Three generation of Olympians,  (panelists  from right) SMC student Azad Al-Barazi, who swam for Syria in the 2012 London Games; Kristin Klein Keefe, a member of the U.S. Olympics women's volleyball team in the 1996 Atlanta Games; and Rafer Johnson, two-time Olympic medalist in decathlon, share their experiences during the Santa Monica College Associates Annual Membership Reception at the  RAND Corporation Conference Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The Panel was moderated by Nathaniel Trives.

An Indycar was featured during an  IZOD IndyCar Championship MAVTV 500-mile press conference at Pacific Park on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The MAVTV 500-mile event will be run on the super-fast banks of Auto Club Speedway at Fontana on Saturday, September 15, where average lap speeds top 200 mph. The race will air nationally at 5:00pm PT, September 15th on the NBC Sports Network.

UCLA students rally at Palisades Park during the nationwide event, “Freedom from Toxic Fracking Waste: National Rally Day,” on Wednesday, September 12, 2012.

Local grassroots organizers across the country  held simultaneous rallies to spread awareness about on the numerous problems associated with toxic fracking waste and its disposal, including its links to earthquakes, spills, and leaks.

According to geologist Susie Beiersdorfer of Frackfree America National Coalition and Frackfree Mahoning Valley, “The public is not being fully or adequately informed of the risks of fracking and related processes to public health and safety and well-being. We are calling for increased transparency and public awareness about the truth of toxic fracking waste, which can contain naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and numerous toxic chemicals or known carcinogens, like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), that could find their way into drinking water sources or into soil and air via leaks, surface spills near waterways, or well casing failures.”

The groups believe that the rosy picture of drilling for oil and gas painted by slick, expensive radio and television advertisements by the gas and oil industry does not represent the real experiences of many everyday concerned citizens who live near injection wells or along the routes where fracking waste is, or will be, transported and possibly spilled. The groups say that there are too many unanswered questions about fracking waste, partially because gas and oil companies are exempt from the Safe Drinking Water Act.

According to the coalition, every newly permitted fracking well will result in millions of gallons of toxic fracking wastewater being created, transported, and disposed of somewhere.  Although the fracking waste is frequently referred to by the industry or others as “brine,” “saltwater,” or “produced water,” the groups believe that these euphemistic terms are highly misleading and give the public a false sense of reassurance about the alleged safety of the fracking waste.

“The truth is that the risks imposed by the production, transport, and disposal of toxic fracking waste are creating a serious public health problem. Toxic fracking waste can expose the public to a number of chemical and radioactive carcinogens, neurotoxins, and pulmonary and cardiovascular toxins.  Children, whose immune systems are still developing, workers on drill sites, and those handling toxic fracking wastes are especially vulnerable to risks as are persons living or working near drilling sites, along toxic fracking disposal routes or at or near toxic fracking waste injection wells, ” said Vanessa Pesec of NEOGAP.

Participants spin  during Cycle For Heroes at the Santa Monica Pier on the 11th anniversary of 9/11. Cycle For Heroes is a four-hour, rock-inspired outdoor cycling event which benefits  The Heroes Project.  The Heroes Project is a nonprofit organization that works with the community of veterans, soldiers, Marines and military families on all levels. Its mission is to improve the care and protection of our heroes through individual support, community empowerment and systemic change.

A Military Flyover marks the start of  Cycle For Heroes at the Santa Monica Pier on the 11th anniversary of 9/11. Cycle For Heroes is a four-hour, rock-inspired outdoor cycling event which benefits  The Heroes Project.  The Heroes Project is a nonprofit organization that works with the community of veterans, soldiers, Marines and military families on all levels. Its mission is to improve the care and protection of our heroes through individual support, community empowerment and systemic change.

Santa Monica Firefighter Bill Howard lowers the flag to half mast during the 911 Remembrance Ceremony at SMFD headquarters on Tuesday, September 11, 2012.   Eleven years ago today, the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. and in Shanksville, Pa. resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people. Those killed included 343 Firefighters, 60 Police Officers and 8 private EMT/Paramedics totaling 411 emergency personnel. Also included in the civilian deaths were 5 people with connections to Santa Monica. In recognition of those who perished on that tragic day, the Santa Monica Fire Department annually conducts a brief and solemn remembrance ceremony consistent with the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommended protocols. All four community Fire Stations  participated.

Dancers from Grupo de la Rosa perform at St. Anne Church and Shrine during the annual Fall Festival  on Sunday, September 9, 2012.

Danza Guadalupana de Los Angeles performs at St. Anne Church and Shrine during the annual Fall Festival  on Sunday, September 9, 2012.