City departments make their cases for a piece of the Measure K-funded pie
During a three-and-a-half hour long study session for Santa Monica City Council, a discussion was held with City services departments about who should receive potential funds from Parking Facility Tax Measure K on the November 2024 ballot. If approved by voters in November, Measure K is estimated to raise an annual $6.7 million, at least half of which would be spent on public safety and homelessness. The staff report provided three funding scenarios that focus resources: Increasing visibility of city resources in the community, increasing capacity across the public safety system, and restoring staffing and budget or narrowing funding gaps in existing services.
LA County office mishandles recent SMMUSD tax statements
On October 7, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District informed senior residents that the 2024-25 Measure R exemption was excluded from their most recent property tax statements. The expulsion was a mistake from the LA County Auditor-Controller’s Office, joining the LA County Recorder-Registrar/County Clerk’s office in mishandling SMMUSD information. A SMMUSD statement read that the Auditor-Controller’s Office is aware of the issue, and is in the process of updating tax profiles. This comes after the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office sent out faulty ballots to SMMUSD voters, putting both Santa Monica and Malibu-related school bond measures on their ballots.
Husband-wife duo bring smile back into the city
Alinea Orthodontics, which recently opened at 2701 Ocean Park Blvd., is a collaboration between Dr. Jose Ortiz and wife and Manager Jodie Laczko, relying on the latest in orthodontic technology and a modern office space to craft customer comfort. Ortiz seeks to "reimagine the orthodontic experience from a patient point of view," beginning with using iTero Digital Impressions, replacing traditional mouth and teeth impressions with accurate 3D scans, providing real-time digital viewing and adjustments. The technology changes the traditional orthodontic model of standardized braces into one that customizes every surface of a bracket to the surface of a bracket to the surface of an actual patient, something Ortiz says is "like night and day" in quality of care.
Yes, the King’s Head building is for sale, but the business will live on
The historic building that houses the iconic British pub, Ye Olde King’s Head, has been put up for sale, but contrary to rumor, that doesn’t mean that the business is also up for sale. The advert for the real estate was seen on Loop.net not long ago, causing some panic, but Operations Manager Lisa Powers stated on social media that the business is "not going anywhere." The building that houses the pub is up for sale, meaning there will be a new landlord for the business, but Powers said the pub plans "on being around for the community for many years to come."
Seaworthy locals get taste of area’s best food offerings
The Santa Monica Pier turned into the yacht party of the fall on October 13, as hundreds of locals took part in the Off The Hook Seafood Festival. Over 20 Westside favorite restaurants and other brands showcased samples of their best dishes and treats, such as The Lobster, Santa Monica Seafood, Blue Plate Oysterette, The Albright and The Surfing Fox. Between sampling the seafood, patrons were able to take part in games, watch a live music performance from The Windbreakers, and see the popular Best in Shuck competition to see who could shuck the most oysters in two minutes.
Santa Monica College gunman found dead after standoff with Hawthorne police
The suspect wanted in connection to a shooting at Santa Monica College on Oct. 14 has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a brief pursuit with police in Hawthorne, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. Investigators had been tracking the suspect, identified as SMC employee Davon Durrell Dean (DOB 01/08/1985), since the incident. Hawthorne Police Department got a hit on Dean’s vehicle and attempted to pull it over, which began a brief pursuit before an intervention technique brought Dean’s black sedan to a standstill on Aviation Boulevard, north of El Segundo Boulevard. Dean refused to cooperate or exit the vehicle and despite the efforts of the Hawthorne PD’s Crisis Negotiations Team, Dean was found deceased inside his vehicle from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident began at SMC on October 14 when longtime employee and Custodial Operations Manager Felicia Hudson was critically wounded in what authorities say is an incident of workplace violence. The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition before passing away from the injuries on Wednesday.
Bills passed protecting renters on screening fees, security deposits
Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed both AB 2493 and AB 2801, aiding renters in both their search for a new abode and departures from current apartments. AB 2493 prohibits a landlord from charging a prospective tenant a screening fee to applicants not selected for a vacancy. Also signed by Newsom, AB 2801 changes security deposit regulation to require the landlord to provide photographic evidence of necessary repairs and proof they were completed.
Another 370 residential units submitted for Bergamot area
Last month, developer Holland Partner Group submitted an application to the city seeking approval to redevelop a site at 1633 26th Street. The proposed development calls for 370 apartments, 2,400 square feet of ground floor commercial space, and a two-level subterranean parking garage that would hold 527 spaces for cars. Plans for the project require the clearing of the existing three-story structure and surface parking lot at the site, part of an entertainment-heavy 26th and Colorado sector that also includes the adjacent Lionsgate Entertainment headquarters and Amazon Studios across the street.
Cirque du Soleil crews complete "big top push" ahead of opening night
The Cirque du Soleil caravan took a giant step closer to completion last weekend as the mind boggling logistical challenge continued with the final, major set-up stage of the main tent being accomplished. The production takes up most of the Beach Parking Lot 1 North space, with Cirque returning to the Pier for the first time in over a decade. Kooza opens on Saturday, with tickets starting at $69.
City’s first wine tasting room a family-focused endeavor
At 1417 2nd St. lies the official tasting room for AJA Vineyards, a winery based in the Santa Monica Mountains bringing its local and region-specific flavors to the city. The city’s only wine tasting location is family-focused, with the AJA standing for Alec, Jack and Amanda, the three children of vineyard founders Todd and Heather Greenbaum. Amanda Rubin took the reins of the business in 2019 with her father’s blessing after becoming a certified sommelier in the wine business.
Amateur play Save the Pier tells the story of the political struggle to save the landmark
Every year around this time, a group of amateur theater aficionados get together and perform a play at the west end of Santa Monica Pier telling an abridged version of one, all-important chapter in the history of the much-loved local landmark. Called Save the Pier, it’s a one-hour recounting of the true tale of the grassroots community effort to save the seaborne structure from being demolished in the 1970s. The play, written by Santa Monica Pier Organization Executive Director Jim Harris, runs Saturday and Sunday for free from 7:30pm to 8:30pm.
McKinley Elementary fourth grader, parents killed in single-car wreck
A fourth-grade student at McKinley Elementary School and her parents were victims of a single-car accident October 12, killing all three. Student Daniella "Dana" Choquette was riding with mother Mercy Choquette and father Sasha Choquette on the 15 Freeway headed to Las Vegas when the accident occurred. McKinley Principal Daniela Weiner released a statement to parents and staff on Tuesday, informing them of the "passing of this wonderful family." They are survived by Sasha Choquette’s daughter Sasha, to whom Weiner extended condolences on behalf of McKinley.
thomas@smdp.com
