Petitioners, school district clash on proposed voting map
Public commenters were able to have their voice on Jan. 31 during a hearing of the Los Angeles County Office of Education Committee on School District Organization. Held on the Malibu campus of Santa Monica College, the committee received input on the legality of the voting map submitted as part of a petition aiming to establish district-based voting in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) elections. The petition was initially submitted in 2022 by Malibu attorney Kevin Shenkman on behalf of Malibu residents, claiming that the district’s at-large voting system is unfair to minority voters, and proposes a division of the district into seven geographic “trustee areas,” including two that would merge parts of Malibu and Santa Monica together non-contiguously.
School officials broach ways to support struggling students
The Feb. 1 meeting of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education held an update on Q2 Lead Metrics, part of the district’s cycle on inquiry based on Local Control and Accountability (LCAP) goals. The report focused on fall diagnostic and interim assessments, including STAR Reading and Math evaluations, as well as other factors like fall semester secondary grades, English Learner reclassification, attendance and discipline. Board discussion on the item focused on “promising practices” for districtwide support on lagging students, as well as how to invert chronic absenteeism in student subgroups like African American/Black students.
Brew Works partners with Bludso’s to release a roasted malt smoked lager
Santa Monica based Brew Works has teamed up with Bludso’s BBQ for a limited release smoked malt lager, available on draft at both Bludso’s and the Brew Works at 1920 Colorado Ave. Select grains used in the lager were roasted “low and slow” in Bludso’s iconic “Ole Hickory” smoker and pecan wood was chosen for its delicate and slightly nutty flavor characteristics.
Public input on Gelson’s project to mount once more
While public comment has stayed dormant for some time, discussions have begun to ramp up once again on a divisive large-scale housing project, as the Architectural Review Board plans to review a proposed housing project at 2601 Lincoln Blvd. The project would replace the Gelson’s grocery store and accompanying retail center with 521 apartments in twelve 5-story buildings.
Two days of deluge bring astronomical rainfall
Atmospheric river-powered storm totals in Santa Monica over a 48-hour period from Feb. 4 through Feb. 6 was 6.79 inches, according to the National Weather Service observation station at Santa Monica Municipal Airport. City work crews assisted in removing debris from the California Incline roadway, which was closed in both directions for about an hour the morning of Feb. 5. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) kept Santa Monica schools open throughout the storm, but road closures in the Malibu area forced Malibu schools in the district to close Feb. 5 and Feb. 6.
Life can be tough so couple made an album to help everyone sing their feelings
A pair of Santa Monicans may have missed out on a Grammy Award, but that doesn’t make their nominated Children’s Album any less of an accomplishment. Duo Andrew Barman and Polly Hall’s nominated album “Ahhhhh!” was born out of the couple’s own experience in parenting and mental health after the COVID-19 pandemic, touching on points beyond the struggle of childhood. While some topics may be heavy, the duo found multiple ways to make them accessible and light-hearted for all to enjoy, particularly children.
CIF honors Mariners, Vikings football standouts
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) All-CIF Southern Section football squads featured members of the Saint Monica Mariners and Samohi Vikings teams. Mariners senior wide receiver, cornerback and team captain Joshua Barnes was named the CIF Southern Section Division 13 Offensive Player of the Year, while Coach Thomas Barnes was honored at the division’s Championship Coach. The Division 13 squad also featured eight other Mariners contributors like quarterback Bradley Cassier and running back Elijah Wilson. The Samohi squad had six selections on the Division 9 team, including seniors like running back and linebacker Caden McCallum, as well as wide receiver Griffin Seals.
Santa Monica Animal Shelter at full canine capacity, adoption fees waived
The Santa Monica animal shelter is currently at full capacity with dogs, which means that they do not have any open dog kennels. In an effort to find these adorable animals their forever homes, the Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation is going to be sponsoring all dog adoptions. The shelter has seen a significant increase in the number of canines arriving at the shelter and they have more dogs in their care than ever before.
Virtual reality flight simulation ‘hub’ opens at Santa Monica Airport
Global pioneer in digital aviation simulation, Loft Dynamics, has opened its first virtual reality (VR) simulation “hub” forming the company’s first North American headquarters at Santa Monica Airport. The high-end simulator utilizes the very latest in aviation simulation technology and is targeted at pilots of all levels of experience and offers a hands-on way for flyers to experience the most modern training techniques along with the chance to potentially fly over landmarks all across the world.
