas Quilts (see photo at right) at three workshops on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 2 to 5 p.m.; and 6-9 p.m. to make these beautiful blocks! Perfect time to start working on Holiday gifts. $15, plus kit. The store's activity calendar is jammed packed with sewing, quilting and other workshops. For more information, call (626) 852-2223 or write to sew@thesewnsew.com. 

            SING INC: The singing studio’s Funtastic Fall Mini-Camp will focus on “Sounds of the Season, Musical Hits” Nov. 19-22, 12:45-3:30 p.m., $99. Mini camps introduce kids to singing and performance lessons, build their confidence and stage presence and make new friends. There are one-on-one singing lessons and entertaining performance classes. “Campers” attending the SING INC fall mini-camp will be performing what they learned from camp at the Annual Glendora Village Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting on Friday, Nov. 22. Learn more about SING INC classes or register at (626) 963-1777.     

            Village Kitchen Shoppe: Not only is this the place to find the perfect serving platter for your Thanksgiving Dinner, a hostess gift, a ready-to-go-goodie-baskets or Pumpkin Spice Coffee, but you can take cooking classes to bring something new to your holiday menus. Call for reservations and information: (626) 914-7897. Check out these classes:

The Holidays Get Musical Thanks to Glendora Village Talents

               The holidays mean music and there are going to be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the talents being nurtured in Glendora Village.

                For example, students of SING INC and the Keener Music Studio will perform as carolers at the Village’s annual Holiday Stroll on Friday, Nov. 22, from 6-9 p.m. They will also be singing as festivities continue with visits with Santa in the Village Plaza, carriage rides and caroling on Dec. 7, 14, and 28 (learn more here.)

                Kristina Keener Ivy, owner of the Keener Music Studio, reports that her students will be participating in the 11^th Annual Fall Piano, Voice & Guitar Recital next Monday, Nov. 11, and Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m.

                It takes place at Glenkirk Church, main sanctuary, 1700 Palopinto, Glendora, CA 91741. Tickets are $7; for more information, call Kristina at (626) 675-4439.

               Keener’s Top Billing Entertainment Holiday Group performers and soloists from her music studio will be singing at the Holiday Stroll, as well as on Dec. 14 between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. during the visits with Santa on Dec. 14 in the Village Plaza.

                Her busy music students recently entertained at the holiday boutique St. Lucy’s Priory High School in Glendora (pictured at right).

If you are a member of the Glendora Village Business Improvement District and have some news to share about your business – whether it’s about an upcoming sale, activity or promotion, a new employee or other updates – please send an email to GlendoraVillageNews@gmail.com.

Busy November Along the Avenue – Holiday Stroll, a 5k, Santa, Shopping and More

Welcome to November 2013, folks. Mark your calendars now for all these fun activities. There are more to come, so keep checking this blog on Mondays and Fridays for developments.

            Friday, Nov. 8, 5-7 p.m.: Empty Cups at Classic Coffee, (148 N. Glendora Ave., 626-335-3313). Classic Coffee is partnering with First Christian Church to present this fundraiser to fight hunger.

Buy a cup for $15 and you’ll get the cup, a hot beverage and a ticket for prize drawings.

Proceeds from this event will support local hunger relief programs including Shepherd’s Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul and the Glendora Police Department food voucher program.

Don't miss the Holiday Stroll in
Glendora Village on Nov. 22.
 

            Friday, Nov. 22, 6 p.m.: Glendora Village’s annual Holiday Stroll, along Glendora Avenue between Foothill Boulevard and Bennett Avenue.

Holiday Stroll visitors can start their holiday shopping at Village shops. Carolers will also be strolling through Glendora Village singing Christmas favorites.

At 6 p.m. Glendora city officials will begin the evening by lighting the Village’s Christmas tree and introducing Santa at the Village Plaza.

The evening features strolling carolers, old-fashioned carriage rides and a special visit by Santa Claus arriving on a historic fire truck.

For more information, visit the Glendora Village website, www.villageglendora.com.

 

Halloween Trick or Treat Full of Fun on The Avenue

The Halloween Trick or Treat was a rousing success along the Avenue of Glendora Village.

Tons of costumed kids and their parents turned out to enjoy candy handouts from Village business owners, many of whom wore costumes, too.

Village Plaza was Halloween Central with spooky backdrops for parents to take photos.

Adding further to the fun were dancers from Luxe Salon who took over Glendora Avenue to perform twice.

Their performance, as well as the many colorful costumes (some of which are below), attracted news media attention.

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune sent photographer Walt Mancini, whose videos can be found on the newspaper’s homepage (in the right-hand column under “Video News Feed”; scroll until you find his name).

Glendora Patch.com sent reporter Aaron Castrejon who uploaded the performance and other photos to the website and the performance to You Tube.

And KABC7-Eyewitness News sent a cameraperson.

Thanks to everyone who made this a success – families, business owners and dancers!

This little firefighter had his own firetruck.



Just a shy little lion.

 

Who needs a broom, after all?