Santa Monica, a Lifelong Learning Community
Lifelong Learning Community News - APRIL 2011
For months now, I’ve been writing, or avoiding writing, about the state budget and related local consequences. Yesterday, Governor Brown announced that negotiations with Republican legislators to hold a special June election have collapsed. This means there will be no opportunity for voters to consider extending existing taxes in a June election.
Democrats in the Legislature have already approved $12.4 billion in cuts. These include deep cuts to preschool and childcare, and reductions in health and human services that will impact people with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind, seniors, low income families, community organizations, providers and workers who provide supports and services. On top of these cuts, the UC and CSU systems lose $1 billion and the community college system loses $290 million - - this translates into course sections cut and less or no access for students pursuing a college education. Community college student fees will rise from $26 to $36 per unit.
These cuts are staggering and will absolutely impact Californians, especially children, older adults, those who are disabled, the poor, and college students. Yet this is just the beginning. Another $12 billion in cuts now haunts all plans for the immediate future...
Governor Brown and Democratic legislators are now on their own to try to figure out how to increase revenues to avoid an all-cuts scenario. We the voters, for the moment at least, are largely sitting on the sidelines, waiting to see what comes down and what we can vote on. Those of us responsible for running or governing state-funded agencies – this includes the school board, the college board (I am a trustee at SMC), many non-profits (most non-profits that serve the elderly, the disabled, and the poor rely heavily on state funding) are caught in the middle, trying to make plans for various terrible but as yet not fully known contingencies. It is really a mess and really not good news for lifelong learning in California.
Last week, SMC President/Superintendent Chui Tsang held a town hall forum on the budget. You can read about how the budget crisis is impacting SMC at http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2011/March-2011/03_30_2011_Lean_Times_Ahead_for_SMC_President_Tsang_Warns.html
The city of Santa Monica is more protected from state cuts and more fiscally independent than the school district and the college district. However, Santa Monica has a robust redevelopment agency with hundreds of millions of dollars worth of future projects on the line. As of this writing, redevelopment has not been eliminated and Santa Monica has moved to protect some funding such as that for the new Virginia Avenue Park library. To read about the City’s efforts to protect redevelopment funds, please go to
http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2011-03-14-71477.113116-City-secures-loan-to-fund-redevelopment-projects.html
Anyhow, please follow the state budget situation. It absolutely impacts us and our local primary education institutions and social service agencies.
I retain a smidgeon of hopefulness because after a recent parcel tax for our schools failed to pass, (I’ve already forgotten the letter), Santa Monicans voted in Y and YY. The lesson I take from this is that there is always another opportunity to move forward, as long as we remain diligent and ready to seize the day!
Hands Across California
Please show your support for community colleges by joining in Hands Across California. Hands Across California, the largest-ever event held by any system of higher education, will join nearly all of the 112 community colleges in California in a vast statewide human chain. This will include more than 1.5 million people – students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and supporters of California’s community colleges – and will stretch more than 1,500 miles. This event was scheduled before the state budget debacle to raise funds for scholarships for community college students. Every dollar raised will be matched by the Osher Foundation! You can donate on behalf of SMC at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SMC-1/hands-across-california.
This event is now doubly important now because it is a great opportunity to raise awareness about the devastating cuts to higher education and to mobilize voter attention. Hands Across California will take place on Sunday, April 17, 2011, at 2:00pm but please go to www.HandsAcrossCalifornia.org to register now.
For more information on Hands Across California, please contact SMC Alumni Coordinator Barbara Ige at Ige_Barbara@smc.edu or 310.434.4196
Free Family Law Seminars
The law offices of Michael Kelly (whom I do not know) is offering free family law seminars, every Monday evening from 6-7pm. Discussion topics will include divorce, division of property , prenuptial agreements, child custody agreements, spousal support printouts, important family law case handouts, child support printouts, and free forms. For more information or to rsvp, please contact Brooke Brandeberry, Michael Kelly Law Firm Administrative Assistant, at (310) 393-0236 ext. 135.
Here’s some good news.....
Buy Local!
