Dr. Gary Shapiro, Ph.D., Chairman and Cofounder of Orang Utan Republik displays his puppet 'Princes' during the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce's Nonprofit Festival at the Third Street Promenade on Saturday. Orangutans are the largest arboreal ape. They are found only in Sumatra and Borneo. Orangutans are in grave danger of extinction because their rainforest habitat is being converted for human use - the biggest threat is pemanent agriculture in the form of palm oil plantations and more recently illegal logging within protected areas. Orangutans are the most arboreal of the great apes, spending nearly all of their time in the trees, making a new nest in the trees every night.

Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson places ashes onto the forehead of parishioner Belinda Gonzales at St. Monica Catholic Church during Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 21 2007. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty-six days before Easter.  The priest or minister marks the forehead of each participant with black ashes, in the shape of a cross, which the worshipper traditionally retains until washing it off after sundown.  Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence (from meat), and repentance—a day of contemplating one's transgressions.