A.R.T.S. Anonymous, a support group for creative people, meets every Sunday at 10:30am, Wild Oats Community Room, 500 Wilshire Blvd., 310.836.1495.
Boy Scouts of America – Pack 887 is the only pack for home-schooled boys on the Westside. Cub Scouting is for 1st-5th grade boys who enjoy hiking, fun crafts, outings, camping and much more. Scouting provides safe, fun social interaction for home-schooled boys. Boys of all ethnicities and abilities are welcome. For more information, contact Del Herrera at 310.317.9762, Rachel Douglas at 323.939.6106 or Tammy Boone at 310.396.9619.
City Speakers Toastmasters, RAND hosts a Toastmasters club that meets from 12-1pm, on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Meetings are held at RAND, 1700 Main St., Conference Room 1734. For more information, call Penny, 310.393.0411, x7159.
Co-opportunity’s Monday Night Food For Thought. Talks on health, well-being, family and finances. Mondays, 7-8:30pm, Sha’arei Am – The Santa Monica Synagogue, 1448 18th St., 310.451.8902.
Dance and Live Fiddle Band, the California Dance Cooperative holds contradances (which is sort of like square dancing, only more fun) on the first and fourth Saturday night of every month, Brentwood Youth House, 731 South Bundy Drive, just north of Montana Ave. 7:30pm. All ages welcome. Snacks provided, $9. 818.951.2003.
Del Rey Toastmasters, 7pm sharp every Thursday at the Marina International Hotel in Marina del Rey. 4200 Admiralty Way, 310.301.2000.
Farmers’ Market, four weekly markets of fresh produce and flowers, 2nd and Arizona Ave.; Wed. 9am 2pm and Sat. 8:30am-1pm; Airport Ave.; Sat. 8am-1pm; Main St. and Ocean Park, The Victorian at Heritage Square; Sun. 9:30am-1pm, features live music, pony rides, coffee, omelets, crepes & free craft workshop; 310.458.8712.
Free Actors Workshop every Thursday, Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., 1pm, 310.399.3666.
Free Salsa Dancing to DJ: Sundays at Casa Escobar every Sunday night. Salsa dancing, 9pm-midnight free admission. Beginning and Intermediate one-hour dance lessons begin at 7:30pm every Sunday with Isabellesalsa.com for $10 per person. Friendly atmosphere – all ages over 21 are welcome. CASA ESCOBAR, 14160 Palawan Way, Marina del Rey 310.392.3493.
Great Books every third Monday once per month in the Community Room at the Santa Monica Library Fairview Branch, corner of Ocean Park Blvd. and 21st St., 7-8:45pm, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd., $15.95, 800.222.5870.
Karate Club, a community club that operates on the principle that no child will be turned away for lack of funds, 2013 Colorado Ave., 310.892.KICK; www.CaliforniaKarateClub. com.
Lap Time, an 8-week series for babies 0-24 months,, Santa Monica Public Library, Fairview Branch, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd., 310.450.0443.
Lawn Bowl at Douglas Park with the friendly Santa Monica Lawn Bowls Club. Join us for a FREE lesson at noon Monday-Wednesday-Friday or at 10am or 11am Sundays. Wilshire at 25th. You’ll learn why we love our sport! Reservations required: 310.281.1901. Email: bowls@rightbox.com
Low-Cost Law Clinic, daily consultations with different attorneys for just $25, call for schedule. Document preparation service also available, The Legal Grind, 2640 Lincoln Blvd., 310.452.8160.
Marshall McLuhan-Finnegans Wake Reading Club, the first Monday of every month, Venice Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, Venice Blvd., 6-8pm, 310.821.1769.
Mental Yoga classes every Monday at 8pm at Habitat Creative Center located at 3226 Thatcher Ave. in Marina Del Rey. Sessions last 90 minutes, and the first time is always free. After that, classes are only $15. Anyone can register and find other details, including session topics, at www.mentalyoga.com.
Mt. Olive Film Night, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., entertaining and thought provoking films shown on 2nd and 4th Saturdays, supper at 6pm, films start at 7pm, free, for more information, call 310.452.1116.
Musicians invited to meet weekly and perform in concert with the Santa Monica College Emeritus Band, Lincoln Middle School, in the Bandroom, California and 14th Sts., Tuesdays, 7pm 310.474.5271.
