Ben Franklin visits St. Marks Lutheran School in Hacienda Heights

Alexis Chernin, 11, left, and Lucas Valero, 10, assist Benjamin Franklin with his “Electrostatic Generator,” during Ben Franklin’s Colonial Assembly: A Museum On Wheels, at St. Marks Lutheran School, in Hacienda Heights. (Correspondent Photo by James Carbone)

Ben Franklin was very frank with the students at St. Mark’s Lutheran School. Electrostatic charges can kill. Just ask Franklin’s colleague, who tried to duplicate the famous inventor’s kite experiment.

Fortunately, none of the kids were hurt by Ben’s electrostatic generator, part of a mobile museum from the International Printing Museum of Carson. But their program on this famous American did spark the imagination of students and staff at the Hacienda Heights campus.

“We study Benjamin Franklin in the fifth grade and I think this program really brings history alive,” said teacher Jenn Estrada, who took her turn holding a fluorescent tube out toward the generator to illuminate the subject.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story FRANKLIN. 

Fairy tales come true at St. Mark’s in Hacienda Heights

Students rehearses “Into The Woods, Junior” at St. Mark’s Lutheran School in Hacienda Heights.

Fairy tales do come true. At least at St. Mark’s Lutheran School, which is performing “Into the Woods, Junior” for its spring musical.

The Tony Award winning play opens tonight at 7 p.m. And as usual, the Hacienda Heights school has gone to great lengths to prepare an enjoyable experience.
“It’s one of my favorite musicals, but it’s challenging because it has a large cast and each has a solo. I thought we had the singers to do it this year,” said Drama Director Julie Evangelista.

So if you enjoyed “Jack and the Bean Stalk” playing in the local movie theater, or watch “Once Upon a Time” on Sundays, then this is a chance to see your favorite fairy tale characters come to life on stage.

The storybook creatures are all there, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, Rapunzel and Cinderella. Follow the “Into the Woods” as they explore the stories from several tales told by the Brothers Grimm.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story GRIMM.

“Into the Woods” at St. Marks School in Hacienda Heights

Tickets for “Into the Woods, Junior” are currently on sale at St. Marks Lutheran School in Hacienda Heights.

General bleacher seats are $8, while reserved floor seats are $12. Show dates and times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as Sunday at 2 P.M.

Tickets are available for purchase before and after school, in the school office, and at the door on show dates.