’Kids with cameras’, a program launched by the Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council in May 2009 involving mid-city youth, culminated in a photo exhibition and community conversation at McKinley School on Saturday, October 3 2009.

With the goal of reviving the Mid-City Neighborhood group, the only one of six original neighborhood groups in Santa Monica that has been dormant since 2004, the project was designed to create an awareness of civic responsibility among mid-city youth by encouraging them to explore their community and document their views through the lens of a camera.

The participating youth recruited from local non-profit agencies (e.g. the Police Activities League) met once a week for eight weeks to take pictures and share their perspectives on their neighborhood. They were supervised by City staff members Eula Fritz and PAL officers and coordinated by Fabian Lewkowicz, a professional photo journalist who also played the role of a mentor. Lewkowicz led fifteen youths in a photo essay project focusing on the Mid-City Neighborhood, using photojournalistic style. At the finale on October 3, the youth will exhibit their work and share their narratives with the community at large.

The Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council, a partnership of local community organizations, individuals, institutions and businesses, endeavors to improve human relations and advocates a socially just community through its various projects, i.e. community dialogues, Literature and Arts and Community Heroes Programs. Santa Monica Fire Department Chief Jim Hone is the current Chairperson of HRC. Police Chief Tim Jackman and Michele Wittig are Co-Chairs of the Dialogue committee. Fabian Lewkowicz mentored the youth photographers and curated the photo exhibit and Ilda Jimenez y West was coordinator of the event.

Lala belly dances at Santa Monica Beach during the Kick-off for the "World March for Peace and Nonviolence" on Friday, October 2, 2009. World March for Peace and Nonviolence begins its 93-day journey across the planet. That date also marks the “International Day of Non-Violence,” established by the UN in 2007 to recognize the importance of nonviolence as a way of life and as a tactic of social change and the 140th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. World March for Peace celebrates the spirit of nonviolence, diversity, and world peace. The World March for Peace and Nonviolence is an unprecedented social mobilization which aims to create consciousness of the dangerous global situation in which we are living -- a situation marked by the heightened probability of nuclear conflict, a renewed arms race, and the violent military occupation of foreign territories. To avoid a future nuclear catastrophe we must surpass violence today, demanding: nuclear disarmament at a global level; the immediate withdrawal of invading troops from occupied territories; the progressive and proportional reduction of conventional weapons; the signing of non-aggression treaties between countries; the renunciation by governments of the use of war as a means to resolve conflicts. The World March was first proposed by the Humanist Movement through one of its affiliated organizations, World Without Wars. Since its launch, the number of countries participating has more than doubled, and the March has received the endorsement of thousands of people, pacifist and nonviolence groups, a variety of educational, political, and religious institutions, and renowned figures from the worlds of science, arts, and politics. It is developing into the largest mobilization for peace in history.

Volunteers construct a giant, luminous peace symbol made of hundreds of tea candles inside white paper bags at Santa Monica Beach during the Kick off for the "World March for Peace and Nonviolence" on Friday, October 2, 2009. World March for Peace and Nonviolence begins its 93-day journey across the planet. That date also marks the “International Day of Non-Violence,” established by the UN in 2007 to recognize the importance of nonviolence as a way of life and as a tactic of social change and the 140th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. World March for Peace celebrates the spirit of nonviolence, diversity, and world peace. The World March for Peace and Nonviolence is an unprecedented social mobilization which aims to create consciousness of the dangerous global situation in which we are living -- a situation marked by the heightened probability of nuclear conflict, a renewed arms race, and the violent military occupation of foreign territories. To avoid a future nuclear catastrophe we must surpass violence today, demanding: nuclear disarmament at a global level; the immediate withdrawal of invading troops from occupied territories; the progressive and proportional reduction of conventional weapons; the signing of non-aggression treaties between countries; the renunciation by governments of the use of war as a means to resolve conflicts. The World March was first proposed by the Humanist Movement through one of its affiliated organizations, World Without Wars. Since its launch, the number of countries participating has more than doubled, and the March has received the endorsement of thousands of people, pacifist and nonviolence groups, a variety of educational, political, and religious institutions, and renowned figures from the worlds of science, arts, and politics. It is developing into the largest mobilization for peace in history.  
 

Rick Woodbury drives the 'Tango' at the Santa Monica Civic Center during the 4th Annual Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo on Friday, October 10, 2009.  The revolutionary Tango combines the speed and agility of a motorcycle with the security of a high-performance sports car. The Tango's ability to maneuver through traffic is second to none. Like a motorcycle, it can change lanes to gain advantage in traffic better than any car in history. Where lane splitting is permitted (i.e., driving between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic), the advantage can be staggering. In extremely heavy traffic, a Tango or motorcycle can travel in 20 seconds the distance that cars travel in 20 minutes. With over 1,000 ft-lbs. of torque, the Tango can accelerate from zero to over 130 mph in one gear. Without an energy-robbing transmission or differential, it accelerates from zero to 60 mph in about 4 seconds and finishes the standing 1/4 mile in about 12 seconds at over 100 mph.

AltCar Expo , one of Nation’s Largest Displays of Alternative Fuel Vehicles, are showcasing more than 100 alt-fuel and ultra-efficient vehicles including zero-emission electric cars and trucks, hybrids, Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles rated in excess of 100 miles per gallon, and those running on hydrogen fuel cells, natural gas, propane, biodiesel and ethanol. Scooters, Segways, electric motorcycles, bicycles and more will also be on hand. Low-speed and freeway-capable vehicles are available for public “ride-and-drives” and for immediate purchase. AltCar Expo is known for its uncommon mix of vehicles by major auto manufacturers and smaller companies. Its seminar speakers, addressing the latest global transportation and energy trends, will include industry executives, grass roots advocates and nationally recognized experts in public policy, mass transit, sustainability, engineering and automotive technology. Attendees will learn when they can expect to purchase the hottest eco-friendly vehicles in development and about mass transit options, charging infrastructure, new battery technologies, maximizing gas mileage and other issues. The expo's purpose is to give consumers the chance to test drive alt-fuel cars, many of which will be for sale on site, and find out about earning tax credits by going green.  The two-day expo will be held for the fourth consecutive year at the Santa Monica Civic center on Oct. 02 & 03.

Guests look at  CODA , a four-door, five passenger, all-electric sedan at the Santa Monica Civic Center during the 4th Annual Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo on Friday, October 10, 2009. CODA's promotional display reads, "IN CASE of global warming, outrages gasoline costs and oil-fueled international conflict, break glass and remove CODA immediately."