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.
Adapted Gentle Restoratives for Seniors, yoga classes for seniors with Bea Ammidown, 310.358.3558.
Ammidown Yoga Studio Santa Monica is offering therapeutic special needs classes for all levels; Wednesdays, 7-8pm, Thursdays, 10-11am, Fridays 10:30-11:30am & (Writing Workshop continuing until 12.45pm) & Saturdays 9:30-10:30am. Please call Bea to register, 310. 358.3558, beayoga888@verizon. net; www.yogability.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.
The Annenberg Community Beach House is now hiring for positions including Beach Recreation Supervisor, Recreation Coordinator, Guest Services Assistant, Chief Pool Guard, Pool Lifeguards, and Student Workers. To apply go to: http://www.smgov.net/hr.
The Annenberg Community Beach House is partnering with the Santa Monica Conservancy to offer docent tours of the facility. Recruitment for Beach House docents is underway and training will be provided by noted experts and authors. Information on the training schedule and application forms for docents are available at smconservancy.org
or by calling 310.496.3146.
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.
Children’s After School Theater (CAST) at First United Methodist Church is auditioning children for their production of Annie! Jr. Auditions will be held on Monday, March 2, 4-6pm. $100 activity fee is being asked. Scholarships are available. For more information, please contact Rev. Camille Mattick at 310.393-8258 or camille.mattick@santamonicaumc.org.
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.
Do You Have the Heart for Hospice? Roze Room Hospice seeks volunteers to provide support and companionship to terminally ill patients and their families. Training is free. We have patients at home and in nursing facilities in throughout the Westside and Los Angeles. For more information, contact Kathleen McMahon, Volunteer Coordinator, at 323.938.1155 or volcoord@rozeroomhospice.org.
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.
Film submissions are now open for the Broad Humor Festival of Films by Women taking place June 12-14, 2009 at the Electric Lodge Performing Arts Center in Venice, California. Comedy screenplays written by women are also being accepted. Contact Susan diRende, 310.403.2882, or susan@broadhumor.com.
Food Addicts Anonymous has free meetings every Saturday from 11:30am-12:30pm 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.
Free help with anxiety, depression, stress, and anger is provided by Recovery International. This worldwide non-profit organization, founded in 1937, holds weekly meetings every Saturday, 10:30am., at Trinity Church, California & 11th St. Free, but contributions welcomed. For more information, call 310.476.1741.
Forget your troubles with Free Salsa Dancing Nights after 9pm!!! Salsa Wednesdays at Club Main, 2941 Main St, also Salsa fun fiestas Fridays, & Sundays at Isabelle’s Dance Club Atmosphere Academy at 1334 Lincoln Blvd. Salsa Lessons available at both locations at 7:30pm for Beg & Intermediates with Isabelle and/or Ricky. $15.00 for a 90 minute class. For details isabellesalsa.com, 310.392.3493.
Green Living Workshops, presented by Sustainable Works, six-week workshop series, Mondays at The Green Life, 7-8:30pm, free, 2409 Main St., Tuesdays at 6-7:30pm, free, Heal The Bay, 1444 9th St., and Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm, free, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., SustainableWorks.eventbrite.com.
Laurie Fraser’s I Love A Good Story series is seeking kids for the first I Love A Good Story for Kids. Children ages 11 to 17 who can write or tell a good story are eligible. The stories are the same as for the adults. True and personal, (funny or not) 5 to 10 minutes when told. Contact Laurie Fraser, Iloveagoodstory.com.
The Marshall McLuhan-Finnegans 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.
Open Poetry and Prose Readings, every Thursday, 8-10pm, Novel Cafe 212 Pier Ave. Come Read, Listen, and Enjoy! Everyone welcome, all genres (poetry, fiction, non-fiction, etc). 1000 word max per reader. Hosted by Forth Magazine. Forthmagazine.com.
Pacific Jewish Center-The Shul on the Beach, has started a free lecture series, “Monday Night Connections,” at 8pm with Rabbi Eliyahu Fink, who will explore connections between Torah concepts. The class takes place at the synagogue’s “annex,” 726 Rose Avenue, Venice, 310.392.8749.
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.
Stay Fit in the New Year! Flow Yoga Wednesdays 5:30 -6:30pm, Flow Yoga Saturdays noon-1pm. Classes are ongoing. Drop-ins welcome. Classes are taught by Sarah Bergman, a Certified Yoga Instructor known for her life-affirming teaching style. Suggested donation: $5 per class. Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., 310.452.1116.
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.
Wordsmith Editing Intensive–Sunday February 22,10:30am-3:30pm in Venice. Submit up to 3000 words for a broad edit and typed comments/ and participants feedback. Fiction, short stories, nonfiction, poetry
welcome. Fee $125. Contact lisa@barringtoneditorial.com
Yappy Hour, 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.
Yoga Prose™, a therapeutic journaling process in a gentle and empowering Yoga class, 10:30am-12:45pm, $45. Beginners & non-writers welcome. Facilitated by certified Yoga therapist/journalist Bea Ammidown. Santa Monica Studio. 310.358.3558 beayoga888@verizon.net www.yogability.org.