(above) International journalists Tom Plate (right) and Mike Chinoy talk about new and dangerous global realities during the SMC Associates  Global Connections Lecture Series,  "The World Today: Dangers New & Old, From Terrorism to North Korea," on Tuesday, April 15, 2008. (center) Tom Plate autographs his book for a Santa Monica College student after his lecture. (top) Dr. Chui L. Tsang, (center) SMC President, visits with International journalists Tom Plate (right) and Mike Chinoy (left) at SMC after their lecture.

1) Santa Monica Council Member Kevin McKeown admires a cake made in the image of a Big Blue Bus at the Third Street Promenade on Monday, April 14, 2008, during Big Blue Bus' 80th Anniversary Celebration. The cake was created by the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles. 2) Chritophe Bernard, Culinary Director of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles, transports the cake onstage and presents it to Stephanie Negriff, Big Blue Bus General Manager, during the celebration. 3) Guest look at historic photos of BBB during the free celebration on the Promenade. 4) (left to right) Santa Monica Council Members Kevin McKeown and Robert Holbrook speaks with motor coach operators Tim Giroux and Kenneth Johnson (both who worked for BBB for more than 30 years) during the celebration.  5) Michelle Estrellado,  Director of Public Relations & Marketing from the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles, hands out birthday cake to the guests. 6) A close-up look at the Big Blue Bus cake. The Big Blue Bus operates a fleet of over 200 energy efficient vehicles transporting more than 80,000 passengers daily across a nearly 52-square mile service area. Nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to a cleaner environment, the entire fleet operates on alternative fuels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), which helps cut emissions by over 80 percent. Serving Santa Monica and the Los Angeles area since 1928, the Big Blue Bus has an 86 percent on-time performance record, and has won numerous awards for its customer service, safety and efficiency. BBB is one of the oldest bus systems in California; fleet has traveled over 778 million miles since 1928. Transit agency began with six rented buses and 5 cent fares.

A sea of umbrellas invade the Santa Monica Coastline on Sunday, April 13, 2008. Temperatures reached 93 degrees along the coast on Sunday.

Beachgoers  keep cool along the Santa Monica  shoreline on Saturday, April 12, 2008. Temperatures reached 89 degrees along the coast on Saturday.