Santa
Monica City Council Moves to Contain Pension Costs
March 30, 2012 -- The Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday voted
to change the City's pension formula in an effort to curb its contributions
to employee retirement plans that have ballooned to $44 million from
less than $10 million a decade ago.
Santa
Monica's Tree Removal Process in Effect
March 30, 2012 -- Santa Monica has begun implementing a process
that allows members of public to appeal the proposed removal of a
tree.
Santa
Monica School District Now Accepting Permit Applications
March 30, 2012 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
(SMMUSD) has begun accepting applications for non-resident students.
Santa
Monica's Iconic Ferris Wheel to Go Dark for Earth Hour
March 29, 2012 -- The world’s only solar-powered Ferris
wheel at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will join such international
landmarks as the Sydney Opera House and the Eifel Tower and go dark
for an hour to mark Earth Day.
Santa
Monica Pier to Lose Deck Parking
March 29, 2012 -- Pedestrians and cars will no longer have
to jockey for space on the Santa Monica Pier ramp after the City
Council on Tuesday gave staff its unanimous blessing to remove parking
from the landmark's wooden deck.
Major
Santa Monica Streets to Get Makeovers
March 29, 2012 -- The City Council on Tuesday paved the way
for two projects that will improve streets leading to the Santa Monica
Freeway.
LETTERS:SMRR's "Disloyalty"
March 29, 2012 -- Last Sunday, Santa Monicans for Renters'
Rights, which has run the city for 30 years, showed its lack of loyalty
to Mayor Richard Bloom, who has been an active and loyal member of
SMRR for 23 years. ("Santa
Monicans for Renters' Rights Snubs Bloom, Endorses Osborn," March
26, 2012)
Santa
MSanta
Monica Opposes Corporate Personhood
March 28, 2012 -- The Santa Monica City Council decided unanimously
to voice its disapproval of the Citizens United Supreme Court
decision that vests corporations with the rights of individuals.
Santa
Monica Chamber Names Sustainable Awards Finalists
March 28, 2012 -- An interior design firm, two hotels,
a restaurant, a health spa and a media foundation are the final
nominees for the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce's 2012 Sustainable
Quality Awards, which will "shine a light on the entertainment
industry," chamber officials said.
Food
Fetish - This Place Stinks!
March 28, 2012 --I love cheese. I crave cheese. Any
type of cheese. For several months, I have been driving
by this cute little place on Montana with a sign outside that
says "This Place Stinks!" I take a closer look, and
it's Andrew's Cheese store. Cool. So my friend and I go
in, in search of the stinkiest cheeses.
onica
City Council to Take Up Pensions, Personhood and Pier Parking
March 27, 2012 -- Santa Monica is expected to take a
concrete step Tuesday to construct the first library in the
city's poorest and most diverse area, meeting a demand from
a Pico Neighborhood Community Plan that dates back to 1983.
Please
note: In paragraph 5 of
the above story the percentage should be multiplied by an
employee's number of years of service up to 30 years.
Santa
Monica Recs and Parks Chair Takes State Leadership Role, Stinchfield
Recognized
March 27, 2012 -- Phil Brock, who chairs the Santa Monica
Recreation and Parks Commission, was installed Thursday as
the new President of the California Association of Park and
Recreation Commissioners and Board Members.
Santa
Monica to Move Ahead with Construction of Pico Library
March 27, 2012 -- Santa Monica is expected to take a concrete
step Tuesday to construct the first library in the city's poorest and
most diverse area, meeting a demand from a Pico Neighborhood Community
Plan that dates back to 1983.
EXTRA! Santa
Monicans for Renters' Rights Snubs Bloom, Endorses Osborn
March 26, 2012 -- Santa Monica's powerful tenants group
snubbed Mayor Richard Bloom, a longtime loyal member, and endorsed
Torie Osborn in the June race for State representative Sunday.
Two
Busted in Santa Monica Movie Company Billing Scheme
March 26, 2012 -- Two Southern California men were arrested
Friday when they were indicted for allegedly defrauding Santa
Monica-based Lionsgate Entertainment out of $2 million in an
advertising kickback scheme.
Santa
Monica Farmers Market Manager Receives Award
March 26, 2012 -- Laura Avery, who has managed the
Santa Monica Farmers Market for 30 years, has been awarded
the Buy Fresh Buy Local award by the Community Alliance
with Family Farmers (CAFF).
