James Cantor: Singing Educator Chosen to Judge Bravo Awards Professor of teacher education James Cantor has been chosen to serve as a judge for the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County Music Center’s BRAVO Awards. The awards, which are determined by a panel of artists, educators and other luminaries in the arts community, were established by the Music Center in 1983 to honor teachers and schools for creativity, innovation and excellence in arts education.

Adjunct professor of biology Connie Vadheim will present a look at Southern California plants with silver and white foliage at Madrona Marsh Nature Center in Torrance on Saturday, December 6th, 10:00-noon and Tues. Dec. 9th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.  The free program, which highlights native, drought-tolerant species, is part of the “Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden” series presented by Madrona Marsh. Vadheim became involved with Madrona Marsh in the 1990s as a volunteer and currently serves on the Friends of Madrona Marsh board as vice president.

Vadheim has done extensive work on the CSUDH campus, often with students and community volunteers joining her. These projects include the restoration of the Heritage Creek Natural Area and the Wetland Preserve and a native grass demonstration area behind the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Building. They are preparing for the installation of  Nature Discovery Garden near the Child Development Center, to be established next January.

For more information on Vadheim’s program at Madrona Marsh, contact (310) 782-3989.

Photo above: Vadheim tending to native plant species in the CSUDH greenhouse. Photo by Joanie Harmon