Opposition to Santa Monica LUVE Measure Raises Nearly $1 Million
September 30, 2016 -- It won’t be known until November who wins the battle for LUVE, the proposal appearing on the ballot as Measure LV that calls for voters to have the final say on a significant number of construction projects and planning documents. But the opposition has already clinched the fundraising victory.
Santa Monica Council Incumbents Do Nearly All the Campaign Fundraising
September 30, 2016 -- Two years after Santa Monica City Council campaign fundraising reached record levels, the 2016 edition is rather quiet.
Santa Monica Beach House to Hold Underwater Art Exhibit
September 30, 2016 -- Those who want to immerse themselves in art can do so by literally diving into the Annenberg Community Beach House pool next month, City officials announced this week.
Report Finds Fewer Santa Monica City Employees Commuting Solo
September 29, 2016 -- Criticized for the number of municipal employees driving alone to work, the City of Santa Monica on Wednesday said it is now a modestly better role model for the "multimodal" future it champions for congested downtown.
Santa Monica Police Excessive Force Case Cost Rises to More Than $2 Million
September 29, 2016 -- Without comment, the Santa Monica City Council voted on Tuesday not to appeal a federal jury’s decision to award $1.1 million to an African American man who alleged police used excessive force when arresting him last year at Virginia Avenue Park’s electric vehicle charging station.
Santa Monica Courthouse Evacuated After Report of Suspicious Package
September 29, 2016 -- The Santa Monica Courthouse was temporarily evacuated at around 2 p.m. Wednesday and the public warned to stay away as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s bomb squad handled a “suspicious package” on the grounds outside, authorities said.
FAA Opens Probe of City Plans to Close Santa Monica Airport
September 28, 2016 -- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is opening an investigation into the City Council’s new plans to finally close Santa Monica Airport, according to a letter the City said it received from the agency Monday.
Santa Monica Program to Help Poor and Elderly with Rent Halted Before Starting
September 28, 2016 -- A last-chance effort primarily aimed at saving Santa Monica's elderly and poor tenants from eviction because they can’t make the rent has stalled before it could start, after the City learned need far outstripped funding.
Santa Monica Assemblyman's "Granny Flats" Bill Signed into Law
September 28, 2016 --
A bill sponsored by Santa Monica Assemblyman Richard Bloom that will make second units, commonly known as "granny flats," easier to build was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on Monday.
Neighborhood Forum Pits Santa Monica Council Incumbents, Challengers
September 27, 2016 -- Candidates in a ten-way race for four seats on the Santa Monica City Council face off Wednesday on issues such as traffic and development in the first such forum jointly sponsored by neighborhood associations.
Santa Monica Education Group Backs Incumbents, Opposes LV
September 27, 2016 -- The Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS), which was a major player in the 2014 election, announced Thursday its endorsement of the four Santa Monica City Council incumbents seeking re-election.
Santa Monica Airport Park Expansion Moving Forward
September 27, 2016 -- Despite an ongoing battle to close Santa Monica Airport, the City’s plan to expand Airport Park is moving along as scheduled and now features 12 additional acres of everything from new sports fields and places to play to picnic areas and a native meadow habitat.
Santa Monica City Attorney Announces Retirement
September 26, 2016 -- City Attorney Marsha Moutrie, who has held Santa Monica’s top legal post for more than two decades and guided the City’s legal battles that often put it in the national spotlight, announced late Friday that she would retire at the end of the year.
Governor Signs Santa Monica Lawmaker’s Bill Against Israel Boycotts
September 26, 2016 -- Santa Monica Assemblyman Richard Bloom’s bill prohibiting the State from doing business with contractors that boycott the nation of Israel was signed into law Friday by Gov. Jerry Brown.
Santa Monica College Launches New Media Lecture Series
September 26, 2016 -- Santa Monica College will launch a new lecture series next month that presents a line-up of communication and media industry professionals who will talk about their work, college officials announced Friday.
