Santa Monica, a Lifelong Learning Community
Lifelong Learning Community News - OCTOBER 2008...
The most important thing about October 2008 is that it immediately precedes November 2008 when we will be electing a new President. We also have a number of important local ballot decisions to make on November 4th. I will send a separate Lifelong Learning Community Election News e-letter in mid-October that discusses local ballot measures that might impact our lifelong learning community. For now, the most important thing you can do is attend local forums and be sure you are registered to vote. The final day to register to vote is October 20th. You can pick up a voter registration form at any post office, library, or the DMV. You can also (I’m told) register online to vote at http://www.voteforchange.com/ and you can also check there to make sure that you are already registered and to find your polling place.
Santa Monica Malibu public schools and Santa Monica College all had smooth openings this semester. And now that Sacramento has finally passed a budget, funding will resume from the State to our schools and community college. Both of our local education institutions have built up reserves and were able to weather the historic delay in passing a State budget without having to reduce local services. Nevertheless, our Board of Education and Board of Trustees are breathing deep sighs of relief along with every other School and College Board across the State.
The relief however will be short-lived. The approved State budget does not correct the budget imbalance and the current state, national and international economic situation does not bode well....
On the bright side....
In early September, SMMUSD released a report on gains across the district in standardized test scores. Please take a moment to read or at least scan this report and review the charts. Congratulations to everyone - teachers, staff, board of education, community, students - on remarkable progress. The report is posted at
http://www.smmusd.org/press/press0809/API-AYPGains.htm
The biggest and best lifelong learning community news in Santa Monica this fall is the opening of The Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Since this venue is brand new, I am going to include most of the October events there to encourage you to become familiar with and take advantage of this extraordinary new asset and cultural haven at Santa Monica College.
So, what new lifelong learning opportunities are available for Santa Monicans this October? (A few fundraisers are included....)
Wednesday, October 1, 6:00pm
Candidates Forums: Rent Control Board, SMC Trustees, and Board of Education
Board Room of School District Offices
1651 16th Street
Free
The Santa Monica League of Women Voters in partnership with the Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council and CityTV are sponsoring three candidate forums Wednesday, October 1.
Santa Monica Rent Control Board: 6:00 p.m.
SMC Board of Trustees: 7:15 p.m.
SMMUSD Board of Education: 8:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend and learn first hand about the candidates. The forums will be taped by CityTV for replay.
Thursday, October 2, 9am – 5pm
Red Cross training for Hurricane Volunteers
1450 11th Street
Free
The American Red Cross of Santa Monica is offering free disaster deployment training classes for individuals interested in volunteering for local and national disaster relief calls such as the recent Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
The Red Cross of Santa Monica has Fast-Track Training to provide, in just one day, all the basic level courses such as Shelter Management and Mass Care required to make interested persons qualified to be a disaster volunteer. The one-hour prerequisite for all classes is "Introduction to Disaster," which is found on-line at http://www.redcross.org/.
Interested persons can call for information or sign up by phoning 310.394.3773 during business hours. Class size is limited.
Wednesday, October 3, 6:30-8:30pm
Candidates Forum: Santa Monica City Council
Santa Monica College Main Campus, Concert Hall
1900 Pico Boulevard
Free (with free campus parking)
The Santa Monica League of Women Voters in partnership with the Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council, and Santa Monica College are sponsoring this forum to hear from candidates seeking election to the City Council. The public is invited to attend.
On Friday, October 3, 7pm and 9 p.m.
SMC Jazz Concert: Charles Owens Quintet
Edye Second Space
SMC Performing Arts Center
Santa Monica Boulevard at 11th Street.
$10. Seating is strictly on a first-arrival basis.
Charles Owens Quintet presents a unique program of original sounds rendered by master woodwind musicians proficient on tenor, alto, soprano, and baritone saxophones, as well as clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon, and English horn.
For information and tickets, please call (310) 434-4323 or (310) 434-3000.
Friday, October 03, 8:00pm
Saturday, October 4, 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, October 5, 2pm
"American Reflections"--Broadway in Concert
Santa Monica College Main Campus, Theatre Arts/Main Stage
1900 Pico Boulevard
Tickets are $20 for General Admission, $18 for non-SMC students and seniors, and $15 for SMC students and staff.
Santa Monica College students have been invited to China to perform! Be sure to catch this SMC outstanding musical theatre production--featuring songs, dialogue, and dances from popular musicals such as Sweet Charity, Into the Woods, A Chorus Line, Young Frankenstein, and Seussical--before it travels to China for the International Exchange Month and the 50th Anniversary of Shandong College of the Arts. Tickets may be purchased by phone at (310) 434-3000 or in person at the SMC Events Office.
