Meet In CommonNews

Local news in and around Glendale, CA

Fortress of Solitude · Glendale, CA

Kathy Ireland Knew Acting Wasn’t Her Strength — Her Name on a Sock Line Sold 100 Million Pairs, and Now She Hauls Lobster Traps

You may remember Kathy Ireland for her stand-out performances in Necessary Roughness (1991), Loaded Weapon 1 (1993), and Alien From L.A. (1988). But the model-turned-actress hasn’t had an acting role in over 20 years. With her on-screen charm, devastatingly good looks, and a firm foot in the door — Ireland could have kept up her Hollywood career for decades longer. So why did she choose to step away from it all, and what is the 63-year-old up to in 2026? How Did Kathy Ireland Get Into Modeling? Scouted at 16, Paris at 18 and 13 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues Born in 1963 in Glendale, California, and raised in Santa Barbara, Kathy Ireland was scouted by Elite Model Management when she was just 16. At 18, she modeled in Paris and she went on to appear in 13 consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues, including three covers (1989, 1992 and 1994). Fun Fact: Kathy Ireland’s 1989 cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is the best-selling swimsuit issue of all time.

Rafu Shimpo · Glendale, CA

Free Jazz Concert by Ark Sano Trio

Glendale Noon Concerts will present a free jazz concert by the Ark Sano Trio on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. at Sanctuary of Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave. (at Isabel), Glendale. Pianist Sano will be joined by Larry Steen on bass and Dustin Haner on drums. They will play “Speak […]

Salisbury Post · Hollywood, CA

Nearby: Hollywood, CA

Top toe-tappers

A small-town dance studio with big-time talent is putting China Grove on the national stage. Center Stage Dance Company recently earned one of the dance community’s highest honors when its performance of “Love Turned Blue” was named the Best Lyrical/Modern/Contemporary Number of the 2026 competition season at the Industry Dance Awards, held Oct. 21 at The Avalon in Hollywood, California. The Industry Dance Awards recognize the most outstanding performances from top-tier dance competitions across the country. For Center Stage, bringing home this prestigious honor is more than a trophy. It represents the dedication of its dancers and families, the vision of its choreographers, and the commitment to excellence that drives the studio every day. Accepting the award on behalf of Center Stage were Choreographer Liza Eller and Artistic Director Sydney Overcash, who proudly represented not only their talented dancers but also their hometown of China Grove.

Fortress of Solitude · Hollywood, CA

Nearby: Hollywood, CA

Fairuza Balk Bought an Occult Shop While Filming The Craft — Then the Witch Rumors Started, and She Walked Away From the Press That Branded Her a “Crazy Bad Girl”

Fairuza Balk was never one to shy away from an edgy role. She played Dorothy in the gothic Return to Oz (1985) and a neo-Nazi’s girlfriend in American History X (1998) — but none of her characters stuck quite like Nancy Downs, the vengeful witch from The Craft who delivers the unforgettable line: “We are the weirdos, mister.” With the cult classic having turned 30 in May, we’re looking at Balk’s career, the occult shop that kicked off the witch rumors, why she stepped back from Hollywood, and what this powerhouse of a woman is doing today. Fairuza Balk’s Early Life: From a Bohemian Childhood to Return to Oz Image Credit: Oz Productions Ltd., Silver Screen Partners II, Oz Productions, Walt Disney Pictures Fairuza Balk was born on May 21, 1974 in Point Reyes, California. Her mother was a belly dancer, and her father — a traveling musician — was a founding member of the psychedelic rock band Kaleidoscope.

Fortress of Solitude · Hollywood, CA

Nearby: Hollywood, CA

Winnie Cooper Stepped Away From Hollywood, Co-Proved a Math Theorem That Carries Her Name — Now Danica McKellar Has Two New Christmas Movies This Month

Many child stars struggle to move past the role that made them famous. Others get swept up in Hollywood’s party scene. Danica McKellar fits neither of these stereotypes. While she is probably still best remembered for her role as Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years (87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes) , she went on to become a published math whiz and a Christmas movie staple — with major success in both fields. Let’s revisit how the 51-year-old actress landed her breakout role, what she did after that, and how she’s spending the festive season in 2026, including the two new Christmas movies she has premiering this month! How Danica McKellar Beat Her Sister Crystal to the Role of Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years Image Credit: The Black/Marlens Company, New World Television Born on January 3, 1975, Danica McKellar grew up in California alongside her younger sister, Crystal.