Measure Y and YY go into effect April 1. This is one way we can support our city and schools. Please shop locally. Different local shops and restaurants are also offering special discounts as a bonus. Please check out BuyLocalMarket.com for discounts that will reduce your cost AND contribute to the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation.
Samohi Jazz Band wins at largest high school jazz festival in the world!
On Saturday, March 5, the Samohi Jazz Band and Combo competed under the
direction of Tom Whaley at the 43rd Annual Berklee College of Music High School
Jazz Festival, the largest high school jazz festival in the world.
There were 300 bands in competition this year, comprised of 3,000 students from all over the country. Samohi competed in the highest and most competitive class of schools with enrollment of 1,500 or more students. At the end of a 13-hour day, Samohi swept the top awards at the festival with first place in the highest division, Division 1- Big Band and Division 1- Jazz Combo. Samohi students were also chosen as top soloists! For more happy information, please go to http://smmusd.org/press/press1011/JazzCombo.htm
Congratulations, Samohi Jazz Band!
It is worth noting that Jazz Ensemble at Samohi, taught by Tom Whaley, SMMUSD Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, is a dual enrollment course, Music 78, that SMC offers at Santa Monica High School as part of the dual enrollment program with SMMUSD. This class for which the students receive high school and college credit has been offered at Samohi every fall and spring since Fall 2007. Currently, there are 44 students, grades 9 through 12, enrolled in the class which meets after school on Mondays and Wednesdays at the high school.
Congratulations to Samohi Choir Students Too...
Samohi Choral Program students Kian Nozari, May Claire La Plante, Christina Lamell and Isaac Nemzer qualified to compete in the Southern California Vocal Association (SCVA) annual soloists concert on Sat., March 19. Twenty students were chosen from over two hundred from high schools around the region. Samohi participants, one of the largest representations from any one high school, performed beautifully bringing great pride to the Samohi Choral Program. Two of our soloists received special recognition... Christina Lamell placed 5th in the overall competition and Isaac Nemzer was awarded the most promising young (underclassman) singer. Congratulations Samohi Choral Program!
And Samohi Students Win in Anderson High School Business Plan Competition!
It’s not just music students who are excelling in our schools. Please read this article from the Daily Press on the terrific work students are doing in ROP. The story is posted at http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2011-03-13-71474.113116-Honing-their-competitive-edge.html
Congratulations to all of the student winners and participants!
Emeritus College Awards Bridges to the Future Scholarship
Haley Hill, a senior at Santa Monica High School (Samohi) has been recognized for her contributions to Santa Monica College's Emeritus College. Ms. Hill is the first recipient of the Emeritus College Bridges to the Future Scholarship Award. Emeritus College created this award to recognize high school student involvement and collaboration
with the Emeritus community. Ms. Hill was recognized for her participation with the Emeritus College Concert Band and her academic and extracurricular achievement at Samohi.
In addition to the award, Ms. Hill also received a $500 dollar scholarship from an Emeritus College anonymous donor who wished to recognize a high school student who volunteers, participates with or serves the Emeritus community.
Emeritus College is a program of Santa Monica College for the Older Adult community. Established in 1975, Emeritus College serves over 3400 students per semester. The name Emeritus refers to people "retired with honor."
For more information, please contact Ron Furuyama, Associate Dean, Emeritus College, at furuyama_ron@smc.edu or 310-434-4370.
For more information on Santa Monica College, including a calendar of events, please visit http://www.smc.edu/infoatsmc/
City Human Services website is getting more populated....
Please check out the City’s Human Services website which has some useful information on CREST camps over Spring Break, on information meetings for the Virginia Avenue Park Trades Intern Program, and updates and documents related to the ongoing work of the Youth Resource Team. I am a member of the Youth Resource Team and we are working to develop an integrated comprehensive framework and plan for youth violence prevention and youth development. The YRT is scheduled to provide an update to the City Council later this month. Please visit the Human Services website at http://www01.smgov.net/hsd/index.htm
Special April LLC Events:
The sky may be falling but the calendar is still full....