Saturday, October 4, 8:00 am check in, 10:00 start time
NAMI Walk
Third Street Promenade
Donation
This 5k fundraising walk benefits the National Alliance on Mental Illness and begins at the Third Street Promenade. For more information, please contact Wayne Baldaro at wbaldaro@nami.org or 213 251-6519. For more information on the National Alliance on Mental Illness, please go to www.nami.org
Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5, noon – 3pm
Celebration of Life: Senior Arts Festival
Santa Monica Senior Recreation Center
1450 Ocean Avenue
Free
The Senior & Family Intergenerational Arts Festival is a celebration of senior arts and aims to inspire the public about senior citizens’ life changing experiences with arts. The Festival features music, storytelling, art book-making, movement and dance workshop, photo exhibits and a panel discussion to bring together grandparents, grandchildren and families. The City of Santa Monica Community & Cultural Services Department, in conjunction with the Senior Arts Foundation, the YMCA Senior Program and UCLA Healthcare Senior Services are collaborating to present this "Celebration of Life" event to highlight the dynamic arts life of senior adults.
Saturday, October 4, 3-6pm
Rescheduled Grand Opening for PYFC
715 Pico Boulevard
Free
Turns out the new home for the Pico Youth and Family Center was not ready to open last month. The Grand Opening is now on October 4th. Silent auction, music, art, appetizers, raffle, and prizes. For more information, please call 310-396-7101 or email yolandita@picocenter.org
Saturday, October 4, 7-9pm
Poetry Reading: Al Young, Poet Laureate of California
Edye Second Space
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
NW Corner of 11th & Santa Monica Boulevard
Free
“Notes on the future of Love: Art and Human Survival.” Al Young, California’s Poet Laureate will discuss and read from a selection of his works.
The “Emphasis Santa Monica” exhibit of leading Santa Monica artists will remain open for viewing in the adjacent SMC Pete & Susan Barrett Art Gallery. Regular gallery hours are 12-5, Tuesdays-Fridays, and 11-4 on Saturdays. The Exhibition ends on October 18th.
Sunday, October 5, 2-5pm
SM Conservancy Landmarks Bus Tour
Parking lot of the Department of Motor Vehicles
2235 Colorado Avenue
Members: $30 per person
Non-members: $35 per person
Joining-members: $45 per person (includes new membership in the SM Conservancy)
Advance reservations are required.
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure. Sorry, no walk-ins.
Founded in 1875, Santa Monica has a history worth exploring!
This comprehensive bus tour covers Santa Monica’s historic treasures, including historic hotels, residences, trees, signs and the Third Street Historic District. Join tour leader Marcello Vavala, architectural historian, on a voyage exploring the city’s most beautiful and fascinating historic places. The tour includes some walking and funds support the Santa Monica Conservancy. For more information, call 310-496-3146 or visit the Santa Monica Conservancy website at www.smconservancy.org
Monday, October 6, 5 – 7:30pm
Campaign Kick Off Party for Measure AA
Back on Broadway
2024 Broadway
This is a fundraiser so donations are encouraged.
I will write about Measure AA: Santa Monica College Career and Education Improvements when I send out Election News. However, briefly, AA will improve job & career training facilities in science, nursing, new media and high tech fields; modernize math and science laboratories; and replace, upgrade and carry out fire and seismic safety upgrades and green building initiatives. AA is supported by the Santa Monica City Council, the Board of Education, the College Board, the Chamber of Commerce, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights, the Santa Monica Democratic Club, Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs, and Community for Excellent Public Schools. For more information on Measure AA, please go to www.yesonmeasureAA.com and come to the Campaign Kick Off Party.
Tuesday, October 7, 8:30 - 10:30 am
Teaching Innovation: Building a Creative Workforce
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, East Wing
1855 Main Street
Guest Speaker Richard J. Deasy is the recently retired director of the Arts Education Partnership (ADP), a coalition of over 100 education, arts, business, philanthropic, and government organizations that demonstrates and promotes the essential role of arts education in enabling all students to succeed in school, life, and work.
Deasy's comments will be followed by a facilitated discussion over breakfast on ways we can develop and maintain Santa Monica's creative workforce.
This workshop builds on the Creative Capital report released earlier this year by the city and is sponsored by the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division in partnership with: the City’s Economic Development Division, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Santa Monica College and the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation.
Attendance is free but reservations are strongly encouraged.
RSVP to: 310/458.8350 or email: hamp.simmons@smgov.net
Friday, October 10, 7pm
Samohi Vikings Football Game at Corsair Field
Santa Monica College, Corsair Field
Tickets: $7.00
SMC’s Corsair Field has been closed since the summer for resurfacing with artificial turf. The new field is now open. Come watch the Santa Monica High School Vikings play their first home game this season on the new field.
