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

Hurricane relief



(TOP) American Red Cross of Santa Monica's past Chair of the Board, Ann Greenspun RN, (right) and Board Member, Sally Pai, enjoy hurricane drinks during the Hurricanes 2008 Relief "Blow Out" fundraiser at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company on the Santa Monica Pier, Monday, October 6, 2008. (ABOVE) Red Cross volunteers Christine Law, 30, (right) and her sister Liz, 26, sip their hurricanes during the fundraiser. The “Blow Out” helped to raise  more than $1,000.00 in desperately needed funds for Hurricane 2008 Disaster Relief efforts. Current estimates for the cost of relief operations are over $100-million. The Red Cross deployed 19,000 disaster workers and volunteers to the hurricane zones -- twelve of them from the Santa Monica chapter. So far, the Red Cross has provided 360,000 overnight shelter stays, served 8-million meals and snacks, provided health and mental health services to more than 80,000 people and distributed over 100,000 clean-up kits for tens of thousands of evacuees and victims of Gustav and Ike's wrath. Fundraising efforts to pay off hurricane relief debt incurred have fallen short of goals. The American Red Cross has asked each chapter to help out with the fundraising efforts. Santa Monica's goal is $67,000 of which slightly over half has been raised, so far.  It's important that everyone  pitch in so that the American Red Cross can be fully ready and able to assist those affected by the next hurricane, tornado, storm, earthquake or other disaster - natural or man-made -- wherever it may occur.   In addition to an informal presentation on disaster relief, appetizers and Hurricane drinks were served. A donation of any dollar amount to the Red Cross of Santa Monica “Hurricanes 2008 Relief” fund was required for admittance. Folks can still donate directly to the hurricane relief fundraising by contacting Marcia Caldirola, 310-394-3773. Go online at www.redcrosssofsantamonica.org. for additional information.  Hurricane relief donations can be made via cash, check or most credit cards.Money raised through the "Blow Out" fundraiser supports the disaster relief activities of the American Red Cross, a publicly supported nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide disaster awareness and disaster relief efforts.
Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 12:01AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Pier Del Sol “Pirate’s Cove”









1) California’s First Lady and Honorary Chair, Maria Shriver and her brother, Bobby Shriver, Santa Monica City Council member, welcome guests during  Pier Del Sol “Pirate’s Cove” at Pacific Park on October 5, 2008. 2)  Maria Shriver aand her daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger, 18, who is a freshman at USC, pose for a portrait during event. 3)  Kapt. Kula's Pyrat Party Band perform during Pier Del Sol. 4) Drunken Pirates sing and dance during the event. 5) Kangaroo Westie and his pirate pal enjoy themselves while greeting guests during the event. 6)  Joshul Herren, 11, (right) his brother Jacob, 9, (center) and their cousin Skyler Hanon, 6, (left) examine a Globe Crab at Captain Carl's Mobile Tide Pool during Pier Del Sol “Pirate’s Cove” at Pacific Park. 7)  Ethan Ito, 3, (left) Zoe Ford, 6, (center) her sister Maggie, 2, (right) compete in a costume contest during Pier Del Sol “Pirate’s Cove” at Pacific Park on October 5, 2008. Ito won the costume contest and received a gift basket. 8) Maggie Ford, 2, competes in a costume contest while sucking on her pacifier. This signature event is Southern California’s largest fundraiser that benefits Special Olympics athletes and was started by California’s First Lady and Honorary Chair, Maria Shriver and Special Olympics Board Member, Anita Green. Since its inaugural year, Pier del Sol has raised more than $4 million to benefit Special Olympics Southern California athletes.  Co-presenting sponsors are The Walt Disney Company, Wells Fargo Bank and Westfield. 
Posted on Monday, October 6, 2008 at 12:01AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Celebration of Life



