Fall festival flyerThis week, BUSted!, a storytelling show about living in L.A. without a car, is back at its monthly Santa Monica venue; you can help women escaping domestic abuse by donating handbags and toiletries all month long; and Santa Monica’s Fall Festival is at Virginia Avenue Park.

BUSted! is Back at Hostelling Intl in Downtown Santa Monica

Join host Scott Schultz and a lineup of comedians and storytellers for a fun — and free — evening of tales about getting around L.A. without a car, put on with the support of Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus.

“Santa Monica shows are legendary for their unpredictability, and we also broaden the topic to include all cities, since we are at an international travelling hostel. These shows are always fun, and we have heard some amazing stories at the beach events! We partner up with our friends at Santa Monica Big Blue Bus for the beach shows,” according to the event’s Facebook page.

“You’ll hear tales of freaks, creeps, rock and roll stars and ordinary people riding the busses and trains, bicycling, walking and skating their way across the vast metropolis. These true stories told by comedians, musicians, writers and regular green commuters, will make you laugh, cry and/or freak you out,” the event description reads.

BUSted! is a recipient of the “EMERGING IDEAS AWARD” at the New Urbanism Film Festival. LA Weekly says, “The humorous and occasionally moving tales become as much a celebration of ditching a car as commiseration over its frustrations.”

When: Thursday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Rapp Saloon at Hostelling International, 1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica

Help Women Escape Domestic Violence with Handbags of hope

The Santa Monica Police Department is asking for your help getting essential items to women escaping domestic violence.

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday this month, between 2 and 7 p.m., you can bring new or “gently used” handbags filled with essential items to SMPD’s public safety facility at 333 Olympic Drive. The SMPD asks that you fill your donated handbag with the following essential items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and a $15 gift card.

All donations will be delivered to local domestic violence agencies, according the SMPD. For more information, call (310) 458-8474 or visit handbagsofhopeacrossamerica.com.

When: Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday in October, between 2 and 7 p.m.
Where: 333 Olympic Drive, Santa Monica

Fall Festival Comes to Virginia Avenue Park

This Saturday, October 17, head down to Virginia Avenue Park from 3 to 7 p.m. for some autumnal fun.

Bring your friends and family to Virginia Avenue Park to celebrate the season with traditional fall games and activities; including a hay bale maze, pumpkin carving demonstrations, a Halloween costume swap, storytelling, juggling, and learn how to country dance,” officials said in an email.

“The event will also feature the annual Santa Monica College Glass Pumpkin Sale and the Westside Repair Café (sign up at www.smgov.net/r3 ). As dusk comes to Virginia Avenue Park the fun will continue to light up the night with a glow-in-the-dark costume parade, illuminated jack-o-lanterns and even a glowing juggling performance,” the email said.

Walking and biking are encouraged. Also, Virginia Avenue Park is serviced by Big Blue Bus route 7 (Pico Blvd). For more information, visit www.smgov.net/vapark. You can check out a PDF version of the flyer here.

When: Saturday, October 17 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Where: Virginia Avenue Park, 2201 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica

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