When the war between Iran and Iraq expanded into the main cities, Arsi Nami was about four years old. His family lived in the ancient, cultural city of Shiraz, Iran. Every day warplanes flew, dropping their bombs on residential areas and killing innocent, defenseless civilians.

In 2012, Sara Taksler, one of the senior producers for The Daily Show met an interesting guest on Jon Stewart’s show. He was Bassem Youssef, an Egyptian cardiac surgeon who had decided to quit his job at the hospital and become a political satirist on TV.

Southern California has been mired in an epic drought since 2012. Our hills have been painted drab brown through these dry seasons, but the recent rains have changed all that. The drought is over and the rain has brought new, vibrant colors along with it.

Point Dume is located just a short 30-minute drive along the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica College. Once there, you’ll be greeted by a picturesque view of the Pacific Ocean, golden yellow flowers, and, if you’re lucky, migrating whales. The point’s close location and scenic qualities make it the perfect after-school adventure for the curious SMC Student.

Among all the art shows scattered all over Los Angeles, none give you a sense of vast of openness and wonder like The 14th Factory. Its artists have come all the way from Hong Kong, China to bring 14 large-scale and interactive installations. The gallery was conceived by Hong Kong-based British artist Simon Birch and built in a three-acre warehouse in Downtown Los Angeles.

“We start off every week by asking: ‘Brutha Gimel, what did you do this weekend?’” It’s a loaded question that Shihan Van Clief, the host and co- founder of Da Poetry Lounge, asks in front of an audience of more than 250 people. Some are like family, loyal artists and listeners who have been attending for more than a decade. Others are essentially strangers, first-timers -- like voyagers in a foreign land.

As if 90s nostalgia wasn’t already going strong these days, it's been further kicked into overdrive with the release of the live-action adaptation of Disney's 1991 classic animated film "Beauty and the Beast."

Almost 90-years ago, "Frankenstein" scared the heck out of movie audiences and helped make Universal Pictures Horror a brand name. Now, Universal's reputation for freaking people out has been further enhanced with “Get Out,” a terrifying, fascinating and hilarious film that's the latest in a long line of horror genre box-office winners from the studio.

Being a mother is a hard job that no book can prepare you for and college can be stressful for any student to complete. What happens when you are faced with both experiences at the same time?

Jes Baker, author of the book “Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls,” stood in front of Room 165 in Santa Monica College’s HSS Building. She smiled as students filed into the room, taking their seats in the rows of the amphitheater-styled lecture hall. Behind her, the projected screen read, “Change the World, Love Your Body. The Social Impact of Self-Love.”

Revolver Gallery in Santa Monica wants you for Andy Warhol Revisited, a touring exhibition celebrating the iconic artists work and life in, this, the 30th anniversary of his untimely death in 1987. With over 200 artworks, this interactive retrospective is a once in a lifetime exhibit featuring Andy’s pop era works of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s; the soup cans, Maos and Marilyns… it’s all there.

Students from all over the Greater Los Angeles Area, the country, and the world flock to Santa Monica College for its highly coveted transfer rates. But, SMC students often don’t know what the process is truly like.

The movie-rental store Vidiots has closed the doors at its Santa Monica location, after weathering three decades of dramatic change in the way Santa Monica residents watch movies.

Amazon Studios new series Z: The Beginning of Everything is the show you never knew you needed.