The City took down 23 ficus trees on 2nd and 4th Streets downtown between 6:00 and 11:30 on Friday morning, May 16. City Manager Lamont Ewell issued a statement on Thursday, May 15, after the California Court of Appeal on May 14 vacated the temporary stay order it had previously issued on March 7, 2008: “I am pleased that the Courts have upheld the City’s position and that we may now move forward to enhance these streets and protect public safety. The City intends to proceed with the removal of 23 trees that are structurally unstable, and implement the other improvements.”
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Noteworthy 5/27-6/3/26: GOOD
By CHARLES ANDREWS WILL STEPHEN COLBERT HAVE THE LAST LAUGH? I sure hope so. But he had the laugh on me when I watched the first of his last four shows and panned it. There […]

Film Review: In the Grey
FILM REVIEWIN THE GREYRated R98 MinutesReleased May 15th Director Guy Ritchie is a master of international action films, and he pulls out all the stops here. In the Grey is a sleek, well-planned, and intelligent […]
Chinese Coffee Chain Eyes Santa Monica Expansion
Cotti Coffee, which launched in China in 2022, has grown explosively to more than 18,000 stores worldwide and operates in 33 countries. Cotti Coffee, a rapidly expanding Chinese coffee chain, is preparing to open locations […]
Free Mariachi Ensemble Concert Comes to Santa Monica May 28
Directed by Mary Alfaro, the ensemble will perform a program of traditional rancheras, boleros and huapangos. The Santa Monica College Mariachi Ensemble Los Corsarios will perform a free concert on Thursday, May 28. The performance […]
Venice Dog Park Killer and Sex Offender Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder
Zachary Melton, known locally as “Turdle,” was found lying in the parking lot where he died after being shot for intervening in an argument. A registered sex offender was convicted of first-degree murder for fatally […]

LA to Offer Free Girls Golf Clinics During U.S. Women’s Open
The program, called Golf FORE Her, will run from June 4 through June 7 and take place at 10 city-owned golf courses. Mayor Karen Bass announced Thursday that the city will host 32 free golf […]
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