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# Stairway of the Stars Concert Showcases 1,000 Local Student Musicians
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/022305-story-20050223/
- Published: 2005-02-23T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T06:09:40.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Entertainment, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Daily Press staff*

New Directions, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance and job training to homeless veterans is celebrating the grand re-opening of its Veteran’s Village Diner on Feb. 25 with music from reggae artist Big D, performing from noon to 3 p.m. The diner is located on the VA campus at 11303 Wilshire Blvd. in building 306 and specializes in home-style cooking prepared by veterans who have completed culinary arts training.

A highlight at the diner is its Jazz Barbecue Friday Series that features home style barbecue, coleslaw, potato salad and cornbread with the accompaniment of live music. Priced from $4.50 to $6.50, each entrée includes a beverage as well as a complimentary slice of cake.

New Directions, Inc., recently named recipient of the 2004 Sustainable Quality Award by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the city of Santa Monica, is a long-term drug and alcohol treatment program providing housing, food, clothing, counseling, job training and psychiatric services for more than 800 homeless veterans a year. The agency operates four residential rehabilitation facilities, including the 156-bed Regional Opportunity Center, the 43-bed New Directions North for homeless veterans with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders, and two homes in Mar Vista for homeless women veterans. School District stars climb Stairway to stardom

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 23, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/022305.pdf?ref=smdp.com)