(center) Myles Freedman (left) and Nick Jones (right) make a glass goblet at Santa Monica College during the 4th Annual Pico Boulevard Art Walk on Saturday, October 17, 2009. (above) Karen Lovett (left) and Sheryl Tompkins throw clay at Santa Monica College during the 4th Annual Pico Boulevard Art Walk on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook

The cast of Cirque du Soleil  perform acrobatics, juggling, balancing acts, wire walking and unicycling during a dress rehearsal of KOOZA (written and directed by David Shiner) under the Grand Chapiteau (big top) at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday, October 16, 2009.

 

KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil that combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor. Kooza tells the story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world and is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil.

.

Cirque Du Soleil’s Kooza opens tonight, Friday, October 16th at the Santa Monica Pier and runs through November  19, 2009.

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook

(1) SMASH  Kindergartner Thea Leimone, 5,  ducks and takes cover under her desks during the Great Southern California Shakeout on Thursday, November 15 2009.  (2,3) SMASH School teachers Chrysta Wyse and Kelly Kulsrud search for victim during the Great Southern California Shakeout. (4) SMASH and John Muir school personnel participate in a search and rescue exercise during the Great Southern California Shakeout on Thursday, November 15, 2009. (5) SMASH students Savannah Skinner, 12, and Bradley Freerichs, 13, acting to have a broken arm and leg, wait for the rescue crew during the Great Southern California Shakeout. (6) John Muir school teachers Norma Vallejo and Daniel Wheeler put a leg splint on SMASH student Savannah Skinner, 12, during the Great Southern California Shakeout. (7) SMMUSD School Nurse Sandy Cano treats students  during the Great Southern California Shakeout. (8) SMMUSD School Nurse Sandy Cano treats Romeo Adams-Patterson, 10, during the Great Southern California Shakeout on Thursday, November 15, 2009.

 

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook

Santa Monica Paramedic Firefighter  Nick Jones  (top)  and SMFD Firefighter Tyler McElvaney (above) apply a Pet Oxygen Mask to Biscuit, a twelve year-old Whippet, during a press conference at the Santa Monica Fire Department announcing National Fire Safety Month and the launch of “BARK 10-4,”  a campaign by Bark Buckle UP, to help fire departments nationwide obtain much needed pet oxygen masks. These masks work with dogs, cats and other animals. Annually, an estimated half million pets are affected by fires in the United States and more than 40,000 pets die each year due to smoke inhalation. With the right equipment, police, fire and emergency medical service (EMS) rescuers can often save a pet's life. Losing a pet in a house fire can be a devastating experience for a family member. More then 30,000 Fire Departments and EMT offices are located nationwide and most of those have more then one Fire Truck per station.  The “Bark 10-4” Campaign was created with the goal of getting a Pet Oxygen Mask on board every fire truck in the country by encouraging the public to sponsor the purchase of Pet Oxygen Masks for their local fire departments.  A $25 sponsorship ensures that one mask can be purchased for a fire department; a $65 sponsorship buys a mask set, which includes a small, medium and large mask.

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook