Santa Monica, a Lifelong Learning Community


Lifelong Learning Community News - FEBRUARY 2011

I was in Sacramento last week at a Community College League of California conference. In a keynote presentation, DeWayne Matthews from the Lumina Foundation was blunt. He said: “If you don’t want to be poor, you have to have a high skill job. The only way in America today to not be poor, is to get beyond a high school education.”

The Lumina Foundation, like President Obama, has adopted a “big goal” of increasing college completion rates from our current stagnant 40% to 60%. The 60% figure is based on predicted employment needs. (Sixty percent still leaves 40% of our people out in the cold.) Dr. Matthews showed lots of interesting graphs to prove some important points: 1) much higher rates of unemployment for less educated would-be employees; 2) a wage gap and a wage premium – higher wages and increasingly higher wages - for high skilled jobs (which require high levels of education); 3) the United States ranking in college degree completion has been sinking relative to other developed nations; 4) it’s not that we are doing less – we’ve had a 40% degree completion rate since the late 60s, early 70s when we were tops, - it’s that other nations are dramatically increasing degree attainment; and 5) almost everyone except for us now has higher rates of degree completion for young people (ages 25-34 ) than for older people (ages 55-64). If you’ve got a few minutes, the charts are really interesting. We have posted them at http://www.ccleague.org/files/public/LegConf/Matthews.pdf

The compelling need for increased educational attainment stands in stark contrast to the state fiscal crisis in California which is dramatically reducing educational opportunity. Governor Brown’s proposed budget reduces community college funding by 290 million dollars. The possibilities go downhill from there. These reductions mean reductions in course offerings and reductions in opportunities. Across the state, students are being shut out. Last year, 140,000 high school graduates in California were unable to get a single class in a community college. Next year, with the projected or greater cuts, that number will go up. (For more information about the impact of the State budget reductions on community colleges, please read George Skelton’s LA Times column at http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cap-20110131,0,4682657.column )

Community colleges, CSUs and UCs are not the only institutions with reduced capacity. Our public schools have also reduced capacity, most notably in the reduction of school days due to furloughs to achieve cost savings. Most districts, including ours, have reduced days of schooling from 180 days to 175. In a press conference this week, Governor Brown, referring to how one might close a $12 billion budget gap if voters fail to renew tax extensions, said that the state spends $1 billion for every week of school.

Against this backdrop, the LA Archdiocese announcement that their parochial schools will move to a 200 day school year is striking. (See http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/01/la-catholic-schools-to-have-one-of-nations-longest-school-years.html) Congratulations to the LA Archdiocese which serves 52,000 students, to our local Catholic schools – Saint Anne’s and Saint Monica’s – on moving forward so boldly to increase educational opportunity. It will be very interesting to see how this new development affects student achievement and public education in Los Angeles County.
School District News:
The superintendent search is on: Leadership Associates Executive Search Advisors Peggy Lynch and Michael Escalante were selected by the Board of Education to conduct the recruitment and comprehensive search process in the selection of the school district’s next superintendent. Public input sessions to solicit input that will be used to develop the recruitment criteria were held earlier this week. If you were unable to attend one of those sessions but would still like to share your thoughts, please email plynch@leadershipsassociates.org or mescalante@leadershipassociates.org (subject line: “SMMUSD Superintendent Search”). To speak by phone to either Peggy Lynch or Michael Escalante, please call 909.985.7814.
City and Library News:
City of Santa Monica Human Services is developing a new website portal to share youth and family resourceswww.santamonicayouth.net. It is already populated with important information about mental health and suicide prevention resources as well as programs and activities for youth. This is the beginning of the City’s new youth portal – over time, they expect this to provide a one-stop location for a range of information for youth and families. Pease help us by suggesting ways this can be useful tool and creating linkages on school, PTA and other websites.
I have high hopes for this site. Please check it out!!!

Our award-winning public libraries are constantly improving and offer amazing opportunities to our residents.

Most recently, the Ocean Park Library which has been closed for some freshening up, has re-opened. Come visit while the paint is still fresh!