Santa
Monica's Stairway of the Stars Honors Chandra Narain
March 23, 2012 -- This year, the Santa Monica - Malibu School
District will make an exception when it presents its Stairway Honor
Award, bucking the tradition of choosing an artist. But
if an exception is being made, the honoree at the 63rd Stairway of
the Stars this Thursday and Friday, district officials agree, is
exceptional.
Bergamot
Art Center Redevelopment Gets Moving
March 23, 2012 -- The City Council early Wednesday morning
voted to start the process to redevelop the Bergamot Art Center,
Santa Monica's last major arts district and what will soon
be the Expo Line's first stop in the beachside city.
Cultivating
Compassion in Santa Monica
March 23, 2012 -- Compassion will be the theme of a
month-long series of events at the Fairview Branch of the Santa
Monica Public Library.
Santa
Monica's Chain Reaction Gets Reprieve
March 22, 2012 -- Santa Monica's "Chain Reaction" sculpture
will remain standing for at least another eight months after the
City Council voted unanimously to allow local activists and community
members a chance to raise funds to preserve the iconic art work.
Santa
Monica Massage Technician Sentenced for Sexual Assault
March 22, 2012 -- Santa Monica police are seeking possible
victims of a massage technician who was sentenced to six months
in jail last week and must register as a sexual offender after
sexually assaulting a client.
Saint
John's Announces New Sports Medicine Center in Santa Monica
March 22, 2012 -- Saint John’s Health Center in
Santa Monica will create a state-of-the-art orthopedic and
sports medicine center that will provide quality care from
treatment to rehabilitation, hospital officials announced this
month.
Santa
Monica Spends Earthquake Plum on Ritzy Projects
March 22, 2012 --In
an article in the LA Weekly, Lookout editor Jorge Casuso looks at how Santa
Monica spent earthquake funds to purchase land, build housing and create
parks and other public projects.
City
Council Approves Living Wage for Proposed Santa Monica Hotel
March 21, 2012 -- The development agreement for
a new hotel expected to revitalize the northeastern edge
of Santa Monica's Downtown barely squeaked by a City Council
divided over the question of wage rates for hotel workers.
Santa
Monica Amends Farmers Market Regulations, Buys Land for Corporate
Yards
March 21, 2012 -- The City Council Tuesday night
clarified the process by which participants can be suspended
from the Framers Market and purchased land for the expansion
of its Corporation Yards.
Santa
Monica Music Teacher Receives Prestigious BRAVO Award
March 21, 2012 --Santa Monica High School choral director
Jeffe Huls has been awarded one of the Music Center's prestigious
30th Annual BRAVO Awards for 2012.
Tree
Hugging Day Sets Roots in Santa Monica
March 20, 2012 -- "How does a tree get on the Internet?" a
tree hugger asked as the crowd waited for their leader to return.
Santa
Monica School Board Boosts Permit Student Enrollment
March 20, 2012 -- After a month of discussions,
the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District voted last
week to end a moratorium on new inter-district permits
and raise the cap of new non-resident students who can
attend local schools from 200 to 300.
Santa
Monica's Meals on Wheels Rolls in $16,000
March 20, 2012 -- RoseMary Regalbuto is not one
to let a “brandable” moment pass her by. The
president and CEO of Meals on Wheels West in Santa Monica,
ran again in Sunday’s Honda LA Marathon to benefit
her nonprofit.
Honda
LA Marathon Finishes In Santa Monica Under Sunny Skies
March 19, 2012 -- The 27th edition of the Honda LA Marathon
(formerly the City of Los Angeles Marathon) ended in Santa
Monica under unexpectedly clear, blue skies Sunday, with a
crowd on hand to welcome the finishers at the pier.
Planning
Commission Supports More Developers Fees
March 19, 2012 -- Developers would face some of the
highest transportation mitigation fees in the region if Santa
Monica adopts a staff proposal approved by the Planning Commission
last week.
Motorcyclist
Involved in Santa Monica Accident Dies
March 19, 2012 -- A 22-year-old motorcyclist struck
on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica last month died last Monday
as a result of his injuries, police said.
“Stairway
of the Stars” Concert in Santa Monica this Week
March 19, 2012 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School
District will showcase its musical talents Thursday and Friday
at the 63rd Annual Stairway of the Stars concert at the Civic
Auditorium.
Santa
Monica Prepares for Rainy LA Marathon
March 16, 2012 -- As southern California braces for a late
winter storm this weekend, Honda L.A. Marathon planners are preparing
for a repeat of last year's soggy race while Santa Monica canceled
its Buy Local expo.
