OVERSEAS TEENS SEEK HOMES; EARLY ENROLLMENT OFFERS HOST FAMILIES CHOICES.

Byline: KAREN THACKER Community Columnist 

Now is the best time to volunteer to host a foreign exchange student for the next school year if you want to have a say in who will stay at your home.

Teen-agers from China, Europe, Brazil, Japan and Taiwan are among those wishing to spend five or 10 months in an American home while attending high school during the 1999-2000 term.

The American Scandinavian Student Exchange, which actually hosts students from all over the world, is now taking applications for host families.

``The advantage to doing it early is families can do a wish list of their interests, sports, or music, and they can request a certain kid from a certain country,'' said Donna Bennett, the local ASSE coordinator. ``It allows them more choice.''

Families can communicate with their future guest via telephone, mail or fax.

``You can get a relationship going before the kids get here,'' Bennett said.

The youths speak English and are between the ages of 15 and 18, have good academic records, their own health insurance and spending money.

Families are asked to provide a home and food to the teen-agers, who will attend high school and are allowed to play sports or get involved with other school activities.

The youths will arrive in late August and stay for either a five- or 10-month span.

Those interested can contact Bennett at [phone] or by fax at [phone].

LANCASTER - The four-day window for entering the 14th annual Juried All Media Art Exhibition will begin today.

From today through Saturday, artists can bring up to three works to the Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery to enter in the competition, which will showcase aspiring and recognized artists around the Antelope Valley.

All mediums, styles and subject matter are acceptable.

On Jan. 27, judges will announce the works to be displayed in the exhibit, which will start Feb. 6. Winners of $950 in awards from several local organizations will be announced during an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. to Feb. 6.

The Juried All Media Art Exhibition will run through March 14.

All work must be original and created in the past three years. For a complete list of rules, pick up an application at the museum-art gallery, 44801 Sierra Highway, or call [phone].

PALMDALE - Another chance to see local art work will be at the Photographers Exhibition, which recently opened at the Palmdale Playhouse Gallery.

To view the work, visitors must call to make an appointment. The works also can be seen by playgoers attending scheduled events at the playhouse, 38334 10th St. E.

The show will run through Feb. 28.