Home Ownership “Elusive” in Santa Monica, Housing Report Says
July 31, 2013 -- Rising land value, higher construction costs and the gradual erosion of rent control have raised the price tag on living in Santa Monica significantly in recent years, with rents in the thousands and homes selling for millions of dollars.

Santa Monica Police Department Retires Bomb-Sniffing Dog
July 31, 2013 -- He's chased down dozens of suspects and sniffed out explosives. He's a decorated member of the Santa Monica Police Department and now, at 10 and a half years old, he's ready to retire.

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium Celebrates Ocean Appreciation Weekend
July 31, 2013 -- Get a hands-on appreciation for the flora and fauna of Santa Monica Bay Saturday and Sunday at the Pier Aquarium.

Condos Are Essential to Building Santa Monica's New Luxury Hotels, Developers Say
This is the second in a series exploring the impact of luxury condo development in Santa Monica.
July 30, 2013 -- Santa Monica, nestled between the Pacific Ocean to the west and one of the largest and most commercially vibrant metropolitan areas in the country to its east, is a prime location for hoteliers and developers to invest in property.

Tour of Workman's Cottage Offers Glimpse into Santa Monica's Past
July 30, 2013 - - The Santa Monica Conservancy wants to take visitors on a tour of the bayside city's past through the history of one century-old home in the middle of the city.

Sports Bar on Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade Catches Fire
July 30, 2013 -- Disaster was averted early Monday morning when Santa Monica's fire department put out a kitchen fire at a popular sports bar on the Promenade before it spread to other buildings.

Proposed Luxury Condos Spark Debate about Santa Monica's Character
July 29, 2013 -- Living in a two-bedroom condo two hundred feet above the bustling and vibrant streets of Downtown Santa Monica, complete with all the amenities of a five-star hotel, overlooking the picturesque bay, might sound like a dream to some.

Pedaling Through the Summer in Santa Monica
July 29, 2013--For some, summer in Santa Monica means days spent on the beach or hiking in the nearby mountains. But increasingly, it means taking to the Downtown streets on bikes.

Swing Band to Take the Stage at Santa Monica's Main Library
July 29, 2013 -- The north courtyard of Santa Monica's main library will fill with the sounds of a bygone era Saturday when swing band The Big Town Seven takes the stage for a free concert.

Santa Monica Planning Commission Wants More Commitment from Hotel Developer
July 26, 2013 -- The Planning Commission delayed its decision Wednesday on whether to recommend that the City Council approve two small hotels at the corner of Colorado Avenue and Fifth Street, asking the developer for a stronger commitment to community benefits.

A Tourist-eye View of Santa Monica
July 26, 2013 -- On a sunny, late-spring afternoon, Ian and Libby Tishman, from Sydney, Australia, are enjoying their first trip to Southern California with a firm goal.

Downtown Santa Monica Offers Parking Ad Ops
July 26, 2013 -- The wait to exit Downtown’s public parking structures is about to get a lot more interesting and informative. Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) and the City of Santa Monica are launching a pilot program this summer to place advertising at the end of exit rows in the area’s nine structures.

Santa Monica City Council Addresses Sharknado, Tony Bennett
July 25, 2013 -- The Santa Monica City Council's discussion of the Pier Restoration Corporation Board ran the gamut from flying sharks to lounge acts to racial politics Tuesday night.

The Man Who Makes Sure Santa Monica Works
July 25, 2013 -- It’s fair to say that much of what you see in Santa Monica, and much that you don’t, is under the purview of Martin Pastucha.

Punk Duo No Age to Pound the Santa Monica Pier
July 25, 2013 -- LA-based punk duo No Age -- whose noisy-but-hummable experimental rock has gained a large underground following – will take center stage Thursday night at the Twilight Concert Series on the Santa Monica Pier.

Santa Monica City Council Doles Out $600,000 for Neighborhood Plan Consultant
July 24, 2013 -- The City Council Tuesday agreed to spend nearly $600,000 to get the ball rolling on plans to prep one small Santa Monica neighborhood for the coming light rail that will connect Santa Monica to Downtown Los Angeles.

