Santa Monica City Manager Names New Airport Advisor
October 2, 2017 -- Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole has tapped a Big Blue Bus official as his new Senior Advisor on Airport Affairs. Suja Lowenthal will assume the post this month.

Santa Monica Kiwanis to Install 97th President
September 29, 2017 -- When the Kiwanis Club took root in Santa Monica almost a century ago, The Great War had ended but, even in an era of post-war prosperity, families in the tiny seaside community still needed help and healing.

Santa Monica Shows Improvement in Sustainability
September 28, 2012 -- The City’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment released its 2012 Report Card Thursday and while grades are generally trending upward, the numbers speak to the aggressive standard the City sets for itself, as well as the intractable challenges attributable to a modern, thriving metropolis.

Failed Ban on Smoking in Apartments Could Be Resurrected by Santa Monica City Council
September 28, 2012 -- A controversial ordinance that would ban smoking -- including smoking marijuana for medical purposes -- in all new apartments and condos throughout Santa Monica will go before the Council again Tuesday after a similar one failed in July.

Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus Gets A Fresh Face
September 28, 2012 -- Sujan Lowenthal became the newest member of the Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus team this summer when she was hired as to oversee the public face of the City's transit company.

AIDS Walk L.A. Founder Seeks Injunction on Santa Monica Bus Ad Ban
September 27, 2012 -- On Monday, AIDS Walk Los Angeles founder Craig Miller and two other residents of Santa Monica filed a lawsuit against the City in order to change a decade-old policy that keeps noncommercial ads off buses.

Santa Monica Candidates Can Still Get in the Race
September 27, 2012 -- City Council hopefuls who missed the August 15 deadline to file nominating petitions or realized too late that they would like to spend the next four years poring through staff reports and sitting through endless meetings can still throw their hats into the ring.

Santa Monica Beaches Get Good Marks, But Not Year Round
September 27, 2012 -- Heal the Bay released its annual Beach Report Card ratings and Santa Monica Beaches received As all around, but only in the summertime.

Letter -- Ocean Park Association Does Not Advocate for Closure of Santa Monica Airport
September 27, 2012 -- The Ocean Park Association is very careful to support only the voice of the community, and do not take positions independent of that. Individual views vary, but, as an organization we have never stated that OPA is an advocate of closing the airport.

Santa Monica's "House of Rock" Headed to Council After Causing Waves in Upscale Neighborhood
September 26, 2012 -- Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom and Mayor Pro Tem Gleam Davis will ask the Council to look Tuesday at a house being used as a venue for charity parties in one of Santa Monica's wealthiest neighborhoods.

Environmental Group Backs Slow-Growth Candidates for Santa Monica City Council
September 26, 2012 --Santa Monica's Sierra Club endorsed four candidates in the Council race Tuesday. The environmental organization gave their support to Planning Commissioners Ted Winterer and Richard McKinnon, incumbent Terry O'Day and newcomer John C. Smith, citing concerns that overdevelopment and pollution from the airport have had a negative impact on Santa Monica's environment.

Santa Monica's Newest Slow-Growth PAC Endorses Planning Commissioners for Council
September 25, 2012 -- Santa Monica's newest Political Action Committee -- Santa Monicans for Responsible Growth (SMRG) -- voted early last week to endorse two challengers in a race for four seats.

Anti-Airport Group Has Little Confidence in Santa Monica Council Incumbents
September 25, 2012 -- Community Against Santa Monica Airport Traffic has rated all 15 candidates for council on whether they are likely to make “real change for the better at SMO,” with incumbents Gleam Davis and Terry O'Day receiving low confidence marks.

Santa Monica College Exhibit Captures a Sense of Place
September 25, 2012 -- Husband-wife painters Kenny Harris and Judy Nimitz will discuss how places -- whether in the Far East or an imaginary world -- inspire works of art at a special lecture at Santa Monica College Saturday.

Why California Cities Go Broke
September 24, 2012 – A handful of Santa Monica's elected officials – past, present and future hopefuls – learned last week why California cities go bankrupt and what they should do to make sure it doesn't happen here.

Be Prepared and Shop Local On Carmaggedon, Santa Monica Officials Urge
September 24, 2012 -- As Carmageddon II approaches, Santa Monica City officials want to know if you are prepared for a disaster.

