Community & Special Events

Special Events

Thursday, Jan 24

Seniors and Eye Aging, a lecture by Dr. Kent Small, UCLA Jules Stein Auditorium, UCLA, 3 p.m., (310) 794-0676.
YouthBuild Graduation, a program for low-income and disadvantaged young people, ages 17 - 24 who will receive recognition for their good work, Venice Boys and Girls Club, 2232 Lincoln Blvd., 6 p.m., (310) 399-4100.

Friday, Jan 25

Danica Thornberry will share secrets for enjoying a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy through Chinese Medicine, Yo San University, 13315 Washington Blvd., Free, 7 - 8 p.m., (310) 577-3000.
“Does Faith Belong in the Street?” a talk by Kim Bobo, Unitarian Universalist Church, 1260 18th St., suggested donation $25, (310) 453-3611, ext. 104.

Saturday, Jan 26

Baby Talk, Pregnant or planning to become pregnant? Attend a free maternity tour, UCLA Medical Center, Classroom B, 1250 16th St., (310) 319-4947.

Sunday, Jan 27

Tu B’shvat “Telethon”: New year of the Trees, Ages 3 and up, $5, reservations suggested, (310) 440-4626, Skirball Cultural Center.

Monday, Jan 28

“I Can Cope,” Relieving Cancer Pain, a free workshop to discuss concerns about cancer pain with a nurse, 6 - 8:15 p.m. at the Wellness Community, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Ste. 1040, (310) 314-2555.

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.
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.
Fitness Programs for Women with Cancer - Team Survivor, a nonprofit providing free health and fitness programs for women in cancer treatment and recovery, holds weekly walking groups and exercise classes in the Santa Monica area. Call (310) 829-7849 for locations and information.
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.
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.
Just Between Men - Prostate Cancer Networking Group, the second Monday of each month, 7 - 9 p.m., The Wellness Community, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Ste 1040, (310) 314-2555, (310) 314-7586.
Karate Club, 2013 Colorado Ave., (310) 892-KICK; www.CaliforniKarateClub. com.
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.
Malibu Orchid Society meets at 7 p.m., the third Tuesday of each month, Pacific Palisades Women’s Club, (310) 454-8221.
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.
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, $7 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.
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.
Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group of Los Angeles meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the UCLA Medical Center on the campus. There is always an informed speaker on some aspect of Neuropathy and group discussions on different meds and their results. Contact Cappy Fogel for information, (310) 286-7442.
Santa Monica College’s Emeritus College offers two on-going classes in Widow-To-Widower Support. The classes both meet on Tuesday at 1433 Second St., Room 104. One meets at 12 to1:50 p.m, and the other at 7 p.m. These classes are specifically for those who have lost spouses, and there is no fee, 310-841-2174.
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.
Sivananda Yoga Center, offering a variety of classes at different levels, also workshops on positive thinking, natural beauty and mediation, schedules vary throughout the week, 1746 Abbot Kinney Blvd., (310) 822-9642.
Teen Youth Group - All high schoolers welcome for games, snacks, and hanging out. Every Friday 5-10 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.
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.