Vikings forge path to their college athletic homes
The Samohi student body honored some of the school’s finest senior student-athletes as they made their college decisions during a National Signing Day ceremony Feb. 7. Moving on to college athletics are Samohi football standouts Caden McCallum (Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts), Jayden Montanez (University of California, Davis) and Ryland Hawkins (Willamette University in Salem, Oregon); girls’ soccer standout Cassie Bibby (University of Southern California), lacrosse leader Jasper Ford (Dominican University of California in San Rafael), boys’ water polo record holder Darragh Flanders (Pomona Pitzer College in Claremont), girls’ volleyball star Emersen Werger (University of Denver), sailor Oliver Keeves (Tufts University) and baseball standout Bobby Munoz (Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota).
St. John’s recognizes Black History Month with healthcare panel
Providence Saint John’s Health Center hosted a discussion focused on how to address racial disparities in healthcare, particularly when it comes to Black Americans, who face persistent issues like higher rates of infant/maternal mortality, asthma, mental health challenges, high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease. Along with the discussion panel with several Saint John’s and local health leaders, Sylvia Drew Ivie, JD, received the Community Health Equity Champion award from the center for her work as a Black mental health advocate, lawyer and activist.
Legion averages 100 “engagements” a day during first month of downtown deployment
The private security company patrolling Downtown Santa Monica reported more than 3,000 interactions during its first month on patrol and while local businesses say the systemic problems persist, some say they’ve seen signs of improvement recently.
District voting system sparks more contentious debate
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) hosted a hearing of the Los Angeles County Office of Education Committee on School District Organization, focusing on the legality of the voting map submitted as part of a petition aiming to establish trustee districts, with the map proposing two non-contiguous districts merging parts of Malibu and Santa Monica. Presenting to the committee were attorney Kevin Shenkman, who initially submitted the petition in 2022 claiming that the district’s current at-large system is unfair to minority voters, as well as attorney representing SMMUSD Dale Larson, who argued that the map contains numerous illegalities including not respecting the geographic integrity of neighborhoods and discriminating against incumbents on the SMMUSD board.
“Air taxi” start-up to operate from Santa Monica Airport and expects to be flying by 2025
Archer Aviation, an electric aircraft start-up company, has announced a partner with Atlantic Aviation and together the two companies will begin the development of electric aircraft infrastructure at Atlantic’s existing assets, including Santa Monica Municipal Airport. With their combined resources, they aim to establish an air taxi service, a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft capable of carrying four passengers, plus a pilot and luggage. Archer Aviation Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Noel said that the “air taxi” service will be affordable, with a flight from Santa Monica to Malibu or Orange County costing around the same as an Uber ride to those locations.
RealReal designer retail store broken into for the second time in 10 weeks
On the evening of Feb. 8, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded to a 911 call regarding a burglary attempt at the RealReal retail fashion store at 200 26th St. According to Lieutenant Erika Aklufi of the SMPD, the first officers on scene observed the suspects fleeing the area and a foot pursuit ensued. Three suspects were apprehended nearby. Officers established a perimeter and with the help of K9 officers and air support from the Los Angeles Police Department, two additional suspects were also taken into custody. SMPD officers were called to the same location on November 27, 2023, after four masked suspects entered the store and forced their way past the front door security, using hammers to smash multiple display cases containing brand-name purses worth over $50,000.
Crime continues to rise in Santa Monica
Crime has increased in Santa Monica for the third consecutive year driven by high value thefts and petty assault according to Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista, who presented the annual report at a Feb. 13 City Council meeting. Part I crimes, serious offenses like violent assault, robbery and burglary, increased by 129 calls with high value thefts accounting for 59% of Part I incidents. Part II crimes, led by simple assaults, vandalism, narcotics-related incidents, public intoxication and fraud increased by 7%, with the largest share of Part II crimes being simple assault (which results in minor or no injuries). The number of arrests increased by 12%, a number steadily increasing since 2020. As has been the trend for several years, about two-thirds of the city’s arrests are of homeless individuals.
Music legends, educators look to the future of industry
A Culture Collective panel entitled “Drive to Serve” discussed the future of the music industry and education Jan. 31 at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. Moderated by Santa Monica Arts Commissioner Michelle Edgar, the panel included Santa Monica-based producer and artist Maejor, music executive and television icon Randy Jackson, and Compton Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley. Along with the panel, Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock kicked off the event, stressing that education is tied into service, drawing from his years of education at Los Angeles schools like Crenshaw High School and Hamilton High School.
Create your own Whopper and win $1 million
As part of the promotion campaign behind the recently announced Million Dollar Whopper competition, Burger King hosted an immersive pop-up on the Santa Monica Pier Feb. 17 and Feb. 18, including photo opportunities and interactive games. Burger buffs were able to try an exclusive Santa Monica Whopper burger featuring a flame-grilled all-beef or Impossible patty topped with Monterey Jack cheese, birria, citrus aioli, pickled roasted fresno chili slices, heirloom tomatoes, red leaf lettuce and smashed avocado on a sesame seed bun. The competition runs until March 17 and encourages fans of all things flame-grilled to submit an idea for, and the ingredients required to make, their dream Whopper sandwich concept, which can feature up to eight toppings.
Designer looks to open opportunities with SMC collaboration
Los Angeles-based designer Jade Marlin and his Jade Marlin Foundation began implementing a “fashion academy” in the 2010s, giving youth and aspiring adults alike the push in a successful direction in the fashion industry, something several Santa Monica youth have already taken advantage of. The Foundation’s latest Santa Monica connection is a new partnership with fashion professors at Santa Monica College, which is leading to an SMC “fashion summit” this coming November. Marlin noted that he loves Santa Monica, as the city is where he started “getting the creative mind” for fashion.
Downtown residential building project forgoes vehicle parking
At a Feb. 5 meeting of the Santa Monica Architectural Review Board (ARB), the board approved the design, colors, materials and landscapes plans for a residential apartment building at 700 Santa Monica Boulevard. The building, developed by North Carolina-based Grubb Properties along with architectural firm Tighe Architecture, will be an eight-story, 99,930 square foot, 99-unit residential apartment building that includes 10 affordable units. Branded as Link Santa Monica, no vehicle parking will be provided at the building, with the project instead calling for 136 bicycle parking spots. The city’s Downtown Community Plan Area does not require vehicular parking for projects within the area, and state law AB 2097 also eliminates the enforcement of minimum parking requirements for projects within one-half mile of public transit, with the location falling within one-half mile of the Metro rail transit station at the corner of 4th St. and Colorado Ave.
Nectar fills the alcohol alternative gap for health-curious locals
To create a memorable experience with non-alcoholic alternatives to a night out, Hannah Wilen and Neil Bhatia have stepped in with Kanahava at 306 Pico Blvd., cultivating a communal experience around Kava Nectar, a relaxing drink sourced from the natural roots of the kava plant grown in Hawaii and the South Pacific. The co-founders noted that the drink is a non-alcoholic drink “that you can actually feel,” creating a tingling sensation on the tongue with its earthy and smooth taste. With no caffeine, sugar, alcohol, gluten or chemicals to speak of, the plant-based beverage promotes calmness and sociability.
ross@smdp.com