The number one bull rider in the world, James Burton "J.B." Mauney, 22, who hails from Mooresville, N.C., rides 'Pick a Spot' a 1500 pound American Bucking Bull during Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) Anaheim Invitational at the Honda Center on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009. Bull riding is a rodeo sport that involves a rider getting on a large bull and attempting to stay mounted for at least 8 seconds while the animal attempts to buck off the rider. The rider tightly fastens one hand to the bull with a long braided rope. It is a risky sport and has been called "the most dangerous eight seconds in sports." A rider mounts a bull and grips a flat braided rope. After he secures a good grip on the rope, the rider nods to signal he is ready. The bucking chute (a small enclosure which opens from the side) is opened and the bull storms out into the arena. The rider must attempt to stay on the bull for at least eight seconds, while only touching the bull with his riding hand. His other hand must remain free for the duration of the ride.The bull bucks, rears, kicks, spins, and twists in an effort to throw the rider off. This continues for a number of seconds until the rider bucks off or dismounts after completing his ride. A loud buzzer announces the completion of an eight second ride. The PBR is the premiere bull riding organization in the world, boasting contestants from the United States, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, and Canada. Its events air weekly on VERSUS, NBC, and FOX and in recent years it has been tagged the ‘fastest growing sport in the country,' with approximately 400 hours of prime time programming annually, PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air, in addition to attracting over 1.7 million live event attendees each year.

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People walk along the Venice boardwalk during the 8th Annual Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, February 21, 2009. "Mardi Gras" (mär`dē grä) means "Fat Tuesday." Traditionally, it is the last day for Catholics to indulge—and often overindulge—before Ash Wednesday starts the sober weeks of fasting that come with Lent. Formally known as Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras has long been a time of extravagant fun for European Christians.In the United States, Mardi Gras draws millions of fun-seekers to New Orleans every year. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in New Orleans on a grand scale, with masked balls and colorful parades, since French settlers arrived in the early 1700s. Hidden behind masks, people behaved so raucously that for decades in the early 19th century masks were deemed illegal in that party-loving city.

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(1-5) Around two dozen cyclist pedal north on the Santa Monica Boardwalk during the final leg of Wounded Warrior Project's 'Soldier Ride' on Friday, February 20, 2009. (6,7) United States Navy Hospital Corpsman Derek McGinnis, 31, (Navy HM2) adjusts his prosthetic leg on the Santa Monica Boardwalk after finishing the 'Soldier Ride' on Friday. Doc McGinnis lost his leg in Iraq while transporting a patient during combat.

The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride is a rehabilitative cycling program for wounded warriors. For many of these combat-wounded veterans, Soldier Ride provides the first steps in the return to an active lifestyle. Many of these men and women have been physically active throughout their lives. Soldier Ride offers these brave individuals the chance to get on a bike and prove to themselves, "I can still do this." Soldier Ride is not about politics; it's not about the war. It's simply about the soldiers. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call 877 TEAM WWP (832-6997) or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Santa Monica Police officers pose for a portrait on the Santa Monica Boardwalk after finishing the Wounded Warrior Project's 'Soldier Ride' on Friday, February 20, 2009. The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride is a rehabilitative cycling program for wounded warriors. For many of these combat-wounded veterans, Soldier Ride provides the first steps in the return to an active lifestyle. Many of these men and women have been physically active throughout their lives. Soldier Ride offers these brave individuals the chance to get on a bike and prove to themselves, "I can still do this." Soldier Ride is not about politics; it's not about the war. It's simply about the soldiers. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call 877 TEAM WWP (832-6997) or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

(1) Legendary 60's folk singer/songwriter and centennial steering committee honorary co-chair, Joan Baez, sings "Gracias A La Vida" at the Santa Monica Pier Carousel during a Centennial Celebration and  book launch of James Harris' 'Santa Monica Pier: A Century on the Last Great Pleasure Pier' on Wednesday, February 18, 2009. (2,3) Santa Monica Mayor Ken Genser presents Joan Baez with the Santa Monica Pier award on Wednesday. (4) Joan Baez rides on the historic Santa Monica Pier Carousel during the  Centennial Celebration.

The Santa Monica Pier Centennial Celebration, through a series of free, public events and festivals, will engage the public in the rich history of the Santa Monica Pier by re-creating and paying homage to some of the most memorable moments from its past. Throughout the Centennial, the Pier will highlight the place that the Santa Monica Pier has in the everyday life of the city. The Santa Monica Pier Centennial looks 100 years in the past, 100 years ahead in the future that will create an atmosphere of fun, festivity, and fitness that will last for another 100 years. The events of the Santa Monica Pier Centennial will pay tribute to the past, enhance the visitor experience of the present, offer a new set of events for a new population and attract event visitation and economic development on a year round basis.

Santa Monica Pier Opens Its Centennial Year Celebration with a Nostalgic Look at Its First Century, Through the Introduction of the Highly Anticipated Historical Retrospective Book, James Harris’s Santa Monica Pier: A Century On The Last Great Pleasure Pier

(1) Santa Monica Pier Historian and Author, James Harris, (right) reveals his historic retrospective book, 'Santa Monica Pier: A Century on the Last Great Pleasure Pier' during the Pier's centennial kick-off celebration on February 18, 2009, at the Santa Monica Pier Carousel. Santa Monica Mayor Ken Genser (left) lends his support. (2) Michael Espinoza, and Rachel McDonald dance the Tango during the press conference. (3) US National Hula Hoop Champion Mat Plendl performs during the press conference. (4,5) Karen Gay, from Cirque du Soleil, get her book signed by Author, James Harris. (6) Children from Grant Elementary School ride on the historic Santa Monica Pier Carousel during the press conference on Wednesday.

The official commencement of the legendary Santa Monica Pier’s Centennial program began today at the historic Santa Monica Pier Carousel Hippodrome with both, a nostalgic look at its beginnings back in 1909 with the introduction of the much-anticipated historical book, James Harris’s Santa Monica Pier: A Century On The Last Great Pleasure Pier, and the sneak preview of its celebratory plans for its centennial year, that all lead up to the big day, September 9, 2009, when the Pier will officially observe its first hundred years of survival and triumph.

Today’s kick-off event started by celebrating the Pier’s story, with the special delivery of 100 copies of Harris’s retrospective book, published by Angel City Press. The book, which is a complete historical chronology of the Pier’s rich history, also contains a distinctive collection of vintage images that capture the transformation of this American icon over its first hundred years which has remained a fixture of Southern California’s coastline throughout a century.

Attendees also included nearly 100 school children from the local Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, who were treated to rarely told colorful stories of the historical landmark as related by James Harris, historian and author at the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation -- the entity that first oversaw the re-construction of the Pier and today manages its day-to-day operations.

The school kids in attendance were the first to experience the hundred-year history first hand via the newly developed Santa Monica Pier curriculum in honor of the Pier’s centennial. And, of course, the children were also treated to rides on the famous carousel.

Also announced today, were a variety of exciting free public events that will take place over the next seven months leading up to the Pier’s actual 100th birthday on September 9, 2009. All of the events are designed to showcase the cultural, education and recreational activities that make the Pier a special landmark and beloved attraction by the diverse Southern California residents and visitors alike, who have made, and will continue to make, the Pier part of their lives.

Pacific Park amid the sunset on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009.

Sue Wu, from Gemstone Station, arranges her fresh water pearls during the 20th Annual Santa Monica Gem Faire at the Santa Monica Civic Center on Sunday, February 15, 2009.