Community News Brief:

Santa Monica Red Cross Youth and UNICEF team up for “Project TAPThe United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and youth volunteers from the American Red Cross of Santa Monica are working together again this year to promote the TAP Project. The Tap project is aimed at safe, portable drinking water that can be shipped all over the world, specifically to the places that are lacking in natural drinking water. The TAP Project asks people who are dining out in local restaurants to donate $1 or more to the TAP Project for every glass of free “tap” water they would enjoy during their meals. When dining in a participating TAP restaurant, one can have a meal with friends and learn more about UNICEF’s work in providing clean and safe drinking water to children around the world. Red Cross youth are canvassing the city, signing up restaurants and helping to coordinate TAP activities. The TAP Project runs from Sunday, March 22 through Saturday, March 28, 2009.* * * *Exposition Light Rail Project Phase 2: Extention of Comment Period on DIERThe Exposition Construction Authority has completed the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) on Phase 2 of the Expo Line project. The DEIR studies the potential impacts to the environment that may result from adoption and implementation of one of the four proposed alternatives and identifies recommended mitigation measures. The original comment period on this DEIR began Wednesday, January 28, 2009 and was scheduled to end Friday, March 13, 2009. The March 13 deadline has been extended to Friday, March 27, 2009.* * * *Sunset Café is Open Again!Sunset Café, at 1701 Ocean Park Blvd. has reopened its doors for business. Three British women have taken it over and have put in their work at the café. The café has a facelift to give it some more appeal, along with “tender loving care”. The same chef who was there when it closed its doors is back again, and this month, Sunset Café is offering 10 percent off dinner. “We were thrilled at the opportunity to serve Santa Monica with a local restaurant with great food and great service,” said Ingrid Morgan (one of the owners). Sunset Café will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m – 8:30 pm and on Sunday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.