It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

PAL TURNS 20

(top) Santa Monica Human Service Administrator and former Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) director, Patty Loggins  blows out the candle in celebration of  PAL's 20th year anniversary at Back on Broadway  during the 7th Annual 'Chez PAL' on Thursday, September 24, 2009. (above) Teenage PAL members dance to  'Footloose' during the '80's theme party at Back on Broadway.

 
All proceeds from the event will benefit PAL for their development and maintenance of cultural, educational and recreational programs. PAL provides free programs to more that 1,600 youths in the Santa Monica area. PAL is a unique community organization that fosters trust between youth and the men and women of the Santa Monica Police Department in a safe and nurturing environment. Through outstanding educational, cultural, recreational, and outreach programs, PAL helps develop skills and self-esteem, encouraging youth to reach their full potential. PAL provides free educational, cultural, and recreational programs for youth ages 6 - 17 years. Activities offered include homework assistance, computer classes, cooking, creative dramatics, arts & crafts, dance, karate, basketball, excursions, and special events. A slate of activities, including trips, sports leagues, specialized classes, and computer instruction is available to teens ages 14 - 17 years. Coaches and instructors for the PAL program come from the Santa Monica Police and Community and Cultural Services Departments and from community members who volunteer their time. The PAL Youth Center is open Monday through Saturday.
Posted on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 12:00PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

St. Baldrick's 

(top) Vidal Sassoon Academy stuedent  Alex Jaffe shaves the head of Santa Monica Fire Captain Mike McElvaney at Barney's Beanery  during  St. Baldrick's Day on Thursday, September 24, 2009. (center) Santa Monica Firefighters Frank Evaro (left) and Tyler McElvney get their head shaved by Vidal Sassoon Academy students during  the fundraiser. (above) Santa Monica Fire Marshal Jim Glew (left) and SMFD Captain Jeff Connor  get their head shaved by Vidal Sassoon Academy students during a St. Baldrick's Day. 

St. Baldrick's is the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family.

How it all started. In 1999, Tim Kenny challenged friends, John Bender and Enda McDonnell to find a way to give back to society. These three reinsurance executives turned their industry's St. Patrick's Day party into a benefit for kids with cancer. What could they do to really turn the heads - and the wallets - of their colleagues?  John suggested shaving Enda's head since kids typically lose their hair during cancer treatment. "People will gladly pay to see you bald, Enda!" Never one to miss an opportunity, Enda replied, "I will if you will," and St. Baldrick's was born.  The three planned to raise "$17,000 on the 17th," recruiting 17 colleagues to raise $1,000 each to be shorn. Instead, the first St. Baldrick's.
Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 02:27PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

NICE CUT

Santa Monica Firefighter Walter Patton's boys, Myles Patton, 6, and his brother Connor, 2, get their head shaved by Vidal Sassoon Academy students Jennifer Himler (left) and Alissa Bachelier (right) at Barney's Beanery  during a St. Baldrick's fundraiser on Thursday, September 24, 2009. St. Baldrick's is the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family. How it all started: In 1999, Tim Kenny challenged friends, John Bender and Enda McDonnell to find a way to give back to society. These three reinsurance executives turned their industry's St. Patrick's Day party into a benefit for kids with cancer. What could they do to really turn the heads - and the wallets - of their colleagues?  John suggested shaving Enda's head since kids typically lose their hair during cancer treatment. "People will gladly pay to see you bald, Enda!" Never one to miss an opportunity, Enda replied, "I will if you will," and St. Baldrick's was born.  The three planned to raise "$17,000 on the 17th," recruiting 17 colleagues to raise $1,000 each to be shorn. Instead, the first St. Baldrick's event, held on March 17, 2000, raised over $104,000!
Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 02:25PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

BBB OPENING DAY

 Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tempore Pam O'Connor and City Council Members Kevin McKeown  cut the ribbon during the Big Blue Bus grand opening ceremony of their new, state-of-the-art maintenance facility on Seventh Street on Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

After nine years of planning, and nearly three years of design and construction, Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus is ready to turn the key on its new state-of-the-art, environmentally significant maintenance facility. The project came in under budget and on time, and features the latest in sustainable transit maintenance technologies.

 
A dedication ceremony and public open house was held on September 23. The special event  featured a ribbon cutting by city officials, self-guided tours of the facility, a large display of vintage photos covering the past 80 years of the Big Blue Bus, a 3-D video presentation showcasing how the project was designed and a variety of equipment demonstrations.
 
The new facility, which was financed entirely by public transit funds, is part of an expansion project that will also include the demolition of the existing 40-year-old maintenance facility and a reorganized, more efficient bus yard. The project was extensively planned and multi-phased so that daily bus operations could be maintained while the project was under construction. The total cost of this phase, including the demolition and new parking area, will be $60 million.
 
“This project has exceeded our expectations, both in its environmental and functional design and in its overall execution,” said Santa Monica City Manager P. Lamont Ewell.
 
“This new facility and its increased capacity yard will allow the Big Blue Bus to smoothly transition into the future so we can better serve the community for many years to come,” he added.
 
“While the old facility has served us well for over 40 years, we live in a different world now and need a facility that can maintain our larger and more technologically diverse fleet, which includes many different types and sizes of cleaner burning alternative fueled vehicles,” said Stephanie Negriff, director of transit services for the Big Blue Bus.
 
Negriff noted that the project also provides for much needed additional space for bus parking, and longer bays to service the larger articulated buses expected in 2011. The articulated buses will be used on the Rapid 3 and 7 lines, which are currently the agency’s busiest and most popular routes.
 
