Friday Letter 12-05-08

EVENT DATE DETAIL

SMASH Holiday Boutique/Art Affaire TODAY! Admission Free. Dozens of vendors! Dec 5 11:30-5:30

SMASHing Book Fair Mon, Dec. 8 - Fri, Dec 12 Media Ctr

Family Literacy Night Wed, Dec 10 6:00-8:00 pm Auditorium & Media Center

SMASH Board Presentation Thurs, Dec 11 5:30 pm District Office, 1651 16th St
Genie & Core 3 students’ math presentation

Site Council Mtg Wed, Dec. 17 6:30-8:00 pm

SMASH Student Council
Spirit Day: SMASH Pride Day Fri, Dec. 19 Wear SMASH attire. Details to come

Winter Break Mon, Dec 22 - Fri, Jan. 2 Return Monday, January 5, 2009!


Dear SMASHing Families,

We hope you will join us for FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT on Wednesday, December 10.

Start in the Cafetorium at 6:00pm as Kelly leads all of us through a short shared reading experience that highlights key ideas of K-8 reading instruction at SMASH and methods for continuing that deep thinking about books at home.

Then enjoy three more Family Literacy Night highlights:

1) Shop at the Book Fair in the Media Center for new books to add to your home library or give as gifts

2) Visit the “How to Support Your Readers At Home” question/answer/resource table facilitated by Chrysta, Jayme, and Tamara in Core 3. Get some tips about selecting Just Right books, strategies beyond “sound it out”, or questions to pose during family book readings.

3) Listen to our guest readers read aloud books on the Cafetorium stage and steps.

For those who are also interested in showing your SMASH pride and in hearing a 10 minute presentation about SMASH math instruction, join Genie, a few students and I at the SCHOOL BOARD PRESENTATION Thursday, December 11 at 5:30 pm at the District Offices 1651 16th Street at 16th and Olympic.

Finally, once again, MANY THANKS are due to this visionary, committed, organized, and seemingly inexhaustible PTSA crew (lead by Birte for this event) who made a Holiday Boutique full of quality vendors, fun activities for children, and yummy treats possible. For all those who made lighting, power, music, foods, flier distribution, ads, vendors, and most importantly, inspired holiday season fun happen, THANK YOU!

Truly Yours,
Jessica

FYI - Please be considerate of our neighbors when parking your car. We’ve received calls from neighbors that driveways are being blocked in the morning and afternoon. We have been informed that the police will be called to tow any cars blocking driveways.

What’s Up in Core 1

Four mornings a week, right after Morning Meeting, the Core 1 children have the choice of “Projects” for an hour. Just some of our recent project choices have included: Gardening, Animal Habitats, Exploration of Magnets, Dress-up, Game Strategies, Bookmaking, Weaving and the Study of Line. Some of the projects evolve directly from current student interests. Others are opportunities for the children that arise, or activities around things we feel children have the right to learn. Leaders of these groups have been the Core 1 teachers, parent volunteers, Core 3 students, community members, and the students themselves. Some current and upcoming projects include: observations of worms, how machines work, and a visit from a scientist from the Natural History Museum to talk about Spiders. Ask your child about what they have been studying during “Projects”! It is one of our favorite times of the day.

Reminders & Announcements:
Singing at Ocean House: On Wednesday, December 10, we will be singing for the residents of the Ocean House (2107 Ocean Ave.). We will be singing from 11:00 to 11:30. You’re welcome to meet us there (to listen), but we also need MANY parents to chaperone our walk there and back. We will leave SMASH around 9:30, eat snack at the beach, sing at Ocean House, then return for lunch by 12:20. This is a long walk for many of the children, and the more helpers we have, the better. If you’re available to chaperone, please sign-up at the Home/School table.
Family Literacy Night is also on December 10.

Peace!!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: candis.berens@smmusd.org Chrysta: wyse@smmusd.org

CORE 2 NEWS

In Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, this week the students started reading with partners, another Core 2 student who reads at about the same level. We have been discussing what readers talk about. Each student has a list for spelling resources to use during their writing. We DO NOT expect them to memorize these words. Attached is a copy of this resource for you to keep at home.

In Government, we started a research project. The students are working in teams of 4. They will become experts on the roles of either the President, Vice President, Senator, Supreme Court Judge, or Governor. The goal will be to present to the rest of the class on the researched role so that all of Core 2 will understand the various roles of all these important Government figures. We need age appropriate resources in all these areas of study ASAP.

