Community & Special Events

Special Events

Friday, Feb 1

Tai-Chi Program at the Rustic Canyon Recreation Center, taught by Peter Asco, 9 - 10:30 a.m., (310) 454-5745.

Saturday, Feb 2

The Devil in Texas by Aristeo Brito will be discussed by Ruben Martinez at his “One Vision, Many Voices” Latino Literature series, Main Library Auditorium, 1343 6th St., 2 p.m., (310) 458-8600.
“Doingsomething” Volunteer Open House, get connected with charities and attend an info seminar, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Westside Pavilion Community Room C - Level 3, free with free parking, (310) 391-3907.
Free shots for Tots & Teens, free immunizations and TB skin tests to all infants, adolescents and teenagers under 18, Saint John’s Health Center, Cafeteria - Ground Floor, Arizona and 22nd St., 10 a.m. - noon, (310) 829-8234.
Volunteer Services Open House, opportunities at the health care establishment, UCLA Medical Center, 300 Medical Plaza Bldg., Room #R3200, 1 - 3 p.m., (800) 825-2631.

Tuesday, Feb 5

Handful of Heroes, stories and special crafts honoring historic heroes and Black History Month, Ocean Park Library, 2601 Main St., 3:30 p.m., (310) 392-3804.
LA Kids need reading partners, join Koreh L.A., the Los Angeles Jewish Coalition for Literacy, is looking for volunteer to train and place at public schools, training session from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., also Tuesday, February 12, (323) 761-8153.
Volunteer meeting for the Baykeepers programs, 7:30 p.m., Patagonia, 2936 Main St., (310) 305-9645; www.smbaykeeper.org.
Wednesday, Feb 6
Fantasy Name Game - with Lynn Knudsen, an opportunity to use your imagination and create a new identity, for yourself. You will be guided through a visioning process utilizing pictures, drawing, and aggressive words to discover the new you. Refreshments are at 7 p.m., program starts at 7:30 p.m., in the Garden Room, Brentwood Presbyterian Church at San Vicente and Bundy, $7, Call (310) 826-5656 for more information.

Ongoing Community Events

PICAS (Participants in International Cultural Activities Singles) restaurant dinner, Berri’s Playa Cafe, 8415 Pershing, Playa Del Rey, 7 p.m., $4, other activities available, please call (310) 215-9600.
Bereaved Parents of America, a support group, free for parents, grandparents or siblings meets the first Thursday of every month at Westwood United Methodist Church, 10497 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 478-3379.
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.
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. Other programs available. 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 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.
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.
Marshall McLuhan-Finnegans Wake Reading Club, the first Monday of every month, Venice Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, 6:30 - 8 p.m., (310) 821-1769.
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.
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 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. Fridays 8-10, 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.