Santa Monica, a Lifelong Learning Community
Lifelong Learning Community News - SEPTEMBER 2008...
Fall 2008 classes at Santa Monica College began on August 25 and all Santa Monica Malibu Public Schools began classes September 2nd. I guess that means that summer is over. I hope you enjoyed yours...
SMC’s Any Line, Any Time program, which allows every SMC student and/or employee with a valid SMC ID to ride for free, anytime, on any Big Blue Bus line, is now in operation. This groundbreaking program is designed to reduce traffic congestion and parking demand, and to improve air quality and public transit service while maintaining access to higher education. It’s a great program – win, win, win, win, win!
Also new at SMC – the beautiful new quad has opened and Corsair field is being resurfaced with artificial turf. If you haven’t been on the Main SMC Campus lately, please come by some time to see the recent improvements.
And of course, this month, SMC is also opening The Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center on Santa Monica Boulevard and 11th Street. (More info on Broad Stage offerings to follow.)
SMMUSD begins the school year with many new leaders at the district and school site levels. Interim Superintendent Tim Cuneo stepped in in July and has been working with staff to prepare for a successful new school year. Santa Monica High School has two new House Principals: Lawrence Boone II, and Leslie Wells join continuing House Principals Wendy Wax Gellis, Greg Runyon, Eva Mayoral, and Jose Iniguez. Malibu High has a new Assistant Principal in Jennifer Tedford. Suzanne Webb is the new principal of Lincoln Middle School, Tristan Komlos is the new principal at John Muir Elementary, and Amy Teplin is the new Assistant VP for McKinley Elementary. Martha Duran-Contreras is now working at the district level as Principal on Special Assignment in Educational Services. Welcome, Congratulations, and Good Luck/Best Wishes to all of you!
Results from last year’s California Standardized Testing have also come in and our schools and students continue to make progress and outscore other California districts. For more information on how SMMUSD students are doing, as measured by state standardized tests, please read “Students Post High Marks” in the Daily Press at http://www.smdp.com/site/archives/081808.pdf. You can also see the State report for our District at
http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2008/viewreport.asp?ps=true&lstCounty=19
The School District and SMC are following the State budget stalemate with increasing anxiety. Both institutions have built up healthy reserves in the last few years that are helping us weather the inaction in Sacramento. However, both rely primarily on state funding so the failure of the legislature to pass a budget is, to say the least, worrisome.
There are several online improvements and additions to our lifelong learning community ---
The City of Santa Monica has updated its website. If you haven’t visited lately, please go to http://www.smgov.net/ and spend some time surfing the new format and expanded content in areas of interest to you.
Santa Monica Connect: Get Connected with the City Around You
The City’s Human Services Department, following the success of the Art Palette (http://www.smgov.net/ccs/palette), is developing another e-Newsletter, The Connection, to help residents find services and offerings available to them. Santa Monica supports more than 30 non-profit organizations, including job assistance programs, health care programs, performing arts groups, artist residencies, museums and galleries, child care and assistance programs and more.
Santa Monica Connect links several elements:
- www.SantaMonicaConnect.org, a website with blog
- The Palette, http://www01.smgov.net/ccs/palette/, a free weekly arts-and-culture email newsletter
- The Connection, a free monthly human services email newsletter
- Links to more than 30 participating non-profit organizations supported by the City of Santa Monica
- Regular blog postings by 10 youth reporters sent out to report on their community.
Please go to http://www.santamonicaconnect.org/blog/ to check it out and to sign up for The Palette and The Connection.
Senior Resource Directory and Quick Reference Guide now posted online
The Emeritus College Senior Resource Guide and the Older Adult Task Force Quick Reference Guide are located online on the library website at http://www.smpl.org/depts/pub/seniors.htm and on the Emeritus College website at http://www.smc.edu/emeritus/ (click Resource Guide).These guides serve as companion pieces to help older adults and caregivers find resources available in Santa Monica and the Westside. Printed copies of both are also available. Many thanks to SMC, Emeritus College and the Lifelong Learning Community Older Adult Task Force (OATF) for updating the resource directory and developing a new format (describing common situations and resources available to help) for the Quick Reference Guide. Older Adult Task Force members are available to make informative presentations about resources available to help older adults and their families to local organizations, congregations, service clubs, etc. Please let me know if your organization would be interested in receiving such a presentation and I will happily forward your interest along to our wonderful OATF.
And now for a few special September Lifelong Learning Community Events:
Saturday, September 6, 7– 11am
Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast
Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club
1238 Lincoln Boulevard
Tickets available at the door
This annual event benefits the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club and other youth serving local organizations. And the pancakes are good!
Monday, September 8, 6:30pm
PTA Council Special Education Committee
District Board Room
1651 16th Street
The newly formed PTA Council Special Education Committee has continued to work over the summer. New members are still welcome to join.
Saturday, September 13, 3-6pm
Grand Opening
Pico Youth & Family Center
715 Pico Boulevard
Free
This is the Grand Opening of the new Pico Youth & Family Center. Ribbon cutting ceremony at 4pm. Silent auction, music, live art, appetizers, raffle, and prizes. For more information, please call 310-396-7101 or email yolandita@picocenter.org.
Saturday, September 13, 6-9pm
Emphases Santa Monica
Artists Reception
Pete and Susan Barrett Art Gallery
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
NW corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and 11th Street
Free
The art show – featuring the incredible talents of 49 Santa Monica artists – ranging from John Baldessari to Barbara Drucker to Frank Gehry – coincides with the grand opening of the 499-seat Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center, where the art gallery is located. Curated by Bruria Finkel, the exhibition runs through October 18, Tuesdays – Fridays, noon-5pm, Saturdays, 11-4pm.
