Santa Monica, a Lifelong Learning Community
Lifelong Learning Community News - FEBRUARY 2010
The changing of the guard continues in February….
With the passing away of Mayor Genser, a very strong supporter of public schools and lifelong learning, there is a vacant seat on the City Council. At their February 23rd meeting, Councilmembers will attempt to reach agreement on a replacement and appoint someone to serve on the council until the November 2010 election. The appointment or election of a new Councilmember is certain to have an impact on our lifelong learning community. For more information on the appointment process, please visit the City’s home page at http://www.smgov.net/
Ruth Seymour, General Manager of KCRW is retiring this month after 32 years of extraordinary leadership. To read Ms. Seymour’s letter to her staff and the KCRW community, please go to
http://www.kcrw.com/about/a-letter-from-ruth-seymour
To read an interview, please go to http://www.lamag.com/article.aspx?id=22944
It is hard to imagine KCRW without Ruth Seymour at the helm; she has an amazing record of accomplishment and of innovation. Under her stewardship, KCRW has reached out to and connected with the world from a basement at Santa Monica College. Ruth retires from KCRW having laid the groundwork for a strong future in a new home. The design for renovating and upgrading the existing SMC Academy of Entertainment Technology into an integrated state of the art media and technology complex includes a new home for KCRW. The design won a creativity award by the Los Angeles Urban Land Institute. This too is part of Ruth’s lasting legacy.
For more information on the design award for the new media and technology complex, please go to http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2009/December-2009/12_17_09_SMC_Proposed_Media-Technology.htm
Congratulations, Ruth. Thank you for your remarkable service, and for touching so many lives, here and all over the world, in so many ways. Enjoy your retirement!
Santa Monica has a new City Manager. Lamont Ewell has also retired and, beginning this month, Rod Gould is our new City Manager. For more information on Mr. Gould, please go to http://www.smgov.net/Departments/CMO/content.aspx?id=1993
Welcome, Mr. Gould. Please help us sustain our lifelong learning community.
Speaking of sustaining our lifelong learning community, the Board of Education has approved bringing an emergency school funding measure to the voters in May.
The news regarding the state budget continues to be grim and our school district, which receives most of its funding from the state, has been making and will continue to make deep budget cuts. Plans are underway for all employees, and yes, students to take a five day furlough, closing all Santa Monica Malibu public schools a week early this year. Deeper and even more painful cuts will be required next year. To limit the damage – not to eliminate it – but to somewhat limit it – the district is offering voters the opportunity to dig a little deeper into our pockets to protect high quality education for Santa Monica’s and Malibu’s children.
The headline on the February 4 issue of the Santa Monica Mirror is “City Counts On Its Own.” When I first saw the headline (which refers to taking a census of local homeless people), I thought it was referring to the school funding measure. That headline might have been “City Depends On Its Own” or something like that. The bottom line is that if we want to protect the quality of our schools, we can only count on ourselves.
The election is scheduled for May. The emergency school funding measure includes a senior exemption and is for a period of five years – hopefully enough time for the state economy to get back on its feet. We will be hearing more (alas) about the state budget and its impact on local services as the months continue.
For more information on the budget for the schools and the cuts being implemented and considered, please click on budget info at www.smmusd.org.
Free Résumé Assistance at Fairview Branch Library
Schools and school children of course are not the only ones suffering from this recession. The Fairview Branch Library is offering help to job seekers who need to update their résumés. Volunteers meet with clients to provide one-on-one assistance creating a résumé from scratch or updating an existing résumé. Volunteers also can assist with completing an online job application or writing a cover letter.
Anyone seeking help with their résumé may call the Fairview Branch at 310-458-8681 to schedule a free one-hour appointment. The branch is located at 2101 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405.
In addition to the Résumé Assistance program, the Santa Monica Public Library offers many free programs, services and resources to assist job seekers. These include computer classes, an extensive collection of books on careers and the job search, and a new electronic resource called JobNow that provides online interactive interview coaching with live tutors, and expert résumé preparation assistance and tips. It is available from computers at all library locations. Santa Monica Public Library cardholders can also use it from their home computers by visiting the library web site at www.smpl.org.
Expo is on track!
The Expo Line Board of Directors voted to certify the Phase 2 Final Environmental Impact Report, the final environmental document regarding the extension of the Expo Light Rail Line from Culver City to Santa Monica. Engineering and design work will commence and elements of construction may begin in late 2010.
