After thirty years of service to the Santa Monica Police Department, Captain Alex Padilla flips pancakes at the Police Activities Leagues Winterlit Workshop during his last day of work before retiring.

Police Activity League members 13 to 17 years of age perform during Cirque Du Monde's Palooza on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at the PAL gymnasium. Cirque du Monde (the world-famous Cirque du Soleil's outreach program) uses circus as an alternative education tool to engage at-risk youth in communities around the world. The impact of Cirque du Monde goes beyond individual benefits. Working as a group the participants learn about cohesion, teamwork and respect for peers. Its effects are also visible at the community level through reconciliation between opposing groups of young people, change in the perception of the community toward youth at risk and the implementation of a dialogue between the community and its young people.

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.

(top) Marina Lares, 10, her brothers Michael, 4, and Frank Jr., 13, with uncle Ernie Bravo put gifts into a 1955 Ford truck during the Fifth Annual Dukes Car Show and Toy Drive at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, November 7, 2009. (above) Sinoeh Yanes, 6, shines his dad's 1950 Chevy Truck during the Car Show and Toy Drive.  The car show's entry fee was a toy which will be distributed to Santa Monica Police Activity League (PAL) for their annual Holiday Workshop in December.

(1,2,3) Children compete in a costume contest during the 18th Annual PALloween Carnival at Barker Hanger on Saturday, October 31, 2009. (4) Guest walk through the Haunted House during the 18th Annual PALloween Carnival  (5) Leigh-Ann Waddell, 10, and (6) Spring A.M. de Haviland compete in the pie eating contest during the 18th Annual PALloween carnival at Barker Hanger on Saturday, October 31, 2009. 

(1) Jocelyn Schutte, 24, carries 6 pumpkins during the "All You Can Carry Pumpkin Patch at the Third Street Promenade on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. (2) Charlie Lucas, 21, carries 4 pumpkins during the "All You Can Carry Pumpkin Patch. (3) Chef From Houston's Peter Prime carry's pumpkins during the "All You Can Carry Pumpkin Patch. (4) Chef From Houston's Robert Harding carries pumpkins during the All You Can Carry Pumpkin Patch. (5) Jennifer Taft carries pumpkins during the "All You Can Carry Pumpkin patch at the Third Street promenade on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. (6) Santa Monica Police Captain Wendell Shirley, (center) Officer  Miguel Rodriguez, (left) and PAL Officer Austin Brown (right) carry pumpkins during the "All You Can Carry Pumpkin patch at the Third Street promenade on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. The pumpkins will be donates to the Santa Monica Police Activity League which will be decorated by the PAL youth and featured at the PALloween Carnival at Barker Hanger on Saturday. The PALloween Carnival is from 5pm to 9pm. Free entrance.

(top) Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) Officer Jennifer Sekera helps PAL member Juliana De La Cruz to ice skate during the opening of the ice skating rink, ICE at Santa Monica, on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. (above) Kate Corsmeier helps her daughter Ondine, 4, ice skate for the first time during the opening of  ICE at Santa Monica, on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. ICE at Santa Monica is an 8000-square-foot outdoor ice rink in Downtown Santa Monica. ICE at Santa Monica will remain open daily through January 31, 2010, and admission is $10 and includes rental skates. For hours and more information, please go to http://www.downtownsm.com/about/winterlit.html.