Santa Monica, a Lifelong Learning Community
Lifelong Learning Community News - MARCH 2008...
The late GREAT news for our lifelong learning community is that voters approved Measure R with a remarkable 72% of the vote. This overwhelming renewal of two expiring parcel taxes speaks volumes about our regard and support for high quality public schools. We are all very fortunate to live in such an enlightened community.
Please take a deep breath and enjoy this extraordinary victory.
Now, turning to the state budget....
The state budget has a $16 billion deficit for next year and that means severe cuts for public education. Even with the passage of Measure R and assured local funding, our schools will need to make difficult and painful cuts to achieve a balanced budget. Stay tuned....
New SMMUSD website now up!!!
To help you stay tuned, the school district has updated its website. Please spend a few minutes checking out the new site at http://smmusd.org/
Goodbyes....
Rhonda Meister, Executive Director of St. Joseph Center, is leaving her position after 23 years as of March 31. Rhonda has been a thoughtful, compassionate, and effective leader for St. Joseph and the men, women, and families they serve. She will most definitely be missed. Good luck, Rhonda, and thank you! And, welcome to the center’s new Executive Director Va Lecia Adams.
Craig Perkins, Director of Santa Monica’s Environmental and Public Works Management has also decided to make a change and has taken a new position as the executive director of Energy Coalition, a non profit based in Irvine. His last day with Santa Monica is March 14th. During his tenure here, Craig established Santa Monica as a leader in environmental and sustainability policies. He leaves us with an amazing legacy of strong policies, practices, and precedents to follow. For more information on Craig’s work here in Santa Monica, please go to http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2008/January-2008/01_28_2008_Citys_Public_Works_Head_Resigns.htm
Continuing with the subject of environmental leadership...
SMC President Chui Tsang has signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, committing SMC to climate neutrality. For more information on the Presidents Climate Commitment and SMC’s most recent sustainability efforts, please go to http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2008/February-2008/02_04_08_SMC_Signs_Climate_Pact.htm
More news....
The Center for Healthy Aging and WISE have merged to become Wise and Healthy Aging. For services, tools, and resources for seniors, their caretakers and families, please visit the new website at www.wiseandhealthyaging.org
Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center has a new Birth Place! Construction continues at both of our local hospitals but progress is being made. The new Birth Place at SM/UCLA is now open. For more information, please call Lynn Sullivan at 310-319-4947.
Kindergarten Round Ups Happening Now!
Santa Monica and Malibu residents with young children can attend Kindergarten Round ups at all of our public schools, featuring Kindergarten Orientation, Tours, and Registration, Meet the Kindergarten Teachers, Meet the Principal, Visit Classrooms, and Find Out About Before and After School Care. For the full schedule, visit http://smmusd.org/pupil_services/pdf/KinderRoundup0708.pdf
Bring your child's birth certificate, health records, and verification of residence in Santa Monica or Malibu (gas, water, or electric bill).
Special special events...
Thursday, March 6, 7:00-8:00pm
“Are You a Tweener?”
Santa Monica Main Public Library
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free. Registration required.
Please call (310) 458-8600 and ask for Judith.
“Are You a Tweener?” Your Library wants to Know!
If you're about 44 to 50 years of age or born between 1958 & 1964, we want to hear from YOU! UCLA Prof. Virginia Walter leads a focus group to hear what you want from your library.
For more information, please go to http://www.smpl.org/pdf/PR_Tweener.pdf
or contact the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600.
Thursday, March 6 & Friday, March 7, 7:30
Stairway of the Stars
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
1855 Main Street, Santa Monica
Tickets $10
SMMUSD’s annual Stairway of the Stars showcases all district honor orchestras and choirs, high school jazz ensemble, middle and high school orchestras, choirs, and bands. These students, their instructors, and our school programs are amazing. You have to see it to believe it. This year’s Guest Conductor and Award Recipient is Christopher Schwabe. Tickets sell out. For more information, including how to purchase tickets, please go to http://smmusd.org/vapa/stairway/index.html
Saturday, March 8, all day
SUPER SEUSS-A-BRATION!
Santa Monica Main Public Library
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free
Help the Library celebrate everyone's favorite doctor—Dr. Seuss—with this day-long slate of fun activities. Crafts, face-painting, movies, readings from actors, pictures with the Cat in the Hat, refreshments, and tons more. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Go to http://www.smplkids.org/program_calendar/kids_cal.pdf for more information on this and other library programs for children.
