(top)  Sushi Cheff, Sze Lum, 45, prepares 'Golden Triangle Rolls'  during a media dinner at WOKCANO on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. (above) Jennifer Tracey, 29, (second from right) and her girlfriends, celebrate her birthday with signature cocktails at WOKCANO on Tuesday. Wokcano serves a fusion of traditional and nontraditional Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines, as well as a selection of sushi. Dishes include black pepper beef mignon, honey walnut shrimp, and  Korean-style barbecued short ribs.  With six locations, Wokcano is one of the fastest growing Pan Asianrestaurants in Southern California and is now expanding to Long Beach. The new Santa Monica location featuresa gorgeous 2-story interior with chic Asian decor and a huge multi-leveloutdoor patio with exposed brick enclosing the courtyard giving it a hip NewYork vibe. Live DJs spin an eclectic mix of music on the patio lounge every weekend. Happy hour is from 3 to 7 p.m. daily and includes offerings like California rolls, shrimp tempura rolls, chicken dumplings and more. The same happy hour specials (which inclues two-for-one draft beers) takes place nightly on weekends from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.

(top) Santa Monica Commission on Status of Women (COSW) Commissioner Trish Moon honors Santa Monica Police Officer Natalie Dewberry, 49, with the Outstanding Woman Leaders Award on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at Santa Monica City Hall. (above)  Santa Monica Police Activities (PAL) kids give a group hug to Santa Monica Police Officer  Dewberry, after receiving her award on Tuesday. The Outstanding Women Leaders Awards are presented annually to women who have demonstrated exceptional personal and/or professional dedication to improving the lives of women and girls in Santa Monica.  Officer Natalie Dewberry, a pioneering veteran of the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), is an exemplary role model for female officers, and girls and boys at the Police Activities League.  For 20 years, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment in her numerous roles with the SMPD, always helping women and children who are victims of poverty and violence.  Known affectionately as “the Bank of Dewberry” at the Police Activities League, Officer Dewberry has bought clothes, shoes and school supplies for children in need.  The Santa Monica Commission on the Status of Women works to enhance the status of women in the community. The Commission promotes these goals through investigation of, advocacy for and policy development regarding issues relevant to women and girls, and by creating leadership and career advancement opportunities for women and girls in the community.

Parker Bent,  35, sings children songs during  "Wake Up With The Waves" children's interactive concert series at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, October 11, 2008.. The concerts are held every Saturday morning through November 1.

New West Symphony's First Violin and Concertmaster, Elizabeth Pitcairn, (center) performs Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in D Major at Barnum Hall on Sunday, October 12, 2008. The New West Symphony was founded in 1995 and is the resident orchestra of the 1,500-seat Oxnard Performing Arts Center, the 1,800-seat Countrywide Performing Arts Center at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and the 1,200-seat Barnum Hall in Santa Monica.The New West’s players are all professional musicians drawn from the rich pool of classical musicians in the Los Angeles region, many of whom play for other area orchestras as well as being active “session players” for film, television and audio recording in the entertainment industry. Under the leadership of its founding Music Director, Maestro Boris Brott, the orchestra performs predominantly 19th and 20th century symphonic repertoire. The New West Symphony has also served as the touring orchestra for Andrea Bocelli, having completed three tours, most recently in December 2007. Now established as one of the pre-eminent orchestras in Southern California, the New West Symphony continues to thrill its audiences with its virtuosity and richness of sound. The power, drama and beauty of musical masterpieces come alive at New West Symphony performances. The New West Symphony is a 501c3 charity and governed by a 50-member board of directors

Crews assemble a Beach Front Tent on Monday, Oct 13, 2008, in preparation for City of Hope 's 2008 Spirit of Life Award on Wednesday. The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious philanthropic honor and recognizes individuals who have committed their time and resources to helping those in need. Spirit of Life Award honorees are selected for their notable contributions to their community and profession.  Doug Morris, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company, has been named the 2008 recipient of the Spirit of Life Award by City of Hope’s Music and Entertainment Industry Group. As Chairman and CEO of UMG, Mr. Morris is responsible for guiding the overall global activities of the world’s largest music company

Joe Montemorra, 34, lifts 242.5 lbs at Muscle Beach during the  Special Olympics Southern California Powerlifting meet on Saturday, October 11, 2008.