OUR TOWN.

Byline: Ana Young

"Growing Older: Some Questions, Some Answers" is a series of Thursday afternoon discussions on topics ranging from the keys to health and happiness to the realities of "normal" aging, beginning today with professor J. Tillman Hall of the USC College of Letters speaking on keeping active both physically and cerebrally, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Admission is free. For information, call [phone].

Black Diamond Dance Academy is offering classes in country dance for those new to the country-western scene, featuring line dancing instruction from 8 to 9 p.m. Thursdays beginning today, and a "Studio Dance" on Friday where new dancers can practice their moves in a relaxed, smoke- and alcohol-free atmosphere, both at 6275 Variel Ave., Woodland Hills. Cost: $5 per class, $5 for the studio dance. Singles welcome. Classes also are offered from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call the academy at [phone].

Comedian George Lopez, who believes in conquering Latino stereotypes by laughing them to death, will headline at 8:30 p.m. today; 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday; 7, 9 and 11 p.m. Saturday; and 8 p.m. Sunday at the Ice House, 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Lopez also will be taping his first comedy CD at Sunday's performance. For reservations, call [phone].

Free Armenian Women's Growth Group will focus on women's health issues - diet, exercise, breast self-examination education and much more, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 26 and Feb. 2 at Classroom A, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, 1500 E. Chevy Chase (building is in back of the hospital). For information, call [phone].

The Traditional Music & Dance Conservancy will present the J.T. Whitney Cajun Trio as the guest band at their next Cajun and Zydeco dance, at 7 p.m. Friday at the War Memorial Hall, 435 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena. Admission: $10 general; children under 17 admitted free when accompanied by a parent. A dance demonstration and lesson will be offered in the basics of Cajun and Zydeco, an energetic blend of jazz, blues, swing, Caribbean, bluegrass, country-western and rock 'n' roll. For more information, call [phone].

"The Maltese Chicken," a wild send-up of the film "The Maltese Falcon," will open at 7 p.m. Friday at the Magnificent Moorpark Melodrama & Vaudeville Co., 45 E. High St., Moorpark. Tickets: $12. The show will continue at 7 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Feb. 16. For reservations, call [phone] or [phone].