Children watch as the Swell Sharks get fed at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (SMPA) during Heal the Bay's Earth Day theme weekend on  Sunday, 18, 2010.  The sharks are fed twice weekly on Tuesdays and Sundays at 3:30PM.

(1) Will Smith and his wife  Jada Pinkett Smith pose for photos on the red carpet during the 4rth Annual American Red Cross of Santa Monica's Red Tie Affair at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel on Saturday, April 17, 2010. (2) Actress and Executive Producer Jada Pinkett Smith with her to cast and crew of the hit TV series “HawthoRNe.” pose for photos on the red carpet during the 4rth Annual Red Tie Affair at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Jada Pinkett Smith  received the 2010 National American Red Cross "Crystal Cross" award for her outstanding contributions to humanitarian efforts and her support of the Amercian Red Cross. HawthoRNe also received "Red Cross Spirit Award." This show educates and motivates thousands of viewers with their portrayal of the daring struggle to preserve life. The America Red Cross chose "HawthoRNe" because it reflects their mission to help people and save lives, and recognizes the heroic nursing profession which is at the roots of the American Red Cross. (3) Singer-songwriter, rapper, fashion designer and actress Fergie poses for photos on the red carpet during the 4rth Annual Red Tie Affair at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel on Saturday, April 17, 2010. (4) Santa Monica City Councilman Bobby Shriver presents Barbara Browning, RN with the Rick Crocker Spirit of Volunteerism Award during the 4rth Annual Red Tie Affair at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Browning's career as a nurse at Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital spans 45 years of service to the community and is filled with a long list of amazing accomplishments and medical "firsts."  The award is named for Santa Monica Red Cross volunteer and Santa Monica Police Officer, Ricardo A Crocker who was killed in Al-Anbar province, Iraq, on May 25, 2005, while on active duty as a United States Marine Corps Reservist. (5) Santa Monica Police Officer Roberto Villegas and his K-9 Partner, Nero, a 7 year-old Belgian Malinois, are auctioned-off for a K-9 Ride along during the 4rth Annual Red Tie Affair at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel on Saturday, April 17, 2010. (6) Tour and dinner for four cooked by Santa Monica Firefighters was auctioned off during the Red Tie Affair at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel.  (7) Guests gamble during the casino and silent auction.

(1) The  The Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomed more than 2,000 Australian tourists  at the Santa Monica Pier on Friday night, April 16, 2010. The tourists were employees from Clipsal, an Australian-based electrical company that chose Santa Monica as the location to celebrate their company’s 90th anniversary. (2) Jala and Peno welcome the Australian tourists at the Santa Monica Pier. (3)  Ventriloquist David Markham and his partner Squeaky Kelly entertained the Australian tourists.

“We have chosen Santa Monica simply because it is an ideal spot in America for our group. We are attracted to the color and vibrancy of this seaside locale as well as the friendliness of the locals, said Angelo Russo, Customer Relations Manager, Clipsal Australia.

Having this group in Santa Monica generated over 2,000 room nights to nine different Santa Monica hotels for the night of April 16th. In addition, Clipsal bought out the entire Pacific Park amusement park on the Santa Monica Pier for a beachfront anniversary party. The Clipsal visit also drove business to local restaurants such as Ye Olde King’s Head, Cabo Cantina and Yankee Doodle’s.

“Our fanny packs are full of greenbacks and we’re not afraid to use them", said Angelo upon his group's arrival into Santa Monica.

Australia is a key market for Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) as it strives to develop international long haul visitation. International visitors are important to the Santa Monica economy because they tend to stay longer in the hotels, spend more money in restaurants and retail outlets and avoid bringing car traffic into the city. SMCVB has been actively pursuing tourism from Australia through media relations and sales initiatives, and is thrilled to see group corporate business out of this market.

The Clipsal Santa Monica visit precedes a nine-day cruise on the Mexican Riviera for all 2,200 Clipsal employees. It is the biggest celebration of the Clipsal brand in the company’s history and it all started in Santa Monica.

Meyer Bruno, 2, visits with Kitty Cat, an eighteen month old American Shorthair, at the Third Street Promenade on Wednesday, April 14, 2010.

City employee Robert Griffin installs a 'Do Not Feed The Birds' sign at the Santa Monica Pier on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.. Aggressive pelicans have been known to peck ice cream cones and other food items from people's hands. Some injuries have been reported.



(top) American Icon, sex symbol, actress and entertainer Raquel Welch, 69, with writer and funny man Bruce Vilanch, discusses her new book "Beyond the Cleavage" at the Santa Monica Library on Monday, April 12, 2010. (above) Ms. Welch signs her book for her fan Aaron Merken at the Santa Monica Library on Monday, April 12, 2010. The icon looks back on growing up in California and bursting onto the scene in 'One Million B.C.' to afailed marriage to becoming a single mother and, at last, becoming a famous actress.