archiveSanta Monica Lookoutline
The Santa Monica Lookout, Santa Monica, California -- March 2014

League of Women Voters Celebrates 80 Years, “Women Who Shape Santa Monica”
March 31, 2014 -- There was standing room only in the 10th-story lounge overlooking the bay where the League of Women Voters Santa Monica (LWVSM) gathered Thursday night to honor four of the bayside city's most influential women.

Santa Monica College Lecture Series to Focus on Climate, Food and Housing
March 31, 2014 -- Zero net energy homes, improving food systems and climate change will be the focus of the remaining presentations during Santa Monica College’s Spring 2014 Environmental Issues Lecture Series.

Santa Monica to Start $7 Million Bus Stop Makeover
March 31, 2014 -- Santa Monica’s bus stops will get a long-anticipated overhaul starting Monday when Big Blue Bus begins its $7 million federally-funded project to bring the system into the 21st century.

Letter -- Don’t Close Santa Monica Airport without a Plan
March 31, 2014 --Until there is a codified comprehensive long range plan for the Airport, including various scenarios pending the outcome of challenges to its existence, it should remain with the fully functional services that it has now.

Supporters of Santa Monica Airport File Paperwork for Ballot Initiative
March 28, 2014 -- Two days after the City Council voted unanimously in favor of taking steps to close down Santa Monica Airport, supporters of the century-old airfield took steps to put the matter before the voters.

Sandra Fluke Wants to Make Political Debut as Santa Monica, Southbay State Senator
March 28, 2014 -- Activist and attorney Sandra Fluke was faced with a choice in January when Congressman Henry Waxman announced he would retire after 40 years of representing Santa Monica and West Los Angles in Washington.

Fugitive Child Molestation Suspect Returned to Santa Monica
March 28, 2014 -- A suspect in a child molestation case in Santa Monica has been apprehended in Florida after evading authorities for six years.

McKinley Elementary a Finalist in Trash-Free Lunch Challenge
March 28, 2014 -- Santa Monica's McKinley Elementary was named one of three finalist for the Los Angeles County's third annual Trash-Free Lunch Challenge for its students’ efforts in sustainability and recycling.

City Council Moves Ahead with Plans to Close Santa Monica Airport
March 27, 2014 -- The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to develop plans to close at least part of Santa Monica’s century-old airport after July 2015.

Kuehl Has Wide Lead over Shriver in Endorsements
March 27, 2014 -- While former Santa Monica Mayor Bobby Shriver has overtaken Sheila Kuehl in fundraising, the former state senator remains far ahead when it comes to receiving endorsements from groups and organizations in the race for Los Angeles County Supervisor.

Santa Monica College to Host Prominent Gun-Control Advocate
March 27, 2014 -- Tom Diaz, former NRA member turned gun-control advocate, will speak next month at Santa Monica College, where one of the deadliest shooting sprees in the bayside city’s history last summer came to an end.

Santa Monica Gets Happy
March 26, 2014 -- Thursday marked the second annual United Nation’s International Day of Happiness, commemorating a resolution recognizing happiness as a “fundamental human goal.”

Santa Monica City Council Tackles Homeland Security, Parks and Water Management
March 26, 2014 -- While the big topic of Tuesday’s City Council meeting was the future of Santa Monica’s century-old airport, the Council also handled some more routine business.

Santa Monica’s Pacific Park Turns out the Lights for Climate Change
March 26, 2014 -- Santa Monica’s iconic Ferris wheel will go dark for an hour this Saturday night to help call attention to the impact of global climate change.

Shriver Raises $850,000 from Thousands of Donors for L.A. County Supervisor Bid
This article has been updated
March 25, 2014
-- Former Santa Monica mayor Bobby Shriver has raised $850,000 from nearly 2,000 donors, surpassing in fundraising his main rival in the race for L.A. County Supervisor.

Pedestrian Killed by Hit-and-Run driver Crossing Dangerous Santa Monica Street
March 25, 2014 -- A pedestrian was killed and another injured by a hit-and-run driver shortly after midnight Friday as they were attempting to cross one of Santa Monica’s most dangerous streets.

Santa Monica's Rise in Workers' Compensation Costs Due to Aging Workforce, Officials Say
March 25, 2014 -- As employees get older, City Hall is seeing a spike in overall workers' compensation costs, according to a report released Monday.