For more information on the exhibition, please go to http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2008/August-
2008/08_22_08_Exhibit_Showcases_Top_Santa_Monica_Artists.htm
or call (310) 434-3434.
Sunday, September 14, 12- 4pm
7th Annual Taste of Santa Monica
Santa Monica Pier
Entrance tickets: $40 presale/$45 at the door for adults, $10 for Children 4-10, $20 for students with valid student ID
This fun-filled food festival is hosted by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and features an eclectic mix of up to 40 local restaurants serving dishes sure to tease one’s taste buds. All food at the event is included with their entrance ticket.
Coastal Cleanup Day
Saturday, September 20, 9am - noon
Santa Monica Beach
Free
With more than 12,000 volunteers expected to participate at more than 70 cleanup sites throughout Los Angeles County, Coastal Cleanup Day is set to celebrate its 24th anniversary as "the largest volunteer day on the planet." The City of Santa Monica and Heal the Bay team up for this international environmental cleanup day. For more information, please visit healthebay.org or call 310-4358-2201 x 5266.
Saturday, September 20, 6pm-10:30pm
The Broad Stage Inaugural Gala
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
1310 11th Street
At last! This evening marks the official opening of Santa Monica’s newest and most state-of-the art performance venue, The Broad Stage. In the words of Dustin Hoffman, "The Westside of Los Angeles has never had anything of its kind...It's a stage for dance, opera, musicals, yet it's an intimate theater. It looks great."
The Gala opening event features an alfresco soiree, a ribbon cutting ceremony, performance by legendary American songstress Barbara Cook, and an after-party. For more information on the Gala, please call 310-434-3411.
To see the schedule and to purchase tickets for the inaugural season, please go to www.thebroadstage.com/ or www.thebroadstage.com/tickets and click on program listings. New performances, including performances for The Edye Second Space, will be posted soon.
The opening of this beautiful facility is a milestone in the cultural and artistic life of Santa Monica. Congratulations to everyone who helped make it possible and to everyone who will enjoy it for years and years to come!
Thursday, September 25, 9am-2pm
Y Senior Open House
Santa Monica YMCA
1332 6th Street
Free
The older adult program at the Santa Monica YMCA includes exercise classes, lap pool, “Twinges in the Hinges” water exercise classes, volunteer opportunities, social activities, lectures, “healthy lifestyle” programs, special events, pot lucks, specialty workshops, and a 12-week enhancement program. The Y Senior Open House features tours, exercise classes for free, and health seminars. Scholarships are available for people who can’t afford regular fees. For more information, please contact Lidia at 310-393-2721 or email her at lidiam@ymcasm.org.
Friday, September 26 & Saturday, September 27, 10am-5pm
Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
Free
This is the 3rd annual AltCar Expo, the West Coast’s largest presentation of alternative fuel vehicles and innovative transportation options. This free two-day conference features multiple speakers, panel discussions, over 150 exhibits, and a Ride & Drive Area for hands-on experience with all technologies. For exhibitor listings and speakers/panels schedules, please go to www.altcarexpo.com
Saturday, September 27, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Pico Art Walk and Vintage Auto Festival
Pico Boulevard between Centinela and Main Street
Free
Free parking available at Santa Monica College
Stay green this September at the 3rd Annual Pico Art Walk and Vintage Car Festival! Help the environment by walking, riding your bike, or taking one of the two London style double decker buses which will pick up and drop off at various points of interest between Centinela and Main Street.
Galleries and studios will open their doors to showcase their works of art as well as create new art and demonstrate creative techniques.
Additionally, Virginia Avenue Park will host artists and children’s art activities with a stage sponsored by the Grammys for musical performances all day and tasty food sponsored by various local restaurants providing a “Taste of Pico”. For car lovers, cars of the past and the future is another highlight this year with the Vintage Auto Festival in the SGI parking lot and not to be missed is the exhibition of cars that run on alternative fuel sources in the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.
Saturday, September 27,
3pm - Gallery Talk: Jazz Giants Photographer Herman Leonard
6-8pm – Opening Reception for Jazz Giants Photography Exhibition
Santa Monica College Main Campus
Gallery Talk will be held in the Humanities & Social Science Buiilding, Room 165
Exhibition and Opening Reception in the Photography Gallery, second floor of Drescher Hall
1900 Pico Boulevard
Free
The Santa Monica College Photography Gallery is proud to present "Jazz Giants: The Photography of Herman Leonard," which includes some of the most prized iconic images ever taken of the jazz scene, Sept. 9-Oct. 18. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (310) 434-4289.
Herman Leonard is an award-winning photographer best known for his images of the jazz scene of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Collector's items, the photographs of such jazz legends as Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Quincy Jones and many others are in the collections of the Smithsonian and other museums and archives.
The Herman Leonard Jazz Archive was established in 2007 and in 2008 was awarded a Grammy Foundation Grant for Archiving and Preservation.
There are many, many more events occurring in September...
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, don’t forget to 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
That’s all for now.
Thank you for forwarding this email to others who may be interested.
Enjoy the rest of the summer.
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
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
HOMEPAGE
CALENDAR
LLC LINKS
NEWSLETTER
CALL TO ACTION
GOALS FOR A
MASTER PLAN
IMPORTANT RESEARCH
INFORM US