Signs of the Times in Downtown Santa Monica
July 24, 2013 -- The corner of Wilshire and the Promenade will get a $150,000 makeover that includes new signs, directories, news racks and light poles that will serve as a template for a more uniform look in Downtown Santa Monica.

The Art of Enjoyment in Santa Monica
July 24, 2013 --Everyday in Santa Monica, joggers run through Palisades Park, swimmers dive into the Municipal Pool and strollers stop to admire a public sculpture.

Letter -- New Santa Monica Hotel Project Doesn't Respect Community Values
July 24, 2013 -- In recent months commercial development, and particularly the development of hotel properties, have dominated the discourse of Santa Monica public and political life. But little attention has been paid to the troubling hotel proposal submitted by OTO Development to build two hotels at the corners of Colorado and Fifth.

Miramar Won't Back Down in Santa Monica's Ongoing Hotel War
July 23, 2013 - - Santa Monica's Miramar Hotel won't retract statements or take down a website that call the neighboring Huntley's owner a greedy Beverly Hills millionaire who is stiffing the City of much-needed tax revenue, according to a letter sent by Miramar lawyers Monday.

Assessment Fees Rise to Offset Downtown Santa Monica Operation Costs
July 23, 2013 -- For the first time since they were adopted five years ago, the assessment fees paid by Downtown Santa Monica property owners increased this month to help offset rising operation costs.

Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus Says “Travel Like a Local”
July 23, 2013 -- Imagine brunching on Santa Monica's Main Street, heading to Downtown Los Angeles for a stroll in the park and then catching a movie at the Third Street Promenade while never once worrying about parking.

Two Small Hotels in Downtown Santa Monica Spark Labor Concerns
July 22, 2013 -- With much ado about three proposed towers in Santa Monica's Downtown, plans by OTO Development to build two six-story hotels in the heart of the bayside city have gone largely unnoticed.

Santa Monica Loses Long-Time Newspaper Man and Youth Advocate
July 22, 2013 -- Herbert Shank Chase Jr., former owner of the Santa Monica Independent Journal and long-time advocate for youth, died July 6 after a short bout with illness. He was 90.

Tourists Boost Downtown Santa Monica Business
July 22, 2013 -- Tourists have given Downtown Santa Monica retailers an extra boost over the past year, according to a study from the Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCVB).

Planning Commission Continues Marathon Discussion of Downtown Santa Monica Plan
July 19, 2013 -- The Planning Commission failed Wednesday to reach a consensus on height limits in Santa Monica's Downtown Specific Plan despite nearly seven hours of public comment and deliberation.

Santa Monica, Building Owner Settle Harassment Suits
July 19, 2013 -- The owner and manger of a 60-unit apartment complex several blocks from Santa Monica Beach reached a settlement agreement with the City resolving 32 harassment complaints filed by tenants, the City Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

Santa Monica Receives NEA Our Town Grant
July 19, 2013 -- Santa Monica is one of 59 cities nationwide awarded an Our Town Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, City officials announced.

Congressman Wants FAA Forum on Santa Monica Airport's Future
July 18, 2013 -- Opponents of Santa Monica Airport (SMO) were heartened Wednesday when Congressman Henry Waxman called for a forum to discuss the future of the controversial airport.

Former Santa Monica Airport Manager Settles in at New Job
July 18, 2013 -- Less than a month after he retired as manager of Santa Monica Airport (SMO), Bob Trimborn is back at work in the aviation industry, only this time for the private sector.

Funk and Blues to Rock the Santa Monica Pier Thursday Night
July 18, 2013 – Multiple Grammy Award nominee Meshell Ndegeocello – who incorporates multiple genres with danceable results – will headline the Twilight Concert Series Thursday night on the Santa Monica Pier.

Santa Monica's Huntley Hotel Demands Retraction of “Outrageous” Flyers
July 17, 2013 -- An ongoing PR war between Santa Monica's two largest luxury hotels could end up in court after the Huntley threatened legal action Tuesday against the Fairmont Miramar.

Santa Monica Rallies to Benefit Injured College Grad
July 17, 2013 -- When Santa Monica native and recent college grad Jesus Torres went for a swim in the bay June 30, his life took an unexpected turn.

