Santa Monica Grapples with Conserving Neighborhoods
June 29, 2012 -- The City Council offered its thoughts Tuesday night on preliminary revisions to Santa Monica’s zoning code that would discourage development and conserve character in residential areas.

Santa Monica, Parking Ticket Plaintiffs Headed to Court
June 29, 2012 -- Santa Monica is headed to court after the City Council voted in closed session Tuesday to end settlement negotiations in a lawsuit charging that the City failed to explain why appeals of parking citations are denied.

Santa Monica to Celebrate Independence Day Saturday
June 29, 2012 -- In what has become a holiday tradition, Santa Monica will celebrate Independence Day early with a fireworks display Saturday.

Funds to Save Santa Monica Sculpture Falling Far Short
June 28, 2012 -- With only five months left to save Santa Monica’s “Chain Reaction” sculpture, activists have only raised $2,495 -- one-hundredth of what officials estimate is needed to repair the iconic structure.

Santa Monica City Council Postpones Flight School Plan
June 28, 2012 -- A plan to pay flight schools at Santa Monica Airport (SMO) to move their takeoff and landing practices to other airports hit a snag Tuesday when the City Council failed to produce enough votes.

Good Taste My Kind of Client Lunch at El Cholo Santa Monica
June 28, 2012 -- I thought about it for a couple days -- where can I take my clients for lunch?  I was looking for a non-stuffy, relaxing atmosphere with some history to the place.  And, it had to be close to my office on 6th and Arizona. The day we were to meet, I figured it out -- El Cholo!

SMC Dean Named to UNESCO Advisory Committee
June 28, 2012 -- Carol Hamilton -- a Santa Monica College dean who has forged ties to support the college's programs and extend its global reach -- has been appointed to the United States National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Santa Monica Police Department Tackles Cold Cases
June 27, 2012 -- Santa Monica Police are looking for information related to the murder of Sally and Lester Saunders, who were found in a Lincoln Boulevard motel with their wrists and ankles bound and their bodies charred from fire.

Santa Monica Grapples with Ways to Reduce Commuter Traffic
June 27, 2012 -- Santa Monica officials are taking steps to get more of the city's nearly 38,000 employees to ditch their cars under a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) ordinance intended to relieve congestion during peak hour commutes.

Hit-and-Run Driver Wanted by Santa Monica Police
June 27, 2012 -- Santa Monica Police are looking for the driver of a white sedan after the car hit a pedestrian at Colorado Avenue and Fifth Street early Saturday morning.

Santa Monica Rent Control Board to Recommend Charter Change
June 26, 2012 - - The Santa Monica Rent Control Board on Thursday will likely recommend that the City Council place a charter amendment on the November ballot that would dramatically change the way rent increases are calculated.

Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus Cancels Charter Service
June 26, 2012 -- Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus will shut down its charter services as operating costs get more expensive and federal regulations get tougher, transit officials said.

Santa Monica Could Lose Three-Acre Site Downtown
June 25, 2012 -- Santa Monica could lose nearly three acres of prime Downtown real estate it hopes to develop as the battle continues over assets once held by the City’s former Redevelopment Agency (RDA).

Santa Monica's Civic Center Parking Structure Runs into Another Design Hitch
June 25, 2012 -- Santa Monica's award-winning Civic Center Parking Structure is requiring more tweaking to live up to the kudos it received for design and sustainability.

Santa Monica Group's Vote Count Still Up in Air
June 25, 2012 -- Candidates for the Wilmont Board are considering legal action after the Santa Monica group's officials failed to count votes over the weekend that were cast two weeks ago.

Winterer to Seek Seat on Santa Monica City Council
June 22, 2012 -- After falling fewer than 60 votes short in his 2010 bid for City Council, Planning Commission Ted Winterer announced Friday that will make his third run for council in November.

Planning Commission Wants Smaller Project, More Benefits for Santa Monica Trailer Park Site
June 22, 2012 -- After approximately 15 hours of discussion spread over a month, the Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council approve a Development Agreement (DA) for the Village Trailer Park site Wednesday.