Santa Monica-Malibu School Board members Kneel to Protest Police Shooting
September 23, 2016 -- Two Santa Monica-Malibu School Board members knelt during the pledge of allegiance at the board's meeting Thursday night to protest the police shooting this week of a black man in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Restaurant Returning to Santa Monica’s Old Penguin Coffee Shop Location
September 23, 2016 -- After being used as a dental office for nearly 25 years, the building on Lincoln Boulevard that once housed the Penguin Coffee Shop will soon become a restaurant again.
City Proposes Santa Monica Rent Assistance Program
September 23, 2016 -- Santa Monica residents most in need of assistance to afford their monthly rent could soon get help from the local government with a proposed pilot program.
New Study Finds Santa Monica Far Down List of Best Places to Raise Families
September 22, 2016 -- Surf, sun and fun aside, Santa Monica is not even close to California’s best place to raise a family, a new study has found.
Santa Monica Hires Gilroy Transportation Engineer
September 22, 2016 -- The former transportation engineer for a farmland-turned-suburban community outside of San Jose has been hired by Santa Monica to lead the City division handling issues that include traffic flow and safety, City officials announced Wednesday.
Santa Monica Review to Launch New Issue
September 22, 2016 -- The Santa Monica Review will launch its Fall 2016 issue next month with a party featuring readings by four of its contributors, Santa Monica College (SMC) officials announced this week.
Santa Monica Airport Tenant Seeks Emergency FAA Order to Stop Eviction
September 21, 2016 -- Given 30 days to vacate, the tenant responsible for most aviation at Santa Monica Airport (SMO) asked federal authorities Monday for an emergency “cease and desist” order to stop its eviction by the City.
Mysterious Giant Orb and Other Renewable Energy Projects Proposed off Santa Monica Pier
September 21, 2016 -- Of all the sights you’d ever expect to witness off the iconic Santa Monica Pier, a mysterious giant orb aglow on nearby ocean waters probably isn’t one of them.
Santa Monica Pier Movie Series Announces Lineup
September 21, 2016 -- From a food documentary to an episode of "Star Wars," the Santa Monica Pier is offering an eclectic lineup of films during its Front Porch Cinema series, pier officials announced Tuesday.
Another Step This Week in Transformation of Santa Monica's Lincoln Boulevard
September 20, 2016 --
Moving from Santa Monica’s backlog of proposed developments, a project to replace the now vacant site of Aaron Brothers Art and Framing on Lincoln Boulevard with a five-story mixed-use apartment complex heads to the Planning Commission on Wednesday.
Santa Monica Coalition Endorses Slow Growth Initiative
September 20, 2016 -- A measure on the November 8 ballot requiring a public vote of most new developments taller than 32 feet won the formal endorsement Monday of one of Santa Monica’s largest and most outspoken grassroots organizations.
Santa Monica Hires New Chief Information Officer
September 20, 2016 -- Joseph Cevetello will become the City's second Chief Information Officer since the internet was in its infancy, City officials announced Monday.
Santa Monica City Employees Back Council Incumbents, Oppose LUVE
September 19, 2016 -- The Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees (CSMCE), which represents the City’s more than 1,600 non-public safety workers, has endorsed the four council incumbents and recommended voters reject the slow-growth LUVE Initiative.
Santa Monica Quaker School Receives Commission Approval
September 19, 2016 -- After hearing from numerous speakers in favor and opposed to the project, the Santa Monica Planning Commission earlier this month approved a request from the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) for a conditional-use permit to operate childcare and early education at its facility on Harvard Street.
Santa Monica College Celebrates Hispanic Hertitage Month
September 19, 2016 -- Music and the written word will be showcased during Santa Monica College's celebration of Hispanic Heritage month starting this week.
Major Santa Monica Airport Tenant Issued Eviction Notice
September 16, 2016 -- A major tenant responsible for most of the aviation operations at Santa Monica Airport (SMO) was issued a 30-day notice to vacate on Thursday, City officials said.
