Dance and Live Fiddle Band, the California Dance Cooperative holds contra dances (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.
Farmers’ Market, four weekly markets of fresh produce and flowers, 2nd and Arizona Ave., Wed. 8:30am-1:30pm and Sat. 8:30am-1:30pm; Virginia Ave. Park (corner of Pico Blvd. and Cloverfield), 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 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, MDR, 310.392.3493.
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.
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 and 11am Sundays, Wilshire at 25th. You’ll learn why we love our sport! Reservations required, 310.281.1901 or 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.
Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours: Dinner & Bible Study. Dinner, a video, and discussion at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1730 Wilshire Blvd. Friday nights at 6pm, childcare provided. For more information, call 310.829.4113.
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.
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.
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.
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. Enroll now! Call Child Development Services at 310.399.5865.
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.
Spring has Sprung! The Venice Circle of Peace, a Peace and Justice Vigil, has returned to Fridays, beginning at 5pm, at Main and Windward. Bring your own sign or use one of the group’s. Appropriate issues include “Out of Iraq,” “Save Lincoln Place,” “Keep the MTA lot public,” “Stop the Freeway,” etc.
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.
SENIOR SCENE
Free Stroke Recovery Program at the WISE Adult Day Service facility at 1510 Pico in Santa Monica. The program runs from 9am-noon 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. Wednesdays, 11:15am-12:45pm, Center for Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave., 310.576.2550.
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.
Senior Improv Workshop. Ongoing free class for seniors over 55, 1-3pm Tuesdays, Santa Monica Senior Rec. Center, 1450 Ocean Ave., 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, Tuesdays, 10-11:30am, 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.
HEALTH & FITNESS
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.
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 2pm, 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 noon at the S.H.A.R.E. Center, 5521 Grosvenor Blvd., 310.412.6620.
Freedom from Smoking, Saint John’s Health Center, 1328 22nd St., developed by The American Lung Association. Meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunchtime, 12-1:30pm. Cost for the 8-sessions is $80, advance registration is required. 310.829.8453.
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.
Lose Weight For Good. Saint John’s Health Center, 1328 22nd St., announces a new approach to healthy weight management meeting Monday evenings, 7-8:30pm, through July 17, 310.829.8453.
Lymphedema Support Group meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 7:30pm-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.
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.
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.
Recovery, Inc. support groups for people suffering with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, substance abuse, obsessive compulsion, bipolar disorder, etc. offer cognitive behavior therapy in a structured interactive format. Meeting at Regis House, Thursdays, 6pm, 11346 Iowa, WLA, 310.479.7447.
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 MDR/Venice area, 821 Dickson St. Sundays 6-7pm. Enthusiasm high – cost low, $1. All welcome, call 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 Blvd. For more information, call coach Jerry Condon, 310.451.4139.
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 Manhood Senior Center, $3 donation at the door, for more information, call 310.306.7372.
Young Adults Group Fighting Cancer Together, the Wellness Community – WLA, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 1040, every Tuesday of every month, 310.314.2555.