(top) Georgina Martin, 3, runs on California Ave. during the inaugural Santa Monica 1k children's Widdle Wobble on Saturday, November 28, 2009. (above) Athletes run on California Ave. during the inaugural Santa Monica 5k/10k Gobble Wobble on Saturday, November 28, 2009.

(top) California's First Lady and Parishioner Maria Shriver serves guests during St. Monica's Catholic Church 30th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the Needy on Wednesday, November 25, 2009. More than 800 guests enjoyed a free traditional Thanksgiving dinner at St. Monica's Church on Wednesday.

Police Activity League members 13 to 17 years of age perform during Cirque Du Monde's Palooza on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at the PAL gymnasium. Cirque du Monde (the world-famous Cirque du Soleil's outreach program) uses circus as an alternative education tool to engage at-risk youth in communities around the world. The impact of Cirque du Monde goes beyond individual benefits. Working as a group the participants learn about cohesion, teamwork and respect for peers. Its effects are also visible at the community level through reconciliation between opposing groups of young people, change in the perception of the community toward youth at risk and the implementation of a dialogue between the community and its young people.

Chris McNair, a graphic installer from Arete Design Imaging ADI , applies a holiday wrap onto a  Big Blue Bus on Monday, November 23, 2009, as part of the transit company's annual tradition that dates back to the early 1950s with the original candy cane bus. Big Blue Bus will roll out its popular fully wrapped holiday bus beginning the morning of Saturday, November 28. The bus will remain in service throughout the season until January 4. This year’s sponsor is the Cirque du Soleil’s production of KOOZA, and the bus will reflect the show’s vibrant colors, spirit and uplifting message. The festively wrapped 40-foot-long, clean fuel bus has become a traditional start of the holiday season in Santa Monica and other parts of Los Angeles. The holiday bus will travel a different route each day around the Big Blue Bus service area to ensure as many people as possible get a chance to see it – or ride on it – during the holidays. “The design of this year’s bus is just spectacular, a real head turner, and we think people are going to love it,” said Big Blue Bus Customer Relations Manager Dan Dawson. “We have so many people tell us they take pictures in front of the decorated bus every year with their families and friends, so the holiday bus has really become quite a nice tradition in the area.” This year’s new design features a major character of the KOOZA show poised against a backdrop of vivid purple, gently falling snowflakes and brightly wrapped red presents. The tagline exclaims, “There has never been a better time to dream.” Cirque du Soleil plans to charter the holiday bus for a special promotional tour around Los Angeles on November 27, one day before the official rollout. Scheduled stops include ICE at Santa Monica from 11 a.m. to noon, the Santa Monica Pier from noon to 12:45 p.m. as well as a stop at Hollywood and Highland from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. According to tour management, KOOZA-themed representatives will hand out candy canes and holiday cards promoting the holiday production of KOOZA, now playing at the Santa Monica Pier until December 20. The Big Blue Bus transports more than 80 thousand passengers a day around its large service area, which includes Santa Monica, West LA and downtown LA. For more information or high-resolution images of the holiday bus, please contact Francine Pares at 949-481-7559 or fpares@intelibrand.com. For more information about Cirque du Soleil or KOOZA, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com