Sunday, March 9, 1:00-6:00pm
Unity Resource Festival
Virginia Avenue Park
2200 Virginia Avenue
Free
The event theme is Uniting Youth and Families and this free festive event will include entertainment by La.Dee.Dred (Reggae/Soul), COOP Inc. (jazz), the John Adams Middle School Jazz Band, Hanoolim/Poongmul Drummers from UCLA, hip hop artists SoulReal featuring Anhel from Click, Leila Steinberg - Spoken Word and Mike Shaughnessy. There will be something fun for everyone! Hosted by Virginia Avenue Park, Santa Monica College and the Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay Area.
Sunday, March 9,
Santa Monica Symphony
Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm
Concert at 7:30 pm
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
Free
Parking entrance on Main St. just north of Pico
At this free concert, the Santa Monica Symphony will be performing music by Weber, Dvorak, and Brahms. For more information, please go http://www.SMSymphony.org
Wednesday, March 12, 6:30pm
Greening the Curriculum: Conceptual Foundations of Ecological Literacy for Global Citizenship
Santa Monica College Bundy Campus
Room 123
Free
Join Amber Katherine, philosophy instructor at SMC, for a multidisciplinary panel discussion on modern Western views of “nature,” “humanity,” and “global citizenship.”
Saturday, March 15, 8am-3pm
Latina/o Youth Conference
John Adams Middle School & Santa Monica College
Free
The Santa Monica College Latino Center is proud to announce its 18th annual Latina/o Youth Conference, open to Latino and Latina high school students. Slated for the day will be workshops, Career & College Expo, peer panel discussions, speakers, food and entertainment.
Registration and breakfast are from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at John Adams Middle School, located at 17th and Pearl streets in Santa Monica across the street from SMC. The keynote speaker will deliver his address from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The remainder of the day's activities will be on the SMC main campus.
At the expo, attendees will have the opportunity to speak to representatives from several colleges and universities - including UCLA, University of California at Santa Cruz, SMC and more - as well as to Latinos and Latinas in a wide variety of professions.
The conference attracts as many as 600 attendees each year.
For pre-registration and information, please call (310) 434-8520 or go to www.smc.edu/latinayouthconference
Saturday, March 15, 8:30am-noon
Town Hall Meeting: The Emerging Voice of Early Memory Loss
First United Methodist Church
1008 11th Street
Pre-registration required.
$10 – person with early memory loss
$10 – family member or friend
$25 – professional
Connect with others who are coping with early memory loss; discuss the issues that matter most to you; and help the Alzheimer’s Association learn how to best serve the growing numbers of people living with early memory loss. The Early Memory Loss Panel will feature a clinician, a physician, and a person with early memory loss. To register, please call Yvette Lopez, Alzheimer’s Assoication at 323-930-6244.
Saturday, March 29, 2:00 p.m.
Introduction to Elderhostel
Fairview Branch Library
Free
The world’s leading not-for-profit educational organization provides learning opportunities for people 55 and older. Hiking through the Grand Canyon, birding in Costa Rica or rebuilding homes on the Gulf Coast–there really is something for everyone!. My parents enjoyed many wonderful programs with this reasonably priced organization.
Friday, March 28, 7pm
Jazz: Phil Ranelin Quintet
Santa Monica College Main Campus Concert Hall
1900 Pico Boulevard
Tickets are $12
Named L.A. Weekly's Best Jazz Artist of 2005, trombonist/composer Ranelin brings his quintet to spin masterful improvisations at SMC. For more information or reservations, call (310) 434-3000.
Friday, March 28 & Saturday, March 29, 8pm
Sunday, March 30, 2pm
"Aida"
Santa Monica College, Theater Arts Main Stage
1900 Pico Boulevard
Tickets range from $12-$18.
Broadway's hit pop-rock musical, with music by Elton John, that offers a contemporary take on the grand classic tale of the love between a soldier and an enslaved princess. For more information, please call (310) 434-3000.
Saturday, March 29, 1:00-5:00pm
Santa Monica Airport Avenue Art Walk
Airport Avenue, Santa Monica Airport
(between 23rd and Bundy)
Free
Come explore the many galleries and art studios along Airport Avenue including the SMC ceramics studio and works by SMC mentor art students. Call (310) 434-4303.
There’s much more! Again, let me encourage you to check out the lifelong learning community calendar at http://smllc.org/calendar.html and to use the links to keep up with the different organizations’ and theaters’ regular special events.
And subscribe to the Santa Monica art pallette at http://www.smgov.net/ccs/palette/ for a weekly e-update on local arts happenings.
Thanks, 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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