(top) Police Activities League (PAL) officer Jennifer Sekera (center) leads a group of PAL members on a bicycle ride along Broadway ave. on Thursday, July 30, 2009.  PAL is a unique community organization that fosters trust between youth and the men and women of the Santa Monica Police Department in a safe and nurturing environment. Through outstanding educational, cultural, recreational, and outreach programs, PAL helps develop skills and self-esteem, encouraging youth to reach their full potential. PAL provides free educational, cultural, and recreational programs for youth ages 6 - 17 years. Activities offered include homework assistance, computer classes, cooking, creative dramatics, arts & crafts, dance, karate, basketball, excursions, and special events. A slate of activities, including trips, sports leagues, specialized classes, and computer instruction is available to teens ages 14 - 17 years. Coaches and instructors for the PAL program come from the Santa Monica Police and Community and Cultural Services Departments and from community members who volunteer their time. The PAL Youth Center is open Monday through Saturday.

Rene Lujan of Sudhakar Co. paints a bicycle sign on the 1900 block of Main Street on Wednesday, July 8, 2009.

Artist Damon Boyd, award winning bike designer and founder of Nomad Custom Crafted Cruisers, rides his Classic Woody Quadricycle during the Venice Eco Fest on Saturday, June 27, 2009.

Cirque du Soleil performers entertain at the Santa Monica Pier on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, during a press conference announcing their return to Santa Monica to present the live touring show KOOZA for a limited engagement starting on October 16, 2009. Proudly presented by iShares, KOOZA will perform under the trademark blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) at the Santa Monica Pier in celebration of the Pier’s Centennial and Cirque du Soleil’s 25th Anniversary.

Cirque du Soleil is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009. From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has more than 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 1,000 performing artists. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to almost 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. In 2009, Cirque du Soleil will present 20 shows simultaneously throughout the world. Cirque du Soleil’s mission is to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the world.

(1-5) Around two dozen cyclist pedal north on the Santa Monica Boardwalk during the final leg of Wounded Warrior Project's 'Soldier Ride' on Friday, February 20, 2009. (6,7) United States Navy Hospital Corpsman Derek McGinnis, 31, (Navy HM2) adjusts his prosthetic leg on the Santa Monica Boardwalk after finishing the 'Soldier Ride' on Friday. Doc McGinnis lost his leg in Iraq while transporting a patient during combat.

The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride is a rehabilitative cycling program for wounded warriors. For many of these combat-wounded veterans, Soldier Ride provides the first steps in the return to an active lifestyle. Many of these men and women have been physically active throughout their lives. Soldier Ride offers these brave individuals the chance to get on a bike and prove to themselves, "I can still do this." Soldier Ride is not about politics; it's not about the war. It's simply about the soldiers. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call 877 TEAM WWP (832-6997) or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

(top) A cyclist peddles north along Santa Monica Beach amid the sunseto n Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. (above) A couple watch the sun set at Santa Monica Bay on Monday, Dec. 29, 2008.