Friday, April 1, 8:00 pm
Saturday, April 2, 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, April 3, 2:00 pm
Play: Metamorphoses
Santa Monica College Main Stage
1900 Pico Blvd. (main campus)
$15 General Adm / $12 Students (w/ID) & Senior Citizens (60+) / $10 SMC AS Students (w/ID & current AS sticker)
Tony nominee for Best Play in 2002, Mary Zimmerman’s award-winning adaptation of Ovid’s poem brings to the stage messages from classic tales. Characters learn life lessons including Narcissus, who fell in love with his reflection and perished; Midas, who learned that all that glitters is not gold; and Orpheus, who lost his love because he would not follow orders.
For more information, please call the SMC Theatre Arts Department at (310) 434-4319 or go to www.smc.edu/theatre/productions.htm.
Saturdays and Sundays, April 2, 3, 9, & 10, 11am
Play: Miss Nelson is Back
Morgan-Wixson Theatre
2627 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Adults $8 and $6 for children 12 and under. All seats reserved.
For tickets or more information, please call 310-829-3937.
Based on the popular book series by Harry G. Allard and James Marshall, Miss Nelson is Back tells the story of Miss Nelson’s students who think it’s going to be fun and games when she is out sick. First they must face the most boring substitute ever and when they try to outwit her, they could end up with Viola Swamp, the meanest substitute in town!
Sponsored by Morgan-Wixson Theater and YES Organization. For more information, please visit www.morgan-wixson.org
Sunday, April 3, 4pm
Tribute to Jazz Trumpeters featuring Clay Jenkins
with the SMC Jazz Band
Keith Fiddmont, Conductor
SMC Performing Arts Center, The Broad Stage
1310 11th Street
Tickets $10
Master musician Clay Jenkins joins up with Conductor Keith Fiddmont and the SMC Jazz Band for a performance of arrangements featuring the trumpet as the focal sound. Please call (310) 434-4323 for more information.
Tuesday, April 5, 7:00 p.m.
Pico Branch Library Community Workshop
Virginia Avenue Park, Thelma Terry Center Community Meeting Room
2200 Virginia Avenue
Free
This fifth and final workshop in the Let's Talk Pico Branch Library series will present the schematic design by Koning Eizenberg Architects for the proposed 8,300 square foot branch library.
For more information about Let's Talk Pico Branch Library Community Workshops, call Library Administration at (310) 458-8606, signup for email updates at pico.library@smgov.net, or visit the web site smpl.org/pico/library.htm.
Thursday, April 7, 11:15am
Paul F. Starrs: The Nature of Agriculture: Lessons from the Fields of California
Santa Monica College Main Campus, Art 214
1900 Pico Boulevard
Free
Professor of Geography at the University of Nevada at Reno discusses his work as co-author on Field Guide to California Agriculture, gathering essential information about agriculture in California and its environmental context in order to understand what animals and crops are grown in the state, how agriculture reflects our relationship with nature, and how to answer the questions “What is that and why is it growing there?” A booksigning follows, and books will be available for purchase.
Sponsored by the SMC Associates, a program of the Santa Monica College Foundation
Friday, April 8, 8:00 pm
Saturday, April 9, 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, April 10, 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Play: Hamlet / Oedipus
Santa Monica College Studio Stage
1900 Pico Blvd. (main campus)
$10 General Adm (unreserved seating)
Words such as innovative, experimental, deconstructive, avant-garde and post-modern describe this work of verbal movement art. In this performance art event, the classical story of Oedipus is explored using the language of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The resulting impact is powerful.
NO LATE SEATING.
For more information, please call the SMC Theatre Arts Department at (310) 434-4319 or go to www.smc.edu/theatre/productions.htm.
Saturday, April 9, 12 noon - 4 pm,
School Readiness Health Clinic & Fair
Saint Anne School,
2015 Colorado Avenue
FREE
Saint Anne School, in collaboration with several area health care providers and community organizations, will host a School Readiness Health Clinic & Fair on its campus and will offer free health examinations, free immunizations and free screening as required by California law for school entry by any 4 or 5 year old child in need of these services. Services will be provided free of charge, but on a priority basis to those families who have pre-registered. Please note, no immunizations can be delivered without an in-hand immunization record.