In Math, the 2nd graders begun a new unit on collecting and representing data. See attached letter. The 3rd graders continue their investigation into multiplication and division story problems from the unit, Things that Come in Groups. They then wrote their own two stories – one multiplication and one division.

In Arts, the children put the finishing touches on their “action” figures. Come Wednesday and see their wonderful creations that they made with Ingrid. A huge thanks to Ingrid! We all enjoyed this project.

WANTED: Parent(s) to work with us by calling to arrange field trips. See Laura ASAP. We are running out of time to book our trips. So far we have none booked. We really do need someone who can spend time during the work day doing phone calls and arranging these trips.

Upcoming dates and events:
Wednesday, December 10, 10:45 – 11:15– arts sharing in core 2
Friday, December 12 – November/December birthday bash, 11:30 – 12:10
- see attached 1/2 sheet if your child will be celebrating
Friday, December 19 last day before winter break
Monday, January 5, 2009 – first day back!

Have a glorious weekend!
Laura’s e-mail: sherman@smmusd.org
Jayme’s e-mail: jayme.wold@smmusd.org

CORE 3 NEWS

As we move through our math units, covering different areas of math from fractions to geometry to measurement to data, Core 3 is constantly reviewing/using the basic math facts. You may have noticed that your child has been thinking of ways to memorize their addition facts, like combinations of 10 (1+9, 2+8, 3+7…) and their multiplication facts up through the 12. These are necessary building blocks for all mathematics work. The base-ten number system helps us notice patterns. For example, we notice that multiples of 10 all have a zero in the ones place and go up by ones in the tens column (10, 20, 30, 40, 50…). 5 and 2 are also something that most students are able to skip count by easily, which helps them memorize their multiplication facts. 11 has an easy pattern that kids recognize quickly (11, 22, 33, 44, 55…) as does 9 when you write them down. That leaves 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 12.
That’s where relationships between numbers come in. We encourage students to think, “If I know 2 x 6 = 12, then doubling that will help me know 4 x 6 because that is (2 x 6) + (2 x 6) or 12 + 12.” Many students can solve 12 + 12 in their head, which goes back to knowing basic addition facts. The thinking may be slow at first, but eventually it becomes like riding a bike. It’s also the beginnings of understanding algebraic concepts. The concept of distributive property is what the stacking-up-multiplication-algorithm that most of us were taught in school is based. Basic multiplication and addition facts are also needed for that procedure. So being able to see (2 x 6) + (2 x 6) = 4 x 6 = 2 x 12 will help them think through larger problems like 22 x 15. Some ways students could break down this problem down is (22 x 10) + (22 x 5) or if they need even smaller problems it could be (20 x 10) + (2 x 10) + (20 x 5) + (2 x 5) = 200 + 20 + 100 + 10.
Memorizing math facts can take a short time or a long time depending on the individual, but with attention and practice everyone can understand/memorize them. With all the areas of math to cover from fractions to geometry to measurement to data, spending time at home to memorize basic math addition and multiplication facts is helpful for your child’s confidence now and a necessary foundation to the progression of math they will encounter later.

School Board Presentation., Thur, Dec. 11; 5:30. Genie and Core 3 students make a math presentation to the Board.

Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
mugalian@smmusd.org genie.hwang@smmusd.org

CORE 4 NEWS

Continuing the Conversation: A Look at the Narrative Process. Throughout this week in each subject area, the students have taken time to reflect on the skills and activities they have completed in this past semester. They engaged in this reflection using our narrative template. Because we believe middle school students are ready to take ownership and hold themselves accountable to their learning, we feel this is an integral process for them to be a part of as well as understand. This has helped enable them to powerfully converse about their learning during our class time. Our goal is that they will initiate and continue this conversation with you. Please create an opportunity for you and your child to start this discussion in the next few weeks. Next week, we will continue to discuss the narrative process so that it will be a successful and beneficial time for you and your child.

Math! 6/7: Making a Choice and Checking it Twice! We are quite the displayers of information in Core 4! The mathematicians know many ways to show gathered data. These include line graphs, bar graphs, line plot graphs, step graphs, tables, and charts. As confident mathematicians this week, they expanded this understanding of acting as displayers of information. They discovered that when choosing a display for a data set they have to be wise about their selection as every graph is not an apt fit for the found data. Because one of a graph’s purpose involves accurately showing information to an audience, certain display choices are more appropriate than others. The students used strategies to help make stronger choices about their graph selection.