Nature Walk with The Children’s Institute, everyday, various locations in the Santa Monica Mountains — from Malibu to Topanga to Beverly Hills — for directions and reservations, call 310.998.1151, all walks begin at 10am, $7 suggested donation per family, $5 for members.
Overeaters Anonymous, Newcomers Meeting, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Reed Park Auditorium, Wilshire Blvd. and 7th Seventh St. No dues, fees or weigh-ins. Regular meeting follows from 7-8pm., 310.392.1130.
Painting/drawing classes for children ages 4-11, to promote self-expression and communication through visual arts, Art Works Painting Studio, 13051 West Washington Blvd., MDR, 310.202.1894.
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group, meets the fourth Monday of every month from 5-7pm, free, for people with pancreatic cancer and their families, Wellness Community-WLA, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Ste. 1040, 310.314.2555.
Preserve & Restore the El Segundo Dunes, second Saturday of each month, at the center of the Santa Monica Bay shoreline: just north of El Segundo on the west side of Pershing Dr. between Imperial Hwy and Westchester Pkwy, 9am-noon, 13 years of age and up, 310.641.3738 or www.dune-prairie.org.
Reading Tutor Cynthia Kolodny will help children in grades K-6 with reading skills, beginning at 2:30pm Advanced registration for the 30-minute tutoring session is required. Friends of the Kaufman Brentwood Branch Library, 11820 San Vicente Blvd., 310.472.0163.
Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club Social Bridge, Mondays, 12-3:30pm, 1210 4th St., dessert & beverages served, $2 for non-members. Call Joyce 310.395.2100.
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District operates quality preschools at several sites throughout Santa Monica. Our programs are well-equipped and staffed with qualified professionals. No cost to qualified families. Enroll now! Call Child Development Services at 310.399.5865.
Sand & Sea Speakers, a top-ranking Toastmasters club. Learn to become a more confident, poised speaker, Best Western Gateway Hotel, Carousel Room, 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. (at 20th St.), Monday nights, 7-9pm, 310.474.7704.
Santa Monica Oceanaires barbershop harmony chorus invites men of all ages and voice parts to sing each Tuesday, 7-10pm, Church of Christ, 9733 Venice Blvd., WLA, www.oceanaires.org, 310.202.1380.
Soroptimist is a service organization available to help women and children, meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month, for more information, call 310.395.6168.
Stage Movement, for actors, singers and dancers, free first class for new students, with Irina Skobeleva, Santa Monica Dance Studio, 211 Arizona Ave., 2-3:30pm, 310.319.5339.
Toddler Time on Thursdays, a fun-filled, theme-based program designed for parents and toddlers (2-4) using a hands-on approach to explore the museum, play and tell stories, advance registration required, $10, general; $6, members). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., LA, 10-11:15am, 310.440.4636.
Trail to the Stars – Join your neighborhood naturalist the first Friday of every month for a deeper look into astronomy. A telescope will be on hand for a close-up investigation of the night sky. Be prepared for a moderate hike and a discussion about facts and myths of outer space. Bring water, a jacket and a flashlight. Meet in the front parking lot. April 7, 8pm, two hours. Temescal Gateway Park, 15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. For more information, 310.454.1395 x106 or www.lamountains.com.
Travelers Aid Society of Los Angeles at LAX is looking for volunteers to assist travelers from all over the world on weekdays, weekends and evenings. Volunteers assist travelers with accommodations, transportation and sightseeing information, 310.646.2270.
Write Away – Share your existing work in a supportive, constructive weekly meeting, 12 – 2:30pm, Tuesdays & 3rd Monday of the month. Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd., 310.458.4675 or www.writeawaywritinggroup.com. Free.
Health & Fitness Community Events
Creative Living For Women, a circle of women discuss current health and personal issues in a safe, supportive atmosphere, Library of the Presbyterian Church in Pacific Palisades, Tuesdays at 1pm, 310.475.1211.
Fibromyalgia Support Group meets second Saturday of every month at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center, at 2:00pm, 1250 16th St. Santa Monica, Cafeteria Conference room B (ground floor). Sharing and research update will highlight the next meeting on April 8th.$2 donation. 310.417.8474.
Fitness Programs for Women with Cancer, Team Survivor, a nonprofit providing free health and fitness programs for women in cancer treatment and recovery, holds weekly walking groups and exercise classes in the Santa Monica area. Other programs available. Call 310.829.7849 for locations and information.
