August 3, 2021 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

BOYB: Phil Reflects on Thanksgiving at the VA

Phil is surrounded by the true spirit of giving at the annual “Westside Thanksgiving”

 

Tags: , , , in Opinion
Related Posts
"Time is running out for evaluating and creating viable options for commercial revitalization of the Promenade. No decisions, especially those that deteriorate major commercial infrastructure like parking structures, should be contemplated or implemented until there is broad stakeholder agreement," writes SMa.r.t. in their latest column. Photo: Sam Catanzaro.
Development, Opinion, Santa Monica

SMa.r.t Column: Promenade Progress?

July 30, 2021

Read more
July 30, 2021

As we find ourselves approaching August, the question is what, if any, progress has been made on conceptual design and...

"our City’s own policies on infrastructure and development should be held to the same standard of reduced demand, including placing a hold on large projects unable to provide their own water supplies." Photo: Getty.
Development, Opinion, Real Estate, Santa Monica

SMa.r.t. Column: Water Woes Not Be Gone

July 28, 2021

Read more
July 28, 2021

Re-visiting a column of ours from 2014. The more things change, the more they stay the same.   “Water Woes”...

“This 5 year doubling of water fees will hopefully reduce demand, fund the aging water infrastructure improvement needed for the imaginary State-required population boom, and put us in a somewhat better bargaining position for the few drops left when the regional water supply really collapses. But it also puts our residents and businesses in the paradoxical position that their reward for exceptional water conservation is water that is twice as expensive,” writes SMa.r.t in their latest column. Photo: Getty.
Opinion

SMa.r.t. Column: Warning Water Wars Ahead

July 23, 2021

Read more
July 23, 2021

Until it rains again, all the western states (including California) are being fried by a deadly drought. We have seen...

"when we leave the production of affordable housing to the free market in a highly desirable area like Santa Monica or Culver City, upzoning rarely produces affordable residential opportunities for working families," writes guest author Nicole Phillis (former Chair of the Santa Monica Rent Control Board) in the latest SMa.r.t column. Photo: Getty.
Development, Opinion, Real Estate

SMa.r.t Column: Blind Upzoning’s False Promise

July 12, 2021

Read more
July 12, 2021

SMa.r.t. is proud to introduce this essay by a Commissioner and former Chair of the Santa Monica Rent Control Board,...

“It’s as if there are two Santa Monicas. One, where mean, low-level struggles reminiscent of the novel “Babbitt” bust out on a daily basis, where residents, businesses, city staff and City Council continually fight last year’s, and last decade’s battles. And then there is another Santa Monica, where advanced, idea-based organizations are forging ahead with deep innovative vigor,” writes Daniel Jansenson in the latest SMar.t. Column. Photo: Sam Catanzaro.
Opinion, Santa Monica

SMa.r.t. Column: A Meeting of Two Worlds

July 6, 2021

Read more
July 6, 2021

The end of 2001 was a very tough time in Argentina. The national currency was devaluated, interest rates ballooned, and...

"Once buildings are converted either wholly or in part to residential units, much of the housing shortage will disappear. It’s a far cheaper and easier task than building billions of new square feet, often in places where existing residents don’t want them," writes Tom Elias in his latest column.
News, Opinion, Real Estate

Low-Cost Housing? State Keeps Ignoring the New Realities

July 6, 2021

Read more
July 6, 2021

From Sacramento comes word that the median price for a single-family home in California skyrocketed by 24 percent over less...

“Planning and zoning techniques are now under direct attack as inequitable and preventing the creation of economically, racially, and socially diverse communities. In Santa Monica, this is not the case with what is happening, especially in our Downtown, Promenade, Major commercial boulevards, and the future of our public open spaces,” writes SMa.r.t. in their latest column.
Development, Opinion, Real Estate, Santa Monica

Zone Wars: The Return Of Common Sense

June 25, 2021

Read more
June 25, 2021

Zoning has been an accelerating controversial issue, especially when weighing the acceptable levels of local municipal control versus State control....