Algebra We are continuing to work thorough Chapter two. Throughout the week, we delved into understanding rates, ratios, and proportions. The students explored this concept and discovered strategies to solve these types of problems and situations. They now use their developed ways to attack the given problems. We are working hard to understand the purpose behind this skill rather than memorizing algorithms such as the cross-multiplication technique. Please urge them to explain their reasoning behind their work.

Core 4 Arts Sharing: Erin/Dian and Kelly/Kristy will be performing out in the community at Safran House at 151 Ocean Front Walk, 1:20-2:00 pm.
Kurt/Ingrid will be conducting an Anti-Fashion Show Parade at 9:00 am
and an expo in Kurt’s room from 11:45-12:15. Come check it out!

Missing Books: Fate of the Forest by Susana Hecht and Forest to Fight Poverty by Ralph Schmidt. Please contact Jake.

Kurt: holland@smmusd.org Kelly: kelly.kulsrud@smmusd.org
Erin: erin.haendel@smmusd.org

PTSA news

President’s Note

Dear SMASHing parents!

‘Tis the season!
The Holiday Boutique opens our festivities today, with a preview of next week’s Book Fair in the afternoon. Family Literacy Night next Wednesday during our Book Fair is great fun. These are great opportunities to do all your holiday shopping and support SMASH at the same time. What’s more, these festivities are also a great chance to mix and mingle with other SMASH parents. So stop by and have a waffle at the Holiday Boutique, and check out a few books at the Book Fair.
Holiday Greetings,
David Saltzman and Helga Schier

SMASHing Fundraisers
· Make sure to visit our SMASHing Holiday Fair, TODAY, 11:30AM to 5:30PM.
· Time for our annual Scholastic Book Fair, Monday, December 8 through Friday, December 12. We’ll have a preview during the Holiday Boutique TODAY from 1PM to 4PM. For more information and regular opening hours, check out the website at http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/smash. Please also check out this week’s book reports written by SMASH students. If you can help, contact Ofer Grossman at omglaw@gmail.com.
· Remember our biggest fundraiser of the entire year: Family Donations? You can contribute to SMASH online. Just go to http://ptsasmash.blogspot.com/ Pease give what you can! If you’d like to establish a payment plan, forms are available in the office. SMASH depends on you! Thanks!

SMASHing Activities
· SMASH/Muir Spirit Day, Saturday, January 24, 2009. Let’s clean up and perhaps paint the shared spaces on campus. We need volunteers and donations (paint, cleaning supplies). Please contact SMASH parent Helga at helgaschier@verizon.net or John Muir parent Helene Seisay at heleneseisay@yahoo.com. Watch for future flyers.

SMASHing Meetings
· Our next PTSA meeting is on Tuesday, January 6 at 8:15AM. Let us know (helgaschier@verizon.net or saltzmans@earthlink.net) if you have other issues, questions, ideas... we’ll put them on the agenda.

Make your
SMASH FAMILY DONATION today!

Help us reach our goal of 100% participation.
COMMIT to your child’s SMASH experience.

Log on and give instantly:
ptsasmash.blogspot.com

-100% goes to SMASH
-100% tax deductible
-Contributions due by December 31, 2008

In these economic times, the best investment is your
children’s future!

Our GOAL is 100% PARTICIPATION.
Recommended $557.89 per student donation.
-GIVE WHAT YOU CAN.
-NO AMOUNT TOO SMALL.
-PAYMENT PLANS WELCOME
-EVERY DONATION COUNTS

Pay monthly! Pay by check! Pay by credit card!
Fill out the form online: ptsasmash.blogspot.com
arrange a payment plan and turn in to the office with
your check (made out to SMASH PTSA) or credit card info.

For more info contact
David at saltzmans@earthlink.net or Helga at helgaschier@verizon.net

ONE for Books

Dear Families,

Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon. We hope you can visit the Fair on December 5 (1:00-4:00), December 8 through December 12 (8:00-9:00 and 1:15-3:30) and December 10 (6:00-8:00 pm).

This year, one of our goals is to put more books into the hands of students and on the shelves of classroom libraries. We call it One for Books.

Please donate just $1 and sign the attached Book Slip with your name or child’s name. All signed Book Slips will be displayed at our Book Fair.