Santa Monica Prepares for New Hearing on Airport’s Future
March 24, 2014 -- Activists have sounded the call for opponents of Santa Monica Airport to turn out in force Tuesday for a “landmark” City Council meeting on the future of the century-old airfield.

Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights Make Key Endorsements Ahead of June Primary
This story has been updated.
March 24, 2014 -- One of Santa Monica’s most popular politicians failed to win the endorsement of the city’s powerful tenants group Sunday, while its former mayor barely won its backing, although he faced no opposition.

Santa Monica Rotary Club Accepting Grant Applications
March 24, 2014 -- The Santa Monica Rotary Club is now accepting applications for its Community and Youth Grants program from local non-profit organizations that address the needs of the less fortunate.

Planning Commission Blocks Liquor License for Palihouse Santa Monica
March 21, 2014 -- Palihouse Santa Monica -- a boutique hotel in the bayside city’s wealthy Wilmont Neighborhood -- can’t serve alcohol, the Planning Commission ruled Wednesday.

Santa Monica Police Crack Down on Underage Drinking
March 21, 2014 -- A Santa Monica police operation staged last Saturday to arrest adults willing to buy liquor for minors failed to turn up a single suspect, according to police.

Santa Monica Street to Close for Expo Rail Construction
March 21, 2014 -- The City of Santa Monica will close 17th Street on Colorado Avenue for 11 consecutive days starting Saturday to install rails for the new Expo line project, City officials said.

Santa Monica Review Distributed at the LA Times Festival of Books
March 21, 2014 -- The Spring 2014 issue of the only nationally distributed literary magazine published by a community college is now available for public consumption.

Santa Monica City Council Grapples with Survey on Development
March 20, 2014 -- A citywide survey to gauge residents’ attitudes about development didn’t seem to change the minds of City Council members, who got their first chance to parse the results Tuesday.

Santa Monica High School to Screen Cesar Chavez Film
March 20, 2014 -- Four decades after Cesar Chavez led a crusade for migrant workers’ rights, the life of the Latino Civil Rights icon has made it onto the big screen, and Santa Monica will get a chance to preview the film before it hits the theaters.

Green Businesses Honored by Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
March 20, 2014 -- Perry’s at the Beach and Phelps marketing agency will take home Santa Monica’s top award for environmentally-friendly business practices this year, the Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday.

Hotel Workers’ Union Opposes Alcohol Permit for Boutique Santa Monica Hotel
This article has been updated
March 19, 2014
-- A boutique non-union hotel in a quiet Santa Monica neighborhood just north of Downtown has hit a road bump in its quest to sell alcohol to guests.

Santa Monica State Rep. Richard Bloom Backs Greuel for Congress
March 19, 2014 -- Former Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom, who represents the bayside city in the State Assembly, weighed in on one of the State’s most hotly-contested political races Monday.

Santa Monica Democrats Host Congressional Candidates' Forum
March 19, 2014 --Voters will have a chance to hear from the 14 Democratic candidates vying to replace stalwart U.S. Congressman Henry Waxman at a Candidates' Forum in Santa Monica next week.

Monday’s Earthquake Reminder for Santa Monicans to be Prepared for Worse
March 18, 2014 -- Southern California was jolted awake early Monday morning when an earthquake, originating in the Santa Monica Mountains seven miles from the bayside city, shook the region.

Santa Monica City Council to Consider $3.7 Million in Routine Expenses
March 18, 2014 -- New on-board computers for firefighters, replacement parts for bus engines and new recycling bins top the list of $3.7 million in routine expenses the Santa Monica City Council will consider at the start of its meeting Tuesday.

Santa Monica League to Celebrate Local Women
March 18, 2014 -- The League of Women Voters of Santa Monica will honor four local women next week for their “outstanding contributions to the welfare of our city,” League officials said Monday.

Shriver Donates $300,000 to his Bid for L.A. County Supervisor
March 17, 2014 -- With less than three months before the June 3 primary election, former Santa Monica mayor Bobby Shriver has raised the financial stakes in the race for a seat on the powerful Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Santa Monica Doubletree Housekeeper Testifies on “Temporary” Industry
March 17, 2014 -- Gladys Hernandez and her co-worker Maria Cortez both work as housekeepers at the same beachside DoubleTree hotel in Santa Monica. Their duties include scrubbing toilets, taking out trash and changing bed linens.

