A tour bus drives through a ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Tour Bus Loading and Unloading Zone at Santa Monica Place on Thursday, June 28, 2012. It has been more than 5 years since there was a stop at the mall. Holding the ribbon are representatives from Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, City of Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica and DTSM Inc.

With this new zone, tour companies can drop visitors in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica, at the intersection of the World-Famous Third Street Promenade and the latest outdoor shopping haven Santa Monica Place.

The City of Santa Monica extends courtesy parking and use of designated zones within the City to tour bus operators who are certified by SMCVB for their contribution to the visitor industry in Santa Monica. Operators can apply online at SantaMonica.com.

Longtime peace and anti-nuclear activist Jerry Rubin, 68, chains himself to the chain link fence that surrounds the monumental 26-foot-tall public sculpture by 3-time Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Paul Conrad entitled, ‘Chain Reaction’ (1991) during a press conference  announcing the beginning of his 10-week "Save the Chain Reaction" liquid-only fast on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The press conference  was held on the day before what would have been Paul Conrad's 88th birthday.  The chaining is meant to symbolize the community commitment to saving the iconic sculpture, which may be removed because of its structural integrity.

Rubin will continue his fast through Tuesday, September 4, the 2nd anniversary of Paul Conrad's passing. Mr. Conrad died September 4, 2010 of natural causes at his home in
Rancho Palos Verdes with his family by his side.

Rubin has been a peace, environmental, and anti-nuclear activist for more than 30 years. He is no relation to the late 1960's  peace activist of the same name.

The Conrad family and the community are currently seeking donations to help save, restore and strengthen "Chain Reaction." People can visit the family website for details: ConradProjects.com

The City Council has given Conrad's family and the community until November 15 as a deadline to raise the needed funding.

The Santa Monica Landmarks Commission unanimously voted at their May 14 meeting to nominate "Chain Reaction" to be considered for City landmark status.        

Paul Conrad inscribed at the base of "Chain Reaction:" This is a statement of peace. May it never become an epitaph."

Chain Reaction was a gift to the city, approved by City Council in 1991 after extensive public process and debate. The work was funded by a private donation to the Santa Monica Arts Foundation.

Kids With Cameras 2012 WEEK 1 - Fire Academy - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Members from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, Santa Monica PAL (Police Activities League) and the Santa Monica Family YMCA take photos of firefighters during the kick-off of the Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council's 4rth annual Kids With Cameras summer photo workshop at the Santa Monica Fire Department training academy on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. The workshop meets every Wednesday for 6 weeks and will feature their work at a show in August. THESE PHOTOS WERE SHOT BY THE KIDS WITH CAMERAS.

A street performer dressed as a cat puts on her Hello Kitty costume at the Santa Monica Pier on Friday, June 22, 2012.

Graffiti  artist  who goes by the name Biffy paints at the Venice Art Wall on Saturday, June 23, 2012.

Participants walk along the Santa Monica Boardwalk during the Lighthouse Medical Missions' 4th Annual 8 Mile Walk To Africa fundraiser on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The raised money will send doctors and volunteers on short-term medical relief trips, build schools, clean water projects, establish vocational schools and restore thousands of lives.

Santa Monica PAL (Police Activities League) member Taneia Bryant, 11, takes photos of firefighters from ground level during the kick-off of the Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council's 4rth annual Kids With Cameras summer photo workshop at the Santa Monica Fire training academy on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. The workshop meets every Wednesday for 6 weeks and will feature their work at a show in August.