The new facility encompasses 66,000 square feet of workspace and offices along a 450-foot long structure. It includes 21 service bays, which can handle the maintenance and repair of up to 20 buses a day, and has three extended bays to service the new 60-foot articulated buses and two bays dedicated to maintaining Santa Monica Fire Department vehicles. The facility will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
 
In keeping with the Big Blue Bus’ and city’s commitment to a sustainable environment, the facility will include many eco-friendly and energy efficient features, such as:
 
600 80-kilowatt photovoltaic panels on the roof to help reduce energy costs by up to 15% a year. Highly reflective concrete paving in the bus yard to keep the facility’s microclimate cooler. An urban runoff system to filter storm water. Reclaimed water for landscape irrigation. Recycled content in major constructions materials, including concrete, structural steel, carpeting, gypsum board, finishes and insulation. Light colored single-ply roofing to reflect heat away from the building. Low/no-VOC off-gassing materials and finishes. Energy efficient measures, including minimum energy water heaters and lighting. Workspaces designed to utilize natural ventilation so less air conditioning is required. Electric vehicle charging stations.
 
The facility also incorporates a 200-foot long programmable art wall utilizing special glass panels that can change from transparent to semi-transparent shades of blue, with the patterns simulating movement along its glass skin. The wall, designed by noted artist Dan Corson, will help provide privacy for the expanded lot, and will be visible both day and evening hours. In addition to its glass panels, the wall will also incorporate a unique bus stop at one end.
 
The Los Angeles office of HOK, an internationally recognized leader in sustainable design, served as the facility’s architect.
 
Morley Construction Company was awarded the contract to build the project, and was pleased that it was completed on time and within budget.
 
"We've greatly appreciated the opportunity to be the design-builder with our architectural partner HOK, the City of Santa Monica and the Big Blue Bus team on this sustainable facility," said Project Executive David Selna.
 
"This particular project had many interesting challenges, including phasing work in an area that was fully operational at the same time we were building, high-end architectural building skins, solar roof treatment and the inclusion of an illuminated glass art wall.”
 
“The City of Santa Monica now has a solid, new state-of-the-art facility that will serve them well for years to come," said Selna.
 
In addition to the new building, larger bus yard and demolition of the old facility, the full expansion project also includes a natural gas fueling station and a recycled-water bus wash, which were completed in an earlier phase.
 
The new Big Blue Bus maintenance facility is located at 1620 7th Street at the corner of Colorado Avenue, and is serviced by Lines 3 and 5. Public parking for the event will be available along city streets in the area. For more information about the Big Blue Bus, visit www.bigbluebus.com or call 310-451-5444.
 

Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 09:44PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

TREE HUGING DAY

(1) Tamara Henry from Green T hugs a tree a Palisades Park during Alliance for Survival Peace and Environmental Group's inaugural 'Tree-Hugging Day' on the Autumn Equinox, Tuesday, September 22, 2009. (2) Actress from Baywatch Alexandra Paul hugs a tree at Palisades Park during Tree-Hugging Day. (3) Activist Jerry Rubin and his wife Marissa give a group tree hug to the 'Children's Tree Of Life' at Palisades Park during Tree-Hugging Day. (4) Environmentalists give a group tree hug to the 'Children's Tree Of Life' at Palisades Park during Tree-Hugging Day. 
 
Tree-Hugging Day organizers say they believe in thinking globally and acting locally, but think it would be very positive if participation branches out beyond Santa Monica. They also say they are very appreciative of the letters of support they have received from the Santa Monica Board of Education and the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees as well as the Santa Monica City Mayoral Commendation. Tree-Hugging Day was sponsored by the Alliance for Survival peace and environmental group.

 

Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 12:03AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

L.A. Leggers 

The L.A. Leggers run along the Santa Monica Boardwalk on Saturday, September 19, 2009. The runners are training for the 2010 Los Angeles Marathon which will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2010. L.A. Leggers is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization.Their membership includes runners, walkers and volunteer with diverse backgrounds and experience. The organization offers members training and an educational program that enables individuals to attain their own personal goals and objectives. By following their training program, ordinary people can complete an extraordinary challenge - finishing a 1/2 or full marathon.
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 07:49PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

PEACE

Members of Roots and Shoots fly giant peace dove puppets in a parade during the 7th annual Day of Peace festival at the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, September 20, 2009.  Seventy-five handmade giant doves, each with a 25-foot wingspan, participated in the Peace Dove Parade.
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Each year, in support of the United Nations International Day of Peace, Roots & Shoots members and friends come together to promote peace. All over the world, young people craft Giant Peace Dove Puppets from reused materials and fly the Doves in parades in their communities. From the Pier in Santa Monica, to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, to the low plains of Kansas, Peace Doves fly, held high by hopeful hands. Symbolizing international peace and solidarity, the Day of Peace festival on Santa Monica Pier culminated with a Giant Peace Dove Parade. Celebrities, Roots & Shoots members, and event-goers joined together to fly a collection of hand-made giant doves along the Santa Monica Pier parade route. Simultaneously, Peace Doves flew in cities all across the United States and in close to 100 countries worldwide.

“With the peace doves we remind everyone of the truth they sometimes forget – that peace is possible. With Day of Peace, we celebrate all that is free and noble in the human spirit. And we celebrate all that so many people have done throughout the year and will do next year to create a better world.” Jane Goodall, PhD, UN Messenger of Peace, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute.
Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 01:50PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

CLEAN CITY

Members of Gabrielino High School's Interact Club spray water onto the Watershed Diorama during the 7th annual Day of Peace festival at the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, September 20, 2009. The diorama, which was custom made for Heal the Bay by Andrew C. Aguilar, is designed for pollution education and to illustrate storm water runoff.

Posted on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 07:25PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint
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