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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Swing Brazil Kids is a one hour class designed to build confidence and self-esteem through the magic and creativity of Brazilian dance – movement, story telling, songs and drums. The class is taught by cultural educator Vida Vierra, Artistic Director of Swing Brazil Dance Company. Mondays from 3:30-4:30pm at the Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. Class fee is $10. 310.828.1489.
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.
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.
