Chris McNair, a graphic installer from Arete Design Imaging ADI , applies a holiday wrap onto a  Big Blue Bus on Monday, November 23, 2009, as part of the transit company's annual tradition that dates back to the early 1950s with the original candy cane bus. Big Blue Bus will roll out its popular fully wrapped holiday bus beginning the morning of Saturday, November 28. The bus will remain in service throughout the season until January 4. This year’s sponsor is the Cirque du Soleil’s production of KOOZA, and the bus will reflect the show’s vibrant colors, spirit and uplifting message. The festively wrapped 40-foot-long, clean fuel bus has become a traditional start of the holiday season in Santa Monica and other parts of Los Angeles. The holiday bus will travel a different route each day around the Big Blue Bus service area to ensure as many people as possible get a chance to see it – or ride on it – during the holidays. “The design of this year’s bus is just spectacular, a real head turner, and we think people are going to love it,” said Big Blue Bus Customer Relations Manager Dan Dawson. “We have so many people tell us they take pictures in front of the decorated bus every year with their families and friends, so the holiday bus has really become quite a nice tradition in the area.” This year’s new design features a major character of the KOOZA show poised against a backdrop of vivid purple, gently falling snowflakes and brightly wrapped red presents. The tagline exclaims, “There has never been a better time to dream.” Cirque du Soleil plans to charter the holiday bus for a special promotional tour around Los Angeles on November 27, one day before the official rollout. Scheduled stops include ICE at Santa Monica from 11 a.m. to noon, the Santa Monica Pier from noon to 12:45 p.m. as well as a stop at Hollywood and Highland from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. According to tour management, KOOZA-themed representatives will hand out candy canes and holiday cards promoting the holiday production of KOOZA, now playing at the Santa Monica Pier until December 20. The Big Blue Bus transports more than 80 thousand passengers a day around its large service area, which includes Santa Monica, West LA and downtown LA. For more information or high-resolution images of the holiday bus, please contact Francine Pares at 949-481-7559 or fpares@intelibrand.com. For more information about Cirque du Soleil or KOOZA, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com

Hundreds of people walk on the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, November 22, 2009.

(1) Mentor Melanie Xanten, 22, and her mentee Felicity Frank, 11,  ride the Silver Streak during Children Uniting Nation's 11th Annual  Day of the Child (DOC) at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica on Sunday, November 22, 2009. (2) Mentee Jacqueline Gudiel, 11, (center) and her mentor Kathrina Paclie, 20, (right) with mentor Stephanie Salmerun, 22, ride the Drop Zone  during DOC. (3) Mentor Chris Lee, 22, and his mentee Kieth Rodgers, 6, color during DOC. (4) Snoopy waves while walking on the red carpet during DOC at Barker Hanger.

Eighth grader Ben Brady, 14, and his class mates Jordan, Jake and Sam from student leadership council put a holiday message on John Adams' Marquee  on Tuesday, November 17, 2009

(top) Santa Monica resident and volunteer Kenneth Scopp helps Kevin Vasquez, 6, try on a pair of converse while Santa Clause looks on during the Salvation Army's 25th Annual Sears Holiday Shopping Spree on Thursday, November 19, 2009. (center) Tajon Brown, 2, offers Santa Claus some juice during the Salvation Army's 25th Annual Sears Holiday Shopping Spree. (above) The SAMOHI Holiday Carolers sing  during the Salvation Army's 25th Annual Sears Holiday Shopping Spree.  Each child received $100 to spend on brand new clothes during the shopping spree at the Sears in Santa Monica. Volunteers from The Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps Community Center's Advisory Board, service clubs, businesses, and near-by schoolsl escorted and assist each child as they made their selections and purchases.Santa Claus, though not shopping, visited with the children while the SAMOHI (Santa Monica High School) Madrigal singers fill the air with the sounds of holiday music.

Ten members from the Police Activity League receive certificates for completing the Junior Police Academy on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at the Santa Monica Public Safety Building. The Junior Police Academy is an eight week program designed for children ages 9 to 14. Through classroom discussions, student activities and cadet handouts, the students develop a deeper appreciation for law enforcement, while opening the door to better communication between officers and students. The students learn about policing and the inner workings of the Santa Monica Police Department. They learn about S.W.A.T., crime scene Investigations, accident, D.U.I. investigations, use of traffic radar and Beach Patrol.