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-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.
Baha’i Center in Santa Monica is located at 3102 Colorado Avenue, 310.394.7971 or go to santamonicabahai.org.
The City of Santa Monica seeks qualification statements from consultants for a regulatory signage program for Santa Monica’s park system and the beach. The Request for Qualifications can be downloaded at smgov.net/ccs/projects.
Donate blood on Monday and Wednesdays at the American Red Cross of Santa Monica, 1450 11th St. Hours for donations vary, so call to schedule an appointment. 1.800.GIVE.LIFE or 1.888.POR.FAVOR.
Food Addicts Anonymous has free meetings every Saturday from 11:30am at the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 6700 W. 83rd St., Westchester, foodaddictsanonymous.org.
Fowler Museum at UCLA presents KidsMuse Summer camp sessions July 14-18 (ages 6-8) and July 21-25 (ages 9-12). $100 members and $150 non-members, 310.825.7325.
Kentwood Players will hold auditions for “Little Green Men,” an original musical about the confusion generated by the Orson Welles “War of the Worlds” broadcast, on Saturday, July 12 from 10am-3pm and on Sunday, July 13, 6-9pm, at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Call 310.645.5156.
The Marshall McLuhan-Finnegan’s Wake Reading Club meets first Mondays from 6-8pm at the Venice Library, 501 S. Venice Blvd., free, 310.306.7330 or venicewake.org.
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.
Mt. Olive Film Night, entertaining and thought-provoking films shown on the second Saturdays of each month, supper at 6pm, films start at 7pm, free, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., 310.452.1116.
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.
Rosie’s Girls is a three-week summer camp program for girls, designed to build self-esteem and leadership. The program, run by Santa Monica’s Community and Cultural Services and Community Maintenance Departments, has just received a $15,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of California Los Angeles Donor’s Circle, to aid girls from low-income families to be able to attend. Rosie’s Girls Santa Monica is held at the City Maintenance Yards, 2500 Michigan Avenue. Contact Robin Davidson, Human Services Administrator, 310.458.8701.
Pacific Park is encouraging the community to post memories of experiences at the park on the official website, pacpark.com. Go to the home page, click the blog link “Posting Pacific Wheel Memories,” and share your special stories or pictures of the world-famous Ferris wheel.
Same-sex marriages are now legal in California. The California Supreme Court ruled on May 15, 2008 that the state can no longer exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage. The Church in Ocean Park in Santa Monica, California is offering wedding services to any couple wishing to marry. This includes a lovely church facility with a supportive minister available to provide alternative or traditional wedding ceremonies. To view the sanctuary space log on to the Church’s web site at www.churchop.org and click on rentals. To schedule your wedding or to ask questions call Reverend Janet Gollery McKeithen at 310.399.1631.
Santa Monica College is offering a unique opportunity to travel to China.
The cost is $2,970 and includes airfare, deluxe five-star hotels, special gourmet dinners and cultural performances, tours and more. Deadline for sign-up is July 9. Call 310.434.4303.
The Santa Monica Film Festival is coming back Sept 19 – 21 and is now accepting entries for submissions for films and sponsorships. Interested filmmakers or sponsors please go to smfilmfestival.com.
The Santa Monica Library is presenting MyVoice, a teen writers workshop, from July 9-August 15. Workshops will meet Wednesdays and Fridays from 3-5pm and participating teens’ works may be published in the new “teen zine” to be launched in September. Registration begins June 9 at the Youth Reference Desk in the Main Library or over the phone at 310.458.8621.
Santa Monica Playhouse is now open for enrollment for its summer Actors’ Workshop. Sessions meet Mondays from 7-10pm, beginning May 5. To arrange an appointment call 310.394.9779 x3.
Santa Monica’s 2008 Youth Summer Guide is now available and includes information from the Santa Monica Pier (with bonus coupon) and the Santa Monica Public Library, along with safety tips from the Police Department. Copies are available at City Hall, various city facilities, and at smgov.net.
Steps To Success is a career exploration mini-camp for students with hearing loss. African-American, Latino American, and Native American students with hearing loss who are entering 7th, 8th, and 9th grade, are invited to apply to the weekend camp. For information call 585.475.7695, or go to ntid.rit.edu/prospective/steps/.
Travel around Marina Del Rey this summer on the new Water Taxi. Get around the Marina on its most famous feature – the water! For just $1 each way, the water taxi will take you to various drop-off points around the harbor including Burton Chace Park and Mother’s Beach. 310.628.3219.
Wordsmith Creative Writing Workshop begins June 12 through July 31. Cost $220 for eight weeks, 7-9:30pm, once a week at the Electric Lodge in Venice. Contact lisa@barringtoneditorial.com.
Yappy Hour, new ongoing social event, every Thursday dogs and people can meet and greet each other, 6-8pm, free, Tails of Santa Monica, 2912 Main St., 310.392.4300.
