Dec. 17: SMC Focuses on Jupiter, Films, Music

Behold, the last holiday-free weekend of 2010.

Before we enter into it, there's plenty to discuss about what's happening today. And before we do that, here's a quick breakdown of yesterday's developments.

On Santa Monica Patch:

• We reported on the death of Blake Edwards, the writer-director whose name was synonymous with his "Pink Panther" movies. Go here to read what publicist Gene Schwam told us about Edwards' relationship with Santa Monica, and to see photos of the floral arrangement that was left at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Go here to share your thoughts about the director's death.
• City Councilmember Terry O'Day opened up about the Arizona boycott, Santa Monica's upcoming Ciclovia and the negative campaigning that was directed toward him during this year's election.
• Brian Bland's ongoing coverage of the Santa Monica Airport debate continued with his refresher piece on the history of the controversy, along with reactions from residents and city officials.
• We let you know about the places in Santa Monica where you can get a Christmas tree—and the places where you can pitch it after the holiday.
• Heal the Bay's A Day Without a Bag effort was spotlighted in yesterday's SM AM Report.

Also yesterday:

•  announced that it had, in one year, transferred 1,053 students to the University of California system—the first time that number has surpassed 1,000. That's a whopping 14.58 percent increase over 2008-09 and finds the institution holding strong to its #1 position as the top transfer school to UC campuses. Go here for more.
• The court hearing previously set for Superior Gold Group was postponed to Dec. 29 at 8:30 a.m. The coin dealership—which is accused of defrauding its customers—was put into receivership on Dec. 6. The hearing will determine whether that receivership and asset freeze will stay in place until the trial happens.
• Santa Monica's Miramax announced that it had inked a production deal with New York's Weinstein Co. , which is also based in SM, reported that the deal will result in sequels to "Swingers," "Shakespeare in Love," "Rounders," "Bad Santa" and four more movies.
• Another Santa Monica company, SolarReserve, got some good news when the California Energy Commission OK'd a permit that will allow it to construct a 150-megawatt solar plant that uses molten salt to store energy. The Rice Solar Energy Project will be located outside of Blythe. Go here for more coverage, courtesy tech source CNET.

Now, on to today.

Weather Forecast

• rain is more likely than not
• high temperature: 58 degrees
• low temperature: 51 degrees
• chance of precipitation: 60 percent
• sunrise: 6:53 a.m.
• sunset: 4:47 p.m.

The Main Event

• SMC's planetarium regularly hosts its "The Night Sky Show" and often integrates additional special observing events into its Friday evening lineup. But tonight is one that will eclipse many of the others: For "Jupiter & the Moon," aspiring astronomers will guide you to look at the space bodies through multiple telescopes. The gazing gets started at 8 p.m., following "The Night Sky Show" at its regular time of 7 p.m. Tickets are $5, or a buck cheaper if you're under 13 or over 59. Be sure to bring a sweater, 'cause you'll likely be outside.

The Runner-Up

• Also at SMC, fledgling filmmakers will see a climactic finish to their semester with a festival's worth of screenings starting at 6 p.m. in Art Complex Room 214. The free event will showcase movies made by the SMC Student Filmmakers Association and students who took Advanced Digital Filmmaking this fall. Pass the popcorn.

Other Happenings

• If you're not digging the student films and aren't feeling spacey either, SMC has a third option: the , for which students will perform solos, duets and ensemble selections. The sounds start at 8 p.m. at the Theatre Arts Complex's Studio Stage, with additional performances on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $10.
• Today is the last day of the Big Blue Bus-sponsored, Red Cross-supported food drive we wrote about a couple of days ago. Click on one of those three blue words to find out how you can help. 
• The will provide docent tours at 12:30 p.m., as it does like clockwork on the third Friday of every month.

Last but Not Least

• Sounds good: Acoustic-music group Leftover Cuties, who are based in Venice, play a  tonight at Casa del Mar. Get acquainted with the band here.

(Go here for more events happening today.)

This Day in Santa Monica History

• On December 17, 1935, the first flight happened at . Santa Monica Patch will have more on the anniversary later today.

Check back every weekday, at 6 a.m. sharp, for the latest edition of The SM AM Report. (Had a bit of a technical problem this morning, so today's didn't go up till 6:20 a.m. Apologies.)

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.