Pope Francis’ message of humility and tolerance has certainly sent a jolt through the Catholic Church. It’s true; the progressive Pope is making it cool to be Catholic again. And with the Lent season in full swing, millions of said Catholics worldwide (including a large contingent here in Santa Monica) are looking to cut the meat out... Read more →

BERGAMOT STATION — bG Gallery presents Spectrum-Gestalt at its new space in Bergamot Station this Saturday, March 22. The gallery recently decided to acquire a second space in Santa Monica. Om Bleicher, gallery director and co-curator of the current show happened to have an appointment at a nearby gallery, when he saw the... Read more →

William Petersen and Rae Gray star in 'Slowgirl.' (Photo by Michael Brosilow) You may know him as the insect expert Gil Grissom on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” but William Petersen has a long, strong pedigree as an accomplished stage actor. He’s appearing in a two-person play, “Slowgirl” at The Geffen alongside Rae Gray,... Read more →

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 →