For more information, please go to http://buildexpo.org/
The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award goes to Santa Monica College Police Officer Mark Kessler. Officer Kessler was selected for this prestigious award by the Santa Monica Elks Lodge. The Santa Monica Police Department, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office, the UCLA Police Department, the FBI and the Santa Monica College Police Department each submit nominees to be considered for this honor. Congratulations to Officer Kessler and to Santa Monica College for this recognition. To read more about Officer Kessler and the award, please to go
http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2010/February-2010/02_05_2010_Law_Enforcement_Officer_of_Year.html
You can stay abreast of this and other Santa Monica College news at
http://www.smc.edu/infoatsmc/
Infoatsmc is updated regularly by public information officer Bruce Smith and includes articles, photographs, and a new feature, “SMC In the News” which provides links to interesting articles about the college and its people.
I would like to call your attention to a one minute public service announcement created and produced by SMC students called “SMC Global Citizens for Water Conservation.” “Water” was SMC’s global citizenship theme for2009. The video was made possible by a $10,000 water conservation grant from the Metropolitan Water District and other agencies. You can see it on youtube.com or at http://www.smc.edu/infoatsmc/. Enjoy!
CityTV is also providing some new lifelong learning services for our community: A new program, “Closeup on Health” will be airing weekdays at 2pm on CityTV, channel 16.
And CityTV has a new channel, channel 99, dedicated to lifelong learning and debuing as Forté as in “What’s your forté?” Forté will feature programs that help viewers learn how to cook, paint, garden, ballroom dance, exercise, and more. Stay tuned!
Citywide Reads begins this month. This year’s book is “Little Bee” by Chris Cleave. Discussions and special events run from February 12 through March 13. For more information about “Little Bee”, Citywide Reads, and a full listing of events, please go to www.smpl.org
And now for some special lifelong learning community events:
Wednesday, February 10, 7pm
ED LIVE! presents the first annual POETRY SLAM
Santa Monica High School's Humanities Center Theatre
601 Pico Blvd
Tickets: $10 students, $20 adults
Please join us when California poet laureate Carol Muske-Dukes and the award-winning teen poetry troupe, the GetLit! Players, kick off the first annual Poetry Slam sponsored by the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation. The event, which will present performances of spoken word and classical poetry, also features the artistry of high school student poets from our SMMUSD schools as well as surprise guest artists. Tickets are available on a first come-first served basis. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets, please call 310-396-4557. For more information, please visit the newly redesigned Ed Foundation website at www.smmef.org
Thursday, February 11, 4-6pm
Harvey Stromberg Retirement Celebration
40 Years of Laughter & Learning!
Santa Monica College Library
1900 Pico Boulevard
Free
History professor Harvey Stromberg, a Santa Monica College icon, is retiring. Harvey has been with SMC for 40 years and is also known to Santa Monicans for a program he hosted on KCRW. Please join us as we celebrate Professor Stromberg’s retirement. 40 Years of Laughter & Learning! The celebration is open to all who know and love Harvey. Program begins at 4:30pm.
Thursday, February 11, 6pm-9pm
Art for Hearts: Networking and Fundraising Event for Pico Youth & Family Center
Angel’s Piano Bar
2460 Wilshire Blvd
Donation: $10 at the door
Art for Hearts is a Valentine’s Day themed networking & fund raising event to benefit the Pico Youth & Family Center. “This event is a great opportunity to network with professionals, dignitaries, educators and local business owners while supporting youth programming on the Westside.” The event includes a silent art auction, food, full bar (6-8pm) and live jazz. To RSVP or for more information call 310-396-7101 or visit the PYFC’s newly designed website at www.picoyouth.org
Saturday, February 13, 11am -1:00pm
Sunday, February 14, 11am -1:00pm
The Amazing Bone
Morgan Wixson Theater
2627 Pico Boulevard
Tickets: $6 kids, $8 ages 13 & older
Based on the book by William Steig, this musical production for children is a wonderful tale of friendship, adventure and funny hats. Fun for kids and their parents. Young performers from local schools star in this fanciful story about a pig named Pearl and a Bone called bone. This production is a project of the YES Youth Education/Entertaiment Series. For more information and to buy tickets, please call 310 613 4742 or visit http://www.pigandbone.com
Saturday, February 13, 12:30-5:00pm
Sunday, February 14, 12:30-5:00pm
Heal the Bay: Whale of a Weekend at the Aquarium
Santa Monica Pier, Marine Science Center
1600 Ocean Front Walk, Beach Level!
Suggested adult admission: $5. Children under 12 free with a paying adult.
Come to the Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier to celebrate and learn all about the Pacific gray whale during its annual migration season along the coast. For a schedule of the day’s events, please go to
www.healthebay.org/calendar/eventdetails2.asp?event=2010_02_13_SMPA_WhaleWeekend
Wednesday, February 17, noon – 1:30pm
Grandparenting Today: Joys And Challenges
Speaker: Eugenia Brusilovsky, MD, MA
Santa Monica YMCA, DeWind Room
1332 6th Street
FREE
For more information contact Lidia Magarian, Senior Physical Director at the YMCA (310) 393-2721ext. 129 or email lidiam@ymcasm.org. Free underground parking is available. Picture ID is required.