The City is proceeding with plans for building a new branch library in Virginia Avenue Park.

Santa Monica Citywide Reads, a community reading program that invites everyone in Santa Monica to read and discuss the same novel in book discussions and special events held throughout the city, takes place February 14 to March 12, 2011. This year, Citywide Reads celebrates its ninth anniversary with the featured book Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Special Citywide Reads events are in the calendar section of this newsletter and even more events, the Citywide Reads Discussion Groups are listed in our calendar at http://smllc.org/calendar.html

For more information and a complete overview of events, please go to http://smpl.org/cwr/index.htm The Citywide Reads blog, www.santamonicacitywidereads.blogspot.com, contains up to date and in-depth information about the book, author, and special events, and provides community members an opportunity to respond to the book and programs, and to start a dialogue with others.
Santa Monica College
There is always news at SMC. On February 2nd, President Chui Tsang celebrated his sixth anniversary as SMC President/Superintendent. As annual state budget cuts continue and grow, he’s got his work cut out for him (as do we all). The challenge is to make painful reductions while continuing to innovate, to improve quality, and to maintain morale and hope.

Last week Assistant Secretary of Labor Jane Oates visited SMC to kick off a new recycling and resource management job-training program funded by a $5 million federal grant. Dubbed “Jobs Through Recycling,” the program – which provides job training in the high-growth, high-demand field of resource management – began earlier this month with its first group of 100 students. By June, those students will be awarded industry certificates in recycling and resource management from the California Resource Recovery Association, a key partner in the California Works Alliance. Oates praised SMC and its seven partners for the new training program, saying, “In these incredibly tough financial times, thinking smarter is what’s needed and is exactly what you’re doing.”

Please visit http://www.smc.edu/infoatsmc for more on this and other stories about news at SMC. Pictures too! Please click now and then come back to finish reading the LLC News. :)
LOTS of special events this month:

Friday, February 4, 7:30pm
Saturday, February 5, 4 & 7:30pm
Café Samo Caberet

Santa Monica High School Center Theater
English Building
601 Pico Boulevard
$10 at the door in the Humanities

Cafe Samo is a cabaret style show put on annually by the
choir program and features dozens of talented student
performers who create and produce their own acts.

Refreshments will be for sale at the shows.
Wednesday, February 9, 3:00 to 4:30 pm
UCLA Healthcare 50 Plus seminar: Recent Advances in Brain Tumor Treatments

First United Methodist Church, Fireside Room
1008 11th Street
Free

UCLA neurosurgeon Isaac Yang, MD, will discuss novel new ways to treat brain tumors by boosting the immune system. Sponsored by UCLA Healthcare 50 Plus. Please rsvp by calling (800) 516-5323.
Saturday, February 12, 10am & 11:30am
Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf

Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
The Broad Stage
1310 11th Street
Tickets: $20

Any kid (or adult) who thinks classical music is uncool, will be changing their tune. The Broad is turning the classic childrens’ concert into a multi-media mix of spoken word artists, virtuoso musicians and interactive surprises with Saturday Morning Mash-Ups @ The Broad. To get your tickets or for more information, call 310-434-3200 or www.thebroadstage.com
Saturday, Feb. 12, 11am -1:00pm
LWV Celebration & Lunch with the Mayor

Sheraton Delfina, Penthouse
530 Pico Boulevard
$30
Free parking in hotel garage, elevators to penthouse.

Celebrate the League of Women Voters’ 90th birthday and have lunch with Santa Monica mayor, Richard Bloom. Please go to http://www.lwvsantamonica.org/calendar.html to reserve your space. Reservations are required and the payment deadline is February 7 so you don’t have much time! While you’re on the League’s website, http://www.lwvsantamonica.org/ please consider joining.
Monday, February 14 –Saturday, February 19
Related Citywide Reads Special Screening: Alex Haley’s Roots

SM Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free

A special six day screening of the groundbreaking miniseries Roots will be presented as a related event for Citywide Reads. Episodes 1 through 5 will screen at 4:00 p.m. from February 14 through February 18. Episode 6 will screen at 1:00 p.m. on February 19.

