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Community Announcements SMC’s fall semester begins August 28.  Register and buy parking permits online or go to the Admission Office on campus between 8:30am-7:30pm Mondays through Thursdays, closing at 1:30pm on Fridays.  For more information, call 310.434.8101 or go to www.smc.edu. Southern California Siamese Rescue is a nonprofit devoted to finding homes for Siamese cats.  Kitten season is here and Siamese Rescue has a critical need for more volunteers and foster parents. For more information or to volunteer as a foster parent, call 818.830.3380 or e-mail karensoca@siameserescue.org. ONGOING 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, must RSVP, 310.281.1901 or bowls@rightbox.com. 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 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. 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, free 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. SENIOR Become a Mentor.  The City of Santa Monica along with the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce invite you to join Big Brothers Big Sisters in mentoring local at risk youth. Call Miguel at 213.481.3611 x212. Free Stroke Recovery Program at the WISE Adult Day Service facility at 1510 Pico Blvd.   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, 310.575.1699. Men’s Group, weekly support group for people 55 and older, talk about personal issues in a confidential environment, Wednesdays, 11:15am-12:45pm, Center for Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave., must RSVP, 310.576.2550. 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, 310.794.0676. 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 Streets, Tuesdays, 7pm, 310.474.5271. 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. Senior Improv Workshop. Ongoing free class for seniors over 55, 1-3pm Tuesdays, Santa Monica Senior Rec. Center, 1450 Ocean Ave., 323.512.8245. 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. 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.   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, free 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. HEALTH & FITNESS August 12 Ballona Stewards Day. A community clean-up and restoration of Ballona Northeast, bring your own water, snacks, close-toed shoes and sunscreen, 9am-4pm, Ballona Creek Bike Path at Lincoln Blvd., Alaina at 10.458.4370 x207 or acunnin@rei.com. August 16 Backpacking Essentials. A backpacking clinic focusing on packing techniques, gear, trip tips and local trip ideas, 7pm, REI, 402 Santa Monica Blvd., 310.458.4370. ONGOING 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. Crestwood Hills Summer Camp, ages 5-10, Rock Star Day, Viva Italia and Earth Week, through September 1, 1000 Hanley Ave., Brentwood, 310.472.5233. Fitness Programs for Women with Cancer, Team Survivor, a nonprofit providing free health and fitness programs for women in cancer treatment and recovery, weekly walking groups and exercise classes in the Santa Monica area, 310.829.7849 for locations and information. 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, 1250 16th St., 800.516.5323. 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. L.A. Leggers, for marathon and half marathon training program and year-round club for runners and walkers of all abilities.  Meets Saturday mornings in Santa Monica.  Membership fee includes seminars, beginner-to-advanced pace groups, membership guide, marathon book, support stations and t-shirt, 310.577.8000,            laleggers@earthlink.net or www.laleggers.org. Lip-reading classes for the hard of hearing, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-11:30am, Felicia Mahood Senior Center, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., WLA, 310.477.2084. Nike Club Run L.A. at FrontRunners will host a marathon and half-marathon training program and offer refreshments, Nike footwear trials and a friendly, supportive running environment, 8am every Sunday through October 15, 11620 San Vicente Blvd., 310.207.0216 or online    www.frontrunners77.com. Overeaters Anonymous, newcomers meeting, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Reed Park Auditorium, Wilshire Blvd. and 7th St. No dues, fees or weigh-ins. Regular meeting follows from 7-8pm., 310.392.1130. Santa Monica Rugby Club, men’s and women’s teams play touch on the beach every Thursday evening throughout the summer from 6pm, Tower 27, just south of Ocean Park Blvd. Serious young dancers ages, nine and up for the L.A. KidStars Dance Team, rehearsals on Thursdays 3:30-5:30pm, Santa Monica YWCA. 2019 14th St., www.lakidstars.com or 310.842.9872. Therapeutic Hatha Yoga, with Bea Ammidown, RYT 500, Wednesdays, 7-8pm, Thursdays, 11:30am-12:30pm, and Fridays, 10-11am; Saturdays, 9:30-10:30am, Yoga & Writing Workshop continues on Fridays to 12:30pm, 310.358.3338. T.O.P.S. Weight Loss Support Group, new in MDR/Venice area, 821 Dickson St., Sundays 6-7pm, $1, Andres at 310.488.2375 or camelion@camelioninc.com. 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., 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. $3, Felicia Mahood Senior Center, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., WLA, 310.306.7372. Young Adults Group Fighting Cancer Together, the Wellness Community – WLA, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 1040, Tuesdays, 310.314.2555.