Weekends in February, beginning Thursday, February 18, 7pm
Friday, February 19, 7pm
Saturday, February 20, 7pm
Friday, February 26, 7pm
Saturday, February 27, 2pm & at 7pm
The Tony Award Winning Musical "Rent"
Santa Monica High School, Barnum Hall
601 Pico Boulevard
Tickets: Students $10 Adults $15
* all tickets for the Thursday, Feb 18 show are $10.
Santa Monica High School Theatre presents six shows in Barnum Hall of the Tony award winning musical "Rent." ("Rent" School Edition is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) and is performed entirely by students.) This Pulitzer-prize winning Broadway musical is based loosely on Puccini's opera La Bohème. It follows a year in the lives of seven friends living the disappearing Bohemian lifestyle in New York's East Village. AIDS and both its physical and emotional complications pervade the lives of the characters.
To purchase tickets and/or for more information, please call 310 395-3204, ext. 239 or go to http://www.samohitheatre.org/ - another greatly improved website with lots of information.
Saturday, Feb 20, 2pm
Citywide Reads: Afternoon with Chris Cleave
Santa Monica Main Public Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free
Chris Cleave, author of this year’s Citywide Reads selection “Little Bee” presents this reading, discussion and book signing.
Tuesday, February 23, no earlier than 6:45pm
City Council Meeting
Santa Monica City Hall, Council Chambers
1685 Main Street
Free
It is expected that Council members will appoint a replacement for Mayor Ken Genser at this meeting. There may also be a report on the negotiations with Eli Broad concerning a possible Broad Museum of Contemporary Art in the Civic Center. The agenda has not yet been posted but you can find it closer to the meeting at http://www01.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2010/index.htm
Thursday, February 25, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Project Renewment - Resources for Coping with Caregiver Challenges: Partnering for Support
Santa Monica Public Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free
The physical demands, emotional strain, and time involved in caregiving can be overwhelming. This presentation will focus on a variety of caregiving options, resources and community services. Speakers: Estee Bienstock, RN, Allpoint Home Health andBunni Dybnis,MA, MFT, CMC, LivHome.
This event is part of The Living Room Series and is sponsored by The Older Adult Task Force (OATF). The OATF, part of the Lifelong Learning Community Project, is a consortium of over 35 organizations. OATF promotes lifelong learning for adults through its various projects and collaboration amongst its member organizations.
Sunday, February 28, 2 pm
Memorial service for Docia Zavitkovsky
Santa Monica College, Main Stage Theater
1900 Pico Boulevard
Free. All are welcome.
Last month I wrote about the passing of Docia Zavitkowsky, an influential and inspiring advocate for high quality early childhood education and a long time professor at Santa Monica College. Members of the public, friends, students, and colleagues are invited to attend this memorial tribute. The SMC Main Stage Theater is located on the Pico side of the main campus at approximately 19th and Pico. Parking will be available at a campus parking lot on 17th and Pico.
Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, Through April 25
The Wonder of Learning - The Hundred Languages of Children Exhibit
Thursdays 4-8pm ; Saturdays 10-4pm ; Sundays 12-4pm
1129 Second Street
Free
From birth, children use many “languages,” such as art, music, play, drama and literacy, to learn about and make meaning of the world. The renowned Reggio Emilia approach to education gives visibility to the values of its experience through this interactive traveling exhibit. helping educators and parents understand the powerful learning that occurs in early childhood.
For more information about the exhibition, presentations, and professional development opportunities, please go to http://www.reggioexhibitla.com/ or email reggioexhibitla@first-pres.net
That’s all for now.
Cheers and Onward,
Louise Jaffe
www.smllc.org
For information on more events, please check out the following websites:
New City Master Calendar: The City of Santa Monica now has a master calendar, sortable by locations, event type, and age group. It includes a LOT of information. Please bookmark it and use it! 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
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!
To receive emails about upcoming events at the Santa Monica Pier, please subscribe at http://www.santamonicapier.org/subscribe.html
Santa Monica College (www.smc.edu/events,) the Santa Monica Public Library, (www.smpl.org,) and The Broad Stage, (www.thebroadstage.com) are all in full swing now with many, many engaging events scheduled. Please check out their websites for more information.
Lifelong Learning Community Calendars & Events at http://smllc.org/calendar.html and 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
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
To be removed from this E-mail list, simply reply to LCJaffe@aol.com and ask to be removed.
For more information about the Lifelong Learning Community, contact
Louise Jaffe
lcjaffe@aol.com
310-450-2487
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