Santa Monica Hires New City Librarian
March 17, 2014 -- Maria Taesil Hudson Carpenter, Director of Libraries from Somerville, Massachusetts, has been tapped to become the new City Librarian of the Santa Monica Public Library System, City officials announced Friday.

Former Santa Monica Deputy City Attorney Honored for Role in Shaping State Discrimination Law
March 14, 2014 -- For her role in “one of the most significant California Supreme Court opinion in years,” former Santa Monica Deputy City Attorney Barbara Greenstein was named California Lawyer of the Year Tuesday.

Downtown Santa Monica Plots Future, Fills Needs
Second of two parts
March 14, 2014 -- Downtown Santa Monica is in the finalizing a plan that will guide its future, while moving to fill the longstanding need for new movie theaters and moderately-priced hotels.

Santa Monica College Names New Director of Community Relations
March 14, 2014 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Wendy Zahler to serve as the College's interim Director of Community Relations at its meeting last week.

Downtown Santa Monica Gets Major Overhaul
First of two parts
March 14, 2014 -- Downtown Santa Monica is standing at the threshold of its future with number of major development and capital improvement projects underway or slated to start over the next few years.

Downtown Santa Monica Economy Continues to Grow
March 13, 2014 -- After years of gradual improvements in the wake of the Great Recession, 2014 is expected to be a strong year of economic growth in Downtown Santa Monica.

Pacific Park to Host 2014 Job Fair
March 13, 2014 -- If you’re outgoing, energetic and like to be near the beach, Pacific Park may have the job for you.

Santa Monica Referendum Gathers More than 13,000 Signatures
March 12, 2014 -- Opponents of a major development in Santa Monica’s industrial corridor submitted 13,440 signatures Tuesday, more than twice the number needed to put the controversial project before voters in November.

Convention and Visitors Bureau Sells Santa Monica to the World
March 12, 2014 -- With its luxury hotels, world-class dining and proximity to some of California’s most accessible beaches, Santa Monica draws more than seven million visitors a year from around the world, and most end up Downtown.

Eighth Annual Santa Monica Airport Art Walk Saturday
March 12, 2014 -- Culture, creativity and art will be on display during the 8th annual Artwalk at Santa Monica Airport Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City Announces Lawsuit to Halt Hines Development
March 11, 2014 -- Escalating the ongoing battle over development in Santa Monica, a local slow-growth group filed a lawsuit Monday to halt the embattled Bergamot Transit Village project, currently the subject of a referendum drive.

Survey Finds Downtown Santa Monica Balances Needs of Residents, Visitors
March 11, 2014 -- Downtown Santa Monica has become an internationally renowned visitor destination, but it remains the place where locals choose to work, play, dine and run errands.

Downtown Santa Monica Structures Get New Payment System, Elevators
March 11 2014 -- When Downtown Santa Monica’s Parking Structure #6 re-opened in December to much fanfare, it was a visible improvement over the building’s squat predecessor

Developer Settles Santa Monica Village Trailer Park Lawsuit for $2 Million
March 10, 2014 -- The owners of one of Santa Monica’s two remaining trailer parks have settled a lawsuit with its remaining tenants with a $2 million payout, The Lookout has learned.

The Face of Public Safety in Downtown Santa Monica
March 10, 2014 -- When Sgt. Candice Cobarrubias is on duty, she’s more than a police officer. She is an ambassador, an educator and a protector to those who visit Downtown.

Downtown Santa Monica Advertising Program Paying Off
March 10, 2014 -- Downtown Public Parking Structures are getting a sizable bump in revenue thanks to a new pilot program launched in September that allows advertisers to rent ad space.

Santa Monica’s State Assembly Representative Wants to End Orca Captivity
March 7, 2014 -- Former Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom, who represents the bayside city in the State Assembly, announced Friday that he introduced a bill, that if passed, could end orca captivity in California.

Santa Monica State Assembly Representative Names Transgender Activist AD50 Woman of the Year
March 7, 2014 -- Former Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom, who represents the bayside city in the State Assembly, named transgender activist Desiree Jade Sol Assembly District 50’s Woman of the Year Thursday.