Santa Monica Library Hosts “War, Wright and Gemutlichkeit” Sunday
July 17, 2013 -- From Nazi-occupied Austria to Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio in Taliesin, Wisconsin, designer Charles Paterson developed a fascination for modern housing solution.

Planning Commission Sends Bergamot Plan to Santa Monica City Council
July 16, 2013 -- Rounding off months of meetings and nearly 40 hours of discussion, the Planning Commission voted 5 to 1 Wednesday to recommend the City Council adopt a plan to revitalize Santa Monica's 142-acre formerly-industrial Bergamot Area.

Pop Culture All-Stars Back Santa Monica's “Chain Reaction”
July 16, 2013 -- The movement to save Santa Monica's “Chain Reaction” sculpture got some serious star power last week when television producer Norman Lear and pop artist Ed Ruscha added their support.

Santa Monica on Track to Water Self-Sufficiency
July 16, 2013 -- Santa Monica could rely solely on own water by 2020 if it continues maximizing its use of local water supplies and implementing water-efficiency programs, City officials said Monday.

Emotional Rent Control Board OKs Closure of Santa Monica Trailer Park
July 15, 2013 – Invoking God and calling the decision “deeply disturbing,” the Santa Monica Rent Control Board reluctantly voted Thursday to allow developers to close the Village Trailer Park, putting an end to nearly seven years of legal battles, red tape and waiting.

Panel Picks Design for Santa Monica's “Dream Site”
July 15, 2013 -- An inter-departmental team of City staffers Wednesday tapped Metropolitan Pacific Capital to develop two and a half acres of City-owned property in the heart of Santa Monica's Downtown.

Book a Blind Date at the Santa Monica Library
July 15, 2013 -- Heeding the adage that you can’t always judge a book by its cover, the Santa Monica Public Library is offering readers a chance to discover exciting new reads.

Letters:Thanks for Balanced, Rational Viewpoint
July 15, 2013 -- As co-chair of the 17th-19th Parking Coalition, I work with about 500 families in Wilmont who joined our informal group because they were frustrated about lack of neighborhood parking and uncontrolled development along Montana.

Santa Monica Residents Want to Talk About Height
July 12, 2013 -- Residents concerned that their voices aren't being heard in an increasingly contentious debate over height in Downtown Santa Monica have signed on to a petition calling for the City Council to study higher limits at specific sites.

State Grant Funds Bike Classes in Santa Monica and L.A. County
July 12, 2013 -- As part of a County-wide initiative funded through a $203,000 State grant to L.A. Metro, Santa Monica's chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition will offer two free bicycle safety classes this summer.

Planning Commission to Tackle Santa Monica's Downtown Specific Plan
July 12, 2013 -- At the top of Wednesday's meeting, the Planning Commission voted to clear its July 17 schedule to make way for a lengthy discussion of height limits in Downtown Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Council Postpones Height Limit Decision
July 11, 2013 -- Those hoping for some resolution to Santa Monica's heated height limit debates will have to wait another month after the City Council voted to postpone its decision on how tall buildings could rise Downtown.

Santa Monica Neighborhood Group Conducts Height Survey
July 11, 2013 -- The Wilmont Neighborhood Coalition asked residents of the area it represents to voice their opinions on development and height in Santa Monica, preempting a City-sponsored survey on the same topic.

South Florida Indie Rockers to Kick Off Santa Monica’s Twilight Concert Series
July 11, 2013 -- West Palm Beach fuzz rockers Surfer Blood -- which exploded from the South Florida scene onto the national stage in one quick year -- will headline this year’s first Twilight Concert Series Thursday night on the Santa Monica Pier.

Santa Monica Opens Its First “Universally Accessible” Playground Saturday
July 10, 2013 -- A year and a half after the City Council gave the project a green light, Santa Monica will open its first universally accessible park Saturday where children of all physical abilities can play together.

Santa Monica Planning Commission Gets Final Go At Bergamot Area Plan
July 10, 2013 -- While most of Santa Monica's attention is on height limits in the Downtown Specific Plan this week, the Planning Commission will get busy refining the city's other plan.

