Artists Scott O'Keefe, 41, (left) and Nature, 27, work on their Mandala art installation at the Santa Monica Civic on Friday, December 12, 2008, during the Eco Gift Festival. The installation is made from split peas, grains, mulch, flowers and many other natural materials. The festival offers consumers one-stop shopping for green gifts featuring innovative products, organic foods; live music and a Speaker Series with leading visionaries of the 21st Century. The event runs through Sunday.

Santa Monica City employees dance the "Hava Nagila" (הבה נגילה in Hebrew) at City Hall during the annual Santa Monica City Holiday Party on Friday, December 12, 2008. The Hava Nagila is a Hebrew folk song, the title meaning "Let us rejoice". It is a song of celebration, especially popular amongst Jewish and Roma communities.

Binky, a three year-old Chihuahua mix who was born without his two front legs, walks down the Third Street Promenade with the help of his Santa sleigh on Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Binky was rescued from a shelter after spending his first year as an orphan.

Santa Monica Mayor Ken Genser awards a Commendation to Santa Monica Pack 67 Webelo 1 Den Leader Meighan Maguire at City Hall on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. Webelos 1 Scouts (left to right) Nick Santini, Nick Brandenberg, and Aiden Metz lend their support. The Aims of Cub Scouting is to build character, learn the responsibilities of citizenship, and develop personal fitness. Apart from the fun and excitement of Cub Scout activities, the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout sign, handshake, motto, and salute all teach good citizenship and contribute to a boy's sense of belonging. Webelos was  an acronym meaning Wolf, Bear, Lion, Scout. It has since come to mean "WE'll BE LOyal Scouts".

Santa Monica Council Members (left to right) Mayor Pro Tem Richard Bloom, Mayor Herb Katz, Ken Genser and Bobby Shriver swear-in at City Hall on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. Council Member Ken Genser was chosen to serve as mayor.

Santa Monica Police Officers ride their bicycles along the Third Street Promenade on Thursday, December 4, 2008.

(TOP) Guest admire the 'Ginger Bread City' at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel during the Annual "Meet Me Under The Fig Tree," holiday event on Sunday, December 7, 2008. (CENTER) Misti Kerns, President and CEO of the Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau, reads "Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer" to children during "Meet Me Under The Fig Tree," on Sunday. (ABOVE) Chelsea Williams and Eric Kuss perform holiday favorites during the annual holiday event.

(1) Colette Aslan, 17, (left) and Miki Ashkenazy, 17, dance in "Be Unique, Be Yourself's" window during the Montana Avenue Annual Holiday Walk on Friday, December 5, 2008. (2) Owner of Revolution Fitness Stephanie Moore (back right) and the Santa Spinners (left to right) Noelle Balfour, 24, Lisa Fuchslin, 41, and Kirsten Koppe, 28, workout in festive attire during the Montana Avenue Annual Holiday Walk. (3) The Tinseltone Carolers perform during the Montana Avenue Annual Holiday Walk on Fiday.