For more information, please call the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600 or visit www.smpl.org/cwr and www.santamonicacitywidereads.blogspot.com.
Tuesday, February 15, 2:30 to 4:00 pm
UCLA Healthcare 50 Plus seminar: Forgetfulness as we Age

Sunrise Assisted Living of Santa Monica
1312 15th Street
Free

Learn the difference between normal age-related forgetfulness and cognitive impairments. Sponsored by UCLA Healthcare 50 Plus. Please rsvp by calling (800) 516-5323.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Women and Cardiovascular Disease—Heart Disease and Stroke

Sponsored by Saint John’s Health Center
Santa Monica Public Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Blvd
Free
Reservations required: Contact Community Education at 310-829-8453

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death in women. At about “a death a minute,” it claims the life of nearly twice as many women as cancer. Stroke, a risk for women at any age, can be prevented in up to 80% of cases. Join us for this free educational program as Saint John’s cardiovascular experts discuss a woman’s health and heart attack and stroke, cardiac imaging, heart rhythm disorders, and cardiovascular surgery.

Women and Cardiovascular Disease is sponsored by Saint John’s Health Center as part of the Women’s Health Lecture Series and made possible through a generous grant by The Harold McAlister Charitable Foundation. Reservations are required. Contact Community Education at 310-829-8453.
Thursday, February 17, Noon to 1:30 pm
UCLA Healthcare 50 Plus seminar: Breast Cancer Screening

Santa Monica Family YMCA
1332 6th Street
Free

UCLA internal medicine physician Jennifer Bennitt, MD, will review the current screening guidelines and new modalities on the horizon for breast cancer. Sponsored by UCLA Healthcare 50 Plus. Please rsvp by calling (800) 516-5323.
Thursday, February 17, 3:30 – 5:30pm
Retirement Party for Samohi’s Greg Runyon

Santa Monica High School Cafeteria
601 Pico Boulevard
Free

After 25 years working at Samo and 38 years working in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, S-House Principal Greg Runyon is retiring this month. Please drop in and wish Mr. Gregory Runyon well as he graduates to a new phase in life, RETIREMENT!

If you have any questions, please email Terry Morris at tmorris@smmusd.org or call 310-395-3204, ext. 71250. No gifts please.
Thursday, February 17, 7pm
Screening and Discussion: Race to Nowhere
Lincoln Middle School
1501 California Avenue
Tickets: $10 online, $15 at the door if available

Film Synopsis: A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools and our children's lives. Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools. It is a call to action for families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.

The Lincoln Middle School PTSA has arranged for this special screening, open to the public. Tickets can be purchased online at www.rtnlincolnmiddleca.eventbrite.com. If the screening does not sell out on-line then tickets will be sold at the door for $15.00 each, however, seats are limited. There will be dessert and a short time for discussion after the screening.
Thursday, February 17, 7pm
California Crackup: Co-author Joe Matthews

SM Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free

California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It. In this provocative lecture, California Crackup co-author Joe Matthews considers the question: Is California ungovernable? California Crackup provides a new way of thinking about the state’s governance and fiscal problems – and a new approach for getting California out of its current fix. A book sale and signing will follow the author’s presentation.

Co-hosted by the Santa Monica Library and the Santa Monica League of Women Voters. Seating is first come, first served.
Saturday, February 19, 3:00 p.m.
Related Citywide Reads: An Afternoon with the cast of Roots

SM Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free

An Afternoon with the cast of Roots – Entertainment journalist Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn moderates this special panel featuring LeVar Burton, Louis Gossett, Jr. and Lynne Moody. Panel lineup is subject to change without notice. Tickets for Auditorium seating required. Tickets will be released at noon the day of event. One ticket per guest; guest must be present to receive a ticket.