Three More Birds with West Nile Virus Found in Santa Monica-Malibu
September 21, 2012 -- The bodies of three more birds infected with the West Nile virus were found in three separate Santa Monica neighborhoods, bringing the tally of dead birds with the disease found in the city to five since May.

Letter -- In Decision to Close Santa Monica Post Office, USPS Did Not Comply with Regulations
September 21, 2012 -- The following letter was sent from Congressman Henry Waxman to Shoshana Grove, secretary of the Postal Regulatory Commission on September 20, 2012, in which he appeals the decision to close Santa Monica's 5th Street post office.

Two New Residential Projects Break Ground in Downtown Santa Monica
September 21, 2012 -- Santa Monica took a big step in its continuing effort to bring more housing Downtown when twin projects broke ground near the eastern edge of the beachside city's commercial center.

View the Space Shuttle Fly Over Friday from Santa Monica's Famous Ferris Wheel
September 21, 2012 -- You can get 130 feet closer for an unobstructed view of Space shuttle Endeavour as it makes its final fly over Los Angeles late Friday morning during a free ride on Pacific Park's Ferris wheel.

Santa Monica-Malibu School District Gets "Transformative" $4.8 Million Gift
September 21, 2010 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation announced Thursday night that it has received an estate gift of $4.8 million, the largest donation in the organization’s 30-year history.

Santa Monica's Miramar Hotel Calls for Transparency in Wilmont Dispute
September 20, 2012 -- After Wilmont Chair Valerie Griffin suggested a private donor was paying the group's legal fees, the man in charge of Santa Monica's Miramar Hotel redevelopment called for full disclosure of funding sources Wednesday.

Works by Famous American Artists Stolen from Santa Monica Home
September 20, 2012 -- Santa Monica police are looking for information concerning a residential burglary that resulted in the theft of 13 art works, including some by the greatest artists of the 20th Century.

Give Us Your Drugs, Says Santa Monica Police Department
September 20, 2012 -- In an effort to stem rising levels of prescription drug abuse, the Santa Monica Police Department is asking residents to clean out their medicine cabinets of potentially dangerous drugs.

Letter -- Santa Monica Wilmont Board Should Come Clean
I read with amusement the letter from outgoing Wilmont President Valerie Griffin where she protests that there is no "secret donor" who has underwritten her legal attacks on members and her attempt to prevent a free election for Wilmont Board members.

Letter -- Much More than One Ticket at Stake in Santa Monica Parking Lawsuit
September 20, 2012 -- The article entitled "Santa Monica Parking Ticket Battle Ends" makes it appear that our lawsuit was about a single ticket. Nothing could be less accurate

Common Ground to Reopen in Santa Monica Next Week
September 19, 2012 -- After nearly eight months of controversy and anticipation, Santa Monica's only nonprofit organization offering treatment for those living with HIV will open its new location Monday.

Santa Monica Parking Ticket Battle Ends
September 19, 2012 -- The end of August also meant the end of a year-long battle between the City of Santa Monica and two residents over a $64 parking ticket.

Letter -- Wilmont Donors Not Hotel or Developer
September 19, 2012 -- Questions about Wilmont's payment of legal fees have been raised by people who are not members of the organization. The fees are being paid from a Wilmont account set up to handle legal expenses which have been incurred to preserve the integrity of the organization.

Santa Monica Airport Celebrates Flying at Saturday Open House
September 19, 2012 -- Santa Monica Airport -- which has come under increasing fire from critics who want it shut down -- will celebrate the integral role it has played on both the local and world stage.

Santa Monica Neighborhood Group Has Private Donor
September 18, 2012 -- Wilmont Chair Valerie Griffin told Santa Monica's Neighborhood Council Saturday that the group's legal fees are being paid for by a donor, according to sources who attented the meeting.

L.A. Bomb Squad Detonates Antique Grenade in Santa Monica
September 18, 2012 -- The Los Angeles Police Bomb Disposal Unit exploded an antique grenade in Santa Monica's Sunset Park neighborhood Sunday.

Santa Monica Reads "A Paradise Built in Hell"
September 18, 2012 -- Santa Monica had its brush with disaster in 1994, but nothing like the devastation described by Rebecca Solnit in her book "A Paradise Built in Hell," the subject of discussions that kick off Tuesday.