All of the money collected goes directly to purchasing more books for our school.

Scholastic will match monetary donations raised with donations of up to one million books to three non-profit organizations dedicated to helping kids and families in need. They include: Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc., National Center for Family Literacy, and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Please send your dollar and signed paper Book Slip back to school with your child. One behalf our students and teachers at SMASH, Thank You!

Sincerely,

Ofer Grossman
Book Fair Chairperson

SCHOLASTIC
www.scholastic.com/bookfairs

$1 ONE for BOOKS! $1

$1 Book Slip

From: ___________________________

The SMASHing Times

Friday, December 5, 2008 Book Review

CRAZY HAIR DAY
by Barney Saltzberg
Reviewed by Abbie Grossman

I am Abbie Grossman and I read a book called Crazy Hair Day by Barney Saltzberg. Stanley gets all ready for crazy hair day. He wraps, he gels, he rolls, he sprays, just to find out that crazy hair day is next Friday. Today is picture day.
To know the rest you have to read the book. But, I will tell you that the most creative part of the story is the school picture.

WARRIORS
by Erin Hunter
Reviewed by Sebastian Schier

Rusty, a cat owned by people (a kittypet), has to make huge decision, to stay as a kittypet, or to go into the forest, become a wild cat and join the ThunderClan cats. He decides to become a ThunderClan cat, but to do that, he must leave his best friend Smudge and never go back to Twolegplace. Although he wants to be a warrior like the cats he met in the in the forest, he has to face off with one of them to become an apprentice. He becomes an apprentice, but that doesn’t mean it’s all over for him. He must also face many other dangers like ShadowClan, RiverClan, and WindClan to survive. But how will he survive the traitor Tigerclaw? Find out more when you read the amazing, blood-thirsty series that will blow your mind away.
Fire alone can save our clan…

SCHOOLED
by Gordon Korman
Reviewed by Sadie Saltzman

I just finished reading Schooled, and I really, really liked it. Each chapter is told from a different person’s point of view (perspective) and that makes it interesting. It is a story about a middle school aged boy named Capricorn Anderson who has lived his whole life on a commune with his grandmother (a commune is a place where everyone lives together very peacefully and shares, chores, work, food, etc.) He has never been to “real” school, but has been home schooled his entire life. When his grandmother ends up in the hospital with a broken hip, he has to move in with a social worker and go to a regular Middle School. This is where the story really happens! The popular crowd tries to terrorize him, but the opposite happens – instead of being bullied and getting upset, he just doesn’t understand. They try every thing, spit balls, wedgies, stealing his only pair of shoes, putting dead birds in his locker! Pretty soon the bullies are so frustrated because he just never gets upset – and soon they all start to understand that just because you are different, it doesn’t mean you’re bad, or weird or stupid.
I won’t ruin the ending, but Capricorn does some incredible things, including getting arrested!…I think anyone in middle school will like this book because it is all about fitting in, not fitting in and just trying to get through the year. I feel really lucky that I go to SMASH after reading this book, because in our middle school we are all a lot more tolerant of each other’s differences than at big middle schools. I highly recommend this book.

~Eco Gift Festival 2008~
A groundbreaking event offering consumers
one-stop shopping for green gifts!

Eco Gift Shopping for the Family! The Eco Gift Festival presented by Tommy Rosen and the LA Times takes place December 12-14 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Eco Gift showcases 150+ vendors with earth-friendly gifts, 15 eclectic musical performances, a Children's Stage and a Speaker Series featuring Arianna Huffington.

All SMASH Families who buy tickets on-line will receive a 25% discount on a Weekend Pass to Eco Gift Festival. Go to www.ecogift.com to buy tickets and when prompted enter discount code: smash. Tickets are $10 per day/$20 per week-end pass; Free for children under 12 and Seniors over 65.

SHOW INFORMATION:
DATES: Friday December 12, Saturday, December 13 - 10:00am-8:00pm Sunday, December 14 - 11am-7pm.

LOCATION: Santa Monica Civic Center -1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

10% of the profits from the show will be donated to select Los Angeles charities, including GLOBAL GREEN USA.
Information: www.EcoGift.com


The Franklin PTA Learning Differences and Parent/Teacher Education Group is pleased to announce our December meeting. As always, our meetings are free to all parents and educators. Please pass on notice of these meetings to interested friends and colleagues, and I urge you to submit our announcements to your local school's paper in order to reach out to as many people as possible.

