Earth, Wind, Fire…and Less Water
The recent fires along California’s coast have been unusually destructive this year. Many lives were lost, along with many square miles of forest burned, as well as the houses in their midst. Are we going […]
SMa.r.t. Column: Saving the Past and the Future
SM.a.r.t. (Santa Monica Architect’s for a Responsible Tomorrow) is always scanning the virtual horizon for threats to our urban fabric. We try to align the City into a better position to withstand the inevitable forces […]
Inching Toward Electrical Independence
California has an ambitious goal (SB100) of getting all the electricity for the entire state from renewable energy sources by 2045. The mandated incremental steps are 50 percent by 2026 and 60 percent by 2030. […]
If There Really Is a Blue Wave, Which Seats Go Dem?
Nowhere has talk of an impending “blue wave” sweeping Democrats into Congress and Republicans out been louder and more constant this fall than in California, where the GOP held only 14 of the state’s 53 […]
Making SMa.r.t. Choices This Election
It’s local election time and the Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow weigh in on several of the local candidates and issues. As a group of concerned residents, we focus on how good development, […]
City Mobility Plan in Freefall
Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City’s (SMCLC) Diana Gordon wrote this wide-reaching report on Santa Monica’s troubled Mobility Plan. SMart shares it with you this week. Internal City records obtained by SMCLC, and other […]
From the City’s Desk: Oct. is Disability Employment Awareness Month
By Santa Monica City Disability Commission As we note October’s promise of a changing season, we note too, this is Disability Employment Awareness month. This is one month in which all the members of this […]
The School Bond Challenge
In about four weeks we will be voting on a school bond. This $485 million bond will cost over a billion dollars by the time the bond is retired in 30-40 years depending on how […]
Why the Ballot Lacks Props That Could Have Been
Folks with little faith in California voters have won at least a partial victory this year. For decades, since the great Progressive (a tag worn a century ago mostly by moderate Republicans) Gov. Hiram Johnson […]
Uncontrolled Mobility Experiment
After about a year of exposure to E-scooters, the City has approved a one year “study” involving up to 2000 scooters. The entire City: visitors, residents, workers, students, skaters and skateboarders, cyclists, drivers, and […]
Meals on Wheels West LA Urgently Seeks Holiday Volunteers for Meal Deliveries
Brentwood-Based Program Needs Help Delivering Meals During the Holidays Meals on Wheels West Los Angeles is urgently seeking additional volunteers to...
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Housing Group Sues State Over Limits on Post-Wildfire Rebuilding in L.A. County
YIMBY Law Challenges Governor’s Order Allowing Cities to Restrict SB 9 Housing in High Fire Hazard Zones The housing advocacy...
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