(above)  World-renowned  pianist, arranger, and producer, Oscar Hernández, leader of the  Spanish Harlem Orchestra, performs on the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday, July 10, 2008, during the  24th Annual  Twilight Dance Series. Since their arrival in 2000, Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO) has established itself as a standard bearer of contemporary Latin music and has reintroduced the classic sounds of New York City Salsa to music lovers worldwide. The Twilight Dance Series is presented by Amoeba Music.  (top) Vocalists Marco Bermudez (L) and Ray De La Paz (R) perform during the concert on Thursday.

Kiwanians Edward Guerboian, (left) owner of Readers Fine Jewelers, goes "All-in" as John Lee, (right) owner of Mrs. Garcia's Catering, calls his bluff while playing a practice hand of Texas Hold'em during the Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica's weekly luncheon at the Santa Monica Family YMCA on Wednesday, July 2, 2008.  Guerboian won the jackpot with a pair of Kings. The Kiwanians were learning to play Texas Hold'em in preparation for their Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament fundraiser which will be held next Saturday, July 12th at the Riviera Country Club in the Pacific Palisades. Buy-ins cost $65.00 and gets you $1000.00 of chips and includes a buffet and a complimentary drink ticket. Prizes include a week in the Presidential Suite Cabo San Lucas, weekend getaways, gift certificates, coupon for $500.00 worth of gas and more. Kiwanis International is an organization of service clubs headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Members of Kiwanis place special emphasis on service to children and youth, both through international initiatives intended to improve the quality of life of children around the world, and through their Service Leadership Programs.

A ship-reck is transformed into a public  piece of graffiti  art at  Venice Beach  on Saturday, June 28, 2008. 

A woman pulls three girls along the Santa Monica Bike path on Thursday, June 19, 2008.