Ryan Morris fills in the answer to the question on the community mural project entitled, "Before I Die" at the Flying Saucers Cafe on Thursday, November 1, 2012. Before I Die is a global art project that encourages members of the public to share their most heartfelt hopes and deepest dreams, scrawling them in colored chalk as part of the public art installation.This project was started by Candy Chang on an abandoned house in New Orleans after she lost someone she loved.

"Heart Mountain" - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Santa Monica College Theatre Arts Department students run through dress rehearsal of “Heart Mountain” at Santa Monica College’s Studio Stage on Thursday, November 1, 2012.  

“Heart Mountain” – a drama that includes dance, music and powerful imagery and tells the story of a family in a World War II Japanese interment camp – runs Nov. 2-11 in the SMC Theatre Arts Studio Stage on the main campus, 1900 Pico Blvd. 

Commissioned by Theatre Arts Department Chair Perviz Sawoski, who is also the director and choreographer, “Heart Mountain” takes its name from one of the internment camps set up for the relocation of Japanese and Japanese American citizens in 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. More than 100,000 persons of Japanese descent were sent to internment camps in remote areas of the country, including Heart Mountain in Wyoming, which became a center for a draft resistance movement.    Although the play follows a fictional family as it struggles to maintain dignity and cohesion in the face of difficult choices of conscience, it was inspired by research that included interviews with former camp internees – including Noboru Kamibayashi – and their relatives as well as other sources. The play also includes dance and movement inspired by Butoh, as well as audio-visual material.  

The play was written by G. Bruce Smith, SMC’s public information officer and an award-winning playwright with production credits in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Minnesota.    Show times for "Heart Mountain” are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the SMC Theatre Arts Studio Stage. An additional 2 p.m. matinee is added for Saturday, Nov. 10. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door, with a service charge, and can be purchased by calling (310) 434-4319 or by going to www.smc.edu/eventsinfo. Parking is free on Friday evenings and weekends. (World Premiere: "Heart Mountain" by G. Bruce Smith)

People carry pumpkins down a 25-foot runway during the 24th annual 'All You Can Carry Pumpkin Patch for $5.00' at the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Wednesday, October 31, 2012.

Welcome Ambassadors  from the Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau greet attendees to the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel on opening day of the American Film Market (AFM) on Wednesday, October 31, 2012.

More than 8,000 film industry leaders from 70 countries will attend the world's largest film market, American Film Market (AFM).  For eight days, Santa Monica will be transformed into a bustling marketplace as film industry executives arrive to the city, infusing the local economy with an estimated direct spending impact of more than $20 million dollars this year alone and $100 million over the next five years.

"Santa Monica is honored to welcome AFM for the 22nd straight year and delighted that the market has selected Santa Monica as the host-city through 2017," said Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) CEO/President Misti Kerns. "This city-wide convention brings many benefits to our community including good jobs and an economic boost during a typically off-peak season.  In addition, it allows us to showcase Santa Monica to highly influential international travelers who seek the creative inspiration our destination evokes."

"The AFM Campus in Santa Monica will serve as the backdrop for production and distribution deals, screenings, conferences, premieres, networking, parties and an extraordinary experience for all participants," said Jonathan Wolf, executive vice president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance and managing director of AFM.  "We are thrilled that Santa Monica will be our home for a very long time."

Founded in 1981, the American Film Market (AFM) has grown steadily to become the premiere global marketplace where Hollywood’s decision-makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof. Unlike a film festival, the AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals will be sealed — on both completed films and those that haven’t started shooting yet — making AFM the must-attend industry event. (Visit Santa Monica)

Santa Monica College nursing club members tend to a patient during Club Row at SMC on Thursday, October 25, 2012. The annual event is designed for many clubs at SMC to recruit members and raise funds. Club participants set up colorful booths across the Library Walkway, where they discussed their activities to prospective members and attract a multitude of students with promises of food and prizes. The event turns out new club devotees and at least a spark of interest in many others

7th annual Pico Festival - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Highlights from the 7th Pico Festival at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Sunday, October 28, 2012. The Pico Festival featured art for all ages, great food, a rock wall, a slide for the kids, music, and much more. Special performance by Beach Boys cover band, Surf City All Stars entertained the crowed. Contests and giveaways, included a Stratacaster guitar.

ZJ Boarding House's 4rth Annual Haunted Heats Halloween Surf Contest - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Surfers compete during ZJ Boarding House’s 4rth Annual Haunted Heats Halloween Surf Contest at Santa Monica beach on Saturday, October 27, 2012.

More than 200 cyclists ride down the Santa Monica Pier and conclude the Ride 2 Recovery Golden State Challenge on Saturday, October 27, 2012. Ride 2 Recovery Golden State Challenge is a seven-day, 450-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles along the California coast. The event raises funds for cycling programs that aid the rehabilitation and recovery efforts of injured veterans, including R2R indoor Spinning® Recovery Labs and outdoor cycling programs at military and Veterans Affairs locations nationwide. More than 2,000 veterans have benefited from these rehabilitation programs.