Community & Special Events

   Friends for the Future, a summer exchange program between Hagura High School in Japan and New Roads School in Santa Monica now in its third year, is seeking host families for 15 year-old Japanese students from July 10-31. For more information, call Hiroko Y. Axelson at (310)479-3289 or email: yhiroko@prodigy.net.
  
   Thursday, April 1

   A “Tasteful” Discussion, with UCLA head and neck specialist, Dr. Dan Castro, 3 - 4:30 p.m., Classroom B, Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center, 1250 16th St., free, (800) 516-5323.
   Mojácar Flamenco, Flamenco dance class and show. Dance Class begins at 8 p.m., Flamenco show at 9 p.m. Cover $7, Temple Bar, 1026 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 3939-6611, www.mojacarflamenco.com.
   The Science of Good and Evil: Why People Lie and Cheat, Share and Care, and Follow the Golden Rule, a “Distinguished Scientists Lecture Series,” featuring Michael Shermer, SMC Science Lecture Hall 145, 1900 Pico Blvd., (310) 434-4003.
   What’s a Smart City? SMC’s Center for Environmental and Urban Studies, 6:45 p.m., Room 140 of the Science Complex, 1900 Pico Blvd., free, (310) 434-4743.
  
   Friday, April 2

   Assertiveness Training, learn how to improve communication skills and create more meaningful relationships, free, Westchester Family YMCA, 8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester, 10:30 to 11:45 p.m., (800) 516-5323.
   Tips to Maintain & Improve Your Memory, 10 - 11:30 a.m., WISE Adult Day Service Center, 1510 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Co-sponsored by WISE and Alzheimer’s Association, free, for reservations, call (310) 452-7802.
  
   Saturday, April 3

   Box City, 6 p.m., Palm Sunday Weekend, Homeless Awareness Campaign, Westwood United Methodist Church, 10497 Wilshire Boulevard. Members of the church, ranging from students to families with children and older people, will spend 16 hours on the street, relying wholly on the kindness of strangers for food, water, blankets, clothing, and understanding.
   Sacred Birth: Moving from Fear to Faith, a workshop to bring spirit into your pregnancy, birth, and beyond, 1:30-6:30 p.m., The Electric Lodge - A Solar-powered creative space, 1416 Electric Ave., $35 pre-registration, $45 walk-in, (310) 581-0373.
   Budget Travel Workshop: Women Traveling Alone, Hostelling International Travel Centre, 1434 Second St., 11 a.m., free.
   Yoga and Menopause, help reduce the symptoms of menopause, Santa Monica Family YWCA, 2019 14th St., (800) 516-5323.
  
   Sunday, April 4

   Fifth Annual Talent Show, for children and young people, lunch and baked goods for sale, Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St., $2, (310) 399-1620.

   Monday, April 5

   Camp Akiba will provide school aged children something to do for vacation time, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. through April 9, (310) 398-5783.
  
   Tuesday, April 6

   Passover at Temple Akiba will be observed with a seder the second night of Passover, Temple Social Hall, 5249 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, 6 p.m., $35/$45, (310) 398-5783.
  
   Wednesday, April 7

   Truth in Wartime, featuring noted author and Los Angeles Times op-ed columnist Robert Scheer, presented by the Singles Chapter of the ACLU, Westside Pavilion, 10800 W. Pico Blvd., WLA, 7:30 p.m., (310) 392-7149.

