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 next ACT test will be administered on October 25, 2008. Students who wish to take the college admission and placement exam must register by September 19-the deadline for having the registration postmarked. Late registrations, with an additional fee, will be accepted until the final postmark deadline of October 3. Students can register online at actstudent.org.
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.
Beyond Baroque offers free writing workshops including Monday night Literary and Experimental Fiction, 8pm, Tuesday night Creative Non-Fiction, 8pm, Wednesday night poetry, 8pm, Thursday night alt screenplay, 8pm, Saturday afternoon poetry 1:30pm, and 4th Saturday of the month morning poetry and prose 11am. Beyond Baroque Literary / Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, 310.822.3006.
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 10:30-11:30am at the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 6700 W. 83rd St., Westchester. There are no dues or fees, just the desire to abstain from the foods we crave. foodaddictsanonymous.org.
The Marshall McLuhan-Finnegan’s Wake Reading Club meets first Tuesdays from 6-8pm at the Lloyd Taber-Marina Del Rey Library, 4533 Admiralty Way, MDR, 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.
Monday Tango Class, Six-week Level I. Classes with Isabelle begin September 8, 7:30-9pm, $85, Santa Monica College Community Services, 1227 2nd St, 3rd floor between Wilshire and Arizona, 310.392.3493 or visit isabellesalsa.com.
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 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.
Take a walk through Santa Monica history! The Santa Monica Conservancy conducts downtown walking tours every Saturday at 10am. Tickets are $5 for Conservancy members, $10 for non-members. For reservations, call 310.496.3146 or go to smconservancy.org.
Travel around Marina Del Rey 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.
Venice Skills Center is open for fall enrollment now. Choose from among such classes as Dental Assistant, Graphic and Web Design, Computer Applications, Child Care, Custodial Building & Grounds, CISCO, Medical Records, and Computer Electronics. For more information, call 310.664.5820.
Volunteer musicians are needed to play in the lobby area of the new Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Soothing music such as classical guitar, flute, harp or violin is preferred. Musicians must be of professional quality and will be auditioned. 310. 267.8186.
The Westside Eclectic is now accepting show proposals from sketch and variety acts to fill Wednesday 10:30 slots. 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—Finding the Words in the Writer and the Writer in the Words, Thursdays, September 11 through October 30. Cost $250 for eight weeks, 7-9:30pm, at the Electric Lodge in Venice. Creative Writing Emphasis. To reserve a spot or for more info please 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.
Yiddish classes begin September 8 at Arbeter Ring (Workmen’s Circle). Beginning Yiddish is $160-$225 for 18 weeks, Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm, Intermediate, $225-$325, Mondays 6:30-6pm, Advanced, $225-$325 Mondays 8-9:30pm. Call 310.552.2007.
