Santa Monica's Homeless Population Stable, But Hard Times May Lie Ahead
February 29, 2012 -- Homelessness in Santa Monica has remained stable despite economic hard times, according to City staff, but it may not stay that way for long, one top City official warns.

Santa Monica Awards Contracts for Fiber Optics, Traffic Cameras and Trees
February 29, 2012 -- Santa Monica continued to maintain its high tech, tree-friendly profile with the City Council on Tuesday voting to pay for state-of-the art equipment and services and save the trees in the path of the oncoming train.

Santa Monica Chef Sued by Building Contractor
February 29, 2012 -- Andrew Kirschner, a Santa Monica native and renowned chef, was sued by a building contractor for allegedly failing to pay more than $120,000 for improvements at his new Santa Monica restaurant.

Santa Monica Could Require Commercial Developers to Help Fund Affordable Housing
February 28, 2012 -- Santa Monica may explore requiring the developers of hotels and other commercial projects to bankroll affordable housing after the demise of the City's Redevelopment Agency (RDA).  

The Gourmandise School – Santa Monica’s Big Small Business
February 28, 2012 -- If, as we are told by current political leaders, small businesses are the life blood of our economy, Santa Monica is host to at least one of those greater symbolic successes.

Santa Monica College Lecture Presents the Search for Bliss
February 28, 2012 -- If you're still looking for the key to happiness, check out an upcoming lecture at Santa Monica College by Eric Weiner, the author of "The Geography of Bliss."

LETTERS: Miramar Misconceptions and Common Ground Youth
February 28, 2012 --A Planning Commissioner clears up some misconceptions about the Miramar redevelopment project and a client of Common Ground points to the source of the problem.

Santa Monica Officials to Look at RDA Payments
February 27, 2012 -- Santa Monica's Redevelopment Successor Agency on Tuesday will consider a scaled down list of monies that officials say has been committed by the former Redevelopment Agency (RDA).

Santa Monica Residents Help African-American Students
February 27, 2012 -- Santa Monica residents Joe and Nancy Owens want to give  African-Americans the chance they were given to have careers successful enough to help others.

The Bottom Line --Income Taxes and Liberal Shibboleths
February 27, 2012 -- Warren Buffett tells us that he pays taxes at a lower tax rate than his secretary.  He’s a liar.  What Mr. Buffett is referring to is that the tax rate imposed on his dividend and capital gain income is 15 percent, and he compares it to the higher rate (perhaps 28 percent) that his secretary pays on her salary. 

Santa Monica's Miramar Design Passes Commission with Caveats
February 24, 2012 -- An ambitious proposal to redevelop the Miramar Hotel scaled its first major hurdle Wednesday when the Santa Monica Planning Commission voted 5 to 2 to recommend that the City Council move forward with the development agreement (DA) but with some conditions.

Strolling for Food with Michael McCarty at the Santa Monica Farmers Market
February 24, 2012 -- When Michael McCarty opened his eponymously-named restaurant in Santa Monica in 1979, fine restaurants were still serving frozen fish saddled with French names people couldn't pronounce and the only vegetable in evidence was an apologetic little romaine salad.

Santa Monica's Montana Avenue Branch Library to Reopen Saturday
February 24, 2012 -- The Montana Avenue Branch Library in Santa Monica will reopen Saturday after a makeover that includes new carpeting and paint and shelving for adult books and media collections.

Where Santa Monica's RDA Money Goes
February 23, 2012 -- As Santa Monica and cities around California wind down the work of their dissolved Redevelopment Agencies, a major questions remains: What will happen to all that money? The answer is a complicated one.

Santa Monica Wins Major Injunction Against Coin Dealer
February 23, 2012 -- Santa Monica on Wednesday won what the City believes to be the strongest injunction ever levied against a precious metals dealer against Goldline International, Inc.

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium to Host Amateur Photography Exhibit
February 23, 2012 -- Selections from the California Ocean and Coastal Amateur Photography Contest will be displayed next month at Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

Santa Monica’s Pico Boulevard Strives for Respect
February 22, 2012 -- As a merchant and retail district, Pico Boulevard has often been considered the ugly stepsister to tonier business areas like Montana Avenue or Third Street Promenade.