Ongoing Community Events

   Athletic Singles Association Weekly Orientation, a selection of athletic and social events in support of an active and healthy lifestyle, one-hour orientation is held every Wednesday at 7 p.m., First Bank Building, 4519 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, (310) 827-0382; www.athleticsingles.com.
   Ballroom Dancing every Saturday in the auditorium of the Felicia Mahood Senior Center, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., WLA, $2 per person, 1 - 3 p.m., (310) 479-4119.
   Caring Support for people 55 and over, weekly groups and individual sessions with trained peer counselors, Center for Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave., (310) 576-2554, ext. 217.
   Chi Kong, tone and strengthen every body muscle, T’ai Chi,” Tuesdays, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Marine Park, 1406 Marine St., free, (310) 434-4306.
   Citizenship classes offered to Santa Monica residents, with legal assistance, inquiries and follow-up, Citizenship Application completed on site, all free of charge, St. Gerard Church, 4439 Inglewood Blvd., Mar Vista, call to schedule an appointment, (323) 890-1555.
   City Speakers Toastmasters, RAND hosts a Toastmasters club that meets from noon to 1 p.m., on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Meetings are held at RAND, 1700 Main St., Conference Room 1734. For more information, call Penny, (310) 393-0411, ext. 7159.
   CPR and other courses in First Aid, including pet and infant, offered weekly by the American Red Cross of Santa Monica, (310) 394-3773.
   D.A.FF.Y! (Drug & Alcohol-Free, Yay!), Sundays, 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m., Wild Oats Community Room, 500 Wilshire Blvd.
   Dharma at ‘The Clubhouse’ Weekly Buddhist Study, discussion and meditation group meets Thursdays 7:30 - 9 p.m., no fee, plenty of street parking, 2439 Wilshire Blvd, at the clubhouse in Douglas Park. Newcomers welcome. For more information, call Dan, (310) 451-4368 or visit www.SantaMonicaKKSG.org.
   Farmer’s Market, four weekly markets of fresh produce and flowers, 2nd and Arizona Ave.: Wed. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Airport Avenue.: Sat. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Main Street and Ocean Park, The Victorian at Heritage Square: Sun. 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., features 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.
   Food Addicts Anonymous meets every Monday evening from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Beit T’Shuvah Treatment Center, 8831 Venice Blvd. in the Board Room. There are no dues or fees. For more information, call (310) 412-6620.
   Foreign Language Conversation Circles, Foreign language conversation circles meet first Sunday from 4pm to 7 pm. Chinese, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and more - all languages and levels are welcome. Attendance is free. For more information, call (310) 446-0222 or email info@languagesociety.com.
   Gay Men’s Support Group for men 55 and older, share experiences and feelings in a confidential atmosphere, sliding scale fee, phone interview required, Center for Healthy Aging, (310) 576-2550, ext. 222.
   Health workshops and lectures, some free, some at cost, ranging in topics from blood pressure to breastfeeding to parenting to care for the elderly, Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center, (800) 516-5323.
   Israeli & International Folk Dancing, with Avi Gabay, Temple Beth Torah, 11827 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista, Tuesdays, 8 p.m., $6, (310) 398-4536.
   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, a community club that operates on the principle that no child will be turned away for lack of funds, 2013 Colorado Ave., (310) 892-KICK; www.CaliforniaKarateClub.com.
   Lipreading classes for the hard of hearing, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Felicia Mahood Senior Center, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., WLA, (310) 477-2084.
   Lymphedema Support Group meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 7:30 - 9 p.m. All are welcome for information and mutual support. Call (310) 815-1077 for location.
   Los Angeles Sahaja Yoga Group offers ongoing weekly meditation classes, Wednesdays 7pm, community room, Wild Oats Marketplace, 5th and Wilshire Blvd., free, (866) 9-SAHAJA, www.sahajayoga.org.
   Low-Cost Law Clinic, daily consultations with different attorneys for just $25, call for schedule, document preparation service also available, The Legal Grind, 2640 Lincoln Blvd., (310) 452-8160.
   Marina Singles Sailing Club, meets at 10 a.m. second and fourth Sunday of every month at Burton Chace Park Pavilion, 13650 Mindanao Way, MDR, for more information, call (310) 226-8000.
   Marshall McLuhan-Finnegans Wake Reading Club, the first Monday of every month, Venice Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, Venice Blvd., 6 - 8 p.m., (310) 821-1769.
   Mentoring Program Seeks Retired Teachers, help mentor first-year teachers in Compton, Pasadena, Los Angeles and Lynwood by offering your expertise, including classroom observation and feedback, call UCLA Center on Aging for more information, (310) 794-0676.
   Mt. Olive Film Night, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., entertaining and thought provoking films shown on 2nd and 4th Saturdays, supper at 6 p.m., films start at 7 p.m., free, for more information, call (310)452-1116.