Santa
Monica’s Wearin’ O’ the Green this St. Patrick’s
Day
March 14, 2012 -- Whether your name is O’Toole,
Moskovitz or Ibrahim, Santa Monica will offer plenty of opportunity
to get your Irish this weekend, with a number of Saint Patrick’s
Day celebrations around the city.
Santa
Monica “Buy Local” Expo Postponed
March 16, 2012 -- Santa Monica’s “Buy Local” Expo,
scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed due to the storm
scheduled to blow in that morning.
Santa
Monica-based RAND Launches First Private Venture
March 15, 2012 -- For the first time in its 64-year history,
the Santa Monica-based RAND Corporation will launch a company to
apply its technology research for commercial application.
“Whitey” Bulger's
Girlfriend Pleads Guilty, Notes May Reveal Mob Boss' Life on the
Lam in Santa Monica
March 15, 2012 -- The girlfriend of James “Whitey” Bulger
pleaded guilty Wednesday to helping the mob boss evade capture
for 16 years.
Santa
Monica's 2nd Annual Buy Local Weekend Primed for Fun
March 15, 2012 -- The second annual “Buy Local Weekend” rolls
out Saturday on Santa Monica's Promenade with more than 80 local
vendors and food booths, live music, entertainment on two stages
and community leaders who can explain exactly how buying local
will improve your life.
Reasons to Love the Bergamot Transit Center Project
March 15, 2012 --I
would like to state my brief comment in response to the article "Santa
Monica Coalition Fires Legal Missive Opposing Bergamot Project published on
March 13, 2012
Landmarks
Commission to Stand Up for Iconic Santa Monica Sculpture
March 14, 2012 -- The Santa Monica Landmarks Commission
went to bat for the “Chain Reaction” sculpture Monday
night, hoping to buy time for a donor to salvage the iconic work.
Navigating
Santa Monica on Marathon Sunday
March 14, 2011 -- Tens of thousands of runners, and
scores of visitors and fans, will descend on Santa Monica for
the final leg of Sunday's Third Annual LA Marathon to the Sea,
which starts at Dodger Stadium and finishes on Ocean Avenue
near the pier.
Santa
Monica Airport Hosts ArtWalk Saturday
March 14, 2012 -- If you've ever wanted to see how artists
work or let your own creativity take flight, take a stroll
through Santa Monica Airport Saturday for the annual ArtWalk.
Santa
Monica Coalition Fires Legal Missive Opposing Bergamot Project
March 13, 2012 -- Attorneys for the Santa Monica Coalition
for a Livable City (SMCLC) on Monday submitted a 26-page letter
to City Planning officials outlining the group's objections to
the Bergamot Village Transit Center Project.
Santa
Monica College Hammers Out Plan to Save Classes
March 13, 2012 -- As the State pulls funding for higher
education, Santa Monica College may have found a solution some
are finding controversial.
Santa
Monica Offers Wet Workouts and Fitness Swim Free Through Sunday
March 13, 2012 -- Community members 16 and older have until
Sunday to try the Santa Monica Swim Center's Wet Workouts and Adult
Fitness Swim Classes for free during Active Santa Monica week.
Opposition
to Santa Monica Transit Center Project Grows
March 12, 2012 -- Opposition to a major commercial
development at the old Papermate site in Santa Monica is
growing, with leaders from five neighboring communities
joining to oppose the Bergamot Village Transit Center Project
on Olympic Boulevard.
Santa
Monica Agency Head Runs for a Meal
March 12, 2012 -- Although her name is usually associated
with wheels, RoseMary Regalbuto will be walking next Sunday
to raise money to feed the homebound elderly.
Santa
Monica Trailer Park Slowly Disappears
March 9, 2012 -- The sun is setting on one of Santa
Monica's two last remaining trailer parks, with units being
demolished to pave the way for a new 350-unit residential project.
A
Santa Monica Landmark Journeys Back to the Future
March 9, 2012 -- A building on Main Street that
has long housed one of the oddest collections of futuristic
artifacts in Southern California is scheduled to be officially
certified as a Santa Monica landmark Monday night.
St.
Monica Gets All Shook Up
March 9, 2012 -- St. Monica will step back into
the fifties this weekend with a student musical that pays
tribute to Elvis Presley and his music.
Strolling
Through Raymond Chandler's Santa Monica
March 8, 2012 -- Seventy-five years after Raymond Chandler
immortalized Santa Monica as “Bay City,” it might
be hard to find “women who should be young, but have
faces like stale beer,” or “ratty hotels where
nobody except people named Smith and Jones register."