Santa Monica's Community Corp Turns 30
September 17, 2012 -- Civic leaders gathered Friday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Community Corporation of Santa Monica (CCSM), the beachside city's biggest developer of affordable housing.

Main Street Santa Monica Could See Tighter Restrictions on New Bars
September 17, 2012 -- Santa Monica's Main Street is thriving, but for some, this epicenter of the seaside town's nightlife has become a nuisance and has got City staff concerned over potential lawsuits.

Santa Monica College Hosts Panel on Why Cities Go Bankrupt
September 17, 2012 -- So far, Santa Monica has dodged the fiscal bullet thanks to a healthy economy and thriving development. But other cities are no so fortunate.

Santa Monica Democratic Club Endorses One Challenger, Snubs Council Incumbents and Mayor
September 14, 2012 -- After three rounds of voting Wednesday, Santa Monica's 200-hundred member Democratic Club chose to endorse only one candidate in a race for four City Council seats.

Santa Monica Police Looking for Check Counterfeiter
September 14, 2012 -- Santa Monica Police are looking for a black woman, in her mid 20s to early 30s, who has been cashing counterfeit checks around town.

Good Taste -- Santa Monica's Misfit Recalls Bygone Era
September 14, 2012 -- It was a cold and stormy night. I wrapped my raincoat tighter as I walked through the dark alleyway as a shortcut to my destination. Quickly, I turned the corner, and there it was, a dimly lit sign was its only identification: The Misfit.

Santa Monica's Powerful Public Safety Unions Back Two Incumbents, Two Challengers in Council Race
September 13, 2012 -- Santa Monica's powerful public safety unions announced Wednesday that they would throw their considerable clout behind incumbents Terry O'Day and Gleam Davis, as well as two challengers, in the race for four open seats on the City Council.

Santa Monica Council Won't Change Bus Ad Policy, Despite Non-Profit Protest
September 13, 2012 -- The Santa Monica City Council voted 4 to 3 Tuesday not to change a 12-year-old policy that prevents non-commercial organizations from advertising on the Big Blue Bus.

Santa Monica Nets $13 Million for Oceanfront Property
September 13, 2012 -- Santa Monica sold off a piece of prime beachfront real estate for more than $13 million to the neighboring luxury hotel, a deal that will likely net the city both market rate housing at the site and cash to build affordable housing.

OPINION -- Former Mayor Issues Warning About Sale of Santa Monica Beachfront Property
September 13, 2012 -- I was part of the organizing effort for Prop S, written by former Planning Comissioner Sharon Gilpin, which was approved by local voters in November 1990 to prevent any new hotels, or intensification of use of existing hotels along our beachfront.

Santa Monica Coalition Rallies Support for Upcoming Election
September 12, 2012 -- The Santa Monica Coalition for a Liveable City -- the most powerful force opposing development in the beachside city -- sounded its battle-cry for election season 2012 at the North of Montana Association (NOMA) board meeting Monday.

Anti-Development Group Endorses Two Challengers for Santa Monica Council Race, Snubs Bloom for Assembly
September 12, 2012 -- Santa Monica Coalition for a Liveable City (SMCLC) endorsed two challengers for City Council, snubbing incumbents Gleam Davis and Terry O'Day in the race for four seats. The group also endorsed Mayor Richard Bloom's opponent, Betsy Butler, in the local Assembly race.

Lotus Eaters and Aphrodite Headline Author Readings at Santa Monica College
September 12, 2012 -- From Saigon to corruption in the art world to a journey into hell and back, Santa Monica College is offering a series of readings by distinguished authors this fall.

Santa Monica Education Advocacy Group Backs Challengers in Field with Few Incumbents
September 11, 2012 -- Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) -- Santa Monica's influential education advocacy group -- announced Sunday they would endorse two incumbents and two challengers for City Council.

It Was All About Power-dressing at Santa Monica Fashion’s Night Out
September 11, 2012 -- Not to be outdone by Fashion Week currently underway in New York City, Santa Monica celebrated Fashion’s Night Out Thursday evening with a runway show, lots of trendy styling and dozens of participating local vendors.

