CITY HALL — Decision makers and the community need more information, and earlier, if they’re going to get appropriate concessions out of developers bent on building projects that exceed normal zoning rules, the City Council said Tuesday. The concessions, called “community benefits,” are extras like parks, community... Read more →

CITY HALL — Since June 2011, Frank Strauss, proprietor of Fedora Primo, has been able to breathe easy. Not once in the last nine months have city officials stopped by his door to remind him that the sign and hat stand outside of his business on the 200 block of Pier Street are illegal. Gone are the days of written warnings and... Read more →

BERGAMOT STATION — Incognito, now in its eighth year at Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMOA), is recognized as one of the most innovative and successful museum fundraiser/art sales anywhere in the art world. The concept — show the art without artist’s signature, so people make decisions based on their taste, not an... Read more →

CITY HALL — A coalition of neighborhood groups from Santa Monica and West Los Angeles made their case Monday for downsizing a proposed development on the east end of town that they say will create more traffic in an area already plagued by gridlock. Their statements were made during a press conference on City Hall’s lawn that... Read more →

OCEAN AVE — Between 5 p.m. and 4 a.m., anyone can take a mental trip to China to watch one of four giant pandas munch on bamboo or tussle with its siblings from its home in the Ya’an Panda Base, part of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. For most, the pandas live in the imagination, made accessible... Read more →

DOWNTOWN — Wendy S. Jacobs was named the chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Santa Monica, it was announced Friday. Prior to her appointment, Jacobs was the deputy executive director and chief development officer of Heading Home, a homeless services agency in Boston. Jacobs’ first major mission in Santa Monica... Read more →

MID-CITY — One of the nation’s largest gold dealers will have to strengthen its internal procedures and repay up to $4.5 million to customers who complained that the company engaged in unfair sales practices and provided inaccurate price information, the City Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday. The settlement concludes a... Read more →

CITYWIDE — Santa Monica businesses are expecting improved sales after several years of decreased revenues, according to a survey of businesses participating in a local purchasing campaign. The survey, conducted amongst 104 members of Santa Monica’s Buy Local campaign, showed that although 39 percent of participants counted poor... Read more →

LINCOLN BLVD — The relocation of a nonprofit devoted to HIV testing and education into the Sunset Park neighborhood has many community members concerned that their safety may be compromised. Common Ground, a facility that provides education and case management services to HIV positive and negative alike, secured a lease at 2401... Read more →

CITY HALL — A new hotel planned for 1554 Fifth St. hit a snag Monday night when Landmarks commissioners chose to review the property’s landmark status, despite a consultant’s report to the contrary. The building, which currently houses a Midas auto shop, was the site of Santa Monican Waldo Waterman’s flying car... Read more →