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 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.
The Artists League of the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club invites you to drop in Tuesdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to work on independent projects in watercolor, gouache and collage. This is a self-directed workshop that provides a supportive environment for those wishing to concentrate on their painting and an opportunity for painters to learn from each other! Your $3 donation benefits free art programs for local youth. 1210 4th St., Santa Monica. Info: 310.310.2273.
Baha’i Center in Santa Monica is located at 3102 Colorado Avenue, 310.394.7971 or santamonicabahai.org.
Beyond Baroque offers free writing workshops including Monday night Literary and Experimental Fiction, 8 p.m., Tuesday night Creative Non-Fiction, 8 p.m., Wednesday night poetry, 8 p.m., Thursday night alt screenplay, 8 p.m, Saturday afternoon poetry 1:30 p.m., and 4th Saturday of the month morning poetry and prose 11 a.m. Beyond Baroque Literary / Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, 310.822.3006.
The Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is looking for families to host foreign exchange students from their Academic Year Program (AYP) for the upcoming 2010-11 school year. All of the students placed are 15- to 18-years old and are proficient in English. Deadline is August 31, 2010. For more information about hosting a foreign exchange student, potential families can go to http://www.cci-exchange.com/host.htm, e-mail at ayp@cci-exchange.com or call CCI’s toll-free information number at 800.634.4771.
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.
Enjoy Spring and start out Summer right by getting into shape and/or learning a new skill! YWCA Santa Monica / Westside health and fitness classes begin May 3. We work with top instructors who bring you the latest in fitness, education and fun! Sign up now for great classes, including, for adults and teens: Beginning Acting, Belly Dancing, Dancing like the Stars Ballroom Dance, Gentle Exercise, Women’s Basic Ballet, Yoga for Cancer Survivors, and more. To sign up for any of the above classes, visit www.smywca.org or call 310.452.3881.
Food Addicts Anonymous has free meetings every Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 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, 10:30 a.m., at Trinity Church, California & 11th St. Free, but contributions welcomed. For more information, call 818.268.9841.
The Marshall McLuhan-Finnegans Wake Reading Club meets first Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. 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 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 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 6 p.m., films start at 7 p.m., 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, 6:30 p.m., Church of the Nazarene, 1001 18th St. Santa Monica. 310.313.3726.
Outrageously Wise Women Circle, hosted by Linda Novack, MA, Master Certified Coach, a six-session circle at a private home beginning July 6, 7 p.m., for interested women in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s together to support and stimulate each other to find greater meaning, purpose and laughter in their lives. For information and registration: www.outrageouslywise.com or 310.454.2886
Pacific Jewish Center-The Shul on the Beach, has started a free lecture series, “Monday Night Connections,” at 8 p.m. 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.
Pranic Healing Sessions and Meditation. Whether you’re stressed, in pain or just in need of inner peace, PRANIC HEALING can help. Master Choa Kok Sui’s PRANIC HEALING is an energy healing technique that utilizes “prana” or life energy to promote physical, emotional and mental health. It has worked successfully with ailments ranging from asthma, arthritis, cancer, to addictions, stress, depression and phobias. Aanad Saagar Fridays, 1318 2nd St. #21, 6:45 p.m., Guided Meditation, 7:15– 9:30 p.m., healing sessions. Contact: Isabel 310.883.8371 Suggested love offering $10. pranichealingsm@yahoo.
Pregnancy Support Group, ongoing on Mondays, facilitated by Sahaja Douglass, MA, LMFT and Aleksandra Evanguelidi, LM,CPM. This Support Group will focus on building community, releasing fears about birthing and mothering, and offering a safe place where questions can be answered by health care professionals. 2-4 p.m., $25, 11965 Venice Blvd. Suite 204, Los Angeles, CA 90066, 310.566.7690.
Recovery International provides tools and practice in changing thinking habits so individuals can gain personal control over distressing emotions and improve general well-being. This worldwide non-profit organization, founded in 1937, holds weekly meetings every Saturday, 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Church, California & 11th St., Santa Monica. Free, but free will contributions welcomed. For more information, call 310.476.1741 or go to www.lowselfhelpsystems.org.
Relaxation & Visualization for Cancer Patients & Family, intended to help improve the quality of life for people with cancer and their loved ones. Every Wednesday, 6:15-7 p.m., The Wellness Community -West LA, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Boulevard, Ste. 1040.
Santa Monica Oceanaires barbershop harmony chorus invites men of all ages and voice parts to sing each Tuesday, 7-10 p.m., 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, 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays, at SMC’s Bundy campus, 3171 S. Bundy Dr., WLA, and at the Madison campus, 1310 11th St., 310.434.3400.
Take a walk through Santa Monica history! The Santa Monica Conservancy conducts downtown walking tours every Saturday at 10 a.m. Tickets are $5 for Conservancy members, $10 for non-members. For reservations, call 310.496.3146 or go to smconservancy.org.
Volunteer to conduct guided programs for school groups and the general public, host a nature center, or patrol park trails. For more information contact Lisa Ann Carillo, 310.858.7272.
Yoga for the Community! Restorative Yoga-Mondays 5:30-6:30 p.m., Flow Yoga – Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. & Saturdays 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Classes are on-going. Drop-ins welcome. No experience necessary. Classes taught by Sarah Bergman & Shannon Baker, known for their life-affirming teaching styles. Suggested donation: $5 per class. Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., 310. 310.452.1116 or mtolivelutheranchurch.org.
Yoga Classes by Donation, Sundays at 11:30 a.m. / Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m., Kathmandu Boutique,1844 Lincoln Blvd, hathayogawave @gmail.com, 310.392.4711.
Zen meditation group led by Sensei Daishin Buksbazen, teacher at Zen Center of Los Angeles meets weekly on Wednesday evening at the Hill Street Center, 237 Hill Street, Santa Monica. Meditation instruction for newcomers held at 7 to 7:30 p.m., Zazen from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Dharma talk the first Wednesday of each month. Contact Sensei Daishin at 310.315.3506 or daishin@zcla.org.
