Chill out this New Year’s

Join a hearty, enthusiastic, cold water-fearless group of swimmers from ages 5 to 90. Watch their unique brand of New Year celebration at Venice Beach Breakwater at the foot of Windward Avenue. You’ll view a melting pot variety of thrill-seeking individuals from master swimmers to very amateur waders.

There will be a Penguin King and Queen chosen from the amateur fun lovers, a Prince and Princess who will qualify by winning the competitive race.

Parking is available in the lot at Venice Beach at the foot of Venice Boulevard for a $5 fee.

Due to stormy sea and sky conditions, last year’s swim was canceled by the Lifeguard Captain, the only cancellation in 46 events.

For more information, call Mary McGuirk at (310) 821-8136.

Daily Press



Auction bidding about to close

Today is the last day to place your online bid for the Winterlit playhouse — and to get your donations in for the Best Gift Ever gift drive.

To bid for the house, go to http://www.santamonicaplace.com/smbids/. All proceeds from the sale of the house will benefit the Police Activities League. For more information, contact Santa Monica Place at (310) 394-5451 or the Bayside Corporation at (310) 393-8355.

DP



A buyer’s guide to fuel-efficient cars

For the second year, Mother Earth News magazine has released it’s list of the best fuel-efficient vehicles. The December/January issue features a report and buyer’s guide to 30 fuel-efficient cars for model years 2006 and 2007. The report highlights three new cars that are small but practical, fun but not funky and fuel-efficient without high price tags: The Honda Fit, the Nissan Versa and the Toyota Yaris.

The buyer’s guide compiles a variety of information on 30 vehicles, each of which has a combined fuel economy rating of at least 30 mpg. The data includes retail prices, environmental ratings, fuel costs and driving scores and reviews.

“Fuel economy is back and better than ever,” writes John Rockhold, managing editor. “Among the new cars, there are improved perennial standouts, a growing number of hybrids and a crop of affordable, fuel-efficient small cars.”

DP



It’s a wrap party

Community leaders and volunteers from the Police Activities League (PAL), Bayside District Corporation and Santa Monica Place will be wrapping more than 250 gifts that were collected during the Winterlit “Best Gift Ever” community gift drive. Gifts collected will be distributed to children who might otherwise go without presents this holiday season.

The wrap party is Friday, Dec. 22, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Santa Monica Place.

DP



Elks host underprivileged kids

Last Friday, Dec. 19, there were 25 Elks and Santa’s Helpers gathered at the Santa Monica Elks Lodge to process Christmas stockings and wrap Christmas presents. There were 210 Christmas stockings stuffed with an apple, an orange, peanuts and candy. They also wrapped 210 Christmas presents, each for a boy or girl in a specified age group.

Various schools were issued tickets, which were given to underprivileged children. There were a couple of Elk children or grandchildren present also. On Saturday, children were admitted by ticket only. Although the program was scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., there were children lined up before noon. When it started to rain, everyone was admitted.

At 2 p.m., Santa and his elves arrived. Santa gave each child a Christmas stocking and a stuffed toy. They sat on his lap and told him their Christmas list.

DP