Food Addicts Anonymous meets every Monday from 7:30-8:30pm, Beit T’Shuvah Treatment Center, 8831 Venice Blvd., and every Saturday at 12pm at the S.H.A.R.E. Center, 5521 Grosvenor Blvd., 310.412.6620.
Health workshops and lectures, some free, some at cost, ranging in topics from blood pressure to breastfeeding to parenting to care for the elderly, Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center, 800.516.5323.
Israeli Folk Dancing. Every Tuesday, 7:30pm-midnight, Westside (JCC) Jewish Community Center, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., $7, all ages welcome, 310.284.3638.
Just Between Men – Prostate Cancer Networking Group, the second Monday of each month, 7-9pm, The Wellness Community, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Ste. 1040, 310.314.2555, 310.314.7586.
Lipreading classes for the hard of hearing, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am-11:30am, Felicia Mahood Senior Center, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., WLA, 310.477.2084.
Lymphedema Support Group meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 7:30pm to 9pm All are welcome for information and mutual support. Call 310.815.1077 for location.
Men’s Heart Support Group, third Thursday of the Month, Dinner, 7pm, San Gennaro Restaurant, Brentwood, very casual. 5-7 men. Jerry 310.476.5885.
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group, meets the fourth Monday of every month from 5-7pm, free, for people with pancreatic cancer and their families, Wellness Community-WLA, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Ste. 1040, 310.314.2555.
Therapeutic Hatha Yoga, with Bea Ammidown, RYT 500, Wednesday, 7-8pm, Thursday, 11:30am-12:30pm, and Friday, 10-11am; Saturdays, 9:30-10:30am, Yoga and Writing Workshop continues to 12:30pm. For more info, call 310.358.3338.
T.O.P.S. Weight Loss Support Group, new in Marina del Rey/Venice area, 821 Dickson St. Sundays 6-7pm. Enthusiasm high – cost low, $1. All welcome. Andres at camelion@camelioninc.com or 310.488.2375.
Walking for Health and Fitness, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Santa Monica Relay for Life Program and the Santa Monica Track Club. The group meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4pm and Sunday mornings at 9am in Palisades Park at San Vicente Boulevard. Please call coach Jerry Condon at 310.451.4139 for further information.
Westwood Co-Op Folk Dancers offers International Folk Dancing every Thursday evening. Beginners teaching 7:15-8pm, intermediate teaching 8-9pm, followed by general dancing, ending time, 10:30pm. Felicia Mahood Senior Center, $3 donation at the door, for more info call 310.306.7372.
Senior Scene
Ballroom Dancing every Saturday in the auditorium of the Felicia Mahood Senior Center, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., WLA, $2 per person, 1-3pm, 310.479.4119.
Caring Support for people 55 and over, weekly groups and individual sessions with trained peer counselors, Center for Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave., 310.576.2554, ext. 217.
Free Stroke Recovery Program at the WISE Adult Day Service facility at 1510 Pico in Santa Monica. The program runs from 9am-12pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and includes therapeutic exercise and classes on the psychological aspects of stroke recovery for stroke survivors and family members. Pre-registration is required. Call 310.575.1699.
Mentoring Program Seeks Retired Teachers. Help mentor first-year teachers in Compton, Pasadena, Los Angeles and Lynwood by offering your expertise, including classroom observation and feedback, call UCLA Center on Aging for more information, 310.794.0676.
Men’s Group. Weekly support group for people 55 and older, talk about personal issues in a confidential environment, not drop-in, must call first, sliding scale. Center for Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave., 310.576.2550.
Senior Improv Workshop. Ongoing free class for seniors over 55, 12pm Tuesdays, Comedy Underground, 320 Wilshire Blvd., alley entrance. 323.512.8245.
WISE Retired and Senior Volunteer Program offers opportunities for volunteers 55 plus to tutor children at lower income schools. Tutor reading, work with children on art and other projects or use computers to teach literacy (training available). 310.394.9871, x452.
Senior Suppers. Discounted meals for people over 55, 3:30-7pm in the cafeteria at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center, 1250 16th St., $3.25 plus tax, 310.319.4837.
Widows and Widowers, discuss feelings that often accompany loss, Wednesdays, 1-2:30pm, Center for Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave., 310.576.2554.
Santa Monica Strutters, a walking program for seniors sponsored by UCLA Healthcare, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 8-10am in the 3rd level Community Room at Santa Monica Place, 310.319.4560.