Santa Monica Agency Turns Vet's Life Around
June 22, 2012 -- When army veteran Vernon Randolph was diagnosed with AIDs in Texas 27 years ago, his family and friends shunned him. Even the doctor who diagnosed him seemed to have little sympathy.

Good Taste Santa Monica's Interim Café Spices Up Healthy Dishes
June 22, 2012 -- I just started a new diet.  I am always on some kind of diet.  This time, it's eating healthier, more whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meats.

Osborn All but Concedes in Race to Represent Santa Monica in Assembly
June 21, 2012 -- Two months ago, it seemed that Torie Osborn -- a fresh face in the political scene -- could go all the way to Sacramento representing the new 50th Assembly District, thanks to key endorsements and what seemed a strong grassroots base.

Old Voices Chime in on Future of Santa Monica Pier
June 21, 2012 -- Santa Monica Pier officials charting the century-old landmark's future didn't have far to look Monday when it came to gathering input from its longest-standing stakeholders.

Memorial Services Set for Santa Monica Schools Muralist
June 21, 2012 -- A memorial service for David Legaspi III -- an artist whose murals grace the walls of Santa Monica's public schools -- will be held next Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Barnum Hall on the Santa Monica High School Campus.

Santa Monica's Wilmont Controversy Drags On
June 20, 2012 -- About 15 members of the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Association sat outside an empty, locked conference room Monday night hoping the group would finally count the ballots cast in the June 9 board election.

Santa Monica Pier Announces Twilight Dance Series Lineup
June 20, 2012 -- From an Australian country singer to a Jamaican harmony trio, the 28th Annual Twilight Dance Series on the Santa Monica Pier -- which kicks off July 5 -- will showcase a world of music.

Homeless Youth Kicks Drugs with Help from Santa Monica's Common Ground
June 20, 2012 -- As Common Ground finalizes its move from Bay Street to Cedar Street in Santa Monica, The Lookout is profiling some of the clients of the non-profit agency, which has been in the spotlight after neighboring residents tried to stop the move.

Santa Monica Woman Comes to Terms with HIV
June 19, 2012 -- In the midst of its move south on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, Common Ground has come under increasing scrutiny amidst accusations that the non-profit agency increases crime.

Santa Monica Rent Control Board Approves Small Increase
June 19, 2012 -- The Santa Monica Rent Control Board voted Thursday to allow landlords to raise rents of controlled units by 1.54 per cent -- approximately half of 2011's General Adjustment (GA).

Santa Monica Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint Friday
June 19, 2012 -- Santa Monica police will conduct a checkpoint Friday in an effort to identify DUI drivers and those behind the wheel without a valid license and remove them from the street, police officials said.

Santa Monica Neighborhood Election Battle Could Come to Head Monday
June 18, 2012 -- Over a week after Santa Monica's Wilmont Neighborhood Board held provisional elections at their tumultuous annual meeting, the votes remain uncounted.

Council Smiles on Plan for Santa Monica's Old Industrial Quarter
June 18, 2012 -- The Santa Monica City Council gave planners a unanimous thumbs-up Tuesday night on the Bergamot Area plan preparing for the arrival of the Expo Light Rail line in 2016, despite a few concerns.

Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus Gets New Fare System, Continues Free Student Rides
June 18, 2012 -- Santa Monica College students will continue to ride the Big Blue Bus for free, and all passengers will soon be able to pay their fares with smart cards or by using a mobile ticketing application.

Santa Monica Chamber Installs New Board
June 15, 2012 -- The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce installed a new board Thursday night and named as its chair Ellis O'Connor, co-president of MSD Hospitality, the company that owns the Miramar Hotel.

Santa Monica Council Bans Holiday Displays
June 15, 2012 -- The City Council ended a 60-year-old Santa Monica tradition when it unanimously voted Tuesday to no longer allow winter displays in Palisade Park.