For more information, please call the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600 or visit www.smpl.org/cwr and www.santamonicacitywidereads.blogspot.com.
Tuesday, February 22, 11:15am
SMC Distinguished Scientists Lecture Series: “First in Space, but Losing the Race” by Dr. Jean Gebman

Santa Monica College Main Campus, Science Lecture Hall 140
1900 Pico Boulevard
Free

With President Obama recently saying that the U.S. is facing its “Sputnik moment,” Santa Monica College is pleased to present a timely lecture, “First in Space, but Losing the Race,” that will examine how the country can draw lessons from the 1960s to apply science and technology to problems of national significance. The speaker is Dr. Jean Gebman, senior engineer at The RAND Corporation in Santa Monica.

The lecture series is sponsored by the SMC Physical Science and Life Science departments and the SMC Associates, a private organization that funds speakers and special events on campus. Seating is on a first-arrival basis. For information, call (310) 434-4303 or go to www.smc.edu/associates.
Tuesday, February 22, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
UCLA Healthcare 50 Plus seminar: Osteoporosis Update

Santa Monica Public Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Blvd
Free

Rebecca Gordon, MD, UCLA rheumatologist, will discuss risk factors, preventive measures, screenings and treatments for osteoporosis in women and men. Sponsored by UCLA Healthcare 50 Plus. Please rsvp by calling (800) 516-5323.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 2 - 4pm
Women and Cardiovascular Disease—Heart Disease and Stroke

Santa Monica Public Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Blvd
Free
Reservations required: Contact Community Education at 310-829-8453

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death in women. At about “a death a minute,” it claims the life of nearly twice as many women as cancer. Stroke, a risk for women at any age, can be prevented in up to 80% of cases. Join us for this free educational program as Saint John’s cardiovascular experts discuss a woman’s health and heart attack and stroke, cardiac imaging, heart rhythm disorders, and cardiovascular surgery.

Women and Cardiovascular Disease is sponsored by Saint John’s Health Center as part of the Women’s Health Lecture Series and made possible through a generous grant by The Harold McAlister Charitable Foundation. Reservations are required. Contact Community Education at 310-829-8453.
Thursday, February 24, 7pm
Friday, February 25, 7pm
Saturday, February 26, 2pm & 7pm
“The Threepenny Opera”

Santa Monica High School, Humanities Center Theatre
601 Pico Boulevard
Adults: $15. Students: $10

You probably know the song "Mack the Knife." But you might be less familiar with its source. Well, now's your chance to experience the power of Brecht and Weill's groundbreaking musical "The Threepenny Opera."

Biting satire, incisive commentary, thieving scum, lovely damsels, corruption, song and dance make this the grandaddy of its genre, without which there would be no "Cabaret," no "Chicago." To Virgil Thomson, it was "one of the century's most powerful creations." And Jack Kroll of Newsweek called it "The greatest musical of all time."

Get your tickets now at www.samohitheatre.org. For more information, please call 310-395-3204, ext 71239.
Thursday, February 24, 7pm
SMC Public Policy Institute: “Public Policy in the Movies”
Santa Monica College Bundy Campus, Room 123
3171 S. Bundy Drive
Free; rsvp required to ppi.rsvp@smc.edu

Who knew that a careful viewer of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” could divine important public policy lessons from it? Yet that is exactly what Sheila Kuehl, former California state senator and current founding director of Santa Monica College’s Public Policy Institute, has discovered – and she will use a clip from “Roger Rabbit” and other films at an upcoming community dialogue.

Aside from “Roger Rabbit,” Kuehl will show clips from “Chinatown,” “Inherit the Wind,” and “The Wizard of Oz” as a launching point to lead a discussion of public policy issues ranging from mass transit to education to the messiness of democracy.

The mission of the SMC Public Policy Institute is to engage the community in analyzing issues of public policy, especially those that affect local jurisdictions like cities and counties, and to provide forums such as this for civic engagement. The institute was launched last April. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. To RSVP, email ppi.rsvp@smc.edu or call (310) 434-3429.

For more information about the institute and its activities, please email Kuehl.website@gmail.com.
Saturday, February 26, 2:00 p.m.,
Citywide Reads: An Afternoon with Dolen Perkins-Valdez

SM Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free

An Afternoon with Dolen Perkins-Valdez – The author of Wench presents an engaging reading and discussion of this year’s Citywide Reads book. A book sale and signing will follow.

