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Articles by this Author
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A matter of preference
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A proposal that would allow commuting employees to park in neighborhoods on the east side of town has angered many residents, who contend it would lessen their quality of life.
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On second thought: DACs’ roles revisited
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School board members are having second thoughts regarding a decision made earlier this month to slightly revise the role community groups play in advising the district on educational programs and the budget.
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Ed Kolpin: Still lighting up life
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At a time when the world was struggling with the harsh realities of the Great Depression and many Santa Monicans were forced to give up luxury items for the bare essentials, entrepreneur, inventor and local businessman Ed Kolpin went against the grain and took a serious but calculated risk.
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City looks to cut cord on unauthorized use of juice
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For more than five years, those willing to climb lamp posts near the Santa Monica Pier were able to charge their cell phones, listen to radios and even brew a cup of coffee, all without having to spend one cent on electricity.
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Cleaner water on tap with treatment plant
(Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing series that tracks the city’s expenditures appearing on upcoming Santa Monica City Council consent agendas. Consent agenda items are routinely passed by the City Council with little or no discussion from elected officials or the public.)
In efforts to protect the water quality of the Santa Monica Bay, the City Council is expected tonight to move forward with a plan to spend more than $3 million on a new water treatment system, to be built beneath Ocean Avenue near Palisades Park. The treatment system, which will include two underground water-collection and processing sites, is intended to capture urban runoff from storm drains, remove pollutants and release the cleansed water back into the area’s watershed.
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Homelessness plan on LA’s horizon
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A multi-jurisdictional task force working to end homelessness in Los Angeles County by 2013 is a little more than a month away from revealing its action plan, which has been more than two years in the making.
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Council hits brakes on reshaping future
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Without a clear path in sight, the City Council voted to remain put Tuesday night, declining to lead the city down what they believed to be roads of uncertainty posed by alternative land use and development plans.
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Council loosens its belt
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An emboldened tourism industry, surging real estate sales and some unexpected money courtesy of the state has pumped an additional $5.5 million into the city coffers, leaving council members with more money to spend when they approve the mid-year budget next month.
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Making scents of it all on the Promenade
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The jacaranda trees are here to stay, as are their ample shade, lilac-blue trumpet blossoms and, well, urine-like stench.
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Caitlin Meredith: Life without borders
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While the average 16-year-old girl is fascinated with pop music, fashion and that cute guy in her history class, Caitlin Meredith had more important things on her mind at that age. Instead of hanging out at the local mall or lounging at the beach all summer, Meredith chose to fly to Ecuador and build latrines to prevent a cholera epidemic.
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Local youth appeal to council for increased funds
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Despite pending final exams, students flooded the City Council chambers Tuesday night in support of increased funding for the Pico Youth and Family Center.
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Parents, students let minds wander
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Tear down the fences and make schools into community centers. Convert vacant retail stores in Santa Monica Place into classrooms to ease overcrowding. Plant community gardens in elementary schools so youth can learn about nutrition and establish healthy eating habits. Hold classes in local businesses to teach finance.
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Governor hands out student diplomas
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High school seniors with disabilities who have not passed the state’s exit exam will still receive their diplomas under legislation signed Monday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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District, college eye a level playing field
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The Santa Monica-Malibu Board of Education is expected tonight to move forward with a joint-effort to install the latest in artificial turf at John Adams Middle School, where grass fields are being worn away by constant use.
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Crane accident causes pier commotion
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A crane-equipped truck carrying piles of lumber overturned on the Santa Monica Pier Wednesday morning, partially blocking vehicle and pedestrian access to a popular portion of the pier deck for several hours, authorities said.
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Police officer shot in ambush
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An undercover police officer was shot in the wrist early Thursday morning when an assailant opened fire on his unmarked vehicle. A reputed gang member was later taken into custody, along with a suspected accomplice, after the two took refuge in a nearby apartment building, authorities said.
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City scores big with post pattern
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While residents here cherish Santa Monica’s small-town atmosphere, the truth is that the city houses some very large and lucrative industries, one of them being post production.
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Planting a seed of understanding and conservation
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When Josephine Miller and her husband Seth purchased their home on 22nd Street, they knew it was going to need a lot of work, particularly the garden. “It looked ugly, depressing,” said Miller, a fan of tranquil gardens, as she kneeled down to harvest the celery she planted in her backyard with the help of her three children. “The people living here before us sort of neglected it.”
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Scratch that: Board to please the DACs
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Following an outcry from the parenting community, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified school board agreed Thursday to restore one sentence deleted from a description of duties for Community Advisory Committees, or DACs.
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Gray whale surfaces in SM Bay breakwaters
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Lifeguards said they were treated to a rare site on Monday, spotting what they believed to be a young gray whale cruising the breakwater near the Santa Monica Pier. The whale, roughly 15 to 20 feet long, surfaced for air at about 8:30 a.m. near Will Rogers State Beach and continued to cruise south at a normal speed, showing no signs of distress, said lifeguard David Estey.
