Community & Special Events

Special Events

Friday, April 20

Land Dees, a free event presented by the Los Angeles Westside Genealogy Society featuring Beth Wilson, Burton Chace Park Community Room, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, 7 p.m., (310) 558-4949.

Saturday, April 21

Raising Readers: A Literacy Festival, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Franklin the Turtle and other beloved children’s book characters will be on hand to entertain the younger set, free activities and snacks, too. Noon to 4 p.m., Santa Monica College Clock Tower Quad. For information, contact Connections for Children (310) 452-3325.

Sunday, April 22

Community Unity Awards Luncheon and Silent Auction to benefit the “Young Readers Program,” presented by the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Penthouse of the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 530 Pico, noon to 3 p.m., $45, (818) 883-6769.
Ocean Conservation Society sponsors a large-scale on the water clean up of Marina del Rey for Earth Day — focusing on Marina del Rey Harbor and Ballona Creek, registration begins 7:30 a.m., boats launch 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at the Public Launch Ramp on Fiji Way near Admiralty Way, (310) 822-5205.
Seniors Day at the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum, view a film called “The Hidden History of Ocean Park,” 1:30 p.m., free admission, (310) 394-2605.

Ongoing Community Events

Chi Kong, and ancient Chinese exercise based on inner body energy, for Seniors; free classes taught by Paul Tseng, Wednesdays, 8 - 9 a.m., 1433 2nd Street, free, (310) 434-4306.
Citizenship classes offered to the city of Santa Monica with legal assistance, inquiries and follow-up, Citizenship Application completed on site, all free of charge, Fairview Branch Library, Saturdays, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., (323) 890-1555, Ext. 122.
Citizenship classes by the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, to help citizens of Santa Monica, Venice and Culver City, free, (323) 390-1555.
Community Yoga Classes, offered to students of all levels, donation of $5, 1640 Ocean Park Blvd., 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, (310) 396-4040.
CPR and other courses in First Aid, including pet and infant, offered weekly by the American Red Cross of Santa Monica, (310) 394-3773.
Drop in Yoga Vedanta Center, schedules vary throughout the week, 1746 Abbot Kinney Blvd., (310) 822-9642.
Enhancing Your Life, an ongoing weekly support group for 55+, a caring environment for genuine exchanges of feelings, Mondays, 1 - 3 p.m., Center for Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave, (310) 576-2554, ext. 217.
Farmer’s Market - four weekly markets of fresh produce and flowers, 2nd & Arizona Ave., Wed. 9a.m. - 2 p.m. & Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Pico Blvd. & Cloverfield Blvd. Sat. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Main Street & Ocean Park, The Victorian at Heritage Square, Sun. 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Live music, pony rides, coffee, omelets, crepes & free craft workshop; (310) 458-8712.
Fitness Programs for Women with Cancer - Team Survivor, a nonprofit providing free health and fitness programs for women in cancer treatment and recovery, meets Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. for walking and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. for exercise with personal trainers. Other programs available. Call (310) 829-7849 for locations and information.
Health workshops and lectures, some free, some at cost, ranging in topics from blood pressure to breastfeeding to parenting to care for the elderly, Monica-UCLA Medical Center, (800) 516-5323.
Life Drawing Workshop, every Tuesday evening from 7 - 9:30 p.m. using different, diverse live nude models, music, coffee and cookies, $10 per class or buy 4 night block for $35, YWCA, 2019 14th Street in Santa Monica, (310) 452-3881.
Low-Cost Law Clinic, daily consultations with a different attorney for just $20, with topics as follows: Mondays & Thursdays - employment law; Tuesdays - personal injury, landlord/tenant, auto accidents, real estate, and small claims; Wednesdays - family law; Saturdays - estate planning, The Legal Grind, 2640 Lincoln, (310) 452-8160.
Marshall McLuhan-Finnegans Wake Reading Club, the first Monday of every month, Venice Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch of the Los Angeles Library, 501 S. Venice Blvd., 6:30 to 8 p.m., (310) 821-1769.
The Museum of Flying in Santa Monica presents weekend family workshops, at 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. The six-week workshops will cover aviation history, pioneers of the industry, aircraft design, air traffic communications, and careers in aviation and aerospace. The workshops are free and people who complete the program will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the Museum. For more information, call (310) 392-8822, extension 531.
National Audubon Society’s Los Angeles Chapter need volunteer naturalists to lead school children on nature walks in Ballona Wetlands from 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays or Thursdays, through May, (310) 393-6205.
Nature Walk with The Children’s Institute, at various locations, from Malibu to Topanga to Beverly Hills, for directions and reservations, call (310) 364-3591, all walks begin at 10 a.m., $10 suggested donation per family, $5 for members.
New Widow and Widower Bereavement Group for those with recent losses, PICA Adults Day Services and Counseling Center offers a group to help cope with loss, recognize strengths and make new friends, Thursdays, 2 - 3 p.m., $8 per session, pre-registration required, (310) 478-0226.
Play GO, The Santa Monica Go Club, the official chapter of the American Go Association, meets every Tuesday night, 8 p.m. to closing, players of all levels welcome, Wednesday’s Coffee House, 2409 Main Street, (310) 452-4486; www.santamonicago.org.
Pre & Post Natal Yoga Class, offered daily, Iyenger-style yoga, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., babies welcome, Yoga Garden, 2236 26th Street, (310) 450-0133.
Reinventing Your Life, an ongoing group for men and women 55 or older who want to share ideas, find ways to improve their lives and establish new goals, Thursdays, 1 - 2:30 p.m., (310) 576-2550, ext. 217
The Santa Monica Junior Chamber of Commerce “Jaycees,” a non-profit community and networking organization for young adults, free, regular meetings the second Monday of ever month, (310) 260-9936.
Senior Ombudsman Service (S.O.S.), if you have been swindled or short-changed, if you need expert help and can’t afford a lawyer, call this free service, (310) 454-0971.
Senior Suppers, discounted meals for people over 55, 3:30 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center, 1250 16th Street, $3.25 plus tax, (310) 319-4837.
Singing Singles, a singer showcase for single adults, meets every Wednesday night from 7 - 10 p.m., at the Bistro of Santa Monica, 2301 Santa Monica Blvd., and features new and veteran singers showcasing favorite popular songs, standards and show tunes, no cover, (310) 772-8159.
Toddler Time on Thursdays, a fun-filled, theme-based program designed for parents and toddlers (2 to 4) using a hands-on approach to explore the museum, play and tell stories, advance registration required, $10 (general), $6 members, The Skirball Cultural Center, 10 - 11:15 a.m., (310) 440-4636.
TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly), every Tuesday, Santa Monica Public Library, Ocean Park Branch, 2601 Main St., 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., (310) 396-3385.
Westside Business Exchange, chapter of LETIP International, specializing in business referrals, meets every Thursday from 7 to 8:30 a.m., Olympic Collection in W. L.A., (310) 829-7447, first breakfast free.
Widows and Widowers group to discuss feelings that often accompany loss, Wednesdays, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Center for Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave., (310) 576-2554.