New Santa Monica Ordinance Will Make Developers Pay to Offset Traffic
February 28, 2013 - - The Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to levy new fees on developers that are expected to generate some $50 million over the next 20 years to maintain and improve the City's transit ways.

“NIMBY” Moniker Has Santa Monica Groups Up in Arms
February 28, 2013 -- Two Santa Monica community groups are calling for the dismissal of a City traffic consultant who wrote that NIMBYs had dominated Santa Monica politics for decades.

Santa Monica College Lecture Series Tackles Global Issues
February 28, 2013 -- What will be living on planet earth be like four decades for now?  “The World in 2050” is the first in a series of upcoming lectures at Santa Monica College that address key issues facing our planet.

FAA Eyes Santa Monica Airport Tower for Closure
February 27, 2013 -- The Santa Monica Airport (SMO) air-traffic control tower is on the chopping block as the Department of Transportation looks for ways to cut $1 billion in spending unless a budget agreement is reached by Friday.

Santa Monica Loses RC Pioneer and Local Businessman
February 27, 2013 -- Colby Evett, owner of Evett's Model Shop in Santa Monica and the inventor of the multi-toned transmitter and receiver, died Saturday February 16. He was 92.

Santa Monica Lecture Tackles Mystery of Route 66
February 27, 2013 -- It’s been celebrated in novels and songs, been taken by generations of migrants in old jalopies and by beats who got their kicks along its route. But where did Route 66 really end?

Rise in Homelessness Could Be Future Trend, Officials Say
February 26, 2013 -- Volunteers counted 780 homeless people sleeping in Santa Monica during the City's 2013 homeless count, a one percent increase from last year, officials said.

Santa Monica-Malibu Ed Foundation Takes on New Fundraisers for Centralized Fundraising Program
February 26, 2013 -- With the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation now responsible for fundraising $4 million annually for extracurricular programs and professional development, the nonprofit has taken on two new fundraisers.

Good Taste -- Santa Monica's One Pico Captures The Romance of Beachside Dining
February 26, 2013 -- I have been writing this column for almost a year now. I've stayed away from places that already get their fair share of publicity, preferring to focus on establishments that have been around for a while, with quite a bit of focus on one-of-a-kind neighborhood restaurants with a story and history about them.

Letter -- New Fee Could Drive Santa Monica Businesses Out
February 26, 2013 -- The following letter was sent by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Friday to the City Council in response to a proposed Transportation Impact Fee ordinance.

Santa Monica’s Bergamot Draft Plan Heads to City Council
February 25, 2013 -- Despite concerns it would generate more traffic and require excessive oversight, the Bergamot Area Plan received a second review by the Santa Monica Planning Commission last week before heading to the City Council.

Santa Monica Prepares to Embark on Pier Bridge Safety Enhancements
February 25, 2013 -- City officials are preparing to embark on an $8.35 million project to replace a 12,960-square-foot section of the Santa Monica Pier that has begun to deteriorate as a result of exposure to the elements.

Santa Monica Celebrates Women’s History Month
February 25, 2013 -- Women’s contributions of science, technology, engineering and math will be the theme of Women's History Month in Santa Monica in March.

Santa Monica Residents React to New Plans for Fairmont Miramar Redevelopment
February 22, 2013 -- New plans for the Miramar unveiled Thursday drew a wide range of reactions from Santa Monica residents, but failed to allay fears that the ambitious redevelopment project remains too large and will generate more traffic.

DNA Ties Suspect to Random Stabbing in Downtown Santa Monica
February 22, 2013 -- A Mexican national was charged Thursday with attempted murder and a hate crime in the random stabbing of a black teenager in Downtown Santa Monica last summer, police said.

Santa Monica to Look to Development to Pay for Transit Improvements
February 22, 2013 -- The City Council will vote on an ordinance Tuesday that would make developers pay a transportation impact fee (TIF) that would generate up to $93 million to help offset the $134,315,829 Santa Monica expects to pay on transit improvements over the next 20 years.

Santa Monica Miramar Hotel Unveils Revised Redevelopment Plans
February 21, 2013 – In an effort to provide more open space and block fewer views, Santa Monica’s Miramar Hotel will unveil a revised plan Thursday that proposes a 21-story tower, instead of a large L-shaped building that triggered opposition to the project.

Possible Prop 13 Changes Topic of Public Forum at Santa Monica College
February 21, 2013 -- Are Prop 13 protections for businesses a “corporate tax giveaway” or are they helping to keep California’s small businesses in the black?

Santa Monica Loses Long Ties to Its Past
February 21, 2013 -- Robert Zoven Long -- who opened Santa Monica's first Pep Boys Auto Supply and was a long-time volunteer with Meals on Wheels West -- died Sunday from complications after a fall. He was 96 years old.

Santa Monica Planning Commission to Continue Bergamot Discussion
February 20, 2013 -- After Planning Commissioners engaged in a six-hour discussion last week, the public will get to weigh in Wednesday on the complete draft of a plan to redesign the area immediately surrounding the first Santa Monica stop along the proposed Expo light rail line.