"This week, we say goodbye to Lane Dilg, who for the last four years has served the Santa Monica community with keen intellect, clear foresight, and a resolute heart first as City Attorney and for the last 14 months as our Interim City Manager," write Mayor Sue Himmelrich and Mayor Pro Tem Kristin McCowan. Photo: Amy Cantrell Photography.
Opinion

Opinion: City Manager Lane Dilg’s Leadership Saw Us Through Our Darkest Days

June 23, 2021

Read more
June 23, 2021

By Mayor Sue Himmelrich and Mayor Pro Tem Kristin McCowan This week, we say goodbye to Lane Dilg, who for...

"Much of recent debate in Santa Monica has centered around the idea that changing zoning in single-family zones would result in lower-priced housing units. Recent projects, however, suggest the actual situation may be more complex than it seems," writes SMa.r.t. in their latest column.
Development, Opinion, Real Estate, Santa Monica

SMa.r.t. Column: Does Increased Density Lead to Increased Affordability?

June 18, 2021

Read more
June 18, 2021

Much of recent debate in Santa Monica has centered around the idea that changing zoning in single-family zones would result...

"The argument that up-zoning the city - which will indeed spur construction - will somehow increase access to affordable housing for families of color is a false promise. Up-zoning will increase housing opportunities for those that can afford multi-million dollar condos - regardless of their race or religion - and will leave out those families that are in the greatest need," writes Cheryl D. Rhoden, former member of Santa Monica City Council and co-founder of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights in the latest SMa.r.t. Column. Photo: Sam Catanzaro.
Development, Opinion, Real Estate

Guest Columnist: A Perspective…

June 11, 2021

Read more
June 11, 2021

Six or so years ago,  I started reading some pieces in a local Santa Monica paper.  I was struck by...
News, Opinion, Santa Monica

Letters to Editor: Main Street Closures

June 7, 2021

Read more
June 7, 2021

The following are two letters sent to the Santa Monica Mirror, one in support and one in opposition, regarding a...

“At 10,900 persons per square mile, Santa Monica is in the top 7% of all cities in California with populations over 5,000 and in the top 9% of cities over 50,000. If densification had any relation to affordability, Santa Monica would be a less costly place to live in than 90% of the other CA cities, instead of being one of the costliest in the country,” writes SMa.r.t. in their latest column. Photo: Getty
Development, Opinion, Real Estate

When Reality Meets the Housing Element

June 4, 2021

Read more
June 4, 2021

Affordability is the housing issue in Santa Monica (SM). Densification of the City is the primary objective of the draft...

"homeless agencies appear flummoxed by the rejection rate for permanent housing they’re now able to offer, something only recently available. Did they expect a population plagued by instability and a high component (about 20 percent) of serious mental illness to turn overnight into planners interested in delayed gratification?" writes Tom Elias in his latest column. Photo: Sam Catanzaro.
Development, News, Opinion, Real Estate

Is Permanent Housing the Real Homeless Solution?

June 1, 2021

Read more
June 1, 2021

The ultimate goal of city and county agencies trying to solve California’s homeless problem is to get this transient populace...

“real estate appreciation is the traditional way of wealth accumulation for most American families and many of our wealthiest moguls. However, housing speculation has had a tremendously negative effect on Santa Monica's housing affordability,” writes SMa.r.t. in their latest column. Photo: Sam Catanzaro.
News, Opinion, Santa Monica

SMa.r.t. Column: Community vs Commodity

May 27, 2021

Read more
May 27, 2021

The cost of housing in a capitalist society is primarily determined by who owns it. While housing can be bought,...

The north (left) and south (right) ends of Stanton MacDonald Wright’s mural in Santa Monica City Hall. Photos: Santa Monica Cultural Affairs.
Opinion, Santa Monica

Opinion: A Man, a Mural, and a Mess

May 22, 2021

Read more
May 22, 2021

By Will South A mural is being covered over inside the historic landmark Santa Monica City Hall building. This decision...

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and events in Santa Monica and the surrounding areas!


RECENT POSTS

DIGITAL

POPULAR