The John Adams Middle School field is also receiving a new artificial turf surface and will be opening soon.
Saturday, October 11, 7:30 pm
Opening Night: Frederica von Stade with Kristin Clayton and Jake Heggie
The Broad Stage
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
NW Corner of Santa Monica Boulevard & 11th
Tickets from $75-$350
For Opening Night of the Inaugural Season of the Broad Stage, the Madison Foundation is honored to present famed mezzo soprano, Frederica von Stade, who will be singing her crowd-pleasing repertoire including works by Mozart, Bernstein and Poulenc, as well as new music written especially for her by acclaimed composer and accompanist Jake Heggie. Soprano Kristin Clayton will also premier Heggie's beautiful new piece, At the Statue of Venus, with libretto by Terrence McNally. For reservations, please call (818)461-9244, or visit www.TheBroadStage.com/tickets.
Sunday, October 12, 11:30am
Westside Food Bank’s Hunger Walk
Santa Monica High School Greek Amphitheatre
Validated parking at the Civic Center Parking Structure on 4th Street
Donations
This annual fundraising event benefits the Westside Food Bank. Registration begins at 11:30, Opening ceremonies at 1:15, and the Walk begins at 1:30pm. Last year’s Hunger Walk enabled the Food Bank to provide food for more than 350,000 meals for local people in need. With so many more people needing food assistance this year, we hope to have even greater results from this year’s event.
To make a contribution or to sign up to collect pledges and walk, please go to www.westsidefoodbankca.org or call310-828-6016, ext. 18.
Last minute walkers are welcome! Bring a can of food to help kick-off the Holiday Food Drive.
Tuesday, October 14, 7:00-9:00 PM
Social Deficits: Helping your Child Learn to “Relate”
Franklin Elementary School Library
2400 Montana Avenue
Free
Children with social cognitive deficits have difficulty considering and responding to the perspectives of those around them. This workshop will explore how vital the skill of “Perspective Taking” (also referred to as “Theory of Mind”) is to all social contact and interpretation.
This event is presented by the Franklin PTA Learning Differences and Parent/Teacher Education Group. Meetings are open and free to all interested friends and colleagues. Childcare is available but you must RSVP if you intend to bring your child in order to make sure we maintain an acceptable child/adult ratio in the childcare room.
For more information or to arrange for childcare, please contact Ann Payson at Tel: 310-394-2881 or apayson@paysonulin.com
Thursday, October 16, 7:30pm
Ryan MacEvoy McCullough, Pianist
The Broad Stage
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
NW Corner of Santa Monica Boulevard & 11th
Tickets from $29-$75
Yarlung Artists presents pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough in a lively program featuring Debussy’s Jardin sous la Pluie and Pagodes; Milsz Magin’s Five Preludes for Piano; Haydn’s Sonata Number 33; J.S. Bach’s Prelude and Fuge in C Major; Beethoven’s Sonata No. 15 (Pastoral); and Schubert’s Impromptu in F Minor. For reservations, please call (818)461-9244, or visit www.TheBroadStage.com/tickets.
Friday, October 17, 7:30- 9:30 am
The Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition: Celebrating Success
Fairmont Miramar Hotel
Santa Monica at Ocean and Wilshire Boulevards
$50 per person
This fundraising event for The Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition recognizes formerly homeless individuals and shows how people can and do change their lives with the support of organizations working together to end homelessness and hunger. This year’s breakfast will also honor State Senator Sheila Kuehl whose term expires this fall. For more information and to make reservations, please contact Donna Gentry at 310.828.7010 or GentryEvents@google.com.
Friday, October 17, 7:30pm
Jacaranda
The Broad Stage
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
NW Corner of Santa Monica Boulevard & 11th
Tickets from $39-$75
With “Tipping the Scales,” a program featuring California composers influenenced by Asia, Jacaranda opens its sixth season on The Broad Stage. Program includes Lou Harrison’s music for gamelan orchestra and soloists; John Cage’s Zen-inspired String Quartet; and Harry Partch’s Castor and Pollux. For reservations, please call (818)461-9244, or visit www.TheBroadStage.com/tickets.
Friday, October 17, 8:00 pm
Saturday, October 18, 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, October 19, 2:00 pm
TALK RADIO by Eric Bogosian
Santa Monica College Main Campus, Studio Stage
1900 Pico Boulevard
$10
On the eve of going national to over two hundred radio stations across America, Barry Champlain – an aggressive, abusive shock jock of the Cleveland radio waves – rails against his callers, his colleagues, and himself in a desperate, no-holds-barred attempt to find meaning and connection in the world.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please call (310) 434-4319 or go to www.smc.edu/theatre/ssprods.htm
Saturday, October 18, 7:30pm
A Celebration of the First Amendment
The Broad Stage
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
11th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard
Free. Seating strictly on a first-arrival basis.
