Community Announcements / Ongoing Events:

Adapted Gentle Restoratives for Seniors, yoga classes for seniors with Bea Ammidown, 310.358.3558.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 California Supreme Court will soon issue its decision either affirming or rejecting the anti-gay Proposition 8. The Court will let the media know the day before it reveals its decision. On the decision day in Santa Monica, if the court throws out Prop 8, we will meet at the Church in Ocean Park at 6pm to celebrate, including a walk to SM City Hall at 7pm. If the Court upholds part or all of Prop 8 we begin our protest at 6pm at the Church and a march to SM City Hall at 7. All are welcome. Contact: Rev. Janet G. McKeithen, 310.399.1631 X2. Carnevale! Venice Beach will be celebrating its 7th year on June 6 at Windward Ave. and Venice Beach. Now artists everywhere will have the chance to win the prestigious Venice Carnevale Poster Contest and have their artistic vision be the face of 2009 Carnevale! Venice Beach. For submission guidelines go to carnevale.us.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. 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 Café, 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. Relaxation & Visualization for Cancer Patients & Family, intended to help improve the quality of life for people with cancer and their loved ones. Every Wednesday, 6:15-7pm, The Wellness Community_West LA, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Boulevard, Ste. 1040.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. 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 Creative Writing Workshop begins May 21, $295 for eight weeks, 7-9:30pm, once a week in Venice. Seating is limited. Fee nonrefundable. If you would like to reserve a place please 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.