Debut children’s author Michelle Grace will host a free storytime and book signing at Barnes & Noble on Saturday, November 7, at 11 AM. The event will also feature giveaways, complimentary essential oil samples, and more.

Her debut book, I’m Right Here, is written for children ages 4–8 and follows a mother’s love across the universe as she searches for her shining star.

Saturday, November 7 at 11 AM – Barnes & Noble Calabasas
4735 Commons Way, Calabasas, CA 91302
Free story time and book signing – Event Details

P.F. Chang’s has released a new digital children’s book, Meet Bao: The Spirit of Strength, written by Jenny Liao and illustrated by Adriane Tsai. The heartwarming story follows Bao, the Horse of Strength, as he teaches young readers about courage, kindness and compassion. Created in partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation, the book aims to bring comfort and joy to children facing hospital stays while encouraging families to have meaningful conversations about bravery and helping others.

Families can read the book for free on P.F. Chang’s website.

Credit: P.F. Chang’s.

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina and Cal Tri Events present the 2026 Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes on Sunday, November 1, from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Now in its 48th year, the event is recognized as the world’s longest-running triathlon held at the same venue. Once again designated as the Cal Tri Events National Championship, the event draws top athletes, supporters and the local community to Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina in scenic Newport Beach, California.

“For nearly five decades, Newport Dunes has had the privilege of serving as the home of this incredible race,” said Phil Ravenna, General Manager of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. “There’s something special about seeing athletes return to the same waterfront year after year, often bringing their families and making an entire weekend out of the experience. We’re proud of our longstanding partnership with Cal Tri Events and look forward to welcoming another generation of athletes to the Back Bay.”

This iconic course welcomes athletes from 25 U.S. states and Brazil, Canada, France & the United Kingdom. Athletes choose from 12 event options across Olympic and Sprint distances, including triathlon, run-bike-run, swim-bike, swim-run, individual swim and 5K/10K run events. 

The triathlon will take place at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, with the swim and run portions set within the resort, while the cycling route follows scenic Back Bay Drive and Eastbluff Drive. Newport Dunes also gives athletes and their families the opportunity to stay steps from the action, with waterfront RV accommodations and cottages available at the resort.

The event also highlights Cal Tri Events’ commitment to community impact. Volunteers power race day and are encouraged to participate. Both UC Irvine Sports Medicine Club and UC Irvine Sailing & Rowing will receive donations in recognition of their service and as part of Cal Tri’s national goal to raise $50,000 for nonprofits.

For more details on the race, event options, and to register, please visit NewportDunes.CaliforniaTriathlon.org.

PUBLIC CONTACT 

For more information on events and amenities at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina or to book a reservation, please call (949) 729-3863 or visit NewportDunes.com

Here’s a quick look at what’s happening:

Western Wednesday: Halloween Edition

Wednesday, October 28 from 6–8 p.m.

HaLouLouWeen Night

Saturday, October 31 at 6 p.m. until late

Kid’s Halloween Baking Classes at The Gourmandise School

Sunday, October 25 from 2–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 31 from 10 A.M–12:00 p.m.

Halloween Harvest Date Night at The Gourmandise School

Saturday, October 31 from 6:30–9:30 p.m.

The festivities start with Western Wednesdays, bringing free line dancing to Center Plaza every Wednesday in October from 6-8 p.m. Professional instructors lead dancers of all experience levels, with restaurant happy hours, shopping perks and complimentary giveaways adding to the fun. The series culminates with a Halloween-themed Western Wednesday on October 28, inviting guests to dress in costume and dance the night away, with a $50 Tenshoppe gift card awarded for the best costume!

On Saturday, October 31, LouLou Santa Monica will transform for HaLouLouWeen Night, a glamorous Halloween celebration featuring music, cocktails, dinner and dancing with its signature French Riviera flair! Guests are encouraged to arrive dressed to impress in their favorite costumes and book a table in advance for the fan-favorite Halloween festivities.

