Academic Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (AFICE) is looking for individuals to work as Community Representatives, who will find host families for international students and will work with them and their families. Call Anne Ring, 866.462.3423.
The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers. Various positions are available. To volunteer, call Tom Viscount at 310.394.3773 x112 from 1-5 pm, Monday through Thursday.
Ananda LA offers free Thursday Night Lectures, every other Thursday at 7:30pm, anandala.org.
The Assistance League of Santa Monica is celebrating their 70th anniversary, Assistance League Bargain Bazaar, 1453 14th St., 310.395.2338.
Back on the Beach Café at 445 PCH is closed for renovations as part of the 415 PCH construction project. The adjacent Beach Parking Lot 10 North will be closed through May 20. Until the lot reopens, beach patrons are advised to carpool, ride a bike, or use Beach Lot 9 North. For more information, go to 415pch.smgov.net.
Baha’i Center in Santa Monica is located at 3102 Colorado Avenue, 310.394.7971 or go to santamonicabahai.org.
The 2008 Broad Humor Film Festival is looking for submissions of comedic films and screenplays written and directed by women. Feature entries must be over 60 minutes running time or 60 script pages. Medium length entries cover 20-60 minutes/pages. Short entries must be under 20 minutes or pages. Standard deadline is April 11, and late deadline is May 2. Download submission form from broadhumor.com.
The California Teachers Association (CTA) John Swett Awards for Media Excellence is now accepting entries until March 21. Entry forms and information are at cta.org.
Carepages.com and the USO are sponsoring Yellow Ribbons for Our Wounded Troops, a web page where wounded soldiers and their families can post their stories, share information about medical advice, and give and receive support from others, carepages.com/yellow-ribbons.
Competitive landscape grants of up to $20,000 are being offered by the City of Santa Monica. To qualify for a grant, the landscaping plan must include water-efficient irrigation, plus one or more of the following: California native plants, water-efficient plants, storm-water management systems, graywater systems, and/or other innovative water-saving features. Applications will accepted through March 27, and are available by calling 866.728.3229 or at smepd.org org.
The Diamonds in the Rough Baseball Contest is looking for essays, videos, and photos by kids, ages 7-14, on the theme of how baseball helped to bring out The Power Within. The grand prizewinner will win $10,000 to help maintain their home baseball field and a trip for four to New York to attend a Yankees game. Contestants may enter at briggsdiamondsintherough.com.
Food Addicts Anonymous has free meetings every Saturday from 11:30am at the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 6700 W. 83rd St., Westchester, foodaddictsanonymous.org.
Kentwood Players is auditioning for its upcoming production of Agatha Christie’s “A Murder is Announced” at the Westchester Playhouse. Auditions will be held Saturday, March 15 from 11am-5:30pm and Sunday, March 16 from 7-10pm. Callbacks will be held on Monday, March 17 from 7-10pm. Those interested may apply at kentwoodplayers.org.
Landscaping Workshops are being offered by the City of Santa Monica Environmental and Public Works Management. Workshops for homeowners will be held March 15, 22, and 29, 9am-noon, $49, registration at 310.434.3400.
Meals on Wheels West needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound people in Santa Monica. Deliveries are from 11am-1pm, Mondays-Fridays. To volunteer call 310.394.7558.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is looking for volunteers for its summer camps. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and able to lift and care for a young person between the ages of 6 and 21, 310.450.9032.
Musicians invited to meet weekly and perform in concert with the Brentwood-Westwood Symphony Orchestra, Tuesdays, 6:30pm, bandroom, Paul Revere Middle School, 1450 Allenford Ave., Brentwood, 310.829.3149.
Nominations are now being taken for the 2008 Green Prizes in Sustainable Literature. Books from publishers and authors, or titles suggested by the public, must be submitted by March 31. The winners will be announced at a presentation in October.
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, oceanaires.org, 310.202.1380.
Santa Monica Playhouse’s Spring Break Create-a-Play Workshops are now enrolling for two sessions, March 17-21 and March 24-28, 310.394.9779 x3.
Santa Monica’s Solid Waste Division’s website answers many residential and business customer queries. To learn how to set up recycling programs at apartment buildings, what to do with unwanted electronics devices, where to drop off bulky items like refrigerators, and answers to many more questions go to smgov.net/swm.
SMC’s Continuing Education Program is offering free ESL and Citizenship classes, 1-4pm Wednesdays, at SMC’s Bundy campus, 3171 S. Bundy Dr., WLA, and at the Madison campus, 1310 11th St., 310.434.3400.
Soroptimist is a service organization available to help women and children. Meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month, 310.395.6168.
UCLA Extension offers spring classes in Personal Financial Planning, Fitness Instruction, Journalism, Public Relations and Fundraising, International Trade and Commerce, Gardening and Horticulture, and Engineering, Computers, and Information Systems. Information will be available at an open house session. Go to uclaextension.edu/ conferencesandevents.