"Cinema on the Street" Kicks off in Downtown Santa Monica
June 15, 2012 -- If a stroll down Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade doesn't turn out to be a stranger-than-life experience, walk to the end of the strip next month and catch a movie on a big screen.

Council Approves $530 million Budget, Tackles Rising Pension Costs
June 14, 2012 -- Facing the possibility of a deficit of more than $4 million in the next five years, the Santa Monica City Council approved a $530.5 million budget -- $274 million of that in the general fund -- for the upcoming fiscal year.

Santa Monica Goes Higher Tech with Fed Partnership
June 14, 2012 -- The City of Santa Monica announced Wednesday that it is partnering with the National Science Foundation to “ignite” the local development of next-generation Internet applications and services.

Good Taste -- A Trip to Santa Monica's Colorful Past
June 14, 2012 -- I love a place with an interesting history. And, I love a good meal.  I put them together perfectly this past week, by lunching on the beautiful Veranda at the Georgian Hotel.

Santa Monica Local Boy Sets Out to Change Political Landscape
June 13, 2012 -- Santa Monica High School alum Joe Green, pauses briefly from reading the steady flow of e-mails to look out the eighth-floor window of his company's Downtown LA office overlooking a refurbished Pershing Square.

Santa Monica Mayor Holds Second a Week after Primary
June 13, 2012 -- One week after the polls closed, Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom is still a strong second in the primary for the 50th Assembly district, despite a widening gap between him and incumbent Betsy Butler.

Santa Monica College Wins Design Award
June 13, 2012 -- The Santa Monica College's new Performing Arts Campus East Wing has reaped its second major design award in half a year, this one for In-Process/Unbuilt projects from the Westside Urban Forum.

Santa Monica Falls Short of Affordable Housing Mandate
June 12, 2012 -- Santa Monica fell far short of its affordable housing quota last fiscal year, but enough developments are currently in the pipeline to exceed the quota when they are completed, according to a report released Friday.

Santa Monica Conservancy Home Tour a Step into Past
June 12, 2012 -- If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to reside in a piece of local history, the Santa Monica Conservancy provided a glimpse last Sunday during its "Living in a Landmark” tour.

Santa Monica Celebrates Juneteenth Saturday
June 12, 2012 -- Santa Monica will celebrate freedom, dignity and community pride at its 20th Annual Juneteenth Celebration Saturday at Virginia Avenue Park.

Planning Commission Gives Santa Monica Esplanade Good Reviews
June 11, 2012 -- The Santa Monica Planning Commission Wednesday night praised the new Colorado Esplanade project, which has had its funding slashed by half, while expressing some concerns over whether the project will connectpedestrians to the Promenade and nearby businesses.

Paddleboarding Makes Comeback in Santa Monica
June 11, 2012 -- Some of the world's top paddlers braved high surf at the start and finish lines Saturday, as they paddled, swam and ran in the 2012 Santa Monica Pier Paddle Race and Ocean Festival.

Santa Monica School District Fills Top Posts
June 11, 2012 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu School Board on Thursday welcomed three new administrators who will fill top posts held by long-time employees who will be retiring at the end of this month.

Santa Monica Group Holds Elections after Miramar Opponents Pack Meeting
June 9, 2012 -- “It's a coup,” said Wilmont Coalition Board member Larry Isaacs. “This election is not lawful.” An angry crowd had flooded into a conference room at the Santa Monica Main Library determined to force the board to hold elections at their annual meeting Saturday morning.

Showdown Likely At Santa Monica Neighborhood Meeting
June 8, 2012 -- Candidates vying for seats on the board of the Wilshire-Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont) are planning a showdown to force group officials to hold the election removed from the agenda of Saturday's annual meeting.

Santa Monica Neighborhood Group Postpones Election
June 8, 2012 -- Santa Monica's Wilmont neighborhood group will cancel its election Saturday after leaders said they have failed to verify the eligibility of eleven potential candidates vying for seats on the board.