This free, one-night only event celebrates one of the greatest gifts our nation’s Founding Fathers gave us: the First Amendment. The Martin Sosin Foundation invites the public to celebrate at a gala show featuring original music, comedy, dramatic readings, historical discussions, and the presentation of the First Amendment Awards.
For more information, please go to www.celebratethefirstamendment.org or contact Martin Sosin at 310-393-6032 for more information.
Sunday, October 19, 11am
West African Performance Ensemble: Futa Toro
The Broad Stage
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
11th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard
Free. Reservations required (310) 434-3200
Futa Toro, a West African performance ensemble, presents an eclectic program of drumming and music, followed by a hands-on drumming workshop for interested audience members. Sponsored by the Ahmanson Foundation.
Thursday, October 20, 2008
LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR NOV 4 ELECTION!
Friday, October 24, 7pm and 9pm
SMC Jazz Concert: Jon Mayer
Edye Second Space
SMC Performing Arts Center
Santa Monica Boulevard at 11th Street.
$10. Seating is strictly on a first-arrival basis.
Jon Mayer, a talented and playful bebop pianist, will bring the Jon Mayer Quartet to SMC and share an evening of delectable sounds. A native New Yorker, Mayer started his illustrious career in New York clubs, jamming with the likes of Pete "LaRoca" Sims and Ray Draper. Over the years, he has worked with iconic legends such as John Coltrane, Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Gladys Knight, and the Manhattan Transfer. He now lives in Southern California and performs in California and Europe.
For information and tickets, please call (310) 434-4323 or (310) 434-3000.
Saturday, October 25, 7:30pm
SMC Music Department Opening Concert
The Broad Stage
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
11th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard
$10
The inaugural Concert for the SMC Music Department at their spectacular new venue, The Broad Stage, will include performances by the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and award-winning Vocal Jazz Ensemble. The concert will close with the Concert Choral joining the Chamber Choir to perform Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with the Orchestra, and the Orchestra will also perform The Corsair Overture written by Dr. David Goodman for the 70th anniversary of Santa Monica College.
Sunday, October 26, 4pm
Musica Angelica
The Broad Stage
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
NW Corner of Santa Monica Boulevard & 11th
Tickets from $39-$75
Music Director, Martin Haselbock leads Souther California’s premier Baroque orchestra, Musica Angelica in a program of concertos. Program features: J.B. Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 4; Vivaldi’s Concerto in C Major for Sopranino Recorder and Strings; Graun’s Double Concerto for Gamba and Violin; Telemann’s Double Concerto for Gamba and Recorder; J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. For reservations, please call (818)461-9244, or visit www.TheBroadStage.com/tickets.
Friday, October 31, 8:00 pm
BUTTERFLY WINGS, World Premiere
Santa Monica College Main Campus, Studio Stage
1900 Pico Boulevard
$10
On the eve of graduation, three college students in wartime America struggle to find a way to live their dreams. But each learns that life has a way of changing in stunning and unexpected ways. Blending reality and fantasy through words and movement, "Butterfly Wings" is a story of love, the search for identity and the interconnectedness of us all.
This play is written by Santa Monica College’s very own award-winning playwright Bruce Smith! :) For more information and to purchase tickets, please call (310) 434-4319 or go to www.smc.edu/theatre/ssprods.htm
I’ve barely scratched the surface of October events....
Santa Monica College is back in full session and has almost daily events and special programs open to the community. To keep abreast of SMC programs, including planetarium shows, performances, and lecture series, please check out the SMC calendar at www.smc.edu/apps/agenda.asp?Q=0&C=agenda
The Santa Monica Public Library is also an excellent resource and venue for lifelong learning events. Library programs and events are easy to find at http://smpl.org/libraryevents.htm
The Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau also posts a useful calendar of happenings that includes Drive In Movies at the Pier and a Saturday morning concert series for young children. Visit and bookmark their calendar at www.santamonica.com/index.php/things_to_do/calendar.html
And, if you haven’t already, please subscribe to the Arts Palette at http://www01.smgov.net/ccs/palette/
And visit the Lifelong Learning Community Calendar at http://smllc.org/calendar.html
And check out the wonderful new The Broad Stage! www.thebroadstage.com
That’s all for now.
Cheers and Onward,
Louise Jaffe
www.smllc.org
If you would like to receive the Lifelong Learning Community eNews, please go to http://smllc.org/subscribe.html
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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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