Arboretum to host several events

Old stone sinks and animal trough planters are scarce and expensive today, but they’re must-haves for true fans of traditional garden accessories or accents. The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden will offer a workshop that will teach participants how to make a hypertufa (a process using a tufa rock-like medium, for creating instant garden antiquities) planting pot from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wed., June 2 in Ayres Hall on the grounds at 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. All materials will be provided in the course fee of $20 members/$25 nonmembers. Participants should "be prepared to get dirty."

A series of summer evening hikes will be offered from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 15, July 13 and Aug. 17, led by Timothy Phillips, Arboretum superintendent. Participants should meet in the Rotunda entrance. Cost is $8 to $10. Each hike will focus on a different section of the grounds, such as the Australian and African section, the "upper" part of the Arboretum like Tallac Knoll and the ridge area, and the tropical forest and Baldwin Lake area.

Cooking fans are invited to "Fresh—Celebrating the Table" from 3 to 5 p.m. Wed., June 16 at Peacock Corner. This first installment of a series devoted to "all things wonderful about the kitchen table" will focus on the garden that grows the food as well as recipes, seasons, and festive decorations that celebrate a passion for eating. Participants will learn the secrets of great chefs, meet cookbook authors, restaurant chefs, caterers, florists and gardeners. There will be demonstrations, food sampling and much information provided for participants to spice up their home kitchens. Cost per class is $35 to $40.

On June 16, Chef Claud Beltran of Halies Restaurant in Pasadena will cook up a seasonal bounty featuring Farmers’ Market vegetables, grains and "a simple but elegant" chicken creation.

The Festival on the Green musical series will be presented from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, featuring the California Philharmonic Orchestra under the musical direction of Victor Vener. Following are the summer’s planned programs:

June 26: Rodgers & Hammerstein—Broadway’s Dynamic Duo; July 10: Gotta Dance—Feel the Beat; July 24: Bolero! The Passion of Spain; Aug. 7: Hollywood Blockbusters—Lights, Camera, Music; Aug. 21: Andrew Lloyd Webber meets Puccini—The Phantom Goes to the Opera; and Sept. 4: European Tour—Your Musical Passport.

Pre-registration is required for all classes and hikes; call (626) 821-4623 or visit www.arboretum.org. The musical programs request reservations; to order tickets call Calphil at (626) 300-8200 or visit www.calphil.org.