There are no doubt many families in the Santa Monica and West Los Angeles who have limited access to health services who can take advantage of this event to receive the services necessary for their children to enter school. Please let them know about this convenient and helpful opportunity.
For more information, please contact Carol O'Day, Director of Marketing and Development at (310) 829-2775 or coday@saintanneschool.com
Saturday, April 9, 2- 4pm
Beach House Lecture #3: Christy McAvoy and John Berley
Ken Edwards Center
1527 4th Street
Free for Docents-in-Training; Donation requested from the public
This lecture features Christy McAvoy, Historic Resources Group, on the historic structures and John Berley, Frederkick Fisher Partners, on rehab and new construction. If you would like to attend the lectures but cannot commit to the docent work, you are welcome to come but please make a small donation toward the Conservancy’s educational programs. Please RSVP to rsvp@smconservancy.org or 310-496-3146
Monday, April 11, 7-9pm
Author Talk: Anchee Min presents Pearl of China
Santa Monica Main Public Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free
Chinese-American writer Anchee Min reads and discusses her latest book, Pearl of China, a fictional look at the friendship between real life American writing legend Pearl S. Buck and a young Chinese girl named Willow, from the girls' turn of the nineteenth century childhood in China up to the rise of Chairman Mao. A book sale and signing will follow.
Sunday, April 17, 2:00pm
Hands Across California
This event will raise money – matched dollar for dollar by the Osher Foundation – for scholarships for community college student. To contribute on behalf of SMC students, please go to http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SMC-1/hands-across-california.
The event will also highlight across the State, the importance of community colleges and higher education. Please take the time to stand with us. To register for a spot, please go to www.HandsAcrossCalifornia.org
Wednesday, April 20, 10:30 am to Noon
Staying Connected in the 21st Century
1821 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 200
Free
RSVP: (800) 516-5323
Learn how to use technology to stay connected to friends, family and the world by using the Internet, e-mail, Facebook, Skype, blogging and more. Learn how online social networking can provide you with practical and emotional support.
Offered by UCLA Healthcare 50+, a free program offering educational lectures, a walking program, information on community and health resources, membership amentiies and special events. To become a member, please call 800-516-5323.
Saturday, April 23, 2pm
Magician David Groves: Astonishment in the Afternoon!
Santa Monica Publi Library, MLK, Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free
See the show that was 5 years in the making! David Groves will be videotaping the all-new show he’ll be performing in 1,000 seat theaters on cruise ships in the coming years. Who should come? You! RSVP to save your seat! david.mystery@gmail.com or 310-962-7051
Years ago, when I coordinated ACE – After Class Enrichment – at Will Rogers Learning Community, David Groves was one of our most popular teachers, teaching Will Rogers’ kids magic. Bring yourself and your children to this free magic show. I’m pretty sure you’ll all enjoy it!
Thursday, April 28, Noon to 1:30 pm
Bone Health
Santa Monica Family YMCA
1332 6th Street
Free
RSVP: (800) 516-5323
UCLA internal medicine physician Stephanie Bui, MD, will explore how to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Offered by UCLA Healthcare 50+, a free program offering educational lectures, a walking program, information on community and health resources, membership amenities and special events. To become a member, please call 800-516-5323.
Thursday, April 28, 7-9pm
SMC Public Policy Institute: What’s Going On?