Santa Monica Place’s cooking academy, The Gourmandise School will also host a parent & child Halloween Treats baking class, where parents and little chefs from 6-11 can get hands-on creating spooky sweets including vampire sandwich cookies, eyeball cookies and monster haystacks.

For adults looking to get in on the Halloween fun, The Gourmandise School will also host a Halloween Harvest Date Night cooking class on Saturday, October 31, from 6:30–9:30 p.m. Couples can enjoy a hands-on evening of cooking featuring a festive fall-inspired menu, including Graveyard Short Rib Ragu over Creamy Polenta, Blood Red Beet Salad, Midnight Molten Lava Cake and a Witches Brew Cocktail. Costumes are encouraged for an extra touch of holiday fun!

With spooky family fun, free line dancing and Halloween nightlife all in one destination, Santa Monica Place offers plenty of ways to celebrate throughout October.

Free weekly line dancing returns to Center Plaza, with a Halloween-themed edition on 

October 28!

Santa Monica Place invites locals and visitors to kick up their heels with Western Wednesday, a free weekly line dancing experience in Center Plaza throughout October. Professional instructors lead lessons for beginners and seasoned dancers alike, with complimentary giveaways available while supplies last.

Guests can make a night of it with pre-dance happy hour at Santa Monica Place restaurants. LouLou Restaurant offers Golden Hour from 3–6 p.m., with special cocktail prices and a complimentary bite with the first drink; The Cheesecake Factory offers discounted drinks and bites in its bar area from 4–6 p.m.; and Curious Palate offers discounted craft beer and wine.

Western Wednesday attendees can receive 20% off at Tenshoppe when they shop on the day of the event. The offer is valid only on Western Wednesdays.

The final October edition will have a Halloween-themed Western Wednesday on October 28. Guests are encouraged to come in costume and dance the night away. The guest with the best Halloween costume will receive a $50 gift card to Tenshoppe.

WHEN

Wednesdays in October 2026, 6–8 p.m.

Halloween dress-up edition: Wednesday, October 28, 6–8 p.m.

WHERE

Santa Monica Place | Center Plaza, Level 1

395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, CA 90401

MORE INFORMATION

Admission is free. For event updates, visit SantaMonicaPlace.com/events.

Credit: Santa Monica Place.

Glendale Library, Arts & Culture and Brand Library & Art Center unveiled the fall 2026 lineup for Hyper SoCal, the regional initiative redefining how audiences experience Southern California’s creative ecosystem. The fall roster mobilizes a new grouping of partner venues to deliver innovative exhibitions, site-specific installations, and interdisciplinary programs.

Conceived at Glendale’s historic Brand Library & Art Center, Hyper SoCal acts as a connector for Southern California’s art scene, offering cultural journeys with an interactive map of local art venues. This season invites art lovers and explorers alike to step off the beaten path and discover everything from kinetic light works in transit terminals to thought-provoking contemporary showcases in municipal and non-profit galleries.

“Hyper SoCal captures the collaborative energy that makes Southern California a epicenter for creativity,” says Director of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Lessa Pelayo-Lozada. “By showcasing these spaces, we are lowering barriers and connecting diverse communities directly with the artists shaping our region’s culture.”

“This fall is all about the thrill of discovery,” adds GLAC Exhibition Coordinator and Hyper SoCal Founder Stephanie Sherwood. “We want people to be on the lookout for art in completely unexpected contexts, whether it’s experiencing a public art installation at LAX or discovering a hidden gem of a gallery downtown. It’s an invitation to hit the road and experience the unbelievable depth of SoCal’s creative talent firsthand.”

A sample list of featured exhibitions and programs opening fall 2026 is included below. A complete list of partner institutions and programs can be found at BrandLibrary.org/Hyper-SoCal.

