> ## 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: Feb 04, 2026 - URL: https://www.smdp.com/newsletter-feb-03-2026-2/ - Published: 2026-02-04T18:34:11.000Z - Updated: 2026-02-04T18:34:11.000Z - Author: Editor Sunny. High 84F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Today: ☀️ High 83° / Low 59° Tomorrow: ☁️ High 79° / Low 58° ### **First Up** ![Memorial Park Plan](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/size/w960/format/webp/2026/02/mem_park_2.jpg) Rendering of the revised Memorial Park expansion plan in Santa Monica. (Photo Credit: City of Santa Monica) ### Santa Monica Council Approves Scaled-Back Memorial Park Expansion to Address Budget Gap Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved a revised Memorial Park expansion plan, eliminating elevated tennis and pickleball courts to save $17M...[READ](https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-council-approves-scaled-back-memorial-park-expansion-to-address-budget-gap/) ### **Close to Home** [Santa Monica Council Debates Meeting Changes to Boost AccessSanta Monica City Council rejected 10 a.m. meetings but is exploring closed session changes, longer public comment times, and weekend town halls to increase public participation.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-201.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_8217-2.JPG)](https://www.smdp.com/council-considers-meeting-changes-but-not-early-meetings/) [LA County Extends Eviction Protections Amid Immigration RaidsLos Angeles County now requires two months of unpaid rent before landlords can evict tenants in unincorporated areas, up from the previous one-month threshold.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-200.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/SD4_JHahn_2021_4LGO1_RvrsdTitle.png)](https://www.smdp.com/county-extends-eviction-protections-for-renters-impacted-by-immigration-raids/) [LA Charity Director Accused of $5M Homeless Funds FraudAlexander Soofer, director of Abundant Blessings charity in Los Angeles, has pleaded not guilty to defrauding LAHSA of $5M meant for homeless services.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-199.png)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Soofer.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/charity-director-accused-of-defrauding-lahsa-pleads-not-guilty/) [Santa Monica Mayor Chosen for National Urban Equity FellowshipSanta Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis will join 7 other mayors in Harvard’s 2026 Just City Fellowship focused on urban equity, justice and reparative development.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-198.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/-C-CourtneyLindbergPhotography_070222_00042--2-.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/mayor-torosis-selected-for-national-fellowship-on-urban-equity/) ### **In Case You Missed It** [LA County Wildfire Rebuilding to Generate Up to 209,000 JobsLA County’s 2025 Eaton and Palisades wildfires caused 19-26% job losses in affected areas, while rebuilding is expected to create up to 209,000 job-years in Los Angeles.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-197.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/COVER---LA-County-2-1.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/la-county-and-laedc-release-wildfire-economic-impact-update/) [Free Lunar New Year Festival at Santa Monica Place Feb 21Santa Monica Place will host a free Lunar New Year celebration on February 21 with lion dances, martial arts performances, crafts, and red envelope promotions for Year of the Horse.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-196.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/COVER---image.jpeg)](https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-place-to-host-lunar-new-year-celebration/) --- [ ![](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/184438/image/0?seed=) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/184438/click/0?seed=&ref=smdp.com) --- ### Events [ **Wine Wednesday at the Whaler** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/wine-wednesday-at-the-whaler/16952883/2026-02-04T00) 101 Broadway Wed. Feb 4 12:00AM CA 90401 Contact Info (424) 330-0166 info@venicewhaler.com Does not apply on holidays, Santa Monica [ **Book Release for The Invasion of Pantomime by Tim Xonnelly** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/book-release-for-the-invasion-of-pantomime-by-tim-xonnelly/17913859/2026-02-05T19) Beyond Baroque Thu. Feb 5 7:30PM 681 Venice Blvd., Venice [ **Chasing Monarchs** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/chasing-monarchs/16112586/2026-02-05T19) Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center Thu. Feb 5 7:30PM 1310 11th St, Santa Monica [ **TRAKTR RECORDS PRESENTS** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/traktr-records-presents/17821024/2026-02-05T20) Harvelle's Santa Monica Thu. Feb 5 8:30PM 1432 4th St,, Santa Monica [ **Date Night Flower Arranging Workshop** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/date-night-flower-arranging-workshop/17600940/2026-02-06T18) Viola Floral Studios Fri. Feb 6 6:00PM 1639 11th St. Suite 162, Santa Monica [ **Electric Lodge Presents: High Voltage** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/electric-lodge-presents-high-voltage/15774947/2026-02-06T20) Electric Lodge Fri. Feb 6 8:00PM 1416 Electric Avenue, Los Angeles [ **New Exhibition at the history museum celebrates Food & Family** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/new-exhibition-at-the-history-museum-celebrates-food-family/17896821/2026-02-06T11) Santa Monica History Museum Fri. Feb 6 11:00AM 1350 Seventh Street, Santa Monica [ **Ryan Presents; the 90s!** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/ryan-presents-the-90s/17453983/2026-02-06T21) Harvelle's Santa Monica Fri. Feb 6 9:00PM 1432 4th St,, Santa Monica [ **Downtown Walking Tour** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/downtown-walking-tour/15830816/2026-02-07T10) Hosteling Intl. Sat. Feb 7 10:00AM 1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica [ **New Exhibition at the history museum celebrates Food & Family** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/new-exhibition-at-the-history-museum-celebrates-food-family/17896821/2026-02-07T11) Santa Monica History Museum Sat. Feb 7 11:00AM 1350 Seventh Street, Santa Monica [Read our PDF version](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020426.pdf%0A?ref=smdp.com)