Santa Monica Police to Hold DUI Checkpoint Friday
September 11, 2012 -- Santa Monica Police will conduct a checkpoint at an undisclosed location Friday evening to catch motorists driving under the influence or without a current license.

Santa Monica Celebrates John Cage's Musical Heritage
September 10, 2012 -- The man standing in front of the audience of John Cage fans in Santa Monica Thursday night has an unusual request: There is no need to turn off your cell phones during the performance.

Santa Monica City Council to Consider $4 Million Consent Calendar
September 10, 2012 -- The Santa Monica City Council will consider almost $4 million in expenses listed on Tuesday night's consent calendar, which does not require discussion.

Leaked Document Blames Santa Monica College Officials for Pepper-Spray Incident
September 7, 2012 -- Santa Monica College officials could have prevented the pepper-spraying of student protesters at a board meeting in April that garnered national attention, according to "an internal police report" obtained by the Los Angeles Times.

Coyotes Prowling Streets of Santa Monica
September 7, 2012 -- Coyotes were sighted early Tuesday and Wednesday morning in Santa Monica, according to police, and posters for missing pets have been cropping up in the north side of the city.

Santa Monica College Planetarium features Star Clusters and a Waxing Moon This Month
September 7, 2012 -- Visitors to the Santa Monica College John Drescher Planetarium will be treated to a super star performance up close on the first three Fridays of the month.

Good Taste -- Making Our Way Back to Back on Broadway in Santa Monica
September 7, 2012 -- Today my associate and I had an early morning meeting at one of our client's offices on Broadway in Santa Monica. I thought that leaving an hour before the meeting (7 a.m.) from my home off of Mulholland and Beverly Glen would give me plenty of time to get there. I'd grab coffee and some fruit on the way, because I was sure I'd have time before the meeting.

Letter -- Santa Monica's "Old" Wilmont Board Chair Has It Backwards
September 7, 2012 -- There are several things about the Wilmont debacle I don't understand -- primarily, "What is the criteria for the label "a small group"? Valerie Griffin continues to insist that a "small group" is trying to take over Wilmont. ("Santa Monica Neighborhood Group Has One Board and It Adjourned," August 30, 2012)

Democratic Club Sets Up Shop on Santa Monica Promenade
September 6, 2012 -- Local Democrats have teamed up with a grassroots group that campaigns for President Barack Obama to open shop Thursday on Santa Monica's pricey Third Street Promenade.

Santa Monica's Wilmont Chair Alleges Opposition Backed by “Powerful Interests”
September 6, 2012 -- In a five-page letter dated August 27 and addressed to members and supporters of Santa Monica's Wilmont Neighborhood Coalition, Chair Valerie Griffin alleged that the opposition was “backed by powerful interests."

Free Children's Concert Kicks off at Santa Monica Pier Saturday
September 6, 2012 -- Kids will have their own free concerts on the Santa Monica Pier when Wake Up with the Waves Kicks off its sixth year Saturday.

New Plan for Santa Monica's East Village Project Will Save Trailers
September 5, 2012 -- Santa Monica's four-acre Village Trailer Park could feature fewer housing units and 10 spaces for trailers on the eastern side of the property, according to a revised plan released Friday.

The Coalition of Santa Monica Employees Endorses Four Council Candidates
September 5, 2012 - - Four City Council candidates received the blessing Monday of a political action committee (PAC) that represents the bargaining units of Santa Monica's more than 1,600 non-safety employees.

Santa Monica College Expands Virtual Language Lab
September 5, 2012 -- Students at Santa Monica College's Modern Languages and Cultures Department will have access to the school's lab resources thanks to the first President’s Circle Award for Innovation and Progress.

Santa Monica-Malibu Students Improve Their Test Scores
September 4, 2012 -- Santa Monica and Malibu high school students increased their math scores on the California Standards Test by five points from 2011 to 2012, according to a report released Friday.

Planning Commission Favors Changing In-Lieu Parking Fee for Downtown Santa Monica
September 4, 2012 -- The Santa Monica Planning Commission gave a warm reception Wednesday to a proposed update to a 1986 parking ordinance that could double the revenue it generates for the City.

Santa Monica Police on Lookout for Motorists Running Red Lights
September 4, 2012 -- In an effort to reduce traffic collisions, Santa Monica police will be keeping an eye out for vehicles that fail to stop at a red light this month.