Community & Special Events

Special Events

Thursday, Jan 10

Nazi War Criminals: What Would the Victims Say? Eli Rosenbaum, Director of Office of Special Investigations, Criminal Division, Department of Justice and America’s foremost Nazi hunter, reviews the current hunt for Nazi perpetrators, Museum of Tolerance, 7 p.m., (310) 772-2528.

Friday, Jan 11

Mishkon Tephilo in Venice hosts award-winning journalist, Ina Jaffe, at the Shabbat Dinner Guest Speaker Series, to share highlights as an NPR correspondent at the heart of some of the most newsworthy events of the last decade with “Around the Campfire.” Shabbat Services begin at 6:30. Dinner and speaker follow. Reservations must be made by contacting the synagogue directly at (310) 392-3029. Cost: $20 Members, $10 children under 12, $22 Non-members, $18 seniors (60+).

Saturday, Jan 12

“A Girl Named Disaster” by Nancy Farmer will be the book read and discussed at the next Main Library Youth Services Department’s ongoing series (third Tuesday of every month through June) 1343 6th St, 4 p.m., (310) 458-8621.

Tuesday, Jan 15

Chamber Music Palisades second concert in its fifth consecutive season, Sanctuary of St. Matthew’s Church, 1031 Bienveneda in Pacific Palisades, 8 p.m., (310) 454-4024.
The Venice-Mar Vista Neighborhood Association is sponsoring an evening with Playa Vista representatives who will discuss traffic impacts and give an update on the Ballona Wetlands. The event will be held at 7 p.m. at Walgrove Avenue Elementary School Auditorium, 1630 Walgrove Ave. Los Angeles.
Who’s Really Behind Al Queda? A discussion with author Kenneth Timmerman, who covered the Iran-Iraq war, Museum of Tolerance, 7 p.m., (310) 772-2528.

Wednesday, Jan 16

Joy Through Conflict, with William Mark Stierle, a workshop that combines 12 years of teaching “The Herman Brain Dominance Model,” a thinking and learning styles model, and “Nonviolent Communication,” a process that strengthens our ability to develop and inspire passion within ourselves and others. Refreshments at 7 p.m., program at 7:30 p.m., Brentwood Presbyterian Church at San Vicente and Bundy, $ 7, (310) 826-5656.

Ongoing Community Events

Caring Support for people 55 and over - weekly groups and individual sessions with trained peer counselors, for Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave, (310) 576-2554, ext. 217.
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.
City Speakers Toastmasters, RAND hosts a Toastmasters club that meets from noon to 1 p.m., on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Meetings are held at RAND, 1700 Main St., Conference Room 1734, call Penny (310) 393-0411, ext. 7159.
Community Yoga Classes offered to students of all levels. $6, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., Saturday 2:00 p.m., Santa Monica Yoga, 1640 Ocean Park Blvd. (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.
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.
Free Hatha Yoga Classes, Tuesday and Thursday 1:30 - 3 p.m. and Sunday 6:45 to 8:15 p.m., taught by Benjamin Haffner, Shiatsu, Kung Fu, and other free classes offered, Massage School of California, 2309 Main St., (310) 396-4877.
Free Speechreading (lipreading) Classes for the Hard of Hearing and their family and friends, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Felicia Mahood Senior Center, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 477-2094.
Food Addicts Anonymous meets every Sunday evening, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., 8831 Venice Blvd., in the Board Room, (310) 412-6620.
Grief Support Group, sponsored by Saint John’s Health Center, 10 weeks, geared toward helping individuals and other family members cope with loss, (310) 829-8992.
Le Tip Westside Business Exchange meets for breakfast on Thursdays in Santa Monica to exchange business referrals. For info and location, call (310) 829-5916.
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.
Musicians invited to meet weekly and perform in concert with the Santa Monica College Emeritus Band, Lincoln Middle School, Tuesdays, 7 p.m. in the Bandroom, California and 14th Streets, (310) 474-5271.
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.
Painting/drawing classes for children ages 4 - 11, to promote self-expression and communication through visual arts, Art Works Painting Studio, 13051 West Washington Blvd., (310) 202-1894.
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.
Santa Monica Bay Area Chapter of the California Retired Teachers Association holds meetings every second Tuesday through June 2002, United Methodist Church, 1008 11th St., 11:30 a.m., (310) 828-2674.
Santa Monica Strutters, a walking program for seniors sponsored by UCLA Healthcare, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 8 - 10 a.m. in the 3rd level Community Room at Santa Monica Place, (310) 319-4560.
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.
Teen Youth Group, All high schoolers welcome for games, snacks, and hanging out, Fridays 8-10 p.m., Santa Monica Quaker Meeting House, 1440 Harvard Ave.. Bring a friend! (Totally non-religious content.) Joanna or Jos: (310) 815-9730.
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 p.m., (310) 396-3385.
Tutoring Class, Interesting, reality-based perspectives on literacy tutoring at elementary schools for volunteer tutors, offered by Santa Monica College/Emeritus College, ages over 55 are encouraged; all are welcome. Late enrollment is okay. Six week session meets Wednesdays through February 13, 2:00-3:30 p.m. at Emeritus College 1433 Second St., (310)434-4306
Volunteer as a Technical Reader for Blind & Dyslexic Students, there is urgent need for technical readers who can also do a decent job describing the graphs, charts, illustrations or maps to those with vision impairments, to volunteer, please call (310) 226-6055.
Widow-To-Widower Support, classes both meet on Tuesday at SMC Emeritus College, 1433 Second Street, Santa Monica, Room 104. One meets at 12:00 until 1:50 p.m., the other at 7:00 p.m. These classes are specifically for those who have lost spouses, there is no fee, (310) 841-2174.