Santa Monica Names Sustainability Award Winners
February 20, 2013 -- A Santa Monica company that provides “eco-chic” dining services and another that offers “sustainable yoga tools,” along with the agency that lures tourists to the beachside city are the winners of the of this year’s Sustainable Quality Awards Grand Prize.

Santa Monica Farmers Market Kicks Off Panel Discussion Series
February 20, 2013 -- Santa Monica's Farmers Market will kick off its 2013 panel discussion series Thursday at the Main Branch Public Library.

Santa Monica Officials Rethink Lincoln Boulevard Bus Lane
February 19, 2013 -- Citing concerns over parking and traffic, Santa Monica is reconsidering a bus-only lane in the 1.2 mile section of Lincoln Boulevard that the City recently took over from CalTrans last summer.

Santa Monica Playhouse Says Goodbye to “Everyman” Tim Chadwick
February 19, 2013 -- Timothy Benge-Chadwick -- an “everyman” who wore numerous hats at the Santa Monica Playhouse, both on-stage and off -- died last Tuesday after battling a long illness. He was 57.

Santa Monica Miramar Hotel to Show Residents Latest Redevelopment Design
February 19, 2013 -- The Santa Monica Miramar Hotel will hold an open house Thursday for residents who are curious about the most recent version of the 86-year-old hotel's proposed redevelopment project.

Santa Monica Landowners May Have to Pay for Increasing Rent Control Staff Costs
February 18, 2013 -- With Santa Monica's Rent Control agency facing a nearly $400,000 deficit due to rising pension costs and staff salaries, the Rent Control Board may start requiring landlords to shoulder some of the financial burdern.

Santa Monica Conservancy Announces Winners of Preservation Awards
February 18, 2013 -- The Santa Monica Conservancy announced its 2013 Preservation Awards, singling out owners who have renovated, restored and adapted historic buildings to new uses.

Good Taste -- Babalu Offers Eclectic Caribbean Food in Santa Monica
February 18, 2013 -- On the corner of 10th and Montana, sits a colorful, art-deco Caribbean shack. It's a restaurant called Babalu, which is exactly the word I would use to describe the spirit of the place.

Santa Monica's Newest Park Named for Local Tribe
February 15, 2013 -- Santa Monica's newest park, formerly called the Palisades Garden Walk, will now bear the name of a local tribe after the City Council voted 4 to 1 Tuesday to adopt “Tongva Park” as the name for the 6-acre parcel across the street from City Hall.

Santa Monica Pier to Get Three New Vendors
February 15, 2013 -- The Santa Monica Pier will serve up German street food, organic fare and crepes after the City Council voted to negotiate one-year leases with nine vendors Tuesday night.

Santa Monica Teens to Compete in Trivia Quest
February 15, 2013 -- Teens will get a chance to compete for $100 prize on February 23 when Santa Monica's Main Library hosts Teen Urban Quest.

Letter -- Clarifying City Official's Take on Measure BB
February 15, 2013 -- Thank you for covering the Topping Out event at Samohi Monday. I wanted to clarify my comments, which probably were hard to follow if you didn't have the background information.

City Council Sets Priorities for Future Development in Santa Monica
February 14, 2013 -- With 35 development agreements (DAs) waiting to be processed by City officials, the Santa Monica City Council Tuesday directed staff to give priority to developments that exceed the onsite affordable housing required and provide a mix of unit sizes.

Santa Monica Wants More Affordable Housing from Smaller Projects
February 14, 2013 -- The Santa Monica City Council voted 4 to1 Tuesday to amend an ordinance that allowed housing projects of fewer than 50 units to bypass the lengthy development agreement (DA) process as long as all the units being built were affordable to at least moderate income households.

The California Arts Council Says Goodbye to Santa Monica's Malissa Shriver
February 14, 2013 -- Santa Monica resident Malissa Feruzzi Shriver stepped down this week after serving eight years with the California Arts Council, four of those years as chair.

Seniors Find Community at Santa Monica Bike Center
February 13, 2013 -- “I splurged on this bike,” said Lee Hildebrandt, one of 16 Santa Monica seniors who turned out Tuesday morning for a bike tour of the bayside city's “sweet spots.”

Forty-four Years Later, Santa Monica Band Still Delivers
February 13, 2013 -- Like most school bands, this Santa Monica orchestra has survived budget cuts, is led by a teacher and plays music ranging from classical to rock-n-roll.

Bullying is Topic of Santa Monica Lecture
February 13, 2013 -- Fighting bullying in school is no easy task, since bullies are highly popular not only among students but also among teachers, according to the groundbreaking research conducted by UCLA Psychology Professor Jaana Juvonen.

Construction Crews “Top Out ” Santa Monica High School's Newest Building
February 12, 2013 -- District officials gathered in front of Santa Monica High School's (SAMOHI) future Science and Technology (or Innovation) building Monday to celebrate the “topping out ” of the $55 million construction project.

Santa Monica College Opens $600,000 Bike Parking Lot
February 12, 2013 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) opened a $600,000 bike parking lot Monday, providing 400 new parking spaces for bikes, more than doubling the current number.