Santa Monica Police and Firefighters Endorse Council Incumbents, No Vote on LUVE
September 16, 2016 -- The four incumbents in this year’s City Council race won influential and well-funded endorsements on Wednesday from Santa Monica’s public safety unions.
College, School Boards to Hold Annual Joint Meeting
September 16, 2016 -- The Santa Monica College and Santa Monica-Malibu School boards will hold a second annual special joint meeting on Tuesday to gauge the progress of mutual goals established a year ago.
City Leaders Speak Favorably About Olympics in Santa Monica
September 15,, 2016 -- The City Council on Tuesday approved steps toward making Santa Monica the host of beach volleyball in the 2024 Olympics if the Los Angeles area is picked as the site for the games.
Santa Monica Launches Project to Combat Human Trafficking
September 15, 2016 -- Santa Monica officials are wasting no time in implementing a plan approved by the City Council Tuesday night to tackle human trafficking, the City Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.
Santa Monica Council Battles Human Trafficking, Supports Cheap Student Bus Passes
September 15, 2016 -- The Santa Monica City Council tackled the hot-button issues of human trafficking and environmental/traffic pollution with the passage of two measures at its meeting on Tuesday.
Santa Monica Reduces Local Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Report Concludes
September 14, 2016 -- Relying on everything from bike sharing to cleaner-running buses and more energy efficient buildings, Santa Monica ended a 15-year plan in 2015 to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent with greater reductions than anticipated, City officials said in a final report by the City’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment.
Santa Monica Education Foundation Raises $643,000
September 14, 2016 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation (SMMEF) raised $643,336 in just five weeks following a $70,000 matching gift from a major corporate donor, officials announced Monday.
Santa Monica Wins Prestigious Health Prize
September 14, 2016 -- Santa Monica is one of seven cities awarded the 2016 RWJF Culture of Health Prize by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, City officials announced Wednesday morning.
Santa Monica Democratic Club Won't Support Slow Growth Ballot Measure
September 13, 2016 -- Joining a list of established names in Santa Monica political circles, the city’s Democratic Club voted Monday not to endorse a hotly debated measure on the November 8 ballot that gives voters the final say on most major developments.
Santa Monica Forward Endorses Council Incumbents, Tax Measures
September 13, 2016 -- Santa Monica Forward, one of two groups spearheading opposition to a slow-growth initiative on the November ballot, announced Monday that it is endorsing the four City Council incumbents running for re-election.
Santa Monica Housing Developer Donates $125,000 to Oppose LV
September 12, 2016 -- NMS Properties, one of Santa Monica's largest housing developers, has donated $125,000 to one of the two organizations conducting campaigns against a slow-growth initiative on the November ballot.
Santa Monica Democrats Endorse Three Council Incumbents
September 12, 2016 -- The Santa Monica Democratic Club on Thursday voted to endorse City Council incumbents Gleam Davis, Tony Vazquez and Ted Winterer. It did not support a fourth candidate despite the November election being for four seats. Note: A previous version of this article stated that Sion Roy was the only candidate endorsed by the Democratic Club for College Board. Incumbents Susan Aminoff and Rob Rader were endorsed on a second ballot.
Free Love Commune Subject of Santa Monica Library Presentation
September 12, 2016 -- Before their free love commune become a thriving silverware manufacturer that embodied the middle-class American dream, Oneida Community members shared spouses and believed Christ had long come.
Santa Monica Urban Forest Plan Slated for Update
September 9, 2016 -- Nearly five years ago, the Santa Monica City Council approved the Urban Forest Plan, a detailed document establishing guidelines for managing the city’s public trees. Matthew Wells, Santa Monica’s urban forester, says an update is needed.
Low Cost Bus Passes Proposed for Santa Monica Students
September 9, 2016 -- Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) students could soon be riding the Big Blue Bus (BBB) at what City Councilmember Kevin McKeown calls an “extremely reduced cost.”
