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.
Art Experience Group Expanding the Limits meets weekly. Participants don’t have to be practicing artists but only need be open to a most daring examination of themselves through a visual experience. The groups meets 3-4:30pm, Wednesdays, at 502 Rialto Ave., Venice. Cost: $320 a month. Call 310.450.6685.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 based G. K. Chesterton Theatre is seeking a Mother Teresa look-alike for the fall production of “Malcolm and Teresa.” Auditionees should be in their 50s, 5’ 3” tall, with a European accent. Auditions will be held August 23-24, 10am-1pm, Promenade Playhouse, 1404-08 Third Street Promenade, 310.462.5141.
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.
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’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.
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.
UCLA Extension is offering weekend immersion workshops for beginning French and Italian during the month of August. For more information call 310.825.1898.
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.
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.