Ann Payson, Co-Chair of the Franklin PTA Learning Differences and Parent/Teacher Education Group and moderator of the LDPEG Yahoo group

Building a Better Brain: Help Your Child Struggle Less and Do Better in School

Does your child have trouble staying focused, sitting still, or completing a task? Does he or she struggle to memorizing and recall? When it comes to processing or comprehending information, does your child seem slower than other kids? Is your child experiencing frustration or anxiety over homework? No, your child isn't lazy, defiant, or unintelligent.

Educational therapist Bibinaz Pirayesh will speak about the major learning skills necessary for academic success--and how to uncover what may be blocking their child's brain. She'll advise you on how to remove those barriers so the brain can begin to do what it was designed to do: learn efficiently.

Thursday, December 11, 7:00-9:00 PM
Franklin Elementary School Library, 2400 Montana Ave.
RSVP for Childcare to Sheila Spencer at spenceryokum@earthlink.net by December 3

With a K through 12 education that spans three continents, Ms. Pirayeshi has been exposed to many different curricula and philosophies of learning. She completed her Bachelors degree at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Neuroscience and Developmental Psychology in Education with a primary focus on children's development of mathematical thinking. For nearly a decade, Ms. Pirayesh helped with children who were having trouble with reading, writing, and/or math before she founded The Learning Tree, where she now works with kids who also have are having processing and cognitive difficulties.

Learning Differences and Parent/Teacher Education Group, a committee of the Franklin PTA, is a parent resource and support group that meets monthly during the school year to discuss and address the learning differences of all our children. Professionals and experts in a variety of fields are invited to speak and lead discussions at meetings. All parents and teachers are welcome.

Questions? Please contact Co-chairs:
Sheila Spencer (Tel: 310-863-8377, e-mail: spenceryocum@earthlink.net);
Lisa Simmons (Tel: 310-576-0018, e-mail: lisassimmons@aol.com);
and Ann Payson (Tel: 310-394-2881, e-mail: apayson@paysonulin.com).

BAKE SALE - WEDNESDAYS HEALTHY TREATS AND FUN ITEMS
DECEMBER
Core 4 - Dec. 10
Core 3 - Dec. 17

JANUARY
Core 2 - Jan 14
Core 1 - Jan 21
Core 4 - Jan 28

SMASHing HOLIDAY SINGERS
Perform at the Main Street Farmer’s Market
Sunday, December 7.
Meet at 8:30am, show at 9:00 am

SAVE THE DATE!
June 5, 6 & 7
Annual SMASH Camping
trip at Decker Canyon

SHOTS FOR TOTS & TEENS - FREE
Clinics: December 6, January 3, February 7 Time: 12:30-2:00
Where: Westside Family Health Center
1711 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica 310-450-2191

SALVATION ARMY FOOD DONATIONS
Monday, December 8 is the last day to bring canned and dry foods
Help make it a happy holiday for local families. Especially needed are protein foods, such as canned tuna, salmon, chicken, meat/ vegetarian soups, stews, beans and chili

CREST (K-3rd) has opening !!!
CREST offers before and after school childcare, daily homework time, and a planned curriculum of enriching activities. For information or to enroll please contact Child Development
Services at (310) 399-5865. Subsidies may be available.

Forgot to order school photos?
Saw your child’s ID photo and wished you had a photo for your wall or wallet?
Lifetouch has made it possible to order (or re-order) school photos.
Contact Janice or Wende for details

Santa Monica High School theatre presents the Broadway Musical
SHE LOVES ME
at the Humanities Center Theatre
December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 Fridays at 8:00 pm Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Admission: $10 students, $15 adults - All seats general admission
310-395-3204 x 239 www.samohitheathre.org

SAMOHI MARCHING BAND - ELECTRONICS RECYCLING EVENT!
Saturday, Dec 6. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Santa Monica High - Senior North Lot
Santa Monica High School Viking Marching Band has teamed up with eWaste Disposal, Inc. to offer you the opportunity to properly dispose of and recycle your universal waste! GO GREEN!
Items to be collected are: computers, monitors, TVs, electronic components, printers, shredders, fax machines, speakers, keyboards, stereos, cameras, mice, batteries, calculators, cell phones & batteries, radios chargers, recorders, circuit boards, routers, cables, scanners, copiers
Help the Band get to London. For more information go to http://www.samohiband.org