SMC Bundy Campus, Room 123
3171 S. Bundy Drive
Free with free parking. RSVP required to ppi.rsvp@smc.edu
Join former State Senator Sheila Kuehl, Founding Director of the SMC Public Policy Institute as she moderates a panel with Assemblymember Julia Brownley and tax reform expert Lenny Goldberg for an enlightening discussion of WHAT’S GOING ON... with the state budget. Not to be missed if you want to be an informed voter. Presentations from 7-8pm followed by an interactive discussion with the audience until 9pm. Seating is limited. Please rsvp to ppi.rsvp@smc.edu with the number of guests attending. For more information about the SMC Public Policy Institute and its activities, please send an email to Kuehl.website@gmail.com or call (310) 434-3429
Friday, April 29, 8:00 pm
Saturday, April 30, 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 1, 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Play: Hyperbole
Santa Monica College Studio Stage
1900 Pico Blvd. (main campus)
$10 General Adm (unreserved seating)
Come serve yourself to this rhetorical comedy set in Hyperbole, an "all-you-can-eat" Italian restaurant. The menu highlights the dysfunctional relationships of the restaurant's infamous customers, warring family owners and inept screwball serving staff. Seconds of lasagna!
NO LATE SEATING.
For more information, please call the SMC Theatre Arts Department at (310) 434-4319 or go to www.smc.edu/theatre/productions.htm.
Saturday, April 30, 3-4:45pm
Domingo-Thornton Young Artists Event Type: Concerts/Dance
Santa Monica Main Public Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Free
Join us for this very special event, a live concert featuring the Domingo-Thornton Young Artists of LA Opera. This recital is in celebration of LA Opera's 25th Anniversary Season. The concert highlights beloved and well-known opera “hits.” Tickets for this FREE event will be available 1 hour before, at 2:00pm and are 1 per person.
This program series is free and all ages are welcome. Space is limited and on a first arrival basis. This is a collaborative event of: The Living Room …a place for adults and LA Opera’s Community Programs. For more information, visit www.smpl.org or contact the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600.
For more events, and local news, please be sure to check out Santa Monica Patch at http://santamonica.patch.com/, and especially coverage of School News at http://santamonica.patch.com/school-news
Santa Monica Patch is interactive – use it to post your own organization’s events, and to keep up with local school news, or other news.
And please bookmark, visit, subscribe to the following:
- Santa Monica Public Library, (www.smpl.org)
- Santa Monica College (www.smc.edu/events)
- The Broad Stage (www.thebroadstage.com).
To receive weekly emails from the City of Santa Monica highlighting upcoming arts events, please subscribe to the Santa Monica Arts Palette at http://www.patronmail.com/pmailweb/PatronSetup?oid=902
At this same site, you can also sign up to receive emails about events at the Annenberg Community Beach House, at Miles Play House, at the Civic Auditorium, and Festivals. Please don’t rely on me. Sign up!
City Master Calendar: The City of Santa Monica now has a master calendar which is really useful! It’s sortable by locations, event type, and age group and includes a LOT of information. Please bookmark it and use it – use it to find out information for yourself but also to post your events which will make it even more useful!!! You can get to it from the City home page, upper right hand corner, or just go to http://calendar.smgov.net/city/eventcalendar.asp
The Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau maintains a calendar and lots of information about events of interest to tourists and residents. Please check out their site at http://www.santamonica.com/
SMMUSD press releases --- to keep up to date with at least a few of the many achievements of our local schools, please regularly visit http://smmusd.org/press/index.html . You can also sign up for Twitter announcements!
Santa Monica College special news items are regularly posted (including great photos) in an online newsletter, Info@SMC, that for the fourth year in a row, won first place in the statewide Community College Public Relations Organization competition. Stay abreast of SMC news at http://www.smc.edu/infoatsmc
The Lifelong Learning Community Calendar is posted at http://smllc.org/calendar.html
Lifelong Learning Community Links provide additional useful websites including local theatrical companies – listed under “Local Museums and Special Venues.” To stay current on upcoming events and to keep abreast of these wonderful local organizations, please bookmark Links at http://smllc.org/links.html
That’s all for now. Thank you for reading the Lifelong Learning Community News.
Onward,
Louise Jaffe
............................................................................
Thank you for forwarding this email to others who may be interested.
If you would like to receive Lifelong Learning Community eNews, please go to http://smllc.org/subscribe.html
To post an event, please fill out and submit the form at http://smllc.org/inform.html
For more information about the Lifelong Learning Community, contact
Louise Jaffe
lcjaffe@aol.com
310-450-2487
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