Santa Monica's Coyotes Have Become More Aggressive, Police Say
July 10, 2013 -- Police are urging residents to be on alert if they spot coyotes in their neighborhood because the perennial visitors to Santa Monica have become more aggressive.

Santa Monica Readies Itself for Tuesday's Height Debate
July 9, 2013 -- Representatives of both sides of Santa Monica's heated height debate have fired off letters to the City Council hoping to influence Tuesday's discussion of the Downtown Specific Plan.

Man Stabbed in Fight Near Santa Monica Sports Bar
July 9, 2013 -- Police have arrested two men suspected of attempted murder after a midnight scuffle near a Santa Monica sports bar left one man with a stab wound in his neck.

Santa Monica Police Chief Regrets Slow Response to Illegal Fireworks Display
July 9, 2013 -- When one Santa Monica resident called the police to complain about an illegal fireworks display in Palisades Park, he did not get the response he wanted.

Santa Monica Visited by Creatures from the Sea
July 8, 2013 -- In the dead of night, they climb out of the black ocean onto beaches by the thousands, glowing under the moon's silver light.

Santa Monica to Hire Collections Agency
July 8, 2013 – For the first time, Santa Monica could hire a collections agency to make sure fees, taxes, and fines that are not parking citations or library fees are paid.

Santa Monica’s Free Pier Concert Series Kicks Off This Week
July 8, 2013 – The 29th annual Twilight Concert Series on the Santa Monica Pier kicks off Thursday with the Florida alt-rock band Surfer Blood and closes out near summer’s end with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Cliff.

Santa Monica’s Pacific Park Offers Panoramic View of Fireworks
July 4, 2013 -- Santa Monica already had its official fireworks show last weekend and it’s illegal to fire off your own, but those who can’t get enough of the pyrotechnics can catch four different displays at once from atop the Pacific Park Ferris wheel Thursday night.

Santa Monica Police Department Aims to Curb Underage Drinking
July 4, 2013 -- Police will be sending teenage cadets undercover into Santa Monica liquor stores to bust proprietors selling alcohol to minors.

Santa Monica Officials Hope New Parking Signs Could Ease Weekend Traffic
July 4, 2013 -- City traffic engineers hope that a million dollar project can get cars off the streets and into parking spaces faster in Downtown Santa Monica.

Santa Monica City Council to Study Building Heights Downtown
July 3, 2013 -- Staff is recommending that the City Council study limiting building heights Downtown to some 12 stories, roughly twice the current limit but far shorter than the height of the three developments that have so far been proposed.

Where Is Santa Monica's City Council?
July 3, 2013 -- When the City Council takes up one of the most contentious issues facing the city after months of community debate, nearly half of its members could be missing from the dais.

Santa Monica Officials Warn Fireworks Are Illegal
July 3, 2013 – Think twice before you set off that Roman candle on Independence Day. You will be breaking the law, City officials said.

Santa Monicans Argue Pros and Cons of Height
July 2, 2013 -- While the battle lines have been drawn over height, political observers and engaged residents are busy arguing the pros and cons of tall buildings in Downtown Santa Monica.

Women in Spotlight at Santa Monica’s Annual Independence Day Parade
July 2, 2013 -- The Ocean Park Association (OPA) will hold its annual Independence Day parade Thursday, and for the first time in seven years a woman will be at the helm.

Santa Monica School Board Seeks Advisors
July 2, 2013 – The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is looking for volunteers to serve on advisory boards that address everything form health and safety to the arts.

Miramar Flyer Gets Mixed Reaction from Santa Monica Residents
July 1, 2013 -- Two recent brochures fired off by the owners of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel counter attacking the neighboring Huntley’s efforts to squash its redevelopment plans has drawn mixed reactions from Santa Monica residents.

Developments with Landmark Buildings Get More Construction Time
July 1, 2013 -- Development projects that include a designated Santa Monica landmark will have an extra half year to complete construction under an emergency ordinance approved by the City Council last week.

Santa Monica Makes Pool Waits More Pleasant
July 1, 2013 -- Waiting a turn at Santa Monica’s Annenberg Beach House pool should become more enjoyable this summer with a new notification service implemented by the City.