   Musicians invited to meet weekly and perform in concert with the Santa Monica College Emeritus Band, Lincoln Middle School, in the Bandroom, California and 14th Sts., Tuesdays, 7 p.m. (310) 474-5271.
   Nature Walk with The Children’s Institute, everyday, various locations in the Santa Monica Mountains — from Malibu to Topanga to Beverly Hills — for directions and reservations, call (310) 998-1151, all walks begin at 10 a.m., $7 suggested donation per family, $5 for members.
   Overeaters Anonymous meeting, every Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., Reed Park Auditorium, 7th St. just north of Wilshire Blvd., newcomers meeting at 6:30 p.m., a nonprofit fellowship; no dues or fees, (310) 392-1130.
   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., MDR, (310) 202-1894.
   Pancreatic Cancer Support Group, meets the fourth Monday of every month from 5 -7 p.m., free, for people with pancreatic cancer and their families, Wellness Community-WLA, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Ste. 1040, (310) 314-2555.
   Professional A.R.T.S. Anonymous, a support group for creative people, every Sunday morning, 12:30 p.m., Wild Oats Community Room, 500 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 559-5328.
   Public Speaking Made Easy, lose your fear; small group meets every Friday, 9 – 11 a.m., free, Emeritus College, 1433 2nd St., (310) 434-4306.
   Preserve & Restore the El Segundo Dunes, second Saturday of each month, at the center of the Santa Monica Bay shoreline: just north of El Segundo on the west side of Pershing Dr. between Imperial Hwy and Westchester Pkwy, 9 a.m. - noon, 13 years of age and up, (310) 641-3738; www.dune-prairie.org.
   Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District operates quality preschools at several sites throughout Santa Monica. Our programs are well-equipped and staffed with qualified professionals. No cost to qualified families. Enroll now! Call Child Development Services at (310) 399-5865.
   Sacred Spaces Workshop, a “place to unwind, spread your wings, spiral, laugh, sing, expand,” Thursdays, Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St., $15, (323) 468-9938.
   Sand & Sea Speakers, a top-ranking Toastmasters club – learn to become a more confident, poised speaker, Best Western Gateway Hotel, Carousel Room, 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. (at 20th Street), Monday nights, 7 - 9 p.m., (310) 474-7704.
   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.
   Santa Monica Oceanaires barbershop harmony chorus invites men of all ages and voice parts to sing each Tuesday, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., 9733 Venice Blvd.(Church of Christ), West L.A., www.oceanaires.org, (310)202-1380.
   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 St., $3.25 plus tax, (310) 319-4837.
   Soroptimist is a service organization available to help women and children, meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month, for more information, call (310) 395-6168.
   Stage Movement, for actors, singers and dancers, free first class for new students, with Irina Skobeleva, Santa Monica Dance Studio, 211 Arizona Ave., 2 - 3:30 p.m., (310) 319-5339.
   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 St. 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), Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A., 10 - 11:15 a.m., (310) 440-4636.
   TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly), part of a non-profit national organization which meets at the Temple Akiba, 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., (310) 559-6665.
   Torah Learning While You Dine, Rabbi Dan Shevitz teaches a class each Thursday at 7 p.m. on the Parsha of the week at Mr. Pickles Deli at 13354 Washington Blvd. The class is free, and dinner can be ordered from the menu, (310) 822-7777.
   Travelers Aid Society of Los Angeles at LAX is looking for volunteers to assist travelers from all over the world on weekdays, weekends and evenings. Volunteers assist travelers with accommodations, transpiration and sightseeing information, (310) 646-2270.
   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, call (310) 414-6506.
   Walking for Health and Fitness, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Santa Monica Relay for Life Program and the Santa Monica Track Club. The group meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. in Palisades Park at San Vicente Blvd. Call coach Jerry Condon at (310) 451-4139 for further information.
   Westwood Co-op Folk Dancers offers International Folk Dancing Thursday evenings. Beginners class: 7:30 - 8 p.m., intermediate: 8 - 9 p.m. followed by general dancing, Felicia Mahood Senior Center, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., WLA, free parking in lot 1 block south on the Corinth corner. Singles, couples, all ages welcome. Wear soft-soled shoes. $4 donation. For information, call Emily (310) 306-7372 or Beverly (310) 202-6166.
   Widows and Widowers, discuss feelings that often accompany loss, Wednesdays, 1 - 2:30 p.m., Center for Healthy Aging, 2125 Arizona Ave., (310) 576-2554.
   WISE Retired and Senior Volunteer Program offers opportunities for volunteers 55 plus to tutor children at lower income schools. Tutor reading, work with children on art and other projects, or use computers to teach literacy (training available), (310) 394-9871, ext. 452.
   Write Away, share your existing work and write new pieces in a supportive, constructive weekly meeting, 12 noon - 2:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd., (310) 458-4675, or www.writeawaywritinggroup.com.