SM PIER — Shoes tap on the floor and the swish of skirts can be heard below the long arc of a trumpet and the quick beat of a drum. Young couples move gracefully along the hardwood floor, silhouetted by twinkling white lights overhead. These are the images evoked when the historic La Monica Ballroom is described, but now they are... Read more →

CITYWIDE — As property values across the county continue to slump amid one of the weakest economies the nation has seen in years, Santa Monica appears to be an exception to that rule. The Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor released assessment rolls earlier this month and the numbers for the county at-large look grim as the... Read more →

DOWNTOWN — A $300 used gown, invitations made from hops and yeast, and a vegan dinner created from locally-grown ingredients all combine for one sustainable wedding. It’s exactly what Santa Monica couple Austin Nicholsen and Kate Shukle have planned for their Aug. 29 nuptials at Hartley Botanica in Somis, a small agricultural... Read more →

The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission has provided a grant to the city of Los Angeles for a new rainwater harvesting pilot program in the Mar Vista, Sawtelle and Jefferson communities, which will provide free assistance to residents and commercial businesses to collect rainwater for storage and use. The program’s aim is to... Read more →

The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission has provided a grant to the city of Los Angeles for a new rainwater harvesting pilot program in the Mar Vista, Sawtelle and Jefferson communities, which will provide free assistance to residents and commercial businesses to collect rainwater for storage and use. The program’s aim is to... Read more →

DOWNTOWN — The beginning of senior year might still be more than a month away but Tyree Johnson already has big plans laid out for college. Following dreams of becoming a fashion designer, the student from New Roads has compiled a long list of East Coast schools that can expect to receive an application in the next five months, names... Read more →

SM AIRPORT — On the day that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was expected to reach an agreement with legislators on how to solve California’s $26.3-billion budget deficit, members of the community took to the streets to protest potential cuts. The rally was held on Monday on the corner of Bundy Drive and Airport Avenue just outside... Read more →

FIFTH STREET — Two mid-street crosswalks in Downtown may be removed by City Hall because of a decrease in pedestrian traffic and concern for the lack of flashing warning lights. However, some say the street will be more dangerous without them. “First, to be really clear, we’re not removing any crosswalks without community... Read more →

DOWNTOWN — Planning a trip around town just got easier. The Big Blue Bus recently installed a series of new signs that notify awaiting passengers when their ride is scheduled to arrive, part of an effort aimed at improving technology and communication between the public transportation agency and its growing customer base. Displayed... Read more →

bDear EarthTalk I’ve heard so much about using Borax for green housecleaning. But if this mineral has to be mined, doesn’t that negate some of its “green-ness?” Elsa Lincoln, Neb. Mining for minerals such as boron (the key ingredient in the “Borax” we use for cleaning, pest control and other household... Read more →

SMC — Guess Christian Ross likes Santa Monica. After starring for Santa Monica High School’s football team last season the speedy running back has decided to stay close to home and play for Santa Monica College. He is expected to split running back duties with Kendall Gordon, who played for Samohi rival Culver City last... Read more →

SMMUSD HDQTRS — A Seattle native with 25 years experience working in special education has been tapped to lead the same program in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District where officials are still repairing a department whose relationships with parents have suffered over the past several years. The Board of Education on... Read more →

CITYWIDE — In the Santa Monica Pier parking lot, cigarette butts littered the ground around the feet of Bubba Gump employee Julie Tabb as she smoked Wednesday. “There should be more places to throw these away,” she said, admitting that she will occasionally flick away a butt if she carries it too far without seeing a... Read more →

SMC BROAD STAGE — What started as an opinion piece has sparked a movement to reform state government. Last August, CEO Jim Wunderman published an opinion in the San Francisco Chronicle calling for a state constitutional convention to be held in order to rectify some of California’s many economic issues he felt the government was... Read more →

PCH — While the Annenberg Community Beach House has enjoyed a busy inaugural summer of steady visitors, its much older and more established neighbor to the south is hoping to convince city officials to let it keep its sandy space. The City Council on Tuesday began the process of determining whether it should pick up a 10-year... Read more →