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Local schools lacking staff
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There are more than 60 nonteaching jobs still available in the school district more than halfway though the year, a situation that has officials wondering how to accelerate the hiring of much-needed janitors, security guards and teachers’ aids.
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Small businesses to get big help
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Small businesses could receive a big boost with the recent opening of a small-business development center, which will offer workshops and counseling for entrepreneurs, Santa Monica College officials said.
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Samohi taggers reignite tensions
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Parents are outraged over what they feel was a weak response by school officials to a rise in tensions here after racist graffiti was spotted last week in at least two locations on campus.
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Grand in Torino: Pair seeks Italian gold
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There is little hope among figure skating analysts that the U.S. will take home a medal in Pairs this week at the XX Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.
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Help wanted: Schools failing to make hires
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The chair of the commission in charge of hiring janitors, security guards and other classified employees at the school district responded Thursday to criticism from administrators and elected officials over the perceived footdragging in hiring new district employees.
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Optimists being tested
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Optimism is apparently waning in Santa Monica, or at least any organized form of it.
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Prospective candidates outline agendas
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Democrats seeking to replace state Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-41st) when she leaves office at the end of the year tried Sunday to distance themselves from one another during a candidates’ forum sponsored by Americans for Democratic Action.
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Edward Greenberg: Promenade protector
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Following the Battle of Britain in 1940, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave one of his most inspiring speeches of World War II. During it he reminded his countrymen of the sacrifices made by young soldiers who were outnumbered four to one, but somehow managed to fend off a ferocious attack by German airmen and preserve the United Kingdom’s sovereignty.
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Security cameras get snap decision
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It will take more than 120 surveillance cameras and well over $1 million to adequately protect the city’s two most popular tourist attractions.
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City bucking up to keep temps
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The City Council tonight is expected to spend a little more than $2.7 million on items ranging from the hiring of temporary employees to pay increases for city attorneys to upgrades to the Civic Auditorium.
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Deejay pleads not guilty to cocaine charge
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LAX COURTHOUSE — Local radio show host and Grammy Award-nominated film consultant Chris Douridas pleaded not guilty Friday to felony cocaine possession, a charge that could land the popular deejay in state prison for up to three years.
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SMC’s funding may fall this year
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Before state legislators approve a new funding formula for community colleges, officials here want them to pay what they owe.
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City officials on fence over pier access
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Elected leaders last month discussed behind closed doors whether or not to block public access underneath the Santa Monica Pier as a way to enhance security in a post Sept. 11 world.
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Surplus attracts a crowd
Foosball.
Most consider table soccer a trivial game, oftentimes played out in the garage, but for Maurice Goose, foosball is a way to help disabled youth and those at risk find self-esteem ... and stay out of trouble.
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Super’s intentions: Deasy may head east
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Schools Superintendent John Deasy is considering leaving the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District for a similar post in Prince George County, Maryland.
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Schools super is moving on
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Schools Superintendent John Deasy has entered into contract negotiations to become the top education official in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The board of education for Prince George’s County Public Schools announced Thursday that Deasy, 45, was chosen as the top candidate for the chief executive officer position, beating out two other finalists from New York and Kansas, respectively.
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Token pessimism: Officials say subway may be pipe dream
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— Elected officials are telling residents to put the brakes on before getting too excited about the possibility of extending the subway to Santa Monica.
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Mayor looks to remain seated
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Fully expecting fierce competition from the city’s ruling political party, Mayor Bob Holbrook officially announced on Thursday his intention to run for reelection.
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Silencing of squirrels has ceased, for now
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The county-mandated killings of ground squirrels here may have come to an end last week now that a pilot program aimed to control the rodent population has been introduced, according to city officials.
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School district losing students
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For the second straight year, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will have fewer students attending classes, which will most likely mean fewer dollars to pay for books, teachers’ aides and security guards.
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Esther Guillen: Running her race at her own pace
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For the last six years, Esther Guillen has been running. Whether it was track, cross country, or up and down the soccer field, the Santa Monica College sophomore has steadily pushed ahead despite the odds and injuries.
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Davies makeover gets ugly
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An association of homeowners here are threatening to sue City Hall if it moves forward with plans to turn the former Marion Davies estate into a public beach club.
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City puts money where its muse is
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Custom framer and part-time artist Barry Blum and his wife Ellen, owners of Art Concepts, have heard it a thousand times since they moved their business here 11 years ago.
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City getting high on Wi-Fi
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City Hall is on the fast track to dial in disconnected Santa Monicans.
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Local police help bust major drug ring
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Santa Monica police were involved in a major drug bust earlier this week that netted multiple arrests for the distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine, federal authorities said Tuesday.
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Emotions run high at outset of trial
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WEST LA COURTHOUSE — The wife of a man whose arm was amputated after it was allegedly crushed by a Big Blue Bus broke down in tears Wednesday as her attorney showed jurors a photo of the couple, hand in hand, celebrating one of their 51 wedding anniversaries.