• LAX Art Program
  LAX Gateway’s Kinetic Light Installation
  Now on view through January 2027
• Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery
  Susan Silton: Diving into the Wreck
  September 3 – November 22, 2026
• Art Share L.A.
  Unfolding Light
  October 2, 2026 – January 2, 2027
• Experimentally Structured Museum of Art (ESMoA)
  Experience 72: SCRIPT
  October 3, 2026 – March 13, 2027
• OCC: Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion
  Bad Marks
  October 5, 2026 – November 25, 2026
• 18th Street Arts Center
  Revival_Revival
  Special Event: November 8, 2026 | 1:00 PM
• Velaslavasay Panorama
  Florence in Ruin: An Excavation
  November 13 – December 19, 2026

• ReflectSpace
  Gerald Clarke
  December 19, 2026 – April 3, 2027

About Library, Arts & Culture

Founded in 1907, the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department includes eight neighborhood libraries including the Brand Library & Art Center, a regional visual arts and music library and performance venue housed in the historic 1904 mansion of Glendale pioneer Leslie C. Brand, and the Central Library, a 93,000 square foot center for individuals and groups to convene, collaborate and create. The department also serves as the chief liaison to the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission, which works to continually transform Glendale into an ever-evolving arts destination. Glendale Library Arts & Culture is supported in part through the efforts of the Glendale Library Arts & Culture Trust (GLACT). For more information visit GlendaleLAC.org, or contact Library, Arts & Culture at 818-548-2021 or via email at LibraryInfo@glendaleca.gov.

About the Arts & Culture Commission

The mission of the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission is to enrich human experience, reinforce Glendale’s identity and civic pride through arts and culture, and to recognize the importance of arts to our quality of life and to the local economy. This is accomplished by consciously integrating arts and culture into the daily life of the people of Glendale through urban design, planning, economic development, and education. For more information about the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission see the website: GlendaleArtsAndCulture.org

After thrilling sold-out crowds across Europe, the Hot Wheels Stunt Show is crossing the Atlantic for its first-ever United States tour in 2027, and it’s coming to Long Beach Arena in Long Beach for three shows on March 26-27 and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for three shows on June 26-27. Produced by Family Entertainment Live in collaboration with Mattel, the show transforms the world’s most iconic die-cast cars into full-size, high-performance machines for a live experience unlike anything fans have seen before. Tickets, Preshow Party information, and additional details can be found at hotwheelsstuntshow.com. For exclusive presale access starting Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 10 a.m., visit https://hwss.hive-pages.com/socal27.

Show times include:

LONG BEACH ARENA

• Friday, March 26, 2027: 7 p.m.
• Saturday, March 27, 2027: 12 p.m.
• Saturday, March 27, 2027: 7 p.m.

CRYPTO.COM ARENA

• Saturday, June 26, 2027: 12 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27, 2027: 7 p.m.
• Sunday, June 27, 2027: 2 p.m.

Experience high-speed action and full-throttle excitement as legendary Hot Wheels vehicles are brought to life to perform jaw-dropping stunts. From the all-new 45-foot-tall Super Loop to gravity-defying ramp jumps, drifting, and four-wheel mayhem, it’s next-level family entertainment for fans of all ages. The toys kids have raced across living room floors for generations will now roar in front of them at full scale.

The Hot Wheels Stunt Show features 15 vehicles, headlined by life-size, high-performance Hot Wheels favorites including the GT Scorcher, Rodger Dodger, and the legendary Bone Shaker. These fan favorites are supported by a cast of drifting, ramping, two- and four-wheeling cars, motorbikes, quads, custom stunt vehicles, and an RZR. All are driven by an elite team of professional stunt performers.

“Bringing the Hot Wheels Stunt Show to the United States for the first time is a milestone we’ve been racing toward,” said Ken Hudgens, CEO, Family Entertainment Live. “American fans have grown up with Hot Wheels, and there’s nothing quite like seeing those classic cars you know from the orange track come to life at full size, pulling off real stunts just feet in front of you. We can’t wait to bring that thrill to Long Beach in 2027.”

Designed for the whole family, the Hot Wheels Stunt Show delivers two hours of nonstop action and full-throttle fun with something spectacularly entertaining for every generation. Kids will love the action, parents will appreciate the nostalgic fun, and grandparents will enjoy being part of the thrilling moments and family memories.

