> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Newsletter: Apr 09, 2026 - URL: https://www.smdp.com/newsletter-apr-08-2026-2/ - Published: 2026-04-09T18:40:58.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-09T18:40:58.000Z - Author: Editor A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Today: 🌤️ High 70° / Low 58° Tomorrow: 🌤️ High 66° / Low 58° ### **First Up** ![LA woman](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/size/w1280/format/webp/2026/04/COVER---Zsuzsi-Steiner_Credit.JPEG) Sarah Kolenik and Kat Hatayama launched Karma Companions, pairing adults 55+ with paid companions for friendship. (Photo Credit: Zsuzsi Steiner) ## Two L.A. Women Turn Personal Experiences Into Companionship Service for Older Adults A chance friendship between two neighbors on the same Los Angeles street has grown into a business built on a deceptively simple premise... [READ](https://www.smdp.com/two-l-a-women-turn-personal-experiences-into-companionship-service-for-older-adults/) --- [ ![](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/184436/image/0?seed=) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/184436/click/0?seed=&ref=smdp.com) --- ### **Close to Home** [Santa Monica Pier Marks Route 66’s 100th AnniversarySanta Monica Pier executives attended a Chicago ceremony designating Navy Pier as Route 66’s new symbolic eastern starting point for the highway’s 100th anniversary.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Navy-Pier-and-Santa-Monica-Pier-officials-dedicated-Navy-Pier-as-the-new-symbolic-eastern-starting-point-of-Historic-Route-66-on-March-25--2026-Photo-One..jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/locals-travel-to-chicago-to-mark-symbolic-starting-point-of-route-66/) [Raman Launches LA Mayor Bid, Attacks Bass Homeless PolicyLos Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman launches mayoral campaign criticizing Mayor Karen Bass’s Inside Safe program, citing 40% return-to-street rate.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/NR-logo.png)](https://www.smdp.com/raman-blasts-bass-homelessness-record-and-unveils-rival-plan-for-l-a-mayors-race/) [SMC Earth Week 2026: Free Documentary, Garden Workshop & MoreSanta Monica College hosts free Earth Week events April 9-23, 2026 including documentary screening, gardening workshop and sustainability fair at 1900 Pico Blvd.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/EarthWeek2026posterfinal.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/smc-to-celebrate-earth-week-2026-with-free-events/) [Pacific Park Names New Government Affairs DirectorPacific Park on Santa Monica Pier appoints Tim Defuria as Director of Government and Community Affairs to strengthen relationships with city.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Tim-Defuria--Director-of-Government-and-Community-Affairs--Pacific-Park-on-the-Santa-Monica-Pier-Photo.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/pacific-park-names-tim-defuria-director-of-government-and-community-affairs/) ### **In Case You Missed It** [LA County Tackles Massive Hospice Fraud CrisisLA County Supervisors vote to combat Medicare fraud in home health and hospice care as Southern California becomes national epicenter with 4,700+ agencies.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/hospice-motion.png)](https://www.smdp.com/l-a-county-supervisors-move-to-combat-home-health-hospice-fraud-amid-nationwide-crackdown/) [California Public Records Fees Threaten DemocracyProposed California bill could raise public records fees, limiting access to government data and putting transparency at risk.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPCal Matters![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/012825_LAHSA-Documents_MG_CM_04.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/california-shouldnt-price-the-public-out-of-public-records-democracy-is-at-stake/) ### Events [ **Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/celebrating-100-years-of-route-66/18519892/2026-04-09T17) Designworks, A BMW Company Thu. Apr 9 5:00PM 1601 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica [ **Big Feelings Weekend at Cayton Children's Museum** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/big-feelings-weekend-at-cayton-childrens-museum/18487820/2026-04-10T08) Cayton Children's Museum Fri. Apr 10 8:00AM 395 Santa Monica Place, #374, Santa Monica [ **Bundy Triangle Night Market** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/bundy-triangle-night-market/18490079/2026-04-10T17) Bundy Triangle Fri. Apr 10 5:00PM 1500 S Bundy Drive, Los Angeles [ **RUN FOR COVER** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/run-for-cover/18439149/2026-04-10T00) Jameson’s Pub Fri. Apr 10 12:00AM 2702 Main St, Santa Monica [ **$5 Community Dog Training Classes!** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/5-community-dog-training-classes/11981844/2026-04-11T10) Virginia Ave Park Sat. Apr 11 10:30AM 2200 Virgina Ave, Santa Monica [ **DadTime** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/dadtime/17327106/2026-04-11T09) Virginia Avenue Park (fitness room inside the Park Center) Sat. Apr 11 9:00AM 2200 Virginia Avenue, Santa Monica [ **Main Street Walk** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/main-street-walk/18119523/2026-04-11T10) The Historic Shotgun House Sat. Apr 11 10:30AM 2520 2nd St, Santa Monica [ **Venice Electric Light Parade - Sundays at Sunset** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/venice-electric-light-parade-sundays-at-sunset/14970341/2026-04-12T00) Windward Plaza Sun. Apr 12 12:00AM 1501 Ocean Front Walk, Venice [ **City Council Meeting** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/city-council-meeting/13799967/2026-04-14T17) Santa Monica City Hall Tue. Apr 14 5:30PM 1685 Main St., Santa Monica [ **Memories & Movement Senior Club** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/memories-movement-senior-club/14853634/2026-04-14T10) Virginia Avenue Park Tue. Apr 14 10:30AM 2200 Virginia Ave., Santa Monica [Read our PDF version](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/040926.pdf%0A?ref=smdp.com)