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She works hard for the money ... and benefits
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CITYWIDE — If you’re a woman in Santa Monica, chances are your working environment is better than most.
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Emergency exit on pier down the tube
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SM PIER — This has often been a place of refuge for those looking to escape the stresses of life by soaking in breath-taking sunsets or listening to the therapeutic sounds of crashing waves.
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Vikings setting their sights on netting elusive CIF title
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SAMOHI — For just the second time in his 11 seasons as coach of the boy’s varsity basketball team, James Hecht will try tonight to guide his team to the CIF semi-finals. Standing in his way is a staunchly defense-minded Long Beach Poly squad.
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School district goes for seconds
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SMMUSD HDQTRS. — The school district’s second in command will become the new superintendent — for now.
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Hitting the call button in search of nurses
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SAINT JOHN’S — Registered nurses and college students on the verge of becoming health care professionals flooded the halls here Thursday looking for a job — and a $10,000 signing bonus.
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David Legaspi: The artist of Santa Monica’s schools
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ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY — Before the murals, many students would think twice before stepping foot in the bathrooms here. Drafty, dark and smelling of urine, some parents said their kids would rather wait all day to use their bathrooms at home than venture into the lavatories at Roosevelt Elementary.
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New leash on life for SM dog beach
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CITY HALL — Elected officials here want to change state law in order to allow for a dog beach that could be located on a stretch of sand south of Wilshire Boulevard.
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Vikings win in final minute, look for finals berth tonight
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SAMOHI — Viking forward Akil Gainer added the exclamation point to a come-from-behind-victory over Long Beach Poly here Friday night, taking a lob pass from teammate Bryan Louff and slamming it home to propel the varsity basketball team into the CIF Southern Section Division A-11 semifinals.
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Pier potties proving pricey
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CITY HALL — While rains have put a damper on thoughts of an early summer, the City Council isn’t letting a few gloomy days keep it from looking ahead and spending close to $4 million at the beach and pier.
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Living in the wake of TORCA
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NORTH OF WILSHIRE— When Josephine Vidal returns from work to her rent-controlled apartment on 12th Street, she is grateful that for the last six years she has been able to provide a stable, loving home for her grandson.
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Parking plan leaves both sides idling
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CITY HALL — In attempts to appease both residents and business owners at odds over a dearth of parking, the City Council seems to have satisfied no one.
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A somber day at Santa Monica High
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SAMOHI — He was a star athlete on both the football gridiron and the baseball diamond, a faithful follower of his church, an accomplished student and a spot-on comedian.
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Council’s deal with state a shore thing
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CITY HALL — With the state’s finances in the red and a Legislature paralyzed by political partisanship, the City Council has decided to take matters into its own hands when it comes to running one of its most popular attractions — the beach.
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Taking a pass on Pico shops
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PICO BOULEVARD — Whether you have the urge to sew, dine on gourmet cuisine, start a rock band or create the next Oscar-nominated film, you can do it all here ... and at a discount.
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Monika White: The community caregiver
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With someone in America celebrating a 50th birthday every seven seconds, Monika White’s job is about to get hectic. But she’s not a party planner or a gourmet cake decorator. White, 66, is more like a life planner, whose duty is to make people’s golden years as sweet and delightful as possible. And with the largest-ever batch of retirees on the horizon, she’s going to have her hands full.
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Parking scheme lacks structure
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DOWNTOWN — The lack of parking here has long been a thorn in the side of City Hall, with residents, business owners and weekend shoppers all voicing complaints about traffic-jammed streets loaded with desperate drivers hunting for a place to park.
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SMC chief gets crash course on SoCal life
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SMC HDQTRS. — For a manager who has built a reputation on being a hard worker and attentive to his staff, it seemed an odd occurrence Monday afternoon when Santa Monica College President Chui Tsang, Ph.D., failed to show for a meeting regarding construction projects at the main campus.
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Census puts face on homeless
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CITYWIDE — The majority of Santa Monica’s homeless are white men who are most likely war veterans, mentally ill or chronic substance abusers.
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Samohi students may gain Access
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SMMUSD HDQTRS. — In attempts to make life easier for Santa Monica High School students, school board members are expected tonight to debate the creation of a new administrative post that would hopefully fit the bill.
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Beast of ‘burden’: Rising rents are taking a toll
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CITYWIDE — Even families who earn more than $66,000 a year are having trouble living here without becoming financially burdened by rapidly escalating rents, according to a report to be released today by the Santa Monica Rent Control Board.
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Big Blue suit rests in hands of the jury
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WEST LA — It’s now up to a jury to decide whether or not City Hall will have to pay out millions of dollars in damages to an elderly couple suing Big Blue Bus for negligence following closing arguments on Thursday.
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Student’s memory spurs a city
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SAMOHI — It was on full display Friday how the school community and city as a whole have come together in the wake of Eduardo Lopez’ shocking death, as more than a thousand of his fellow Samohi students and community activists took to the streets, joining the family for a peace and unity march through the Pico neighborhood.
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Jury: City is responsible for man losing left arm
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