Students take on the world, one issue at a time
At the Marymount Model United Nations competition on March 3, the Samohi Model United Nations club came home with several honors in individual diplomacy. Under the direction of Samohi AP World History teacher and club advisor Heather Knight, the new generation of leaders took part in the Marymount event, with club president Bibi Peterson and club vice president Sienna Shah taking home Best Delegate and Outstanding Delegate, respectively. Club member Kara Best also earned a commendation from the event’s judges. Peterson, who Best credited for helping the club navigate conference proceedings coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, represented the country of India in a post-World War III hypothetical scenario laid out at Marymount’s general assembly.
City begins polling on proposal to double parking tax
City Hall has begun polling likely voters over their support for a potential ballot measure in November that would raise fees in private parking lots to pay for a variety of road-related services. The City Council, prompted by concerns over traffic safety following a recent cyclist’s death, broached the idea of financing various road safety initiatives via a tax increase in December of last year. Council’s vote (on an item agonized by Councilmember Zwick, Councilmember Davis, and Councilmember Torosis) was to evaluate the impact of the tax increase, engage with the California Coastal Commission, and gather community input.
Council votes to build affordable housing on three city-owned sites
During a recent Santa Monica City Council meeting, the council voted 6-0 to enter into an agreement with the Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (HCHC) to build affordable housing on City-owned sites adjacent to Wilshire Blvd. The proposed projects, which ultimately will come back for final approval by the council, include approximately 130 units on three city-owned properties at 1217 Euclid St., 1211-1217 14th St. and 1146 16th St., in line with the city’s 2021-2029 Housing Element. Once built, the projects would serve individuals and families making anywhere from 30 to 80% of the area median income, as well as people experiencing homelessness. The next step is a community engagement process to allow for input on the design and development plan.
School board approves major construction amendments at Samohi, SMASH
In its final meeting before the district’s spring break, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education approved several major construction items, with much of the discussion centered around the future layout of Santa Monica High School. During the meeting, the board approved of a plan to demolish Samohi’s South Gym this summer, along with related post-demolition work within the Measure SMS-funded Exploration and Gold Gym project. Other board approvals were assigning CY Architects to provide architectural and engineering design services for Samohi’s interim repairs and upgrades project, as well as approving a contract amendment with Blach Construction Company for the water intrusion repair project at the campus of Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH) and John Muir Elementary School.
Proactive parental figures crucial in fighting online exploitation
To better prepare parents to keep children out of the traps of online predators, Dr. Charlene Doak-Gebauer screened her documentary "Vulnerable Innocence" to a set of concerned citizens at the Laemmle Monica Film Center on March 20, followed by a panel discussion with Doak-Gebauer and several others who have made online safety their life’s work. In the documentary, various stakeholders in the online safety realm spoke on how children can be duped into taking part in sexually-explicit situations, both in the United States and abroad.
Unanimous council advances research to return land or compensate White family
The City of Santa Monica has formally begun the process to return land once owned by a Black entrepreneur, or at least compensate the family for the loss of their property. Dueling discussion items were on the agenda to study the situation around the land where the Viceroy Hotel now sits and after some brief discussion on the details of the two proposals, Council eventually combined both measures into a single directive to understand what happened years ago when the city took the land from Silas White and what can be done about it today.
Mariners march into conversation for best national golf program
On March 18, the Saint Monica Mariners boys golf team shot a personal best 192 against Salesian, a mark unmatched by most programs in the nation. The score is the culmination of an accelerated rise for the program under the leadership of PGA certified professional Charles Womack, who took over at Saint Monica during the COVID-19 pandemic. Womack stated that it was "a little overwhelming" taking over during the pandemic period, having to simultaneously coach the boys and girls’ golf units. When Womack first arrived on campus, only three boys tried out for the team, with both the roster’s size and skill blossoming quickly.
SMC, Chamber take plunge into ocean economy
Taking a major step in pushing Santa Monica’s business community to a new level, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce hosted an event on the future of the "blue economy workforce" at Heal the Bay Aquarium March 22, with several speakers detailing how to get further involved in ocean-related professions. The event was part of the newly-launched Chamber Talent Connect program, a collaboration between the Chamber and Santa Monica College (SMC), forging partnerships for SMC students and Santa Monica businesses. SMC’s aquaculture program is centered around two classes, "Aqua 1" which is an introduction to aquaculture and "Aqua 2" which is applications in aquaculture.
Hotel workers secure new contract worth $100K a year to some positions
Hotel workers, after leading what they described as the largest hotel strike in modern US history, have ratified a new union contract at 34 hotels with overwhelming support. The contract includes wage increases, benefits, and rights for workers. By the end of the contract, workers will earn an average of 40%-50% more in wages and the union representing workers said the increase will guarantee workers can afford housing in their communities where rents are rising. According o a statement provided by the union representing workers, Room Attendants at most hotels will earn $35.00 per hour, or $73,000 per year, by July 1, 2027.
Flag takeover leads to national honor for Samohi student
The National Football Foundation’s first group of female flag football players earning Scholar Athlete Awards includes Samohi senior Isabella Sanchez, who co-captained the school’s inaugural flag unit to an undefeated Ocean League championship campaign. Sanchez, a wide receiver and defensive back for the 16-3 Lady Vikings, said it was "truly an honor" to receive the scholarship as well as a nomination for the LaDainian Tomlinson National Player of the Year award in the sport.
Comedians to take wise crack at superstardom at local festival
Starting on Monday, The Crow at the Bergamot Station Arts Center hosts the Bergamot Comedy Festival, featuring performer showcases and free educational panels fronted by leaders in the comedy and entertainment industries. The week-long festival was a partnership between local, regional and national groups; including City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs, Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, the Los Angeles Times and MasterClass. Industry veterans taking part in the festival range from showrunners and writers to late-night television experts and executive producers, such as Friends executive producer Andrew Reich.
Heath adds emotional layer to all-time physique with new documentary
Not many know more about being on top, and about stress on the physical form, than seven-time Mr. Olympia champion bodybuilder Phil Heath. Faced with a crossroads in his athletic career after an end to his time on the basketball court, Heath was inspired by all-time great like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Cutler to become a beast in the gym and the competitive ranks, but not without struggle. For a long time, his hulking frame hid a layer of vulnerability, one Heath finally was ready to share with the world in the new documentary Breaking Olympia. Produced by Seven Bucks Productions and distributed by Universal Pictures, the newly-released film chronicles the bodybuilder’s rise to superstardom and the surrounding ramifications of fame.
Culture Clash comes to SMC
Writer, performer, and founding member of Culture Clash Herbert Sigüenza shared his brilliance with students from the Santa Monica College Theatre Department in a workshop on Wednesday, March 13. The following weekend, March 15-16, Sigüenza took the stage at BroadStage Santa Monica in his one-man show, A Weekend with Pablo Picasso.
ross@smdp.com
