Feb. 9: Aquarium Attracts Artists

Welcome to another edition of The SM AM Report. Recapping what we published Tuesday, a review group an SMPD investigator over the probe of School Board Member Oscar de la Torre; leaders at Beth Shir Shalom the temple's name and changed its logo; and Principal Transportation Engineer Sam Morrissey his favorite things about Santa Monica.

One more quick note before we talk about today: Thanks to Santa Monica Patch reader Renee Rendler-Kaplan for submitting the photo you see to the right. If you'd like to contribute imagery to The SM AM Report, e-mail Kurt.Orzeck@patch.com.

Weather Forecast

• sunny (and warmer than Tuesday)
• high temperature: 70 degrees
• low temperature: 44 degrees
• chance of precipitation: 0 percent
• humidity: 27 percent
• sunrise: 6:44 a.m.
• sunset: 5:32 p.m.

The Main Event

• The is drawing upon the city's artistic community for a special occasion this evening. Up to 25 artists will participate in the "Aquarium Artist Night," a two-hour session in which attendees are invited to create artistic renderings of local species. Photographers are also welcome, so there will likely be some snapping along with the sketching and painting. If you're interested, RSVP at 310.393.6149 x106; a $5 donation is suggested.

The Runner-Up

• "Recent Advances in Brain Tumor Treatments" is the topic of a free seminar to be held from 3 to 4 p.m. The speaker is UCLA neurosurgeon Isaac Yang, MD, who will explain how tumors can be treated by boosting the immune system. While sponsored by UCLA Healthcare 50 Plus, the event is actually taking place at (in the Fireside Room). If you'd like to go, be sure to RSVP at 800.516.5323.

Other Happenings

• Violin master Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg will flaunt her stuff at the this evening. She and the New Century Chamber Orchestra—which Salerno-Sonnenberg directs—will delve into Bartok, Piazolla and Tchaikovsky. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.; tickets, which can be purchased here, range from $57 to $95.
• The will screen the 1962 musical "Gypsy," in which Natalie Wood stars as a stripper, at 7:30 p.m. A 35mm print of the two-and-a-half-hour film will be shown. Tickets can be found here; they cost $11, although discounts are available.
• The is staging a Sausage and Wine Fest this evening. The store's wine bar will provide rustic regional wine from 5 p.m. to midnight, while the Grind Haus Sausage truck will serve grilled-to-order artisanal sausages from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Call the Wine Expo at 310.828.4428 to make a reservation.

Last but Not Least

• The Green Living Workshop continues at the from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Read more about the workshop .
  

(Go here for more events happening today.)

This Day in Santa Monica History

• On Feb. 9, 1979, The Clash and Bo Diddley performed at the (source: GoGoNotes.blogspot.com)