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.
AFS-USA’s YES program (Youth Exchange and Study) is looking for host families for exchange students in the Santa Monica area This program is designed to build bridges of understanding through high school student exchanges between the U.S. and countries with significant Muslim populations. In addition to host families, AFS needs people who are interested in becoming volunteer liaisons to work locally with families and their hosted students. Anyone interested in learning more about hosting or volunteering with AFS should visit afs.org/usa/hostfamily or call 1.800.AFS.INFO.
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.
Angel City Chorale is holding auditions for singers. Anyone interested in singing gospel, folk, jazz, classical, and world music in a choir format is welcome. For audition locations and times, call 310.943.9231 or email accmembership@gmail.com.
The Assistance League of Santa Monica is celebrating their 70th anniversary, Assistance League Bargain Bazaar, 1453 14th St., 310.395.2338.
Autobiographical Writing Class with Jeanette Shelburne begins July 9 through August 13. Class meets Wednesdays 2-4:30pm, free, Simon Wiesenthal Center Library & Archives, 1399 S. Roxbury Drive, LA, 310.772.7605.
Baha’i Center in Santa Monica is located at 3102 Colorado Avenue, 310.394.7971 or go to santamonicabahai.org.
The Brentwood Networking Group/Leads Club meets every Thursday from noon-1:15pm, at the West Restaurant, 17th floor, Angelino Hotel, 170 N. Church Lane, Brentwood, RSVP to Cori Solomon, 310.880.4924.
The Santa Monica Citywide Reads Advisory Committee is asking for community input in choosing a book for Citywide Reads 2009.Book suggestions must be works of fiction that appeal to a variety of people and are challenging but accessible. The deadline for suggestions is July 31, 2008. To suggest a book, email citywidereads@smgov.net, or complete an on-line form at smpl.org/cwr.
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.
The Maple Counseling Center (TMCC) in Beverly Hills is accepting applications for its Summer 2008 Senior Peer Counselor Training Program. Adults 55 and over will receive 40 hours of training to serve as volunteer counselors. No prior counseling experience is required. Call 310.271.9999 x247, or to download application visit www.tmcc.org.
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.
Mystery Short Films are now being accepted for the Compass of Mystery Festival in Bristol, England, this September. Entries must be no longer then five minutes in length and will be accepted in DVD, Mini DV or as full quality DV QuickTime files. Send with entry form (from web site compass-film.co.uk.) to Compass Film, 9, Walton Street, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0JG no later than 15 August, 2008.
Poetry Contest, $1000 grand prize, send one poem of 21 lines or less on any subject, in any style, to Free Poetry Contest, 601 16th St., #C-115, Golden, CO, 80401or freecontest.com. Deadline is July 26, 2008.
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.
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 http://www.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 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.
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.
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.
The Westside Eclectic is now accepting show proposals from sketch and variety acts to fill Wednesday 10:30 slots beginning in August. Selected acts will be booked on a trial basis with potential to move into future bookings and monthly slots. If interested contact Lloyd at 310.451.0850.
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.
