Apr. 19: 'Angry Birds' Lovers Flocking to LA AppShow

Hello, and thanks for dropping by. Today is the first proper day of Passover.

Our week got off to a busy start, with news about an , a by Santa Monica Seafood and a over an embezzlement scheme that affected Santa Monica. Also, we rounded up the various happening in Santa Monica and, following a fatality off the pier earlier this month, brought you tips on .

Also on Monday, James A. Thomson, who has acted as president of the RAND Corporation since 1989, announced that he is stepping down, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Meanwhile, across the street at the Santa Monica Courthouse, former Los Angeles Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy finally entered arbitration with the team after a 13-month wait, the paper reported. He hasn't been paid since then and still has $6.75 million in salary on his contract.

Speaking of court dates, a motion hearing is scheduled for today in Charlie Sheen's breach-of-contract suit, according to City News Service. Read more about the actor's legal battle .

And now, without further delay, here's the rest of today's goings-on:

Weather Forecast

• cloudy in the morning, sunny in the afternoon
• high temperature: 63 degrees
• low temperature: 54 degrees
• chance of precipitation: 20 percent
• humidity: 81 percent
• sunrise: 6:18 a.m.
• sunset: 7:29 p.m.

The Main Event

• The LA AppShow stages its second annual expo in Santa Monica today at Edmunds Inc. (1620 26th St., Ste. 400). Computer-application developers will demo their new apps to their peers, along with entrepreneurs and investors. Those flocking to the event will also witness a discussion about "Angry Birds," and a conversation led by InformationWeek Vice President and Editorial Director Fritz Nelson. The expo starts at 7 p.m.; tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door.

The Runner-Up

• Confused about Santa Monica's new leaf-blower ban? Don't know of any alternatives you can use to clean up debris outside your abode? Head over to 's Bundy Campus for "Sustainable Landscape Maintenance: Alternatives to Leaf Blowers," a free class that will be taught in English and Spanish. It's happening from 4 to 7 p.m.

Other Happenings

• Nothing Bundt Cakes is accepting nominations for its Acts of Cakeness contest from today through Friday. The winning administrative professional will get a cake during Administrative Professionals Week—Sunday through Apr. 30—and a second one at another point during the year. Entries can be submitted at the store's 927 Montana Ave. location or by e-mailing santamonica@nothingbundtcakes.com. 
• Have you been working too hard? Did filing your taxes take too much out of you this year? Check out "Learn to Bounce Back from Stress," a lecture presented by chiropractor Quentin Williams at the . It starts at 7 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room on the second floor.
• Author and American Buddhism icon Noah Levine will talk about his latest tome, The Heart of the Revolution, at at 7 p.m. Levine's previous books include Dharma Punx and Against the Stream.

Last but Not Least

• SMC's Earth Week celebrations start today. Go for more info.

This Day in Santa Monica History

• On Apr. 19, 1955, Major League Baseball catcher Mike Colbern was born in Santa Monica. He was among the 1,000-plus players who sued the organization in 2002, saying they had been discriminated against over the denial of their pensions. Four years later, a court denied their claim.

Did you take a great pic of SM in the early morning? Want to see it in The SM AM Report? Drop a note to Kurt.Orzeck@patch.com.