It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Thank You, Mr. Falker


Thank You, Mr. Falker - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Cast runs through dress rehearsal of "Thank You, Mr. Falker" at the Morgan-Wixson Theater  on Friday, May 13, 2011.

A new family musical by Sarah Taylor Ellis (music) and Andrew Bentz (book & lyrics) about literacy and dyslexia, Thank You, Mr. Falker, will premiere at the Morgan-Wixson Theater in Santa Monica on Saturday, May 14, 2011.

Directed by Lane Williamson; Music direction by Sarah Taylor Ellis; Choreography by Christopher Albrecht; Produced by Mary Morra & Jennifer Polhemus.

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 09:36PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Santa Monica Police/Fire Public Safety Memorial 


2011 Santa Monica Police/Fire Public Safety Memorial - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

The Santa Monica Police/Fire Public Safety Memorial at City Hall on Thursday, May 12, 2011. The memorial recognized public safety officers who gave their lives in the line of duty to protect the citizens of Santa Monica.

POWER-UP

A technician from Central Parking Systems repairs a solar parking station at Lot 1 (1640 Appian Way) in  Santa Monica on Monday, May 9, 2011.

Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 11:59PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

RIDING HIGH

A cyclists pedals along the Santa Monica Boardwalk on Tuesday, May 3, 2011.

Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 07:13PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

CONE ZONE

Santa Monica Police Community Service Officer (CSO) Eric Pillor demonstrates how to maneuvers through an obstacle  course at Santa Monica Civic Center on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. They were testing candidates to become a  CSO.

Great White Shark with Seal

Parisian native Artist Victor Douieb (center) with Aquarium Director Vicki Wawerchak (right) and internationally-recognized diving legend Cristina Zenato (left) discuss his bronze with patina sculpture entitled, "Great White Shark with Seal" (2010, L:34.5" W: 22" H:22) during the Benefit Exhibition at Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium on Saturday, May 7, 2011.
 
On display were 10 sculptures including two of Victor's newest additions, Blue Shark and Mako. All door proceeds from the event  benefits Heal the Bay, a non-profit environmental group working to restore Santa Monica Bay.
 
"I'm very pleased that my first exhibit here will also be helping the environment by partnering with both the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and Heal the Bay," says Douieb, whose catalog of work includes both sea creatures - primarily sharks - as well as other wildlife. "As someone who loves the ocean, and especially as Los Angeles is my adopted city, I feel strongly about doing my part in helping to protect and save the local coastal waters."
 
Douieb has been passionate about sharks since his first deep sea dive when he was 18 years old.
 
Captivated by their power, grace and beauty, Victor began sculpting sharks as a means of expressing his appreciation of this perfectly evolved creature's pure simplicity, but also to help bring attention to the impact that over fishing and the needless slaughter by the shark fin industry is posing to shark populations worldwide.
 
"Before sculpting my first shark," Victor explains, "I had been a dental ceramist and technician giving me the knowledge and experience which later made sculpting very natural for me. One day while at work, I suddenly got the urge to sculpt a little shark out of silver, not realizing that 20 years later, sculpting would become my profession."
 
Prior to beginning a new piece, Victor immerses himself in understanding the subject in terms of its general nature, habitat, and the anatomy and dynamic movements of the body. Typically he will attempt to get as close as possible - whether diving with sharks around the world or journeying to Africa for a wildlife safari - to photograph and experience the animal in its native environment.
 
Continually adding to his portfolio, which currently consists of 21 works that originate in clay and are then cast in bronze with beautiful and exotic patinas or in gleaming stainless steel, a finish that sets his art apart from most of his contemporaries, Victor is an ardent supporter of numerous conservation organizations donating a percentage of proceeds from the sale of his artwork.

 

Posted on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at 12:01AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Santa Monica Festival

Children dance at Clover Park during the 20th Annual Santa Monica Festival on Saturday, May 7, 2011.

Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 09:38PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Edible LA

Participants contribute to the collaborative environmental art project entitled ‘Edible LA’ during the 8th Annual AltBuild Expo & Conference at the Santa Monica Civic on Friday, May 6, 2011.

From skyscraper farms to community food swaps, participants are asked to imagine a future where urban food production can supply our increasing needs. Participants are given thousands of small, colorful, vibrant, and tactile objects, which are intended to trigger their connections to the built environment. Green yarn becomes grass, blue poker chips become the ocean, and hair rollers become apartments or office buildings. By seeking out and touching these objects participants begin to merge this micro experience with objects with their macro experience of how they move through and experience urban space. The city is a visual language and a tactile experience.

The AltBuild Expo & Conference is the largest green design and building expo in Southern California. It feature over 150 exhibitors in green building and design materials; energy efficiency techniques and technologies; alternative energy; water conservation and management; environmental plumbing; municipal and state agencies, and non-profit organizations. 40 speakers in sustainable and alternative building practices. The event offers the best practices and practical knowledge of green building.

Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 06:31AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint