:

Community Announcements

British ex-pats who wish to return to live in the U.K. are wanted for a new reality TV series for British ITV. Families will be flown to London, all expenses paid, for a visit and can decide whether or not to re-emigrate. This is not a contest. Families can apply at the Continental Shop, 1619 Wilshire Blvd., 310.453.8655.

The Santa Monica Conservancy seeks volunteers to be trained as docents for a walking tour of downtown Santa Monica. Training sessions will be held in two-hour sessions on six consecutive Saturdays beginning January 6 through February 10, 310.496.3146.

The Fairview Library is looking for volunteer library tutors who will meet once a week with children in grades 1-5. To apply, call Sylvia Anderle, Fairview Branch Children’s Librarian, 310.450.0443.

The Getty Center and The Getty Villa are looking for volunteers ages 18 and over, no previous experience required, fluency in more than one language is helpful, training is provided. Day, evening and weekend shifts available. Call 310.440.7303 before December 31.

The SoCal Cinema Slam is looking for filmmakers to compete in a contest to create the best short film. Filmmakers will be given a genre at the start and will make their films in 72 hours, with the best ones screening in LA and San Diego in January. To enter, sign up at www.socalcinemaslam.com.

The St. Joseph Center in Venice has moved its Thrift Store from 404 Lincoln Blvd. to 2545 Lincoln Blvd., just north of Washington. The Thrift Store has been operating since 1978 and in addition to selling used items, gives vouchers for free clothing and household goods.

The Veterans Administration and Westside Community Adult School offers Cook Trainee and Food Preparation classes to prepare students for entry-level jobs in the restaurant and food service fields. Registration is $20 with a $30 materials charge. Students may enroll at any time. Classes are held at the Veterans Administration Food and Nutrition Building, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., WLA, 310.210.2086.

December 1

Medicare 101, health talk hosted by UCLA Healthcare 50-Plus Program, 11am-12:30pm, free, Community Room, SM Place Mall, 800.516.5323.

December 2

Westside Family Health Center is offering free immunizations and TB skin tests for infants, children and adolescents under 18, 12:30-2pm, Westside Family Health Center, 1711 Ocean Park Blvd., 310.450.2191.

December 6

Yoga, A Gentle Way To Move, yoga class with Sonja Chapnick, 10-11:30am, Center For Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave., 310.576.2550 x363.

Flu shots and other immunizations are available through Santa Monica Bay Physicians and www.doctorsdirect.com, $30, make appointments on the website or at 310.827.3700.

ONGOING

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.

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.

Salsa Dance Lessons, 7:30pm Sundays, $10 a lesson, free dancing afterwards, Casa Escobar, 14160 Palawan Way, MDR, 310.392.3493.

Round Dancing Lessons, includes waltz two step, cha-cha and fox trot, first time free, $5, 6-7:30pm, Marine Park, 16th St. and Marine, 310.312.1749.

Therapeutic Hatha Yoga, with Bea Ammidown, RYT 500, Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm; Thursdays, 10-11am, yoga and writing workshop continues to 12:30pm; and Saturdays, 9:30-10:30am, 310.358.3338 or beayoga888@verizon.net.

Yoga Classes at Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, including a kid’s yoga class, classes in Spanish, beginner’s courses and free meditation and kirtan every Wednesday at 7pm and Sunday at 6:30pm, 13325 Beach Ave., MDR, 310.822.YOGA.

Young Adults Group Fighting Cancer Together, the Wellness Community – WLA, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 1040, Tuesdays, 310.314.2555.

The Balance Disorders Institute is offering the Drivewell Senior Driver Therapy program, to help seniors assess their driving skills, improve their skills through exercise, learn safety measures and discuss when it is appropriate to retire from driving, 310.569.1570.

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.

Exercise classes for seniors are now being offered by the Westside Community Adult School. Weekly classes are held at Westside locations such as Barrington Park, WLA, Stoner Recreation Center, and the Pacific Presbyterian Church in Pacific Palisades, $1 per month, 310.477.2084.

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.

H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation for Bereavement, Loss and Transition offers Widow/Widower Support Groups for people coping with the first two years of loss. Two ongoing support groups are available and meet Tuesdays, 7-9pm, at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Irmas Campus, 16611 Olympic Blvd., WLA, 818.788.4673.

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 third 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.