Virginia Davis, 101, looks on as artist Evie Depoister, 83, gives a calligraphy demonstration during the Senior & Family Intergenerational Arts Festival: Celebration of Life at the Santa Monica Senior Center on Sunday, October 5, 2008. Included in the Celebration of Life festival was music, photography and quilt exhibitions, as well as demonstrations and interactive workshops in dance and movement, painting, calligraphy, flower arranging, story telling, and poetry. The free two day community art festival was presented by the Senior Arts Foundation and the City of Santa Monica in partnership with several agencies and with support from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.  Additional Celebration of Life partnering agencies included Santa Monica College's Emeritus College, Santa Monica-UCLA 50 Plus, Santa Monica Family YMCA, City of Manhattan Poetry Circle, Red Ribbon Squares, and Senior Steppers
Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 05:09PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Pollen and the Ring of Harmony

Eco-advocate and sci-fi author Perry Williams autographs his book 'Pollen and the Ring of Harmony'  during the Senior & Family Intergenerational Arts Festival: Celebration of Life at the Santa Monica Senior Center on Sunday, October 5, 2008. Pollen is a visitor from the far reaches of space, and his mission is to save the Earth from human destruction with the power of his mysterious, living ring. Accompanied by a ragtag group of friends, he journeys across the United States to deliver a message to the president and the world. The Earth is about to be destroyed, and unless humans learn to live in harmony with nature, even the powerful ring won't be able to stop it. But as stories of the ring's amazing abilities spread, the ambitious vice president decides the ring belongs in his hands. And he'll stop at nothing to get it. Williams holds a degree in drama and a minor in art and music from San Diego State University, where he wrote, directed and acted in several plays. He appeared in a several sitcoms in the 1980s including “Happy Days,” “Bosom Buddies,” “Mash” and “Laverne and Shirley.” In addition to his acting career, Williams has experience behind the scenes as a contributing writer for “Laverne and Shirley” and a production assistant for Paramount Studios.

Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 04:47PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Pico Youth and Family Center





1) Pico Youth and Family Center 's Founder and  Executive Director, Oscar de la Torre, welcomes guests during the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, October 4, 2008. "Peace, Community and Social Justice will be the theme to the new center," de la Torre said during the ceremony. 2) Oscar de la Torre, and Santa Monica Police Chief Tomothy J. Jackman, with his cammand staff,  cut the ribbon during the grand opening ceremony. The center is open to the local youth between the ages of 16 - 24 and amies at addressing youth gangs and violence prevention.

Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 11:17AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Diamond Plus Anniversary Gala

(1) The Santa Monica Junior Chamber  (AKA Santa Monica Jaycees) President Jennifer Baker awards Santa Monica Police detective, David Haro, 32, with the Outstanding Young Police Officers Award during the  Santa Monica Jaycees'  Diamond Plus Anniversary Gala at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel's Carousel Ballroom on Saturday, October 4, 2008. (2)  Jaycees past President Robert Acheman, (right), Carolyn Leal, (center) Pauline Acheman, along with other members make a   group toast during the Gala's ending ceremony. (3) Jaycees past presidents pose for a group portrait in  Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel's Carousel Ballroom. The Santa Monica Jaycees was established in 1931, and is Santa Monica and the Westside's premier organization for young Professionals who want to make the most out of living in the Greater Los Angeles area. Recently named one of the top 115 chapters in America, they are a volunteer organization offering opportunities for leadership development, community service and camaraderie for women and men ages 21-40.

Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 08:29AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Clean Green

Ecover Grand Ambassadors  Laura Hoehn, (right)  and Noel Ward (left)  clean Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Richard Blooms' 2004 Toyota Prius during an ecological car wash and wax demonstration to celebrate the launch of new Ecover Car Wash & Wax and Car Glass & Interior Cleaner at Lexus Santa Monica on Saturday, October 4, 2008. The event benifited Heal the Bay.  Ecover Car Wash & Wax and Car Glass & Interior Cleaner clean, degrease, and shine using plant-based ingredients that quickly and completely biodegrade for a minimum impact on aquatic life. Ecover bottles and labels are made of polyethylene, cap of polypropylene, both of which are 100% recyclable and can be recycled together using a low energy process.  For over 25 years, Ecover has been producing products that adhere strictly to the World Health Organization’s definition of heath, which incorporates the well-being of the whole person – both mental and physical – and the environment in which they live.

Posted on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 02:00PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Girls on the go


A cyclist peddles south along the Santa Monica bike path while carrying her girlfriend on the handlebars on Tuesday, September 30, 2008.
Posted on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 06:42AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint
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