After thirty years of service to the Santa Monica Police Department, Captain Alex Padilla flips pancakes at the Police Activities Leagues Winterlit Workshop during his last day of work before retiring.

Volunteer Mary Anne Saber wraps a gift  at the Third Street Promenade on Sunday, December 13, 2009.

Nine flames  burn in a giant menorah at the Third Street Promenade during the last night of Chanukah on Friday, December 18, 2009. Chanukah, AKA the Festival of Lights, is a joyous celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days when there was only enough oil left in the temple for one day. 

Menachem Levitansky, a Rabbi Student from the Chabad House, lights the giant public Menorah at Palisades Park during the last night of Chanukah on Friday, December 18, 2009.  Chanukah, AKA the Festival of Lights, is a joyous celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days when there was only enough oil left in the temple for one day. 

Rabbi Eli Levitansky leads Chabad House's Menorah Parade down the Santa Monica Pier during Chanukah on Thursday, December 17, 2009. Chanukah, AKA the Festival of Lights, is a joyous celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days when there was only enough oil left in the temple for one day. 

(top) Santa Monica College President Dr. Chui Tsang (playing or SMC) and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District President Ralph Mechur (playing for SMMUSD) fight for the ball at SMC's Corsair Field during the Education Soccer Cup on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. SMC won the Education Soccer Cup with a score of 6 to 2. The Education Soccer Cup consisted of faculty and staff players from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and Santa Monica College.