Santa Monica Police Work to Reduce Pedestrian Accidents
February 22, 2012 -- A teenage boy who was struck by a motorist on Ocean Park Boulevard February 9 will recover from his injuries, police said.

Rosie’s Girls Spring Challenge 2012 Revs Up in Santa Monica
February 22, 2012 -- It was women symbolized by Rosie the Riveter who welded together the airplanes built at the Douglas plant in Santa Monica to fight World War II.

Santa Monica Rent Board Wrong in Hot Tub Case, Appeals Court Rules
February 21, 2012 -- The Santa Monica Rent Control Board (RCB) should not have issued a rent decrease to two tenants because their landlord lowered the temperature on a hot tub during workday hours, the California Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.

Santa Monica Planning Commission Pushes Hotel Developer for Higher Wages
February 21, 2012 -- Santa Monica's Planning Commission on Wednesday recommended that the City Council demand higher wages for workers at a proposed hotel Downtown, possibly setting a precedent for other new hotels in the beachside city.

Santa Monica's Brownley Makes Congressional Bid
February 21, 2012 -- Democratic Assembly member Julia Brownley, who made headlines fighting against plastic bags and for greater financial disclosure in campaign ads, will run for the 26th Congressional District.

The Bottom Line --Political Money: A Journey into the Land of Hypocrisy
February 21, 2011 -- Well, here comes the Silly Season, just around the corner; that would be federal, state, and local elections with the quadrennial presidential election thrown in this year.

The Village Breaks Ground in Santa Monica
February 17, 2012 -- The Village, one of Santa Monica's largest mixed-use housing complexes and a centerpiece in the redevelopment of the Civic Center, got underway with a ceremonial ground breaking Thursday.

Buy Local Campaign Paying Off in Santa Monica, Officials Say
February 17, 2012 -- Three years into the City’s Buy Local campaign designed to boost the visibility of local merchants and keep Santa Monica dollars in Santa Monica, participating vendors are beginning to see the benefits of togetherness.

Make Sure Your Santa Monica Pet is Prepared
February 17, 2012 -- Is your turtle, iguana, lizard, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, cat or dog prepared for an emergency? Rest assured they will be by taking them, and any other exotic pet you may have, to the "3rd Annual Free Pet Emergency Preparedness Fair" in Santa Monica February 25.

LETTERS:Santa Monica's Common Ground -- A Benefit or Danger?
February 17, 2012 -- Thank you for your recent report on Common Ground's move to a new location. ("Santa Monica's Sunset Park Residents Upset over Non-Profit Neighbor," February 14, 2012)

Three Santa Monica Property Owners Can Legally Occupy Their Buildings
February 16, 2012 -- Three property owners were given permission by the Santa Monica planning department Tuesday to occupy their buildings along with family members.

City Council Concerned About Esplanade Traffic Flow
February 16, 2012 -- The idea of turning Colorado Avenue into a one-way street to accommodate the arrival of the Expo Light Rail line raised the eyebrows of some City Council members Tuesday night.

Santa Monica Starts Cleaning Up After Departure of RDAs
February 16, 2012 -- The City Council did some housekeeping Tuesday night to assure that Santa Monica will make as smooth a transition as possible to a city without a Redevelopment Agency (RDA).

No Landmark for Santa Monica Trailer Park
February 15, 2012 -- The Landmarks Commission voted Monday night against designating one of Santa Monica's two remaining trailer parks as a landmark Monday night, paving the way for the owner to move forward with plans to develop the property.

Buses, Bikes and Broadband Gain Santa Monica's Consent
February 15, 2012 -- The Santa Monica City Council approved contracts Tuesday that will expand its fiber optic network, lay the groundwork for major changes to the Civic Center and pave the way for bikes and buses to roll along more smoothly.

Everything Environmental At Santa Monica College Lecture Series
February 15, 2012 -- Whether you're interested in how to make energy upgrades to your home or how to fight big oil in Italy, Santa Monica College's “Environmental Issues Lecture Series” has the information you need to take action.

