Decade of delicious BBQ just the start for Holy Cow
On the northeast tip of the city at 264 26th St., Holy Cow BBQ celebrated its 10th anniversary in September, serving items like Carolina Pulled Pork, Texas Brisket and the California-inspired "Santa Maria Tri-Tip." When starting out, founder and pitmaster Rob Serritella traveled the country to various barbecue hotspots in order to craft his menu. The menu has evolved since the start in ways like extending into more sandwiches and types of protein. Serritella’s other brands, Rooster fried chicken and The Little Pie pastry brand, have also made it onto the menu.
Homegrown homeless deterrent sees surge of interest
The attention on Reed Park recently is prompting increased demand from residents for home security measures, including a home-made anti-homeless device. Longtime Santa Monica local Stephen McMahon’s Blue Chirper device has increased in demand, tied to what McMahon sees as a worsening condition of Reed Park and the nearby area. McMahon added that he doesn’t support the needle distribution program at Reed Park, nor does he think it is preventing disease.
Hyatt and Regent rebrands are part of busy fall for hotels
On Sept. 18, Hyatt Hotels Corporation opened up the Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica, taking over the site formerly known as Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica. From now through the second quarter of 2025, a $16 million refurbishment project will be taking place, including a facelift for the hotel’s dining experience and lobby area. Other hotel happenings in Santa Monica include the Courtyard Santa Monica and Hampton Inn & Suites Santa Monica becoming part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts portfolio, and the upcoming opening of the remodeled and rebranded Regent Santa Monica Beach.
Santa Monica rent highest in LA metro area, new report states
According to the latest Los Angeles Metro Report from apartment listing website Zumper, Santa Monica was ranked as the most-expensive spot in Los Angeles to rent a one-bedroom apartment, with a medium active listing of $3,000 over the past month. The website ranked 25 LA metro area cities, with Santa Monica coming out ahead of Irvine, West Hollywood, Redondo Beach and Costa Mesa in one-bedroom listings. The city remains at the top of the Zumper report despite the fact that one-bedroom listings on the site are down 10.2% year-over-year.
Huge donations kickstart the final month of campaigning for local office
With early voters about to begin sending in their ballots, endorsements and cash continue to flow into Santa Monica political campaigns. A new and well funded Political Action Committee (PAC) emerged recently, titled Santa Monica for a Real Positive Future Supporting Brock, de la Torre, Roknian and Putnam for Council 2024, and is funded by a pair of mega donations. Douglas Emmett Properties donated $100,000 as did Jerry A. Greenberg. The same slate also received a new endorsement from the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City.
Longtime Daily Press columnist Jack Neworth dies at 80
A beloved voice in Santa Monica has fallen silent with the death of longtime Daily Press columnist Jack Neworth. Known equally for his humor and strong opinions in his "Laughing Matters" column, Neworth left an indelible mark on the city and his native The Shores apartment building, where he lived for 40 years. Neworth passed away in the early morning hours on Sept. 24 at the age of 80, succumbing to cancer in the bladder that had spread throughout his body.
Lone challenger for School Board withdraws from the election
School Board candidate Christine Falaguerra notified the City Clerk’s office of her intent to withdraw from the race in mid-September. She was one of four individuals competing for the three open seats, with the other three being incumbents Jon Kean, Jennifer Smith and Maria Leon-Vazquez. The City Clerk’s office confirmed receipt of Falaguerra’s notification, but said voters would still see Falaguerra’s name when they cast their votes as ballots have been finalized.
‘Douglas Day’ at Santa Monica Airport draws big crowd and WWII aircraft flyover
Sept. 22 saw a crowd of nearly 3,000 gather on the north side of Santa Monica Airport to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first ever flight around the world. The amazing achievement was accomplished in four specifically modified aircraft manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company, which was based at the airport when it was still known as Clover Field. Hosted by the Santa Monica Airport Association, there were activities for everyone, including a flyover from a C-53 transport built by Douglas at Santa Monica Airport in 1943. The transport was used to drop US paratroopers into occupied Normandy for D-Day in June 1944.
Over 400 lbs of trash cleared from Santa Monica Pier on Coastal Cleanup Day
On Sept. 21, the 35th annual Coastal Cleanup Day was held throughout Los Angeles County, an international endeavor to protect oceans, watersheds and wildlife. While the numbers from more than 60 Los Angeles cleanup sites are still being collected, the Santa Monica State Beach, North Beach & Pier, Tower 1550 site along collected over 400 lbs of trash in just three hours. Over a thousand volunteers showed up to the Pier, including PADI-certified scuba divers from the Eco Dive Center in Culver City, who cleared all manner of accidentally-dropped and deliberately-discarded debris from the base of the Pier at its western tip.
AMC Broadway 4 movie theater shuts doors on Promenade
The AMC Broadway 4 movie theater on the Third Street Promenade shut its doors on Sept. 22, leaving Santa Monica with just one AMC location, the Santa Monica 7 also on the Promenade. The space initially opened in 1934 as the Elmiro Theatre, and the theater changed ownership hands several times throughout the century. This is not the first time AMC pulled the plug on a Santa Monica theater, shuttering the Criterion 6 in 2013.
City Council expresses concern over Measure G and agrees not to support it
In a rare moment of decisive unity, Councilmembers agreed that Measure G, which will be on the November 2024 ballot, was not — at least in its current state — worthy of supporting. Measure G is a proposed amendment to the Los Angeles County Charter to create an elected County Executive, create an independent Ethics Commission, establish a nonpartisan Legislative Analyst, increase the Board of Supervisors from five to nine elected members and require County departments to present annual budgets in public meetings. City Council made a unanimous decision not to endorse it, expressing concern over the County Executive position in particular.
Suspect in strangulation attack on beach charged with attempted murder
The suspect in an unprovoked attack on Santa Monica beach has been charged with attempted murder with a bail set at $2 million. The victim was a 28-year-old male resident of West Hollywood, who reported being attack from behind while fishing at the waterline near lifeguard tower 20 on the afternoon of Sept. 19. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, the suspect, identified as 31-year-old John Broeksmit, did not know the victim and attempted to strangle him. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries to his neck and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Lobster’s century-long legacy celebrated for National Seafood Month
Next to the famous Santa Monica Pier sign lies The Lobster, which has crafted its own legacy in Santa Monica going back 100 years. The seafood spot is not only celebrating 100 years in the city in 2024, but is also recognizing the 25th anniversary of its expansion to the Route 66 and Pacific Ocean intersection. To celebrate, the restaurant hosted a special party Sept. 25 for National Lobster Day, and will be showcasing a special menu throughout October’s National Seafood Month.
Community comes together for suicide prevention
To alleviate the pressures on mental health, Santa Monica officials recognized Suicide Prevention Month in September, including a proclamation from City Council on the topic. Mental health advocate Bridget McCarthy also spoke to the council about the Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Walk on Oct. 19, raising funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. During the month, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District highlighted the 988 crisis line for students, as well as the district’s ongoing partnership with telehealth network Hazel Health.
thomas@smdp.com