The Young Actors Workshop presents THE BUZZ KODAK HOLIDAY SHOW
Written and Directed by Steve Fife. Cast includes Core 3 students, Eloise, Jasper & Olivia
December 10 at 4:40 pm and December 16 at 6:30 pm
Electric Lodge - 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice (south of California Street)

GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK
DID YOU KNOW... you can do all your GREEN holiday shopping in one location this year? Check out the Eco Gift Fest at the Santa Monica Civic Center next week. (Complete details in today's letter, including discounted admission for SMASH families.) During these economically challenging times when we are all more discerning about where we spend our money, supporting GREEN companies and products is all the more important.
Got a GREEN tip or question? Email marni99@yahoo.com

SMASH School Tours for 2009-2010 School Year

January 14, from 9-10 am
February 4 & 18, 9-10 am
March 25, 9-10 am Last Tour Before Kindergarten Lottery (K application deadline 03-31-09)
May 13, 9-10 am
May 13, 7:00 pm for middle school students. Students entering 6th, 7th & 8th grade may attend with parent.
May 27, 9-10 am - Last Tour Before 1st-8th Grade Lottery (1st-8th application deadline 05-31-09)

Applications will be available in January online, at tours and in the main office.

BOAT PARADES

Marina del Rey Boat Parade December 13 at 5:55 pm, Main Channel, View from Fisherman’s Wharf or Burton Chace Park 310-670-7130

Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade December 14 at 4:00 pm Canals along Dell Avenue, From Venice Beach area, take Washington Blvd make a one-way turn onto Dell Ave. Small boats, canoes, kayaks & costumes

Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights December 19 & 29 at 4:00 pm, parade at 7:00
Ventura Harbor Village, 1575 Spinnaker Dr Carnival rides, music & fireworks 805-642-7753

Redondo Beach Boat Parade December 13 at 5:30 pm King Harbor Yacht Club, 280 Yacht Club Way, Redondo Beach 310-376-2459, www.khyc.org

FREE AROUND TOWN ACTIVITIES

DRUM CIRCLE: Dec. 6-7; Noon-2:30 1300 block of 3rd Street Promenade, Center Court.
Children welcome to participate in a drum circle and create exciting in-the-moment music!

MEET ME UNDER THE FIG TREE: Dec. 7; 3:00-7:00 pm. Fairmont Miramar Hotel, 101 Wilshire Blvd. Enjoy complimentary treats and hot cocoa under the beautiful Moreton Bay Fig Tree. Annual event and silent auction benefiting Chrysalis Foundation. Music, entertainment and a gingerbread city! 310-576-7777 or www.fairmont.com/santamonica

GRIFFITH PARK LIGHT FESTIVAL Nightly through December 30, 5:00-10:00 pm
Vehicle Free until December 7, and reopened to cars Dec. 8. www.dwplightfestival.com

SNOW HILL: Dec. 13-14 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. 1400 block of 3rd Street Promenade.
Come frolic in REAL SNOW and participate in games and contests!

HOLIDAY SING ALONG Fri, Dec 19, 6:30-8:00 pm Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave 213-972-3660

TIDE POOL CRUISER: Dec 20-21; 10:00 am to 8:00 pm . 1200 block of 3rd Street Promenade. Experience the Travelin’ Tide Pool touch tank. Make a physical connection with creatures from the sea, including live sea stars, hermit crabs, kelp, sea urchins and sea cucumbers displayed as an example of what constitutes a marine ecosystem.

MENORAH LIGHTING CEREMONY: Dec 21-28; Sundown-8:30 pm . 1200 block of 3rd Street Promenade.

49th ANNUAL LA COUNTY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION Wed, Dec 24 3:00-9:00 pm
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center; 135 N. Grand Ave. Multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary holiday extravaganza. See it live or watch the KCET simulcast 213-972-3099

WINTERLIT “BEST GIFT EVER” CHALLENGE FOR PAL (Police Activities League)
Now through December 20. What was the “Best Gift Ever” that you received? Donate that fond memory gift for one of the kids at the local Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL). Get that happy feeling and drop off an unwrapped gift for a luck child (ages 6-17) this holiday season.
Donations accepted at: Police Substation: 1433 2nd Street; or at PAL: 1400 Olympic Blvd.