Santa Monica College Announces Fall Jazz Series Lineup
September 9, 2016 -- Funk, cajun and straight-ahead jazz will be featured this fall at Santa Monica College's 2016 Fall Jazz Series, organizers announced Friday.
Santa Monica Inches Closer to Net in Bid to Host 2024 Olympics Volleyball
September 8, 2016 -- The City of Santa Monica is raising its game as it tries to host beach volleyball in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
No Revival for Downtown Santa Monica “Tide Ride”
September 8, 2016 -- Back in the day, before record numbers of Metro Line riders, vehicles and tourists jammed downtown Santa Monica this summer, a special shuttle service eased passengers to and from hotels and famed shopping venues in the heart of the beachside city.
Ohio Players to Close Santa Monica Pier Concert Series
September 8, 2016 -- Santa Monica's popular Twilight Concert Series will come to a boogieing close tonight when the Ohio Players bring their funky horn-driven sounds to the world-famous pier.
Jury Awards $1.1 Million in Excessive Force Case Against Santa Monica Police
September 7, 2016 -- A federal jury Friday awarded $1.1 million to an African American man who sued after Santa Monica police allegedly used excessive force last year while arresting him as he was charging his electric car at a City park.
Santa Monica Sued by Airbnb
September 7, 2016 -- Nearly 15 months after imposing some of the nation’s toughest limits on booming short-term vacation rentals, City of Santa Monica officials were served Tuesday with litigation by Airbnb alleging multiple violations of federal law.
Santa Monica College Graduate Among Scholarhip Recipients in Japan
September 7, 2016 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) graduate Daniel Zarate wanted to experience the eye-opening sense of the new that his parents must have felt when they arrived from El Salvador, so he headed to Tokyo, Japan.
Repeat Santa Monica Council Candidates Struggle for Victory
September 6, 2016 -- Of the six challengers seeking a seat on the Santa Monica City Council this fall, three have run before. The large number of repeat candidates is not unusual in this city, although the success rate is not high.
Santa Monica Quaker House Expansion Could Be Controversial
September 6, 2016 -- Plans to add childcare and early education to the activities taking place at a religious facility located in a residential neighborhood on 1440 Harvard Street have sparked at least one neighbor into creative protest.
Santa Monica College's Fall Literary Series Offers Eclectic Lineup
September 6, 2016 -- From pulp sonnets to a coming of age Chinese-Cambodian tale, books still matter. That is the theme of Santa Monica College's Fall Literary Talks and Readings series kicking off this month.
Santa Monica's Iconic California Incline Reopens
September 2, 2016 -- Cyclists on green Breeze bikes, moms pushing strollers, and dogs of all shapes and sizes gathered in the bright morning sun Thursday morning for the long-awaited reopening of Santa Monica's iconic California Incline.
Legislature Passes Santa Monica Senator’s Bill for Public Campaign Financing
September 2, 2016 -- A bill authored by California Sen. Ben Allen, whose district includes Santa Monica, that would allow public financing of political campaigns at the state and local level passed in the Senate on Thursday. The Assembly approved the bill on Wednesday.
Santa Monica College Foundation Presents Faculty Awards
September 2, 2016 -- The Santa Monica College Foundation has awarded more than $170,000 in grants to faculty members that will help develop programs in multiple disciplines, college officials announced this week.
Santa Monica Airport Opponents Undeterred by FAA Threat
September 1, 2016 -- Activists and City officials said Wednesday they are undeterred by a new threat from federal authorities to sue the City for deciding to close Santa Monica's century old airport.
Former Mayor Opposes Santa Monica College Bond Measure
September 1, 2016 -- Opponents of Measure V, the $395 million Santa Monica College (SMC) bond measure that would fund facilities improvements, picked up a major name for their campaign--former Mayor Bob Holbrook.
Santa Monica Lawmaker's Bill Against Israel Boycotts Passes
September 1, 2016 --
The California Legislature Tuesday passed a bill by a Santa Monica lawmaker to prohibit any state public agency from doing business with contractors involved in a controversial boycott of Israel.
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