Week of March 14, 2024
Week of March 14, 2024
In a press release, the operator of Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, has announced that they have sold the park to an investment firm called SC Holdings. The firms website is at www.sc.holdings. The two managing partners are identified as Jason Stein and Daniel Haimovic. It is unclear what the new operators intend to do with Pacific Park. The Pier of course is owned by a public corporation controlled by the City of Santa Monica. The Pier itself was not sold. The press release follows:...
Space X has successfully launched the Starship Heavy rocket on a suborbital flight, which will one day take colonists to Mars in Elon Musk's vision. They held it to the 8:25 Central Time launch time. Third Stage separation was acheived a few minutes later, followed by a de-orbit burn. Less than an hour later, Starship landed in a field of Plasma. The third test flight of Starship Heavy is historic, since the first two blew up shortly after launch. If they get it off the ground, Musk Tweeted,...
A Brentwood resident has appealed for help to find the driver who killed her dog on a leash. Last Saturday, the driver went through the intersection of Gretna Green and Montana Avenue, hitting the dog on a leash and killing him instntly. He, the driver, stopped, got out and said he would move his car and return. But he instead drove on. In a post on Neighbors, a social media site, the unidentified resident wrote: "trying to find any witnesses to this accident on Saturday, March 9 in Brentwood....
Cherokee, a prominent brand, achieved noteworthy sales of $500 million in the 1980s, ultimately surpassing a billion dollars in revenue. The intriguing chapter in Cherokee's history takes a compelling turn in 2022 as the brand's original proprietor, Jim Argyroplous, successfully reclaimed ownership. Now, after a hiatus of three decades, Cherokee is poised for a triumphant relaunch under Jim Argyroplous's and teams visionary leadership. Venice Beach, California – In 1972, against the vibrant...
March 11, 2024 - Pepperdine University President Jim Gash announced the University's decision to establish a College of Health Science. The Board of Regents approved the proposal in a February meeting and gave their overwhelming support to proceed with further exploration of its foundational and future programs. "Establishing a College of Health Science is among the most ambitious initiatives ever undertaken by the University," said University President Jim Gash. "We see the tremendous need...
SM Budget Tops $750,000,000 Santa Monica lawmakers grappled with a three quarters of a billion dollar annual budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. "On June 27, 2023, the City Council unanimously adopted a balanced biennial budget for FY 2023–25 focused on community priorities of a safe and clean Santa Monica, addressing homelessness, and an equitable and inclusive economic recovery," says the City's website. "Adoption of the Biennial Budget comes as Santa Monica emerges from the COVID-19...
March 8, 2024 - The Sweet Lady Jane bakery branches, all of which closed to near-universal sorrow in January, has been bought by a new owner and has reopened in Beverly Hills. However, the branch on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica closed down again. According to a sign posted on the door, the new owners, "Julie and Matt," ran into a permitting glitch with the City of Santa Monica. The previous owner reportedly failed to acquire necessary permits for some remodeling work. A notice posted next to...
March 13, 2024 Ocean Water Use Warning for Los Angeles County Beaches The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters: BEACH AREA WARNINGS: Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier. Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey The entire swim area. Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica South Tower 20 100...
It looks like the staff at El Torito have poured their final Margarita. The manager of the El Torito Restaurant at 3360 Ocean Park Blvd told a customer that the restaurant will close permanently on Sunday, March 10, 2024. He did not give a reason for the closure, but said the staff had been informed by corporate that the location was closing permanently. He said that they were shocked and saddened. "El Torito is a Mexican chain featuring burritos, fajitas and classic cocktails in an informal...
Hi Jesse, I noticed you put out a newsletter where you said: "As 2024 kicks into gear I'm happy to report a number of exciting accomplishments and events on the horizon in Santa Monica. From bringing people experiencing homelessness indoors to making our streets safer for all, we're making progress on the issues residents care most about, while our overall economic recovery is proceeding faster than anticipated." That statement is a complete lie Jesse. You're not making Santa Monica safer for...
In yet another example of how the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) wastes money, we learned that its board of directors is holding its spring meeting at the fancy Fairmont Hotel in Georgetown, the ritzy neighborhood in Washington, D.C. It's a helpful, if unintentional, contrast with how little the group gives to help shelter pets. For HSUS executives and directors, life is comfortable. HSUS CEO Kitty Block made over $600,000 in 2022, while 140 staffers received more than $100,000 in...
I want to thank our police department for their work in apprehending this felon (picture below). Great work in catching up to him within 24 hours of his attack-proactive policing at its best. He was on parole in San Bernardino and didn't check in, which is a violation. I don't know what he was originally in prison for, but these days you practically have to kill somebody to go to jail (the last person who attacked me was set free the same day). In Santa Monica, this transient was arrested in...
WASHINGTON DC, March 8 -- Not long ago many of us greeted veterans and active-duty soldiers, sailors and marines with a heartfelt "thanks for your service." It made us feel good. But perhaps it should make us feel sad now that HUD, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is reporting that there's been a 7.4% increase in veteran homelessness. According to the Epoch Times, it means that "nearly 13 percent of the homeless adult population are veterans." Yet, the newspaper notes,...
Editor's note: This is a response to the SMMUSD's recent appeal for private donations, at https://www.smobserved.com/story/2024/03/06/news/span-classbrnwsbreaking-news-spansmmusd-school-superintendent-shelton-appeals-to-community-for-donations/8150.html Dear Dr. Shelton and Esteemed Members of the SMMUSD Board of Education, We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to you not just as concerned parents within the SMMUSD but as active community members deeply invested in the quality and...
The 11th Annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards (Local 706), were presented on Sunday evening February 18, 2024 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was hosted by Melissa Peterman and presented by Ardell and Giovanni. The evening started with a 4pm "Red Carpet" and Cocktail Reception, Banquet dinner at 6 pm, and the Awards Show at 730 pm. The honoree awards were supposed to begin with Oscar- nominated actor Annette Bening, being honored with the Distinguished Artisan Award, however due...
Heartbreak!! We’ve all been there at some point in our lives. Maybe it was with that perfect someone that got away or you got fired from your dream job and if that wasn’t enough, a long-time friend calls it quits, unannounced. Life happens! While it is the norm to vent and cry to a friend, you can give them a break because there’s a new friend in town. This friend is in the form of a stranger who’s ready and willing to help you navigate your difficult time, all without judgment and all...
Keep your money and personal data safe from these scams: A fake bank representative You're contacted by someone pretending to be your bank. They may ask you to transfer money to yourself or ask you to pay a fee to avoid an urgent negative action. A false government official A scammer says they’re from a local, state or federal government agency, like the IRS calling about tax debt relief. They say you’ll miss out on some government benefit or that something bad will happen if you don’t do...
March 1, 2024 - Big Blue Bus, the bus line that operates in Santa Monica, announced they will be deploying "safety officers" on high-traffic routes and selected bus stops. The "friendly, contracted officers" will be unarmed. Despite the lack of weapons, Big Blue Bus claims the officers will be able to "educate" riders about the bus company's code of conduct and "ensure adherence." The company says the introduction of the safety officers is one of several initiatives to help riders feel...
Santa Monica's City Council thinks the city is just fine. One councilmember called the homeless residents and neighbors, their wants and desires equivalent to those of people who pay rent and pay taxes. The 'freedom' of some, most of whom suffer from drug addiction and mental illness, to live in filth, disease and to commit crimes with impunity, is valued over the ability of the rest of society to live healthy lives in law and order. Watch the videos shot and distributed by the Santa Monica...
