(top) Heal the Bay Aquarist Brianne Emhiser, 25, AKA "The Bag Monster" encourages shoppers to support the ordinance to ban plastic bags  during the Santa Monica's Downtown Farmers Market on Wednesday, February, 13, 2008. (above) Heal the Bay's  Aquarium Director Vicki Wawerchak, and the "Bag Monster" encourage residents to support the  plastic ban by showing up at City Hall and voicing their support. The Santa Monica City Council is scheduled to vote on drafting an ordinance to ban plastic bags in the city during February 19th hearing at City Hall.  The ban that is being considered (which is recommended by the city's staff), is a far-reaching and comprehensive approach to the problem of single-use plastic and paper bag consumption.

A couple of Crows rest on a palm leaf on Monday, February, 11, 2008. According to Wikipedia, Crows are believed to be the most intelligent of all birds.  American crows have an unusual social system - they are cooperative breeders. This means that they may stay close to the place where they were born to help raise young and defend the area against predators. Both male and female parents take turn sitting on their eggs.

Desmond Bedlow, 47,  plays the steel drum at the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, January 13, 2008. Bedlow has been playing steel drums for more than thirty (30) years.  Born in Tobago, of the twin island state of  Trinidad and Tobago, he comes from a family of musicians.  His repertoire is varied and is drawn from his years of performing with the Our Boys Steel Orchestra, which is known as one of Tobago's best Steel Bands.   His musical interests are varied and range from Calypso to Jazz, Classical movements and Latin rhythms. 

(above) The Stefani Valadez Ensemble performs at the Santa Monica Main Street Farmers Market on Sunday, February 10, 2008. Singer, guitarist, songwriter, Stefani Valadez offers a rich repertoire of soulful romantic, enchanting melodies, including songs from many lands. (top) Jeff Breeh on the upright base and Jamie Papish on the percussion. (center) Nyofu Tyson on the Turkish Saz (long neck lute) and Richard Hardy on the Sax.