LETTERS: Relocating Common Ground Makes No Common Sense
February 15, 2012 --I am adamantly opposed to the relocation of Common Ground. I have lived on Cedar Street near Lincoln Avenue for 40 years, I have been a resident of the city for 63 years, and I taught at the public high school for 31 years. ("Santa Monica's Sunset Park Residents Upset over Non-Profit Neighbor," February 14, 2012)

Santa Monica's Sunset Park Residents Upset over Non-Profit Neighbor
February 14, 2012 -- Residents of Sunset Park packed a community meeting Monday night to oppose the recent relocation of a non-profit center that provides HIV education and treatment for the under-served.

Santa Monica Day Care Center Goes to Council
February 14, 2012 -- The City Council Tuesday is expected to move forward with plans for a $12.5 million childcare center in partnership with Santa Monica College that will combine daycare with teaching and early childhood research.

Santa Monica College Showcases Work of Two LA Painters
February 14, 2012 -- A painter whose portraits hearken back to the old master and one known for his depictions of mega-stores and fast food restaurants will be showcased at Santa Monica College through March 10.

Landmarks Commission Takes Up Trailer Park
February 12, 2012 -- In yet another last-ditch effort to save one of Santa Monica's two remaining trailer parks, the Landmarks Commission Monday will vote on whether the 61-year-old Village Trailer Park merits to be deemed a city landmark.

Santa Monica Women Artists Explore Motherhood
February 13, 2012 -- No one ever said motherhood was easy. But, as presented in “Breaking in Two: A Provocative Vision of Motherhood” at the Arena 1 Gallery, it can be a time of explosive creativity borne of conflict, love and elemental instinct.

The Bottom Line --What Change? The Stakes Just Get More Expensive
February 13, 2012-- Sometime last year, the Los Angeles Times’ LA Extra section (the California section on Sundays) ran an article, maybe two, about the homeless issues and inevitable community conflict it spawns.

Become a Stargazer This Month at Santa Monica College Planetarium
February 13, 2012 -- Prepare to land on the Red Planet and explore the winter sky this month at the Santa Monica College John Drescher Planetarium.

Soar to New Heights Valentine's Day at Santa Monica's Pacific Park
February 10, 2012 -- Valentine’s Day is typically a bonanza for florists, chocolate shops and the champagne aisle of your local liquor store. But when all is said and done, one of the most romantic spots in Los Angeles is located at the end of the Santa Monica Pier, according to Westways magazine and AOL Digital Los Angeles.

Battle Over Santa Monica's Miramar Hotel Kicks Off with Lengthy Hearing
February 10, 2012 -- Poised to become the most heated development battle in seven years, a plan to comprehensively redevelop the Miramar Fairmont Hotel drove some 80 speakers to testify before the Planning Commission Wednesday night.

Santa Monica Shares the Love
February 10, 2012 -- Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and if you are looking to show some love this weekend, there’s plenty of opportunity to do it in style and at a price to ease your budget. Santa Monica’s various Downtown businesses are looking to celebrate, too.

Pedestrian Struck in Sunset Park
February 10, 2012 -- A teenage boy seems to have been seriously injured Thursday when he was struck by a motorist while crossing Ocean Park Boulevard, according to a witness.

Police to Set Up DUI Checkpoint Friday
February 10, 2012 -- Santa Monica Police will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Friday at an undisclosed location within the city as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce alcohol involved crashes.

Pico Youth Center's Art for Hearts Benefit Friday
February 9, 2012 -- The Pico Youth and Family Center, which for a decade has helped serve Santa Monica's at-risk youth, will host its 3rd Annual Art for Hearts Fundraiser Friday.

Money Battles Loom Over Ambiguous RDA Law
February 9, 2012 -- With Redevelopment Agencies across the California officially dissolved, local governments, including Santa Monica's, are trying to determine which projects can move forward and how much of the funds accumulated they will be able to keep.

Samohi's David Ramirez Wins Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Award
February 7, 2012 -- David Ramirez overcame a number of challenges, including obesity, low self-esteem and a lack of academic focus, to become the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica's 2011 Youth of the Year. 

Miramar Redevelopment to Meet its First Major Test
February 6, 2012 -- A plan to "comprehensively redevelop" Santa Monica's renown Fairmont Miramar Hotel and add as many as 120 condominiums on the upper floors of the new buildings will meet its first challenge at Wednesday's Planning Commission meeting.