(top) A cyclist peddles north along Santa Monica Beach amid the sunseto n Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. (above) A couple watch the sun set at Santa Monica Bay on Monday, Dec. 29, 2008.

Dr. Oliver Dorigo, 45, carries a bunch of balloons to his son, Alessio's first birthday party at Douglas Park on Saturday, December 13, 2008.

LAST NIGHT OF CHANUKAH Rabbi Isaac Levitansky from the Chabad House lights the giant public Menorah at the Santa Monica Pier during the last night of Chanukah on Sunday, December 28, 2008. There are 50 public menorah throughout the Santa Monica area. According to Rabbi Levitansky, there are more public menorah's in Santa Monica than any other city in the world! Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a joyous celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days when there was only enough oil left in the temple for one day.

(top) Santa Monica Mayor Ken Genser(right) and Rabbi Isaac Levitansky from the Chabad House light the giant public Menorah at the Third Street Promenade during the seventh night of Chanukah on Saturday, December 27, 2008. (center) Mayor Genser receives a blessing from the havdalah candle on Saturday night. (above) Rabbi's from the Chabad House dance at the Third Street Promenade during the celebration. There are 50 public menorahs throughout the Santa Monica area. According to Rabbi Levitansky, there are more public menorah's in Santa Monica than in any other city in the world! Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a joyous celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days when there was only enough oil left in the temple for one day.

Hundreds of people walk on the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, December27, 2008.

Gary A. Poe, Founder and Executive Director of Windows On Our Waters, shows a Sea urchin to visitors at the Third Street Promenade on Saturday, December 20, 2008. Windows-On-Our-Waters® is an environmental education program dedicated to raising the awareness of school children and the general public concerning the issues of watershed protection and preservation; motivating them and giving them the tools they need to help stop the amount of pollutants reaching our aquatic, coastal and marine ecosystems and empowering them to become active environmental stewards.

Los Pinguos,a Spanish guitars band who hail from Buenos Aires - Argentina, perform on the Third Street Promenade on Sunday, December 21, 2008.

A couple walks past the Santa Monica Nativity Scene at Palisades Park, on Tuesday , December 23, 2008. The Santa Monica Nativity Scenes is an annual display of the Christmas story which has been staged at Palisades Park since 1953. The interdenominational display stretches along Ocean Avenue from Arizona Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard and includes 14 scenes with life-size figures depicting events surrounding Christ’s birth.