A
Sign of Change on Santa Monica's Promenade
March 8, 2012 -- On Monday, the Architectural
Review Board approved a temporary sign to be placed outside
Tesla's new showroom in Santa Monica, a visible sign
that the first auto showroom on the Promenade is
on its way.
Santa
Monica Celebrates Women This Month
March 8, 2012 -- You would be mistaken if you thought Arcadia
Bandini de Baker was only known as being the women behind the successful
co-founder of Santa Monica.
Santa
Monica School District Will Get $17 Million Back. But Who Will Pay?
March 7, 2012 -- The State of California has ceased payments to
the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) in anticipation
of Redevelopment money returning to the schools.
Santa
Monica Pier Gets All-Star Board
March 7, 2012 -- Some of Santa Monica's top Civic leaders
of the past two decades -- including three former City Department
heads, a former mayor and the head of the city's tourism bureau --
have been elected to sit on what until now has been a relatively
obscure board.
Santa
Monica's 6th Annual Unity Resource Festival to Celebrate Cultural
Diversity Sunday
March 7, 2012 -- Santa Monica's 6th Annual Unity Resource
Festival will celebrate the beachside city's diverse cultures Sunday
through music, dance and culinary arts.
Santa
Monica City Clerk Announces Retirement
March 6, 2012 -- After keeping Santa Monica's legislative
records, managing a dozen elections and attending and summarizing
nearly every City Council meeting for almost two decades, Santa
Monica City Clerk Maria Stewart is stepping down.
Malibu
Faces Lengthy Process to Break from Santa Monica
March 6, 2012 -- Malibu's secession from the School
District will take a lengthy process that ultimately will hinge
on finances and a decision by state officials on whether to
bring the plan before the voters of Santa Monica and Malibu,
the School Board learned last week.
Orange
County Financial Advisor Charged with Murder of Santa Monica Man
March 6, 2012 -- Daniel Edward Becerril II, owner of
the Huntington Beach-based AP Financial Group, was charged
Monday with the 2008 murder of Santa Monica artist Alexander
Merman, as well as with money-laundering and grand theft.
Neighbors
Worry About Proposed Grocery Store in Santa Monica
March 5, 2012 -- More than 80 Santa Monica residents crammed
into the small Douglas Park Club House Thursday to air their concerns
about a proposed Fresh & Easy Market in the Mid City Neighborhood.
Santa
Monica Red Cross Gets New CEO
March 5, 2012 -- The Santa Monica Red Cross has hired
a top official of a Boston homeless services agency to become
the organization's Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Police
Arrest Financial Advisor in 2008 Murder
March 2, 2012 -- A four-year-long investigation into the
killing of a Russia-born school teacher in Santa Monica led to
the arrest for murder Thursday of the victim's financial advisor
and uncovered a complex murder-for-profit scheme, Santa Monica
Police announced Friday.
Downtown
Santa Monica Plan Becoming More Specific
March 2. 2012 -- The Downtown Specific Plan -- which
could transform the heart of the beachside city -- is beginning
to take shape as themes and patterns have begun to emerge,
staff told the City Council Tuesday night.
Plaintiffs
Challenge Santa Monica's Settlement in Parking Citation Case
March 2, 2012 -- The Santa Monica City Council jumped the
gun Tuesday when it voted to settle a lawsuit charging that the
City failed to explain why appeals of parking citations are denied,
the plaintiff's said.
SMC
Presents Distinguished Scientists Lecture Series
March 2, 2012 -- Immune cells to fight cancer, Martin
Luther King, Jr.'s influence on science and oceans in peril
are the topics of an upcoming lecture series that kicks off
this month at Santa Monica College.
Santa
Monica Council Delays Vote on Holiday Displays
March 1, 2012 -- The fate of Santa Monica's famous
Nativity scenes in Palisades Park, a 60-year tradition,
remains undecided after the City Council decided to continue
discussion of an ordinance banning all unattended displays
from the park Tuesday.
Four
Sentenced in 2009 Santa Monica Slaying
March 1, 2012 -- Four alleged gang members who gunned
down a 20-year-old Santa Monica man at Virginia Avenue
Park in 2009 have been sentenced and could serve life terms,
according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Santa
Monica Police Continue Campaign to Curb Pedestrian Accidents
March 1, 2012 -- During March, Santa Monica Police will
target vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk
as part of an ongoing campaign to curb pedestrian accidents.
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