The Rainmaker - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

The cast of “The Rainmaker” staring Tanna Frederick and Robert Standley perform at the   Edgemar Center for the Arts on Friday, March 15, 2013. The cast also includes Benjamin Chamberlain, David Garver, Ralph Guzzo, Steve Howard and Scott Roberts. The show is directed by Jack Heller and produced by Alexandra Guarnieri.  Stage manager: Thomas Zoeschg. Set design: Chris Stone. Hair and make-up design: Stefani Davis.

“The Rainmaker” focuses largely on the fate of Lizzie, who lives on a family farm with her brothers and father in the Dust Bowl during the Depression. She capably takes care of the men in her house, but there’s an emptiness in her life. She has no one of her own, and she dreams of a husband and children. A visit to her cousins, actually a failing attempt to find a prospective mate, has left her more frustrated than ever. The recurrent reminders that she is considered “plain” by her family and herself do not relieve her fears of winding up as the “maiden aunt.” The Curry farm, like all those around them, is impacted by a withering and persistent drought. Suddenly, a charismatic stranger named Starbuck appears, claiming that he can make the clouds come and the rains fall. “The Rainmaker” is about love, desire and magic, and expresses these themes so resonantly that the play has been translated into forty languages since it premiered on Broadway in 1954.

The Rainmaker runs Thursday through Saturday until May 19, 2013.

Marc and Adeline, who hail from France, are touring the world on their tandem bike. They have been traveling for the past 2 years. They began their trip in France on April 2011, and plan on finishing their round the world bike trip in May of 2014, having traveled 30,447 miles. For more info on their journey visit: http://www.letandemetlavie.fr/

Crew from G.F. Concrete Cutting, inc., remove the sidewalk on the Santa Monica Pier on Friday, March 15, 2013. The Santa Monica Pier is currently being reconfigured to only have a single wider pedestrian walkway on the north side of the pier and two car lanes on the south side. A concrete barrier will be installed between the vehicle lanes and the pedestrian walkway. The construction is expected to be completed by March 22, 2013.

St. Baldrick's Day 2013 - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Fundraisers get the heads shaved by Vidal Sassoon Academy students at Barney's Beanery during St. Baldrick's Day on Thursday, March 14, 2013.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer organization that hosts events throughout the country to raise money to fund pediatric cancer research. Volunteers agree to shave their heads in solidarity and support of kids who lose their hair due to the harsh after-effects of chemo treatments.

Laurel Rosen, President and CEO of Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, presents the 2013 Sustainable Quality Award Grand Prize to Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Misti Kerns at the Sheraton Delfina Hotel on Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

The Sustainable Quality Awards Program was created and implemented to recognize businesses and organizations which implement sustainable practices in the natural and built environments, social responsibility and economic development.

"Since the launch of the Sustainable Quality Awards 18 years ago, we have recognized more than 100 local businesses - that is quite an awesome achievement! The SQA program allows us to applaud these businesses and highlight how they make a difference in our local community," says Shannon Parry, assistant director for the Office of Sustainability and the Environment for the City of  Santa Monica.

The number of applicants for the 18th annual Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA) reached a new record at 19 finalists.

"We are thrilled to honor businesses that have thrived through the adoption of more sustainable practices," said Laurel Rosen, President and CEO of Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. "It is our hope that the Sustainable Quality Awards inspire other businesses and individuals to adopt their own environmental measures to help conserve our natural resources here in Santa Monica."

2013 SQA Grand Prize Winners

Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau - works to maximize the visitor experience, increase tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination.

Tiato & An Catering - healthy, delicious, and eco-chic dining and catering experience that enhances lifestyle and well-being.

yogitoes - a creative yoga products company making sustainable yoga tools by integrating need with design.

Excellence Award - Economic Development

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium - a marine-education center providing interactive experience and public education to inspire stewardship of the environment and marine conservation.

Payroll Centric™ - a supplier of integrated workforce management solutions, primarily payroll, designed to increase productivity, improve employee retention and reduce expenses.

Excellence Award - Social Responsibility

Central Parking - a professional parking management firm operating nation-wide in structures, open lots and pay-by space lots.

HGA Architects and Engineers - an integrated architecture, engineering and planning firm.

Payroll Centric™- a supplier of integrated workforce management solutions, primarily payroll, designed to increase productivity, improve employee retention and reduce expenses.

Excellence Award - Stewardship of the Natural Environment

The Ambrose - the Ambrose offers a touch of holistic hospitality by blending upscale tranquility with affordable luxury and low impact hotel practices.

Bru's Wiffle - A Waffle Joint - a cozy, bright yellow Waffle Joint where everything is made from scratch, using only the freshest and finest ingredients.

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium- a marine-education center providing interactive experience and public education to inspire stewardship of the environment and marine conservation.

HGA Architects and Engineers - an integrated architecture, engineering and planning firm.

Hostelling International - LA / Santa Monica - an eco-friendly, high-end hostel experience two blocks from the beach.

Santa Monica Place - a modern, open-air shopping destination featuring Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and a contemporary mix of shops and visionary restaurants.

Three Squares Inc. - a globally recognized environmental consulting firm. The Women in Green Forum, highlighting women's impact on the environmental arena, is TSI's flagship conference.

The Sustainable Quality Awards is  a collaboration between the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Sustainable Works and the City of Santa Monica.

Mike, who is "working undercover," promotes Mattress Connection on Wilshire Boulevard on Monday, March 11, 2013.

Mac Akasaka, 64, Chairman of the "Smile Therapy Association Foundation," performs at the Third Street Promenade on Sunday, March 10, 2013. Mac is a Japanese political activist and perennial candidate. He has run for various political offices in recent years, including the Minato City Assembly (2007), the House of Representatives (2007, 2009, and 2010), Governor of Tokyo (2007 and 2012), Governor of Osaka Prefecture (2011), and Governor of Niigata Prefecture (2012), running as the candidate of the "Smile Party" (スマイル党). In these elections he has become known for flamboyant election speeches, often in costume, and for staging impromptu concerts in public areas such as central Shibuya.