Santa Monica’s Hospitality Training Academy Touts Successes, Addresses Challenges
March 7, 2014 -- Santa Monica’s newest vocational training program, designed to get at-risk youth in their late teens and early twenties into skilled jobs, is off to a good start, officials said, but it’s facing some challenges.

Santa Monica City Clerk to Offer Passport Services
March 7, 2014 -- Getting a passport will become much easier Monday, after the City Clerk's Office announced this week that it has been designated a United States Passport Acceptance Facility.

Santa Monica City Councilmembers Back Ted Lieu for Congress
March 6, 2014 -- Three Santa Monica City Councilmembers Wednesday endorsed State Senator Ted Lieu in his bid to represent the bayside city in Congress.

New Program to Address Youth Violence off to a Good Start, Santa Monica Officials Say
March 6, 2014 -- A new program designed to curb youth violence in Santa Monica by addressing its root causes is off to a good start, according to an initial report by City officials released Wednesday.

LA Marathon Hits Santa Monica
March 6, 2014 -- For the fifth year in a row, the City of Santa Monica will host the finish line for the annual LA Marathon on Sunday, March 9.

Letter -- Clarifying Our Settlement with Santa Monica City
March 6, 2014 -- It was never Wilshire Skyline’s intent to inconvenience these tenants or otherwise give them the impression that they are not welcome to stay in their homes.

City of Santa Monica Reaches Settlement with Owner of Century Old Downtown Building
March 5, 2014 -- The City of Santa Monica has reached a 10-year settlement agreement with the owners and managers of a 49-unit building Downtown that would resolve alleged harassment and privacy complains filed by low-income tenants, some of them formerly homeless.

Downtown Santa Monica Could Get Neighborhood Group
March 5, 2014 -- While Downtown Santa Monica has experienced a housing boom, residents of the area have yet to organize their own neighborhood group.

Santa Monica’s Deputy City Manager to Retire this Summer
March 5, 2014 -- After nearly 30 years in Santa Monica City Hall, Deputy City Manager, Kate Vernez, will retire this summer.

City Officials Finalize Design for Santa Monica’s New War Memorial
March 4, 2014 -- When City Hall began collecting the names of Santa Monica veterans who died during overseas conflicts for a new war memorial, Councilmember Bob Holbrook was surprised by what officials found.

Top Army Surgeon Vies to Represent Santa Monica, Southbay in State Senate
March 4, 2014 -- When Colonel Vito Imbasciani, the State Surgeon of the California Army National Guard, rounds out nearly 30 years of military service in June, he hopes to go to Sacramento.

Santa Monica Nail Salons Commended for Sustainable Practice
March 4, 2014 -- Santa Monica on Monday became the first city in Southern California to recognize local nail salons for their efforts to protect the health of consumers, employees and the environment.

Letter -- Bergamot Transit Village is not up to Santa Monica’s Standards
March 4, 2014 -- The Hines project provides too little housing, but worse, unacceptably too little housing at truly affordable prices. The last-minute minor change on rent levels nibbled gently around the edges. It was a love bite to the developer, not a substantive improvement that genuinely addressed our serious housing needs.

Santa Monica Sounds Off on New Survey Results
March 3, 2014 -- Weighing in at 637 pages, Santa Monica’s latest survey and report intended to gauge residents’ attitudes toward development reveals a community divided over whether the city is heading in the right direction.

Santa Monica College Hosts Concerts in March
March 3, 2014 --  From jazz to classical to contemporary Lithuanian music, Santa Monica College's Music Department will showcase an eclectic set of concerts in March.

Santa Monica Library Hosts Women in Nanotechnology
March 3, 2014 -- The Santa Monica Public Library this month will celebrate the contribution of women scientists in the new field of nanotechnology with a panel discussion consisting of the nation's foremost authorities on the subject.

Letter -- Bergamot Transit Village Project Will Strengthen Santa Monica
March 3, 2014 -- I support the Bergamot Transit Village approved by City Council because I believe it will improve the lives of Santa Monicans. The benefits provided by this project will strengthen the spirit of community in Santa Monica and improve our standing in the region.

Back to Lookout News copyrightCopyright 1999-2014 surfsantamonica.com. All Rights Reserved. EMAIL Disclosures