Santa Monica Braces for Expo Line Construction Starting Monday
February 12, 2013 -- As the Expo Light Rail line rolls closer to Santa Monica, motorists need to brace for major construction work starting next Monday, City officials said.

Santa Monica Showcased on Today Show
February 11, 2013 -- In a major publicity boon for the beachside city, the recently redeveloped Santa Monica Place will be the backdrop for the popular network morning talk show, the “Today Show,” this week.

Council to Vote on War Memorial at Santa Monica's Woodlawn Cemetery
February 11, 2013 -- The Santa Monica City Council will decide Tuesday whether to start raising up to $15,000 for a memorial at Woodlawn Cemetery that would commemorate nearly 100 locals who died in America's foreign wars to date.

Good Taste -- Ringing in the Chinese New Year at P.F. Chang's
February 11, 2013 -- Being that the Chinese New Year is this week, I decided to dine at P.F. Chang's for lunch with my friend Laurel, President of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. It's around the corner from our offices on 6th Street, so it was convenient and timely.

California Supreme Court Overturns Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Discrimination Decision
February 8, 2013 -- Santa Monica won't have to pay $177,905 in damages to Wynona Harris, a former Big Blue Bus employee who alleged that she was fired because she was pregnant, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Public Art in Santa Monica Benefits from Private Development
February 8, 2013 -- If you think the term “real estate development” is antithetical to cultural arts promotion, think again.

Charges Against Suspect in Santa Monica Shooting Dropped
February 8, 2013 -- Prosecutors dropped the case against Waiverly Thomas, who was arrested as a suspect in a shooting on Santa Monica's Pico Boulevard in December.

Santa Monica Trailer Park Controversy May Be Near an End
February 7, 2013 -- As Santa Monica faces a $50 million lawsuit over a decision to rescind the development agreement (DA) at the Village Trailer Park (VTP) site, staff and the majority of the Council are deadlocked over how many affordable units are required, The Lookout has learned.

Santa Monica City Council to Name Park
February 7, 2013 -- Should Santa Monica's newest park be called The Shire or maybe Spaceship Adventure Fun Park or even The Mecca?

Santa Monica's Pacific Park to Celebrate Love
February 7, 2013 -- The first 500 couples to ride Santa Monica's famous Ferris wheel this Valentine's Day will get a LED rose and chocolate kisses, compliments of Pacific Park, to help set the mood for a romantic night out.

Santa Monica Sushi Chefs Got a Little Too Exotic
February 6, 2013 -- It was never any secret that the menu at The Hump in Santa Monica was full of some of the most exotic culinary options in Los Angeles.

Santa Monica’s Jacaranda Celebrates Revolutionary Music
February 6, 2013 – It’s unlikely there’ll be near riots or that the audience will whistle, laugh and boo when Jacaranda tackles Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” and Arnold Schoenberg’s “Pierrot Lunaire” in Santa Monica this month.

Coalition Forms to Oppose Proposed Fee for Trainers Using Santa Monica Parks
Note: This story has been updated
February 5, 2013 -- Personal fitness trainers in Santa Monica have formed a coalition to oppose a proposal that would charge them to use public parks for classes.

Santa Monica Council Candidates Disclose Fundraising Sources
February 5, 2013 -- Of the four candidates elected to Santa Monica's City Council in November, Ted Winterer not only won the most votes, but he also raised the most money, according to campaign finance disclosure statements released last week.

Santa Monica College Veterans to Benefit from American Legion Gift
February 5, 2013 -- Student veterans attending Santa Monica College will see a boost in counseling and other services thanks to the American Legion, which doubled its funding to more than $80,000.

Santa Monica Officials to Curb Traffic with Less Parking
February 4, 2013 -- City officials told the Planning Commission Wednesday that they want to try to curb Santa Monica's traffic woes by reducing parking requirements for new developments throughout the bayside city.

Santa Monica's “Complete Green Street” to Open Saturday
February 4, 2013 -- Santa Monica will celebrate the “greening” of Santa Monica's Ocean Park Boulevard from Nielson Way to Lincoln Boulevard Saturday.

Good Taste -- Blue Plate Taco Reinvents Southwestern Dining Experience
February 4, 2013 -- On a bright, sunny, surprisingly warm day in Santa Monica, my gal pals and I decided to take some time to enjoy the day and experience a new place for lunch.

More than 250 Volunteers Turn Out to Count Santa Monica's Homeless
February 1, 2013 -- “It's a reality check,” said Mark Loranger, president and CEO of Chrysalis, a nonprofit in Santa Monica that helps homeless and low-income people get jobs, as he prepared to participate in the annual homeless count.

Huntley Hotel Backed Santa Monica Slow-Growth Group, Documents Show
February 1, 2013 -- Santa Monicans for Responsible Growth (SMRG) received $20,000 from the Huntley Hotel, which is embroiled in a battle to stop the proposed redevelopment of the neighboring Miramar Hotel, according to campaign finance disclosure statements released Thursday.

Santa Monica Library to Screen Fishbone Documentary
February 1, 2013 -- February is Black History Month, and the Santa Monica Public Library will celebrate with an afternoon screening of “Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone,” a documentary about the band that combines funk, ska, punk and hard rock styles.