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.
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.
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.
The City of Santa Monica currently maintains artist day-studio space at the Santa Monica Airport. The spaces must serve as studios, workshops, and other uses primarily dedicated to the production of original works of visual art. Applications are now available to be placed on the waiting list for these spaces. The list is used as spaces become available. New artists will be added to the list as applications are received by the City on a first-come, first served basis beginning on October 30, 2008. Preference is given to artists currently living and/or working in Santa Monica. http://arts.santa-monica.org/Airport%20Studios/Main/%20page.htm.
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.
Green Living Workshops, six-week sessions presented by Sustainable Works, Tuesdays at Patagonia, 2936 Main St, 8pm, Wednesdays at Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd, 7pm, $25 suggested donation, sustainableworks.org.
Kentwood Players will hold auditions for “The Laramie Project” on Sunday, November 9 from 6-9pm, and on Monday, November 10 from 7-10pm, at the Westchester Playhouse. All actors will play multiple roles in the production. The director requests that auditioners prepare a one minute monologue, preferably from the play. Please bring your photo and resume with you. 310.645.5156.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 currently looking for creative individuals who are interested in helping us grow our comedy theater in Santa Monica! Interns that go through our basic program will help us by working shows, prepping the theater, selling tickets, running the tech booth during comedy shows, and a variety of other tasks including marketing and outreach. Day and night shifts are available depending on applicants availability. Contact Lloyd at 310.451.0850.
Wordsmith Creative Writing Workshop begins Thursday November 6 through December 11. Cost $180 for five weeks, 7-9:30pm, once a week at the Electric Lodge in Venice. Seating is limited. If you would like to reserve a spot please contact lisa@barringtoneditorial.com.
