It was Santa Monica’s 145th birthday on July 15th. Our city’s traditional motto is “Fortunate People in a Fortunate Land.” Yet it no longer feels that way. It is not even the pandemic’s fault. ~ […]

In a week the City Council will appoint a new Council person to replace the retired council member Greg Moreno. That nominee will fill Greg’s vacancy till November 3rd, 2020 when the seat will be […]

We have survived the first six months of this year. We are all locked into the strange nightmare that encompasses 2020. First, a thank you to the front line and essential workers that have kept […]

~ Fight or flight. Those of you who are acquainted with me know which choice I have always made. However, It seems that many longtime residents are choosing flight. They have decided that the scourges […]

Our City has been devastated by the coronavirus, by its economic fallout and just three weeks ago, by a looting disaster. The pain and panic of these disasters unleashed a flood of projects, proposals and […]

~ Our looting redux. The angst and anger of our community are still reverberating throughout Santa Monica. Everyone I have communicated with has a strong opinion about the events of Sunday, May 31st. The afternoon […]

By Julie A. Werner-Simon My 16-year-old daughter joined with fellow Santa Monica High School students on Sunday to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. She and her friends wore black, chanted, walked down […]

“Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” 1st Amendment, Bill of Rights ~ Chaos, anguish, […]

When the COVID financial crisis struck it cut the city’s income in half, causing widespread layoffs and suspension of popular services. Right away, prominent groups who weigh in on the city’s actions sprang forward to offer […]