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

Great Southern California Shakeout

Great Southern California Shakeout - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Santa Monica Firefighters Joe Cavin (right) and Jim Schier demonstrate how to properly move an injured victim during the Great Southern California Shakeout, a statewide earthquake drill, at the Third Street Promenade on Thursday, October 21, 2010. The Santa Monica Fire department demonstrated post-earthquake response  during the earthquake drill including shutting off water, electric and gas. They also signed people up for free Disaster Assistance Response Training classes.

Over 9 million people throughout Southern California participated in the Shake Out Drill, the largest earthquake preparedness activity in U.S. history! Families, school children and business workers participated in the drill. In summary, The ShakeOut Scenario estimates this earthquake will cause some 2,000 deaths, 50,000 injuries, $200 billion in damage and other losses, and severe, long-lasting disruption. The report has regional implications and is a dramatic call to action for preparedness.

 

 

WOODY


WOODY - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz
People walk past Christopher Andrews in a Woody  costume (Toy Story) at the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Sunday, October 17 , 2010. Woody was promoting Robinsen Beautilities Halloween Headquarters.



Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 09:37AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

NEW HEROES CELEBRATION


16th Annual New Heroes Celebration - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Santa Monica police Chief Timothy J. Jackman and Santa Monica Fire Chief Scott Ferguson introduce their newest police officers and firefighters during Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce's 16th Annual New Heroes Celebration at Le Merigot on Thursday, October 19, 2010. The event is held to welcome new educators, police officers, and firefighters to the Santa Monica community.



THREE'S COMPANY

Three men share an umbrella at the Third Street Promenade on Tuesday, October 19, 2010.



Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 12:54PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , , , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

GOT YOU COVERED

Santa Monica Ambassador J.D. Simpson shares his umbrella while escorting a tourist from Mexican along the Third Street Promenade on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. The Downtown Santa Monica Ambassador Program was created to provide an inviting and safe atmosphere in the district. Ambassadors are trained in a variety of tasks, including: providing information to visitors, giving directions, offering escort services to employees, reporting maintenance issues and any other action that serves to make the district more inviting.

Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 12:50PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , , , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

HIGH PRESSURE

(top) Santa Monica Fire Fighter Nick Angel and SMFD Captain Davis perform an annual 'flow test' on a fire hydrant located at Bay and Main Street on Saturday, October 9, 2010.  (above) Sam Schnaars, 6, and his sister Ella, 8, help Santa Monica Fire Fighter Nick Angel perform the flow test. The fire hydrant passed proving that the hydrant can pump out 65 pounds of pressure. The tests are necessary to ensure proper hydrant operations at the time of emergencies. The SMFD will be testing all the fire hydrants in Santa Monica throughout October.



ROADRUNNERS

The Los Angeles Roadrunners run south along the Santa Monica Beach boardwalk on Saturday, October 9, 2010. They were on a 8 mile run.

Posted on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 12:17PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

GOAL!


5th Annual Pico Festival - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz
Performance artist Marcello Pozzi  kicks a soccer ball covered in paint onto a canvas during the 5th Annual Pico Festival at Virginia Avenue Park on Saturday, October 16, 2010.
 
The Festival, presented by the Pico Improvement Organization and the City of Santa Monica, celebrated all that Pico Boulevard is with an Art Pavilions at Virginia Ave Park, a Classic Car Show, a fabulous Sidewalk Sale and many other art installations along the three mile stretch from Centinela to the ocean.

“Pico Boulevard is in the midst of one of the most exciting transformations in decades,” said Robert Kronovet, chairman of the Pico Improvement Organization. “New restaurants, art galleries and stores are opening all the time, making the Pico corridor an exciting new place for people to visit. We created the Pico Festival to highlight these changes, and make people aware of the treasure they have in their midst. We’re thrilled to introduce everyone to the rebirth of Pico Boulevard.”

Visitors to the Pico Festival enjoyed original artwork in all mediums at the Virginia Ave Park Art Pavilions where Pico art galleries, studios, and artists  displayed their work. Children also participated in live art events at the Children’s Activities Pavilion, either watching new works being produced, or making their own unique creations. Live musical acts  performed on the Pico Festival stage, including groups from SAMOHI, Santa Monica College and other local schools. Pico stores showcased their wares in booths, and food vendors offered delicious cuisine of all kinds. The Pico Improvement Organization gave away free hot dogs to the first 1,000.
 
Two Starline Tours double-decker buses with guides operated the length of Pico in Santa Monica, directing passengers to various sites and events. Visitors stopped to see artists exhibiting their work at various locations along Pico Boulevard. Pico galleries and studios were open and many demonstrated artistic and creative techniques. A Classic Car Show, which included 50 custom cars at the SGI parking lot at 26th and Pico. Pico Auto businesses had booths, a DJ and a mariachi band provided live music. Trophies and prizes were awarded in various classes.

At participating locations along Pico Boulevard, a large Sidewalk Sale temped fashionistas and bargain hunters. Participating stores had racks and tables with exciting merchandise on the sidewalk and some merchants had their entire store on sale. Types of merchandise included fabulous men’s, women’s & children’s apparel, shoes, jewelry, and much more.

The Pico Improvement Organization is a Business Improvement District encompassing the entire length of Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica. The district contains a growing number of attractions and businesses from Santa Monica College’s performing arts venues and planetarium to one-of-a-kind clothing boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, designer furniture and more. A zone of small clubs and cafés are found along the eastern boulevard while Shutters on the Beach and Casa del Mar hotels mark Pico’s western terminus.