TOGETHER: The cast of ‘Harmony’ in action. (Photo courtesy Center Theatre Group) Three decades before The Temptations erupted out of Motown to wow America with their smooth harmony and their graceful, synchronized dance moves, there were the Comedian Harmonists, six men in Berlin who in the late 1920s and ‘30s became the toast of... Read more →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Obama will correct a historical act of discrimination today when he awards the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest commendation for combat valor, to a group of Hispanic, Jewish and African-American veterans who were passed over because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds. Gandara One of those... Read more →

SO TASTY: Among The Counter's new menu items is this tomato salad. (Kevin Herrera kevinh@smdp.com) OCEAN PARK BLVD — Whenever I hit The Counter to satiate my burger craving, I always have trouble assembling the perfect meal. After all, it is the land of one million different burger combinations. It’s a pretty delectable dilemma.... Read more →

On a drive across the island of Ireland one summer, three things were guaranteed: sheep crossing the road; pubs in every village; and rainbows after daily rains. The traditional Irish stew, still served in pubs throughout Ireland, dates back to the 16th century. Many comfort foods are steeped in peasant tradition and passed down from... Read more →

LIKE NEW: The Getty Center is currently exhibiting a restored mural by Jackson Pollock. (Photo courtesy The J. Paul Getty Trust) It’s the perfect weekend for a visit to the Getty — both of them. And then get ready for next week’s Fiddlefest with eight of the world’s rarest violins at The Broad Stage. The big news, of course, is... Read more →

THE CAST: Mark Rimer, Erin Elizabeth Patrick and Ben Gavin star in 'Talhotblond.' (Photo courtesy Ruskin Group Theatre) What happens when a balding, 47-year-old man with a wife and teen-aged daughter is invaded from cyberspace by an 18-year-old femme fatale who calls herself Talhotblond? That's the question posed by Kathrine Bates in... Read more →

BUSY: Santa Monica Merchant founder Giles Donavan packs a crate for a customer. (Photo by Michael Ryan) “Farm to table” and “farm to fork” are familiar phrases. But what about “farm to front door?” It’s a novel concept that best describes the business model behind Venice Merchant, a service that handles all the moving... Read more →

OOH LA LA: (L to R) Sheila O'Connor, Caroline Reade, Tiffany Dissette, BJ Gruber, Alexis Field in '50 Shades! The Musical.' It is currently playing at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. (Photo by Ed Krieger) “50 Shades! The Musical,” boasts a well-seasoned ensemble cast, live music, dancing, bare-chested men, phenomenal vocal... Read more →

It isn’t easy being a cop on the take if you have a partner who’s straightlaced. But for Denny, that behavior is routine, as he knows his partner, Joey, always has his back. The two men have been best friends since childhood. They established their respective roles in their relationship at a very early age. Denny is the dominant... Read more →

Other than price, the numbers D3 and B7 are currently the only other numbers you see next to a bag of chips or a bottle of orange liquid in a vending machine. But starting this year calorie counts will now be displayed on many vending machines in Santa Monica and throughout the country, a requirement under the Affordable Care Act, better... Read more →

SHOWING OFF HIS STUFF: Photographer Billy Blake poses by one of his works at his Fifth Street apartment. (Daniel Archuleta daniela@smdp.com) DOWNTOWN — As the fire grew Billy Blake managed to get himself and his dog out, but he couldn’t save the tens of thousands of photos he’d taken. It was like someone ripped out his memories.... Read more →

THE CAST: Jason Karasev, Anna Khaja and Joel Polis in 'My Name is Asher Lev.' (Photo courtesy Ed Krieger) Well, the superb Fountain Theatre and its resident genius-in-chief, Stephen Sachs, have done it again. They’ve mounted a just-about-perfect production: Chaim Potok’s classic novel “My Name is Asher Lev,” adapted for the stage... Read more →

Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) on Monday announced that he has co-authored emergency legislation to provide relief to food facilities from the “glove law” enacted Jan. 1, 2014 that prohibits bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food. The legislation, AB 2130, will repeal the section of the Retail Food Code that prohibits... Read more →

COUNTYWIDE — The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has received a report of an influenza A (H1N1)-associated death of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby from the South Bay area. Although influenza activity in Los Angeles County has been on the decline, it is still widespread and will continue at least through March, public... Read more →

When you switch to a Paleo or grain-free lifestyle, your kitchen essentials will be in need of a big overhaul. Revamping your entire kitchen can be a bit daunting, but if you get organized and do a clean sweep and replace, you’ll have less waste and more ease in your new way of cooking. • Step 1: Know what you use most and make it... Read more →