For more information, please call the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600 or visit www.smpl.org/cwr and www.santamonicacitywidereads.blogspot.com.
Sunday, February 27, 10:00 am
Student Nonviolent Movement and the Freedom Rides: Untold Stories in the American Civil Rights History with 3 of the original participants in the Freedom Rides

Church in Ocean Park
235 Hill Street
Free

Join the Church In Ocean Park as they focus on The Student Nonviolent Movement and the Freedom Rides with three original participants: Performer and former USC Professor Angeline Butler, a Nashville Coordinator of the May 4th-July 1961 Freedom Rides, Former Federal Administrative Judge Ralph D. Fertig, and a USC Clinical Professor, was a Freedom Rider on the June 2nd Bus to Selma, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi 1961; and Dr. Robert Singleton, UCLA PhD., now a professor at Loyola Marymount University in Economics was a Freedom Rider on the July 31 bus to Jackson, Mississippi.
I am closing this month’s newsletter with a letter from the mother of a student who committed suicide last month. Matthew’s mother posted this letter on Samohi PALS to thank the community for their support. It reminds me that a lifelong learning community is connected and compassionate.

Here is Elie’s letter:
“Dear Friends and Family,
Two weeks ago our family experienced a loss that brought us to our knees. The loss of our beloved Matthew caught us unaware and has, quite literally knocked the breath out of us. We have been gasping for air ever since that moment.

In the midst of our terrible sorrow we have been overwhelmed by the warmth, love and generosity that has poured in from the many people who have stepped in to try and help us survive our loss. Friends from Samohi, the Baseball Team, Little League, JAMS, Grant Elementary School, SMPD, the City of Santa Monica, our synagogue Beth Shir Sholom, St. Monica's Church, The court system, the Public Defender's Office and people who have never met us, but have been moved by Matthew's death, have all come together in an amazing demonstration of love to provide for our every need. People have generously fed us, provided us with transportation, covered the costs associated with hosting people after the funeral, and thousands of dollars have been donated in Matthew's memory. There is no way that we can ever individually thank each person who has stepped in to help us through this loss. So many people have sent cards, letters and flowers with lovely notes about Matthew, sharing memories and stories that have brought smiles to our faces and tears to our eyes. This showing of generosity of spirit from our community is deserving of individual thanks, but there is no way for me to write to each of you. So many donations have been made by people that we do not know or for whom we have no addresses. The sheer number of people who have stepped in to help us mourn our loss is staggering, and so I have elected to send our letter of appreciation electronically, despite knowing that my mother disapproves.

To each of you who took care of us, fed us, wrote to us, prayed with us or prayed for us, sat shivah with us or donated in Matthew's memory-we thank you. We ask that you help us to remember Matthew. Matthew was a wonderful child who was funny and bright, a strong student, a good teammate, and a great friend. He had new and innovative ideas to solve the world's problems and had a mind that was always working, looking for a way to understand what happened around him. Matthew was never embarrassed to ask a question-his need to know outweighed even an adolescent's self consciousness. We still weep when we try and absorb the shock of this loss, but eventually we will be out in the world around us. When you see us, please say hello and tell us that you remember our son.

With love and appreciation,
Ellie, Peter, and Florin

For more events, and local news, please be sure to check out Santa Monica Patch at http://santamonica.patch.com/, Santa Monica Patch is the newest electronic source for daily local news and it 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:

The Santa Monica Public Library, (www.smpl.org) and Santa Monica College (www.smc.edu/events) have many, many engaging events scheduled every month. Please check these websites now and regularly for more information!

The Broad Stage (www.thebroadstage.com) is now in the midst of an exciting 3rd season. If you haven’t been to The Broad yet, what are you waiting for? It’s great!!
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.
Cheers, and Onward,
Louise Jaffe
............................................................................

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For more information about the Lifelong Learning Community, contact

Louise Jaffe
lcjaffe@aol.com
310-450-2487



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