THIS WEEK:

Community Announcements  August 20  Meet North Star Executive Director Patty Dobbs Gross at a signing for her new book The Golden Bridge, a guide to assistance dogs for children with autism and developmental disabilities, 1-3pm, Arts Work Studio, 8688 Washington Blvd., CC, NorthStarFoundation@charter.net.  August 22  The Jewish Federation is looking for volunteers to help children gain reading skills. A training session of volunteer mentors will be held at Stephen S. Wise Temple, Hershenson Hall, 1-4pm, 323.761.8153 or literacy@jewishla.org. THIS WEEK August 18 “LA’s Funniest Chicks” with host Sal Rodriguez and funny ladies including Sarah Colonna, Danielle Stewart, Bethany Pagliolo, and Ruby Wendell, 8pm. 3rd Street Comedy at the Promenade Playhouse, 1404 Third Street Promenade, 310. 656.8070 x17. August 19 Critter Club SHELLters. Join the Natural History Museum’s Critter Club, a special program for children ages 3-5, with adults, 10-11am, Ralph M. Parsons Discovery Center at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., LA, free with paid admission, 213.763.3230. “Depicting Action” with performance artists Alastair McLennan and Mariel Carranza. Performance and opening reception 6-8:30pm, 18th Street Art Center, 1639 18th St., www.18thstreet.org. Mozart’s 250th Birthday concert by Bright Light Chamber Players, in association with Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library, 2:30pm, free, Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 310.458.8600. Ocean Park Branch Biography Book Club meets to discuss The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary S. Lovell, 11am-12:30pm, Ocean Park Branch Library, 2601 Main St., 310.392.3804. Ralph’s World with musician Ralph Covert performs at the Getty Center’s Garden Concert For Kids, 4pm and 5pm, free, 1200 Getty Center Dr., 310.440. 6370, www.getty.edu.  Also August 20. Storytelling with Jon Reed. Children’s books retold in an amusing manner for both children and adults, 10:30am, Children’s Book World, 10580 Pico Blvd, WLA, 310.559.BOOK, www.childrensbookworld. com Southern California Curiosities will be explained by Saul Rubin in a lecture at the Montana Avenue Branch Library, 12:30pm, 1704 Montana Ave., 310.829.7081. August 20 The Ballona Network presents an Art Auction featuring works inspired by the Ballona Wetland Preserve. There will also be a raffle and dinner, 6-9pm, Culver Events, 11934 W. Washington Blvd., 310.721.3512 or Jeanette@saveballona.org. Café Plays, “The Fastest  Theatre in Town” presents five short plays created and staged within 10/12 hours, Ruskin Group Theatre at Santa Monica Airport, 3000 Airport Dr., 7:30pm and 9pm, $10, 310.397.3244 or www.ruskingrouptheatre.com. Chukkers for Children Polo Challenge will be presented by the non-profit Circle of Light at the Will Rogers Polo Grounds, PP, 10am-2pm. $65 in advance, $80 at the door, $30 children 4-14, 3 and under free, 310.289.5404 or www.chukkers4children.com.  Next! The Hollywood Story, a musical day in the life of a Hollywood child star, Santa Monica Playhouse Main Stage, 1211 4th St., 5:30pm, 310.394.9779 x1.  Public Potluck Peace Picnic. Join the Activist Support Circle for a picnic with special guest speaker Marcy Winograd, President of Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles. Bring music, poetry or your own vegetarian dish to share, 1- 4pm, Palisades Park, at the Children’s Tree of Life,  Ocean and Colorado Avenues., free, 310.399.1000.  The Venice Sizzlin’ Summer Vegie-Q will be cooking at the Venice United Methodist Church, with vegan goodies, films, music, speakers and proceeds going to Go Vegan Radio, 1:30pm-6:30pm, suggested donation $20, 1020 Victoria Ave., Venice, meatfreeamerica@yahoo.com  August 21  PICAS Singles offers a dinner for singles at the Famous Enterprise Fish Company, followed by an after-dinner walk, 174 Kinney St., 7pm, RSVP by 1pm to 310.392.8366.  Vacation Bible School at the Salvation Army through August 25, 6-8pm, free, Captain Adriana Bradley, 310.451.1358.  August 22  Santa Monica Drive-In’s Free Films at the Pier features the original Rocky with Sylvester Stallone.  Doors open at 7pm, free, tickets available at SM Visitors Centers, chairs for rent, proceeds to Arts Fighting Cancer, www.santamonicapier.org.  August 23  “The Business of Helping,” speaker series presents a lecture by Dr William Glasser on “Defining Mental Health as a Public Health Issue,” 1:30-3pm, Loyola Marymount University, University Hall 1000, free with RSVP, 310.338.2812.  Mystery Book Group meets to discuss Black Fly Season by Giles Blunt, 7:30-8:30pm, Community Room, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd, 310.458.8600.  Special Benefit/Preview Screening of The Dogwalker at Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex Theater to benefit Arts Fighting Cancer, $15 for screening, $35 for screening and party, 7:30pm (film), 10pm (party), 1332 2nd St., 310.394.9741 or www.laemmle.com.  Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him?) premiere of film documentary about the singer-songwriter, followed by discussion with directors John Scheinfeld and David Leaf, 7:30pm, Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., 323.965.1990 or jgarnick@lippingroup.com.  August 24  I Think I Can! A “Read for the Record” event.  Bring your kids to a marathon reading of the children’s classic The Little Engine That Could. Event begins at 2:30pm, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 310.458.8620