Culver City Observer -

Through the efforts of the Culver City Education Foundation, the El Rincon Science Discovery Lab was the setting for the first of six science professional development sessions organized by UCLA graduate students and Dr. Jeroen Molemaker. Third and fifth grade teachers from all five Culver City elementary schools attended the initial session in September that provided an opportunity to learn Earth Science topics such as using weather maps, waves and sunlight and convection of air. This science enrichment opportunity is funded through a grant that CCEF obtained from the Symantec Corporation.

Just a few birthdays to round out October: Elaine Goodyear, George Dobb, Varun Bamba, Belinda Blom, Julia Campbell, Elizabeth Moss, Gwen Fitch, Gerry Kleindienst, Celia Cano, Scott Wyant, Patricia Becton-Cobb, Sue Ann Carwell, Rhona Davis, Leslie Taylor, Solange Bumbaugh, Jennifer Kuida, Jon Kushida, Guillermina Leach, Alonso Corral, Danny Augusta, Jeffrey Eagle, Jean Wang, Christopher Shiple, Meena Saravanan, and Llauren Messiah all celebrating.

The Culver City Garden Club’s membership is blossoming (sorry, just couldn’t resist it) – Newest to join include Vivian Brown, Silvia Diaz-Perez, Beverly Evshed, Saran Kirchbaum, Elliot Lopez, Barry Moskowitz, Zoe Ohl, Judy Sherman, Ann Tidwell and Kathleen Yasuda from the Los Angeles area; and Gloria and Lada Goetzke, The Bergman family (Jonah, Jill & David), Junko Iragashi, Angela Lopez, Cindy Mediavilla, Fariba Noorian, Marla Osband, Nancy Riker, Sue Schechter and Louise Scholten, all from Culver City. The Club is also welcoming back

Dorothy Garven and Joanne Beierle, who have rejoined.. The next meeting (Tuesday, November 3) will feature three club speakers on the Master Gardener Program. As usual, there will also be refreshments, a plant “Show, Tell & Ask” and Raffle Tables. It all takes place beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Garden Room of the Veterans’ Memorial Building, 4117 Overland Avenue.

Don’t let the screams scare you – it’s just a Haunted House at Grace Church this Saturday night. The hours will be from 4 p.m. to 7 so that there will still be time for everyone to go trick or treating afterward. Grace is located at 4427 Overland Ave. Call (310) 559-1027 for more information.

The theme is “Pass it on” – and with this directive the Culver-Palms Family YMCA’s kicking off its Annual Support Campaign tonight, Thursday, from 6 p.m. to 8 at Culver Events, 11948 W. Washington Blvd. It’s a par-tay, and with live music too: $5 per person for appetizers and soft drinks; $20 appetizers and two drink tickets; and $35 for appetizers and four drink tickets. You can bring the kids to this one: the CPY’s Youth & Government participants will be offering babysitting during the event for $2 a child, and children will enjoy treats, face painting, and a costume parade while the adults get ready to do some major fundraising – the Annual Support Campaign’s funds assist children and families who might not otherwise be financially able to participate in Y programs by providing partial camperships and scholarships. The CPFYMCA is located at 4500 So. Sepulveda Blvd. Call (310) 390-3604 for more information.

As promised, here are details on the first of the Fall Holiday Boutiques: St. Augustine Volunteer Emergency Services (S.A.V.E.S.)’ Annual Holiday Boutique will take place this Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the St. Augustine Parish Hall, 10143 Washington Blvd. (free parking in the rear.) In addition to a large variety of gift items and baked goods available for purchase, there will also be ethnic food and live entertainment. All proceeds go to purchasing food and clothing, as well as arranging occasional lodging and job placement to low-income senior citizens, the homeless, and hundreds of the poor in the Culver-Palms area. S.A.V.E.S. has a small part-time staff and nearly 100 volunteers who work to keep their doors open seven days a week.

You don’t have to be a vegetarian to love Green Peas Casual Food on Sepulveda near Braddock. There’s great fair trade organic coffee and breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes using organic vegetables and fruits, natural meats, no hormones, no colorants, no preservatives and no nitrates, but LOTS of great taste! Their gourmet salads, sandwiches, paninis, soups, pizzas a quesadillas are all delicious and there just happens to be vegan varieties in each category. We chatted with Bruce Popkin, Linda Thieben and others on the patio (noisy but nice). Visit their mouthwatering website at www.greenpeasrestaurant.com.

Things to remember: Set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday evening (Daylight Savings time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, November 1); and be sure to vote on Tuesday, November 3.