Fashion fairies run Santa Monica’s Sparkl palace
At 320 Santa Monica Blvd lies Sparkl Fairy Couture, a pink-laden palace with fashion apparel and accessories from dresses and bikinis to coats and footwear. Everything at Sparkl is designed with magic in mind, drawing inspiration from fairies, mermaids, unicorns and other storybook favorites. Guiding customers through the store is young entrepreneur Gabrielle Hall, also known as Gabi Sparkl, who says that her fairy mantra is “being your truest self.”
YMCA partners with local group for Black History Month
The Santa Monica YMCA hosted the Santa Monica Black Lives Association (SMBLA) and representatives of other local groups for a Black History Month kickoff event on Feb. 1. As part of SMBLA’s commitment to showcasing Black businesses in the city, Andrian Driscoll set up a station with several virtual portals to business pages, such as King’s Celebrity ATA Martial Arts at 2110 Wilshire Blvd.
New plant-based sandwich shop B&T’s on Montana Ave offers alternative green grub
Situated at 912 Montana Ave, B&T’s sandwich shop is in a soft opening stage, with a more extensive menu and longer opening times on the way. The shop offers 10 signature sandwiches, all of which have their own flavor profile, and everything is 100% plant based. Co-founder Terrence Caldwell said all the ingredients used are organic and locally sourced, avoiding fake imitation meat, so every sandwich has a main plant-based “meat replacement” component.
Film festival shares its ‘Influence’ with multiple awards
The AMC Broadway 4 movie theater on the Third Street Promenade shared its space on Feb. 3 for the 2024 Santa Monica International Film Festival, where several films walked out with awards recognition. The Ryan Moore-directed “Influence,” depicting a filmmaker kidnapping a famous social media influencer, took home the Best Narrative Feature award. On top of the film award, “Influence” star Cheyenne Perez won for Best Performance.
Astrophysicist and alien hunter Dr. Avi Loeb gives talk at Amateur Astronomy Club
On Feb. 10, the Santa Monica Amateur Astronomy Club welcomed astrophysicist and Harvard professor Dr. Avi Loeb, one of the most prominent proponents on the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. Dr. Loeb is arguably best known for ruffling feathers in the scientific community for suggesting that ‘Oumuamua – the first cosmological object officially classified as “interstellar” that sailed through our solar system in 2017 – could have been an alien spacecraft.
Council approves DEI study and authorizes added renter protections
During a Jan. 30 meeting of Santa Monica City Council, the council awarded Colorado-based BBC Research & Consulting, a privately-held economic and market research consulting firm, the contract for a study to explore barriers to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the City’s procurement and contracting practices for the Finance Department. Council also approved a slate of added protections for renters, including prohibitions against drastic rent increases, unjust evictions and harassment.
History of the housed and unhoused, examined at new museum exhibit
On Feb. 2, the Santa Monica officially opened its latest main gallery exhibit “UN|HOUSED,” diving deep into the history of Santa Monica housing and spotlighting the ever-present issue of homelessness in the city. The exhibits follows in the footsteps of prior engagements achieving the goals of Museum Executive Director Rob Schwenker; those being a valued member of the education community, drive community engagement in exhibitions, and to “be a place where [they’re] fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity.”
Santa Monica shutterbug snaps every step of Endeavour’s adventure
The Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour rolled off the NASA production line in April 1991, flying a total of 25 missions from 1992 to 2011, clocking over 7,000 hours in space, flying over 122 million miles and completing 4,671 orbits of the Earth. Space buff Stephen Silberkraus was there every step of the way, a local amateur photographer who has snapped photos of the Endeavour over the years due to the space industry always being an influence in his life.
Local Latina voice channels childhood for McDonald’s movie contest
Santa Monica resident Marissa Díaz was recently selected as one of three finalists in the McDonald’s Spotlight Dorado short film contest. Receiving a $75,000 filmmaking grant by the company, Díaz’s film “Fancy Florets Summer Staycation” was one of three finalists voted on, with the winner (announced in March) moving on to shoot a McDonald’s commercial promoting next year’s contest. The film was inspired by her childhood in the San Antonio area, where she first widened her interest in the movie and television craft.
This Valentine’s Day, if food be the music of love, eat on
Couples making plans for Wednesday’s Valentine’s Day holiday can choose from a number of area eateries cooking up intimate and delicious experience for the occasion. Options began at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel with a special “Galentine’s Day” tea service on Feb. 10 and Feb. 11, featuring a menu with scones, pastries and finger sandwiches paired with a selection of Lot 35 loose-leaf teas. Other locations having specials for Valentine’s Day itself include Hotel Casa del Mar, Water Grill, Satdha and Mon Ami.
ross@smdp.com