Mountain Lion Killed in Santa Monica was Shot to Death, Necropsy Concludes
June 8, 2012 -- The mountain lion killed in the courtyard of a building in Downtown Santa Monica May 22 died as the result of being shot, according to the preliminary findings of a necropsy released Thursday.

Splash into Summer at Santa Monica Beach House
June 8, 2012 -- Santa Monica's Annenberg Community Beach House will welcome in the summer season with three months of activities for young and old, swimmers and landlubbers alike, starting next week and running through September 3.

Bloom's Showing Tuesday Could Open up Santa Monica Council Race
June 7, 2012 -- After finishing second in a preliminary vote count, Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom is gearing up for a November showdown with incumbent Betsy Butler to represent Assembly District 50, and that could lure more candidates to fill his council seat.

Good Taste -- Ocean Avenue's Little Secret
June 7, 2012 -- On Ocean Avenue, eclipsed by the popular, but pricey The Lobster restaurant, sits a small Italian eatery that I have passed for more than 20 years without paying much notice.

Santa Monica to Introduce Emergency Response Training
June 7, 2012 -- With an earthquake behind it and a tsunami zone designated along the coast, Santa Monica plans to keep its residents prepared this summer in the event disaster ever strikes.

Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom Makes Assembly Ballot
June 6, 2012 -- Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom finished second in Tuesday's State Assembly primary and will face winner Betsy Butler in the November race to represent the newly drawn 50th District, pending a final vote count.

Santa Monica Police Arrest Flight School Nail Culprit
June 6, 2012 -- A Venice man was arrested Thursday night after he was caught tossing nails into the driveways of flight schools flanking the municipal airport.

Body Found on Santa Monica Beach
June 6, 2012 -- A man's body was found early Tuesday morning by the shoreline at Santa Monica Beach near the Venice border.

Santa Monica Rotary Club Gives Scholarships to Local Students
June 6, 2012 -- The 90-year-old Rotary Club of Santa Monica handed out more than $8,500 in scholarships at its monthly luncheon June 1.

Santa Monica Mayor Faces Tough Battle in Tuesday Primary
June 5, 2012 -- As voters get ready to choose the top two candidates for the newly formed 50th State Assembly District, Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom anticipates a close race Tuesday night.

Scaled Back Santa Monica Esplanade Gets Hearing Wednesday
June 5, 2012 -- Santa Monica's Planning Commission will take a look at a radically scaled down Colorado Esplanade plan Wednesday night in the wake of the loss of Redevelopment Agency (RDA) funds earlier this year.

Santa Monica College Graduation Goes Global
June 5, 2012 -- The families of Santa Monica College students will be able to watch next week's graduation ceremonies live from the comfort of their homes all over the world.

Santa Monica's Common Ground Has Had No Impact on Crime, Statistics Show
June 4, 2012 -- Two decades of police reports reveal that crime did not increase at the former site of the Santa Monica-based nonprofit Common Ground, despite residents' claims that the agency poses a safety risk to the neighborhood.

Davis to Seek Re-Election to Santa Monica City Council
June 4, 2012 -- Mayor Pro Tem Gleam Davis became the first incumbent to announce a bid for re-election in the November race for four open City Council seats.

Santa Monica to Showcase Teen Filmmakers this Month
June 4, 2012 -- They range in length from one to 20 minutes and span genres from live action and animation to experimental and documentary, but the films to be showcased the 7th Annual Santa Monica Teen Film Festival this month have one thing in common.

Santa Monica Planning Commission Delays Trailer Park Deliberations, Again
June 1, 2012 -- After four hours of questioning, the Planning Commission on Wednesday stopped short of deliberating whether to recommend a Development Agreement for the Village Trailer Park site, but expressed interest in a proposal that could save a part of the park.

Good Taste -- Good Taste: Martinis, Lobster and a Pink Gorilla
June 1, 2012 -- A week before my birthday, my business partner and BFF invited me to dinner to celebrate.