Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Feb. 8 to 15

Here are my top picks of events for adults, teens and children scheduled from Feb. 8 to 15. 

All events are free, so take a look –– and don't you dare tell me there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

Teens are invited to a creative writing workshop Saturday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Story Room at Pasadena Central Library. No experience is necessary. Selected stories will be published on the Teens Blog  and in the new Teen Zine. To sign up, call (626) 744-4066, option 4.

Art Center College of Design's annual open house is Sunday, Feb. 9, from noon to 4:30 p.m. View the works of current students in the areas of advertising, entertainment design, film, environmental design, photography, product design, illustration, fine art, graphic design and more; meet the faculty and current students; and if you're interested in attending Art Center College of Design in the future, sit in on a presentation about admissions and financial aid.

Learn the Basics of Grant Writing Monday. Feb. 10, from 4:30 to 5:30 at La Pintoresca Branch Library. Jamie Jackson, a nonprofit management consultant, will help you learn how to write and structure a successful grant proposal and how to tell a compelling story about your nonprofit organization.

With the theme "Is Your Data Safe: Inernet Security," this month's workshop for owners and managers of small businesses is Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 8 to 10 a.m. It's part of the Art of Small Business Survival series hosted by the City of Pasadena, Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Foothill Workforce Investment Board. Register here.

Pasadena Presbyterian Church presents German organist Hans Heilscher for the popular Music at Noon weekly concert Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m.

High-speed rail? City rail lines? Provincial trains? Learn the ins and outs of riding the rails in Europe during a special presentation Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Distant Lands. They'll cover planning your itinerary, choosing between individual tickets and rail passes and how to use Europe's comfortable and efficient trains, from purchasing a ticket and boarding your train to exiting at your destination.

The community is invited to meet Camille Levee, the new executive director of Women at Work, at a reception Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at their new office at 2555 E Colorado Blvd, Suite 204. RSVPs are requested at (626) 796-6870.

Nick Udall, chair of the Global Agenda Council on New Models of Leadership, will sit down with Jeremy Hunter, assistant professor of practice at the Drucker School of Management Thursday, Feb. 13, at 8:30 a.m. at Southern California Public Radio's Crawford Family Forum to discuss a new model for creative and productive leaders in which innovation is a complete mentality, not a business-led process.

Children are invited to make Valentine's Day cards and crafts Thursday, Feb. 13, at 2:30 p.m. at Villa-Parke Branch Library (RSVP at 626-744--6510) and the same day at 3:30 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library (RSVP at 626-744-7268).

Gung Hay Fat Choy! In honor of the Chinese New Year, storyteller Barbara Wong will share ancient Chinese tales with children Thursday, Feb. 13, at 3:30 p.m. at Hill Avenue Branch Library.

Teens interested in summer jobs or internships will be guided through the basics of writing and organizing their resumes Thursday, Feb. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pasadena Central Library's Teen Central. RSVP to (626) 744-4066, option 4.

You don't have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to see Cate Blanchett's Academy Award-nominated performance in "Blue Jasmine" (2013, PG-13) there Friday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m.

The La Pintoresca Teen Education Center will host Valentine's Day Bingo, a friendship bracelet station, a delicious yogurt-filled strawberry contest, a fun photo booth and more Friday, Feb. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. 

Join Dr. Joseph Lazio, chief scientist for JPL's Interplanetary Network Directorate, for a discussion about NASA's Deep Space Program Friday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Vosloh Forum (building UU on this map) at Pasadena City College. Looking back at the program's 50-year history, Lazio will explain the Interplanetary Network's evolution and the critical role it has played in space exploration. 

Pasadena's 32nd annual Black History Parade and Festival is Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning at Charles White Park in Altadena and ending with the festival at Robinson Park in Pasadena. Be sure to note the street closures.

Many thanks to First Covers, Art Center College of Design, Janet Cohen Consulting, Lera Blog, Rail Pictures, Payson Roundup, Southern California Public Radio, About.com, Barbara Wong, Urban Socialites, The Film Club, Kendra's Card Company, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Pasadena Weekly for the photos.