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

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE

The sun can be seen setting through Baile Oakes' interactive wood sculpture entitled "Gestation III," 1991, marking the winter solstice at Palisades Park on Thursday, December 22, 2011.

During only the winter solstice the Sun sets exactly in the middle of the sculptures opening.

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 06:40PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

HAPPY CHANUKAH

Rabbi Eli Levitansky,  from the Chabad House, lights the giant Menorah at the Third Street Promenade on the first night of Chanukah on Tuesday, December 20, 2011.

Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 06:01AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

PRIUS LOVE

A Toyota Prius tries to jump-starts another Toyota Prius at Bay Street. (Thursday, December 15, 2011)

Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 11:00PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Rich "Uncle" Pennybags

Monopoly mascot, Rich "Uncle" Pennybags, tries to collect $2000.00 in rent from passerbys for landing their ‘Hotel’ on the ‘Boardwalk’ while filming a commercial for the new board game at the Santa Monica Boardwalk on Thursday, December 15, 2011.

Posted on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 07:16PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Santa Monica Pier's Holiday Open House

‎Santa Claus is escorted down the Santa Monica Pier in a dory boat by the Santa Monica Police Department Harbor Patrol and the Los Angeles County Lifeguards during the Santa Monica Pier's Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 17, 2011.

Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 04:11PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

SANTA-GO-ROUND

Santa Claus rides the historic 1922 Merry-Go-Round (Carousel) with Alejandra Cabanas, 7, (left) and Madeline Mayer, 6, at the Santa Monica Pier during the Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 17, 2011.

Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 03:11PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

P.A.L. HOLIDAY WORKSHOP

Santa Claus gives a brand new bicycle to Justin Becerra, 13, during Santa Monica PAL's (Police Activities League) Holiday Workshop on Saturday, December 17, 2011.

Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 08:10PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz in | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

THREE CHIEFS

Santa Monica Fire Department Deputy Chief Bruce Davis (center) makes pancakes while Santa Monica Fire Chief Scott Ferguson (right) and Santa Monica Police Department Chief Tim Jackman lend their support during Santa Monica PAL's (Police Activities League) Holiday Workshop on Saturday, December 17, 2011.