The Christmas tree shines bright at the California Heritage Museum during the Main Street Tree lighting ceremony and Holiday Party on Saturday, December 1, 2012.

Candy Cane Drive - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Santa Claus came to town very early this year escorted by Santa Monica firefighters and police officers for the twentieth annual "Candy Cane Drive” on Saturday, December 1, 2012.

Operational Managers MaryPat Cooney and Ruth Gordon ring bells at the Santa Monica History Museum on Thursday, November 29, 2012. The exhibit showcases dozens of antique bells from around the world.

A Pedicab give a passenger a ride along the Santa Monica boardwalk on Saturday, November 17, 2012.

Public Relations coach Judy Lynes walks on the TreadDesk while working at her desk at the Phelps Agency on Thursday, November 29, 2012. The Tread Desk allows you to integrate exercise right into your workday. By walking at only 1.0 mph most users can type and talk on the phone just like when sitting down, however they are burning an additional 100 calories per hour even when walking at these slow speeds. Lynes averages 4 to 5 miles per day on the TreadDesk.

Artist/designer and Belgium transplant Chase paints a mural entitled, "The Inside is the Outside"at 1929 Main Street on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.

As a public service, Chase paints free murals around the world. Always working in collaboration with the local business and property owners, the murals are intended as gifts to the neighborhoods in which they are painted. The focus of the murals are to bring color, humor and uplifting messages to the people.

Chase is currently concentrated on 3 mural campaigns:

The Remember Who You Are Campaign depicts young children with the text next to them saying: ‘Remember Who You Are’. The intent behind the murals is to inspire people to think back and reconnect with a state of being that we all enjoyed when we were children, a state of being that was filled with joy, truth, love and wonder for the world around us.  Furthermore, the Remember Who You Are Campaign also reminds us that we should always remember who we are, where we came from and not to lose sight of where we are going.

The Awareness Geezers Campaign depicts colorful characters who have stumbled upon spirituality and awareness not by following the suggested path in life, but rather by having created their own path, guided by their sense of adventure and an ‘irreducible element of rascality’. The Awareness Geezers bring with them the fruits of their experiences in the form of uplifting messages such as ‘You Can’t Until You Say You Can’, ‘Goodness is the Only Investment that Never Fails’, and ‘Go Without if You Don’t Go Within’. The messages are designed to inspire soul-searching conversations with one’s self or with others.

The Campaign for the Absurd is a series of mural installations that consist of objects placed in wacky and unexpected juxtapositions. Upon further examination, these humorous paintings reveal a hidden meaning.

In October 2006, Italian Vogue named Chase one of their favorite artists in the world amongst Banksy, Shephard Fairey and Space Invader. Since then Chase has been featured in more than 40 magazines from over 6 countries.

Some of Chase’s past clients include Nickelodeon, Flip Skateboards, Altamont, Guess, Puma, Sobe, Western Union, Adidas, Levi’s, Scion, Acura, Hot Kiss, Bloomingdale’s, GenArt, and Palmer Snowboards.

With over 200 murals painted in the greater Los Angeles area and in cities around the world, appearances on TV and in magazines, and with his limited edition items available at select stores worldwide, Chase’s work has been seen by millions.

Santa Monica’s Police ChiefJacqueline Seabrooks and Fire Chief Scott Ferguson bowl during a press conference for the 17th Annual SuperBowl-A-Thon at AMF Bay Shore Lanes on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. This year's SuperBowl-A-Thon will be held on Feb. 1, 2013. Proceeds from SuperBowl-A-Thon benefits the Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition’s efforts to strengthen services to homeless and at-risk men, women and families through education, advocacy and service coordination. This year’s SuperBowl-A-Thon top sponsors, include Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica and CapitalSource Bank—the full sponsor list will be published closer to the February event.

A group of 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrids drive down the Santa Monica Pier during the ‘Think Blue. World Championship 2012’ competition on Tuesday, November 27, 2012. The drivers competed in a fuel efficiency challenge from San Francisco to Santa Monica. Driver who completed the run with the lowest fuel consumption was the winner. There were 17 countries competing in the race. Germany took first place with a mileage of 49.9 miles per gallon. The Volkswagen fuel saving championship shows that environmentally aware driving is just as challenging as any other driving competition – but much better for the environment. More conscious driving can cut fuel consumption by up to 25%.