Fans can also go behind the scenes with the Preshow Party, which gives guests the chance to get up close to the Hot Wheels vehicles, collect autographs from the drivers, capture photos and selfies, and take part in interactive Hot Wheels activities before the action begins.

Tickets for the Long Beach stop go on sale Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster and the Long Beach Arena ticket office.

Tickets for the Los Angeles stop go on sale Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10 a.m. on AXS.com.

Tickets are expected to sell quickly. For exclusive presale access starting Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 10 a.m., visit https://hwss.hive-pages.com/socal27.

For tickets, the full 2027 U.S. tour schedule, vehicle lineup, and Preshow Party details, visit hotwheelsstuntshow.com and follow @HotWheelsStuntShow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

The Hot Wheels Stunt Show tour is a partnership between Mattel, Inc. and Raycom-Legacy Content Company, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Family Entertainment Holdings, LLC.

The Jewel City Concert Series returns this fall with five consecutive Saturdays of free live music on the Artsakh Paseo, located at 127 Artsakh Avenue in Glendale’s Downtown Arts & Entertainment District. From September 26 through October 24, the community is invited to gather at 5:00 PM each Saturday for an eclectic mix of performances that reflect Glendale’s creative spirit and cultural diversity.

“The Jewel City Concert Series is part of our ongoing commitment to enliven the Artsakh Paseo and create meaningful cultural experiences in Downtown Glendale,” said Director of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, Lessa Pelayo-Lozada. “The series highlights the creative talent and diversity within our community, bringing people together through music in a setting that feels uniquely Glendale.”

Presented by the City of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department and sponsored by the Arts &Culture Commission through funding from the Urban Art Program, the series brings neighbors, families and friends together for a casual evening of live music in the heart of the city. Each concert turns Artsakh Paseo into a welcoming outdoor space where people can unwind, connect and enjoy the rhythm of the city. 

This year’s lineup includes:

• String Harmonies | Saturday, September 26
  Armenian
  
• The Prairie Moons | Saturday, October 3

Western Swing/Honky-Tonk

• Voz Bohemia | Saturday, October 10
  Bolero
  
• YOUNGTONES | Saturday, October 17
  Soul/Retro-Pop

• Rootful | Saturday, October 24
  Reggae, Latin and Funk

Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early to explore the surrounding district and support local businesses before the music begins. All performances are free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs, as seating is not provided. Performances run approximately 60 minutes without intermission.

About Library, Arts & Culture

Founded in 1907, the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department includes eight neighborhood libraries including the Brand Library & Art Center, a regional visual arts and music library and performance venue housed in the historic 1904 mansion of Glendale pioneer Leslie C. Brand, and the Central Library, a 93,000 square foot center for individuals and groups to convene, collaborate and create. The department also serves as the chief liaison to the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission which works to continually transform Glendale into an ever-evolving arts destination. Glendale Library Arts & Culture is supported in part through the efforts of the Glendale Library Arts & Culture Trust (GLACT). For more information visit GlendaleLAC.org, or contact Library, Arts & Culture at 818-548-2021 or via email at LibraryInfo@glendaleca.gov.

About the Arts & Culture Commission

The mission of the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission is to enrich the human experience, reinforce Glendale’s identity and civic pride through arts and culture, and to recognize the importance of arts to our quality of life and to the local economy. This is accomplished by consciously integrating arts and culture into the daily life of the people of Glendale through urban design, planning, economic development, and education. For more information about the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission see the website: GlendaleArtsAndCulture.org 

@MyglendaleLAC   #MyglendaleLAC   www.GlendaleLAC.org

About Glendale

Known as the “Jewel City,” Glendale is the fourth largest city of Los Angeles County. With a population of almost 200,000, Glendale is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is rich in history, culturally diverse, and offers nearly 50 public parks & facilities, with easy access to a municipal airport. It is the home to a vibrant business community, with major companies in healthcare, entertainment, manufacturing, retail, and banking. Visit GlendaleCA.gov for more information and follow us on social media @MyGlendale.